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Local advertising pulls in billions of dollars for cable. But today it takes some heavy lifting to deliver highly targeted information to viewers.
For example, delivering 10 versions of an auto ad, each one with a different local dealer's information appended to the end, requires creating 10 separate pieces of video.
Now, RGB Networks claims it has a cost-effective solution to this dilemma. The video-processing equipment vendor is touting a soon-to-be-available feature of its Broadcast Network Processor to insert graphics, text or video into up to 500 channels simultaneously — all from a single, one-rack-unit-high box.
RGB's digital-overlay feature could insert those car dealers' logos or address data in an ad spot, on the fly, as it is being streamed down to cable viewers.
“Creating different types of ads, depending on geography or the preferences of a subscriber, takes a long time and costs a lot of money,” RGB Networks vice president of product marketing Ramin Farassat said.
Instead, by changing the content in real time, cable operators can generate multiple versions of the same ad which can be delivered to different zones dynamically, Farassat said. “What we believe is going to be needed is the ability to manipulate streams in real time, and to do it across a large number of video streams simultaneously,” he said.
Local ads can be updated much more quickly with such a system, RGB said. A cable company could now go to, say, Safeway and let them on Friday night put information about a weekend sale into ad spots airing the following day.
Cable has a lot of skin in this game. Of the $27.3 billion in ad revenues operators generated in 2006, roughly $4.3 billion came from local ads, according to Kagan Research.
Of course, the ability to insert graphic overlays into native digital video is not new, as RGB acknowledged. Terayon Communication Systems, which is being acquired by Motorola for $140 million, recently announced just such a feature for its CherryPicker video-processing platform.
What's different with RGB's solution, according to Farassat, is scale: The company claimed its ability to insert digital overlays into 500 channels, from a 1U-high unit, is unmatched. By comparison, a Terayon CherryPicker fully equipped with two digital-signal processor cards can process a maximum of 16 unique channels.
“If you're going into a cable environment, you have to deal with 300 to 400 streams,” Farassat said.
RGB's approach also costs less than higher-end digital-overlay systems designed for broadcasters, according to Farassat.
He refused to provide details on pricing, but said the RGB digital-overlay features would cost “hundreds of dollars” per stream rather than “thousands.” The company expects to sell the feature, to be available on RGB's BNP platform by the end of June, on a per-channel basis.
The system can insert static and motion text, static and motion graphics, video or interactive TV applications based on CableLabs' ETV Binary Interface Format (ETV-BIF) specification. The BNP does not generate a new video stream — it modifies an existing one — and operators don't need to modify set-top boxes, according to RGB.
With the digital-overlay feature, RGB's BNP can also take multiple streams, replicate them and insert different linear ads, and then put overlays in real time into each stream, Farassat said.
The BNP platform supports the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers' DVS 629 standard for targeted advertising insertion. The digital-overlay feature works with various ad-management servers, Farassat said, including those from BlackArrow and Atlas.
Farassat also imagines these insertion capabilities will give cable operators entrée into discussions with programmers on new kinds of advertising that can't be skipped by digital-video recorders.
Namely, operators could place on-screen banner ads within programming content, rather than just running ads in preset commercial pods. “This technology allows a cable operator to have that discussion with content providers,” Farassat said.
RGB plans to demonstrate the system at the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers Cable-Tec Expo in Orlando, Fla., next month.
As a smaller vendor — the San Mateo, Calif.-based company has 75 employees — RGB has needed to demonstrate traction in the market. The company says it's been building up steam, selling $20 million worth of products in 2006, a 150% increase over the prior year.
To date, RGB said that it has shipped 1,500 video-processing units to more than 30 cable and telco customers, including Comcast (which is also an investor), Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Verizon Communications.


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China’s state-supported automotive association has decided it was high time for some lobbying work, asking the government to deliver incentive measures after sales have crumbled over the past five months.
The dwindling economy – tipped to grow at its slowest pace in 25 years – corroborated with the recent stock market rout have led vehicle sales to negative results for five consecutive months. The association has asked the government to lower the 10 percent tax on vehicle acquisitions, increase the plateau on the number of autos motorists can purchase and speed up the replacement of older cars to incentivize new vehicle sales, said Shi Jianhua, deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.
“To build a strong auto nation, we need the government’s help to boost demand,” commented Shi in Beijing, as it briefed the media on sales data. “Vehicle demand has a close correlation with economic growth and infrastructure investment. Auto demand has also been undermined by efforts to contain pollution and curb energy consumption.”
Such lobbying practice from the trade group showcases the urgency and issues that have been impacting automakers and their sales networks, which said profits have been dropping like a rock as they introduced unprecedented discounts during the first six months of the year. China last resorted to such incentive measures during the global financial crisis and the move helped the country become the largest auto market in the world, passing the United States back in 2009.

domain: news


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Stingray Digital, an innovative Montreal-based provider of music services for multi-channel operators, announced today the launch of The KARAOKE Channel on Ziggo's Music VOD services. Ziggo is the largest cable operator in the Netherlands. As of today, Ziggo's TV extra subscribers have access to a selection of great karaoke videos.
Embrionix, manufacturer of the emSFP and Semtech Corporation (Nasdaq:SMTC), a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, jointly announced the acquisition of the full line of Semtech video optical modules (optical SFP) by Embrionix.
Matrox will present new additions to all product lines at the 2013 NAB Show, including live streaming production systems, scan converters, multiviewers, I/O devices, OEM products, KVM extenders and video distribution over IP solutions.
This new microdermabrasion training video demonstrates complete protocols from client consultation to step-by-step instructions, with a diamond microdermabrasion machine and a steel tip microdermabrasion machine. Tina Marie Zillmann, past president of AIA, is featured in this microdermabrasion course for aestheticians and skin care experts. Available on pay-per-view and DVD at www.videoshelf.com.
ALi Corporation announced its advanced security cable Pay-TV STB SoC, M3281, will be demonstrated at ALi's booth C12 at SCAT India 2012, India's largest exhibition for Indian Satellite & Cable TV Industry, taking place on November 3-5, 2012 in Mumbai.
ALi Corporation announced its new AVS+DTMB standard definition STB solution, M3381T, will be shipped to MSO in mass production quantity in October, 2012. The M3381T has gained approval from MSO, signifying recognition on ALi's achievement in developing AVS+DTMB set-top-box solutions.
Ventuz Technology, provider of high-end interactive graphics software technologies for advanced 2D/3D real-time broadcast graphic and innovative interactive in-studio applications continues to build momentum worldwide for its software solutions.
ALi Corporation announced its M3911 Networking Media Processor has been selected by VideoWeb to be integrated into the newly launched B12 product line of OTT set top boxes for the international market.
Apantac continues to expand its line of TAHOMA Multiviewers, MT HOOD Extenders & Switches, MAZAMA fiber, and CRESCENT signal processing solutions and is launching many new products at NAB 2012, booth N4806.


