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The Metaverse aims to be a groundbreaking concept that will change the way people interact with each other by connecting our virtual avatars in 3D virtual worlds from the comfort of their home, office or anywhere with devices such as headsets or smartphones.

Third-party estimates suggest the Metaverse could become an $800 billion market by 2028. It is expected that people will use this platform for work, education, socializing and even attending sporting events and concerts. Unsurprisingly, many tech giants are scrambling to make the most of this potential revenue opportunity.

NVIDIA (NVDA 4.28%) and Apple (AAPL 2.14%) are among the technology companies that could benefit from the metaverse. Both stocks have soared over the past month, and it won’t come as a surprise that they will continue to climb going forward thanks to the Metaverse. Let’s see why.

1. NVIDIA

Nvidia graphics cards and data center chips will play an important role in making the metaverse a reality. This is already evident when using Nvidia’s graphics cards in meta platforms(META 1.70%) AI Research SuperCluster (RSC) Supercomputer designed to help build a foundational framework for handling Metaverse workloads.

Meta had announced in January this year that it would use 16,000 Nvidia GPUs (graphics processing units) to power this supercomputer. Additionally, Meta recently announced that it will increase GPU deployments in data centers fivefold this year to power its content discovery engine with artificial intelligence (AI), which could be a boon to Nvidia’s graphics card sales.

Nvidia’s relationship with Meta could grow stronger over time, as the latter intends to spend aggressively over the long term to make the Metaverse a reality. That’s because the metaverse would require a massive increase in processing power. chip giant intel estimates that successfully launching the metaverse would require a thousand-fold increase in computing power.

This is where Nvidia’s GPUs come in, thanks to their ability to handle heavy workloads. Put more simply, the Metaverse will create the need for more data center accelerators like GPUs. According to third-party estimates, the data center accelerator market could grow at a 37% annual pace through 2026. Catalysts like Metaverse could help this market maintain its impressive pace of growth, and present Nvidia with a solid opportunity to expand its data center business over the long term.

Nvidia’s data center revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 (for the three months ended May 1, 2022) grew 83% year over year to a record $3.75 billion. The segment’s impressive growth drove its total revenue up 46% to $8.29 billion. The bright prospects for its data center business are one of the reasons analysts expect Nvidia to grow 23% annually over the next five years.

However, the introduction of new technologies like Metaverse could give Nvidia’s data center segment an extra boost and help it grow faster.

2. Apple

Apple is a consumer electronics giant famous for its iPhones and iPads, and the Metaverse could represent the next frontier for the company to grow its device business.

Apple is reportedly developing a mixed reality headset that would support both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) devices. The tech giant is expected to launch its first headset next year, followed by the release of an improved version in 2024.

This alleged move by Apple could open up a whole new addressable market for Apple, as AR/VR headsets will be the gateway to the metaverse for users, transporting them to virtual worlds where their virtual avatars could interact with others.

Not surprisingly, market research firm IDC estimates that VR headset sales could grow from an estimated 13.9 million units in 2022 to almost 35 million units in 2026. Meanwhile, AR wearables market revenue is expected to reach $30 billion by 2030, according to data analytics firm GlobalData.

Apple’s patent wins for its mixed-reality headsets suggest the company may actually be gearing up to enter this market. So don’t be surprised to see that the Metaverse gives Apple’s growth a nice boost going forward by making a significant contribution to revenue. Add in other catalysts, such as Apple’s dominance in the 5G smartphone market and the growth of its services business, and investors have multiple reasons to buy this stock.

Apple stock is up 17% over the past month, but it’s still available at an attractive valuation. Its price-to-earnings multiple of 27 is down from its year-earlier multiple of nearly 32. Investors looking to buy a tech stock should take a closer look at Apple, as the company seems poised to continue its bull run long to come as catalysts do as the metaverse comes into play.

Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokesperson for Facebook and sister of Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Harsh Chauhan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Intel, Meta Platforms, Inc., and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2023 $57.50 calls on Intel, long March 2023 $120 calls on Apple, short January 2023 $57.50 puts on Intel, and short March 2023 $130 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

MONTREAL – We’re doing it this summer – again! – the Tour of Quebec. Every weekend we offer you a few new or lesser-known sights in a region of the state. Enough to complete your holiday itinerary or to fill your days off. Today: direction Bas-Saint-Laurent.

