Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

EA Games have released a Spring Update for Need For Speed Heat. And, with it, they have added a selection of new content to the racer. The good news is that some of that is available free of charge to anyone who owns the base game. But a few additions will set you back a few bucks.

However, this is the murky Black Market were dealing with here, where nothing in life is (truly) free. So, its hardly surprising that money comes into the equation somewhere.

The Black Market Delivery feature will be added to the game once the latest patch has been downloaded. And its from there that you can enjoy your potential spending spree. Thats because somebody named Raziel will start importing a range of car models for you to populate your garage with. But, like I said, some things come with a catch.

That catch is the price tag of $4.99 which may, or may not be, value for money to you (but the only way of unlocking that 1993 McLaren F1). However, the free stuff I mentioned earlier isnt to be sniffed at, either. And could keep you busy, out on those open roads, for some time yet.

These freebies include a number of new characters and challenges, along with a selection of new accessorising parts. But the 2018 Aston Martin DB11 Volante is also included in that offer, so youll have at least one new set of wheels to try out. Thats if this version of Need For Speed has kept you checking your mirrors. If it has, the patch is 8.4 GB in size and is available now so, start your engines and well see you on the streets!

To keep up to date with all of our latest news and reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Thanks, you sexy beast.

We sometimes link to online retail stores. If you buy something from our links, we may make a small commission which goes towards keeping the lights on and coffee in the pot.

Living life one Batmobile chase at a time. When shes not writing about video games, shes writing terrible jokes that even a Christmas cracker would be embarrassed to share.

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Spring Update Adds A McLaren To Need For Speed Heat - Pure PlayStation

Every craft, job, and career path you take requires a decent amount of understanding and passion for whatever it is you're doing. And that's definitely no different when it comes to entertaining hundreds of thousands, if not millions of viewers.It's all about authenticity and showing that you're not just another sellout trying to make an easy buck.

As far as the automotive tv show industry goes, there have been quite a few shows with their hearts in the right place, that have sharedtheir passion and authenticity with their viewers, showing that cutting corners is noviable way to build up a reliable and entertaining show.

On the other hand, there have been numerous others that have tried to improvise their way through the industry, which only led to backlash and hate from the community. With that being said, here are 10 of the fakest car tv shows out there, and 5 that are undoubtedly genuine.

You'd expect an automotive TV show to actually tackle cars and everything else related to them, but that's not that case when it comes to Counting Cars.

Airing its first episode back in 2012,the show is better of as "Counting Problems" as theconstant bickeringand drama the host of this show and his crew get into are countless, and, to be frank, boring and stale. And so are this series' episodes of everything you don't wanna see in an automotive tv show. Miraculously lasting 8 seasons, the show aired its last episode in 2018, and there have been no updates since then on whether or not the show will resume.

What is unarguably one of the worst automotive TV shows, Pimp My Ride checks off all the red flags. From disrespecting their participants, to scripting several parts of the show, the whole thing was nothing more than a masquerade hiding behind gimmicky customizations that had little to no actual functionality.

The show hosted by rapper Xzibit would remodel the cars, adding severalgimmicks to them, from your mainstream things like TVs and sound systems to the more bizarre additions such as full-sized pool tables and cotton candy machines. These customizations took long periods of time, often violated safety regulations, and had no use for the actual functionality or performance of the car.

It takes more than just two know-it-all mechanics to entertain an entire nation. It may be true that the show and the hosts are all about cars, but you have to keep in mind that this is the entertainment industry, and failing to entertain people doesn't go well in showbiz.

Airing their first episode back in 2001, and with a very low rating of 3.4/10 on IMDb, we're surprised the show has managed to last till now. For a show that tackles a lot of fast cars, they sure do know how to make your time go by slow.

You really hate to see an automotive TV show that had potential turn into another Keeping Up With The Kardashians reality show, and that's exactly what happened with Desert Car Kings. What started out as an insaneand interesting idea to restore vintage cars, quickly turned into yet another family feud.

The show would go on to last one season, as most of whatever cars the family actually repaired when they weren't too busy arguing lacked life and charisma, which quickly made the show dull and unentertaining to watch. This is one of those shows that has you wondering what it would've been like under different production.

You know a show is not destined for greatness when they have to spell the word "cars" with a z. Graveyard Carz was never expected to blow up. Especially taking into consideration the crew's extremely narrow field of experience, dealing exclusively with 1960-1970 Chrysler muscle cars.

With a slogan like "It's Mopar or No Car," we're surprised the show is still airing. If you find entertainment in one-trick wonders, then this show would be perfect for you.

RELATED:The Mopar Lowliner Concept Reimagines A 1968 D200-Series Pickup

Despite having a unique and entertaining idea, where the show ventures into the streets of Oklahoma to capture the street racing scene, the execution wasn't quite there. A lot of the show's parts felt overly scripted, and a lot of the viewers were complaining that the show's host failed to show genuine brotherhood towards his crewmates and friends.

A combination of celebrities and cars, Unique Whips was all about remodeling and customizing vehicles for people like Lebron James, Chris Brown, and 50 Cent.

You'd think a show like this would be great, but unfortunately, it's not. It was repetitive most of the time and didn't provide any entertaining car-related content. It failed to balance its focus between celebrities and cars, which ended up ruining the automotive vibe and made it feel like another celebrity reality show.

