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BlackBerry wants to extend their cyber security offerings and they might have found the next step.
According to the Business Insider magazine, BlackBerry plans to expand its cyber-solution offerings when it buys California-based Cylance, which reportedly costs $ 1.5 billion, but of course there is no official approval. And the final terms will be disclosed when it be official.
Cylance now has more than 4,000 customers with revenues of $130 million (Annual) in fiscal 2018, a 90% growth( year over year) for the small company. Among the company’s customers are Panasonic, WWE and others, where the company holds 20% of the prestigious Fortune 500 companies.
We will continue to report this surprising purchase. You can watch a video of Cylance.
You can also check Cylance website.


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Last Updated: Thursday, July 24, 2014, 21:33
Amazon.com Inc`s new "Fire" smartphone features "gimmicks" - such as 3D effects and object scanner - that may not be enough to entice users away from similarly priced Apple Inc iPhones and Samsung`s Galaxy S5, reviewers said.
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 23, 2014, 23:59
Global sales of tablet computers edged higher in the second quarter, in the slowest growth since 2009, research firm Strategy Analytics said Wednesday.
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 09, 2014, 17:13
Mobile apps that work well can transform a blind person`s life, reading email on the go or speaking directions to a new restaurant.
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 01, 2014, 15:53
The device will be available in two screen sizes - 8.4 inch and 10.5 inch - priced at Rs 37,800 and Rs 44,800.
Last Updated: Thursday, June 26, 2014, 18:10
After e-commerce, Flipkart has jumped into the fiercely competitive smart device market in India by launching its calling tablet for Rs 9,999.
Last Updated: Friday, June 20, 2014, 18:57
Asus already sells its PadFone and MemoPad voice calling tablets in India.
Last Updated: Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 17:24
In the age of digital revolution you need to help your child draw a line between the real and virtual worlds, advises Sonali Gupta.
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 27, 2014, 21:14
Tablet market in India declined by over 32 percent to 0.78 million units in January-March this year as it continued to struggle to attract buyers, research firm IDC said on Tuesday.
Last Updated: Sunday, May 25, 2014, 22:33
Google is reportedly planning to produce 4000 prototype tablets which would be capable of clicking 3D images, ahead of Google's I/O developer conference next month.
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 21, 2014, 12:44
Microsoft has its eyes set on getting business professionals on board with its new design.
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 20, 2014, 22:09
Microsoft Corp on Tuesday unveiled a larger but lighter version of its Surface Pro tablet as it ramps up efforts to make an impact on the mobile computing market and counter the popularity of Apple Inc`s iPad and MacBook Air laptop.
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 23:47
South Korean electronics giant Samsung is reportedly planning to launch its largest 13.3-inch tablet along with other two tablets.
more videos >>

domain: news


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Black Friday numbers are strong across the board, according to initial reports coming in today from retailers and payments companies. As IBM reported earlier today, total online sales saw a surge of 20.7 percent in spending from last year. eBay-owned PayPal is reporting that Black Friday global mobile payments volume was up 193 percent from last year.
eBay is also reporting a major increase in transactions; total mobile volume in the U.S. was up 153 percent, and GSI Commerce saw a 198 percent jump in mobile sales.
PayPal spokesperson Anuj Nayar says that the payments giant believes that this is the year where holiday shopping on mobile devices has gone mainstream. Yesterday, shoppers in Houston made the most purchases via PayPal using mobile phones. For the previous three years, New York City has taken the top spot.
For Thanksgiving, eBay saw a 133 percent increase in mobile volume transacted; and PayPal saw a 173 percent increase. While more shoppers are hitting their phones and tablets for sales on Thanksgiving, it’s also apparent that consumers are perhaps forgoing the malls and stores for mobile shopping on Black Friday, as well.
IBM says department stores saw online sales grow by 16.8 percent over Black Friday 2011. And mobile sales reached 16.3 percent of total sales for Black Friday. Design-focused e-commerce site Fab says that sales were up 300% yesterday vs 2011. And mobile sales tripled vs. last year.
Next up is Cyber Monday, which is also expected to see strong growth in mobile as more consumers use their phones at work to purchase items.


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EVANSTON, IL–(Marketwired – February 09, 2016) – New Hampshire gained manufacturing jobs over the past year, reports the 2016 New Hampshire Manufacturers Register®, an industrial database and directory published by Manufacturers’ News, Inc. (MNI) Evanston, IL. According to MNI’s database of manufacturers, New Hampshire gained 592 manufacturing jobs from November 2014 to November 2015.
New Hampshire is now home to 2,462 manufacturers employing 81,325 workers.
“New Hampshire is one of the most business-friendly states in New England, and its workforce is among the nation’s most educated,” says Tom Dubin, President of the Evanston, IL-based publishing company, which has been surveying industry since 1912. “However, the state lags in other key areas such as access to capital and infrastructure.”
For the full report, including specific company news, click here or visit http://www.manufacturersnews.com/news
New Hampshire industrial sectors reporting gains included chemicals, up 4.8%; fabricated metals, up 3.4%; lumber/wood, up 3.1%; food products up 1.1%; and stone/clay/glass, up 1%.
Gains were offset by losses in electronics, the state’s second-largest sector by employment, down 2.1% to 10,840 jobs. The industrial machinery sector, the state’s top industry by employment, posted a half percent loss, currently employing 13,492. Additional losses were reported in furniture/fixtures, down 5%, and paper products, down 3.8%.
City data collected by MNI shows Manchester remains New Hampshire’s top city by manufacturing employment, up 1% over the year to 7,828 jobs. Industrial employment in second-ranked Nashua declined 1.1% to 5,523 jobs, and climbed 2.6% in third-ranked Londonderry to 4,142. Hudson ranks fourth statewide with 4,049 manufacturing jobs, 1.6% less than a year ago, while Portsmouth ranks fifth with 3,948 jobs, up 2.9%.
Established in 1912, Manufacturers’ News, Inc. is the nation’s oldest and largest publisher of industrial information. MNI offers a variety of tailored solutions to help customers connect with 430,000 manufacturers and suppliers. MNI’s industrial database subscription service EZ Select (www.ezselect.com) allows users to tap into a live interactive database of manufacturers, while its industrial search engine IndustryNet (www.industrynet.com) connects buyers and suppliers and allows users to view profiles and obtain competitive quotes. For more information, contact Manufacturers’ News, Inc. 847-864-7000. http://www.mni.net or follow MNI on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mfrsnews
Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/2/9/11G082096/Images/NH_2016-17f9748f0e7fadd5a1596e922595ca65.jpg


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Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge will be unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event on March 1
If you are still not sure whether Samsung’s next flagship smartphone will be named Galaxy S6 or something else, here comes yet another proof that it would be called Galaxy S6. Sean Aune of TechnoBuffalo has discovered that Samsung filed for a trademark in South Korea on February 4. The filing lists “Samsung C & T Corporation | SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS” as the applicant.
In his book, The Dhandho Investor: The Low–Risk Value Method to High Returns, Mohnish Pabrai coined an investment approach known as "Heads I win; Tails I don't lose much." Q3 2021 hedge fund letters, conferences and more The principle behind this approach was relatively simple. Pabrai explained that he was only looking for securities with Read More
Why did Samsung wait for so long before filing?
It requests trademark for Galaxy S6. The Korean electronics giant also submitted another filing for Galaxy S6 Edge on the same day. Surprisingly, the smartphone maker did not try to lock down the names until recently. TechnoBuffalo says Samsung waits until closer to the official launch event. The S6 Edge filing suggests that the company is all set to launch the edge variant of Galaxy S6.
The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge will be unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event on March 1 in Barcelona. Samsung has already sent out invites for the event. Separately, an accessories maker has listed its Galaxy S6 cases on Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba. In the past few weeks, many accessories manufacturers, including Spigen and Verus, have started listing their covers for Samsung’s next flagship smartphones on e-commerce platforms.
Galaxy S6 to introduce Samsung Pay
Last month, telecom giant Vodafone accidentally revealed that Samsung would indeed unveil two smartphones: one standard model and another with dual-edge display. On January 30, the Galaxy S6 was shipped to India for testing and evaluation purposes. According to Indian import/export tracking site Zauba, the device has a 5-inch display, 20MP main camera and 3GB RAM.
Leaked images obtained by ZDNet Korea and schematics obtained by SamMobile suggest that the Galaxy S6 will be 6.91mm thick. The device will have a non-swipe fingerprint scanner to facilitate the company’s forthcoming Samsung Pay payment system. It will feature Exynos 7420 processor and Android Lollipop. The S6 Edge will have similar specs, except a dual-edge display.


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LANSING (AP) — The Senate on Thursday voted to let Michigan bars and restaurants serve drinks in glasses with the logos of alcohol makers but angered those establishments by also moving to regulate glassware sales and codify a ban against logoed coasters and other items.
The move came just two days after state regulators began the process of rescinding rules that prohibit logos — Bud Light or Jack Daniels, for instance — from appearing on items with a “secondary use” in restaurants and bars: glasses, coasters, ashtrays, clocks, patio umbrellas and the like. The legislation approved 34-3 and sent to the House would trump the expected canceling of regulations from Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration.
Michigan allows signs and advertisements in bars and restaurants but is the only state to fully prohibit logoed barware items, according to the Michigan Restaurant Association. The rule stems from a Prohibition-era law designed to prevent bribing of retailers by suppliers and wholesalers with extra goods.
The group criticized the Republican-led Senate in part for allowing glasses to be bought only from third parties with no connection to alcohol manufacturers, wholesalers or vendors. Establishments worry it could be hard to find glassware not directly or indirectly affiliated with the alcohol industry. They would have to submit a purchase order to the state Liquor Control Commission for approval and keep receipts for three years.
“Apparently free market principles and the elimination of frivolous government intrusion are no longer priorities of Senate Republicans,” said Brian DeBano, president and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant Association. “I will be sure to consult with the caucus the next time my members want to change ketchup brands to make sure they approve.”
The legislation won overwhelming approval alongside a larger package of bills that would streamline liquor licensing, pave the way for the expansion of microbreweries and support limited self-distribution for startup craft brewers. Yet the fight dispute between lawmakers and the Snyder administration threatens to overshadow consensus on other liquor changes.


