DOJ wants Google to sell Chrome
DOJ wants Google to sell Chrome
The Department of Justice is . It’s in response to a 2020 lawsuit filed by the DOJ and several US states that was finally ruled upon in August. Google has, naturally, said such a ***** would be a terrible idea and would harm ********* competitiveness in the tech industry. I’m more curious about how much inherent value Chrome has without the backing of its parent company.
— Dan Cooper
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News in Brief
And view a new trailer for its forthcoming movie.
Merlin Entertainments
The company behind Legoland is teaming up with Mojang to build Minecraft theme parks in the US and ***. . The announcement came on the same day as the , another sign of the game’s growing cultural dominance. Given I can’t move in my own home without hearing famous Minecraft YouTuber Aphmau screech-shouting at the top of her lungs, I can’t wait to grind my teeth into powder taking my kids to enjoy both.
i.e. The thing it should have had from the start.
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget
Someone at Sony has finally noticed the PlayStation Portal was shipped without its raison d’être: cloud streaming. . It only took them a whole ***** year to get around to it.
Finger pointing is happening.
Over the weekend, two undersea data cables in Europe were cut, with one ******* politician claiming sabotage. . Both Germany and Finland, two of the countries affected, say a thorough investigation is in progress.
A guide for the perplexed.
Sonos
Sonos hasn’t had a great year, but one highlight has been the Arc Ultra soundbar, the first model to debut its Sound Motion technology. . He’ll talk you through what it’s good for, why Sonos spent $100 million to own it and what it means for the future of your home audio.
These games deserve better than this.
Blizzard Entertainment
I’ve got fond memories of playing Warcraft II as a ****, with “They’re destroying our city!” a regular rallying cry in me and my friend Shane’s playground games. Sadly, it looks like Blizzard phoned this one in, prompting Igor to look a little closer at what’s going on.
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Pelican News
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Delta CEO: Projecting we generate $50 billion of operating cash over next 3-5 years
Delta CEO: Projecting we generate $50 billion of operating cash over next 3-5 years
Ed Bastian, Delta CEO, joins ‘Squawk Box’ to discuss how Delta will achieve sustained higher profits going forward, why investors should believe Delta is a good stock to invest in, and what Bastian has learned from the trying times this year.
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Pelican News
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********* Central Banks warns of trade tension risks to financial stability
********* Central Banks warns of trade tension risks to financial stability
Rising global trade tensions present a risk to the euro area economy, the bloc’s central bank found in its biannual Financial Stability Review out on Wednesday.
The ********* Central Bank also said weak growth was now a ******* threat than high inflation in the 20-nation euro zone.
The latest figures recorded euro zone economic growth at a two-year high of 0.4% in the third quarter, while headline inflation hit 2% in October.
The ECB said financial markets had experienced a “resurgence of volatility” since the release of its previous report back in May, noting that further fluctuations were “more likely than usual” due to stretched valuations and risk concentration.
“Rising global trade tensions and a possible further strengthening of protectionist tendencies across the world raise concerns about the potential adverse impact on global growth, inflation and asset prices,” the Financial Stability Review said.
While Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election is not specifically mentioned in the ECB release, countries around the world are bracing for his plan to impose blanket 10% tariffs on all imports to the U.S., which also proposes much higher rates for some nations, such as China. Economists say the knock-on impact of implementing these measures could drag on the euro, if a slowdown in exports spurs the ECB to cut interest rates further and faster.
Speaking to CNBC, ECB Vice President Luis de Guindos said the Trump presidency will pile more uncertainty onto the ********* outlook.
“I think that it is very important to stress the evolution of inflation has been positive. But simultaneously, the growth outlook is not very good,” De Guindos told CNBC’s Annette Weisbach on Wednesday. According to ********* Commission forecasts, euro area growth will be below 1% in 2024 and a little above 1% in 2025, he said.
“In terms of activity, we have a very fragile situation. Consumers are not increasing consumption.”
“And on top of that, you have a lot of uncertainties. You have geopolitical risks, the situation of Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and you know, the policies that the new U.S. administration might implement, pursue in the future, that it’s another layer of uncertainty with respect to the future of the ********* economy.”
The report also flags concerns rising sovereign debt service costs and the weak fiscal fundamentals of several euro zone member countries. Other concerns include high borrowing costs and weak growth dragging on corporate balance sheets, as well as credit risks for small- and medium-sized companies and lower-income households, if growth slows more than expected.
“In a context of elevated macro-financial and geopolitical uncertainty, there could be a sudden sharp reversal in risk sentiment, given high asset valuations and concentrated risk exposures in the financial system,” the report states.
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Pelican News
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Microsoft Apologises for Flight Simulator 2024 Server Issues
Microsoft Apologises for Flight Simulator 2024 Server Issues
Microsoft has apologised to users who were facing login issues during the Flight Simulators 2024 launch.
Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, Jorg Neumann apologised during the Developer Launch Day Update video uploaded to their official YouTube channel.
“Unfortunately, the excitement, we knew the excitement was high for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, but frankly, we completely underestimated how was high and it has really overwhelmed our infrastructure,” he said.
He later continued, “Again, while it was a great launch day, we know a lot of people are frustrated, we are really sorry, we want to apologise, this video, we made it to be as transparent and as honest as possible.”
Asobo’s Sebastian Wloch went into more detail on the issues, citing that the team had tested up to 200,000 concurrent players, but that launch day exceeded that player count.
“We are doing our best and going as fast as we can to make sure everybody can go in,” he said. Even players who do make it into the game may find that some content, such as specific planes, is missing and this is connected to the same server issues, Wloch continued.
You can watch the full explanation of the launch day issues on the official YouTube channel below.
Flight Simulator 2024 is now available on PC and Xbox Series X|S as well as via Xbox Game Pass. What do you think of Flight Simulator 2024? Let us know on the Insider Gaming forum.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news about the *********’s Creed Syndicate 60 FPS update
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Alexa AI hasn’t launched yet because it’s too slow to respond to questions, insiders claim
Alexa AI hasn’t launched yet because it’s too slow to respond to questions, insiders claim
Alexa AI latency problems are a “critical issue”
Leaked memo claims Alexa AI has missed three 2024 launch dates
Amazon wants to give Alexa supercharged skills
Generative AI updates from Google and Apple have made their artificial assistants more useful in a number of ways – giving them new features, and generally making them easier to instruct – but one big name in the smart assistant world has been noticeably absent from the upgrade list: Alexa. Amazon is reportedly working on rolling out an Alexa AI, but it’s just too slow to respond to queries to be launched yet.
Fortune has shared leaked internal documents highlighting a few critical flaws with Alexa, with the big one apparently being latency – the AI takes way too long to respond when given an instruction or asked a question.
This issue has reportedly led to low satisfaction scores from testers. Before launch Amazon reportedly wanted to achieve an average satisfaction score of 5.5 out of 7, but testers rated the AI service at just 4.57. This is why it appears Amazon has missed its three target launch dates in 2024 – the most recent being November 14.
