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For Samsung Electronics Co., the Galaxy S24 series is not just an improve to its earlier flagship designs. It is an evolution that opens a new era of cellular synthetic intelligence, in accordance to the South Korean tech giant’s cell business main.
Although unveiling the Galaxy S24 very last month, TM Roh, president and head of Samsung’s cell Encounter (MX) division, identified as it “the world’s 1st AI phone,” packed with a variety of on-device AI functions.
In retrospect, he claimed the development procedure of the newest flagship was laborious and still fulfilling.
“As an engineer, I have witnessed quite a few examples of incredible innovations, but AI is the most transformative technologies of the century,” he claimed in an in-dwelling contributing post on Wednesday. “Developing the Galaxy S24 series has been the most gratifying interval of my occupation.”
He stated cell products will develop into the primary access place for AI and Samsung’s Galaxy smartphone series has a main position to play in broadening the horizon for new alternatives in customer ordeals.
The Galaxy S24 is replete with AI enhancements, from Samsung and Alphabet Inc.’s Google, together with Reside Translate, a developed-in reside translation of phone calls, and a new lookup resource, Circle to Lookup, which lets users circle an graphic on the phone to get related information and facts.
Samsung pins superior hopes on the new smartphone series as the launch will come times soon after it lost the crown as the world’s major smartphone maker to Apple and its Apple iphone.
Because its start, Roh said the enterprise has acquired a good deal of feedback about how individuals use Galaxy AI options.
“One of the most welcomed AI capabilities is Circle to Look for, with Google, an outstanding new software for intuitive discovery,” he mentioned. “Our communication applications for taking away language boundaries, this sort of as Are living Translate, Chat Assist and Interpreter, have captured the imagination of a lot of.”
JUST Acquiring Begun
“While developing the Galaxy S24 series, we experienced a lot of tips and concepts that we required to provide to life. Galaxy buyers will be in a position to love a lot more AI capabilities that create on these ideas and concepts about time. Once more, we’re only obtaining started off,” he claimed.
The mobile chief reported Samsung aims to have at least 100 million units of its flagship Galaxy line of smartphones outfitted with a selection of AI options by the close of this 12 months.
To do so, the corporation strategies to roll out AI characteristics to some of its previously styles in the Galaxy S collection, enable by itself its newest handsets, as a result of application updates in the initially fifty percent.
Samsung said its AI attributes will be offered for no cost until the close of 2025 on supported Galaxy equipment, even though diverse conditions could apply for AI characteristics offered by third functions.
Roh reported he expects Samsung to post double-digit smartphone profits progress this yr, aided by the new Galaxy S24 sequence.
GALAXY WEARABLES TO USE AI TECH
He explained Samsung is doing work on the up coming ways for Galaxy AI over and above smartphones, optimizing it for many types of devices across different products and services.
“In the in close proximity to long run, pick out Galaxy wearables will use AI to enhance electronic health and fitness and unlock a entire new era of expanded intelligent overall health activities. Samsung will retain enriching and expanding Galaxy AI experiences throughout categories by way of collaborations with additional market-main AI companions,” he claimed.
Samsung, also the world’s biggest maker of memory chips and TVs, claimed it has taken a hybrid strategy that brings together on-gadget and cloud-based AI tech to tackle protection and privateness challenges when using AI functions.
“AI models in training are continue to inclined to hallucinations, and the discussion on mental property rights proceeds. It is critical that firms brazenly collaborate to meticulously define AI activities, so buyers can confidently and reliably enjoy their new skills,” he claimed.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s AI capabilities are powered by Qualcomm’s ultra-smart Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor chipset.
The smartphone’s non-Extremely versions are equipped with Samsung’s Exynos 2400 application processor.
Write to Eui-Myung Park at [email protected]
In-Soo Nam edited this article.


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Private communication has been around for as long as humanity, but the whispers in the advertising industry are growing worried as marketers realize their audience is slipping away into new forms of social media. After all, it’s hard to intercept a consumer with an ad message if they are only communicating among themselves.
Case in point: Last week the major television networks posted their worst-ever ratings among viewers 18 to 49, despite pushing expensive new dramas. Over in radio, the rollout of the new Portable People Meter — a device meant to improve rating accuracy by picking up an actual signal from the radio station a listener is tuned in to, vs. relying on less-accurate diaries — has exposed continued declines in radio ratings. The findings were so startling that Arbitron launched its own spin campaign in the media planning press to try to convince ad agencies that 70 of the “new” rating points were as good as 100 of the old ones.
Of course, advertising still works. It’s just the metrics have changed.
The irony of all this is consumers now use more media than ever before. Home broadband (high-speed internet) adoption is up from 54% of U.S. homes in late 2007 to 63% today. Consumers are adopting so-called companion device behavior, working on laptops or mobile while also watching television. While social networks such as Facebook and Twitter began as youth playthings, now 35% of U.S. adults have social media profiles, catching up to the 65% of teens who already do. The biggest trend of all — and the one to watch, since young consumers take media habits with them as they age — is the convergence of content creation with mobile. Pew reports 2 out of 3 teens 12-17 are avid “content creators,” posting blogs or photo or video to social media sites; 91% use such sites to stay in touch with friends; and the majority use cell phones for texting or online communication.
More media. Weaker ratings. So what gives?
Media use is up, but communication is fragmenting and the old illusory “impression” metrics can’t keep up. GRPs and CPMs have always been more fiction than reality; Mediamark Research is one group that has found consumers usually are not paying attention to the “impressions” they receive from advertising. Advertising impressions have always been a currency used to compare different ad options, but each impression is not necessarily an impact on a consumer’s mind.
What is the solution? Marketers have a choice: one, they can wait for ever-more sophisticated attempts to monitor impressions among the fragmenting audience (see the recent TiVo-Quantcast partnership that will try to match television viewing with web surfing behavior). Or two, marketers can measure their own responses to advertising and public relations, and evaluate the variances between which media options work best.
We suggest the second solution is the best path. Front-end forecasting is necessary to build media plans that allocate advertising dollars with the greatest chance of success. But if you can measure responses — and determine from the real, hard measurements of inquiries coming into your web site or call center or sales force which ad media is out-performing others — you will have better insights to adjust the media mix. Relying on the old ratings and CPMs of yesterday is becoming a weaker solution.

domain: news


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Palisade’s Grande River Vineyards – the largest grape grower in Colorado and one of the state’s oldest wineries – will soon be on the auction block.
J.P. King Auction Co. will put the 91-acre property up for auction Oct. 24. King is dividing it into 13 parcels, three of which are seen as prime development opportunities because they’re just off Interstate 70 and are already zoned to permit businesses such as hotels or restaurants.
“Certainly, this is great land that seems to be particularly well-suited to growing grapes, but that’s not all it’s well-suited for,” said Carl Carter, spokesman for Gadsden, Ala.-based J.P. King. “The area is growing very quickly.”
Owners Stephen and Naomi Smith, who started the vineyard in 1987 and began producing wine in 1990, plan to retire. They said they’d prefer a buyer who will keep it an active winery.
“We want to pass the torch on. We just think it’s time for somebody else to take it to the next level,” said Naomi Smith. “But it could end up a wide variety of things.”
The Smiths said they have already had interest from large national wineries, local competitors and private-investor groups.
Grande River grows 60 acres of grapes, or 9 percent of all those grown in Colorado. It sells about half its crop to other winemakers across the country and each year produces about 7,000 cases of its own award-winning wine.
Colorado’s burgeoning wine industry has grown substantially in the last two decades, up from a handful of wineries in the mid-1980s to 64 today, according to the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board.
“My concern, and part of the reality, is that land prices in the Grand Valley are now close to $50,000 an acre,” said Doug Caskey, executive director of the board. “At that price, it can be tough to make a profit selling grapes. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of this land get developed.”
A recent study by Colorado State University found that the wine industry contributed $41.7 million to the state’s economy last year, including $20.6 million from wine-related tourism.
The Grand Junction Visitor and Convention Bureau is working to increase that number by branding the Grand Valley, which is home to 18 wineries, “Colorado’s Wine Country.”
“It’s a big draw,” said executive director Debbie Kovalik. “We are so hopeful that somebody keeps (Grande River) a winery.”
Twelve of the Grande River properties will be sold with no reserve, or minimum bid. The 5-acre parcel that houses the main winery buildings, a tasting room, retail area, offices and an amphitheater used for concerts, will be held at an undisclosed reserve.
J.P. King has handled several high-profile auctions in the state, including the sale of former Colorado Rockies pitcher Mike Hampton’s Evergreen home for $3.08 million.
“We felt like the certainty of an auction was the best way to go,” said Steve Smith. “It’s a unique property. It’s a little bit hard to value. This way, we let the market value it.”
Staff writer Julie Dunn can be reached at 303-954-1592 or firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Today, Ubisoft announced a big update for Steep on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. What does that have to do with Nintendo? Steep is coming to the Nintendo Switch this year, and this update includes a brand new community feature – World Tour Tournament – as well as new community challenges, and a brand new Alaska map.
Hopefully, all of this content will be available at the game’s launch on the Nintendo Switch. We reached out to Ubisoft for comment, but have yet to receive confirmation.
Read more about the update from Ubisoft:
Players from around the globe, who are looking to outdo themselves and other riders, can now sign-up for Steep World Tour Tournament, a brand new monthly tournament series available for the whole community. The first competition, “Backcountry”, will start today with the qualification phase: a challenge in the cursed mountain for skiers and snowboarders, who will have to reach 5000 points to make it to the 2nd phase, the Tournament. The 32 best players on each platform during the Tournament phase will make it to the finals, where they will confront each other to win Steep credits.
The wildest and the most creative challenges made by the community will be available to all players through the Community Challenges feature. Steep players will be able to compete in order to achieve the highest score, to gain reputation points, and to be on the top leaderboards for each community challenge. The development team will also be creating challenges, so the players can go up against the Steep team themselves and try to beat their scores.
The eagerly awaited, free Alaska open-world will be globally released on February 10th, 2017, and will include the first Branded Challenges. These unique challenges will reward the fiercest players with Steep credits and reputation points. They will also be available in the Alps in a planned second phase.


