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For companies looking for a way to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on fuel costs and maintenance, electric vehicles (EVs) may be the answer.
Enjoy related posts by the same author
When it comes to the future of electric vehicles, the sky’s the limit – quite literally. In addition to continued innovation in land-based electric vehicles, we are also seeing an increase in interest and investment in air and water-based options. Here’s a look at some of the most exciting developments in each EV category.
It's the season of crisp, cool air and crunchy leaves underfoot. That means it's time to get your gardening tools out! One way to handle fall cleanup is to make the process more efficient, such as adding electric-powered outdoor tools. These handy devices can make yard work easier and cleaner.
As consumers become more aware of the importance of using energy wisely, there are many new options for home improvement that provide an environmentally friendly way to save money. Here are a few ideas to start with for upgrading your home to a more energy-efficient environment.
According to Edmunds, 2021 is predicted to be a "pivotal year" for electric vehicles, with U.S. sales rising to 2.5% versus 1.9% last year. With a surge of new models entering the market in the next 11 months, EVs will be hard to ignore.
Planning a spring road trip in your electric car? Here are the best ways to ensure you have a fun, safe, memorable trip in your EV without range anxiety.
Nearly every state – including all four served by Tri-State and its members – offer incentives for electric vehicles (EVs), and in just the first half of this year alone, most states have taken additional steps related to EVs. As our states adopt policies to speed up this major change in the transportation sector, Tri-State is taking action to ensure its members are ready.
As electric vehicles (EV) are expanding into the mainstream, so too are the choices for new electric models including electric trucks. And while there aren’t any on the road right now, several manufacturers expect to be selling these as early as 2021.


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Renasant Bank has announced that Robert Carter has recently been promoted to Retail Branch Specialist for Desoto County. He is based at the East Commerce Street location.
“I am very proud to announce Robert Carter has been promoted to Retail Branch Specialist in addition to continuing his current duties as Branch Manager for our Hernando location," said Shane McLarty, North Mississippi Region Market President. "Working closely with the North Mississippi Region Retail Branch Administrator and the Desoto County Market President, Robert will oversee the delivery and implementation of the Retail Branch strategy to ensure consistent execution of service, sales and operational initiatives for all of Desoto County.”
Carter is involved in the Hernando community as a member of the Hernando City Planning Commission for eight years, and as an ambassador for the Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce since 2010. He is also the President of the Hernando High School Football Boosters.

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ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke’s largest shopping center became a crime scene Saturday night.
A person was shot inside of Valley View Mall a little before 7 p.m., a terrifying scene for employees such as Brandi Jarvis.
“Just a pop, pop, pop. That’s when everybody realized it was a shooting. People started running in the store. We tried to rush as many customers in the back as we could,” said Jarvis.
Molly Cummings, another mall employee, spoke to 10 News about her experience as well.
“I have worked in this mall at many different stores for five years now, and I have never in my life been this scared,” she said.
As law enforcement agencies from all across the area converged on Valley View, Police Chief Sam Roman outlined what happened within.
“There was some kind of argument in the mall between two different groups of people. During that incident, shots were fired which resulted in one injury,” said Roman during a press conference.
Cummings says it was already a scary day in the mall before the shots went off.


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Any links to online stores should be assumed to be affiliates. The company or PR agency provides all or most review samples. They have no control over my content, and I provide my honest opinion.
With IFA coming up we will likely start to see a lot more leaks for new devices.
The latest is from @RODENT950, who only states that these are upcoming devices from Huawei and Honor in Europe soon.
I am not sure what events Huawei has planned for IFA yet, but Honor has an event planned on the 4th of September. Their teaser image indicates a tablet, smartwatch, smart band, laptop and a phone with a pop-up camera. Whether these represent actual products being launched remains to be seen.
Devices that may launch at IFA 2020
The list of devices includes:
|Huawei Mate40 Lite E
|Huawei P Smart 2021
|Huawei P Smart Pro 2021
|HONOR HUNTER V700
|HONOR MagicBook Pro
Some may wonder why there is no mention of the Huawei Mate 40 Pro, but this would make sense if it is a list of things launching at IFA. Traditionally Huawei announced their latest chipset at IFA, which may be the Kirin 9000 this year. Then they launch the Mate 40 Pro a few weeks later, last year it was in Munich, and the year before London.
Huawei Mate 40 Lite E
Not much has been said about the Mate 40 Lite, but it recently received a EEC certification (Eurasian Economic Commission). This reveals no information, but it at least confirms its existence and that it is likely to launch soon.
Honor Hunter V700
Perhaps the most interesting item on the above list, with it being what seems like a brand new product.
It looks like Honor Hunter is a gaming orientated brand, and it has been revealed recently that a Honor Hunter gaming laptop will be launched soon. The laptop has been teased on Weibo for the Chinese audience, so I would assume this is the same thing.
With Honor being quite an affordable brand, this could be a superb entry into the gaming laptop market for the UK.
Huawei Watch Fit
This wasn’t on the list, but Evan Blass (@evleaks) has previously leaked the new Huawei Watch Fit extensively.
This will almost certainly use the same Lite OS you find on the sporty Huawei Watch GT2e, so it is more of a feature watch than a smartwatch. The display is a 1.64-inch AMOLED panel with a 456 x 280 resolution, and it is surrounded by a frame which we hope is metal with a silver, grey, or gold finish.
The design looks like an elongated Apple Watch and water-resistant up to 5ATM, and its battery will have an endurance of up to 10 days. The smartwatch will be compatible with Android 5.0+ and iOS 9.0+ devices and have a GPS, Accelerometer, and Barometer on board.
Apparently, it will sell for €119 making the RRP lower than the GT2e and the GT2.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.


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Credit cards being used for shopping on smartphones
A growing number of Australians are putting their credit card details into their smartphones to shop online through the mobile devices, according to a recent study conducted by Google.
The country has the second highest level of smartphone penetration in the world and the report revealed that two out of five people will use their handset's mobile search function each day.
Almost half of those polled said they would look up and call businesses – perhaps with a mind to purchase goods with their low rate credit cards – using their smartphone.
Nearly the same proportion (45 per cent) asserted that they might end up visiting the bricks and mortar premises of a company they had researched on the internet through their mobile device.
Those that decide to buy items with their smartphones using their credit cards to pay for goods may want to heed the advice of Michael Daniels of mortgage broking group Smartline, who told the Mosman Daily that people using plastic should ensure they pay bills on time as failing to do so could make it harder to find home loans.
Have a question about credit cards? Ask the money gurus at Mozo Answers.


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Laval News | According to the MEQ, Quebec’s manufacturing/export sector is suffering from a labor shortage. | So Good News
The lobby group said 39 percent of businesses plan to move out of state.
According to the Quebec Manufacturers and Exporters (MEQ), the province’s manufacturing sector lost at least $356 million last year due to ongoing labor shortages.
The losses are increasing.
MEQ represents 1,100 producers across Quebec. The manufacturing sector in Quebec employs more than 497,000 people and represents 12.6 percent of gross domestic product and 86.1 percent of exports.
Losses include canceled contracts; The lobby group said the losses were due to repeated delays and delayed or canceled investments.
The work is not finished.
According to an annual survey conducted by the association, Laval Almost all businesses in the Laurentians and Lanaudière confirmed an average of 27 job vacancies.
One of the immediate results, according to the MEQ, is that 39 percent of businesses in the three regions have at least seriously considered relocating to another part of the world or subcontracting work to other contractors. Regions
Fifty-four percent of respondents said the labor shortage is affecting workers’ mental health. Among the industrial sectors in Quebec most affected by labor shortages are transportation; Manufacture of parts and materials for machinery manufacturing and food industry.
Quebec is not enough.
Low-paying jobs are hard to fill, though. Competitive paychecks are the most difficult for employees to find. According to the MEQ, nearly half of the vacant positions are in the $20 to $29 hourly range, and 38 percent pay more than $30 an hour. Six in 10 businesses surveyed think the state government could do more to alleviate the problem.
“While we are talking more and more about the economic recession, Quebec and its regions need more for prosperous businesses,” said Véronique Proulx, president and executive director of the MEQ.
“We need people to be able to compete with international players. There is no magic solution to solve the underlying problems of labor shortages in the manufacturing sector. But Quebec; the Laurentians; It is possible to use a series of levers to ease the impact on our operations in Lanaudière and Laval.”
He questioned immigration restrictions.
Among other things, CAQ government’s current restrictions on immigration levels; He noted the increasing number of manufacturers benefiting from training programs as factors affecting the pace and conditions of automation and robotics.
“We are at the dawn of a recession, so the government should be prioritizing the labor shortage while accelerating manufacturing activities, which are the backbone of our region’s economic development,” added Proulx.


