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Restricting Self-Preferencing in Digital Markets May Do More Harm Than Good: UMD Smith Researcher

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COLLEGE PARK, Md., Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Self-preferencing (when a platform favors its own products or services over those of third parties) by large tech companies is scrutinized as anticompetitive in legislation proposed in Congress to restrict the practice. However, passage of the bills could unintentionally raise consumer prices by reducing competition between sellers, according to research co-authored by Associate Professor of Marketing Bobby Zhou at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.

The American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA) restricts the nation’s largest tech companies from not only engaging in self-preferencing but also other acts, like limiting the number of products competing companies can put on large digital platforms. The Open App Markets Act keeps app marketplaces from engaging in self-preferencing and prohibits marketplaces with over 50 million users from forcing developers to use an in-app payment system owned or controlled by the app store.

“Regulatory agencies in the U.S. are worried that the fate of millions of consumers is being determined by a few big firms,” says Zhou. Under AICOA when a shopper searches for a product, a large online retail platform would have to first display “whatever product aligns with that consumer’s personal preferences with the one with the best fit coming up first,” says Zhou. So, if you always buy Stanley water bottles, when you search for water bottles, Stanley drinking cups would be displayed first instead of one of the platform’s own brands.

Research by Zhou in separate papers — “Antitrust Regulation” with Daniel Sokol at the University of Southern California and “Self-preferencing and Search Neutrality in Online Retail Platforms” with Tianxin Zou at the University of Florida — finds this kind of regulation may lead to higher prices.

If self-preferencing by the largest digital markets goes away, the seller whose product appears first during a search may decide to raise prices because it has enough well-matched customers to extract that profit or surplus. The seller whose product appears second might also charge more for the same reason. “This is a situation where both sellers have very strong incentives to keep their prices high, so they don’t really compete head-to-head,” Zhou says. “To some extent, this ex-ante (preventative) regulation backfires.”

The European Union has already enacted regulations that ban big tech companies from making sure their products are displayed before those of other firms. The rules have been highly criticized and the European Commission recently opened an investigation into whether Apple, Alphabet and Meta are complying with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. 

In their paper, Zhou and Sokol assert that digital markets have become increasingly important for the economy, as they enable new forms of innovation, competition and value creation in the process of exchanging goods, services and information. And Zhou says, “The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission are justified in looking into big tech platforms. I just caution against hasty decisions that are nearly impossible to reverse.”

About the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

Contact: Greg Muraski, gmuraski@umd.edu

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SOURCE University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business

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Redefining the Standard of Care: Introducing the Aulisa® Monitor Camera for Advanced Patient Monitoring

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PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Aulisa® Medical USA, Inc., a leader in FDA-cleared, wearable, wireless continuous vital sign monitoring technology, proudly announces the launch of the Aulisa® Monitor Camera, an innovative solution designed to revolutionize patient care in both hospital and home settings. Seamlessly integrating with the Aulisa® Vital Signs Monitoring System, this advanced camera offers caregivers and healthcare professionals enhanced monitoring capabilities and peace of mind.

Redefining the Standard of Care
Hospitals constantly balance delivering exceptional patient care with managing operational costs. The Aulisa® Monitor Camera redefines patient monitoring by providing advanced, centralized solutions that enhance clinical and operational excellence. Designed to optimize patient care, the Aulisa® Monitor Camera integrates with the Centralized Multiple Patient Monitoring (CMPM) System, enabling simultaneous, wireless monitoring of oxygen saturation (SpO2), pulse rate, and body temperature across multiple patients from a centralized nursing station. With a simple app, the Aulisa® Monitor Camera can be integrated into a CMPM. In addition to monitoring a patient’s vital signs, caregivers and family members (such as parents of an infant) can also view the patient’s image and hear their voice. This feature is especially important in specific situations, such as for parents of an infant in the NICU.