Another concern, not one not labeled a “critical issue” like latency but still a concern, is that the Alexa AI may be incompatible with some older models which could force a lot of users to upgrade their tech to access the new AI. Admittedly, this isn’t a major surprise given that for many phones only the latest models are getting some AI improvements, but Amazon might ***** it’ll upset customers who have been wanting this kind of update for years only to miss out when their ‘smart’ assistant finally gets a brain.
One thing that is noticeably absent from the leaked memo is any mention of Claude AI. Athropic’s Claude is seen as one of the best ChatGPT alternatives but it lacks a voice mode; a partnership with Amazon when it was teased by leakers therefore made a lot of sense as it would give Amazon a leg up in the AI race and Anthropic assistance in teaching Claude to communicate with a voice.
It could mean the Claude ***** was false, or perhaps the partnership was decided on after this memo was published as a way to resolve the issue. Either way it highlights that as with all leaks these details should be taken with a pinch of salt; as such issues such as Alexa AI’s latency could be in a much better state now than when the memo was written.
(Image credit: Amazon)
Teaching an old Alexa new Skills
Beyond Alexa AI delays, the ***** also teases upgrades to Alexa services involving Amazon’s partners like GrubHub, Ticketmaster and Uber (via Business Insider, behind a paywall). While these services already had Alexa skills Amazon wants to alter their relationship with the smart assistant.
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Specifically it wants its AI enhanced Alexa to perform more of the task itself, rather than handing things over to a third-party app on your phone as it does with some skills. So you could instruct the smart speaker to call you a ride to the movie theatre, or reorder that takeout you had last week and it could – using data from your linked accounts – perform those tasks for you without any manual input from you.
It’s certainly an intriguing idea, but this strategy’s success will come down to whether users trust the AI to get their request completely right, and trust it not to accidentally reorder a takeout because of something it overhears from your TV. It’s one thing for Alexa to play the wrong song, it’s another thing entirely if it spends your money on the wrong thing.
We’ll have to wait and see what Alexa AI has in store for us when it eventually launches. All signs point to a 2025 release, that is assuming it doesn’t face any more bumps in the road.
You might also like
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Delta CEO says Trump regulation stance could be ‘breath of fresh air’
Delta CEO says Trump regulation stance could be ‘breath of fresh air’
Ed Bastian, chief executive officer of Delta Air Lines Inc., during an interview in New York, US, on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.
Jeenah Moon | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said the Trump administration’s approach to regulation could be a “breath of fresh air.”
Speaking to reporters ahead of Delta’s investor day, Bastian noted that President-elect Donald Trump campaigned saying he would take a “fresh look” at regulation and bureaucracy.
The U.S. Department of Transportation under Secretary Pete Buttigieg has issued a host of rules aimed at protecting consumers, some of which the airline industry has bristled at, including one this year that requires carriers to provide automatic cash refunds to travelers when an airline cancels a flight.
Bastian said the industry has seen a “level of overreach” over the past four years.
The department is also looking into airlines’ lucrative loyalty programs, which brings in billions of dollars for carriers, helping to keep them afloat. The current DOT leadership is seeking information about how airlines can unilaterally change the value of frequent flyer points.
Delta on Wednesday said it expects to grow sales and profits in the months and years ahead, pointing to resilient consumer demand and sharp growth in household wealth since the pandemic.
Trump tapped former U.S. congressman and Fox Business host Sean Duffy as his pick to lead the department. Duffy didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Other U.S. airline CEOs have expressed enthusiasm for the incoming administration and urged incoming officials to make sure the industry has enough resources to improve air traffic control, which falls under the Federal Aviation Administration, and other key pieces of infrastructure.
“We have to invest in this industry,” ********* Airlines CEO Robert Isom said at the Skift Aviation Forum in Dallas last week. He said there is more work ahead to approve more visas so people can visit the U.S.
In an interview last week, Sun Country Airlines CEO Jude Bricker said: “We just need stability and resources at the DOT.”
Industry members and analysts also expect the incoming administration to be more open to mergers and consolidation.
Alaska Airlines acquired Hawaiian Airlines without pushback from President Joe Biden’s administration this year. However, Biden’s Justice Department won court challenges to block two airline deals: a proposed acquisition of Spirit Airlines, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday, by JetBlue Airways and a partnership between JetBlue and ********* Airlines in the Northeast, which had been approved in the last days of the first Trump administration.
“Perhaps this administration would have a different stance,” said Sun Country’s Bricker. “It certainly can’t get more against it.”
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Weekly mortgage demand inched up, despite higher interest rates. Here’s why.
Weekly mortgage demand inched up, despite higher interest rates. Here’s why.
Single-family homes in a residential neighborhood in San Marcos, Texas.
Jordan Vonderhaar | Bloomberg | Getty Images
After flatlining the week before, mortgage demand rose last week, despite mortgage rates rising for the fourth straight week. Total application volume increased 1.7% compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index.
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($766,550 or less) increased to 6.90% from 6.86%, with points increasing to 0.70 from 0.60 (including the origination fee) for loans with a 20% down payment. That was the highest level since July.
Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home rose 2% for the week but were 1% lower than the same week one year ago. Purchase demand was driven by conventional and FHA loans, with FHA purchase applications seeing a 7% increase.
“For-***** inventory has loosened in some markets and some potential buyers have been able to take advantage of increasing supply and lower FHA rates which were down slightly in comparison to the conforming 30-year fixed rate,” said Joel Kan, an MBA economist in a release.
Applications to refinance a home loan rose 2% for the week and were 43% higher than the same week one year ago. Demand was driven by a 10% increase in VA applications.
Mortgage rates are about flat so far this week, according to a separate survey from Mortgage News Daily. They moved higher Monday but then fell Tuesday on news that he U.S. authorized Ukraine to use long range missiles to ******* Russia, which has already threatened to respond with nuclear weapons. Bond yields dipped in a so-called flight to safety by investors.
“The improvement in mortgage rates was wholly underwhelming relative to the news headlines — likely because it’s far from the first such threat from Russia, or because traders are skeptical that anyone wants to push any of the red buttons on the “mutually assured destruction” machine,” wrote Matthew Graham, chief operating officer at Mortgage News Daily.
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Dreame L40 Ultra ****** vacuum review
Dreame L40 Ultra ****** vacuum review
Dreame L40 Ultra: two-minute review
With its blend of impressive suction power, rotating mop pads, expert navigation and obstacle avoidance, self-cleaning ability and smorgasbord of AI and software features, the Dreame L40 Ultra is a solid hybrid vac-and-mop system for those looking to simplify their home cleaning regime. In fact, it’s one of the best ****** vacuums I’ve tested.
Equipped with advanced LiDAR navigation, the L40 Ultra efficiently and very quickly maps your rooms, cleans in precise patterns and is better than average when it comes to dodging obstacles. With its ample suction power (up to 11,000Pa – up there with the highest you’ll find anywhere), the L40 Ultra handles dust, **** hair and small debris very efficiently, whether it’s on hardwood, tile or low- to medium-pile carpet. It mops exceptionally well, too.
