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Uncollected Internet sales taxes amounted to a $525 million loss by all states last year, according to Pomestar Research of Massachusetts. That's a drop in the bucket when compared with the $200 billion that states did collect in sales taxes.
Still, state and local governments are seriously studying ways to tap the potential revenue, with projections that Internet purchases by consumers will reach $38.8 billion this year, up from $20.3 billion in 1999, and will continue to climb exponentially each year. As government leaders, they are concerned about possible tax-base erosion and they are also duty-bound to protect traditional "bricks-and-mortar" businesses from shouldering the tax burden while their high-tech brethren reap the rewards of changing buying patterns.
Larry Wilke, director of the state Department of Revenue Sales and Use Tax Division, serves as Minnesota's representative on a 25-state panel involved in streamlining the sales tax systems of participating states. Initiated by the National Governor's Association, The Streamlined Sales Tax Project, as the panel is known, also receives input from the National Council of State Governments, the Federation of Tax Administrators and other multi-state organizations. The commission's 19 members include three governors, heads of several major information-technology corporations and other government and business leaders from across the nation.
The panel met earlier this week to discuss the findings of the Federal Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce, which submitted its report to Congress in April. The panel also considered how states might cooperate on the Internet tax issue and to assess the work of a number of software firms that are developing Internet-based systems for collecting the tax. Wilke said these systems are fully automated and would not complicate consumer purchases over the Internet.
Wilke said a tax on goods sold over the Internet will be hard to enforce under the current scenario. Goods sold over the Internet are already subject to taxation similar to purchases from catalog companies located in another state. Companies are obligated to collect sales tax only within the state they do business. On the other hand, and perhaps unknown by many, is that whether purchasing over the Internet, or by mail or other means, consumers are obligated to report and pay the "use tax" on goods. In Minnesota, since 1998, use taxes need to be paid only if the purchase is in excess of $770, said Wilke.
There is also a wide variation in tax schedules and rates within each state to consider. Some tax food and clothing, others don't. And what about taxes imposed by counties, school districts and other local units of government? Opponents of an Internet tax say a single transaction could be subject to multiple taxation.
During its deliberations, the advisory commission, created under the U.S. Internet Tax Freedom Act of 1988, failed to reach consensus on whether to tax or not to tax Internet sales. However, it did recommend continuing the act's three-year moratorium on e-commerce taxation while the issue can be studied further. The commission found that states need to simplify and unify their tax codes before moving forward on Internet taxation.
At least one software developer has seen the opportunity that lies ahead. Donna Beadle, spokeswoman for Eden Prairie-based Best Buy, which is currently expanding its e-commerce site, http://www.bestbuy.com, said the company uses a customized software package created by Vertex Software. The program calculates sales tax based on the state where the product is shipped.
State leaders, including Gov. Ventura, expressed their concerns regarding Internet taxes in an April 12 letter to Congressional leaders. In the letter, 34 state governors and the governors of Guam and Puerto Rico urged support "for a fair and equitable system to ensure that all Main Street retail stores and Internet commerce can compete on a level playing field and to ensure that all Americans can join us in supporting the Internet as part of our new economy."
The governors took exception to recommendations for special tax breaks for Internet-based businesses and expressed concern that the commission's suggestions "would substantially interfere with state sovereignty."
John Wodele, spokesman for Gov. Ventura, said the governor has not issued a statement nor has he taken a firm stand on the issue, other than to sign the letter to Congressional leaders. Wodele said the Internet sales tax is a complex issue that needs to be studied. States need to "develop an umbrella system so every state isn't doing something different," said Wodele, and at the same time "preserve a state's right to tax as a state determines it should."
However some companies have adapted to state-by-state Internet sales taxes. Liz Grady said Boise Cascade Office Products Corp., where she serves as operations manager in the Maple Grove office, has "nexus" or presence in 44 locations throughout the United States. Whether a firm has an office, a warehouse, or a sales office in a state, that constitutes nexus, said Grady. She said Boise Cascade Office Products, which has been selling over the Internet since 1997, already has determined the rates in every state and collects state taxes on every transaction.
However, some government leaders are looking at the issue in another way. Rep. Christopher Cox (R-CA), who sponsored the Tax Freedom Act legislation along with Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), said in an April 6 statement: "We cannot apply the tax policies developed for smokestack industries to the new economy." Cox said he and others in Congress planned to move forward before Memorial Day with legislation to implement the Internet Tax commission's recommendations. According to his statement, "A first point of consensus is that the Internet should not be subject to new, multiple or discriminatory taxes. There is a strong commitment from our educated leadership to make this not just a three-year moratorium, but a long-term policy."
That would be welcome news to Bill Sweat, president and CEO of SavvyNet, a two-year-old Minneapolis-based start-up company that helps companies adapt Internet technologies to enhance productivity. Sweat said "e-commerce has exploded in the last two years because it provides the path of least resistance" in doing business. Companies have found that procuring over the Internet offers time and cost savings, he said.
Imposing an Internet sales tax "may have more negative impact than positive gain. We could lose some unbridled creativity and stifle research in return for a modest tax gain," Sweat said. In addition, there is an ease of buying over the Internet that makes it more attractive to many shoppers -- individual consumers and businesses alike. "If you put a tax on top of it, there's not as much reason to shop online," he said.
Sweat predicts that in the future, most online business will be conducted by hybrid businesses -- those "bricks-and-mortar" firms that are beginning to adapt to the Internet and make it an integral part of the business. In the meantime, he believes the dot-coms should be allowed to lead the way in research and creativity, as they have been for the past few years.
As industry and governments line up on either side, the issue is sure to heat up in coming months.
A study last year by Ernst & Young found that Internet sales taxes lost by local and state governments was minimal. Funded by the national eCommerce Coalition, the study, The Sky is Not Falling: Why State and Local Revenues Were Not Significantly Impacted by the Internet in 1998, stated that estimated sales and use taxes not collected for Internet sales was less than $170 million -- one-tenth of 1 percent of the total collected by states and local governments.
"This study demonstrates that tax revenues for state and local governments are being minimally affected by e-commerce," said Dr. Thomas S. Neubig, national director of policy economics at Ernst & Young. "The Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce, state and local governments, and Congress have time to carefully deliberate on the appropriate taxation of e-commerce. There is time to construct a fair, efficient, and administrable tax system for both businesses and state and local governments for the 21st Century."


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The samples are free. But the idea is, of course, to sell consumers on new lines of Milo's Kitchen products, Thomas admitted. In January 2013, the company recalled its chicken jerky and chicken grillers treats because trace amounts of residual antibiotics had been found in several lots sourced from China.
Beginning Jan. 1, between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., no one can sell anything on the High Street sidewalk between Walnut and Fayette streets. Hot dog carts and other such vendors who set up in that area now will have to move to another section of High Street, such as across Walnut toward the Monongalia County Courthouse.
Food carts have been around in the Philippines for quite some time. From your friendly neighborhood fish ball carts to the endless stalls you see in malls and train stations, these quick snack peddlers have filled many hungry tummies on the go.
The City of Cambridge invites applications from qualified Mobile Food Vendors to sell freshly-prepared food and beverages at designated spaces at riverside parks.
Thousands of pounds of lobster were donated by the Maine Lobster Council for the cause, the Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC. If you recall, this is the same entity that teamed up the NYC Food Truck Association and many private companies to provide over 250,000 free meals to those hit hardest byHurricane Sandy.
he creative director for a Flint ad agency wants to park a refurbished trolley inside the Flat Lot at South Saginaw Street near East First Street and sell ice cream out of it with an aim toward attracting young families downtown.
City business owners, civic leaders and food vendors Wednesday began crafting an ordinance that would allow permits for food carts or trucks in Wausau.
The Park District has its own rules and, apparently, a decidedly different attitude about food being fixed on and sold from trucks. Now the Park District is aiming to help some of the trucks hoping to sell downtown and elsewhere by granting them permission to park in and sell from the parks.
Food trucks in Arlington will have a whole two hours to sell their goodies now, as the county board unanimously approved doubling the previous one-hour parking limit Tuesday.

domain: news


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If you’re in the market for a love potion or a magic wand you’re out of luck, because Etsy has stopped witches from selling their wares.
It’s a bad day for witches and peddlers of magical goods everywhere, with online market place Etsy banning them from selling their products.
Etsy, the $1.8 billion marketplace for crafters and creators, has tightened the leash after announcing plans to crack down on metaphysical product claims.
According to the change in Etsy’s sales policy, the popular site will not allow “any metaphysical service that promises or suggests it will effect a physical change (e.g., weight loss) or other outcome (e.g., love, revenge).”
“Many have told me their shops are being closed without so much as notice,” Etsy-seller Ashley Coulton, who is petitioning Etsy to rethink the policy clarification, told The Washington Post. “I do worry about the effect this will have on my business … I do believe the actions of Etsy are in fact, discriminatory toward Wiccan and Pagan faiths.”
Etsy spokeswoman Sara Cohen said in a statement that the site “strongly believes in freedom of thought, expression, and religion, and we will never institute a policy that discriminates against sellers for their religious beliefs or practices.”
Rather, she said, the motivation behind the policy change was to reiterate that the company only allows the sale of products, not services, and to “protect our community from business practices that prey upon vulnerable and desperate shoppers — such as those seeking a treatment for cancer or infertility, or those with self-esteem issues who are seeking a spell for weight loss or beauty enhancement.”
While Etsy hasn’t yet taken action on things like crystals that promise to heal AIDS, cancer, depression, hypotension and constipation, among a variety of other ailments, consumers believe it’s only a matter of time.
What do you think of Etsy’s new sales policy?


