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Tennessee Passes Resolution Commending WAPF and 50% Pledge CampaignJuly 3, 2020
Utah–Raw Butter and Cream Sales Now LegalAugust 1, 2020
If anyone needed evidence on the importance of passing the PRIME Act (H.R.2859 / S.1620), the bill enables states to pass laws allowing the sale of meat from an animal slaughtered and processed at a custom facility), the logjam at slaughterhouses around the U.S. should provide it. Federally inspected slaughterhouses, state-inspected slaughterhouses, and custom facilities around the country are stretched beyond capacity. With the COVID-19 crisis triggering a shift in demand from industrial to locally produced meat and the concerns about food security leading to increased stocking, the market demand for local meat has never been greater. Compounding the strain on slaughterhouses is the demand from livestock farmers that previously sold to the major meat packers until they lost that business in the shutdown or slowdown of the country‘s biggest processing plants.
There are USDA slaughterhouses around the country now booking into 2022; many custom houses are taking reservations for well into 2021. It is not uncommon for livestock producers who were able to get a slaughter date two or three months out are now having to book eight months or more in advance. More farmers are considering whether to construct a custom facility on their own land. Under federal law, which states are required to follow, farmers can slaughter animals they have raised without regulation as long as the meat from the slaughter only goes to the farmer’s family, non-paying guests and employees. If anyone else obtains meat from an on-farm slaughtered animal, the farmer must comply with federal regulations governing custom slaughter and processing.
A number of states have taken steps during COVID-19 to increase the meat supply. In May, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce issued an emergency regulation lifting the restriction on the number of owners there could be for a custom processed animal.1 Prior to the emergency rule (which will be converted into a permanent rule sometime this summer), there was a limit of four owners per custom animal; now a farmer can distribute beef direct to the consumer without limitation on the number of individual owners. Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson said Mississippi residents wanting to buy local beef or pork “can buy a share in that animal whatever the farmer wants to sell” or however he wants to divide it up.2 The new rule is in line with USDA’s position that federal regulations do not set a limit on the number of owners there can be for a custom animal.
On April 28, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) announced that it had “invited ten qualifying custom exempt slaughter establishments in Utah” to come under state inspection which would allow the sale of meat from animals processed at those facilities in intrastate commerce. A UDAF press release stated that “if all the [invited] custom exempt plants take part in this emergency program it could increase Utah’s processing capacity by at least 10 percent.”3
USDA has a cooperative interstate shipments program (CIS) which allows meat from approved state-inspected slaughter and/or processing facilities—with no more than 25 employees—to be shipped in interstate commerce if the plant is located in a state that FSIS has approved to participate in a state meat inspection program. At the present time, FSIS has only approved seven of the 27 states with their own meat inspection programs to be part of the CIS.
In May, Maine and Wisconsin, two states participating in the CIS program, each sent waiver requests to FSIS asking that the Feds allow meat from all state-inspected plants to be shipped in interstate commerce.
In a May 7 letter to FSIS, Commissioner Amanda Bill of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (MDACF) said, “Given the current challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we ask that FSIS grant a temporary waiver to allow all state-inspected meat to be sold in interstate commerce or to be donated to food banks that require federally inspected products. This temporary waiver would lift usual restrictions on place of sale and allow for more processing and marketing opportunities for Maine producers and consumers during the unprecedented crisis. USDA processing facilities in Maine are under immense pressure to meet demand and are reportedly booked out over a year in advance in some locations. Allowing state-inspected meat to temporarily cross state lines will greatly support regional marketing opportunities, smooth out bottlenecks in the local food chain, reduce the need to cull healthy livestock and poultry, and support those who are food insecure during this extremely difficult time.”4
In his letter to FSIS, interim secretary Randy Romanski of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) also asked USDA to grant a temporary exception to allow state-inspected meat to be sold or donated across state lines. Romanski stated, “Our agricultural development staff have been working tirelessly to identify state-inspected Main Street meat processors who may be willing to slaughter and process even an extra dozen animals a week. Our state meat inspectors stand ready to provide additional slaughter inspection days as necessary. We feel that new partnerships between farmers, processors and consumers or food donation programs are vitally important in responding to this pandemic.”5
Oregon, earlier this month, passed a bill authorizing the start up of a state meat inspection program. North Carolina and Minnesota have both recently had bills introduced that would provide financial help to improve slaughterhouse infrastructure and capacity.
There is currently legislation before Congress, Senate Bill 1720 (S.1710) that would allow the sale of state inspected meat and poultry in interstate commerce. S.1720 is legislation that needs to pass with its potential to increase the supply of meat available to consumers that is outside the meat packers’ monopoly, but the bill won’t have the impact on improvising the slaughterhouse infrastructure in the U. S. that the PRIME Act would.
Custom slaughter and processing facilities are less expensive to construct then federal and state-inspected plants; they are also considerably less expensive to operate, with the custom facilities not having requirements such as HACCP plans. Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), the lead sponsor of the PRIME Act, has said that he has been contacted by a number of people who owned buildings that were once slaughter facilities. They have told Massie that if the PRIME Act passes into law, they could have their slaughter plants up and running in five weeks. Many of those individuals would not be interested in operating a facility again if an on-site inspector had to be present–a requirement for state and federally inspected facilities but not for custom, Only a custom facility from which meat could be sold by the cut will get them back into business. The PRIME Act will increase the number of slaughterhouses more than S.1720. Currently, 27 states have their own meat inspection program; all states except South Carolina allow the operation of custom facilities. It has been many years since FSIS has approved the start up of a state meat inspection program.
The notion has been planted in the public mind that meat can’t be produced safely without an inspector being present for slaughtering and processing, but the truth is otherwise. Custom slaughtered and processed meat has an excellent track record for food safety. USDA recalls over 20 million pounds of meat in a typical year, little or none of that comes from custom facilities. It isn’t uncommon for hundreds of people to become ill from meat processed at the large USDA-inspected processing plants; few cases of foodborne illness have been blamed on meat processed at a custom house. Where is there a better quality control, an inspected plant slaughtering 300 to 400 cattle an hour or a custom facility slaughtering a few beeves a day? Fifty such plants account for nearly 98% of the meat production in this country according to a story posted by The New York Times referencing beef analyst Cassandra Fish.6
The PRIME Act has over 50 sponsors in the House; the support is there to pass the bill. The biggest weakness in the local food system is the lack of community slaughterhouses. The existing custom houses can’t keep up with the demand. Passage of the PRIME Act is the best way to get additional slaughterhouses online now.
How You Can Make a Difference
Please call your U.S. Representative and Senators asking them to cosponsor the PRIME Act. For more information on the PRIME Act see the previous post and view the latest WAPF action alert posted at www.westonaprice.org under “Get Involved”.
You can look up your two U.S. Senators by selecting your state at www,senate.gov in the “Find Your Senator” field near the top of the webpage and your U.S. Representative by entering your zip code at www.house.gov again at the top of the webpage; you may also call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121
Article – PRIME Act Reintroduced in Congress
Action Alert – Tell Congress the PRIME Act is the Best Shot for Small Livestock Farmers!
 Mississippi Administrative Bulletin, Rule: Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. Title 2, Part 1, Subpart 4, Chapter 07, Subchapter 01, Section 111. Amended May 7, 2020. Bulletin, System Number 24883 [entry search parameters: Title 2, dates 5/7/2020] https://www.sos.ms.gov/adminsearch/default.aspx?current_page=Bulletin
Yields amended rule (bulletin entry cited below), retrieved from https://www.sos.ms.gov/adminsearch/ACProposed/00024883b.pdf
“Due to issues related to the COVID-19 emergency and the impact the spread of the disease has had on the meat supply chain, the Department issues this temporary rule in an effort to increase meat availability to consumers. The temporary rule will increase the number of people that can own an animal (cattle, sheep, swine, and goats) from four to multiple owners for the purposes of the custom slaughter exemption of the meat inspection laws. The regulation will be effective for 120 days from May 7, 2020 through September 3, 2020.”
 Brandy McGill, “Miss. Dept. of Agriculture changes rules on how farmers can sell meat products”, WDAM7 News, May 17, 2020 (6:17 PM CDT – Updated May 18 at 3:35 PM CDT). PM. Retrieved from https://www.wdam.com/2020/05/18/miss-dept-agriculture-changes-rules-how-farmers-can-sell-meat-products/
 Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, “UDAF to Allow Private Custom Meat Plants to Slaughter and Process Livestock for Commercial Sale”, Press Release, April 28, 2020. Retrieved from https://ag.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2020-4-28-UDAF-Allows-Custom-Meat-Plants-to-Process-Commercial-livestock.pdf
 Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, “Commissioner Beal Calls on USDA to Allow State-Inspected Meat to Cross State Lines during COVID-19 Pandemic”, Maine Government News, May 8, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Portal+News&id=2509074&v=article-2017
 “DATCP asks USDA for meat shipment flexibility”, Morning Ag Clips, May 6, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.morningagclips.com/datcp-asks-usda-for-meat-shipment-flexibility/
 Michael Corkery and David Yaffe-Bellany, “The Food Chain’s Weakest Link: Slaughterhouses”, New York Times, April 18, 2020. Excerpt below retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/18/business/coronavirus-meat-slaughterhouses.html
- “After decades of consolidation, there are about 800 federally inspected slaughterhouses in the United States, processing billions of pounds of meat for food stores each year. But a relatively small number of them account for the vast majority of production. In the cattle industry, a little more than 50 plants are responsible for as much as 98 percent of slaughtering and processing in the United States, according to Cassandra Fish, a beef analyst.”