Personally, I would always recommend opting for a ****** model with a self-emptying cleaning system, especially if you have pets. Well the L40 Ultra’s dock not only automatically empties the ******’s tiny onboard bin but it washes its mops, too, and then dries them using warm air. No, it’s not the prettiest looking cleaning station in town but it is equipped with oversized water containers and a much larger dust bag than much of the competition. And that means you’ll spend less time doing maintenance.
You can read more about the Dreame L40 Ultra below but, if you’re in a rush, take it from me that this model is well worth the investment if you’re looking for a competent, reliable and mostly fuss-free hybrid **** to perform the mundane tasks of keeping your floor spaces in tip-top condition on a daily basis.
(Image credit: Future)
Dreame L40 Ultra review: price & availability
List price: $1,499.99 / £999
Launched: October 2024
Available in white only, the Dreame L40 Ultra comes with a list price of $1,499.99 / £999 (although when it first launched it was cheaper, at $1,249.99 / £899). Even though that puts it in TechRadar’s premium price bracket, I think it still represents strong value for money.
The L40 Ultra sits just below the company’s flagship X40 Ultra, which costs around $350 (£250) more, mostly because it comes with an extra laser for improved obstacle avoidance.
In terms of other brands’ offerings, it’s very comparable feature-wise to the Qrevo Master ($1,200 / £949) from Roborock (another Xiaomi-linked company), which sports roughly the same level of suction power and very similar onboard tech, including an extendable side brush arm and rear mop for precise edging.
You can buy direct from Dreame, or head to a third party retailer like Amazon. Seasonal shopping events always include strong ****** vacuum deals, and the ****** Friday sales can be a particularly good time to shop.
Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5
Dreame L40 Ultra specs
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Max suction:
11,000Pa
****** diameter:
13.8″ / 35cm
****** height:
4.1″ / 10.4cm
Dock dimensions (W x D x H):
18 x 13.4 x 23.3″ / 45.7 x 34 x 59.1cm
Dust bin volume (onboard):
Not stated
Dust bin volume (base):
3.2L
Water tank volume (dock):
4.5L clean, 4L ******
Base type:
Charge, self-empty dust, drain and refill water, detergent dispensing, mop washing and drying
Max noise:
71dB in Max+ mode
Dreame L40 Ultra review: design
Superb vacuuming and mopping features
Full self-cleaning dock
Large, jarring clean base
Backed by ******** behemoth Xiaomi, Dreame is fast becoming a major player in the ever-expanding arena of ****** vacuum cleaners and ****** mops, and this high-end hybrid model comprising a 2-in-1 vacuum and mopping system is a sterling example of just how much attention to technical detail the company applies to its products, especially when it comes to features, navigation and onboard smarts. In fact, there are many similarities between the L40 Ultra and class-leader Roborock’s premium Qrevo Curv and S8 MaxV Ultra models, only this one’s for affordable to buy.
(Image credit: Future)
Before I get down to the nuts and bolts, I should address the elephant in the room – namely the size and design of the L40 Ultra’s charging dock-****-cleaning station. This white-only model’s dock is 59cm in height, 41cm in depth and 34cm in width, and it’s clad almost entirely in plastic that attracts **** hair and dust like a cowpat attracts flies. To break up the monotony of so much white, the L40 Ultra also comes with a blingy, rose gold-tinted dustbin cover that some users may actually like. I don’t.
Moving on to the robovac itself. Let’s start with the little side rotating brush that all ****** vacs are equipped with to fling any debris that sits outside of their chassis into the path of the main brush roller. In the vast majority of models the brush is fixed in position and its bristles can only stretch an inch or so beyond the machine’s bodywork, which makes cleaning right-angled corners near impossible.
(Image credit: Future)
Well, like some of the top end Roborock models, this one is equipped with an articulating side brush mount that pops out on an arm by a few inches so the spinning bristles can reach deep into corners. This is a game-changer because it means you might not need to reach for a hand vac to finish the job. Also, unlike any other model I’ve tested, this one’s side brush doesn’t engage when on carpet and that means its bristles will last longer and will be less likely to snag on a rug tassel or wrap itself in a wayward shoelace.
(Image credit: Future)
The same thing applies to the L40 Ultra’s mopping system, which uses two magnetically attached circular spinning mops on the rear that do an impressive job of keeping hard floors dust- and stain-free. Like Roborock’s flagship models, the L40 Ultra’s right-hand mop automatically protrudes beyond the chassis by several inches when the device is cleaning around chair legs and along skirting boards. But more than that, this model’s mops are automatically ejected and left behind in the base station whenever the **** is out on a vacuum-only run.
Yes, the L40 Ultra’s mops will retract when on carpet by 10.5mm, but the thinking behind this particular system is that it’s better for any carpet that the **** may need to cross en-route to a vacuum-only session to not have any mops fitted at all. And so it leaves them behind in the dock, just in case. After all, you ideally don’t want any ****** wet mops possibly touching the fibers of your favorite deep-pile rug lest they leave some unsightly marks.
(Image credit: Future)
Like most modern hybrid units, the L40 Ultra’s dock not only charges the ******’s ample 5,200mAh battery between cleaning sessions, it also sucks debris from the ******’s tiny 300ml bin into a much larger 2.3-liter dust bag. This should happily last a month or two before needing to be disposed of, unless, like me, you have a menagerie of hairy pets.
(Image credit: Future)
Because this model also mops, it has two huge water tanks – 4.5 liters for the clean water and an equally voluminous 4 liters for the ****** stuff. I should also add that this model ships with a small 200ml bottle of Dreame-branded floor cleaning solution, which you pour into a separate reservoir next to the dust bag section. This solution is then added to the water that’s pumped into the ******’s small water tank before it heads out on a mopping run. Like all similarly styled premium hybrid ****** vacuums, the L40 Ultra’s mops are automatically cleaned in the station on its return and then dried using wafts of warm air.
The ****** itself uses LiDAR, an RGB camera, sensors and AI to help it map and navigate around the home, and it’s one of the very best systems this writer has so far come across. Its initial mapping run was not only fast but exceptionally accurate, too. In fact, it was the first **** to accurately divide my downstairs open-plan flooring into four separate rooms where others have either joined two rooms together or made the entire ground floor one large room. Incidentally, the same LiDAR, sensor and camera set up is also used to detect obstacles, and very good it is, too. You can read more about my obstacle testing in the Performance chapter below.
(Image credit: Future)
One of the biggest issues I have with ****** vacs is the propensity of loose rugs I have in every room, and rugs are the ****** vac’s arch nemesis, especially if they’re not fixed down with some of that sticky stuff IKEA sells to keep rugs from slipping on hard floor. Well I’m pleased to report that at no time has the L40 Ultra snagged itself on any rug tassels or ruffled up any rugs while traversing them. I put this down to some extra height at the front of the unit that allows it to ride over almost any rug, no matter how thin and slippery it is. Top marks in this regard.