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The New York stock market ended down on 14 December at least amid mounting concerns about an escalating U.S- China trade war. It serves as an urgent reminder, how much China has been increasingly shaping U.S. trade relations. hanse data show that during the past 30 years, China increased its share in total U.S. imports from 1.6 percent in 1987 to 22.0 percent in 2017. It is a reflection of China’s remarkable successful international trade strategy and rapid transformation since the mid-1980s. The trade war risks disrupting this increasingly symbiotic relationship between the U.S. and China.
China’s emergence as a dominant trade power is reflected in its ability to penetrate the U.S.’ fastest growing imports. During 1987 and 2017, the 10 fastest growing sectors, in the Standard International Trade Classification out of 150 groups, increased their share in U.S. imports from 19.1 percent in 1987 to 36.7 percent in 2017 (Figure 1). China expanded its market share in these sectors from 0.4 percent in 1987 to 30.4 percent in 2017 representing in 2017 50.7 percent of U.S. imports from China. Japan, in the same sectors, lost market share from 26.7 percent in 1987 to 5.1 percent in 2017.
Figure 1. China’s share in U.S. fastest growing imports
Figure 2. China's dominant U.S. markets
China built a dominant market share in a narrow set of sectors. In 2017, the 10 sectors where China had the largest market share of on average 60.6 percent represent only 15.6 percent of U.S. imports (Figure 2). The dominance of China in a relative small group of sectors illustrates the significant relative inter-dependence of the two countries. While the U.S. administration continues to threaten imposing more restrictions on imports from China, it seems clear that those will harm certain segments of the U.S. economy.


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Investcorp to acquire Unilog
Click here to read full article from source
New Delhi, Jan. 14 -- Global private equity investor Investcorp is set for its first buyout transaction in India. It has already signed an agreement to pick up a majority stake in Unilog, which caters to small and medium businesses in the US with its software-as-a-service (SaaS) e-commerce solutions, a senior Investcorp India executive said in an interview.
Headquartered in greater Philadelphia, US, Unilog has around 700 employees across its campuses in Bengaluru and Mysuru, and helps distributors, manufacturers, and wholesalers boost online sales, reduce costs and enhance their digital channels. It is led by chief executive officer Suchit Bachalli.
"In the developed markets we are known as a mid-market buyout fund. That's what we do fo...
To read the full article or to get the complete feed from this publication, please Contact Us


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Egypt to sign free trade agreement with UK soon – minister
Egypt is set to sign a free trade agreement with the UK soon as the negotiations are in final stages, Egyptian industry minister Nevine Gamea said on Sunday.
Speaking at a conference organised by the British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA), Gamea said the two countries had already reached a semi-final free trade agreement following intense negotiations held recently and d the two sides will put pen to paper “in the coming period,.
Gamea added that Egypt wants to increase its agricultural exports to Britain under the pact, she said, without providing further details.
Trade talks have been ongoing since 2018, two years after the UK voted to leave the European Union — and with it, the bloc’s trade pact with Egypt, which removed trade barriers on agricultural and manufacturing goods. At the time, the UK was said to be looking to negotiate terms similar to those in the EU pact, while Egypt was pushing for ways to increase exports.
UK is Egypt’s biggest foreign investor, with investments stood at about $5.348 billion by the end of last year, accounting for 45.8 percent of the total investment inflows into the Egyptian market reported by the end of the financial year 2018/2019.
In addition, UK has total investments of $47.8 billion, through 1,817 companies operating in Egypt.
The value of trade between Egypt and the UK increased by 5.4 percent during 2019 to record about $3.18 billion compared to $3 billion in 2018.


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The Analytical Center has issued a regular bulletin on current trends in the Russian economy addressing the foreign trade trends.
The authors specify that in the first half of 2018 a moderate recovery of economy was observed which stimulated demand for imported goods of both industrial and consumer purposes. This trend is largely caused by the growth of export income related to the increase in energy resources and metals prices and growth of incomes of exporting companies and budget allocations.
According to the Federal Customs Service of Russia, foreign trade turnover in January through June 2018 achieved USD 328.7 billion, having increased by 21.6% year-on-year. Export from Russia increased by 26.6% up to USD 213.3 billion, import — by 13.4% up to USD 115.4 billion. The visible balance amounted to USD 97.9 billion.
The export growth for six month of 2018 was promoted mostly by the increase of export earnings from sales of crude oil, oil products and natural gas. In terms of value, the export of fuel and energy to the far abroad countries has grown by 29.2%, and to the CIS countries — by 30.9% on a year-on-year basis.
Since November 2017, the import has been growing steadily, the experts say. Half of the import from foreign countries in the first seven months of 2018 consisted of engineering products.
Geographical structure of Russian foreign trade continues to shift towards Asia. However, after serious decline in export, trade with the EU countries and the CIS began to recover, the authors state.
For more information see the bulletin "Foreign Trade Trends".
For the other bulletins on the current trends in the Russian economy, please see Publications.


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Let’s talk diversity!
We’ve teamed up with our amazing partners Adeo to launch their very first online networking event – Adeo Rocks.
On Friday March 19th at 2pm, we’ll be joined by Yasmin Khan, founder of Halo Project, who will be leading the conversation on the importance of diversity in the workplace.
The event will be hosted by Cara Dzivane from Adeo and Rocks owner Duncan Smillie.
Tickets are FREE! For more information and to book your place CLICK HERE to visit our Eventbrite page.
We look forward to seeing you there!


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With PRMac — which has been in the press release creation/distribution business since 1999 — shutting down April 30, the staff here at Apple World Today is launching PRApple Media to fill the void.
PRApple.Media gets your message out to the Apple press ecosphere by offering news media distribution services to Apple developers, service providers, and hardware or accessory manufacturers. Submit your press release through our automated system, and you’ll get thousands of views immediately. PRApple Media offers same-day distribution of your press release upon approval, as well as RSS/XML integration, social media blasts, and distribution to press agencies.
The basic tier price is $4.99 per press release and includes:
Listing on PRApple Media
Spell and Grammar checking, plus a final check by a real human before publishing
An email blast to PRApple Media’s large recipient list
RSS/XML feed inclusion
Same day distribution upon approval
Ping RSS Aggregators
Social media blasts
Inclusion on Apple News and Google News
Distribution to news agencies
Secure and easy online payment (PRApple Media doesn't retain any payment information)
PRESS RELEASE WRITING SERVICE
If you’re not confident in your ability to write a press release, PRApple Media will do it for you.
“Your press release is what makes an impression to the public about you and your company,” says Steve Sande. “We’ll produce a properly-formatted press release without misspellings or grammatical errors, designed to focus the greatest amount of attention to your product or service.”
For $99 per press release, you get all the features of the basic tier, plus:
Two business day turnaround
An easy-to-complete online form for submitting your information so work can begin immediately on your custom press release
Who are we?
Steve Sande began writing about Apple in 1986 on his bulletin board system (BBS) MAGIC, has written for a series of websites since 1994 including The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW), and is now publisher of Apple World Today. Steve is the co-author of Pitch Perfect: The Art of Promoting Your App On The Web, a definitive guide to online marketing.
Dennis Sellers has over 30 years’ experience covering the Apple ecosystem. He's worked for such sites as MacCentral, MacWorld, MacNews, MacTech, and is now the news editor for Apple World Today.


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Semiconductor Equipment Provider Aehr test systems (ahr) topped Wall Street’s targets for the fiscal third quarter late Thursday, thanks to strong demand for equipment used to test power chips for electric vehicles. Aehr stock gained in extended trading.
The Fremont, Calif.-based company earned an adjusted 16 cents per share on revenue of $17.2 million for the quarter ended February 28. Analysts polled by FactSet had expected Aehr earnings of 14 cents a share on sales of $16 million. Year over year, Aehr’s earnings rose 45% while revenue rose 13%.
For the fiscal year ending May 31, Aehr reiterated its revenue guidance of at least $60 million to $70 million. That would mean growth of at least 18% to 38% year over year. It said profit margins would be similar to last year.
Aehr manufactures semiconductor test and reliability qualification equipment. Its recent growth has been in systems for testing and burn-in of silicon carbide or SiC power chips, mainly for electric vehicles. Burn-in is a stress test of a component to detect problems.
Aehr stock rises after report
In after-hours trading on the stock market today, Aehr shares are up 2.6% to 38.20. During Thursday’s regular session, Aehr shares fell 1.7% to close at 37.22.
“Aehr had another great quarter, with sales and net income beating consensus estimates,” said Chief Executive Gayn Erickson in a press release. “Our momentum in silicon carbide wafer level burn-in continues to increase.”
In addition to manufacturers of silicon carbide chips, Aehr works with several suppliers of gallium nitride semiconductors. These gallium nitride chip manufacturers make products such as radio frequency and power devices.
“We believe that gallium nitride will be a significant market,” said Erickson. It will be driven by high-volume applications such as high-frequency amplifiers, power converters and consumer electronics chargers, solar inverters, and electric vehicle chargers and converter applications, he said.
Longer term, Aehr is excited about manufacturing test and qualification equipment for the emerging silicon photonics market, Erickson said.
Aehr shares are on two IBD lists
According to the information provided, Aehr shares have the best possible IBD Composite Rating of 99 IBD inventory check. This puts it in the top 1% of stocks based on key fundamental and technical metrics over the past 12 months.
In addition, Aehr shares are on the IBD 50 and stock listings from IBD Tech Leaders.
On March 22, Aehr stock broke out of a fourth level consolidation pattern with a buy point of 37.67, according to IBD MarketSmith charts. It hit a record high of 40.69 the next day before pulling back.
Follow Patrick Seitz on Twitter at @IBD_PSeitz for more stories about consumer technology, software and semiconductor stocks.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
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Microsoft Stock returns to the buy zone after the software giant adds AI to cybersecurity
Why Micron stock is soaring despite the chipmaker’s terrible results and forecast
See stocks on the list of leading companies near a buy point
Find winning stocks with MarketSmith’s pattern recognition and custom screens
Source : www.investors.com