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Cuttack: A state government in the country has allowed the home delivery of liquor. Odisha state government has allowed the home delivery of liquor in the state. The state government has entrusted the district collectors to take a final decision on the matter after taking into consideration the prevailing situation in their respective areas. This was announced by Principal Secretary to the government, S K Lohani, to Excise Commissioner Asish Singh in a letter.
“After careful consideration government is pleased to delegate the decision of introducing home delivery of liquor by India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) OFF/ON and country-made liquor shops as well as by food aggregators during the lockdown period to collectors, who will take appropriate decision in this regard,” Lohani said in his letter.
The state government also o allowed depots of Odisha State Beverage Corporation to operate wholesale trade between 6 am and 2 pm.


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Indivd at Nordic Privacy Arena “We have eliminated the huge risks of facial recognition”
Image Copyright: Jens Reiterer, 2019
The rapid technological development has recently raised issues regarding threats to people’s personal integrity and freedom. That’s one of the reasons why the Swedish organisation Forum för Dataskydd has organized Nordic Privacy Arena for several years. The event this year was held at the Munich Brewery in Stockholm on September 23-24 and some of the speakers where Anders Ygeman, The Swedish Digitization Minister, and the Archbishop Antje Jackelén. Fredrik Amréus Hammargården, co-founder of startup company Indivd, was also invited to participate in the final panel discussion on Monday.
The panel noted that developments in China are frightening and not desirable at all. Today’s fast digitalization development have created a hunger from everyone to gain access to as much data as possible in. But what happens when we have a government that doesn’t care much about human rights? What is happening in China might as well happen in Europe. The panel therefore unanimously stated that they was concerned about the development and did not have any happy thoughts at all about the use of biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial recognition.
“What does this mean for the next generation if we normalize these technologies. It will affect our future human rights. The risks are huge. That’s why it is important, from a democratic point of view, that we regulate this today.”
Long development journey
The curiosity and skepticism towards Indivd’s technical solution with anonymized facial recognition was huge. Fredrik Amréus Hammargården replied on a direct question about the technology:
“We started our journey by thinking about privacy issues five years ago after a meeting with a store chain. The store expressed a need to be able to analyze customers’ behaviors and at the same time felt concerns about the use of facial recognition. This led us to think about what kind of technology we should and legally could use. A question and solution our AI guru Leonard Johard then worked for two years to develop, a solution we have chosen to call anonymous facial recognition.”
The immediate question from the panel was how this could be possible. They felt that the concept of anonymized facial recognition feels like an anomaly, which is a scientific term for a fact that contradicts a paradigm, a general theory or worldview.
“The methodology we use is to process images from cameras and anonymize the data immediately in the course of 1-2 milliseconds and deletes all personal data. The data after anonymization is no longer personal data, data we pass on for analysis. What we collect and manage is population data, individuals are impossible to re-identify. We re-identify populations and can understand how the populations generally behave and what choices they make in the store. “
Fredrik Amréus Hammargården continued:
“Our technology is considered to be legal according to GDPR and is completely different from traditional facial recognition. We have not done the legal evaluation ourselves. We have gone through a massive legal process with the help of GDPR specialists and lawyers. We have really made an effort to do everything ‘by the book’. The problem we see is that many companies are taking the easiest way forward. We have instead chosen to prove that there are other ways to go. We and the stores we work with do not want to store any personal information at all. That is why we have developed a new way to create value for customers.”
The Swedish Data Protection Authority wants to know more
The Swedish Data Protection Authority explained that they welcome new privacy-friendly ideas and technologies, but that GDPR places high demands on when and how biometric data can be used. “I cannot today, before we have seen Indivd’s product, analyze the technology in detail, but can conclude that it is unlikely that it could be called anonymised in the sense of GDPR. At present, I simply do not understand how it could be possible to use face recognition technology that does not identify a person at any stage, especially since the law applies to all forms of processing – not just storage – of biometric data. I would like to know more and I think it is good that you have already used lawyers and data security experts to evaluate the technology in addition to the development, “concluded Frida Orring, legal adviser at the Data Inspectorate.
To learn more about Indivd, Indivd’s technology and the debate about facial recognition, listen to the Swedish interview with Fredrik Amréus Hammargården in The Privacy Pod (Privacypodden): https://poddtoppen.se/podcast/1460030296/privacypodden/18-ansiktsigenkanningsbonanza-med-fredrik-amrus-hammargarden-indivd
For more information contact:
Fredrik Hammargården, Head of Commercialization, 004673 840 65 27, firstname.lastname@example.org


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Face Mask Parotta To Corona Dosa: What All This Madhurai Restaurant Is Serving?
- Tavishi Dogra
Updated : January 20, 2022 05:01 IST
Know why this restaurant in Madurai prepares a parotta in the face mask shape.
Fluffy parotta, or maida paratha, has always been a staple in the city of Madurai. But when all the eateries were locked in the past due to coronavirus, the restaurant owners desired to do something distinct to attract people back. In the same sequence, a restaurant chain in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, has started selling parotta or paratha in the shape of a protective face mask to attract customers and raise awareness about Covid-19. Do you know their initiative gained immense popularity in a short period? In such a situation, KL Kumar came up with a unique idea in Madurai. Now he is serving face mask shape parotta in his hotel. So let's know more about the restaurant located near Maattuthavani bus terminus.
Where did that idea come from?
Restaurant owner KL Kumar explains that the recent spike in active Covid-19 cases in Madurai has prompted him to make these parottas. According to KL Kumar, the corporation has made it mandatory for people to wear masks, but still, people flout the rules. In such a situation, he wanted to do something from his side to raise awareness about-face covers. After this, he talked to his parotta master and started serving face mask shape parotta.
Get free mask
The hotel also gives free of cost masks to the people who eat in this restaurant (to protect them from corona infection). Like other parotta, the price of face mask parotta is also Rs 50 in this restaurant. Earlier, parotta was served only in the evening in this hotel. Still, this face mask parotta is becoming so popular in Madurai that the restaurant also serves it for breakfast.
No ingredients were changed to make this parotta. However, the shape has been created as a mask through the hands' artistry. Safety is also taken care of while preparing food in this restaurant as no worker works in the kitchen without a mask.
What else can you find here?
In this restaurant, you will not only get to eat face mask parotta, but because of this global epidemic, this restaurant is also serving dishes like corona bonda, corona pakoda, corona rava dosa, etc. The only purpose of serving these dishes is to become more aware of the deadly virus.
Stay connected to read further similar pieces on Slurrp.


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South Australia’s Adelaide Produce Market has rebranded, with a focus on being export friendly and internationally marketable.
The move to rename itself the ‘South Australian Produce Market’ comes on the back of the produce market’s Memorandum of Understanding with China’s largest wholesale markets, the Jiangan markets in Guangzhou, which was signed in August 2015.
“Recent market research has reveal that customers and the public are confusing us with other markets around Adelaide, and having the words ‘South Australia’ in our name will make us more internationally marketable and export friendly,” South Australia Produce Market CEO Angelo Demasi said.
“It’s a new era in the market’s life that we are very excited about. The market’s new branding will reflect its fresh, local and premium quality attributes.”
The Pooraka-based wholesale markets supplies supermarkets, greengrocers and food service providers with an estimated 290,000 tonnes of fresh produce at a wholesale value of A$590m traded through the markets each year


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The 100 second long TVC conveys all the USPs and features which are on offer with new Jazz. Available in 1.5l petrol iVTEC engine, new Jazz comes with touch controls for AC, music system and navigation. It also has a colour screen where you can see, touch, and control various functions of the car.
Apart from the regular Jazz, Honda also launched Mugen and Modulo body kits for the premium hatchback. Modulo kit for Jazz offers stylish bumper, sports pedals, foot lights, cargo tray, step illumination, and trunk organizer. Mugen kit offers body kit, tailgate spoiler, and Mugen badge.
Also showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo earlier this year, new Honda Jazz is confirmed for launch in India for this fiscal. Honda Car India is on a stupendous growth trajectory. After last year’s Amaze sedan, this year, their new City has been a big hit. Today they launch another car, an MPV called Mobilio, and that too is expected to be a successful car in the segment.


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NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Commercial lender Eastern Funding LLC has hired Anthony Regan as its Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Mr. Regan will be responsible for company-wide sales and marketing across the grocery, dry cleaning, franchise fast food and coin laundry business lines. He will manage all of Eastern Funding's loan officers and report directly to senior management.
Prior to joining Eastern Funding, Regan was Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at American Dryer Corporation. He has more than 20 years of experience in the laundry industry and was part of the captive finance program at ADC.
"Anthony is a fantastic addition to our team," says Stephen Gramaglia, Chief Operating Officer of Eastern Funding. "His vast experience in national sales and marketing as well as his specific experience in the laundry industry is invaluable. Anthony will enhance our already strong sales team and create a platform to deliver excellent service to manufacturers, distributors and end-users."
About Eastern Funding
Eastern Funding LLC was founded by commercial lending veteran Michael Fanger in 1997. Eastern Funding has provided more than $1 billion in direct loans to various customers across multiple industries, including the grocery, fast food, garment care and coin laundry industries, among others. Eastern Funding is a subsidiary of Brookline Bancorp, Inc.
+1 (646) 723-6336
SOURCE Eastern Funding LLC


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Flathead Valley, Montana Main Street stores hope to rebound after virus closures
Main Street has become one of the main casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lately shoppers are staying in their cars or in their houses, and travelers are holing up in their home states or countries. The result is a major dip in Main Street shopping throughout the Flathead Valley.
Local shoppers can help support Main Street businesses too, urged Kalispell Chamber of Commerce President Joe Unterreiner. He encouraged valley residents to frequent local businesses whenever they have the chance.
by BRET ANNE SERBIN


