text:
|By Marketwired .||
|February 10, 2014 06:30 AM EST||
NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 02/10/14 -- Greene Concepts, Inc. (OTC Pink: LKEN) announced today that it has entered the exploding hemp industry, with the upcoming launch of a hemp-centric website. Through its cutting edge website, LKEN will promote its lines of hemp-based ink, hemp paper and other related products. Its new website, which will deploy fully integrated multi-platform content and content marketing management software and facilitate B2B and B2C hemp transactions will be open to hemp-related products and services from businesses, industry experts, growers, users and more.
Lenny Greene, LKEN's CEO, stated, "We are extremely excited about our move into the hemp industry, a move that has been carefully planned over the past year and recently picked up additional momentum as it became increasingly apparent that the Farm Bill, which was signed into law by the President last Friday, would actually become law after four years of Congressional haggling. We believe the provisions that bring the reality of the legalization of industrial hemp production into view will serve as a boon to the hemp industry immediately, as well in the long term. And, it goes without saying, almost, that our efforts within the hemp industry will get a significant boost from the exploding medical marijuana and adult use marijuana markets, both current and future." Mr. Greene further stated that LKEN's move into a "green" industry provides a significant opportunity to grow the company's revenue base through sales of hemp-based ink and hemp paper, as well as many other hemp related products and, indeed, web-related revenues also.
To demonstrate the historical use of hemp in the U.S., Washington State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, notes "Even the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper."
Mr. Greene adds, "Involvement in the industrial hemp industry supports LKEN's company goals of revenue growth, increased distribution networks, and web/social media presence, and also helps us introduce new and exciting products to the masses."
Details About the Hemp Industry and Hemp Products:
Hemp is among the oldest industries on the planet, going back more than 10,000 years to the beginnings of pottery. Industrial hemp comes from the cannabis plant. The hemp plant has thousands of positive industrial uses to include biofuels, biodegradable plastics, clothing, beauty products, food, rope, canvas, paints, paper, fiberboard, cement blocks, and cellophane. Hemp is the longest and strongest natural fiber known to man. It also provides a sustainable, renewable, and natural alternative to toxic fossil fuels and helps contribute to the rejuvenation of our atmospheric air quality.
Sources - http://www.truthabouthemp.org/
Details of the Farm Bill
The Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill) is important legislation that provides authorization for services and programs that impact every American and millions of people around the world. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. President Barack Obama signed the $956 billion farm bill into law on Friday, February 7, 2014. The president noted that the law supports not only farmers and ranchers but poor families on food stamps, researchers working on biofuels, and businesses developing and exporting new products from rural America.
The final 2014 Farm Bill agreement included a provision that would allow institutions of higher education and state departments of agriculture to grow or cultivate industrial hemp for research purposes. This is allowed only for states where industrial hemp farming is already legal under state law.
It also requires that the sites used by universities and agriculture department be certified by -- and registered with -- the state department of agriculture. This provision will allow universities and agricultural departments to study industrial hemp for its possible future use as a commercial product.
States such as: California, Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, and Vermont which currently have laws to promote the growth and marketing of industrialized hemp. Thirteen other states have introduced or carried over industrial hemp legislation to include: Arizona, Hawaii, Indiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey (carried over from 2013), New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington (two bills carried over from 2013), West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Sources - http://www.ncsl.org/research/agriculture-and-rural-development/state-industrial-hemp-statutes.aspx, http://www.votehemp.com/federal.html#FarmBill, http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=farmbill, http://news.yahoo.com/obama-signs-sprawling-farm-bill-lauds-rural-progress-214914343--sector.html,
About Greene Concepts, Inc.
Greene Concepts, Inc. (http://www.greeneconcepts.com/) is an ink technology Manufacturing and Distribution Company headquartered in Fresno, CA. Chairman and Founder Lenny Greene has spent the past 30 years serving the printing needs of businesses and consumers. Greene Concepts intends to be the catalyst for the introduction of a number of innovative products and marketing strategies, including its announced hemp-centric website, and to bring the world the best products at the lowest prices so consumers and business can save time, save money, print more and print better.
AccuBrite, Inc. (http://accubrite.com/) creator of FreeInk4Life, Refills4You, INKWAY USA and INK-Telligence has developed a family of 25 "Do It Yourself Ink Cartridge Refilling Systems." All refilling tools, accessories, filling stations, interactive CD-Rom instruction manual including bonus software, 24/7 customer service / tech support and unlimited ink refills are available. Consumers can now save thousands of dollars annually without replacing their inkjet cartridges using ABI's top of the line refill kits. AccuBrite, Inc. is the manufacturing arm of Greene Concepts, Inc.
INKWAY USA (http://www.inkwayusa.com/) is a consumer direct marketing ink and toner technology Distribution Company. We market and sell over 1000 advanced and exceptional proprietary ink and toner "Do It Yourself" Refilling Systems and other products for all inkjet and toner cartridges. Marketing, sales, and fulfillment for retail products are coordinated at its offices in Fresno, CA. Consumers and businesses save thousands of dollars annually buying our products. INKWAY USA will also compete in the global market place by marketing and signing distributors in Europe, The Pacific Rim, and Asia. INKWAY USA is now ready to grow exponentially with their soon-to-be released proprietary Synergy Distributor Program (SDP) and take a large stake in the over $70 billion per year ink and toner industry through an unparalleled, innovative marketing strategy that utilizes virtually no competition -- all while offering unmatched cost savings and product quality for individual ink and toner consumers and large businesses alike.
Safe Harbor: This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and OTC Markets, Inc. OTC Disclosure and News Service. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Greene Concepts, Inc.
The Domain Name Service (DNS) is one of the most important components in networking infrastructure, enabling users and services to access applications by translating URLs (names) into IP addresses (numbers). Because every icon and URL and all embedded content on a website requires a DNS lookup loading complex sites necessitates hundreds of DNS queries. In addition, as more internet-enabled ‘Things' get connected, people will rely on DNS to name and find their fridges, toasters and toilets. According to a recent IDG Research Services Survey this rate of traffic will only grow. What's driving t...
May. 26, 2015 09:00 AM EDT Reads: 5,326
The 4th International Internet of @ThingsExpo, co-located with the 17th International Cloud Expo - to be held November 3-5, 2015, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA - announces that its Call for Papers is open. The Internet of Things (IoT) is the biggest idea since the creation of the Worldwide Web more than 20 years ago.
May. 26, 2015 09:00 AM EDT Reads: 2,182
Today’s enterprise is being driven by disruptive competitive and human capital requirements to provide enterprise application access through not only desktops, but also mobile devices. To retrofit existing programs across all these devices using traditional programming methods is very costly and time consuming – often prohibitively so. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Jesse Shiah, CEO, President, and Co-Founder of AgilePoint Inc., discussed how you can create applications that run on all mobile devices as well as laptops and desktops using a visual drag-and-drop application – and eForms-buildi...
May. 26, 2015 08:00 AM EDT Reads: 5,623
The Internet of Things promises to transform businesses (and lives), but navigating the business and technical path to success can be difficult to understand. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Sean Lorenz, Technical Product Manager for Xively at LogMeIn, demonstrated how to approach creating broadly successful connected customer solutions using real world business transformation studies including New England BioLabs and more.
May. 26, 2015 08:00 AM EDT Reads: 6,125
The recent trends like cloud computing, social, mobile and Internet of Things are forcing enterprises to modernize in order to compete in the competitive globalized markets. However, enterprises are approaching newer technologies with a more silo-ed way, gaining only sub optimal benefits. The Modern Enterprise model is presented as a newer way to think of enterprise IT, which takes a more holistic approach to embracing modern technologies.
May. 25, 2015 11:00 PM EDT Reads: 6,236
The true value of the Internet of Things (IoT) lies not just in the data, but through the services that protect the data, perform the analysis and present findings in a usable way. With many IoT elements rooted in traditional IT components, Big Data and IoT isn’t just a play for enterprise. In fact, the IoT presents SMBs with the prospect of launching entirely new activities and exploring innovative areas. CompTIA research identifies several areas where IoT is expected to have the greatest impact.
May. 25, 2015 09:00 PM EDT Reads: 5,108
Every day we read jaw-dropping stats on the explosion of data. We allocate significant resources to harness and better understand it. We build businesses around it. But we’ve only just begun. For big payoffs in Big Data, CIOs are turning to cognitive computing. Cognitive computing’s ability to securely extract insights, understand natural language, and get smarter each time it’s used is the next, logical step for Big Data.
May. 25, 2015 08:00 PM EDT Reads: 2,364
There's no doubt that the Internet of Things is driving the next wave of innovation. Google has spent billions over the past few months vacuuming up companies that specialize in smart appliances and machine learning. Already, Philips light bulbs, Audi automobiles, and Samsung washers and dryers can communicate with and be controlled from mobile devices. To take advantage of the opportunities the Internet of Things brings to your business, you'll want to start preparing now.
May. 25, 2015 07:00 PM EDT Reads: 5,982
With major technology companies and startups seriously embracing IoT strategies, now is the perfect time to attend @ThingsExpo in Silicon Valley. Learn what is going on, contribute to the discussions, and ensure that your enterprise is as "IoT-Ready" as it can be! Internet of @ThingsExpo, taking place Nov 3-5, 2015, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA, is co-located with 17th Cloud Expo and will feature technical sessions from a rock star conference faculty and the leading industry players in the world. The Internet of Things (IoT) is the most profound change in personal an...
May. 25, 2015 04:00 PM EDT Reads: 3,070
P2P RTC will impact the landscape of communications, shifting from traditional telephony style communications models to OTT (Over-The-Top) cloud assisted & PaaS (Platform as a Service) communication services. The P2P shift will impact many areas of our lives, from mobile communication, human interactive web services, RTC and telephony infrastructure, user federation, security and privacy implications, business costs, and scalability. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Robin Raymond, Chief Architect at Hookflash, will walk through the shifting landscape of traditional telephone and voice services ...
May. 25, 2015 03:00 PM EDT Reads: 4,476
The 17th International Cloud Expo has announced that its Call for Papers is open. 17th International Cloud Expo, to be held November 3-5, 2015, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA, brings together Cloud Computing, APM, APIs, Microservices, Security, Big Data, Internet of Things, DevOps and WebRTC to one location. With cloud computing driving a higher percentage of enterprise IT budgets every year, it becomes increasingly important to plant your flag in this fast-expanding business opportunity. Submit your speaking proposal today!
May. 25, 2015 02:00 PM EDT Reads: 4,648
Explosive growth in connected devices. Enormous amounts of data for collection and analysis. Critical use of data for split-second decision making and actionable information. All three are factors in making the Internet of Things a reality. Yet, any one factor would have an IT organization pondering its infrastructure strategy. How should your organization enhance its IT framework to enable an Internet of Things implementation? In his session at Internet of @ThingsExpo, James Kirkland, Chief Architect for the Internet of Things and Intelligent Systems at Red Hat, described how to revolutioniz...
May. 25, 2015 02:00 PM EDT Reads: 5,084
All major researchers estimate there will be tens of billions devices - computers, smartphones, tablets, and sensors - connected to the Internet by 2020. This number will continue to grow at a rapid pace for the next several decades. With major technology companies and startups seriously embracing IoT strategies, now is the perfect time to attend @ThingsExpo, June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City. Learn what is going on, contribute to the discussions, and ensure that your enterprise is as "IoT-Ready" as it can be
May. 25, 2015 01:15 PM EDT Reads: 2,537
The security devil is always in the details of the attack: the ones you've endured, the ones you prepare yourself to fend off, and the ones that, you fear, will catch you completely unaware and defenseless. The Internet of Things (IoT) is nothing if not an endless proliferation of details. It's the vision of a world in which continuous Internet connectivity and addressability is embedded into a growing range of human artifacts, into the natural world, and even into our smartphones, appliances, and physical persons. In the IoT vision, every new "thing" - sensor, actuator, data source, data con...
May. 25, 2015 01:00 PM EDT Reads: 6,518
Container frameworks, such as Docker, provide a variety of benefits, including density of deployment across infrastructure, convenience for application developers to push updates with low operational hand-holding, and a fairly well-defined deployment workflow that can be orchestrated. Container frameworks also enable a DevOps approach to application development by cleanly separating concerns between operations and development teams. But running multi-container, multi-server apps with containers is very hard. You have to learn five new and different technologies and best practices (libswarm, sy...
May. 25, 2015 12:00 PM EDT Reads: 2,356
SYS-CON Events announced today that DragonGlass, an enterprise search platform, will exhibit at SYS-CON's 16th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY. After eleven years of designing and building custom applications, OpenCrowd has launched DragonGlass, a cloud-based platform that enables the development of search-based applications. These are a new breed of applications that utilize a search index as their backbone for data retrieval. They can easily adapt to new data sets and provide access to both structured and unstruc...
May. 25, 2015 12:00 PM EDT Reads: 2,164
There's Big Data, then there's really Big Data from the Internet of Things. IoT is evolving to include many data possibilities like new types of event, log and network data. The volumes are enormous, generating tens of billions of logs per day, which raise data challenges. Early IoT deployments are relying heavily on both the cloud and managed service providers to navigate these challenges. In her session at Big Data Expo®, Hannah Smalltree, Director at Treasure Data, discussed how IoT, Big Data and deployments are processing massive data volumes from wearables, utilities and other machines...
May. 25, 2015 10:00 AM EDT Reads: 4,396
Buzzword alert: Microservices and IoT at a DevOps conference? What could possibly go wrong? In this Power Panel at DevOps Summit, moderated by Jason Bloomberg, the leading expert on architecting agility for the enterprise and president of Intellyx, panelists will peel away the buzz and discuss the important architectural principles behind implementing IoT solutions for the enterprise. As remote IoT devices and sensors become increasingly intelligent, they become part of our distributed cloud environment, and we must architect and code accordingly. At the very least, you'll have no problem fil...
May. 25, 2015 10:00 AM EDT Reads: 2,134
SYS-CON Events announced today that MetraTech, now part of Ericsson, has been named “Silver Sponsor” of SYS-CON's 16th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on June 9–11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York, NY. Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society- a world leader in communications infrastructure, software and services. Some 40% of the world’s mobile traffic runs through networks Ericsson has supplied, serving more than 2.5 billion subscribers.
May. 25, 2015 09:45 AM EDT Reads: 1,830
The worldwide cellular network will be the backbone of the future IoT, and the telecom industry is clamoring to get on board as more than just a data pipe. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Evan McGee, CTO of Ring Plus, Inc., discussed what service operators can offer that would benefit IoT entrepreneurs, inventors, and consumers. Evan McGee is the CTO of RingPlus, a leading innovative U.S. MVNO and wireless enabler. His focus is on combining web technologies with traditional telecom to create a new breed of unified communication that is easily accessible to the general consumer. With over a de...
May. 25, 2015 06:00 AM EDT Reads: 4,875


