More iPad Mini Retinas coming; shipments could double in Q1

Don't expect to walk in and pick up an iPad Mini Retina at an Apple Store -- at least not at the moment.

(Credit: Apple)

The iPad Mini Retina will see limited availability this quarter, according to two analysts, but that should double in the first quarter of 2014.

In the wake of Apple's low-key sales launch of the iPad Mini Retina and its limited distribution -- currently it is available only online and for personal pickup at stores -- supply will continue to be constrained this quarter, according to IHS iSuppli and KGI Securities.

"When you think about some of the releases where they sold that many iPads in a weekend," that's not a lot, she said, adding that Apple could potentially push that to four million.Rhoda Alexander told CNET on Tuesday that she expects production of about 2 million Mini Retina tablets in the fourth calendar quarter -- on the low end.

Alexander added that if demand is high, delivery dates could go from days to weeks.

As of Tuesday evening PT, Apple's store page indicated that most models would ship in three to five days. The 16GB and 32GB W-Fi models are the only two that show one- to three-day waits for delivery.

KGI Securities, via AppleInsider, also chimed with an iPad Mini Retina forecast.

Shipment for the iPad Mini Retina should double in the first quarter of 2014, according to a KGI Securities forecast.

(Credit: KGI Securities via AppleInsider.)

KGI forecasts about 2 million Retina Mini units in the fourth quarter (2.26 million to be exact) but sees this more than doubling to 4.58 million units in in the first quarter of 2014.

The iPad Air, on the other hand, is expected to see shipments of more than 10 million in the fourth quarter, but that will drop off sharply to 6 million in the first quarter of 2014 as Retina Mini supply catches up to demand.

The supply of the new Mini is relatively small due to limited production runs of the 2,048x1,536 resolution display that boasts 326 pixels per inch -- one of the highest of any tablet to date.

Microsoft experiments with fuel cell-powered data center

Microsoft's Chicago data center.

(Credit: Microsoft)

There are cord cutters -- and then there are cord cutters.

Microsoft is considering data centers that use fuel cells to generate power right next to the servers they house rather than transmitting it from electrical power plants far away. The move could double efficiency compared with traditional data center design, which loses energy through transmission and conversion, Sean James, a Microsoft senior research program manager, said in a blog post Tuesday.

The cleanest fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen into heat and electrical current, releasing water as exhaust. Microsoft, though, used more convenient methane-powered fuel cells, which release more pollutants, but not as much as natural gas combustion, according to Microsoft's study on using fuel cells to power a data center (PDF).

"In the new data center design approach outlined in our paper, chemical energy is first converted to direct current electrochemically and sent a few feet to the server power supply. With our one watt of [initial] energy we are now getting almost 0.4 watts, or double the efficiency of traditional data centers," James said.

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The approach not only avoids inefficiencies of electrical power distribution, but also improves reliability since battery backup isn't required, the researchers said.

For companies like Microsoft, Facebook, and Google that rely on data centers crammed with thousands of servers, a tiny increase in efficiency can pay off. Microsoft thinks the fuel cells could make data centers cheaper to build, too.

"If the fuel cells are placed close to power consumption units, at the servers or racks, we can completely eliminate the power distribution system in the data center, including the power backup generation system. So, no data center wide electrical infrastructure is required. This is over 25 percent of the capital cost for state-of-the-art data centers," the paper said.

Safer alcohol': No hangovers, plus an antidote to sober you up

Soon, shots might not leave you feeling like you've just been shot the next day.

(Credit: Video screenshot by Eric Mack/CNET)

Imagine having a few drinks to ease your nerves before a key meeting or a big date. Maybe you even get a little tipsy, but right before show time you take a special antidote, and within minutes all traces of impairment are gone and you're fully sober and good to go.

That's similar to the experience that leading British neuro-psychopharmacologist David Nutt claims to have had after sampling from an "alcohol surrogate" compound -- one of five Nutt has identified as a possible "safer version of alcohol."