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Telegram announces plan to earn revenue via premium features and ads
Over the years, Telegram has proven to be a popular alternative to WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. It’s now on the verge of reaching 500 million active users, and as it approaches this milestone, co-founder Pavel Durov has announced plans to start earning revenue in 2021 through premium features and an ad platform.
An operation of such scale requires some serious moolah to keep going, and the app is regularly updated with new features — just today, always-on voice chats, SD card support, and new animations were introduced.
Telegram announces plan to earn revenue via premium features and ads was written by the awesome team at Android Police.


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TechInAfrica – If you’re a tech-savvy or an automobile enthusiast, chances are you’ve heard of Elon Musk’s Tesla. The company, an American automotive and energy company based in Palo Alto, California, specializes in electric car manufacturing—and through its SolarCity subsidiary, solar panel manufacturing. But why isn’t this magnificent implementation of renewable energy available in South Africa?
In a response to a tweet on August 29th, 2019, Elon Musk said that the company would love to bring Tesla to South Africa—yet it seemed that import duties are deemed extremely high despite the subject being electric vehicles. South African motorists and fans of Tesla would have to wait for the official launch of Tesla vehicles in the country.
You can read the full tweet below:
Would love to, but import duties are extremely high, even for electric vehicles
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 28, 2019
Despite this, Ebrahim Patel—minister of Trade and Industry—spoke that while the country does not support nor subsidize the availability to manifest these electric vehicles, the government is still working to arrange and make things possible for the notion. Additionally, the program responsible for the imports and production of motor vehicles is the Automotive Production and Development Program (APDP).
Furthermore, Patel professed:
Under the APDP, light motor vehicles including electric vehicles can be imported into the country with the use of rebate credit certificates earned.
With no manufacturer officially assembling electric vehicles in South Africa, imports regarding this matter have also been in a staggering state—fewer than 1,000 units imported to date. It’s only logical for the country to limit the imports of electric vehicles due to lack of available service and spare part providers. However, this doesn’t mean South Africa isn’t open to the impending change in the automotive industry; development of production capacity must meet the growing anticipation and demands.
When an open mindset is applied to the contributing elements, Tesla will be available in no time for South African citizens.


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Spotify, the world’s most popular global online audio streaming subscription service, has been launched in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. With a worldwide community of more than 345 million monthly active listeners, Spotify will offer a world-class audio listening and music discovery experience to listeners. According to a statement from the company, the Spotify service is available for free or with an upgrade to Spotify Premium, a subscription service that offers an ad-free music listening experience.
“Spotify launches in Nigeria with its unrivalled mix of features that have made it the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service, including more than 70 million international and local songs, 2.2 million podcasts, and over 4 billion playlists.
The platform offers everyday new music and podcast discovery, algorithmic recommendations personalised to each listener’s audio taste, and the freedom to engage Spotify across a wide range of devices and app integrations with Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Samsung, Tinder, Google Maps, Nike, and more,” the company stated…
More details through:
News Archive from before July 2018


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Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that the final annual meeting of MCI before it is acquired by BT was a somber, even poignant affair. Though the company called MCI will disappear, its new owners recognize the value of the MCI brand and have assured us they intend to ensure its survival.For the MCI brand, this event will be the third major transition it has weathered. First, when the company left the comparative sleepiness of the corporate market for the high visibility and public scrutiny of the massses. Then, in the early 90s, MCI expanded its franchise to take the high tech lead. Now, MCI is the first major US phone company to successfully partner with an international counterpart to offer global service.
MCI’s brand essence, the accumulated stories that make up the company’s values and personality, fit the first two iterations of the company flawlessly. The first was translating this essence into an accessible image that would appeal to the masses while not turning off its business customers. This is the scrappy, cheap, resourceful, irreverent, and anti-monopoly MCI that we know and love. This image provided the platform for the second transition to high tech leader – what could better reflect the cutting edge of technology than such an array of attributes?
Whether MCI can effectively morph its story this time will depend on the culture that emerges once it is legally merged with BT. However, when MCI’s founder Bill McGowan said he would like to be reincarnated as the Chairman of some protected, cushy telephone monopoly, he may not have envisioned that company as having anything to do with MCI, itself. MCI has handled past transitions with alacrity, but will the formality and beaurocracy of BT permit that alacrity now when it is needed more than ever to help these two brands to capitalize on synergies and raise their combined brand value – or will this be a battle of wills?
The solution may very well lie in focusing on what they have in common – technology. Both BT and MCI have excellent reputations for providing advanced networks to such leading edge companies as Cisco. Both have had major technology wins in the consumer markets too. And both have lived through the wrenching change of a formerly monopolistic, now deregulated environment, albeit from different sides. From the common goal of technology their disparate personalities begin to coalesce. The poignancy of losing our own thouroughly American, die-in-the-ditch MCI may be mitigated by the emergence of a new definition of what is American, with MCI leaving its Horatio Alger-like struggle for survival behind for a Bill Gates’ style monopoly.


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Central banks and conventional financing institutions are learning more about crytocurrencies, especially Bitcoin, to prep themselves for competition arising form the emergence of fintech.
Bank notes have long been the standard legal tender in almost all countries known to the world. However, Bitcoin and other crytocurrencies have drawn much attention from central banks.
However, cryptocurrencies are nowhere near overtaking or replacing bank notes as legal tenders recognised by central banks, according to an industry expert.
In an interview with SME, Bill Barhydt, founder and CEO of ABRA shared his professional knowledge and opinion with me.
He said that Bitcoin’s value is fluctuating because it is not backed any other commodities. In fact, central banks treat Bitcoin as a type of commodity.
Using the United States as an example, he said, “The Federal Reserve (Fed) does not recognise Bitcoin as a legal tender, because if it does so, Bitcoin would be competing with the US Dollar. The Fed sees it as a commodity for investment purpose.
“Bitcoin’s current volatile value is due to the size of its capital market, which is not as huge in comparison to other commodities.
“The problem with Bitcoin’s trading activities now is that people or focussing on buying the cryptocurrency, and much lesser are selling. It is easier to influence the price when you are holding on to a lot of Bitcoins,” explained Barhydt.
A Disruptive FinTech
Blockchain is the underpinning technology for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
According to McKinsey, blockchains (blockchain) could revolutionise the world’s economy, driven by its innovation around privacy protection and business efficiencies.
On the other hand, global research firm IDC forecasts global spending on blockchain solutions will rise from US$945 million in 2017 to US$2.1 billion in 2018.
Key drivers of growth include the banking and finance, logistics, retail, and professional services. All these factors form crucial pillars of Singapore’s global competitiveness.
Forecasts show that blockchain spending will be led by the financial sector (US$754 million in 2018), driven largely by rapid adoption in the banking industry.
The distribution and services sector (US$510 million in 2018) will see strong investments from the retail and professional services industries.
Meanwhile, the manufacturing and resources sector (US$448 million in 2018) will be driven by the discrete and process manufacturing industries.


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Mobius II has been designed to meet specific needs of African markets. Limited to production of just 50 numbers, the company has already received pre-orders for the car and have promised to produce more units based on demand. Mobius II will receive a 1.6 liter petrol engine offering 86 bhp peak power. To be locally assembled in Kenya, Mobius II will be rugged and versatile and ideally suited to tackle Kenya’s rugged terrain. It will be appropriate both for use as a passenger vehicle and for carrying of goods across dirt roads.
Recently, Mobius Motors received undisclosed capital investment from US billionaire Ronald Lauder and this investment will go a long way to assemble first set of vehicles and to establish a distribution network. The company will have its main showroom at Sameer Business Park along Nairobi’s Mombasa Road.
Through launch of new Mobius II, Mobius Motors endeavours to encourage transport entrepreneurs across Africa with best suited vehicles, taking into consideration uneven and difficult terrain. Besides this, the company also wishes to help with financing and business advice needed to operate sustainable transport centric operations. The company is building a revolutionary platform for mobility and promoting job opportunities across Africa. For more information, visit their website.


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06 May 2023
Crypto ATMs that were being used unlawfully to transact cryptocurrencies were targeted by the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and local law enforcement as part of an ongoing crack
03 Oct 2022
The Bitcoin ATM ecosystem was hit by the domino effect of a lengthy down market in September 2022. When it registered negative growth in worldwide net installations for the first time in history. Th
30 Sep 2021
According to fresh data on popular cryptocurrency and Bitcoin ATM tracker, CoinATMRadar, the total number of BATM installations around the world has exceeded 28,000. Bitcoin ATM (BATM) is an elec
© 2015-2023 Coinposters. All rights reserved!