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Tom Ford is soon to end his Chairmanship of the CFDA, the American Designer was appointed as the Chairman of the CFDA in June 2019. On May 31st the designer is ending his three year term.
If you are part of the fashion industry you are likely to know the importance of the CFDA -The Council of Fashion Designers of America. This not-for-profit organisation was founded in 1962 to promote American fashion designers globally, but also help them establish presence in the States as well. Today the organisation has 477 members mostly coming from fashion designers ranks working in womenswear, menswear, jewellery design and accessory design. The organisation operates alongside The CFDA Foundation, Inc. which is a separate not-for-profit organization, established to garner funds for charity and industry operations.
CFDA establishes the Fashion Calendar focused in New York Fashion Week but also hosts the annual CFDA Fashion Awards.
Ford was the Chairman of the CFDA during the incredibly difficult period for the fashion industry, still holding a grip on creatives both in the states and globally. Following the end of Ford’s term, CFDA CEO Steven Kolb will take the duties of Interim Chair until December 31, 2022. Additionally the Board’s current officers – Vice-Chair Tracy Reese, Secretary Vera Wang, Treasurer Stan Herman – will remain in their positions till the end of 2022.
“When I began my role as Chairman in June of 2019, my goal was to help the American fashion industry become more globally recognized for its talent and importance. I could not have imagined the extraordinary circumstances that both the industry and the world would have to navigate – that a pandemic would shut the world down and change the course of our lives and of our businesses forever. The pandemic challenged all of us to think about our businesses in new ways – from the design process and production, to how we reach and speak to our customers. We were forced to come up with creative new ways to run our companies,” shares Tom Ford
Tory Burch, Thom Browne, and Aurora James are unanimously elected effective June 1. as part of the Board ready to select the new Chairperson. The Board will vote on a new Chairperson in the fall to start in January in correspondence with CFDA’s fiscal calendar.
“Some may think that fashion is just about making beautiful clothes and accessories or having runway shows, dressing celebrities and throwing parties without considering the incredible amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, or that the fashion industry is a $3 trillion industry that employs millions of individuals,” adds Tom Ford.
Ford comes after a striking line of predecessors such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Oscar de La Renta, Bill Blass cand Carolyne Roehm to name a few. Tom Ford was initially set to be the Chairperson of CFDA for two years, with an extension of one year. CFDA Chairperson is usually in the position from a period of 2 to 4 years.
“The CFDA and its Board of Directors thanks Tom Ford for his leadership working on behalf of the American fashion industry during an unprecedented time, Tom initiated several key initiatives, which the CFDA remains firmly committed to.” the CFDA CEO Steven Kolb shares with the press.
Ford’s term at the CFDA brought a slew of necessary changes, geared towards pushing forward both American but also global fashion industry initiatives. Ford has started the diversification of the CFDA’s Board of Directors and helped start multiple new programs working on the much needed inclusion and equity in the fashion industry. One of the initiatives is the CFDA IMPACT created to form connections of talents who are looking to partner with brands to provide opportunities for hundreds of jobs and a slew of mentorship options within the industry.
Some may think that fashion is just about making beautiful clothes and accessories or having runway shows, dressing celebrities and throwing parties without considering the incredible amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, or that the fashion industry is a $3 trillion industry that employs millions of individuals
Together with VOGUE, Tom Ford was the key to the start up of the A Common Thread program which placed 5 Million USD in relief aid to struggling fashion business during the first two years of the global pandemic. It is important to note that 79% of those funds were distributed to fashion women and minority owned businesses.
Ford also worked on a tighter New York Fashion Week Schedule, reducing the event to five days. Additionally during the pandemic the designer brought the idea of the American Collections Calendar. The same was meant to focus on designers outside of the New York area by including all American designers regardless when and where they are showing.
Additionally during the pandemic and the new aspect of digital fashion weeks Ford worked with CFDA on the launch of RUNWAY360. The web page is serving both press and buyers during the New York Fashion Week, thus continuing the effective side of the digital fashion weeks. This provides a quick access to collection imagery, notes and designer contacts for press and buyers alike.
Finally, Ford worked on doubling the CFDA’s Scholarship Fund to half a million USD directed toward helping young fashion students.
“As Chairman of the CFDA, I have had the privilege to experience first-hand the remarkable determination and optimism that drives our industry. I am honored to have been able to support the truly incredible talent in the American fashion industry for these past three years, and I look forward to continuing in my role on the CFDA Board,” concludes Tom Ford.
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Vodafone has today announced it will sell Sony's new Xperia M smartphone.
The Xperia M is a pre-paid device that will retail for $199 through Vodafone. It will also sell for $249 outright through Sony retailers and is available from today.
The Xperia M has 4in TFT touchscreen with a resolution of 854x480, runs a dual-core 1GHz Snapdragon processor and has 1GB of RAM.
The phone includes 4GB of internal memory, but a microSD card slot allows users to expand the storage.
The Xperia M is a 3G smartphone, so it is not compatible with Australian 4G networks.
Most pre-paid smartphones sold in Australia are 3G handsets, but 4G devices are slowly trickling into the lower end of the market.
Telstra currently sells its own-branded Frontier 4G Android phone for $199, while Optus sells the LG Optimus F5 ($299).
Vodafone ranges the HTC One SV ($299), but currently doesn't allow pre-paid customers to access its 4G network.
Sony Mobile's managing director of communications, John Featherstone, says the Xperia M is an ideal entry level smartphone, despite its lack of 4G connectivity.
"Consumers looking for their first steps into the world of Xperia smartphones, would be well-advised to look at Xperia M."
"The Xperia M benefits from Sony’s proven innovation and engineering expertise, and is perfect for those who want the premium technology and experiences often only associated with high-end models."
Other features of the Xperia M include a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with Sony's Exmor RS sensor and single LED flash, along with a front-facing VGA camera that handles video calls.
The Xperia M is currently available in black and white variants. Vodafone says the availability of purple and yellow variants will be announced "at a later date."


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Even for the richest man in the world, pulling $ 44 billion out of his pocket is no joke. The week that is closing has started in the sign of Elon Musk and its sensational acquisition of Twitter: on April 25, the board of directors of the social network accepted Musk’s offer of 54.2 dollars per share in order to obtain control of the company.
TESLA VA GI
The news had repercussions on the stock exchange, with the Tesla stock which has lost about 20% of its value since the news was official. The reasons for this dizzying decline are attributable in part to the perplexities of the market, and in part to the direct action of Musk, who to finance the takeover of Twitter over the course of the week it sold nearly 10 million Tesla shares: 4.4 million between Tuesday and Wednesday another 5.2 million on Thursday. The total is 9.6 million shares, corresponding to approx 8.4 billion dollars.
On Thursday, after the latest deals concluded, Musk then tweeted to communicate that he had no plans to get rid of further Tesla shares.
No further TSLA sales planned after today
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 29, 2022
The consequences on the stock market were immediately visible: Tuesday Tesla stock recorded a collapse of 12%, the worst daily decline since September 2020 – at the time, however, the value had decreased by 21%. Today, however, the stock made a slight recovery, growing by 3.9%.
Analysts say Musk’s move was greeted with concern by some of Tesla’s shareholders, and certainly the fact that the tycoon himself sold huge stacks of shares didn’t help. This new adventure by Musk in fact starts at a crucial period for Tesla, which has many important goals to achieve in the next six, nine and twelve months, and is already dealing with the delay of the Cybertruck, the production of the new 4680 cells. the construction of the Gigafactory in Germany and Texas and the recent reopening of the factory in China.
ONE MORE COMPANY, BUT THE TIME STAYS THE SAME
Elon Musk’s relationship with his companies is anomalous, since he not only plays an administrative role, but has a central charismatic and technical role in the development of projects, from Tesla to SpaceX passing through Neuralink and arriving at Boring Company. The feartherefore, is that the good Elon ends up being distracted by the acquisition of Twitter first and then by its management, having less time to devote to other businessesincluding Tesla.
This is a factor that Tesla himself highlighted in the recent earnings report for the last quarter, supporting the strong dependence on Musk (who owns 17% of the shares) and his services, and that although the tycoon devotes a lot of time and a lot of energy to the company, however it is never a question of the totality of time or attention, since there are also other realities to manage.