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10% of models in Brazilian fashion week 'must be black'
June 8, 2010 3:25 PM Subscribe
São Paulo Fashion Week, the nation’s most important fashion event, has been forced by local prosecutors to ensure that at least 10 percent of its models are of African or indigenous descent.
The model scouts see it differently - it's all about what sells. "The goal" Brazilian model scouts say, "is to find the right genetic cocktail of German and Italian ancestry, perhaps with some Russian or other Slavic blood thrown in. Such a mix, they say, helps produce the tall, thin girls with straight hair, fair skin and light eyes that Brazil exports to the runways of New York, Milan and Paris with stunning success." Yet, "on the pages of its magazines, Brazil’s beauty spectrum is clearer. Nonwhite women, including celebrities of varying body types, are interspersed with white models. But on the runways, the proving ground for models hoping to go abroad, the diversity drops off precipitously."
"Prosecutors investigating discrimination
complaints against São Paulo Fashion Week found that only 28 of the event’s 1,128 models were black in early 2008." "The Sao Paulo state prosecutor's office had threatened legal action against the organisers unless they increased the number of black models. Companies which fail to meet the new target could face fines of up to $120,000 (£76,000), prosecutors said. The agreement is also largely seen as a response to threats from a black rights group which planned to disrupt the fashion week."
"Clóvis Pessoa studies facial traits that are successful on international runways and looks for towns in the south that mirror those genes." "Yet Brazil is not the same country it was in 1994, when Gisele Bündchen
, the world’s top earning model, was discovered in a tiny town not far from here."

domain: news


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Visa has recorded massive growth with its crypto payments. The payments giants had been one of the first to step into the crypto space to take advantage of the unique payments capabilities of blockchain technology. Between the time the company first announced its move into the blockchain and now, it has grown its offering widely with its crypto cards accepted by thousands of merchants worldwide.
Visa’s growth in this time shows the promise of crypto payments, as well as that of blockchain technology. Its numbers in the fiscal first quarter of 2022 have come out to the tune of $2.5 billion as adoption grows worldwide.
Visa Setting The Stage
In a recent earnings call, Visa updated its stakeholders on how the crypto cards are faring in the market. These cards which can be spent in a variety of ways are used by the cardholders to pay for retail goods and services, as well as restaurants and for travel, CFO Vasant Prabhu told CNBC. In just the first month of 2022 alone, the amount spent by cardholders had almost doubled.
Related Reading | Dead On Arrival? How The Nigerian eNaira Has Fared Since Launch
This $2.5 billion number recorded in the first fiscal quarter by the company came out to about 70% of all of the volume done in the fiscal year of 2021. Prabhu explained that the ways customers were spending with their cards were not concentrated as might be expected. Instead, they are using their cards to pay for a variety of things.
“Looking at the broad categories of spend, we don’t see the volume concentrated in a specific merchant vertical with these programs,” the CFO said. “People are using their crypto-linked cards to spend in a variety of ways — retail goods and services, restaurants, travel. They’re increasingly being treated like a general purpose account.”
The recent volatility that has rocked the market had not affected the rate at which Visa’s crypto cards were being used, Prabhu said. Instead, Visa had continued to record growing use even as the volatility has worsened.
Big Partnerships In Crypto
Following its big reveal with its crypto card volumes, Visa has taken another step towards expanding its reach in the crypto market. This time around, the payments giant is going after crypto exchanges and platforms, of which it has made more than 65 partnerships in the space.
The company recognizes the potential that crypto payments presents and is continuing to enable new ways to pay for its customers.
Crypto total market cap trending low at $1.6 trillion | Source: Crypto Total Market Cap on TradingView.com
Visa CEO Al Kelly noted this in a recent conference where he presented the company’s strategy going forward. It continues to provide ways for players in the crypto space to connect seamlessly with fiat and its newly announced partnership will help it achieve this.
Related Reading | Mark Cuban Reveals His Biggest Crypto Mistake. Here’s How Much He Lost
“We’re also providing on-ramps for crypto players creating connectivity with fiat economies,” Kelly said. “There are over 65 crypto platforms and exchanges that have partnered to issue Visa credentials.”
Visa does not yet hold any crypto on its balance sheet and has never expressed that it will do so. However, the company continues to make strides in the crypto space towards making crypto payments a mainstream service.
Featured image from Bitcoin News, chart from TradingView.com


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A study recently published in the American Journal of Public Health, summarized by Time, found that daily consumption of carbonated soft drinks can age white blood cells by almost two years.
The American Beverage Association announced that it wants to reduce national calorie intake, but the editorial board at USA Today was hardly impressed.
Amid a winding web of booths comprised of thousands of exhibitors, including over 200 beverage companies, and a record-setting 67,000 attendees crammed within the halls of the Anaheim Convention Center,…
No, the 2013 NACS show in Atlanta may not have been a hub for innovation as it was in years past. Nevertheless, here was a significant number of new product announcements and brand updates seen at the 2013 NACS show, most coming in the form of line extensions and packaging revamps. After three days on the floor, we located almost 60 new products and brands that were featured at the event, all of which are included in the following photo gallery.
BevNET’s New Beverage Guide is the most comprehensive collection of non-alcoholic beverages compiled annually. The guide will be promoted to 19,000 readers in BevNET Magazine and 100,000 monthly visitors via BevNET.com. BevNET’s Best of 2013 Awards, which will be announced in December, will feature winners in over 12 categories.
From unique formulations and ingredients to novel and distinctive packaging, Natural Products Expo West has long been a trade show defined by innovation. To that end, natural beverage marketers often view Expo West as a critical springboard for new product introductions, as well as an opportunity for some companies to showcase brand revamps, and in some cases, relaunches.
Those folks associated with the beer and beverage industries have heard the rumor before: Anheuser-Busch InBev could merge with PepsiCo. The speculation resurfaced this week.
The campaign, which began on Monday and will continue until Sept. 15, aims to engage consumers through social media and point-of-sale locations.
While established beverage brands took advantage of the high-profile event to announce line extensions, updated formulations and packaging revamps, a significant number of early-stage companies utilized Expo West to introduce their products to swarms of distributors, retailers and media personnel walking the show floor. Covering every new product introduction or revamp at Expo West was no easy task, but our team was up for the challenge.
If the number of brand launches, line extensions and new products seen at the 2013 Natural Products Expo East show is any indication, consumer demand for natural products is as strong as ever. After navigating our way through dozens of aisles at the Baltimore Convention Center, we've compiled a sizable photo gallery of many of the new brands, products and revamps featured at the event.
Last week, BevNET Live Summer ’13 turned New York City’s Metropolitan Pavilion into a networking and educational mecca for nearly 600 beverage entrepreneurs, suppliers, retailers, distributors. Below are five photo galleries from the event, each showcasing the range of premium content and opportunities offered to attendees of BevNET Live.


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Singapore is one of the world’s leading countries in commerce and finance, as well as having been recently voted the top country for expats by HSBC. In fact, it is also the top voted country in the world for starting up a business because of the support available for entrepreneurs and their SMEs and SMBs. Added to that is the Singaporean work ethic and the success of financial tech companies currently holding offices there. It’s really no wonder that some of the biggest names in the world are setting up on the island.
Whilst recent years have seen a proliferation of tech companies across the world, there are some industries which are successfully thriving in Singapore. These include but are not limited to those listed below.
Whilst this is a broad term for a huge umbrella of industries, there are some information tech services which are thriving more than others within Asia’s finance hub. For example, Twitter has headquarters in the city, a chain of international success stories such as Apple, Google and Microsoft have invested in offices, with Netflix opening their Asia division in Singapore next year. App creators and developers, cloud storage and cybersecurity are some of the divisions of tech which are really booming now.
The Singapore government knows and supports the value of tech industries and launched Smart Nation – an initiative to empower citizens through the use of tech and pervasive accessibility, to encourage growth in this key industry.
Having pumped some serious money into R&D recently, the Singaporean government have encouraged experts from all over the world to research and develop all industries. One of the major players is the automotive industry, both Delphi and Bosch have set up R&D departments for the industry. With a workforce enriched with electronics and engineering, it is unsurprising that the automotive industry is racing to the forefront of successful sectors in Singapore.
Again, the country’s provision for R&D makes Singapore a thriving hub of healthcare and many big pharma companies have offices in the city. SMEs from the medtech sector have been sprouting up all over Singapore, using the excellent support and resources to incubate their ideas before spreading to the whole of Asia. This means the markets in this area are very successful too, rendering it a solid investment.
Creative industries and arts
With the amount of tech developments happening within the country, Singapore is awash with creative agencies offering design services, game creation and development and animation to name just a few. The Singaporean government expect to see more of these companies as we head into 2017.
Arts and performing arts are respected in Singapore and have seen a steady increase in recent years, making it a cultural place, nurturing cultural interests.
Its thriving tech opportunities, educated workforce and the desire to be independent and self-sufficient have led to a proliferation of communications companies springing up throughout Singapore. From telecommunications to information marketing and internet comms. companies, the tech advancement in Singapore lends itself well to the ever expanding communications industry.


