Apple 4G iPhone clears Wal-Mart 3Gs off their shelves

Wal-Mart is cutting iPhone prices right now. The iPhone price was cut down to $ 97 with a two year AT and T contract. Analysts say the Wal-Mart iPhone sale could be a sign that Apple is just trying to clear out old merchandise ahead of next month’s expected launch of a new 4G iPhone model at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference. Other industry developments leading up to Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference have industry sources very curious about what’s in store for the iPhone.

Resource for this article: Wal-Mart iPhone 3GS sale clears shelves for Apple 4G iPhone By Personal Money Store

The 4G iPhone triangle of intrigue

The Wal-Mart iPhone sale started Tuesday for Apple’s entry level 16-gigabyte 3GS phone. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reports that AT and T will charge smartphone customers fees the size of installment loans for people with bad credit for breaking their AT and T iPhone contract early — nearly doubling fees from $ 175 to $ 325 beginning June 1. The third point in the iPhone 4G triangle of intrigue is that Steve Jobs is the keynote speaker at the Worldwide Developer Conference. Jobs usually has a grand announcement when he makes an appearance at a high profile technology event.

Future with the 4G phone bet on by Apple

The Wal-Mart iPhone sale confirms that Apple is ready to unveil its 4G iPhone, according to the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, which reports that such a move signals Apple is confident that the 4G system, not available yet in most U.S. cities, will be widely and rapidly adopted. Analysts believe it will be two or three years before there is a complete adoption. The same article reports that AT and T’s iPhone contract decision to hike the cost of terminating service is being seen as a defensive move to keep iPhone customers from jumping to other carriers.

Verizon iPhone threatens AT and T

In another iPhone 4G rumor, Jobs will not only announce the 4G iPhone at the Worldwide Developer Conference, he will announce the Verizon iPhone. When, not if, the Verizon iPhone happens, the SV/SJ Business Journal reports that AT and T could lose 40 percent of its iPhone customers, about 6 million accounts. The blog techcrunch.com reports that by raising termination fees, AT and T wants to keep customers chained to AT and T for another two years after the Verizon iPhone is launched.

4G iPhone a game changer?

The 4G iPhone is generating a buzz because 4G offers download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G. The exponential boost in data transfer is anticipated to put an end to buffering when content loads for video, music streaming and large format images on smartphones. 4G will allow companies to expand mobile workforces without network gridlock and make video-conferencing routine. Media smartphone users will be able to send high quality live video reports.

More information on this topic

Wall Street Journal reports

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100521-709542.html?mod=WSJ_World_MIDDLEHeadlinesEurope

Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal

http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2010/05/24/daily29.html?jst=pn_pn_lk

techcrunch.com reports

http://techcrunch.com/2010/05/21/att-hikes-smartphone-early-termination-fees-claims-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-iphone-right/

May 31 is quit Facebook day meant for individuals to delete their Facebook accounts

Quit Facebook Day is May 31. "How do I delete my Facebook account" has recently been a top search on Google. Internet privacy issues are coming to a head as some of the hundreds of millions of users Facebook has attracted are turning against the social networking site in protest. Once accessible only to friends and networks, Facebook changed default privacy setting to allow the internet at large access to personal info in April.

Source for this article: Quit Facebook Day wants users to delete Facebook accounts May 31

Privacy troubles with Facebook

Monday, Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg sought to assure all of the public with an op-ed article within the Washington Post that Facebook would learn and adapt to accommodate any Internet privacy concerns. Facebook’s privacy difficulties, such as the “How do I delete my Facebook account” movement and also the Quit Facebook Day were both inspired by a recent practice started by Facebook to make fast cash on the vast database of user information it has collected. Advertising companies were given info that could be used to look up individual profiles, which, depending on the site and also the data a user has made public, contain such things as a person’s real name, age, hometown and occupation. Several large advertising companies identified by the Wall Street Journal are receiving the data, including Google Inc.’s DoubleClick and Yahoo Inc.’s Right Media.

Internet privacy issues

Internet privacy issues are now much harder to ignore since a lot more than 400 million Facebook users have accounts with default privacy settings that allow every little thing but contact data and birthdays to be accessed by anyone. Several times, Facebook users are confused by how Facebook changes what qualifies as personal information. Quit Facebook Day questions Facebook’s intentions and the fairness of the choices it gives its users. Individuals wanting to know how do I delete my Facebook account believe Facebook doesn’t respect users or their personal information.

Quitting Facebook addiction

Those who began Quit Facebook Day certainly have a lot of work. Quitfacebook.com acknowledges that whether or not it is easy to delete your Facebook account, quitting Facebook addictions are going to be much harder than that. Quit Facebook Day says that Facebook is “engaging, enjoyable and quite frankly, addictive.”. They say quitting Facebook can be as hard as quitting smoking. Perhaps most importantly, they say:

“the way to quit Facebook is not to start a group on Facebook about leaving Facebook.”

Internet privacy issues

Quit Facebook Day is May 31, but Future Tense reports that deciding to quit Facebook is a lot simpler than quitting. Users can search through menus until they then come upon a link to deactivate their account but all of a sudden, they’re confronted by pictures of people they have friended, along with messages from Facebook about how much they'll miss them. After deactivating, event invitations and messages nevertheless come through. You have to do a few more steps to delete the account for good. The user will lose all the data, but Facebook won’t. This information will likely be used by them for data mining.

Getting a privacy loophole fixed

In response to internet privacy issues and Facebook's privacy problem, Zuckerberg explained that if individuals were to share a lot more, the world would be a lot more connected. The Washington Post reports that Facebook said last week that it is fixing a privacy loophole that allowed advertisers to access user identification and potentially other information. Zuckerberg pledged to create a simpler way to control user details. In the coming weeks, Facebook will add privacy controls that are much simpler to use and provide an easy way to turn off all third-party services.

Google Froyo Is The Android 2.2 Operating System

The Froyo version of the Android, as opposed to Google's original Android, will work with much a lot more than just cell phones. It sounds like an update called Gingerbread, along with faster processing and Flash support, is on the horizon. Google is preparing quite the buffet of Android.

Article Resource: Google Froyo – Android 2.2 operating system By Personal Money Store

Google Froyo will feature Flash

While Apple continues to refuse supporting Flash on their phones, Google Froyo will support Flash 10.1. The feature is creating quite the buzz as there are concerns Froyo's Flash support might use a lot of battery power. Even though Flash can be used to get some work done, individuals are more excited to be able to create games for the Froyo using Flash. That’s an online personal loan that will settle for talented developers.

Froyo isn't good enough for Hulu

Hulu, the multi-channel television service, isn't playing too friendly with Froyo. Hulu won't be integrated on Froyo phones because the Flash 10.1 has content support issues. Hulu will work with Google TV, which can be running on a modified Froyo system, as outlined by the announcement at the Google I/O conference.

Faster, smoother, prettier Froyo

Flash is not the only update involved in Google’s Froyo. Android 2.2 is a faster operating system, and provides a much a lot more smooth browsing experience. Froyo will allow users to transfer apps they download to their MicroSD card – removing the necessity of downloading them multiple times when you purchase a new handset.