text:
After around 1000 hours of aerodynamic computation and about 1900 test jumps, Auckland-based parachute company NZ Aerosports has come up with new aerofoil and canopy designs that will generate radically more lift and manoeuvrability for competitive high-performance parachutists.
“Our R&D project became one of the most important programmes conducted within the skydiving industry,” says NZ Aerosports General Manager Attila Csizmadia.
Csizmadia says that, along with the new parachute design, the project enabled them to develop tools that have revolutionised the industry standard in terms of simulation and fast prototyping.
“This new process is still unmatched in the industry and has reduced the time from idea to test jump from several weeks to just a few days,” he says.
On the back of this project, NZ Aerosports’ innovative designs turned to canopy piloting and canopy relative work (manoeuvring two or more open parachutes in close proximity).
“These are the two skydiving disciplines directly related to parachute performance,” Csizmadia says. “While they are not the biggest markets, they are the showcase of the industry.”
The success of the Callaghan Innovation-funded R&D project has resulted in several new canopy piloting distance world and national records in the USA, France, Italy, Australia, Hungary and Columbia.
“Our innovative products allowed our sponsored athletes to represent our brand successfully in many national and international competitions.”
NZ Aerosports also stood out in the Canopy Relative Work competition, with the Australian team Ookoonono breaking the Australian record and reaching the world podium. These achievements gave the company a new visibility on the international scene.
With 95% of NZ Aerosport’s products being exported overseas, the company is already well-known in the USA, Australia, and some countries in Europe.
“We are trying to expand even more in those countries through our marketing, and building a wider dealer network,” Csizmadia says.
“We’re also working on expanding our market in South America, South Africa, and other European countries – the UK, Germany, Sweden, and Norway.”
The company, which is the manufacturer of the second- largest parachute brand in the skydiving industry, is now noticing an increase in sales of its high performance products, followed by those in its intermediate and beginner ranges.
Updated: 7 September 2015

domain: news


text:
Despite a slight decline during the third quarter of 2014, Facebook was still responsible for nearly one-quarter of social referrals to the more than 300,000 global websites studied by Shareaholic, according to the content amplification platform’s latest report.
Thursday morning was the perfect time for Thursday Market to announce the national launch of its social referral network for service professionals, with the site’s integration with Facebook playing a major role.
More than $100 million in charitable donations have been generated during the past 12 months due to the integration of Facebook by JustGiving, Rosalind Holley, the social giving platform’s head of brand, wrote in a guest post for the Facebook Media blog.
Once again, Facebook users are reminded to stay very far away from websites and applications that claim to enable them to hack other users’ accounts, as Malwarebytes Labs , which reported on phishing site FBSniffing in June, unearthed two similar efforts: FBWand (no longer online at the time of this post) and Facebook Hacker.
Social recruiting solution Jobvite released the seventh version of its annual Social Recruiting Survey Wednesday, and the survey of more than 1,800 recruiters and human-resources professionals across various industries and regions found that social recruiting continues to become a priority for them, and that while Facebook has carved out a significant niche, LinkedIn is still the social network of choice on the recruiting side.
With the holiday shopping season rapidly approaching, commerce technology platform MarketLive surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers and found that 49 percent will make purchases based on social referrals, and 30 percent have made purchases via social networks during the past year, up from just 12 percent in 2013.
Recruiting solution Jobvite announced Tuesday that it closed a $25 million series-D funding round, which was led by Catalyst Investors, with participation from existing investors CMEA, ATA Ventures and Trident Capital.
Facebook continued its ongoing efforts to help media companies and publishers use its platform with Tuesday’s launch of Facebook Media, a new site geared specifically toward public figures, organizations and media companies.
Facebook accounted for 23.39 percent of social referrals to websites in the second quarter of 2014, with that percentage total representing a 10.09 percent gain since March and a whopping 150.49 percent leap since the end of the second quarter of 2013, according to the latest report from Shareaholic.
Social advertising company RadiumOne examined six myths about social sharing and the facts that debunk those myths.