Bass nights at the Cirque de la Pointe-Sèche

In Saint-Germain-de-Kamouraska, the Cirque de la Pointe-Sèche offers more than just fantastic shows at the foot of a 18-meter-high cliff. Oh no! Since summer 2021, it also offers dizzying glamping on the cliffs. In total, the circus offers five mini accommodations inspired by the acrobatic skills of the circus performers. These original “perches” are all different, but all offer great views of the St. Lawrence and Kamouraska.

The circus itself is back after a forced two-year hiatus with a new show, titled “Charcoal,” which runs through September 4, 2022.

Terrace break at the Distillerie du Saint-Laurent

St.Laurent Gin is certainly a term you are familiar with. But you may not yet know the new location that will house the distillery that makes it. In July 2022, the Distillerie du Saint-Laurent inaugurated its new address in Pointe-au-Père (Rimouski), on the banks of the Saint-Laurent. The new building, designed by the architect team Pierre Thibault, includes not only the distillery itself, but also a tasting area, a aging cellar permeable to salty air, a café-bar with terraces and a shop. , which can be visited. A place to discover gins, whiskeys and an acerum (maple syrup spirits) but also to enjoy the waterfront.

Hike to the Gates of Hell

Mathieu Dupuis / Bas-Saint-Laurent Tourism

The Terfa Canyon site of Hell’s Gate first captures the imagination with its 99-meter-long footbridge suspended 63 meters above nothingness. But it has many other attractions, starting with hiking trails. This summer, 8 km have been added to the existing 15 km, to the delight of hikers.

Other attractions of the site include the Labyrinth of Mystery, a life-size wooden maze in which participants must collect clues. In addition to chalets and campsites, a night show in the middle of nature is also offered. Note that all the activities of the Canyon des Portes de l’Enfer, but also those of the Duchénier Game Reserve, are grouped under the Terfa organization.

Google is reportedly following Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video by allowing users to subscribe to other streaming services through a YouTube “channel saver.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, YouTube “plans to launch an online store for streaming video services and has resumed discussions with entertainment companies about joining the platform.”

This “channel store” — as it’s called internally — could launch “as early as this fall,” with YouTube reportedly working on it for “at least 18 months.” That’s a surprisingly long development time considering that YouTube TV already offers this feature for HBO, AMC+, Showtime and many others.

However, the cord-cutting service is only available in the US, and YouTube itself is likely aiming for wider adoption. In fact, the WSJ says YouTube’s selling point for affiliates is its wide reach around the world. It comes as YouTube recently revamped its movie experience.

The pitch is that the new YouTube channel store would offer great marketing for streaming services, since consumers could watch trailers of shows or movies on YouTube for free and then just pay to subscribe to the service.

Meanwhile, contract negotiations are ongoing:

YouTube is discussing sharing subscription revenue with streaming partners, though terms can vary wildly by partner, according to people familiar with the situation.

For end users, the benefit of subscribing through the YouTube channel store is the simplicity and robustness of Google’s video streaming infrastructure. YouTube has arguably the best and most consistent video player. However, the mobile app will be terribly crowded.

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Aug 12 (Portal) – Peloton Interactive Inc (PTON.O) said on Friday it was cutting jobs, closing stores and raising the prices of its exercise equipment, including treadmills and top-end bikes, as it launched a company-wide Undertakes overhaul to support its sales and improve cash flow.

Shares of the company rose about 11% in afternoon trade after the company announced in a memo that it would cut about 800 jobs and reduce its retail footprint in North America.

Under Chief Executive Officer Barry McCarthy, Peloton implemented a series of measures, including cost-cutting, to stabilize its business as pandemic-driven demand for its treadmills and exercise bikes quickly petered out.

On Friday, the company unveiled a plan to aggressively reduce its retail presence in the United States and eliminate a number of warehouse and customer service team jobs.

Shifting last-mile delivery to third-party logistics providers will reduce delivery costs per product by up to 50%, McCarthy said in the memo seen by Portal.

The company is also raising prices on its Bike+ and Tread machines in five markets, including the United States and Canada. (https://bit.ly/3peZhNv)

The company, which cut prices on its products earlier this year, said it will now raise prices by $500 to $2,495 for Bike+ and $800 to $3,495 for Tread in the US.

McCarthy, a former Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) executive, said he’s aiming to bolster Peloton’s software engineering team, calling it “right investments” to drive growth.

($1 = 1.2782 Canadian Dollars)

Reporting by Nathan Gomes and Kannaki Deka in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Deborah Sophia; Edited by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Anil D’Silva

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More than 4000 lakes. Two huge tanks. Almost 12,500 km2 area. La Vérendrye Game Reserve is an area of ​​excess and a fabulous playground for canoe camping.