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- Chipotle is selling $5 burritos online on Halloween and giving away burritos through Roblox.
- Some workers are worried about running out of food and not having enough staff.
- Workers and customers said Chipotle's BOGO event over the summer was "pure chaos."
Chipotle's annual Halloween Boorito promotion will look different this year, but some workers are still worried that their restaurants aren't prepared to handle the usual influx of customers.
Six Chipotle workers in five states told Insider that they're concerned about how the event will go. All spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
"My crew is pretty scared. There's a lot of new employees since turnover is so high, and our customers have been extremely rude and impatient with our short staffing," a manager in Illinois told Insider. "I'm worried that if the night goes poorly, we'll find ourselves with employees walking out."
Similar sentiments were shared by members of the crew in other stores. "I was told as early as my first month working here that working on Halloween is hell," a New York City worker who's been on the job for five months said.
In the past, customers could go to Chipotle on Halloween in a costume and order a discounted entree. The price has gone up, to $3 in 2017, $4 in 2019, and now $5 this year, and costumes are no longer required. Instead, Chipotle says the offer can only be used online, through the chain's website or app from 5 pm to close. Fans can also get codes for free burritos by visiting a virtual Chipotle inside Roblox. The promotion crashed Roblox when it launched on Thursday, Andrea Hernandez of The SnaxShot reported.
Chipotle is optimistic about the promotion, which is historically a big sales day.
"Given the opening of our first-ever virtual restaurant on Roblox, we saw a synergy with extending a digital offer to fans," the chain said in a statement to Insider.
A grill worker in Chicago says that his store is preparing by scheduling 11 people to work on Sunday, with some of the most efficient workers on the grill and ingredient preparation. He's more concerned about the online nature of the promotion this year.
"Regardless of what they're doing on Roblox...the DML [Digital Make Line] will still be slammed, and the crew will inevitably be working remarkably hard to handle the volume of online orders," he said.
Some workers shared that they felt they are in a better place than more recently, but problems remain.
"We're still short-staffed and undertrained, but my store is doing strides better than a few months ago," a California employee told Insider while an Ohio worker said their store will "definitely run out of food," during the promotion.
The Illinois manager says he and other managers on his team are preparing for a busy day by spending their own money on drinks and snacks to keep their employees energized and show their appreciation.
To make things easier the day of the Boorito promotion, the manager's store is "focused on making sure we have enough food prepped, which we should be able to do, and being fully staffed night of, which is a lot more difficult."
Workers are particularly anxious about the Halloween discount because of their experience at Chipotle's last promotion, a buy-one-get-one event in July. Workers and customers told Insider about stores running out of ingredients, furious customers, and "pure chaos."
It was "the most poorly planned and mismanaged event I've experienced," the Chicago worker told Insider. "Being on grill that day totally broke my self-confidence and body," he said, though he believes his store has learned from that day and scheduled more workers for Halloween.
"That day truly humbled me," he said.
Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Chemical specialist Ashland (ASH 0.52%) is heading into a big year. That's because, after years of effort, it's planning on culminating a spinoff. But that's just one of three key issues you'll want to keep an eye on in 2016.
The big change coming down the line at Ashland is the planned spinoff of Valvoline. The move makes sense, since Ashland makes chemicals and Valvoline is known for motor oil and, frankly, already has a prominent brand identity. It isn't that there's no overlap between making motor oil and chemicals, but the end markets for Ashland and Valvoline are very different.
So the first big risk for Ashland is that something goes awry with its spinoff plans. That could take any number of forms, but one thing to pay particular attention to is activist investors. Elmrox Investment Group LLC, a large Ashland shareholder, has suggested that it might make more sense to sell the chemicals business and keep Valvoline. Pointing to the Dow Chemical (DOW) and DuPont (DD) merger, this dissident shareholder suggests that the chemicals business could fetch as much as $9 billion if it were sold.
If recent history is any guide with regard to dissident stockholders, the currently civil discussions between Elmrox and Ashland could turn ugly. And that, in turn, could take shareholders on a wild ride.
The chemicals world is tough
The next issue that could cause Ashland's shares to fall is the market environment. Dow and DuPont aren't merging because the world of chemicals is surging; they're attempting to join forces so they can restructure the two businesses and cut costs. The end goal is to break up into three leaner and meaner companies.
Like all of its peers, Ashland's chemical business has been facing headwinds. At the same time it's been divesting businesses, which shrinks the top line. However, the businesses it's keeping and acquiring offer higher margins than the ones it's jettisoned. So, despite the top-line declines, Ashland has been able to put up strong EBITDA margins because of its shifting business mix.
But if it can't continue to put up strong margin numbers, investors could take an even more negative view of Ashland's business than they already have simply because it's a chemicals company. So you'll want to pay attention to the company's changing business mix and how well that's supporting EBITDA margins. If margins start to slip, investors are likely to react poorly.
Oil, the drilling kind
One other thing to be concerned about at Ashland is its exposure to the oil drilling industry. This isn't the biggest business for Ashland, but oil is a headline-grabbing topic right now. That means headline risk for a company that supplies key chemicals to a range of oil sectors, including the fracking industry.
Truthfully, it's far more important for investors to watch the company's core growth markets, which include industries such as pharmaceuticals, personal care, and coatings. Core growth markets make up around 55% of Ashland's business, and it's where the company is spending the most money and effort trying to grow. The oil business is just one piece of what Ashland refers to as its "niche" businesses, a group that in total makes up 30% or so of EBITDA.
But Mr. Market can get caught up in the headlines very easily. And with oil's long slide continuing in early 2016, Ashland could be a casualty of investors throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
A tumultuous year?
With so much going on at Ashland, 2016 is likely to be a pretty tumultuous year. Expect a lot of news. As you watch the company, however, keep an eye on the Valvoline spinoff, EBITDA margins, and oil industry sales, three issues that could cause the stock to fall. Each is worth watching closely, even if you think management is doing all the right things.


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While in lockdown, more and more companies have turned to the internet to sell their products as home delivery helps us to keep our social distance.
According to a member survey carried out by Cáis, the Association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers, an estimated drop of 75% shows in sales as a result of the closure of foodservice outlets and farmers markets – which accounted for the majority of sales in 2019 – due to Covid-19.
“We are devastated at how the Covid-19 public health emergency has impacted the foodservice business and the economy in Ireland,” Louis Grubb, chairperson of Cáis, said.
“The only way we can ensure the viability of our sector is by doing everything we can to encourage Irish retailers to stock and promote our products at this time.”
That’s why you can still support the cheese industry by taking part in the ‘Buy Irish Farmhouse Cheese Online’ campaign. Cáis has launched this to encourage consumers to purchase Irish farmhouse cheese directly from suppliers.
So if you’re in dire need of your favourite Irish farmhouse cheese, click here to see the list of stockists you an buy it from and have it delivered directly to your home.


text: c|net - Consumers wary of buying new high-definition DVD players because of a technology war reminiscent of the days of Betamax versus VHS will soon have a new kind of DVD that might make the decision less daunting. Warner Bros., which helped popularize the DVD more than a decade ago, plans to announce next week a single videodisc that can play films and television programs in both Blu-ray and HD DVD, the rival DVD technologies. Warner Bros., a division of Time Warner, plans to formally announce the new disc, which it is calling a Total HD disc, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Two rival camps introduced high-definition DVD players last year: a consortium called Blu-ray, backed by Sony and others, and a group called HD DVD, backed by Toshiba and Microsoft. Retail and media executives say this clash of corporate titans and their incompatible machines has left some consumers bewildered and has slowed the introduction of what is intended to be the next great thing in home entertainment.


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The Reinvention of “I Love NY” logo with Crowd Sketches
New York just launched a new tourism campaign featuring a reinvention of the iconic “I Love NY” logo.
For the first time ever, the State has asked New Yorkers and visitors to help remake the “I Love NY” logo by submitting personal sketches depicting what they love about New York State (The “I Love NY” logo has not been used in television ads in over three years).
People can replace the heart in the iconic “I [HEART] NY” logo with their own drawing of what they most love about the state and submit it online where they will be displayed in an online gallery. It is the first time in nearly 40 years, since the logo’s inception, that New York State has officially asked the public for their interpretations of the “I Love NY” and for the reasons they love New York.
Select drawings may be used to replace the heart in “I Love NY” in new ads focused on New York’s many different experiences in future campaigns.
The new “I Love NY” ads are part of a $5 million tourism marketing campaign within the larger “New York Open for Business,” a $50 million statewide business initiative. The “I Love NY” ad campaign is expected to expand to feature other tourism seasons in the future.
Tourism Ireland to Londoners: “Escape the Madness”
While this summer’s Olympics promises to be a very exciting time in London, the event will inevitably draw huge crowds which will undoubtedly make commuting – and day-to-day life in general – more hectic for Londoners. Tourism Ireland will seize this opportunity – targeting hassled and weary Londoners – and present Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland as the ideal “escape” destination during this busy time.
Over 8 million people living in London will see Tourism Ireland’s “escape the madness” ad campaign this month, featuring an image of a wonderfully peaceful Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge. From next week, ads will run on the London underground, highlighting the open spaces and lack of congestion there; over 200 large ads will appear at different tube stations across the city, targeting frustrated commuters during morning and evening rush hours. Ads will also appear in the Evening Standard, the popular free daily newspaper which is read by millions of commuters each day, again with a message urging people to “escape” to the beautiful landscape and open spaces of Northern Ireland.
Social media will also help create awareness; a campaign on Facebook (Tourism Ireland has almost 120,000 fans across GB) and Twitter (over 2,300 followers) saw Tourism Ireland post status updates on the Olympic Torch Relay around Northern Ireland this week and messages will be posted regularly before and during the games. The hashtag #Escapethemadness will be used to create plenty of lively conversations about the island of Ireland on the social networks in GB.
A specially-created web page on discoverireland.com is also promoting the torch relay, as well as the key sporting events and festivals. A series of itineraries for the thousands of accredited and non-accredited media visiting London from across the globe has been developed while Tourism Ireland is also working closely with key tour operators in all overseas markets.
There’s nothing like Australia, Phase 2
The latest phase of Tourism Australia’s global marketing campaign, There’s nothing like Australia, has just launched in China – Australia’s fastest growing and most valuable overseas tourism market.
With a clear digital focus, Tourism Australia will spend approximately A$180 million over the next three years rolling out the evolving campaign in its key international markets and in Australia. It expects to achieve a total investment of A$250 million by securing up to A$70 million in additional funding from industry partners to support joint marketing activities, aimed at promoting Australia with a clear and consistent voice.
In addition to a new broadcast ad and print executions the campaign boasts a strong digital and social media focus, and will leverage the advocacy of Tourism Australia’s three million Facebook fans. Other elements include a new, interactive tablet app and hub on www.australia.com. Tourism Australia has created an interactive tablet application which is unique in both concept and content. With inspiring multimedia content and intuitive functionality, to take customers further into the stories played out in the ad and provide more information on the locations.
Tourism Australia is seeking the involvement of the Australian industry in the campaign through partnership opportunities and by sharing campaign tools and resources.
The soundtrack for the ad, “It’s Like Love”, is the result of a unique musical collaboration last year between the two musicians who wrote the composition as part of Tourism Australia’s multi-award winning Making Tracks campaign.