text:
Microsoft CEO watch: who would make good successors for Steve Ballmer?
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced that he intends to step down and retire within the next 12 months. It’s difficult to pinpoint, Who will it be? I’d like to hear other suggestions for possible Microsoft CEO candidates in the comments. Compensation: insane.! where should I submit my résumé?
Well, Microsoft executives are expected to be on the list, but a possibility is that it could tap executives at competitors such as Google, Yahoo, Cisco and Oracle. Some in the tech world also speculated about the possible return of Microsoft founder and chairman Bill Gates. It won’t be easy.!
The search committee includes former chiefs John Thompson of Symantec and Chuck Noski of Bank of America along with current Seagate Chief Executive Steve Luczo.
For the next several months many geeks, analysts, and tech gurus will speculate about Microsoft’s next CEO. What follows is a list of executives who would make good successors for Steve Ballmer:
- Rodney Adkins, SVP, Corporate Strategy, IBM: Adkins focuses on the new era of computing, new markets and new clientele. Microsoft needs help in all those areas. The VAR Guy’s spin: An IBMer running Microsoft? That might be too conservative at a time when Microsoft needs a dramatic jolt.
- Nikesh Arora, senior VP and chief business officer, Google: The electrical engineer has previously worked for T-Mobile and a range of investments firms. He joined Google in 2004 and now oversees the company’s revenue and customer operations, marketing and partnerships. The VAR Guy’s spin: He’s gotta be on the candidate list.
- Tony Bates, executive VP, business development and evangelism, Microsoft: The former Skype CEO is a geek at heart, holds 10 patents and previously drove Cisco’s small business group. The VAR Guy’s spin: A geek with business management skills? He’s gotta be on the candidate list.
- Jeffrey M. Blackburn, SVP, Business Development, Amazon: He joined Amazon in 1998 and has made big career jumps ever since. From business development to customer service to operations integration, Blackburn has played a key role in Amazon’s growth and evolution. The VAR Guy’s spin: Microsoft’s search team is going to call at least one candidate at Amazon. Blackburn seems to be the key name to know, other than some dude named Bezos…
- Eddy Cue, SVP, Internet Software and Services, Apple: Cue oversees Apple’s content stores: iTunes Store, App Store and iBookStore, plus Siri, Maps, iAd and iCloud Services. That’s an impressive list of cloud services that deliver content to all types of devices. The VAR Guy’s spin: Can Microsoft really pry this 24-year veteran from Apple?
- Stephen Elop, CEO, Nokia: His career includes stops at Lotus, Boston Chicken (oops…), Macromedia, Adobe, Juniper and Microsoft. He’s currently CEO of Nokia, Microsoft’s key Windows 8 smartphone partner. The VAR Guy’s spin: Elop has made more career stops than, um, just about anyone. And would taking a top Nokia executive help or hurt Microsoft’s smartphone partner ecosystem?
- Bill Gates, Super Rich Dude, Reformed Software Bad Guy and Current Global Do-Gooder: Rumor has it Gates was building technology giants, wrestling with the U.S. government and destroying competitors before Mark Zuckerberg was out of diapers. The VAR Guy’s spin: The best person for the job, but at this point in life Gates won’t accept the offer.
- Julie Larson Greene, executive VP, devices and studios group, Microsoft: The 20-year Microsoft veteran leads Microsoft’s Xbox and Surface initiatives. Super-smart and picked by Wired — back in July 2013, before Ballmer announced his retirement plans — as the next Microsoft CEO. The VAR Guy’s spin: Definitely a candidate.
- Mark Hurd, president, Oracle: He boosted profits and cut costs at NCR and HP. And at Oracle he’s leading the day-to-day sales charge. Also mentioned as a candidate to replace Michael Dell if that PC giant’s company sale goes off track. Hurd could definitely shut down Microsoft’s money-losing or underwhelming businesses. But he’s not an R&D technical visionary. The VAR Guy’s spin: Not a candidate. Plus, Microsoft already has a sales champion named Kevin Turner…
- Yangkyu (Y.K.) Kim, president and CEO, Samsung Electronics North America: The world’s largest technology company has crazy strong brands (Galaxy) and strong consumer expertise. The VAR Guy’s spin: This sounds like a longshot since Kim has stuck with Samsung for more than 25 years.
- Paul Maritz, CEO, Pivotal: The VMware and EMC veteran was one of Microsoft’s top 5 executives during that company’s best days. Maritz also led VMware to some booming years — though more recently VMware has been offloading some businesses to focus more sharply on software defined data center and hybrid cloud opportunities. The VAR Guy’s spin: Does Maritz really want to return to his old stomping ground? The VAR Guy doubts it.
- Terry Myerson, executive VP, operating systems, Microsoft: Myerson oversees Windows engineering and previously ran phones. The VAR Guy’s spin: Phone experience is actually a drag in this case…
- Satya Nadella, executive VP, cloud and enterprise, Microsoft: Windows Azure and Office 365 have pushed Microsoft nearly to the leading Cloud Services Providers. The VAR Guy’s spin: He’s super smart but can Nadella push beyond his server and cloud experience to master mobile and desktop business needs? The VAR Guy says “yes” and thinks he’s a strong candidate.
- Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook: Could “Lean In” co-author and former Google VP jump next to Microsoft? The VAR Guy’s spin: If our resident blogger had to guess, Sandberg will stick around, build Facebook and wait for all of her shares to vest in 2024 or so.
- John Thompson, Microsoft board member and former Symantec CEO: Thompson is leading the search committee for Microsoft’s next CEO. Could he throw his own hat into the ring? Doubtful. The VAR Guy’s Spin: Ballmer has indicated that Microsoft wants a long-term CEO. Thompson is 64 years old and previously oversaw Symantec’s less than stellar acquisition of Veritas.
- Kevin Turner, COO, Microsoft: Outspoken. Hard-charging. And the best speaker at Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference. Each and every year. Plus, Turner is a Wal-Mart veteran who knows how to compete on thin margins and high-volume sales. The VAR Guy’s Spin: Doubtful. Turner is a great No. 2. But he likely lacks the technical vision that Microsoft will require.
I’d like to hear other suggestions for possible Microsoft CEO candidates in the comments.
Add CEOWORLD magazine to your Google News feed.
Follow CEOWORLD magazine headlines on: Google News, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
Thank you for supporting our journalism. Subscribe here.
For media queries, please contact: email@example.com


text:
1991 Mazda Miata
Morehead City, North Carolina, United States
1991 Mazda Miata
At this point, the countdown until the launch of the all-new, fourth-generation 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata can be measured in hours until its September 3 unveiling as easily as it can in days. With the debut of such a highly anticipated model so close, the rumors about the new sports car are starting to boil over.
We recently heard that the new Miata would likely get a 2.0-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder with a six-speed manual, plus a decent drop in weight compared to the current gen. There's even the rumored possibility of a fastback coupe version sometime in the future.
Now, Australia's GoAuto is adding another dollop of speculation into the mix with the claim that there could be "potentially more engine options," according to Mazda Australia managing director Martin Benders to the website. The more potent option would still be the 2.0-liter Skyactiv with a power bump from its current 167 hp to closer to 200 ponies. The other possible powerplant option would be a 1.5-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder taken from the upcoming Mazda2 replacement. This version would also ditch some of the MX-5's more premium features to cut the weight and the price slightly.
Every story dealing with a new rotary engine from Mazda lands in a different place on the matrix of possibilities between "Coming soon!" and "Never gonna happen!" In 2011 it was speculated that the rotary engineering program would be shut down with the demise of the RX-8, in 2012 the program was still alive and taking lessons from the SkyActiv engines, in August 2013 a Mazda insider said a rotary engine called 16X would be here in two years, in November the CEO said the only way we'd ever get a new rotary is if Mazda could sell 100,000 of them per year. Meaning that, for the moment, you can forget about it.
And yet, last month Mazda was putting journalists in a Mazda2 RE Range Extender, an electric car using a 0.33-liter rotary to power its lithium-ion batteries when the charge runs down. With a 75-kilowatt, 100-horsepower electric motor turning the front wheels, the Wankel generator and its 2.6-gallon gas tank living under the trunk double the range of the electric-only Mazda2 to 250 miles.
There's been talk of using a rotary to assist an alt-fuel vehicle for at least seven years, with Mazda pairing an electric motor with a rotary that ran on gas and hydrogen in a Mazda5 in 2007. Since then, almost all of those stories debating its return or demise also spoke of the oddball motor's advantages, such as compact size and ability to run on various fuels, as an aid in an unconventional powertrain.
The U.S. News Best Cars for the Money Awards picks winners by looking at the average transaction price, five-year total cost of ownership, the regard a car has from the automotive press, reliability figures from J.D. Power and Associates and safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The result, according to the magazine, is "the best combination of critical acclaim and long-term value."
Ford nabbed six of the 21 categories that received awards this year, the Focus, Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, Taurus, Escape and Edge getting trophies. Toyota and its Lexus and Scion sub-brands took another five, the Tacoma and Tundra owning the two categories given to pickup trucks. The other ten awards were split between Honda with three, Buick with two, and one each for Subaru, BMW, Hyundai, Chevrolet and Mazda.
Follow the link to see all the winners and read about why they were chosen.


text:
Mt gox finds bitcoins
The Tokyo-based exchange said it discovered the missing virtual.
Mt. Gox CEO Mark Karpeles braces for bitcoin trial in Japan
Mt.Gox finds 200,000 of its missing bitcoins | KitGuruMt. Gox has said it found 200,000 of the bitcoins it claimed may have disappeared as a result of a software flaw.Gox will go on trial in Tokyo next week on charges stemming from the disappearance of hundreds of millions.JUST WATCHED Mt.Gox CEO Mark Karpeles arrested in Japan Replay More Videos.
Mt. Gox, the Tokyo-based bitcoin exchange that filed for bankruptcy this month after it said it lost 750,000 of its users currency, just reported that it.A problem-solving approach IT workers should learn from robotics engineers.Customers who lost hundreds of Bitcoins may feel little comfort from Mt.
Mt Gox finds 200,000 missing bitcoins... - EXCHANGES
Mt. Gox Files For Bankruptcy; Nearly $500M Of Bitcoins
WizSec has conducted an ongoing, informal investigation into Mt.
Former MtGox Bitcoin exchange boss pleads not guilty – IriizTo sign up for more newsletters or to manage your account, visit the Newsletter Subscription Center.
Before the security breach, Karpeles performed a test transaction which proved the exchange had at least 424,242.42424242BTC under its control.Mt.Gox News. Mt. Gox was an online Bitcoin exchange, based in Tokyo.
Mt Gox finds 200,000 lost bitcoins | EuronewsGox -- which leaves 650,000BTC belonging to customers missing.
Struggling Mt. Gox Exchange Finds 200,000 'ForgottenA new report alleges that the missing cache of bitcoins was long gone before Mt.
Mt. Gox finds 200,000 missing bitcoins | The Seattle TimesMt.Gox, the bankrupt online currency exchange, said that it has located 200,000 bitcoin in a digital wallet.
Mt. Gox Is Selling The Bitcoin TrademarkGox shut down, rumors have surfaced claiming the theft was an inside job and the result of fraud, and the police are investigating whether the bitcoin exchange had links to the now-defunct online black market, Silk Road.
Gox said it found nearly a quarter of the bitcoins it had said were lost and indicated that more could be recovered.


