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Emerging AI-Driven Market Makers and DEX Platforms

As the world advances deep into the 21st Century at the start of the second decade, technology and its practical applications have never been greater. Smartphone technology now acts as a primary human-machine interface between a house and its occupants, virtual reality has been made possible and artificial intelligence has inched ever closer to passing the Turing test with Google Duplex[1].

AI has been around since 1955 and although the practical applications have been somewhat underwhelming, the mathematical aspect of the concept in both theory and practice can aid humans with some of the nosy complex problems around; even the first Logic Theorem succeeded at solving 38 of the 52 theorems in Principia Mathematica.

What About Impractical Applications?

AI is now used to control and manage critical infrastructures such as power plants, traffic systems, and high-level manufacturing as well as everyday usage in video gaming, online chatbots, and self-parking vehicles[2]. But AI has some applications born out of pure mathematical functional requirements that the human brain isn’t capable of calculating at speed, if at all, such as lightning-fast trading on permissionless blockchain platforms like Solanax.

Automated Market Maker

Very precise and fast algorithms that provide liquidity to the exchange, automated market makers (AMMs) have, because of their precision, recently been successful at creating prediction markets such as Facebook sports betting application Yoopick that enabled users to predict plays with far more accuracy than usual[3] as well as demonstrating practical trade applications.

Decentralized Exchange

The rise of cryptocurrency has essentially changed the financial world with hugely successful virtual digital assets like Bitcoin, which achieved prices in excess of $60,000 in April 2021[4] however the currency is now in a deflated state. The decentralized nature of cryptocurrency means that a decentralized exchange (DEX) is necessary for the safe and legal trade of assets, without the need for established banks to play a central role in trading and asset movement.

How AMM DEXs are Being Used Today

AMMs were first used in the 1990s as a way to remove the human element when creating order books that caused issues such as slippage and latency in price discovery on the markets[5], and modern blockchain technology provided by platforms like Ethereum is now being used to facilitate trading transactions on the DEX by AMMs across various platforms.

Solanax in particular allows for permissionless, lightning-fast, low-cost transactions and is expected to replace established blockchain platforms as the new crypto standard for DEX platforms. There are various reasons why Solanax is becoming more popular but primarily that Etehreum is becoming more expensive to use while Solanax is cheaper and faster.

Future Revolution

Real artificial intelligence doesn’t resemble that of Hollywood movies but rather revolves around the concept of machine learning that essentially allows for analysis and decision-making faster than the human brain. Complex mathematical calculations can be made in a split second on the right platform which makes AI useful for such things as trading.

AMMs working on DEX seem to make sense as a concept for quick trading and when applied to blockchain transactions for cryptocurrency it just makes sense. However, established DEX networks such as Ethereum are now beginning to become expensive to use and the technology isn’t as fast as contemporary platforms, but if the future of the markets is cryptocurrency, then the future of crypto is in the hands of cutting-edge platforms like Solanax.

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References:

  1. Dataconomy. Which AI has Come Closest to Passing the Turing Test? https://dataconomy.com/2021/03/which-ai-closest-passing-turing-test/
  2. Towards Data Science. How Artificial Intelligence Is Impacting Our Everyday Lives. https://towardsdatascience.com/how-artificial-intelligence-is-impacting-our-everyday-lives-eae3b63379e1
  3. Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science. Automated Market Makers That Enable NewSettings. https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~sandholm/automatedMarketMakersThatEnableNewSettings.AMMA-11.pdf
  4. CoinDesk. Bitcoin Interactive Graph. https://www.coindesk.com/price/bitcoin
  5. CoinMarketCap. Automated Market Maker. https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/automated-market-maker-amm

 

5 Ways Digital Innovation Has Reshaped the Mortgage Industry

The Digital Age has triggered a technological metamorphosis, drastically changing the face of almost every industry you can think of for both the business and the consumer. To no surprise, the mortgage industry is no exception.

Customers now expect the fastest possible results, plus a wide array of digital tools to make the process easier and more convenient for them.

In fact, 80% of potential borrowers would prefer to keep their dealings with mortgage lenders entirely online.

Given this seismic shift, the changing mortgage market has seen lots of new opportunities and shake-ups as the industry faces the ever-changing backdrop of the 21st century.

Spurred state-of-the-art mortgage automation software

Automation is an everyday part of our lives, but when you think of mortgage applications, do you think of an automatic process? More than likely, the words “mortgage applications” conjure images of paperwork and hair-pulling headaches. Fortunately, inconveniences, such as shoddy customer service and instances of fraud, are a thing of the past with automated mortgage applications.

With the high-tech help of mortgage automation software from LoanPro, forward-thinking lenders can guarantee quick turnaround times on the application process, help build more accurate annual revenue forecasts, and continually meet the market’s changing demands.

Innovative tools help foster a seamless experience

Modern technology allows mortgage lenders to work more efficiently and get the best rates for their customers. Calculator tools and online scenario analysis help banks to utilize customer information without all the clunky red tape. Points of contact are much easier to get a hold of, banishing many customer service woes for mortgage lenders.

Efficiently reduces high operating costs

Document management tools can ease the overhead by eliminating much of the old paperwork involved with mortgage applications. Mistakes and errors can be costly, and digital innovation helps to reduce these by quite a bit.

By trimming down operating costs, employees can shift their focus to borrowers and the banks rather than draining precious mental energy over towering stacks of paperwork, thus increasing pay efficiency. The less busywork the mortgage lenders and banks have to endure, the more time they can spend on customer satisfaction.

It simplifies a complicated process

Artificial intelligence and data analytics are just two of the many digital tools that mortgage lenders and others in the housing market can use to streamline the complicated lending process. The sheer amount of data available naturally makes gathering the needed information and applying it to the lending process much less convoluted.

