Wednesday, 11 September 2013

Apple iPhone 5S and 5C handsets unveiled in California

Apple has unveiled two new handsets: the top-end iPhone 5S and a cheaper iPhone 5C at an event in California.

The 5S introduces a fingerprint sensor built into the phone's main button to identify the user. The 5C comes with a plastic back in a choice of colours.
It marks a change of strategy for Apple which had not launched two distinct types of handset at the same time before.
The iPhone is the firm's most important product in terms of earnings power.
The new fingerprint system can be used to unlock the 5S and provide authentication for purchases from Apple's online marketplace.

Apple is covering the fingerprint sensor in sapphire crystal to prevent scratches impairing its performance

One analyst suggested the feature would help the handset stand out against its Android rivals.
"Touch ID is actually quite an elegant solution to an ever more significant problem: namely, the theft of mobile devices and, perhaps even more critically, the information stored on those devices," said Windsor Holden from the tech consultancy Juniper Research.
"Many people haven't yet bothered to implement any kind of security solution on their handsets and for those who have, securing handsets with Pin authorisations can be quite a time-consuming process."
However, Apple is not the first phone company to offer such a fingerprint reader.

For all the usual superlatives about the amazing capabilities of its new phones, today's Apple event was more about new markets than new technology.
True, the iPhone 5S does have one major innovation in the fingerprint sensor, a security feature which may help make consumers more confident in banking and shopping online.
Under the bonnet, it may also prove to be the fastest smartphone on the market - for a few months until the game of leapfrog continues. But in appearance - unless you go for the gold version - you would be hard put to differentiate it from the previous model.
But the big and risky move is the arrival of the cheaper, more plasticky and colourful iPhone 5C. Apple's has been so successful in burnishing the iPhone's luxury brand and thereby keeping its margins sky-high that it may well qualify as the most profitable single product ever made.
If the kind of people who have always traded up to the top-of-the-range new iPhone opt instead for the cheaper version, that will eat into Apple's profits. But Tim Cook and his colleagues are betting that this product will instead widen the appeal of the phone.
In particular, it is China where the prize is huge. Chinese consumers seem to admire the iPhone, but what they buy is Android phones in huge numbers, with Samsung and the home-grown Xiaomi both very popular.
Now Apple, which has seen its market share dwindle over the last year, will hope that it can make a bigger dent in what is the world's biggest mobile phone market.
What it hasn't done is anything much to surprise and excite either investors or the wider world. Under Tim Cook, Apple is still waiting for a "wow" moment to give it new momentum.

Motorola added the facility to its Atrix handset in 2011, but many owners had problems using it. The feature is not included in the Google-owned business' latest models.

The new handsets are compatible with the radio frequencies used by O2 and Vodafone's new 4G services in the UK. The only 4G network the old iPhone 5 could use was EE's.
'Not cheap' The 5S' Sim-free price ranges from £549 for a 16 gigabyte version to £709 for a 64GB model.
The basic 5C model, with 16 gigabytes of storage, has been priced Sim-free at £469. That is more than UK retailers had been charging for the 4S with the same amount of memory.
"The 5C is far from being 'cheap' as the iPhone 4S [which now costs £349] continues in that role," remarked Ben Wood from tech advisors CCS Insight.
There had been speculation that the 4S was going to be phased out.
The new iPhones go on sale in the US, UK, China, Australia and Canada among other countries on 20 September. It marks the first time China has been included in the initial wave of sales.
China slowdown Its most recent financial report said the iPhone product line accounted for $18.2bn (£11.6bn) of sales in the April-to-June quarter. That figure, which did not include downloads from its App Store, represented just over 50% of Apple's total revenue for the period.
However, while the number of iPhones sold was 20% up on the previous year, the company has been losing market share.
iPhones accounted for 13% of global smartphone shipments in the second quarter, according to research firm IDC, down from 17% for the same period a year earlier.
In contrast Android's share has grown from 69% to 79%.

	UK	US	China
Based on smartphone shipments over first half of 2013 (Source: IDC)
Android	57.3%	52.9%	88.4%
iOS	28.2%	42.6%	8.0%
Windows Phone	5.3%	2.8%	2.0%
Blackberry	9.3%	1.7%	0.1%

Investors have been particularly concerned about Apple's performance in China.
At the start of 2013, chief executive Tim Cook predicted the country would eventually become Apple's biggest market.
But the company's latest results showed sales in China and Taiwan were 14% lower in the April-to-June quarter than the previous year. That was despite the fact it saw 12% growth for the same period in the US.
"The cheaper iPhone is critical for expanding the addressable market, because many people in China and elsewhere simply can't afford to buy a current generation [top-end] iPhone, especially when it's not subsidised," said Jan Dawson, chief telecoms analyst at the consultancy Ovum.
"However, the key risk for Apple in launching a cheaper iPhone is that it may cannibalise sales of the high-end phone.
"That would exacerbate a problem Apple's had for the last few quarters, as average selling prices for iPhones have fallen from $608 to $581 in the past year. That in turn squeezes margins and it's only likely to get worse with a cheaper iPhone."