text:
A BOOMING MARKET. The idea of running software on a mobile device with healthcare uses has been discussed as early as 1996. However, the issue has assumed explosive proportions in recent years, thanks to the spreading of an “app mentality” among health care professionals and consumers, and its potential, given cloud computing, social networks and big data analytics, could be yet to be realized. According to a March 2014 BCC report, this growing trend will be continuing in the next years. App stores offering thousands of medical app also confirm the trend, as about 97,000 mobile health apps in 62 app stores according to a Research2Guidance market report of last year. Hardware manufacturers are certainly not immune to the medical app fervor, and – for example – the new smartphone Gear 2 Neo by Samsung, launched on April 11, 2014 by Samsung in 125 countries, incorporates a heart rate sensor.
ACCORDING TO THE EU COMMISSION, MEDICAL APPS AND E-HEALTH HAVE GREAT POTENTIAL. What is the view of the authorities on this phenomenon? The potential of apps makes them app enthusiasts, the reality of apps worries them. The European Commission believes in medical apps, which can be leveraged in order to eliminate barriers to “smarter, safer, patient-centred health services”. Further, digital health could also be a promising factor to cut Member States’ budget while – in the words of the Commission – “putting patients in the driving seat”. The reality of the app market, however, does not necessarily boost patient empowerment. In fact, the Commission noted that there are substantial risks connected with the way apps are currently marketed: information to consumers is not clear, the trader’s contact details are not easy to find, the use of the term “free” is often misleading.
ENFORCEMENT ACTION BY THE ITALIAN DATA PROTECTION AUTHORITY. On September 10, 2014 the Italian Data Protection Authority has issued a warning regarding data protection risks inherent to medical apps (“Medical Apps: More Transparency Is Needed On Data Use”) promising future sanctions. The Authority found that insufficient information to users prior to installation, as well as the processing of excessive data. The survey conducted by the Italian Data Protection Authority involved a total of 1,200 apps and the findings thus obtained were striking: (i) barely 15% of them provided meaningful privacy notices; and (ii) in 59% of the apps reviewed the Authority found it hard to locate pre-installation privacy notices. The stance taken by the Italian Data Protection Authority echoes the Opinion 02/2013 by The “Article 29 Data Protection Working Party”, which had identified lack of transparency, lack of free informed consent; poor security measures; disregard for the principle of purpose limitation requiring processing of personal data only for specific and legitimate purposes.
CONSENT IN WRITTEN FORM: A REQUIREMENT PECULIAR TO ITALIAN LAW. Italian legislation includes a couple of additional requirements, which could kill the medical app market. We note, however, that they have not been mentioned by the Italian Data Protection Authority in their September 10, 2014 warning so it is unclear whether there is any appetite for enforcing them. In addition to a specific authorization by the Data Protection Authority, typically substituted by a general authorization such as this, Section 23 of the Data Protection Code requires that consent to process sensitive data, such as health data, must be given in written form, a requirement which is not satisfied by a mere “click” on the smartphone, but would only be satisfied by the digital or qualified electronic signature in accordance with Italian legislation. This obstacle could be solved only when (and if) the proposed EU Data Protection Regulation enters into force and repeals the existing Italian Data Protection Code, as consent to process sensitive data shall have to be “freely given, specific, informed and explicit” and the controller shall bear the burden of proof of such consent, but consent in written form would no longer be required.
 “Regulation of health apps: a practical guide”, d4Research, January 2012, citing material from the Conference of the American Medical Informatics Association Fall Symposium of 1996.
 “This market is expected to grow to $2.4 billion in 2013 and $21.5 billion in 2018 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 54.9% over the five-year period from 2013 to 2018”.
 “In Italy, overall savings from the introduction of ICTs in the Health Sector are estimated to be around 11.7% of National health expenditure (i.e., €12.4 billion). Savings from digital prescriptions alone are estimated to be around €2 billion”. European Commission Memo of December 7, 2012 “eHealth Action Plan 2012-2020: Frequently Asked Questions”.
 It should be noted that, while the Commission is a fervent proponent of eHealth (see also the recent Green Paper on mHealth), there are strong limitations to its actions given its lack of competence in healthcare delivery and financing, which is entirely up to Member States. The effectiveness of eHealth solutions in Europe require the commitment of Member States to implement organizational changes which make patient-centric eHealth solutions an integral part of their healthcare systems, a task that each Member State is pursuing with various degrees. A March 24, 2014 press release by the European Commission commenting on two European surveys on the use of eHealth (including Electronic Health Records, Health Information Exchange, Tele-health and Personal Health Records) showed that many critical issues still exist: lack of penetration, lack of interoperability, and lack of regulatory certainty, to name a few.
 Focus of the Italian Antitrust Authority has so far been on game apps, rather than medical apps: it, too, found that apps were misleadingly presented to users as free, while they were not.
1 thought on “Medical Apps and the Law, Part II – Medical Apps: Helpful or Harmful?”


text:
Bixby 2.0 (truly, Samsung is as yet persisting with the digital assistant) will bring back help for Google applications as indicated by VentureBeat (through XDA).
Samsung has effectively declared that smart TVs bearing the brand name will currently bolster fundamental Google Assistant commands (giving you as of now have a Google Home device) and this is one more refreshing ‘bend the knee’ effort by the South Korean tech giants that will no doubt be welcomed by fans around the world.
This implies on the off chance that you do happen to utilize Bixby (which to be reasonable isn’t totally terrible) bolster for Google Maps, Google Play, YouTube and Gmail will make a return. The initial release of Bixby 2.0 coincided with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and was then immediately passed on to the Galaxy S9 and S9+.
While this refresh is pleasant and all, it is as yet both puzzling and annoying that the help was removed at all, particularly considering that Bixby 1.0 launched with Google application bolster on the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.
This is every one of the somewhat coincidental with the release of the Samsung Galaxy S10 on the horizon, however that doesn’t make it a bad thing using any and all means. With respect to when this refresh is happening, well, we’re as yet not so sure, but rather a February launch alongside a potential S10 unveiling would be a solid bet.
Read more on Samsung:
Samsung is including support for Google Assistant in newest TV lineup
Android Pie beta potentially heading to Galaxy Note 8, S8 and S8+
Samsung Galaxy S10 leaks in first real-life picture w/punch hole cutout, slim bezels
Android Pie OTA now rolling out to some Samsung Galaxy Note 9 clients in Europe
Muvr is not just a convenient solution for those in need of furniture and junk removal services,
it’s a revolutionary platform for independent drivers and movers looking to earn more with a flexible schedule. With its sophisticated technology and on-demand services, Muvr is changing the way the moving and junk removal industry operates, offering a new and innovative way for independent drivers to earn a living.
Gone are the days of dealing with unreliable clients and limited job opportunities. With Muvr, independent drivers can take control of their schedules, choosing when and where they want to work. The app’s transparent pricing model and on-demand services provide drivers with a steady stream of job opportunities, allowing them to earn more and build their own successful business.
Muvr’s advanced algorithms and innovative technology make it easy for drivers to connect with clients in need of their services, without the hassle of traditional advertising or business development. The app’s user-friendly interface and intuitive design ensure that the entire process is simple and seamless, making it easier for drivers to focus on what they do best – moving and removing junk.
Muvr is also committed to ensuring the safety and satisfaction of both its clients and drivers. All independent movers are thoroughly vetted and insured, providing clients with peace of mind and ensuring that their belongings are in good hands. And with the app’s rating system, drivers can build a strong reputation and attract even more business opportunities.
In conclusion, Muvr is not just a convenient way to handle furniture and junk removal needs, it’s a platform that is empowering independent drivers and movers to take control of their schedules and earnings. With its innovative technology and on-demand services, Muvr is changing the moving and junk removal industry for the better, providing a new and sophisticated solution for those in need of help and for those looking to earn more with a flexible schedule.
Muvr iOS App: https://apps.apple.com/app/muvr-request-a-mover/id1664944713
Muvr Google Play Store App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=webviewgold.muvrondemand
Oppo Reno 8T 5G to Launch on February 3; Price, Color Options, and Configurations Tipped
[Update] The Oppo Reno 8T 5G will go on sale in India on February 3, 2023, according to official confirmation. The original narrative goes on…
Soon, the Oppo Reno 8T series will be available in India. We just published a story on the Reno 8T 4G’s leaked cost, release date, and sale date. Recent online rumours have hinted at the 5G variant’s launch date, RAM, storage, and colour options.
According to tipper Paras Guglani, the Oppo Reno 8T 5G will go on sale in India on February 3. According to the tip, the phone will be available in Sunrise Gold and Dynamic Black, both of which will have an 8GB RAM + 128GB storage combo. In addition, a tweet from well-known tipster Abhishek Yadav claims that the device’s first sale will start on February 7 and cost Rs 29,990.
Moving on, the smartphone will be powered by a 4,800mAh battery. It will support USB Type-C rapid charging at a rate of 67W. For those who still choose wired headphones, a twin speaker system with an Audio jack will be offered.
Pre-order details for the Galaxy S23 series are available on Samsung.com
According to current predictions, Samsung will increase the cost of the Galaxy S23 series in Europe (in comparison to the S22 models from the previous year). The business is also getting ready to offer the customary discounts to lessen the blow. Even though the page still displays the current S22 phones, it turns out that someone altered the small print on the Samsung UK Business portal with information on the S23 pre-order.
Remember that this is a business portal, thus the 10% discount mentioned in #4 probably doesn’t apply to you. For people, there might be comparable discounts, though.
It is evident from the dates that Samsung will launch a pre-order promotion through February 16. That is to be expected because the business typically launches its sales on the first Friday that follows the announcement.
Business12 months ago
Best and Cheapest SMM Panel for TikTok & YouTube Services
Science12 months ago
SpaceX launched 50 Starlink internet satellites and landed the returning rocket on a ship
Technology5 months ago
iPhone 14 Pro Max: The Highest Resolution Phone Ever
Entertainment9 months ago
Discovering ‘Calling Out’ Anjalts Tinkering Piano Ballad
Science9 months ago
Tormenting sound from a black hole permits people to hear the hints of room 240 million light-years away
Science6 months ago
What a day! As the Earth spins faster, midnight comes a fraction sooner
Business10 months ago
The BADGE foundation, a cryptocurrency, will also be introduced on Instagram
Science7 months ago
SpaceX eyes a few Starlink launches in July


