Month: March 2024
Retail spending sees an upswing as the sector experiences a boost from the influence of Taylor Swift.
Retail trade received a significant boost through February fueled by Taylor Swift's widespread popularity following her seven sold-out arena concerts in Melbourne and Sydney. This surge in consumer spending encompassed dining out, apparel purchases, and merchandise, leading to a 0.3 percent increase in retail spending, as reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday, slightly below the anticipated 0.4 percent rise. However, when the impact of the Eras Tour was excluded, underlying retail spending showed signs[more...]
The QunaSys Workshop delves into exploring the potential of quantum computing in engineering breakthroughs.
In a recent announcement, QunaSys Inc., a pioneering quantum technology startup, has launched an initiative inviting experts to evaluate the transformative impact of quantum computing in Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE). This endeavor includes a workshop designed to foster in-depth discussions on the benefits and challenges of integrating quantum computing capabilities into CAE. The workshop serves as a platform for prominent industry figures, including representatives from esteemed organizations like JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration, Murata Manufacturing Co., and[more...]
Apple Watch users are experiencing issues with ‘Ghost Touches,’ but there’s a straightforward solution available.
Multiple instances have surfaced where Apple Watch users encountered 'Ghost Touches,' such as one user reporting that the keyboard spontaneously appeared and typed 'We are in control,' while another inadvertently messaged 'Hello!' via Slack. In these cases, it seems autofill played a significant role in generating the messages, with the screen bombarded by false inputs and quick access to Slack facilitating unintentional messaging. Apple attributes these 'ghost touches' to a software glitch rather than a security breach.[more...]
Microsoft is introducing keyboard and mouse compatibility for Xbox Cloud Gaming titles, marking a significant advancement in accessibility and gameplay options for players.
Kris Holt, a Contributing Reporter, provided an update on March 27, 2024, at 1:31 am GMT+5:30, regarding Microsoft's long-awaited introduction of keyboard and mouse (KBM) support for select Xbox Cloud Gaming titles. Despite initial expectations in March 2022, the implementation was delayed, but now Microsoft is allowing testers on the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring to explore KBM functions on web browsers (Edge and Chrome) and the Xbox PC app. This feature is anticipated to become more widely available[more...]
Intel announces new initiatives aimed at expediting the integration of AI into PCs by 2025.
Intel introduces two new artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives as integral components of the AI PC Acceleration Program. These initiatives combine the AI PC Developer Program and the inclusion of independent hardware vendors (IHVs), serving as key steps in Intel's strategy to optimize and scale AI capabilities across more than 100 million Intel-based AI PCs by 2025. Carla Rodriguez, Intel's vice president and general manager of Client Software Ecosystem Enabling, emphasizes the company's commitment to delivering a seamless[more...]
The cocoa market experiences soaring prices, surpassing $10,000 per tonne, driven by shortages that are tightening the market beyond control.
The price of cocoa surged beyond $10,000 per tonne for the first time on Tuesday, driven by a rapid price escalation triggered by poor harvests in Africa. Cocoa futures reached as high as $10,080 in New York, marking a more than twofold increase from just two months ago, with traders cautioning that a global shortage of cocoa beans could lead to higher prices for chocolate bars. However, prices later retreated to trade at $9,624. Andrew Moriarty, price[more...]
Australia’s inflation rate for February disappoints, registering at 3.4%, falling below market expectations.
For the second consecutive month, inflation remained stable, buoyed by reduced prices in meat and seafood, countering upticks in rents and automotive fuel costs. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on Wednesday that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by only 3.4% year-on-year up to February, maintaining a pace similar to January and December, contrary to economists' expectations of a 3.5% increase in February. Excluding volatile items like fresh produce and fuel, inflation eased from 4.1% in[more...]
Ahead of the February inflation data release, the stock market experiences a decline.
On Tuesday, Australian shares faced a downturn, primarily influenced by a sell-off in technology and resources stocks in anticipation of significant inflation data releases domestically and internationally. By the close of trading, the S&P/ASX200, the benchmark index, declined by 0.4%, or 31.7 points, settling at 7780.2, while the broader All Ordinaries experienced a similar decrease to 8036.7. This decline mirrored a similar trend observed in shares on Wall Street, where the Dow Jones led with a 0.4%[more...]
Australia is being strongly encouraged to abandon coal without exceptions and significantly increase rooftop solar installations by 2030 as part of an intensified effort to swiftly achieve net zero emissions.
A major new report asserts that Australia has a clear imperative to aim for nothing less than net zero emissions by 2035, with the majority of this target achievable by the end of the decade using proven technologies and sensible policies. The Climate Council's report, titled "Seize the Decade," outlines a roadmap for Australia to achieve a 75% reduction in emissions below 2005 levels by 2030 and reach net zero by 2035, aligning with the imperative to[more...]
Oracle and QMware collaborate to democratize access to quantum computing technology.
While quantum computing remains in its nascent stage for widespread application, Swiss startup QMware asserts that it has devised a method to harness the technology's promised performance advantages today. Teaming up with Oracle, they aim to democratize access to hybrid quantum computing power. This collaboration marks Oracle's initial venture into the quantum computing arena, as confirmed by a representative speaking to Silver Linings. Notably, other major cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud, and IBM are already[more...]