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Last week, Antheus Capital revealed what they plan to do with the empty lot at 53rd and Cornell, the site where L3 Development previously sought to build a residential high-rise. So, will Hyde Park be getting another Jeanne Gang-designed high-rise? Nope. Antheus doesn't have plans to build anything big there — not yet, at least. Instead, they'll use the site for a surface parking lot that will serve the two rental high-rises just down the street, Del Prado and East Park Tower. Peter Cassel from Antheus/MAC Properties tells Curbed that the site will be used as a surface lot for the next 18-24 months while the developer figures out what to build there. He says the company's main goal is to ultimately add continuous retail along 53rd street, and also to provide parking for those two nearby rental buildings. Antheus presented their plan to Hyde Park residents a couple weeks ago, and according to the Hyde Park Herald, the meeting was "mildly combative," with residents requesting a larger parking structure. That Herald article also says that Cassel told residents that Antheus would consider building a seven-story parking structure with ground-level retail at that meeting. We'll just have to wait and see.
· Complete Curbed coverage of Hyde Park [Curbed Chicago]


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Ford has churned out a handful of ultra high-performance, one-off, all-electric models in recent years, including the Ford Mustang Mach-E 1400, Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 1400, and the Ford Pro Electric Supervan, the latter of which even went on to secure its own trademark in the U.S. FoMoCo also built the one-off 1978 F-100 Eluminator Concept for SEMA to show off what builders can do with the company’s new electric crate motor offering. Now, it seems as if The Blue Oval is working on yet another showcase for its EV technology – a high-performance Ford F-150 Lightning of some sort.
When it announced that it would be making a return to Formula 1 racing in 2026 last week, FoMoCo showed off some images of all of the aforementioned vehicles, which makes sense given the fact that it intends to develop hybrid/electric tech with its F1-based power units. However, the automaker also shared its strategic global motorsports plan, which includes all of the forthcoming Mustang racing efforts, its F1 entry, off-road racing participation, rally racing, and one very interesting silhouette of what appears to be a high-performance Ford F-150 Lightning of some sort.
The completely blacked-out F-150 Lightning image wears the words “coming soon” on top of it, signaling that something very special is indeed on the way. This image is present in what Ford calls its “EV performance demonstrators” class that includes the F-100 Eluminator, Mach-E 1400, Cobra Jet 1400, and Supervan concepts.
This would seem to indicate that a higher-performance Ford F-150 Lightning is indeed in the works, though it will likely be a one-off build designed to show off the latest in all-electric technology from the automaker. Regardless, given how special its aforementioned counterparts turned out to be, it’ll likely be well worth the wait.
We’ll have more on this new EV performance demonstrator soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, F-150 Lightning news, and non-stop Ford news coverage.
Think of it as a Porsche with a really big trunk.
Max is awesome, single handedly fixed boring F1. Love that Ford is back in F1.


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San Francisco: Samsung’s upcoming Z Fold 5 smartphone will reportedly not come with the rumoured dust resistance feature.
The information came from the tipster @UniverseIce, who claimed that the Z Fold 5 will not feature an IP58 dust and water resistance rating, reports SamMobile.
Instead, it will likely continue to come with an IPX8 rating for water resistance, similar to the Z Fold 3 and the Z Fold 4.
Last month, it was reported that the tech giant would bring the dust resistance feature to the Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 smartphones, which are scheduled to be launched this month.
Earlier, it was rumoured that the company was upgrading the hinge of the Z Fold 5 smartphone which is expected to withstand 2,00,000 folds.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is also likely to feature a 108MP primary rear camera and an in-built stylus pen (S Pen) slot.
Moreover, the device is expected to be priced at $1,699.
The smartphone will likely be available in three colours — Cream, Diamond and Phantom Black — and three online-exclusive colours — Blue, Coral and Platinum.
Last month, the tech giant had announced that it will unveil its next-generation foldable devices at the Galaxy Unpacked event in late July in Seoul.


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L-A-based fashion brand STAUD has announced the launch of its newest accessory, The Moon Bag. Think: a scrupulous attention to detail, a natural opposition to the typical, and a feminine aura that’s equal parts seductive and self-governing.
The bag is a 70’s inspired circular satchel that comes in Fall colours with prices ranging from £265 to £325. The bag was featured in the FW19 collection which debuted on the runway.
The unique yet functional bag stays true to STAUD’s DNA creating a structural, yet functional, shoulder bag for every day.
The bag is available to purchase in two sizes:
- Large Moon in black lizard embossed, tan lizard embossed and cognac leather
- Regular Moon in black lizard embossed, tan leather, raspberry leather, cognac leather, natural embossed snake, caramel embossed snake
For more information visit staud.clothing


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In line with their legacy of recycling scrap lead-acid batteries out of which new batteries are manufactured, Willard® Batteries has launched an exciting addition to the family in a bid to help the environment – the limited-edition Willard® BLUE Battery.
Available at Supa Quick fitment centres, the Willard® BLUE Battery range aims to highlight the threat plastic poses to our oceans and beaches by encouraging the recycling of plastic.
An estimated 8.8 million metric tons of plastic waste is dumped in our oceans each year. The floating plastic poses a serious threat to fish, seabirds, and marine life.
Why should it concern us?:
Willard® Batteries are manufactured in Port Elizabeth and has been present in South Africa since the 1920s. Rated amongst consumers as their favourite battery brand of choice, Willard® Batteries is the preferred supplier of a comprehensive range of premium quality automotive batteries to the replacement market. (Independent Research)


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Whether it’s a large mining company, or a lucky teenager wandering in a national park, the stories of finding diamonds are always framed with a touch of serendipity, and a hearty dose of good fortune. And it’s a story that people everywhere can’t get enough of.
We’ve all heard it before. The older gentleman who takes the family’s heirloom ring to the Antiques Roadshow, only to discover he’s been sitting on a priceless gem – just before he was going to sell it at the pawn shop. Or the mining company, down on its luck, who finally excavates a massive, record-breaking rough diamond. What is it about these stories that people find so appealing? Why is it that finding diamonds – lost in a garbage chute, hidden in a riverbed, or stuffed in the back drawer – that makes us turn our heads and want to hear more?
Finding Diamonds is Winning the Lottery
Of course, a large part of what makes finding diamonds so appealing is the financial angle. Who among us doesn’t secretly hope that our jewelry box inheritance will yield a fabulously expensive find among all the costume jewels? This is exactly what happened recently to a woman in England, who – perhaps wisely – chose to remain anonymous. Meanwhile, her story carried across the globe. In the 1980s, the lucky lady purchased what was believed to be a fake diamond ring for the equivalent of $13 at a car boot sale in west London. Thirty years later, it was discovered that the ‘fake’ diamond was in fact a genuine, 26-carat cushion-shaped diamond from the 1800s. Sotheby’s originally estimated the value of the ring at $300,000-400,000, and it eventually sold at auction at Sotheby’s in London for a whopping $847,667!
How could the diamond have been so misunderstood for so long? According to experts, the diamond was cut in the 1800s, when cutting techniques were far less sophisticated than today. Modern diamond cutting is based on a range of advanced planning technologies that maximize the polished diamond’s sparkle and fire. Back then, primitive cutting techniques resulted in diamonds that were duller, even grayish in appearance. To the modern eye at the local car boot sale, this amazing rare gem seemed like a poor, fake reproduction. Now it has been discovered and sold to an international diamond trader. The diamond will probably be recut using the world’s best technologies, and the new diamonds that result will likely be valued at far more than the original antique diamond.
Perhaps the reason why the story captured the imagination of people all over the world is the secret wish we all have to be ‘that’ person. Or as the head of Sotheby’s jewelry department in London was quoted in the Evening Standard, “Anyone would be [excited] in this position, it’s a life-changing amount of money. No matter what your background is or what your past experiences have been, it’s going to revolutionise someone’s life.”
Searching in the Right Places
Speaking of revolutionizing lives, how about the stories that crop up now and again about the lucky person who finds a diamond when hiking in a national park? Truth be told, diamonds are not just going to turn up in any state park. The stories that come out of the US about people finding diamonds come from the famous Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, a popular tourist site that is the world’s only diamond hunting ground open to the public. The park has a 37.5 acre plowed field where visitors can search for diamonds and semi-precious gemstones. Hundreds of diamonds are found by the public each year, and there are always the ‘stand-out’ stories that get a lot of press. This year, Wendell Fox from Montana found a 2.78 carat diamond at the park. He and his wife had only been searching for an hour and a half before stumbling upon their rare and valuable find. In May, a 25-year-old woman unearthed a 2.65-carat brown diamond. Although brown diamonds are less prized than white, the sheer size of the rough stone makes it an exceptional find worthy of press coverage. And in March, a 14-year-old boy found a 7.44 carat diamond, the seventh largest ever to be found at the Arkansas state park. According to his mother, the boy loves science, particularly rocks and minerals, and he’ll keep the diamond to help with future college fees or the down payment on a house. Me too, please!
Diamond Mines: The Hidden Treasure Trove
Another reason that finding diamonds is such a special and fascinating event is the knowledge that – unless you own a mining company – natural diamonds are impossible to come by. Yet even mining companies come out every now and again with irresistible stories about their diamond finds. Such as the recent discovery made by Gem Diamonds of two diamonds each over 100 carats in size, excavated from its mine in Lesotho in southern Africa. The story broke after a less-than-successful year, in which the company has unearthed ‘only’ five diamonds over 100 carats. To individuals scouring the Arkansas state park, it might sound ridiculous. But to an expensive mining operation working in the competitive global diamond market, these recent finds might just be what the company needed to turn its fortunes around. Good news indeed.
At the end of the day, finding diamonds is more than just about money. The mystical, mysterious and desirable aspect of diamonds, which began even in ancient times, still commands our culture today, in spite of trends in lab-grown diamonds, environmental and social awareness, and a certain cynicism among millennial consumers. That’s why these stories, and thousands more like them, will continue to charm people in the years and centuries ahead.