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GoPro releases HERO4
GoPro have officially announced their new HERO4 models with an expected shipping date of 5 October. The HERO4 Black features 4K video and the silver has a built-in touchscreen. Both feature improved user interfaces and manual control of “Color, Sharpness, ISO Limit, and Exposure” in Protune. Lastly the company has released a budget camera, the HERO.
Philip Bloom posts review of GoPro HERO4
Philip Bloom has started a “real world evolving review” of the GoPro HERO4, which lends credence to the many rumors about its imminent release. In his review, he has posted the specifications for the new POV cam and it is confirmed that it will shoot at 4K resolution in 30,25 and 24 fps, with a 4K “SuperView” mode available in 24fps. (Image by Philip Bloom)
Review: Reikan FoCal Pro AF calibration software
Wetpixel Editor Adam Hanlon presents a review of Reikan FoCal Autofocus fine tuning software. High resolution digital cameras tend to show any flaws that are present in the lens, and minute differences in manufacturing tolerances in both lenses and cameras can result in sub optimum results. Calibration software can be used to correct these idiosyncrasies, and FoCal offers a fully automated solution.
Image: Walrus by Franco Banfi
Andrej Belic: Photokina 2014
Wetpixel member and equipment designer Andrej Belic presents images and a synopsis of the new products that were presented at Photokina 2014. Traditionally the show, held in Colognes, Germany, is the place where many of the major camera and accessory manufacturers present their new products to the public. Andrej is also in the process of designing a new housing which will utilize Wifi to control the cameras within them. In his review, he shows the first images valuable of them too.
Video: The Ocean Brothers
President Obama announces Pacific marine sanctuary
The BBC reports that the President Obama has signed a memorandum to create the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. Wetpixel wrote about the plan back in June, which is now signed into law. It bans “commercial fishing, deep-sea mining and other extraction of underwater resources” in an area 200 nautical miles (1.2 million sq. km) around seven scattered Pacific islands, atolls and reefs between Hawaii and American Samoa.
Image: Ripples and Rays by Jennifer Penner
Jennifer Penner of newmediasoup posted this stunning image of a diver entitled “Ripples and Rays” onto the Wetpixel Facebook Group. It was taken in in the Sugar Bowl, Taj Mahal Cenote, Yucatan, Mexico. Please follow the link through to see the full image and for her back story about capturing it.
- 8 arrested for sea turtle smuggling (via )
- Nikon releases distortion data update for its SLR cameras (via )
- Dead stingrays on Mexican beach investigated (via )
- Lenstag looks to put an end to camera theft (via )
- Ocean leaders write to protect Antarctica’s ocean (via )
- Seagulls attack and kill whales in Argentina (via )
- Photo of the day is a split shot of manatees (via )
- Video of deepest diving pool on earth (via )
- Sony RX1R review: “Better than medium format” (via )
- Firmware updates for Panasonic GH3 and G5 (via )


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Hot on the heels of Xbox’s Developer Direct earlier this month, PlayStation has added its own State of Play showcase to the calendar. Today’s State of Play is rumored to feature a bunch of updates on games like Death Stranding 2 and Judas as well as new announcements, one of which might involve Sonic the Hedgehog and his gun-wielding friend.
Sony’s last State of Play was in September 2023 and went head-to-head with a Nintendo Direct that same day. It was a short affair, lasting about 20 minutes, but expect today’s presentation to be around 40.
Silent Hill and projects from Hideo Kojima dominated the presentation. Konami stealth dropped a brand-new game, Silent Hill: The Short Message, and showed off a new trailer for Silent Hill 2. But the biggest news came from Kojima, showing off an extended trailer for Death Stranding 2 and announcing a brand-new IP he’s working on with Sony that, according to Kojima, is “the culmination of my work.”
Cosmo Canyon. Nibelheim. Dolphin racing. Vincent Valentine. A one-winged Sephiroth. Marlene’s dad Dyne. Mini-game after mini-game after mini-game to play. “The world will be saved, but will you?” asks the game’s trailer, with almost zero subtlety that the events of this game will determine Aerith’s infamous fate.Read Article >
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is coming February 29th, and both Sony and Square Enix want to make damn sure that fans know this game is a can’t-miss event — even though it’s not the conclusion to the remake of Final Fantasy VII and will have another game following it.
- The FFVII Rebirth playable demo is now live.
You can replay Sony’s entire video reveal now: it goes over loads of activities and regions to expect from the game, including Junon, Corel, Costa Del Sol, Cosmo Canyon, and Shinra Manor. Apparently, the game will “ultimately decide Aerith’s fate.”
Update: The demo is now live.
- Glad to see Final Fantasy VII’s graphics are still up to snuff!
I kid — these blocky homages to the original game are just for unlockables and mini-games. FFVII Rebirth will have your choice of 4K or 60fps modes.
- Watch Sony’s special Final Fantasy VII Rebirth livestream right here.
What to expect from today’s State of Play:
☄”The latest trailer highlighting the charms of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth”
☄”A special gameplay video showing how the game has been designed with new footage”
☄A demo that lets you play Cloud or Sephiroth and reportedly explore the world map.
Full game’s out February 29th, stream’s embedded below!
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is nearly here. It’s coming February 29th, and yes, we will find out what happens to Aerith unless the game’s producer was playing us. But we won’t have to wait that long to get a taste, because Sony will release a playable demo as soon as tomorrow, February 6th.Read Article >
That’s the word from Wario64, who spotted a trailer for the demo on PlayStation Network, one you can watch below — and the news that the demo will let you “step into the shoes of either Cloud or Sephiroth during the Nibelheim episode.”
Jan 31PHYSINT is the working title of Hideo Kojima’s new not-a-Metal-Gear game.
In case you missed the tease at the end of Sony’s State of Play, Kojima revealed he’s got a “next-generation action espionage” game in development — and then the entire livestream ended by zooming out to show the “PHYSINT” logo you see below. We checked, and it’s not trademarked, despite the TM sign you see. Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait long to find out what it means.
Silent Hill, the town in desperate need of a city council or something, showed up during PlayStation’s State of Play in a big way with two new trailers and a stealth drop of a new free-to-play game.Read Article >
The first game was the debut of Silent Hill: The Short Message, an all-new entry in the Silent Hill franchise. According to PlayStation’s blog, The Short Message is a short, experimental free-to-play game meant to introduce newcomers to the joys of that idyllic foggy city. Though the name was only just revealed, details on The Short Message including screenshots and the names of the main characters — Anita and Maya — were leaked in 2022. Based on the trailer below, the leaks were accurate.
- And one more thing (from Kojima).
As if Death Stranding 2 and OD weren’t enough, Kojima confirmed he’s working on a new IP with Sony, described as a “next-generation action espionage” game. So, you know, Metal Gear Solid. Production won’t begin until after DS2 launches in 2025. “I am confident that this title will be the culmination of my work,” Kojima says.
The sequel to Death Stranding is shaping up to be just as strange as the original. At its State of Play showcase today, Sony showed off a new trailer for the game that... starts out with a particularly disturbing bit of surgery. The lengthy clip features a whole bunch of new locations outside of the US, as well as the return of a villain who has been given a Joker-esque makeover. And yes, the baby makes an appearance — along with a new talking doll.Read Article >
The sequel also has an official title now: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. It’s due to launch in 2025. Here’s the premise:
- The video game remakes just keep coming.
2024 has already been packed with them, thanks to The Last of Us Part II, Another Code, and Persona 3, among others. Now, we can add the 2015 horror game Until Dawn to that list. The new version has been rebuilt for both PC and PS5 and is due to launch this year.
- Metro awakens in VR.
Metro Exodus, the post-apocalyptic first-person shooter from Deep Silver, is getting a VR spinoff that looks very creepy. It’s called Metro Awakening, and it’s coming to the PSVR 2 later this year.
- Here comes Judas.
It’s been well over a year since Ken Levine’s Ghost Story studio revealed its first project, a narrative shooter called Judas, so it’s about time we got a new trailer that gave a better sense of what the sci-fi story is all about. My main takeaway? It looks weird as hell. (Mostly in a good way.) Judas still doesn’t have a release date, and it’s coming to Xbox and PC as well as the PS5.
According to Ghost Story, the game takes place:
aboard the Mayflower, a spacefaring city whose citizens are trained to tear each other apart for even the most minor infractions, and where machines control every aspect of business, art, and government. You, as Judas, are the driver of every event in a mysterious story with a new cast of characters to get to know — and to change — in a world where every decision you make affects how the story unfolds.
- Sonic and Shadow sitting in a tree.
Sonic Generations was released 14 years ago this November (god I’m old) and in celebration of this slightly odd anniversary, Sega is remaking the game. But this time, instead of Sonic being front and center, the game will feature his longtime rival (or lover... or both depending on the kinds of fanfiction you read) Shadow the Hedgehog.
Sonic x Shadow Generations (which has to be the title of a fanfiction somewhere) will feature an all-new story mode starring Shadow with new levels and bosses. Sonic x Shadow Generations launches in fall 2024.
- Welcome (back) to hell.
Things kicked off with a brief new trailer for Sony’s sci-fi bug shooter Helldivers 2. It’s been almost a decade since the original game, but the wait for the sequel won’t be too long now: it launches on the PS5 and PC on February 8th.
- While we wait for State of Play to start,
it’s a good time to re-watch the trippy-ass reveal trailer for Death Stranding 2, as we’ll likely be seeing more of the sequel this afternoon. If you want to watch along with the PlayStation event live, the details are right here.
Sony is ending the first month of the year with a big ol’ livestream full of gaming news. The next PlayStation State of Play kicks off this afternoon, and the company is promising 40 minutes that will cover quite a few video games — more than 15, in fact.Read Article >
Only two titles have been confirmed, with Team Ninja’s Rise of the Ronin and the anime-style adventure game Stellar Blade. But with Sony saying the event will include “other titles coming to PS5 and PS VR2 in 2024 and beyond,” it’s not hard to guess some of the games that could make an appearance. There’s Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which is launching very soon; the remake of Silent Hill 2; a rumored PS5 remake of horror game Until Dawn; the sequel to Death Stranding that we haven’t heard much about since its reveal; and the mysterious Judas, the first title from BioShock creative lead Ken Levine’s new studio. Maybe we’ll see some of Sony’s scaled-back ambitions in the live-service space.
Not long after Xbox kicked off the year with a showcase featuring the first look at Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Sony has announced that it’s holding a State of Play livestream later this week. It’ll be 40 minutes long and will take place on January 31st at 5PM ET. Sony says that the event will include more than 15 games that cover “titles coming to PS5 and PS VR2 in 2024 and beyond.”Read Article >
The last State of Play was in September, which featured a release date announcement for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and a lengthy trailer for Spider-Man 2 (which launched one month later). We’ll likely see more of Rebirth at the upcoming livestream, along with other PlayStation titles like Helldivers 2, Rise of the Rōnin, and the Silent Hill 2 remake.