Froyo to melt in Winter

Froyo, as an Android operating system, will be available for download and updates in just a couple of weeks. Don't get too comfortable with the new operating system though. Version 2.3, codenamed “Gingerbread”, will be released in the fourth quarter of 2010. Froyo will be the operating system that gets you through the summer.

Taking On IPhone Is Kindle For Android – Is Android Tablet Next?

Kindle is going Android, Amazon has announced. Amazon is teaming up with Google this summer to give the iPhone a run for its money in e-reader functionality. The Kindle software is already offered by Amazon for the iPad, iPhone, Windows, Mac OS X, and Blackberry devices. With built in apps, the Android already sells Amazon music and streaming movies. Except that it took so long to happen, Kindle on the Android isn't any kind of surprise. Some say an Android tablet might be next.

Article Resource: Kindle for Android takes on iPhone – Is Android tablet next By Personal Money Store

Downloads for Android Kindle

Kindle for Android has downloads that are a key advantage. Fortune reports that Google’s Android environment, as open as installment payday loans compared to Apple’s, allows continuous Kindle downloads. Seamlessly was the kindle bookstore built by Amazon into Android. Kindle books could be read on iPhone, but when users want to purchase an Amazon book on an iPhone, they need to leave Kindle, open the web browser, then purchase the book with an Amazon account. That is when the purchase could be transferred wirelessly to the iPhone.

Kindle for iPhone

Apple demands individuals to get out of an app to buy because in app purchases are only allowed in iPhone from Apple. Amazon could sell e-books in Kindle for iPhone, but Apple would have to take a 30 percent cut. Android let Amazon build a storefront inside Kindle for Android, so Amazon can sell products directly, without Android users leaving Kindle.

Kindle for Android features

Kindle for Android can be used on Droid Incredible, HTC MyTouch, Motorola CLIQ, Google Nexus One, Motorola Droid and most other Android phones. Users can buy e-books from the Kindle Store optimized for the Android phone with wireless delivery. The beginnings of books are there to try for free before purchasing. Kindle newspapers, magazines and blogs won’t be accessible on Kindle for Android.

Will the Android tablet be next?

The Kindle for Android announcement precedes the Google I/O conference beginning May 19. Clint Boulton at eWeek reports that most of the buzz leading to the actual event centers on Android. One thing that seems certain to launch at Google I/O is Android 2.2 Android 2.2 will give Kindle for Android a speed increase from previous operating systems. Google officials also want to talk about Android based tablets. Verizon has confirmed it is working with Google on an Android-based tablet.

Find a lot more details on this topic

Fortune reports

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/05/18/kindle-android-app-goes-beyond-iphone

Clint Boulton at eWeek reports

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Android-22-Google-TV-Expected-at-Google-IO-This-Week-819819/

BP Facebook Boycott And BP Twitter - PR Setback Won't Hurt Profits

As the gulf of Mexico oil spill 2010 continues unabated, a "boycott BP" movement driven by social media is gathering steam. Some are even trying to hurt BP's reputation with a fake Twitter account. And BP oil leak parody products like satirical T-shirts are selling like hotcakes. Besides this BP public relations problem, there isn't an effect on the sales on BP's product.

Source for this article: BP Facebook boycott and BP Twitter – PR setback won’t hurt profits By Personal Money Store

BP boycott hits social media

BP boycott organizers are saying that buying gas from other brands would hit the oil business where it hurts, short of the expense incurred dealing with the disaster. More than 11,000 signatures were collected on Wednesday by Public Citizen after launching a BP Boycott Pledge on its site. Consumers are told to take their no fax cash advance other places to get gas by a Facebook boycott group called Boycott BP with more than 75,000 members. Some would rather get the gas somewhere where it is convenient instead of pledging. Also, the Facebook boycott isn't making any difference. The Washington Post surveyed a whole bunch of customers at BP gas stations across the Washington region. Many drivers said it was pointless to complicate the convenience of filling a gas tank with political or moral questions.

Rogue BP Twitter account

The BP Facebook boycott may not be as effective as just hurting BPs reputation as the bogus BP Twitter account @BPGlobalPR. Wednesday the Los Angeles Times reports the fake BP Twitter page had 42,000 followers. BP’s real Twitter account, @BP_America, only has 5,700. The fake BP Twitter account has raised a lot more than $3,000 for the nonprofit Gulf Restoration Network through the sale of $25 BP T-shirts colored black and green to represent money and oil. Some fan favorites from the Twitter page include:

Catastrophe is a strong word, let’s all agree to call it a whoopsie daisy. The good news – Mermaids are real. The bad news: They are now extinct. I’m sorry, are people mad at us for drilling in the ocean?!? Maybe God shouldn’t have put oil there in the first place. DUH.

BP gas station owners take the hit

The BP boycott and BP T-shirts may affect small company BP gas station owners more than the global petroleum behemoth. CNNMoney.com reports that BP doesn’t own the 11,500 gas stations that carry its logo within the United States. BP gas stations are owned by independent franchisees. The gas stations pumped normally 42 million gallons of gas per day last year. An oil business executive told CNN that BP, being one of the largest oil trading companies in the global market, can really sell petroleum products wherever it needs to. Just because American's don't buy gas doesn't mean that somebody else won't. BP told CNN the boycott efforts have had no effect on them.

Discover more details on this topic

The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/25/AR2010052501765.html

Los Angeles Times reports

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/05/bpglobalpr.html

CNNMoney.com reports

http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/26/news/companies/boycott_BP/?npt=NP1

Google TV Demo Wows A Huge Crowd At Google I/O 2010

Google TV was shown at the Google I/O 2010 conference on Thursday. The Google TV demo at Google I/O shows that the technology combines Android and Google Chrome to merge the web and television into a seamless experience. The most remarkable feature of Google TV is that it allows users to find programs with a search bar instead of scrolling through channel directories. Google TV also allows an Android-based phone to be used a remote, complete with spoken commands.

Source for this article: Google TV demo wows a huge crowd at Google I/O 2010 By Personal Money Store

The TV demo by Google

Google TV’s Android capabilities can be built into Sony HDTVs and Blu-ray players. A set-top Google TV device that can be hooked into existing TVs could be sold by Logitech. Washington Post explains that Google TV Android replaces the cable or satellite providers program guide with a search engine that indexes the total channel inventory and relevant web content for each channel. People can be running out for same day loans to purchase Google TV devices when they hear that a search typed in with either a remote or spoken into an Android phone will replace the grid used now. Google TV search on Android also provides a whole bunch of different web options – if you will find no scheduled airings of a show, users can switch to Google Chrome for streaming episodes available on Amazon or Hulu. Users can watch a show in one corne! r and use the rest of the screen to browse the web. Google TV can also schedule a recording on a separate DVR.

According to Google, “video should be consumed on the biggest, best and brightest screen in your house, and that’s the TV.”

TV devices by Google

Google TV partners consist of Sony, which will launch Sony Internet TVs and Blu-ray players with Google TV within the fall, engadget.com reports . Logitech could be introducing also a set-top Google TV device with Harmony remote and an HD camera for video chats. A Google TV box will also be launched by Dish Network. In retail store, Best Purchase will promote the Google TV platform. Google TV has a potential U.S. customer base of 60 million HDTV households in a $70 billion advertising market. The engadget.com article reports a total of 4 billion TV viewers worldwide — the biggest market in the world.