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Are Consumers Getting Scroogled?
Last week, Microsoft began selling t-shirts, caps, hoodies and coffee mugs in support of "Scroogled," its marketing campaign which bashes Google over privacy issues.
Launched last year with TV ads, a petition and a scroogle.com website, Scroogled focuses on the way Google scans consumers’ e-mails and searches only to use that information to target digital ads or shape web-search results. The campaign encourages consumers to switch to Outlook.com, Hotmail and/or Internet Explorer.
Available on the www.microsoftstore.com, a Scroogled logo t-shirt in Google-font urges wearers to show "the world that you’re tired of having your digital life monetized by Google." The back of the t-shirt reads, "Don’t Get Scroogled!"
Also available is a Chrome-themed "Keep calm while we steal your data" mug ($7.99), and an "I’m Watching You" t-shirt ($11.99), also playing up the Chrome logo.
Much of the product was already sold out by late last week with Microsoft and Google employees assumed to have quickly bought out the stock.
The tech world has largely ridiculed the Scroogled campaign since its launch as sophomoric and hypocritical while Google has called it "intellectually dishonest." But some believe the U.S. National Security Agency spying scandal and other revelations are making the public more concerned about personal privacy. At the least, some feel Google may have to do a better job detailing how they use their access to consumer information.
"What we’ve found is that this Scroogled campaign has struck a chord with consumers," a Microsoft spokesperson told Slate. "They really are concerned with the way Google treats them and their privacy. Hundreds of thousands of people have signed a petition, and millions have visited the website. The T-shirts and the mugs are just a way for people to express their concerns with Google in a different way, but sort of a fun way."
Poking fun at Microsoft’s lack of a Google Glass device, Google’s PR team offered a brief, cheeky response: "Microsoft’s latest venture comes as no surprise; competition in the wearables space really is heating up."
- Shop our Scroogled Products – Microsoft Store
- Microsoft Stocks Up on Anti-Google Merchandise – The Wall Street Journal (sub. required)
- Googlers Love Microsoft’s ‘Scroogled’ Gear. Mug and Shirts Sell Out – Forbes
- Google Is Amused by Microsoft’s Anti-Google T-Shirts – Slate
- Google puts down Microsoft for selling ‘Scroogled’ merchandise – Los Angeles Times (tiered sub.)
What do you think of Microsoft’s Scroogled campaign? Is Google starting to face a bigger backlash over privacy concerns? What’s the likelihood that privacy concerns will be increasingly addressed in marketing approaches?


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RockShox has released the Flight Attendant Upgrade Kit, enabling you to fit the brand’s top-spec suspension technology to your bike.
Previously, Flight Attendant, released in October 2021 , was only available on complete bikes because the technology requires knowledge of a bike’s kinematics. RockShox now has this information from a growing number of bikes and can therefore offer upgrade kits for specific models.
There are three versions of the upgrade kit available, suitable for all-mountain bikes, trail bikes and enduro bikes , according to RockShox.
RockShox says the Flight Attendant Upgrade Kit will be available on the Pike, Lyrik, and ZEB suspension forks, ranging from 140mm to 170mm in travel.
However, the forks are brand, model and year-specific. RockShox is currently only offering a small range for Canyon, Specialized, Trek and YT bikes. RockShox says it is working with OE manufacturers to provide support as new bikes are released.
This kit is similar to the AXS upgrade kit from SRAM, which owns RockShox. RockShox says the kit is compatible with SRAM’s AXS ecosystem and can be connected to AXS controllers. What’s in the RockShox Flight Attendant Upgrade Kit?
RockShox has created three upgrade kits dependent on riding discipline: trail, all-mountain, and enduro.The Trail kit is currently only compatible with the Canyon Neuron 29 (2021-2022). The kit includes a RockShox Pike Ultimate Flight Attendant fork and a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate Flight Attendant rear shock.The all-mountain upgrade kit is available for Canyon’s Spectral (2019-2022) and Spectral:ON (2023), and YT’s Jeffsy 29 (2019-2022). The kit includes […]
Continue reading the original article at: www.bikeradar.com


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Latest 'kasra ghanbari' news
Menton3 Prepares for “IDW Limited: Monocyte”
"Monocyte" co-creator Menton3 and director Jerry Bennington discuss the latest release from the IDW's high-end imprint with the artist sharing the project's origins and updates made for the oversized collection.
IDW Gets Caught Between Warring Races with October’s “Monocyte”
Official Press Release Adding to the growing excitement for San Diego Comic-Con, IDW Publishing today announced MONOCYTE, an all-new four-issue comic series launching in October. Written by breakthrough artist menton3 …


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In the meantime, it was almost forgotten that Ubisoft is working on a large-scale Star Wars title, after all the project was suspiciously quiet since the original confirmation. As for any work, it looks like Ubisoft is now looking for playtesters.
After expiring the limited limited-time exclusivity that let Electronic Arts develop games that existed in the Star Wars universe, it’s known that the popular sci-fi franchise is extending its horizons. Ubisoft has been experimenting with large-scale open-world game in the sci-fi universe since then, and this is finally making progress.
The fact that the Ubisoft Massive development team is now public about its existence and is even looking for games-testers for this project. The Swedish studio has officially been busy with the title since January 2021. Now, the first gamers should be able to enjoy the story-based Star Wars adventure.
In a tweet which was followed, Ubisoft Massive is now looking for testers for the game, and the research is very small. Corresponding play tests should not be processed online, but apparently on site. This is why the wanted playtesters live in Sweden.
We’re looking for playtesters to make this Star Wars project happen.
Massive Entertainment A Ubisoft studio (@UbiMassive) December 16, 2022.
We’re looking for an expert for the Star Wars project. Wed like you to register if you live near Malmo, the tweet said. The Interested parties with whom they apply can register via the official website. As the test is a requirement, the tester is at least 16 years old. Also, when you are a good-looking player who wants all kind of people to get involved, you should welcome everyone. There are also should be financial compensation for the time spent in spieltesting.
While all German players will likely acquire the Ubisoft Massives Star Wars game, it’s still good news that the project has come to a good end in the past few days. Everything isn’t known about it, but is it supposed to be based on the Snowdrop engine? We will keep him updated on any more developments, and Ubisoft is in a good mood to release the official details of the title in the new year 2023.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor TGA 2022 Reveal Trailer: Survivor.
As promised, the official show trailer for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor was shown at the Game Awards.