For some reason, most ****** manufacturers still insist on producing circular bots instead D- or square-shaped models. As a result, the main suction area on this model is positioned between its two side wheels with 9cm or non-suction space on either side of its single rubber roller. This is normal for most bots and invariably why they are equipped with a side brush to fling wayward matter into the path of the suction roller. And speaking of suction, this model produces 11,000Pa of power, which is above average and more than enough oomph for hard floors and all but the deepest of carpet pile.
Unlike Roborock and a few other manufacturers that equip their bots with two rubber brush rollers that run in tandem, this model has just one 17cm roller. Nevertheless, I haven’t seen any significant reduction in dust collection as a result of having just one. As an added bonus, this model also ships with what Dreame calls a TriCut Brush, specifically designed for cutting loose hair so it doesn’t bundle together and block the main suction tube in the cleaning base when it’s drawing debris from the ******’s bin. It’s worth fitting this replacement roller if you have cats or dogs of the shedding variety.
(Image credit: Future)
You get ultrasonic automatic carpet detection and five levels of vacuuming power with this model – Quiet, Standard, Turbo, Max and Max+ – and a sliding scale of mop wetness depending on how ****** your hard floor is and whether it’s tile, vinyl or delicate wood. I always set vacuum power to either Turbo, Max or Max+ for full efficiency and, because I have engineered wooden floors, somewhere in the middle of the moistness chart when mopping.
****** vacs of this nature are usually really easy to set up and this one is no different. Simply remove the dock and ****** from the box, place the dock somewhere with good access to all your rooms and fill up the fresh water tank (the dust bag is pre-fitted). Next download the Dreame app (iOS and Google), tap the plus sign, select the L40 Ultra and follow the on-screen instructions. A voice assistant will chip in with odd vocal announcements during both setup and day-to-day use, and it goes without saying that this model will also respond to your own voice commands if that is your wont.
Design score: 4.5 out of 5
Dreame L40 Ultra review: performance
Excellent vacuum skills
Decent mopping, too
Impressive self-cleaning dock
The model Dreame L40 Ultra is an excellent navigator and a stalwart performer when traversing loose rugs. But how well does the L40 Ultra actually clean? Well, if the contents of the dock’s dust bag are anything to go by, I’d say it’s a winner, especially at collecting the wayward dog and cat hair that my home seems to be engulfed in. In fact, I can often hear that reassuring whoomph sound as another cardigan’s worth of hair is being sucked out of the ****’s bin and into the dock’s larger-than-average dust bag. What’s more, this bin-emptying sequence isn’t too loud either.
(Image credit: Future)
I have no issues to report regarding this model’s efficiency at collecting dust and debris whether it’s on my hard wooden flooring, the especially hairy carpeted rug sitting in front of my dogs’ bed or the entire floorspace of our village hall. It just heads out, cleans the edges first before embarking on systematic parallel lines for the rest of the room and then returning to its dock like clockwork. You can even adjust the frequency with which it returns to its dock to empty the bin.
I’ve been especially impressed with how well the L40 Ultra has tackled our large village hall. After mapping the 110 square meter area in about seven minutes, it then proceeded to start cleaning the edges and under any tables and chairs before sweeping the main floorspace in perfect parallel lines and what’s more, in the direction in which the floorboards were *****. Granted it seemed to skirt around three small areas for some bizarre reason but I still call it a great success.
To date, the L40 Ultra has held enough juice to vacuum the hall’s entire floorspace in one fell swoop, while in Turbo mode. That’s a remarkable statistic. It took 95 minutes to complete what I consider a huge task for any ****** vac with an amazing 54% of battery power still remaining.
(Image credit: Future)
The same level of efficiency applies to its mopping system, which is better than any static pad-based moppers out there. No, it won’t replace a mop and bucket (or one of the best wet-dry vacuums) for rapid stain removal, mostly because it’s too much hassle commanding a ****** to mop a specific area that’s only a few inches square.
By the time you’ve opened the app, selected a rough zonal area and waited for the **** to get there, you could have reached down with a damp paper towel and cleaned it up in a thrice. Nevertheless, I did perform such a test on a dried soy sauce stain and was impressed by how well the L40 Ultra dealt with it in three short passes. I put that down to those spinning mops and the downward pressure exerted on them.
(Image credit: Future)
Of course, the idea with ****** mops is that, if scheduled, they will ensure that any hard floors are kept clean and tidy on a regular basis – and in this case right to the very edge – without any need for reaching for a wet mop, tea towel or paper toweling.
For most of my review *******, I generally let the L40 Ultra use its CleanGenius method which purportedly uses AI to identify particularly grubby areas for extended cleaning. I mainly set different vacuum-only and mop-only schedules, even though the **** will happily perform both methods of cleaning during the same time frame. And as I’ve mentioned above, if performing a dual vac-and-mop function, the L40 Ultra’s mops are raised by a couple of centimeters whenever it’s crossing a patch of carpet and, if vacuuming only, it will leave the mops in the charging dock.
(Image credit: Future)
Obstacle avoidance is a key element when it comes to ****** vacs because the last thing you want is a jammed up ****** sitting there doing nothing while you’re out and about. I give this model almost full marks for obstacle avoidance, though I wouldn’t trust it with avoiding dog mess or some items below about two-inches in height.
I noticed this when I ***** out an obstacle course comprising a trainer with wayward laces, a neck buff, a woolen glove, a small dog toy and a phone cable. Amazingly, the L40 avoided the trainer and its two extended laces, the neck buff and the phone wire in three different tests. However, it pushed a small soft dog toy forward on two occasions and rode over the glove, thankfully without it jamming up the suction roller.
Hence, like most ****** vacs, this model is not infallible when it comes to items less than about two-inches in height. And that means I wouldn’t want to trust it with dog mess of any variety. Other than that common anomaly, I give this **** full marks for performance.
Performance score: 5 out of 5
Dreame L40 Ultra review: app
Easy to navigate
Good customization options
Could be improved here and there
While you can perform two very simple commands – clean and return to home – by tapping two buttons on the ****** itself or by shouting ‘Hey Dreame, clean the kitchen’ and the like, the vast majority of setting up and customization must be done via the Dreame app, which you can download to your phone for free from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
(Image credit: Future)
The Dream app is very reminiscent of that from Roborock and it’s very well thought out and easy to navigate. However, there are some elements I’d like to see improved, especially zone cleaning – which doesn’t save the command for later use – and the ability to set routines along with daily schedules. That’s what I love about the Roborock app. It allows me to create a bunch of manually programmed routines and specific zone cleaning regimes and it saves them all for instant recall from the home page of the app.
(Image credit: Future)
On the plus side, the Dreame app lets you see the entire map of your floor plan in either 2D or 3D, and make adjustments like room merging, division and renaming, plus handy stuff like being able to add virtual walls and no-go zones. You can even select the direction of your wooden floors so the **** moves in the direction of the seams for more effective dust collection.