It helps the underdog succeed

Access to the internet empowers the every-man lender. With this technology at their disposal,  no longer are the days of wealthy and successful mortgage lenders monopolizing the market. Today, even the Average Joe can compete and capture the attention of borrowers.

Up and coming lenders can offer their services to borrowers and network with banks with ease. In days past, the leaps and hurdles one needed to cross were quite steep. Now the entry threshold is reachable.

Living in the digital (mortgage) era

In the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, mortgage lenders were faced with many challenges.

During quarantine, the ability of digital technology to connect buyers with mortgage brokers changed the way many in the industry looked at the mortgage application process.

Even after life returns to normal, the effects of the pandemic are sure to be felt for years to come.

Currently, 91% of mortgage lenders offer traditional means of applying for mortgages alongside digital tools that ensure transparency, convenience, and speedy results.

Given all this information, it is easy to imagine a future where the old ways of mortgaging your home are long forgotten. With traditional strategies stepping aside, new future-forward methods proudly dominate the mortgage market.

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There Won’t Be a Triple Crown This Year, But You Can Still Make Out a Winner on Belmont Stakes Day

By Casey Musarra

Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a second post-race drug test and likely will be disqualified. Either way, there won’t be a Triple Crown winner at this year’s Belmont Stakes, as Rombauer, who didn’t run in the Derby, won the Preakness Stakes—the second leg of horse racing’s big three—and Medina Spirit finished third.

I can’t in good conscience Justify telling you to gamble your hard-earned money by playing the ponies. I’m not going to tell you not to either. But besides hitting a nice trifecta, here are some money moves you can make to come out a winner on Belmont Stakes Day.

Pay down your debt

Instead of taking a leap of faith on a dark horse, why not go for a guaranteed winner? Paying down your debt will almost always put you in a better financial position than you were before. Those are the kinds of odds we can get behind. You can make use of a debt payoff calculator to see how extra payments could help you pay off your debt more quickly and save money on interest.

Start by coming up with a debt repayment plan that works for you—whether that’s the debt snowball, debt avalanche, or a hybrid approach. If you thrive on small victories, the debt snowball method, which prioritizes your smallest debt balance and works toward your largest, could be a good fit. The debt avalanche is a wise choice if you’re all about saving money in the long-term, as it prioritizes paying down your highest-interest balance first and working toward the lowest-interest balance.

Make use of your FSA

We’re midway through the year, and if you have an employer-provided flexible spending account (FSA), now’s the time to make use of it. These accounts allow you to set aside money tax-free for medical or childcare expenses. The downside with an FSA, though, is that contributions don’t roll over from one year to the next, so you’ll likely need to spend what’s in your account by Dec. 31 to avoid losing dough.

Got a weird thing you’ve been meaning to get checked out? Haven’t had a physical since you went away to college? Nothing says summer like making sure you’re a beacon of health and taking care of that inevitable vitamin D deficiency without developing skin cancer.

Review and adjust your retirement savings

Like the finest thoroughbred, you’re not going to be able to run forever. (Though, your shelf life in the office or out in the field is probably a bit longer than the two-ish years of most racehorses.)

Whether you’re a colt/filly or a stud, it’s never too early to start planning for retirement. If you have an employer-sponsored 401(k) or 403(b), make sure you’re taking advantage of a company match if it’s offered. You may want to consider increasing and/or diversifying your contributions to put you in a better position for retirement. You don’t want to end up tacking on additional years to your working life because you didn’t put enough away to ride off into the sunset.

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About the Author

Casey Musarra is a personal finance writer with over a decade of writing experience and a credit score hovering near 800. She has written several hundred articles on topics ranging from taxes to debt-free living. Previous bylines include newsday.com and philly.com.

The Ultimate Guide for Your Caravan’s First Adventure Trip

Just a few decades ago, everyone’s ultimate dream was to live in the city center, right in the middle of the city rush and all the significant events and happenings. As the years went by, more and more people found the retreat to nature calming, relaxing, and therapeutic.

It’s no wonder today most people dream of owning or renting a caravan and going on an unforgettable adventure with their friends and family. Looking at purchasing a caravan is the first step and is exciting in and of itself, you can check a Caravan Loans Finance Calculator to help calculate a caravan you can afford. Once you made a decision, going back to nature and recharging the batteries might be just what you need this summer season.

However, preparing for your first caravan trip can be very stressful and nerve-wracking, even though it should be a pleasant and relaxing experience. To make things go smoother and easier, you can use this ultimate guide for prepping your first adventure on the road.

1. Take it easy

Understandably, you’re feeling a lot of emotions before embarking on your first caravan adventure. From feeling excited and overwhelmed with anticipation after purchasing one of the sited caravans for sale to feeling stressed out during the planning process, it’s not easy to get much done before it’s time to head out.

Remember to take it easy because everything will be alright. Take deep breaths and take each step one by one. This guide will supply you with all the necessary information, so you’ll be ready for the trip in no time. After all, you’re bound to have the time of your life no matter what.

2. Set a date

Before jumping straight into the other tips, the first thing you need to do is to set a date. Most people going on their first caravan trip forget about the weather, which is one of the most important things when going on an outdoor adventure.

So, don’t settle on a date before checking the weather forecast. You surely don’t want to spend your entire trip inside a caravan and ruin it with poor weather conditions. On the other hand, sunny and warm weather will ensure you take advantage of all the outdoor possibilities caravan trips provide.

3. Plan a route

A spontaneous road trip indeed sounds exciting, but there’s nothing worse than running out of fuel in the middle of nowhere or arriving at a fully-booked caravan park. Always plan your route to avoid any road hiccups of similar nature.