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Google's Pixel 6 smartphone is generating a lot of buzz ahead of next week's event. However, the launch could also see the official debut of Androids digital vehicle key support.
Although we've known for some time that Android 12 has digital car keys, an update to Google Play Services discovered by XDA Developers suggests that you will soon be able to add your car keys to your phone. Multiple lines of code are included in the update. Some of them may be related to NFC for unlocking cars.
Also, the code suggests that the feature will be limited in scope. This is to be expected considering Google has a tendency to launch new capabilities in select markets first before launching them everywhere.
Users will see prompts to set up the digital car key feature once it starts rolling out. Before you can use the digital car key feature, you will need to install it.
Google revealed that it would adopt digital car keys at Google I/O. This was when it extended its Fast Pair functionality. It uses Bluetooth Low Energy to quickly locate previously paired devices. However, the company did not say when digital car keys could be used. Google worked with car manufacturers in order to make the digital key possible using UWB (ultra wideband) tech and NFC. Ultra-wideband can be used at 100 feet and is being added to premium vehicles and smartphones. NFC, on the other hand, has a shorter range and requires that you tap your phone on an access point. It's similar to having a wireless keyfob that unlocks a car at a distance or a metal key.
G/O Media could receive a $100 commission on Apple AirPods Max dazzling sound and activenoise cancelling, comfort, and integration to Apple devices. Amazon: Buy for $449
Rumours are swirling that the official launch of digital car keys will take place at Google's Oct. 19 launch event. Most likely, Google's premium model, Pixel 6 Pro will include support for UWB unlocking.
Google and Apple have been teasing the possibility of unlocking your car with just a smartphone for a while. Although the UWB technology which enables it is only available to a few Android devices, Apples been bundling the technology in the iPhone 11 since then. Google has only named BMW as a partner, but that could change. While digital car keys may not be perfect substitutes for physical keys, this is the first sign that you will soon be able leave your house with only a smartphone.


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However, a brand can always control its public image up to a certain extent
Along with affecting the patients’ respiratory system, the coronavirus has also caused blatant racism and outrageous memes to emerge on the internet.
And now, the deadly virus might start attacking the consumer market as well.
In recent news, many people believe that the coronavirus has something to do with Corona beer.
Corona beer manufacturer, Anheuser-Busch, is facing a stock market disaster since the end of last year — their shares dropped like crazy and the coronavirus confusion might make it worse.
Insane Google Searches
Let me remind you again: Neither Corona beer nor Anheuser-Busch has anything to do with the coronavirus at all.
But hey, rumors spread faster than the virus. People with access to the internet started searching for the Corona beer virus on Google.
Luckily, the trend is declining now. However, the damage is done. A screenshot from Google Trends shows a spike in “corona beer virus” searches around late January 2020 and early February.
Other nonsensical search terms included “beer virus” and “beer coronavirus.”
Data shows that Denmark and Cambodia were the top two regions for this unusual search.
Whether it’s an advanced Scandinavian country or a developing Asian nation, the panic struck people’s hearts everywhere from the east to the west.
How Did the “Corona” Virus and “Corona” Beer Get Their Names?
Simply put, the word corona means crown in Latin.
Since Corona beer is a Mexican lager, the name is influenced by the Latin language.
The marketing strategy behind the name might have been to make Corona beer consumers feel like a king or queen. Or maybe they wanted to position Corona beer as the king/queen of beers.
Now let’s move onto the virus. The coronavirus gets its name due to the spikes on its edges that make it look like a crown when viewed under a microscope.
Scientists have had a love affair with the Latin language for centuries. Several species of plants and animals have been named in Latin.
Heck, even us humans have a Latin name — homo sapiens — which, in Latin, means “wise man.” But are we all really wise?
Corona Beer Faced the Consequences, but What About Other Products?
There’s no doubt that Corona beer has had a rough patch, but some other industries seem to have hit the jackpot because of this whole situation.
Here in New Zealand, my friend bought two months of food supplies and a mask to protect himself from the virus. He stopped eating outside completely and limited his interactions with people.
This was my firsthand experience of the panic. That’s when I started doing more research on consumer behavior.
In China alone, 80 million masks were sold in just two days. And don’t even get me started on other countries. In New Zealand, when I went to a pharmacy, there was a massive whiteboard that read, “All Masks Are Sold. Please Don’t Ask.”
Imagine the stress the staff might have gone through when people came in and asked for a mask every five minutes. They finally had to put up a whiteboard because their jaws were tired of saying, “Sorry, we ran out of masks.”
It’s fair to assume that the sales of canned food and other food products with a long shelf life must have increased. I don’t have statistics to back it up — so it’s just an assumption.
Was There a Way to Prevent This Panic?
Yes. Education about the virus could have saved Corona beer from getting bad publicity.
And it should have been the responsibility of the decision-makers and marketing executives of the Corona beer brand — not the government.
A simple Facebook or Instagram ad might have been enough to bring the disrepute under control.
For example, I created the following ad using my copywriting skills.
Copywriting by Leo Saini
And the caption space could have been utilized to explain the nomenclature of Corona beer and the coronavirus. You know, the word corona means “crown” in Latin and all that jazz (as explained above).
When it comes to marketing, some factors are just out of any business’s control. The name “corona” turned out to be a disaster for the beer brand’s manufacturers and distributors.
However, a brand can always control its public image up to a certain extent. In events like these, spending money on advertising the fact that Corona beer has nothing to do with the virus might have seemed like an extra ad spend — but it was necessary!
Maybe it’s too late now, or maybe they can still reverse the mess and increase their sales. It’s hard to tell.
Did you ever think that the coronavirus is related to Corona beer? And how has the virus outbreak influenced your buying behavior? Frankly tell.
Next story — learn more about how the Coronavirus is affecting consumer behavior in other sectors and why Zuckerberg canceled a 5000-person conference due to the virus.


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Faye Finaro, aged 37, has graced fashion shoots across the world and featured in a number of top magazines.
When she turned 30, Faye developed a skin condition and it was then she started to look into aesthetics and beauty.
She had an idea about using an app to help match people wanting treatments to businesses offering those treatments.
10 places kids can eat for free in Mansfield during the summer holidays
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The mobile app allows customers to send out beauty treatment requests to hair, beauty and aesthetics businesses within their local area. If the beauty business has availability, they can respond with a quote.
The user can also add photos to help businesses formulate a price.
When an appointment is made, SOS Beauty then takes a commission from that booking.
Faye, who also works in the education sector, said: “Last year, I was nominated as entrepreneur of the year by the Chamber of Commerce after creating a piece of software for the education industry to tackle recruitment issues and then I decided now was the right time to launch the app.
“After realising that I could achieve success with one platform, I knew it was time to come back to my original idea of SOS Beauty. It took me a further six months to bring it to life.”
SOS Beauty has already secured a partnership with Insync Insurance, one of the leading Hair, Beauty and Aesthetics insurers in the UK and she is using her connections within the education industry to continue to improve the app.She hopes to develop a training feature within the app to improve the knowledge of self-employed individuals within the beauty sector around health and safety requirements and other legislation.
To learn more about the app that Faye has developed, visit sosbeauty.co.uk or visit the app store to download the app.


