Welfare recipients should be paid a portion of their support with a smart debit card that can’t be used for anything but food, a new policy paper released Thursday by Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak recommends.
Welfare to Work also proposes that social assistance payments be ratcheted down over time for able-bodied recipients who refuse to work.
“People are staying longer and longer on welfare and they are able to work, then we see a staged reduction in benefits to give them incentive to work,” Hudak said.
The paper, the latest in a series of policy documents from the Progressive Conservatives, calls for a revamp of the social assistance system.
Recipients would need to follow individual plans for employment — such as undergoing job training — as a condition of remaining on welfare.
“Compassion is part of this province’s defining character,” Hudak says in a preamble to Welfare to Work. “But compassion means helping people capture their full potential, not condemning them to a life of dependency.”
Community and Social Services Minister John Milloy said the previous Tory government slashed welfare rates by 22%, waging war on poor people.
Milloy said he’s the first to admit that the system needs improvement — that it should help identify and resolve problems, such as addiction, which hold people back.
Ontario Works already requires recipients to show evidence that they’re working towards employment as a condition of getting the supports, he said.
“What Tim Hudak is talking about is punishing people, he’s talking about vilifying people, he’s talking about going back to what we saw 10 years ago,” Milloy said.
The idea of restricting recipients’ ability to spend on anything other than food didn’t sit well with New Democratic Party Leader Andrea Horwath.
“I think the way Mr. Hudak is going about things is wrong-headed and will lead to greater poverty instead of less, to greater destitution and to a province that the people of Ontario don’t like,” Horwath said.
Tory MPP Toby Barrett said the food-only debit card is being tested in Australia.
“The card is obviously to encourage parents to ensure that their children are being fed,” he said.
Hudak said the ideas in the white paper are an indication of his party’s general direction but are not a campaign platform.
The paper suggests that Ontario Disability Support Programs (ODSP) and Ontario Works (OW) systems be merged and run by municipalities.
People on disability support should be given access to job training programs, and be allowed to retain more of their earned income if they landed a job, it says.
The government would offer tax deductions to companies who purchase special equipment or technology to accommodate an employee with a disability.
Recruitment company Skilled emailed the workers yesterday saying they would no longer be needed from the end of the month.
"We praise you for your efforts, and thank you for your positivity, energy and hard work," part of the email read.
The move has been criticised by the Public Transport Users' Association, which branded it a premature move less than a month after Metcard was abolished.
The workers were employed to explain myki to commuters at train stations and tram stops around Melbourne.
It is the second time the mates have been sacked via email, after the program was cancelled in 2011 during a state government review into the troubled $1.5 billion smart card.
PTUA president Tony Morton said there had been a lot of confusion and complaints about myki as highlighted by a recent public transport ombudsman's report.
"I think we'd be very sceptical that people are enough across the myki system already that we don't need the additional staff," Mr Morton said.
Public Transport Victoria spokesman Adrian Darwent said the myki mates program was temporary, staffed by casuals and also due to end when the Melbourne rollout of the system was complete.
"Operator customer service staff across the network are available to help commuters, including visitors," Mr Darwent said.
"PTV has worked closely with City of Melbourne's City Ambassadors to ensure they have the knowledge about the system to assist those who need more information."
2013年1月17日星期四
Taking Inventory Management And Asset Tracking To The Cloud
By moving inventory management and asset tracking (IMAT) to a web-based platform, manufacturing companies realize major cost savings as well as increased operational efficiency from general time saved in deployment and overall maintenance of the system to increased real-time collaboration within the team.
Cloud-based IMAT applications are faster to deploy and involve lower IT infrastructure costs than a traditional, client/server based product. Additionally, any updates or enhancements to the IMAT software are supplied automatically to the user; companies do not have to purchase and individually install software updates to every individual server and/or desktop computer within the organization — as they would need to with a client/server solution.
Using a cloud-based application with barcode or RFID hardware allows manufacturers to automate the IMAT process as well as gain access to critical data anytime, anywhere—in the warehouse, plant, stockroom, back office and even in the field. With ASAP BarCloud, for example, employees simply scan an item’s barcode (or RFID tag) on their mobile device, and the data is synced to a centralized server, making it quick and easy for them to share real-time updates, reports and more with management.
In terms of development and deployment, IT infrastructure costs are much lower with a cloud-based platform — the web-based application effectively allows the company to do more with less time and money spent on hardware, software, and development.
By using a web-based platform like ASAP BarCloud, the manufacturer has eliminated the need to integrate with current IT infrastructure because the software vendor has already put together all the necessary components of the IMAT solution and made it easily accessible online. The actual time saved will vary depending on the manufacturer’s needs — for example, how much configuration with things like feature additions is desired. However, in general, with companies like ASAP Systems, installation, training and implementation can be done in less than a week because the software does not need to be installed and it’s easy to learn. In addition, companies can configure the software to their specific needs by “turning on” enhanced features and functionality and customizing data field names specific to the organization. These customizations can also be changed or adapted to suit the growing needs of the company.
First, there is of course the savings from a reduced need for resources in development and IT personnel. Another important factor in using a solution like ASAP BarCloud with barcode (or RFID) technology is that the manufacturer will benefit from reduced labor costs for performing physical inventory counts. In the case of having IMAT in the cloud, operations personnel on the warehouse floor can perform inventory counts right away when the product comes in using a mobile scanner. That data is then uploaded to the cloud, reducing the need to delay data entry until an employee in the back office receives it. Essentially, the process by which the floor staff in the warehouse/ operations center shares IMAT information with the back office (e.g. accounting and management) becomes automated, creating additional savings in staffing.
Because IMAT solutions like ASAP BarCloud operate in the cloud, there is less of a need for a manufacturer to invest in IT infrastructure such as hardware, servers, software and storage. This also reduces recurring IT management and servicing costs within the company. In some cases, employees can use their existing smart phones and tablets as a mobile scanner or, in the case of manufacturers that deal with a higher volume of inventory, the organization can purchase hardware that is integrated with the IMAT system, such as a Motorola mobile barcode scanner. While it may become necessary at a future date to purchase upgrades for the operating systems on these hardware devices, the actual IMAT software will automatically upgrade through the cloud-based platform, reducing IT management costs overall.
There are several key benefits for manufacturers that take their IMAT in the cloud— all of which contribute to improved profitability. First, manufacturers who use web-based solutions like ASAP BarCloud will spend significantly less money on development, deployment and maintenance. Secondly, using web-based applications save time because they are faster to deploy than those of the traditional client/server model — small– to medium–sized manufacturers can be up and running in less than a week. Moreover, the sharing of real-time data between personnel in the warehouse/operations center and executives/management is automated with a cloud-computing application, increasing supply chain efficiencies by providing manufacturers access to information they need to make better, more informed forecasting.
The only limitation with using a cloud-based platform is that the client must always have access to the Internet in order to access data. However, we have hit critical mass with regard to access to the Internet in all markets, and so this is no longer an issue. Small to mid-sized manufacturers may need to increase their wireless access points within the warehouse/operations center, but this is an inexpensive fix that can be done quickly and easily.
Providers of cloud-based IMAT services such as ASAP Systems use encrypted security so no, it is not a concern. A client’s data can be automatically backed up with customized data backup plans that include regular downloads of the data to a local hard drive or server. This safeguards organizational data and other vital information against disasters, equipment failure and simple human error.
We recommend that a manufacturer first make an internal assessment of current processes and IMAT needs including what inventory/assets they are tracking, how they need to track them, how many locations are involved, naming conventions, etc. Once this is complete, the company should research and compare vendors. It is a good idea to demo any solution the company is considering purchasing. Regarding pricing, manufacturers should be sure to get quoted fees based on their specific needs so that they do not pay for unnecessary features. They should also take advantage of a free trial if it is available (ASAP Systems offers this). Another important step is to make sure the warehouse/operations center has enough wireless access points. Once this has been completed, the company is ready to buy the solution, train staff, implement the system and test for and resolve any bugs before moving forward.