Once you have a set route, you can determine when you’ll stop for a break and book your spot at a nearby park. Additionally, you can calculate your costs by evaluating how much money you’ll need to spend on fuel.

After a mapped-out route, you can explore exciting things to see and add fun activities to your to-do list.

4. Create a packing checklist

Going on a caravan trip for the first time might tempt you to bring as many things as your caravan can fit inside. However, the key is to pack smart. So, first things first, make a checklist of the stuff you need to bring well before the trip, which you can change and complete as you remember what else you need.

That way, you won’t forget to pack the essentials such as – extra money, caravan insurance, enough food for the entire trip, sunscreen, lounge chairs, some form of entertainment (books, movies, video games, board games, cards), chargers, and so on.

5. Ensure your caravan is road-ready

Before you take off, make sure your caravan is safe and secure for a long trip. For example, checking tire pressure, packing a spare tire, a jack, and other necessary equipment for changing a tire, emptying the water tanks, locking and latching all exterior locks, securing any loose items inside a caravan, making sure the system check doesn’t indicate a fault.

With these steps, your caravan will be road-ready for any adventure.

6. Work as a team

Driving, parking, and especially reversing a caravan are all extremely hard for beginners. Nevertheless, your friends and family members can help by navigating you and giving you signals. Working as a team will ensure you have a safe and adventurous trip and strengthen your relationship. So, don’t refrain from asking for help and always work in a team.

7. Learn the park etiquette

Once you arrive at the caravan park, you’ll probably want to relax and enjoy yourself completely. Although there’s nothing wrong with that, there are several things you need to be aware of during your holiday park stay.

The basic park etiquette includes saying hi to your neighbors over the next few days. Additionally, you’ll want to give other people some privacy, so always talk and listen to music at a reasonable volume. While driving to and from your parking space, be patient. Other caravans will also want to enter or exit the park swiftly, but you won’t achieve anything with road rage and impatience.

Final thoughts

To summarize, if you completed this article and included all of the abovementioned steps in your trip preparation, the only thing left to do is enjoy the process. There’s nothing better than going on a caravan trip adventure, and you’ll realize that very soon.

Even though it’s hard to relax before your first trip, these steps guarantee you a perfect time away from the rushed city life and more time in contact with nature and its beauty.

Further reading: https://worldfinancialreview.com/6-ways-to-control-the-risk-of-moving-vehicles/

References

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Vaping Pop Culture 101

By Matt Casadona

Vaping has quickly become one of the most popular alternatives to smoking tobacco, as well as a trendy option enjoyed for its own sake. Vaping is enjoyed by people from all walks of life, from those recovering from tobacco and cigarette addictions to college students looking for a fun and safe way to party with their friends. 

What started as a niche hobby enjoyed by only the most dedicated enthusiasts has expanded to encompass an entire line of adult products, rivaling tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol. Especially with the dawn of E-cigarettes, a convenient and low-cost alternative to older, more intense vaping rigs, vaping has gone fully mainstream. 

Are you curious about the history of vaping, and how you can get started with the fun new hobby sweeping the nation? Read on to find out more about vaping. Consider this your intro to Vaping: 101. 

The History of Vaping/Smoking

Inventors have been toying with e-cigarettes since at least the 1960’s — maybe even as early as the 1930’s — but the first really commercially viable vapes didn’t hit the markets until the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. 

The first e-cigarettes were produced in China, and were originally only popular in Asia. Then, in 2006 and 2007, e-cigarettes officially became legal in Europe and the USA. This opened up a huge new market for the novel product, allowing average Western consumers to dabble in the smoking alternative. 

Many people who smoke in a more traditional manner will use glass pipes, rolling papers, bongs, and other tools. Rolling papers are very popular among this group, with brands now offering all different types of materials. Some brands carry rice papers, hemp papers, and ultra-thin papers, while others carry wood pulp papers. Additionally, you can buy king size papers, cones, or regular sized papers, depending on your preference.

The vaping industry definitely has a more recent history than other smoking empires, but its success and engagement is growing exponentially. There’s an exciting road ahead for vape enthusiasts!

A Great Cigarette and Tobacco Product Alternative

After a few years of research, scientists deemed that e-cigarettes are less carcinogenic than cigarettes; that means they are less likely to produce cancer-causing chemicals that can damage users’ lungs and eventually lead to lung cancer. 

Lobbying and vaping activist groups continue to apply pressure from, demanding that regulators recognize the potential benefits offered by vaping as an alternative to traditional cigarettes and other forms of tobacco smoking. 

After years of regulatory battles with the FDA, many of which focused on stopping e-cigarette and e-liquid manufacturers from marketing their products to minors, vaping companies were largely successful. 

Vaping Goes Mainstream

With innovative, tasty, and totally legal vaping options now widely available, it’s safe to say that vaping has gone fully mainstream. Popular online vaping companies sell wide varieties of flavors, enticing long-time vaping veterans and new vapers alike. 

What started out as a niche alternative for recovering tobacco addicts has now bloomed into a full-on party sensation, enjoyed by the likes of college students, concert-goers, ravers, and podcasters.

Health Controversy

Of course, the new success was not without its setbacks. In 2019, the country was shocked by a series of gruesome vaping-related deaths. As many as 34 people died from a strange condition called E-Cigarette or Vaping Associated Lung Injury (or EVALI). 

These strange and difficult to explain deaths caused a nationwide panic, with parents of teenagers especially becoming terrified of the thought of their youngster falling victim to EVALI. After months of diligent research, however, the culprit was discovered: vitamin E acetate, a common chemical used by drug dealers to bulk vapable THC. The chemical was largely not found in legal vaping products, however, including most legal and medical THC oils. 