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SunChips Bag Silenced With Rubbery Sound Barrier
The SunChips eco friendly bag has been silenced. Frito Lay has gotten rid of the ear splittingly loud packaging.
Although the idea of a biodegradable bag was a good one, the implementation with the SunChips bag was not good enough. Customers were ray ban sunglasses seriously irritated by the loud rustling. Almost immediately the bag was a problem. ray ban sunglasses A Facebook group called “Sorry But I Can’t Hear You Over This SunChips Bag” drew 44,000 fans. The brand’s sales even dropped by 11 percent in the ray ban sunglasses 52 weeks after the bag was rolled out in March 2010.
Finally, the company simply did away with the new packaging in October in every flavor except for original. Now, Frito Lay beli ray ban sunglasses eves it has found a solution while keeping the eco friendly bag. The company has put a rubbery adhesive between the bag’s two layers that is supposed to act as a noise barrier. The noise level is now at 70 decibels compared to the 85 decibels the original biodegradable SunChips bag had.
You can expect to see the bags on store shelves with Original SunChips packed in them. What did you think of the first biodegradable SunChips bag last year? Did the noise level keep you from buying the tasty snack? Are you willing to give the new one a try?
About the author rayban sunglasses


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Travel Predictions for Parking Owners and Operators (Summer 2021 Edition)
Summer has barely begun, and the summer travel rush is already in full swing. Much was made of the huge numbers of Americans who traveled by air and on the highways over the Memorial Day holiday, and that trend hasn’t let up, and likely won’t. In fact, 77% of Americans say they are planning to take a summer trip this year.
Who can blame them? And, why would you?
After a year stuck at home without vacations, trips to the office, and even trips to sporting events or the theater, Americans are itching to hit the road and live again.
Anyone who has been paying attention over the past year saw this coming, right? Apparently not.
As an example, American Airlines announced that it canceled a thousand flights because they don’t have sufficient staff to handle the massive influx of travelers. Other airlines are in a rush to rehire pilots who were let go during the pandemic or hire new pilots to handle the sudden increase in demand.
This is a huge inconvenience for travelers whose flights are cancelled, and it will hurt the bottom lines of airlines that took a massive hit from the shutdowns resulting from COVID-19. It’s hard to believe that such established companies could have left themselves unprepared for the influx of travelers, but that might just be the case.
Parking owners and organizations with parking facilities can’t afford to make the same mistake. We are about to see a huge increase in parking demand that will result directly from the massive increase in air travel—business and leisure. The trend will start at the airport, where more flyers than usual will drive themselves, still wary of using TNCs or carpools after a year of pandemic. That means that airport parking facilities and off-site lots serving flyers are going to face unprecedented demand.
The trend will continue when the plane lands. There’s already a nationwide shortage of rental cars and that’s just going to get worse as the summer progresses. And when those rental cars hit the roads, local parking supplies are going to be pushed to the limit. For instance, hotel parking garages are going to see unprecedented influxes of demand, as will local attractions and entertainment venues. Downtown parking facilities, both municipal and private, will face the same pressures.
It’s not just the increase in travelers. Public planning experts are also predicting a “carpocolypse” caused by people taking their own vehicles rather than crowded public transportation. All those cars are going to be competing for limited parking spaces.
So, what can parking owners and operators do to prepare for this unprecedented demand?
First, make sure that all parking and revenue control equipment (PARCS) is in good shape and working as it should. Extra demand means extra wear and tear on equipment, and you can’t afford to have your PARCS equipment break down when lines of cars are at your door looking for a space. Now is the time to bring in your PARCS partner to do maintenance and any repairs that are necessary.
If your lot or garage isn’t gated, it’s a good time to remedy that, too. It’s not just your tenants, or your guests, or your customers who are going to use your facilities if they aren’t protected with gates. It will also be unauthorized parkers who can’t find someplace else to park—and they’ll be taking parking spaces from the people who should be using them.
That means hotels not having sufficient parking for guests; shopping centers not having enough parking for customers; and restaurants and entertainment venues not having adequate parking for patrons. And at the end of the day, it means lost business and a hit to the bottom line.
Parking guidance can also help manage this new demand. By guiding drivers directly to available spaces, guidance technology improves the parking experience, eliminates congestion within parking facilities and on roadways adjacent to the entrances of garages and lots, and makes facilities safer by reducing the risk of collision (either between vehicles or between vehicles and drivers who have parked and are walking to elevators). Modern guidance technology costs a fraction of traditional single space systems, are just as accurate, and can pay for themselves in just a few months.
Don’t make the same mistake some in the airline industry have. We aren’t just going to see a return to pre-pandemic travel trends; we are already seeing unprecedented increases in travel, and this is going to lead to record parking demand. That’s really the “new normal” in parking, so prepare for that new demand today.
You won’t be sorry—and your bottom line will benefit greatly.


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Oswestry shops left deflated by balloon festival
Town centre businesses lost trade to on-street vendors placed directly outside their premises during what should have been a bumper weekend, a cafe owner has claimed.
Oswestry Balloon Carnival saw thousands of people descend on Oswestry over the weekend to see the spectacle of hot air balloons filling the skies above Cae Glas Park.
But some town centre businesses were left deflated by a "lack of consideration" by organisers in the positioning of catering vans.
Darren Davies, who owns the Old Coffee Pot and Tea Rooms in Church Street, was shocked to see a catering truck pitched up directly outside his premises on Saturday.
It came as a particular blow because the coffee pot had got into the spirit of the festivities by putting on a special menu and arranging later opening.
But Darren said the catering outlets were completely blocking off the street's shops meaning he had barely a handful of customers through the door for the duration of the festival.
He said: "We were led to believe the food stalls would be selling continental food. We decided to sell burgers and hot dogs, only to find a burger van had been allocated its space in front of us.
"As the menu was deliberately designed for the balloon festival, we purchased many items we don't normally serve, thus resulting in most of the stock being thrown away due to it being of no use to us.
"Those loyal customers who came in to support us had no view of the park and the balloons due to the large vans blocking our window.
"As a small but very successful business, we were horrified at the lack of consideration made by the organisers.
"We advertised our menu in advance, and had a board displayed outside with balloons to incorporate the theme, although this was missed by many hundreds of visitors, due again to the stalls blocking our business."
The coffee shop made only 10 per cent of its expected sales on Saturday, despite staying open late until 10pm.
On Sunday the shop had planned to be open from noon until 6pm, but Darren took the decision to close at 3pm after taking just £20 in three hours.
Darren added: "The balloon festival was a massive deal for Oswestry and for us and I want it to happen every year, but I don't want this to happen again.
"We just want to get our point across to the organisers that there are plenty of places to put things."
Oswestry town clerk Arren Roberts said: "This sort of feedback is extremely important if we are to continue with the balloon festival and the success that it was this year.
"We will work with partners to continue to improve what we have done. Generally it was well-received by businesses.
"We will take this feedback on board and continue to work with local businesses to improve things."


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Massive news over the weekend as hacker prodigy Geohot, who’s claim to fame is being the first hacker to successful break one of the iPhone’s system. Geohot posted this on his website:
I have read/write access to the entire system memory, and HV level access to the processor. In other words, I have hacked the PS3. The rest is just software. And reversing. I have a lot of reversing ahead of me, as I now have dumps of LV0 and LV1. I've also dumped the NAND without removing it or a modchip.
3 years, 2 months, 11 days...thats a pretty secure system
The reaction from the hacker community is first that of disbelief, as there have been many such claims in the past that turned out to be scams. But Geohot’s reputation as an iPhone hacker made the news very believable although some remain skeptical until hard proof comes out of a successful hack.
The hacker remains cautious not to reveal too much info to Sony although he did state that the theory is unpatchable. If you own a PS3, I suggest not updating it any further in case the hack won’t work with newer firmware. A few other hackers close to Geohot have confirmed his hack on the website leading even more credence to the news.
Geohot’s objective of hacking the PS3 is to unsigned code which makes it possible for the homebrew community to have full access to Sony’s hardware. A side-effect to this would be that it would now be possible to run pirated games on the PS3, provided you have the money to invest in a Blu-ray burner and on the Blu-ray discs, both of which are prohibitively priced at the moment.
Some have expressed hope in having the hack allow running ISO games directly from the PS3’s hard drive, eliminating the need to purchase any expensive equipment. For all intents and purposes, the hack that Geohot will release will not feature any of these illegal copy-protection circumventions, although enterprising Chinese hackers will surely come in to fill this massive void.
Finally, the hack was accomplished without using any modchips. However Geohot did not mention whether the complicated setup he has on his PS3 is necessary to execute the hack, or is merely there to help him find the vulnerability that allowed for the hack to happen.