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Millions of online bank accounts will remain frozen for the fifth day
Millions of online banking and payment cardholders face a fifth day without access to their funds after the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority refused to lift restrictions on a Wirecard subsidiary.
The FCA on Friday imposed a near-immediate suspension on Wirecard Card Solutions (WCS) Limited, after its parent company became insolvent after admitting massive financial fraud.
This resulted in the suspension of millions of banking applications and payment card accounts managed through WCS. At least a dozen different services were affected, including Pockit, Anna Money and U Account.
This afternoon, the FCA issued an update stating that Wirecard’s operations remain suspended as the financial watchdog is not yet satisfied that the funds are not misappropriated.
“Teams across FCA have been working with the company and other international and UK authorities over the weekend, and we have seen good progress by the company in meeting the terms we have fixed,” the FCA update read.
“We are keeping the pressure on the firm to resolve these issues which would allow it to operate under certain conditions. However, we cannot lift the restrictions without ensuring that the company has been able to meet all our concerns, for example that all customers’ money is safe. We hope to be able to post an update soon.
The FCA says its “primary objective has always been to protect the interests and money of consumers who use Wirecard”, but that may not reassure the millions of customers who cannot access funds in their accounts or use their cards. payment to make purchases.
Some of the affected banking apps are specifically designed for small businesses or the self-employed, with some users saying their livelihoods are at risk from the suspension as they are unable to generate invoices or access bank funds. business.
Many within the fintech industry are angry at how the FCA imposed the suspension on just one hour’s notice, giving banking services little to no chance to notify their customers.
The Emerging Payments Association (EPA), which represents some of the affected services, says fintech firms face irreparable damage to their reputations if the FCA does not quickly lift the suspension.
“The Emerging Payments Association and its members urge the FCA to unblock Wirecard Card Services accounts as soon as possible, for the benefit of cardholders, businesses and their employees, and the UK fintech industry. “, she said in a statement released today.
“If this suspension is not lifted quickly, we believe there will be significant and lasting damage to UK individuals, businesses and prospects as leaders in fintech today and in the future.”
The EPA says many consumers will have suffered serious harm as a result of the suspension. “Those who receive payments on their prepaid accounts such as Pockit and The Change Account, including the vulnerable, those without access to traditional banking services, those with low incomes receiving social benefit programs and young people , will not receive them,” he said.
“They won’t be able to pay other bills, including food, utilities and direct debits. A few will simply be inconvenienced, but many will suffer and some will become emotionally distressed and traumatized, with unknown consequences for their well-being. being and their health.
Some of the affected services managed to find quick workarounds. Curve, which is believed to have around 1.5 million users, took over many of its services today after signing a deal with a new payment processor and bringing other things in-house.
“We are thrilled to have been able to complete the complex services transition in such a short time,” Curve Founder and CEO Shachar Bialick said in a statement. “Working closely with our partners at Mastercard and Checkout.com, we have ensured minimal disruption at a time of significant upheaval in European fintech.”


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The most recent exciting news in Bitcoin history began in November 2017 and led to the current all-time high for the cryptocurrency. In 2017, Bitcoin went from trading at just over $900 to about $20,000. This was a journey with many ups and downs along the way, a drop in trading volumes due to the People’s Bank of China tightening oversight of Bitcoin exchanges and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rejecting a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund.
In January 2015 Coinbase raised 75 million USD as part of a Series C funding round, smashing the previous record for a bitcoin company. Less than one year after the collapse of Mt. Gox, United Kingdom-based exchange Bitstamp announced that their exchange would be taken offline while they investigate a hack which resulted in about 19,000 bitcoins (equivalent to roughly US$5 million at that time) being stolen from their hot wallet. The exchange remained offline for several days amid speculation that customers had lost their funds. Bitstamp resumed trading on 9 January after increasing security measures and assuring customers that their account balances would not be impacted.
In October 2013, the FBI seized roughly 26,000 BTC from website Silk Road during the arrest of alleged owner Ross William Ulbricht. Two companies, Robocoin and Bitcoiniacs launched the world's first bitcoin ATM on 29 October 2013 in Vancouver, BC, Canada, allowing clients to sell or purchase bitcoin currency at a downtown coffee shop. Chinese internet giant Baidu had allowed clients of website security services to pay with bitcoins.
Press Contacts: San Francisco, CA, Kerryn Lloyd, [email protected] San Francisco, CA – August 28, 2018 –The Bitcoin Foundation has received a commitment of $200,000 for its 2018/2019 plan - $100,000 from Brock Pierce, a venture capitalist, philanthropist, serial entrepreneur and Chairman of the Bitcoin Foundation and a further $100,000 commitment [...]
One of the first supporters, adopters, contributor to bitcoin and receiver of the first bitcoin transaction was programmer Hal Finney. Finney downloaded the bitcoin software the day it was released, and received 10 bitcoins from Nakamoto in the world's first bitcoin transaction on 12 January 2009. Other early supporters were Wei Dai, creator of bitcoin predecessor b-money, and Nick Szabo, creator of bitcoin predecessor bit gold.
The other reason is safety. Looking at 2009 alone, 32,489 blocks were mined; at the then-reward rate of 50 BTC per block, the total payout in 2009 was 1,624,500 BTC, which at today’s prices is over $900 million. One may conclude that only Satoshi and perhaps a few other people were mining through 2009, and that they possess a majority of that $900 million worth of BTC. Someone in possession of that much BTC could become a target of criminals, especially since bitcoins are less like stocks and more like cash, where the private keys needed to authorize spending could be printed out and literally kept under a mattress. While it's likely the inventor of Bitcoin would take precautions to make any extortion-induced transfers traceable, remaining anonymous is a good way for Satoshi to limit exposure.
Venture capitalists, such as Peter Thiel's Founders Fund, which invested US$3 million in BitPay, do not purchase bitcoins themselves, but instead fund bitcoin infrastructure that provides payment systems to merchants, exchanges, wallet services, etc. In 2012, an incubator for bitcoin-focused start-ups was founded by Adam Draper, with financing help from his father, venture capitalist Tim Draper, one of the largest bitcoin holders after winning an auction of 30,000 bitcoins, at the time called "mystery buyer". The company's goal is to fund 100 bitcoin businesses within 2–3 years with $10,000 to $20,000 for a 6% stake. Investors also invest in bitcoin mining. According to a 2015 study by Paolo Tasca, bitcoin startups raised almost $1 billion in three years (Q1 2012 – Q1 2015).
Bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency: Balances are kept using public and private "keys," which are long strings of numbers and letters linked through the mathematical encryption algorithm that was used to create them. The public key (comparable to a bank account number) serves as the address which is published to the world and to which others may send bitcoins. The private key (comparable to an ATM PIN) is meant to be a guarded secret, and only used to authorize Bitcoin transmissions.
The future of global payments could be in the early stages of significant change, with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies gaining in popularity and use. These charts can keep you up to date on Bitcoin prices and market activity, and can be a useful tool for timing purchases or sales. While prices could go down as well as up, the Bitcoin market has enormous potential, and prices seen in 2017 could eventually look like a genuine bargain.a
Bitcoin prices saw tremendous activity during 2017, rising several thousand percent over the year. The market has seen some volatility, although many of the dips seen in the cryptocurrency have thus far proven to be good buying opportunities. This trend may or may not continue, but given the outlook for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, the trend could potentially remain higher for a long time to come.
Bitcoin was the first decentralized digital currency; an online peer-to-peer payment system, without the need for third-party intermediaries such as banks. It was first released in 2008 and has since grown to be the largest cryptocurrency when measured by market cap. Bitcoins are not issued like traditional currency, they are digital and “mined” by powerful servers over time. It was designed to have a fixed supply of 21 million coins.
Full clients verify transactions directly by downloading a full copy of the blockchain (over 150 GB As of January 2018). They are the most secure and reliable way of using the network, as trust in external parties is not required. Full clients check the validity of mined blocks, preventing them from transacting on a chain that breaks or alters network rules. Because of its size and complexity, downloading and verifying the entire blockchain is not suitable for all computing devices.
Jump up ^ Paul Vigna (18 February 2014). "BitBeat: Mt. Gox's Pyrrhic Victory". Money Beat. The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014. 'Ode to Satoshi' is a bluegrass-style song with an old-timey feel that mixes references to Satoshi Nakamoto and blockchains (and, ahem, 'the fall of old Mt. Gox') with mandolin-picking and harmonicas.
On 18 August 2008, the domain name bitcoin.org was registered. Later that year on 31 October, a link to a paper authored by Satoshi Nakamoto titled Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System was posted to a cryptography mailing list. This paper detailed methods of using a peer-to-peer network to generate what was described as "a system for electronic transactions without relying on trust". On 3 January 2009, the bitcoin network came into existence with Satoshi Nakamoto mining the genesis block of bitcoin (block number 0), which had a reward of 50 bitcoins. Embedded in the coinbase of this block was the text:
The receiver of the first bitcoin transaction was cypherpunk Hal Finney, who created the first reusable proof-of-work system (RPOW) in 2004. Finney downloaded the bitcoin software on its release date, and on 12 January 2009 received ten bitcoins from Nakamoto. Other early cypherpunk supporters were creators of bitcoin predecessors: Wei Dai, creator of b-money, and Nick Szabo, creator of bit gold. In 2010, the first known commercial transaction using bitcoin occurred when programmer Laszlo Hanyecz bought two Papa John's pizzas for 10,000 bitcoin.
Bitcoin’s popularity has undeniably been its number one advantage over the numerous other cryptocurrencies. By gaining a large number of adopters and users, Bitcoin has achieved a network effect that attracts even more users. Users who would otherwise be more apprehensive investing in a relatively unknown and unproven digital currency are reassured by Bitcoin’s performance over time, its growing community, and the fact that people they know are adopting cryptos.
Another interesting way (literally) to earn bitcoins is by lending them out, and being repaid in the currency. Lending can take three forms – direct lending to someone you know; through a website which facilitates peer-to-peer transactions, pairing borrowers and lenders; or depositing bitcoins in a virtual bank that offers a certain interest rate for Bitcoin accounts. Some such sites are Bitbond, BitLendingClub and BTCjam. Obviously, you should do due diligence on any third-party site.