Cloud-based IMAT applications are faster to deploy and involve lower IT infrastructure costs than a traditional, client/server based product. Additionally, any updates or enhancements to the IMAT software are supplied automatically to the user; companies do not have to purchase and individually install software updates to every individual server and/or desktop computer within the organization — as they would need to with a client/server solution.
Using a cloud-based application with barcode or RFID hardware allows manufacturers to automate the IMAT process as well as gain access to critical data anytime, anywhere—in the warehouse, plant, stockroom, back office and even in the field. With ASAP BarCloud, for example, employees simply scan an item’s barcode (or RFID tag) on their mobile device, and the data is synced to a centralized server, making it quick and easy for them to share real-time updates, reports and more with management.
In terms of development and deployment, IT infrastructure costs are much lower with a cloud-based platform — the web-based application effectively allows the company to do more with less time and money spent on hardware, software, and development.
By using a web-based platform like ASAP BarCloud, the manufacturer has eliminated the need to integrate with current IT infrastructure because the software vendor has already put together all the necessary components of the IMAT solution and made it easily accessible online. The actual time saved will vary depending on the manufacturer’s needs — for example, how much configuration with things like feature additions is desired. However, in general, with companies like ASAP Systems, installation, training and implementation can be done in less than a week because the software does not need to be installed and it’s easy to learn. In addition, companies can configure the software to their specific needs by “turning on” enhanced features and functionality and customizing data field names specific to the organization. These customizations can also be changed or adapted to suit the growing needs of the company.
First, there is of course the savings from a reduced need for resources in development and IT personnel. Another important factor in using a solution like ASAP BarCloud with barcode (or RFID) technology is that the manufacturer will benefit from reduced labor costs for performing physical inventory counts. In the case of having IMAT in the cloud, operations personnel on the warehouse floor can perform inventory counts right away when the product comes in using a mobile scanner. That data is then uploaded to the cloud, reducing the need to delay data entry until an employee in the back office receives it. Essentially, the process by which the floor staff in the warehouse/ operations center shares IMAT information with the back office (e.g. accounting and management) becomes automated, creating additional savings in staffing.
Because IMAT solutions like ASAP BarCloud operate in the cloud, there is less of a need for a manufacturer to invest in IT infrastructure such as hardware, servers, software and storage. This also reduces recurring IT management and servicing costs within the company. In some cases, employees can use their existing smart phones and tablets as a mobile scanner or, in the case of manufacturers that deal with a higher volume of inventory, the organization can purchase hardware that is integrated with the IMAT system, such as a Motorola mobile barcode scanner. While it may become necessary at a future date to purchase upgrades for the operating systems on these hardware devices, the actual IMAT software will automatically upgrade through the cloud-based platform, reducing IT management costs overall.
There are several key benefits for manufacturers that take their IMAT in the cloud— all of which contribute to improved profitability. First, manufacturers who use web-based solutions like ASAP BarCloud will spend significantly less money on development, deployment and maintenance. Secondly, using web-based applications save time because they are faster to deploy than those of the traditional client/server model — small– to medium–sized manufacturers can be up and running in less than a week. Moreover, the sharing of real-time data between personnel in the warehouse/operations center and executives/management is automated with a cloud-computing application, increasing supply chain efficiencies by providing manufacturers access to information they need to make better, more informed forecasting.
The only limitation with using a cloud-based platform is that the client must always have access to the Internet in order to access data. However, we have hit critical mass with regard to access to the Internet in all markets, and so this is no longer an issue. Small to mid-sized manufacturers may need to increase their wireless access points within the warehouse/operations center, but this is an inexpensive fix that can be done quickly and easily.
Providers of cloud-based IMAT services such as ASAP Systems use encrypted security so no, it is not a concern. A client’s data can be automatically backed up with customized data backup plans that include regular downloads of the data to a local hard drive or server. This safeguards organizational data and other vital information against disasters, equipment failure and simple human error.
We recommend that a manufacturer first make an internal assessment of current processes and IMAT needs including what inventory/assets they are tracking, how they need to track them, how many locations are involved, naming conventions, etc. Once this is complete, the company should research and compare vendors. It is a good idea to demo any solution the company is considering purchasing. Regarding pricing, manufacturers should be sure to get quoted fees based on their specific needs so that they do not pay for unnecessary features. They should also take advantage of a free trial if it is available (ASAP Systems offers this). Another important step is to make sure the warehouse/operations center has enough wireless access points. Once this has been completed, the company is ready to buy the solution, train staff, implement the system and test for and resolve any bugs before moving forward.
2013年1月15日星期二
Locals tour area cities with CRA
The local Extension Office and the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency teamed up with dozens of locals for a bus tour to three different regional cities to learn about a range of projects completed through their CRAs and how the community at large has benefitted from them.
The first bus stop was in Gainesville at the Technology Enterprise Center. Senior Analyst Sarah Vidal-Finn gave the audience an overview of what the CRA has done in Gainesville and provided some insight to their future developments.
Since Tropical Storm Debby, the city of Live Oak has been working to develop a storm water drainage system that would prevent future flooding. Engineer Diane Gilreath with the CRA in Gainesville spoke to the crowd about storm water issues and showed examples of different projects the CRA has done to avoid excessive water in downtown streets. Business Development Coordinator Shaad Rehman explained how the CRA has used facade programs and other economic development incentives to grow their community.
The bus then rolled to High Springs for lunch at the historic Great Outdoors Restaurant. At the restaurant, the group was joined by GOR General Manager Carol Doherty who shared the history of the restaurant. High Springs Mayor Sue Weller provided a walking tour of the town.
Following the tour in High Springs, participants then loaded the bus and departed for the Alachua City Hall. Assistant City Manager Adam Boukari gave an orientation of Alachua’s CRA before he loaded up on the bus and gave a tour of Alachua.
“The city of Alachua hired a firm to conduct a parking study, implemented the plan and now has an effective parking system downtown,” stated Live Oak councilman and Live Oak CRA chairman Jacob Grantham. “This would be a huge benefit to our downtown businesses.”
Executive Director of the Live Oak CRA Shannon Ventry said that tour participants, “saw firsthand the benefits of CRA improvements and how they resonate through the district, city and county.”
“There were many similar situations we face where the applications we saw may be used and the same type of results may be expected,” she said. “We learned the importance of providing the infrastructure needed, such as storm water management, then capping the project off with a beautiful, more useable space in which to live, work and play.”
“Julie Evans of the Department of Economic Opportunity shared an example from High Springs where their downtown sinkhole issue was converted into an attractive park feature that draws folks to the area and functions as an open air market/event center for the community.”
Grantham said, “The tour was very informative. I look forward to meeting with our CRA and council to discuss projects that were successful in other similar areas.”
A man accused of fatally stabbing a 15-year-old boy at a bus stop on June 3, 2010, told police he thought the boy was part of a gang that was going to kill or kidnap him, B.C. Supreme Court heard Monday.
That information was recounted by Crown prosecutor Scott Van Alstine in his opening statement at Cory Daniel Barry’s trial for the second-degree murder of Justin Wendland, a student at Victoria High School.
Barry, 41, a short, heavy-set man with brown hair and glasses, sat in the prisoner’s box and dabbed his eyes with tissue as Van Alstine outlined the case against him. Justin’s mother Raj Wendland sat behind him in the front row of the public gallery, surrounded by friends.
Van Alstine outlined the Crown’s case, telling Justice Brian MacKenzie he will see a videotaped interview of Barry by Victoria police Sgt. Mark Catto. In the interview, conducted just hours after Wendland died, Barry agrees he has mistaken the boy for someone else, said Van Alstine.
“Catto says, ‘;I believe he was at the wrong place at the wrong time … An innocent boy lost his life because of mistaken identity.’ Barry, crying, says, ‘;Yes,’ ” said Val Alstine, quoting from the interview.