Photo credit: SÉPAQ / Claude Héon

In recent years, with the growing popularity of outdoor and nature activities, the Poisson Blanc and Kiamika Regional Parks in the Laurentians have attracted a lot of attention from campers drawn by the opportunity to pitch their tent on their islands.

To make you forget La Vérendrye a bit, it lies further west, just after Mont-Laurier, and spans the Outaouais and Abitibi-Témiscamingue regions.

And yet those who have the courage to take Route 117 to reach this venerable sanctuary will (re)discover a wild and peaceful paradise worthy of its statistics.

Adventures of yesterday and today

This area, which became a nature reserve in 1979, bears the name of explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de La Vérendrye, a pioneer of French exploration of North America in the 18th century.

Two hundred years later, its adventurous spirit still soars in this natural space, which includes almost 800km of canoe camping loops.

To help modern canoeists navigate this vast area, 18 routes have been developed, circular routes in the form of a loop of 2 to 10 days and more.

“Everything is connected at La Vérendrye,” explains Jeff Thuot, outdoor guide and experienced canoeist who knows the reserve well. The lakes are connected by rivers or portages. We can go for months! »

Especially since the Society of Outdoor Establishments of Quebec (Sépaq), which recently took over the management of canoe camping expeditions – previously offered by Canot Kayak Quebec, and has been since 1993 – had the bright idea of ​​introducing the “first come, first” system served” for the many campsites (2 to 20 people) on the various racetracks.

A remarkable freedom and flexibility that allows you to choose the number of kilometers you want to paddle daily and even create your own canoe route to your heart’s content!

However, to avoid overcrowding on certain routes, you must reserve your route before departure. The same applies to campsites rated “R”, pitches that are only available for groups of 10 to 20 people or five or more tents.

An aquatic maze

La Vérendrye has a total of around 500 campsites for this activity, distributed throughout the territory, on the islands or on the water. Each has a shared fire pit (no wood provided) and a nearby outhouse. No drinking water point. You need to filter or treat the river water.

To orientate yourself, each route has a detailed map that can be downloaded in paper form or via the Avenza Map application. An essential tool if you don’t want to get lost in this vast lakefront and forest maze. Jeff Thuot recommends:

“When you look at the course, you realize that it is easy to navigate. But on the ground you don’t know whether it’s an island, a bay or a dead end at the other end of the lake. It is therefore important to have a map to find yourself well. »

For all types of canoeists

The vastness of the territory and wide range of canoe camping trails allow you to cast your net widely, from easy to challenging, with as many calm waterways as rapids.

However, exploring such a wild playground requires some experience, both in navigating and managing its autonomy.

Newcomers and families can still find a course within their reach by opting for a permanent campsite. There are several pitches just one kilometer from the Le Domaine reception, allowing for a tailor-made adventure.

The game reserve also offers canoe rentals and all the necessary equipment. A shuttle service is also offered as an entry or exit door between the various circuits and the reception. It is not possible to use the services of a tour guide. But it won’t be long, Sépaq assures.

Photo credit: SÉPAQ / Claude Héon

Practical information

– Rate: $14.75 per adult per night, free for children 17 and under.

– Rental: From $37 per day per boat. This includes a canoe or kayak, paddle, personal flotation device (PFD) with whistle, ladle and rope bag.

– The circuits can also be used with a paddle board (SUP).

– Info and reservations: sepaq.com or call 1.844.897-4980.

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Scores of flights are still being delayed and canceled as of Friday, marking more than a week of increased disruption, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.

According to FlightAware, which tracks real-time flight delay and cancellation statistics, as of 10 a.m. ET Friday, more than 1,000 flights to, from and across the United States were delayed. More than 100 flights were canceled.

Throughout the summer there were widespread delays and cancellations due to staff shortages, weather and air traffic control problems. Since last Thursday, however, there have been particularly severe disruptions due to thunderstorm activity and weather-related ground stops.

DELTA ADDS NEW INTERNATIONAL ROUTES AS TRAVEL DEMAND GROWES

Last Friday, in particular, marked a record day for long delays in the past month, with 8,430 US flights delayed. It was also the third-highest day for cancellations since Memorial Day weekend, with 1,613 flights scrapped.

There were thousands of delays every day on the way into the week.