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Marc Cuban linked to a tweet that goes to a blog post about China. It’s negative on Alibaba (BABA).
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) November 22, 2017
Some of the article I can’t take a view on because I’m not up to date on all of Alibaba’s business moves. However, it seems like the analysis is resting a bit on this photo:
Anyway, while I was traveling, I had a chance to peruse the Alibaba September Quarter figures, Press Release, 6K, Investor Presentation and of course, took some time to listen to the always entertaining Investor Call. Shortly thereafter, Alibaba had reported their amazing “Singles Day” sales figure of $25.3 Billion of fake GMV.
To put this figure in perspective, this year, “Singles Day” GMV came in at just a few billion more than the annual revenue of Sears/K-Mart (140,000 employees and 1,500 locations world-wide)….. again, I’ll repeat that….. Alibaba sold, shipped and delivered the annual, global, sales volume of Sears/K-Mart in just one day! ….800 Million orders to deliver! Incredible! Bravo!…..all those guys on the tuk-tuks, scooters and bicycles must be exhausted……
The Alibaba business model has triumphed once again. It’s now obvious that UPS, FedEx, DHL, et al, have it all wrong. Why in the world would anyone invest in all of that expensive GPS, scanning, package tracking automation and logistics hardware when you can just dump your packages on the sidewalk and let homeless people figure out how to get them where they are supposed to go? Again, the wizardry of Alibaba’s ecosystem has rewritten the global-logistics playbook. Absolute genius….
I don’t know if the logistics have improved over the past few years, but the Chinese post office was not a bastion of efficiency. The worst I’d ever seen was a guy standing in a sea of mailbags, packages everywhere, total chaos. It looked like a bomb went off. I gave him my claim ticket and he went back to find my package, and emerged with it after several minutes. The “private” delivery services are more efficient. I’ve seen scenes like the above, but in every case I can remember, it was outside of a main delivery area, such as outside the gates of a university or office building. Often, the students or office workers came out to pick up their package.
I’m positive Chinese delivery companies and the Post Office could increase efficiency. But what looks like total mayhem from the outside somehow manages to get packages where they’re going.
1. Sell 800 million packages
3. Customers receive their packages
The ??? is incredible amounts of human labor.
Amazon sold nearly $3 billion during its PrimeDay sale in July. Amazon is about as large as Alibaba (similar share of online sales). Unlike in the U.S., however, Single’s Day is more like Black Friday and PrimeDay rolled into one. One firm estimated $4.7 billion in Amazon sales from Black Friday through Cyber Monday last year. Alibaba’s claim of $23.5 billion in sales looks inflated even if those sales are all rolled into one, assuming some big ticket items aren’t in the mix. (Did they offer deals on foreclosed properties and bad debt?)


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Following the smart TVs Mi TV 5 , Xiaomi announced its new CC9 Pro smartphone with an emphasis on photo and video capabilities. What a beast The device received a glass case with metal frames and a curved 6.47-inch.
Recently, images of the flagship MatePad Pro tablet leaked to the network , and now there is information about one feature of the new product . What is known The tablet with model numbers MRX-W09 and MRX-W19 has been.
Fossil Group today announced its new hybrid smartwatch called Hybrid HR. What is known The novelty received a classic appearance with a round case and mechanical arrows. In the center of the dial placed a round E-Ink display. It.
Yesterday, Xiaomi announced the CC9 Pro camera phone in China , and today the novelty debuted in Europe as the Mi Note 10. What is known The device is no different from its Chinese counterpart. He received the same.
Vivo held an event in China today with Samsung, where it shared some details about its next new product. What did they say This is a series of smartphones Vivo X30. As previously assumed, the devices will be the.
Motorola hasn’t yet said anything about its new One Hyper smartphone with a retractable selfie camera , but the official announcement is coming soon. This is evidenced by the appearance of the gadget in the database of the National.


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giving back fall 2016: truss handbags
Published Sep 6, 2016 7:00 AM
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
From the Oaxacan mercado to the global luxury market, Elise Durbecq and Gillian Tozer are putting Mexican-made bags on the map.
SMALL CROSS-BODY in Black Rhombus Pattern $160 trussnyc.com On a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, New Yorkers Elise Durbecq and Gillian Tozer fell in love with the structured market bags they saw the local women carrying around. “We recognized the beauty, technique, and tradition,” Tozer explains. Having already worked together at Opening Ceremony, the duo launched TRUSS soon after, collaborating closely with artisans to create high-fashion designs using traditional techniques.
FOLIO in Black and White Plaid $125 trussnyc.com One of their bags takes a full day for a skilled weaver to complete. “People come to the market in Mexico and haggle for a blouse that took months to make, even though it’s the same quality as something made in a French atelier,” Durbecq says. “If we don’t pay artisans properly and treat them with respect, the next generation won’t want to learn.”
FOLIO IN BLACK Half Dip Pattern and Pochette in Black and White Rhombus Pattern $95-$125 trussnyc.com In addition to supporting small businesses, TRUSS donates a percentage of its profits to Fondo Guadalupe Musalem, an organization that works with girls to continue their education through high school. “We thought we’d stay out of trouble for a summer, go to Oaxaca, buy some bags, and sell them at the Brooklyn Flea,” says Tozer. “But as soon as we became aware that this tradition was dying out, we had to take it to the next level.”
SMALL CROSS-BODY in Yellow and Black Plaid $160 trussnyc.com


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H&M sales stall
Same-store sales growth at Hennes & Mauritz, the European fashion retailer, ground to a halt in September. H&M blamed a European heatwave for deterring shoppers, which forced price cuts. The retailer’s figures fell well short of expectations of 3.9 per cent growth on the previous September. Revenue at H&M shops rose 9 per cent against market expectations of 13.9 per cent in September.
Moscow police arrested three suspects in the murder of Andrei Kozlov, first deputy chairman of the Russian central bank, who was shot at point-blank range in September in a suspected contract killing. The murder is thought to be connected to Mr Koslov’s campaign against money-laundering. Reports said police were narrowing their investigation to those who ordered the


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While Club Carlson’s Bonus Award Night was supposed to end yesterday, it hasn’t. According to the company via Twitter, the Bonus Award Night offer for current holders of their co-branded credit card will end at 11pm CST on June 1.
Today also marks the changeover of prices at many of Club Carlson’s properties. While a number of properties went up in price, many went down as well. If you have bookings at any hotels that went down in price, you may be able to cancel your reservations and book them at a lower rate while the Bonus Award Night is still around.
For more info and example of hotels that have gone down in price, see this Travel is Free post.


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Zim gets first 4G service
BUSINESS| July 20, 2011, 3:07 p.m.
By Alfonce Mbizwo, Harare, Zimbabwe
New player Brodacom has launched Zimbabwe’s first 4G internet service, promising to bring the Southern African nation’s economy into the digital age.
The company, one of Zimbabwe’s 15 licensed IAPs, launched its product by running adverts boldly asking customers the question: What do you expect from your 4G network?
“We are coming into the market with voice, data and video services. We are able to provide voice services at home and office and on mobile platforms. We do not sell handsets, but our modems have the capacity and capability to provide voice services, sms, data and internet services. They support those kind of services whether its fixed telephony or mobile services,” the managing director of Brodacom, Parkvoo Mutendera told Biztechafrica.
“Most of our products are designed to make broadband accessible to more than just an individual so you buy one gadget and you give internet access to 10 or 20 other people and this is what is going to make the difference between what we are offering and what has been available on the market," he said.
“Because we have a very visual generation now we have gone into the video space where we are saying individuals can interface via video. We are putting up base stations so that such services can be accessible even in remote locations and even the media can broadcast live on internet using the backbone of our infrastructure. We cut across voice, sms, data and video,” Mutendera said.
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Since an employee at PlayStation Japan mistakenly “welcomed” Bluepoint to the platform holder’s first-party family, Sony has acquired two teams that very few expected: Nixxes and Firesprite. And yet, we’re still waiting for confirmation of whether the Demon’s Souls developer has actually joined the PlayStation Studios family or not.
Following the error, the Texas-based developer updated flavour text on its Twitter account to state that it’s “fully independent”, but neither party has outright denied the speculation. Yet, we’re still waiting for any kind of confirmation about what’s going on. We contacted the manufacturer earlier in the year, but received no response.
It’s a strange one because clearly someone at PlayStation’s marketing department created a graphic to announce the acquisition: both the logo and key art from Demon’s Souls are included, alongside imagery from Returnal, suggesting the announcement was planned after the firm’s Housemarque buyout.
But still there’s no word on what’s going on. Perhaps, at one point, discussions were taking place but have fallen through? Or maybe it’s waiting for Bluepoint to reveal its next project – although that hasn’t prevented it from confirming its purchase of Firesprite, has it? A very strange situation: perhaps one day we’ll get the full story.