Writing in The Guardian on Monday, Nutt explains:

After exploring one possible compound I was quite relaxed and sleepily inebriated for an hour or so, then within minutes of taking the antidote I was up giving a lecture with no impairment whatsoever.

Nutt says the new as-of-yet-undetailed booze compounds work by more specifically targeting subsystems of the neurotransmitter system that produces the familiar relaxing feeling in response to taking in a few cocktails: "So in theory we can make an alcohol surrogate that makes people feel relaxed and sociable and remove the unwanted effects, such as aggression and addictiveness."

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Also, no hangovers, and less quality time spent with your face in a toilet, though Nutt's extensive past work with the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines (found in prescription doses in drugs like Valium and Xanax) makes us worry that no hangovers could also mean no ability to stand up after drinking.

"I have carried out research on replacing ethanol in 'alcoholic' drinks with a safer alternative, such as a benzodiazepine; ideally these drinks would be impossible to get drunk on, producing a moderate buzz with no increase in effects at higher doses, and could be switched off at the end of the night with a 'sober pill,'" Nutt has said.

I'm having a hard time deciding if this is the most notable scientific breakthrough since thismicro-drunkenness-inducing spray, or the beginning of an apocalyptic new society.

Imagine a world in which everyone is secretly buzzed all the time, or at least up until two minutes before getting behind the wheel of a bus or starting some sort of important meeting. There's so much potential for both hilarity and tragedy in that vision that I almost want to move to Paris and become an existentialist -- but I'd want to be able to bring some traditional booze along for that journey, too, so now I'm really confused.

Regardless, it's going to be a while before this new magical hooch is available in a psuedo-liquor store near you. Nutt's experimental stash seems to be all that's available right now. Nutt is a bit of a controversial figure who was fired from an influential government position as chair of Britain's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, in part for his outspoken views that legal drugs including alcohol are more dangerous than many illegal ones like cannabis.

With funding for his safer alcohol project not immediately forthcoming from government or alcohol-industry sources, Nutt has taken his pitch for investors to the public.

So now, in my mind, the race is on. Which will become reality first: a supersonic hyperloop or super-awesome hangover-free margaritas?

I, for one, raise a glass of traditional poison distilled from the finest Russian wheat in the hope that it's a tie. I'm going to need a little something to ease my nerves before my first hyperloop ride.

Market manipulation: Sugar millers set to pocket billions as prices shoot up

Stocks for open market will be about 232,000 tons till the end of current month against the monthly consumption of 390,000 tons. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: 

Sugar millers are set to pocket billions of rupees at the expense of consumers following a decision taken by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) that has allowed the mills to delay the crushing season and asked the state-run grain trading agency to purchase 150,000 tons of sugar from the mills.

The ECC has also allowed export of 500,000 tons of sugar to enable the millers to dispose of their unsold stocks.

According to the sources, in the wake of alleged market manipulation, sugar prices in the cities have rapidly gone up to Rs80 per kg as compared to Rs50 in remote areas of the country.

“Sugar millers are set to flood the market with one million tons of ‘black stock’, which is not shown in their books, to pocket billions of rupees prior to the start of cane crushing season later this month,” a source in the sugar industry said.

In a meeting here on Tuesday of the Sugar Advisory Board, comprising representatives of the federal and provincial governments as well as sugar mill owners, the millers could not be able to justify the sharp increase in prices, sources said.

“The sugar price hike is a temporary phenomenon and prices will come down after the start of crushing,” a sugar miller remarked.

Provincial cane commissioners told the meeting that sugar stocks stood at about 882,000 tons, of which 150,000 tons would be purchased by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan and 500,000 tons would be exported.

According to the Ministry of Industries and Production, Punjab has stocks of about 400,000 tons, Sindh 300,000 tons and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 23,000 tons.

This shows that 232,000 tons will be left for the open market until the end of November against monthly consumption of 390,000 tons. The ministry of industries claims that the stocks are enough to meet the demand until January.

In a summary dated October 28, the ministry said the mills had 1.829 million tons, which would be enough until March 15 next year.

A member of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) said the quantity of 500,000 tons would be exported over a period of five months and so far 27,000 tons had been shipped.