Rory examines how the new iPhones might help Apple prosper in China

The 5S features Apple's new faster A7 processor and adds a chip that continuously monitors motion, providing data for fitness apps.
Apple has also made efforts to improve the phone's photography capabilities over the previous generation.
It said it had included a 15% bigger sensor, which should help the device cope with low-light situations. The handset also has two LED flashes providing different types of light. They can be combined to help improve colour balance.
The firm has also included automatic image stabilisation to prevent shots being ruined by shaky hands, and the ability to shoot video at 120 frames per second so that it can be used to create a smooth slow-motion effect.
However, it has not boosted the resolution above 8 megapixels. Apple said using "bigger pixels makes a better picture".
But the decision will limit owners' ability to digitally zoom into the view in front of them or to crop photos after they are taken.
High-end camera features are a way smartphone-makers have sought to distinguish themselves with Sony and Nokia among recent firms to have claimed their mobiles create the best images.

Singer Elvis Costello was one of the first to get his hands on the new iPhone 5S

The 5C retains the A6 processor and most of the other specifications of the old iPhone 5 but has a higher capacity battery.
The new devices will include copies of Apple's word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and video editing apps which had previously cost extra.
Apple also revealed the revamped mobile operating system, iOS 7, would be available to download for use on the earlier iPhone 5 and 4S models as well as some iPads from 18 September.
But there was no mention of an NFC (near field communication) chip being included in either new device. The technology can be used to make payments in high street stores and to easily link phones to speakers and other gadgets. It is a common feature in rivals' handsets.
Apple's shares fell following the announcements and closed 2.3% below their opening price.

Device	Vital information	What the experts say
Apple iPhone 5S	UK release: September 2013 Screen size: 4in Operating system: iOS Camera: 8MP Cost: £549 for 16GB version from Apple Full specification	"We watched the fingerprint sensor unlock the phone quickly and easily but presumably these were ideal conditions... Apple has clearly put more effort into this sensor than the failures we've seen on some Android phones — but we can't vouch for it until we've tried it ourselves." The Verge
Samsung Galaxy S4	UK release: April 2013 Screen size: 5in Operating system: Android Camera: 13MP Cost: £549 for 16GB version from Carphone Warehouse Full specification	"On the plus side, it has better battery life, the same smooth performance and a beautiful display... but we can't help but think of one word to describe Samsung's particular flagship entry: predictable." Engadget
HTC One	UK release: March 2013 Screen size: 4.7in Operating system: Android Camera: 4MP Cost: £480 for 32GB version from Phones4u Full specification	"I'm a sucker for beautiful hardware, and this device is one of the best-designed smartphones I've ever used... the problem lies with the camera. Maybe I'm in the minority when I say I care about the quality of my cellphone images, but I do, and the One just doesn't deliver." The Verge
Moto X (not available in UK)	US release: August 2013 Screen size: 4.7in Operating system: Android Cost: $600 (£380) for 16GB version from Verizon Full specification	"If only the camera were better and Motorola's apps were a little sharper, we'd give it a no holds barred recommendation. As it is now, the Moto X deserves to be in the conversation when discussing the best Android has to offer, but a few key flaws keep it from being called an excellent phone." Techradar
Nokia Lumia 1020	UK release: September 2013 Screen size: 4.5in Operating system: Windows Phone 8 Camera: 41MP Cost: £550 for 32GB version from Unlocked Mobiles Full specification	"A niche device, the Lumia 1020 is $100 pricier than most high-end smartphones. The lens makes it a little bulky... Avid mobile photographers will love the Nokia Lumia 1020's exact controls, but casual users should stick to cheaper camera phones." Cnet
LG G2	UK release: October 2013 Screen size: 5.2in Operating system: Android Camera: 13MP Cost: £462 for 16GB version from Handtec Full specification	"The LG G2 has lots of worthy features and is an excellent upgrade of its Optimus G predecessor. The only thing that bothers us is the lack of memory expansion at a time when more and more manufacturers are favouring the return of the microSD card slot." GSM Arena
Sony Xperia Z1	UK release: September 2013 Screen size: 5in Operating system: Android Camera: 20.7MP Cost: £550 for 16GB version from Carphone Warehouse Full specification	"Small and cute it certainly isn't, the Sony Xperia Z1 is the Tonka Truck of flagship smartphones. But it's tough, chunky and exceptionally well made, and its camera is seriously promising." Trusted Reviews
Blackberry Z10	UK release: January 2013 Screen size: 4.2in Operating system: BB10 Camera: 8MP Cost: £450 for 16GB version from O2 Full specification	"Does it match the features and opportunities for tinkering of Android? No. Does it match the quality and quantity of apps available for the iPhone? No. But BlackBerry 10's innovative features - from its superb keyboard to the fantastic TimeShift [photo editing tool] - have got us excited." Stuff magazine
Huawei Ascend P6	UK release: July 2013 Screen size: 4.7in Operating system: Android Camera: 8MP Cost: £312 for 8GB version from Clove Full specification	"It's got good looks, runs well and it feels well built. Yes, there are some really minor niggles, like that daft headphone cover/pin, among some more major issues such as the limited battery life - but we still rather like the phone when it's in full swing." Pocket-lint