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When it comes to cannabis legalization, France is one of the last countries in Europe to hold out. Despite its progressive attitude toward other issues, the French government has been slow to move on cannabis reform, and the country remains one of the most restrictive in Europe when it comes to the drug. But that could be changing soon.
The legalization of cannabis for adult use in France has been a topic of much debate in recent years. The country has long been known for its strict drug laws, but there is a growing movement to change that. In 2019, the French government announced that it would be launching a commission to explore the potential of legalizing cannabis for adult use. The commission is expected to issue its findings in 2021, and could open the door for France to finally legalize cannabis.
The commission is looking at the potential economic, social, and public health benefits of legalizing cannabis, as well as the potential risks. It is also considering how best to regulate the drug, and how to ensure that it is kept out of the hands of minors. The commission will also look at how legalization could be implemented in a way that respects France’s international obligations, such as those set out in the United Nations Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
The commission is expected to report its findings in 2021, and the French government will then decide whether or not to move forward with legalization. If the commission’s findings are favorable, it is likely that France will move ahead with cannabis legalization.
If France does legalize cannabis, it will join a growing number of countries that have already done so. Canada and Uruguay have already legalized cannabis for adult use, and a number of other countries, such as Portugal and the Netherlands, have decriminalized it. In the United States, a number of states have also legalized cannabis for adult use, and several more are expected to do so in the near future.
It is clear that the tide is turning in favor of cannabis legalization, and France is likely to follow suit. While there is no definite timeline for when France will legalize cannabis for adult use, it is likely that it will happen in the near future.


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Palm Beach, FL – April 11, 2023 – FinancialNewsMedia.com News Commentary – Industry insiders acknowledge that the overall global drone markets and its UAV component has been expanding rapidly over the last few years and is projected to continue for several years to come. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a class of aircraft that could fly without the onboard presence of pilots. Unmanned aircraft structures encompass the aircraft factor, sensor payloads, and a ground control station. They can be controlled by way of onboard digital gadgets or via managed gadget from the ground. The main products of UAV drones include fixed-wing, rotary-blade, and hybrid drones. A fixed-wing UAV also known as a fixed-wing UAS is an aircraft that operates without a human pilot onboard and is controlled autonomously via onboard computers or remotely by a human operator. The components include a camera, battery, propulsion system, controller, sensor, and others used by end-users such as military and defense, retail, construction, agriculture, entertainment, law enforcement, and others. A recent report from The Business Research Company projected that the global UAV drones market size is expected to grow from $26.03 billion in 2022 to $29.93 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.0% and the UAV drones market size is expected to grow to $52.21 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 14.9%. Active companies in the markets this week include: Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL), Drone Delivery Canada Corp. (OTCQX: TAKOF) (TSX-V: FLT).
The report said: “Increasing defense spending is expected to propel the growth of the UAV drone market going forward. Defense spending refers to the amount of the federal budget earmarked for defense, including funding for military operations, pay, training, and health care, in addition to maintaining and buying weapons, buildings, and equipment. Defense spending is used for procurement and the purchase of UAV drones which has been a force multiplier for combat around the world. Technological advancement is a key trend gaining popularity in the UAV drone market. Major players in the UAV drone sector are focused on technological advancement to sustain their market position.”
Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) BREAKING NEWS: CODAN Communications Selects Draganfly’s UAV platform to Integrate as a Premium Communication Solution for Government and Defense Customers – Draganfly Inc. (FSE: 3U8) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions, and systems developer, is pleased to announce it has been selected by a leading international designer and manufacturer of premium communications solutions, to supply its UAV platform for integration with their industry-leading technology and communications solutions.
CODAN Communications (Codan Limited ASX:CDA) serves tactical, military, humanitarian, peacekeeping, public safety, security, and commercial markets in over 150 countries. CODAN designs and deliver solutions that help to solve customers’ communications, safety, security, and productivity problems in some of the most challenging environments around the world.
This partnership presents a strategic opportunity for Draganfly to establish contracts with commercial entities and diverse global government departments and agencies.
“Like Draganfly, CODAN delivers its capabilities worldwide for the military, defence, humanitarian, peacekeeping, commercial, security, and public safety markets,” said Paul Sangster, President of CODAN Communications. “This partnership will provide turnkey solutions to customers that leverage Draganfly’s class-leading drones and CODAN’s robust technologies for systems that are second to none in their ability to service the global market in any application across all industries.”
“We are excited for CODAN and Draganfly to provide innovative solutions to complex problems faced by organizations operating in challenging environments,” said Cameron Chell, President and CEO of Draganfly. “Draganfly’s being selected to integrate our UAV platform into CODAN’s premium Government and Defense platform is an incredible honor and an important milestone as CODAN is demonstrated global leader in radio and communication technology.” CONTINUED… Read this full press release and more news for Draganfly at: https://draganfly.com/news/
Other recent developments in the markets of note include:
Drone Delivery Canada Corp. (OTCQX: TAKOF) (TSX-V: FLT) recently announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Pegasus Imagery Ltd. (“Pegasus”) to work together to develop and implement on board detect and avoid technology (“DAA”) for DDC’s heavy lift Condor remote piloted aircraft (“RPA”).
The basis of the development effort will be to integrate Pegasus’ proprietary A3S DAA system onto the Condor. A3S is an Autonomous Airspace Awareness System using sensor fusion to merge onboard sensor data with artificial intelligence to detect, track and autonomously avoid other aircraft and obstacles. This project builds on DDC’s efforts to implement DAA technology into all its RPAs to move towards fully automated flights for all operations to be conducted in accordance with the Canadian Aviation Regulations and Transport Canada flight authorizations, while being remotely monitored by DDC through its proprietary FLYTE software from its Operations Control Centre located in Vaughan, Ontario.
AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently unveiled the newest version of its Switchblade® 300 rapidly deployable loitering missile system. The Switchblade 300 Block 20 builds on Block 10C’s battle-proven performance with new operational features and significant performance and capability improvements.
Switchblade 300 Block 20 is portable, lightweight, and easy to operate, requiring only a single operator. The new tablet-based Fire Control System allows operators to easily train, plan, and execute missions. Operation of the system is further simplified by offering an integrated control directly onto the launcher tube.
“Since pioneering the loitering missile category with Switchblade 300 more than a decade ago, our tactical missile systems have proven to be a game-changing capability for both U.S. and allied forces, providing a remarkably rapid, precise and effective way to address lethal threats,” said Brett Hush, AeroVironment’s vice president and product line general manager of tactical missile systems. “Switchblade 300 Block 20 will continue to build on the system’s battle-proven legacy.”
Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com, Inc. company (NASDAQ: AMZN), recently announced that Experian (EXPN), the leading global information services company and credit reporting bureau, has named AWS as its preferred cloud provider to power its multiyear information technology (IT) modernization initiative.
As part of the company’s cloud-first strategy, Experian will move core business operations, consumer-services products, analytics tools, and on-premises servers to AWS. Centralizing these critical technology platforms on the world’s leading cloud will enhance Experian’s IT security and reliability, decrease operating costs, and improve time to market for new offerings. Experian will also expand its use of AWS’s broad set of cloud services to create customized programs and deliver real-time financial services to consumers and business customers.
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google Cloud recently introduced four new and updated AI technologies to help retailers transform their in-store shelf checking processes and enhance their ecommerce sites with more fluid and natural online shopping experiences for customers.
A new shelf checking AI solution, built on Google Cloud’s Vertex AI Vision, utilizes Google’s database of facts about people, places and things, giving retailers the ability to recognize billions of products to ensure in-store shelves are right-sized and well-stocked. Furthermore, in an update to its Discovery AI solutions, Google Cloud introduced a new personalization AI capability and new AI-powered browse feature to help retailers upgrade their digital storefronts with more dynamic and intuitive shopping experiences. Finally, Google Cloud’s Recommendations AI solution launched new machine learning capabilities that empower retailers to dynamically optimize product ordering and recommendations panels on their ecommerce pages and deliver personalized suggestions for repeat purchases.
DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM expects to be compensated forty six hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Draganfly Inc. by a non-affiliated third party.
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The post Global UAV Drone Market Is Expected To Reach $52 Billion In 2027 At A CAGR Of 14.9%. appeared first on Financial News Media.


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In February and March, National Property Inspections, Inc., participated in an independent franchisee satisfaction survey conducted by Franchise Business Review. We scored 4.1 out of 5.0 and outperformed others in its industry, showing high franchisee satisfaction. NPI received the same score in our 2014 survey. Some of the highlights of this year’s survey include the following:
- Nearly 95 percent of respondents rated NPI’s training program above average.
- More than 91 percent of respondents rated NPI’s marketing and promotional programs above average.
- More than 94 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they trust and respect NPI as a franchisor.
- Nearly 95 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that NPI operates with a high level of honesty and integrity.
- Nearly 90 percent of respondents said that NPI cares about their success.
- More than 97 percent of respondents said that they enjoy operating an NPI franchise.
- More than 93 percent of respondents said they have a positive attitude about their affiliation with NPI.
- Nearly 93 percent of respondents rated their satisfaction with NPI above average.
- Nearly 90 percent of respondents said they would recommend an NPI franchise to others.
“We always have room to improve, but we are very pleased again this year with our franchisee satisfaction results,” Roland Bates, president, National Property Inspections, Inc., said. “We conduct this survey annually so that we can take an honest look at our business and what our franchisees think. We are proud to be the highest rated home inspection franchisor based on Franchise Business Review’s survey.”
NPI will use the survey results in its marketing and to improve its business in key areas in order to strive for the best possible franchisee satisfaction. “One of the suggestions from our franchisees was to implement conference calls and webinars for improved communication, continuing education and regional team building,” Bates said. “We are definitely going to do this, and we’re currently looking at solutions that would facilitate this type of communication with our franchise owners.”
More than 75 percent of NPI franchisees responded to the survey. According to Franchise Business Review, 50 percent response is average.


