The EC competition authorities have added fresh charges to their long-running complaint against Intel. In a letter to Intel, the EC said that the new charges are that:
Intel gave computer retailer MediaMarkt substantial rebates for it selling only Intel-based PCs.
Intel paid a manufacturer to delay introducing an AMD range of processors
Intel gave rebates to the same manufacturer for buying all its laptop processors from Intel.
An EC statement says that the new evidence "reinforces the commission's preliminary view that Intel has infringed EU treaty rules on abuse of a dominant position with the aim of excluding its main rival."
The US news site Marketwatch quotes David Balto, an antitrust attorney in Washington, and a former Federal Trade Commission policy director, who said: "The complaint documents how Intel has used handcuffs to force manufacturers to use more costly and less efficient products."
Intel has eight weeks to reply and can ask for a hearing. If found guilty as charged, Intel may be ordered to alter its behaviour, or pay a fine up to 10 per cent of its $30bn+ revenues.
Intel CEO Paul Otellini has said that the worst that can happen is that Intel will have to 'write a cheque'. Intel's lawyer has accused the EC of selective use of evidence.
However Japan and Korea have already found Intel guilty of anti-competitive practices, and both the US Federal Trade Commission and the State of New York are also carrying out investigations into Intel's alleged anti-competitive prices.
The EC's new charges were announced July 17, on the eve of Intel's 40th birthday. The company was incorporated on July 18th 1968.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
2008年8月21日星期四
EU, UK Clamping Down On Mobile Content Scams
EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva reported that a EU-wide investigation into 500 sites offering mobile content found that 80 percent of them needed to be checked further for “suspected breaches of EU consumer laws,” more worrying as 50 percent of them were targeted at children and teens.
The breaches range from the more mundane to the serious—including unclear pricing or hidden charges, or not making it clear that consumers were signing up for a subscription service, rather than a one-off purchase. So what next? The EU is apparently going to work with a country’s authorities to hunt out as many rouge sites as they can and ask them to clarify or correct any problems. If they don’t, the site may be fined or shut down.
The EU study found that ringtones make up 29 percent of the overall mobile content market in Europe, and valued it in 2007 at around 691 million euros. .
Separately in the UK, the country’s premium rate telephone services regulator PhonePayPlus is also cracking down on errant mobile content sellers. Starting immediately, any subscription service that doesn’t allow a consumer to stop easily and quickly will be shut down and not allowed to operate. More proposals to be implemented later this year will try to regulate mobile spam and ensure that consumers get fewer unwanted messages. The regulator puts the 2007/8 mobile premium content market worth at £460 million (US$921 million) .
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
The breaches range from the more mundane to the serious—including unclear pricing or hidden charges, or not making it clear that consumers were signing up for a subscription service, rather than a one-off purchase. So what next? The EU is apparently going to work with a country’s authorities to hunt out as many rouge sites as they can and ask them to clarify or correct any problems. If they don’t, the site may be fined or shut down.
The EU study found that ringtones make up 29 percent of the overall mobile content market in Europe, and valued it in 2007 at around 691 million euros. .
Separately in the UK, the country’s premium rate telephone services regulator PhonePayPlus is also cracking down on errant mobile content sellers. Starting immediately, any subscription service that doesn’t allow a consumer to stop easily and quickly will be shut down and not allowed to operate. More proposals to be implemented later this year will try to regulate mobile spam and ensure that consumers get fewer unwanted messages. The regulator puts the 2007/8 mobile premium content market worth at £460 million (US$921 million) .
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
NFC payments to hit $75 billion in 2013
The gross transaction value of payments made via NFC contactless technology will exceed $75 billion in 2013 according to telecommunications analysis firm Juniper Research Ltd. (Basingstoke, England).
There is a significant opportunity for NFC mobile payment services, chips, phones and supporting services as the market reaches its tipping point over the 2011 to 2013 period, according to Juniper. The firm said NFC would turn the mobile phone into an electronic wallet used for relatively low value purchases such as refreshments, tickets and food.
"NFC will achieve traction initially in developed countries and regions, with Japan already leading the way with FeliCa-enabled phones. North America, Western Europe and countries such as Korea, Singapore and Australia are likely to see service take-up," said Howard Wilcox of Juniper, in a statement.
In 2009 will limited numbers of NFC devices will be shipped but the market will begin to ramp up from 2010 onwards and by 2013 about 20 percent of mobile phones will possess NFC capability, Juniper asserted.
The annual transaction value is set to grow by a factor of five between 2011 and 2013 and the top three regions — Far East & China, North America and Western Europe — will represent nearly 90 percent of the $75 billion annual market in 2013.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
There is a significant opportunity for NFC mobile payment services, chips, phones and supporting services as the market reaches its tipping point over the 2011 to 2013 period, according to Juniper. The firm said NFC would turn the mobile phone into an electronic wallet used for relatively low value purchases such as refreshments, tickets and food.
"NFC will achieve traction initially in developed countries and regions, with Japan already leading the way with FeliCa-enabled phones. North America, Western Europe and countries such as Korea, Singapore and Australia are likely to see service take-up," said Howard Wilcox of Juniper, in a statement.
In 2009 will limited numbers of NFC devices will be shipped but the market will begin to ramp up from 2010 onwards and by 2013 about 20 percent of mobile phones will possess NFC capability, Juniper asserted.
The annual transaction value is set to grow by a factor of five between 2011 and 2013 and the top three regions — Far East & China, North America and Western Europe — will represent nearly 90 percent of the $75 billion annual market in 2013.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
Platinum outlook comfortably above $2000/ounce despite macro concerns
The Fortis metals monthly says the outlook for platinum is comfortably above $2,000/ounce on new investment demand, higher capital costs stemming from power generators and a looming Cosatu strike in South Africa.
The Fortis/VM Group said in its monthly metals report more mining companies were likely to follow Eastern Platinum in installing their own diesel power generators that will add to their capital costs and could involve "new problems" given the high cost of crude oil.
Another factor that could support the platinum price in the near term is the fact that South Africa's umbrella trade union Cosatu has called for a general strike on 6 August to protest against job cuts linked to the power crisis in the country.
Platinum did not receive the same price support as palladium during June, partly due to concerns over demand growth as diesel vehicles now have an obvious disadvantage compared to gasoline vehicles. This comes as the diesel price is now at a significant premium to gasoline which could lead to a steady fall in diesel passenger car sales in the longer term, said the report.
Fortis said supply-side concerns stemming from South Africa's power situation have taken a back seat amidst macro economic concerns, but they have not disappeared. If a power supply crunch is averted in August, the medium term outlook still appears grim.
Taking a longer view, platinum will continue to remain well supported for the rest of the year due to the ongoing difficulties facing PGM producers in South Africa.
Although both platinum and palladium are at risk of a downturn in the global economy since they are heavily dependent on automobile sales and jewellery demand, platinum prices will likely remain strong as long as Eskom runs the risk of being unable to meet growing power demand.
Fortis is of the view that even if Eskom secured the $45bn financing required to build new power stations, the long-term outlook for electricity in South Africa remains bleak for at least the next five years.
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
The Fortis/VM Group said in its monthly metals report more mining companies were likely to follow Eastern Platinum in installing their own diesel power generators that will add to their capital costs and could involve "new problems" given the high cost of crude oil.
Another factor that could support the platinum price in the near term is the fact that South Africa's umbrella trade union Cosatu has called for a general strike on 6 August to protest against job cuts linked to the power crisis in the country.
Platinum did not receive the same price support as palladium during June, partly due to concerns over demand growth as diesel vehicles now have an obvious disadvantage compared to gasoline vehicles. This comes as the diesel price is now at a significant premium to gasoline which could lead to a steady fall in diesel passenger car sales in the longer term, said the report.
Fortis said supply-side concerns stemming from South Africa's power situation have taken a back seat amidst macro economic concerns, but they have not disappeared. If a power supply crunch is averted in August, the medium term outlook still appears grim.
Taking a longer view, platinum will continue to remain well supported for the rest of the year due to the ongoing difficulties facing PGM producers in South Africa.
Although both platinum and palladium are at risk of a downturn in the global economy since they are heavily dependent on automobile sales and jewellery demand, platinum prices will likely remain strong as long as Eskom runs the risk of being unable to meet growing power demand.
Fortis is of the view that even if Eskom secured the $45bn financing required to build new power stations, the long-term outlook for electricity in South Africa remains bleak for at least the next five years.
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
Richemont reports 13 percent sales increase
Sales for luxury goods company Richemont increased 13 percent in actual exchange rates (20 percent on a constant exchange rate basis) in the first three months of its current fiscal year, including a slight increase in sales in the Americas.According to an interim management statement released on Wednesday by the Geneva-based company, sales from April to June for its Jewellery Maisons group—which includes the Cartier and Van Cleef and Arpels brands—increased 16 percent for the period (25 percent on a constant exchange rate basis), rising from about $1 billion in 2007 to about $1.2 billion in 2008.Sales for Richemont's watchmakers—which include A. Lange and Sohne, Baume and Mercier, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Officine Panerai, Piaget and Vacheron Constantin—increased 13 percent for the period (19 percent on a constant exchange rate basis) to about $658 million, from $582 million in 2007. When broken down by region, sales figures for the Americas show a 6 percent increase (20 percent on a constant exchange rate basis).Despite a sluggish Japanese economy, the Asia-Pacific region, buoyed by strong growth in Hong Kong and China, posted the greatest sales gains for the period, jumping 21 percent (35 percent on a constant exchange rate basis), from about $461 million in 2007 to about $559 million in 2008.In May, Richemont announced details of a restructuring proposal that would separate the group into two entities: a luxury business headquartered in Switzerland and a separate investment vehicle.According to the statement released on Wednesday, the company is not releasing any further information about the restructuring at this time.
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
Silver industry to launch consumer-marketing push
The Silver Institute has announced plans for a marketing initiative to increase awareness and encourage consumer purchases of sterling silver jewelry.Dubbed "The Silver Marketing Initiative" (SMI), the program will educate consumers and the trade press on sterling silver and be a source of marketing information and product news on the metal."The consensus of our executive committee is that the time is right to introduce an industry-supported marketing program in the U.S., with the initial focus being on silver jewelry," Silver Institute Executive Director Michael DiRienzo said in a media release.Marketing and management services firm Michael Barlerin Associates has been appointed as the consultant to the Silver Institute in the development and rollout of the SMI."In light of what has been happening to the price of the other noble metals, now is definitely the time for silver jewelry," Barlerin said in the release. "I am also gratified by the response I have already received from key members of the jewelry trade when I told them that SMI was to be launched, and I look forward to discussing mutual opportunities at the JA Show in New York City later this month."
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
Apple iPhone 3G unlocked already
A group from Brazil has managed to unlock Apple's iPhone 3G handset just days after its release.
The unlocked iPhone is displayed and demonstrated in an online video on a Portuguese-language news blog.
An unlocked iPhone can be used with any Sim card and service provider.
IPhone user Bruno MacMasi said in an interview with Gizmodo that the unlocking process involved modifying the Sim hardware so that the International Mobile Subscriber Identity can be overwritten and removed from the original network.
A similar process was used to unlock the original iPhone last year.
Separately, a group of researchers known as the iPhone Devteam has released the first 'jailbreak' software releases for the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 2.0 software update.
The 'jailbreak' term refers to the process of removing the software controls which prohibit users from installing software outside of the iPhone App Store.
The group, which has asked not to be linked to directly for bandwidth purposes, is currently offering a software utility which automatically performs the jailbreak process.
Unlocked and modified handsets have been an issue ever since Apple first released the iPhone. Users initially were eager to remove the strict controls over installing software and run the handset with other carriers.
While the iPhone App Store has allowed for the distribution of third-party applications, there remains a dedicated group of users wishing to run older third-party applications and software which have not been approved for the Store.
Apple has attempted to remain relatively neutral on the matter. The company said that, while the jailbreak processes will void the warranty and possibly cause damage to the phone when new updates are installed, no special efforts will be made to deliberately disable or 'brick' hacked iPhones.
The information from:www.1topsupplier.com
The unlocked iPhone is displayed and demonstrated in an online video on a Portuguese-language news blog.
An unlocked iPhone can be used with any Sim card and service provider.
IPhone user Bruno MacMasi said in an interview with Gizmodo that the unlocking process involved modifying the Sim hardware so that the International Mobile Subscriber Identity can be overwritten and removed from the original network.
A similar process was used to unlock the original iPhone last year.
Separately, a group of researchers known as the iPhone Devteam has released the first 'jailbreak' software releases for the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 2.0 software update.
The 'jailbreak' term refers to the process of removing the software controls which prohibit users from installing software outside of the iPhone App Store.
The group, which has asked not to be linked to directly for bandwidth purposes, is currently offering a software utility which automatically performs the jailbreak process.
Unlocked and modified handsets have been an issue ever since Apple first released the iPhone. Users initially were eager to remove the strict controls over installing software and run the handset with other carriers.
While the iPhone App Store has allowed for the distribution of third-party applications, there remains a dedicated group of users wishing to run older third-party applications and software which have not been approved for the Store.
Apple has attempted to remain relatively neutral on the matter. The company said that, while the jailbreak processes will void the warranty and possibly cause damage to the phone when new updates are installed, no special efforts will be made to deliberately disable or 'brick' hacked iPhones.
The information from:www.1topsupplier.com
Wild's increased aseptic ability enables preservative-free drinks
Wild has increased its volume capacity for aseptic cold filling for its beverage flavour systems, saying that it can now meet customer requirements for preservative-free mixes even in peak season.
Aseptic cold filling is a technology that allows product to be supplied without preservatives to avoid microbiological contamination. It involves separate sterilisation of the product, bottles or cartons, and their closures. The sterilised product is then packaged in a sealed-off sterile environment and the container sealed under aseptic conditions.
The German ingredients firm has had aseptic capabilities since 2002 for its flavour systems – that is, semi-finished beverage mixes to which the manufacturer need only add water, sugar and acid.
But it has recently added a new aseptic filling line at its plant in Heidelberg; while the company would not disclose what the new capacity is, a spokesperson told FoodNavigator.com that it can now fulfil order requests even between April and August – that is, the warmer season when there tends to be more consumption of beverages.