Monday, 26 August 2013

Notting Hill Carnival opens with children's day

The carnival is in its 49th year

Europe's biggest street festival, the Notting Hill Carnival, has opened with thousands of revellers watching a parade of giant floats.

Up to one million people are expected over two days for a feast of Caribbean culture, food, music and dance.
Hundreds of youngsters are taking part in the children's day at the carnival which traditionally starts the event, now in its 49th year.
The carnival procession started at 0900 BST on Great Western Road.
One of the first groups to take to the streets was the charity Kinetika Bloco, whose dancers wore pink, green and white costumes while a brass band played songs from The Clash's Rock the Casbah to Daft Punk's Get Lucky.
Rail strike After fears the start of the event would be hampered by rain, the skies cleared and the sun shone on performers as they paraded through the streets of west London in bright costumes.
As of 1530 BST the Met Police had arrested 17 people at the carnival for several different offences including a public order offence, carrying an offensive weapon, drugs, theft and drink driving.

Children's day traditionally starts the event

A spokesman said 6,000 officers were on duty at the carnival on Sunday and just under 7,000 would be attending on Bank Holiday Monday.
London Ambulance said by noon it had treated 41 people and taken six to hospital.
Notting Hill Carnival opened hours after London Overground guards began a 48-hour strike over plans to axe jobs, affecting more than a quarter of services.
The overground operator said 72% of planned services were operating.
Peter Austin, managing director for London Overground Rail Operations Limited (Lorol), told the BBC alternative arrangements were in place for affected routes but passengers were advised to check Transport for London's (TfL) website before travelling.
"Of our 124 conductors, more than half did not vote in favour of industrial action and so many are available to work this bank holiday weekend with managers covering shifts for those who are not," he said.

From Trinidad to Notting Hill

In paintings: How did the Notting Hill Carnival start?

Replacement bus services are in place on the parts of the Richmond and Clapham Junction to Stratford Junction routes, which are affected by the industrial action.

From Richmond, the District Line is operating normally and Southern Trains is running an hourly service between Clapham Junction and Kensington Olympia.
However, it is not currently calling at Imperial Wharf and an hourly service between South Croydon and Watford Junction will not call at Imperial Wharf and Shepherd's Bush on Monday.
The strike, over plans to axe jobs and introduce driver-only trains, started at 00:01 BST.
Will you be going to the Notting Hill Carnival? We would like to see your pictures.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.

Ovarian cancer screening 'has potential'

Ovarian cancer can go undetected for a long time

A new way of screening for ovarian cancer is showing "potential", according to researchers in the US.

Tumours in the ovaries are hard to detect in the earliest stages meaning it can be too late to treat them effectively by the time they are found.
A trial of 4,051 women, reported in the journal Cancer, showed the method could identify those needing treatment.
But a huge study taking place in the UK will give a final verdict on the test when it is completed in 2015.
There is a survival rate of up to 90% when ovarian cancer is caught early, compared with less than 30% if it is discovered in the later stages.
Unlike other cancers, the symptoms, such as pelvic and abdominal pain or persistent bloating, are often put down to other common ailments and the tumour can be missed.
There is no mass screening programme to detect the cancer either.
Testing Scientists already know that levels of a protein in the blood, called CA125, are often higher with ovarian cancer.
However, it is too unreliable on its own. It misses some patients and tells others they have the cancer when they are actually healthy.
Researchers are now testing the idea of using the blood test to sort patients in risk groups based on levels of CA125. Instead of going straight for surgery, low-risk patients are tested again in a year, medium-risk ones after three months and high-risk patients have an ultrasound scan to hunt for tumours.
The US study, at the University of Texas, followed post-menopausal women for 11 years on average.
Ten women had surgery based on their ultrasound scan and all the cancers detected were at an early stage.
Researcher Dr Karen Lu told the BBC: "Clinical practice definitely should not change from our study, but it gives us an insight - we didn't get a lot of false positives."
She said the UK study of 50,000 people would give definitive results: "There are two big questions - do we see cancers at an earlier stage and do we decrease the number of deaths."
'Possible' Dr Sarah Blagden, from the Ovarian Cancer Action research centre, said: "Relative to the trial under way in the in the UK , this is a small study, but it does show that effective ovarian screening is possible.
"In 2015 the results of the UKCTOCs study will become available and the results are eagerly anticipated, more so now that this American study has produced such encouraging results."
Annwen Jones, the chief executive at Target Ovarian Cancer, said: "The results of this study are without doubt very positive, and we should take hope from that.
"Early detection of ovarian cancer will be the key to transforming survival rates. However, this study is very small, and there is no guarantee that the results will be replicated on a larger scale."