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The Wife of the President, Elizabeta Gjorgievska, visited today the company “Caseficio Cesarina” in Gostivar that deals with production of cheese and is managed by the successful woman entrepreneur, Gzime Fejzi.
In line with her efforts to support women entrepreneurs and successful businesses, Gjorgievska congratulated the management for the ambitious achievements and continuous upgrading of the company, which contributes to their competitiveness in the country and abroad.
During the visit, the employees introduced Gjorgievska with the development of the company, from idea to realization, for the successful application of the Italian experience in production, as well as with the production process and assortment of world famous cheese varieties, from mozzarella to special types of cheese with chocolate and coffee flavor.
“I am glad that women entrepreneurship is slowly starting to play a major role in North Macedonia”, Gjorgievska said, pointing out that stronger institutional support is needed in order to encourage and contribute more to the promotion of women entrepreneurs.
The conversation highlighted the challenges and difficulties faced by companies due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the need to adapt to new conditions, but also the need not to abandon the motivation and perseverance in continuing successful activities.
“Your creativity, innovation and, above all, courage to accept the risk and turn it into an advantage, speaks of your true entrepreneurial spirit. “Caseficio Cesarina” is a positive example of using the opportunities offered by our country and achieving results with professionalism, perseverance and work”, Gjorgievska said in the conversation with Gzime Fejzi.
Gjorgievska added that “Caseficio Cesarina” in addition to contributing to local and domestic economic development, with its competitiveness in foreign markets, also affirms our country.
“Caseficio Cesarina” was founded in 2001 and has received several state awards for successful work. The owner of the company, Gzime Fejzi, is the president of the Group of Women Entrepreneurs and winner of the plaque for the most successful businesswoman from our country, awarded by the US Embassy.


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Carnival Cruise Line and Port Canaveral hosted a special event earlier today to celebrate the arrival of Carnival Magic to Florida’s space coast, as well as marking the official grand opening of the new restaurant onboard – Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse.
Highlighting the event was, of course, food! Officials of the port and Carnival carved a 6-foot long pulled-pork sandwich to commemorate the arrival of Guy Fieri’s new BBQ venue. A traditional maritime plaque exchange also took place, between the ship’s Captain Antonio Marchetti, Carnival’s VP of Commercial Port Operations Carlos Torres de Navarra, and CEO of the Canaveral Port Authority, Captain John Murray.
Carnival Magic is joining Carnival Victory and Valor for year-round departures from Canaveral, as well as seasonal sailings for Carnival Sunshine. Together, the ships will carry over 650,000 guests each year from Florida’s Space Coast, with over 200 three to eight-day cruises.
The new BBQ venue in partnership with Guy Fieri was one among many new features added during a recent makeover to the ship. Other additions include the Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar, BlueIguana Cantina, and Guy’s Burger Joint.
This afternoon, Carnival Magic will depart on a three-day sailing to Nassau, and will launch year-round seven-day cruises on April 23. She will sail both western and eastern Caribbean itineraries.
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- Cruise News Today — January 24, 2022 [VIDEO]
- Carnival Explores $10 COVID-19 Testing Option for Shorter Cruises


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The World Economic Forum (WEF) has launched an initiative called Shaping the Future of Environment and Natural Resource Security, an inspiring collaboration that is focused on achieving global economic growth without causing harm to the environment, and preferably improving the state of our global environment.
The WEF initiative has been publishing research papers on a vast array of technologies that have come into play since the 1950s, and blockchain technology is, to no surprise, one of these.
In collaboration with PWC and Stanford University’s Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, they produced a research paper named “Building Block(chain)s for a Better Planet.”
In this article, we take a look at the most interesting perspectives and insights brought forth in this research paper.
Pressing Environmental Challenges
The paper focuses on the current state and potential of blockchain technology with a specific focus on its application in tackling pressing environmental issues.
Pressing global environmental challenges stem from the unprecedented economic prosperity seen since the second half of the 20th century.
Even though we have experienced a very positive economic growth (real output grew 20 times and 700 million people have shifted into the middle class), this has happened at the expense of our natural environment; pursuing economic growth, and thus demand, is putting increasing pressure on our environment.
Left unguided, economic and technological advancements have the potential to accelerate the environment’s degradation.
However, the research paper identifies blockchain technology as having the potential to transform how humans interact with one another and the environment.
According to the paper, the 6 most challenging environmental threats are:
Blockchain Use Cases for the Environment
2017 was marked by cryptocurrency and ICO mania. However, what most didn’t realize is that less than 1% of these projects were in the energy and utilities sector.
Research and analysis conducted by the WEF for their research paper has identified over 65 use cases for blockchain technology with regard to battling environmental challenges, signaling that the use case potentials in that sector are definitely there.
Based on the above 6 environmental challenges, the paper presents potential blockchain solutions for these concerns.
Blockchain use-case solutions that are particularly relevant across environmental applications tend to cluster around the following cross-cutting themes: enabling the transition to cleaner and more efficient decentralized systems; peer-to-peer trading of resources or permits; supply-chain transparency and management; new financing models for environmental outcomes; and the realization of non-financial value and natural capital.
Blockchain-Enabled Game Changers
The research paper then identified 8 ways blockchain technology could act as significant game changers, both in general and specifically pertaining to battling environmental challenges.
1. Transparent Supply Chains
Blockchain technology could enable full traceability and transparency of a product’s supply chain, since all data could be stored on an immutable ledger.
Because of this, consumers can see the complete composition of a product as well as the companies that are part of the value chain. Global supply chains are complex and involve many parties, and in the industry’s current state, accountability is hard to assess.
Through this, consumer can make more ethical and environmentally aware purchasing decisions.
From a consumer angle, the complexity of supply chains means that it is difficult for consumers to know how their consumption habits and purchasing decisions are affecting the environment, or the associated working and living conditions along the supply chain.
A key challenge in automated supply chains are oracles. Once the data is on the blockchain it’s immutable, but you have to first trust the source putting the data on the blockchain.
2. Sustainable and Decentralized Resource Management
Centralized resource management systems have several disadvantages, including inefficient supply and demand matching, and that they have (and are) a single point of failure.
Decentralized energy grids, like the platform the Power Ledger project is building, can give a substantial efficiency boost to resource management. Smart contracts cut out the middlemen and have the potential to ensure optimal demand and supply matching on a peer-to-peer basis
3. New Forms of Finance and Investing
Because permissionless blockchains are truly global, they can revolutionize access to capital for environmentally-oriented projects.
Blockchain-based platforms enable the seamless global management of complex finance structures, and can address a large, globally dispersed pool of donors and investors. This pool can fund the projects of their choosing and through the transparency and incentive models enabled by blockchain technology.
Traditional shareholders are converted into stakeholders in the new, decentralized system.
4. Enabling Incentivized Circular Economies
Circular economies is a concept that focuses on extracting the most value out of each resource through recycling and reusing it as many times as possible, effectively leading to substantially less waste.
Through adequately designed token economics, individuals can be incentivized to unlock the value of products and materials that would otherwise be wasted and discarded, thus stimulating circular economies.
For example, IBM’s Plastic Bank is experimenting with blockchain technology to incentivize the collection of plastic in the ocean and Gainforest uses blockchain technology and a token economic model to control and incentivize farmers to preserve the rainforest in the Amazon.
5. Transforming Carbon Markets
Carbon trading is still prone to skepticism, mainly because of the lack of transparency of the market, non-standardization of the market, and often voluntary nature of participation in responsible carbon policies.
Blockchain applications have the potential to change this and finally enforce companies to pay for the additional stress they put on the environment by pricing this into their products and services. Besides the immutability and transparency that blockchains can bring to the carbon markets, they could also enable peer-to-peer carbon markets.
6. Next-Gen Sustainability Monitoring, Reporting and Verification
Consumers, investors, and governments are increasingly putting pressure on businesses to become sustainable and environmentally responsible.
Due to the nature of blockchain technology, this pressure could leading to businesses to recording their processes transparently, to ensure that companies are actually doing what they say they are doing.
7. Automated Disaster Preparedness and Aid Allocation
As we’ve seen earlier, natural disasters are increasing in both frequency and intensity, leading to a growing demand for preparation and effective real-time aid after such catastrophes.
Blockchain solutions could be transformational in terms of their ability to improve disaster preparedness and relief effectiveness. Additionally, smart-contract technology can determine which contract offer is the best one available based on the delivery needs of the community, including quantity, price, timing and location.
8. Earth-Management Platforms
As the research paper points out, this is the most hypothetical but also the most intriguing case for blockchain’s potential. Blockchain may be able to facilitate the collation, monitoring, management, and market mechanisms for many of our environmental issues and solutions.
Examples are a global ocean data platform for monitoring ocean resources, immutable property rights and agreements as to how certain pieces of land can be used, and decentralized environmental metrics through incentivized data collection.
Barriers That Blockchain Needs To Overcome
In the research paper, a clear overview of the existing challenges and risks for blockchain technology in general is also presented.
Basically, most of the addressed challenges and risks are caused by the technology’s infancy state.
Blockchain and its applications need to be more technologically advanced and robust, as well as more understood and trusted by the public before they are ready for mass adoption.
In the conclusion and recommendations section (page 26-30), there are a lot of valuable insights on blockchain technology, especially with regards to where the technology actually makes sense to implement and how to implement it.
Even though it is becoming increasingly clear how serious our environmental challenges are, the reality is that in the end, only a minority of entrepreneurial activity and innovations are targeting these issues. The blockchain industry is no exception.
In the research paper, a wide variety of exciting opportunities for blockchain technology with regards to our environment are presented, as well as opportunities to take on the biggest environmental challenges we are currently facing:
The opportunity for blockchain-enabled innovation to benefit humankind and our environment is substantial, but the technology itself is still at a relatively early stage, with many hurdles to overcome. Far from being an obstacle, this presents an important opportunity for stakeholders to collectively ensure that the future development of blockchain technology constitute ‘responsible blockchain’. If this is achieved, blockchain can be expected to play an important role in enabling new technological solutions to pressing environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity, ocean health, water management, air pollution, resilience and waste reduction.
This article provides a brief summary of the in-depth research paper published by the World Economic Forum. To learn more, you should read the full paper for an informed and proactive perspective on how blockchain can help us to find a sustainable balance with our natural environment.