Google TV developers called by Google I/O

Google called on developers to start prepping Google TV ready apps. PC World reports that Sony and Logitech Google TV devices will be powered by an Intel Atom processor. You will find three main software components to Google TV. Although it will eventually be upgraded over the air, the service will run Android 2.1. The browser is Chrome and Google TV will include Flash 10.1. The mobile version of Android Market will work on Google TV. Apps at the moment within the market should work on Google TV if they don’t require phone-specific hardware.

Citations

Washington Post

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fasterforward/2010/05/google_tv_some_web_smarts_for.html

engadget.com reports

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/20/google-tv-turns-on-at-i-o/

PC World reports

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364007,00.asp

Sinkholes Wreak Havoc - I-24 Sinkhole And Canada Sinkhole

You can be stuck if you plan on using the I-24 in Tennessee. A deep sinkhole opened up on I-24 between Chattanooga and Nashville, and shut down a 13-mile stretch of traveled road. In Canada, a wide sinkhole that opened last week killed a family who was in their basement. What is going on with sinkholes?

Resource for this article: Sinkholes wreak havoc – I-24 Sinkhole and Canada sinkhole

Tennessee traffic snarled by I-24 sinkhole

The Tennessee Department of Transportation reported today the I-24 sinkhole opened up Tuesday morning. A tractor-trailer barely missed the hitting the sinkhole after it opened up, and nobody was injured or had to take out new car loan as a result of the sinkhole. At 40 feet long and 25 feet deep, the sinkhole will take $ 266,960 to fix, and authority hopes repairs can be completed by May 22. The contract was given by a private contractor. The sinkhole is located between mile marker 127 and exit 127. Traffic has been detoured around the sinkhole on Eastbound lanes, though Westbound lanes have not been closed.

Canadian sinkhole kills family of four

A family of four was killed in a sinkhole that opened up in Canada. Just outside Montreal, a sinkhole appeared under several homes, and one family who was in their basement at the time was encased within the sloshing mud. The homes were evacuated and now the Canadian government is treating the area as a disaster rehabilitation area.

What is a sinkhole?

There are typically numerous different causes for a sinkhole to open up. Usually, water either running below bedrock or seeping in from above works away at the underlying support of an area. The water will dissolve the rock and the area's weight becomes too much. Next, a sinkhole will appear suddenly. Sub-surface waterways, sewer piping and abandoned mines are some of probably the most common causes of sinkholes. Sinkholes could be really hard to predict, though Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri and Pennsylvania tend to have the most sinkholes among U.S. states.

Food Network Chef, Juan-Carlos Cruz, Arrested

Even though it is typically humorous to think of a Food Network chef being arrested, the arrest of Juan-Carlos Cruz is not funny. The Food Network chef doesn't work at Food Network anymore explaining why he was "very cheap" when it came to hiring 3 people to kill his wife off. Perhaps he was using no faxing payday loan to pay for the hit?

Food Network Chef was arrested out in Santa Monica

The Food Network Chef that was arrested, Juan-Carlos Cruz, is due to appear in a Santa Monica courtroom Monday morning. He plotted to hire three homeless individuals to kill his wife until one of those people turned him in. Identified as “Big Dave,” “Little Dave” and “Shane,” the men described Cruz as “very meticulous” and “very cheap.” Right now he is being held on $ 5 million in bail.

Low calorie cooking is what the arrested chef specializes in

Juan-Carols Cruz, the Food Network chef arrested, has made his public celebrity chef name on low-calorie cooking. After appearing on a Discovery Channel Body Challenge show, Juan-Carlos Cruz dropped a significant amount of weight. Cruz changes his cooking focus to low calorie meals as a previous pastry chef. The Food Network chef arrested starred in Calorie Commando, a show dedicated to “replacing the junk in food with healthy alternatives.”

Watch the Food Network Chef arrested demo reel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOOCqtB7NyI

Part of weight loss industry was Food Network chef being arrested

The U.S. weight loss market is estimated to be worth more than $ 65 billion. The Food Network Chef who was arrested has been a part of this industry most recently with his cookbook. The "Juan-Carlos Cruz Calorie Countdown Cookbook" is on sale on Amazon for $ 7.49. At less than $ 8 a pop, this cookbook probably is not paying the bills, and Juan has hired himself out as a speaker and consultant.

Article Resources

Boston Herald

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/west/view/20100517tv_chef_juan-carlos_cruz_to_face_la_judge_over_alleged_murder_plot/srvc=home&position=recent

Wire Update

http://wireupdate.com/wires/4796/food-network-chef-juan-carlos-cruz-arrested-and-to-make-courtroom-appearance-today/

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Juan-Carlos-Cruz-Calorie-Countdown-Cookbook/dp/1592402585

The Toyota Sienna Swagger Wagon Featured In Minivan Rap Song

Cool is coming back to the suburbs, if the new minivan rap song is to be believed. This minivan rap song is the equivalent of an no faxing payday loan – an additional hit of "cool" where it's needed. Could this rap song be considered offensive, if effective?

Trendy, Parody, or both – The Minivan Rap Song?

Intended for irony and humor, the Toyota Sienna minivan rap song plays on how un-cool it could be. A couple with two children rap about loving their life as parents and having a “swagger wagon.” By mixing irony and parody, the video is very funny. The humor of the video is based on the idea that white suburb-dwellers "shouldn't" be rapping, though. The real irony, though, is while most hip-hop music is performed by minority musicians, in the billion-dollar hip-hop industry a lot more than 70 percent of music sales are made to white individuals. Additionally, the Top-40 pop music charts are filled, more often than not, with hip-hop music.

Minivan rap song isn’t really the first

Far from the first, the minivan rap song is one of a long list of advertisements that have "ironic rap". Everybody from Taco Bell to Smirnoff have done similar commercials, to varying levels of success. Comedians, including Saturday Night Live, have long used this schtick to get laughs.

Is the Minivan rap offensive?

From online commentary, most just discover the minivan rap song amusing. The head of Cultural Trends at an ad agency that specializes in “campaigns that target minorities” has written extensively about advertisements like this. The question she poses about this are legitimate:

What is designed to be humorous about this video? White people posturing in (stereotypically) non-white scenarios? When is race role-play and cultural appropriation okay? When is it acceptable, and when is it derogatory?

What is your opinion?

Will Mariah Carey Purchase Suzanne Saperstein’s Estate?

It’s been a when given that any of us have heard much about “billionaire divorcee” Suzanne Saperstein, though real estate watchers have kept a very close eye. Now, almost three years after putting her $ 125 million Fleur de Lys estate on the market, rumors are that it might just be sold. Suzanne Saperstein may end up not needing a mortgage loan modification, if the latest rumors are true.

The home of Suzanne Saperstein sold?