In response to the allegation of ‘black stock’ in the market, he said the black stock was released at the beginning of the crushing season and now all stock figures were authentic.

An official of the ministry of industries told The Express Tribune that cane commissioners of provinces apprised the Sugar Advisory Board that out of Rs260 million, Rs170 million was yet to be paid by the mills to sugarcane farmers.

He clarified that the government had linked sugar export with the payment to growers and every mill, which intended to export, would have to produce a clearance certificate to be issued by the PSMA or the provincial cane commissioner.

“There will be no further intervention in relation to the sugar industry until the end of March 2014. After the crushing season comes to a close, a meeting will be called to review the stock position to chalk out a future strategy,” he said.

According to the official, at present sugar stocks stand at 950,000 tons, more than the figures given by the ministry of industries.

He said investors and hoarders were releasing their stocks in the market and making a quick buck, but not the mill owners. “The millers are holding back their stock for export,” he added

Top 10: World's most valuable strikers

10. Gonzalo Higuain - £29m 
In at No. 10 is Napoli ace Gonzalo Higuain. The former Real Madrid man only left the Bernabeu in the summer, and has starred in Serie A so far this season. 

9. Karim Benzema - £30m 
The hit-and-miss Real Madrid striker can be sensational at times but woeful on other occasions. 

8. Robert Lewandowski - £34.5m 
The Borussia Dortmund ace is wanted all round Europe and it's no surprise as he is a goal machine. 

7. Sergio Aguero - £35m 
The Manchester City goal machine has kicked off this season in fine form. 
The Argentine striker has been sensational for the Citizens of late and is without question one of the best strikers in the world. 

6. Luis Suarez - £37m 
Liverpool's controversial striker Luis Suarez is an unpredictable joy to watch. 

3. Wayne Rooney - £39.5m 
At 28-years-old, he is just reaching his prime and is showing his great class for the Red Devils this season. 

3. Robin van Persie - £39.5m 
Flying Dutchman Robin van Persie has been sensational since switching Arsenal for Manchester United. 
The Premier League's top goalscorer for the past two years running, Van Persie has scored goals from all angles for two of England's elite clubs. 

3. Hulk - £39.5m 
Hulk has been linked with a Premier League move in recent weeks and if the Brazilian ace was to make a move to England's elite division, then he could excel. 

1. Radamel Falcao - £53m 
27-year-old Radamel Falcao takes joint first place on the list. Rated at just the £53 million, Falcao has already struck eight times in 12 appearances since joining Ligue 1 new-comers Monaco. 

1. Edinson Cavani - £53m 
PSG striker Edinson Cavani joins his fellow Ligue 1 rival Radamel Falcao as the world's most valuable striker.

Commodity prices: Govt to consider ban on onion and tomato exports

Domestic supply of onions may improve after the arrival of Sindh’s produce in the market. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: 

The government will today (Wednesday) consider imposing a ban on export of tomato and onion after prices for both the essential commodities skyrocketed, which demanded a review of the export policy and factors behind the price rise.

The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC), the country’s highest economic decision-making forum, will review the possibility of imposing a ban on export of both the commodities, according to sources.

The Ministry of National Food Security and Research had moved a summary to consider the last ECC meeting held on November 6 but, due to ‘pressing engagements’ of the ECC chairman, who happens to be Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, the ECC could not take up the important summary for a decision.

The summary has been placed on the ECC agenda for today’s meeting. Due to delay in taking policy and administrative actions, prices of both the items have constantly increased in retail and wholesale markets. The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) preference for free markets may affect the ECC’s decision, as the country is effectively on the IMF’s radar.

According to the weekly Sensitive Price Index, which is calculated by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the prices of onions, tomatoes and potatoes saw significant increases. The prices of tomatoes, which were available at Rs82 per kilogram at end of October, increased to Rs122 per kilogram within a span of a week, showing an alarming rate of increase of almost 50%.

As compared with the same week of the last year, tomatoe prices soared 186.5% last week, according to the PBS’s statistics.