This show deserves some credit as the idea and the results are amazing. If you appreciate the charm andelegance of these six-wheeled beauties, then you're bound to like some of the makeovers on Trick My Truck.

The show features a crew that remodels and customizes trucks of selected drivers. Sadly, the process of these makeovers and customizations isn't shown, making the series more of a talk show rather than an automotive one.

RELATED:15 Pickup Trucks You Should Buy Over The Toyota Tacoma

Wrench'd is a perfect example of what an automotive TV show shouldn't be. The self-proclaimed "visionary in his field" host Justin Nichols is considered rather pretentious by his peers in the community.

As someone who's supposed to be a car expert, Nichols sure messes up a lot of the times and oftenhas no idea of what is going on. Just goes to show how "acting" isn't enough to run a successful tv show, especially when it comes to cars.

Considered to be the "world's worst car tv show" by Drive Tribe, Caffeine And Octane certainly fits the description. Whether it's the ingenuine camaraderie between the hosts or the fact that the show tries to copy content from other better-known shows in the industry, it'sjust a disappointment all around.

Moreover, the show focuses more on the hosts talking rather thanentertaining car-related content. It definitely isn't a show worth spending time watching.

The Grand Tour was created as a result of previous Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson being fired from the British production. This show is a great display of genuine camaraderie as Jeremy's previous co-hosts from Top Gear followed the automotive enthusiast and expert to Grand Tour.

The show exhibits very entertaining automotive content and provides a friendly competitive atmosphere in which the hosts compete against each other to win challenges in exotic rare cars.

Being a personal favorite, Chasing Classic Cars is probably one of the best shows for all of you classic car fanatics out there. The passion and love for classic cars that the show host Wayne Carini has are enough to maintain his viewers' attention, interest, and love.

The show that focuses on winning classic car bids at auctions and restoring them to their former glory, understands the importance of showing its viewers the restoration process which makes the show all around even better.

RELATED:15 Classic Cars From The '80s You Can Still Buy For Pretty Cheap

At first glance, Fast N' Loud looks like your typical car restoration show, but it's not. Packed with lots of adventure, this show features two phenomenal automotive experts traveling the country and collecting worn-out cars that they restore to near-perfect state.

Part of this show's appeal also comes from the mutual friendship the two hosts share, in addition to the show adding some skits into the different themes of episodes. It's a very unique show that has managed to grab the attention of millions of viewers since the premiere of their first season.

Jay Leno's Garage is one of those shows that has something for everyone. The show features former late-night celebrity host Jay Leno embarking on his journey to repair, test, and exhibit some of the best cars in the country.

The show is quite entertaining as it goes into different aspects of the automotive world, as well as cover the stories of different peoples' car collection, from celebrities to your everyday folks. It also doesn't lack in comedy taking into consideration that Lenon is a stand comedian, which gives the show that nice little finishing touch to it.

The Overhaulin' crew repair, customize, and remodel broken down cars of unknowing deserving people such as returning veterans. The emotions and interactions on this show are heartwarming and tearjerking, which adds that personal feel to it. The crew did a great job connecting with their viewers, which brought the show success for nine beautiful seasons.

NEXT:Why You Shouldn't Waste Your Money On American Sports Cars

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10 Of The Fakest Car TV Shows (5 That Are 100% Real) | HotCars - HotCars

Bollywood has always been a dreamland for many, especially because of the extravagant lifestyle of the actors. Moving around in expensive luxury cars is one of the reasons behind peoples love for Bollywood. Well, there are many Bollywood celebrities who own humble cars just like us apart from owning a range of luxury vehicles. Who are these celebrities and which cars do they drive? Heres a list.

Maruti Suzuki Gypsy

He is an avid automobile enthusiast and owns a few super bikers and cars like Nissan GT-R. John is a purist and also owns a Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, which has now been discontinued from the market. John has kept his white Maruti Suzuki Gypsy in a top condition and also takes it around the around every now and then.

Toyota Innova

The Toyota Innova has been the preferred choice of ride for many during the long hauls. The comfort of the cabin and exceptional reliability that it provides cannot be matched by any other car. Jackie, who owns cars like Bentley also owns an Innova and uses it quite regularly.

Tata Safari Storme

Anil Kapoor has been an actor for over 40 years now and the man who first caught the eye of the public or rather disappeared in front of your eyes inMr India is best known for his collection of flagship luxury sedans from Mercedes, BMW and Audi. However, he also has the Safari Storme SUV which was gifted to him by the carmaker to promote a TV series. The Safari Storme in Mr Kapoors garage uses a 2.2-litre diesel engine paired with a manual gearbox.

Toyota Fortuner

Next up is Aamir Khan, who is among the best actors in India right now. Also known as a Mr Perfectionist, Aamir owns a fleet of luxury cars including the Bentley Continental GT and Mercedes-Benz S-Guard among others. However, when it comes to regular cars, he owns a few of them including the Toyota Fortuner and a Mahindra XUV500. The new-gen Fortuner that he owns is not used much by him except for when he wants to be discreet.

Mahindra CJ4A

The veteran actor, Nana Patekar lives simple and does not own any fancy car. He owns a Mahindra CJ4A jeep, which rarely comes out of the garage. It is finished in a desert colour and is powered by a 2.2-litre petrol engine that develops a maximum of 72 Bhp.