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Last week Amazon announced Echo Show, a major upgrade of its Echo “smart speaker” product line, which utilizes Amazon’s “Alexa” voice-driven digital assistant. Amazon already dominates the smart speaker category with 70% market share. Echo Show adds a camera and screen, raising the bar by bringing the voice-driven interface to video applications. Amazon’s announcement speaks of hands-free video calls, viewing shopping lists and lyrics from your music, monitoring security cameras, and many other things.
We could be on the cusp of another “iPhone moment”. The launch of the iPhone ten years ago began a fundamental transformation of the mobile device market from unwired phones to a new computing and communications platform which has now become dominant, especially with younger people. That in turn changed much of the business world and created a new set of tech giants. Something like that looks to be happening again now. Bill Gross, founder of IdeaLab, the original venture incubator, argues that Echo sales are on pace with 1st year iPhone sales, even though an Echo serves a household, while an iPhone serves an individual.
Voice-driven computing crossed a threshold a couple of years ago and became truly useful for non-specialized applications like smart speakers. I’ve been a Google Voice user for 5+ years. Google Voice will transcribe your voice mails and send them to you as emails, among other things. Five years ago, the transcription results were useful: you could generally tell who was calling and what about. But they were full of errors, some of them rather funny. Now Google Voice’s transcriptions are very understandable and often flawless. Voice to text conversion is the key technology that enables smart speakers to input voice instructions into a computer driven system that provides a service, like Echo. It is now ready for prime time.
Voice-driven computing is likely to greatly broaden the market for digital cloud-based services, which includes most of what Amazon, Google, Facebook, Snap, etc. do. Almost everyone in the first world has a capable smart phone now, but the big innovations in the mobile ecosystem occur most often among Millennials. They are not only digital natives but also mobile natives (at least the younger ones). A lot of that generation’s culture developed in the smart phone medium, and they are generally better at typing information into the phone than we older folks. However, the smart home, of which the Echo is the hub, appeals to people of all generations (see chart above). And, voice-driven devices liberate users from the on-screen keyboard. In my circle of friends, it’s not just the young geeks who proudly report buying an Echo and are eager to show it off; it’s a broad cross section.
Voice-driven computing is a powerful enabler of the Internet of Things (IoT). The technology pieces of IoT have been available for a decade or more. It has been waiting for a “killer app” to bring the market to critical mass, what spreadsheets did for PCs. Until recently, only a limited set of IoT use cases have been in any real demand. Now we see the general home-control application taking off with the rise of Echo/Alexa and similar. If this creates a critical mass of installed hardware and engaged users, then many additional IoT applications can emerge much more quickly.
Probably the biggest impact of voice-driven computing lies beyond IoT. Amazon makes it easy for Echo users to order products in the moment when they recognize a need: “Alexa, we need more diapers. Please repeat our last order. Make it next-day delivery.” The Echo enables Amazon to capture the household shopping list and have first shot at fulfilling it. We’re just at the beginning of discovering what can be done on this platform, where the smart phone was in 2008 or so.
So, for almost any entrepreneur or business owner, it’s important to consider what it means if voice-driven computing becomes the next big computing/communications platform – if we are at another “iPhone moment”. Here are some useful questions to explore:
- How will e-commerce (or all commerce) be affected by the voice-driven platform? Mobile profoundly changed commerce, giving rise to Uber, for example. Amazon’s “shop in the moment” strategy is one example of a new kind of e-commerce created by voice-driven computing. What else?
- How will communication be affected? Mobile gave rise to new communication modes based on photos, like Instagram and Snap. The screen and camera built into the Echo Show indicate that Amazon will target communication applications: it talks about making hands-free video calls and voice calls from any room in the house using Echo Dot extensions.
- How will search and advertising change? Voice-driven search is already a key component of smart speakers. Advertising is profoundly different on mobile devices where data display is based on a feed or card paradigm rather than a web page, which has room for ads around the edges. Mobile media platforms like Facebook had to work out how to insert ads into the feed. Will my smart speaker start to broadcast audio ads, like some web pages? I’d be tempted to fix that with a hammer, unless of course I’m addicted to the value I’m otherwise getting from the platform.
- Entertainment? Already Alexa plays music. With internet-connected displays, the same could be done for video. The Echo becomes the distribution channel for media, with Amazon giving its products prime placement and gathering the usage data. Netflix, take note.
This is a very early and incomplete set of questions. As voice-driven computing continues to grow, entrepreneurs need to keep a sharp eye out for the ways in which it will change their businesses, the threats it poses and, more important, and opportunities it creates. This could be another big bang in the information world, one from which we are already hearing the echoes.


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DuPont Co. is known for its dominance in chemicals, but since becoming chief executive officer in 2009, Ellen Kullman has pushed the 210-year-old company into unexpected new businesses. Kullman discusses her plans in Bloomberg Businessweek’s Aug. 13 edition.
General Motors Co.’s decision to name Mary Barra -- trained as an engineer -- as chief executive officer extends the ranks of women with prowess in science and technology at the highest levels of corporate America.
DuPont Co., the biggest U.S. chemical maker by market value, posted third-quarter profit that beat analysts’ estimates on higher sales volumes at units that make materials for solar panels and bullet-resistant vests.
Eli Lilly & Co. Chief Executive Officer John Lechleiter said during a panel discussion in Washington that U.S. lawmakers should renew the research-and- development tax credit to make it easier for companies to compete globally. The Oct. 5 event, sponsored by Harvard University and the Business Roundtable and hosted by Bloomberg News in Washington, centered on ways to spur innovation.
DuPont Co., the biggest producer of titanium dioxide pigment, is considering whether earnings volatility from the whitening chemical mean the business should be sold, Chief Executive Officer Ellen Kullman said.
Five corporate executives and seven university leaders discussed with John Holdren, President Barack Obama’s science adviser, and David Kappos, head of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, ways to boost the economy through promoting innovation during an Oct. 5 event in Washington sponsored by Harvard University and the Business Roundtable and hosted by Bloomberg News.


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Twitter head Elon Musk made a compelling announcement on Friday that Microsoft Corporation obtained “exclusive access to the entire Open AI codebase” So what…
Two SA comedians car guard in the US to buy iPhone and Xbox [video]
There is no doubt that we all love tech gadgets. True enthusiasts might even tell you that you need them. All the same, tech gadgets offer convenience and good times. It is also true that our gadget love often leaves us reaching deep into our pockets.
What jobs would you do for the latest gadgets?
Read more: Could Mumford and Sons be to blame for all those baby pics polluting your Facebook feed?
Well two South African comedians hired themselves as car guards in the US and tried to make some money. Nic Smal and Gareth Allison, the guys behind Derick watts and The Sunday Blues, were recently in the US and decided to try and make money to buy their kids an iPhone and an Xbox.


