The retail and fashion world came to know Adore Me as one of the companies that disrupted the intimate wear industry. Upending incumbent player Victoria Secret, Adore Me came with the value proposition that “all bodies are equally beautiful and equality is a beautiful thing.” Operating with a modus operandi of equality and inclusivity, Adore Me empowers women to love who they are and celebrate their unique taste and style.
Seven years since its founding in 2012, Adore Me is poised for a new round of disruption – albeit, a disruption aimed at itself. From existing solely as an e-commerce business, Adore Me is aiming to open up to 300 more Adore Me stores in the next five years. To date, the company has already raised a total of $11.5 million funding. Continually reinventing itself and looking for new ideas to enhance the customer experience, Adore Me is, therefore, pouring investments on brick-and-mortar Adore Me stores.
From Virtual Shops to Brick-and-Mortar Adore Me Stores
Adore Me first ventured into the by-appointment showroom arena in 2016 when an Adore Me store opened in its New York City headquarters. Customers could schedule a fitting and order online through an iPad. In June 2018, the company opened its first permanent brick and mortar store in Staten Island Mall. As a flagship location, the first Adore Me store was designed to convey the brand’s message and identity. The lingerie brand partnered with StoreAdvise on IoT and RFID labels. Using state of the art technology, the Staten Island Mall Adore Me store has smart fitting rooms using radio frequency identification tag and fitting-room display screen. (Notably, by November 8 this year, Adore Me will open its sixth physical store.)
Enhanced Customer Experience
A shifting retail landscape driven by an evolving shopping experience demands constant change of the businesses occupying the space. This is true of any slice of the retail sector, but it’s especially true for women’s apparel. To that end, Adore Me looks at using cross channels to boost sales and customer engagement. With this approach, customers can place orders online and pick the items in one of their brick-and-mortar stores.
In addition, the company has built its own technology-powered fulfillment centers. The shift from having a third-party logistics partner will help Adore Me ship faster at a lower cost and scale operation. Similarly, the company plans on leveraging on Amazon’s network by selling its product through the platform.
Adore me also aims to cater to more customers by expanding the offerings and product lines. Recently, the company acquired maternity brand, Belabumbum.
Adore Me is set on getting bigger in the next five years with more physical stores.
Crafting a Better Social Impact
Adore Me has become a force in the retail and fashion industry. While their customer service and wide array of products has done much to contribute to that, some of it is also their commitment to social causes that impact women and the LGBTQ+ community.
By highlighting values that resonate with customers, Adore Me promotes a different kind of engagement. Women and members of the LGBTQ+ community engage with the brand on a personal level. Adore Me, therefore, creates an ardent and loyal pool of customers. The company has a customer base comprised mainly of hyper-mobile urban millennials. It is not surprising that 80% of the company’s traffic comes from mobile channels.
Customer engagement. Sustainability. A wide range of products. Growth driven by demand. Add to this list the innovative use of data in marketing, customer engagement, and omnichannel customer experience, and it’s clear Adore Me has proven to be a disrupter in the industry.
Giving birth to a child isn’t easy. Giving birth to a child in space is… easier? More difficult? It hasn’t actually been done yet, but at the very least we can say it’s certainly more interesting. And so a mission to perform the first human birth in space is currently underway. Netherlands-based startup SpaceBorn United dubbed the project Mission Cradle. With this mission, the company aims to deliver the first-ever space baby by the year 2024. The project aims to determine the impact of microgravity on the human species during the birthing process. Along with two other missions—Mission Ark and Mission Lotus—the startup is keen on discovering procreation methods supportive of the goal of humans to be an interplanetary species.
The company stands by the statement that they have “a carefully prepared and monitored process” aimed at reducing “all possible risks below the existing Western levels on Earth for both mother and child”. The 24- to 36-hour mission will transport a full-term pregnant woman at 250 miles altitude, accompanied by a trained, world-class medical team. After giving birth in space, the team, the mother, and first-ever space baby will travel back to Earth. Aside from the simplified 5-step process summarizing the stages of human birth in space, the website offers little to no explanation as to how the delivery will proceed.
Unsurprisingly, the project is facing enormous physiological and material hurdles—not to mention ethical and regulatory challenges.
Gravity: An Ally at Childbirth
Gravity during childbirth is an expedient ally for women. During labor, the unborn child pushes its head against the mother’s cervix, positions itself at the pelvis, and slides through the birthing canal—all done with the aid of the Earth’s gravitational pull.
For the newborn child outside the womb, gravity is the force that sets the life processes in motion. With the Earth’s pull, the baby’s heart works harder for better blood flow. The infant’s muscles and bones gain mass and density to withstand the force. Also, the body’s vestibular system is stimulated in relation to the environment. The birthing process fine-tunes the infant’s sense of balance and spatial orientation. Clearly, humans need gravity during birth.
The Oddity of Childbirth in Outer Space
Despite the advances in medicine and technology, 300,000 women died due to pregnancy-related causes in the year 2015. Why? Because pregnancy and childbirth in itself are already precarious biological processes. Life-threatening complications, such as uncontrolled bleeding, fluctuating blood pressure and infection, can occur under controlled conditions. Human birth in space introduces a lot of variables. With more variables in the equation, the health risks become higher for both the mother and child.