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Thomas predicts exodus of unskilled workers
A businessman and restaurateur has predicted an exodus of lower-skilled overseas workers will continue as the coronavirus pandemic's economic toll increased.
Marico Thomas, who runs Four Star Pizza, Glaze Bakery and Burger Shack, said he had not laid off any staff because the lockdown imposed in the battle against Covid-19 effectively shut down restaurants. Mr Thomas added he and his employees instead took “a collective hit” with reduced work hours.
But Mr Thomas said two work permits had not been renewed and that the Department of Immigration had highlighted the unemployment crisis that had hit Bermudians.
He added he expected more work permits would be lost for many workers.
Mr Thomas said: “The Government can't fund inactivity, so they are going to yank the entry-level jobs, the manual work. They're going to be removed.
“The Government will have the capacity to say, you want money and we can't give you money, you asked for Bermudians to come first. We did what you wanted. Now it's up to you to take on the jobs.”
The Bermuda Government's employment briefs, issued in June 2019 by the Department of Statistics, highlight jobs where non-Bermudians dominate, especially in the food and restaurant sector. The figures, from 2018, showed 84 per cent of sous chef positions as non-Bermudian.
Expatriates accounted for 81 per cent of waiters as well as nursemaids or nannies, and 80 per cent of butchers, while foreign workers accounted for 79 per cent in the farmworker and cook categories, 74 per cent of bakers, and 67 per cent of home carers.
Mr Thomas added the loss of low-tier permits to provide jobs for unemployed Bermudians was under way at “multiple organisations across varying industries”.
He said others faced going out of business altogether.
Mr Thomas added: “Employers are struggling. There's going to be so many businesses that fold over the next year and a half.”
The Government's 18-week unemployment benefits programme for Bermudian and expatriate workers put out of work came to an end last Friday for thousands of people.
Mr Thomas said some businesses were open with reduced sales, but others had not or had closed their doors.
He added: “This is the case now and the impact at this point has been quite jarring.
“The unemployment benefits cannot last for ever. Bermuda benefited by many being able to receive this benefit and having the money spent on goods and services, which kept the local economy moving a bit.
“Come September, there's usually a bit of a lull as the tourist season winds down and students go back to school. Things are going to get tight.”
Mr Thomas said: “Many businesses in Bermuda are in jeopardy and we will start to see the impact of this in the months leading up to Christmas — plus January and February of next year.
“All of this will have a direct impact on additional expatriates leaving.”
He compared the Government to people “faced with bills and payments exceeding money coming in”.
Mr Thomas said the Government faced tough decisions — including having to raise the bar for eligibility to get further support.
He added: “I think most are going to have a new understanding of want versus need.
“Given the choice of stay and wait it out in Bermuda without income, versus leave, even with aggressive exchange rates, terrible unemployment and truly undesirable living conditions, many will leave.
“Definitely there are those who cannot afford the cost of a charter, but with limited and sometimes non-existent commercial flights, there may be no choice but to leave via charter.
“This becomes a challenge for the employee, their loved ones and the local employers.”
Mr Thomas said: “There is nobody I know here that's coming from Asia that can afford a charter plane. That's just not part of the economic model that their life works in. This is problematic.”
He said he was aware of “businesses, individuals, communities and donors working together” on the problem.
The Filipino Association of Bermuda last week highlighted the problem of employers drawing up their own agreements with foreign workers to avoid the cost of repatriation.
The legal loophole shifted the responsibility of payment for tickets home on to workers.
Mr Thomas said it was “true that businesses have a responsibility to repatriate”, but that “exposure to this expense right now will not be good”.
He added: “Many businesses are strapped for cash. Many are overleveraged and are trying to figure out how to make that next payroll — let along pay utility bills, or themselves.
“Any aggressive demand for payment could shatter a company's existence.”
Mr Thomas said: “This is not to excuse responsibility. It is just an illustration of the current reality for many.”


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Kia records best-ever Q3 European sales
To the end of September, Kia’s European sales have grown to 337,595 units (EU and EFTA region). This represents sales growth of 14.4% compared to the same nine-month period in 2015, during which Kia registered 295,140 vehicles.
NEW DELHI: Kia Motors has recorded its best-ever Q3 sales in Europe, according to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).
To the end of September, Kia’s European sales have grown to 337,595 units (EU and EFTA region). This represents sales growth of 14.4 percent compared to the same nine-month period in 2015, during which Kia registered 295,140 vehicles.
Sales growth this year has raised Kia’s market share to 2.9 percent, up from 2.7 percent in 2015.
Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe, commented “In 2016 we have taken Kia into new market segments while strengthening our position in others. Each new model is contributing to increased sales and growing our share of the European market. We revised our annual sales growth forecast earlier this year from nine to 12 per cent for the full year, and Kia remains on course to achieve a three per cent market share in the medium term.”
The new Sportage sold 110,358 units so far this year across Europe (35.7 percent year-on-year).
In addition to the Sportage, Kia’s latest new model – the Niro hybrid crossover – is proving an early sales success. Since Niro customer deliveries began in the summer, nearly 5,000 vehicles have been delivered to European buyers up to mid-October. Orders have been placed for an additional 15,000 vehicles, due to be delivered to customers by the end of this year, said the company.
The Kia Optima range was expanded this summer with new Sportswagon, Plug-in Hybrid and high-performance GT derivatives, with the new models contributing to a 180.5 percent year-on-year sales increase compared to Optima sales in the same period in 2015. 6,193 units have been sold so far in 2016, with the new Sportswagon accounting for almost two-thirds (63.9 percent) of all Optima sales in September, the first full month the derivative has been on sale.


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What once was a bustling convenience store in downtown Wheaton now has so many barren shelves that it appears to have been raided by panic-buyers stocking up for a disaster.
Most of The Korner Store`s money is now generated by its deli. Workers from nearby offices, banks and government buildings filter into the store every day at lunch hour to get sandwiches, salads, sodas and chips.
Owner John Sipek says his dry goods business started a downward spiral a few years ago when the city tore up the streets surrounding his store at 130 N. Main St. He lost $100,000 in two years and became mired in debt and delinquent in his taxes. Despite having run the store for 25 years, Sipek said he was unable to get a loan, and finally decided to try and rebuild his business one sandwich at a time.
Now Sipek has a chance to sell the building and get himself out of hock, but the proposal is meeting opposition from other downtown business owners who have successfully lobbied the city zoning board. The board voted against the plan last week, and the City Council is scheduled to give the matter a final hearing Monday night.
Sipek wants to sell his building for $400,000 to Hyo Chul Chung, owner of a Carpentersville martial arts studio. Chung would use part of the Wheaton building to open another facility, while leasing some of the space back to Sipek for his deli operation.
Opponents argue that downtown Wheaton is an inappropriate place for a martial arts school. Zoning board chairman David Lucas said the city should follow the advice of experts and encourage retail businesses, which they say would better revitalize the business area.
Howard Gust, Downtown Business Association chairman, explained that the association is just trying to nurture Wheaton`s struggling core.
``We`re not against tae kwon do. We`re not against the persons involved,`` Gust said. ``I just don`t think that`s the best use of the property.``
Gust said he speaks from experience. Several years ago he leased a building to a dance studio, the idea being that it would draw people downtown. The plan didn`t work, and the parents who dropped off their children didn`t spend much money in neighboring stores. The studio went out of business, Gust said.
Sipek notes that many of his business neighbors aren`t retail operations either. They include a gas station, the headquarters of the Du Page Historical Society and a parking lot.
To show the council that his pending deal has the support of his patrons, Sipek has asked customers to sign a letter indicating that they do not object to the martial arts studio. He began the signature drive Wednesday afternoon and by Saturday evening had 179 signatures. What galls Sipek the most is not his drained retirement fund or the burden of payment plans he has worked out with the state and federal governments to catch up on his taxes.
It is the fact that after doing business in Wheaton for more than two decades, he was unable to get a loan or any other kind of help from local sources, some of which are now opposing his attempt to help himself.
But Sipek is determined to stay in business, no matter what, and that he will try to carry on with the deli business, with or without city approval for the martial arts studio.
``This,`` he said, ``is a permanent thing.``


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Taiwan Eyes Cross-strait Biotech Cooperation with China
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive SummarySHANGHAI - Taiwan hopes to strengthen cooperation with mainland China in the development of the biotechnology and medical device industry, according to Taiwan's Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Huang Chuang-chiou
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Cooperation is needed between pharma partners in addition to implementation of cross-strait agreements.