Mahindra Scorpio Getaway

The adventurous Gul Panag loves to explore and is often spotted with her motorcycle in the mountains. She also owns a heavily customised Mahindra Scorpio Getaway that can go extreme places. The additions on her Scorpio Getaway include a rooftop tent, snorkel, off-road spec tires, a chemical toilet, a winch on the front modified bumper and so on.

Toyota Fortuner

Fortuner is a car with bulletproof reliability and it can run for years. Bipasha Basu owns a white coloured Fortuner and uses it regularly to tackle the Mumbai traffic. Since expensive cars can get damaged in the heavily congested roads and it takes a lot of money to repair them, using such humble cars is a much better idea.

Tata Nano

Tagged as the most affordable production car in the world, the Tata Nano found a place in the garage of many Indians but not as much Tata would have liked. When it comes to the celebrities, the Nano just never made an impact there. Kim Sharma, a popular model-turned-actor in Bollywood drives around in a Nano. Kim also owns a couple of luxury cars but when it comes to tackling the city traffic, she chooses the Nano over any other car in her garage.

Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze

Bollywood young heartthrob Disha Patani is the owner of two quite humble cars. These are the Chevrolet Cruze and the Honda Civic, both D-segment sedans. While now she is mostly seen in her Mercedes E-Class, Land Rover Range Rover or the BMW 5-Series, she used to travel a lot in her Cruze and Civic some time back. Disha has also been spotted enjoying a drive in her Honda Civic quite a lot of times.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Malaika Arora is a fashion diva and roams around in extremely luxurious vehicles including a brand new Range Rover Vogue. Malaika also owns a Toyota Innova Crysta which is used by her often. She has also been spotted driving around the car by herself. Malaika owns the 2.7-litre petrol automatic version of the car, which offers a very smooth and quiet ride.

Excerpt from:
HUMBLE cars of Bollywood - CarToq.com

All houseplants need air, light and water to survive, but thats not always an option when plants are shaded by trees or sit far from windows.

Lack of sunlight is one of the most common challenges for indoor houseplants, said plant expert Annette Gutierrez of the Los Angeles garden store Potted. Do you have any low-light houseplants? is the No. 1 question we get from our customers, she said. (The second is Do you carry plants that clean the air more on that later.)

The good news is that there are many houseplants that can grow in low light. But that doesnt mean they prefer it or thrive in those conditions.

A low-light plant isnt a plant that does best in low light, explained Danae Horst, owner of Folia Collective in Eagle Rock and author of the upcoming coffee-table book Houseplants for All. Its just a plant that is adaptable enough to tolerate low light.

Gutierrez agreed. You have to look at them as plants that can survive low light.

With that in mind, here are 10 indoor houseplants that will survive in low-light conditions as chosen by garden experts Horst and Gutierrez, Rhiannon Cramm of Mickey Hargitay Plants and Erin Marino of the Sill:

Variegated tropical leaves pattern of snake plant or mother-in-laws tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata Laurentii).

(Chansom Pantip/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

1. Snake plant

Botanical name: Sansevieria trifasciata

Family: Agavaceae

Pet-friendly: No

Popular sansevierias such as the snake plant, or mother-in-laws tongue, an upright plant with sword-like yellow-edged marbled leaves, are easy to grow, require little water and thrive in warm interiors as a tropical plant.

While most sansevieria thrive in bright light and even direct sun, they can tolerate medium to low light conditions, said Rhiannon Cramm of Hollywood nursery Mickey Hargitay Plants.

The key to helping plants thrive in lower light? Reduce the amount of water you give them in both frequency and quantity. When plants are in lower light, they are using less of their resources, so they are not able to use up as much water as plants receiving a lot of light, Cramm said. Water also evaporates a lot slower in cooler, darker areas so less water is definitely key.

The sculptural plant can grow up to 4 feet tall and is especially dramatic when paired with shorter plants. For extra drama at home, uplight them.

Interesting new varieties Cramm recommends: Cylindrica, Moonshine, Starpower, Masons Congo and Kirkii.

A zamiocula or ZZ plant.

(Annette Gutierrez / Potted)

2. ZZ plant

Botanical name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Family: Araceae

Pet-friendly? No.

If you are intimidated by houseplants, Zamioculcas zamiifolia, commonly known as the ZZ plant, is a tall, sculptural tropical that can survive just about anywhere.

A native of drought-prone East Africa, the succulent features glossy green leaves that will grow to a height and width of about 2 feet. It can survive up to four months without water, so if you are an aspiring plant parent who enjoys watering, this plant is not for you.

A slow grower, the ZZ thrives in medium to low indirect light and can tolerate bright indirect light. It can be propagated by separating the potato-like rhizomes that hold water at its base or by cuttings.

A sexy new black variety called the Raven ZZ or Zamioculcas zamiifolia Dowon looks to be the next hot houseplant. (It was voted the best new foliage plant at the 2018 Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition.) The patented plant is grown exclusively by Florida-based grower Costa Farm and is available through Walmart. We also spotted it online at Home Depot. By the end of 2020, expect to see black ZZs everywhere.

Parlor Palm, Chamaedorea elegans

(The Sill )

3. Parlor palm

Botanical name: Chamaedorea elegans

Family: Palmae

Pet-friendly: Yes

If your taste is more Bohemian modern than traditional, the arched fronds of the parlor palm, or good luck palm, will add a relaxed tropical vibe to your interiors.