As space flight can be grueling and exhausting, astronauts go through intense physical training before their mission. For a heavily pregnant woman going through labor pains, the physical rigors involved during rocket launch might be too much for her to bear.
With the absence of gravity in space, the mother has to exert more force to push out the child out of the womb.
Blood circulation is also influenced by gravity. Thus, the heart does not pump hard enough since there’s no need to exert more effort. As a result, limbs and extremities will not receive enough blood supply. For the mother giving birth in space, proper blood circulation is crucial.
For newborn babies sucking in air for the first time, breathing in the artificial air in space stations may have health implications.
The Impact of Giving Birth in Space on Future Generations
The technological developments in the field of space exploration are steadily accelerating. And human colonization beyond Earth may not be too farfetched after all. In the near future, human birth in space will become the norm. Thus, with pregnancy and childbirth occurring in microgravity, future generations of humans may be anatomically different from Earth-born humans.
Human birth in space leans more toward C-section than a normal delivery. Without the restrictions of the mother’s birth canal, babies born through C-section tend to have larger heads. Similarly, with the absence of gravity, the bone loses its density leading to thinner bones and a smaller body frame. Moreover, exposure to higher levels of radiation in outer space will prompt the skin to develop darker pigments. Ultimately, space-born babies will develop different characteristics to adapt to their environment.
Human Birth in Space —And Beyond!
Learning to adapt to conditions outside of our planet includes ensuring that we will be able to propagate our species. Thus, accomplishing the goal of giving birth in space is a vital factor if humans are going to be an interplanetary race down the road. The possibility of giving birth in space has already been confirmed. Previous space missions have brought pregnant rats, fish, and reptiles, and the experiments on animals were successful. Still, for human birth in space, several barriers need to be resolved. The success of the mission rests upon the resolution of these barriers. Indeed, human birth in space is an exciting concept, but a lot of work still needs to be done.
Smoking is a hard habit to break. Many cigarette smokers want to quit smoking entirely but struggle in doing so. This is because cravings for nicotine – the highly addictive compound naturally present in tobacco – can be challenging to shake off. People who stop smoking can start again as soon as withdrawal symptoms kick in. And so some smokers turn to vaping to ease the transition. With the help of vaping, withdrawal symptoms such as hunger pangs, dizziness, and irritability are a lot easier to handle.
For the last decade, vaping and e-cigarettes were the talk of the town. It steadily gained traction as an alternative to smoking. With a growing following, a vaping subculture began to thrive. Celebrities and icons such as Lady Gaga, Samuel Jackson, and Leonardo DiCaprio have been blowing clouds of sweet e-smoke. Oxford heralded the word “Vape” as 2014’s Word of the Year. Even big tobacco companies are gatecrashing the emerging vaping party. As in the case of Altria, the tobacco giant bought a 35% stake from Juul in December 2018. Altria owns Philip Morris.
But someone tripped on the cord and stopped the music. With the rising number of vape-related lung injuries, the safety of vaping is currently under question. And the earlier claim that vaping is a better alternative to smoking is also under scrutiny.
Tracing the Outbreak of Vape Related Lung Injuries
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists 1,299 e-cigarette and vape related lung injuries as of October 8, 2019. Reports of illnesses started cropping up in April, and there’s been a notable increase since July. With vape related lung injuries reported from across the U.S. and 26 deaths confirmed from 21 states, authorities and parents are raising the alarm. Thus, a thorough inquiry on the matter is looming.
As the number of vape related lung injuries grows, data suggests that sustained exposure to cannabis compound THC (or Tetrahydrocannabinol) and Vitamin E oil (or Vitamin E acetate) largely contributed to the injuries. Based on lung biopsies conducted, experts noticed that the patients had developed lipoid pneumonia – a rare type of pneumonia that occurs when oil or fat particles enter the lungs.
The exposure to THC and Vitamin E acetate is a vital piece of the puzzle that can shed light on the outbreak of vape related lung injuries. As the cost of THC can be quite steep, underground markets dilute the vape products with cheaper additives such as Vitamin E acetate.
The investigation on the outbreak of vape related lung injuries is a developing story. While patterns are beginning to show, authorities are careful not to pin down on a particular lead. Federal agencies such as CDC and FDA are closely monitoring the situation. Local and state governments have imposed regulations and bans to contain the damage of counterfeit vaping products. Producers and companies within the industry are working with the authorities to go after copycats and counterfeits.
Vaping and E-Cigarette and Market Outlook
The global e-cigarette and vaping market are expected to reach $53.4 billion by the year 2024. And despite the lung injuries caused by vape, the US market is still projected to grow to 16.5 billion by the year 2024. In fact, North America is a leading market for e-cigarette and vaping products. The vast market share is primarily attributed to the growing awareness of the hazards of cigarette smoking. With increased awareness, e-cigarettes and vaping come as a less harmful alternative.