text:
McAfee and Flipkart, India’s leading e-commerce marketplace, announced that McAfee products are now available on Flipkart.com. In today’s world of hyper-digital consumption, McAfee’s trusted security solutions go beyond just protecting devices to help consumers safeguard their digital lives.
“McAfee’s partnership with Flipkart aims to give consumers peace of mind by highlighting the importance of online security and helping them protect what matters to them, from their mobile devices and connected homes,” said Venkat Krishnapur, vice president of engineering and managing director McAfee India.
Millions of Flipkart consumers will now be able to access award-winning and trusted McAfee products on its platform, helping to ensure that evolving consumer cybersecurity demands are addressed while providing a seamless customer experience. These include McAfee’s award-winning security solutions like McAfee AntiVirus, McAfee Internet Security and McAfee Total Protection. This also includes features that protect devices against malware, including ransomware. Included with the security solutions, McAfee WebAdvisor secures consumers against risky websites and malicious downloads, and PC Boost increases the performance of computers, browsers and apps alike.
“We are pleased to work with McAfee to help millions of Flipkart customers get access to McAfee’s products, which will enable them to have a safer and more secure online experience,” said Adarsh Menon, Senior Vice President at Flipkart.
For more information, visit www.mcafee.com


text:
Just a shade under a decade from now. Why the wait?
The all-new reborn Land Rover Defender is set to debut sometime in 2020, but according to a new report from Car Magazine UK, the automaker plans on taking its time launching variants and different body styles. Like really take its time. A battery electric Defender isn't due to arrive until 2024 and a new Defender Sport won't be seen prior to 2026. Given the fact that the original Defender had a decades-long lifespan, the up to eight-year wait doesn't sound so bad. Then again, in today's insanely competitive SUV market, it is surprising that Land Rover doesn't plan on launching these Defender variants sooner.
We first learned about Land Rover's intention to launch a completely all-new Defender back in 2011 with the not so well received DC100 concepts (pictured here). Although designers attempted to keep the concepts' lines simple, it was deemed too retro-ish for some, so Land Rover went back to the drawing board. The 2020 Defender will ride on a monocoque structure instead of a body-on-frame, which isn't particularly surprising.
In general, the 2020 Defender will be a far easier SUV to live with on a day-to-day basis. It will have an independent rear suspension for better on-road manners. However, Land Rover will offer buyers several model derivatives with a choice of axles, tires, transmissions, and even suspension calibrations. Something for everyone. And yes, the new Defender will be sold in the US.
Okay, but again, why is Land Rover delaying the Defender Sport's launch until 2026? Because it will be a pure EV. That means electrification is coming but not immediately; the technology needs to improve first, as does EV infrastructure in general. Unless an all-electric Jeep Wrangler arrives first, Land Rover will have this new SUV segment all to itself. As for the Defender that'll debut in 2020, it'll be offered with a variety of trims and a choice of internal combustion engines, including JLR's 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Expect new inline six-cylinders as well.
Judging by the long delivery date for the new Defender Sport, it's evident Land Rover plans for this all-new generation Defender to be on the market for many years to come. Developing its platform from the get-go for future electrification adaptations is proof.


text:
By Amanda Cappelli
Boston University Statehouse Program
BOSTON — Mobile sports bettors could be faced with financial risks if they wager with temporarily licensed operators, a challenge those operators offered opinions and solutions for at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission roundtable last week.
Gov. Charlie Baker signed sports betting into law in August, and now the MGC is tasked with how to implement it. The law allows seven operators to have five-year licenses and an unlimited number of temporary licenses, which exist for up to a year. After that year, consumers might still have open bets, money in their accounts, and personal information saved with the operator.
One of the primary risks consumers in Massachusetts could face is outstanding player balances when an unlimited number of operators have to shut down after a year or less. Another risk is personally identifiable information existing in the revoked operator’s systems. Some companies shared their solutions for these consumer concerns.
Operators like Betr outlined some consumer protection strategies if several temporary operators shut down at once, like limiting credit card usage.
Ashwin Krishnan, head of legal, said that Betr will employ deposit limits for under 25-year-olds and impose affordability checks, which “allow for wager limits and, or, deposit limits based on the consumer.”
Luis Anthony Gaud, CEO of G3 Esports, said in a statement that there would likely be consumer confusion and other issues if the temporary licenses simultaneously end.
“The process of what to do with PII data in the event of business closure needs to be clearly defined by regulators,” he said.
Four-stage plan to protect consumers
Victory Game Challenge Inc. suggested a four-stage plan to ensure consumer protection where consumers can transfer their wagers to the Category 3 operators from the temporary ones, highlighting California’s approach. The seven operators with long-term licensing are in Category 3. Which operators will be Category 3 versus temporary licensees has not been determined yet.
“Temporary licensees will stop their sportsbooks but will continue running by simply forwarding wagers to regular licenses if consumers still want to use their platform,” they said in a statement.
Several operators also offered their support for a staggered mobile gaming launch which means businesses could start mobile operations at different times from each other and from retail locations like a casino. However, DraftKings supports a simultaneous launch where all sports betting companies begin operation at the same time.
The next meeting will hear from the public on regulatory amendments Thursday, Sept. 29.
This article originally appeared in SouthCoast Today.


text:
Low-income, rural and some minority groups continue to lag significantly behind other U.S. groups in broadband adoption, according to a new report from the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Sixty-four percent of U.S. households had broadband service at home as of October 2009, up from 51 percent in 2007, said the report, based on a survey of 54,000 households by the U.S. Census Bureau. Another 5 percent of households connected to the Internet through dial-up service, compared to 11 percent in 2007.
But there was a large drop-off in broadband subscription rates among several groups. Households with less than US$25,000 in income had an adoption rate of less than 36 percent, and less than 29 percent of households where the head earner did not receive a high school diploma had broadband.
African-American, Native American and Hispanic households all had broadband adoption rates lower than 50 percent. Fifty-one percent of rural households subscribed to broadband.
More than 71 percent of households with primary earners aged 16 to 44 had broadband, while less than 40 percent of households with people aged 65 and older had broadband.
The goal of the report is to give policymakers a detailed view of the factors that contribute to broadband adoption, NTIA officials said.
“Americans who lack broadband Internet access are cut off from many educational and employment opportunities,” NTIA administrator Lawrence Strickling said in a statement. “The learning from today’s report is that there is no simple ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to closing the digital divide. A combination of approaches makes sense, including targeted outreach programs to rural and minority populations emphasizing the benefits of broadband.”
The survey asked respondents who don’t have broadband why they don’t subscribe. Thirty-eight percent said they weren’t interested or didn’t need it, and 26 percent said it was too expensive. Eighteen percent said they had no computer or an inadequate computer, and only 4 percent said broadband wasn’t available where they lived.
The new report will give the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and other interested groups an in-depth look at the “persistent gaps between the digital haves and digital have-nots,” FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said in a statement.
Closing those gaps will be a top priority for the FCC, which released a national broadband plan in March, Genachowski said.
“The digital divide is an opportunity divide — if you can’t get online, you can’t compete in the digital economy,” he added. “Connecting America to fast, affordable Internet will create 21st-century jobs that grow our economy and secure our global leadership.”
Grant Gross covers technology and telecom policy in the U.S. government for The IDG News Service. Follow Grant on Twitter at GrantGross. Grant’s e-mail address is email@example.com.


text:
UK journalism outreaches Facebook and Google
The UK news brand sector reaches 47.9 million people a month in the year to the end of September – more than Facebook’s audience of 43 million and Google’s of 42 million.
Across new brands and magazines, that total is 49.4 million.
Phone is now the largest platform, with monthly reach of 36.5 million, ahead of print on 33.4 million, desktop on 18 million and tablet on 11 million.
On a daily basis, UK new brands reached 19 million people via digital, up 24% year on year. Including print, news brands’ daily audience stands at 26 million, up 8%. That is ahead of the growth rate of Facebook, up 3%, and Google, which declined 7%.
More than half of marketers feel ‘disenfranchised’ with work
Marketers are split over whether their business invests in skills and training, with 47% saying they feel ’empowered’ – that their organisations invests and has a culture that encourages development. However, 53% are ‘disenfranchised’ – believing that their organisation doesn’t invest or have a culture of development.
At companies where marketers feel empowered, 52% have their development reviewed regularly compared to just 16% at businesses where marketers feel disenfranchised.
Some 58% of empowered marketers say their companies encourage them to take part in continuous professional development programmes, compared to just 16% of disenfranchised staff.
Source: Data and Marketing Association
A fifth of shoppers bought Christmas gifts during Black Friday
More than one in five (22%) shoppers say they bought Christmas gifts during Black Friday. In total, £2.1bn was spent on Christmas gifts, around 16% of total Christmas spending.
On average, people who bought Christmas gifts spent £179, almost 40% of the average household Christmas budget.
However, fewer people bought Christmas gifts during Black Friday than had planned. Some 28% of those surveyed before Black Friday said they would use it to buy gifts, compared to 22% who actually did.
And three in five said they spent less than they had originally planned, with 22% spending more.
Source: Retail Economics and Klarna
Marketers believe DTC brands are impacting how they market
Some 80% of marketers at consumer brands agree that direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands are impacting how they market or think about marketing.
This impact comes mostly in the digital space, where 43% say their DTC counterparts excel at digital media buying, 41% at social and 31% at delivering curated experiences.
However, marketers at more traditional brands believe DTC will struggle with copycat competitors – cited by 58% – customer retention (34%), product variance (32%), consumer privacy regulations (30%), audience diversification (27%) and scaling growth (23%).
Source: CMO Club
Marketers’ top digital priorities in 2020
Social media engagement and analytics (32%), targeting and personalisation (28%) and customer journey management (27%) are the top three digital priorities for marketers in 2020.
Delivering personalised messages in real-time (38%) is the emerging digital tactic most marketers have incorporated into their business, followed by using AI to drive campaigns (29%) and enhanced payment technologies such as mobile wallets and e-receipts (24%).
Just 9% have incorporated blockchain-based functionality, 14% voice interfaces and 18% virtual or augmented reality.
Source: Econsultancy and Adobe