The miniature palm is a slow grower that can reach about 3 feet high or, with repeated repotting, as high as 6 feet.

Like most tropical plants, Chamaedorea elegans thrives in warm, humid rooms, so it helps to mist them or place them on a tray filled with moist pebbles.

Chinese evergreen, Aglaonema

(Potted)

4. Chinese evergreen

Botanical name: Aglaonema modestum

Family: Araceae

Pet-friendly: No

The Chinese evergreen is often recommended for beginners because it is hearty, easy to grow, drought-tolerant and can tolerate just about any indoor lighting situation.

There are many different varieties of the genus Aglaonema, which are noted for their long patterned leaves speckled with gray, cream and pink. The Chinese evergreen has waxy green oval leaves spotted with silver.

The Chinese evergreen is great for tabletops and bathrooms. Variegation is quite common with Aglaonema. Cramm recommends the varieties Maria, Silver Bay and Emerald Beauty.

Satin Pothos or Silver Vine (Scindapsus pictus), Araceae.

(DEA / C. DANI/De Agostini via Getty Images)

5. Satin pothos

Botanical name: Scindapsus pictus Exotica

Family: Araceae

Pet-friendly? No

The lesser-known satin pothos not to be confused with philodendron features distinctive blue-green heart-shaped leaves with silver variegation that is compatible with modern interiors.

Because it likes humid conditions, this spiller is a great choice for bathrooms, where the long vines can cascade from hanging baskets. If leaves turn brown, it may mean that the air is too dry. Position it near other plants or on a saucer filled with damp pebbles to add moisture. You can train it to grow upright, with stakes and strings, or drape it along a fireplace mantle or bookshelf.

Calathea Medallion.

(The Sill )

6. Calathea medallion

Botanical name: Calathea roseopicta

Family: Marantaceae

Pet-friendly? Yes

The tropical Calathea medallion is named for its unique oval medallion-like leaves that feature pink and white variegation on top and deep purple tones underneath.

Calatheas are often called prayer plants a common name for Calathea, Maranta and other Marantaceae because their leaves open during the day and close at night, a phenomenon known as nyctinasty.

Although beautiful, Calathea can be a diva and needs consistent watering, pruning and feeding. High humidity is essential too, and foliage should be misted daily. Because the plant prefers lime-free water we told you its a diva take it outside when it rains.

Heartleaf philodendron, Philodendron hederaceum

(The Sill )

7. Green heartleaf philodendron

Botanical name: Philodendron hederaceum

Family: Araceae

Pet-friendly: No

Philodendron hederaceum, known for its heart-shaped green leaves and trailing vines, is one of the most common houseplants (it is the Sills bestseller) and one of the easiest to grow. The plant can survive a variety of lighting conditions and can be grown as a climbing or trailing specimen. Pinch it back and it will become bushy.

8. Corn plant

Botanical name: Dracaena Lisa Cane

Family: Agavaceae

Pet-friendly? No

Large houseplants can transform and warm up a space. Dracaena Lisa Cane, green and palmlike with arching leaves, can grow 7 to 8 feet tall with little sunlight. It will work well in a hallway or foyer away from windows. Regular dusting or misting is recommended; its known as a dust collector.

Dieffenbachia Camille

(Potted)

9. Dumb cane

Botanical name: Dieffenbachia maculata

Family: Araceae

Pet-friendly? No

Dieffenbachia are beloved for their highly decorative leaves tinged with yellow, cream and white.

The maculata variety, commonly known as spotted dumb cane, is a popular species featuring narrow green leaves with irregular white markings.

Native to Central and South America, it is most comfortable in warm and humid interiors. If your interiors are dry, place it on a tray of damp pebbles for humidity, or group it with similar humidity-loving plants to create a moisture pocket.

Because it can grow to 5 feet tall or or more, it is an excellent choice for an empty wall.

The plants name dumb cane comes from the dieffenbachias milky sap, which is poisonous and can cause oral irritation. Be sure to wash your hands after removing leaves or cuttings.

Fittonia do best in high humidity. Stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles and mist for adequate moisture.

(Lisa Boone )

10. Nerve plant

Botanical name: Fittonia verschaffeltii

Family: Acanthaceae

Pet-friendly? Yes.

This creeping plant, which is indigenous to tropical rainforests, features green leaves with delicate white, silver and red veins.

Fittonia can be finicky: They dont like direct sunlight, which damages their leaves, and they need careful watering or their leaves will dry up and become brittle or brown around the edges. Keep soil barely moist at all times and give it a regular misting or place it on a tray of wet pebbles.

Because it is happiest in warm and humid conditions, the low-growing fittonia is an excellent choice for bottle gardens, terrariums and bathrooms. For a more compact look, pinch the growing points to encourage branching.

Originally posted here:
What are indoor plants that don't need a ton of light? - Los Angeles Times

A smoker steps outside to have a quick cigarette. They wait to light up until theyre well beyond the state-mandated smoke-free area outside the buildings door. No one is around. When theyre done, they put out the butt, dispose of it properly, and walk back inside.

As far as current laws and social norms go, this smoker has done everything right. But new research published Wednesday in Science Advances reports that even these best-intentioned smokers could have negative effects on those around them thanks to the toxic chemicals that linger on their clothes and are brought indoors.