The development is significant since there is a major drive in the industry to meet consumer preferences for products that do not contain preservatives.
Mintel’s Global New Products Database lists 2755 new launches in Europe in the last three years of beverage products claiming to be preservative-free. Brands launching preservative-free drinks recently include Los Lunis in Spain, Ockakoya Kyasenok in Russia, San Benedetto in Italy, Almata’s Biopom in France, and Red Bull Simply Cola in Hungary.
The spokesperson for Wild said that in the past, flavour systems carried some preservatives so as to give higher microbial safety if the customer wanted to use the container several times.
While these small amounts of preservatives did not have to be labelled on the finished product, it was not possible to label the products as being ‘preservative-free’.
But because of its aseptic technology use, Wild has found that the addition of preservatives is not necessary for the most part.
“If the customer does not ask for a preservative to be added, we do not add it – neither in development nor in production,” said the spokesperson.
He added that the developments by Wild are mirrored by developments on the part of its customers over the last 10 to 15 years, which improve microbial safety at their end.
For instance, discussions with customers revealed that some are using aseptic technology to take the ingredient mix out of the container, some are keeping the mix in cold storage, and some have expanded their operations to such an extent that they now use the whole container in one go.
The customers are still able to re-use the containers without compromising safety, according to Wild.
The information from:www.china-food-wholesaler.com
Aseptic cold filling is a technology that allows product to be supplied without preservatives to avoid microbiological contamination. It involves separate sterilisation of the product, bottles or cartons, and their closures. The sterilised product is then packaged in a sealed-off sterile environment and the container sealed under aseptic conditions.
The German ingredients firm has had aseptic capabilities since 2002 for its flavour systems – that is, semi-finished beverage mixes to which the manufacturer need only add water, sugar and acid.
But it has recently added a new aseptic filling line at its plant in Heidelberg; while the company would not disclose what the new capacity is, a spokesperson told FoodNavigator.com that it can now fulfil order requests even between April and August – that is, the warmer season when there tends to be more consumption of beverages.
The development is significant since there is a major drive in the industry to meet consumer preferences for products that do not contain preservatives.
Mintel’s Global New Products Database lists 2755 new launches in Europe in the last three years of beverage products claiming to be preservative-free. Brands launching preservative-free drinks recently include Los Lunis in Spain, Ockakoya Kyasenok in Russia, San Benedetto in Italy, Almata’s Biopom in France, and Red Bull Simply Cola in Hungary.
The spokesperson for Wild said that in the past, flavour systems carried some preservatives so as to give higher microbial safety if the customer wanted to use the container several times.
While these small amounts of preservatives did not have to be labelled on the finished product, it was not possible to label the products as being ‘preservative-free’.
But because of its aseptic technology use, Wild has found that the addition of preservatives is not necessary for the most part.
“If the customer does not ask for a preservative to be added, we do not add it – neither in development nor in production,” said the spokesperson.
He added that the developments by Wild are mirrored by developments on the part of its customers over the last 10 to 15 years, which improve microbial safety at their end.
For instance, discussions with customers revealed that some are using aseptic technology to take the ingredient mix out of the container, some are keeping the mix in cold storage, and some have expanded their operations to such an extent that they now use the whole container in one go.
The customers are still able to re-use the containers without compromising safety, according to Wild.
The information from:www.china-food-wholesaler.com
Reebok to make Monopoly shoes
Toy maker Hasbro Inc. and shoemaker Reebok have teamed up to make a new line of sneakers inspired by the classic board game Monopoly.
The shoes feature designs that draw from Monopoly, a 70-year-old board game produced by Parker Brothers, a division of Pawtucket, R.I.-based Hasbro. The game is so named because players try to monopolize ownership of properties and railroads, allowing them to charge “rent” from other players when their game pieces land on the properties.
The shoes will be made in sizes for toddlers to adults at prices that range from $40 to $80.
Babies ‘R’ Us adds exclusive products
Toy retailer Toys “R” Us Inc. said it will offer an exclusive line of baby products and apparel at its Babies “R” Us stores, created by Amy Coe.
The 300-piece collection, in stores this month, includes infant furniture, bedding sets, diaper bags, apparel and other products. Coe previously designed a line of children’s bedding and other products for discount retailer Target Corp.
Gerald L. Storch, company chairman and chief executive, said in an interview that the line was created in order to put a contemporary spin on baby products with Coe’s bright and modern-looking designs.
The information from:www.allforinfant.com
The shoes feature designs that draw from Monopoly, a 70-year-old board game produced by Parker Brothers, a division of Pawtucket, R.I.-based Hasbro. The game is so named because players try to monopolize ownership of properties and railroads, allowing them to charge “rent” from other players when their game pieces land on the properties.
The shoes will be made in sizes for toddlers to adults at prices that range from $40 to $80.
Babies ‘R’ Us adds exclusive products
Toy retailer Toys “R” Us Inc. said it will offer an exclusive line of baby products and apparel at its Babies “R” Us stores, created by Amy Coe.
The 300-piece collection, in stores this month, includes infant furniture, bedding sets, diaper bags, apparel and other products. Coe previously designed a line of children’s bedding and other products for discount retailer Target Corp.
Gerald L. Storch, company chairman and chief executive, said in an interview that the line was created in order to put a contemporary spin on baby products with Coe’s bright and modern-looking designs.
The information from:www.allforinfant.com
PepsiCo, Starbucks to distribute Tazo Tea more widely
PepsiCo and Starbucks, already partners in a deal to sell bottled Frappucinos, are turning their attention to bottled tea.
The two companies plan to give the Tazo brand greater exposure and expand distribution, as sales of ready-to-drink teas grow. Tazo bottled iced tea and juice teas are now sold in Starbucks and other outlets. Starting in mid-October, the bottled teas will be made available nationwide through the PepsiCo bottling system.
Under the new deal, Starbucks Corp., PepsiCo Inc. and Unilever will make and sell Tazo drinks, taking advantage of a distribution partnership that was established earlier to sell Lipton ready-to-drink teas.
"I think it's a big deal," Beverage Digest editor John Sicher said. "Initially it won't represent a lot of volume, but Tazo is a good brand and will be a good addition to the portfolio."
Sales of ready-to-drink teas grew 6.6 percent in the year ended in July, significantly slower than the double-digit growth in the three years before that, according to The Nielsen Co.
Sicher said sales of ready-to-drink teas grew more slowly so far this year than last primarily because of the easing in consumer spending, and that tea sales would rebound sharply when the economy improves.
Sales of bottled teas give a much-needed boost to PepsiCo's domestic drinks business as U.S. consumers buy fewer soft drinks. Tazo teas, made in Portland, Ore., are seen as a premium product and more healthy by some consumers, Sicher said.
PepsiCo and its bigger U.S. drinks rival, The Coca-Cola Co., compete for growth in energy drinks, juices and teas to appeal to health-conscious consumers who want to avoid soft drinks.
The Tazo deal follows Coca-Cola's purchase of a 40 percent stake in organic tea maker Honest Tea. Coke paid $43 million for the stake in February, and has the option to buy the rest of the company after three years. Coca-Cola also sells Nestea.
Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo and Seattle-based Starbucks have been partners since 1994 when they made a deal to distribute Starbucks' bottled Frappucino, Doubleshot espresso and other bottled drinks.
The information from:www.china-food-wholesaler.com
The two companies plan to give the Tazo brand greater exposure and expand distribution, as sales of ready-to-drink teas grow. Tazo bottled iced tea and juice teas are now sold in Starbucks and other outlets. Starting in mid-October, the bottled teas will be made available nationwide through the PepsiCo bottling system.
Under the new deal, Starbucks Corp., PepsiCo Inc. and Unilever will make and sell Tazo drinks, taking advantage of a distribution partnership that was established earlier to sell Lipton ready-to-drink teas.
"I think it's a big deal," Beverage Digest editor John Sicher said. "Initially it won't represent a lot of volume, but Tazo is a good brand and will be a good addition to the portfolio."
Sales of ready-to-drink teas grew 6.6 percent in the year ended in July, significantly slower than the double-digit growth in the three years before that, according to The Nielsen Co.
Sicher said sales of ready-to-drink teas grew more slowly so far this year than last primarily because of the easing in consumer spending, and that tea sales would rebound sharply when the economy improves.
Sales of bottled teas give a much-needed boost to PepsiCo's domestic drinks business as U.S. consumers buy fewer soft drinks. Tazo teas, made in Portland, Ore., are seen as a premium product and more healthy by some consumers, Sicher said.
PepsiCo and its bigger U.S. drinks rival, The Coca-Cola Co., compete for growth in energy drinks, juices and teas to appeal to health-conscious consumers who want to avoid soft drinks.
The Tazo deal follows Coca-Cola's purchase of a 40 percent stake in organic tea maker Honest Tea. Coke paid $43 million for the stake in February, and has the option to buy the rest of the company after three years. Coca-Cola also sells Nestea.
Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo and Seattle-based Starbucks have been partners since 1994 when they made a deal to distribute Starbucks' bottled Frappucino, Doubleshot espresso and other bottled drinks.
The information from:www.china-food-wholesaler.com
Middleton Doll posts loss, misses stock redemption
Middleton Doll Co. Inc. said Thursday that it did not have enough funds available to redeem outstanding preferred stock by the required redemption date of July 1, and that it is still seeking financing alternatives to address the issue, including a potential merger or sale.
Waukesha-based Middleton Doll, a marketer of consumer products, including collectible dolls, reported that it lost $722,000, or 19 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2008, compared with net losses of $748,000, or 20 cents per share, the year before. Net sales of the consumer products division were $2.6 million, up from $2.3 million a year ago.
Middleton Doll -- which has a second operating segment, a real estate investment trust that it is liquidating to finance the redemption of preferred stock -- said consumer products sales grew because the introduction of new clock styles and home decor products generated increased orders for two spring promotional rollouts. The orders offset lower sales by dealers and individual store owners because of the slow economy, said Sal Bando, Middleton Doll's president and CEO.
For the six months ended June 30, the company's net loss was $1.5 million, or 40 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $1.6 million, or 42 cents per share, the year before. Consumer products sales increased to $5.1 million from $4.4 million.
The information from:www.allforinfant.com
Waukesha-based Middleton Doll, a marketer of consumer products, including collectible dolls, reported that it lost $722,000, or 19 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2008, compared with net losses of $748,000, or 20 cents per share, the year before. Net sales of the consumer products division were $2.6 million, up from $2.3 million a year ago.
Middleton Doll -- which has a second operating segment, a real estate investment trust that it is liquidating to finance the redemption of preferred stock -- said consumer products sales grew because the introduction of new clock styles and home decor products generated increased orders for two spring promotional rollouts. The orders offset lower sales by dealers and individual store owners because of the slow economy, said Sal Bando, Middleton Doll's president and CEO.
For the six months ended June 30, the company's net loss was $1.5 million, or 40 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $1.6 million, or 42 cents per share, the year before. Consumer products sales increased to $5.1 million from $4.4 million.
The information from:www.allforinfant.com
Verizon mistakenly leaks upcoming cell phone release dates
A fuzzy image of a Verizon slide discussing the company's mobile email service shows that the carrier plans to launch several new handsets over the next few months, all of which will support its Mobile Email application. The unannounced Motorola VU30 Rapture appears to be the next to launch, on September 9th, followed by the Samsung U440, LG VX8360, Motorola V6c, and Nokia 7205 later in the year.
Verizon's Mobile Email application allows users to access their web-based email directly from their cell phone, with free alerts for incoming mail.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
Verizon's Mobile Email application allows users to access their web-based email directly from their cell phone, with free alerts for incoming mail.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
Selecting Safe & Healthful Seafood
“When chosen carefully, fish is an excellent source of protein, with much less fat and cholesterol than lean meat.”
Facts about fish
by Linda Knittel
Q. How healthful is fish?
A. Fish is a great source of lean protein and one of the best ways to get a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids, those good fats that protect your heart, support your brain, and keep your cells healthy. However, since our oceans and rivers are not as clean as they once were, not all fish is equally healthy. The tips in this article will help you make safe and healthful seafood choices.
Q. Should I buy wild fish or farmed fish?
A. This is a complex question. The demand for seafood has encouraged many fisheries to catch more fish than our waters can sustainably produce, resulting in diminishing fish stocks and damage to the ecosystem. For that reason, fish farming seems a logical solution. However, not all farmed fish are thought to be healthy. For example, farmed salmon has been shown to contain chemical pollutants. On the other hand, farm-raised trout, catfish, shrimp, striped bass, sturgeon, Artic char, and flounder are healthy and sustainable choices.
To help you make educated choices, ask your seafood supplier where the fish came from and how it was caught.
Q. How do I select seafood?
A. When chosen carefully, fish is an excellent source of protein, with much less fat and cholesterol than lean meat. Plus, fish is loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease, lower high cholesterol, ease arthritis, and improve mood. Follow these tips when shopping for fish:
Look for the “Seafood Safe” label, which indicates that the item is tested regularly for PCBs and mercury and that it meets quality-assurance guidelines for that species. Visit www.seafoodsafe.com for a list of participating fish distributors.
Know that fish high on the food chain such as swordfish, shark, tuna, king mackerel, and lobster may contain higher levels of contaminants. Limit eating canned tuna to once a month.
If you are not sure about a fish don’t eat it.
Q. What looks good?
When buying fish, choose firm, shiny flesh that will spring back when touched.
Fish should have only a mild smell, like seawater, but not a strong fishy odor.
Shellfish, such as oysters, clams, and mussels, must be alive when purchased.
Lobsters and crabs should be alive or frozen when purchased.
Shrimp are usually frozen and often precooked. Look for a full shell and firm meat.
Frozen fish is a good choice, as freezing keeps water inside fish tissues, thus preserving juices and maximizing flavor and texture when cooked. Frozen fish should be somewhat shiny and have no white freezer-burn spots.
The information from:www.china-food-wholesaler.com
Facts about fish
by Linda Knittel
Q. How healthful is fish?
A. Fish is a great source of lean protein and one of the best ways to get a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids, those good fats that protect your heart, support your brain, and keep your cells healthy. However, since our oceans and rivers are not as clean as they once were, not all fish is equally healthy. The tips in this article will help you make safe and healthful seafood choices.