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Max Factory previously confirmed they were to release two figures based upon Metroid bounty hunter, Samus Aran, which were to release during 2012.
At Comiket 81 last week, they have reiterated that these are still on the way, a Zero Suit figure due to release in June and a Varia Suit figure that remains without a release date, but will still release during 2012.
These are particularly well-sized figures, as you can see below, and will be released across Japan although should also be available at independent retailers around the world that import them.
Why The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Is Coming To Nintendo NX
It hadn’t really come as a surprise when Nintendo announced that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the…


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Fancy A Date?
Developer- and Publisher-specific Articles: Car Combat
Carmageddon will be returning to console this summer with Carmageddon: Max Damage. Developer Stainless Games has announced that the car combat title will be launching for PS4 and Xbox One on June 3. In addition to a digital release, a physical version is also slated to hit store shelves, courtesy of Sold Out Sales & Marketing Limited. All versions will run $39.99.


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Exports rebound in May, tough days ahead
Updated: 2014-06-08 22:41
BEIJING - China's exports picked up in May following weak performances in previous months while imports tumbled surprisingly, indicating that securing the trade target remains a struggle.
The General Administration of Customs (GAC) said on Sunday that China's exports rose seven percent year on year to 195 billion U.S. dollars in May. The warming results came after a 0.9 percent increase in April and sharp declines in March and February.
Bai Ming, a senior researcher with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, said the trade data in May is more reliable than that in the Jan-April period when their comparison base was inflated by a rash of fake invoicing of exports to evade currency restrictions.
In comparison with recovering exports, imports dipped by 1.6 percent last month to 160 billion U.S. dollars from a 0.8 percent rise in April.
The GAC data showed that the amount of major bulk commodities China imported in the first five months was on a rise, except for crude oil and some less important commodities.
"The decline in imports decline may be the result of lower prices of these commodities," said Liu Xuezhi, an analyst with the Bank of Communications.
To dismiss concerns that domestic demand is weakening, Liu said a stabilizing economy and growing urbanization will be underlying forces to create room for imports.
Weak imports brought the trade surplus to 35.9 billion U.S. dollars in May, expanding by 74.9 percent over the same period last year.
"This means the appreciation pressure on the Renminbi is increasing," said Liu Ligang, chief China economist at the ANZ Banking Group, adding that the central bank may take action to avoid substantial depreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar.
Thanks to the pick-up in exports, China's trade with major partners continued to rise. From January to May, its trade with the European Union, the United States, the ASEAN and Japan rose by 11.7 percent, 5.1 percent, 3.6 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively.
Despite the bright picture, analysts believe that the external environment for China's foreign trade is still complicated.
Although China's official PMI was improving, two sub indices -- imports index and exports index -- were both under 50 in May, showing that foreign trade in the manufacturing sector is contracting.
Another indicator is the Canton Fair, the country's largest trade fair, which attracted fewer overseas buyers and witnessed fewer deals this year.
China set a trade growth target of 7.5 percent this year, lower than the 8-percent goal for 2013 and last year's actual expansion of 7.6 percent.
But Zhang Ji, director of the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of Commerce, said last month that achieving the trade target was "an arduous task" as downward pressure is weighing on the country's economy.
"For that goal, China has to attain double-digit growth every month in the remainder of the year. It will be very hard," said Liu with the Bank of Communications.
To buoy trade, China's State Council announced a guideline in May to secure stable growth of foreign trade.
"Foreign trade is not only critical to stable economic growth and job creation, but conducive to integration between the Chinese and global economies," said the State Council.
After that, the GAC among other authorities unveiled a string of pro-trade measures, including increasing the efficiency of customs clearance, alleviating burdens for domestic enterprises, boosting service trade and cutting red tape.
"With these measures kicking in, foreign trade is expected to recover in the coming months," said Bai.


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NokiaPowerUser reports that another RM-106x variant (believed to be the Lumia 1330) has passed through the FCC, this time with LTE-Advanced support.
The device is single SIM, unlike the other Dual-SIM variants, and seems to be heading to the US market.
LTE-Advanced or LTE-A gives you data download speeds up to four times faster than standard 4G LTE, which should make it even easier to watch those Netflix movies on the 5.7 inch HD screen.
The Lumia 1330 is expected to have a SnapDragon 400 processor, 1GB RAM, 32 GB internal storage, 14 megapixel rear and 5 megapixel front camera and a 5.7 inch HD screen.
See the certification at the FCC here.


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The Moscow Arbitration Court rejected an appeal by Google and upheld a ruling which found the US search giant guilty of “abusing market dominance” with its Android activities.
The case concerned the bundling of Google’s apps and services, to the detriment of other competing products. In order to provide access to Google’s app store, vendors also had to pre-install other Google apps and give them prominent positions.
In a statement, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) said the arbitration court “fully supported” its decision. After the FAS ruling, the US search giant had said it wanted to “contest this decision and explain in court why we consider it unfounded”.
At the time, Yandex, the Russian search company behind the complaint which started the process, said it was “confident in every point of its position”.
While Yandex has long dominated the Russian search market, it has seen its share slide as usage of mobile devices increased, with Google the beneficiary through the strength of Android.
The company now has to amend its contracts with smartphone manufacturers and pay a fine, according to Reuters.
Back in October, EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager said an investigation opened up in April by the European Commission into Google’s Android mobile operating system is “high priority” for EU regulators.
The probe also deals with applications and services for smartphones and tablets breaching EU antitrust rules.
In November, the Application Developers Alliance called on the EC to consider whether its investigation of the Android platform “could harm thousands of developers who write on the platform”.


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The business is a full-service salon for men, women and children.
“We do it all. We do barber cuts,” she said. “We do colors, highlights, perms.
“The shop has always been a walk-in business,” Musco added, noting about 80 percent of her customers are walk-ins.
“For the past 12 to 15 years (the previous salon) had been here, it had been walk-ins only.”
However, customers also can book appointments.
“After COVID hit, (customers) were forced to make appointments, and they liked it and (we) decided to keep it,” Musco said. She added, though, people still are welcome to walk in for service.
Being retired and with her children in college, “I just wanted a part-time job somewhere” and found work at the Cutting Crew hair salon in the shopping center, she said.
“I worked for the previous owner for about two months when he decided that he might close the shop when the lease was up,” Musco recalled. “He asked if anyone was interested in buying (the salon). The other two girls were not interested, but I said ‘if they agree to stay, I’d like to keep it open,’” she added.
“This is a fun place to work.”
After talking with the previous owner, she took over the business.
This is not her first rodeo with running a hair salon, as she has done hair for more than 20 years.
“I’m really comfortable with it,” she said. “I did it in Florida. I had my own place … I’ve always been independent.
“This is ideal for me,” Musco added. “This is five minutes from my house. No traveling.”
She is joined by stylists Tiffany Hayes and Tony Perry, and receptionists Emily Musco and Cally McDonald.
The salon is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday and Saturday; and closed Sundays.
To book an appointment, call 865-671-0707 or visit Instagram.