Sinopec profits surge as China eases pricing rules

China has been looking for energy sources to fuel its economic expansion

Asia's biggest oil refiner, China Petrochemical Corporation also known as Sinopec, has posted a 24% jump in profit in the January to June period.

It made a net profit of 30.3bn yuan ($4.9bn; £3.2bn) during the six months, up from 24.5bn yuan a year earlier.
Its margins were boosted after China introduced measures to allow domestic fuel prices to be linked more closely with international prices.
Sinopec said it expects its earnings to grow further in the coming months.
"In the second half of the year, we expect balanced supply and demand fundamentals in the global oil market and a steady growth in domestic demand for refined oil products and chemicals," chairman Fu Chengyu said in a statement.
"The Chinese government will accelerate structural adjustments and upgrades to maintain stable economic growth."
China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country's top economic planning body, introduced a new pricing mechanism in its domestic fuel market in March this year.
It shortened the window for retail fuel-price adjustments to 10 days from 22 days, making it easier for oil companies to set prices closer to international market rates.
It also adjusted the varieties of crude used to calculate price changes for domestic oil products.
China's other refining giants have also posted an increase in profits.
Profits at PetroChina rose 5.6% in the first six months of the year, compared to the same period a year earlier.
Meanwhile, Cnooc's earnings during the period rose 7.9% from a year ago.

Wednesday, 7 August 2013

Apple Ban Overturned By Obama Administration

The White House move marks the first time since 1987 that a US administration has vetoed a product ban ordered by the trade panel.

the White House has stepped into a patent war between Apple and Samsung by vetoing a ban on imports of iPads and iPhones in the US.
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) in June banned the import or sale of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G distributed by AT&T Inc, saying the devices infringed a patent owned by the South Korean electronics giant.
But US Trade Representative Michael Froman vetoed the ban, saying his decision was in part based on its "effect on competitive conditions in the US economy and the effect on US consumers".
The decision marks a setback for the South Korean electronics company. However, Mr Froman said Samsung could continue to pursue its case through the courts.

It is the first time since 1987 that a US administration has vetoed a product ban ordered by the trade panel.
Samsung said it was "disappointed" at the lifting of the ban.
"The ITC's decision correctly recognised that Samsung has been negotiating in good faith and that Apple remains unwilling to take a licence," it said in a statement.
Apple welcomed the news and applauded the administration "for standing up for innovation".
It added: "Samsung was wrong to abuse the patent system in this way."

The Apple products targeted by the ITC ban are more than a year old, though some models such as the iPhone 4 remain solid sellers.
Apple sells more than 100 million iPhones annually, but it does not break down sales by models.
Apple and Samsung have been waging a global patent war since 2010, filing multiple lawsuits against each other over the design and functionality of their devices.
Apple argues Samsung's Android phones copy vital iPhone features. Samsung is fighting back with its own complaints.
Last year, a federal court ruled that Samsung owed Apple $1bn in damages for infringing on non-essential Apple patents.
But the judge refused to impose an import ban on Samsung phones and later struck $450m from the verdict, saying the jurors miscalculated.
The case is set for a rematch in an appeals court.
Samsung is the world's largest maker of smartphones. Analysts estimate it outsold Apple nearly two to one in the first three months of the year.
However, Apple's smartphone business is more profitable.

Edinburgh Fringe: Comedy Shows 'Losing Edge

Edinburgh Fringe: Comedy Shows 'Losing Edge'

As comedy makes up less of the programme every year, the popularity of theatre and international shows is increasing.

Comedy accounts for around a third of the programme at the Edinburgh Festival but for the last few years its share has actually been marginally falling.

It has long been the Mecca for all things comic, attracting some of the industry's biggest and brightest stars as well as being a launch pad for the up and coming, but since 2011 numbers have fallen by about 4%.
According to Kate Copstick, chief critic for the Scotsman, comedy at the Fringe is losing its edge.
"Everything finds its level and I think big prices in a big auditorium listening to people who are basically just serving you up a slice of their telly show cobbled together to make a bit of money (aren't working).
"People are maybe stupid one or two times but they're not perpetually, endlessly stupid and they're going to remember 'I paid £12 to see him last time and he was rubbish'," she said.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival — This year's Fringe festival runs until August 26

The Comedian David Baddiel has brought his stand up act to the Fringe for the first time in 16 years and believes the sheer volume of comedians could be the problem.
"One thing I notice after not being here for years is the bewildering amount of comedians here. There's always been quite a lot but now you walk along and it's like being in a zoo of comedians there's so many," he said.
Many people still come to Edinburgh to see comedy, to watch the big names or to discover someone new.
However the idea behind the festival is that people will also stumble upon something completely different that they had never expected to see.
Performers come to Edinburgh from all over the world and the variety is seen as impressive. For instance, Australia's most renowned contemporary circus has brought its show Wunderkammer to the Underbelly, a combination of circus, cabaret and vaudeville.