With renewed confidence that safe, regulation-abiding vaping products do not contain the harmful chemical that is responsible for EVALI, vapers have begun to return to their hobby. 

An Industry on the Rise

As real cigarettes continue to decline in popularity, and marijuana becomes legal in more and more states of the US, vaping has never been more popular. Whether as a suitable cigarette alternative for those recovering from addiction, as a fun and convenient way to consume cannabis, or just a fun recreational way to party, vaping is on the rise. 

That leads us to an important question — are you curious about giving vaping a try?

How You Can Get Started Vaping

The good news? You can get started vaping today. Vaping is legal, safe, and most of all: fun! It’s as simple as strolling into your local gas station and picking up an e-cigarette — or, if you’re looking for the good stuff, try out a specialty vape retailer to find the right e-liquid and hardware to suit your lifestyle and taste preferences. 

Kinds of Vapes 

There are various kinds of vapes available on the market. The first thing to consider is what you want to vape:

  • THC: THC, the active chemical in cannabis, is available for legal medical use in many states, and legal for recreational use in a handful — with promise that more states will legalize the substance in the near future. If you’re looking to vape THC, head down to your local dispensary and ask the budtender what their e-liquid options are.
  • CBD: CBD is THC’s more mellow cousin; it’s the stuff in marijuana that gives you that chill, relaxed feeling. CBD e-liquid is also available at most marijuana dispensaries that carry vaping liquid and products. 
  • Nicotine: For recovering smokers, vaping nicotine can help you slowly wean off the substance. Smoke shops and vape shops often carry e-liquid with varying nicotine contents so you can slowly ease off the stuff.
  • Tasty juice: Sometimes, you just want to puff fatty clouds for the fun of it, and for that sweet e-liquid flavor. For hobbyists looking for tasty treats, nicotine-free (and THC-free) e-liquids are a great option. 

Once you decide what you want to vape, you have a few options when it comes to how you want to vape:

  • E-cigarette: This is a slim, convenient option. E-cigarettes are just a bit bigger than a traditional cigarette, and can be kept in your pocket or purse with ease. 
  • Vape pen: For more serious enthusiasts looking to buy larger canisters of e-liquid and blow bigger clouds, a full on vape pen can be a great (and reusable!) option. 
  • Mods: Vape mods are for the most dedicated vape-lovers. Often coming with customizable features, capacity for larger e-liquid containers, and more, mods are for serious vapers. 

What the Future Holds for Vaping

The future looks bright for vaping. With tons of flavors to choose from, customizable appliance options, and more and more states legalizing marijuana — making THC e-liquid legal, too — there’s never been a better time to be a vaping enthusiast. 

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About the Author

Matt CasadonaMatt Casadona has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. He is currently a contributing editor for 365 Business Tips. Matt is passionate about marketing and business strategy and enjoys the San Diego life, traveling and music. 

Boost Your Income by Playing Games Online

You’ve all heard the stories about gamers making a fortune playing games online, right? But you may well be asking yourself, are those stories true or simply urban myths designed to encourage gaming? In truth, the answer is probably somewhere in the middle. There are gamers out there making an absolute killing, financially speaking, and there are gamers out there making absolutely nothing at all. In fact, most gamers spend more money than they will ever make from gaming. But let’s not dwell on the negative. We’re here to talk about ways you can actually boost your income by playing games, so let’s get started.

Poker Players Can Win the Big Bucks

First up, let’s talk online gambling. There is, of course, zero guarantee that you will make money from online gambling. All forms of gambling are risky business. You have to be willing and able to lose money if you’re going to go down this route. However, if you have a knack for poker and a steady hand, there is a truck load of money to be made in this genre of gaming. Why poker? Because poker is a skill-based game, which means skilled players are more likely you are to win. Slot games, on the other hand, do sometimes payout mega jackpots but there is no skill involved whatsoever. In order to win a jackpot while playing a slot game, you need a large slice of luck. 

Where to Play

There are several ways in which you can play poker online for real money. You can play video poker, live casino poker, and tournament poker. Before you start, you’ll need to find the best casino online Canada has to offer at casinopilot.ca. Once you have signed up for an account and made your first deposit, you can head straight for the poker section where you’ll find a wide variety of poker tables from which to choose. We recommend starting out with video poker. Video poker games are run using RNG (random number generator) technology, and your opponent is the machine itself rather than another real-life player. These games are a great place to practice and hone your skills before moving on to the live casino tables and online tournaments. 

Live Casino Action

Live poker has become extremely popular over the last couple of years, and it’s not hard to see why. Live poker games are set up in a dedicated film studio with real dealers are real tables using real decks of cards. All of the gaming action is filmed and live streamed, and the software allows players to communicate directly with the dealer. The live games attract players from all around the world, and the jackpots can grow to eye-wateringly large amounts. You can join a table and start playing poker at any time of the day or night without ever having to leave the comfort of your home, so get all the benefits of playing a live game with a professional dealer without the travel and expenses involved with going to a real casino. 

Watch out, though, because these tables attract top-notch players, and you never know whether you’ll be seated next to a card shark or a newbie. If you’re going to make this work as a money-making scheme, you need to be fully versed in all the ins and outs of poker because you need to know when you are being outplayed by a better player. Be sure to set yourself a poker budget before you sit down to play, and make sure you stick to that budget. 

eSport Players Can Rake in Huge Sums

If gambling is not your jam, then another way to make money gaming is by playing professional eSports. Again, to make money in this genre of gaming, you need to have gaming skills. There are eSport players who make enough money to do this as a full-time profession. Hobbyists are unlikely to rake in the cash, but if you’re already somewhat of a whizz at Call of Duty or DOTA, then it might be time to turn your hand to eSport tournaments. The prize money involved at some of these tournaments can be anywhere from 4 to 7 figures. But be warned; competition is stiff. 