This transformative approach eliminates cumbersome wires, streamlines operations, and ensures timely interventions, ultimately improving patient outcomes, enhancing safety standards, and optimizing workflow efficiency while driving significant cost savings and financial performance for healthcare facilities. With a steadfast commitment to compassionate, data-driven care and innovative solutions, Aulisa® Medical is advancing patient health and redefining healthcare excellence, one patient at a time.

Advanced Features for Comprehensive Care
The Aulisa® Monitor Camera offers crystal-clear 2K resolution with night vision, ensuring high-quality visuals day and night. Its two-way audio and human tracking features enable real-time communication and automated movement monitoring, while effortless Wi-Fi integration allows for quick and simple setup via mobile or web devices. With dual functionality as a standalone home surveillance camera, the Aulisa® Monitor Camera delivers unmatched flexibility for various care scenarios.

Engineered for Hospital Excellence
Designed with hospitals and patients in mind, the Aulisa® Monitor Camera addresses the unique demands of modern healthcare settings. From NICUs to patient rooms, it offers caregivers the ability to remotely monitor patients with visual, audio, and motion tracking capabilities. This streamlines workflows, enhances safety, and allows providers to focus on delivering compassionate care while staying equipped with FDA-cleared technology.

Founder’s Vision
“Introducing the Aulisa® Monitor Camera is a natural extension of our mission to enhance patient care and empower healthcare professionals,” said Augustine (Augie) Lien, founder and CEO of Aulisa Medical USA, Inc. “We strive to provide innovative solutions that bring peace of mind to caregivers and families alike. By delivering FDA-cleared technology with seamless functionality, we’re making it easier to ensure safety, connectivity, and exceptional care in every setting.”

Why Choose Aulisa®?
The Aulisa® Monitor Camera enhances efficiency by enabling remote monitoring, reducing physical check-ins, and providing reliable, FDA-cleared technology trusted by healthcare professionals worldwide. It is now available for purchase by healthcare facilities, caregivers, and families.

To learn more about the Aulisa Monitor Camera, the Guardian Angel® CMPM System and other Aulisa Medical products, visit:

www.aulisa.com/products/aulisa-monitor-camerawww.aulisa.com/products/cmpmwww.aulisa.com/collections/guardian-angel-remote-gateway-systems

About Aulisa Medical
Based in Silicon Valley, Aulisa® Medical is a leading medical technology company founded by serial medical technologies entrepreneur, Augustine (Augie) Lien. The company specializes in developing wireless, wearable monitoring systems that provide continuous, cloud-based vital sign data in both clinical and home environments. Through the development of new healthcare innovations, Aulisa® continues to grow the application of digital health technologies that empower both consumers and healthcare providers, incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies that can detect adverse events and potentially save lives.

Media Contact:
Kyle Thompson, Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Email: kyle.thompson@aulisa.com
Direct: (650) 387-0001
www.aulisa.com

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SOURCE Aulisa Medical USA, Inc.

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Redefining Financial Frontiers: Nucleus Software Celebrates 30 Years with Synapse 2024 in Singapore

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SINGAPORE, Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The thriving IndiaSingapore partnership in banking and technology reached a new milestone as Nucleus Software celebrated 30 years of transformative innovation at Synapse 2024, held in Singapore. The event underscored the company’s role in redefining financial services across Southeast Asia (SEA) and the globe, bringing together leaders in finance and technology to explore a shared vision for the future of banking.

Synapse 2024 celebrated 30 years of Nucleus Software’s leadership in driving transformative change across Singapore and Southeast Asia’s financial ecosystem. The event also shone a spotlight on the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), an initiative supported by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to champion responsible technology adoption. The event highlighted the deepening synergies between India and Singapore, driven by their shared commitment to innovation, cross-border collaboration, and financial inclusion. As the financial services sector undergoes rapid evolution with advancements in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital banking, these partnerships are setting the stage for a more connected, resilient, and inclusive global ecosystem.