While smokers, of course, experience smoke firsthand, those in the direct presence of a lit cigarette are exposed to secondhand smoke. Now, researchers are bringing attention to a new type exposure: thirdhand smoke.

Thirdhand smoke is the residual contamination of surfaces and spaces with nicotine and other chemicals from smokers, which others breathe in through dust or gases. And unlike secondhand smoke, thirdhand smoke is unseen and can often go unnoticed.

In the new study, researchers from Yale University and the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry looked to a well-ventilated movie theater where smoking had been banned for 15 years. Over four days, the team measured the air in the theater before moviegoers arrived, as well as throughout the movie.

The researchers found that toxic chemicals such as benzene were most prevalent when moviegoers first walked into the theater. And although they diminished over the course of the film, they were present throughout.

R-rated films showed the highest levels of thirdhand smoke, even when the audience was smaller than the G-rated showings.

During the hour-long period around R-rated movie showtime, the average emissions were equivalent to one to 10 cigarettes of secondhand smoke, said Roger Sheu, the Yale chemical engineer who led the study, in a teleconference.

While firsthand and secondhand smoke have been known to cause health complications, theres a possibility for complications from this newfound thirdhand smoke. Further research has to be done to examine whether factors like the type of indoor location, or even the brand of cigarettes, affect the amount of off-gassing, say the authors.

These results, along with past surface measurements of nicotine in nonsmoking environments, indicate that this is occurring frequently around us, said Drew Gentner, a Yale engineer also involved in the study. This effect is not just limited to the period [of time when the] smoker is off-gassing, but can leave a persistent contamination on the surfaces after those people leave.

In the teleconference, Gentner and Sheu didnt have any direct advice as to lowering the spread of thirdhand smoke. For now, Gentner says, people should be aware that the toxins are still there even when you cant see them.

[Smokers] themselves remain a source of those chemicals when they go back inside, says Gentner, which may be particularly important in the presence of small children or sensitive populations.

Excerpt from:
Thirdhand Smoke: Study Finds Smokers' Clothes are Carrying Cigarette Chemicals Indoors - Discover Magazine

DUBLIN, March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Light Control Switches Market by Product Type (Switches, Dimmers), Communication Technology (Wired, Wireless), End-use Application, Switch Solutions (Standalone, Integrated), Light Source, Geography - Global Forecast to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

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The global light control switches market is estimated to grow from USD 6.6 billion in 2020 and projected to reach USD 10.1 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 8.9%.

The major factors driving the growth of the light control switches market include the advent of integrated lighting control systems, ongoing and upcoming smart city projects in developing economies, increasing adoption and reduction in prices of LEDs, and growing awareness about energy savings among consumers and governments worldwide. Factors such as lack of awareness regarding installation cost and payback period for smart lighting solutions and privacy and security issues with smart lighting control are restraining the growth of the light control switches market.

Wired technology is expected to hold a larger share of the light control switches market by 2025.

Currently, the light control switches and dimmers based on wired technology are widely adopted for different types of structures as this technology offers reliable connectivity, with no limitation on long-distance data transfer. Wired communication technologies for light control switches and dimmers include Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI), Power-line Communication (PLC), and various wired hybrid protocols, which include company-specific proprietary protocols. Wired protocols offer reliable performance and greater control; thus, the technology held the largest share of the market.

Highways & roadways to hold the largest size of light control switches market for outdoor application during the forecast period.

The highways & roadways lighting application segment holds the largest market share of the outdoor light control switches application due to government support and subsidies encouraging the installation and use of smart light control solutions. As of now, the latest trend in the street lighting segment is the replacement of existing street lighting sources with LED street lights to reduce energy consumption significantly.

Light control switches market in APAC expected to grow at highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The light control switches market in APAC is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to rapid infrastructure building activities being undertaken in APAC, mainly in China and India, where smart light control solutions pave the way for the modernization of infrastructure. Factors such as the ever-growing population, increasing per capita income, as well as vast geographic expansions, have indirectly contributed to the growth of the market for light control switches in the Asian countries.

Key Topics Covered

1. Introduction

2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary

4. Premium Insights

5. Market Overview5.1. Introduction5.2. Market Dynamics5.2.1. Drivers5.2.2. Restraints5.2.3. Opportunities5.2.4. Challenges

6. Industry Trends6.1. Introduction6.2. Value Chain Analysis6.3. Key Industry Trends

7. Light Control Switches Market, By Product Type7.1. Introduction7.2. Switches7.2.1. Manual ON/OFF Switches7.2.1.1. Toggle switches7.2.1.2. Rocker switches7.2.1.3. Illuminated switches7.2.2. Electronic Switches7.2.2.1. Wireless switches7.2.2.2. Sensor-based switches7.2.2.3. Others7.3. Dimmers7.3.1. Wired Dimmers7.3.2. Wireless Dimmers

8. Light Control Switches Market, By Switch Solutions8.1. Introduction8.2. Standalone switch solution8.3. Integrated switch solution

9. Light Control Switches Market, By End-use Application9.1. Introduction9.2. Indoor9.2.1. Residential9.2.2. Commercial9.2.3. Industrial9.2.4. Others9.3. Outdoor9.3.1. Highways & Roadways Lighting9.3.2. Architectural Lighting9.3.3. Lighting for Public Places9.3.4. Others