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The gig economy, driven by the rise of independent contractors who use technology to find and complete work, has been growing rapidly in recent years. This trend has been particularly pronounced in the realm of delivery driving, as companies like PigeonShip, Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash have become household names. However, the delivery driving industry is constantly evolving, and there are several key trends that are shaping the future of this field.
One trend that has emerged in recent years is the growing popularity of food delivery services. With the advent of platforms like Grubhub, Postmates, and Uber Eats, consumers are now able to order food from their favorite restaurants with the click of a button. This has created a huge demand for delivery drivers, as restaurants seek to expand their reach and reach new customers. The food delivery industry is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, as more consumers embrace the convenience and flexibility of these services.
Another trend that has emerged in recent years is the increasing demand for same-day delivery services. Consumers are becoming more and more impatient, and they want their purchases delivered to them as quickly as possible. To meet this demand, companies are investing heavily in technology and logistics solutions to ensure that deliveries are made as quickly and efficiently as possible. This has resulted in the growth of companies like Instacart, which offers same-day grocery delivery services, and Amazon, which offers same-day delivery on a growing number of items.
The rise of e-commerce has also had a major impact on the delivery driving industry. With more and more consumers shopping online, there is a growing demand for delivery drivers to transport packages from warehouses to homes. Companies like FedEx, UPS, and DHL are investing heavily in technology and logistics solutions to meet this demand, and this is likely to continue as e-commerce continues to grow.
Another trend that is shaping the delivery driving industry is the increasing demand for environmentally friendly delivery solutions. With concerns about climate change and the environmental impact of transportation on the rise, consumers are becoming increasingly interested in environmentally friendly delivery options. Companies are responding to this demand by investing in electric vehicles, bike delivery services, and other eco-friendly delivery options. This trend is likely to continue in the coming years, as consumers continue to demand more sustainable delivery options.
Finally, the delivery driving industry is being shaped by the rise of autonomous vehicles. While the technology is still in its early stages, there is no denying that self-driving vehicles have the potential to revolutionize the delivery driving industry. Self-driving vehicles have the potential to reduce costs and improve delivery times, as they can operate 24 hours a day without breaks and can navigate traffic more efficiently than human drivers. However, there are still many challenges that need to be overcome before autonomous vehicles can be widely adopted in the delivery industry, such as regulatory hurdles and public concerns about safety.
Despite these challenges, many companies are already investing in autonomous delivery solutions. For example, companies like Nuro and Udelv are testing autonomous delivery vans, while companies like Waymo (a subsidiary of Alphabet) are testing self-driving trucks for long-haul deliveries. As the technology continues to advance, it is likely that autonomous delivery solutions will become more widespread in the coming years, transforming the delivery driving industry as we know it.
In conclusion, the delivery driving industry is constantly evolving, and there are several key trends that are shaping its future. From the growing popularity of food delivery services and same-day delivery, to the rise of e-commerce and environmentally friendly delivery solutions, to the rise of autonomous vehicles, the delivery driving industry is poised for significant change in the coming years. Companies that are able to adapt to these trends and embrace new technologies will be best positioned to succeed in this fast-changing industry.


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A Boom in Devices for the Hearing Impaired
Competition is spurring innovation in the hearing aid market and providers are excited at the prospect of adopting new products that can improve on existing treatments. The hottest area at the moment is implantable hearing aid devices. It's not a new concept, but it's one that many believe will command a significant share of the market.
You may also be interested in...
The aging baby boomer population is driving linear growth in the multibillion-dollar hearing aid market, which increased 4.76% in 2014, with 3.1 million units sold in the US alone according to the Hearing Industries Association. To drive further growth and capture market share, hearing aid manufacturers have been catering to boomers, and developing new high-tech hearing aids that are more like wearable health care technology, with improved performance and wireless connectivity to electronic devices.
Cochlear Americas launched the Cochlear Nucleus Hybrid Implant System in the US market in May 2014, a first-of-its kind technology that integrates the functions of a hearing aid and cochlear implant in a single device.
The market for neurostimulation products in the US was valued at approximately $1.3 billion in 2009 and it hasn't even scratched the surface of its potential. According to "US Markets for Neurostimulation Products," a report published in March by the Medtech Insight division of Elsevier Business Intelligence, this market is projected to grow at a healthy compound annual rate of almost 16%, reaching more than $2.7 billion five years from now.


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Consumer Council for Water
Chance to learn more about ground-breaking drainage project
A ground-breaking project to protect a community in Cardiff from the threat of sewer flooding will be discussed when the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) meets in the Welsh capital on 22 September.
Members of the public can hear more about how the Greener Grangetown scheme is progressing from some of the team leading the project during the water watchdog’s meeting in public at Cardiff City Hall.
The scheme – one of the first of its kind in the UK – will create a series of green spaces throughout Grangetown that will use sustainable drainage systems to divert surface water into the River Taff, easing the pressure on the city’s sewerage system during heavy rainfall.
CCWater’s Wales Committee will also be joined by senior representatives from Severn Trent Water as the watchdog examines the impact the company’s takeover of Dee Valley Water has had on customers in North Wales.
Tom Taylor, Chair of CCWater’s Wales Committee, said: “The takeover of Dee Valley has been a particularly hot topic in Wales so we are looking forward to hearing how things have been progressing and what the experience has been like for customers.”
“Our meetings are also a great opportunity for consumers to put their questions or concerns directly to us or their water company.”
There will be a slot at the start of the meeting at 10am when consumers can voice any questions they might have for CCWater or water companies.
Anyone interested in attending should email email@example.com
The meeting will be followed by CCWater’s Stakeholder event at 1pm. For more information, please follow this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/customer-matters-wales
Latest News from
Consumer Council for Water
Calculator clocks up £2.4 million in potential bill savings09/02/2018 16:20:00
Thousnds of households identified potential annual savings on their water bills totalling almost £2.4 million in January after our water meter calculator was featured on a popular ITV consumer show.
Don’t overlook ways to save money as water bills rise in Wales01/02/2018 16:15:00
Households across Wales are being urged by the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) not to overlook ways to save money on their water bills and dilute the impact of higher inflation.
Don’t overlook ways to save money as water bills rise01/02/2018 15:42:00
Households are being urged by the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) not to overlook ways to save money on their water bills and dilute the impact of higher inflation.
Water companies set out vision to keep taps running for future generations01/02/2018 14:15:00
Plans by the region’s water companies to keep the taps running for future generations will be showcased when the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) meets in Newmarket on Tuesday (6th February).


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But one mobile app developer has proved how alarmingly easy these prompts are to replicate, making them a potential security flaw through which devious hackers could steal your precious user credentials.
Most of us blindingly complete these popups without batting an eyelid, but this should serve as a wake up call to anyone with an iOS device.
'However, those popups are not only shown on the lock screen, and the home screen, but also inside random apps, e.g. when they want to access iCloud, GameCenter or In-App-Purchases.
Analysts Watch Altria Group (NYSE:MO) And Issue New Targets
This buyback authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 0.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Altria Group makes up approximately 1.4% of Busey Trust CO's portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding.
"This could easily be abused by any app..."
But what if that pop-up hasn't come from Apple, and has instead been created to look like an official request in an attempt by hackers to steal your credentials? "Even users who know a lot about technology have a hard time detecting that those alerts are phishing attacks". If this closes the app and the dialog, then it was a phishing attack.
You can protect yourself from the fake pop-up scam by never inputting passwords into an Apple pop-up.
Current Stock in the Spotlight: Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)
With their stock price now trading around $987.20, the firm has proven a solid track record of growth over the past few years. State Treasurer State Of Michigan invested in 1.25% or 171,202 shares. 112 funds opened positions while 587 raised stakes.
So far this is just a proof-of-concept and no instances of the vulnerability have been discovered within iOS apps. In side-by-side pictures, he compares Apple's official ID password request with his own efforts.
Apple launched the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus at the GUM department store in Moscow on September 29.
You should also always have two-factor authentication activated on your Apple account for an extra layer of security.
The login boxes usually appear when you try to install or update an app, and ask you to enter your Apple ID password.
Muhammad Ali Enterprises files $30M lawsuit against Fox
The lead attorney for the plaintiff is Frederick Sperling, who handled a similar case involving Michael Jordan. According to the federal lawsuit filed Tuesday, the advertisement features a narrator saying, "Walk with me".
You can read Krause's full explanation of this phishing method on his blog right here.