Suzanne Saperstein's estate has been on the market for the last three years. Unlike many other multi-million dollar homes, though, Suzanne Saperstein refused to slash the price on her 12 bedroom, 15 bathroom, 35,000-square-foot palace. Nick Cannon and hubby Mariah Carey are rumored to put a bid in on the estate now. A first edition library, screening room, multiple kitchens, and a full five acres are also involved in the purchase price. If she gets a very good rate of interest on a 30 year mortgage, Mariah Carey will be looking at about $709,000 a month in mortgage payments.

Suzanne Saperstein's high-profile divorce

Suzanne Saperstein has been known for a lot more than just the sale of her multi-million dollar home. Suzanne Saperstein was the wife of oil mogul David Saperstein. On board the company jet, during a layover in Texas, Suzanne was served divorce papers from her husband. David Saperstein divorced his wife so he could marry their former nanny. This incredibly high-profile divorce was one of the most costly in L.A. history.

The rogue of 90210 – Suzanne Saperstein?

Rather than living on her husband’s name, though, the Swedish previous model has taken the money to “explore new things.” While taking up Latin dancing and beginning a clothing line, Suzanne has also helped her daughters (and boyfriend) start a drunk-driving awareness fashion line. She is also spending quite a bit of money on beginning a gender-neutral ballroom facility- where very same gender and opposite gender couples are equally welcomed. Suzanne is making a name for herself as a rich socialite that is quietly making large changes.

Resources for this article

On The Red Carpet

http://ontheredcarpet.typepad.com/ontheredcarpet/2009/03/is-mariah-buying-the-fleur-de-lys-estate.html

W Magazine

http://www.wmagazine.com/society/2008/12/suzanne_saperstein?currentPage=2

Car Maintenance Checklist For The Year

Cars, sadly, don't usually look after themselves – they need maintenance. If you own or lease a vehicle, though, you need to keep an eye on vehicle maintenance. You are able to conserve time and money if you keep up with your car's maintenance. It can take you less than an hour a week. You will be getting a good start if you follow this checklist each 30 days, 90 days, and 6 months.

Each and every 30 days

While you’re fueling up your car – or even just on a certain day each month – check a few things to make sure that your vehicle is in good running order. It's just a few things, and it should take no a lot more time than it does to fill your tank. Check the oil with your engine – and add more if the dipstick is low. Search for any bulging or uneven wear when you check tire pressure. While you're checking the oil, take a look at the hoses, belts, and air filters.

Each and every 90 days

Every three months, you need to take your automobile in for an oil change, if you’re driving the auto regularly. If a shop changes your oil for you, they will usually do the rest for you. The standard oil change service most places involves a check of all 90-day items for car. If you change your own oil, you should make sure to check the windshield wipers, wiper fluid, battery, brake fluid, transmission fluid and steering fluid.

Each and every 6 months

Every six months or so, you should give your vehicle a full maintenance once-over. If you use a maintenance shop, ask for a tune-up. If you're on your own, do anything you normally would once a month and once every 3 months, plus a few other things. You need to check your struts, shocks, lights, exhaust, and brakes. Honk your horn too – just to make sure it works.

Keeping track of your car maintenance doesn't assure that there can be no problems, but it can help. It does, however, make it easier for you to spread maintenance costs out over a time period, and it will keep your miles per gallon at optimum level. The small amount of time you spend can be worth the benefits.

Dealer Service Departments Are Fighting For Business

The recession has forced many consumers to hold onto their cars for longer than they’d prepared, which is both a blessing and a curse for dealer service departments, says Wards Auto. Auto sales and warranty jobs are down quite a bit (also as the market for auto loans for bad credit), which has prompted dealer service departments to intensify their efforts to market their services to the public. Increases in ad spending – by as much as 30 percent for some dealers, as outlined by Wards– carry the hope that the market will begin to show a lot more good returns.

Short term gains by dealer service departments

Consumers who keep their cars for a longer time period will inevitably run into a lot more situations where auto repair and a lot more extensive vehicle maintenance are necessary. To put it simply, “If people keep their cars longer, there is business to be had,” says DriverSide CEO Jad Dunning. AutoMD explains that is likely nearly half of drivers in a recent poll have driven their current cars a lot more than 100,000 miles. The short-term added repair costs that tends to go hand-in-hand with such increased mileage is estimated to be about $ 2,500 per car owner, said AutoMD President Shane Evangelist.

But long term, dealer service departments are forecasted to lose out

J.D. Power and Associates think that dealer service departments could lose as much as 20 percent of their expected business between now and 2013, Wards reports. This is also an area dealers need to improve in: keeping their customers instead of losing them. More competitive pricing is the main tool dealerships will attempt to use to stop the bleeding. Expanding service to seven days of the week and making contact with customers more often are also some ideas. Pre-paid maintenance plans and upselling extended warranties might also be necessary.

Instead of warranty work, focus on maintenance

It pays to shift from a business model that depends on warranty work as there are fewer new auto sales today. Older cars that aren’t still covered by warranty will need frequent service and repair, thus defining a new business model for service departments. Expanding dealer service departments’ inventory to have more accessories is a goal dealers like Sid DeBoer of Medford, Oregon’s, Lithia Motors have in mind. He said to Wards he is “frustrated we don’t do better in accessories.” The exact same chain has a Sacramento, Calif., store that leads the way, so DeBoer hopes his dealership can follow suit.

Resources for the article

Wards Auto

http://wardsauto.com/home/auto_dealers_serious_100513/

Nokia Sues Apple ... Again

In the mobile phone market, Nokia and Apple are the two siblings that just can’t seem to get along. Apple and Nokia have been embroiled in lawsuits for years. Apple has counter-sued Nokia. What's the debate? A lot more than 40 billion in payday loans no fax are invested by these companies in cellular telephone technology. What's the latest move in this game of mobile giants?

Lawsuit spurred by Apple iPad

The Nokia Apple lawsuit brings up the question of 3G technology. You will find five separate patents at issue, all Nokia's, that are the “technologies for enhanced speech and data transmission … and innovations in antenna configurations .” Nokia thinks it designed some of the technology that is a large part of the Apple iPad. Without licenses or permission, Apple is being accused of using proprietary Nokia tech.

The 2009 lawsuit between Nokia and Apple

This is the second Nokia lawsuit filed against Apple. In 2009, Nokia sued Apple for patent violation on Nokia’s cellular telephones. By filing these lawsuits, Nokia hopes to prevent Apple from shipping its products into Europe. In response to the 2009 lawsuit, Apple counter-sued Nokia. The U.S. International Trade Commission has also launched an investigation into the Nokia-Apple disagreement. If Nokia wins the lawsuits, Apple may be forced to change the technology it uses in 3G phones and may be barred from importing its older handsets and iPads into Europe. The United States may see fewer imported Nokia products if the counter-suits are judged in favor of Apple. Either way, you will find billions of dollars of mobile phone market share at stake.

What Apple and Nokia suits mean

The central issue of both the lawsuits and counter-suits between Apple and Nokia is the concept of intellectual property. Both Apple and Nokia have spent millions of dollars on research and development. The way U.S. copyright law is written, a product and process can be patented, but a program must be copyrighted. Even the smallest of changes can require a new patent, The smallest of changes within the design or development of a product can require a new patent be filed. For both of these companies, the dedicated developers they hire often sign away the IP rights of what they develop. Dozens of different legal frameworks must be considered, given that many companies work in numerous different countries.