text:
- Game developer Chucklefish accused of whitewashing characters of color Monday 5:22 PM
- Apple TV’s ‘Hala’ is a silent explosion of a coming-of-age film Monday 5:20 PM
- This new video game apparently lets you play Jesus Monday 4:02 PM
- Golden toilet creator sells world’s most expensive banana—only for another artist to eat it Monday 3:24 PM
- This new Chinese video game lets players attack Hong Kong protesters Monday 3:05 PM
- These TikTok videos that recreate NPC interactions from Skyrim are honestly incredible Monday 2:40 PM
- John Legend defends pro-consent ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ lyrics Monday 2:38 PM
- Video shows UC Berkeley student using racial slurs, making homophobic comments Monday 2:36 PM
- New video reveals Brother Nature instigated sandwich shop fight Monday 2:06 PM
- Lizzo’s thong dress breaks the internet Monday 1:25 PM
- Pixel Buds 2 or Apple AirPods 2: Which are right for you? Monday 1:09 PM
- It’s 2019: Make your holiday cards online, for free this year Monday 12:47 PM
- Fighting over the ‘Marriage Story’ fight scene becomes a meme Monday 12:41 PM
- ‘Trump is innocent!’: InfoWars correspondent interrupts impeachment hearing Monday 12:12 PM
- Video shows runner smacking reporter’s butt on live TV Monday 11:46 AM
A group of thieves reportedly drove up to the rear of a truck and climbed onto it as it was motoring along a major Dutch highway. What precious jewels inside were worth pulling off a dangerous late-night heist akin to those in big-budget action films?
A bunch of iPhones it turns out.
The men, aged between 33 and 43 and all from Romania, raided a truck on the A73 highway near the Dutch town of Horst. Once they got to the payload, one of them started throwing Apple iPhones into a cutout on the roof of the thieves’ modified van.
Dutch police seized the van and arrested five men who are now suspected of stealing €500,000 (about $590,000) worth of iPhones. Several similar incidents targeting flagship devices have been reported across Europe, but this is the first time police have made arrests.
Dutch police spokesperson Ed Kraszewski told the Guardian that officers had investigated other incidents, but questioned the feasibility of such a daring stunt. Now they know it can be done.
“The truck was taking its freight from A to B and did not stop,” Kraszewski said. “Even so, [the phones] were gone. So it must have happened that way. And now we finally have the evidence, with the van and the loot.”
Authorities are now sending fingerprints of the suspects to other departments across Europe to see if previous crimes were conducted by the same group.
The suspects are to appear Tuesday before an investigating judge.
Romanian police released helicopter video of a 2012 raid, giving us a good idea of how this may have gone down. The footage shows a van driving right up to the back of a truck before a criminal jumps out, breaks open the door, boards, and steals goods.
Apple’s flagship smartphone has been the subject of criminal activity numerous times over the last few years. Earlier this year, a woman strapped 102 iPhones to her body attempting to smuggle them from Hong Kong into China. She fell short of the 148-iPhone suit one man was wearing when he was caught in 2015.
H/T Digital Trends
Phillip Tracy is a former technology staff writer at the Daily Dot. He's an expert on smartphones, social media trends, and gadgets. He previously reported on IoT and telecom for RCR Wireless News and contributed to NewBay Media magazine. He now writes for Laptop magazine.


text:
Marijuana is going mainstream fast, and so is the marijuana industry. In a time of sluggish growth, the pot business is bursting with energy.
It’s a weird mix of righteous exhilaration at the victory of the weed over the dark forces of repression (at least in some places) and people walking around with dollar signs in their eyes. But like it or not, pot is hot.
Here are some signs of the times:
1. Weed Outsold Booze in Aspen for a Couple of Months Last Year.There’s nothing better than a nice cognac while relaxing before the blazing fire at the ski lodge after a hard day of running the trails (or so I hear). Or is there? Well, as the Aspen Times reported, marijuana sales exceeded alcohol sales in the months of March and April 2015.
March, which just happens to include spring break, also saw the year’s highest marijuana sales total, at $998,000. Pot sales plummeted nearly by half the next month, as the snow melted and the resort went into its in-between season doldrums, but they still exceeded booze sales in April, too.
In all, the city’s seven pot shops sold $8.3 million worth of medical and just-plain marijuana in 2015, with the city collecting a nifty $200,000 in taxes and fees.
2. The Industry is Attracting a New Kind of Celebrity.Popular figures such as Snoop Dogg, Tommy Chong, and Willie Nelson have been eagerly embraced by the marijuana industry as weed-friendly celebrities, but now the industry is seeking out celebrities of a different sort—people who have made a name for themselves not in part as famous stoners but for being accomplished in their fields.
The Marijuana Business Daily profiled one, Mindy Segal, owner of Mindy’s Hot Chocolate in Chicago. She’s a big name in the pastry world. She’s the author of the award-winning cookbook “Cookie Love” and won the James Beard Foundation award for Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2012.
And now, she’s hooking up with Cresco Labs, which has three Illinois medical marijuana cultivation licenses, to create a line of marijuana-infused sweets, including chocolate brittle bars, granola bites, hot chocolate, and ready-made cake and cookie mixes. Cresco will provide the extracted THC and other ingredients, while Segal will put her baking skills to work creating the final product, which will carry her brand.
“I feel like this is an industry that is going to grow at rapid rates. I feel like I’m getting in at a time where the future is now,” Segal said. “I think I’m the first sort of well-known chef who has somewhat of a credible reputation to come forward and say, you know what, I’m entering this market.”
According to the Daily, the collaborative effort between Segal and Cresco is also “part of a larger trend in which cannabis companies are hooking up with celebrities and mainstream professionals who bring a new air of legitimacy to the business.”
3. Domestic Pot Production is Hurting Mexican Cartels. Marijuana seizures along the Mexican border are down dramatically, according to new data from the US Border Patrol. Agents snagged nearly 4 million pounds of Mexican weed in 2009, but that figure dropped to only 1.5 million pounds in 2014, providing more evidence that competition from north of the border is putting the hurt on the Mexican pot industry.
We’ve already seen many stories about the tough times in the pot fields of the Sierra Madre, with hardscrabble farmers bemoaning declining farm gate prices.
“Two or three years ago, a kilogram [2.2 pounds] of marijuana was worth $60 to $90,” a Mexican marijuana grower told NPR news in December 2014. “But now they’re paying us $30 to $40 a kilo. It’s a big difference. If the US continues to legalize pot, they’ll run us into the ground.”
While one can sympathize with the plight of the small producer, his products were flowing into the profit streams of those crazy violent Mexican drug cartels, and anything that reduces their operating capital is probably a good thing. That’s not to say that legalizing weed in the US will destroy the cartels—they do have other profitable product lines, such as cocaine, heroin, and meth, and they have been diversifying into things like kidnapping and extortion—but give the US pot industry credit for whittling away at cartel bottom lines.
4. The Legal Weed Industry Could Have a $44 Billion Economic Impact by 2020. That’s according to the 2016 Marijuana Business Factbook, published by the industry watchdog Marijuana Business Daily.The figure is based on estimated retail sales of $11 billion by 2020, up from somewhere around $4 billion this year, but also attempts to capture the industry’s overall contribution to the economy. The Factbook estimates an additional three dollars in economic impact for every dollar spent on retail pot, from revenues generated for governments, marijuana-related businesses, job creation, and increased tourism.
“We’re witnessing the emergence of a business that is about to become a massive economic force,” said Chris Walsh, managing editor of Marijuana Business Daily. “These figures, which we deem conservative, show not only how important the industry already is to the U.S economy at large, but also how much more important it is about to become.”
Of course, that depends on a few things, such as how many states legalize it between now and then and who gets elected president this fall. Despite all the buzz around the business, it’s still federally illegal—and only a Justice Department memo away from being blown up.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: 4 Signs The Marijuana Industry Will Keep Growing At A Lightning Pace Across The US
Author: Phillip Smith
Photo Credit: None found


text:
The decline of Research in Motion, the company responsible for releasing the Blackberry smartphones has really affected the development unit of the company as well. Many of the developers on the team are leaving the platform due to RIM’s declining smartphone market share and causing further delay in the release of the BlackBerry 10 OS. According to reports of the Baird Equity Research, development sentiment towards the BlackBerry 7 and the BlackBerry 10 has reached an all-time low. Out of over four thousand developers in RIM, two hundred were selected for the test. Results show that the collective outlook regarding the BlackBerry 10 is at a score of 3.8 out of 10. The score has dropped from 4.6 in the previous quarter.
Also, the outlook regarding the BlackBerry 7 has dropped to 2.8 from a previous average of 3.8. Let’s put these numbers in perspective. The developer’s outlook towards the Apple iOS is at a 9.3, while the score for the Google Android is 8.7. The development outlook for the BlackBerry 7 is only slightly better than that of the Hewlett-Packard’s webOS, which rates at a 2.1. Heard of it? We’re not surprised if you haven’t. Adobe’s Flash/Air platform is at par with the BlackBerry 10. The bad news doesn’t end there. Reports from Baird also state that over thirty percent of the developers on the BlackBerry 10 project have shifted their work away from the BB10. 34 percent made the shift in the previous quarter. The only good news is that this smaller BlackBerry development team will be very loyal.
Still, for a platform that is due to release in six months, that doesn’t seem like much of a silver lining. RIM’s chances for a turnaround are crumbling right in front of us and it’s not getting any easier to watch. Baird doesn’t seem to be the only research company with such a negative outlook about RIM. According to the latest IDC/Appcelerator Mobile Developer report, the average developer’s interest in BlackBerry has gone down from a disappointing 20 percent to a horrendous 15.5 percent. RIM, on the other hand, tends to disagree. A spokesperson of the company has pointed out that the app vendor base of the company has grown over one hundred and fifty percent, and registrations for the BlackBerry 10 Jam World Tour have been off the charts. Still, whether such optimism can really save the company remains to be seen.