The app also allows you to drive the **** around the home remotely while viewing the scene from the front camera – a handy feature for checking on pets when you’re away from home. In the pantheon of ****** vacuum apps I’d say it’s one of the better ones but still a little way off the wholesale customization possibilities provided by the likes of Roborock.
Should you buy the Dreame L40 Ultra?
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value
Premium, but not the priciest on the market. For performance and the amount of tech smarts you’re getting, it’s good value.
4.5/5
Design
A well-designed combo vacuum and mop with features for tackling edges, and droppable mop pads. Dock does it all, but is large and ugly.
4.5/5
Performance
An excellent performer whether it’s vacuuming or mopping.
5/5
App
Easy to use and very comprehensive, though a tweak or two would elevate it further.
4.5/5
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
How I tested the Dreame L40 Ultra
As per usual, I spent two weeks living with the Dream L40 Ultra and noted where possible any anomalies in its cleaning patterns. Thankfully there are none to report. I also performed a number of spot checks by programming it to clean a specific dog rug and a section of hard flooring with an ingrained stain. I also took into consideration its overall performance and whether or not it fitted comfortably within a home environment.
Read more about how we test ****** vacuum cleaners.
First reviewed November 2024
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E.On to pay out £14.5m after billing errors, Ofgem rules
E.On to pay out £14.5m after billing errors, Ofgem rules
Almost 100,000 E.On customers with pre-payment metres will receive an average of £144 each because of an billing error by the energy supplier, the regulator Ofgem has said.
E.On ******* to pay the credit in the accounts of mostly vulnerable customers who had ended their contract with the supplier in a mandatory six-week window.
It will now pay both the credit and millions in compensation to the customers affected between February 2021 and September 2023.
Ofgem called the error “unacceptable”. E.On said it was “deeply sorry” and that all identified affected customers have been contacted.
It added it has “since made significant changes to prevent it from happening again”.
The pre-payment customers, who are “often vulnerable”, were not made aware they were in credit when they cancelled their contracts, Ofgem said.
The credit amounted to £4.7m in total, but E.On is required to pay £6.6m compensation and has voluntarily agreed to pay £3.2m.
Ofgem said the £14.5m total payment is “in recognition of the impact on its customers, many of which may have faced financial difficulty”.
In cases where the customer cannot be identified, Ofgem said E.On will pay into the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme – a charity which supports vulnerable energy customers.
E.On has also agreed to write-off debt held by almost 150,000 prepayment customers who cancelled their accounts over the same *******.
Ofgem said that it is progressing claims “against other suppliers on the same issue”.
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FromSoftware’s Parent Company Kadokawa has Confirmed Sony’s Intent to Acquire The Company
FromSoftware’s Parent Company Kadokawa has Confirmed Sony’s Intent to Acquire The Company
·
·
November 20, 2024
Following reports that Sony was in talks to acquire FromSoftware’s parent company Kadokawa, Kadokawa has confirmed that Sony has expressed interest in acquiring the company.
The update comes following mass media reports, which originated from Reuters, that talks between the companies were ongoing.
The full statement reads, “There are some articles on the acquisition of KADOKAWA Corporation (hereinafter “the Company”) by Sony Group Inc. However, this information is not announced by the Company. The Company has received an initial letter of intent to acquire the Company’s shares, but no decision has been made at this time. If there are any facts that should be announced in the future, we will make an announcement in a timely and appropriate manner.”
Presently, Kadokawa owns a 70% stake in FromSoftware, and Sony has around a 14% share. Rolling it up, Sony already has a 2% stake in Kadokawa Corporation, but other gaming titans, like Tencent, also own a piece of the company.
It’s unclear at what stage the talks are currently at, so if the ******* for the acquisition is successful, it could be a while before any announcement is made.
What do you think of Sony trying to acquire Kadokawa? Let us know on the Insider Gaming forum.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news about the *********’s Creed Syndicate 60 FPS update
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Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro and OnePlus 13 With Snapdragon 8 Elite Deliver Impressive Results in Early Battery Test
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro and OnePlus 13 With Snapdragon 8 Elite Deliver Impressive Results in Early Battery Test
Qualcomm unveiled its Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform during its annual Snapdragon Summit last month, and brands including Xiaomi, OnePlus, Realme, and Asus released phones with the new processor inside, following the chipmaker’s announcement. It is built on TSMC’s 3nm process technology and is claimed to offer 44 percent improved power efficiency compared with its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. Now, early tests with two of the first devices using the chip have revealed some significant battery life improvements.
YouTuber Dave2D posted a video offering insights about the battery life and performance of Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro and OnePlus 13. Both models run on the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip are compared with their predecessors in the video. The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro and OnePlus 13 have a 5,800mAh and 6,000mAh battery, respectively, while their predecessors were equipped with 5,500mAh (ROG Phone 8) and 5,400mAh (OnePlus 12) batteries.
The video notes that the battery life of the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro surged to 14.29 hours from the 11 hours of the ROG Phone 8 Pro (with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) in the PCMark battery test. Similarly, the OnePlus 13’s battery lasted 17.25 hours in the same test, up from 12.13 hours offered by the OnePlus 12 (with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3). The tests indicate significant improvement in battery life over previous generation phones and the YouTuber attributes the advancements to the new Snapdragon chip.
He also ran a few more tests highlighting the performance potential of the new chip. On Genshin Impact, the ROG Phone 9 Pro offered nearly five hours of battery life whereas the predecessor lasted up to 3.42 hours.
Similarly, the OnePlus 13’s battery life is impressive at 5.39 hours with Genshin Impact, while the OnePlus 12 lasted only 3.51 hours. In his video, Dave2D says the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC is energy efficient and offers battery longevity alongside battery health.
During the launch event, Qualcomm claimed a 44 percent improvement in power efficiency for the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip over its predecessor. It is also promised to deliver up to 45 percent better CPU performance and up to 40 percent improved GPU performance. The mobile platform has an Oryon CPU with a custom eight-core structure with prime cores clocked at 4.32GHz and performance cores with a peak frequency of 3.53GHz.
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Met officers investigated over pregnant woman’s police ****** ******
Met officers investigated over pregnant woman’s police ****** ******
Two Metropolitan Police officers are under ********* investigation after a pregnant woman and her baby ***** in a collision with an unmarked police car in south-east London.
The woman, 38, who was in the full-term of her pregnancy, was driving a car which was hit by an unmarked police car on 17 October on Kidbrooke Park Road, Eltham.
Her car was hit by one of two police cars that were responding to an unrelated incident.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), said the officers were being investigated for potential driving offences including causing ****** by dangerous driving.
Both officers are also being investigated for potential ****** misconduct proceedings, the IOPC said.
A third officer, who was a passenger in the car involved in the ******, is also being investigated for potential misconduct.
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Why Sony’s Most Ambitious Update With The PlayStation Portal Still Isn’t Enough to Compete With the Steam Deck or ROG Ally?