Babies Movie May Violate Child Labor Laws, Critics Say

”Babies,” the documentary movie by Thomas Balmes, is a chronicle of the lives of four infants from various backgrounds. The film is without dialogue, but bouncy music scores the moments of these infants’ lives. “Babies” reviews have generally admitted that when the 80-minute Focus Features film is cute, it may be too simplistic. Adorable little ones and emotionally manipulative music may work in commercials, but a feature-length study demands a lot more depth, say some critics. The “Babies” movie has been gaining less plot attention and more noise for claims that the product may have violated child labor laws (and may need instant cash loans to dig their way out from under a potential mountain of fines).

Did the ‘Babies’ movie mistreat just a little baby?

USA Today reports that various sources are concerned over whether “Babies” subject Hattie (who lives in San Francisco) was dealt with in a way consistent with California law. In that state, infants must be at least 15 days old and have a doctor’s note and legal permits before they could be filmed commercially. Said “Babies” in the movie are only allowed on film a maximum of 20 minutes per day, and during that time the studio must provide a nurse and teacher which the studio finances completely. This didn’t happen with Hattie within the “Babies” movie, claim critics.

Film producer said the same rules didn’t apply

This is not because they were pulling the “Do you know who I am?” card. The subject infants in “Babies” were cast before they were born, said producer Amandine Billot to the Associated Press. The kids were then filmed “in their natural environments, like a wildlife film of human babies,” as outlined by Billot. If the California Labor Board were to open an investigation, it could cost “Babies” anywhere from $ 50 to $ 5,000 per individual instance of child labor law violation.

California, the anti-’Babies’ state

Perhaps one of the most fiscally hamstrung state in America, California could be a thorn in Focus Features’ side. Thus, CEO James Schamus of Focus Features is preparing for the worst. He told the AP that no child labor laws were violated and vehemently stated that “irresponsible conjectures” against the “Babies” movie are just that – mere speculation. Schamus underscored that “the filmmakers a lot more than adhered to both the letter and spirit of the law”.

Ready to go see what the ‘Babies’ fuss is about?

Not all the “Babies” reviews are negative. Beliefnet.com maintains in their positive review the point of the film is to “revel within the miracles, radiant innocence and fun nature of babies. You won’t be able to leave the theater without feelings of warmth, happiness and delight”. Just like Sandra Bullock, brining new “Babies” into your life is not a bad thing.

Article Sources

USA Today

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/05/did-babies-break-the-law-/1

Beliefnet.com

http://blog.beliefnet.com/yourlittlecuties/2010/05/movie-review-babies.html

Caravan Track Wins Ford Apps Competition

In October of 2009, Ford Motor Business, the University of Michigan and Intel created American Journey 2.0 – a competition to create Ford Apps. As a part of this partnership, the U of M created Cloud Computing within the Commute, a class focused on creating new social networking applications intended for use in Ford test vehicles. The winner of this competition class was Caravan Track – an application that could be used in the Ford Fiesta research vehicle.

Caravan Track

The winner of the “Cloud Computing in the Commute” course and competition is an application called Caravan Track. Caravan Track is a social network / internet / wifi application that helps members of a caravan keep track of one another. Caravan Track monitors the position, fuel level, road hazards and a lot more of all automobiles on a trip together. If the caravan is set to pass restaurants, rest areas, or points of interest, the Caravan Track app will inform them. Pre-programmed touchscreen messages also keep drivers from having to type when driving.

The other five Ford App competition competitors

There were six teams within the competition to create the best Ford American Journey 2.0 application. While Caravan Track won, the other applications still have the potential to be very useful. The GreenRide Challenge uses Facebook to match drivers and potential carpool passengers. NostraMap gives drivers advance notice of road hazards like construction or accidents. Fuel Tracker gives real-time feedback on fuel economy and mileage for a specific route. Point-of-Interest is built to “learn” a driver’s interests over time, and recommend companies and locations the driver might discover interesting. Called "Listen. Speak. Rate.Share.", a verbal-reviews application provides reviews and info about locations of interest – without all the reading or typing.

Ford Fiesta with Caravan Track

Along with other experimental and research projects, Caravan Track could be loaded onto a Ford Fiesta headed for Silicon Valley. On the way to the Maker Faire, this research Fiesta will attempt to report on the trip and use social networking to make the trip easier. It's sure that students at the U of M could be watching this trip very closely.

Sources:

Edmunds Blog

http://blogs.edmunds.com/strategies/2010/05/with-help-from-ford-students-create-the-future-of-in-car-cloud-computing.html

Nurses Day Not Far As Nurses Week 2010 Begins

Nurses Week 2010 will start May 6. Nurses Week 2010 starts May 6 and goes until May 12, which is Nurses Day. These individuals work hard, and also the members of this noble profession are deserving of some recognition. They toil day and night at hospitals, emergency rooms, and clinics at all hours of the day, all over the world. Though some a lot more instant cash loanswould be nice too, some recognition is more than reasonable for their efforts.

Nurses Week 2010 starts May 6, ends on Nurses Day

Nurses Week 2010 will start May 6, as it generally does. Nurses Week 2010 ends on May 12, as always. May 12 is really Florence Nightingale’s birthday. As numerous of us recall, she was a pioneer within the field and had an enormous hand in giving birth to the nursing profession.

When did it start?

It all began in 1953, when President Eisenhower was lobbied to create a day for nurses, as outlined by the American Nurses Association website. It didn’t pass muster with Ike, but the next year an informal observance of Nurses Week was held, in remembrance of Florence Nightingale’s service in the Crimean War. The first to officially proclaim a Nurses Week was Richard Nixon, in 1974. That said, the International Council of Nurses first began observing the day in 1965, and in January of 1974 proclaimed International Nurses Day on May 12, in honor of Florence Nightingale.

Nurses Day has been May 12 ever since

May 12 has been Nurses Day ever given that, though various state governments have proclaimed May 6 as Nurses Day. It was expanded to an entire Nurses Week in 1990. They deserve the accolades. They deserve our recognition and acknowledgment, just like Teacher Appreciation Week.

Sources

American Nurses Association

http://www.nursingworld.org/FunctionalMenuCategories/MediaResources/NationalNursesWeek/MediaKit/NNWHistory.aspx

Should I Get A Carfax Report Or An Autocheck Report?

The process of purchasing a used car could be very tough – but Carfax and Autocheck reports are a way to make it easier. The car-buying process generally consists of a car history report. So which should you get – a Carfax Report or Autocheck report?

What should a vehicle history report include

You will find a couple of elements that should be in any automobile history report. Lemon check, a report that lets you know if a car has major mechanical problems, is very significant. Large gaps in registration or title history should raise red flags, so a full history there is very important too. The report should also consist of any salvages, accidents, or odometer rollbacks.

Why Carfax may be the better choice

Carfax reports have been available since about 1984. With Carfax, you can get two separate types of reports. A free report gives you just the essential history of the automobile, when a paid report gives you the full history of the car. Carfax reports are generally provided for cars on used-car lots or for pre-owned vehicles. Carfax is well respected as a vehicle history provider, and has partnerships with everyone from the National Institute for Highway Safety to J.D. Power Associates.