Bubbleman Rehearses Ahead Of The Start Of The Edinburgh Festival — 'The Amazing Bubble Man' from San Francisco rehearses for his performance

As the number of comedy shows falls, theatre has seen a marked increase over the last few years, proving there is a place for the thought-provoking as well as for the fun and frivolous.
One of the shows being talked about includes a play about the political prisoner Yulia Tymoshenko. Her daughter Eugenia has come to the festival to see the show and thinks a play can make a difference, particularly at the biggest arts festival in the world.
"I think it's quite painful for the authorities and the regime who put my mother in prison and others that people are not silent, that a play has been made about her and I think it's very hard to silence it.
"So for them it did make a difference, it made them realise the truth will be heard no matter what," she said.
The average visitor sees three shows while they are at the festival and it seems a punch line is no longer a pre-requisite for success.

Dustin Hoffman Undergoes Cancer Treatment

The Academy Award-winner's publicist confirms that Hoffman was treated for cancer and has been "surgically cured".

BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-BFI-QUARTET

Oscar-winner Dustin Hoffman has undergone treatment for cancer, the actor's publicist has confirmed.

Jodi Gottlieb did not reveal what kind of cancer the Tootsie star was diagnosed with, or when the diagnosis took place.
But Gottlieb said the cancer had been "detected early and he has been surgically cured".
"Dustin is feeling great and is in good health," she said, adding that he will be continuing with preventative measures to avoid a recurrence of the disease.
Hoffman, 75, who won the best actor Oscar for his roles in 1979's Kramer vs Kramer and 1988's Rain Man, made his directorial debut with the 2012 comedy-drama Quartet.
The legendary actor has starred in dozens of other movies, including Midnight Cowboy, Little Big Man, All The President's Men and Marathon Man.
He is set to star alongside Scarlett Johansson and Robert Downey Jr in the Jon Favreau-directed comedy Chef, which is set for release next year.

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

Breakfast linked to 'healthy heart'

Could a bowl of cereal help your heart?

People should eat breakfast to keep their hearts in good condition, according to researchers in the US.

Their study of 27,000 men, in the journal Circulation, showed those skipping breakfast were at a greater risk of heart problems.
The team at the Harvard School of Public Health said missing the meal put an "extra strain" on the body.
The British Heart Foundation said breakfast helped people resist sugary snacks before lunch.
The men, aged 45-82, were studied for 16 years. During that time there were more than 1,500 heart attacks or cases of fatal heart failure.
However, people who skipped breakfast were 27% more likely to have heart problems than those who started the day with a meal. The researchers adjusted for other lifestyle risk factors such as smoking and exercise.
Researcher, Dr Leah Cahill told the BBC: "The take-home message is eat in the morning when you wake up, preferably within an hour.
"The results show that something is better than nothing, but it's always better to have something healthy and balanced."
She said the timing of the meal seemed to be key and waiting until lunch rather than "breaking fast" may be straining the body over time.
She said this could be increasing the risk of high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes which could in turn damage the heart.
"Don't skip breakfast," Dr Cahill concluded.
Victoria Taylor, a dietitian with the British Heart Foundation, said: "These researchers only looked at men aged over 45, so we would need to see further research to confirm that breakfast has the same impact on the heart health of other groups of people.
"What we do know is that a healthy and filling breakfast can make that mid-morning biscuit less tempting, as well as giving you another opportunity to widen the variety of foods in your diet.
"Wholegrain toast, or cereals like porridge with low fat milk are a good way to start the day. Try a sliced banana or dried fruit on top and you'll be on your way to five-a-day before you've even left the house."

Techno-pup: Watching your cats and dogs by remote control

Rocky with his new friend, Petcube, which also keeps the neighbours happier

Puppy love: Rocky with his new friend, Petcube, which keeps him occupied - and the neighbours happier

The death of a pet is something you never forget.

It separates the pet owners, who understand the wrenching pain and sense of loss, from those that live a life without small, loyal, four-legged life companions.

Ben Jacobs is a pet owner.
"It is one of the things that as a dog lover, it really stays with you," he says.
Growing up he had a German Shepherd called Bear.
"Bear passed away when he was only five years old," he remembers.
"It was one of those seemingly sudden issues to our family. He seemed fairly healthy one day, and then all of a sudden Bear had an intestinal issue where his intestines were twisting and sadly we had to put him down."
Dogged determination That experience stayed with him, leading many years later to the creation of his start-up, Whistle.