AMERICAN AIRLINES CUT FLIGHTS FROM AUTUMN SCHEDULE

Still, the worst days of 2022 are still in the first three months of the year, according to FlightAware spokeswoman Kathleen Bangs.

Cancellations, in particular, are down compared to the first three months of the year, when airlines grappled with staffing issues related to the Omicron variant of COVID-19, as well as winter storms, Bangs said. February cancellations rose to more than 5,000 flights, according to the data.

However, delays increased throughout the second quarter and even into July and August. Despite the ongoing problems, Bangs said there might have been more cancellations had airlines not cut their summer flight schedules.

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Earlier this summer, Nicholas Calio, president of trade group Airlines for America, said its member airlines were cutting 15% of the flights they originally planned for August, while increasing hiring and training to combat problems and become more reliable for passengers .

American Airlines has already announced major schedule cuts for fall travel to try to improve its overall rate delays and cancellations.

Bangs reckons the travel delays should even out after the upcoming Labor Day bank holiday weekend, when kids return to school, holiday travel dwindles and demand falls.

The Taliban fired in Kabul on Saturday to disperse a demonstration by women demanding the right to work and education, almost a year after Islamists took power in Afghanistan.

About 40 women chanting “Bread, Jobs and Freedom” marched past the Ministry of Education before a group of Taliban fighters scattered them with gunfire about 5 minutes into the march.

The protesters carried a banner that read, “August 15 is a black day,” alluding to the date of the 2021 Taliban capture of Kabul.

“Justice, justice. We’re fed up with ignorance,” they chanted before being violently dispersed.

Taliban in military uniform and armed with assault rifles blocked an intersection in front of the demonstrators and began shooting in the air for a few seconds. One of them simulated a gunfight aimed at the protesters.

Some demonstrators then fled to nearby shops, where they were chased by the Taliban and beaten with rifle butts.

• The Queen’s Jubilee holiday weighed on UK GDP in June
• Production falls 0.6% in June versus forecast for a 1.3% drop
• UK’s Zahawi says data shows resilience, economists see recession

LONDON, Aug 12 (Portal) – The UK economy contracted less than feared in June as the bank holiday was expected to be a major drag, although sectors most exposed to a deepening cost-of-living crisis, such as retail and restaurants , had to fight.

However, overall production for the second quarter still contracted as the UK was expected to enter a long downturn later in the year amid rising inflation and rising interest rates.

The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.6% in June, the sharpest fall since January 2021 but less severe than the 1.3% drop forecast by a Portal poll of economists became.

The month unusually included two public holidays to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee, but most of the strain on GDP in June came from the winding-down of coronavirus-related health services.

“It’s impossible to say whether this reflects a lighter-than-usual punch from the anniversary or evidence that the economy has considerable underlying momentum,” said Samuel Tombs, economist at consultancy Pantheon Macroeconomics.

Either way, he said, GDP should recover in July.

Friday’s data pointed to growing weakness in consumer-facing sectors of the economy as Britain copes with inflation hitting a 40-year high following the war in Ukraine.

In February 2020, the economy was estimated to be 0.9% above its pre-COVID pandemic level, but production of consumer services was 4.9% below.

Soldiers parade in front of Buckingham Palace during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, marking the end of celebrations for Britain’s Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in London, Britain, June 5. Frank Augstein/Pool via Portal

Finance Minister Nadhim Zahawi said the numbers indicated “real resilience” in the private sector, but many economists expect a slide into recession.

Last week, the Bank of England forecast the UK would enter recession in late 2022 and out of recession in early 2024 as it hiked interest rates to tackle inflation, which it said was likely to top 13% in October. Continue reading

For the second quarter as a whole, the ONS said the economy contracted 0.1% compared to forecasts for a 0.3% contraction.

The UK has lagged behind the United States, Italy and France in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic when comparing second quarter economic output to late 2019. However, Germany fared worse.

Economic recovery from the COVID pandemic

“The UK economy is slipping closer to recession and the worst is yet to come,” said Suren Thiru, economics director of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Separate ONS data showed Britain’s goods trade deficit swelled to £22.85 billion in June, a three-month high, as exports to the European Union and the rest of the world slowed.

“All in all, trade data is bleak and will continue to deteriorate in the coming months, making sterling even more vulnerable than usual to a reduction in foreign investors’ willingness to provide the finance needed to sustain this excess consumption,” Pantheon’s Tombs said said.

Reporting by Andy Bruce, William James, Farouq Suleiman and Kate Holton; Adaptation by Toby Chopra

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