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BARCELONA, Spain, May 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
The International Nut and Dried Fruit Council celebrates, from yesterday until Wednesday, and for the first time in San Diego, the World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress which represents the largest international gathering of food professionals, suppliers, traders and buyers dedicated to the nuts and dried fruits business. More than 1,400 attendees from 60 countries have met at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, making it the largest event of the sector in history.
The Congress has begun with the speech of Mark Mariani, INC Chairman, and the Jack Mariani, Congress Co-Chairman, and the delivery of the Award Excellence in Gastronomy to Christopher Kostow, Executive Chef of The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa, and winner of 3 Michelin stars.
The first day of the Congress has been featured by Steve Junqueiro, Co-President of Save Mart Supermarkets. Being invited as a keynote speaker, Junqueiro has offered a conference focused on the future of American supermarkets. He has mentioned food transparency, convenience, connectivity and local and sustainable supply as vital points for costumers. He stated that "62 % of millennials feel that online content drives their loyalty to a brand" and added that "emotionally connected customers are four times more likely to shop first at their preferred retailer."
Afterwards, round tables have provided participants with relevant and updated information about crop forecasts. Mark Jansen, who chaired the almonds' round table, claimed that the industry has entered a positive period. "What we are anticipating is a growing trend-line of around 5 to 6 % in terms of growth across all almonds growing regions. And we look for worldwide demand growing to 5 - 6 % rates as well". "I would say that what we are seeing in the near future is a healthy equalization between supply and demand growth", added. Michael Hohmann, chair of the pistachios' round table, said that industry expects consumption to increase next year, as consumers are looking for more and more snacks.
Today, Dr. Joel Kimmelshue, from Land IQ, will participate in the Scientific Seminar focused on statewide spatial mapping of almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and dried plums in California and water resources. In addition, the Nutrition Research Update, featured by Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton, Prof. Salas-Salvadó and Dr. Cesarettin Alasalvar, will serve to review the scientific studies supporting the health benefits of nuts and dried fruits.
INC press contact, email@example.com, +34-932-419-150
SOURCE International Nut & Dried Fruit Council (INC)


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Remember that feeling when you enter your nearest Starbucks location in the early morning and a pleasant smell of spices, mixed with coffee, strikes your nose? Usually, this scent signals that Summer is almost over and fall starts to take over, bringing cooler weather and cozy drinks to our life.
Well, we have two great news for today, folks: your favorite pumpkin spiced latte comes back to the menu, and your favorite pumpkin latte will now be sold in bottles.
A couple of days ago, the company announced that it would start selling one of the most popular drinks in supermarkets. In addition to that, Starbucks plans to produce ground coffee with spiced pumpkin flavor.


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U.S. Drops COVID-19 Testing Requirement for Incoming Travelers
Summer travel just got a lot more appealing
International travel was already on the rise, but the news from the Biden administration just gave globetrotters more to cheer—and pull out their credit cards—about. Even as European and other countries dropped their testing mandates for incoming travelers, the U.S. held firm—until last week. The requirement, implemented by the Trump administration, was eliminated Sunday. Travelers no longer must arrange for (and pass) a COVID-19 test at their end of their vacations in London, Rome, Bora Bora, or anywhere else. The airline and tourism industries had long lobbied for the change.
“The Biden administration is to be commended for this action, which will welcome back visitors from around the world and accelerate the recovery of the U.S. travel industry,” said Roger Dow, president of the U.S. Travel Association. “International inbound travel is vitally important to businesses and workers across the country who have struggled to regain losses from this valuable sector.”


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It hasn’t been even a month since the iPhone 7 was launched in India, and already there are rumors rife about what will be there in the next iPhone. Many believe that it will be called the iPhone 8 as it will be the 10th anniversary of Apple’s groundbreaking smartphone. This is of particular importance as the new iPhone 7 has been seen as a timid update over the iPhone 6S. It is still early days in what we believe to be an almost yearlong cycle of rumors, but there is already quite a bit of information out there.
An OLED screen is almost a sure shot on the next iPhone. Sharp executives have already been hinting that the next iPhone could have an OLED display manufactured by it. They have also hinted that they now have the ability to make OLED displays in the US. OLED screens also make sense from a power consumption point of view as they are known to guzzle less power than typical LCD screens used in iPhones.
Nikkei also reports that in addition to the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models, there could be a 5-inch screen that will also have a 2.5D cover glass. One can also expect an increase in screen resolution as Apple hasn’t bumped up the screen’s resolution on the iPhone since the iPhone 6. This will be of particular importance if Apple wants to make a deep bet in the VR space.
A new design for the iPhone 8 is a given, considering Apple didn’t redesign the iPhone 7 casing this year. A redesign is also in order, particularly for the larger Plus model, as the bezels on the top and bottom of the screen are humongous, and it feels much larger to phones with similar screen sizes. There is chatter that Apple may either use a polished metal body just like the Jet Black model on the current iPhone 7 or opt for a glass back, something it has done in the past with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.
There is also a growing belief that Apple may use a ceramic body on the next iPhone. Apple already uses ceramic on the Apple Watch Series 2 Edition. As we have witnessed on phones like the new Xiaomi Mi Mix, it will enable Apple to build a glossy phone which will be more resistant to scratches and damage than, say, a phone made out of glass or metal Sci Burg. Perhaps, Apple could make a special edition 10th anniversary model, which will be made out of ceramic. Whatever be the case, a new design is almost a certainty, and even long-time Apple watcher Ming Chi-Kuo of KGI securities claims the same.
While Samsung and LG have been making phones with wireless charging for years, Apple hasn’t used this technology in its phones. The Apple Watch started using the technology. It has filed patents that indicate that it is working on some long-range wireless charging technology based on near field magnetic resonance.
This indicates that Apple could actually use wireless charging in the next iPhone. It has been working with a start-up called Energous, also known as its charging chip called WattUp. Foxconn has also reportedly started testing wireless charging tech, and if it were to make enough of these, the chances are that Apple may unveil this feature in the special edition of the next iPhone.
The camera on the next iPhone could be in for a bigger update. While the dual-camera setup was unveiled in the iPhone 7 Plus, Apple is yet to fully unlock the potential of the dual cameras, which enable not only optical zoom but also a bokeh effect that associatesiate with DSLR cameras. Apple is likely to further these capabilities on the next-generation iPhones. Ming Chi-Kuo, who is known for his reliable sources in Apple’s supply chain, believes that while there will be updates to the camera, the dual-lens setup could remain exclusive to the larger iPhone 8 Plus model.
Apple is expected to adopt an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner for Touch ID in the next iPhone. Xiaomi’s Mi 5S smartphone already uses this technology. In the iPhone case, Apple’s motivation could be propelled by the fact that it may want to have an edge-to-edge screen on the next iPhone, which may not leave room for a home button which has been a signature of the iPhone since it first came out in 2007.
Apple could augment this with a new taptic engine that may reproduce more complex tactile vibrations. This would again be necessary if Apple planned to get rid of the home button to use the taptic engine to replicate the click. It has already started to do this on the current iPhone 7.
Apple will likely ship the next iPhone with an A11 processor. This processor is expected to be made on a 10nm manufacturing process, which should make it faster and smaller at the same time.
Already, the iPhone pretty much the fastest mobile CPU by a country mile, and one should expect more of the same from it next year. Its lead in the ARM chipset space is quite massive, even over companies like Qualcomm, which have been making mobile processors for Android smartphones for years.
READ ALSO :
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- People with disabilities will receive the £150 cost of living payment in September, the Department for Work and Pensions has announced.
- The payment will be made directly to those receiving certain disability benefits.
Amid the high cost of living due to the soaring energy and grocery bills, millions of Brits with disabilities are set to get some relief when they receive the cost-of-living payment next month. A new notification from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has informed that about six million people with disabilities will receive the one-off payment starting 20 September.
The £150 payment, announced in May, is to support people with disabilities with the rising prices and additional expenses they may incur, such as care or specialist equipment. The payment will be made directly to the people who receive certain disability benefits, DWP said, adding that most of the beneficiaries will get the amount within two weeks of the notified date.
The latest announcement comes a month after DWP announced that over 7.2 million people were issued cost of living payments of £326 as part of the government's support package to ease the inflationary pressures on households. A second instalment of the payment of £324 will be made to these households in winter.
Image source: © 2022 Kalkine Media®
Notably, grocery prices have been rising, and electricity bills are estimated to hit at least £3,000 when the new energy price cap comes into effect in October.
In the wake of the above information, let us explore some London-listed stocks worth keeping an eye on.
Tesco Plc (LON: TSCO)
Tesco is a multinational groceries retailer with over 4,700 stores in the UK, and other European countries, along with an online store. Its shares slumped 1.59% and were trading at GBX 266.10 as of 1:30 pm GMT+1 on Tuesday. The FTSE 100 constituent holds a market cap of £20,251.17 million, and its 12-month return currently stands at 7.95%. On the other hand, the year-to-date return stands in the negative territory at -8.21%. As of 23 August, the stock has an EPS of 0.19.
Unilever Plc (LON: ULVR)
The multinational fast-moving consumer goods company holds a market cap of £99,134.32 million. The FTSE 100 constituent posted an underlying operating profit of €5 billion for the first six months of 2022, 4.1% higher than H12021. Its underlying sales grew 8.1%, while the turnover rose 14.9% against the same period last year. The stock was down 1.46% at GBX 3,947.50 as of 1:39 pm GMT+1 on 23 August. It has depreciated by over 4.5% over the past 12 months. Its EPS currently stands at 2.33.
AstraZeneca Plc (LON: AZN)
The FTSE 100 listed pharmaceutical giant has a market cap of £177,261.59 million, and it has provided investors with a return of over 29% over the past year. At 1:42 pm GMT+1 on Tuesday, its shares were trading 1.54% lower at GBX 11,264.00. The company's EPS stands at 0.08, while its Relative Strength Indicator (RSI) stood at 49.90 as of 1:43 pm.
Note: The above content constitutes a very preliminary observation or view based on market trends and is of limited scope without any in-depth fundamental valuation or technical analysis. Any interest in stocks or sectors should be thoroughly evaluated taking into consideration the associated risks.