Live Streamers Reaping Rewards

Competing in tournaments is not the only way to make money with eSports. Many players use streaming platforms, like Twitch and YouTube, to live stream their gaming sessions. Live streamers make their money by attracting a large audience. The higher the number of views, the more money streamers make from advertising and sponsorship. It may sound strange to some of you, but the fact of the matter is that gamers love to watch other gamers gaming. This is especially true if the live streamer is also entertaining. So, if you’ve got the gaming skills to be able to show other gamers how it’s done and you’ve also got the gift of the gab, live streaming could be an excellent side-hustle, or even a full-time gig. Poker players can also get in on the live streaming act, especially if you’re willing to pass on handy tips and tricks that will help others improve their game.

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Apple between US China Wars

By Dr. Dan Steinbock

America’s most valuable $2 trillion company is no longer immune to US geopolitics. Apple’s global success is an anomaly to the protectionist Trump-Biden administrations – for all the wrong reasons.

Recently, Apple announced a set of additional privacy protections. The “private relay” feature will not be available to users in China. After the announcement, New York Times reported that Apple had given in to Beijing.

In fact, in addition to China, the privacy feature will not be available to users in many countries, including Belarus, Colombia, Egypt, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkmenistan, and Uganda.

Yet, Times only targeted China.

No multinational can ignore local responsiveness  

Since the 1980s, the leading multinationals have sought to reconcile global efficiencies with responsiveness to local markets. Nonetheless, many American technology giants still earn the bulk of their revenues in the high-income US and Western European markets.

In contrast, Apple has proved more innovative in global markets. In China, the company is trying to adjust to local market practices, just as all foreign and especially Chinese companies face great adjustment pressures in the US.

There’s a difference, though. Apple and other foreign ICT giants remain welcome in the Chinese mainland.

Yet, the reverse no longer applies, as evidenced by a decade of increasing persecution of Chinese technology companies in America from Huawei to Tik Tok, and the consequent plunge of Chinese FDI in America.

Where’s the money

Still another protectionist assumption is the idea that “the Chinese are taking away American jobs.” The assumption is flawed.

In August 2018, Apple became the first publicly-traded US company valued at over $1 trillion; today its market capitalization amounts to $2.2 trillion. Its products are said to have some 1.7 billion users worldwide. Let’s illustrate the point with the value captured as a percent of the retail price of a smartphone (iPhone 7).

Apple captures a whopping 42% of the retail price of each iPhone sold. The rest goes to the cost of materials (22%), distribution (15%), IP licenses (5%), and countries like South Korea (1%), Japan (1%) and Taiwan (1%). Labor costs in China account for only1 percent of the total (Figure 1)

Figure 1: Value capture for iPhone 7

Figure 1
Source: Kendrick, J. and Kraemer, K.L. 2017, WIPO.

Usually, multinationals’ revenues contribute to consumer welfare via progressive taxation. However, US companies tend to minimize taxes via creative accounting and tax havens, so there’s a gap between what’s paid officially and effectively.

Since the 1980s, these disruptive changes have dramatically contributed to erosion in progressive taxation, consumer welfare and thus to income polarization in America. That’s America’s challenge, however; not China’s.

Apple, offshoring and Taiwan

If the value capture isn’t the issue, what about offshoring to China? That’s the third misguided assumption.

Apple’s “Greater China” market includes not just China, but Hong Kong and Taiwan. It has assembled most of its products in China for a quarter of a century, thanks to Foxconn (Hon Hai), the huge Taiwanese multinational electronics contract manufacturer founded by Taiwanese billionaire Terry Gou.

Moreover, work conditions at Foxconn factories have been a matter of public debate since the early 2010s. The basic salary for a worker at a Foxconn facility is about $315 per month; less than 10% of the median American salary.

In June 2017, Foxconn said it would build a $10 billion TV manufacturing plant in southeastern Wisconsin that would initially employ 3,000 workers set to increase to 13,000, in return for the highest subsidies in US history. A few months later, a plant was launched in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin (Figure 2).

Figure 2: The Rise and Fall of Foxconn’s US venture

Figure 2
June 2018 groundbreaking ceremony in Wisconsin: Guo with House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, US President Donald Trump, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, and Christopher Murdock
Source: Wikimedia Commons

However, Foxconn began soon reconsidering its initial plant plans and the high labor costs in the US. After Biden’s election triumph, Foxconn announced it would reduce its planned investment to $672 million with 1,454 new jobs.

As long as per capita incomes will differ significantly among countries, opportunities for offshoring will abound. 

US geopolitics vs Chinese market potential

And the final misguided protectionist assumption. What if Apple would refocus its operations into the US, as it is being pressured to do?

In the past decade, Apple’s quarterly revenues from Greater China have increased to $21.3 billion (1Q 2021). Its revenues from China remain around 15% of the total. That’s still significantly less relative to highly exposed US companies in China.

Last year, Apple had a great year in China, where full year shipments returned to the 2018 level, driven by both iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models. It has recently added a dozen new Chinese suppliers. Chinese market is vital to Apple’s global future.

The developer community of Apple’s iOS app ecosystem has surged to over 4.4 million third-party developers in China. Moreover, China’s shipment of wearable devices notched robust year-on-year expansion in the first quarter of 2021.

To position for the lucrative electric car future, Apple is in early-stage talks with BYD and CATL, and possible other companies over battery supplies for the “Apple Car,”. Chinese car market is critical to Apple since rapid growth remains in the mainland.

Over time, Apple’s revenues from China have potential to increase significantly, thanks to its innovative ecosystem which is hard to replicate by the competitors. Yet, the White House could derail Apple’s plans, which rely on economics, not on geopolitics.