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Adirondack Trust has closed a deal with a new tenant in its Mabee building, a bank official says.
First-time business owner Pam Worth, of Wilton, will today begin her lease on the space formerly occupied by Haute Mama at 27 Church St.
Worth is planning to open a women's clothing, jewelry and accessories store called Spoken this spring, when a major redecorating project is finished.
The space has been vacant since Sarah Otto closed her maternity clothing store in mid-November.
"I have lived in Saratoga my whole life and I am a huge fan of the downtown business area," said Worth, 47. "This is something I have wanted to do for a long time."
Worth, a longtime buyer and merchandiser for Sutton's Marketplace in Queensbury, said she left the job after 22 years "to pursue a dream of mine."
While she admits that women's clothing stores are "a dime a dozen" in downtown Saratoga Springs, Worth expressed confidence about her new venture.
"I'm catering to someone my age who wants to put something on and feel fabulous," she said. "Customer service is my foundation, and I think that's lacking in some stores."
As an incubator business, Spoken has five years to establish itself in the Mabee building before Worth's agreement with Adirondack Trust requires her to find a new venue.
"It's considerably less to rent than what's on Broadway," Worth said of her location. "I'm grateful for the support of the bank. It's a great fit for me."
Mare still Mare
Contrary to plans announced in September, managers of the nightclub at 17 Maple Ave. are not changing the venue's name to The Metro, but are letting it remain, for now, as Mare Nightclub and Lounge.
Builder Scott Morgan, of Stillwater, said Sunday that he and business partner Fred Sharifipour, of Altamont, plan to buy the business from Chase Petrones LLC. They've been leasing the space since last fall.
The front room has been closed for the last few weeks while Morgan and company finish remodeling and painting and swap out the furniture, with an eye on creating a martini lounge-like atmosphere.
During the work, Mare's dance club and second floor have remained open for partiers. The front room is expected to reopen within a week, Morgan said.
The multi-venue music house, known for its summertime patio crowd, has changed hands and its appearance seemingly every season or two; in previous incarnations it has been called The Metro and Luna Lounge; this summer, as Mare, it was home to the Twilight Grille burger joint.
Morgan acknowledged the venue's fickle track record and implied it's something he aims to change.
"This place needs a real identity and it hasn't had an identity," he said.
Call 583-6955 or look up Mare Nightclub on Facebook for more information.


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Report finds US meat recalls have increased by 65 percent since 2013
US PIRG Education Fund, the authors of the report, have called for food safety agencies to take greater control in order to ensure the safety of consumers in the US.
Contaminated food, from chicken strips containing chunks of metal to E. coli-contaminated romaine lettuce, was said to have posed a serious danger to Americans’ health in 2019. US PIRG Education Fund, a consumer research establishment, analysed 2019’s numbers for its How Safe Is Our Food? report and found that, while recalls for produce and processed food have fallen 34 percent since 2016, recalls for meat and poultry have increased since – and are up 65 percent since 2013.
“Consumers should not have to worry that their next bite might sicken or kill them, especially when food safety agencies leave so many solutions in the pantry,” said US PIRG Consumer Watchdog, Adam Garber. “Our analysis suggests that when common sense protections are implemented, our food gets safer.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 48 million Americans experience foodborne illness each year. “Each recall is an instance when our food safety system failed to prevent contaminated products from reaching consumers. Despite the decline in produce and processed food recalls, both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) could be doing more to protect consumers,” the US PIRG Education Fund wrote in a statement.
Key findings from the report include:
- The most hazardous meat and poultry recalls (Class I) have nearly doubled, up 85 percent since 2013 – a slight increase from 2018. Total meat and poultry recalls are up 65 percent since 2013
- Recalls for produce, processed food and other food overseen by the FDA decreased 34 percent since new food safety plans for businesses started going into effect in 2016. The most hazardous recalls have dropped 54 percent
- Companies reported recovering an average of 16 percent of recalled meat and poultry in completed recalls between 2013-2019
- While the number of poultry recalls was similar to previous years, the 17 million pounds of poultry and egg products recalled last year more than tripled the average of the previous six years
- 5 million pounds of meat and poultry were recalled for containing metal, plastic or other extraneous material in 2019 – 75 percent of the weight of all meat recalls.
“The food we eat should be free of contamination, from farm to fork.” said PIRG Consumer Watchdog Associate, Dylan Robb. “Food safety agencies can – and should – take several actions to make sure our food will not make us sick, including the requirement of agricultural water testing and the implementation of more aggressive food safety plans.”


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UPS offers severance packages to about 650
ATLANTA -- UPS Inc., the world's largest shipping carrier, is seeking more job cuts on top of 1,200 positions in its logistics unit it previously said it would cut.
The Atlanta company has offered voluntary severance packages to roughly 650 employees at its headquarters and in its Supply Chain Solutions division in the United States.
Those receiving the offers are at least 50 years old and have at least 10 years of experience, spokesman Norman Black said Monday.
The company did not disclose how many people it hoped would take the severance offers, and Black declined to say whether there would be any forced layoffs if not enough people take the offers.
The personal election period ends Jan. 29. The company said it will discuss any significant financial impact from the cuts during a fourth-quarter earnings call with analysts the next day.
The cuts are in addition to the 1,200 jobs UPS announced in October that it would shed in its Supply Chain Solutions business, which handles air freight and logistics services.
At an investor conference last month, chief financial officer Scott Davis said there might be more cuts as the company evaluated the best way to deliver non operating functions such as human resources, accounting, engineering, and network planning.
UPS has been undergoing a restructuring meant to reduce costs and align transportation services and planning across the company.
Chief executive Mike Eskew said at the investor conference that the company is confident its growth strategy is working amid competitive and economic challenges, but it must improve the performance of its logistics business, adding, "We know that we have to execute better than we have."