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2021 Lexus Lc 500H 0-60 Crash Test, Configurations, Release Date – Lexus possesses enhanced its LC 500 model line together with the actual 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible. As Lexus model, the LC 500 c READ 2021 Lexus IS 300 Sport, Interior, Release Date 2021 Lexus IS Engine The rear-wheel-produce (RWD) 2021 IS 300 comes with a turbocharged 2.-liter 4-pipe acquiring 241 hp. The Lexus IS is anticipated to get its next full redesign sometime in 2020 or 2021. Unfortunately, the lack of spy shots or early specs gives us zero indications as to what the next IS will look like. The current IS was 2021 Lexus IS Release Date, Price, Rumors George M. Jackson November 4, 2019 IS No Comments This model debuted for all those 2014 item 12 a few months and also the degree of rivalry is a superb offer brisker. 2021 Lexus RX 350 Redesign, Release Date, Changes Oscar Cool March 20, 2020 Lexus RX 350 No Comments Each one of us experiences that Lexus actual the most impressive top-of-the-line automotive, the newest SUV is really excellent. 2021 Lexus IS350 Launch Date And Idea – 2021 Lexus IS350. At present in Historical past. Rumors 2021 Lexus IS350. At present is Saturday, Feb. 22, the 53rd day of 2020. There are 313 canicule larboard within the 12 months. At present’s Spotlight in Historical past: 2021 Lexus ES 350 Redesign, Release Date, Colors and Price – One of the most predicted sedans from Lexus can make its release in the forthcoming year, the 2021 Lexus ES 350. The car for starters introduced in 1989 and grow to be one of the best model from Lexus align. The existing model is the 6th many years of the car who make the first appearance back in 2012. Understanding the proven fact .
2021 Lexus IS Release Date and Price. When it pertains to the new Lexus IS release date, newest reports recommend that the new generation will come in the next year. Nevertheless, it is still early for more accurate times. In terms of price, the new model shouldn’t feature more significant differences compared to the current one, which begins Look for a 2021 Lexus RX release date in the third quarter of 2020. What are the best competitors for the 2021 Lexus RX? Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT6, Infiniti QX60, Lincoln Aviator, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Porsche Cayenne, Volvo XC90. Previous. Next. Previous. Next Read More about the Latest Models . Get past the nose, and what do you have? 2021 BMW X7 is an intriguing 7 .
Lexus 2021 Release Date


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In a shocking turn of events, Meta has announced that it will lay off an additional 10,000 employees, a decision that was confirmed by Mark Zuckerberg himself. This comes on the heels of a previous announcement that the company would be laying off 10,000 workers.
According to sources, the layoffs are part of Meta’s ambitious restructuring plan, which aims to streamline the company’s operations and cut costs. The company’s parent, Facebook, has been struggling in recent years, with declining user numbers and increased scrutiny from regulators over its handling of user data.
The move to cut jobs is expected to have a significant impact on the company’s workforce, which currently stands at around 100,000. It remains to be seen how the layoffs will affect Meta’s further operations, but it is clear that the company is taking decisive action to try and turn its fortunes around.
Meta’s decision is likely to have far-reaching consequences, not just for the company’s employees but also for the wider tech industry. The layoffs come at a time when many other companies are grappling with the same issues of declining user numbers and increased regulatory pressure.
As the tech industry continues to evolve and adapt to new challenges, it is becoming increasingly clear that companies will have to be willing to make tough decisions in order to stay competitive. For Meta, that means cutting jobs, but whether this will be enough to turn the company’s fortunes around remains to be seen.


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5 Things to Know Today: January 19, 2017
Liz Biscevic—5 Things to Know Today
In case you missed it, both individual families and large corporations are stepping up their sustainability game. Earlier this week, Unilever announced plans to make all of their plastic packaging recyclable or compostable, and Procter & Gamble is creating a recyclable shampoo bottle that’s made out of recycled beach plastic. Meanwhile, a family in LA has created a zero-waste homestead in their backyard, asserting that change has to start at the basic level.
1. Triple Pundit: Unilever commits to a huge reduction in plastic waste.
Earlier this week, Unilever said they plan to make all of their plastic packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025. This is huge news for a company that buys over 2 million tons of packaging every year. Unilever also vowed to create a plastic protocol for the consumer packaged goods industry, and invest in a technical solution that would allow multi-layered plastic packaging to be recycled.
2. US News: How to take an unpaid maternity leave.
Though many parents are entitled to up to 12 weeks of time off to bond with new babies, a company isn’t obligated to pay for it. Only 12 percent of private workers get paid parental leave, and that can put serious stress on your budget at a time when money might already be tight. By taking matters into their own hands and maximizing other company benefits, rethinking household budgets, and advocating for flexible work schedules, new moms and dads can create an adequate parental leave even if their companies don't provide that benefit.
3. LA Times: There’s a family in Southern California that’s creating a zero-waste homestead, complete with goats and bees.
Choi Chatterjee and her husband, Omer Sayeed, settled in Altadena, California in 2006 with their daughters, and have since worked to create a zero-waste homestead. They currently own two goats, eight chickens, a pair of rabbits, and a beehive, and grow fruit and veggies in their outdoor garden. The family generates very little trash, and they’re inspiring their neighbors to do the same.
4. Huffington Post: This summer, Head & Shoulders shampoo bottles will be made with recycled beach plastic.
Procter & Gamble announced a partnership with TerraCycle and SUEZ to create the first ever fully recyclable shampoo bottle made from recycled beach plastic. The first 150,000 bottles will be distributed in France this summer.
5. The Kitchn: The USDA is making it easier for farmers to go organic.
Organic produce can cost consumers 47 percent more than conventional produce, yet many farmers continue to use traditional farming methods. That’s a financial conundrum for many farmers, as current national law mandates any farmers wanting to go organic put in three years of transition time before being able to sell their produce with the coveted organic label. However, the USDA recently approved a proposal creating a new label for produce grown during this transitional period, meaning it could likely be sold at a higher price than conventional produce, but less than USDA certified organic.


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The first addition to Laser’s refreshed V-Fitness-branded upcoming range has hit the market just in time for the Christmas rush.
At $99.95, the V-Fitness Smart Fitness Watch is another value-oriented device release in a time where there is a heavy market focus on this price point.
The smartwatch tracks activity, shows messages, and syncs to Apple Health and Google Fit. It includes a 24/7 heart rate monitor, 12 sport modes, weather forecast, alarm clock, stopwatch and three coloured band options. The watch has two weeks of battery life between charges, wrist activation and a rating of IP68 water resistance which means it can withstand dust, dirt or sand.
The Smart Fitness Watch precedes a suite of new fitness and health related technology products that Laser will launch in early 2021.


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Leading international luxury goods brand, Oroton has recently opened it’s newest flagship store in the upcoming high-fashion mall, Pavilion KL.
The new Oroton store in Pavilion KL showcases full range of products which include bags, wallers, lutches, crystal peices, jewerly, men’s accessories, sunglasses, shoes, knitwear, nail polish and frances. This Oroton Pavilion store is the only store in Malaysia that will be hoising the brands recently launched ready to wear apparel collection
There were over 150 guests at the opening from celebrities, members and media – it was a fashion filled night. The store opening was officiated with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Oroton Group CEO, Sally Macdonald and by her side she had TV host and social activist Deborah Henry, singer and actress Ziana Zain and actress Lisa Surihani.
We had the chance to speak to Deborah Henry, Ziana Zain and Lisa Surihani on their thoughts of fashion and ofcourse, their love for Oroton products, take a look at what they had to say, as well as a glimpse inside the new Oroton Pavilion store!
More pictures from the fashion event here:


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Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ: INTU) reported fourth quarter 2020 earnings results today.
Revenues grew 83% year-over-year to $1.8 billion.
GAAP net income was $445 million, or $1.68 per share, compared to a net loss of $44 million, or $0.17 per share, in the same period a year ago. Adjusted EPS was $1.81 versus a loss of $0.09 per share last year.
The Board has approved a quarterly dividend of $0.59 per share, payable October 19, 2020, representing an 11% increase versus last year.
Looking for more insights on the earnings results? Click here to access the full transcripts of the latest earnings conference calls!
The positive effects of widespread digitalization and e-commerce growth on China’s financial services industry became more pronounced during the pandemic as the movement restrictions drove more retail customers to online
Shares of Activision Blizzard Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) were up 1.6% on Thursday. The stock has dropped 14% since the start of the year. The company has been in the news
The emergence of technology-driven financial services is making people think beyond conventional banks when it comes to availing loans and transferring funds. In a move aimed at taking its business


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Controversial software provider BitTorrent has been sold to a leading cryptocurrency start-up for $140 million.
A few years back, BitTorrent was the download software of choice for video, movie and music pirates.
But the software has fallen out of fashion as new streaming giants have entered the arena in recent years.
At one stage, BitTorrent claimed to have more than 150 million active users every month.
The peer-to-peer software allowed computers to link and swap files across the internet.
BitTorrent also acquired another P2P software brand – uTorrent.
Both apps were popular until smartphones and tablets started to dominate the market.
Hollywood rejected approaches
BitTorrent also unsuccessfully tried to persuade Hollywood to use the platform to distribute movies and music but tainted as software to pirates, the effort was doomed to fail.
Now Jason Sun, owner and founder of cryptocurrency TRON has bought the company.
Acrimonious talks were taking place for some months before both sides made up and agreed a merger.
Sun has yet to announce his intention for BitTorrent.
A post on the BitTorrent blog says: “Our attention has been drawn to the news items that have appeared in the past few weeks speculating about a change in BitTorrent’s business model.
“We wish to reiterate that BitTorrent has no plans to change what we do or charge for the services we provide. We have no plans to enable mining of cryptocurrency now or in the future.
Pioneer P2P software
“BitTorrent has been a pioneer of peer-to-peer file sharing and we believe our vision of democratizing the Web by enabling decentralized, resilient access to information remains as relevant as it was when we started.
“We reiterate that we are committed to our hundreds of million users worldwide and will continue to invest and innovate in the BitTorrent and uTorrent products.”
TRON is a top 10 cryptocurrency by market capitalisation.
Coins worth around $4.78 billion are in circulation online, and the founder Sun and his company are said to control around $1.65 billion of them.
TRON is trading at $0.047 against a high of $0.29 in January.
The cryptocurrency is promoted as an entertainment system allowing users to own, store and publish data as an updated version of the BitTorrent model.