Who’s undermining US competitiveness

To sustain its global position, Apple is trying to navigate amid the US Cold War against China. If it ignores US views, it will face pressures in the US; its largest current market. If it neglects Chinese views, it risks failure in China; its pivotal future market. What is certain is that

  1. Apple cannot ignore local responsiveness in any global market.
  2. Americans did not lose their jobs to the Chinese. Rather, income polarization in America is driven by misguided domestic policies that derail consumer welfare.
  3. Nor is offshoring the cause of U.S. malaise. Apple’s success has benefited especially Taiwan. Chinese workers have salaries Americans won’t accept.
  4. If Apple is forced out from China, it stands to lose far more in smartphones, development, wearables, electric cars and new future segments.

Apple’s greatest challenge is not China, but the underlying conflict between its ecosystem and Trump-Biden protectionism.

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About the Author

Dr. Dan Steinbock

Dr. Dan Steinbock is an internationally recognized strategist of the multipolar world and the founder of Difference Group. He has served at the India, China and America Institute (USA), Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). For more, see https://www.differencegroup.net

A longer version of the commentary was published by China-US Focus on June 25, 2021. It is based on Dr Steinbock’s fully-referenced global briefing https://www.differencegroup.net/apple-between-us-china

5 Tips for Fashion Brands to Create Instagram Marketing Strategy

Instagram is without a doubt one of the most popular social media platforms with more than 1 billion active users. As the platform is image-based, many brands use Instagram to promote their business. With more than 24 million registered businesses, Instagram has become one of the greatest places for advertising and online marketing. 

Many brands nowadays use Instagram to showcase their products and services to relevant audiences. It’s a marvelous way to develop a great relationship with the customers and a community as well as showcase the personality of your brand. For instance, brands like “Loom Footwear” showcase their extensive collection of water resistant and lightweight shoes, especially bowling shoes, skateboarding shoes, golf shoes, Zumba shoes & stylish sneakers in different sizes and designs on Instagram. In this way, they’re able to reach out to an extensive audience, especially sports lovers that prefer buying waterproof loom sneakers for men & women online.

That being said, the fashion industry is one of the few popular industries on Instagram that has higher activity. As per a report, fashion brands represent more than 65% of the overall activity. Despite the size of the e-commerce business, they incorporate Instagram into their social media marketing strategy to stay apart from their competitors. 

In this article, we will discuss the top 5 tips for fashion brands to develop a strong Instagram marketing strategy. 

Allow Your Followers to Shop through Instagram Feed

Allowing your followers to shop through the Instagram feed will allow your audiences to shop directly from the application. As the algorithm of Instagram has changed, the concept of the platform has converted from a social media app to an online shopping application. This is great news for e-commerce merchants. 

When you set up your shop with Instagram, you can give your Instagram followers immediate access to pricing as well as other details of the product. In other words, they don’t need to leave the application to purchase or gain information about the product. You can also include a call-to-action button in your bio section so that visitors can easily check out your website or new product launches. However, don’t over-promote your products. Avoid bombarding your audiences with extra clickable links. Jonathon Spire has the guide to GoRead.io you can check out for more related info.

Collaborate with Instagram Influencers

Developing a loyal customer base and increasing your followers is undoubtedly a challenging task. But, with the help of Instagram influencer marketing, you can attract their followers and this method will generate excellent ROI. As per a report, more than 90% of users on Instagram trust influencer marketing than any other traditional or celebrity advertisements.  

However, many brands don’t know why they need to collaborate with an Instagram influencer to grow their fashion brands. Instagram influencers not only help you to generate sales but also help you to reach your target audiences. As per Hopper HQ, 70% of people on Instagram said that they purchased products or services after they noticed the products are being used by their favorite Instagram influencer. Collaborating with an influencer is very effective nowadays. But, you need dot to make sure that you’re partnering with the correct influencer for your business.  

Leverage Instagram Stories

Instagram stories have been introduced 2 years ago and this feature offers tons of attractive filters as well as various editing tools. Even though Instagram stories disappear after 24 hours, their effects are undoubtedly long-lasting. 

If you want to upload spare footage of your business, then Instagram stories should be the first preference. In this place, many famous or infamous brands share their exclusive photos or videos that haven’t been seen by any audiences. From sharing behind-the-footage of a photo-shoot to a sneak peek of an upcoming fashion product, everything is shareable on Instagram stories. This feature is a great way to engage and build a relationship with your audiences as well as gather customer reviews. Apart from that, you can show your real side in Instagram stories. You can also boost your relationship with your audiences when you buy likes and comments on Instagram. 

Use Highlights

As we mentioned above, Instagram stories disappear after 24 hours. However, if you highlight the stories, they will remain in your Instagram profile until you decide to remove them. Apart from marketing your fashion brand, the highlights will keep your visitors informed about the product or some other important news about your business. Highlights are placed right below your bio section and people who visit your profile will be able to notice them easily.  

Use Perfect Hashtags

Social media platforms cannot be imagined without hashtags. If you want to achieve success in your Instagram fashion business, you need to search relevant hashtags for your business that will not only represent your brand but also helps you to stand apart from your competitors. For instance, #love is one of the most popular hashtags on Instagram with more than 1.2 billion posts. This simply means that if you use this hashtag, your content will be lost in the crowd. On the other hand, using unpopular hashtags won’t increase the exposure of your posts. 

Hence, start researching the hashtags your competitors, idols, and followers are using. Additionally, find a hashtag pattern that will help you to create a list of your top and most effective hashtags. 

You can also use a branded hashtag for your content. But, make sure you convince your followers to use the branded hashtag. Only then the hashtags will start showing their effectiveness. 