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In bankruptcy documents filed last week, Neiman Marcus Group came prepared with plans — already agreed to by shareholders and major creditors — for an autumn exit, free of some $4 billion in debt and ready to embark on a comeback.
For all that work, however, the question remains whether the luxury department store retailer can return to its former glory, which sprang from a high regard for fashion and personal service.
"Neiman always served the high end in the Texas market, and traded in New York for years only as Bergdorf Goodman, in the theory that New Yorkers are very provincial — like never changing the name of Yankee Stadium, or how Duane Reade is 'Walgreens' everywhere else," Alan Behr, fashion industry attorney and partner at Phillips Nizer, told Retail Dive, noting that the company opened a "Neiman Marcus" banner at Hudson Yards only last year.
The company acquired Bergdorf in 1972, and now runs 67 stores across the U.S., including both department store names, plus the Horchow e-commerce site and off-price Last Call stores, according to one bankruptcy document.
What Neiman Marcus does next will be another chapter in what has become a dark saga for department stores, with wider implications, according to Behr. "Like Goldwaters, I. Magnin, Saks, they're part of the American retail story," he said. "The higher-end places are like a city's luxury hotels, they're validation of a city's sophistication."
"Department stores used to have private label, it was a big thing, and that started American designers."
Partner, Phillips Nizer
Retailers like Neiman and Bergdorf were once highly influential in American fashion, Behr also said. "Department stores used to have private label, it was a big thing, and that started American designers," he said by phone. "The merchandise was all different, now it’s all the same. So what's distinguishes them now is service."
The company details many of those historical fashion bona fides in its bankruptcy filing. In the 1930s, for example, Neiman Marcus was the first retailer outside of New York City to buy ads in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, launching its famous Christmas catalog late in the decade, Chief Restructuring Officer Mark Weinsten noted in court papers.
The retailer viewed fashion as a form of art, and developed an award, "the Oscar of the fashion industry," whose winners included Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. Its flagship featured pieces from the Neiman Marcus Art Collection, according to Weinsten. "This is not a store. It is too spacious and colorful," he cites from an early Dallas Times Herald description of the space. "It is something with beautiful clothing in it. But it is not a store."
It's the kind of attitude being touted now (outside of the pandemic) as the salvation of physical retail — the store as a "medium," perhaps best exemplified by Nike. Behr calls it "the entertainment value of fashion, which is not to be underplayed. It’s psychological."
As is top-notch service, which at Neiman has been a priority from the start. The retailer opened in 1907 with one store in Dallas, founded by Herbert Marcus and his sister, Carrie Marcus Neiman, trading in "ready-made, high-quality clothes for women, as well as exceptional service," according to the Texas State Historical Association.
And there was cuisine. "The Zodiac restaurant was very chic and famous," Bruce Kopytek, who has written books about department store history and maintains an online "Department Store Museum," told Retail Dive in an email. "On nights the store was open late, they advertised a dinner buffet with the menu in the paper."
It's a familiar department store trajectory, a merchant becoming integral to a community and cherished on a personal level. Documents and newspaper clippings over the years "show how in touch the store was with individual customers before it became a large chain," Kopytek said. "It was all so personal and elegant. They really knew what they were doing — the genius of a small group of dedicated merchants under a good leader."
That original small group and good leader are long gone. Like Nordstrom, which has also held on to service as a differentiator, Neiman Marcus remained under at least partial family control into the 21st century. The last Marcus involved in the company, Stanley, was the founder's son and a man of the world, the man, according to The New York Times, "who brought Paris to Dallas."
Unlike at Nordstrom, however — where the founder's great-grandsons and their cousins still hold key executive positions, including CEO — at Neiman, the family let go. Stanley Marcus died in 2002 at the age of 96, before the first of a couple of leveraged buyouts, one in 2005 and the next in 2013. Both helped to shovel onto the business the debt the company is digging out of now, nearly equal to its $5 billion or so in annual revenue.
The company's liabilities were already interfering with plans to go public and, according to some analysts, its ability to innovate. Then, a pandemic hit.
"In normal circumstances, the debt burden prevented it from turning a profit and restricted its ability to invest and evolve in a time of immense change in retail," GlobalData Retail Managing Director Neil Saunders said in emailed comments. "The coronavirus crisis has severely exacerbated these problems as sales have dwindled and Neiman Marcus is struggling to pay the interest and capital on what it owes."
But Neiman Marcus Chief Innovation Officer Katie Mullen says that the retailer has not been standing still, working for the last two years or so (since her arrival in late 2018) on strengthening its relationship with customers on and offline.
"We are extremely fortunate because we have this longstanding relationship with our customers, we're really sitting at the intersection of the future and what’s most valuable from our past," she told Retail Dive by phone. "Because we have this rich history to build off of to enable them to shop any time, anywhere but in a really high-touch service model. Some are technological, some are human capabilities, but it's all about how do we strengthen that human connection."
That has scaled quickly, she said, and the results are coming in handy during the pandemic. A pilot with two virtual stylists ramped up to about 60 a year ago, and now the company employs 3,500 sales associates who use digital tools to curate looks, based both on personal interaction with a customer and information from past purchases and searches. "The sales associate can see what the data can see and the data can see what the sales associate sees," Mullen said. "We don’t envision a world where it’s one or the other. Luxury is always about the interpersonal dynamics and the relationship with the customer. It's not for us at all that automation or AI will do all the work."
Still, once it exits bankruptcy, the retailer has its work cut out for it, on all channels. In its filing, Neiman boasts of operating "the largest luxury e-commerce platform in the world," pointing out that more than 30% of annual revenue is from online sales. However, the company remains overly reliant on large physical stores in malls, according to RevTrax CEO Jonathan Treiber. Plus, luxury retail is uncharacteristically vulnerable right now, with discretionary spending down during the pandemic, he said.
Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf enjoy fierce loyalty from high-spending customers. The company makes 40% of its sales from those two businesses, from customers who spend $10,000 or more each, annually, with an average annual spend of $50,000, the company said in its Chapter 11 document. One way to boost that even further would be to market to younger customers, as Tiffany has, Saunders said.
But that may be hard to do, or even sustain, considering that, after declining by about 25% in the first quarter, the global luxury market is expected to slow even further in the second, which could lead to a contraction of 20% to 35% for the year, according to a report last week from Bain and Co.
Mullen pushed back on that, however, saying that the company is successfully marketing to millennials and "young Gen X," and isn't overstored compared to other department stores. "Because that’s the customer sweet spot," she said. "She’s got money and she’s got taste and she‘s willing to invest in her appearance."
In fact, she pushed back on the notion that Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman are department stores at all anymore. "'Department store' has a certain set of connotations," she said, noting how Sears sells both tires and pajamas. "That's fundamentally about convenience. What we're about is not convenience. We offer convenience, of course, but what we offer is the ease of getting what they want any time they want, any way they want. We just had a customer buy a $200,000 pair of earrings remotely. That's a very different business model than the traffic-and-conversion business."
Department store or not, any retailer still standing, however precariously, after 113 years in business has survived a lot. In Neiman Marcus's case, that includes depression, recessions, wartime and all manner of technological, societal and fashion changes. But a particularly intense level of uncertainty surrounds the pandemic and its aftermath, observers say.
"Who knows when this crisis will abate and when it eventually does what kind of new normal will we be facing," Mark Cohen, director of retail studies at Columbia University's Graduate School of Business, told Retail Dive in an email. "Many of the luxury houses which got killed in the 2008 recession took years and years to recover to their 2007 volumes. Unfortunately, the 2008 recession pales in comparison to what is happening now."
"Will Neiman Marcus have an interested and capable customer on the other side of all of this?" he said. "Who knows that either."