How Autocheck differs from Carfax

Autocheck is a service that opened fairly recently – a start-up owned and funded by credit reporting agency Experian. In 2009, there was a study that found Autocheck reports tended to report about twice the number of accidents as Carfax, though the severity of the accidents varied. Automotive auctions are also involved on Autocheck reports, and are typically included for auctions. The free Autocheck report has a comparable amount of information as the Carfax reports.

Should I get Carfax or Autocheck reports?

Both Carfax and Autocheck are relatively well-credentialed and well-respected automobile history report providers. If you're looking for a free report, there is not reason to not use both Carfax and Autocheck. If you're using a used car dealer, then you need to ask them to provide a report for either one of these providers. Using Autocheck or Carfax, if you're paying for your own report, can be an equally good decision.

Charla Nash Released From Cleveland Clinic

Last year in Stamford, Connecticut, Charla Nash went to assist her friend Sandra Herold with her pet chimpanzee Travis. Travis went on a rampage, beating Charla Nash nearly to death and severely disfiguring her in the process. Police responded, and the responding officer fatally shot the errant chimp. Charla went to the Cleveland Clinic for surgery and after a long stay in therapy, has been recently released. If you were thinking a chimpanzee is a pet you’d like to spend some borrow money to get, you may want to think again.

Charla Nash updates “Today” show

Charla Nash recently had an interview with the “Today” show, in which she updated Meredith Vieira about her situation, as outlined by MSNBC. The attack completely disfigured her face, and given that the tragic occurrence, she has worn a veil wherever she goes. Both of her eyes had to be removed. She requires constant assistance, as she can’t use her hands or eat solid food. However, after a year of therapy and numerous surgeries, she is being released by the Cleveland Clinic. She wants to get face and hand transplants.

The intervening officer and his struggle

There was another MSNBC update on the intervening officer. Frank Chiafari, a 25 year Stamford Police veteran has been left traumatized by the event. He didn’t know if the chimp was attacking a person. The rampaging chimp ran over to the automobile and opened the door. Chiafari had no choice but to fire. The chimp was hit several times, limped off to his cage and succumbed to his wounds. Chiafari was so affected by the incident that he took a leave of absence, only to have the state deny his worker's compensation claim.

What’s next for Charla Nash?

There’s a good reason why Charla Nash went to the Cleveland Clinic. The Cleveland Clinic is one of the best medical centers the United States has to offer. The first face transplant in the US was done there. It’s also where kidney dialysis was invented, and a slew of other medical breakthroughs were made. She can be able to make further leaps and bounds afterwards.

Sources for the article

MSNBC

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37015385/ns/today-today_people/

MSNBC

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/36962822/ns/today-today_people/

Greek Riots Paralyze Athens

The recent Greek riots have rocked the city of Athens, leaving 3 dead within the clash between police and protesters. Proposed spending cuts to rein in Greek government spending ahead of a much needed bailout touched off the protests and rioting. Before Greece can get any bailout quick cash, they will likely need to get their house in order.

Austerity measures prompt Greek riots

The Greek riots came after a proposed spending bill from Prime Minister Papandreoun which would drastically cut the nation’s spending. The credit rating of Greece has been downgraded in the wake of the collapse of financial markets and spending deficits. The proposed budget would yield savings of 30 billion Euros through 2010. The budget cuts would amount to about 11 percent of Greek GDP, according to MarketWatch.

What could be affected?

Almost 3 fourths of public spending in Greece is on pensions and public sector wages. More people are employed in the public sector in Greece than by most other European governments. Additional taxes would be placed on consumer goods and wages and pensions would either be frozen or reduced.

Bailouts

To keep Greece solvent as a nation, a bailout package of over 110 billion Euro is being put together by the International Monetary Fund and various European Union nations. One of the biggest contributors is Germany, and Angela Merkel, the Chancellor, has put up over 22 billion Euro. However, she has been hesitant, saying that immediate aid would have gone to waste before reforms were made. Despite the unpopularity of the bailout among the German public, the President of the Bundesbank (Germany’s Federal Reserve), Axel Weber, assured the bailout would halt further damage.

Greek riots preceded by strikes

A nationwide strike and protests broke out following the Prime Minister announced the proposals, which is expected to pass due to his party (Socialist) holding a majority, as outlined by the Wall Street Journal. No ferries ran, schools closed, shopkeepers locked their doors, lawyers and doctors all took to the streets in protest. Hospitals ran on the barest minimum staff, and all flights in or out of Greece were grounded. A lot more protests are due to go on.

Article resources

MarketWatch

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/greeks-go-on-strike-against-austerity-measures-2010-05-05

Wall Street Journal

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703961104575225472577513414.html?mod=fox_australian

Tylenol And Motrin Involved In Recall On Childrens Medicine 2010

McNeil health and the FDA have announced a “precautionary” recall on children’s medicine 2010. Tylenol, Motrin, and Benadryl are all incorporated within the recall on children’s medicine 2010. You are able to get a low interest loans of a coupon or refund for the product if you report it to McNeil Healthcare. Either way, the FDA and McNeil Healthcare suggest that you discontinue use of these medicines.

Difficulties with the childrens medicine 2010 recall

The recall on children’s medicine 2010 was initiated by McNeil Consumer Healthcare – the manufacturer of the medicine. The recall has been announced for 3 major reasons. First, some of the medicines have “a higher concentration of the active ingredient” then is on the label. Internal McNeil Healthcare standards for quality may are violated by some of the inactive ingredients within the medicines. There may also be very small particles within the medicines involved in the recall on children’s medicine 2010.

Recall on children’s medicine 2010 – the involved products

There are seven different products in the recall on children’s medicine 2010. Recalled products contain several flavors of each of these products:

• Tylenol Infants’ Drops
• Children’s Tylenol liquid
• Children’s Tylenol Plus liquid
• Motrin Infant’s Drops
• Children’s Motrin liquid
• Children’s Zyrtec liquids
• Children’s Benadryl Allergy liquids

The FDA Children’s medicine recall 2010 announcement includes a full list of products involved within the recall. This recall does include medicines in twelve countries – including Canada and also the United States. In countries other than the United States of The US, check with the agency that handles pharmaceutical safety.

Recall on children’s medicine 2010 not first Tylenol recall in 2010

This is the second time this year that a recall on children’s medicine, including Tylenol, has been implemented. A recall of Children’s Tylenol pills and chews was instituted in January of 2010. That recall was because of “confusing dosage instructions” on the package. There is a website with data on the recall on childrens medicine, built by McNeil Healthcare, at McNeilProductRecall.com. The company has said that it will “undertake a comprehensive review” of its manufacturing processes.

Sources

FDA Children’s medicine recall 2010 announcement

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm210443.htm

McNeilProductRecall.com

http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/

A Very Limited Dunkin Donuts Free Iced Coffee Day 2010

For the last few years, Dunkin Donuts Free Iced Coffee Day has been a tradition for fans of the store. It was a surprise, then, when the Dunkin Donuts Free Iced Coffee Day 2010 Facebook page lit up with complaints. Dunkin Donuts coffee only costs a few bucks – less than installment payday loans– but numerous people are nevertheless asking "why wasn't it free"?