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Nike Is Destroying New Returned Sneakers, German Investigation Reveals
3 Mins Read
An investigation by German reporters alleges Nike has been destroying new shoes that have been returned, instead of reselling them.
Nike could be shredding sneakers that are completely new, an investigative report by a team of journalists in Germany has found. According to the report by NDR, Die Zeit and research startup Flip, the sportswear giant has sent new, undamaged shoes that have been returned to the brand to be downcycled at its recycling plant, rather than reselling it.
Returned sneakers are sent for downcycling
Customers often return new shoes to brands after realising they don’t fit exactly how they thought it would. Perhaps it was the wrong size, or the style didn’t quite match their look—many of these pairs don’t even make it out the door and have the labels still on. So they bring them back to the brand, assuming they will be put back on the shelf for another shopper.
Turns out, sneakers that have been returned to Nike aren’t being resold. Instead, they have ended up in a recycling plant, where they are shredded—or “downcycled”—into smaller pieces that can be used as materials that partially make up new goods. It’s unlikely that a recycled shoe can be entirely transformed into a new one, since many feature multiple materials, glues, and stitching that makes 100% recycling nearly impossible.
What is likely to happen is that parts of the shoe might be blended with other virgin materials, still using up more resources and fueling new fashion production. Part of it could go to waste, even.
According to the new investigation, this is what is happening to perfectly new, undamaged and unworn sneakers returned to Nike in Germany.
The team used GPS trackers to figure this out. After purchasing a new pair from Nike, the reporters did not wear the shoes or leave a scratch but added a GPS tracker to the unblemished sneakers.
“We really took care that these shoes were not defective in any way—they didn’t have a scratch,” explained journalist Christian Salewski, founder of Flip.
The trackers showed that the sneakers had been sent to a recycling centre in Herenthout, Belgium, where goods are shredded and downcycled into other products, contradicting Nike’s claim that “unworn and flawless items are being put back on the shelves for resale”.
This could be a violation of the German Recycling Management Act, which states that returned goods that are fit for use mustn’t be disposed of or recycled unless it has already exhausted all other approaches to extend the product’s lifespan, such as resale. Breaking the law could lead to a €100,000 fine for Nike, which is not much for the sportswear giant, but could lead to huge ramifications for the brand’s reputation.
Consumers are becoming increasingly savvy when it comes to detecting greenwash from companies, and are more willing to vote with their wallets by boycotting brands that don’t align with their social and environmental values.
In a statement sent to Fast Company about the report, Nike defended its actions, noting that the shoe had been altered to have the GPS trackers installed and “could pose a safety hazard” if it had been resold.
Lead image courtesy of Unsplash.


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Avalanche Studios has confirmed that its forthcoming Mad Max video game will feature a protagonist with an Australian accent.
This may not seem like a big deal at first, but for many fans of the franchise, Avalanche’s original decision to eschew Max’s aussie heritage and plump for a generic U.S. voiceover came as disappointment.
As a result, gamers started out a petition to have Max’s accent changed, and it seems to have paid off.
Writing on Twitter, Avalanche’s Christofer Sundberg commented, “Attn. fans who want Max to have an Aussie accent in #MadMaxGame : It shall be so. We admire your loyalty. You have been heard.”
Mad Max was unveiled during E3 and will be released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox One and Xbox 360 in 2014.
Stay tuned to PSU.com for more details.


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The Guardian reports on the expected deluge in demand for crisis help, which is leading a number of councils to invest unconventional measures for helping those most at need.
Patrick Butler writes:
Cuts next year to the social fund, which provides emergency aid to vulnerable people, mean that from April 2013 many councils will no longer be able to provide cash help to applicants. Instead they will offer “in kind” support such as referring clients to food banks and issuing electronic food vouchers.
Crisis loans – short-term financial aid for people in dire need – cost £230m in 2009-2010, but the coalition has devolved responsibility for the loans in England to councils, while simultaneously cutting the pot back to 2005 levels.
This means that the days of simply being handed the money you need to make it to the next pay day are over.
Instead, poor people should look forward to being treated as though they can’t be trusted with money.
Conservative-run Kensington and Chelsea council in London is proposing to issue credit-card style vouchers – or “gift cards” – in lieu of crisis loans, enabling recipients to buy items at certain shops, likely to be big retailers such as Tesco, Argos and Sainsbury’s. Some councils will put blocks on the cards preventing the purchase of alcohol and cigarettes. . .
Households who would previously have been eligible for a community care cash grant will be instead offered vouchers for reconditioned beds, cookers and fridges redeemable at furniture recycling charities.
But it is the plans to refer crisis loan applicants to food banks that will cause most controversy.
Crisis loans distributed in the form of gift cards which can only be redeemed in Tesco is the stuff of dystopian sci-fi, and giving poor people money while preventing them from spending it on alcohol and cigarettes is straight out of the Victorian age.
If you can help it, probably best to try and not be poor for a while.


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Samsung Unpacked: Galaxy S20, Galaxy Buds+, Z Flip & A New Smart Home Device?
The start of a new year in the tech industry means big announcements and trade shows.
For mobile fanatics, the weeks between Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and Mobile World Congress (MWC) have just one impressive spectacle – the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked.
Samsung’s biannual show has become a February tradition, which starts Tuesday 11 February at 11pm (AEST), at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts.
In recent months, Samsung has been hit with several high-profile leaks showing off the flagship Galaxy S20 lineup, while also teasing its fans with global advertising campaigns, hinting at what’s to come.
What exactly is going to be launched at Galaxy Unpacked 2020? The latest Galaxy S flagship is speculated to be announced, featuring a list of impressive improvements.
The new range is likely tipped as being named the Samsung Galaxy S20 flagship range, and the product’s launch will come as a relief to many consumers and journalists after months of leaks and rumours.
The devices included in this range are expected to be called the S20, S20 Plus and S20 Ultra.
Rumours and leaks aren’t clear on the exact sizes of the displays yet, but the Galaxy S20 has been tipped to feature either a 6.3-inch or 6.4-inch display, with the Galaxy S20 Plus speculated to have a 6.7-inch display, and finally, the S20 Ultra could sport a massive 6.9-inch display.
Expect all three models to utilise Samsung’s amazing Dynamic AMOLED technology, with a single front-facing selfie camera in a hole-punch cutout. Additionally, a 120Hz refresh rate is also speculated to feature, which will give the phones a seamless user experience when scrolling and swiping through multiple programs.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 is also expected to be featured, with additional upgrades to RAM and storage. The Galaxy S20 Ultra is rumoured to have options for 12GB or 16GB of RAM and a combined 1.5TB of storage.
The design features are expected to include a small bezel and silky, rounded edges for a strong aesthetic.
But the camera is expected to see the most changes. According to speculation, the S20 models will all sport four rear cameras, with at least one of the models to feature a new 108-megapixel main lens that’s likely to incorporate pixel binning for improved low-light performance.
That impressive lens is expected to be joined by an ultra-wide-angle lens, and a telephoto lens that will offer a 10x optical zoom thanks to its periscope setup.
As for battery life, each model will feature a different sized battery, but they are all expected to be impressive. Rumours from last November said the S20 would feature a 4,000mAh battery, while a 5,000mAh cell is rumoured for the S20 Plus. The battery size for the S20 Ultra is not yet known, or speculated, but it would make perfect sense for it to exceed the 5,000mAh for the S20 Plus.
It’s also rumoured that the S20 flagship range will also come with 5G as standard.
Pricing for the phones is becoming clearer as leaks continue with similar, consistent information. According to John Prosser, the official AT&T pricing for the new 5G phones in the US will be:
· Galaxy S20 — $899
· Galaxy S20+ — $1,099
· Galaxy S20 Ultra — $1,299
But there will be more than just smartphones on display.
The new Galaxy Buds+, also victim to numerous leaks and rumours, are expected to be announced.
The Galaxy Buds were a surprising release last year, with popularity reflected in sales after the earbuds offered comfortable, true wireless listening with impressive sound and a 6-hour battery life.
When rumours of Galaxy Buds+ hit the industry – everyone got excited, with tons of speculation and leaks.
Rumours are suggesting Samsung will not be making any drastic changes to the product, but the features that have been speculated are still exciting. Early rumours suggested longer battery life, better quality of sound and faster charging.
Most recently, respected leakster, Evan Blass, revealed the Galaxy Buds+ would sport a generous 11-hours life per charge, with a full recharge being available in the case. The charging is so fast that owners could be provided with one hours’ worth of listening after just one minute of charging.
A dual driver design should boost audio performance and an IPX2-rating will protect the buds from rain or sweaty workouts. Support for multiple Bluetooth connections is also available, with one-touch Spotify access and an app for iOS and Android available from launch.
The pricing of the Galaxy Buds+ is rumoured to be around $149 and will be available in black, white, red and blue. They are also expected to be offered as a free additional gift with every purchase of the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Z Flip.
The Galaxy Z Flip, Samsung’s take on the revamped and increasingly popular flip phone reboot, is also extremely likely to be featured in the Galaxy Unpacked event.
The Z Flip is a follow up from the first-generation Galaxy Fold and is set to take on Motorola’s revamped Razr – which has sales already on back order.
Like the Razr, the Galaxy Z Flip is rumoured to emulate a clamshell phone, unfolding into a traditional phone shape, as opposed to unfolding into a tablet-sized display.
The Z Flip is also expected the use the last generation’s hardware. Rumours say the upcoming model will use the Snapdragon 855 instead of this year’s Snapdragon 865. While the phone is still likely to be powerful enough for most consumers, it seems like a step backwards for the innovative tech giant.
But using old hardware may be the reason behind the rumoured cheap pricing, with speculation saying the Galaxy Z Flip will be priced around the Motorola Razr’s $1,500 price tag instead of the Galaxy Fold’s $2,000.
But the device will still be impressive – with leaks claiming it will sport a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display and the new ‘Hideaway Hinge’ that would disappear once the phone is open. The hinge is most likely a response to the issues that surrounded the first-generation Galaxy Fold.
The display will also be protected by the new Ultra Thin Glass (UTG), which is rumoured to be just as flexible as the polyamide plastics used on the Galaxy Fold, but comes with improved resistance against scratches.
Consumers can expect to see a tiny 1.06-inch display near the camera lenses that will replace the secondary display seen on the Galaxy Fold. Instead of a full screen, it will be a small dedicated space used for receiving notifications, displaying time and battery level.
The camera won’t be as advanced as the Galaxy S20 or Galaxy Fold, but it will still house some impressive features. A dual 12-megapixel sensor with a wide-angle and ultra-wide lens is expected to be featured.
The fingerprint sensor will be found on the side of the phone and it will also have wireless charging capabilities.
But perhaps the Samsung Galaxy Home and Home Mini, which were absent throughout 2019, will finally make an appearance at the Unpacked event.
If the smart home speaker device does make an appearance, it’s only likely to be the smaller Galaxy Home Mini, according to speculation.The device has been beta tested in Korea since August last year and rumours are swirling that the Galaxy Home Mini is ready for released, with the launch date set for 12 February.
The Galaxy Unpacked event would seem like an obvious platform to unveil the device and bolster sales for Samsung’s first smart speaker.
The device is expected to be smaller than the Galaxy Home, with a similar fabric covering and aesthetic. It will be powered by Samsung’s Bixby voice assistant, tuned with AKG’s sound tech and will work in collaboration with Samsung’s SmartThings smart home system.
An interesting feature is an infrared blaster that would enable the Home Mini to control older devices without smart functions – given the other devices are in range and sight.
Pricing is yet to be confirmed or leaked, but rough calculations expected from the South Korean tech giant is expected to be around US $85. This is more expensive than the Google Home Mini and Amazon Echo Dot but may reflect higher quality of the AKG-tuned speaker and infrared blaster.
Finally, will the Galaxy Unpacked event see the launch of a new Galaxy Watch?
Rumoured to feature much larger storage options, the new Galaxy Watch 2 would be a welcome launch with certainly lots of hype surrounding rumours of one being under development.
But the likelihood is, unfortunately, low. Despite it being some time since Samsung released of the Galaxy Watch, the new Galaxy Watch is still under early development, so don’t expect to see a Galaxy Watch 2 on 11 February.