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There has been much hand-wringing in the media and on social networks over the announcement that Borders is going out of business. A lot of talk has been centered around the death of printed books and how the closing of Borders is a sign of this trend. Let me tell you a little secret: eBooks didn’t kill Borders
Mismanagement killed Borders
Lack of vision killed Borders
Failure to adapt killed Borders
It is clear that eBooks are changing the book publishing world just as digital music changed the recorded music business and the Internet changed the news publishing industry. And certainly businesses must adapt to the changing landscape. However, it doesn’t mean that eBooks are a certain death for printed books or stores that sell them.
While the growth of eBooks drove the final nail in the coffin for Borders, it wasn’t the eBook itself that killed Borders. Borders could have adapted to eBooks and even could have used eBooks to save the company. However, missing the eBook train was the last in a long line of mistakes the company made dating back to the early 1990’s
I read two articles back in January (one from Newsweek, the other from The Washington Post) that relayed the story of Borders, detailing the mistakes that took down the company, especially their lack of both Internet and eBook strategies.
The story of Borders is a case study in how technology can either create a business or destroy it. Borders came to prominence because of their technology. Their innovative software allowed the company to better predict which books consumers would want to buy and what to stock. This allowed Borders to create the model of a book superstore, offering not only bestsellers, but a plethora of harder-to-find titles. It is therefore ironic that what ultimately killed the company was the failure of Borders’ management to identify emerging technology and how it would change the competitive landscape.
Take the time to read the articles if they interest you. But ultimately, the moral of the story is that the bad guy isn’t technology. Change is inevitable. It is the inability or unwillingness of companies to adapt that leads to their failure. It is the story of Blockbuster. It is the story of Ultimate Electronics. It is the emerging story of RIM (Blackberry) … and maybe even the not-too-distant future story of Microsoft.
If anything, I believe the emergence of eBooks opens the door for smaller, local bookstores to successfully cater to those who seek printed books. They can provide services and the personal touch that big-box or Internet stores simply can’t. Perhaps, instead of mourning the death of Borders, we should be looking forward to the opportunity small business has in front of it.


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LeBron James and his company UNINTERRUPTED are now being sued for $33 million USD for allegedly stealing the slogan “I Am More Than An Athlete.”
The claim comes from a non-profit youth organization in Maryland called Game Plan, who claims that James and his company had infringed on its copyright over the slogan which it trademarked back in 2016. James had started using the similar phrase “More Than An Athlete” only since 2018, after Fox News host Laura Ingraham told the now Lakers player to “shut up and dribble.”
In particular, Game Plan says that James took the slogan for his own use after seeing members of the youth organization wearing shirts with the phrase emblazoned on it during a 2017 game between the Washington Wizards and James’ team at the time, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“The attendance at the game gave Game Plan tremendous exposure, as it was able to gain attention from John Wall in front of his peers including the (arguably) most famous athlete in the world, as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, at the time, LeBron James,” says Game Plan. In response, a spokesperson for UNINTERRUPTED has stated that “The complaint filed by Game Plan today is meritless and contains numerous factual inaccuracies. Uninterrupted owns prior rights in and to the More Than An Athlete trademark.”
Game Plan now claims copyright infringement and damages of $33 million USD.
Click on the comment box below and leave us your thoughts. Thank you


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SONOCO’S has revealed that its fully recyclable paperboard solution will help Premier Foods remove 40 tonnes of packaging annually for its best-selling Bisto gravy drum.
The food manufacturer has introduced its new sized Bisto product, which will come in caddies that are 8mm smaller than the previous edition.
Using recyclable paperboard drums, the new packaging gives shoppers an additional 20g of gravy granules for the same price, while being presented in packaging that uses fewer resources.
Savan Sabharwal, marketing controller at Bisto, said, “Reducing the size of our drum is a great example of how small changes can ladder up to make a big difference. We make around 50 million Bisto gravy drums each year and so change of this scale requires real collaboration. We’re really pleased to have found a more sustainable solution while retaining the quality of Bisto that people love and expect.”
Sonoco’s paperboard container is made from recycled paper fibre, including a paperboard end. All inks and adhesives are water-based, and Sonoco added that all materials used in the packaging are easily separable within the recycling process.
Philip Brown, UK sales manager at Sonoco Consumer Products Europe, said, “For Premier Foods, sustainable packaging solutions are essential, and they are also very aware of the need to reduce the amount of packaging that is being used for each product. Premier’s decision to reduce the height of the drum demonstrates its determination to give its customers a solution that uses less resources, while also giving them more of the products they love at the same great price, and with freshness and quality assured. We’re delighted that they have adopted our paperboard packaging solution to meet their sustainability goals.”
Premier Foods is in the process applying the new height to all its gravy drums, which include chicken, onion, turkey and vegetable.


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With multiple stores and platforms opening up recently to compete with Valve’s Steam, including Epic Games and Discord’s stores, the fight to host upcoming anticipated titles is heating up.
Deep Silver and 4A Games’ upcoming instalment to the Metro franchise, Metro Exodus, is officially going to be available exclusively through Epic Games’ digital store. However, the game will eventually come to Steam, reportedly on February 14th, 2020. THQ Nordic AB’s CEO and Co-Founder Lars Wingefors gave his opinion on the matter, and fully supported Deep Silver on their decision, taking into consideration THQ Nordic’s acquisition of Deep Silver back in 2018. He believes Deep Silver and Koch Media carefully assessed the pros and cons of the entire situation, and took the right decision.
I fully support our sub-groups’ autonomy to run their respective businesses. I believe it’s in the group’s, and ultimately the consumers’, best interest that business decisions are made close to the market and this is the group’s consistent business model.
I firmly believe that Deep Silver and Koch Media have carefully considered the advantages and disadvantages, opportunities and risks in their decision to go solely with Epic Games Store. The decision has my full support.
I have noted that there is some confusion about the two different THQ Nordic entities, the parent company and the operating entity in Vienna. As already communicated to shareholders last year, the parent company will change its name to better reflect its status.
Metro: Exodus releases for PS4, Xbox One and PC on February 15, 2019. Make sure to check out the Artyom Edition, and don’t miss the newly released trailer showcasing the game’s storyline, marvellous world, enemies, combat, and more.
[Source: press release]


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NAFTA Negotiations Update: Mark Cassius, Dante Galeazzi, and Lance Jungmeyer Discuss
WASHINGTON, DC - News is swirling with current NAFTA negotiations updates, as pressure mounts around the upcoming round of potential changes. Much of the industry is cautiously optimistic after recent announcements acknowledge the necessity of trading relations with our neighboring countries. To shed light on conversations at hand, I reached out to some industry leaders in the thick of the current discussion.
“It needs to be in the best interest of both parties to continue to have a dialogue for a positive resolution that is beneficial for everyone. It’s a lot of saber rattling on both sides,” industry veteran Mark Cassius tells me. “NAFTA has left its footprint on our industry, and that is something that will never be the same if we choose to walk away. In order to cultivate healthy and lasting relationships after negotiations are said and done, we need to make sure that all sides are listening to each other; that the priority requests are being met while continuing to see that the needs of the individual countries are met. Not everything will fit perfectly at first, but these are the steps that need to be made in order to preserve this flow of trade we currently enjoy, especially within our industry.”
Negotiations for the 24-year-old agreement have a rippling effect on our industry, and while talks seem encouraging for some members of the industry, this is a byproduct of continued efforts and promises made—not only in talks, but also in the projected results. This can be seen in the manifesting alterations that, arguably, benefit all parties involved.
“We have seen great progress in some parts of the agriculture negotiations, particularly in potential regulatory cooperation which should be good for exporters in all three countries. Customs is also a bright spot with much opportunity,” Lance Jungmeyer, President of Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, tells me. “Mexico and Canada have stayed resolutely against the seasonality proposal, which would set a bad precedent for ag trade.”
The seasonality proposal that Lance touches on would make trade of produce with the U.S. seasonally difficult with potential tariffs. The progress made, which he initially points to, includes tweaks in the NAFTA design that don’t stop at the handling of food at the finish line, but reach further back into the collaborative process necessary throughout the exportation and importation of foods—a process that saves our industry some immeasurably important elements: time and money. When it comes to produce, these shifts in relationships are crucial and under the microscope, with some industry members more optimistic than others.
“It was very encouraging to hear about the progress on the phytosanitary and food safety regulations. South Texas is a major location for imports, with Pharr being the heaviest point of imports for fresh produce from Mexico. As a result, many companies along the border region have close dealings or operations in Mexico, and anytime we can create efficiencies through harmonization of regulations, it saves money, time, and efforts for those companies,” Dante Galeazzi shares.
Further, NAFTA undoubtedly benefits job creation, with manufacturing opportunities seen in both Mexico and the U.S. and some U.S. workers even making the trek across the border into Mexico for work, as well as benefits the production of fresh produce options at retail, but NAFTA continues to be a strained relationship that, if it wants to be fruitful, needs the kinks ironed out. Some windows of opportunity remain shut, however, amidst so much room for economic growth in the agreement, and because of the currently stressed relationships, according to CNBC, Canada is looking to nurture new agreements outside of NAFTA, with up to 70 percent of Canadian exports making their way into the U.S. In order to prevent this wandering eye from acting with easier-fitting partnerships, there needs to be tangible compromises.
According to Bloomberg, negotiations are likely to rev back up in April in Washington, where representatives from the three countries will meet to create concrete changes and solidify the terminology within the agreement. Industry leaders are coming together to ensure the outcome benefits all parties involved.
“As an industry, I think we would definitely like to see the pace of progress proceed much quicker, but we understand the importance and the attention needed to work on the agreement. Trade is a huge economic value to the US, and especially this region,” Dante explains. “Above all though, we don’t want NAFTA to go away, so we’ll continue to work with other associations and organizations to contribute comments where we can.”
To keep up-to-speed on NAFTA negotiations and fresh produce industry happenings, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.