Q. Should I buy wild fish or farmed fish?
A. This is a complex question. The demand for seafood has encouraged many fisheries to catch more fish than our waters can sustainably produce, resulting in diminishing fish stocks and damage to the ecosystem. For that reason, fish farming seems a logical solution. However, not all farmed fish are thought to be healthy. For example, farmed salmon has been shown to contain chemical pollutants. On the other hand, farm-raised trout, catfish, shrimp, striped bass, sturgeon, Artic char, and flounder are healthy and sustainable choices.
To help you make educated choices, ask your seafood supplier where the fish came from and how it was caught.
Q. How do I select seafood?
A. When chosen carefully, fish is an excellent source of protein, with much less fat and cholesterol than lean meat. Plus, fish is loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease, lower high cholesterol, ease arthritis, and improve mood. Follow these tips when shopping for fish:
Look for the “Seafood Safe” label, which indicates that the item is tested regularly for PCBs and mercury and that it meets quality-assurance guidelines for that species. Visit www.seafoodsafe.com for a list of participating fish distributors.
Know that fish high on the food chain such as swordfish, shark, tuna, king mackerel, and lobster may contain higher levels of contaminants. Limit eating canned tuna to once a month.
If you are not sure about a fish don’t eat it.
Q. What looks good?
When buying fish, choose firm, shiny flesh that will spring back when touched.
Fish should have only a mild smell, like seawater, but not a strong fishy odor.
Shellfish, such as oysters, clams, and mussels, must be alive when purchased.
Lobsters and crabs should be alive or frozen when purchased.
Shrimp are usually frozen and often precooked. Look for a full shell and firm meat.
Frozen fish is a good choice, as freezing keeps water inside fish tissues, thus preserving juices and maximizing flavor and texture when cooked. Frozen fish should be somewhat shiny and have no white freezer-burn spots.
The information from:www.china-food-wholesaler.com
Polo Ralph Lauren to launch shopping by cell phone
Is the tech-savvy fashionista ready to shop by mobile phone? Polo Ralph Lauren Corp hopes so.
Polo is the first luxury retailer to launch a mobile commerce site, hoping to stay ahead of a trend that is making its way from Asia to the United States, said David Lauren, senior vice president of advertising and son of designer and Chief Executive Ralph Lauren.
Using phones to buy items such as train tickets or products in vending machines is commonplace in Japan, but the trend has yet to catch on in the United States.
"We recognize that in America this is going after somebody who is more comfortable with technology," Lauren told Reuters. "The truth is that in other countries, it's becoming a part of their culture. The trend is coming, and as a fashion company it's very important to identify trends and get ahead of them."
While early adopters of new technologies are often young, Lauren said the move is not aimed at a specific age group.
"This is about someone who's interested in our brand and interested in technology, and wherever the two meet, that's what's appropriate," Lauren said.
Polo, with its higher-end customers, has used cautious inventory management to outperform other apparel makers that have been hurt by a deteriorating U.S. economy.
The apparel maker will begin placing special codes in print ads, mailings and store windows along with its sponsorship of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, which begins later this month.
Shoppers can download special software to camera-phones to scan the codes and be directed to a phone-friendly version of a Ralph Lauren website, where they can shop, watch tennis videos and read company content.
Lauren declined to say how much the company invested in the new technology or its anticipated sales impact.
Cell phones with preinstalled code-readers should come to market within a year, Lauren said.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
Polo is the first luxury retailer to launch a mobile commerce site, hoping to stay ahead of a trend that is making its way from Asia to the United States, said David Lauren, senior vice president of advertising and son of designer and Chief Executive Ralph Lauren.
Using phones to buy items such as train tickets or products in vending machines is commonplace in Japan, but the trend has yet to catch on in the United States.
"We recognize that in America this is going after somebody who is more comfortable with technology," Lauren told Reuters. "The truth is that in other countries, it's becoming a part of their culture. The trend is coming, and as a fashion company it's very important to identify trends and get ahead of them."
While early adopters of new technologies are often young, Lauren said the move is not aimed at a specific age group.
"This is about someone who's interested in our brand and interested in technology, and wherever the two meet, that's what's appropriate," Lauren said.
Polo, with its higher-end customers, has used cautious inventory management to outperform other apparel makers that have been hurt by a deteriorating U.S. economy.
The apparel maker will begin placing special codes in print ads, mailings and store windows along with its sponsorship of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, which begins later this month.
Shoppers can download special software to camera-phones to scan the codes and be directed to a phone-friendly version of a Ralph Lauren website, where they can shop, watch tennis videos and read company content.
Lauren declined to say how much the company invested in the new technology or its anticipated sales impact.
Cell phones with preinstalled code-readers should come to market within a year, Lauren said.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
Mattel seeks nearly $2B in fight over Bratz dolls
A lawyer for Mattel Inc. says the maker of pouty-lipped Bratz dolls owes Mattel nearly $2 billion for stealing its conceptual drawings for the urban-influenced toys.
Mattel attorney John Quinn made the claim Wednesday during closing arguments in the damages phase of a federal copyright infringement lawsuit.The jury ruled last month in the first phase of the trial that the designer of MGA Entertainment Inc.’s Bratz dolls, Carter Bryant, came up with the Bratz concept while working for Mattel.The jury also found that the Los Angeles-based MGA aided in the breach of contract and its chief executive officer, Isaac Larian, played a role in the deal.
The information from:www.allforinfant.com
Mattel attorney John Quinn made the claim Wednesday during closing arguments in the damages phase of a federal copyright infringement lawsuit.The jury ruled last month in the first phase of the trial that the designer of MGA Entertainment Inc.’s Bratz dolls, Carter Bryant, came up with the Bratz concept while working for Mattel.The jury also found that the Los Angeles-based MGA aided in the breach of contract and its chief executive officer, Isaac Larian, played a role in the deal.
The information from:www.allforinfant.com
Diet soda: Is it bad for you?
Drinking a reasonable amount of diet soda a day, such as a can or two, isn't likely to hurt you. The artificial sweeteners and other chemicals used in diet soda are safe for most people, and there's no evidence that these ingredients cause cancer.
Some types of diet soda are even fortified with vitamins and minerals. But diet soda isn't a health drink or a cure for weight loss. Although switching from regular soda to diet soda will save you calories, some studies suggest that drinking soda of any type leads to obesity and other health problems. And healthier choices abound.
Start your day with a small glass of 100-percent fruit juice. Drink skim milk with meals. Sip water throughout the day. For variety, try sparkling water or enjoy a squirt of lemon or cranberry juice in your water. Save diet soda for an occasional treat.
The information from:www.china-food-wholesaler.com
Some types of diet soda are even fortified with vitamins and minerals. But diet soda isn't a health drink or a cure for weight loss. Although switching from regular soda to diet soda will save you calories, some studies suggest that drinking soda of any type leads to obesity and other health problems. And healthier choices abound.
Start your day with a small glass of 100-percent fruit juice. Drink skim milk with meals. Sip water throughout the day. For variety, try sparkling water or enjoy a squirt of lemon or cranberry juice in your water. Save diet soda for an occasional treat.
The information from:www.china-food-wholesaler.com
Cell phone sales on the decline
Twenty-eight million mobile handsets were sold in the U.S. in the second quarter of this year. That's a 13 percent drop over sales during the same period last year.
It's also the lowest number of cell phones sold during a quarter since the research firm behind the report began tracking mobile phone sales in 2005.
Many cell phones sold now are more expensive, and most come with a two-year contract.
The report says both may have played a role in the drop.
The information from:www.1topsupplier.com
It's also the lowest number of cell phones sold during a quarter since the research firm behind the report began tracking mobile phone sales in 2005.
Many cell phones sold now are more expensive, and most come with a two-year contract.
The report says both may have played a role in the drop.
The information from:www.1topsupplier.com
Best Bets for Low-Calorie Snacking
It's 4 p.m. Is that your tummy growling? If it is — and you're already grabbing a treat to quiet it down — you may fall into the largest category of snackers.
Three in 10 of us get the munchies in the midafternoon, according to a 2006 survey by the New York-based market research firm NPD Group. After-dinner or late-night snacking is reported by only about 20% of Americans, while 13% of us find our stomachs rumbling by midmorning, the survey found.
Don't feel guilty: Giving in to the urge isn't necessarily a bad thing.
"Eating a small meal or snack every 3 to 4 hours actually helps maintain energy and blood sugar levels," says Seattle registered dietitian Lola O'Rourke, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.
The best kind of snack is one that contains protein like cheese and nuts because it will leave you feeling full for a longer time, O'Rourke says. Ditto for a snack with fiber; the body requires more time to digest a high-fiber food, which means a longer time before you feel hungry again.
Of course, not all snacks are created equal. Sugary foods like chocolate or candy may stave off hunger pangs briefly, but they actually work against you in the long run.
"Sugar just makes you hungry sooner," says Andrea Giancoli, a Los Angeles-based dietitian who specializes in family nutrition. "Snacks that have a lot of refined sugar like a candy bar get digested quickly, so you get a surge of glucose — but then it's gone."
Giancoli, who counsels families and has a nutrition blog called "The Family Fork," says snacking is best earlier in the day when energy levels are at their highest. "Eating makes us feel satisfied sooner in the morning … it takes longer to feel satisfied as the day goes on. That's why I tell people to front-load their day with food and to skip late-night eating."
How to choose wisely
Why is selection so important? Plain and simple, weight gain is often the result of eating more calories than we need in a day, says obesity expert James Hill, Ph.D., director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado and author of The Step Diet Book: Count Steps, Not Calories to Lose Weight and Keep It Off Forever (Workman Publishing, 2004). Eating something healthful when your stomach starts to growl can prevent you from overeating at the next meal.
"Look for snack foods packaged in 100-calorie packs," Hill suggests. Once in a while you can treat yourself to 100 calories of chocolate. But on other days, he says: "Have 100 calories of fruit or nuts or even vegetables. That way, you won't take the fun out of snacking, but you'll move toward an overall healthier diet."
So imagine — it's 10 a.m. Breakfast is a distant memory, lunch is still too far off, but your stomach is saying "feed me." Or maybe you've hit that energy sag at around 4 p.m., and every vending machine within 500 feet is calling your name. What should you do? Here's what our snack attack advisors suggest:
Keep sweets small. If you just have to have something sweet, first consider eating some protein and then finish up with a small treat like a Hershey's kiss, a piece of hard candy or some gum, Giancoli says. "Something small will give you the hit of sweetness you desire but without a lot of calories."
Be a cereal snacker. Choose a breakfast cereal that has fewer than 5 grams of sugar and at least 3 grams of dietary fiber, O'Rourke suggests. Have a serving with low-fat milk. Consider putting a portion of your cereal in a re-sealable bag to keep for munching at your desk or in the car.
Managing the machine. If you're starving and a vending machine is all that's available, a small bag of nuts provides healthy protein and fiber despite the higher calorie and fat load. Opt for pretzels or fat-free microwave popcorn over potato chips, O'Rourke advises.
Don't drink your calories, but do drink. Liquids help fill you up — just make sure they don't have too many calories, Giancoli says. Skip regular soda, which piles on more than 100 calories and has zero nutrients. Fruity-flavored drinks with 10% fruit juice or less aren't much better. Stick to no-cal options like water, diet soda, tea or coffee.
Beware of granola and energy bars. With the high sugar and salt content and refined flour found in granola and energy bars, "they're like candy bars using an alias," says David L. Katz, M.D., M.P.H., a professor of public health at Yale University in New Haven, Conn., and author of The Flavor Point Diet: The Delicious Breakthrough Plan to Turn Off Your Hunger and Lose the Weight For Good (Random House, 2005). The best bars include whole grains (like oats) listed among the first 3 ingredients and that have at least 2 grams of fiber. "Those meeting these criteria include LaraBar, Odwalla bars and products by Barbara's Bakery, Nature's Choice, Nature's Path, Kashi and Healthy Valley," Katz says.
Portions, please. Measure out single portions. But don't guess at how much you should eat, or that snack can turn into a meal. Ideal calories for a healthful snack: 200 or less.
Keep these under-200-calorie snacks handy in your travels:
2 cups fat-free popcorn (or buy 100-calorie packs for microwaving)
Single-serve instant oatmeal
Whole-wheat crackers (reduced-fat Triscuits are good)
Energy bars with less than 200 calories (Luna, Kashi, 100-calorie Balance)
Whole-grain, ready-to-eat cereal (Oatmeal Squares, MultiGrain Cheerios)
Sliced apple or celery sticks with 1 tablespoon peanut butter
Snack-size light yogurt or fat-free pudding (4 to 6 ounces)
Snack-size low-fat cottage cheese packs
Single-serving size bag (about ¼ cup) nuts (almonds, soy nuts, pistachios, walnuts)
Any whole fruit
Serving of soy chips
Single stick of string cheese
Fruit leathers, or flat strips of puréed dried fruit
Single serving of dried fruit and nut mix
The information from:www.china-food-wholesaler.com
Three in 10 of us get the munchies in the midafternoon, according to a 2006 survey by the New York-based market research firm NPD Group. After-dinner or late-night snacking is reported by only about 20% of Americans, while 13% of us find our stomachs rumbling by midmorning, the survey found.
Don't feel guilty: Giving in to the urge isn't necessarily a bad thing.
"Eating a small meal or snack every 3 to 4 hours actually helps maintain energy and blood sugar levels," says Seattle registered dietitian Lola O'Rourke, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.
The best kind of snack is one that contains protein like cheese and nuts because it will leave you feeling full for a longer time, O'Rourke says. Ditto for a snack with fiber; the body requires more time to digest a high-fiber food, which means a longer time before you feel hungry again.
Of course, not all snacks are created equal. Sugary foods like chocolate or candy may stave off hunger pangs briefly, but they actually work against you in the long run.
"Sugar just makes you hungry sooner," says Andrea Giancoli, a Los Angeles-based dietitian who specializes in family nutrition. "Snacks that have a lot of refined sugar like a candy bar get digested quickly, so you get a surge of glucose — but then it's gone."