MacKenzie will hear that Barry spoke quickly and in a broken fashion to police, telling officers he thought people with guns and bats were trying to kill him. Barry thought he was being stalked so he went to the Times Colonist building at 2621 Douglas St. because he knew there were security cameras and they would be recording if he was beaten, said Van Alstine.
MacKenzie will also hear Barry tell the officer he didn’t mean to kill the boy and came straight to the police station because he was so scared and he feels safe at the police station.
The Crown’s theory is that Barry stabbed Wendland at the bus stop outside the Times Colonist building, then ran with his dog to the police station, discarding a Bible, a lanyard, a butter knife and a black-handled knife in a compound on Westbourne Place.
Police officers, paramedics, firefighters and civilians are expected to testify during the first week of what is scheduled to be a three-week trial. Const. Ian Hynes, who was first on the scene, is expected to testify that he found 15 to 20 people gathered at the bus stop on Douglas Street and saw two people assisting someone on the ground, Van Alstine said.
Hynes is expected to testify that he rolled the young man onto his left side and felt dampness in the young man’s T-shirt. He is expected to say the boy was conscious, his eyes darting back and forth, but he was having trouble breathing.
The first bus stop was in Gainesville at the Technology Enterprise Center. Senior Analyst Sarah Vidal-Finn gave the audience an overview of what the CRA has done in Gainesville and provided some insight to their future developments.
Since Tropical Storm Debby, the city of Live Oak has been working to develop a storm water drainage system that would prevent future flooding. Engineer Diane Gilreath with the CRA in Gainesville spoke to the crowd about storm water issues and showed examples of different projects the CRA has done to avoid excessive water in downtown streets. Business Development Coordinator Shaad Rehman explained how the CRA has used facade programs and other economic development incentives to grow their community.
The bus then rolled to High Springs for lunch at the historic Great Outdoors Restaurant. At the restaurant, the group was joined by GOR General Manager Carol Doherty who shared the history of the restaurant. High Springs Mayor Sue Weller provided a walking tour of the town.
Following the tour in High Springs, participants then loaded the bus and departed for the Alachua City Hall. Assistant City Manager Adam Boukari gave an orientation of Alachua’s CRA before he loaded up on the bus and gave a tour of Alachua.
“The city of Alachua hired a firm to conduct a parking study, implemented the plan and now has an effective parking system downtown,” stated Live Oak councilman and Live Oak CRA chairman Jacob Grantham. “This would be a huge benefit to our downtown businesses.”
Executive Director of the Live Oak CRA Shannon Ventry said that tour participants, “saw firsthand the benefits of CRA improvements and how they resonate through the district, city and county.”
“There were many similar situations we face where the applications we saw may be used and the same type of results may be expected,” she said. “We learned the importance of providing the infrastructure needed, such as storm water management, then capping the project off with a beautiful, more useable space in which to live, work and play.”
“Julie Evans of the Department of Economic Opportunity shared an example from High Springs where their downtown sinkhole issue was converted into an attractive park feature that draws folks to the area and functions as an open air market/event center for the community.”
Grantham said, “The tour was very informative. I look forward to meeting with our CRA and council to discuss projects that were successful in other similar areas.”
A man accused of fatally stabbing a 15-year-old boy at a bus stop on June 3, 2010, told police he thought the boy was part of a gang that was going to kill or kidnap him, B.C. Supreme Court heard Monday.
That information was recounted by Crown prosecutor Scott Van Alstine in his opening statement at Cory Daniel Barry’s trial for the second-degree murder of Justin Wendland, a student at Victoria High School.
Barry, 41, a short, heavy-set man with brown hair and glasses, sat in the prisoner’s box and dabbed his eyes with tissue as Van Alstine outlined the case against him. Justin’s mother Raj Wendland sat behind him in the front row of the public gallery, surrounded by friends.
Van Alstine outlined the Crown’s case, telling Justice Brian MacKenzie he will see a videotaped interview of Barry by Victoria police Sgt. Mark Catto. In the interview, conducted just hours after Wendland died, Barry agrees he has mistaken the boy for someone else, said Van Alstine.
“Catto says, ‘;I believe he was at the wrong place at the wrong time … An innocent boy lost his life because of mistaken identity.’ Barry, crying, says, ‘;Yes,’ ” said Val Alstine, quoting from the interview.
MacKenzie will hear that Barry spoke quickly and in a broken fashion to police, telling officers he thought people with guns and bats were trying to kill him. Barry thought he was being stalked so he went to the Times Colonist building at 2621 Douglas St. because he knew there were security cameras and they would be recording if he was beaten, said Van Alstine.
MacKenzie will also hear Barry tell the officer he didn’t mean to kill the boy and came straight to the police station because he was so scared and he feels safe at the police station.
The Crown’s theory is that Barry stabbed Wendland at the bus stop outside the Times Colonist building, then ran with his dog to the police station, discarding a Bible, a lanyard, a butter knife and a black-handled knife in a compound on Westbourne Place.
Police officers, paramedics, firefighters and civilians are expected to testify during the first week of what is scheduled to be a three-week trial. Const. Ian Hynes, who was first on the scene, is expected to testify that he found 15 to 20 people gathered at the bus stop on Douglas Street and saw two people assisting someone on the ground, Van Alstine said.
Hynes is expected to testify that he rolled the young man onto his left side and felt dampness in the young man’s T-shirt. He is expected to say the boy was conscious, his eyes darting back and forth, but he was having trouble breathing.
Breacher you have control
A line of eight Marines sprints towards a house with closed doors and windows, one carries explosives and the others carry various tools used to gain entrance into a building. One holds the blast blanket, a flexible shield used by Marines to protect them from the initial blast and flying debris, others provide security, and two Marines plant the explosives on the door. After an instructor checks the placement and safety of everyone, he hands over control to the lead man in the group yelling out, “Breacher you have control!”
Immediately, a Marine replies, “Roger, I have control! Stand by, five, four, three, two, one!” With an ear-shattering roar, the door and windows erupted into a shower of debris and dirt, which rained down onto the Marines waiting to rush the building.
January 10 was the day Marines waited for. After three days of classes and one day of rehearsals, junior Marines were able to get hands-on training with live explosives at Engineer Training Area 3. The engineers work diligently in preparation to support infantry units for future deployments.
“The combat engineers could be doing this in country, so I felt it was important for them to get the training,” said Sgt. Richard Hill, a native of Mill, Ind., and an acting platoon sergeant with 2nd Combat Engineering Battalion. “The training went well. These guys put in a lot of class time and rehearsal time. They learned the materials and were able to put that knowledge to work.”
Marines started with the basics; manufactured explosives, and then they moved on to expedient explosives, and urban breaching.
The main focus for Marines after getting down all the basics was learning how to use what’s around them for explosive charges, said Cpl. Rollie Lemons, of Austin, Texas, and a sapper instructor with 2nd CEB.
“These Marines get out what they put in,” said Lemons “We’re here to teach and provide safety and guidelines. Your own imagination is your own limitation.”
The expedient portion of the range consisted of makeshift explosives made from material that could be found in a combat environment.
Two of the charges used during the expedient portion were the “Grape Shot” a directional charge made with an ammo can containing C-4 explosive on the bottom and shrapnel on the top and a “Frankenstein,” which is a multi-directional shot made up of a roll of barbed wire with TNT in the middle of it on a timer blasting cap.
After, Marines went on to the urban breaching portion, where they were able to learn the basics for blasting an entrance through doors, windows and even walls.
All of these operations take just a few hundredths of a second and occur so smoothly and quickly that they can hardly be felt or heard. Active engine bearings, another high-end solution from Audi, use out-of-phase counter-oscillations to compensate for the slight vibrations that occur during four-cylinder operation. The COD technology reduces NEDC fuel consumption by roughly five percent, and even greater savings of approximately 10 percent are possible when driving at moderate speeds.