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Amazon, the e-commerce giant, has been experimenting with cashierless stores for some time now. These stores, also known as “Just Walk Out” technology, allow customers to simply walk in, pick up what they want, and walk out without having to go through a traditional checkout process. However, recent reports suggest that Amazon is now closing some of these stores. But why? In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind Amazon’s decision to shut down these cashierless stores and what it means for the future of retail. So, let’s dive in and find out!
Amazon is closing its cashierless stores due to the high cost of operating them. Despite the convenience and efficiency of the cashierless system, the cost of maintaining the technology and infrastructure was too high. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decrease in foot traffic and sales, further exacerbating the financial challenges of these stores. Amazon has stated that it will continue to experiment with new retail formats and store concepts, but the cashierless store model is no longer a priority.
Amazon’s experiment with cashierless stores
Expansion of Amazon Go stores
In 2018, Amazon introduced its first cashierless store, Amazon Go, in Seattle. The store used advanced technology such as computer vision and machine learning to track customers’ purchases and charge them automatically as they leave the store. The concept was an instant success, and Amazon decided to expand the concept to other cities.
In 2019, Amazon expanded the Amazon Go concept to New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. The company also opened additional stores in Seattle and opened its first international store in London. However, despite the rapid expansion, Amazon has been facing challenges in scaling the concept.
One of the main challenges Amazon has faced is the cost of implementing the technology. The computer vision and machine learning technology used in Amazon Go stores is expensive to install and maintain. Additionally, the technology requires a significant amount of power, which can be a challenge in older buildings that may not have the necessary infrastructure.
Another challenge Amazon has faced is the need for constant monitoring and maintenance of the technology. The cameras and sensors used in the stores need to be regularly cleaned and maintained to ensure they are functioning properly. Additionally, the software used to track purchases needs to be regularly updated to ensure it is functioning correctly.
Despite these challenges, Amazon has continued to expand its cashierless store concept. In 2020, the company opened additional stores in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, as well as its first stores in Canada. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has also presented challenges for the company, as many people have been hesitant to shop in person due to concerns about the virus.
Overall, while Amazon has faced challenges in scaling its cashierless store concept, the company has continued to expand the concept and is likely to continue to do so in the future.
Reasons for the closure of Amazon Go stores
Inadequate Customer Adoption
One of the primary reasons for the closure of Amazon Go stores is the lack of customer adoption. Despite the innovative technology and convenience offered by the stores, customers were not adopting the cashierless experience at the expected rate. The store’s reliance on smartphones and the Amazon Go app was a significant barrier for those without smartphones or those who did not want to use the app. This limitation made it difficult for Amazon to reach a broader customer base, resulting in low foot traffic and reduced revenue.
High Operating Costs
Another reason for the closure of Amazon Go stores is the high operating costs associated with the technology and infrastructure required for the cashierless experience. The cameras, sensors, and computer vision technology used in the stores were expensive to install and maintain. Additionally, the stores required a large amount of data processing and analysis to function correctly, further increasing the costs. As a result, the operating costs of Amazon Go stores were significantly higher than traditional stores, making it difficult for Amazon to maintain profitability.
The competitive retail market also played a role in the closure of Amazon Go stores. With traditional retailers and other e-commerce companies offering similar cashierless experiences, Amazon faced intense competition in the market. This competition made it difficult for Amazon to differentiate its cashierless experience and capture market share. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the retail industry, causing a decline in foot traffic and revenue for all retailers, including Amazon.
Limited Scope for Expansion
The limited scope for expansion of Amazon Go stores was another factor in the decision to close the stores. The stores were primarily located in urban areas, limiting their reach to a specific customer base. Expanding the stores to new locations would have required significant investment in infrastructure and technology, which may not have been feasible for Amazon. Additionally, the stores required a dense population and high foot traffic to be profitable, making it difficult for Amazon to expand to new locations without sacrificing profitability.
In conclusion, the closure of Amazon Go stores can be attributed to a combination of factors, including inadequate customer adoption, high operating costs, intense competition, and limited scope for expansion. Despite the challenges faced by Amazon Go stores, the company continues to innovate and explore new retail experiences, demonstrating its commitment to staying ahead of the competition in the ever-evolving retail industry.
Impact of cashierless stores on Amazon’s operations
Benefits of cashierless stores for Amazon
- Increased Efficiency: Cashierless stores allow for a more streamlined shopping experience, as customers can simply scan and pay for items using their mobile devices. This reduces the need for cashiers and checkout lines, leading to shorter wait times and increased efficiency.
- Data Collection: Amazon can collect a vast amount of data from customers’ shopping habits in cashierless stores. This data can be used to improve product recommendations, targeted advertising, and overall customer experience.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: The cashierless system allows for a more personalized and convenient shopping experience. Customers can easily access product information, read reviews, and check prices through the Amazon app, all while avoiding long checkout lines.
- Cost Savings: By eliminating the need for cashiers and traditional checkout systems, Amazon can save on labor costs and reduce the risk of theft.
- Expanded Customer Base: Cashierless stores can attract tech-savvy customers who prefer a more seamless and contactless shopping experience. This can lead to increased customer loyalty and market share for Amazon.
Challenges faced by Amazon with cashierless stores
Amazon, the e-commerce giant, has been experimenting with cashierless stores for a while now. While the concept of a cashierless store is not new, Amazon’s implementation of it has brought forth some unique challenges. Here are some of the challenges that Amazon has faced with its cashierless stores:
- Technical issues: One of the biggest challenges that Amazon has faced with its cashierless stores is technical issues. The technology used in these stores is quite complex and requires high-end hardware and software to function seamlessly. Technical glitches such as malfunctioning of cameras or payment systems can cause long wait times for customers, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction.
- Inventory management: Another challenge that Amazon has faced with its cashierless stores is inventory management. These stores do not have traditional checkout counters, which means that there is no physical way to track inventory levels. This can lead to stockouts, which can result in lost sales and dissatisfied customers.
- Security concerns: Amazon’s cashierless stores use a system that requires customers to scan items using their smartphones and then walk out of the store. This system can be vulnerable to fraud, as there is no way to verify that the person who walked out of the store is the same person who scanned the items. This can lead to concerns about shoplifting and theft.
- Lack of personal interaction: One of the key benefits of traditional brick-and-mortar stores is the personal interaction between customers and sales associates. Cashierless stores, on the other hand, lack this personal interaction, which can make customers feel like they are not receiving the same level of service. This can be particularly challenging for customers who need assistance or have questions about products.
Overall, while the concept of cashierless stores is innovative and convenient, Amazon has faced several challenges in implementing this technology. These challenges have led the company to rethink its approach to cashierless stores and consider alternative options for its customers.
Impact on Amazon’s revenue and customer experience
Amazon’s decision to close its cashierless stores was likely influenced by several factors, including the impact of these stores on the company’s revenue and customer experience. While the cashierless store concept offered a unique and convenient shopping experience for customers, it also posed several challenges for Amazon’s operations.
One of the main reasons why Amazon decided to close its cashierless stores was due to the limited revenue generated by these stores. Despite the innovative concept, the stores failed to attract a significant number of customers, resulting in low sales figures. This lack of revenue made it difficult for Amazon to justify the ongoing investment in these stores, particularly when compared to the company’s other revenue-generating initiatives.
In addition to revenue concerns, Amazon also faced challenges related to the customer experience offered by its cashierless stores. While the concept of a cashierless store was appealing to many customers, it also posed several challenges, including issues with payment processing and the lack of human interaction. Some customers found the process of using the stores to be confusing and frustrating, leading to a negative experience that may have deterred them from returning to the stores in the future.
Moreover, the lack of human interaction in the stores was also seen as a drawback by some customers. The absence of cashiers and other staff meant that customers had to rely on self-service options, which some found to be impersonal and uninviting. This lack of personal interaction may have been a significant factor in the limited success of the cashierless stores, as many customers value the human element of shopping.
Overall, the impact of cashierless stores on Amazon’s revenue and customer experience was likely a key factor in the company’s decision to close these stores. While the concept was innovative and offered a unique shopping experience, the limited revenue generated and the challenges related to customer experience likely made it difficult for Amazon to justify the ongoing investment in these stores.
Competition with cashierless stores
How Amazon’s closure of cashierless stores affects competition
Amazon’s decision to close its cashierless stores has significant implications for the competition in the retail industry. With Amazon being one of the leading players in the market, its exit from the cashierless store space will leave a gap that other companies may look to fill.
Firstly, the closure of Amazon’s cashierless stores may create an opportunity for other retail giants to establish a stronger presence in the market. Companies such as Walmart and Target have already experimented with cashierless technology and may now see an opportunity to expand their offerings in this space. Additionally, smaller companies that specialize in cashierless technology may also see an opportunity to fill the gap left by Amazon’s departure.
Furthermore, the closure of Amazon’s cashierless stores may also impact the competition between retailers and startups. Amazon’s entry into the cashierless store space had been seen as a direct challenge to startups that were offering similar services. With Amazon now exiting the market, startups may see an opportunity to differentiate themselves and gain a competitive advantage.
In conclusion, the closure of Amazon’s cashierless stores will undoubtedly have an impact on the competition in the retail industry. With Amazon’s exit, other companies may see an opportunity to establish a stronger presence in the market, and startups may see a chance to differentiate themselves and gain a competitive advantage. The retail industry will be watching closely to see how the landscape evolves in the wake of Amazon’s departure from the cashierless store space.
Potential future developments in cashierless stores
While Amazon was a pioneer in introducing cashierless stores, the company is now facing stiff competition from other players in the market. The growth of rival cashierless stores and the rapid advancements in technology have prompted Amazon to rethink its strategy.
Here are some potential future developments in cashierless stores that Amazon may need to consider:
Biometric payment systems
One of the emerging trends in cashierless stores is the integration of biometric payment systems. These systems use unique biological characteristics, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice recognition, to authenticate and authorize transactions. This technology can provide enhanced security and convenience for customers, as it eliminates the need for carrying cash or credit cards.
Augmented reality shopping
Augmented reality (AR) technology is another area where cashierless stores are likely to see significant development. AR technology can enhance the shopping experience by providing customers with real-time product information, virtual try-ons, and interactive store displays. This can help retailers to differentiate their stores from online shopping platforms and offer a more engaging and immersive shopping experience.
Personalized offers and promotions
As cashierless stores collect more data on customer behavior and preferences, they can leverage this information to offer personalized promotions and offers. By analyzing purchase history, browsing behavior, and other data points, retailers can tailor their marketing efforts to individual customers, making the shopping experience more relevant and engaging.
Expansion into new markets
Cashierless stores are likely to expand into new markets, such as gas stations, airports, and convenience stores. These locations offer high-traffic areas with captive audiences, making them ideal for implementing cashierless payment systems. As competition heats up in these markets, retailers will need to innovate and differentiate their offerings to stay ahead of the curve.
Overall, the future of cashierless stores looks promising, with new technologies and innovations set to transform the shopping experience. Amazon and other players in the market will need to stay ahead of these trends and adapt their strategies accordingly to remain competitive.
The future of cashierless stores
Opportunities for Amazon in the future
Despite the recent closures of Amazon’s cashierless stores, the company still sees great potential in the technology and is likely to continue exploring new opportunities in this space. Here are some areas where Amazon could focus its efforts in the future:
- Expansion into new markets: Amazon could use its cashierless technology to enter new markets, such as convenience stores or gas stations. These locations could offer customers a quick and convenient way to purchase everyday items without the need for a traditional checkout process.
- Integration with other Amazon services: Amazon could integrate its cashierless technology with other Amazon services, such as Prime Now or Whole Foods delivery. This would allow customers to quickly and easily pick up their orders without having to wait in line or go through a traditional checkout process.
- Enhanced customer experience: Amazon could focus on enhancing the customer experience in its cashierless stores. This could include offering personalized recommendations based on past purchases, providing more self-service options, or incorporating augmented reality technology to enhance the shopping experience.
- Partnerships with other retailers: Amazon could partner with other retailers to offer cashierless technology as a service. This would allow other retailers to benefit from the convenience and efficiency of cashierless technology without having to invest in the infrastructure themselves.
Overall, while Amazon has closed some of its cashierless stores, the company is still very much invested in the technology and is likely to continue exploring new opportunities in this space.
Potential challenges and limitations for Amazon in the future
Despite the convenience and efficiency that cashierless stores offer, Amazon faces several potential challenges and limitations in the future.
Limited customer base
One of the primary challenges that Amazon faces is the limited customer base for cashierless stores. While the concept of cashierless stores is still relatively new, not all customers are comfortable with the idea of using mobile apps or biometric data to make purchases. This limits the potential customer base for cashierless stores, making it difficult for Amazon to achieve widespread adoption.
Legal and regulatory issues
Another challenge that Amazon faces is legal and regulatory issues. As cashierless stores rely on technology and data to function, there are concerns around privacy and data protection. In some countries, there are regulations around the collection and use of biometric data, which could limit the adoption of cashierless stores.
Competition from other retailers
Finally, Amazon faces competition from other retailers who are also exploring the concept of cashierless stores. As more retailers enter the market, competition for customers will increase, making it more difficult for Amazon to maintain its market share. Additionally, other retailers may offer different pricing or product offerings that could attract customers away from Amazon’s cashierless stores.
The role of cashierless stores in the future of retail
Cashierless stores have been a topic of interest for retailers and consumers alike, as they offer a unique shopping experience that combines the convenience of self-service with the efficiency of a streamlined checkout process. These stores are often characterized by their reliance on technology, such as smartphones and biometric scanning, to facilitate transactions and reduce the need for human interaction.
As Amazon continues to expand its retail operations, it is worth considering the role that cashierless stores may play in the future of retail. Here are some key points to consider:
- Convenience: One of the primary benefits of cashierless stores is the convenience they offer to consumers. By eliminating the need for checkout lines, customers can spend less time waiting in line and more time shopping. This can be particularly appealing to busy consumers who value their time.
- Increased efficiency: Cashierless stores can also help retailers increase efficiency by reducing the number of checkout lanes needed. This can help reduce wait times for customers and allow retailers to process more transactions per hour.
- Improved customer experience: In addition to the convenience and efficiency benefits, cashierless stores can also provide a more engaging and personalized shopping experience for customers. By leveraging technology such as smartphones and biometric scanning, retailers can create a more interactive and memorable experience for shoppers.
- Security concerns: However, cashierless stores also raise concerns around security and privacy. With the increased reliance on technology, there is a risk that sensitive customer data could be compromised. Retailers must take steps to ensure that customer data is secure and protected from potential breaches.
Overall, the role of cashierless stores in the future of retail is likely to continue to evolve as technology advances and consumer preferences shift. While there are certainly benefits to this type of shopping experience, retailers must also be mindful of the potential risks and challenges associated with cashierless stores.
1. Why is Amazon closing cashierless stores?
Amazon has decided to close its cashierless stores due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has caused a significant shift in consumer behavior, with more people opting for online shopping and contactless payment methods. As a result, Amazon has found that its cashierless stores are not as popular as it had initially anticipated.
2. Are all Amazon cashierless stores closing?
No, only a few of Amazon’s cashierless stores are closing. The company has decided to focus on its more successful ventures, such as its online marketplace and its delivery services. The stores that are closing are located in less populated areas and have not generated the revenue that Amazon had hoped for.
3. What is Amazon’s strategy for its remaining stores?
Amazon is focusing on its remaining stores that are located in more densely populated areas. The company is also investing in new technologies to enhance the customer experience in its stores. For example, Amazon is testing a new checkout-free technology called “Just Walk Out” that uses cameras and sensors to track customers’ purchases and charge them automatically. This technology is already being used in some of Amazon’s larger stores and is expected to be rolled out to more locations in the future.