text:
Shares in listed ICT group Reunert, slumped in afternoon trade on the JSE on Monday (6 May), after the group announced on Friday that it expects to see a fall in interim earnings.
By 15h30, Reunert lost R3.91 or 5.09% to R72.88 on the local bourse, having lost R3.39 on Friday (3 May). The company is some way off its 52 week best of R87.91, but boasts a market cap of R14.63 billion and a P/E Ratio of 11.66.
Reunert, the group behind the Nashua brand, said on Friday, that it expects earnings per share and headline earnings per share for the six months ended March 2013, will be between 13% and 17% lower than in 2012, citing a slower local economy.
Reunert says normalised headline earnings per share will be between 12% and 16% lower than the corresponding reporting period of the previous year.
In its interim period in 2012, Reunert reported normalised headline earnings per share to 298 cents, while revenue increased by 10% to R5.7 billio.
Operating profit grew by 18% to R736 million and the group increased its interim dividend to 95 cents per share
The key reasons for the decline in earnings are:
- The impact of a generally slower economy;
- Delays in various external infrastructure roll-outs that have affected the CBi-Electric segment;
- The port and transport sector strikes in October 2012 affected production volumes within CBi-Electric due to late delivery of raw-materials; and
- The decrease in the interconnect rates affected the viability of the least cost router (“LCR”) product offering in our mobile telecommunications business. LCR was still a significant profit contributor in the equivalent period last year.
“The combination of these factors has resulted in lower revenue for the six months and a consequent decrease in earnings,” Reunert said.


text:
With the lockdown still firmly in place, shops and supermarkets are constantly updating their opening times and shopper rules.
Marks and Spencer is no exception, and while its stores are shut for products like clothing and homeware, M&S foodhalls remain open to provide the nation with food essentials.
Because of the changes, shoppers have been asking many questions about the store and its new operating system.
M&S has now answered some of the most commonly-asked shopper questions, and has provided up to date information on its returns policy, vulnerable shoppers and sparks points.
How long do I have to return items I don't want?
M&S has extended its return period for anything bought in stores to 90 days. This applies to items bought online and in-store. Sale items are not included.
Can I shop on behalf of somebody else who is old or vulnerable during the special allocated times?
M&S asks anybody who does not fall under the elderly or vulnerable categories not to shop during the special reserved hours - even if you are shopping for somebody who falls into one of those catgegories. Shopping in other trading hours will help to maintain a quieter and easier atmosphere for those elderly and vulnerable customers who are shopping at these times.
Covaid-19 - helping those who need it most in Greater Manchester
The coronavirus outbreak has left many people across Greater Manchester struggling for access to food, basics and other support. Many of them are self-isolating, often in fragile health and alone.
Public services have been working hard to find and help them, but we know they are over-stretched and working round the clock.
So the Manchester Evening News and the Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity have launched Covaid-19 - a fundraiser aimed at supporting those who most need help, from elderly people with no support network to homeless families living in hotels.
The money will be distributed via the mayor of Greater Manchester's charity.
You can donate by visiting our JustGiving page here.
What counts as a 'vulnerable' customer?
"The NHS has given advice on vulnerable categories such as those with long-term conditions, weakened immune systems and pregnant women.
"M&S welcomes any customer who feels they are in a vulnerable category to shop during the special opening hour."
What counts as an 'older' customer?
"70 and over - this is the age group that has been recognised as needing additional support by the NHS."
Can M&S change the priority times for NHS workers because of shift patterns?
M&S says its store colleagues are working tirelessly to deliver for customers and it wants to keep it as simple as possible to implement this by just using the first hour. M&S hopes that having two days will allow lots of workers to access the time slot.
Will Sparks points be affected by coronavirus?
M&S has increased the period to add Sparks points from 30 days to 90 days.
What time does M&S open and close during lockdown?
- Opening times vary. Check with your local store.
- First hour of trading on Monday and Thursday is reserved for Vulnerable and older customers.
- First hour of trading on Tuesday and Friday is reserved for NHS and emergency services workers. Health and social care workers.


text:
Nickelodeon has partnered with Stadium Status Group to develop new consumer products inspired by its portfolio of children’s programming, according to a report in the Global License.
As per the collaboration, Stadium Status Group will develop a variety of projects including celebrity integrations, streetwear collections and high-fashion collaborations.
“Nickelodeon’s relationship with Mel and Doug from Stadium Status Group over the years has led to fantastic collaborations and products for the fans of our brand. Stadium Status has their finger on the pulse of pop culture and through our partnership with them, we’re looking forward to pairing our iconic characters with some of the most buzz-worthy brands and designers,” said Jose L. Castro, senior vice president, fashion & lifestyle licensing, specialty retail and global fashion collaborations, Nickelodeon.
Previously, Nickelodeon and Stadium Status Group have paired for SpongeBob themed products from Moschino, Rugrats and SpongeBob streetwear with Kith, slime themed apparel from Jeremy Scott among others.


text:
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts are elevating their presence in Japan, introducing Wyndham Grand and Wyndham Garden Brands.
Japanese hospitality company Fujita Kanko has developed a new concept combining luxury accommodation and the world of Zen in Japan.
In Japan, the Air France-KLM group is significantly increasing its service to Tokyo - 2 additional flights to Tokyo-Haneda on departure from Paris with Air France (14 weekly flights) and …
New challenges for the nation’s tourism industry ahead of Tokyo Olympic Games As Japan passed the 30-million international travellers’ mark for the first time, the country now looks to spread …
The Brazilian Government announced on Monday, 18th June that the country would allow visa-free entry for citizens of The United States, Canada, Australia and Japan.
New Otani Hotels and Bespoke Inc. have announced the launch of an Artificial Intelligence chatbot service, called Bebot, at Hotel New Otani Tokyo.
Japan has invited 30 "powerful influencers" from 20 countries and regions in a bid to receive 40 million inbound tourists in 2020...
360-degree virtual reality videos are being launched to experience the charms of Tokyo and Hiroshima prefectures.
Japan's Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. has come together with Hawaii-based Trinity Investments to create an exclusive joint venture called Nikko Style, an upscale select hotel brand that will soon be introduced throughout Japan.
JAPAN KEEPS ATTRACTING MORE AND MORE INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS, WITH HISTORICALLY HIGH GROWTH RATE RECORDED IN THE BEGINNING OF 2017


text:
In a visit co-ordinated by Invest NI as part of the NI Year of Food and Drink, 7 top chefs were in NI to see at first hand the extremely high quality and range of products on offer from artisan food producers in the Province. Those visiting included the Executive and Head Chefs from the Jumeriah Hotel Group, The Atlantis Palm and Emirate In-Flight Catering.
Fortunately they visited Glenarm during a break in the recent storms and as a result were able to go to sea to inspect the next generation of Glenarm Organic Salmon which will be ready for market late March.
The next day, using fresh and smoked Glenarm Organic Salmon and working with local chef Dean Coppard and students from Belfast Metropolitan College Catering School, Ben Tobitt of the Jumeriah Hotel and Restaurant Group prepared a delicious and innovative selection of dishes as part of the NI Larder challenge at Belfast Metropolitan College.
Get on our mailing list!
Sign up for the latest news and promotions


text:
Citroen has confirmed its new C5 Aircross SUV will make its global debut at the 2017 Shanghai Motor Show.
Directly inspired by the Aircross concept car revealed at the 2015 Shanghai Motor Show, the new C5 Aircross is described as a ‘people-minded’ SUV - combining 'assertive design' with an interior dedicated to the well-being of all passengers.
Citroen says the new model stands apart through its unique character, dynamism and presence, describing it as 'remarkably spacious for all occupants'. Featuring the latest technology it offers owners an easier and safer drive, and takes a modern approach to comfort.
The Citroen C5 Aircross marks a major step forward in the Citroen Advanced Comfort programme with the world debut of a suspension system equipped with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions, which is unique to the Citroen brand. The technology will be illustrated on the stand with a demonstration showing how the system filters out road imperfections.
The 2017 Shanghai Motor Show runs from 19-28 April.


text:
The programme, which runs from mid-August to the end of December 2021, will feature twelve 20-minute video lessons in Spanish
Tate & Lyle, a global provider of food and beverage ingredients and solutions, is collaborating with the Nutrition and Health Institute INSK of Kellogg to share information on dietary fibres with food and beverage industry professionals across Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Argentina.
Research indicates consumers in Latin America do not get enough fibre in their diet, Tate & Lyle says, with many not aware of the health benefits of dietary fibres beyond gut health. The average fibre consumption among Latin Americans can be lower than 15 grams per day, while the recommendations for adults range between 25 and 40 grams per day.
Tate & Lyle and Kellogg are offering an expanded online curriculum entitled: ‘Dietary fibres: benefits that go beyond gut health.’
The programme, which runs from mid-August to the end of December 2021, will feature twelve 20-minute video lessons in Spanish, led by nutrition experts and food scientists from different countries across Latin America, covering a wide range of fibre-related topics including dietary fibre recommendations, the gut health and fibre connection, and the benefits of fibre across childhood and throughout the ageing process, among others.
The online platform is designed to offer users the flexibility to move at their own pace and prioritise lessons which are the most beneficial to their learning.
“Fibre has so many health benefits beyond a healthy gut: getting enough fibre is associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and bowel cancer. It supports the normal functioning of the body’s immune system and has even been linked to having a positive impact on mood and emotional wellbeing,” said Renata Cassar, Tate & Lyle’s Senior Nutrition Manager, Latin America.
“Nutrition is part of the Kellogg DNA, we are passionate about supporting the continuous education of health professionals on relevant topics like the impact of dietary fibre on intestinal microbiota or the role of fibre in trending diets like Mediterranean, ketogenic, FODMAP, etc. Fibre consumption in Latin American countries is often insufficient, and we want to make a difference” said Elisa Gómez Reyes, INSK lead at Kellogg.