Giancoli, who counsels families and has a nutrition blog called "The Family Fork," says snacking is best earlier in the day when energy levels are at their highest. "Eating makes us feel satisfied sooner in the morning … it takes longer to feel satisfied as the day goes on. That's why I tell people to front-load their day with food and to skip late-night eating."
How to choose wisely
Why is selection so important? Plain and simple, weight gain is often the result of eating more calories than we need in a day, says obesity expert James Hill, Ph.D., director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado and author of The Step Diet Book: Count Steps, Not Calories to Lose Weight and Keep It Off Forever (Workman Publishing, 2004). Eating something healthful when your stomach starts to growl can prevent you from overeating at the next meal.
"Look for snack foods packaged in 100-calorie packs," Hill suggests. Once in a while you can treat yourself to 100 calories of chocolate. But on other days, he says: "Have 100 calories of fruit or nuts or even vegetables. That way, you won't take the fun out of snacking, but you'll move toward an overall healthier diet."
So imagine — it's 10 a.m. Breakfast is a distant memory, lunch is still too far off, but your stomach is saying "feed me." Or maybe you've hit that energy sag at around 4 p.m., and every vending machine within 500 feet is calling your name. What should you do? Here's what our snack attack advisors suggest:
Keep sweets small. If you just have to have something sweet, first consider eating some protein and then finish up with a small treat like a Hershey's kiss, a piece of hard candy or some gum, Giancoli says. "Something small will give you the hit of sweetness you desire but without a lot of calories."
Be a cereal snacker. Choose a breakfast cereal that has fewer than 5 grams of sugar and at least 3 grams of dietary fiber, O'Rourke suggests. Have a serving with low-fat milk. Consider putting a portion of your cereal in a re-sealable bag to keep for munching at your desk or in the car.
Managing the machine. If you're starving and a vending machine is all that's available, a small bag of nuts provides healthy protein and fiber despite the higher calorie and fat load. Opt for pretzels or fat-free microwave popcorn over potato chips, O'Rourke advises.
Don't drink your calories, but do drink. Liquids help fill you up — just make sure they don't have too many calories, Giancoli says. Skip regular soda, which piles on more than 100 calories and has zero nutrients. Fruity-flavored drinks with 10% fruit juice or less aren't much better. Stick to no-cal options like water, diet soda, tea or coffee.
Beware of granola and energy bars. With the high sugar and salt content and refined flour found in granola and energy bars, "they're like candy bars using an alias," says David L. Katz, M.D., M.P.H., a professor of public health at Yale University in New Haven, Conn., and author of The Flavor Point Diet: The Delicious Breakthrough Plan to Turn Off Your Hunger and Lose the Weight For Good (Random House, 2005). The best bars include whole grains (like oats) listed among the first 3 ingredients and that have at least 2 grams of fiber. "Those meeting these criteria include LaraBar, Odwalla bars and products by Barbara's Bakery, Nature's Choice, Nature's Path, Kashi and Healthy Valley," Katz says.
Portions, please. Measure out single portions. But don't guess at how much you should eat, or that snack can turn into a meal. Ideal calories for a healthful snack: 200 or less.
Keep these under-200-calorie snacks handy in your travels:
2 cups fat-free popcorn (or buy 100-calorie packs for microwaving)
Single-serve instant oatmeal
Whole-wheat crackers (reduced-fat Triscuits are good)
Energy bars with less than 200 calories (Luna, Kashi, 100-calorie Balance)
Whole-grain, ready-to-eat cereal (Oatmeal Squares, MultiGrain Cheerios)
Sliced apple or celery sticks with 1 tablespoon peanut butter
Snack-size light yogurt or fat-free pudding (4 to 6 ounces)
Snack-size low-fat cottage cheese packs
Single-serving size bag (about ¼ cup) nuts (almonds, soy nuts, pistachios, walnuts)
Any whole fruit
Serving of soy chips
Single stick of string cheese
Fruit leathers, or flat strips of puréed dried fruit
Single serving of dried fruit and nut mix
The information from:www.china-food-wholesaler.com
Appeals court rejects halt to Mattel-MGA Bratz case
A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday declined to intervene to stop Mattel Inc's trial against Bratz doll maker MGA Entertainment Inc over ownership of the popular doll franchise after a juror made ethnic slurs against MGA's chief executive and founder.
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a two-page opinion that privately held MGA had "not demonstrated that this case warrants the intervention of this court" in its petition for an emergency stay.
The jury awarded Mattel ownership of dozens of concept drawings and models in the first phase of the trial before the juror's comments came to light and she was excused by the judge. The same panel is hearing testimony in a damages phase that is expected to conclude on Friday.
MGA attorneys had argued in an emergency petition filed on Thursday that deliberations in the first phase of the trial had been tainted by the juror's remarks and that the family-owned company faced ruin if Mattel won the $1 billion-plus in damages it is seeking.
The information from:www.allforinfant.com
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a two-page opinion that privately held MGA had "not demonstrated that this case warrants the intervention of this court" in its petition for an emergency stay.
The jury awarded Mattel ownership of dozens of concept drawings and models in the first phase of the trial before the juror's comments came to light and she was excused by the judge. The same panel is hearing testimony in a damages phase that is expected to conclude on Friday.
MGA attorneys had argued in an emergency petition filed on Thursday that deliberations in the first phase of the trial had been tainted by the juror's remarks and that the family-owned company faced ruin if Mattel won the $1 billion-plus in damages it is seeking.
The information from:www.allforinfant.com
new educational devices win kids' attention by being handheld game machines
Your kids can learn math, how to tell time and other skills needed for school — and you don't have to pry them away from video games.That was the appeal of two new handheld devices my three boys recently tested: the $70 Leapster2 and the $90 Didj, made by LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. and designed to put learning games into a format likely to be coveted by children.The Leapster has been around before, but the second version adds new game titles, such as "Star Wars Clone Wars: Jedi Math." Designed for children ages 4 to 8, it connects to a computer with an included USB cable, allowing kids to earn rewards and certificates online and letting parents monitor their progress.The Didj, geared for 6- to 10-year-olds, takes the connection one step further, allowing parents to customize games to, for example, help children study multiplication tables or learn specific spelling words for a classroom test. Players can also use the connection to customize a Didj, including designing their own online game characters known as avatars.
For today's kids, veterans of many a gaming system, there's not much of a learning curve to the Didj. They just pick it up and play.The built-in "Jetpack Heroes" game takes a spaceman through a maze, picking up treasures for a couple of minutes as he goes along blasting foes.Then comes the first math problem: 4 + 1, which wasn't exactly rocket science for my 8-year-old son.But it gets tougher as it goes along, with the system getting into more complicated times-tables with multiple choice answers.For my 10-year-old son — at the top end of the targeted age — the times-tables remained a little easy, though the game was still enjoyable.On the other hand, my 4-year-old son — below the target age but always up to a challenge — was able to get some of the simpler addition. The game interface is enough like others he's tried that he could clumsily forge through, though he had to rely on his older brothers to yell out answers for harder problems.Similar in feel to the Didj, though a little heftier, the Leapster2 has a pen with a touch screen to select games to play, and a voice that coaches you through your choices.The built-in game helps teach numbers and letters to children piloting a dragon through clouds. They start out having the dragon breathe fire at nasty storms, while swooping into numbers or letters to select the right answers, before it becomes more difficult.My 4-year-old liked it, but much preferred the $25 "Jedi Math" add-on cartridge. In that game, you start off piloting a ship, then blast your way through the universe on a quest to find C-3PO, with a voice command telling you the number on the ship you have to shoot, to help you learn the digits.Later exercises include lessons on how to tell time, with the correct answers helping unlock doors.My 4-year-old seemed to enjoy the quizzes and learn from them, though he still insisted the game's "best part is killing droids."The $30 Didj version of "The Clone Wars" cooks along a lot faster than the built-in "Jetpack Heroes" and there seem to be more regular tests. Questions are a lot more varied even at the lower levels — asking about shapes, numbers and even fractions, as the Jedi pauses from slaying clones to work out the puzzles.My 8-year-old told me he'd be as likely to play the Didj game as one of his many titles for the Nintendo DS handheld game device. He'd slyly worked into his calculation, however, that his parents seemed more inclined to give him more leeway in playing the Didj or Leapster2 over other game systems."Because you learn, you get more time on it," he said.
The information from: www.allforinfant.com
For today's kids, veterans of many a gaming system, there's not much of a learning curve to the Didj. They just pick it up and play.The built-in "Jetpack Heroes" game takes a spaceman through a maze, picking up treasures for a couple of minutes as he goes along blasting foes.Then comes the first math problem: 4 + 1, which wasn't exactly rocket science for my 8-year-old son.But it gets tougher as it goes along, with the system getting into more complicated times-tables with multiple choice answers.For my 10-year-old son — at the top end of the targeted age — the times-tables remained a little easy, though the game was still enjoyable.On the other hand, my 4-year-old son — below the target age but always up to a challenge — was able to get some of the simpler addition. The game interface is enough like others he's tried that he could clumsily forge through, though he had to rely on his older brothers to yell out answers for harder problems.Similar in feel to the Didj, though a little heftier, the Leapster2 has a pen with a touch screen to select games to play, and a voice that coaches you through your choices.The built-in game helps teach numbers and letters to children piloting a dragon through clouds. They start out having the dragon breathe fire at nasty storms, while swooping into numbers or letters to select the right answers, before it becomes more difficult.My 4-year-old liked it, but much preferred the $25 "Jedi Math" add-on cartridge. In that game, you start off piloting a ship, then blast your way through the universe on a quest to find C-3PO, with a voice command telling you the number on the ship you have to shoot, to help you learn the digits.Later exercises include lessons on how to tell time, with the correct answers helping unlock doors.My 4-year-old seemed to enjoy the quizzes and learn from them, though he still insisted the game's "best part is killing droids."The $30 Didj version of "The Clone Wars" cooks along a lot faster than the built-in "Jetpack Heroes" and there seem to be more regular tests. Questions are a lot more varied even at the lower levels — asking about shapes, numbers and even fractions, as the Jedi pauses from slaying clones to work out the puzzles.My 8-year-old told me he'd be as likely to play the Didj game as one of his many titles for the Nintendo DS handheld game device. He'd slyly worked into his calculation, however, that his parents seemed more inclined to give him more leeway in playing the Didj or Leapster2 over other game systems."Because you learn, you get more time on it," he said.
The information from: www.allforinfant.com
2008年8月20日星期三
Ludhiana to shine with jewelry expo
For the first time an exclusive business to business jewellery expo is being organized at Majestic Park Plaza, Ludhiana. This glittering and sparkling North India International Jewellery Show (NIIJS) will begin from September 5 and will continue to draw crowd till September 8. The opulent exhibition is organized to cater the ever increasing demand of antique and modern designs for the potential buyers of Punjab. Breathtaking pieces made from gold, silver and platinum studded with precious and semi-precious stones will be displayed here. Famous domestic as well as global jewellery makers, buyers and wholesalers will showcase their extensive range of ornaments including bridal wear, ethnic wear and contemporary styles . The purpose of holding this event is to bring together major players of the sector from various parts of the world under one roof, for not only understanding the market but also explore new arenas for gaining a bigger market share.
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
Kraft Foods Announces Final Proration Factor of 8.0255% for Shares Tendered in the Post Cereals Exchange Offer
Kraft Foods Inc. today announced that the final proration factor related to the split-off of the Post cereals business is 8.0255%. A total of 568,543,287 common shares of Kraft were validly tendered in exchange for 30,466,805 shares of Cable Holdco, Inc. common stock. Cable Holdco was a wholly owned subsidiary of Kraft that owned certain assets and liabilities of the Post cereals business. On August 4, 2008, Cable Holdco was merged into a subsidiary of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: RAH). Under the terms of the offer, 0.6606 shares of Cable Holdco were exchanged for each Kraft common share accepted in the offer. As a result of the merger of Cable Holdco into a subsidiary of Ralcorp, each share of Cable Holdco was exchanged for a share of Ralcorp common stock on a one-for-one basis. Accordingly, Kraft shareholders who tendered their Kraft shares as part of this offer now own 0.6606 shares of Ralcorp for each Kraft share accepted for exchange. Kraft was able to accept a maximum of 46,119,899 Kraft shares for exchange in the exchange offer. Of the 568,543,287 Kraft shares validly tendered, 534,106 shares were tendered by odd lot shareholders not subject to proration. Kraft shares validly tendered by each tendering shareholder other than odd lot shareholders were exchanged for Cable Holdco shares on a pro-rata basis. Unexchanged shares will be returned to tendering shareholders. Holders of Kraft common shares will receive shares of Ralcorp common stock to which they are entitled in uncertificated form. Notices of the number of whole shares of Ralcorp common stock credited to their accounts will be mailed to them. Under the terms of the offer, fractional shares of Ralcorp common stock will not be issued. Instead, fractional shares will be aggregated and sold, and the net cash proceeds of such sale will be distributed to tendering shareholders with fractional interests. For more than a century, Kraft has offered delicious foods and beverages that fit the way consumers live. Today, we are turning the brands that consumers have lived with for years into brands they can't live without. Millions of times a day in more than 150 countries, consumers reach for their favorite Kraft brands, including nine with revenues exceeding $1 billion: Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings; Oscar Mayer meats; Philadelphia cream cheese; Maxwell House coffee; Nabisco cookies and crackers and its Oreo brand; Jacobs coffees; Milka chocolates; and LU biscuits. Kraft is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies with annual revenues exceeding $37 billion, more than 100,000 employees and more than 180 manufacturing and processing facilities globally. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 index as well as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and Ethibel Sustainability Index.