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On Friday it closed at $509.79, a new low in this slump.
All three are cutting for basically the same reason — Asian suppliers say Apple cut its orders for the iPhone 5 in the first quarter of the year. This suggests demand for the iPhone is not fantastic, though it’s probably still good. The other reason is that the iPad Mini is eating into sales of the full sized iPad.
Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty is out with a note knocking down both of those theories. Here’s the key takeaways from her note:
- There is “strong demand” for the iPhone 5. “Importantly, a greater percentage of consumers plan to purchase the higher priced iPhone 5 as compared to iPhone 4S mix a year ago. As a result, we see potential upside to both our 50M unit (+35% Y/Y) and $642 (-4%) ASP assumptions in C4Q.”
- The iPad is doing better than you think against the iPad Mini. “Forty-seven percent of iPad mini purchases are to new customers, only slightly lower than the 56% for iPad 9.7” suggesting cannibalization risk is manageable.”
- Apple is “holding its own against Samsung.” Samsung’s success isn’t coming at the expense of Apple, rather at expanse of other Android phone makers.
Of all of these, the most shocking is the idea of beating 50 million iPhones sold this quarter. If Apple hits 50 million or above, it will silence many of the skeptics.
Apple stock fell Friday to $ 510
That’s the lowest close for the stock since its recent swoon began in September.
(It’s also a level that Apple first breached on the way up last winter. The stock is still up sharply this year, having entered the year at about $400.)
What’s going on?
Some are fundamental, having to do with changes in Apple’s business.
Others are market-related (tax-related selling is likely having a significant impact).
Still others related to sentiment.
Here are some of the issues:
- First, in news today, Apple has reportedly slashed its orders for iPhones for the first quarter of next year. According to UBS and other sources, Apple cut its “build” orders from 35-40 million units to 25-30 million. This suggests that sales of the all-important iPhone may be far lower than Wall Street has been expecting. It also suggests that the iPhone 5 has not been the colossal hit that Apple needed it to be.
- More broadly, Apple has been a monster of a stock for the last decade, and some investors are likely taking the opportunity to lock in these gains while paying today’s low capital-gains tax rates. Whatever deal the government finally arrives at with regard to the Fiscal Cliff (if any), it will likely include a hike in the capital gains rate.
- Apple recently shot its wad from a product-launch perspective, and analysts aren’t expecting anything truly exciting to happen until next summer at the earliest. That gives short-term investors little reason to hang on to the stock.
- Apple’s amazingly high profit margin is likely to decline over the next several years, as Apple’s product mix shifts toward lower-margin tablets from the high-margin iPhone and the iPhone margin itself declines with the introduction of lower-priced phones. This suggests that earnings are likely to grow more slowly than revenue, in contrast to the situation for the past 5 years.
- Apple’s next revolutionary new product–a TV or TV device of some sort–appears to have been postponed by a year. Analysts are also not sure what this product will be and how it will sell. Dozens of companies have tried to reinvent TV over the last 15 years, and almost all of them have failed. Apple also appears to have met resistance from the TV industry, which will do everything it can to preserve the status quo.
- The smartphone market, which has driven Apple’s spectacular iPhone sales over the past 5 years, is entering a new phase of growth, in which low-priced phones are capturing an increasing percentage of market share. Apple does not yet offer a low-priced phone, and if and when it does, this will likely add to the pressure on Apple’s profit margin.
- Apple’s competitors are catching up in both smartphones and tablets, so Apple no longer has the leverage with distributors and consumers that it once did. This, too, could eventually lead to more margin pressure.
- Lastly, Apple really is finally entering the “post-Steve Jobs” era, and it remains to be seen how successful the company’s next generation of products will be.
All of these factors are likely weighing on Apple’s stock.
But here’s the good news:
The stock is cheap.
Apple is now trading at 12X trailing earnings per share.
Unlike HP, Dell, et al, Apple is still a very healthy company, so if Apple ever gets to 8X earnings, it will be screamingly cheap.
But at 12X earnings, Apple is at least reasonably cheap–cheaper, for example, than the stock market as a whole.
And Apple also has $125 billion of cash.
Factor out that cash, and the business itself is actually getting close to trading at the Dell and HP level.
CHINA Sales – Not So HOT
Apple shares fell 3.9% in early trading on Friday after the launch of its iPhone 5 received a frosty reception in China, and two analysts cut shipment forecasts.
It was a dramatic contrast to the scenes at the iPhone 4S launch in January when an angry crowd pelted the store in Beijing with eggs and fights broke out between would-be touts aiming to resell new phones.
On Friday there was one person waiting at Apple’s store in Shanghai’s financial district before it opened. But the lack of queues may have been down to the online lottery scheme introduced by Apple to prevent a repeat of January’s chaos. It used the same method earlier this month for the launch of its iPad mini, and enforced a two-per-person limit.
Although the company has 300,000 pre-orders for the phone from China Unicom, one of the three big mobile providers, and will also sell it through mobile company China Telecom, it has still not sealed a deal with China Mobile, the biggest player with 703 million users of whom 79m are 3G (ie smartphone) users. Despite years of talks, the two sides have disagreed on revenue splits and business models.
That means Apple is unable to increase its shipments there as fast as the market for smartphones is growing. There are already 290 million smartphone users and that is forecast to double in the next 12 months.
Nokia’s shares rose earlier this month after it tied up a deal to sell its Lumia smartphones through China Mobile.
Even so, China Mobile announced in March that an estimated 15 million people use iPhones on its network, despite their being incompatible with its data services.
More broadly, But Apple and Nokia are struggling in the face of competition from devices powered by versions of Google’s Android software: those make up roughly 90% of the smartphones sold in China, although many connect to Chinese services rather than Google’s.
“In absolute terms, this (iPhone 5) launch will certainly result in strong sales for Apple in China. However, in relative terms, I don’t believe it will move the needle enough in market share,” Shiv Putcha, a Mumbai-based analyst at Ovum, a global technology consultant, told the Reuters news agency.
- Apple shares plunge on poor Chinese Apple iPhone 5 reception (phonearena.com)


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Online shopping will be as popular with UK consumers as in-store shopping this holiday season, according to new research.
The second annual Christmas Consumer Pulse Poll, conducted by Rubicon Project, one of the world‘s largest advertising marketplaces, found 76 per cent of shoppers plan to shop online, equal to the amount that plan to shop in-store.
In addition, 88 per cent shoppers will shop or conduct their research on Christmas purchases online.
Meanwhile, a segment of shoppers have made the complete digital shift to online, with 24 per cent not planning on doing any of their Christmas shopping in-store.
The study also found that 45 per cent of shoppers will make a Christmas purchase on their mobile device, with 75 per cent of millennials and 66 per cent of parents doing at least some of their Christmas shopping on a mobile device.
When stating their reasons for shopping on mobile, the top three3 reasons consumers gave were convenience, better prices and easy price comparison.
“UK consumers are increasingly looking for an easier way to navigate their way through what can traditionally be a stressful holiday season,” Rubicon UK managing director James Brown said.
“The results of this study show that the savvy shopper is making the most of the convenience and efficiency that technology affords, by utilising digital shopping when they can.”
The Pulse Poll found that Argos and Marks & Spencer were the UK shopper‘s most popular retail destinations for this Christmas.
Both brands have a digital presence with which their brick-and-mortar stores operate symbiotically, whilst the third most-popular shopping destination, eBay, was online only.
However, Amazon was identified as the top destination for technology shoppers.


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India's fledgling wine industry is growing rapidly as upwardly mobile Indians acquire a taste for drinking wine.
Traditionally, Indians who drink alcohol have chosen whisky, rum and other locally-distilled spirits. But with globalization, times and tastes are changing - at least in more sophisticated circles. Not only are middle-class Indians drinking more grape wine, they are mostly drinking wine produced in India.
That is good news for entrepreneurs like Rajiv Samant of Sula Vineyard, who ventured into wine manufacturing seven years ago, battling the odds in a country without a wine culture.
Mr. Samant says Indian retailers are offering mid-priced wines like sauvignon blanc at $9-15 per bottle, and as a result the market is expanding rapidly. He says Indians consumed about 3.5 million bottles of wine last year, nearly double what it was five years ago. And the growth is expected to continue.
"We are seeing a growth rate right now of 20 percent a year, which I think can easily be sustained for the next five to six years," he said.
Locally-produced vintages are favored in India because of price: imported wines are slapped with high duties and account for only about 20 percent of the Indian market.
The local industry has slowly built a taste for wine and brand awareness among more sophisticated consumers by running wine-appreciation courses and wine-tasting sessions. They have also been training restaurant and bar owners how to match wine with food.
To meet the growing demand, five new wineries opened last year in a traditional grape-growing region around Nasik, in Western India. Here, says Mr. Samant, the dry soil and favorable temperatures, warm in the day, cool at night, made it suitable for him to plant cuttings of such Western varieties as cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and chenin blanc.
Mr. Samant says Indian wine has also been exported in small quantities, with some of it going to traditional wine producers such as Italy. He says that makes him optimistic about the industry's future.
"One of the big reasons I am so optimistic is that we have got perfect growing conditions and we are making some really nice wines," explained Mr. Samant. "So we are going to be able to compete not just in India but on a world-wide basis."
Statistically, India has a long way to grow before it compares with countries like Italy. Annual per capita consumption is only about one teaspoon of wine. But in a country with a billion-plus people, the wine industry is confident it has nowhere to go but up.