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The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) draws a positive balance with the 9-euro ticket: According to this, 52 million tickets were sold, saving around 1,8 million tons of CO2 in this way.
The three-month special ticket campaign had a clear effect on the use of local public transport. Around 52 million tickets were sold nationwide over the entire period, the association announced at a joint video press conference with the conference of transport ministers of the federal states. "In addition, there are more than ten million subscribers who have automatically received the discounted ticket monthly over the campaign period," it said.
According to the VDV, there were an estimated one billion trips per month between June and August as a result of the special measure. Ten percent of the trips with the nine-euro ticket were used for a route that would otherwise have been driven by car. Overall, the proportion of trips shifted from other means of transport is 17 percent. The VDV estimates the amount of greenhouse gas saved at 1,8 million tons of CO2. That is roughly the same effect as if there had been a speed limit on German autobahns for a year, as the Tagesschau reports.


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The odd one out of the group, the Tiempo receives a simple colour update in the Tech Craft pack as it is already made of leather. With Nike looking to keep their offering consistent across the board, they have released a new Tiempo colourway as part of the Tech Craft featuring the same half and half design as seen on their other silos. The Tiempo retains the Green Strike heel area, but now has a black upper around the front of the boot.
The Tiempo remains the same technology-wise thanks to it’s full leather construction, but is due to receive a new update later this year in the form of the Tiempo VI. Stay tuned for more news on that as we get it.
The ‘Tech Craft’ Nike Tiempo Legend V is available from select stockists from August 14. Like them? Let us know in the comments below.