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Showing a bit of skin, Kim Kardashian is taking advantage of Cali’s warm weather. While it’s bitter cold in other parts of the country, she was spotted shopping in Beverly Hills showing off a bit of skin during her Barneys excursion.
On Monday (January 6), photogs swarmed as she trotted down down Rodeo Drive. Later, she was spotted with Laura Arrillaga-Andreesen, a well-known philanthropist whose married to Silicon Valley venture entrepreneur Marc Andreessen.
Kim hinted that she’s working on plans to give more this year, sharing a photo of the two writing:
Fabulous day of philanthropy brainstorming and LACMA visit with Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen @LAAF
In related news, over the weekend the Keeping Up With the Kardashian star shared even more skin, posting a sexy selfie with former exotic dancer Blac Chyna. The new moms shared that they have their sights set on getting their bodies in tip-top shape.


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August 28th, 2014
Mythbusters Banned from airing RFID story
The hit Discovery channel show Mythbusters recently wanted to air an episode about how trackable and hackable RFID chips were. It’s still not clear as to why they were not allowed to proceed in airing the show but as Adam Savage the co-host of the hit show eludes to in this interview, some very powerful people / companies made sure that it would never air.
Everyone would’ve learned more about the technology that?s invisibly invading our lives and the vulnerabilities surrounding this global uptake and usage of these technologies on us by the big end of town.
Talk about shutting down and closing ranks…… it seems the card issuing companies and RFID manufacturers really don’t want us (we the people) to know how vulnerable this technology is and how easy it is to hack / skim.
Thanks Mythbusters for trying to expose this vulnerable technology and although your piece did not go live on the Mythbusters show the surrounding hype about the show being pulled shows just how vulnerable we are to skimming.
The only way to protect your personal data is with the latest technology found in an ARMOURCARD. The first Active RFID & NFC protective device.
By Tyler Harris
August 26th, 2014
Identity Theft on the rise in Australia.
A recent report that has been released in Australia shows that we are NOT immune to the global increase in identity theft, in-fact Australians are pretty soft targets.
It will never happen to me
The reasons for this rang from the attitude “it will never happen to me” to just being lackluster about basic security of your personal details, from securing your mail box to shredding your bank statements to even being on the look out for skimmers that skim your data, Australian’s are too laid back with their personal data & are easy targets for Identity theft or credit theft.
Veda, credit information company analysed $1.6 trillion worth of credit applications in the year to June 30 and found that $1.9 billion worth of those applications posed fraud risks.
1.9 Billion worth fraud risks
Veda’s general manager of fraud and identity solutions Imelda Newton said
“Identity theft was the fastest growing form of credit application fraud, as fraudsters continuously change their tactics.
What we’ve found is that the fraudsters have adopted using stolen identities as opposed to using fictitious identities,” Ms Newton said.
“In fact, over the past year, we’ve seen the use of those stolen identities increase 103 per cent.”
The information can be collected by fraudsters breaking into people’s homes, taking mail from their letterboxes or stealing wallets and handbags or even being wirelessly skimmed.
103% increase in the past year.
The fraudster then assumes the victim’s identity and applies for credit in their name. You can guarantee the financial institutions will not cover the fraud on that type of crime against your name.
Start to take back control of your identity data. It starts with an Armourcard.
You may also like to read this article.


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Google, in 2020, announced its DigiPivot platform in association with Avtar Group and the Indian School of Business. The DigiPivot platform is aimed at empowering women by helpipng them develop in-demand digital skills that are vital for careers in the modern digital world. With a successful first and second iteration of the 22-week long virtual curriculum and mentorship, Google has now announced the third edition of DigiPivot 2022 for 120 women professionals, the company announced in a blog post.
According to Google, the first two cohorts of 40 women each in 2020 and 2021, DigiPivot was a successful initiative. With that in mind, the company has launched the third iteration. In addition, the new edition also incorporates curriculum enhancements to align with job market expectations, and brings on-board DigiPivot’s first industry partner, Hindustan Unilever Limited, to provide participants industry-specific insights and applications and mentorship.
Google said that keeping in mind the upskilling required in early-career, mid-career, and after a career break, DigiPivot 2022 will also tailor its content to respond to these sub-cohorts. Participants of the program will get access to the recently launched Google Career Certificate in Digital Marketing & Ecommerce for hands-on experience with popular digital marketing and e-commerce tools and platforms such as Canva, Constant Contact, Hootsuite, HubSpot, MailChimp, Shopify and Twitter, as well as Google Ads and Google Analytics, Google said in its blog post.
The applications for DigiPivot 2022 are now open for all, and the last date for registration for the 2022 batch is on July 10, 2022. Those who are interested in joining Google’s upskilling program can register on a given link (dp.myavtar.com).


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Why Pricing Drives The Order Fulfilment Process
Pricing is still the number one factor in determining which 3PL shippers use to handle their order fulfilment needs…
A June 2013 report from American Shipper, in conjunction with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professions (CSCMP) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has provided some deeply illuminating insights into the current 3PL atmosphere. Surveying roughly 230 transportation buyers on their attitudes, preferences, procurement practices, technologies, and results, the research study found a clear delineation between top transportation providers and their less successful competitors.
Here’s A Breakdown Of The Study’s Most Important Findings
1. Rates continue to be the most important thing transportation buyers consider when choosing their logistics provider.
On the surface, this finding makes sense. After all, in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, established companies that can provide 3PL logistics at the best price are always going to get attention from customers. What is interesting to note, however, is that the top 3PLs say that capacity assurance is their #1 priority. Put another way, this means they believe their ability to provide quick turnaround and reliable order fulfilment trumps pricing.
A possible explanation for this discrepancy may be the fact that top 3PLs already have the capacity and infrastructure required to provide superior pricing. As a result, they then have the freedom to focus on maximizing their service value.
2. More than 70% of the transportation buyers surveyed said that their purchasing decision is influenced by freight payment data.
Specifically, companies with logistics needs are looking for fulfilment companies that can provide them with transportation rates based on current shipping environments, rather than freight rates based on the previous year. This sounds obvious, and yet many 3PL providers simply haven’t adapted to a smart payment model that allows for accurate price quoting
3. Most shippers are lagging in their order management and transportation management processes.
When naming their current transportation needs, almost half of all shippers use manual lists or spreadsheets. This is especially true of small to mid-size shippers, while larger shippers are more likely to use a system to manage their order fulfilment activities.
4. Related to this last point, nearly 90% of all shippers surveyed said they have no plans to automate their procurement process.
This data was surprising to National Products Fulfilment, as the cost of integrating order fulfilment systems between logistics providers and retailers has declined dramatically over the last few years. And besides providing significant savings, this integration also streamlines the supply-chain process, which creates across-the-board savings for shippers.
5. Finally, transportation buyers overwhelmingly choose price visibility as their most desired attribute when choosing a logistics provider.
As technology enables more and more 3PLs to compete for customers’ business, it’s become essential for these businesses to be transparent. For every one order fulfilment company that makes their pricing hard to figure out, there are three more who make it easy. Retailers and manufacturers have rising expectations, and it’s crucial that a transportation company can meet or exceed them.
Summing It All Up: Pricing Is Still King
The most common thread between these survey results is that affordable pricing continues to be the dominant need of transportation buyers. Customers continue to be more price loyal than brand loyal, despite the best efforts of 3PLs to position themselves as industry leaders. Shippers want to know their postage and freight costs will be determined by current market conditions, not on historical data. And they want clear pricing visibility so that they know exactly what they’re paying each time they ship or transport an item.
National Product Fulfilment’s advanced Freight Management System sorts through all transportation providers to find the best rate, and then generate real-time shipping quotes. Find out more by clicking here.