The information from:www.china-food-wholesaler.com
The information from:www.china-food-wholesaler.com
Gold sales increase by 20% in Q2, WGC
The World Gold Council's regional office in Dubai announced that the UAE gold sales increased from AED 3 billion in the second quarter of 2007 to AED 3.6 billion contributing to a 20% increase. The same positive sales value increase was recorded in KSA as gold sales increased by 14% and 2% in other Gulf countries. Additionally, Egypt witnessed an astounding sales increase of 48%.The high and volatile gold price continued to dampen demand in tonnage terms during Q2, particularly for jewellery. While the average gold price, at $896.29/oz, was well below the peak of $1,011/oz seen in mid March, it nevertheless represented a 34% rise on the average price of Q2 2007. Total identifiable demand fell 11% in UAE, 15% in KSA and 24% in other Gulf countries. Similar to the case in Q1, there was a notable exception in Egypt, where gold demand increased 10% in Q2 of 2008. The rise in the gold price provoked a surge of both jewellery and investment buying in Egypt due to the widespread belief that the price was going to rise further. The surge in gold price affected markets worldwide. India was the biggest contributor to the fall in gold demand during Q2, as it was in the first quarter. Both jewellery and investment demand were severely affected by the high and volatile gold price and higher local inflation, which has squeezed disposable incomes. Jewellery demand in Q2 was down 47% in tonnage terms on the levels of a year earlier, while net retail investment fell 41%. Indian demand also fell in US$ value terms, by 29% in jewellery and 20% in investment. Other major gold consuming nations experienced a more mixed quarter. On the jewellery side, only China and Egypt experienced a rise relative to a year earlier levels in tonnage terms. Countries and regions that suffered the largest decline in percentage terms (apart from India) included the US (-30%), Taiwan (-20%) and the UK (-20%) and the other Gulf countries (-24%). Nevertheless, the fact that the dollar spends on jewellery in most countries remains above last year's levels is encouraging given the current economic environment. Jewellery demand in the Middle East, which accounts for more than 90% of total offtake in the region, was 12% lower in tonnage terms in the second quarter of 2008 relative to the previous year. However, the decline in annual terms was exaggerated by a strong result for the June quarter 2007. Furthermore, demand in the most recent quarter remains well above the levels of a year ago in value terms. Like many other parts of the world, inflation is squeezing disposable incomes. Inflation in Saudi Arabia recently hit double digits for the first time since the 1970s. Nevertheless, the region is in a much stronger position going forward than most other parts of the world. The pain of higher petrol prices on consumers is significantly lower and high oil prices have a stimulatory rather than contractionary effect on economic activity.
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
Discover the Different Careers in Jewelry GIA’s
The Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) annual Jewelry Career Fair & Open House will be held Sept. 12 at the Institute’s headquarters in Carlsbad, California. This free event is the jewelry industry’s premiere recruiting event that brings together highly skilled and trained job seekers, prominent employers and gem enthusiasts. Jewelry Career Fair is a comprehensive event that allows attendees a chance to get one-on-one career coaching from already established industry professionals, attend professional development seminars, and network with the key executives and entrepreneurs who have shaped the industry. This event is open to anyone interested in pursuing or learning about a career in jewelry. Currently, 25 companies including Tiffany & Co, Zale Corp, and Ben Bridge Jeweler will come to GIA’s Career Fair to find talented potential employees. These recruiters come to this event to showcase exciting employment opportunities within the industry and to conduct preliminary interviews with job candidates. It’s an excellent and highly efficient opportunity for the firms and potential employees to meet each other in one place in one event.This is an ideal opportunity open for GIA students, first time job seekers, and seasoned professionals both in and out of the jewelry industry looking for a career change. Along with the Carlsbad Career Fair, GIA is holding its once-a-year Open House. This is a singular opportunity for those interested in gems and jewelry to see classroom demonstrations and tour the Institute’s campus and museum exhibits without being required to book a tour weeks in advance. The GIA Jewelry Career Fair will be an all day event happening on Friday, Sept. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
Bratz lose ruling to Barbie
U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson in Riverside, Calif., Monday denied a motion to declare a mistrial sought by the maker of the lucrative Bratz doll, MGA Entertainment Inc., because of a juror's ethnic slur.
The jury had found that MGA and its chief executive, Iranian-born Isaac Larian, improperly had aided a Mattel Inc. Barbie designer who created the concept in violation of his Mattel contract. The trial, which began May 27, was in its damages phase.
But on July 25, eight days after the initial verdict, a juror told the judge that a fellow juror identified in court only as No. 8 had said during deliberations that her husband described Iranians as "stubborn, rude" and as "thieves" who have "stolen other person's ideas," according to a court document.
Juror No. 8 was dismissed after the remarks came to light.
Before announcing his decision Monday Larson said in court: "There is no question that there was a grossly inappropriate statement made," but ruled that the trial could proceed because the slurs came after the jurors had decided all the key points.
"I have spoken to a lot of jurors in my time," Larson said, and he was convinced that "absent juror No. 8, we have an entirely dedicated and unaffected jury."
The rejection of the mistrial motion was the second major decision in this trial that has gone against MGA.
"The notion that a juror could utter those statements in a deliberation room cannot be ignored," said Tom Nolan, attorney for MGA. Larian said the judge's rejection of the mistrial would be appealed.
Mattel issued a statement, saying it was "pleased" with the judge's rejection of the mistrial motion.
"Mattel believes that to declare a mistrial based on juror No. 8's comment an incident that was resoundingly condemned by the remaining jurors and reported by them to the court would be to penalize the jury for doing the right thing," the company said.
Things continue to look bad for Mattel's Barbie line, which saw U.S. sales drop 21 percent in the second quarter. Industry analysts say that the success of Bratz estimated to boost MGA's yearly revenue from $500 million to $2 billion a year has cut Barbie sales.
The information from:www.allforinfant.com
The jury had found that MGA and its chief executive, Iranian-born Isaac Larian, improperly had aided a Mattel Inc. Barbie designer who created the concept in violation of his Mattel contract. The trial, which began May 27, was in its damages phase.
But on July 25, eight days after the initial verdict, a juror told the judge that a fellow juror identified in court only as No. 8 had said during deliberations that her husband described Iranians as "stubborn, rude" and as "thieves" who have "stolen other person's ideas," according to a court document.
Juror No. 8 was dismissed after the remarks came to light.
Before announcing his decision Monday Larson said in court: "There is no question that there was a grossly inappropriate statement made," but ruled that the trial could proceed because the slurs came after the jurors had decided all the key points.
"I have spoken to a lot of jurors in my time," Larson said, and he was convinced that "absent juror No. 8, we have an entirely dedicated and unaffected jury."
The rejection of the mistrial motion was the second major decision in this trial that has gone against MGA.
"The notion that a juror could utter those statements in a deliberation room cannot be ignored," said Tom Nolan, attorney for MGA. Larian said the judge's rejection of the mistrial would be appealed.
Mattel issued a statement, saying it was "pleased" with the judge's rejection of the mistrial motion.
"Mattel believes that to declare a mistrial based on juror No. 8's comment an incident that was resoundingly condemned by the remaining jurors and reported by them to the court would be to penalize the jury for doing the right thing," the company said.
Things continue to look bad for Mattel's Barbie line, which saw U.S. sales drop 21 percent in the second quarter. Industry analysts say that the success of Bratz estimated to boost MGA's yearly revenue from $500 million to $2 billion a year has cut Barbie sales.
The information from:www.allforinfant.com
Siemens is reportedly in talks with Fujitsu over the future of their computer production
The Siemens group is reportedly in talks with Fujitsu over the future of their computer production joint venture Fujitsu Siemens Computers (FSC). It is unlikely that either partner alone will continue the computer production.
According to media releases here, several insiders have told the news agency Reuters that Siemens prepares to cancel the contract with Fujitsu. The contract between the two partners will automatically be renewed for another five years in fall 2009 — if not cancelled within the next few months.
According to the reports, Siemens executives already have travelled to Japan to negotiate with Fujitsu over a termination of the JV. According to the agreement, both parties have to offer its respective share of the joint venture first to the other partner before it can be sold. It is highly unlikely that Fujitsu is interested in taking Siemens' 50 percent share. It is equally unlikely that Siemens alone will continue FSC's activities.
Now the future of the computer manufacturer — with 10.500 employees one of Europe's largest manufacturers of servers, desktop and laptop computers — is unclear. Parent company Siemens recently had announced to cut almost 17.000 jobs.
In recent years, FSC constantly lost market share in an environment characterized by fierce price competition. Siemens CEO Peter Loescher repeatedly has criticized the weak performance of the business unit. Against the background of the weak dollar which makes imported computers cheaper, it became increasingly difficult for FSC to sell its products. The company has production sites in Augsburg and Sömmerda as well as R&D and sales activities in Munich.
When Siemens joined forces with Fujitsu in 1999, it contributed the hardware business of its subsidiary Siemens Nixdorf Computer into the activities. Later, the company also took over Siemens' IT service business.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
According to media releases here, several insiders have told the news agency Reuters that Siemens prepares to cancel the contract with Fujitsu. The contract between the two partners will automatically be renewed for another five years in fall 2009 — if not cancelled within the next few months.
According to the reports, Siemens executives already have travelled to Japan to negotiate with Fujitsu over a termination of the JV. According to the agreement, both parties have to offer its respective share of the joint venture first to the other partner before it can be sold. It is highly unlikely that Fujitsu is interested in taking Siemens' 50 percent share. It is equally unlikely that Siemens alone will continue FSC's activities.
Now the future of the computer manufacturer — with 10.500 employees one of Europe's largest manufacturers of servers, desktop and laptop computers — is unclear. Parent company Siemens recently had announced to cut almost 17.000 jobs.
In recent years, FSC constantly lost market share in an environment characterized by fierce price competition. Siemens CEO Peter Loescher repeatedly has criticized the weak performance of the business unit. Against the background of the weak dollar which makes imported computers cheaper, it became increasingly difficult for FSC to sell its products. The company has production sites in Augsburg and Sömmerda as well as R&D and sales activities in Munich.
When Siemens joined forces with Fujitsu in 1999, it contributed the hardware business of its subsidiary Siemens Nixdorf Computer into the activities. Later, the company also took over Siemens' IT service business.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
Semi equipment sales to fall 20% to $34bn in 2008
Industry association Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) said 2008 semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales will fall approximately 20% this year to $34.12 billion.
While this drop follows 6% market growth in 2007, SEMI believes the semiconductor manufacturing equipment industry will experience a rebound with annual growth of 13% in 2009, and 6% in 2010.
"We began to see equipment spending declines during the second half of 2007, driven by lower spending in the memory sector and a less than favorable device pricing environment. However, expectations for 2009 are leaning toward a solid industry recovery and subsequent growth in the low double digits, ," Myers commented in a statement.
Wafer processing equipment, which is the largest product segment by dollar value, is expected to contract 21% this year to $25.4 billion, while the market for assembly and packaging equipment will decline by 14% to $2.44 billion.
At the same time, SEMI expects the market for semiconductor test equipment to decline by 20% to $4.04 billion this year.
On a geographic basis, SEMI said growth is expected to be negative in all regions, except China, where equipment sales are projected to increase 1% over 2007, with the new equipment market in China expected to surpass both the European and Rest of the World markets this year.
Meanwhile, SEMI predicts the Japanese market will reclaim the number 1 spot from Taiwan, thanks to significant capital expenditure cutbacks in Taiwan this year, with Taiwan expected to fall back to the number 2 spot, followed by South Korea at number 3.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
While this drop follows 6% market growth in 2007, SEMI believes the semiconductor manufacturing equipment industry will experience a rebound with annual growth of 13% in 2009, and 6% in 2010.
"We began to see equipment spending declines during the second half of 2007, driven by lower spending in the memory sector and a less than favorable device pricing environment. However, expectations for 2009 are leaning toward a solid industry recovery and subsequent growth in the low double digits, ," Myers commented in a statement.
Wafer processing equipment, which is the largest product segment by dollar value, is expected to contract 21% this year to $25.4 billion, while the market for assembly and packaging equipment will decline by 14% to $2.44 billion.
At the same time, SEMI expects the market for semiconductor test equipment to decline by 20% to $4.04 billion this year.
On a geographic basis, SEMI said growth is expected to be negative in all regions, except China, where equipment sales are projected to increase 1% over 2007, with the new equipment market in China expected to surpass both the European and Rest of the World markets this year.
Meanwhile, SEMI predicts the Japanese market will reclaim the number 1 spot from Taiwan, thanks to significant capital expenditure cutbacks in Taiwan this year, with Taiwan expected to fall back to the number 2 spot, followed by South Korea at number 3.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
The yearlong increase in gold prices has hit the bottom lines of both retailers and designers
Despite a recent leveling off, the yearlong increase in gold prices has hit the bottom lines of both retailers and designers, who say they have had to increase prices and cut their margins to cope.Most, however, say they have not changed the quality of their products."The cost of gold increasing has put some pressure on our commodity costs," says David Sternblitz, vice president and treasurer of Zale Corp. "We had some targeted price increases in the spring."He declined to reveal the level of the increase, but said higher prices, which went into effect after Valentine's Day, have not harmed sales."Some customers come in and they see more value in gold product because of what they read about gold prices," Sternblitz says. "There is more perceived value there."In addition to raising prices, the mass-market chain has tried to cut costs by working more with producers through a sourcing initiative, reducing the number of SKUs in stores and by planning purchases more carefully and further out.The company has not opted for lighter-weight pieces or products made of lower-karat gold."Our customer tells us what they want," Sternblitz says. "They continue to want better quality and better value. We are not substituting product."To reduce the SKUs in stores (part of a cost-cutting plan by new Chief Executive Officer Neal Goldberg), Zale has run a lot of clearances that have boosted gold sales for the company, Sternblitz says.Same-store sales at Zale Corp. increased 5.8 percent for the third quarter ended April 30, while revenues grew 6.3 percent to $477 million amid an aggressive clearance strategy that liquidated $55 million of inventory.In the 2007 Jewelers of America Cost of Doing Business Survey, gross margins on karat-gold jewelry were among the highest, at 55.1 percent, surpassed only by fashion jewelry and repairs, with margins of 56.2 percent and 60 percent, respectively.
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
Wireless Bluetooth Headsets for Everyone
Many of the headset accessories available today allow the user to adjust the volume, answer calls, swap calls, dial by name and when paired with a phone that has the capability, make voice recognized commands and dial by voice. Many of the newer models of wireless headsets include noise canceling technology to avoid the hollow, echoing sounds and background noise that plagued many of the early wireless headset and Bluetooth headset products. Some of the most sophisticated headsets can actually adapt the users voice tone to the outside surroundings to make the volume more comfortable for the listener on the other end.