The standard eight-speed tiptronic is specially tuned to the sporty character of the Audi RS 7 Sportback. Drivers can choose between the modes D and S or change gears themselves using the shift paddles on the steering wheel or the selector lever, which sports a unique RS design. While the lower gears of the tiptronic are closely spaced for sporty response, eighth gear is tall like an overdrive to reduce fuel consumption.
The Audi RS 7 Sportback comes standard with quattro permanent all-wheel drive for its decisive advantage in traction and driving safety compared with its two-wheel-drive competitors. At the heart of the quattro system is a centre differential with a high locking rate and a separate oil cooler to regulate its temperature. It distributes the power as needed within a wide range between the front and rear axles. In the standard configuration, 60 percent flows to the rear and 40 percent to the front.
An intelligent software solution called torque vectoring supports the work of the differential at the cornering limit with minimal braking of the wheels that are under a reduced load. Audi also offers the optional sport differential for the rear axle, which uses two superposition gears to actively distribute the power between the wheels.
The Audi RS 7 Sportback comes standard with polished, 20-inch forged lightweight wheels in a seven twin-spoke design. The five-door high-performance coupe also rolls on optional 21-inch cast wheels in a choice of three designs.
Powerful brakes are located behind the large wheels. The four internally vented discs feature a weight-saving wave design and measure 390 millimetres in diameter up front. Pins decouple the steel friction rings from the aluminium brake caps. Black painted six-piston calipers – optionally available in red – grip the discs. Audi also offers optional 420 millimetre carbon-fibre ceramic discs with anthracite grey calipers. The electronic stabilisation control (ESC) has a Sport mode and can also be deactivated entirely.
Equipped with the air suspension, which harmonises perfectly with the dynamic character of a sport coupe, the new RS 7 Sportback is sporty, yet still comfortable. The RS 7 adaptive air suspension lowers the body by 20 millimetres. Adaptive damping, another of the system’s features, adjusts the suspension’s response to the condition of the road, the driver’s style and the mode selected in the Audi drive select system, with which the driver can alter the function of key components in multiple steps.
Audi offers the taut sport suspension plus with dynamic ride control (DRC) as an alternative to the air suspension. It uses steel springs and three-stage adjustable dampers that are connected to one another via diagonal oil lines and a central valve. Another option, which can also be integrated into Audi drive select, is the dynamic steering with its steplessly variable steering boost and ratio. As with the standard electromechanical steering, its characteristics are specially tailored for the RS 7 Sportback.
Immediately, a Marine replies, “Roger, I have control! Stand by, five, four, three, two, one!” With an ear-shattering roar, the door and windows erupted into a shower of debris and dirt, which rained down onto the Marines waiting to rush the building.
January 10 was the day Marines waited for. After three days of classes and one day of rehearsals, junior Marines were able to get hands-on training with live explosives at Engineer Training Area 3. The engineers work diligently in preparation to support infantry units for future deployments.
“The combat engineers could be doing this in country, so I felt it was important for them to get the training,” said Sgt. Richard Hill, a native of Mill, Ind., and an acting platoon sergeant with 2nd Combat Engineering Battalion. “The training went well. These guys put in a lot of class time and rehearsal time. They learned the materials and were able to put that knowledge to work.”
Marines started with the basics; manufactured explosives, and then they moved on to expedient explosives, and urban breaching.
The main focus for Marines after getting down all the basics was learning how to use what’s around them for explosive charges, said Cpl. Rollie Lemons, of Austin, Texas, and a sapper instructor with 2nd CEB.
“These Marines get out what they put in,” said Lemons “We’re here to teach and provide safety and guidelines. Your own imagination is your own limitation.”
The expedient portion of the range consisted of makeshift explosives made from material that could be found in a combat environment.
Two of the charges used during the expedient portion were the “Grape Shot” a directional charge made with an ammo can containing C-4 explosive on the bottom and shrapnel on the top and a “Frankenstein,” which is a multi-directional shot made up of a roll of barbed wire with TNT in the middle of it on a timer blasting cap.
After, Marines went on to the urban breaching portion, where they were able to learn the basics for blasting an entrance through doors, windows and even walls.
All of these operations take just a few hundredths of a second and occur so smoothly and quickly that they can hardly be felt or heard. Active engine bearings, another high-end solution from Audi, use out-of-phase counter-oscillations to compensate for the slight vibrations that occur during four-cylinder operation. The COD technology reduces NEDC fuel consumption by roughly five percent, and even greater savings of approximately 10 percent are possible when driving at moderate speeds.
The standard eight-speed tiptronic is specially tuned to the sporty character of the Audi RS 7 Sportback. Drivers can choose between the modes D and S or change gears themselves using the shift paddles on the steering wheel or the selector lever, which sports a unique RS design. While the lower gears of the tiptronic are closely spaced for sporty response, eighth gear is tall like an overdrive to reduce fuel consumption.
The Audi RS 7 Sportback comes standard with quattro permanent all-wheel drive for its decisive advantage in traction and driving safety compared with its two-wheel-drive competitors. At the heart of the quattro system is a centre differential with a high locking rate and a separate oil cooler to regulate its temperature. It distributes the power as needed within a wide range between the front and rear axles. In the standard configuration, 60 percent flows to the rear and 40 percent to the front.
An intelligent software solution called torque vectoring supports the work of the differential at the cornering limit with minimal braking of the wheels that are under a reduced load. Audi also offers the optional sport differential for the rear axle, which uses two superposition gears to actively distribute the power between the wheels.
The Audi RS 7 Sportback comes standard with polished, 20-inch forged lightweight wheels in a seven twin-spoke design. The five-door high-performance coupe also rolls on optional 21-inch cast wheels in a choice of three designs.
Powerful brakes are located behind the large wheels. The four internally vented discs feature a weight-saving wave design and measure 390 millimetres in diameter up front. Pins decouple the steel friction rings from the aluminium brake caps. Black painted six-piston calipers – optionally available in red – grip the discs. Audi also offers optional 420 millimetre carbon-fibre ceramic discs with anthracite grey calipers. The electronic stabilisation control (ESC) has a Sport mode and can also be deactivated entirely.
Equipped with the air suspension, which harmonises perfectly with the dynamic character of a sport coupe, the new RS 7 Sportback is sporty, yet still comfortable. The RS 7 adaptive air suspension lowers the body by 20 millimetres. Adaptive damping, another of the system’s features, adjusts the suspension’s response to the condition of the road, the driver’s style and the mode selected in the Audi drive select system, with which the driver can alter the function of key components in multiple steps.
Audi offers the taut sport suspension plus with dynamic ride control (DRC) as an alternative to the air suspension. It uses steel springs and three-stage adjustable dampers that are connected to one another via diagonal oil lines and a central valve. Another option, which can also be integrated into Audi drive select, is the dynamic steering with its steplessly variable steering boost and ratio. As with the standard electromechanical steering, its characteristics are specially tailored for the RS 7 Sportback.
2013年1月13日星期日
What's Happening In IBM i App Dev?
Green screens scare the daylights (actually not my first choice of words) out of me. Like great white sharks and vampire bats, they have their place in the world. But I don't want to go to that place. Most people would probably agree with me about the sharks and the bats. There are many RPG and COBOL programmers, however, who are perfectly comfortable in a green-screen world. What in the name of modern application development are they thinking?
There is a reason people use the term computer science rather than computer history. IT is an ongoing endeavor. You have probably heard that time stands still for no one. It's not even debatable. Ask Bob Cozzi, the Jack Sparrow of the RPG seas. He will tell you green screens are the number one cause of lost market share for the later day IBM midrange computing platform.
The number of green-screen applications that still exist is amazing. You can readily find them in all types of businesses. And if you are looking for them, you can find plenty of end users who aren't happy to be staring at one of those monolithic code-opatumuses. Not that all green screens are nightmarishly large, but they do exist and they really do scare the daylights (or something similar) out of me.
All the IBM i technical conferences are loaded with application modernization sessions, and those presentations are among the most popular. Last week, COMMON hosted its first virtual conference. One of the sessions was called What's happening in the world of Application Development on IBM i. Tim Rowe, the IBM i business architect for application development, was the speaker. Rowe and I talked on the phone last week.