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Sony Ericsson announced it would lay off 450 workers from its North American headquarters at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, further clouding the future of the joint venture.
The company has about 750 workers at RTP, a research and development hub for Sony Ericsson, and the move is in line with the restructuring the company announced in July, when it said 2,000 employees would be laid off worldwide as the handset maker adjusted to tougher market conditions.
The joint venture has been troubled for some time, and the company's second quarter profits dropped 97 percent, which came on the heels of a profit warning in late June that predicted the drop due to weakening demand and shipping delays. The joint venture has struggled to find its footing in a fiercely competitive market, and its market share remains relatively small.
- see this article
Sony Ericsson's 2Q profits sink, 2,000 workers cut
Sony Ericsson issues profit warning


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Phablets, with a screen of 5.5-inches or above, represented 21 per cent of all US smartphone sales in the first quarter of 2015, nearly quadrupling the 6 per cent share held in Q1 2014, according to Kantar Worldpanel ComTech.
Apple iPhone 6 Plus took 44 per cent of this segment. Screen size was cited as the main reason for buying a particular phone by both iOS and Android buyers, at 43 per cent and 47 per cent respectively.
The first quarter was also a good period for Android in general in the US, reaching a market share of 58.1 per cent – a 0.2 point gain year-on-year.
“LG had a good first quarter with its share growing to 10.8 per cent from 7.4 per cent a year ago, while Samsung was holding on to second place as it launched its new Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge in April,” said Carolina Milanesi, chief of research for the Kantar Worldpanel ComTech.
“Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus already represent 18 per cent of all iPhones in use in the US, and 64 per cent of the iPhone installed base uses an iPhone 5 or newer – good news for the Apple Watch that interacts only with these newer models,” she continued.


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stock was tumbling after the company’s earnings fell far short of analyst expectations.
Clorox reported a fiscal fourth-quarter adjusted profit of 95 cents a share, missing analyst forecasts for $1.36 a share, on sales of $1.8 billion, below expectations for $1.92 billion. But Clorox didn’t stop there. It said it would earn between $540 and $5.70 in fiscal 2022, well below analyst forecasts for $7.67. Clorox blamed higher commodity prices and other rising costs for the big miss, as well as “volatility.”
“Fiscal year 2021 was an extraordinary year for Clorox, with the pandemic putting us through the test of volatility, including rapid changes in consumer demand and inflationary pressure, which is reflected in our fourth quarter results,” said CEO Linda Rendle. “It reinforced the strength of our global portfolio, which has never been more relevant to consumers.”
Investors apparently disagree with that assessment. Clorox stock was down 12% to $159.74 in early Tuesday trading, while the
was off 0.2%, and the
Dow Jones Industrial Average
had dipped 0.1% Clorox is on pace for its largest percentage drop since Aug. 12, 1999, when it slumped 16%.
Still, Clorox’s miss shouldn’t come as a surprise.
(UL) and Lysol maker
(RBGLY) also talked about rising costs in their earnings reports.
Still, few stocks have had the kind of ride Clorox has had. It was an early Covid-19 darling, gaining more than 50% from the beginning of February through early August. It’s been all downhill since then, however, with the shares having fallen 22% through Monday’s close—with more still to come.
Write to Ben Levisohn at email@example.com


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By Sarah J. Heim
SAN FRANCISCO—A recent study conducted by marketing shops Liquid Agency and Neale-May & Partners found that 80 percent of respondents “strongly agree” that the economic downturn has hurt technology brands.
Alfredo Muccino, creative director at San Jose, Calif.-based Liquid Agency, said he was disappointed by the finding. “We believe in brands and believe that brands enable people to go through tough times,” Muccino said. “What this really meant to us is that technology companies haven’t quite got branding down yet–the concept of branding [for them] is a little younger than in other industries.”
In the study, aptly titled the “Bruised and Battered Brands Poll,” public relations was identified as the most effective way to market and create demand for technology brands in a tight economic climate. Customer relationship management and brand advertising were second and third respectively.
The study also found a close correlation between CEOs and their brands in the technology industry. For example, two out of three CEOs voted most effective at embodying their brands run companies that were also voted most effective at sustaining brand value.
More than 800 marketing professionals in varying industries and management positions—88 percent of which are located in the U.S.—participated in the poll.


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Next year could be shaping up as a tough one for Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
The $443 billion retail giant is fighting scandals on several fronts. Allegations of bribery in Mexico continue in an increasingly hot spotlight. The company has also been associated with the Bangladesh factory fire that killed 112 garment workers, although the retailer said a supplier subcontracted work to the factory without its authorization. Wal-Mart has also been facing protests and rallies by employees. The company said the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union is responsible for organizing the actions and filed an unfair labor charge with the National Labor Relations Board to stop what it said are unlawful efforts to disrupt its business.
One of the most potentially damaging issues Wal-Mart faces is the ongoing investigation in global markets, with Mexico taking center stage. An exhaustive front-page story in Tuesday’s New York Times — spread over three full pages inside — detailed how Wal-Mart used payoffs to get what it wanted in Teotihuacán.
Attorneys specializing in the Foreign Corporate Practices Act said there’s likely to be a “fall guy” for this scandal, either in the international division or at the corporate level. “The prosecutors recognize that companies are artificial creatures and operate through people,” said Kevin Abikoff, a partner at Hughes Hubbard & Reed. “How high up did this go? Was there encouragement within the international group or was it rogue employees? As they dig into the details, it’s not impossible that particular individuals will be found to be engaged in egregious conduct. This is very serious.”
“Today’s story really drilled down into the specifics of the actual bribery allegations,” said Tom Fox, an attorney specializing in the Foreign Corruption Practices Act, ethics and compliance. “It’s a level of detail we have not seen before.”
“In 2005 and 2006, there was not a strong internal culture of compliance at Wal-Mart,” said Matt Ellis, founder of Matteson Ellis Law. “Enforcement officials at the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission are very clear that programs have to be implemented to have an effect. No one was paying attention at Wal-Mart. Or worse, when there was inkling of wrongdoing, it was ignored and squashed. At that time, there was little or no internal ethics culture.”
A sense of urgency and aggressiveness is pervasive in other areas of Wal-Mart’s business. The retailer has complained about the pace of foreign development, and there can be a lot of bureaucracy in high-risk countries. But its impatience can also be seen in its approach to opening new stores in the U.S. Wal-Mart has funded ballot initiatives to change regulations that are unfavorable and when it comes to manufacturing, it’s mantra is fast and cheap.
“A lot of it is the competitive marketplace,” said Ellis. “Wal-Mart’s strategy in Mexico was to be the large big-box retailer and build stores quicker than anyone else. One strategy was to pay bribes to give Wal-Mart better advantage,” Ellis contended. “That expanded to include India and Brazil, where a similar strategy could have been implemented.”
“There’s a fine line between justifiable aggressive business practices and conduct that’s so aggressive that it strays across the line,” Abikoff said. “The core issue is the tone at the top. If the government believes the conduct is a direct result of the tone at the top set by senior management, it will be more inclined to harsh sanctions. Any system of compliance can be circumvented by a rogue employee. Where it’s rampant, it’s highly suggestive of a system that’s fundamentally flawed.”
Wal-Mart will now likely have to deal with its tarnished reputation. “This has been a very tough year for them,” said Daniel Diermeier, a professor of international business and markets at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. “It seems like there has to be some housecleaning. From a point of leadership and the board, this is not anything that’s good for the brand and the reputation of the company. It’s reignited anti-Wal-Mart sentiment.”
The investigation, according to Fox, could take another year or two before moving on to the negotiation stage. All in all, the case could take four to five years to settle. “It’s the size, nature and complexity of the company,” he said. “Wal-Mart is polarizing,” he added. “You love ’em or hate ’em.”
@tradesy is turning the concept of a showroom upside down with its new space in Santa Monica. Here, the company plans to hold events, art exhibits and a showcase rare fashion pieces like this Louis Vuitton boxing set. Get all the details on Tradesy’s first showroom on WWD.com. #wwdnews
Spotted last night at the @erdem x @hm launch event: Kate Bosworth, Rashida Jones, Kirsten Dunst and Selma Blair. The party, which took place in LA, also marked the opening of their pop-up shop. “I was interested in creating a collection that wasn’t in any way disposable. It was about pieces you’d create and keep forever, things that have a permanence to it,” designer Erdem Moralioglu said. #wwdeye (📷: Katie Jones)
Renee Zellweger in yellow in 2001 and again in 2017. Chosen as one of the 12 @pantone Leading Spring Colors (and dubbed “Meadowlark”), it only makes sense that the bright hue stands the test of time and is making a resurgence this season, seen already on stars like @blakelively and @gigihadid. (📷: Donato Sardello & @rexfeatures) #wwdfashion #tbt
Dior’s 70th anniversary celebration continues with a new exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. “Christian Dior,” which is scheduled to run through March 18, takes a look at the founders tenure from 1947 to 1057 and feature 40 designs. Pictured here is an evening gown from the Ailée, fall 1948-49 haute couture collection. #wwdfashion (📷: Brian Boyle)
As one of the most recognizable models in the world, Christy Turlington Burns has an insider’s view of the fashion industry and the allegations of sexual harassment swirling around it. “I can say that harassment and mistreatment have always been widely known and tolerated in the industry. The industry is surrounded by predators who thrive on the constant rejection and loneliness so many of us have experiences at some point in our careers,” Turlington told WWD, along with her suggestions for how the modeling world should protect younger women and men. Read more on WWD.com. Link in bio. (📷: Tony Palmieri) #wwdnews
@asics America has tapped a new brand ambassador: famed DJ/record producer @steveaoki. This initiative is intended to set the tone for the new brand identity and philosophy and will include partnerships with influencers and in-store and off-line activations that will continue into next year. This is Asics’ most significant marketing effort in two decades, and is expected to attract younger consumers to the brand. #wwdfashion
24-year-old Jean Prounis is redefining the rules of jewelry. Formerly a studio assistant to Jemima Kirke and a design apprentice at Ghuran, she focuses on handcrafted subtleties and ancient goldsmithing techniques. “There was a really sterile feel in the environment and I wanted to have jewelry with character that shapes how you wear it everyday,” Prounis said. Each piece is hand made in New York, either by Prounis or three other jewelers in the district. #wwdfashion
“These collections continue to build on that vision, empowering differently abled adults to express themselves through fashion,” said @tommyhilfiger of his line of adaptive apparel, which launches today. The line consists of 37 men’s and 34 women’s styles based upon the pieces from the spring Tommy Hilfiger sportswear collection. #wwdnews