Why Sony’s Most Ambitious Update With The PlayStation Portal Still Isn’t Enough to Compete With the Steam Deck or ROG Ally?
Sony is coming up with its most ambitious update with the PlayStation Portal. The company has confirmed that the Portal is set to go through a massive change that is going to redefine the portable console completely.
PS Portal is going through a massive change. Image Credit: Sony
However, despite this update, it will take years for it to be on par with the Stem Deck or ROG Ally since these are some of the best ones in the market right now and Sony is miles away from catching up, largely due to its own doing.
Sony Has Finally Decided To Give Players An Updated Version of PlayStation Portal
Some players considered the PS Portal not as useful earlier. Image Credit: Sony
Sony recently confirmed that it is working on a beta project that will enable cloud service gaming on the PS Portal for the first time ever. If this materializes successfully, then you will not need a PS5 to play games on the Portal, making it much more useful than before.
PS Portal was launched with a lot of restrictions, which massively decreased its appeal in the market. It does not stand alone as an independent console but is rather dependent on the PS5 to run games. It was nothing more than a controller with a screen.
However, things might begin to change if the beta manages to make a successful run in the market. The cloud services will only include limited games, so not everything will be available all at once, and it does come with a few restrictions attached to it. This is largely why it is speculated that even after implementing cloud services successfully, it is not going to come anywhere near Steam Deck or ROG Ally, for now at least.
Sony is urging players to participate in the beta and help it test out this latest software update. To play these games, you will need a minimum internet speed of 7 Mbps to stream at 720p and 13 Mbps to stream at 1080p. The beta will be devoid of a lot of things, including game trials, streaming games purchased on the PS Store, system features such as party voice chat and game invites for select games, a create button, 3D audio, and in-game commerce.
It Is High Time We Get A Decent Portable Console From Sony
Sony finally amends for its rigid attitude in the past. Image Credit: Sony
PS Portal is useless to use independently. At least such was the case before the recent update was announced. It seems like Sony is planning something big now, and it might be for the better.
It is high time Sony let players use the Portal independently without having to purchase a PS5. What the future holds for the console is still not clear since we will only get a clear picture once the beta rolls out.
After assessing the performance of the beta version of the update, it will be determined whether or not Sony will go forward with making this change permanent. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments below.
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Indian Air Force Collaborates With IISc and FSID to Develop Strategy for Reliability-Centered Maintenance
Indian Air Force Collaborates With IISc and FSID to Develop Strategy for Reliability-Centered Maintenance
The Indian Air Force (IAF), through its Base Repair Depot at Panchwati, Palam, has formalised a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID), Bengaluru. The agreement was signed on Monday in Bengaluru in a ceremony attended by senior officials, including Air Vice Marshal VRS Raju, Deputy Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, Headquarters Maintenance Command, Air Commodore Harsh Bahl, and the Air Officer Commanding of the Base Repair Depot. Representing IISc and FSID were Captain Sridhar Warrier (Retd.), Registrar, IISc, and Professor B Gurumoorthy, Director, FSID.
Objective of the Agreement
The collaboration aims to address challenges faced by the IAF in maintaining and servicing equipment across radar systems, aircraft, IT, and communication platforms. The focus will be on developing a strategic roadmap for reliability-centred maintenance, with an emphasis on research and development (R&D).
Advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Digital Twin-based systems will be explored to enhance lifecycle management, predictive maintenance, and resource optimisation.
Collaboration Highlights
This partnership will enable both organisations to share access to testing facilities. It will be creating a mutually beneficial framework. It is also expected to foster academic collaboration, with IAF personnel engaging in postgraduate programmes at IISc and participating in ****** R&D initiatives. By leveraging the expertise of IISc and FSID, the IAF aims to strengthen its operational efficiency and technological capabilities.
Among the key outcomes expected from the partnership, IAF aims to develop strategies for reduced maintenance costs, advanced maintenance techniques, improved equipment reliability, and enhanced operational readiness.
Impact on Defence Indigenisation
The initiative aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat programme by promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing. It is anticipated that this collaboration will encourage participation from startups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and other industry stakeholders, further accelerating indigenisation in the defence sector.
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Argentina make single change for France clash
Argentina make single change for France clash
Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi have made one change to his starting line-up for Friday’s Test against France in Paris, bringing in Gonzalo Garcia at scrumhalf to replace Gonzalo Bertranou.
Argentina are playing the last game of their three-match November international schedule and after a narrow 22-19 loss to Ireland in Dublin last Friday, the coach did not see much need for change.
Bertranou drops out of the matchday 23, with Lautaro Bazan Velez on the substitute bench as back-up scrumhalf.
Left wing Mateo Carreras and flanker Marcos Kremer, who both returned to the squad on Monday, were also named among the replacements.
Kremer hobbled off in the second half of Argentina’s 29-28 home victory over South ******* in September and has missed the last three internationals with a knee injury.
The 24-year-old Carreras sat out the comprehensive 50-18 win over Italy in Udine on November 9 and last Friday’s Test in Dublin because he stayed at home for the birth of his first child.
Team: 15-Juan Cruz Mallia, 14-Rodrigo Isgro, 13-Lucio Cinti, 12-Matias Moroni, 11-Bautista Delguy, 10-Tomas Albornoz, 9-Gonzalo Garcia, 8-Joaquin Oviedo, 7-Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6-Pablo Matera, 5-Pedro Rubiolo, 4-Guido Petti, 3-Joel Sclavi, 2-Julian Montoya (capt), 1-Thomas Gallo. Sibstitutes: 16-Ignacio Ruiz, 17-Ignacio Calles, 18-Francisco Gomez Kodela, 19-Franco Molina, 20-Marcos Kremer, 21-Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22-Santiago Carreras, 23-Mateo Carreras.
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Star Wars Outlaws: 3 Game Awards Nominations
Star Wars Outlaws: 3 Game Awards Nominations
Star Wars Outlaws Earns 3 Game Awards Nominations: Best Action/Adventure, Accessibility Innovation & Humberly González’s Performance as Kay Vess
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NASA Explains Cause Behind the Moon Drifting Away From Earth
NASA Explains Cause Behind the Moon Drifting Away From Earth
The Moon is gradually moving farther from Earth, a phenomenon explained by NASA scientists as a result of complex gravitational interactions. Currently, the Moon drifts away at a rate of approximately 4 centimetres per year, a process influenced by tidal forces between the Earth and its satellite. This steady separation, though imperceptible on a human timescale, has profound implications for the Earth-Moon system and its long-term evolution, as per the space agency.
The Role of Tidal Forces in the Moon’s Drift
Earth’s gravitational pull creates bulges in the Moon’s shape, while the Moon’s gravity exerts similar forces on Earth, most notably on its oceans. However, the tidal bulges on Earth lag slightly behind the Moon’s position due to the time it takes for water to respond to gravitational changes, says NASA. This lag generates friction, slowing Earth’s rotation and transferring energy to the Moon, pushing it into a higher orbit.