10. Light Control Switches Market, By Communication Protocol10.1. Introduction10.2. Wired10.2.1. DALI10.2.2. KNX10.2.3. Digital multiplex (DMX)10.3. Wireless10.3.1. Zigbee10.3.2. BLE10.3.3. EnOcean10.3.4. Wi-Fi10.3.5. Z-wave

11. Light Control Switches Market, By Geography11.1. Introduction11.2. North America11.2.1. US11.2.2. Canada11.2.3. Mexico11.3. Europe11.3.1. UK11.3.2. Germany11.3.3. France11.3.4. Italy11.3.5. Spain11.3.6. Rest of Europe11.4. APAC11.4.1. China11.4.2. Japan11.4.3. India11.4.4. South Korea11.4.5. Rest of APAC11.5. RoW11.5.1. Middle East & Africa11.5.2. South America

12. Competitive Landscape12.1. Introduction12.2. Market Ranking Analysis12.3. Competitive Leadership Mapping12.4. Competitive Scenario12.4.1. New Product Launches and Developments12.4.2. Acquisitions12.4.3. Agreements and Contracts12.4.4. Expansion

13. Company Profiles13.1. Key Players13.1.1. Signify Holding (Philips Lighting)13.1.2. Legrand S.A.13.1.3. Eaton Corporation PLC13.1.4. OSRAM Licht AG13.1.5. Acuity Brands, Inc.13.1.6. Lutron Electronics13.1.7. Schneider Electric SE13.1.8. Honeywell International Inc.13.1.9. Hubbell Incorporated13.1.10. Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.13.1.11. Havells India Limited (Havells)13.2. Other Important Players13.2.1. Dialight PLC13.2.2. Helvar13.2.3. Zumbtobel Group13.2.4. Ideal Industries13.2.5. General Electric Company (Current-Powered by GE)13.2.6. ABB13.2.7. Siemens13.2.8. LightwaveRF PLC13.2.9. RAB Lighting13.2.10. Synapse Wireless, Inc.13.2.11. Panasonic

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The Future of the Global Light Control Switches Market, 2025: $10+ Billion Opportunity Assessment - Yahoo Finance

Microsoft has given a sneak peek at a new Windows 10 Start Menu design that lets the company's new batch of iconsshine without the solid-color Live Tile blocks familiar to users.

Revealed by the company's Windows Insider team and designers, the new concept shows what the company is planning for a future version of Windows 10. The new Start Menu ditches Live Tiles and helps emphasize Microsoft's new Fluent Design app logos, which areintended to create a consistent entry point to its apps for Windows 10, iOS, and Android.

Brandon LeBlanc of the Windows Insider team insists Microsoft's new concept"doesn't mean that Live Tiles are going away".

However, the demonstration suggests Microsoft could soon diverge from the original concept of Live Tiles introduced in Window 10 in 2015.

SEE: 20 pro tips to make Windows 10 work the way you want (free PDF)

It would also bring the desktop interface in line with Microsoft's dual-screen Windows 10X Start Menu, which eschews Live Tiles for app icons.

Microsoft currently plans to lets users turn off Live Tiles to reveal the new icon interface. The idea is to present a visually unified design for the Start Menu compared with what Microsoft says was "a somewhat chaotic color". It also wants to introduce the change without annoying Windows 10 users who like Live Tiles.

The new Start Menu would introduce a more "acrylic, fluent theme" compared with the bright, solid colors that aren't consistent with its Fluent Design System.

The design change is meant to offer better support for system-wide light and dark modes, offering users a cleaner design in either mode.

Microsoft has been toying with the idea of removing Live Tiles for at least a year, well before it revealed Windows 10X for the Surface Neo and other dual-screen Windows devices.

In Microsoft's before-and-after demonstration, it's clear why the company's designers want to veer away from solid blocks of color.

Fluent Design icons for apps like Edge, Word, and Outlook are overshadowed by each tile's dominant colors. Without the tile, each app's icon stands out and is more obvious to users.

SEE: Microsoft is discontinuing Cortana consumer skills starting with Windows 10 20H1

Microsoft's creative director, Christina Koehn, earlier this month explained why Windows 10 tiles don't really fit with its shift away from flat icons.

"Flat, monochrome icons look great in context of colorful tiles, but as more icon styles enter the ecosystem, this approach needs to evolve," she wrote.

"When icons in the taskbar and Start menu are different styles, it creates more cognitive load to scan and find applications."

The new concept in dark and light modes helps emphasize Microsoft's new Fluent Design app logos.

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New Windows 10 Start menu: Microsoft shows this new design that sidelines Live Tiles - ZDNet

There is always a sense of anticipation when you approach a house that could be the one. For Clare Pater, she knew that two years of looking for a home were over as she sat outside in the car. And her confidence wasnt shaken when she finally entered and discovered it was an absolute disaster inside.

With a limited budget to tap into and a head full of plans for the rooms, interior designer Clare called on her near-Olympian skills for tracking down bargains in order to put together a home that oozes designer quality. She reveals how she did it, and the secret savings shes made that have fooled visitors as they admire the high-end look

Inspired to tackle your own project? We have masses of ideas and helpful advice on what to do and where to start in our feature on house renovation. For more real home transformations, head to our hub page.