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All Car Rental Organizations Association (TOKKDER), the umbrella organization of the car rental industry, announced the “TOKKDER Operational Leasing Sector Report”, which includes the results of the first quarter of 2021, prepared in cooperation with the independent research company Nielsen. According to the report, the operational car rental sector made a new vehicle investment of 4.2 billion TL in the first quarter of the year and added 17 thousand 100 vehicles, which is 10.9 percent of the new cars sold in Turkey, to its fleet. During this period, the asset size of the sector was 42.4 billion TL. In the first quarter of the year, the number of vehicles in the sector’s fleet, which shrank by 3.5 percent compared to the end of 2020, fell to 254 thousand units. The vehicle park of the sector at the end of 2020 was 263 thousand.
The share of hybrid and electric vehicles increased to 3.6 percent
According to the TOKKDER report, in the first quarter of 2021, Renault continued to be the most preferred brand in the Turkish operational car rental industry with a share of 23.2 percent. Fiat followed Renault with 14.9 percent, Volkswagen with 11.2 percent and Ford with 11.1 percent. During this period, 50.7 percent of the sector’s vehicle park consisted of compact class vehicles, while small class vehicles had a share of 27 percent and upper-middle class vehicles 18 percent. The share of light commercial vehicles in operational leasing was 4.3 percent. In the report, the ratio of hybrid and electric vehicles in the vehicle park of the operational leasing sector also drew attention. Accordingly, while diesel fueled vehicles constitute the majority of the sector’s vehicle park with 82.2 percent; The share of gasoline-powered vehicles reached 14.2 percent, and the share of hybrid and electric vehicles reached 3.6. The ratio of automatic transmission vehicles, on the other hand, rose to 66.7 percent.
Half of the contracts are 30-42 months
The operational leasing sector continued to provide significant tax inputs to the economy in the first three months of 2021. According to the report prepared by TOKKDER, the tax amount paid by the sector in the first quarter of 2021 reached 2.3 billion TL in total. Looking at the lease terms in the sector, it was seen that in the first quarter of the year, 49.4 percent of the operational leases in Turkey consisted of 30-42-month contracts. Secondly, the most preferred operational lease term was 19.6 percent for contracts with 43 months or more, while 18-30 month contracts were preferred at 19.3 percent.
Daily rental negatively affected
Stating that the long-term expectations of the short-term rental sector have been negatively affected by the process of taking the pandemic under control, TOKKDER President İnan Ekici said:
“The industry would peak in August in terms of both demand and activity. Depending on the opening of schools this year and other factors; We have hope that this situation may extend until September. In case the pandemic is brought under control, from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and related state institutions We expect actions that will revitalize tourism in the rest of the year. Foreign tourists are trying to make their reservations, they are in the period of choosing a country for vacation. “


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Toys 'R' Us will be making a comeback this year, according to a report.
The retailer, which shut down in 2018, will open six stores and a website before the holiday season, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The report, citing sources who didn't want to be named, said the stores will be about 10,000 square feet, about a third of the old stores' size, and will have more experiences, like play areas.
The Toys 'R' Us brand is under the control of Tru Kids Brands, led by Richard Barry, a former Toys 'R' Us executive.
In February, Barry said he was working to bringing back the Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us brands "in a completely new and reimagined way, so the U.S. doesn’t have to go through another holiday without these beloved brands."
What other people are reading right now:
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Multimillion-pound pay deals have been lined up for the bosses of two struggling retailers. Kate Swann, the chief executive of WH Smith, could bank up to £5m as a result of a lucrative new management incentive plan, while Blacks Leisure has appointed a new chief executive with an option package that could generate £1.8m on top of his salary by 2011.
The new incentive for Swann was put in place, the company said yesterday, "following concerns which had been raised by some of the company's major shareholders regarding retention of the current management team". In its annual report and accounts, WH Smith added that the new scheme should "help in the continued motivation and retention of the current management".
Under the terms of the plan, Swann will be able to invest up to 150% of her £500,000 salary in WH Smith shares and the company will match that investment fivefold with free shares which will be handed over if targets are met over the coming three years. That gives her the potential to receive £3.75m of free shares at today's prices. Salary payments plus annual bonuses and benefits will take the total to more than £5m.
Swann has slashed costs and boosted profits at WH Smith but failed to increase sales. She is often tipped for other top retail jobs. She is already in line to share a £20m payout as an existing incentive scheme draws to a close.
The payouts to 30 senior executives of the books and magazines group include a near-£4m for Swann which will be paid early next year if the company reaches agreed targets. After WH Smith reported a near 30% rise in annual profits last month the bonuses have been almost secured. Barring a disaster for the company between now and January, maximum payouts will be earned.
Blacks Leisure has named Neil Gillis as its new chief executive and it lured him with options over 1 million shares, 2.3% of the group, which also includes the Millets, Freespirit and O'Neill brands.
The options will be payable in three equal tranches at the end of his second, third and fourth years if he gets the share price above 350p, 425p and 500p respectively. He will be able to acquire the shares at about 238p, meaning his share option gains could total £1.79m within four years. He will also be paid £300,000 a year plus bonuses. Blacks shares closed down 4p at 240p yesterday.
Gillis takes over from Russell Hardy, who was ousted in June after a series of profit warnings which left the retailer £14m in the red in the year to March.
The new chief executive will have to turn around the business and regain the confidence of its biggest shareholder - Sports Direct billionaire Mike Ashley who recently threatened to sack the entire Blacks board and replace them with his own staff and associates if the company pursued the sale of its Freespirit boardwear brand. Ashley holds 29.4% of Blacks.
Gillis was chief executive of the Esporta health club chain and before that a director of pubs group Greene King.


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A new surveillance video shows Darrin Campbell — one of the four wealthy family members found dead inside former tennis champ James Blake’s burning Florida home — purchasing $600 worth of fireworks just three days before the deadly house fire.
Campbell walked into the store around 9 a.m. Sunday, looking to do some “early Fourth of July shopping” with a half-off coupon, the Phantom Fireworks salesperson who helped him with the purchase told ABC Action News in Florida.
There was nothing unusual about the exchange: Campbell was “calm” and “like any other customer,” according to the store employee.
The surveillance video shows Campbell paying for two shopping carts’ worth of explosives and leaving the shop with the cashier, who pushed the second cart.
While Campbell’s purchase included aerial fireworks and gas cans, store manager Rocky DiRoma said the explosives were nothing out of the ordinary.
“These are typically used for any type of celebration or any type of holiday, event, birthday,” DiRoma said.
An autopsy determined that all four family members found inside the torched home had gunshot wounds. A handgun registered to Campbell was also discovered at the scene, and investigators are looking into the possibility of a murder-suicide.


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A small uptick in auto sales could result in a big gain for Sirius XM Radio Inc (NASDAQ:SIRI). Fiscal 2014 is expected to be a stronger year for the auto sector and auto sales may reach its highest in 2015 and 2016. Sirius XM Radio Inc (NASDAQ:SIRI) may draw major benefits from these developments.
Auto sales looks encouraging
After bullish sentiments in the Auto sector for the major part of the year, and a tiny bump in the second half of July, the sector once again looks pretty healthy in August based on the mid-month auto sales report, with an encouraging outlook for the full 2013. Separately, August is pacing well for the sector.
Auto sales are estimated to be over 1.4 million and may even rise to 1.5 million. One can expect a year over year gain in the range of 10 to 12 percent. Good performance in August will further strengthen estimates that overall sales for the full fiscal will come around to 15.5 million vehicles.
In August, new car sales will be around 1,478,000 units compared to 1,284,000 vehicles sold in the previous year. Auto sales in August are expected to be tremendously strong.
Consumers spending more on new cars
“This strong selling environment is occurring when consumers are spending more on new vehicles than any month on record, which is a further indication of the underlying strength of the sector,” said John Humphrey of the automotive practice at J.D. Power.
According to JD Power and LMC Automotive, North American light vehicle production in July increased 4 percent from the previous year fueled by continued lean supply to demand ratio. Taking into comparison the individual carmakers, South Korean companies Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors Corp have clinched on the highest production growth, which is enhanced by 14 percent. The majority of high outputs was contributed by Hyundai models Elantra Sedan and the Santa Fe crossover, says a report from Reuters.
Production for Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) in North America surged 13 percent this year fueled by Escape crossover and Explorer SUV output. General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) saw a decline in production by 3 percent in the region, and the output from Fiat-Chrysler is more or less same.
North American production for European brands is down 2 percent through July, according to J.D. Power and LMC.


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Crypto Coins News - Ratings - Reviews
The U.K.’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond delivered his first Spring Budget to Parliament, announcing, among other things, that self-employed people would have to pay increased national insurance contributions (NICs) over the next two years. His announcement puts into question whether the U.K. will remain the best place to start and grow a fintech business.
In a report from the BBC, Hammond said that there had been a ‘dramatic increase’ in the number of people working as self-employed and that the reason a person decided to become self-employed should not be ‘differences in tax treatment.’
Such dramatically different treatment of two people earning essentially the same undermines the fairness of the tax system.
In April 2018, Class 4 self-employed payments will see NICs increase from 9 percent to 10 percent and then to 11 percent in April 2019 for those earning between £8,060 and £43,000. Class 4 employees contribute 12 percent. Those earning above £43,000 will continue to pay 2 percent and those under £8,060 will pay nothing.
Class 2 payments, which have a lower threshold of £5,965 or more in profits a year, will be abolished.
Taken together, only those self-employed with profits over £16,250 will have to pay, on average, around £240 a year, Hammond stated.
The combination of the abolition of Class 2 and Class 4 increases I have announced today, raises a net £145m a year for our public services by 2021-22, an average of around 60p a week per self-employed person in this country.
Impact on UK Startups
Yet, the Federation of Small Businesses is reported to have criticized the changes to the rate of NICs for self-employed people.
Mike Cherry, chairman of the federation, said:
This undermines the government’s own mission for the UK to be the best place to start and grow a business, and it drives up the cost of doing business.
Not only that, but with Brexit negotiations causing a stir amongst many, it wouldn’t be surprising if fintech firms decided to establish themselves elsewhere.
With many young fintech firms taking on risks of establishing their own business this news may likely give potential new companies something to think about.
Furthermore, the fact that Hammond has announced a NIC rate increase for the self-employed could impact the U.K.’s fintech scene, potentially stalling new businesses from establishing themselves in the U.K. and helping to grow the sector, which, at present, is the global hub.
Featured image from Shutterstock.