In recent years, ear buds have become very popular in the wireless headset market. Many Bluetooth headset users opt for an ear bud style headset versus the traditional over-the-head headset. However, since each person’s ears tend to be a different size, some ear buds can become uncomfortable when worn a long period of time. When choosing an ear bud, you should try a few different models to see which one feels best for you. Some Bluetooth headset manufacturers offer ear buds in different sizes to accommodate a wider range of users. Of course, if you can’t find an ear bud that meets your comfort standards you can still find an over-the-head Bluetooth headset or a behind the neck headset that may provide more comfort.
Headset manufacturers continue to grow their wireless product offerings each year and are making it easier for us to go wireless. Many phone adapters now allow you to take the cable out of the receiver and then use a Bluetooth headset to increase your mobility. Bluetooth is an industry standard that can allow devices to communicate with each other regardless of their manufacturer. This means that you can purchase a Bluetooth enabled phone and then find a Bluetooth headset to your liking and use it with that particular phone. Each Bluetooth headset manufacturer has its’ own pairing code for security and will have to be set up to work with each individual phone.
Regardless of the headset you choose, there is no doubt that headset manufacturers will continue to improve on quality, components and features. As new products are released, we will find out more and more about the advancements we are making in the wireless headset market. It is a great time to buy a wireless headset and in some states it has become the law to wear one when using a cell phone while driving.
The information from:http://www.1topsupplier.com
In recent years, ear buds have become very popular in the wireless headset market. Many Bluetooth headset users opt for an ear bud style headset versus the traditional over-the-head headset. However, since each person’s ears tend to be a different size, some ear buds can become uncomfortable when worn a long period of time. When choosing an ear bud, you should try a few different models to see which one feels best for you. Some Bluetooth headset manufacturers offer ear buds in different sizes to accommodate a wider range of users. Of course, if you can’t find an ear bud that meets your comfort standards you can still find an over-the-head Bluetooth headset or a behind the neck headset that may provide more comfort.
Headset manufacturers continue to grow their wireless product offerings each year and are making it easier for us to go wireless. Many phone adapters now allow you to take the cable out of the receiver and then use a Bluetooth headset to increase your mobility. Bluetooth is an industry standard that can allow devices to communicate with each other regardless of their manufacturer. This means that you can purchase a Bluetooth enabled phone and then find a Bluetooth headset to your liking and use it with that particular phone. Each Bluetooth headset manufacturer has its’ own pairing code for security and will have to be set up to work with each individual phone.
Regardless of the headset you choose, there is no doubt that headset manufacturers will continue to improve on quality, components and features. As new products are released, we will find out more and more about the advancements we are making in the wireless headset market. It is a great time to buy a wireless headset and in some states it has become the law to wear one when using a cell phone while driving.
The information from:http://www.1topsupplier.com
Smaller TVs Regaining Ground
Competition is rising in the flat screen television market for smaller sized TVs. In response, Samsung Electronics says it has released a 32-inch Bordeaux 650, as part of one of the company's core LCD TV lines. Until now the Bordeaux 650 was available only in sizes over 40 inches. In early March, Samsung also released 22-inch and 32-inch Bordeaux 550 models.
Early this month LG Electronics introduced a 32-inch PDP TV (32PG60), its smallest PDP TV yet, and in March the company released a 32-inch model for its line of Scarlet LCD TVs. Other smaller manufacturers like BenQ Korea are preparing to launch or are strengthening marketing for smaller flat panel TVs.
The recent boom for smaller screens is attributed to two reasons -- more people are buying the cheaper smaller units amid the worsening economy, and because of falling prices flat screen TVs have started to replace CRT models. Market researcher DisplaySearch forecasts that in terms of units sold, the global LCD TV market (50.4 percent of the total market) will surpass the CRT TV market (42.9 percent) for the first time this year. Sales of 32-inch PDP TVs which totaled 500,000 last year are also expected to reach 3 million this year and 6 million next year.
Thus manufacturers are cranking up their small TV production. Samsung's LCD division increased LCD panel output by four-fold from 200,000 in last year's first quarter to 960,000 in this year's first quarter. LG Display also boosted production of LCD panels to 940,000 in the first quarter and said it will increase output of 22-inch panels, which double as computer monitors, by investing W1.36 trillion in its Gumi plant in North Gyeongsang Province (US$1=W1,003).
An LG official said if LCD prices continue to fall the market for second units, or bedroom TVs, will quickly shift from CRTs to LCDs, and the company will take swift steps to secure the market lead.
The information from:http://1topsupplier.com
Early this month LG Electronics introduced a 32-inch PDP TV (32PG60), its smallest PDP TV yet, and in March the company released a 32-inch model for its line of Scarlet LCD TVs. Other smaller manufacturers like BenQ Korea are preparing to launch or are strengthening marketing for smaller flat panel TVs.
The recent boom for smaller screens is attributed to two reasons -- more people are buying the cheaper smaller units amid the worsening economy, and because of falling prices flat screen TVs have started to replace CRT models. Market researcher DisplaySearch forecasts that in terms of units sold, the global LCD TV market (50.4 percent of the total market) will surpass the CRT TV market (42.9 percent) for the first time this year. Sales of 32-inch PDP TVs which totaled 500,000 last year are also expected to reach 3 million this year and 6 million next year.
Thus manufacturers are cranking up their small TV production. Samsung's LCD division increased LCD panel output by four-fold from 200,000 in last year's first quarter to 960,000 in this year's first quarter. LG Display also boosted production of LCD panels to 940,000 in the first quarter and said it will increase output of 22-inch panels, which double as computer monitors, by investing W1.36 trillion in its Gumi plant in North Gyeongsang Province (US$1=W1,003).
An LG official said if LCD prices continue to fall the market for second units, or bedroom TVs, will quickly shift from CRTs to LCDs, and the company will take swift steps to secure the market lead.
The information from:http://1topsupplier.com
High Gold Prices Help Silver Rings Back In Demand
Kaisilver reported an increased demand for high quality silver jewelry. Senior executive Ms.Ang said that this could reflect future growth of the custom jewelry sector. She added that, quality concious buyers who moved from gold to silver jewelry are not satisfied with the cheaper mass produced silver jewelry. Sterling silver jewelry has a classic look and feel that is hard to get in gold jewelry. As jewelers reduce gold weight for gold rings and other jewels, the long term durability is being compromised. On the other hand, sterling silver jewelry can have a healthy metal weight. The buyer is also left with a better budget for the gemstone and diamonds in the ring. Ms.Nok from Kaisilver noted that, custom silver jewelry cannot be as cheap as their mass produced counterparts but, the high degree of customization offered by custom made silver jewelry is a major attraction for buyers. You will find buyers choosing the upper range of gemstones like aquamarine, green tourmaline and iolite for silver rings today. This is a shift from the cheaper gemstones that were normally set in silver jewelry. Besides silver rings, silver bracelets and silver earrings are also showing an increase in demand. Most jewelers are provided a 5 to 10 gram gold weight for bracelets, this is grossly inadequate. Gemstones cannot be firmly mounted and durability of the bracelet cannot be assured with this weight. On the contrary, high quality sterling silver bracelets that are custom made can have a weight of around 25 grams to 40 grams and still be modestly priced. Kaisilver with it's continued customer base for gold and silver jewelry has a tremendous edge in this situation. Ms.Nok explained that the same gemstone stock and the same set of skilled craftsmen work on gold and silver jewelry. This means that the buyer gets best value for both gold and silver options.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
Why is the Asus Eee Box expensive?
For the price of Php 24,900 a lot of people are asking me why the recently launched Asus Eee Box is a little expensive in the Philippines (even if Asus bundled a 16″ LCD monitor with it)?
Back in June, when I first reported that the Asus Eee Box will come out this month, I predicted a retail price of just Php12,000. A similarly spec’ed desktop PC will hover around Php13,000 in price due to additional WiFi and Bluetooth connections.
However, Asus bundled with it a small 16″ LCD monitor which retails in the market for as low as Php7,000 for AOC models and Php7,500 for Samsung models. Subtract the cost of the LCD and you end up buying the Eee Box alone for Php17,500.
What can you buy with Php17,500?
Athlon 64 LE1640 @ 2.6GHz - Php2,4102GB DDR2 SDRAM - Php1,960250GB Seagate Barracuda SATA 8MB -Php2,680MSI K9N6SGM-V NVidia V-PCie/S/L/R - Php2,250Inno3D 7300GT 512MB DDR2 128bit DVI - Php2,510Samsung 20x DVDRW lightscribe - Php1,440WiFi Dongle - Php900Bluetooth Dongle - Php250———————-Total - Php14,400
Of course, the Asus Eee Box will have the advantage of a smaller form factor and lower power consumption. I have this idea that Asus’ Eee line of PCs and laptops want to be perceived as small and affordable. The introduction of the Asus Eee PC line showed that almost anyone can now afford to have a laptop.
The price of the Eee Box does not give that impression that anyone can now afford to have a desktop PC. It’s still cheaper to go and buy from local PC retail stores. I might be wrong about what Asus want to achieve here or it’s just that local taxes and VAT pumped the extra Php5,500 into the price.
At that price point, I doubt Asus could sell a whole lot of Eee Box. What more that you can get a whole PC set w/ monitor for under Php15,000.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
Back in June, when I first reported that the Asus Eee Box will come out this month, I predicted a retail price of just Php12,000. A similarly spec’ed desktop PC will hover around Php13,000 in price due to additional WiFi and Bluetooth connections.
However, Asus bundled with it a small 16″ LCD monitor which retails in the market for as low as Php7,000 for AOC models and Php7,500 for Samsung models. Subtract the cost of the LCD and you end up buying the Eee Box alone for Php17,500.
What can you buy with Php17,500?
Athlon 64 LE1640 @ 2.6GHz - Php2,4102GB DDR2 SDRAM - Php1,960250GB Seagate Barracuda SATA 8MB -Php2,680MSI K9N6SGM-V NVidia V-PCie/S/L/R - Php2,250Inno3D 7300GT 512MB DDR2 128bit DVI - Php2,510Samsung 20x DVDRW lightscribe - Php1,440WiFi Dongle - Php900Bluetooth Dongle - Php250———————-Total - Php14,400
Of course, the Asus Eee Box will have the advantage of a smaller form factor and lower power consumption. I have this idea that Asus’ Eee line of PCs and laptops want to be perceived as small and affordable. The introduction of the Asus Eee PC line showed that almost anyone can now afford to have a laptop.
The price of the Eee Box does not give that impression that anyone can now afford to have a desktop PC. It’s still cheaper to go and buy from local PC retail stores. I might be wrong about what Asus want to achieve here or it’s just that local taxes and VAT pumped the extra Php5,500 into the price.
At that price point, I doubt Asus could sell a whole lot of Eee Box. What more that you can get a whole PC set w/ monitor for under Php15,000.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
Wells Fargo Jewelry Advantage credit card program launched
Wells Fargo Financial National Bank – a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company – has launched a revolving consumer credit card program for the jewelry industry. The Wells Fargo Jewelry Advantage credit card program offers jewelry retailers prompt, automated decisions and easy-to-use online processing and reporting. “Jewelry retailers told us they wanted a consumer financing program to help them run their businesses more easily and efficiently,” said Darryl Marin, product manager, Wells Fargo Financial Retail Services. “When we created the Wells Fargo Jewelry Advantage credit card program, we focused on the areas that are important to them: quick application decisions and innovative technology to support their processes.” The Wells Fargo Jewelry Advantage credit card program gives jewelry retailers access to an internet processing system and an online dealer center, resources that provide reporting, processing and marketing support. Marin also noted that the Wells Fargo Jewelry Advantage credit card program uses a new application process that saves time and reduces frustration for salespeople and customers. The Wells Fargo Jewelry Advantage credit card program offers a comprehensive range of payment plans, including no-interest plans with equal payments; low interest plans with longer payment terms; no payment, no-interest option plans; and no-interest option with minimum payment plans. “The program helps jewelers offer customers a wide variety of financing options,” said Marin. “Customers will appreciate the flexibility, especially given economic conditions. It’s an added value for them.”
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
New Study Shows Consumers Prefer PS3 Blu-ray players
When surveyed as to whether customers would prefer a stand alone Blu-ray player over a Sony PS3 with same player, the majority preferred to pay less for the player and have a hi-def video game console tossed in for good measure. The study, conducted by ABI Research shows that more than half of consumers aren’t thrilled with the obscene price point of a stand alone alone player, preferring to add value to their purpose by going with the Playstation 3 instead. The study goes on to say that, although 23 percent of consumers are planning a Blu-ray purchase, even those aren’t in a hurry to get one, choosing to wait until at least 2009 before they take the Blu-ray leap.
In addition, the study also found that a whopping 87% of Playstation 3 users do watch Blu-ray movies on their PS3 player. The study’s findings are great news for SONY who is enjoying brisk sales of the Blu-ray capable PlayStation 3 game console. So, when one considers that Blu-ray sales are staggering at the current price of between $350 and 500, it isn’t surprising at all that consumers would rather have a great gaming platform tossed in for good measure.
Kudos to Sony for being so forward thinking in tossing in the Blu-ray player from the outset.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
In addition, the study also found that a whopping 87% of Playstation 3 users do watch Blu-ray movies on their PS3 player. The study’s findings are great news for SONY who is enjoying brisk sales of the Blu-ray capable PlayStation 3 game console. So, when one considers that Blu-ray sales are staggering at the current price of between $350 and 500, it isn’t surprising at all that consumers would rather have a great gaming platform tossed in for good measure.
Kudos to Sony for being so forward thinking in tossing in the Blu-ray player from the outset.
The information from:www.electronics-in-china.com
New hands-free legislation boosts Bluetooth sales in California, Washington
The new hands-free driving legislation in California and Washington may have drivers complaining, but it has Bluetooth car-kit manufacturer Parrot singing for joy. Since the legislation took effect on July 1, Parrot has seen a three-fold increase in sales of its hands-free car kit, which it attributes to an aggressive advertising and public relations campaing it launched two months prior to the law taking effect.