Where you can get Dunkin Donuts Free Iced Coffee?

The Dunkin Donuts Free Iced Coffee Day 2010 hasn’t been entirely canceled. But Dunkin Donuts is offering a free small iced coffee in only 13 U.S. cities. These cities include:

• Baltimore, MD
• Charlottesville, VA
• Cleveland, OH
• Harrisonburg, VA
• Norfolk, VA
• Washington, DC
• Youngstown, OH
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Richmond, VA
• Roanoke, VA
• Salisbury, MD
• Philadelphia, PA
• Phoenix, AZ

Why is Dunkin Donuts Free Iced Coffee Day 2010 so limited?

Dunkin Donuts Free Iced Coffee Day 2010 was initially a national event. When asked for comment, a spokesperson said that “As part of our 60th birthday celebration, Dunkin' Donuts is offering a variety of regional promotions throughout the year instead of a national Free Iced Coffee Day.”

The story behind this, though, is a bit a lot more complicated. The stock of Dunkin Donuts’ parent company has dropped from over $20 per share to under $15 in the past year, and is now trading at about $18. Market positioning is becoming tougher, with stronger competition, and customers tightening their belts.

Make it Dunkin Donuts Free Iced Coffee Day 2010 anywhere

If you absolutely need your hit of Dunkin Donuts Free Iced Coffee Day 2010, or if you need to give iced coffee a try, you’ve got two choices. First, you could sign up for the Dunkin’ Perks online program, which will get you a free drink coupon in exchange for a bunch of personal data. Or – make your own iced coffee. Mix double-strength brewed coffee with ice and sweetened condensed milk for a Dunkin Donuts taste-alike. Like magic, you’ll have your own (nearly free) Dunkin Donuts Free Iced Coffee Day 2010 – anytime you want.

Resources:

Forbes.com

http://finapps.forbes.com/finapps/jsp/finance/compinfo/CIAtAGlancelw.jsp?passName=AED&passSymbol=AED&isOut=null&sedol=

Dunkin Donuts

https://www.dunkindonuts.com/icedcoffeedaymarkets.aspx

Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/Money/new-economy/2010/0511/Not-so-free-iced-coffee-day-at-Dunkin-Donuts

Elizabeth Hasselbeck On Erin Andrews - Comments On The View

Elizabeth Hasselbeck's comments on Erin Andrews, concerning her attire on Dancing With The Stars, have not endeared the oft-maligned “View” co-host to many. Hasselbeck made some comments to the effect that Andrews’ stalker wouldn’t have needed to invade her privacy if he could have just waited to see her outfits. Saying these remarks were a bit insensitive is an understatement. It will definitely take more than short term loans to pay for the truckload of mouthwash needed to cure this foot within the mouth taste.

Elizabeth Hasselbeck and her Erin Andrews remarks

May fourth, which was a Tuesday, Elizabeth Hasselbeck said on the View that Erin Andrews’ “Dancing with the Stars” outfits were all too revealing. Rather than just saying something like "her outfits are a little skimpy" and then moving on, she decided that it is acceptable to joke about the Erin Andrews peephole video event and while every person watched in horror:

“as inexcusable as it was for that guy to go in and try to peep on her in her hotel room … I mean, in some way if I’m him, I’m like ‘Man! I could’ve just waited 12 weeks and seen this,’ just a little bit less, without the prison time!”

(This was from the Huffington Post). It would appear that no matter how rich a person gets, you just can’t buy common sense, or class for that matter. Ironically, those who are rich forget to display it often.

Erin Andrews doesn't seem amused

In response to Elizabeth Hasselbeck, Erin Andrews declared her remarks a “slap within the face to victims of stalking and sexual predators” after she appeared on Dancing with the Stars.

Elizabeth Hasselbeck apologizes

Elizabeth Hasselbeck apologized for her remarks on Wednesday May 5. She even teared up during her apology. She doesn't really seem sorry and individuals believe she only is apparently sorry because she is in trouble.

Where should the line get drawn?

The fallout of Elizabeth Hasselbeck's Erin Andrews remarks will run its course and could be forgotten soon. I guess all that matters is she put her foot in her mouth and realized she had done so. Although nobody should feel like they can't say what they think, some things go a little too far.

Sources

Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/05/elisabeth-hasselbeck-slam_n_564067.html

Android Vs. IPhone - Droid Outsells IPhone In Q1 2010

The iPhone vs. Android battle just got more interesting as the underdog Android phone outsold Apple’s iPhone in first quarter 2010 U.S. smartphone sales. Apple is winning the war, even if the Android did win one small battle. In total smartphone sales, and Apple definitely has the lead over Android. Dominating the field is Blackberry. The Android market is going up when the iPhone and Blackberry markets plummet. Some analysts think those trends will continue, allowing the Android phone to tighten the iPhone vs. Android margin.

iPhone vs. Android milestone

The NPD Group reports the Android vs. iPhone matchup hit a milestone when the Android phone captured 28 percent of smartphone sales in the last quarter. NPD reports that Apple’s iPhone won 21 percent of smartphone sales, when Research in Motion’s Blackberry took 36 percent. According to ComScore, a digital market research firm, a key stat in Android vs. iPhone is that Google’s Android operating system had just nine percent of the market as of February 2010, compared with the iPhone’s 25.4 percent.

Android phone gains, others falter

In winning the latest round of iPhone vs. Droid, PC World reports that Google’s OS is the only smartphone OS whose share of sales grew exceptionally over the previous quarter. iPhone sales in the meantime are failing and Blackberry, Windows, and WebOS sales are falling like a mortgage loan modification. If this trend continues, PC World’s J.R. Raphael said Android will catch up to its competitors for total market share in a hurry.

How was the iPhone beat by the Android?

Android phone sales may have overtaken Apple’s iPhone, according to the Los Angeles Times, because of Google’s freewheeling partnering tactics that have gotten the Android operating system onto as numerous phones as possible. You will find more than 30 Android powered devices from 12 manufacturers. These devices contain Sprint, AT and T, T-mobile, and Verizon.

Is iPhone Verizon on the horizon?

As Google wins the latest round of the iPhone vs. Droid scuffle, the iPhone Verizon offering looms larger. Apple is tied to AT and T in an exclusive partnership in what may be a saturated market. An analyst with Technology Business Research, Ezra Gottheil, told Computerworld, “That’s your classic technology acquisition curve. Of those within the U.S. who are interested in an iPhone and willing to put up with AT and T, quite much all have already bought one. What’s left for Apple — as long as it’s tied to AT and T in its exclusive partnership — is largely the iPhone replacement market”.

Worldwide iPhone soars

Most analysts expect iPhone Verizon to happen eventually within the U.S., but Apple’s not saying when. Meantime, Apple is forging ahead in the iPhone vs. droid matchup everywhere else. Apple announced last month Worldwide iPhone sales were up 131 percent within the first quarter compared to the same three-month stretch in 2009.