Id always wanted a blue kitchen. It was an image I saw years ago and kept it in my head. When we put this one in around two years ago, people thought we were crazy: Why do you want a blue kitchen? Now theyre everywhere. Kitchen, First Impressions, supplied and fitted by Roger Chippeck Interiors. Brass handles, House of Brass. Sink, Shaws of England. Dishwashers, oven and hob, Neff

(Image credit: Jemma Watts)

The owners Clare Pater, an interior designer (novanilla.co.uk), lives here with husband Jake, a partner in a commercial property company, their children Amelie, Asher, and Ava, and Oscar, the labradoodle puppyThe property A 1950s detached four-bedroom house in Hendon, LondonProject cost 50,000 for then house renovation

'We wanted to stay in the area the kids are at school and we have lots of friends round here but we needed more space and somewhere a little quieter,' Clare explains. 'Id done up our house already and wanted to do it all again, so I was ready for a project. This came up and we fell in love with it. I drove up outside with my dad the night before the viewing, and I knew without going inside that this was the one.'

Artwork, Ebay and auctions. Splashback, Better Bathrooms. Black and white tiles, Tons of Tiles. Stools, Wayfair. Corner edging, Ironmongery Direct. Chandelier, French auction (delarte-antique.fr). Wall lights, Ebay

(Image credit: Jemma Watts)

'Even when we went inside and it was an absolute disaster. It looked like it hadnt been lived in for years but, sadly, it had been right up until we saw it. It was filthy, things were broken, there were weird paintings on all the walls; all sorts of mad things. There had been a divorce and I think the husband had been living in the front room, and the family in the rest of the house. It was miserable but we could see the potential.'

I knew I wanted to go very dark on the walls and have very traditional flooring. And I had to have coving it just adds so much character. It looks like its meant to be there.Coving, Plaster Coving Ltd. Sofa, Swoon. Artwork above fireplace, Ebay. Rug and coffee table, La Redoute. Pendant, Living by Christiane Lemieux. Wall lights, Industville. Bulbs, Ikea. Walls painted in Valspar scrubbable colour matched paint Farrow & Balls Pitch Black is similar

(Image credit: Jemma Watts)

'Wed actually already decided to move in with my parents as we sold our house with nowhere to go, which was a bit of a risk. We had three weeks before we had to move out from our old house when we saw this place. I told my parents when we were moving in with them, "It could be a few months, it could be years." Luckily they took us in. We were there about seven months by the time wed bought the house and done all the work. I was coming back to drop the kids off at school and my work is nearby so Id visit the site every day to keep on top of things. And I was using builders Id worked with before. We were lucky; there werent any major problems.'

I bought an offcut of marble for the dining table. I spent weeks tracking down the perfect piece. Then I found the legs, had them shipped to the marble place and they put it all together.Artwork, Online auction. Marble slab, Openplan Design. Chairs, Cult Furniture. White bead chandelier, Out There Interiors

(Image credit: Jemma Watts)

'Based on what we had to pay for the house, we had very little budget left to work with, so any ideas of extending just werent an option now. It started off with, "Okay, well just give it a lick of paint". But the reality of the condition it was in meant that we had to do a lot new bathroom, kitchen, decorating, everything other than structural work or moving walls. But I knew pretty much exactly what I wanted to do.'

'I was obsessed with thinking the flooring had to be real wood, but I came round to laminate. It was a massive saving, and with kids, real wood does get damaged. This is from B&Q and is holding up amazingly. Artwork, Affordable Art Fair and upcycled charity shop finds. Leopard stool bench, reupholstered by Quality Lounge Suites. Blue bead chandelier, Ebay. Black and white wallpaper, Wayfair. Stair runner/carpet, Dans Carpet & Flooring

(Image credit: Jemma Watts)

'I was very careful with what we spent the money on. In the kitchen I wanted the look of marble worktops and splashback, so I chose the plain white work surface while the whole splashback is actually a large-format porcelain tile. The parquet flooring is all laminate from B&Q. Even when people walk around on it, nobody realises its not real wood.'

For the bathroom, we only tiled the areas the builder said had to be tiled to be made watertight. We just used the marble-effect ones in the shower; the rest of the tiles are cheaper porcelain or ceramic. Wooden floor tiles and marble-effect wall tiles, Wickes. Pink tassel wallpaper, Arte Wallcoverings. Black mirrors, Dunelm. Unit, converted Ikea drawers. Basins, Better Bathrooms

(Image credit: Jemma Watts)

'Almost all of the art is from Ebay or charity shops. I really shopped around, got bathroom fittings from Ebay outlets that might be returns or end of line sometimes Id spend all night online. My intention wasnt to go for the cheapest on absolutely everything, it was just picking a few key things to spend money on. I tend to pick small areas in the house where its worth using a top-end product, such as expensive wallpaper if I only needed one roll.'

Artwork, charity shop/upcycled. Black birdcages, Ikea

(Image credit: Jemma Watts)

'Everybody comes in the door and goes straight to the kitchen. I didnt think it was going to be like that but its just how it is. There are tall cupboards on one side and no wall units as I feel like they close the kitchen in. I prefer the look of open shelving, and going for this option also saved us a lot of money. With the art on the shelves it makes it feel more homely, not like a kitchen. We also have an instant hot water tap, which was a real indulgence. My husband didnt get why we needed one, but until you have one you dont realise how great it is. I love lighting and the French antique chandelier was an opportunity to put some interest in, and it didnt cost that much. It doesnt let out a ton of light so with open shelving I was able to have wall lights over the work surface.'