Conclusion

These are the top 5 Instagram fashion tips you need to remember to promote your marketing strategy. Instagram is a competitive platform and it will take some time to establish your business. As a fashion brand, remember that you need to invest your time, money, and energy in Instagram’s marketing strategy. Additionally, don’t copy your competitors. Instead, be authentic and creative and show the audience your true nature. Also try to look for an Instagram likes app to grow rapidly.

*To increase the visibility of your fashion brand on Instagram, you can consider getting a growth service. TheSmallBusinessbBog is a great website for the review of different tools. They have reviewed Get Real Boost which you can read and consider.

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Addressing Financial Uncertainty Amid COVID-19 Recovery: Q&A with Hans Dau, Mitchell Madison Group

We’ve heard a rather sensational prognosis about commercial real estate and the market shrinking as many won’t return to the workforce, physically. What can be done to address, perhaps counter this trend and what can alternatively be done to adjust to this new normal?

Commercial real estate will be challenging for quite a while. Not only has the COVID recession hurt rent paying businesses, but more importantly the massive increase in e-commerce and all manner of contactless delivery options as well as the work-from-home trend will result in substantial overcapacity for commercial real estate for the foreseeable future. 

The $4.6 trillion in commercial mortgages could be in trouble, but should not impact the overall economy as the $16 trillion in residential mortgages (in today’s value) did back in 2008. There will be a lot of empty and bank owned office space and malls, but this will be more than offset by a more productive and geographically diversified workforce. All things being equal, having the option of working from home and buying online, cannot be a net negative for the economy as a whole.

Property owners will get creative in converting their space to other uses and businesses will permanently adopt hybrid workforce models with work from home options, shared workspaces, hoteling, etc. 

It’s all good for the economy, but obviously disruptive for some sectors.

You’ve recently spoken about the need for the healthcare supply chain to diversify its supply lines amidst pandemic. Have you begun to see a shift here or are we still stuck in the old ways of doing things? What are the first few steps logistics-oriented managers can take towards achieving greater diversification?

Healthcare supply chains were really exposed during the pandemic, as global trade practically ceased and borders closed. This is more of a macro and governmental issue rather than something healthcare providers can address on their own. The US needs to manufacture and stockpile critical medical supplies, medicines, etc. and only the government can provide these incentives and subsidies.

The Biden administration issued Executive Order 14017, which, among other issues, addresses critical pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and envisions more domestic manufacturing capacity. 87 percent of generic API facilities are located overseas, primarily India and China, which will be difficult to re-shore at reasonable cost.

A reasonable approach may be similar to food security, where farmers all over the world are subsidized (i.e. paid to stay in business), so that their economies can still trade freely in food products without giving up the capacity to produce at home in a crisis. I really hope that we have learned our lesson here, as the cost of preparedness is trivial to the cost of a pandemic.

The now proven advances in vaccine technology could not only prepare us for a future, potentially even more lethal pandemic, but also vastly reduce productivity losses and suffering from the seasonal flu, regular colds, etc. Again the issue is that the government needs to step in to provide the financial incentives (for example guaranteed purchases, stock piles, etc.) for the private sector to produce these vaccines.

In the long-run, the impact of the pandemic could be quite positive, if significant investments are made into universal vaccines, supply chain diversity, infrastructure, cybersecurity, electrical grid hardening, etc.  

Now that State economies are beginning to open up, what cross-industry supply chain shifts do you predict will occur in the marketplace and how would you advise your clients to take advantage of them?

There has been a lot of talk of inflation and we’ve seen some significant raises in producer and consumer prices. However, it is not clear how much of that is the transitory effect of restarting complex supply chains; for example, shipping costs, poor demand forecasting, etc. versus the beginning of a 70’s-style inflationary spiral. 

I am fairly optimistic that it’s the former. It is hard to overestimate the impact a total shutdown had on many industries and how difficult it is to respond to shifts in consumer behavior. Lumber prices are a great example, after quadrupling since the beginning of the pandemic as workers stayed home and focussed on home improvement, facing quite inelastic supply, they have now dropped by 40% as speculation abates and consumers start going out again and increasing their services spending. 

Much of the global supply is only inelastic in the short term, as there is still significantly global latent capacity. Sadly, many of the Asian economies are still in the midst of the pandemic, suppressing their demand, which helps the developed world. 

Smart companies should use this crisis as an opportunity to focus on the long-term, rather than panicking over short term supply squeezes. 

Often, short-term supply squeezes are an excuse not to examine the supply chain holistically for fear of upsetting vendors. In fact, it’s a great time to strategically re-source core supply chains for both better long-term pricing and more diversity and robustness. 

Strategic buyers should not go back to business as usual, but instead create a competitively differentiating supply chain for the long-term. The COVID supply chain experience provides the organizational urgency to act and the likely ongoing weakness in the world economy provides the motivation for suppliers to cooperate. 

Most strategic sourcing initiatives take about six to nine months and return three to five times their investment within the first year of implementation, but require a high level of expertise and analytical sophistication. If such resources are not available internally, senior management should build (or bring in) the talent and capabilities from the outside.

Much has been written about the ‘new normal’ for workforce management. What trends do you see emerging in terms of the mix of work from home vs office as well as permanent vs contingent workforce? 

When COVID-19 hit in the first quarter of 2020, businesses were forced to operate with a remote workforce, compressing what may have been a natural, decade-long adoption S-curve into a large-scale forced trial of remote working. The result is that some employers and employees like it and some do not, but the proportion of permanent work from home will certainly remain very high, post pandemic. 

The second order implication of permanent remote working is that employers now have the flexibility to draw on national or global talent pools to find the best talent at the most competitive wages.  HR professionals will face fierce competition for talent and significant shortages of specific skills amidst a diminished total workforce.