"The short answer to what's happening in the world of application development on IBM i is modernization," Rowe volunteered. "I try to help companies understand what is available and that when it comes to modernization, it doesn't need to happen overnight."
Even when developers are not substantially changing any code, Rowe says that just switching from green-screen development tools to modern tooling gets them moving in the right direction. (You have to use a graphical interface to appreciate one, presumably.) That is a first step in changing the equation by upgrading skills using modern development tools that that will eventually be used to develop new code and maintain existing code.
"Modern tooling leads to modern coding techniques and allows developers to reach beyond RPG- or COBOL-centric programming," Rowe says. "You can't move to a modern user interface using the old tooling. So tooling is a first step. But it's not just about the tooling. That's one aspect. It also includes end user experiences. It's about how you display your content to your customers. Does the green screen still make the best display for the end users or do you need to think about moving to Web or mobile."
Rowe is a proponent of giving companies options. He appreciates that IBM i shops can accomplish application modernization by taking many paths, which include IBM's preferred methods as well as those of the third-party vendors.
"I am IBM i-centric and Rational is a portion of that," he says, "but I am focused on what's going on from the perspective of the operating system. The goal is the successful development and running of applications. One thing we don't do is tell the customer what to do. Every customer has a different situation, but much of decision making comes down to skills, abilities, resources, money, and time. All those factors can have an influence on the direction companies take."
Some people might argue that RPG is a dying language, but Rowe isn't one of them. He will swear that RPG is here to stay, refers to it as a modern business language, and points to interoperability with other languages like XML and SQL. His enthusiasm, however, does not include the belief that all things should be done in RPG.
"There's no single language for everything. Even the Java programmers are understanding that you don’t use Java for everything," Rowe says. "I tell IBM i shops to keep portions of the applications in the languages where it makes the most sense. PHP may be right to do certain things with the UI, maybe Java, maybe something else. You are not going to do Web UI development in RPG and you are not going to do record-level access from PHP."
PHP in the IBM i ecosystem has been successful from Rowe's point of view. It continues to gain momentum, especially with companies that have lately made their move into application modernization. There are also PHP options being offered by some of the third-party application development companies, which indicates those ISVs see PHP momentum happening.
"I think the advent of PHP has had a far greater impact in many ways than anything else, even Java, has done," RPG and IBM i advocate, author, instructor, and innovator Jon Paris told IT Jungle in July 2012. "There is an incredible amount of good, free information out there--not to mention the books, online classes, and so on. That is a rather different story than for the free RPG offerings in the same arena. It is also possible to hire young experienced programmers and to get help mentoring existing staff to bring them up to speed."
There are hundreds of thousands of IBM i customers and over the years they demonstrated a "go your own way" attitude that's resulted in a lot of right answers. There have been successes and failures for a lot of different reasons. I have heard from many sources that many developers in the i community are stuck in their old-fashioned ways and that is one of the reasons the application modernization process is more difficult in some instance compared to others. Of course, IBM is not blameless in this discussion. It could have offered a modern user interface for RPG years ago and pushed developers in that direction, but it did not. But the point is not to talk about what could have or should have been. The point is to make decisions on where to go from here.
As Rowe says, "You can stand and argue until you are blue in the face about which path is better, and I wouldn't disagree with any of the arguments. But customers are bumping into the reality that they can't continue to live on their 5250 and the modern UI is being called for. They are being forced to change."
There is a reason people use the term computer science rather than computer history. IT is an ongoing endeavor. You have probably heard that time stands still for no one. It's not even debatable. Ask Bob Cozzi, the Jack Sparrow of the RPG seas. He will tell you green screens are the number one cause of lost market share for the later day IBM midrange computing platform.
The number of green-screen applications that still exist is amazing. You can readily find them in all types of businesses. And if you are looking for them, you can find plenty of end users who aren't happy to be staring at one of those monolithic code-opatumuses. Not that all green screens are nightmarishly large, but they do exist and they really do scare the daylights (or something similar) out of me.
All the IBM i technical conferences are loaded with application modernization sessions, and those presentations are among the most popular. Last week, COMMON hosted its first virtual conference. One of the sessions was called What's happening in the world of Application Development on IBM i. Tim Rowe, the IBM i business architect for application development, was the speaker. Rowe and I talked on the phone last week.
"The short answer to what's happening in the world of application development on IBM i is modernization," Rowe volunteered. "I try to help companies understand what is available and that when it comes to modernization, it doesn't need to happen overnight."
Even when developers are not substantially changing any code, Rowe says that just switching from green-screen development tools to modern tooling gets them moving in the right direction. (You have to use a graphical interface to appreciate one, presumably.) That is a first step in changing the equation by upgrading skills using modern development tools that that will eventually be used to develop new code and maintain existing code.
"Modern tooling leads to modern coding techniques and allows developers to reach beyond RPG- or COBOL-centric programming," Rowe says. "You can't move to a modern user interface using the old tooling. So tooling is a first step. But it's not just about the tooling. That's one aspect. It also includes end user experiences. It's about how you display your content to your customers. Does the green screen still make the best display for the end users or do you need to think about moving to Web or mobile."
Rowe is a proponent of giving companies options. He appreciates that IBM i shops can accomplish application modernization by taking many paths, which include IBM's preferred methods as well as those of the third-party vendors.
"I am IBM i-centric and Rational is a portion of that," he says, "but I am focused on what's going on from the perspective of the operating system. The goal is the successful development and running of applications. One thing we don't do is tell the customer what to do. Every customer has a different situation, but much of decision making comes down to skills, abilities, resources, money, and time. All those factors can have an influence on the direction companies take."
Some people might argue that RPG is a dying language, but Rowe isn't one of them. He will swear that RPG is here to stay, refers to it as a modern business language, and points to interoperability with other languages like XML and SQL. His enthusiasm, however, does not include the belief that all things should be done in RPG.
"There's no single language for everything. Even the Java programmers are understanding that you don’t use Java for everything," Rowe says. "I tell IBM i shops to keep portions of the applications in the languages where it makes the most sense. PHP may be right to do certain things with the UI, maybe Java, maybe something else. You are not going to do Web UI development in RPG and you are not going to do record-level access from PHP."
PHP in the IBM i ecosystem has been successful from Rowe's point of view. It continues to gain momentum, especially with companies that have lately made their move into application modernization. There are also PHP options being offered by some of the third-party application development companies, which indicates those ISVs see PHP momentum happening.
"I think the advent of PHP has had a far greater impact in many ways than anything else, even Java, has done," RPG and IBM i advocate, author, instructor, and innovator Jon Paris told IT Jungle in July 2012. "There is an incredible amount of good, free information out there--not to mention the books, online classes, and so on. That is a rather different story than for the free RPG offerings in the same arena. It is also possible to hire young experienced programmers and to get help mentoring existing staff to bring them up to speed."
There are hundreds of thousands of IBM i customers and over the years they demonstrated a "go your own way" attitude that's resulted in a lot of right answers. There have been successes and failures for a lot of different reasons. I have heard from many sources that many developers in the i community are stuck in their old-fashioned ways and that is one of the reasons the application modernization process is more difficult in some instance compared to others. Of course, IBM is not blameless in this discussion. It could have offered a modern user interface for RPG years ago and pushed developers in that direction, but it did not. But the point is not to talk about what could have or should have been. The point is to make decisions on where to go from here.
As Rowe says, "You can stand and argue until you are blue in the face about which path is better, and I wouldn't disagree with any of the arguments. But customers are bumping into the reality that they can't continue to live on their 5250 and the modern UI is being called for. They are being forced to change."
Kane County gun show draws crowds of buyers
Cramped aisles and steady transactions marked the Kane County Sportsman's Show Sunday with sales of ammunition and semiautomatic firearms topping the list.