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Victorian Seniors Card holders have a chance to win an iPad in a new competition encouraging older Victorians to connect with the latest digital technology.
Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing, Martin Foley today launched the Tech Savvy Seniors iPad Competition at Emerald Hill Library in South Melbourne.
The Victorian Government, through the Seniors Card Age Friendly Partners Program, is working with Telstra to roll out the Victorian Tech Savvy Seniors Program.
The competition offers free training and DVDs to seniors who want to learn more about computers, smartphones and tablets.
Victorians have the opportunity to hire training DVDs from public libraries or to access the videos online if they already have online ability.
In rural and regional Victoria, seniors also have the chance to learn in person with peers at training sessions. The partnership is delivering training to more than 6,000 seniors in over 40 library services.
Seniors Card holders can enter the iPad competition for free and learn more about the Tech Savvy Seniors Program by visiting the Victorian Government’s Seniors Online website, .
Easy-to-follow training videos are also available on the website. The competition will run regularly throughout 2015 with the first winner announced on June 1.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley
“In today’s digital world, it is more important than ever for seniors to be equipped with the skills to use the latest technology and stay connected to reduce social isolation.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is supporting older Victorians to age well, and Tech Savvy Seniors is one way we are bridging the gap for seniors who are yet to connect online.”
“The Andrews Labor Government wants to give seniors the confidence they need to use tablets and smartphones, whether it is for accessing services, paying bills, reading books and news, playing games or staying in touch with loved ones.”
Quotes attributable to Telstra Chief Sustainability Officer Tim O’Leary
“Telstra is committed to helping all Australians enjoy the benefits of being connected and this goes to the heart of what Telstra stands for.”
“New communications technology gives people the opportunity to be more connected than ever.”
“Developing the confidence and skills to use technology and participate in the digital community and economy is increasingly important for seniors and we know that most seniors who participate in the Tech Savvy Seniors training are keen to integrate technology use into their lifestyles.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020


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China's top personal computer maker Legend Holdings Ltd said on March 20 it will step up its made-to-order PC operations to defend its market share against players such as Dell Computer Corp.
"The configuration market will be very important to Legend because we expect by 2003 about 20 percent of our consumer PC shipment will be from replacement buyers," Mary Ma, Legend's chief financial officer, said at an investment conference in Hong Kong.
Ma said strengthening Legend's made-to-order operation was a direct move to counter the threat from rivals such as US-based Dell, which shot to the world's No 1 PC maker partly on the strength of its made-to-order sales model.
"It sounds like a reasonable move by the company," said George Chan, an analyst at ICEA Securities Ltd.
Chan said it has been two years since the Internet boom and many consumers who bought a PC then would be looking for an upgrade next year. "That's why the growth of PCs in 2001 was not as spectacular as the year before," said Chan.
Consumer PCs made up a smaller share of Legend's computer sales last year, and also suffered from shrinking margins as a result of dumping by competitors and consumers holding off purchases in anticipation of newer models or lower prices, Ma said.
PCs for the consumer market accounted for 31.7 percent of Legend's total revenue in the quarter ended December 31, compared with 32.9 percent in the year-earlier period. Profit margins on consumer PCs dropped to 10.59 percent from 12.93 percent.
Dell has made inroads in China, which is set to surpass Japan in 2003 as the world's second biggest PC market with projected unit sales of 13 million, according to International Data Corp.
Legend had a roughly 30.8 percent share of the China PC market in the fourth quarter of 2001, while Dell's share was 4.6 percent, IDC said.
Ma also said Legend will announce new investments by late March that will boost the company's capital expenditure in the fiscal year ending March 31 to about HK$1.2 billion (US$153.6 million).
(People's Daily March 21, 2002)


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At Milwaukee Electronics, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of circuit boards, the warnings from Asian suppliers started coming in shortly after the Lunar New Year holiday in February: Prepare for delays.
“Our component vendors are telling us to brace for shortages, potentially some substantial ones,” said Duane Benson, the company’s director of marketing.
In response, the company has been saving up inventory, reaching out to suppliers to identify potential delays and working with customers to adjust timelines. What it has not had to do, however, is cut jobs or reduce hours.
In the short term, the outbreak might even be good for business. The company’s Oregon-based Screaming Circuits division, which usually handles smaller, shorter-deadline orders, has had a surge in inquiries from customers looking to bring production back from China, at least temporarily.
“We started getting calls from folks who typically send stuff offshore,” Mr. Benson said.
Of course, if disruptions persist, Screaming Circuits, too, might struggle to get the parts it needs to fill orders. If it has to give up business, it could be forced to make harder choices. But Mr. Benson said the company would try to avoid cutting jobs.
Jobless claims throughout the United States have remained at rock-bottom levels.
Over the next couple of months, economists will be watching the job market closely for signs that the outbreak is starting to affect the broader economy. If people delay vacations or cut back on restaurant meals out of fear of the virus, that could hurt some businesses.
“Where it’s likely to affect the labor market is in reduced hours for service workers,” said Diane Lim, an economist at the Penn Wharton Budget Model. “Entertainment, hospitality, food and lodging, service jobs — they won’t lose their jobs but will probably get a cut in hours.”


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Supplied However, underlying net profit for the six months ended January 26 rose 3.1 per cent to a better than expected. we know which ones work," he said, citing plans to scrap the Jack Stone plus.
Ashley Plus Size Model Plus-Sized Model Ashley Graham Is The Curvy Girl Fashion Needs. Posted January 6, 2016. Written By Melanie Smith. Posted January
SUFFERN, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (NASDAQ – ASNA) today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Charming Shoppes, Inc., a leading apparel retailer specializing in.
Two-thirds of plus-size women reported shopping for larger clothes was more stressful than shopping for traditional sizes, with limited merchandise cited among the main causes. "Coming from the.
Ostrovsky, often called the Fat Jew. say he steals wholesale from other social media feeds and deliberately removes the original source to imply that he wrote the material himself. Ostrovsky has an.
Despite an affable and collegial style, Key rose to the top at Merrill Lynch in London as first. Chris Tremain and even Judith Collins were exited or demoted in fairly unceremonious fashion after.
COMING UP ROSES: Los Angeles fast-fashion retailer Forever 21 worked with the sister of the late singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez for an edgy capsule collection. The offering, called Forever 21.
Reduced department store wholesale orders are largely blamed. HONG KONG, CHINA – 2019/07/02: Italian luxury fashion company Versace seen in Hong Kong. (Photo by. [+] Budrul Chukrut/SOPA.
For plus-size retailer See Rose Go, the brand believes “all women are beautiful, and they all deserve the feeling of empowerment clothing can award.” “The woman who follows her ambitions and is.
In case you don’t know me, I’m a plus size store owner, stylist. I’ve helped a lot of small fashion businesses produce lines, built wholesale programs from the ground up, and done shipping and.
“I started posting photos showing that you can be stylish regardless of size.” Richardson joined. “I want to see the same pieces in plus sizes that are available in straight sizes.” Women’s.
“We see this as an opportunity to create a brand that can be sold in other places and not just at New York & Co. Our hope is to wholesale the collection. We purchased in January a very small.
The beauty retail world may be about to welcome another new entrant: fast-fashion player Forever. For Forever 21, meanwhile, Riley Rose would simply mark its latest expansion move. These have.
While Smiggle sales rose only 4.6 per cent to $306.5 million in 2019, a fraction of the growth in past years, Premier said $17 million of recent wholesale orders from. bolstered by nine new stores.
Plus size retailer Yours. ambition to be the leading plus-size retailer in the UK." Yours Clothing sells online, via stores – with 135 in the UK and Ireland, and 10 franchise stores in the Middle.
The sales of plus-size apparel in the U.S. rose. wholesale change in merchandising. If so, that is likely a step in a profitable direction — it indicates the segment may have been overlooked.
The broader NSE index rose 0.68 per cent to end at 11,023.25. IDBI Bank on Friday said it will introduce two Repo Linked Products -Suvidha Plus Home Loan and Suvidha Plus Auto Loan from September.
Plus-size women’s apparel retailer. About half of those expected to close are under the Fashion Bug nameplate. Charming Shoppes also named interim CEO Anthony Romano to a permanent role as.
The economic calendar in the U.S. Friday includes Consumer Sentiment for November at 10 a.m., and Wholesale Trade for September at 10 a.m. Walt Disney (DIS – Get Report) rose 5.13% in premarket.
Whoopi Goldberg is already making plans to evolve her new business, Dubgee, a size-inclusive women’s brand. Launching today with a diverse set of retailers such as Amazon, Ashley Stewart (exclusive.
I ultimately agreed, because I’m very picky; as a fashion. wholesale prices and a large selection. First we picked a store, next came a lot of hard decisions. Do we care more about the color, the.


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The European Commission has complained that Apple is taking too long to implement protections for freemium games in the App Store, reports BBC News. The Commission has decreed that both Apple and Google, the two biggest app store vendors, must make the “true cost of apps” clear before purchase. However, officials are upset that Apple has not yet committed to any such measures.
“Regrettably, no concrete and immediate solutions have been made by Apple to date to address the concerns linked in particular to payment authorisation,” the Commission said in a statement.
“Apple has proposed to address those concerns. However, no firm commitment and no timing have been provided for the implementation of such possible future changes.


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Northern Irish farmers have highlighted their frustration that some meat plants have increased imports of cattle for slaughter despite the abundance of local livestock.
Figures for January show that almost 1400 prime cattle were imported from the Republic of Ireland for direct slaughter. This compares with 234 for January 2018.
The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has challenged those importing cattle to 'explain their decision' to local farmers.
UFU beef and lamb chairman, Sam Chesney called the figures a 'smack in the face' for local farmers.
“Put simply farmers find it hard to trust the meat plants. For many this will confirm that their distrust is fully justified,” said Mr Chesney.
“Farmers have been finding it difficult to book cattle into plants and now we know why. We understand meat plants make commercial decisions, but this demonstrates bad faith when the supply is there and processors still choose to import.
“Farmers are already struggling with margins and increased imports add to unnecessary queues and depressed prices,” he added.
However, the union said it is 'encouraged' some meat plants are reviewing their current practices and prepared to back local farmers.