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New Suez Canal channel cost estimated at $4 bln -authority chairman
CAIRO Aug 5 (Reuters) - A new 72-km (45-mile) canal alongside to be built alongside the existing the Suez Canal is expected to cost $4 billion, the chairman of the Suez Canal Authority said on Tuesday.
"The total estimated cost of digging ... for the new channel will be about four billion dollars," Mohab Mamish told a conference in Ismailia, a port town on the Suez Canal, broadcast by state television. (Reporting by Ahmed Tolba and Oliver Holmes)
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American consumers know more about the quality and prices of restaurants, cars, and household appliances than they do about their health care options, which can be a matter of life and death. While we have made some progress in getting consumers reliable quality information thanks to organizations like Bridges to Excellence and The Leapfrog Group, for most Americans, shockingly little information still exists about health care prices, even for the most basic services. And several studies have shown us that the price for an identical procedure can vary as much as 700 percent with no difference in quality. Moreover, with health care comprising 18 percent of the US economy and costs rising every day, it is extremely troubling that most health care prices are still shrouded in mystery.
Our organizations have been steadily pushing health plans and providers to share price information more freely, and we are seeing progress. But public policy—or even just pending legislation—can provide a powerful motivator as well.
Unfortunately, our new Report Card on State Price Transparency Laws shows most states are not doing their part to help consumers be informed and empowered to shop for higher value care. In the Report Card released Monday, 72 percent of states failed, receiving a “D” or an “F.” Just two, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, received an “A.” The Report Card based grades on criteria including: sharing information about the price of both inpatient and outpatient services; sharing price information for both doctors and hospitals; sharing data on a public website and in public reports; and allowing patients to request pricing information prior to a hospital admission.


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Plate Size Is Linked To Portion Problems, Study Says
Eating off of a larger plate can cause you to consume more food, according to a new study from University of Cambridge researchers.
According to study leader Dr. Gareth Hollands, the findings may seem obvious – but they point to the idea that overeating isn’t just a matter of self-control.
“Helping people to avoid ‘overserving’ themselves or others with larger portions of food or drink by reducing their size, availability and appeal in shops, restaurants and in the home, is likely to be a good way of helping lots of people to reduce their risk of overeating,” Hollands said. “There has also been a tendency to portray personal characteristics like being overweight or a lack of self-control as the main reason people overeat.”
Smaller meals, fewer calories, better portion control
Research from food psychology experts like Brian Wansink, from Cornell’s Food Brand and Lab, has long shown that people are more likely to consume food that is in front of them, regardless of whether or not they are even hungry.
The current research, which included data on 72 studies, found that people who consistently eat smaller portions can cut about 280 calories from their diets every day. For an average person, this could translate into about a half-pound of weight loss each week.
It isn’t clear whether or not reducing portion sizes for things like alcohol or tobacco would yield similar benefits in terms of less consumption, but people who opt for smaller plates and portion sizes can indeed curb overeating, the authors concluded.
“Policies and practices that successfully reduce the size, availability and appeal of larger-sized portions, packages, individual units and tableware can contribute to meaningful reductions in the quantities of food…people select and consume in the immediate and short term,” the authors wrote.
The study is published in the Cochrane Library.


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With the SEMA Show just around the corner, we’re starting to see teasers of some of the hottest booth cars of the show. CTEK, the Sweedish company who manufacturers smart battery charging products, has released some gorgeous teaser shots of the completely custom twin-turbo ’68 Dodge Charger they will be featuring in their booth.
Built by renowned Swedish custom car builder Johan Eriksson, the project has been described by Eriksson as his most extreme to date, in both style and performance. The classic Charger RTR features modern Mopar power in the form of the V-10 engine from a Dodge Viper. In addition to the two extra cylinders, the engine is force-fed by a twin-turbocharger system, bringing the engine’s output to an estimated 1,500 horsepower.
Taking a step back, the RTR project makes sense as the next evolution in Eriksson’s path, as his passion from the start has been Mopars, and his previous internationally-acclaimed projects were another 1968 Dodge Charger, and a 1996 Dodge Viper GTS. The RTR combines the two into what might be considered the ultimate melding of classic and modern Mopars.
The Charger RTR will be unveiled in CTEK’s booth at 2:00pm on Tuesday, October 31st (The first day of the SEMA Show) and Eriksson will be available on Wednesday and Thursday for “meet the builder” sessions at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. The irony of having a Charger in a charger company’s booth isn’t lost on us, and from the behind the scenes video and photo we’ve seen that can’t be shared, this is definitely one sick vehicle that really needs to be seen in person to truly appreciated.


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City notes: Survey has valuable information
Statistics show what the people who live here already know: Rosemount has been one of the fastest growing communities in our state. Projections say our population may nearly double again by 2040. We work to put that growth to our advantage in ways that attempt to preserve our small-town feel and quality of life.
It’s also important to work toward a balance in the kinds of growth. After a pause during the great recession, residential growth has rebounded. And industrial growth has also picked up as companies look to meet increased demand for their products.
That leaves commercial growth: the retailers who seek to serve our residents and draw visitors to Rosemount. Giving more shopping options provides attractive amenities for residents.
The city has taken an important initiative to help our existing retailers and draw more to fill in the gaps. Earlier this year, the Rosemount Port Authority hired a research firm, Buxton, to take a close look at our strengths and help promote them to the attention of the decision makers in retailing.
Their data can attract new national retailers who may not understand our market. The same data can be useful to existing businesses that want to meet the needs of our residents and attract customers from neighboring communities.
The report uses anonymous data from surveys and financial records to build a profile of the people who live within a 12-minute drive of identified retailing locations. The research compiles detailed numbers on age, household size, and spending habits.
And it gets quite specific. As an example, one of the spots analyzed in the report is the intersection of Highways 3 and 42. The Buxton research tells us that 12 percent of the nearby households can be categorized as what marketers call “boomers and boomerangs.”
Those are households of adults in their 50s and 60s, with kids in their 20s who have moved back home. Those households typically have upscale incomes but tend to buy “economy cars and off-the-rack clothing.” They like family friendly restaurants and are enthusiastic for both Facebook and WebMD.
Those are the kind of details that retail professionals depend on to decide where to build their next location. But the data can also benefit existing stores, helping them reach our growing and changing population. Merchants can tailor their products and services to serve all of the community.
By helping our existing businesses to thrive, and by attracting new ones to fill in the gaps of what is offered in the community, our efforts will make Rosemount more attractive by offering more services in town – and more jobs and investment.
Dwight Johnson is Rosemount’s city administrator.