Don Moran, president of the Illinois State Rifle Association, who was at the show, noted how little ammunition was left even at 11 a.m., hours before the event wrapped up. The gun show ran from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. When Moran left, he stopped by the Gander Mountain store in Geneva and found the same empty shelves.
Moran said gun sales on any type of semiautomatic firearm are up, whether it's a handgun or a rifle, and the corresponding ammunition is selling quickly as well.
"People are just afraid that they're going to get banned," Moran said. "Maybe they've been thinking about buying one and they've been putting it off. What's going on in the state and nationally — they're scared they won't be able to buy it if they wait."
As the nation reels from the mass shooting in Sandy Hook, Conn., that killed 20 children and six adults Dec. 14, gun control advocates are pushing for action from the president and Congress. Vice President Joe Biden is expected to submit recommendations for reducing gun violence to President Barack Obama by Tuesday.
The Illinois State Rifle Association lobbies in Springfield and works with the National Rifle Association to mold federal legislation. Moran said the political debate is just a distraction that pulls attention from issues like poverty, dropout rates from public schools and Illinois' pension crisis.
The Kane County Sportsman's Show, which will be held monthly through May, gave people a chance to buy, sell and trade firearms and related items. There were handguns, rifles, shotguns, antique muzzle loaders and knives alongside hunting gear, survival equipment and smaller items like bullet refrigerator magnets.
Illinois doesn't have the "gun show loophole" that allows people to purchase guns from shows without background checks. Anyone who wanted to buy a handgun Sunday had to fill out paperwork for the background check and wait 72 hours before making the final purchase. The waiting period for rifles and shotguns is 24 hours, according to state law.
Moran said the law probably doesn't make much of a difference for gun sales in Illinois, but it does make vendors more comfortable selling.
In 2012 organizers of the Kane County event hosted the gun show in October and December. This year they have dates scheduled in January, February, March, April and May in addition to the fall and winter events.
Not all scientists like the term, but most practitioners agree that the deployment of “plant doctors” operating in clinics and tackling a growing variety of potentially devastating pests and diseases can significantly improve the likelihood of a viable agriculture sector. “We are trying to get plant health clinics to the level of animal health clinics…or even what obtains in the human health system,” says Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International (CABI) regional representative, Bob Ramnanan.
CABI has been working with the Ministry of Food Production on bringing a nationwide network of clinics on-stream not only for full-fledged farmers, but small-timers and even backyard gardeners growing everything from food and tree crops to ornamental plants. The first clinic was held at the end of August last year.
So far, almost 400 cases from 221 farmers and backyard gardeners have been attended to at eight clinics throughout Trinidad every Tuesday. Operations are yet to begin in Tobago. The project follows the traditional model of plant clinics where farmers can take their ailing patients/plants, secure a diagnosis and be provided with a menu of recommended interventions. One of the main distinctions this time is the fact that the information gathered is now being fed into an international database operated under the “Plantwise” initiative.
According to CABI project scientist Shamela Rambadan, this not only assists in the more efficient sharing of anecdotal information on plant health, but the identification of worldwide trends—a process that can contribute toward the prevention of or preparation for pests and diseases headed our way but not already present.
Plant pathologist, Steve Maximay, agrees plant clinics are not a new concept but they provide commercial and backyard producers with “added tools to protect the crop.” He however, asserts the clinics and their “plant doctors” must be viewed as just “one aspect of a comprehensive practical programme to ensure that plants produce to their genetic capability.”
Ramnanan is not deluded by the curative potential of such an intervention in individual cases but notes that “as scientists, and with the advances of science in terms of linking (plant health) with weather patterns…we will have an enhanced capacity to predict potential threats at the global level.
“It also will be able to detect new pests and diseases very quickly,” he added. “Normally in the past how it worked was the farmers would only seek advice and solutions when the challenge becomes a huge problem.”
Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj is impressed with the potential of the project. He told the Sunday Guardian the clinics can be seen as “part of the overall thrust to re-position agriculture in the nation’s psyche through a multi-pronged approach…in which there is a re-tooling of everyone from the agriculturalist to the home gardener.” Maximay however, warned that “the clinic will (only) be as successful as the experienced, field-based expertise available to staff it.”
Rambadan explained that training has been an important component of the exercise. “CABI in collaboration with the ministry has trained selected extension officers to act as plant doctors,” she said. So far, 22 “plant doctors” in both Trinidad and Tobago have been trained, plus one person from Carriacou, as part of CABI’s regional mandate. In fact, Plantwise programmes have already been launched, under CABI oversight, in Barbados and Grenada and, soon, in Suriname.
The Plantwise Web site claims the programme has already helped establish over 300 plant clinics in 24 countries with over 100,000 “smallholder farmers and their families” receiving assistance. “This programme operates under the assumption that knowledge is power and attitudes have to change. This is the difference the Plantwise programme makes,” Ramnanan said.
The CABI regional representative is among those who believe that very serious threats to the sustainability of new agricultural thrusts in the country and region loom, not the least being pests and diseases “at our doorstep” in nearby South America, neighbouring Caribbean islands and in transit via international air and sea travel. He hopes there will be sufficient doctors in the house when our time arrives.
Don Moran, president of the Illinois State Rifle Association, who was at the show, noted how little ammunition was left even at 11 a.m., hours before the event wrapped up. The gun show ran from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. When Moran left, he stopped by the Gander Mountain store in Geneva and found the same empty shelves.
Moran said gun sales on any type of semiautomatic firearm are up, whether it's a handgun or a rifle, and the corresponding ammunition is selling quickly as well.
"People are just afraid that they're going to get banned," Moran said. "Maybe they've been thinking about buying one and they've been putting it off. What's going on in the state and nationally — they're scared they won't be able to buy it if they wait."
As the nation reels from the mass shooting in Sandy Hook, Conn., that killed 20 children and six adults Dec. 14, gun control advocates are pushing for action from the president and Congress. Vice President Joe Biden is expected to submit recommendations for reducing gun violence to President Barack Obama by Tuesday.
The Illinois State Rifle Association lobbies in Springfield and works with the National Rifle Association to mold federal legislation. Moran said the political debate is just a distraction that pulls attention from issues like poverty, dropout rates from public schools and Illinois' pension crisis.
The Kane County Sportsman's Show, which will be held monthly through May, gave people a chance to buy, sell and trade firearms and related items. There were handguns, rifles, shotguns, antique muzzle loaders and knives alongside hunting gear, survival equipment and smaller items like bullet refrigerator magnets.
Illinois doesn't have the "gun show loophole" that allows people to purchase guns from shows without background checks. Anyone who wanted to buy a handgun Sunday had to fill out paperwork for the background check and wait 72 hours before making the final purchase. The waiting period for rifles and shotguns is 24 hours, according to state law.
Moran said the law probably doesn't make much of a difference for gun sales in Illinois, but it does make vendors more comfortable selling.
In 2012 organizers of the Kane County event hosted the gun show in October and December. This year they have dates scheduled in January, February, March, April and May in addition to the fall and winter events.
Not all scientists like the term, but most practitioners agree that the deployment of “plant doctors” operating in clinics and tackling a growing variety of potentially devastating pests and diseases can significantly improve the likelihood of a viable agriculture sector. “We are trying to get plant health clinics to the level of animal health clinics…or even what obtains in the human health system,” says Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International (CABI) regional representative, Bob Ramnanan.
CABI has been working with the Ministry of Food Production on bringing a nationwide network of clinics on-stream not only for full-fledged farmers, but small-timers and even backyard gardeners growing everything from food and tree crops to ornamental plants. The first clinic was held at the end of August last year.
So far, almost 400 cases from 221 farmers and backyard gardeners have been attended to at eight clinics throughout Trinidad every Tuesday. Operations are yet to begin in Tobago. The project follows the traditional model of plant clinics where farmers can take their ailing patients/plants, secure a diagnosis and be provided with a menu of recommended interventions. One of the main distinctions this time is the fact that the information gathered is now being fed into an international database operated under the “Plantwise” initiative.