To compete effectively for scarce talent, employers need data and analytics about talent availability, cost, and outcomes. Companies need to manage the workforce across all modes of relationships, be it traditional W2, contingent, or intermediated all the way to SOW-governed contractors.  

Given the size and scope of this challenge, managing the total workforce well could be one of the most important levers to improve earnings.  

This is a complex and analytically intensive challenge, with mission-critical implications for most corporations. Many companies may want to leverage the data, experience, and analytical capabilities from specialized outside services providers to accomplish the task effectively.

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About the Author

Hans Dau is the CEO of The Mitchell Madison Group. Over his 25-year consulting career, he has served C-level executives of large public companies, private equity firms, and other public and private institutions. He has worked in North America, Europe, and Asia with a focus on devising creative solutions for complex issues and unlocking economic value for his clients and their shareholders.

3 Reasons to Invest in Gold IRA Right Now

In the past, investing in gold was viewed as a form of protection against the possibility of economic downturns and other types of financial distress. However, gold is also an investment in the sense that it has the potential of increasing in value over time. Gold, like any other precious metal, can be used for more than just currency and jewelry. The value of gold is constant and is not affected by the monetary policies and market trends in the same way that paper money and investments like stocks are.

For those who have not heard of a gold IRA account, it is a retirement investment vehicle that was created to help investors protect their retirement savings from market fluctuations. It is a type of Individual Retirement Account offered by banks and other financial institutions that allows people to invest in precious metals such as gold and silver. People who do not want to invest in stocks or mutual funds can use this type of account to grow their savings through investing in gold and silver.

When it comes to making smart investments that protect the value of your money, gold is a natural choice. Gold is a precious metal with thousands of years of history as a reliable store of value. It’s considered a precious metal because of its rarity: There are less than 4 parts per million of gold available on Earth, which means there simply isn’t enough to supply everyone’s needs. Gold has a history of storing its value, which means that you can rely on it to maintain its purchasing power over time. This makes it a great investment even in inflationary times.

Gold has always been known as an inflation hedge

When our economy was booming a few years ago, several pundits were claiming that inflation would never be a problem. This made sense, given the flood of money that the government was printing to keep our economy afloat. But even as the economy stabilizes, the money supply is still growing, yet the inflation rate remains stable, at about 2%. Experts are now saying that inflation will become a problem over the next decade, as the money supply keeps growing and wages don’t match the rising prices. (This is exactly what happened in the early ’80s and late ’90s when the country suffered through two bouts of double-digit inflation.) The good news is that there are a number of strategies you can implement to protect your investments against the ravages

You should invest in Gold IRA because it is an excellent hedge for inflation. While the dollar may be the world’s reserve currency, and the value of the Euro and Yen has been steadily dropping against it, the precious metal has been an excellent hedge against inflation. There have been many talks lately about how the government is going to devalue the dollar, which has caused the price of gold to soar.

There are a lot of fad investments out there, but none so enduring or as consistently valuable as gold. Gold has been used as a currency for thousands of years and is still one of today’s most popular investments. It is an excellent hedge for inflation because it increases in value when other currencies lose their purchasing power. It is also a great way to protect your investments in the long term.

There is an increasing demand for gold in recent years

What is an “IRA,” you ask? An IRA, or Individual Retirement Account, is a great way to save money for retirement. It lets you invest in many different assets, such as stocks and bonds, to build a nest egg that you can draw income from during retirement. This is a great way to save for the future, and gold is a great investment opportunity for many people.

One of the main reasons that you should invest in a gold IRA is that there is an increasing demand for gold. The demand for gold is expected to rise due to its many uses in medical and electronic devices. In the near future, the demand for gold will be higher than the current supply. There will be decreased gold supply to meet the high demand for gold.

Investing in gold through a self-directed individual retirement account (IRA) can be an effective way of diversifying your portfolio. It is important to search for the top gold investment companies that can offer safe and secure investment. The demand for gold is increasing, as it is a valuable asset that is universally recognized and can be sold in any market. This means that if the stock market crashes, you can still turn to gold as a solid investment. However, before you invest in gold, there are a few things to know.

The reasons why you should invest in Gold IRA are diverse. One of the most important things that you should have in mind is that there is a continuous demand for gold since it is one of the most used elements in the technology industry. This is being used in making new computers and other devices and so on. As a result, there will be an increase in the demand for gold. This will mean that you will have a great opportunity to invest in it.

Protection from deflation

The US government has an enormous debt to pay off, which is why it will print more money if there is deflation. Right now, the US government owns more gold than any other country in the world, but it has no plans to buy more gold to help against the deflation that it feels is coming. The lack of interest in the government to own more gold is what’s going to drive gold prices up.

Gold-backed Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are a great way to invest in gold without having to purchase from a dealer. One of the companies you should consider for your gold IRA is Hard Assets Alliance. Unlike gold coins, gold bars, and other forms of gold bullion, gold IRAs allow you to purchase gold from a dealer without paying any additional fees or commissions. When you compare gold IRA vs physical gold, Gold IRAs don’t require you to pay any storage fees, which means you can buy gold without paying any additional fees and still owning it for years.

Over time, gold can serve as a hedge against the effects of inflation. And while deflation is a long-term concern, another phenomenon the gold market has to grapple with is rising prices. (This past March, for example, gold prices reached a seven-month high.) Still, gold has been a good place to put money over the long term. And by stashing your money in this precious metal, you can protect your retirement funds from a possible financial collapse—a big reason why so many investors are looking into buying gold IRAs.

Further reading
– Check these alternative ways to invest in gold
– Read this independent review of Goldco IRA broker
– Is it worth considering a silver IRA?
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