"The 28 million licensed drivers in California and Washington have had plenty of time to prepare for the law since the measure was adopted by the Legislature back in 2006 and I think that government agencies and manufacturers of hands-free products have done a really great job of creating awareness among consumers," says David Wenning, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Parrot.
California electronics retailers also reported a large jump in sales of hands-free cell phone devices leading up to the ban. According the NPD Research Group, California consumers rushing to comply with the new law, purchased hands-free devices at nearly four times the national average in May of this year. San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento were the top four markets for hands-free devices in the country based on units per store.
"The July 1 deadline to go hands-free in California had a substantial effect on Parrot-branded products," says John Haynes, product manager for Al & Ed's Autosound. "We experienced over 180 percent unit sales growth in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the first quarter. Having trained sales staff in place was extremely important as consumers struggled to understand Bluetooth and what their options were beyond headsets."
According to a California Highway Patrol spokesperson, 7,182 cell phone citations were issued statewide during the month of July and fewer than 50 motorists under the age of 18 have been cited under the new law.
In Washington, where the hands-free law is a secondary enforcement law, which means that drivers only receive a ticket if they have been pulled over for another driving violation, a little over 100 hands-free citations were issued in July.
As part of the campaign to encourage more drivers to comply with the hands-free law, Parrot introduced a quirky but effective "Positive Parrot" campaign to build awareness for the various Bluetooth hands-free options available to consumers. The campaign ignited a debate about the Parrot vs. Quail for California state bird and offered consumers chances to win free car kits, a $10,000 sweepstake prize or a free vacation to Turks and Caicos. Ultimately the campaign increased traffic to Parrot's website by 30 percent. The linchpin of the campaign was a "Driver's Education" viral video that was viewed over 4 million times on video sharing sites such as YouTube
The information from:www.1topsupplier.com
"The 28 million licensed drivers in California and Washington have had plenty of time to prepare for the law since the measure was adopted by the Legislature back in 2006 and I think that government agencies and manufacturers of hands-free products have done a really great job of creating awareness among consumers," says David Wenning, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Parrot.
California electronics retailers also reported a large jump in sales of hands-free cell phone devices leading up to the ban. According the NPD Research Group, California consumers rushing to comply with the new law, purchased hands-free devices at nearly four times the national average in May of this year. San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento were the top four markets for hands-free devices in the country based on units per store.
"The July 1 deadline to go hands-free in California had a substantial effect on Parrot-branded products," says John Haynes, product manager for Al & Ed's Autosound. "We experienced over 180 percent unit sales growth in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the first quarter. Having trained sales staff in place was extremely important as consumers struggled to understand Bluetooth and what their options were beyond headsets."
According to a California Highway Patrol spokesperson, 7,182 cell phone citations were issued statewide during the month of July and fewer than 50 motorists under the age of 18 have been cited under the new law.
In Washington, where the hands-free law is a secondary enforcement law, which means that drivers only receive a ticket if they have been pulled over for another driving violation, a little over 100 hands-free citations were issued in July.
As part of the campaign to encourage more drivers to comply with the hands-free law, Parrot introduced a quirky but effective "Positive Parrot" campaign to build awareness for the various Bluetooth hands-free options available to consumers. The campaign ignited a debate about the Parrot vs. Quail for California state bird and offered consumers chances to win free car kits, a $10,000 sweepstake prize or a free vacation to Turks and Caicos. Ultimately the campaign increased traffic to Parrot's website by 30 percent. The linchpin of the campaign was a "Driver's Education" viral video that was viewed over 4 million times on video sharing sites such as YouTube
The information from:www.1topsupplier.com
Neiman signs lease with Macerich for Walnut Creek store
Macerich one of the nation's largest owners, operators and developers of regional shopping centers, announced it has finalized lease arrangements with Neiman Marcus for the luxury retailer's planned new store at Broadway Plaza, the charming, all-outdoor shopping center that has helped position downtown Walnut Creek as a retail leader in Northern California's East Bay area.The new, long-term lease solidifies Neiman Marcus as a major new anchor at Broadway Plaza in a planned, 107,000-square-foot building at Mount Diablo Boulevard and Main Street in Walnut Creek. "The completion of this lease certainly demonstrates Neiman Marcus' long-term vision for Walnut Creek," said Randy Brant, executive vice president, real estate, for Macerich.The world-renowned retailer is slated to open in late 2010 or 2011, joining popular anchors Nordstrom, which recently announced an expansion of its store; Macy's; and a wide range of specialty shops and restaurants at Broadway Plaza."We believe the Neiman Marcus customer is already shopping in Walnut Creek and at Broadway Plaza," said Wayne Hussey, senior vice president, real estate, for Neiman Marcus. "This market and the unique setting we've found in Broadway Plaza come together as a great match for Neiman Marcus, and we hope we'll add to what is a very vibrant retail district."The new store at Broadway Plaza will be the fourth Neiman Marcus at Macerich properties, in addition to locations at NorthPark Center in Dallas; Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth, Texas; and Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Ariz. "This newest store in the Macerich portfolio continues to solidify our reputation for locating Neiman Marcus at strong and growing retail properties that appeal to our target customer," Hussey said.The Neiman Marcus Group operations include the Specialty Retail Stores division and the Direct Marketing division. The Specialty Retail Stores division consists primarily of Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman stores. These renowned retailers offer upscale assortments of apparel, accessories, jewelry, beauty and decorative home products to the affluent consumer.Broadway Plaza is owned in partnership with Northwestern Mutual Life. The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, a FORTUNE 500 company with over $1 trillion of life insurance protection in force, has been helping its policyowners and clients achieve financial security for more than 150 years. The company maintains the highest available ratings for insurance financial strength from all four major rating agencies: Standard & Poor's, Fitch Ratings, A. M. Best and Moody's.
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
Motorola Helps Music Lovers Pump Up the Volume with ROKR Portable Speakers
Motorola, Inc. the global leader in Bluetooth wireless accessories, today announced U.S. availability for its ROKR series of portable speakers that keep consumers connected to their music and their calls virtually anywhere. The MOTOROKR EQ7 and EQ5 each offer unique features and experiences to match with consumers' different music listening needs.
These portable sound systems connect easily with a wide range of Bluetooth® or wired devices to play music and speaker phone calls in outstanding audio quality. The EQ7 delivers a rich, deep audio experience, while the EQ5 features an eye-catching design that fits in a pocket. Both speakers offer universal compatibility for simple set-up and usage with mobile phones and MP3 players。
"Music lovers and mobile consumers can now share and enjoy their music with great portability and rich sound quality," stated Sean Ramsey, General Manager North America, Motorola Companion Products. "These portable speakers give people two unique ways to enjoy music and hands-free speakerphone calls in innovative style."
Consumers can experience stereo music and speakerphone calls wirelessly in outstanding acoustics with MOTOROKR EQ7 Wireless Hi-Fi Stereo Speaker System. The portable system uses four powerful JBL speakers to deliver rich, full sound with deep bass, while stereo Bluetooth wireless technology (A2DP)1 connects the speaker system wirelessly with almost any compatible Bluetooth enabled device. Users can hear their music library played in world class acoustics from a compatible mobile phone like the new ROKR E8, or use the included 3.5mm audio cable to connect with non-Bluetooth devices such as an MP3 player.
EQ7 makes it easy to make conference calls2 with built-in speaker functions such as noise and echo reduction technology that enhances the sound quality during calls, as well as a mute button for added convenience. With extended wireless range, EQ7 offers true portable freedom, and includes an AC power adapter for unlimited play or uses four (not included) AA batteries for up to six hours of usage time.
The MOTOROKR EQ5 Ultra-Portable Wireless Speaker allows consumers to play music and take calls with convenient portability and amazing sound quality. The EQ5's stylish, sleek form fits comfortably in a pocket to become the ultimate travel companion. The EQ5 is easy to pair with almost any music player, PC or mobile phone that features stereo Bluetooth wireless technology,¹ and it includes a 3.5 mm audio cable to connect with non-Bluetooth devices. The EQ5 features SRS WOW HD™ audio enhancement technology for high definition, stereo surround sound. Noise and echo reduction technology helps enhance the sound quality during speakerphone calls, and radio frequency shielding helps prevent static interference. It also features up to six hours of play time on a single charge, a convenient kick-stand, and a MicroUSB port for simultaneous playing and charging.
The information from:www.1topsupplier.com
These portable sound systems connect easily with a wide range of Bluetooth® or wired devices to play music and speaker phone calls in outstanding audio quality. The EQ7 delivers a rich, deep audio experience, while the EQ5 features an eye-catching design that fits in a pocket. Both speakers offer universal compatibility for simple set-up and usage with mobile phones and MP3 players。
"Music lovers and mobile consumers can now share and enjoy their music with great portability and rich sound quality," stated Sean Ramsey, General Manager North America, Motorola Companion Products. "These portable speakers give people two unique ways to enjoy music and hands-free speakerphone calls in innovative style."
Consumers can experience stereo music and speakerphone calls wirelessly in outstanding acoustics with MOTOROKR EQ7 Wireless Hi-Fi Stereo Speaker System. The portable system uses four powerful JBL speakers to deliver rich, full sound with deep bass, while stereo Bluetooth wireless technology (A2DP)1 connects the speaker system wirelessly with almost any compatible Bluetooth enabled device. Users can hear their music library played in world class acoustics from a compatible mobile phone like the new ROKR E8, or use the included 3.5mm audio cable to connect with non-Bluetooth devices such as an MP3 player.
EQ7 makes it easy to make conference calls2 with built-in speaker functions such as noise and echo reduction technology that enhances the sound quality during calls, as well as a mute button for added convenience. With extended wireless range, EQ7 offers true portable freedom, and includes an AC power adapter for unlimited play or uses four (not included) AA batteries for up to six hours of usage time.
The MOTOROKR EQ5 Ultra-Portable Wireless Speaker allows consumers to play music and take calls with convenient portability and amazing sound quality. The EQ5's stylish, sleek form fits comfortably in a pocket to become the ultimate travel companion. The EQ5 is easy to pair with almost any music player, PC or mobile phone that features stereo Bluetooth wireless technology,¹ and it includes a 3.5 mm audio cable to connect with non-Bluetooth devices. The EQ5 features SRS WOW HD™ audio enhancement technology for high definition, stereo surround sound. Noise and echo reduction technology helps enhance the sound quality during speakerphone calls, and radio frequency shielding helps prevent static interference. It also features up to six hours of play time on a single charge, a convenient kick-stand, and a MicroUSB port for simultaneous playing and charging.
The information from:www.1topsupplier.com
InGroup lands exclusive rep agreement with Kersh fashion label
Fashion licensing agency InGroup Licensing announced it has been named exclusive licensing agent for Kersh, the prominent Canadian fashion label focused on the young contemporary women’s market. In its new role, InGroup will work to bring the Kersh’s international reputation for natural, chic and sexy sportswear to a wide range of young women’s products, from footwear and jewelry to outerwear, intimates, accessories and more. Kersh captures the spirit of today’s fashion-forward young woman through its collection that includes dresses, skirts, slacks, cardigans, sweaters, jackets, blouses and accessories. The label’s products pair a natural ambience with a look that is laid back, easy to wear, feminine and quintessentially Canadian. Kersh fashions are sold throughout Europe, Asia and North America at over 1,400 leading department and specialty stores. U.S. retailers include Macy’s, Dillard’s, Nordstrom, Von Maur, Gottschalk’s, Buckle and Bloomingdales, among others. “Kersh is the embodiment of today’s young woman. Its products reflect the casual flair and earthy, authentic, yet chic look to which modern women aspire,” said Judi Seidman, President, InGroup Licensing. “These brand values, as well as the highly-regarded Kersh name, will translate well into literally thousands of products throughout the lifestyle and fashion industries.” “InGroup Licensing has the credibility, professionalism and business contacts necessary to land licensing deals that will significantly raise and leverage our brand awareness,” stated Sandy Dombroski, Sales and Marketing Director for Kersh parent company International Fashions Ltd. “We’re excited to be working with a company of InGroup’s caliber and expect great things in the future from our new partnership.” Kersh, a unit of International Fashions, focuses on quality, styling, texture and color, balancing femininity and wearability. The company has become a household name and an international success by offering today’s stylish and confident woman contemporary apparel at great prices. Headquartered in Vancouver, Kersh maintains showrooms in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. The manufacturer advertises in a wide range of leading lifestyle, health and beauty, and fashion magazines including Vogue, Self, Seventeen and Chatelaine. With the signing of its exclusive licensing agreement, Kersh joins other current InGroup clients including hummel performance wear; True Religion Brand Jeans, now licensed into footwear, fragrance, swimwear, handbags and hats; Angels So Sweet, a junior denim brand with handbag, intimates/sleepwear and footwear licenses arranged by InGroup; Hydraulic, now licensed into outerwear; and other fashion companies ranging from Botkier and Jib Hunt to Laguna, North Sails and WD NY. InGroup Licensing is a full-service licensing company that specializes exclusively in fashion licensing, concentrating on fashion and lifestyle brand extensions. Founded in 1994, the company develops programs that fully integrate the disciplines of marketing, merchandising, advertising and promotion, from researching brand recognition levels and identifying logical product mixes to matching brands to partners, negotiating contracts, and managing business growth.
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
The information from:www.fashion-accouterment.com
Dell goes once more into the breach with Wi-Fi MP3 player
Once again proving that the iPod leads the pack where it wants to go, Dell Computers has introduced a new MP3 player for under $100. If you remember the last Dell MP3 player, you know that didn’t end pretty. So what makes the tech world think this will be any different? The answer is Wi-Fi.
Dubbed the “Dell D.J.,” the sub $100 Wi-Fi MP3 will also incorporate Internet radio – which is a great feature. Few MP3 players come with a radio option and taking advantage of it’s Wi-Fi access means that the mobile crowd will be able to enjoy streaming of their favorite radio stations from all over the world. Very nice. There is also talk that the LCD, though small, may be a touch screen, but the buttons on the device itself tend to fly in the face of that wishful thinking.