text:
Microsoft has cleverly incorporated advertisements into Windows Copilot on Windows 11, targeting specific search queries such as “compare Amazon Prime with Netflix.” That means when you perform these types of searches, you may come across ads for Amazon Prime within Windows 11’s Copilot interface.
This move shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering that Windows Copilot operates using Bing Chat within Microsoft Edge’s WebView. While Google has been capitalizing on ads within its platforms for a while now, Microsoft seems to be following a similar path.
Although Bing Chat is relatively new, it has become popular within the AI communities, particularly among those who prefer not to pay for ChatGPT subscriptions associated with GPT-4 and DALL-E. While advertising in Bing is generally acceptable, users are not pleased with ads infiltrating Windows Copilot, which is a built-in feature of the Windows 11 operating system.
Windows Copilot’s current preview version may seem uninteresting and sluggish, but there are significant developments on the horizon. For instance, plugin support and integration with other Microsoft apps are in the works. Imagine being able to open a Word document containing extensive paragraphs and thousands of words, and requesting Copilot to summarize it for you.
Copilot incorporates various AI technologies developed by Microsoft, including Bing Chat, ChatGPT, and another extensive language model. This allows Copilot to grasp contextual information, such as the active application on your screen and more. However, it is not yet capable of opening apps or engaging in conversation via voice commands.
To be clear, Copilot is not designed to launch apps or folders like Cortana. It is a powerful AI integrated into Windows; however, it hasn’t fully realized its AI potential yet.
Fortunately, Copilot does not consume much storage space on your device and is optional. If you are not a fan of Windows Copilot, you have the option to disable it using the Group Policy editor.
But can you turn off ads in Windows Copilot? Currently, there is no option to disable ads within the Windows Copilot feature.
Microsoft’s decision to introduce ads in Windows 11’s Copilot has raised some eyebrows, but it also presents a different perspective. In a world dominated by Google’s search engine, Microsoft’s attempt to maintain relevance through this feature is understandable. After all, sustaining Bing AI, especially when it is offered for free, necessitates some form of revenue generation.
Although Bing Chat is a relatively new player in the digital realm, it is quickly gaining popularity, particularly among those who are hesitant to subscribe to platforms like ChatGPT for accessing GPT-4 and DALL-E services.
While incorporating ads may serve as a monetization strategy for tech giants, it is crucial to strike a balance. Considering that users have already purchased Windows, Microsoft could potentially make the ads within Copilot optional on Windows 11.


text:
Bill Would Ban Credit Card Surcharge
By Phil Gregory, WBGO News
Trenton. February 4, 2013
New Jersey lawmakers may ban retailers from charging more for customers who pay with a credit card.
The proposed settlement of a class action lawsuit allows merchants to pass along to customers the so-called swipe charge stores pay for processing credit card transactions.
Senator Jim Whelan says the fee could be as much as four percent.
“Credit card companies and the banks both seem to be doing okay. We want to protect the consumers. They’ve been fine without it. We don’t see any reason why they would need it going forward.”
New Jersey Retail Merchants Association President John Holub says stores won’t make customers pay that fee.
“Consumers over the last few years especially since 2008 when the recession hit have become extremely price conscious. So the last thing you’re going to do is add an additional price onto a product. Retailers are just not going to alienate the consumers that way.”
Under terms of the proposed law, stores that do impose the surcharge could face a fine of a much as 20-thousand-dollars.
© 2013 WBGO News
Get the Rundown from WBGO News
A weekly email from WBGO News with a preview of what's coming up and a taste of what you might have missed.


text:
Faulty Xbox One Owners to Get Free Game
If you were one of the unlucky Xbox One purchasers to get your hands on a defective console at launch, Microsoft is looking to make it up to you.
In case you hadn't heard, a small percentage of Xbox One consoles have been affected by faulty disc drives. As soon as someone would put in a game, the system would grind it up, and render the optical drive useless. Fortunately, Microsoft is on top of it, and will be sending new consoles to those impacted with little resistance. However, so people can still enjoy games while they wait for the new console to arrive, Microsoft will be giving away free digital versions of its first-party launch titles.
"While a replacement console is on its way, we want to ensure our advance exchange customers can stay in the game," Microsoft told Polygon in a statement. "We will provide each of them with a free digital download of one of the launch titles published by Microsoft Studios."
Now, the only issue would be if you happened to be someone who picked up all the titles at launch, and you got hit with the disc drive issue. Regardless, it's nice to see Microsoft going a little bit above and beyond to ensure people with issues are still getting to have fun with the Xbox One.


text:
Global Blockchain Convention 2022 – Transforming the World with BSV Blockchain
May 24 - 26 2022
The emerging blockchain world is a perfect mix of traditionally doing things with those that can be done with the help of blockchain technology. Blockchain can lend its hand to many codified agreements handled by traditional means. The discussion of how blockchain can transform our lives is already taking place at numerous events and conferences around the world.
What is the Global Blockchain Convention?
The Global Blockchain Convention organised by BSV blockchain is aimed at showing how the world can change by the utility and wide range of solutions provided by BSV blockchain. Attendees will be educated on an alternative yet an exciting new way to manage data and build scalable on-chain solutions. The convention will be filled with valuable and insightful and engaging events that will educate, inform and connect people, allowing them to build professional networks and strong business relationships.
The convention will be broadcasted live from the Grand Hyatt Dubai from May 24th to May 26th, with attendees having the option to join it in person or virtually.
Speakers at the event
Hosted by Jimmy Nguyen, the Founding President of BSV Blockchain Association, the event will feature renowned speakers such as Ahmed Refaie(CEO, G.P.I Global Partners Investments Limited), Ahmed Yousif (Middle East Lead, BSV Blockchain for Government Initiative), Alex Agut (Co-Founder and CEO, HandCash), Angus Brown (Founder and CEO, Centbee) and a host of other industry leaders and visionaries.
Agenda of Global Blockchain Convention
The event will feature new blockchain innovations, big ecosystem announcements, new product launches, technological updates, keynote speakers, and many more, spread across three days.
Day 1(May 24th)
Day 1 will begin with the opening event followed by a discussion on BSV Blockchain, small payments, scaling games, play-to-earn model, Data power-ups, and NFTs before ending the day with a discussion on virtual events and blockchain.
Day 2(May 25th)
Day 2 will focus on better payments, tokenization, stablecoins, and CBDCs with BSV, followed by digital asset exchanges, better invoice payments, and financial inclusion among other things. Day 2 will also feature keynote speeches on topics such as IPv6-Based 5G/6g, IoT and the BSV blockchain. The day will end with an honorary awards presentation.
Day 3 (May 26th)
The final day will include discussions on regulatory compliance for blockchain and digital assets, security tokens, smart contracts, DAOs, and other related topics. Day 3 will also feature a keynote speech on cloud security, overlays, and blockchain. This will be followed by a discussion on the future of computation, AI, and blockchain.
Why attend the Global Blockchain Convention?
BSV Blockchain’s event will feature an informative and engaging mix of capabilities and a wide range of applications that are possible on the BSV Blockchain. The event will feature keynote speeches, panels, and presentations that are sure to keep attendees engaged. It will also provide the opportunity to engage with products and services from start-ups as well as global blockchain enterprises. The event will also provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build relationships with some of the industry’s most influential decision-makers, investors, and developers. It will be an innovative space to discover new applications that are rapidly disrupting and changing various industries.
To get a more detailed view of the event, visit here
About Global Blockchain Convention
The Global Blockchain Convention organised by BSV blockchain is a three-day convention featuring detailed discussions and events on how BSV blockchain can change the way the world manages data and build scalable on-chain solutions.


text:
It already counts 11 verticals covering everything from news and sports to women's issues, music, food and tech. Now, Vice is planning to expand its scope even further, pulling back the curtain today on a gaming vertical that was first announced at the company's NewFronts presentation last in May.
The as yet unnamed channel, set to fully launch in the fall, will focus on gaming culture, big and small, through personal storytelling.
"It's probably the biggest medium today for communications," Joel Fowler, publisher of the new vertical, told Adweek. Fowler also runs Vice's electronic music and culture channel, Thump.
Vice already produces gaming-related content for Motherboard and The Creators Project, as well as for the main website, but will now have its own "dedicated place where we can devote resources," said Fowler. "We see it more as doubling down on all the gaming content that we've been doing."
Vice is debuting the first episode of Pixel by Pixel, the first video series for the vertical, during this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3. Vice partnered with Twitch to stream the episode live during its E3 broadcast scheduled for Tuesday afternoon around 6 p.m. PT. The series profiles indie game developers in the weeks leading up to the release of their projects. The first episode follows Alex Preston, creator of Hyper Light Drifter. The game is autobiographical in nature. Preston was born with a serious congenital heart defect. The game's main character confronts challenges he must resolve before he dies.
Vice will roll out the first episode for each of the five new shows in the coming months leading up to the site's launch; all five videos will be sponsored by Taco Bell. By late summer, Vice will debut the first episode of esports-themed series Versus, which will center on the game Smite.
Unlike most gaming sites, Fowler plans to steer clear of reviews. "It's almost like a big controversial point between sites and fans," said Fowler. Too often, reviewers end up getting blasted by fans for essentially lying to them. They also led to the rise of the ugly Gamergate controversy in 2014. "We really don't want to even touch that space," said Fowler, who plans to focus on the stories behind the games and the people who make them.
"The biggest point is that it's inclusive," he said.
The rise of esports is also leading to a positive pivot in the gaming world, he says.
"There was definitely, for a couple years, a pretty polarized depiction of games from mass media. That is definitely changing as esports has become such a big cash cow," Fowler said. The burgeoning space also allows them to work across other Vice verticals.
"Vice Sports can cover it from a sporting angle and we can actually unify for really comprehensive esports coverage," he said.


text:
Turning Point Brands Inc. TPB, +10.96% stock rose 5% in premarket trades after the maker of Zig-Zag rolling papers beat its revenue and earnings targets. Turning Point Brands said it lost $16.3 million, or 93 cents a share, after posting a profit of $11.45 million, or 57 cents a share, in the year-ago quarter. Its adjusted fourth-quarter profit of 69 cents a share beat the estimate of 48 cents a share, according to estimates compiled by FactSet. Fourth-quarter revenue fell to $103.4 million from $105.3 million in the year-ago period, and beat the analyst estimate of $101.7 million.
This article was originally published by Marketwatch.com. Read the original article here.