NASA explains that this interaction causes the Moon to drift and lengthens Earth’s day by about 2 milliseconds per century. Over billions of years, this dynamic exchange of energy has significantly shaped the relationship between the two celestial bodies.
Implications for the Distant Future
If the process continues for another 50 billion years, the Moon’s orbit will become so vast that Earth itself could become tidally locked to the Moon. This would mean that only one hemisphere of Earth would ever see the Moon in the sky. A similar phenomenon is already observed in the Pluto-Charon system, where the two bodies are mutually tidally locked.
While such changes occur on timescales far beyond human experience, they highlight the ongoing evolution of the Earth-Moon system, which began when the Moon formed around 4.5 billion years ago. NASA’s research continues to unravel the complexities of these tidal interactions, offering insights into planetary systems within and beyond our solar system.
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Goodbye to grease: Philips launches self-cleaning air fryer to save you scrubbing
Goodbye to grease: Philips launches self-cleaning air fryer to save you scrubbing
The Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Steam Air Fryer is available now
The fryer has a steam-cleaning mode to remove stubborn grease
It can steam and air fry two dishes simultaneously, with synced finish times
Philips has launched a new two-in-one air fryer and steamer, which has a self-cleaning cycle to prevent built-up of **** from your fries and chicken wings. The Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Steam Air Fryer lets you use two different cooking methods at once, making it easier to prepare a balanced meal.
During our years of testing here on TechRadar, we’ve found that even the best air fryers can be a hassle to keep clean. You may be able to put some baskets or racks in the dishwasher (always check the instruction manual to make sure it’s safe first) but the rest of the machine is often prone to getting greasy. Using abrasive cleaners risks damaging the appliance.
That’s not a problem with the 5000 Series, which uses its built-in steam generator to remove **** from the large basket and around the heating tube, which would normally be tricky to get thoroughly clean.
(Image credit: Philips)
Two in one
Two-in-one appliances that combine a microwave or a toaster oven with an air fryer are quite common, and can be a good way to save space on your kitchen counter but air fryer/steamer hybrids are much rarer.
As our colleagues at T3 explain, the new dual Philips fryer has one three-liter basket and one six-liter basket, which can be set to use different cooking methods and synced to finish at the same time. That means you can steam your green beans and carrots while air frying your chicken wings without risking either being over-cooked.
The Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Steam Air Fryer is available now from John Lewis for £249.99, or for AU$499 from JB Hi-Fi (about $300).
If you’ve been thinking of picking up an air fryer, this is the perfect time. Our roundup of the best ****** Friday air fryer deals feature hand-picked lists of all the biggest savings in the US and the ***, and features only air fryers from reputable brands that you can trust.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable ****** Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
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Pivotal Research hikes Netflix price target to Street-high $1,100 after Tyson-Paul ******
Pivotal Research hikes Netflix price target to Street-high $1,100 after Tyson-Paul ******
Netflix’s record-breaking boxing match between legend Mike Tyson and influencer Jake Paul cements the company’s status as the winner in streaming, according to Pivotal Research Group. The firm raised its price target on Netflix to a Wall Street-high $1,100. That target, up from $925, implies upside of 26.2%. Pivotal said the change accounts for higher medium- and long-term subscriber and revenue estimates following the bout. The event shown on Netflix notched 65 million live concurrent streams and 108 million total live viewers worldwide, making it the most-streamed global sporting event on record. “Importantly, given the success of the Tyson/Paul ****** we expect Netflix to accelerate its offerings of ‘eventized’ live programming, which further enhances NFLX’s ability to offer households regular compelling content (juiced by the fact their competitors are now selling previously exclusive content to NFLX) = likely lower subscriber churn and greater ability to take price,” analyst Jeffrey Wlodarczak wrote in a Wednesday note. Netflix’s large free cash flow and strong subscriber numbers stand in contrast to its competitors, which are struggling with substantial losses and “mediocre” subscriber results, according to the analyst. “While not necessarily needed by NFLX, we believe other streaming players/media players will have no choice but to continue to sell their premium library content to NFLX to offset their own poor returns in streaming (and to tap into NFLX’s ~600M global viewers to increase the content value), which enhances the value of NFLX service allowing them to drive higher subscriber growth,” Wlodarczak added. Netflix shares have rallied nearly 79% in 2024. NFLX YTD mountain Netflix shares in 2024 “Our view ******** unchanged that Netflix has won the global streaming race as evidenced by YTD results/raised guidance (especially relative to its streaming peers’ results), and this is what, in our opinion, winning looks like,” the analyst said.
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Target (TGT) Q3 2024 earnings
Target (TGT) Q3 2024 earnings
Target on Wednesday missed Wall Street’s quarterly earnings and revenue expectations and posted only a slight uptick in customer traffic, despite the discounter’s price cuts on thousands of items and its early holiday *****.
The big-box retailer reversed course and cut its full-year profit guidance, just three months after hiking that forecast. It said it expects full-year adjusted earnings per share to range from $8.30 to $8.90. That’s lower than the $9 to $9.70 per share range that it shared in August and below the $9.55 a share expected by analysts, according to StreetAccount.
Target now expects fourth quarter comparable sales to be approximately flat. That metric includes sales on its website and stores open at least 13 months.
Target missed Wall Street’s earnings per share estimate by 20%, its biggest miss in two years. It also marked its first revenue miss since Aug. 2023.
On a call with reporters, CEO Brian Cornell said “lingering softness in discretionary categories” and costs associated with rushing shipments and preparing for the short-lived port strike in October hurt the company’s quarterly performance.
Chief Operating Officer Michael Fiddelke said “it’s disappointing that a deceleration in discretionary demand combined with some cost pressures have caused us to take our guidance back down after raising it last quarter.” But he added that Target feels confident in its long-term outlook.
Here’s what Target reported for the three-month ******* that ended Nov. 2 compared with what Wall Street expected, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:
Earnings per share: $1.85 vs. $2.30 expectedRevenue: $25.67 vs. $25.90 billion expected
Target, which is known for its cheap chic spin on clothing, home goods and other discretionary merchandise, has struggled to attract steady foot traffic and higher sales. Shoppers have been selective about spending after cumulative years of pricier food, housing and more.
To woo price-sensitive consumers, Target announced in May that it would cut prices on about 5,000 frequently purchased items, including diapers, bread and milk. It announced another wave of price reductions in October on more than 2,000 items during the holiday season, including cold medicine, toys and ice cream.
Target said it will have lowered prices on more than 10,000 items this year by the end of the holiday season.
Target offered those discounts after hearing from shoppers about “the importance of value and affordability,” Chief Commercial Officer Rick Gomez said. He added the price cuts on frequency items leaves more room in customers’ budgets to splurge on products that they want, whether it’s a new outfit or beauty item.
Yet those price cuts weren’t enough to lift Target’s performance in the fiscal third quarter.
Target eked out a comparable sales gain of 0.3%, as shoppers spent more on its website but less at its stores. That fell short of the 1.5% gains that analysts expected, according to StreetAccount.