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Microsoft India today said that it is collaborating with Invest India, India’s national investment promotion and facilitation agency, to support tech startups in the country. They have identified 11 startups spanning various industries such as agriculture, defence & security, IT/ITeS, e-mobility, waste management, and financial services as part of the support program.
Microsoft for Startups program will work closely with Accelerating Growth of New India’s Innovations (AGNIi Mission), a government program that convenes India’s finest technologies with their potential adopters. Housed and executed by Invest India, AGNIi Mission helps startups become enterprise ready.
- It’s no surprise: Microsoft pulls the plug on Windows 10X
- Windows 10X doesn’t support standard Windows 10 apps
Plenty of tech backing to startups
The startups selected to be a part of the Microsoft for Startups program will gain access to a plethora of benefits, including Azure credits, as well as support for technology and business acceleration.
Startups will be able to utilize Microsoft technology including Azure, GitHub, and M365, allowing them to quickly build and run their businesses.
The selected startups will also get personalized technical sessions, content, and mentorship. Moreover, they will be able to leverage Microsoft’s Azure Marketplace, enterprise sales team, and the rapidly growing partner ecosystem to develop and execute their go-to-market strategies.
Deepak Bagla, MD & CEO, Invest India, was quoted as saying in a company press release, “Fostering strong ties with the top enterprises in the world to nurture Indian innovation is one of the most important contributions of AGNIi in ensuring India’s continued strength in the global economy.”
Emily Rich, Director of Startups – APAC, Microsoft, said, “Combining the reach of Invest India’s AGNIi Mission with the tech and business resources of Microsoft for Startups, this is an exciting opportunity for startups to accelerate their aspirations for enterprise readiness.”
The startups shortlisted are: Amplearth Packaging & Systems, Arishti CyberTech, Daybest Research, Go Buzzr (Dev BeeTech), Prkruti (Jal Technologies), Sandbird Research & Development, Vasudhaika Software (Kalgudi Digital), Vecmocon Technologies, Whrrl Fintech Solutions, YCLEPT 4E Labs and Yuktix Gidabits.
Ex-Editor News Today. Humorist, Tech Writer on @Techradarindia, also writes Sports, Films


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Finding a place to berth your yacht in Monaco’s Port Hercule or Fontvieille marinas is tougher than you can possibly imagine, especially during the height of the summer season. But starting next year there’s going to be an exciting new option for all yacht owners or charterers, just a few minutes outside of Monaco.
Cala del Forte is a brand new 178-berth marina, opening soon just over the French / Italian border at Ventimiglia, which is less than 8 miles by water from the Principality. Ports of Monaco is also behind this glitzy new marina and re-imagined it as a state of the art sister to their existing marinas in Monaco.
The new port will be officially opened in June 2020 and it’s ready to accommodate yachts up to 230 feet, promising the same level of safety, service and meticulous Monégasque attention to detail, with regular transfers from the Principality.
Cala del Forte will feature 35 upscale shops and restaurants, state of the art security cameras, underground parking for up to 577 cars and it will offer haul-out for vessels up to 100 feet and a substantial fueling depot, with water depths of up to 18 feet.
Work on Ventimiglia’s marina started in 2008 and even though the initial plans were for a 348-slip marina for boats up to 60-foot and the distinctive semi-circular seawall was built pretty fast, construction was halted in 2013 amid rumors of Mafia money laundering. Three years later Monaco stepped in to rescue the half completed project and acquired the lease from the municipality of Ventimiglia until 2094.
Ports of Monaco pledged to invest around $94 million to complete this ambitious project by the end of 2019 and very soon this marina will be ready for its grand opening. For Monaco Cala del Forte was a much needed investment, because it’s almost impossible to enlarge their two existing ports, Hercule and Fontvieille, and the Principality simply needs a lot more berths.
We’re not sure if this would also transform tourism in the small Italian beach town of Ventimiglia, but the glitz and glam of Monaco will surely come here as well.


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NEW YORK — Wet Seal Thursday became the third teen retail firm to pull back earnings estimates based on sluggish July sales.
This story first appeared in the August 2, 2002 issue of WWD. Subscribe Today.
Anemic sales, primarily in Florida and Texas, will pull Wet Seal Inc.’s comparable-store sales down into the mid-single-digit range in July, while the firm’s second-quarter earnings per share will be up to a nickel below Wall Street’s estimates.
The Foothill Ranch, Calif.-based firm said the softness in Florida was due to a year-ago sales-tax promotion that was not repeated. Texas’ shortfall was attributed to a later start for the back-to-school season.
While analysts were expecting Wet Seal to post second-quarter earnings of 17 cents, the firm projected they will be in the 12- to 14-cent range. Wet Seal earned 12 cents a share during last year’s second quarter after adjusting for May’s three-for-two stock split.
Shares of the firm dropped $2.71, or 17.3 percent, to close at $13 in Nasdaq trading Thursday.
As reported, Gadzooks and Hot Topic also pulled back earnings estimates earlier this week.


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Pharrell Williams Joins Doodles NFT Project as Chief Brand Officer
Doodles has become the top-traded NFT collection on OpenSea over the past 24 hours, with its floor price jumping roughly 9.8%.
- Pharrell Williams has joined Ethereum NFT project Doodles as its Chief Brand Officer.
- Williams will also serve as an executive producer on a Doodles-themed music album, dubbed "Doodles Record: Volume 1," to be released by Columbia Records.
- Doodles also announced that it had raised an undisclosed amount in its first funding round led by venture capital firm Seven Seven Six.
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Alongside the Pharrell Williams partnership, Doodles also announced its first-ever capital raise led by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian’s venture capital firm, Seven Seven Six.
Pharrell Williams Becomes Doodles CBO
Pharrell Williams has expanded his presence in the NFT space by going “all-in” with Doodles.
The artist and music producer has joined Doodles as its Chief Brand Ambassador and board member, the NFT project announced Wednesday at an event hosted alongside the NFT NYC conference. “I’m here to announce that I will be joining Doodles as a member of the board and Chief Brand Officer,” Williams said in a pre-recorded video message at the event. “When the Doodles team presented its vision for business, I was immediately all-in,” he said.
Williams will guide the collection’s approach to music, events, artwork, consumer products, and animation. He will also produce a Doodles-inspired music album, dubbed “Doodles Record: Volume 1,” in partnership with Columbia Records and other major musicians. Williams said he had long admired the Doodles brand from afar and was “beyond enthusiastic” to partner with the project. “This partnership is going to foster incredible innovation in media and entertainment,” he said, adding that the team will “build from the core community outward, and bring Doodles to new heights, new levels.”
Doodles is a collection of 10,000 generative NFTs featuring various colorful line-drawn characters, including cats, aliens, apes, and skeletons. Launched in October 2021, the project quickly grew into one of the most valuable collections within the profile picture NFT niche, achieving so-called “blue chip” status within months. The project is co-founded and led by Evan Keast and Jordan Castro, who in 2017 helped launch the first blockchain-based game, CryptoKitties, along with Scott Martin, known under his pseudonym Burnt Toast, who is the project’s lead visual artist.
Besides the Williams partnership news, Doodles also announced that it had raised an undisclosed amount in its first funding round led by renowned venture capital firm Seven Seven Six.
As an early @doodles holder (I bought a slew that looked like my daughter like 8 months ago) I was thrilled when my partner at @sevensevensix, @katelin_cruse, told me we'd be leading the first round of financing for Doodles. pic.twitter.com/JTCnXejBj2
— AlexisOhanian7⃣7⃣6⃣ (@alexisohanian) June 22, 2022
Commenting on the raise in a pre-recorded video shared on Twitter, the co-founder of Reddit and founder of Seven Seven Six, Alexis Ohanian, applauded the Doodles team saying that what the project had achieved so far was “remarkable,” He also commented on why his firm decided to invest in Doodles, explaining that he had initially bought several Doodles avatars that looked like his daughter when the project launched. “what they’re going to do in the years to come—it’s something we just could not pass up on,” he said.
The floor price of the Doodles collection jumped by roughly 9.8% on the news today, surging from 12.95 ETH to 15.75 ETH before cooling off slightly. Per flips.finance data, Doodles also flipped the highest valued NFT collection, Bored Ape Yacht Club, to become the most traded collection over the past 24 hours, with a daily trading volume reaching 1,834 ETH.
Disclosure: At the time of writing, the author of this article owned ETH and several other cryptocurrencies.