Similarly, the price of onions increased from Rs53 per kilogram to Rs60 week on week by November 7, depicting 12.5% increase. As compared to the previous year, onion prices have soared by 80%, according to the PBS.

Tight demand-and-supply situation of onions was seen while tomato supplies were also far less than the demand, according to an official of the Ministry of Food Security. He said the ministry had presented the demand and supply situation and comparison of previous years and now it was up to the ECC whether to slap a ban or not.

Pakistani onions and tomatoes are in great demand in India and the Gulf. There was also a shortage of onions in Indian markets as bad weather adversely impacted the crops. The domestic supply of onions may improve after arrival of Sindh’s produce in the market.

While the government may impose a ban on export of these commodities, it has yet to find a solution to the problems of smuggling and hoarding. Officials admitted that there were no effective border controls to curtail smuggling, which will minimize the impact of any ban on increasing prices.

The federal government has also yet to develop a mechanism to improve coordination with the provinces to check increasing prices. After abolition of the magistrate system, the provinces find it difficult to check prices in the retail markets.

TAPI pipeline: ECC likely to allow hiring of ADB as transaction adviser

According to sources, the three other countries that are part of the project have already given their consent in writing, agreeing on hiring the ADB as a transaction adviser to help generate over $7.5 billion. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), which is meeting today (Wednesday), is expected to approve the hiring of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as a transaction adviser to help generate over $7.5 billion for the US-backed transnational gas pipeline starting from Turkmenistan, sources say.

It will be a significant development at a time when Pakistani officials are in the United States to discuss a financing deal with US energy firms for the project, called Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) pipeline.

The US has been pushing for laying the pipeline in a bid to win big extraction contracts in Turkmenistan for its companies, such as Chevron, and press Pakistan to abandon the Iran pipeline project.

Leading US-based oil companies, Chevron and ExxonMobil, have expressed interest in financing and constructing the TAPI pipeline. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, which has prepared a summary, will ask the ECC to give the go-ahead to the award of contract to one of these firms against provision of funds. The ministry will also seek approval for signing an agreement with the ADB.

According to sources, the three other countries that are part of the project have already given their consent in writing, agreeing on hiring the ADB as a transaction adviser to help generate over $7.5 billion.

Each country will pay $5 million in fee to the ADB, which will deal with the company leading a consortium of financiers. Chevron has emerged as the potential leader of the consortium to finance, build and operate the pipeline.

The ADB has already warned that the pipeline cost could exceed $10 billion compared to earlier estimates of $7.5 billion because of delay in starting work on the venture.

All participating countries have signed a gas sale and purchase agreement with Turkmenistan for the import of gas.

On its part, Chevron has sought exploration rights in Turkmenistan as well as contracts in response to financing and running the project. However, Turkmenistan has offered exploration rights for offshore fields and asked Chevron to swap the gas found in these fields for onshore gas and then export it. Turkmenistan does not allow foreign companies to search for hydrocarbons in its onshore fields.

Under the TAPI project, Pakistan will get 1.365 billion cubic feet of gas per day (bcfd) from Turkmenistan, India will also receive the same 1.365 bcfd and Afghanistan will get 0.5 bcfd.

Gas for Engro fertiliser plant

The government is expected to give approval to the supply of gas to Engro’s new fertiliser plant at concessionary rates.

Though the previous PPP government had decided to divert 103 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) from Engro’s old plant to its new Enven plant, it did not accept the demand for setting the price at a sharply lower level at 70 cents against $3.3 per million British thermal units (mmbtu). The ECC will on Wednesday consider the proposal to supply gas at a discount.

Enven plant, located in Deharki, Sindh, is the world’s largest single-train, ammonia-urea plant with a production capacity of 1.3 million tons per annum.

Engro, the food and fertiliser giant, has been receiving 103 mmcfd from the Mari field at a rate of $3.3 per mmbtu. It now wants Sui Northern Gas Pipelines – the gas distributor – to apply concessionary rates in line with a contract for securing gas supply from the Qadirpur gas field at 70 cents per mmbtu.