According to CABI project scientist Shamela Rambadan, this not only assists in the more efficient sharing of anecdotal information on plant health, but the identification of worldwide trends—a process that can contribute toward the prevention of or preparation for pests and diseases headed our way but not already present.
Plant pathologist, Steve Maximay, agrees plant clinics are not a new concept but they provide commercial and backyard producers with “added tools to protect the crop.” He however, asserts the clinics and their “plant doctors” must be viewed as just “one aspect of a comprehensive practical programme to ensure that plants produce to their genetic capability.”
Ramnanan is not deluded by the curative potential of such an intervention in individual cases but notes that “as scientists, and with the advances of science in terms of linking (plant health) with weather patterns…we will have an enhanced capacity to predict potential threats at the global level.
“It also will be able to detect new pests and diseases very quickly,” he added. “Normally in the past how it worked was the farmers would only seek advice and solutions when the challenge becomes a huge problem.”
Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj is impressed with the potential of the project. He told the Sunday Guardian the clinics can be seen as “part of the overall thrust to re-position agriculture in the nation’s psyche through a multi-pronged approach…in which there is a re-tooling of everyone from the agriculturalist to the home gardener.” Maximay however, warned that “the clinic will (only) be as successful as the experienced, field-based expertise available to staff it.”
Rambadan explained that training has been an important component of the exercise. “CABI in collaboration with the ministry has trained selected extension officers to act as plant doctors,” she said. So far, 22 “plant doctors” in both Trinidad and Tobago have been trained, plus one person from Carriacou, as part of CABI’s regional mandate. In fact, Plantwise programmes have already been launched, under CABI oversight, in Barbados and Grenada and, soon, in Suriname.
The Plantwise Web site claims the programme has already helped establish over 300 plant clinics in 24 countries with over 100,000 “smallholder farmers and their families” receiving assistance. “This programme operates under the assumption that knowledge is power and attitudes have to change. This is the difference the Plantwise programme makes,” Ramnanan said.
The CABI regional representative is among those who believe that very serious threats to the sustainability of new agricultural thrusts in the country and region loom, not the least being pests and diseases “at our doorstep” in nearby South America, neighbouring Caribbean islands and in transit via international air and sea travel. He hopes there will be sufficient doctors in the house when our time arrives.
2013年1月10日星期四
Where it Could End Up, What We’ve Heard
During his visit to China this week, Apple CEO Tim Cook officially met on Thursday with representatives from China Mobile, the largest mobile telecommunications carrier in the world, to discuss “matters of cooperation,” according to Li Jun, a spokesman for China Mobile.
“In the morning, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook visited China Mobile’s headquarters,” Li said. “China Mobile’s Chairman Xi Guohua and Tim Cook discussed matters of cooperation.”
Apple, which recently started selling the iPhone 5 in China after country regulators approved the phone for a “network access license,” currently sells its iPhone 5 via China Telecom and China Unicom, two of the biggest Chinese service providers. However, now that Apple has essentially doubled its retail presence in China over the last 10 months, China Mobile may want to reconsider its position on the Apple iPhone.
A great deal of Apple’s strategy moving forward revolves around developing its presence in the Far East, including countries like India and China. Without China Mobile, the largest carrier in the country and the world with 703 million active subscribers, Apple would be missing out on a huge chunk of the market.
“Currently, Apple has 11 stores in the Greater China region, as well as many resellers,” Cook told local news portal Sina Technology News (via Reuters). “We will continue to expand in China and the number of retail stores we’ll have will exceed 25.”
China Mobile is the missing piece of the puzzle when it comes to Apple’s strategy in China, and Cook knows that; for years, even when he was Apple’s COO, Cook visited China Mobile’s headquarters on numerous occasions, including once in June 2011, when Cook was spotted and photographed in the company’s lobby.
Earlier this week, in a report mostly about Apple’s next-generation iPhone “6,” DigiTimes noted Apple’s plans to work with China Mobile to build a TD-LTE version of the iPhone, which will work on the carrier’s high-speed networks. Given how DigiTimes was correct about Apple’s intentions to work with China Mobile, it’s possible that the other allegations from that same report – including Apple’s plans to build a “low-cost iPhone” that may be bigger or smaller than the iPhone 5 – are also true.
"Apple will roll out a low-cost version of the iPhone for China and other emerging markets in the second half of 2013, according to supply-chain sources," DigiTimes said. "Some sources claimed that they have seen the sample of the low-cost iPhone, which will come with a larger display, meeting the prevailing trend for the adoption of 5-inch displays for high-end models. They added that the low-priced iPhone will also have a brand-new exterior design."
Digitimes' supply chain sources added that "growing sales of the iPad Mini, particularly in China and other emerging markets, may have served as an impetus for Apple to roll out a low-cost iPhone to repeat its success gained on the sale of the iPad Mini."
A low-cost iPhone makes a great deal of sense for Apple, especially if the company wants to formally partner up with China Mobile. Thanks to newer, smaller, cheaper, and more power-efficient chipsets, Apple can afford to build an entry-level to mid-range smartphone on top of the current iPhone – either bigger like the Samsung Galaxy S3, or a smaller “iPhone Nano” – to appeal to markets that can’t quite afford Apple’s most popular product, including many in China. Furthermore, if Apple’s iPhone 6 was not only cheaper but also smaller too, the phone would greatly appeal to the Asian markets where small devices are not only sheik, but better to hold in their (smaller) hands.
DigiTimes isn’t alone in believing Apple’s working on a newly-sized, low-cost iPhone. On Jan. 2, Topeka Markets analyst Brian White said Apple is likely to release its next iPhone in more colors and screen sizes, implying Apple might sell an iPhone smaller or larger than the current iPhone 5, or even previous-gen iPhone 4S or 4 units.
"Although Apple offers a 4-inch screen on the iPhone 5 and a 3.5-inch screen on the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4, the company has never offered multiple screen sizes for a single model," White said. "We believe this is about to change with the next iPhone offering different screen dies that we believe will allow Apple to better bifurcate the market and expand its reach."
Digitimes' sources and White are both saying the same thing: Apple wants to sell a lower-priced iPhone. We don’t know if the iPhone 6 will be bigger or smaller yet, but one thing’s for sure: A cheaper iPhone would help Apple penetrate those key, lower-income markets both here in the US and abroad.
However, it’s important to note that analysts, and even DigiTimes, can’t always be trusted at their words. For example, DigiTimes correctly predicted last December that Apple would launch two new iPads in 2012, including an iPad with a 7.85-inch display called "iPad Mini" in Q4 2012, and that's exactly what Apple did. On the other hand, DigiTimes incorrectly reported that Apple chose Samsung's quad-core Exynos processor to power its iPhone 5, when in fact Apple went with its own custom-built A6 chip. In other words, listen to the information, but understand that these are only rumors.
Besides different screen sizes and colors, we've heard that a major focus in the iPhone 6 will be the display. Apple might be going back to the drawing board, as the company is reportedly dissatisfied with the in-cell technologies used to make the iPhone 5's display, and is considering other options.
A Jan. 3 report released by The China Times said Apple might switch to a "Touch On Display" panel currently in development at Taiwan-based Innolux Corp., which has reportedly been licensed to use Sharp's proprietary IGZO display technology.
However, whether or not Apple chooses Innolux to make the next iPhone's screens, Apple is likely going to use Sharp's ultra-thin IGZO display technology for the next iPhone.
In late December, DigiTimes and Apple analyst Horace Dediu both mentioned Apple’s alleged investment in the ultra-thin IGZO displays produced by Sharp, predicting inclusion of the technology in Apple’s next batch of iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads. Dediu also pointed to Apple’s recent $2.3 billion investment in “product tooling, manufacturing process equipment and infrastructure,” believing the cash was used to help bail out Sharp, which had been in financial straits in 2012. Sharp is reportedly going “all in” on IGZO technology, so it’s possible Apple saved Sharp to leverage its investment in the next generation of displays.