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Macao Tourism is aiming to win the hearts and minds of more Aussie travellers – and they’re planning to do it through our stomachs.
A year-long campaign is underway to promote and celebrate ‘Macao 2018 Year of Gastronomy’, with monthly events scheduled to showcase Macanese food, one of the world’s earliest forms of fusion cuisine.
As part of the promotion, a food truck has been brought to Australia, offering locals a taste of some traditional dishes.
“We pride ourselves on our food and we love our food so we don’t mind using food as a way to attract visitors to come because we want to share it with everyone,” said Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO).
Macao welcomed just over 90,000 Aussies last year, part of an inbound total of 32 million visitors, mainly from China. Tourism officials are now working to convince travellers there is more to Macao than just casinos.
“We are trying to get more Australian people to visit Macao. This is a place where we can work further,” added Ms Fernandes (pictured above).
“We want people to stay longer and we have to give them more reasons to come and to come at different times of the year, rather than in peak periods.”
Responding to a question from Traveltalk on just how the MGTO would target the Australian market, Ms Fernandes said they would be working closely with travel agents in both the high street and online spaces, and through the use of social media.
“It’s really about giving people the possibility to buy packages or even book trips themselves to Macao, so we have to get the product available.
“We have to give people reasons to go so that’s why we run events every month, so you can pick the right time to go to Macau. It’s about getting the right product and making it easy for people to book Macao.”
The Macao Eat Art Truck will be at Sydney’s Central Station today (Friday, April 20) before heading to Chatswood (Saturday, April 21) and Manly Wharf (Sunday, April 22). Award-winning chef Julian Cincotta will be behind the grill, preparing a trio of free dishes, including pork chop buns, African chicken and Portuguese egg tarts.
“Not only does Macao have an impressive list of Michelin-star restaurants, the Asian centre is renowned for its street food, and this will be a perfect way for Sydneysiders to sample such cuisine,” said Helen Wong, General Manager of MGTO (Australia and NZ).
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Kobo is running a new promotion this month. If you buy and register a new Kobo Touch, you’ll get the chance to join the new Kobo Book Club.
Every month during 2012 Kobo will be giving Book Club members their choice of free eBooks. I don’t know what the rest of the year will bring, but Kobo has announced the free ebooks for January. Book Club members will get to choose one title from a diverse trio:
• HBR’s 10 Must Reads: On Managing People published by Harvard Business Review Press
• Star Wars Vs Star Trek by Matt Forbeck
This offer is only open to new owners, and the deal expires in March.