And although the last Dell MP3 was over priced and was suited better as a paperweight rather than a music player, the price point of under $100 means that Dell has learned a thing or two from that painful less and agrees with Cupertino that the future of music is on the Internet.
The information from:www.1topsupplier.com
Dubbed the “Dell D.J.,” the sub $100 Wi-Fi MP3 will also incorporate Internet radio – which is a great feature. Few MP3 players come with a radio option and taking advantage of it’s Wi-Fi access means that the mobile crowd will be able to enjoy streaming of their favorite radio stations from all over the world. Very nice. There is also talk that the LCD, though small, may be a touch screen, but the buttons on the device itself tend to fly in the face of that wishful thinking.
And although the last Dell MP3 was over priced and was suited better as a paperweight rather than a music player, the price point of under $100 means that Dell has learned a thing or two from that painful less and agrees with Cupertino that the future of music is on the Internet.
The information from:www.1topsupplier.com
Cupertino Rumormill: iPhone Nano coming … but not likely
Remember the good ole days when an iPod Nano was 4-8 GB? Then along came the iPhone and all of a sudden, 8GB was a full fledged model! So, the question arises that if, and when, an iPhone Nano gets made by Cupertino, how big would it really be? Well, we may not be able to answer that just yet, but if the rumor mill is correct (and it seldom is), an iPhone Nano may be just around the corner.
Drive size aside, the rumor has some pretty funky specs attached to it … first, this smaller version of the iPhone would have relatively the same size multi-touch screen, but also a a touch wheel on the back (red flag number one), and users would have a dialing interface on the back of the phone as well (red flag number 2). The rumor also speculates that the sale price for Nano Phone would be just under a hundred dollars U.S. – this could be the only accurate piece of information coming out of it. But still, with the $199 version of the current 3G iPhone selling out all over the planet, it is highly unlikely that an iPhone Nano will hit the Apple Store shelves any time soon, much less by Christmas.
File this under Fan boy speculation, yet again
The information from: www.electronics-in-china.com
Drive size aside, the rumor has some pretty funky specs attached to it … first, this smaller version of the iPhone would have relatively the same size multi-touch screen, but also a a touch wheel on the back (red flag number one), and users would have a dialing interface on the back of the phone as well (red flag number 2). The rumor also speculates that the sale price for Nano Phone would be just under a hundred dollars U.S. – this could be the only accurate piece of information coming out of it. But still, with the $199 version of the current 3G iPhone selling out all over the planet, it is highly unlikely that an iPhone Nano will hit the Apple Store shelves any time soon, much less by Christmas.
File this under Fan boy speculation, yet again
The information from: www.electronics-in-china.com
Three ways to help your computer run well
If you’ve noticed that your computer is running slower than usual, there are probably some good reasons. Spyware and other hidden problems may be behind it. From ARA Lifestyle.com, here are three suggestions for keeping your computer in good working condition:
Clean up registry errors. Registry errors cause your computer to slow down. Everyday uses such as installing and removing software and playing online games can create errors in your PC’s registry. The more errors you have, the more likely that you will experience a problem. To remedy these, download a registry cleaner. These programs will scan your PC’s registry and identify any errors. They will then fix the errors, restoring your PC’s performance.
Eliminate spyware. Spyware is software that can be installed on your computer without your knowledge. In addition to collecting information on your surfing habits, it can also slow down your computer considerably. You should scan daily for these programs if you use the Internet often or make frequent downloads. Anti-spyware programs can be found on the Internet. Many companies allow you to download it for free.
Keep an eye out for viruses. Viruses remain one of the major threats to your PC’s security. Don’t ignore these insidious problems. The best way to protect yourself is to subscribe to a virus protection software, particularly one that offers constant updates. You should scan for new viruses at least once a week. If you’re a heavy Internet user or receive a lot of unsolicited e-mail, more frequently wouldn’t hurt.
www.1topsupplier.com
Clean up registry errors. Registry errors cause your computer to slow down. Everyday uses such as installing and removing software and playing online games can create errors in your PC’s registry. The more errors you have, the more likely that you will experience a problem. To remedy these, download a registry cleaner. These programs will scan your PC’s registry and identify any errors. They will then fix the errors, restoring your PC’s performance.
Eliminate spyware. Spyware is software that can be installed on your computer without your knowledge. In addition to collecting information on your surfing habits, it can also slow down your computer considerably. You should scan daily for these programs if you use the Internet often or make frequent downloads. Anti-spyware programs can be found on the Internet. Many companies allow you to download it for free.
Keep an eye out for viruses. Viruses remain one of the major threats to your PC’s security. Don’t ignore these insidious problems. The best way to protect yourself is to subscribe to a virus protection software, particularly one that offers constant updates. You should scan for new viruses at least once a week. If you’re a heavy Internet user or receive a lot of unsolicited e-mail, more frequently wouldn’t hurt.
www.1topsupplier.com
The computer helper: Fix Windows glitches - Feature
A Windows computer doesn't always do what you expect it to. Sometimes the "shut down" command doesn't shut down the computer, for instance. Sometimes your mouse might not act the way it should. and other times your PC slows down for no apparent reason.
How can you handle such glitches? Read on for some answers.
Q: My Windows XP PC refuses to shut down. It was shutting down fine a few days ago. Now when I click Shut Down, nothing happens. Why is this?
A: When something stops working that used to work fine, always look first at what has changed in the interim. Have you installed any new programs? Added any new hardware? Surfed any new Web sites? The solution can likely be found in the answers to those questions.
Lots of drivers and background programs have to be shut down before Windows itself will shut down. When one or more of these programs freezes or gets stuck, then Windows itself will often seem not to respond to your shut down command. That shoudn't happen, but it does. If you have installed new software or hardware, you probably have new drivers or processes running that you didn't before. Undo your changes, one at a time, and see whether the problem goes away.
If you have visited any new Web sites or responded to unfamiliar e- mail recently, make sure that your computer is free of spyware or malware. Spyware often interferes with the normal operation of computers - especially shutdown. Download and run one of the free spyware removal programs - Windows Defender or Ad-Aware, for example.
Q: My mouse has started acting erratically. It moves on its own either to the lower left or the upper right of the screen. I can't control it. do you have any suggestions?
A: There are a few things that can cause erratic mouse behavior. First, if you are using an optical mouse, swap the battery. A dead or dying battery could be the culprit. If you are using an older mouse with a roller ball on the underside, turn the mouse over, remove the ball, and clean any lint or dust from the mouse. Normally removing the ball is easy: Just twist the plastic cover that retains the ball, and it should drop right out.
Second, be sure that you do not have another input device attached to your computer that may be causing the problem. A drawing tablet with the pen left on the drawing surface, for instance, can cause the mouse cursor to move in what appears to be a random fashion.
Finally, rely on the process of elimination: find yourself another mouse or input device, remove the existing one, and replace with the new to see if that one works as it should. If so, you may simply have a mouse that has gone bad.
Q: Lately, my Windows computer slows to a crawl. I'm not sure why. It's not exactly frozen, but everything takes a very long time. Switching from one window to another can take several minutes. How can I diagnose the problem?
A: first, make sure your PC has not become infected with spyware. Run Windows Defender and Ad-Aware to scan your system thoroughly.
If that doesn't work, find out what program or process is hogging your system resources. To do this, press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to bring up the Task Manager. From the Task Manager, Select the Process tab. There, you'll see a list of programs and processes that are currently running on your Windows computer.
the list of processes can be sorted by clicking on the column heading according to which you would like to sort. For instqance, to sort the list of active processes by CPU, click the CPU column heading. You want to do this in order to determine which process is consuming the most CPU cycles - and thus slowing down your computer.
Once you have sorted by CPU, you'll probably notice a process named System Idle Process at the top of the list. You can ignore this. Anything below that, however, that has a high number is probably responsible for the slowdown you experience.
Try to identify the program to which the process belongs simply by reading the name. If you can't figure it out, type the name into an internet browser, and search for it on the Web. The application to which it belongs will probably be identified quickly. You can kill the process by right clicking its name in the Process tab, and selecting End Process from the resulting pop-up menu. Once you have identified.
Once you have identified the program that is consuming all of your CPU cycles, uninstall it. That should solve your problem.
www.electronics-in-china.com
How can you handle such glitches? Read on for some answers.
Q: My Windows XP PC refuses to shut down. It was shutting down fine a few days ago. Now when I click Shut Down, nothing happens. Why is this?
A: When something stops working that used to work fine, always look first at what has changed in the interim. Have you installed any new programs? Added any new hardware? Surfed any new Web sites? The solution can likely be found in the answers to those questions.
Lots of drivers and background programs have to be shut down before Windows itself will shut down. When one or more of these programs freezes or gets stuck, then Windows itself will often seem not to respond to your shut down command. That shoudn't happen, but it does. If you have installed new software or hardware, you probably have new drivers or processes running that you didn't before. Undo your changes, one at a time, and see whether the problem goes away.
If you have visited any new Web sites or responded to unfamiliar e- mail recently, make sure that your computer is free of spyware or malware. Spyware often interferes with the normal operation of computers - especially shutdown. Download and run one of the free spyware removal programs - Windows Defender or Ad-Aware, for example.
Q: My mouse has started acting erratically. It moves on its own either to the lower left or the upper right of the screen. I can't control it. do you have any suggestions?
A: There are a few things that can cause erratic mouse behavior. First, if you are using an optical mouse, swap the battery. A dead or dying battery could be the culprit. If you are using an older mouse with a roller ball on the underside, turn the mouse over, remove the ball, and clean any lint or dust from the mouse. Normally removing the ball is easy: Just twist the plastic cover that retains the ball, and it should drop right out.
Second, be sure that you do not have another input device attached to your computer that may be causing the problem. A drawing tablet with the pen left on the drawing surface, for instance, can cause the mouse cursor to move in what appears to be a random fashion.
Finally, rely on the process of elimination: find yourself another mouse or input device, remove the existing one, and replace with the new to see if that one works as it should. If so, you may simply have a mouse that has gone bad.
Q: Lately, my Windows computer slows to a crawl. I'm not sure why. It's not exactly frozen, but everything takes a very long time. Switching from one window to another can take several minutes. How can I diagnose the problem?
A: first, make sure your PC has not become infected with spyware. Run Windows Defender and Ad-Aware to scan your system thoroughly.
If that doesn't work, find out what program or process is hogging your system resources. To do this, press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to bring up the Task Manager. From the Task Manager, Select the Process tab. There, you'll see a list of programs and processes that are currently running on your Windows computer.
the list of processes can be sorted by clicking on the column heading according to which you would like to sort. For instqance, to sort the list of active processes by CPU, click the CPU column heading. You want to do this in order to determine which process is consuming the most CPU cycles - and thus slowing down your computer.
Once you have sorted by CPU, you'll probably notice a process named System Idle Process at the top of the list. You can ignore this. Anything below that, however, that has a high number is probably responsible for the slowdown you experience.
Try to identify the program to which the process belongs simply by reading the name. If you can't figure it out, type the name into an internet browser, and search for it on the Web. The application to which it belongs will probably be identified quickly. You can kill the process by right clicking its name in the Process tab, and selecting End Process from the resulting pop-up menu. Once you have identified.
Once you have identified the program that is consuming all of your CPU cycles, uninstall it. That should solve your problem.
www.electronics-in-china.com
Online advertising data raise privacy concerns
The reach of online advertising is growing as consumers, especially younger ones, move online for content and consumption. But how to gauge the success of online ads.
It's not just about measuring mouse clicks that result in purchases via the Internet, said Andrew Lipsman of U.S.-based ComScore, which studies ways the Internet is used
"If you are trying to measure your ad campaign in clicks, you are completely missing the impact," said Lipsman, senior manager. The bigger impact is building a product's brand online and affecting consumers' behaviour off-line, he said from Chicago
The average number of online ads viewed by an Internet user in the United States is 1,762 a month, Lipsman said. This number doesn't include any online ads seen on mobile phones. No Canadian statistics were available from ComScore.
"People are beginning to understand how these online ad exposures do have a brand-building impact. And as they begin to see the value in that and get out of the mindset it's all about direct response and purchasing something online right now, more dollars will begin to shift online.
Meanwhile, online advertising has raised concerns about consumers' privacy. The Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic, based at the University of Ottawa, has asked the federal privacy commissioner to investigate the practice of online profiling of Internet users for targeted advertising. It says its research suggests that some Canadian Internet service providers may be doing this or preparing to do so.
In the United States, Congress is asking 33 cable, phone and Internet companies to provide information on how they collect data and track consumers' web habits for targeted advertising. Among the companies that are part of the inquiry are AOL, AT&T, Verizon, Google and Microsoft. Some American Internet service providers already have caused controversy for doing trials that monitored all aspects of customers' Internet activity, said Eric Goldman of Santa Clara University in California's Silicon Valley.
www.1topsupplier.com
It's not just about measuring mouse clicks that result in purchases via the Internet, said Andrew Lipsman of U.S.-based ComScore, which studies ways the Internet is used
"If you are trying to measure your ad campaign in clicks, you are completely missing the impact," said Lipsman, senior manager. The bigger impact is building a product's brand online and affecting consumers' behaviour off-line, he said from Chicago
The average number of online ads viewed by an Internet user in the United States is 1,762 a month, Lipsman said. This number doesn't include any online ads seen on mobile phones. No Canadian statistics were available from ComScore.
"People are beginning to understand how these online ad exposures do have a brand-building impact. And as they begin to see the value in that and get out of the mindset it's all about direct response and purchasing something online right now, more dollars will begin to shift online.
Meanwhile, online advertising has raised concerns about consumers' privacy. The Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic, based at the University of Ottawa, has asked the federal privacy commissioner to investigate the practice of online profiling of Internet users for targeted advertising. It says its research suggests that some Canadian Internet service providers may be doing this or preparing to do so.
In the United States, Congress is asking 33 cable, phone and Internet companies to provide information on how they collect data and track consumers' web habits for targeted advertising. Among the companies that are part of the inquiry are AOL, AT&T, Verizon, Google and Microsoft. Some American Internet service providers already have caused controversy for doing trials that monitored all aspects of customers' Internet activity, said Eric Goldman of Santa Clara University in California's Silicon Valley.
www.1topsupplier.com
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