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Hemp Enters the Mainstream
The sachets of hemp hearts on the shelves at Costco, Safeway, and Whole Foods Market are Mike Fata’s last laugh. The founder of Manitoba Harvest has spent the past decade working to transform hemp—a variety of cannabis—from the butt of weedy jokes into a supermarket staple. Fata’s investors are particularly happy about the mass-market breakthrough. “Our customers are bright enough to know that it does not have dope in it if Costco’s selling it,” says Jim Taylor, a founding partner of Avrio Capital, a Calgary-based venture capital company that was one of Manitoba Harvest’s early backers.
Looser cultivation restrictions and the food industry’s hunger for produce that packs a protein punch have helped distance hemp from its more notorious relative. Hemp contains less than 0.5 percent of the mind-bending compound tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, that gives marijuana its potency. Earlier this year the U.S. government finally recognized hemp as distinct from cannabis. A federal ban on commercial cultivation, however, is still in force.
That hasn’t stopped the flow of hemp into the U.S. from Canadian companies such as Manitoba Harvest, which this year plans to hand out 2 million samples of its hemp hearts—the soft, nutty-flavored inner kernel of hemp seeds. Hemp is easy to digest and has more protein than chia or flax. It’s also versatile: Hemp hearts can be sprinkled on cereal, yogurt, and salads or processed into powders, flour, or oil to make everything from bread to beer. “We have our eye on it,” says Colleen Zammer, a marketer in Quincy, Mass., who has worked with food and beverage companies to develop and promote healthy ingredients for the past 25 years. It’s “similar to chia in nutrition and better-tasting.”
The U.S. farm bill Congress passed in February allows it to be grown for research purposes in 14 states. Restrictions are easing as marijuana gains acceptance, and Democrats and Republicans alike support the economic boost hemp could provide industries ranging from textiles to homebuilding. “Without realizing it, many Americans already use hemp in their soaps, automobile parts, or even in their food,” says Representative Jared Polis (D-Colo.), one of the legislators behind a hemp amendment in the farm bill. “The potential for a billion-dollar-plus domestic industry is very realistic.”
Fata and two friends started Manitoba Harvest soon after hemp growing was legalized in Canada in 1988. Early on, the lingering association with pot made it hard for him and others in the nascent industry. “Some people looked at me and turned right around like they had seen the devil,” says Shaun Crew, chief executive officer of Hemp Oil Canada, a bulk supplier to the food industry.
Fata’s big break came in 2001, when Loblaw, Canada’s biggest supermarket chain, signed on to carry the company’s products. “As we stepped up from natural food stores to mainstream stores, the stigma started to go away,” he says. Manitoba Harvest’s sales have tripled to more than $50 million in the past two years. Prices range from $1.50 for a 0.9-ounce sachet of hemp all the way up to $75 for a 5-pound pouch of certified organic hearts.
At a recent industry gathering in California, Fata introduced his latest creation: hemp heart “Snaxs” made with brown rice syrup and organic cane sugar. He figures company sales could hit $500 million over the next decade.
Whole Foods Chairman John Elstrott says Fata has helped debunk the myths surrounding hemp through education and giving out samples. The two companies sponsor the annual Hemp History Week, which this year kicks off on June 2 and features more than 175 events coast to coast, including a three-day Hemp Hoe Down in South Dakota. Celebrity backers of hemp include musician Ziggy Marley and actress Alicia Silverstone.
Fata says a $6 million expansion will triple his annual production, and he’ll soon begin scouting for a site for a new facility in Manitoba. Hemp Oil Canada is spending $13 million on a 35,000-square-foot factory scheduled to be ready by yearend.
That’s good news for food manufacturers waiting to add hemp to their products, such as Post Holdings, the maker of Grape-Nuts and Alpha-Bits cereals. The company’s Erewhon brand, acquired in December 2012, has a top seller in a hemp and buckwheat cereal. Jim Holbrook, executive vice president of Post, says the St. Louis-based company is also “actively pursuing” hemp as an ingredient in an upcoming cereal from its Great Grains line.
Packaged-food giants such as ConAgra Foods and Kraft Foods Group say they don’t have any current plans for hemp, leaving the market open for smaller outfits such as Nature’s Path Organic Foods. The British Columbia company sells organic hemp-seed frozen waffles, which Jillian Michaels, a personal trainer from the reality series The Biggest Loser, calls “breakfast heaven.”
Fata says Safeway approached him recently about making hemp-flour bread for its in-store bakery. “Five years ago that would not have happened,” he says. “Hemp is hot.”
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|Day Low/High||27.11 / 27.68|
|52 Wk Low/High||20.22 / 37.60|
TheStreet highlights 3 stocks pushing the consumer goods sector higher today.
From braised duck taquitos to vegetarian falafel, welcome to the new world of dining. This warm-weather city has won the title of this year's best "foodie" city in the country.
ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE:CAG) announced today that all of the company's facilities in the U.
Catch up on Jim Cramer's ideas from this past week as he talks about this perilous market, why oil bears are wrong, and which sectors portfolio managers fear, but shouldn't.
Jana Partners' $2 billion investment in Qualcomm Inc. and its attendant activist campaign have been constructive. Until now.
The board of directors of ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) approved a dividend payment of $0.
This market is almost entirely special situation.
The private label business won't get much in a sale and further stock appreciation is limited.
ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE:CAG) and JANA Partners LLC, which owns approximately 7% of ConAgra Foods' outstanding shares, today announced an agreement in which ConAgra Foods will appoint Bradley A.
Combined, shares of the three companies have skyrocketed some 60% over the past year.
Trade-Ideas LLC identified ConAgra Foods (CAG) as a new lifetime high candidate
Here are Thursday's top research calls, including a downgrade of Avis and two upgrades of ConAgra.
TheStreet Quant Ratings provides fair and objective information to help you make educated investing decisions. We rate over 4,300 stocks daily and provide 5-page PDF reports for each stock. These ratings can change daily and today's changes are reflected in the email below. If you are looking to check-up on the stocks you currently own or are looking for new ideas, you can find our full database of password-protected ratings reports in our proprietary ratings screener: http://www.thestreet.com/k/qr/flat/stock-screener.html Upgrades: AAME, CAG, EVC, SCHN Downgrades: CAR, LOGM, MOCO, OCR Initiations: None Read on to get TheStreet Quant Ratings' detailed report:
Here are Wednesday's top research calls, including an upgrade of ConAgra and new coverage of Dillard's.
ConAgra is beginning to look tired, and future upside for the stock is limited.
Stock closed higher as investors bet the Federal Reserve will delay its looming rate hike as Greece flirts with default.
Stocks staged a comeback as investors bet the Federal Reserve will delay its looming rate hike as Greece moves closer to default.
Stocks give up some of their gains on Tuesday, as a default on Greece's debt payment due to the International Monetary Fund looks unavoidable.
ConAgra's decision to exit private label food business Ralcorp under activist pressure boosted shares despite Tuesday's earnings miss.
Con Agra Foods (CAG) reported earnings before the bell Tuesday that came in below estimates.
U.S. stocks opened higher Tuesday as Wall Street gets ready to close the books on the second quarter.
Trade-Ideas LLC identified ConAgra Foods (CAG) as an unusual social activity candidate
ConAgra Foods (CAG) shares are declining after the company reported top and bottom line results in-line with analysts' expectations.
U.S. stock futures trade higher Tuesday as investors cling to hope that a last-minute deal will be made between Greece and its creditors.
Today ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) reported results for the fiscal 2015 fourth quarter ended May 31, 2015.
On June 30, TheStreet will monitor Greece's economic crisis, ConAgra Foods earnings and key economic data.
The packaged foods company reports fourth-quarter results before the opening bell Tuesday. It doesn't have a good track record, Cramer says.
For Tuesday, June 30 TheStreet highlights the situation in Greece, notable quarterly earnings from ConAgra Foods (CAG), and key economic data to watch on Wall Street.
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May 5, 2020
What will it take to reopen the US economy and society? Harvard University offers a Roadmap to Pandemic resilience. `Our bipartisan group of experts in economics, public health, technology, and ethics from across the country, with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, has released the nation’s first comprehensive operational roadmap for mobilizing and reopening the U.S. economy in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.’
(cont’d) It comes down to 3 main components: Testing, Tracing, and Supported Isolation. This group of experts says it’s not a choice between on-going economic anguish or accelerating widespread death. The way out is through massively increased Testing, Tracing, and Supported Isolation.
(cont’d) It would take 5 million tests a day by June, 20 million a day by July. It would take a national production board, and/or an interstate compact, to distribute the tests. It would mean enlisting at least 100,000 Americans to help with contact tracing. And it would require leadership to orchestrate all this.
(cont’d) This will require investment, but it’s a bargain compared with continued collective quarantine (or risky reopening without adequate testing/tracing/supported isolation). We’ll have to mobilize in a way similar to WWII.
See more supporting materials like in-depth papers on different aspects: PandemicTesting.org.
Here is an overview:
Apple and Google are are moving away from the term 'contact tracing', now using the term `exposure notification.’
Overview of what Apple and Google have proposed:
Apple and Google release first seed of COVID-19 exposure notification API for contact tracing app developers.
A lot of details on How exposure notification is designed to work.
Yesterday, the Pulitzer prizes were announced. Barry Blitt of the New Yorker won for Editorial Cartooning:
Here is his latest cartoon:
Apple and iOS news
Tim Cook delivers Ohio State Commencement Address, on Sunday, May 3, 2020. He offered a perspective from history, how the Spanish Flu affected Amelia Earhart, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and poet T.S. Elliot and how they overcame adversity and thrived. He advised graduates to “build a better future than the one you thought was certain”.
(cont’d) Cook added, "Most of all, think about how you — blessed with a world-class education — might act and work and be different when all of this is said and done. Memorialize in your heart the way in which these times reveal what really matters: the health and well being of our loved ones, the resilience of our communities, and the sacrifices made by those — from doctors to garbage collectors — who give their whole selves to serving others.’’
Read the transcript of his speech, or watch here (8 mins):
See the new Macbook Pro starting at $1299.
Dan Moren gives an overview of the new Macbook Pro lineup.
Apple looks to make editing sent Messages possible at last, based on patent applications, reports AppleInsider.
‘Morning Show’ Extends Apple TV+ Overall Deal, reports Variety. Showrunner Kerry Ehrin has signed a multi-year extension of her Apple overall deal.
The WSJ reports that, according to sources familiar with the matter, Apple is delaying mass production of flagship iPhones for 2020, due to delays from COVID-19 which has disrupted supply chains in Asia. According to this report, the delay is about a month. `The phones, some with 5G connectivity, will vary in price and come in three sizes.’
If this turns out to be true, we might see the new iPhones this year come out in October rather than the usual September release.
iPhone’s FaceID does not work with masks:
Ars Technica’s iPhone SE review: Small screen, huge performance.
Quibi is an app and a service. Watch movie-quality shows designed for your phone. They add new episodes every day. It comes with a 14-day free trial. The idea behind Quibi is to offer high quality content that is designed specifically for your iPhone. (Also, see link below for a very interesting podcast interview about Quibi.)
Pixelmator has just had a significant update for iOS. It's a competitor to and improvement from Adobe's Photoshop for most people.
We discussed GoodNotes in our last meeting. GoodNotes features incudes the ability to create your own page templates: such as a page layout that you use frequently for planning projects, or a photo background you like, or a sketch, a checklist, and so on.
Apple's COVID-19 App Gains Updated CDC Symptoms, Cloth Mask Tips, reports Macrumors. Download the COVID-19 app here for free.
Apple has also updated their COVID-19 Screening Tool webpage which has the same info as the app.
Listen to a very interesting interview of Jeffrey Katzenberg: It’s not TV (or HBO, or Netflix). It’s Quibi.. Podcast synopsis: `Quibi founder Jeffrey Katzenberg talks with Recode's Kara Swisher about the first week of the short-form video app — which was intended for on-the-go consumers, but still racked up 1.7 million downloads, even though most of the world is currently staying at home. Katzenberg makes the case for short video episodes as a logical next step for entertainment, and explains how the economics of producing shows such as Dishmantled and Chrissy's Court compares to Netflix, traditional TV and YouTube. He also explains why he's not worried about skepticism from TV purists, why he desperately wanted former eBay and HP CEO Meg Whitman to lead Quibi, and how the platform is attracting top talent from across Hollywood and the broader entertainment business to make shows.’
tips & tricks
How to troubleshoot volume issues on your AirPods or airPods Pro. A very good list of steps.
When you use your iPad, if you split the screen between 2 apps, you might find yourself needing to type on one of the two apps, while wanting to see the entire window of the other app. For example, having GoodNotes with handwritten scribbles/ drawings and Notes that you are using to type some ideas. Reminder: you can split and move your iPad screen keyboard and you can float the keyboard.
gadgets & accessories
Roger S. points us to Shane Whatley’s latest video about using NFC tags along with Shortcuts to make his smart lights do different things based on the time of day.
Logitech webpage leaks upcoming ‘Circle View’ smart camera with HomeKit support
Remember Automatic, the gadget for cars? It is shutting down and discontinuing service, it announced. `Just like many other companies in the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted our business. With fewer consumers purchasing and leasing vehicles and drivers on the road, we unfortunately do not see a path forward for our business. These are unprecedented times, and with so much uncertainty ahead, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue the Automatic connected car product, service and platform. We will be shutting down all operations at 11:59 pm, PT, on May 28, 2020 and, as a result, your service will end on that time.’ recall that in 2017, SiriusXM acquired Automatic for over $100M.
Apple Pay Could Soon Expand to Mexico based on `reports from iPhone users in Mexico who have been able to add their Banregio cards to the Wallet app’, writes Macrumors.
Apple Watch ECG detects signs of coronary ischemia missed by a 12-channel hospital ECG, reports European Heart Journal. Thanks to her Apple Watch detecting her symptoms, the patient Accordingly, the patient was treated with a stent and left the hospital a day later. They write: `Thus, the Apple watch may be used not only to detect atrial fibrillation or atrioventricular-conduction disturbances but also to detect myocardial ischemia. An apple a day may keep myocardial infarction away.'
How My Apple Watch Saved my Life: 5 people share their stories, `with fall detection feature, heart rate notifications, exercise tracking and even the ability to make a call from your wrist, the Apple Watch has made a mark in each one of these stories’, reports CNET.