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Ember offers image file organization, sync via iCloud
RealMac Software has launched its latest app for iOS, imaging organizer Ember (formerly known as LittleSnapper). Allowing users to collect images and organize them into projects, the compiled library can be synced via iCloud for accessing on a Mac, iPhone or iPad.
Discounted iTunes codes wipe out PayPal gifts launch supplies
PayPal has launched an online gift store, with Apple as its only launch partner, in preparation for holiday season shopping. The PayPal Digital Gifts store, coming a week after the service provided support for prepaid credit cards, will allow existing PayPal users in the United States to buy gifts and gift cards to provide to other people.
Gives Apple 10 days to reply over currency usage or face fine
The government of Brazil has asked Apple to explain why the company charges for items in the iTunes store in US dollars instead of Brazilian reals. The Consumer Protection Secretariat of the Brazilian ministry has given the company just ten days to respond to the query, which aims to find out whether Apple's practices are lawful or not.
Black Friday, holidays offer good deals on wide range of pop gear
Black Friday is just around the corner, and it's entirely likely that there's a particular loved one you've been unable to think of something special: your resident musicophile. Fortunately, they're secretly among the easiest of all the people on your list to shop for. Normally we'd be a bit quieter in saying something like that, but your house audiophile is probably off somewhere wearing a pair of high-quality headphones, vibing to Bishop Nehru or Tame Impala -- don't worry, they'll tell you about those bands sooner or later. In the meantime, click through and check out the Music Lover edition of Electronista's Holiday Gadget Gift Guide, and we'll hip you to some tech gifts you can give them that will make them take pause -- and even press pause -- in surprise and delight.
Movie drew mixed reviews, but was first in race to capture Jobs on film
Following its national theatrical debut in August, the independent biopic Jobs, starring Ashton Kutcher in the title role of Apple's mercurial co-founder, is now available for sale on DVD and digital formats in stores and online, including Apple's own iTunes. The film, the first full-length theatrical movie to profile Jobs following his death in October 2011, received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike, but was notable for Kutcher's strong resemblance to Jobs.
Apple reviving attention on (Product) RED
Apple has launched iTunes pre-orders for a new album to benefit the Global Fund, Dance (RED) Save Lives, Vol. 2. The album is due to go live November 25th, and features artists such as Coldplay, Robin Thicke, deadmau5, and Bob Marley. People who pre-order can get early access to "Celebrate," a song by Empire of the Sun and Tommy Trash.
FaceTime alone responsible for 1.4 percent of all upstream data
A new study from analysis and tracking firm Sandvine shows that some of Apple's web services - in particular, its iTunes stores - are among the most popular such services in North America, and growing rapidly. Since May, iTunes has grown more than 60 percent, from 1.9 percent of all downstream traffic to 3.27 percent. FaceTime, which is considered a wholly upstream service, was ahead of Dropbox and just behind Facebook in terms of upstream traffic.
Donations scale up to $200
Apple is now accepting donations for typhoon Haiyan relief through the iTunes Store. The full sum of each donation goes to the American Red Cross, and can range in value from $5 to $200. Apple does caution that because it's not sharing any personal information with the Red Cross, the latter party can't acknowledge donations. iTunes contributions are also ineligible for tax deductions.
Small maintenance release
Apple has issued a minor update to iTunes, 11.1.3. The release avoids making any feature additions, instead concentrating solely on bugfixes. This includes solving problems with the equalizer, and improving performance when switching views in larger iTunes libraries. The update is available for Mac and Windows through Apple's website or the company's Software Update tool.
Changes mostly cosmetic
Apple has issued a new version of its Remote app for iOS, 4.0. The release adds support for iTunes 11.1, but more significantly has been given a design overhaul for iOS 7. Changes so far appear mostly cosmetic, including the use of transparencies, new buttons, and an overall "flat" look.
iTunes Radio streams new Eminem album ahead of release
Apple's iTunes Radio service is now streaming the new album from rap artist Eminem in its entirety. "The Marshall Mathers LP2," the popular rap artist's first full-length album in three years, is also one of the first albums to stream in its entirety on Apple's recently launched but increasingly popular streaming service. The appearance of the album in full is a fulfillment of a statement made by Apple executive Eddy Cue earlier this year as to how Apple would promote certain tracks and artists through iTunes Radio.
Company witnesses setbacks in some sectors
In parallel with an official announcement, Apple has also posted a detailed breakdown (PDF) of its fiscal Q4 results. The data shows that revenue in the Americas was up just 1 percent year-over-year to $13.941 billion, and even down marginally in Europe, shifting from $8.023 billion to $8.005 billion. Greater China however grew 6 percent to $5.733 billion, and Japan surged 41 percent to $3.341 billion. Offsetting this only slightly was the rest of the Asia-Pacific region, which dipped 6 percent to $1.980 billion. Global retail numbers increased 6 percent to $4.472 billion.
Vine for iOS and Android updates camera features: multiple in-progress posts, more editing options
Vine has announced new features for its social media app today, available in Android versions. Vine is a social media video maker and host consisting of short uploaded video clips that can be shared and commented on. The added features, Sessions and Time Travel, offer thorough management of video posts -- with Sessions allowing users to save up to 10 posts to finish later, while Time Travel includes the ability to remove, reorganize or replace any shot within a post before sharing. Version 1.4 is available for free, and can be downloaded from iTunes and Google Play.
Apple TV users see movies disappear completely
(Updated with Amazon disappearance) Some Disney and Pixar movies have been pulled without warning from the US and UK iTunes Stores, accounts say. These include titles like The Lion King and Mater's Tall Tales. The situation is worse in the case of Apple TV owners, who are no longer seeing the titles in their libraries. No refunds have been offered.
How complete is the new app for OS X?
Today’s Apple event saw the full release of OS X 10.9 Mavericks, as was widely rumored. With the many “under the hood” changes has come what some call a welcome addition -- the introduction of an OS X iBooks application, allowing content purchased on the iTunes Book Store as well as other accumulated PDFs to be viewed in one, central, indexed application.
Should improve performance, add Mavericks support
Apple has started seeding a beta of iTunes 11.1.2 to employees, a leak indicates. The update will add full compatibility with OS X Mavericks, as well as Arabic and Hebrew language support. For all users, the code should boost performance and stability.
App Store offers over 1 million apps
During today's keynote, Apple started by detailing some of the company's recent successes. Cook reiterated how the company was able to achieve its biggest iPhone launch ever, by selling 9 million iPhone devices in the first weekend that the iPhone 5s and 5c were made available. Following this, Cook moved into numbers regarding the recently released iTunes Radio. Since launching in the US on September 18 more than 20 million listeners have tuned into the service, and over 1 billion songs have been played in the US alone. Finally, it was announced that the App Store now offers over 1 million unique apps, which have been downloaded over 60 billion times, resulting in more than $13 billion dollars being paid out to developers in total.
App allowed for song purchases from HMV download store
Apple has temporarily removed the HMV iOS app from the App Store, as one of its features broke App Store rules. The app from the British music retailer allowed users to buy music downloads directly from HMV itself instead of through iTunes, something that is banned in the App store's terms and conditions.
Music site exploits publicity, complains of 'substandard' terms
A digital music news site was forced to take down a copy of an iTunes Radio contract it had been given and published -- opting to post the entire contract online rather than just discuss the portions it wanted to highlight, prompting a copyright claim from Apple. While some have claimed that Apple's beef was more about suppressing business details than protecting copyright, the site's tactics raise the question of whether its okay to break the law in the name of trying to garner hits.
iTunes can't download nor update Apps
This week in the MacNN forums, a frustrated "angelmb" took to the forums posting the thread titled "my iTunes can't download nor update apps" when they were trying to figure out why apps could not be downloaded or updated. Yesterday, Moderator "andi*pandi" started a thread titled "iPhoto 11 will not email photos" while looking for help in trying to get iPhoto 11 to connect to Mail.
Now available worldwide, presumed lost for over 45 years
Fans of Doctor Who are celebrating the recovery of nine previously-thought-lost 1960s episodes of the classic sci-fi fantasy show, with the recovered material already exclusively available on iTunes less than a day after the find was publicly announced. This is the first time that newly-rediscovered episodes of the pioneering BBC space drama have been made available in digital form before being (re) broadcast or made available on DVD, and comes just over a month ahead of the show's 50th birthday.
Beats predictions from sources
iTunes Radio is already rolling out in Canada and the UK, according to anecdotal reports. Until this week, the service was only accessible in the US. The timing beats out predictions by Bloomberg sources, who suggested that Canada and the UK would only get Radio in early 2014. There is no word yet of Australia, New Zealand, or various Nordic countries getting access; the Bloomberg sources suggested those regions would be joining Canada and the UK in roughly the same timeframe.
English-speaking and Nordic countries in initial rollout plans
Apple is expected to make English-speaking and Nordic countries the first wave of its expansion of iTunes Radio into non-US countries, pulling ahead of main rival Pandora in terms of international reach, Bloomberg reports. Citing "people with knowledge of the situation," Apple expects to bring the new streaming-radio feature of iTunes to Canada, the UK, several Nordic countries, Australia and New Zealand in a timeframe said to be aimed for early 2014.
America's northern neighbor likely to be first outside country to gain the service
Apple has posted job notices seeking iTunes Radio programmers for Canada, a sign that the well-received free music-streaming service will be expanding into the US' closest ally as one of, if not the, first countries outside America to gain the service. The posting suggests that the launch of the service in Canada may occur as early as sometime later this month, presuming some strong candidates can be found.
Includes iTunes 11.1.1
As anticipated, Apple has released a Supplemental Update for OS X 10.8.5. The patch fixes a bug that prevented some apps from recognizing the FaceTime HD camera on the 2013 MacBook Air, plus two issues related to OS X's sleep mode: one would cause external drives to be ejected after a Mac went to sleep, while another silenced HDMI audio after waking. The update also copes with some USB Bluetooth adapters not functioning.
Apple VP also pushes iTunes Radio as better way to premiere albums, events
Apple's Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue, has disclosed that artists who appear at the company's yearly iTunes Festival in London are not paid to do so, and use the free concert in London (at a venue that seats a relatively paltry 2,500 compared to the stadiums many of them regularly perform in) as both a chance to put on a show for the fans as well as an opportunity for worldwide exposure and promotion of their latest work.
FaceTime, iTunes Match, other iCloud features briefly affected
Several of Apple's online services were briefly impacted by outages earlier today, according to Apple's System Status page. The worst affected the iTunes Store, the iBookstore, and the Mac and iOS App Stores between 1:28 and 2:57PM Eastern time, preventing some people from making any purchases. During the same time period, people may have been unable to use iTunes in the Cloud or iTunes Match, or restore purchases from an iCloud backup.
Streaming previews can be major boost to sales
Apple will use iTunes Radio to promote and stream albums before their release, according to Eddy Cue, the company's senior VP for Internet Software and Services. For some time now Apple has been offering full-length preview streams of albums by mainstream acts, but only on the iTunes Store. "It’s a huge improvement to do it on iTunes Radio because you don’t go to a store a lot. Hopefully lots of people will be listening to iTunes Radio a lot; from a discovery perspective it’s significantly better," says Cue.
Performances from Elton John, Lady Gaga, Sigur Ros, Avicii, more
On Friday, Apple posted a short video to its YouTube channel showing off some of the highlights of the month-long iTunes Festival in London, which is drawing to a close on Monday. To a soundtrack by Sigur Ros, attendees, performances and artists alike are showcased in the just over minute-long video -- entitled "Moments" -- that ends with the tagline "60 great artists. 30 amazing nights. Live and free on iTunes."
Not available to public, showcases creative work of employees
Apple Senior Vice President of Internet Services Eddy Cue has announced a new, Apple-internal-only section of the iTunes Store devoted to showcasing the creative outside work that Apple employees engage in beyond their usual job duties and the products the company makes. Dubbed "Employees on iTunes," the private section was announced in a memo by saying the new website was "in celebration of the ... creative pursuits of everyone at Apple." The showcase highlights songs, books, movies and other outside efforts.
Pandora founder says iTunes Radio will have only 'modest' impact
In what may become a "Michael Dell moment," Pandora Media founder and CTO Tim Westergren told a conference of stock analysts on Tuesday that Apple's entry into the streaming radio business through its iTunes Radio may have an effect, but its "impact will be modest on Pandora," adding that "it's really too early to tell" what the overall adoption rate of iTunes Radio will be, though Apple has already reported that it added 11 million unique listeners in the service's first weekend. The (currently) US-only iTunes Radio is part of a revamped Music player on iOS devices and in iTunes 11 for Macs and PCs.
Audiobook streaming service updated for iOS and Android
Audiobooks.com announced the release of its updated iOS and Android streaming apps today. Like Netflix and Pandora, Audiobooks.com's app can be used to stream content on demand, choosing from thousands of audio book titles. The latest version features a new user interface, home screen widget and audio player tray. The app can be downloaded from Google Play and iTunes, and requires a $15 per month subscription.
May suggest Apple still working on finalizing streaming deals
Albums by The Beatles have finally reached iTunes Radio, reports observe. Although the band's catalog has been available for years on the iTunes Store, and iTunes Radio has been active in pre-release form since June, the Beatles were conspicuously absent from Radio until this weekend. Access to the Beatles catalog could be an Apple advantage over some rival streaming services, like Spotify.
Service said to mimic Chromecast
Apple maintained a tight focus on new iPhones and iOS 7 during its Cupertino media event yesterday, however the company is said to be ready to update its Apple TV software. Unnamed sources have told All Things D the overhaul will bring expanded AirPlay features, enabling users to stream their cloud-stored iTunes content to Apple TV boxes owned by other users.
Likely to be dismissed due to content owners determining 'seasons'
Noam Lazebnik of Ohio has filed suit against Apple, saying that the company should not have advertised a "season pass" to the fifth season of the hit television series Breaking Bad that does not contain what he considers to be the full season. Apple is one of several resellers who offer streaming downloads of the show, most of which have offered the currently-airing second set of eight episodes as "Season 6," apparently as set by the show's producer, American Movie Classics (AMC). The case, should it get to trial, is likely to center on which company determined the "seasons."
Some hires meant to help outside parties produce more effective ads
Apple has been searching for dozens of new people to boost its iAd team in preparation for iTunes Radio, according to Ad Age. The publication notes that in August, Apple posted just five iAd jobs on its own website, but another 35 on LinkedIn. The company is hunting for people such as account coordinators, ad design managers, and project managers and engineers.
Judge rules plaintiff unable to show any anti-competitive harm done
A woman who initially sued Apple in 2005 over the iPod, the iTunes Store and the FairPlay DRM that Apple once used (at the insistence of the record companies) to prevent purchased songs from being pirated has lost an appeal in an attempt to reinstate the case. For a second time, a judge has ruled that Stacey Somers and her attorneys have been unable to show that Apple created or abused its iTunes "monopoly," that prices had escalated overall due to Apple's lock-in, or that consumers were harmed in any way by Apple's behavior.
Expansion of Helium line of iPhone 5 case
Accessory maker Mophie has announced its release of color options for its iPhone 5 Juice Pack Helium charging cases. The battery-charging cases extend the life of the phone's battery capacity to 3000mAh, and allow for up to six additional hours of talk time on 3G, seven extra hours on Wi-Fi, 30 more hours of audio playback, or seven hours of extra video playback. Alongside the original dark metallic and silver color options, user can now choose blue, purple, pink, green or red for their Juice Pack Helium cases. With a one-year warranty, the new Juice Pack Helium iPhone 5 cases are priced at $80, and available on Mophie's site.
Live performances, later repeats in HD can be watched all month long
Just days ahead of the month-long concert series' launch, Apple has added video streaming to its iTunes Festival app through an update. Version 4.1 lists the video streaming as the app's only new feature, but it an important one: the update adds the ability to watch live streams of performances as they happen in London's Roundhouse concert arena, in high definition. The festival will run every night throughout September.
Issue unreported on Apple's system status page
A number of users are reporting that access to TV shows has vanished on the Apple TV and in the Mac and Windows versions of iTunes. On the Apple TV, the app for TV shows has disappeared; in iTunes, trying to click on the "TV Shows" tab in the iTunes Store may boot users back to the storefront's homepage. Apple's system status page shows no sign of the problem.
Twitter's Conversations layout redesigned
Twitter released Version 5.1 of its iOS app today. The app lets users of the prominent social networking site connect to their Twitter account to get real-time stories, pictures, videos, and conversations on one's own 'timeline.' The latest update includes a redesigned Conversations segment, including a blue line indicating a conversation between people you follow, and the first Tweet in a thread now appears above the most recent reply. The new release also includes various other improvements, including new notification settings and bug fixes. Twitter 5.1 can be downloaded for free from iTunes for devices running iOS5 or later.
Will offer live streaming, reply-on-demand, artist bio information, schedule, more
With just 11 days to go before the month-long iTunes Festival begins in London, Apple has launched a revamped iOS app devoted to the music event, as well as silently updated Apple TV to add a channel dedicated to the festival. Both will feature schedules, artist bios, live streams of performances (which will also be available through iTunes) and an easy way to buy the music from the performances and on-demand replays. The annual festival begins on September 1 at the Roundhouse in London and features 60 top-name artists.
Ads to eventually become device-specific
A number of major advertisers have lined up to advertise on Apple's upcoming iTunes Radio service. According to Ad Age, the list so far includes "McDonald’s, Nissan, Pepsi, Procter & Gamble and possibly one or two more brands," all of whom have reportedly signed 12-month contracts. Targeting will initially be device-agnostic, but in 2014 advertisers will get the option to direct spots at specific devices, with costs varying proportionately. An ad will be cheap on the iPhone, for instance, but more expensive on an iPad, and even more costly on an Apple TV.
Narrowed down to two affiliate networks, but with larger
Apple is making significant changes to its affiliate program for content on iTunes, the iBookstore, and the Mac and iOS App Stores, according to an announcement. The program gives participants a small commission for sales made via specially-formatted links. The main change is the elimination of LinkShare and dgm as affiliate networks, leaving just Tradedoubler and a new addition, Performance Horizon Group.
Version 11.0.5 taken directly from recent fix in iOS 7 beta 6
On Friday, Apple updated iTunes to version 11.0.5, which fixes an issue with "iTunes in the Cloud," a part of the free iCloud service that automatically backs up iTunes Store purchases. The issue caused some downloads or playing of recently-redownloaded files to "play unexpected items" rather than what the user intended to get. The update is available for both OS X, Windows (32-bit) and 64-bit Windows implementations (Vista, 7 or 8). The fix for the problem was originally seen in the latest iOS 7 beta currently being tested by developers.
Plaintiffs found to have suffered no harm over App Store, may refile
A lawsuit claiming that Apple's iTunes App Store is an illegal monopoly -- as it only sells iOS apps, takes a 30 percent commission on sales and disallows third-party iOS app stores -- has been thrown out of court on procedural grounds, since the plaintiffs could not show any grounds for complaint, as they had not purchased the apps challenged in the lawsuit. "At a minimum," wrote the judge in her dismissal order, "plaintiffs must allege facts showing that each named plaintiff has personally suffered an injury-in-fact based on Apple's alleged misconduct."
Actual price of takeover estimated between $10-15 million
Apple's recent buyout of video discovery service Matcha was about getting the company's recommendation engine, which is based on a proprietary algorithm, sources indicate. Matcha is in fact said to have been picked up right after it "found the answer" -- with algorithm refinements -- to user growth and time spent in-app. User acquisition and engagement was allegedly the specific appeal to Apple, which found that Matcha did a better job than competing apps.
Some collections seeing major price drops
Apple is hosting a rare US sale on iTunes movie collections. In all 25 collections have been discounted, in both their SD and HD formats. The biggest deal may be the Harry Potter Complete Collection, which includes all eight movies but costs only $10. Normally the collection would cost over $125.
Downtime affects major services
Several Apple online services encountered outages earlier today, according to the company's system status page. Between 11:23AM and 1:54PM Eastern, people may have been "unable to make purchases from the App Store, iTunes Store, Mac App Store, or iBookstore," the page states. "Users may also have been unable to download previously-purchased content, use iTunes Match, or successfully restore Apps and Music from an iCloud backup."
Ranking proves again that value of experience can trump content
A study done by customer experience research firm ForeSee has surveyed customers of mobile media and entertainment sites and found that generally, customers are more satisfied with such services than they were a year ago: the average score was 77 out of 100, compared to 67 a year ago. In the streaming TV and movies category, Apple's iTunes squeaked out a surprise win over competitors such as Netflix and HBO Go, Amazon Instant Video, Crackle and Hulu Plus. The study also found that customers were much more satisfied with home Internet service than cellular data.