Status update: The app lets you look in on your pooch wherever you are, and see what they're doing

"Over four in 10 UK households have a dog, here over six in 10 US households have a dog or cat," says Mr Jacobs.
"They are such part of the family, and yet we don't have the information to take good care of them. So my goal was to help people with dogs like Bear try to understand their day-to-day patterns of health, and maybe some long-term trends as well."
Whistle records your dog's movements, and flags up any unusual behaviour that could indicate illness. A small activity tracker containing an accelerometer is attached to the animal's collar, and transmits the data gathered to the company's servers over wi-fi.
This is then analysed, comparing it to your dog's normal behaviour - and a database the start-up is building of typical behaviour. You can also send a full activity report to your vet.
"We can know if your dog went for a walk or played in the park, and you can see that activity in an fun timeline-like format on your mobile phone," he says.
The app means you can follow what your pet is up to when you're not around, as well as add comments and photos to the timeline to share with family members or friends.

Dressing up: The Whistle collar device is being used at the University of Pennsylvania to track sick dogs at their research facility - the data gathered by the tag tells them what the dogs can't

The pet industry is worth over $50bn (£33bn) in the US alone each year, so it's not surprising a growing number of start-ups are targeting the market, especially when you consider the love affair between furry animals and the internet.
There is the eminently useful, like Pintofeed, a remote feeding system controlled using your smartphone. Or New York's Swifto, which lets you book dog walkers online and track your pet's walk using GPS.
There's philanthropic endeavours like iPet Companion - you can play with abandoned cats living in shelters across the US, online.

iPet Companion lets you play with cats in shelters in the US from your desktop - and take a photo

And then there's the quirk, like Snapcat, which lets your kitty take selfies - photos of themselves - by themselves.
A dog's life Many have been inspired by the love their founders have for their pets.
When Alex Neskin and his girlfriend moved to a new apartment in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, their canine roommate Rocky wasn't happy.
The new surroundings didn't suit him. And as he's a very small dog, and his owners have to work, there wasn't a lot he could do about it. Mr Neskin was worried about him.
"He [decided] to hack something with an Arduino, which is like a prototyping board for geeky people. He mounted a camera, connected it to the computer," says Yaroslav Azhnyuk, Mr Neskin's friend and co-founder.
Watching what happened when Rocky was on his own made for grim viewing. He spent his days sitting in front of the door, barking. He was bored and lonely.

Current occupation: One of Rocky's favourite things to do is chase the light from a laser pointer

Being a programmer with an interest in robots, he decided to improve on his robot by attaching a low-light laser pointer that moved with the camera. He linked it up to a website so that he and his friends could play with Rocky from anywhere in the world.
To the relief of his neighbours, Rocky loved it.
"Everyone was saying: 'Well I want this thing for my dog or for my cat' and that's how an idea to make it a business appeared," says Mr Azhnyuk.
The two friends and their third co-founder Andrey Klen created Petcube, and started to work out how to make their idea a reality.
It launched for pre-order in May, and already 2,000 people have signed up. The plan is to launch a Kickstarter campaign in August to raise the production capital.

Long distance relationship: The Petcube app will let you play with your pets - and talk to them - on your smartphone from wherever you are in the world

The device can be accessed from the web or a smartphone app, and the laser has been checked by a vet to make sure it's perfectly safe.
Cubes can be made public, so anyone can play with your four-legged friend.

End Quote Yaroslav Azhnyuk Petcube

"You can message other people and ask them about different stuff about their pets, what they doing and so on. So the grand vision behind this is to make this kind of a social network for pet owners," says Mr Azhnyuk.

Holiday home If keeping your pet properly occupied when you're a little farther from home is the problem - a beach in the Philippines for example - then Seattle-based Rover.com might be for you.
The start-up and its main competitor, DogVacay, let you book pet-sitters online.
The idea is that dogs are happier staying in a home rather than kennels. Rover founder Greg Gottesman had the idea for the service after his golden retriever, Ruby Tuesday, developed health problems after a kennel stay.
Prospective sitters have to go through a rigorous selection process, that now includes background screening.

Grateful dog owners from Austin, Texas reunited with their pooch

Home from home: Rover.com believes that dogs are happier being looked after in a home environment when their owners are away - these Rover owners from Austin, Texas, agree

"To qualify as a Rover.com sitter, an applicant must have experience with dogs and obviously love them," says the company's Susan Koehler.
"We require that each sitter demonstrate a care plan for Rover dogs, and we look for and highlight advanced skills and affiliations such as medical/vet training, CPR certification and associations with Humane Societies, Pet Rescues and other charitable organisations."
Sitters also have to provide a reference from a reputable third party.
While on holiday owners receive daily photos and updates on their pets, so they know they're being taken care of.
"It's a lot less stressful on the pups because they are in a real home, so it's easier to keep a dog on their general routine for walks, playtime, eating, cuddling on the couch and even sleeping in a bed with the sitter," she says.
Littlest hobo Next to critical illness, one of the most worrying moments in a pet owner's life is when their small friend decides to go walkabout - alone.