Vishnu R. Dusad, Co-founder and Managing Director of Nucleus Software, reflected on the milestone: “For over 30 years, we’ve had the privilege of aligning our journey with Singapore’s ascent as a global financial powerhouse. Back in 1994, when we chose to go East instead of West, it was a bold and emotional decision—guided by our belief in Singapore as a hub for innovation and collaboration. We saw then what remains true today: Singapore is at the heart of the global financial landscape, a place where new ideas take root, and partnerships thrive.”

The event brought together a distinguished array of participants, highlighting the transformative potential of IndiaSingapore collaboration. Mr. Piyush Gupta, CEO of DBS Group and the Guest of Honor, set the tone for the event with his opening remarks, emphasizing the transformative role of big tech in reimagining scalable, customer-centric financial services in the digital age.

Following his address, key speakers enriched the discussions with their insights. Mr. Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer at the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Group CEO-Designate of The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), underlined the importance of fostering responsible technology adoption and building inclusive financial ecosystems. Mr. Vinod Rai, globally respected public policy expert, Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore, and former Comptroller and Auditor General of India, shared his perspectives on governance and policy frameworks in financial systems. Mr. S.M. Acharya, Chairman of Nucleus Software and former Defence Secretary of India, offered a visionary outlook on leveraging technology to modernize and secure banking frameworks. Finally, Mr. Pieter Franken, Co-founder and Director of GFTN (Japan), a global FinTech pioneer and deep tech innovator, discussed the future of decentralized finance and its implications for the financial sector.

The event showcased the transformative role of technology in global financial systems, emphasizing innovations that set benchmarks for scalability and inclusivity. Panelists discussed the importance of localized solutions, the challenges of cross-border integration, and leveraging dual business models to optimize capital and foster public participation. The dialogue highlighted the need for common standards, unified frameworks like APIs, and collaborative efforts to accelerate financial inclusion and drive global connectivity in the digital age.

For 30 years, Nucleus Software has consistently introduced advanced lending and banking solutions that support financial institutions’ evolving needs in Singapore and South East Asia. Driven by lean development methodologies like Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD) and Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CICD), Nucleus Software continues to push boundaries in efficient, flexible, and secure financial technology.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2565374/Synapse_2024.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2565373/Nucleus_Software_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/redefining-financial-frontiers-nucleus-software-celebrates-30-years-with-synapse-2024-in-singapore-302314485.html

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Sleighing the Digital Divide with Black Friday Tech Deals

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Holiday Mix & Match Deal puts tech and accessories under your tree for $200 or less!

DETROIT, Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — This holiday season, Human-I-T, a nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable access to technology, is making it easier than ever for holiday shoppers to access affordable tech while giving back to their community. The “Mix and Match Deal,” allows individuals to purchase devices and accessories at prices that fit any budget—all while supporting efforts to close the digital divide.

“For the past 12 years, Human-I-T has been laser-focused on three things: making technology accessible and affordable, offering digital navigation support to those who need it most, and saving our planet by keeping e-waste out of landfills,” said Graeme Jackson, Marketing and Content Manager at Human-I-T. “The ‘Holiday Mix & Match Deal’ helps us achieve all three goals, and the best part is that everyone benefits.”

Available from Friday, November 29th, through Monday, December 30th, the deal offers customers the chance to bundle one device—a tablet, Chromebook, or 2-in-1 device—with one accessory of their choice, including JBL speakers, headphones, a protective laptop sleeve, or a wireless keyboard for $200 or less.

For families, students, or job seekers who may struggle to afford essential technology, this initiative is more than a sale—it’s a lifeline. Human-I-T believes that in today’s digital world, access to reliable technology isn’t a luxury; it’s a basic human right.

“This isn’t just about shopping,” added Jackson. “It’s about providing hope, opportunity, and connection to those who need it most. When you shop with us, you’re not only getting a great deal—you’re helping to change lives.”

The Mix & Match Deal is only available for a limited time. By shopping at Human-I-T’s online store customers can brighten their holiday while directly supporting underserved communities.

Don’t wait—login to the Human-I-T store today

and give the gift of technology that gives back!

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sleighing-the-digital-divide-with-black-friday-tech-deals-302314632.html

SOURCE Human-I-T

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