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Is this what you call maternity wear, Lara? Pregnant Ms Stone poses for new Harper's Bazaar in outfit that resembles a straitjacket
Lara Stone may be pregnant with her first child, but the model's baby bump hasn't stopped her from posing in high-fashion get-ups.
The 29-year-old mother-to-be poses alongside Stephanie Seymour and Joan Smalls, wearing a look from Comme des Garcons' spring 2013 collection; a overlapping thick cotton canvas toile dress that is vaguely reminiscent of a parachute harness or straitjacket.
Styled by the provocative Carine Roitfeld, the shoot marks the former Vogue Paris editor's first fashion feature as global fashion director of Harper's Bazaar.
Spring trends? Mother-to-be Lara Stone, 29, poses for Harper's Bazaar in an outfit from Comme des Garcons' spring 2013 collection
Ms Roitfeld’s feature will run concurrently in all 26 international editions of Harper’s Bazaar's March issue, a magazine publishing first according to Hearst.
Baby bump: Ms Stone is expecting her first child in May with her 41-year-old comedian husband, David Williams
The 58-year-old stylist collaborated with Stephen Gan, creative director of Harper’s Bazaar U.S., to conceptualize, style, and cast the 16-page spread, titled 'Carine on the Collections,' giving her own take on spring trends.
That included putting 44-year-old Stephanie Seymour in head-to-toe Miu Miu, invoking a femme fatale of the Fifties in her demurely suggestive denim dress.
Meanwhile Joan Smalls, who is currently ranked the number one model in the world according to models.com, models Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci for the shoot.
Ms Roitfeld, famous for her use of nudity and smoking in what have often been described as 'porno-chic' fashion shoots, told the Telegraph the idea of a worldwide fashion story was 'genius.'
added: 'For me, when I am shooting, I always like that the reader can
think, "Oh, I can be that girl". I also want to respect the traditions
and mentality of each country and not shock anyone.
The French native, who was at Vogue Paris for ten years, explained that she 'tried to be a very good girl for the first issue; there is no nudity, nothing that would make anyone feel bad about anything, I tried to quite respectful to all readers.'
Other labels included in the shoot's line-up are Alexander Wang, Azzedine Alaïa, Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière, Céline, Chanel , Christopher Kane, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Jil Sander, Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane, and Tom Ford.
Fifties fatal: Stephanie Seymour, 44, also stars in the shoot; styled by Carine Roitfeld the fashion spread marks the former Vogue Paris editor's feature as global fashion director of Harper's Bazaar
The supersize March issue of Harper's Bazaar UK is on sale now
A behind-the-scenes video of the shoot shows that Ms Stone, married to 41-year-old comedian, David Williams, was also styled in a floor-length dress from Marc Jacob's stripe-heavy show; perhaps not ideal for pregnancy concealing.
Ms Roitfeld, who recently completed her second global shoot for Harper's Bazaar magazine in Miami, is credited for propelling the Dutch model into international stardom she become Vogue Paris's go-to girl.
The Harper's Bazaar shoot took place in New York City, on the same weekend that Hurricane Sandy wrecked havoc America's East Coast, and was captured by up-and-coming photographer Kacper Kasprzyk.
'It was terrible because - of course this was just a fashion project and I didn't lose my house - but I couldn't get all the clothes because the plane never came and all downtown New York was totally closed.
'We couldn't get to Marc Jacobs or another label because everything was underwater,' she admitted, bashfully.
Click here to watch behind the scenes video of the shoot
The full Carine Roitfeld portfolio is in the Supersize March issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK is on sale now
Behind-the-scenes: Ms Stone was also styled in a floor-length dress from Marc Jacob's stripe-heavy spring 2013 show; perhaps not ideal for pregnancy concealing
Queen bee: Ms Stone was also put in a Comme des Garcons crown for Ms Roitfeld's fashion feature, which will run in all 26 international editions of Harper¿s Bazaar's March issue
Logistical nightmare: The shoot took place in New York City, on the same weekend that Hurricane Sandy wrecked havoc America's East Coast, and was captured by up-and-coming photographer Kacper Kasprzyk
New approach: Ms Roitfeld, who cast Ms Seymour in the shoot, explained that she 'tried to be a very good girl for the first issue; there is no nudity, nothing that would make anyone feel bad about anything'
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- Majority of British homeowners feel pressured to impress guests with their home at Christmas (55%)
- Fear of judgement from friends and family cited as the biggest cause of pressure (50%)
- In the last five years, 53% of homeowners have hired help in preparation for Christmas
British homeowners are set to spend a staggering £1.5bn preparing their home for Christmas guests as more than half (55%) admit they feel pressure to get their home looking perfect during the festive period.
A nationwide survey conducted by one of the UK’s leading directory of trade experts, Checkatrade, discovered the number one reason was a fear of judgement from friends and family (50%) followed by a need to impress people (34%). Interestingly, 1 in 10 people felt social media has added to the pressure to have a perfect home.
The research discovered that the average amount people spend getting their home Christmas-ready is £110, putting the total potential spend this year in the region of £1.5bn2.
The primary concern for homeowners is ensuring the house is sparkling from top to bottom, with almost half deep cleaning the house (49%), a third washing the windows inside and out (32%) and over a quarter cleaning the carpets (27%).
It’s not just the cleaning jobs that fill up the to-do lists however; astonishingly 10% of homeowners have fitted a new kitchen in the run-up to Christmas, while almost 1 in 5 (17%) have redecorated the living room.
Busy Brits are relying on professionals to ensure jobs are done properly, including oven cleaning (8%) in preparation for the turkey and chimney sweeping (8%) in preparation for cosy log fires – or perhaps another visitor at Christmas. This is backed up by Checkatrade’s own website traffic, which shows searches for chimney sweeping and oven cleaning increasing by 26% and 24%3 respectively from October 2019 to November 2019.
Mike Fairman, CEO at Checkatrade, commented: “It’s no surprise that homeowners are busy getting Christmas ready – but it’s a case of them decking the halls with paint and flooring, rather than boughs of holly. With so many Brits looking to spruce up their homes in the run up to Christmas, a time where we usually fill them with expensive gifts and decorations, it’s important to ensure that you’re only letting reputable, vetted and monitored trade experts in to your home, to ensure you aren’t missing out on a very Merry Christmas.”Checkatrade is the UK’s leading directory of trade experts, working across a huge breath of industries from cleaning to architecture. If you’re looking to speak to a trade expert about getting your home ready for Christmas visit https://www.checkatrade.com/


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Category: Tech / Sci / February 20, 2013 9:43 AM EST
A Taiwan division of the U.S Polytron Technologies Company has claimed to have created a fully transparent cell phone: The project, six years in development has resulted in a cell phone made of conductive glass. According to the team it does all the same things as a smart phone.
The company has begun to receive orders for the new phone and they will be producing them within the year. The one component of the phone that can’t be transparent is the battery. But how does the new phone compare to the popular iPhone 5?
It is 25% lighter with a 4.3 inch screen, which is 0.3 inch larger than the iPhone 5. It has been said the new cell phone will be introduced to the market place by the years end. The price has not been confirmed but the company has assured it will be cheaper than the iPhone 5.
Video Courtesy OF Reuters


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If retailers have their way, people won't have time to savor some pie before grabbing Christmas bargains.
If some retailers have their way, people won't even have time to savor a slice of pumpkin pie before rushing out the door to grab Christmas bargains. Although some stores opened at 10 p.m. last Thanksgiving, more have joined in, claiming it's what shoppers want.
Some traditionalists are crying foul, but will enough people refuse this encroachment on Thanksgiving to deter future, even earlier openings? Or will America's love affair with anything that smells like a bargain win out over the aroma of a home-cooked turkey dinner?
"Black Friday" has become a family tradition in its own right, with some Super Shoppers mapping out strategy over turkey dinner and deploying early to be at the front of the line when those doorbuster sales begin. By the time the rest of us rise, these well-organized deal seekers have scooped up bargains galore. And now they have the chance to stay up all night.
Many of us can remember when almost nothing was open on Thanksgiving Day, except for the occasional drugstore or restaurant. When our lives got so busy that eating out became part of the weekly ritual rather than a once-in-a-while treat, more restaurants began offering to take the hassle out of preparing the Thanksgiving meal. Grocery stores are typically open until early afternoon, for those last-minute items that were left off the shopping list.
And now, thanks to the cutthroat competition for those Christmas bucks, stores that once shut their doors and allowed their employees at least one day with their families now expect those workers to excuse themselves from the table to get to work on time.
Many shoppers no doubt will be waiting when the doors open, and if that's so, Thanksgiving may morph into Black Thursday in the coming years. Yet there's something to be said for the traditional way, when most nonessential services were closed for the holiday. If nothing else, the idea of being able to take a time out from the 24/7 lifestyle has a lot of appeal.
One StarNews editor says it is his unbending policy never to leave the house on the day after Thanksgiving. It's a sure bet he won't be in line at Walmart on Thursday night. That's as it shoud be (although we must disclose that a few hard-working newsroom employees will be at work to bring you Friday's StarNews). And while most stores have succumbed to the notion that they have no choice but to match the competition – at least one store will open at 6 a.m. Thursday – some have opted not to join in the contest for earliest opening. Good for them.
Consumers will decide whether this Up All Night strategy becomes a yearly event, but the only line the opinion editor and her family will be standing in tomorrow is the one for seconds.


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An emerging technology is a chance for individual vendors to showcase their talents and raise their profile, and the same goes for countries or regions, all aiming to be the next Silicon Valley. In the UK, the main contenders are the areas around the cities of Cambridge ('Silicon Fen') and Bristol ('Silicon Gorge'), and both have been using LTE to show off their credentials this week.
Cambridge Consultants is claiming a breakthrough in improving LTE uplink performance, without any changes needed to handsets. This is done with its Duel (Dual-Domain Uplink Equalizer for LTE) receiver technology, an alternative to the conventional receiver design, MMSE.
Duel is implemented as an extension to LTE base station receiver designs, providing a set of "unique and highly complex algorithms" that generally run on DSPs, but can also be deployed on FPGAs or ASICs. No changes at the device end are required to gain the performance benefits.
Uplink performance is increasingly important as mobile internet usage patterns shift from downloading of web information to two-way communication and content generation. But as with all mobile platforms, LTE uplink remains significantly slower than downlink and the high data transfer rates promised by LTE require ideal channel conditions, such as low mobility or high diversity.
Duel, says Cambridge Consultants, improves uplink performance in all channel conditions, by better exploiting the inherent advantages of LTE's uplink technology, SC-FDMA. The firm told Mobile Today this is the area where the technology is most novel (and most different from its fellow OFDMA-based system Wimax).
It has developed a test platform that includes a conventional MMSE receiver alongside the Duel device to allow their performance to be compared on the same received signal. The test system uses a combination of devices from Cambridge Consultants' proprietary Viper development platform and from partner picoChip.
picoChip, itself part of the Silicon Gorge community, is also partnering with another UK neighbor, Lime Microsystems, on an LTE-focused advance. The femtocell silicon leader has collaborated with Lime, a specialist in RF transceivers that work across a wide range of frequencies, on a reference platform for 3G and 4G femtocells.
The design, which will be available in the first quarter of 2010, will support HSPA, CDMA2000, LTE and Wimax. It will use the Lime LMS6002 multiband, multi-standard RF transceiver chip - which can operate between 375MHz and 4GHz - and the picoChip picoXcell baseband.
“The reference platform will enable our mutual customers to accelerate development cycles for femtocell products and will support easier migration from 3G to 4G technology,” said Philippe Roux, VP for business development at Lime.
Meanwhile, Bristol-based wireless chipset developer Icera is also stepping up its LTE activities, and opening an R&D center devoted to the technology - in another European silicon heartland, Sophia Antipolis in the south of France.
French industry minister Christian Estrosi said that Icera will hire a minimum of 50 engineers over the next three years for the facility. Intel recently opened a wireless design center in the area too. Icera already has an engineering base in Sophia Antipolis focused on protocol development, system integration, validation and certification for mobile devices.
[Source: Rethink Wireless]