Tag team: The Pethub tag has a QR code (Quick Response code - or 2D barcode) linked to your pets profile

Pethub started in the US, and now operates in 22 countries. It produces collar tags that have a QR code, website address, phone number and more recently an NFC (near field communication) chip that connects people that find stray pets with their owners.

End Quote Lorien Clemens Pethub

By reading the QR code or the NFC chip with a smartphone, a profile for the lost animal is brought up, with a list of emergency contacts. An alert is sent either to you or to Pethub to say that the tag has been scanned, as well as an email with GPS coordinates so you can track Spot down.

"It can help the pet get home before they even get to the shelter to be scanned from microchip," says Pethub's Lorien Clemens.
"In the United States only 5% of pets have microchips and about 58% of those are out of date."
Pethub can also sends details of lost pets to local shelters and vets.
As well as dogs and cats, Pethub has horses, goats and even two "escape artist" tortoises as customers.
"Last year we looked at all of our pet recoveries, and we found that 97% of them had gone home on the same day that they were missing, and 25% have gone home within an hour after going missing," says Ms Clemens.
Now, if technology could just find a way to get the dog to wash himself...

Ethiopia’s tech hopefuls

Barely contained: iceaddis is based in a building created from shipping containers by a Swiss Architect, that was originally intended to be an art gallery

When it comes to technology and innovation, Ethiopia appears a long way away from the rest of Africa's rising "silicon savannahs."

The most advanced form of banking in Africa's second most populous country is an ATM - there are no credit cards and no international banking systems.

This makes app stores like Google Play and Apple's Appstore inaccessible.
Mobile money, which has taken off places like Kenya, has only just arrived, but with significant limitations.
Skype and other VoIP (voice over internet protocol) services are banned for business purposes.
With a lumbering government-owned telecoms monopoly, staggeringly low internet penetration (less than 1% of Ethiopia's 85m citizens are connected), just 17% mobile penetration, and a very "security conscious" government approach to new technology and services, it's not the most encouraging environment for small technology start-ups to grow.

Ethiopian children play with a mobile phone

Call me: Only 17% of Ethiopians have access to a mobile phone, lagging behind many of its neighbours

But that doesn't mean some aren't trying.
"There are a lot of opportunities for techies in Ethiopia," claims Markos Lemma, co-founder of iceaddis, Ethiopia's leading technology hub, accelerator and co-working space.

End Quote Markos Lemma iceaddis

"The middle class is increasing, the market is growing," he says.

"Agricultural productivity is increasing, farmers are making more money, and even they are interested in new solutions."
All change In recent years Ethiopia has become a model of rising Africa.
From a poster child for poverty and famine in the 1980s to an economy seeing an average 10% growth since 2004, the country is witnessing a remarkable turnaround.
Addis Ababa, the capital, is attracting investment and talent from around the world, and cranes and construction projects are now a hallmark of the city.

Can we build it: Ethiopia's rapid growth can be seen in the contruction projects going on across Addis Ababa

Yet much of this growth is from sweeping policy changes, government infrastructure projects, and big donor-driven or private investment programmes.
Iceaddis, which opened its doors in May 2011, is trying to change this.
It has become a home for start-ups, promoting local technology and focusing on young Ethiopian entrepreneurs and individuals interested in ICT, green technology, and the creative industries.
Originally designed as an art gallery by a Swiss architect, it is a striking mash-up of six interlocked shipping containers, located on the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building, Construction and City Development (EiABC) campus, in the heart of the capital.
"In the beginning, we didn't know what exactly what we were working on," admits Mr Lemma, one of the four co-founders. "We were just bringing the community together to interact."

Markos Lemma (right) and his co-founders had the idea for iceaddis while working for German development agency GIZ to introduce e-learning programs to local universities

Similar to other tech hubs in the region, like Nairobi's iHub, or Uganda's Hive Colab, iceaddis grew organically, starting with small events, workshops, and barcamps (tech-related developer meet-ups).
The goal was to connect bloggers and developers, bringing a hidden tech community together for the first time.
Eventually, the community grew; iceaddis secured more funding, moved into its own space, and developed a tiered membership.
They now have over 1,000 'white' members, people who may not use the space everyday, but are part of the network.
Several times a year, iceaddis selects a few dozen start-ups and puts them through 12 weeks of business plan training.
At the end of the programme, several are selected to receive "incubation" at the space, and given resources to grow their ideas.
Unlike many other tech hubs in Africa, iceaddis isn't just about apps. Plugging in to the surrounding architecture school, the community also highlights innovation in design, construction, and products.
During one week in March, students were learning how to design and build DIY skateboard ramps. A few weeks later, they were hacking android apps.