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Following acquisition talks in April, FedEx Corporation (FDX - Analyst Report) has finally reached an agreement to acquire TATEX Express. French-based TATEX Express provides courier and express transport services to industrial customers across Europe and international markets.
Although the terms of the deal remain undisclosed, we expect FedEx to gain from TATEX’s proven market position. TATEX ships 19 million parcels annually, accounting for 150 million Euros in sales revenue.
Following the announcement of the proposed acquisition of Opek Sp.z o.o, this remains the second move by the company to enter the European package delivery market.
FedEx comes second in the sector to carry out strategic acquisitions by targeting smaller businesses.It follows the $6.77 billion ($5.16 billion euro) pipeline acquisition of Dutch shipping company TNT Express by the largest package delivery company, United Parcel Service (UPS - Analyst Report).
Prior to TATEX, FedEx proposed to acquire Opek Sp.z o.o. Upon completion of the acquisition, it is estimated to garner annual revenue and shipments of $70 million and 12.5 million, respectively.
We believe that the acquisition pattern of FedEx remains impressive as these smaller acquisitions with their diversified businesses will enable the company to spread its wings across a variety of target markets. For instance, TATEX is typically involved in a B2B process. On the other hand, Opek has a business of standard parcel delivery across Poland, mostly involving Ground deliveries.
Further, these two companies have different networks of operation. TATEX is focused on business across France and international markets, while Opek’s business is typically concentrated in Poland. We believe the acquisition of these small companies, which have a strong foothold in local markets, will help FedEx gain from the fragmented European package delivery market.
In financial terms, overall exposure to risk also remains low for FedEx, given the smaller size of these businesses. It also entails lower investment compared to UPS' ambitious TNT Express acquisition plan.
TNT Express remains a promising bet for United Parcel with annual revenues of more than €45 billion ($60 billion) but considering the economic upheavals in the global market, uncertain business results from even giant corporations cannot be completely ruled out.
Overall, it remains difficult to quantify the near-term financial gains that these companies (FedEx and UPS) will derive out of their European expansion, where sovereign debt concerns could significantly weigh on the economic recovery. However, long-term prospects of these acquisitions look promising.
There are foreseeable opportunities not only in Europe but in emerging markets like China, India, Japan and Brazil, as well as other Asian markets for international growth.
Currently, FedEx retains a Zacks #3 Rank (short-term Hold recommendation). We also reiterate our long-term Neutral rating on the stock.


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Plan B? Ethereum Innovators Are Reviving the Fight for Net Neutrality
by Michael del Castillo
The central banks of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are reportedly testing a new cryptocurrency for cross-border payments.
Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen called bitcoin a "highly speculative asset" during her final press conference today
The South Korean government is considering a range of policy options in order to curb what it called an "overheating of virtual currency speculation."
New York prosecutors have filed charges against a man alleged to have been involved in the theft of more than $1.8 million worth of ether.
The company most widely associated with crowdfunding won't be shifting its business model to accommodate so-called initial coin offerings (ICOs).
Blockchain startup Colu has secured $14.5 million in new funding from a major business group in Israel.
Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne has partnered with a well-known economist on a new blockchain land registry venture, and might sell the firm to fund it.
Bitcoin may be at all-time highs, but it's also at a potentially key crossroads for its price, chart data shows.
The price of ether, ethereum's native token, hit a new all-time high of $686 today, and the price chart analysis suggests the rally could continue.
David Marcus, vice president of messaging products at Facebook and ex-PayPal president, has joined the board of directors at Coinbase.
Japanese internet giant GMO revealed yesterday that it soon allow staff to receive some of their salary in bitcoin.
The partners say the blockchain technology speeds up data delivery from the index provider, removes the need for manual intervention and lowers risk.
While we're still a long way from mass adoption, this is a moment of global awareness and dialogue that is opening up a wide array of possibilities.


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Tesla announced last year it was moving into the world of cryptocurrency after purchasing $1.5 billion worth of Bitcoin.
Soon after they became the first automaker to accept cryptocurrency as a method of payment for their vehicles.
Less than two months later however, Tesla abruptly removed the option from their website. CEO Elon Musk explained the decision through a prepared statement on Twitter, saying it was done because of concerns about the use fossil fuels in Bitcoin mining.
Some questioned if that was the true motive behind the decision, but based on comments made by Tesla board member Kimbal Musk, that is exactly what happened.
In an interview at the Ethereum Denver conference yesterday, Kimbal said Tesla didn’t realize just how much of an impact bitcoin mining had on the environment prior to making the $1.5BN purchase. (via TechCrunch)
“When we invested in Bitcoin, we were very ignorant. We had no idea of the environmental impact, we literally didn’t know, we were like this seems like a good store of value and a good way to diversify assets.”
Kimbal explained that after announcing the purchase they became inundated with messages alerting them to the environmental impacts, which went against Tesla’s mission.
“And of course, it didn’t take very long to get a million — I’m not kidding probably a million — messages telling us what we were doing to the environment. And of course, our company is about creating alternative energy futures so we really were not informed enough when we made that decision.”
Kimbal went on to explain that Tesla isn’t against adding Bitcoin back to their website, it just won’t happen until the environmental impact has been reduced. Last year Elon Musk said renewable energy usage in Bitcoin mining and transactions needs to increases to at least 50% in order to do so.
You can watch Kimbal’s full interview below. The Bitcoin comments start at 6:10.


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Here’s an item that doesn’t seem to have gotten too much play in the traditional comics media: as revealed on their Comic-Con pageShiftylook has signed up Homestuck’s Andrew Hussie. ShiftyLook, you’ll recall, launched last year as a webcomic spinoff of some old Namco Bandai games, and they’ve continued on with animation and other multi media stuff.
SHIFTYLOOK WELCOMES ANDREW HUSSIE TO THE SHIFTYLOOK FAMILY
We’re excited to announce that ShiftyLook has secretly been working with the extraordinarily awesome champion of the Internet Andrew Hussie to create something new! And even better, Mr. Hussie himself will be participating in several ShiftyLook-related events at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con!
Hussie has a huge—and I do mean HUGE—following for his sprawling Homestuck megaopus, and this is sure to get a lot of attention.


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Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products.
After having already acquired a stake in Beats Audio, HTC is reportedly looking to expand its reach even further, with the help of a new music streaming service. That's according to a report from GigaOM, which cites unnamed sources "familiar with the company's plans." These plans apparently include a new line of tablets and handsets, along with the aforementioned streaming service, to be spearheaded by Jimmy Iovine -- Beats head and Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M. Details, of course, remain scarce, but GigaOM's sources say that the service will be included as a default client in HTC's handsets and tablets, and that it could launch as early as this month, at Mobile World Congress. The idea, apparently, is to differentiate Peter Chow's company from its competitors, and it's one that's been in the works for quite some time. Insiders say the manufacturer is planning to launch a new tablet at this year's MWC, as well, and is reportedly working on a new, Bluetooth-controlled wireless boombox. We'll have to wait a bit longer to see whether any of this actually plays out, but we'll certainly be keeping close watch over it.


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Google Pixel 5 and 4a 5G are required to make a big appearance one week from now, and the web crawler goliath has just affirmed the cost for the Pixel 4a 5G, which will cost $500, however the estimating for the Pixel 5 is yet to be affirmed.
As indicated by insider Jon Prosser, the 128GB variation for the Pixel 5 will cost $700, and another prominent leakster Evan Blass anticipates that the handset should have a similar value go in Canada – CAD 900. This additionally lines up with the past report that originated from Vodafone Germany that released the €630 sticker price. This is on the grounds that estimating changes somewhat in various districts because of various duty rates.
Also, we definitely realize that the Pixel 5 will have a 90Hz revive rate on head of a 6-inch 1080p board. In contrast to the past base model Pixels, this one will be a mid-officer controlled by the Snapdragon 765G, equivalent to the Pixel 4a 5G. We anticipate that the Pixel 5 XL should be the main leader telephone in the arrangement and the 5G model for Pixel 5 is relied upon to have more RAM.
Notwithstanding, the $200 distinction in valuing for the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G doesn’t bode well because of comparative details. Yet, since the $700 cost isn’t yet affirmed, there is still expectation.
The Google Pixel 5 and 4a 5G are dispatching one week from now on September 30.