Undeniably, the e-cigarette and vaping industry shows a lot of potentials. However, players and actors in the space have so much to work on. Product development and research should ramp up. There should already be a comprehensive study on the impact of vape products. Distribution models and channels should also be closely monitored, and black markets and informal sources should be contained. Lastly, there should be laws and legislation to protect both consumers and businesses.
When the Hon Lik – the inventor of modern e-cigarette – conceptualized the device back in 2003, his goal was to quit tobacco smoking completely. Seeing how lung disease defeated his father, the humble pharmacist from China thought he could make a difference by helping people curb smoking. Despite the current challenges, vaping still stands as a means to lessen cigarette consumption and, eventually, kick the habit.
If you have a kid that’s old enough to hold an iPad and understands how to scroll, then you know all too well that there are good apps for kids and bad apps for kids. A nine-year-old and Facebook? Yeah, that’s probably not a good match. Same for Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, and a seemingly endless catalog of games that have altogether too much violence. But as the technology for app development progresses, we are seeing more responsive and user-centric apps being deployed in the market. (For example, there’s Babbel, the leading app for language-learning). Notably, there are good apps for kids for better learning, apps that encourage creativity and curiosity and promote movement and physical activity. With the best apps for kids focused on answering unique learning requirements, special needs children also benefit.
For health experts, educators, and parents advocating for children’s health and well-being, that is excellent news.
Good Apps for Kids: Technology as Partners for Raising Kids
Technology is undoubtedly here to stay. However, conversely, anything in excess can be detrimental to one’s overall well-being. Thus, without self-regulating mechanisms, kids and teens are prone to overindulge in technology. It’s a known fact that today’s youth devote a staggering number of hours online and on mobile devices.
Markedly, experts are noticing a surge in depression and anxiety in correlation to long hours spent on social media. And illnesses related to prolonged exposure to mobile devices and computer use are also on the rise. Particularly, backaches, neck and shoulder strain, painful wrists, headaches, and eye strain are some of the health issues kids deal with due to excessive exposure to mobile games.
With the availability of good apps for kids, parents can now tap on technology as a useful ally in raising informed, well-adjusted & tech-savvy individuals!
Apps Are Here to Help Out
Certainly, amidst these realities, experts are urging parents to help kids and teens manage their exposure with the internet and mobile devices. With children’s health at stake, several companies and app developers stepped up to the challenge. Hence, we are now seeing a surge in the number of best apps for kids that go beyond the realm of social media and mobile games.
PBS KIDS Apps & More is the interactive supplement to PBS Kids Children Shows aired by the Public Broadcasting Service. With PBS KIDS, children as young as 2 years old are introduced to the wonders of science and technology or get acquainted with the great outdoors through fun and exciting games.
Science360 for Tablets is an app from the National Science Foundation. The app can be installed on tablets and give kids access to breathtaking images from NSF-funded researches and institutions. Science360 is one of the good apps for kids ages 12 and up.
VocabularySpellingCity was developed by LearningCity. Vocabulary Spelling City is one of the best apps for kids to build, expand, and retain vocabulary. Also, the app has a home-school connectivity program that supports learning continuity in school and at home. The app is available for download to both iOS and Android users.
Zamzee makes it to the list of good apps for kids. As part of Welltok, Zamzee is a movement meter that wants to make moving more fun. The program is comprised of two parts: a clip-on activity tracker and a website dashboard. Indeed, Zamzee gamifies physical activity and gives tangible gifts for every step, kick and jump that kids make.
And the List for Best Apps for Kids Continues
The Kids Yoga Challenge App by Go Go Yoga for Kids is an app designed to challenge kids with balance, mindfulness, flexibility and more. The app contains empowering, easy-to-follow yoga poses for beginners—which makes it one of the best apps for kids out there.
Just Dance Now is an app that can turn any room into a dancefloor without a console. The app was developed by Ubisoft and can be downloaded via Google Play and iTunes. With any internet-connected computer screen and the app installed on your smartphone, players can start dancing to their favorite tracks. Just Dance Now can be an excellent app for parents and kids to use for bonding together.
Hidden Curriculum for Kids is an app designed to teach social skills to kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder. With the use of flash card-style instruction, the software is a good app for kids that provides real-life scenarios and explanations for various social situations.
Choiceworks is a good app for kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders transitioning through multi-step tasks and routines. Using visual cues, kids can learn time management, planning, and self-awareness through the app.
Proloquo2Go is a simple yet effective augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app developed by Assistive Ware. Parents, teachers, and speech therapists recognize Proloquo2Go as one of the good apps for kids with speech difficulties.
On Living in a Planet of Good Apps
Television and telephones were a defining technology for baby boomers—so is the advent of personal computers for the Generation Xers. For the millennials and centennials, smart and mobile devices have paved the way for the digital revolution. Notably, the emergence of mobile technology has made mobile applications a significant part of people’s lives. From online banking to booking a ride to health monitoring and more—the impact of technology on generations cannot be underestimated.
Indeed, with good apps for kids, parents can tap on technology as an ally in raising informed, tech-savvy, and well-adjusted individuals. So as the relevance of apps in people’s lives intensifies, it is safe to say that mobile technology is just starting.
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