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Over the last year, the word 'unprecedented' has been used more than ever before, but we truly have been living and working through an extraordinary situation and for the manufacturing sector, it has been no different.
The sector has arguably never before faced such uncertainty and disruption, but that’s not to say that it has all been negative because for some disruption and uncertainty has meant opportunity.
The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) has been working with manufacturers of all sizes across various industries to help them identify and seize opportunities. For some, this has been about reforming their business completely through embracing innovation, but for others it has been about solving day-to-day production challenges that have affected their bottom line.
As an example, the engineers and researchers at NMIS recently worked with a small but growing Scottish engineering and tooling company based in Dundee. Through working with the company to explore the benefits of new technologies, the NMIS machining and additive manufacturing team helped them to reduce the risk of introducing an additive manufacturing offering for its customers, resulting in increased enquiries from new territories and new markets.
Support has also been provided for companies looking to address issues around sustainability and carbon reduction targets. The design engineering team recently helped a German lightweighting specialist devise a concept that could radically reduce the weight of batteries in electric and internal combustion engine vehicles, bringing with it a reduction in carbon emissions and production costs.
As it continues to support the manufacturing community to navigate complex situations such as Brexit, climate change and the post-pandemic recovery, NMIS is ready to offer even greater levels of R&D support to the companies that need it.
Construction of its new HQ facility at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland in Renfrewshire is well underway, while its specialist technology centre, the University of Strathclyde's Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) set to launch its £20m FutureForge development later this year.
At around 1.5 times the size of Hampden football pitch, the NMIS HQ will include a skills academy, a fully digitalised factory of the future and a collaboration hub. The new facility, next to Glasgow Airport, will help support manufacturing and engineering firms of all sizes and from all sectors across the country, and internationally, to innovate and grow their businesses.
At the AFRC in Inchinnan, the £20m FutureForge development is almost ready to open its doors. In response to the rapidly changing data-driven manufacturing space, FutureForge will offer the world’s most advanced hot forging platform.
Using this unique facility, the AFRC will collaborate with organisations across the forging supply chain to address some of the industry's biggest challenges. Funders include the UK Aerospace Research and Technology Programme (delivered by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Innovate UK and the Aerospace Technology Institute), Scottish Enterprise and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
John Reid, Chief Executive Officer of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland Group, said: "The past year has been one of the most challenging ever for Scottish manufacturers and we are here to help the community refocus, embrace innovation and seize the opportunities that can emerge from adversity.
"As we move forward towards a post-pandemic world, many companies have already rapidly accelerated their digital transformation and diversified to meet new demands, and we are all presented with a chance to shape our own future; one that is bigger, stronger and more sustainable."


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TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas Walmarts will soon start administering COVID-19 vaccines to eligible shoppers.
Walmart says its pharmacies will start to administer COVID-19 vaccines in Kansas through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program on Feb. 12. It said eligible customers will be able to schedule a vaccination appointment through its website as soon as appointments are made available, which will make it more convenient to get vaccinated while doses last.
According to the retail supergiant, vaccines will be available to residents that meet the current phase of vaccine eligibility in the state, which can be found on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s website. It said over 1,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies in 22 states are getting federal vaccine allocations throughout the week, with an emphasis on locations that reach residents in underserved communities and have limited access to healthcare. While initial vaccine supply is limited, it said its pharmacists and technicians are ready to help expand vaccine access throughout the nation.
Walmart said in consultation with the Center for Disease Control and the state, it took into account the population, customer demographics, infection rates and availability of local healthcare resources and more to decide participating locations, including pharmacies in Medically Underserved Areas, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
“Ninety percent of the country lives within ten miles of a Walmart. We’re committed to helping people live better – and healthier lives – in Kansas, and we take that role very seriously,” said Dr. Cheryl Pegus, Executive Vice President, Health & Wellness. “We want to help the country re-open, but we can only achieve that through widespread COVID-19 vaccination. We’re proud to work together with the federal government, states, communities, customers and associates to expand access to the vaccine and reach that goal.”
Walmart said it is partnering with the CDC and states to move as fast as possible to get vaccines in the arms of eligible residents in participating states.
According to Walmart, in addition to the 22 states where it will support the vaccination efforts as part of the program, the retailer is also administering vaccinations under the jurisdiction allocation in 11 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
The international retail chain said vaccine supply and eligibility will vary based on state and local guidelines. It said its scheduler will not only offer appointments, but it will also provide a digital reminder when it is time to get the second dose, which is why customers are asked to create a profile, which helps to ensure customers get their second dose in the required timeframe. It said appointments will be available seven days a week, but the exact timing will vary based on the local availability of the vaccine.
Walmart said its pharmacies will continue to support states and the federal government to help increase the availability of COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccination sites included in the rollout are as follows:
- Coffeyville – Walmart #42, 1863 CR 5300, 67337
- Emporia – Walmart #557, 2301 Industrial Rd., 66801
- Junction City – Walmart #43, 521 E Chestnut St., 66441
- Junction City – Walmart #4626, 1723 McFarland Rd., 66441
- Lawrence – Walmart #5219, 550 Congressional Dr., 66049
- Topeka – Walmart #2131, 1301 SW 37th St., 66611


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COMPANY NEWS; Nintendo '92 Sales Up
Published: January 9, 1993
LAS VEGAS, Nev., Jan. 8— Nintendo of America, a unit of the Nintendo Company of Japan, said today that its revenues leaped by 22 percent last year from 1991, aided by record sales of hardware systems and games. Nintendo said it sold $4.28 billion worth of products last year, representing 80 percent of the $5.3 billion United States video game market. The company said final 1992 sales would show total sales of 2.7 million Nintendo Entertainment Systems and 28 million game packs.