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Although many trendy diets try to limit carbs, not all carbohydrates are the same. Most of the weight gain anxiety dieters get revolves around the belief that eating “fast carbs” will make you fat. However, a new study finds there’s really no difference between fast or slow carbs when it comes to weight gain — or weight loss.
In a report commissioned by the Grain Foods Foundation, scientists discovered little difference in how high-glycemic and low-glycemic foods impact weight management. The glycemic index (GI) ranks how quickly a certain food raises blood sugar levels. The theory is that high-GI foods raise glucose levels and insulin secretion, which may lead to health issues through overeating.
Moreover, scientists believe high-GI foods promote fat storage and increase a person’s obesity risk. However, a review of nearly two million adults across 34 previous studies finds the impact of fast carbs is no more harmful than slow carbs.
“This study is the first to definitively demonstrate that fast carbs do not make you fat,” says study co-author Glenn Gaesser, PhD, a professor of exercise science in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University, in a media release. “Contrary to popular belief, those who consume a diet of high-GI foods are no more likely to be obese or gain weight than those who consume a diet of low-GI foods. Furthermore, they are no less likely to lose weight.”
The study authors add that “GI, as a measure of carbohydrate quality, appears to be relatively unimportant as a determinant of BMI or diet-induced weight loss.”
Click here to read more.
SOURCE: Study Finds, by Chris Melore


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Photo of the Week: Transforming Rural Communities in Nicaragua
June 29, 2012
Before the Tomatoya-Chagüite Grande cooperative was established, many of its farmers earned barely enough to support themselves and their families. But today, things are different.
Employees of the Tomatoya-Chagüite Grande cooperative wash produce before packaging and shipping it to buyers. Before the cooperative was established in 2001, many farmers in Tomatoya and Chagüite Grande, Nicaragua earned barely enough to support themselves and their families.
But today, things are different. "It's as if we had been born again, thanks to TechnoServe’s support,” says co-op president Efrén Rizo. By organizing the farmers into a cooperative, our advisors were able to effectively teach best farming practices and improve the quality of their crops. This enabled TechnoServe to connect the farmers to better-paying markets, including a national supermarket chain.
Now, instead of living on less than $1 a day, many of the cooperative’s farmers earn up to $10 per day, have greater food security and enjoy a higher quality of life. Over many years, the benefits have spread through families and ripple from household to household
Related Blog Posts
After struggling to make ends meet, Tabitha Muthoni has realized her full potential as a successful farm owner and business person with support from the Mavuno Zaidi Program in Kenya.
The Cargill Agri-Fellow Program helps rural youth to build successful, agriculture-based livelihoods and create a prosperous future for their farming communities.


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Snowprint Studios is thrilled to announce that Warhammer 40,000: Tacticus has leveled up to a global launch on August 15, 2022. Tacticus is a hex-based game set to premiere on mobile devices next month. With stunning graphics, a rich lore-heavy campaign, epic PvE and PvP gameplay, and all the Warhammer 40,000 action players expect, Tacticus allows players to tap into the boundless universe of Warhammer 40,000, anytime, and anywhere.
Fight through the galactic warzone with units from eight Warhammer 40,000 factions. Players will rise to the challenge in planetwide campaigns, face off against arch enemies in pitched PvP skirmishes, and collaborate with fellow guild members to take down massive bosses. Players can pre-register for the game at the official site, and all those who do will receive special rewards at launch later this year.
Warhammer 40,000: Tacticus will launch with eight playable factions, and more will be on the way thanks to regular updates throughout the game’s development. Each campaign features a deep narrative crafted by renowned Warhammer scribe Matt Forbeck. Throughout Tacticus, players unlock squads of some of the most powerful warriors in the Warhammer 40,000 universe as they fight through multiple parallel campaigns.
Live PvP will be premiering with the first event one week after launch. Fast-paced skirmishes with no waiting time will bring players head-to-head in intense combat. Post-launch, the team has plans for massive Guild vs Guild wars that take PvP to a larger scale.
Warhammer 40,000: Tacticus defines a new era of gaming on mobile devices. With 40 heroes at launch, fans can experience extensive PvE campaigns as well as quick battles with opponents in PvP. Bringing the true breadth of the Warhammer 40,000 universe onto mobile has remained a passionate quest for the Snowprint team.


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KARACHI: Actress Neelam Munir Khan has stressed private brands need to play a positive role in this era of inflation.
In an exclusive conversation with City21, she stressed the need for private brands’ role in the support and betterment of the industry.
The actress showed up at the launch of a private brand as a special guest mesmerizing her fans. She expressed her happiness to see the fan.
The star has always been active to keep her fans and followers engaged on social media too.
The post Actress Neelam Munir stresses brands need to play part in industry appeared first on The Frontier Post.


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IFC, MasterCard Study to Boost Financial Inclusion
Global, December, 17 2017 -
International Finance Corporation (IFC) has unveiled a study to help financial firms in Africa understand consumer perceptions and attitudes towards digital services.
The World Bank Group’s private sector lending arm partnered with the MasterCard Foundation in the study aimed at growing financial inclusion in the continent.
Sub-Saharan Africa leads the world in use of digital financial services with more than 277 million subscribers, 100 million of whom are active users, the latest report by the Global System for Mobile Communication Association shows.
Kenya — the pioneer of the mobile money services — and Tanzania have nearly doubled the use of digital financial services since they were rolled out a decade ago.
The study, part of Sh3.85 billion ($37.4 million) Partnership for Financial Inclusion initiative by the IFC and the MasterCard Foundation, focused on Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and Zambia.
The resultant report, ‘A Sense of Inclusion: An Ethnographic Study of the Perceptions and Attitudes to Digital Financial Services in Sub-Saharan Africa’, is based on a research conducted at the Africa Studies Center Leiden, University of Leiden (Netherlands).
“This research really gives a voice to the users of mobile money and agent banking in Africa,” IFC programme manager for the Partnership for Financial Inclusion Lesley Denyes said in a statement last Wednesday. “(It) gives us a vivid idea of what lies behind the success of digital financial services in the continent and what the current challenges are to further expand financial inclusion.”
The study established availability of financial mobile transactions has made it difficult for some users to dodge financial obligations from extended family members.
“Now, with the development of money transfers, whenever a family member asks for money, you need to make it clear — either you have the money or you don’t. You can no longer claim you can’t get it to them because if you say that, the person will answer that you should send it by Wari, Joni-Joni, among others,” a policeman in Senegal told the researchers.


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The countdown to Christmas continues and so does iProspect's dedicated series on how to properly execute your brand's campaigns this holiday season. In this blog post, Paid Social specialists Catherine Chappell, Paid Social Account Director, and Kevin Chan, Client Director, answer questions around campaign planning, 2018 trends as well as why brands must still engage with consumers even after 25 December.
1. Why are September and October key months for your channel when it comes to Christmas planning?
Catherine: According to Facebook IQ, a quarter (24%) of Facebook users said October is an important month for them when it comes to Christmas shopping. Our dedicated team of Paid Social experts work closely with brands so they stay ahead of the curve to ensure all planning is finalised by September so that Q4 plans are ready to launch in October. Additionally, social feeds will become busier and more cluttered the closer it gets to Black Friday, Cyber Monday and last delivery days, so we capitalise on this interest in October to achieve audience penetration and engagement.
Kevin: Research from Facebook and Twitter revealed that the majority of social media users (30 to 50%) purchase gifts prior to December, increasing each month in the run up to Christmas Day. In the buildup to the Christmas holidays, we see a multitude of seasonal messages from brands as well as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. We also have the unveiling of Christmas ads that are now permanent fixtures in the holiday season.
With all this in mind, brands need to ensure that they are in a good position to compete in a user's social media feed as well as carefully curate publishing schedules. Tactics such as planning in product showcases, deals, offers or just general seasonal messages should all be factored in well in advance. This is so brands can make the most of the commercial opportunities that social provides during Christmas. In addition to this, building a pool of retargetable prospects (by maintaining continual contact with target audiences) will reap dividends when converting engaged audiences into paying customers.
2. How will 2018 be different to last year in terms of paid social trends?
Catherine: With retail giants such as Argos offering early 3 for 2 offers and supermarkets hauling out their Christmas stock as soon as the nights draw in, consumers are plunged into the Christmas effect even earlier. Social channels that are predominantly mobile first have also had a hand to play in this. This year, Facebook IQ found that one in five (18%) consumers shifted their shopping habits to mobile devices, so there's opportunity this Christmas for brands to capture a user's attention when they are on the move.
There are two reasons for this growing trend: the ability to discover more online and to shop around to save money. However, as people grow more time poor, this is a massive win for brands who are advertising via social channels to help enable their consumers to have a concentrated user journey with a simple few clicks. Social channels have also focused on this element by enhancing e-commerce capabilities such as product catalogues, retargeting and shoppable ads.
Kevin: The speed, integration and choice of online tech and ad formats mean that there are plenty of opportunities for brands looking to drive sales during the festive period. Robust retargeting methods, seamless dynamic product catalogue retargeting and shoppable ads all add up to be a powerful combination of tools that retailers have at their disposal. Additionally, if users are delighted with an early shopping experience (particularly influential ones with a high number of followers and fans), then the ripple effect of their repurchases and impact of their social media word of mouth will offer a serious multiplier for advertisers, too.
3. This is the first Christmas since GDPR legislation took effect. Will this change how Christmas campaigns are run and if so, how do you see campaigns being different?
Catherine: Whilst GDPR may have had an effect on first-party data in the platforms that brands previously used, it has allowed brands to place importance on consumers who actually want to engage with the brand. Our specialists are starting to see this pay off already with strong results. When it comes to third-party data, this can mean that targeting tactics are limited however this has allowed us to be smarter and work more closely with all parties involved to segment audiences via the use of tech such custom audiences and even broader lookalikes to expand traditional targeting methods.
Kevin: User data policies have widely been a top priority for brands that are prioritising communication through Paid Social. The introduction of GDPR has, without a doubt, evolved CRM lists in terms of volume. However, the positive outcome is that the users who remain opted-in are fully engaged and any complimentary customer engagement marketing have more clout as a result. In Paid Social, we also have the added capability of being able to prospect new customers with extremely tailored messages with pinpoint accurate targeting.
4. Why is it important for brands to still reach customers after Christmas Day and into the NY?
Catherine: Just because the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over, it doesn’t mean that opportunities for brands stop. With most people off from work post-Christmas, it is likely that the majority are conversing with friends and family than on social media. However, our team takes this opportunity to boost sales amongst a brand's customer base. Additionally, Boxing Day sales are happening earlier, so this is the time for brands to focus attention on customers with gift cards to spend.
Kevin: With social media, brands can have a presence, not just to offer consumers relevant products at the right time and place, but also to exist as the “brand’s persona”. In my opinion, social media is really a place like no other in that companies have a place to broadcast and continue to interact with consumers and be part of their lifestyle. This of course pays off in the long-term, as advertisers remain front-of-mind for opportunities the corner in the calendar, such as the January sales.