Target’s fiscal third-quarter net income tumbled about 12% to $854 million, or $1.85 per share, from $971 million, or $2.10 per share, in the year-ago quarter. Revenue rose from $25.40 billion in the year-ago *******.
Customer traffic across Target’s stores and website grew 2.4% year over year. Digital sales were a bright spot, growing 10.8% year over year because of double-digit gains with curbside pickup and almost 20% gains with same-day home deliveries. Comparable store sales, however, declined 1.9% year over year.
Customers gravitated toward food and everyday essentials during the quarter, along with beauty items. Comparable sales in that category, which includes sales at Ulta Beauty shops inside of Target, grew more than 6%. Two other categories, food & beverage and essentials, posted low single-digit gains compared with the year-ago *******.
The Minneapolis-based retailer’s results clash with trends at Walmart, which on Tuesday reported improving sales trends in discretionary merchandise for the second quarter in a row. Walmart also said it’s gaining market share among upper-income households.
The two big-box retailers, however, have a different sales mix, as groceries account for about 60% of Walmart’s U.S. business but only about 23% of Target’s in the most recent fiscal year, according to the companies’ financial filings.
Gomez said the retailer is contending with savvy and selective shoppers who aren’t willing to buy until the price is right.
“Consumers have become increasingly resourceful and strategic on how they shop,” he said. “They know deals are out there. They’re willing to search for them, and they’ll wait for the exact right moment to head into our stores or log on to our app.”
For example, Gomez said the week ahead of Target’s Circle Week, a promotional event in October, was quieter. But it was the biggest Circle Week to date in terms of sales, and 3 million new members signed up for Target’s loyalty program, he added.
Gomez said Target is seeing momentum when it offers eye-catching merchandise, such as debuting new workout gear, **** accessories, seasonal flavors of food or a fresh hair care line.
Higher supply-chain costs posed another challenge in the quarter, Fiddelke said. As the company geared up for the port strike, which wound up lasting only a few days, Target rerouted and rushed shipments and loaded up on inventory to make sure it had the merchandise that it needed for the holiday season.
“That came at a cost,” he said. “It meant we were fuller a little bit earlier in the quarter than we would like to be, and we’re never quite as efficient when our buildings are full, but we felt like that was the right decision to really protect the guest experience.”
Shares of Target have lagged behind the S&P 500. As of Tuesday’s close, Target’s stock is up about 9.5% this year, compared to the S&P 500’s approximately 24% gains during the same time *******. The company’s stock price of $156 is also well off the pandemic highs, when its stock rose to nearly $270.
– CNBC’s Robert Hum contributed to this report.
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SpaceX Launches India’s GSAT-20 Satellite, Providing Boost to Broadband and Satellite Communication
SpaceX Launches India’s GSAT-20 Satellite, Providing Boost to Broadband and Satellite Communication
India’s advanced GSAT-20 satellite has come under the control of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) following a successful deployment by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. Launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday, the satellite aims to enhance broadband connectivity throughout India, with a particular focus on rural and remote regions and the ability to enable in-flight internet services.
Smooth Transition to ISRO’s Master Control Facility
The initial communication and control of GSAT-20 were transferred to ISRO’s Master Control Facility (MCF) in Hassan, Karnataka, early Wednesday. ISRO confirmed that the satellite, weighing 4,700 kg, is in good health, and all systems are fully functional. Teams at the MCF are now conducting a series of complex orbital manoeuvres to guide GSAT-20 from its transfer orbit to a geostationary orbit at an altitude of approximately 36,000 kilometres.
Orbital Adjustment and Testing to Begin
Over the coming days, the satellite’s onboard propulsion system will be used for orbit-raising procedures, a process that is expected to take about two weeks. Once in its final orbit, GSAT-20 will undergo in-orbit testing to verify the performance of its high-capacity Ka-band payload. This payload has the capacity to deliver data transmission speeds up to 48 Gbps, making GSAT-20 India’s most advanced communication satellite to date.
Significance of India’s Connectivity Goals
GSAT-20 represents a significant achievement in India’s satellite communication capabilities. The Ministry of Science and Technology’s Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted that the satellite will play a key role in extending internet services, particularly in regions with limited connectivity options. The collaboration with SpaceX for the launch marks a strategic step in India’s increasing involvement in global space initiatives.
Looking Ahead
The GSAT-20 launch and its operational success reflect India’s expanding technological reach in space communication. As the MCF continues to monitor and adjust the satellite’s positioning, expectations remain high for the positive impact it will bring to India’s connectivity infrastructure.
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Danish Navy tails ******** ship suspected in ********* undersea cable sabotage — Sweden’s Defense Ministry put freighter at the time and place of the disruption
Danish Navy tails ******** ship suspected in ********* undersea cable sabotage — Sweden’s Defense Ministry put freighter at the time and place of the disruption
Denmark has sent two of its ships, the HDMS Hvidbjoernen, an ocean patrol frigate, and the DNK Navy Patrol P525, a smaller patrol craft, to shadow the ******** Bulk Carrier Yi Peng 3. The ******** vessel is suspected to be connected with the cutting of two undersea internet cables that connect Finland and Sweden to Central Europe, reports MSN.
The undersea cable connecting Sweden to Lithuania was the first to be hit, sustaining damage around Sunday, November 17, 2024. The Finland-Germany undersea cable was then cut the following day. On Tuesday, the Sweden Ministry of Civil Defense announced that it recorded the ship’s movements and placed the Yi Peng 3 within the vicinity of the possible sabotage events.
According to public records, the bulk carrier left Ust-Luga Anchorage, some 50 miles east of St. Petersburg, Russia, last November 15, and that its next destination is Port Said of Egypt. We don’t have any information on her crew or what type of cargo she’s carrying, though.
At the time of writing, Marinetraffic.com puts the ******** ship in the middle of the Kattegatt, the sea bound by Denmark on the west and Sweden in the east. The smaller Danish patrol ship is immediately beside it, while the Hvidbjoernen is located some 15 to 20 miles southwest of the two vessels (although the website says that this position was last updated more than seven hours ago).
Sweden says that it has already dispatched units to the scene of the cut undersea cables to examine the damage and that its police are already investigating the incident. The action of the Danish ships is likely part of a coordinated effort to determine the how and why the undersea cables were cut, especially as the authorities are crying sabotage.
This comes just a few months after NATO said that Russia was mapping undersea fiber optic cables as part of its strategy to disrupt communications. While the involved ship is ******** flagged, the two countries are, if not exactly allies, at least friendly on friendly terms.
The events in the Baltic Sea regarding the suspected sabotage of the undersea cables are currently developing, but we hope that this does not turn into a wider conflict. After all, undersea communications cable goes beyond just providing internet to the general people; it could also carry crucial military and government messaging. This is especially important for Finland, which shares a border with Russia, and Lithuania, which is located north of Belarus — the same country from which ****** launched the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
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