Inside the FabLab, iceaddis's next door neighbour. Under the tarpaulin is scale model of Addis Ababa

Yet the barriers to innovation for young Ethiopian entrepreneurs, regardless of industry, remain high.
"There is much willingness and interest from the government for entrepreneurship," says Mr Lemma. "But there is still so much regulation and permits."
Growing pains Feleg Tsegaye is an American-born Ethiopian who previously worked in IT at the US Federal Reserve. He recently moved to Addis to found ArifMobile, a phone and sim card rental service for tourists, and knows these challenges well.
"People aren't always sure of the laws. They seem fluid and changing depending on who you talk to," he says of Ethiopia's regulatory environment.
For example, only after multiple trips to the Ministry of Business to register his company did he discover business names cannot be adjectives.
Then, it took months to get an internet connection in his office thanks to notoriously slow state-owned Ethio Telecom.
In the World Economic Form's Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013, Ethiopia ranks almost dead last.
Of 144 countries, it's ranked below 130 in technological readiness, competitiveness, and access to financial services and loans.

Working together: iceaddis doesn't just house app developers - designers and other creatives are welcome too

Perhaps one of the reasons for such a dismal competitive environment is when it comes to technology, the government is often both the biggest competitor and biggest client.
Most large companies are either state-owned, or partially state-owned, and there is a certain degree of distrust between private and public sectors resulting in the government taking a very security-conscious approach, according to Mr Tsegaye.
"Government is the prime consumer for services in IT, but they are frustrated, in part because their policies are inhibiting private sector growth," he says.
Adam Abate, founder of Apposit, an information technology services company based in Addis Ababa, says that the government is by far his biggest client.
"We looked at private sector for a while and realised it's not worth it," he says. "Collecting, digitising, and maintaining information for consumers at scale is not easy."

End Quote Adam Abate Apposit

Mr Abate also notes the difficulties posed by the telecoms monopoly.

"It's good for investing in infrastructure and for the future, but from an individual or business point of view, trying to get services out of them is a nightmare."
All told, Ethiopia has a weak ecosystem for start-ups, says Mr Abate, making it difficult for young, inexperienced entrepreneurs with little capital. The odds are stacked against them.
Yet, he says, for those who manage, there is enormous opportunity.
"Infrastructure is … expanding at a rapid rate, and the most obvious opportunity in Ethiopia is that there's still very little here," he explains.
"Any business you can think of, you can start."
Start at the beginning One as yet unnamed startup is trying to develop an appstore specifically for Ethiopia that will charge users via premium SMS services, which will hopefully open up a space for local app developers.
Another company, Utopia, is developing an Android app for tourists that can be used offline.
Mekina, one of iceaddis' most successful startups, has built an online marketplace for Ethiopians to buy, sell, and rent cars locally, a big coup given the government levies five different taxes for importing vehicles.

Competition to design a kiosk to be placed all over the city, to act as single-pay-points for utility bills

Still, like the current market itself, these efforts are small.
"People just aren't consuming things online. They aren't connected, and those who are, are just using Facebook," says iceaddis's Markos Lemma.
Yet entrepreneurs remain hopeful things will change.
The government is planning to build a $250 million technology park, Ethio ICT, although critics worry it's another of Africa's pipe-dream tech cities.
"There is high potential for techies to develop applications and technical solutions," says Mr Lemma. "But we need more support, resources, knowledge." A tech park probably won't offer that.
With 85 million Ethiopians slowly becoming connected, if the government loosens its grip and becomes serious about supporting entrepreneurship, an Ethiopian tech boom may be on the horizon.
Even if internet penetration increases to cover even just 2-3% of the population, Mr Lemma says, "opportunities to improve business will improve greatly."

Tuesday, 9 July 2013

"Nike (Oshinowo) will return to me" - ex-husband Tunde Soleye says

The multimillionaire medical doctor and businessman, whose marriage to former beauty queen and socialite Nike Oshinowo ended in 2012, tells Sunday Newswatch

"Adenike still remains the love of my life. I love her very much. We have been separated now for over a year but we still keep in touch. We even sometimes go out for dinner. Marriages go though their challenges. Nike got married at 41 years old so she has her ways but the things that separated us really are not irreparable. I have seen couples that broke up and made up after 35 years. Mr and Mrs Cardoso, Terry Wayas and Eno Olafisoye had about five, six years separation and they are back together. It is not the first time Nike will be leaving me, and it will not be the last. It is only that this is the first time it will be reported. Since we have been dating, we have parted ways for six good years. We started dating in 2000, in 2001 she ran away. In 2006, we came back together and got married in 2007. My first wife has three children for me and they are 33, 31 and 26 and there's a five year gap before Lauren had my 21 year old son. Lara had my 13 year old son and it was after Nike left me that I had my 10 year old boy with Omo