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If you didn’t already know, cookies are a dangerous form of PC malware. Cookies attach themselves to your web browser and monitor your internet activity. Some cookies are good, and remind your browser to input frequently used data like your Facebook login and password.
However, bad cookies can cause immeasurable amounts of damage to your computer. They can monitor your banking information, direct you to malicious websites, install viruses on your computer, and steal your identity.
To make matters worse, recent news has suggested that something called “supercookies” are now wreaking havoc on PC security systems around the world. While they’re being called supercookies, this new form of tracking software isn’t really a traditional web cookie. Instead, it’s a unique number given to your PC that is read every time you return to a website. Instead of being used by malicious websites, supercookies are currently being used by websites like MSN.com and Hulu.com in order to monitor user activities.
This was deemed to be an invasion of privacy, which is why both of these websites shut down their supercookie tracking systems soon after the Wall Street Journal broke the news.
The problem with these supercookies is that they remain undetected by conventional anti-malware and anti-cookie scanners. They are incredibly intrusive, and lodge themselves deep within your computer so as not to be deleted.
Many people are unsettled by the idea that companies can install tracking data that is difficult to delete on their own computers. It’s essentially a form of data mining, which is why these companies have come under major scrutiny for their actions.
While only trusted companies like MSN and Hulu have been known to use supercookies thus far, it’s only a matter of time before hackers and virus creators learn how to implement these new forms of malware on their own websites. And when that time comes, you need to have the right PC security software in order to protect your computer.


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Now researchers at entertainment giant Disney have gone one further – by offering a way for users to “feel” objects’ textures that they see on a flat touchscreen monitor.
The newly discovered technique means minute vibrations are sent through the display, allowing people to “feel” ridges, bumps and sides of the on-screen image.
These vibrations effectively trick fingers into having the impression of touching a textured surface, according to the researchers at Disney. And touchscreen systems already in existence should be able to add this vibration-causing algorithm, so the new discovery, made in Disney’s own research laboratory in Pittsburgh, could have implications for the whole industry.
The technique, created by lead researcher Dr Ali Israr and his team, involves a recreation of what takes place when finger tips move over a real physical bump.
Most of the perception of a 3D bump occurs from data received in the brain via skin stretching.
To kid the brain into believing it is touching a physical feature, the movements transmitted via the touchscreen artificially stretch a finger tip’s skin so the person feels something bumpy despite the surface of the touchscreen just being smooth glass.
An algorithm has been devised so that various textures can be recreated from a wide variety of objects.
It’s possible to see an online video which depicts this system has footage of people running their hands over apples and other fruit, jellyfish and the valleys and hills of a 3D map.
And the more pronounced a feature is, the more vibration is required to faithfully imitate its feel.
While there are already some systems in place to give tactile impressions using touchscreens, these traditionally just used a library of canned effects, according to Dr Israr.
He explained: “With our algorithm, we are not just limited to one of two effects but a whole set of controls, making it a possibility to tune tactile effects to a particular visual artefact on the fly.”
The Disney algorithm announcement follows a launch this summer from Microsoft’s research unit of a touchscreen with 3D pictures that can be touched and manipulated. That project involved an LCD flat panel screen, force sensors and a robotic arm.
So it’s worth learning more about touch screens for your business, whether you are interested in having a touchscreen pc or anything else.
Look online for a quality specialist provider offering a variety of products – and remember the importance of having good technical support from your supplier. Go with a company that lets you take the time to choose the products that are right for your application, with no obligation. That means looking for those offering products demos and loans of equipment before you commit to buying. Start by looking for a touchscreen supplier online.
Author Bio: Juliet England is a freelance blog writer who writes across a number of different industries and contributes to a wide range of websites, including Distec.


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Increasingly, technologies other than drugs are working to improve patient health. From diagnostic systems like MRIs and CAT scans to high-tech glucose monitoring systems to devices that destroy tumors, medicine makes use of many such technologies. Companies that develop technologies for the healthcare sector are referred to as healthtech companies. In this column, I will provide information about three of the best healthtech stocks available, focusing on companies that have developed non-drug technologies to combat or diagnose diseases.
Another major trend in medicine is digital health. According to the FDA, “digital health technologies use computing platforms, connectivity, software, and sensors for health care and related uses.”
The three names that I will discuss are also digital health stocks.
Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) is one of the world’s top medical device makers.
In the last 18 months, the company has launched a number of new, very promising products. On May 1, the FDA approved two of MDT’s “leadless pacemakers,” called Micra AV2 and Micra VR2. According to the company, the devices are “the world’s smallest pacemakers, provide longer battery life and easier programming than prior Micra pacemakers, while still delivering the many benefits of leadless pacing such as reduced complications compared to traditional pacemakers.” Given these devices’ many important, competitive advantages, they should boost MDT’s financial results going forward.
Moreover, as I noted in a previous column, the company has launched “a robot that helps perform surgeries” using artificial intelligence. Speaking to an analyst on March 10, MDT CFO Karen Parkhill said that Hugo is “going to be a strong contributor to our revenue growth for many years to come. ”
Also likely to boost Medtronic are a few moves by Washington on the diabetes front. First, the FDA last month eliminated restrictions that it had imposed on MDT’s insulin pumps. Secondly, the agency approved the company’s new insulin pump.
Finally, Medtronic, which markets continuous glucose-monitoring systems, should be boosted by a recent decision by Medicare to cover the cost of such systems for some diabetes patients who don’t receive daily insulin injections.
As a result, Dexcom should benefit from Medicare’s recent decision “to cover the cost of such systems for some diabetes patients who don’t receive daily insulin injections.”
Indeed, the company cited the new coverage rules, along with its strong first-quarter results, as the reasons for its decision to raise its 2023 sales guidance on April 27. Specifically, DXCM increased its full-year top-line outlook to $3.4 billion to $3.52 billion from $3.35 billion to $3.49 billion. Given how widespread diabetes is and the importance of Medicare coverage for selling devices, I think that the guidance will probably end up being conservative.
In Q1, Dexcom’s top line climbed 18% year over year to $741.5 million, while its operating income, excluding some items, increased 2.6 percentage points YOY.
UBS responded to the Q1 results by increasing its price target on the shares to $150 from $142 while keeping a “buy” rating on the name. The bank expects the company to deliver “beat and raise” quarterly results “throughout the year.”
GE HealthCare Technologies (GEHC)
GE Healthcare (NASDAQ:GEHC) spun off from General Electric (NYSE:GE) in January. GE Healthcare is “a leading manufacturer and distributor of diagnostic imaging agents and radiopharmaceuticals.” Among its top products are CT machines, MRIs, ultrasounds and mammograms. The company also sells many digital tools that help manage its leading products.
On April 25, GEHC reported that its top line had climbed an impressive 12% year over year, excluding acquisitions and divestments, while its adjusted earnings before interest and taxes climbed to $664 million from $599 million. Moreover, the company reported that it expects its earnings per share, excluding some items, to climb 7% to 11% this year to $3.60-$3.75.
Before GEHC reported its results, investment bank Piper Sandler on April 20 started coverage of the name with a $95 price target and an “overweight” rating. The bank noted that the company had a large backlog of $14 billion, and thinks that it will be able to introduce significant new products after it raised its investment in R&D.
On the technology front, the company recently launched a system “designed to deliver high-performance ultrasound guidance” for multiple types of surgeries. And GEHC received an award from research firm MedTech Breakthrough for a “Best New Ultrasound Technology Solution.” Both pieces of news bode well for GEHC’s outlook as they suggest that the company is indeed on the cutting edge of medtech and an excellent healthtech stock to buy.
As of the date of publication, Larry Ramer owned shares of GE. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.


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Today’s New York Times talks about how Michelle Obama and the White House are committed to supporting the local food movement. The writer mentions that the chef finds products from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. What’s wrong with this picture?
Your intrepid reporter called the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to see if they were aware that the state was missing from the buy local emphasis. They were surprised by the omission, and spokesperson Marion Horsley called the White House. She spoke directly to executive chef Christeta Comerford who told her that they do use Virginia products from several different purveyors. They purchase on an as-needed and availability basis. It was an oversight.
Whew! I was worried about the geography issue. Virginia IS local. So farmers and growers, get the word out. Let the White House learn about you. Vintners that means you, too.
This is an Administration that wants to lead the nation in good food sense. Let’s help ’em out.