IGZO display technology is not only thin and tough, but it can even handle higher screen densities than Apple’s Retina Display, which is visually stunning on its own. IGZO displays can reportedly handle display densities north of 330 ppi; for a quick comparison, the new iPad 4 can only achieve 264 ppi.
One of the better advantages of IGZO display technology is its lower power consumption. Most Apple products, from the iPhone 5 to the iPad 4, require cartoonishly-big batteries to achieve just 8 hours of power — this is because current-gen Retina Displays are extremely power hungry. If Apple wanted its iPhone 6 to not only last longer during the day but also charge faster when plugged in, IGZO seems to be the way to go for the next generation of iOS devices.
Giving credence to these rumors, Taiwan-based AU Optronics (AUO) reportedly plans to develop a Retina Display for the next-generation iPad Mini, which may require IGZO technology to pull off a feasible Retina Display.
Besides these display rumors, we haven't heard too much about Apple will release in the iPhone 6. However, we have seen a few interesting patents: A patent filed in March but published in September described tactile keyboards, flexible displays and laser microphones and speakers built into an iPhone, designed to conform to the user's needs. Flexible displays would allow for easier holding and typing, while the highly advanced tactile screens would create buttons when needed so the user can feel "keyboard" letters as they type, or touch the topography on Apple's Maps.
“In the morning, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook visited China Mobile’s headquarters,” Li said. “China Mobile’s Chairman Xi Guohua and Tim Cook discussed matters of cooperation.”
Apple, which recently started selling the iPhone 5 in China after country regulators approved the phone for a “network access license,” currently sells its iPhone 5 via China Telecom and China Unicom, two of the biggest Chinese service providers. However, now that Apple has essentially doubled its retail presence in China over the last 10 months, China Mobile may want to reconsider its position on the Apple iPhone.
A great deal of Apple’s strategy moving forward revolves around developing its presence in the Far East, including countries like India and China. Without China Mobile, the largest carrier in the country and the world with 703 million active subscribers, Apple would be missing out on a huge chunk of the market.
“Currently, Apple has 11 stores in the Greater China region, as well as many resellers,” Cook told local news portal Sina Technology News (via Reuters). “We will continue to expand in China and the number of retail stores we’ll have will exceed 25.”
China Mobile is the missing piece of the puzzle when it comes to Apple’s strategy in China, and Cook knows that; for years, even when he was Apple’s COO, Cook visited China Mobile’s headquarters on numerous occasions, including once in June 2011, when Cook was spotted and photographed in the company’s lobby.
Earlier this week, in a report mostly about Apple’s next-generation iPhone “6,” DigiTimes noted Apple’s plans to work with China Mobile to build a TD-LTE version of the iPhone, which will work on the carrier’s high-speed networks. Given how DigiTimes was correct about Apple’s intentions to work with China Mobile, it’s possible that the other allegations from that same report – including Apple’s plans to build a “low-cost iPhone” that may be bigger or smaller than the iPhone 5 – are also true.
"Apple will roll out a low-cost version of the iPhone for China and other emerging markets in the second half of 2013, according to supply-chain sources," DigiTimes said. "Some sources claimed that they have seen the sample of the low-cost iPhone, which will come with a larger display, meeting the prevailing trend for the adoption of 5-inch displays for high-end models. They added that the low-priced iPhone will also have a brand-new exterior design."
Digitimes' supply chain sources added that "growing sales of the iPad Mini, particularly in China and other emerging markets, may have served as an impetus for Apple to roll out a low-cost iPhone to repeat its success gained on the sale of the iPad Mini."
A low-cost iPhone makes a great deal of sense for Apple, especially if the company wants to formally partner up with China Mobile. Thanks to newer, smaller, cheaper, and more power-efficient chipsets, Apple can afford to build an entry-level to mid-range smartphone on top of the current iPhone – either bigger like the Samsung Galaxy S3, or a smaller “iPhone Nano” – to appeal to markets that can’t quite afford Apple’s most popular product, including many in China. Furthermore, if Apple’s iPhone 6 was not only cheaper but also smaller too, the phone would greatly appeal to the Asian markets where small devices are not only sheik, but better to hold in their (smaller) hands.
DigiTimes isn’t alone in believing Apple’s working on a newly-sized, low-cost iPhone. On Jan. 2, Topeka Markets analyst Brian White said Apple is likely to release its next iPhone in more colors and screen sizes, implying Apple might sell an iPhone smaller or larger than the current iPhone 5, or even previous-gen iPhone 4S or 4 units.
"Although Apple offers a 4-inch screen on the iPhone 5 and a 3.5-inch screen on the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4, the company has never offered multiple screen sizes for a single model," White said. "We believe this is about to change with the next iPhone offering different screen dies that we believe will allow Apple to better bifurcate the market and expand its reach."
Digitimes' sources and White are both saying the same thing: Apple wants to sell a lower-priced iPhone. We don’t know if the iPhone 6 will be bigger or smaller yet, but one thing’s for sure: A cheaper iPhone would help Apple penetrate those key, lower-income markets both here in the US and abroad.
However, it’s important to note that analysts, and even DigiTimes, can’t always be trusted at their words. For example, DigiTimes correctly predicted last December that Apple would launch two new iPads in 2012, including an iPad with a 7.85-inch display called "iPad Mini" in Q4 2012, and that's exactly what Apple did. On the other hand, DigiTimes incorrectly reported that Apple chose Samsung's quad-core Exynos processor to power its iPhone 5, when in fact Apple went with its own custom-built A6 chip. In other words, listen to the information, but understand that these are only rumors.
Besides different screen sizes and colors, we've heard that a major focus in the iPhone 6 will be the display. Apple might be going back to the drawing board, as the company is reportedly dissatisfied with the in-cell technologies used to make the iPhone 5's display, and is considering other options.
A Jan. 3 report released by The China Times said Apple might switch to a "Touch On Display" panel currently in development at Taiwan-based Innolux Corp., which has reportedly been licensed to use Sharp's proprietary IGZO display technology.
However, whether or not Apple chooses Innolux to make the next iPhone's screens, Apple is likely going to use Sharp's ultra-thin IGZO display technology for the next iPhone.
In late December, DigiTimes and Apple analyst Horace Dediu both mentioned Apple’s alleged investment in the ultra-thin IGZO displays produced by Sharp, predicting inclusion of the technology in Apple’s next batch of iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads. Dediu also pointed to Apple’s recent $2.3 billion investment in “product tooling, manufacturing process equipment and infrastructure,” believing the cash was used to help bail out Sharp, which had been in financial straits in 2012. Sharp is reportedly going “all in” on IGZO technology, so it’s possible Apple saved Sharp to leverage its investment in the next generation of displays.
IGZO display technology is not only thin and tough, but it can even handle higher screen densities than Apple’s Retina Display, which is visually stunning on its own. IGZO displays can reportedly handle display densities north of 330 ppi; for a quick comparison, the new iPad 4 can only achieve 264 ppi.
One of the better advantages of IGZO display technology is its lower power consumption. Most Apple products, from the iPhone 5 to the iPad 4, require cartoonishly-big batteries to achieve just 8 hours of power — this is because current-gen Retina Displays are extremely power hungry. If Apple wanted its iPhone 6 to not only last longer during the day but also charge faster when plugged in, IGZO seems to be the way to go for the next generation of iOS devices.
Giving credence to these rumors, Taiwan-based AU Optronics (AUO) reportedly plans to develop a Retina Display for the next-generation iPad Mini, which may require IGZO technology to pull off a feasible Retina Display.
Besides these display rumors, we haven't heard too much about Apple will release in the iPhone 6. However, we have seen a few interesting patents: A patent filed in March but published in September described tactile keyboards, flexible displays and laser microphones and speakers built into an iPhone, designed to conform to the user's needs. Flexible displays would allow for easier holding and typing, while the highly advanced tactile screens would create buttons when needed so the user can feel "keyboard" letters as they type, or touch the topography on Apple's Maps.
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