In our bathroom there was a double vanity and a shower bath in one. We decided wed rather sacrifice a sink and have a separate bath and shower. Basin, Durovin from Ebay. Drawers, Ikea. Black and white tiles, Tons of Tiles. Provenzale floor tiles,Tiles Direct. Wall-mounted taps, Victorian Plumbing

(Image credit: Jemma Watts)

'My oldest daughter had a clear idea of what she wanted for her room, which was a vibrant tropical theme, though we toned it down by putting in pastels. She was very involved in the whole process. The other two kids chose their bedroom colours. We spent days with sample pots, trying them out. With my son we tried a broad range of blues. He said, "Theyre all the same. I cant see a bit of difference". So I said, "Okay, Ill pick".'

With the decorating my husband was very much, I trust you, get on with it. He knew at the end of it all it would be something that he liked, but he did not get involved. Headboard, recovered in Toile de Jouy fabric. Blue cushions, bedside tables, Wings artwork, HomeSense. Fur cushions, Ikea. Wall lights, Ebay

(Image credit: Jemma Watts)

'We went away in the summer so we left my parents house and then returned to this house, which was a bit mad. My little one thought you had to get here by plane she was very confused by the whole experience! There are a lot of Jewish festivals after the summer and we love to entertain friends and family. Even though we still had boxes everywhere in one half of the room, we just put up trestle tables and had everyone gather round them in the other half!'

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Real home: this stylishly renovated home is full of surprises - Real Homes

Shares of Kirby Corporation KEX have lost 13% against the industry's 16.1% decline in a years time. The disappointing performance was caused by weakness in the oil and gas market as well as ramped down activity in coal transportation business.

Lets discuss the factors hurting the stock.

Dismal performance of the oil and gas market caused a 16% decline in the companys distribution and services revenues in 2019. The headwind is anticipated to persist in 2020, which is likely to lower revenues at the distribution and services in the range of 12-17%.

Also, reduced activity in coal transportation business is likely to dent coastal revenues (part of the broader marine transportation segments revenues) in 2020. Consequently, coastal revenues are anticipated to be either flat or up slightly year over year.

Moreover, the companys high debt levels are concerning. Evidently, debt to capitalization ratio, a measure of financial leverage, exceeded 28% at the end of fourth quarter, 2019.

Negative Estimate Revisions and Zacks Rank

Investors pessimism revolving around the stock is evident from the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2020 earnings being revised downward by 13.9% in the past 60 days to $3.03.

Kirby carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Stocks to Consider

Few better-ranked stocks in the Zacks Transportation sector are Azul S.A AZUL, Frontline Ltd. FRO and Costamare Inc. CMRE, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Shares of Azul, Frontline and Costamare have moved up 3.6%, 23% and 22.9%, respectively, in a year.

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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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Kirby (KEX) Loses 13% in a Year: What's Dragging It Down? - Nasdaq

It's known as the Kingdom of Morocco, where ancient architecture is virtually untouched, and majestic riads once palaces for the wealthy sit hidden within each neighbourhood's medina.

Unassuming from the outside, a riad can easily be overlooked by Instagram-hungry tourists searching for their next shot. But look a little closer and dotted across Morocco's cobblestone laneways you'll find countless modest doorways.

Inside, discover all the elements of a fairy tale; a grand entrance, high walls, a magical courtyard; awe-inspiring tilework; a pool and a rooftop full of trinkets. Most of them were once stately homes, today they have been converted into boutique hotels.

Whether you're travelling across the country, or simply ticking Marrakech off your list, there are plenty of standout accommodation options to choose from in Morocco.

Nestled inside Fes' ancient medina, this opulent riad boasts 30 individual guest rooms, a fine dining restaurant and all the extras you'd expect from a luxury hotel (including an unforgettable buffet breakfast).

The breathtaking decor and soaring ceiling evokes major Arabian Nights vibes, while the rooftop bar is the perfect spot to curl up with a book, order a mint tea and take in views of the Atlas Mountains.

A 10-minute walk from the action, this tranquil riad is an antidote to the rabbit hole that is Jama El Fna Square.

After a day getting accustomed with Marrakech's resident snake charmers, magicians and storytellers, you'll be transported to a serene oasis.

At La Sultana, every suite is unique, marked with its own theme, decor and vintage furniture. And outside, every experience is feed-worthy; from the Morrocan-style horseshoe arches that line the pool to the lush rooftop terrace that boasts an impressive cocktail list.

Centrally located near the ancient medina, the Four Seasons Marrakech is a winner if you're travelling with kids. The 40-acre property is filled with immaculate gardens and pools including an adults-only option. Rooms have been designed in a neutral palette with traditional Moroccan decor, with each featuring a private balcony, terrace or garden.

The Agafay Desert forms the backdrop to this unique property just an hour's drive from Marrakech. Take your pick from a glamping tent, or if you're in the mood for luxury one of the minimalist lodges featuring floor to ceiling windows overlooking the rolling sand dunes.

Have an afternoon dip in the infinity pool, followed by a camel ride at sunset before tucking into dinner at the in-house restaurant. Like most Moroccan restaurants, the signature dish is the tagine. Order it and you'll understand why.

The writer travelled with Luxury Escapes' small-group Morocco tour.

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In Morocco, it's all about the hidden riads - 9Honey