Citations

NPD reports

http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_100510.html

PC World

http://www.pcworld.com/article/195958/android_outsells_apple_iphone_at_last_says_npd.html

Los Angeles Times

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/05/google-android-overtakes-iphone-npd-research.html

168,000 Jobs, $ 9.2 Billion In Energy Savings - Cash Of Caulkers

Cash for Caulkers 2010, which is known as the Home Star bill also, gives homeowners rebates from $ 3,000 to $ 8,000 for energy-efficient improvements to their homes. The Cash for Caulkers 2010 bill, which was passed on Thursday, will dole out $ 5.7 billion over two years for a program aimed to stimulate the construction industry, which has been severely gutted by the recession. Republicans were nearly united in being against the Cash for Caulkers bill which needs Senate approval still before Obama can sign it.

Details in Cash for Caulkers

Homeowners won't need instant cash for thousands of dollars in energy saving home improvements with Cash for Caulkers 2010. The bill is very much inspired by the Cash for Clunkers 2009 bill that encouraged automobile buyers to get rid of their gas hogs. CBS News reports that Cash for Caulkers details consist of two programs: The Silver Star program provides upfront rebates of up to $ 3,000 for specific energy-efficient improvements in homes, such as installing energy-efficient appliances or duct sealing, insulation or new windows or doors. A Gold Star program entitles individuals to up to $ 8,000 when they conduct comprehensive energy audits and implement measures that reduce their energy used throughout their homes by a lot more than 20 percent.

Cash for Caulkers rules

To prevent fraud, Cash for Caulkers rules require licensing for all participating contractors and a certain percentage of projects can be inspected. The Silver Star program provides upfront rebates for renovations such as insulation, improved windows and doors and water heaters at the time of purchase. The credit could be used for up to $ 1500 per improvement and is capped at $ 3,000 or at least fifty percent of the total cost. Following an energy audit, the Gold Star program will provide $ 3,000 for energy savings of at least 20 percent, with an additional $ 1,000 for each and every additional 5 percent energy savings. This rebate is capped at $ 8,000 or 50 percent of the project cost.

Cash for Caulkers home energy audit

Cash for Caulkers details about the Gold Star home energy audit requirement can be found on the web. A home energy auditor can help you determine how much energy you use and can conserve with improvements. Five minutes and also the last 12 months of utility bills are all it takes for a do-it-yourself home energy audit using energystar.gov. Professional home energy auditors can deliver a lot more energy savings. A professional home energy auditor can be using a variety of equipment more effective for testing such as blower doors, which measure the rate heating or cooling escapes the home, and infrared cameras, which reveal hard-to-detect areas of air infiltration and missing insulation.

Cash for Caulker's impact on economy

Cash for Caulkers moves to the Senate now that it has passed within the house. CBS news suggests the Cash for Caulkers bill can be attached to the next jobs bill. Supporters of the Cash for Caulkers bill say it could create 168,000 jobs. They also estimate that 3 million households could take advantage of its programs, saving $ 9.2 billion in home energy costs over 10-years. They said it would create 168,000 jobs. The Cash for Caulkers bill would approve at least $ 600 million over two years for grants to states for replacing their mobile homes with more energy efficient models.

Sources

CBS News reports

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/06/politics/main6467175.shtml

energy audit

http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/energy_audits/index.cfm/mytopic=11160

energystar.gov

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_audits

Halo Reach Beta - How To Get And Play Halo Reach Beta

The Halo Reach Beta is being officially released today, and thousands of Halo fans are wondering how to play Halo Reach Beta. The good news is that Halo Reach Beta is relatively easy to get. Wide Halo Reach Beta testing began in the late afternoon of May 3. The bad news, though, is that the Halo Reach Beta is a walled garden game that not everybody was given access to. So, in case you are one of those that wants to play the Master Chief in Halo Reach Beta, how do you get to play?

Halo Reach Beta – How to get and play

If you’re looking for a way to get to the Halo Reach Beta group, you need to brace yourself. The first step is loan till payday – you will need an XBox with XBox live. You’ll also have to discover and purchase an original package of Halo ODST. Each and each and every package of Halo ODST came with a legitimate copy of the Halo Reach Beta. If you find a copy of the Halo Reach Beta download someplace online, you could be assured that it is certainly illegal. Downloaded Halo Reach Beta May also be unsafe for your Xbox – so be warned.

Halo Reach Beta – how to play

You May wonder how to play once you’ve a copy of the Halo Reach Beta game. The Halo Reach Beta was originally closed to any person that didn’t have a code. To pre-access the Halo Reach Beta servers, you would need a code from Bungie, Microsoft, or one of the many other web sites offering them. These codes are what allowed pre-reviews of the Halo Reach Beta video game.

What’s new in Halo Reach Beta

The interface of Halo Reach Beta is very comparable to previous Halo games. One of the biggest changes to the Halo series is the option of choosing an extra “power” for your character – three classes, each with a different skill. Of course, just like every new game, there are changes that May or May not make it out of Beta testing and to the wide release of Halo Reach.

See videos of Halo Reach Beta being played

Of course, one of the first things to come out after the Halo Reach Beta began up was video of players within the Halo Reach Beta universe. Here are some of the Halo Reach Beta videos that have been featured by Bungie.

Halo Reach – Top 10 Kills (warning – contains significant animated violence)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VJHP7KgL0U&feature=player_embedded

Sources for the article

Crunch Gear

Bungie.net

Katie Holmes Dances For Tom Cruise - TomKat's Lola Dance

Considering there are significant rumors of a Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise divorce, her latest song and dance are even more surprising. The TomKat Lola Dance is making headlines whether they’re breaking up or not. The Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise performance was very entertaining considering it was part of a performance to get installment loan for charity.

Divorce rumors of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

Almost each and every tabloid from Star Magazine to the Daily Mail has said a Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes divorce is imminent. Some say Katie is seeking a trial separation; others are saying that she feels “trapped”. The TomKat couple has been married for about 3 years, and the divorce rumors are around just about as long. The couple continuously denies these claims while also living their lives rather than fighting all the tabloids.

Dance routine for Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise

Tom and Katie have always been dramatic, amongst rumors. Rather than jumping up and down on Oprah’s couch, though, the latest YouTube hit for TomKat has been a sexy, sultry, vampy charity performance. Katie Holmes dressed up to perform "Whatever Lola wants" using Tom Cruise as a prop a lot more than a dance partner. We know that Tom Cruise can always cut a rug, but he let his wife have the spotlight this time — and who doesn’t like seeing Tom thrown around on stage by his wife? Katie Holmes has been spotted on So You Think You Can Dance, so this dance isn’t really entirely unprecedented. What has so numerous people so interested, though, is the fact this Tom Cruise Katie Holmes dance seems to prove the affectionate couple — divorce rumors or not — can still have fun in public.

To Whatever Lola Wants, watch the TomKat dance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jku3SgStvT8

Nightmare On Elm Street Reviews Are A Nightmare

Hollywood can’t do anything original, and that’s why Nightmare on Elm Street, one more remake, is coming out. I’d invest cheap payday loans into a project myself if it was interesting. The return of Freddy, going by the Nightmare on Elm Street, is not going over well. It may be that even Freddy Krueger himself would be afraid to see the film, fearing embarrassment.

Ebert slashes Nightmare on Elm Street

Roger Ebert reviewed it for the Chicago Sun Times, and is not amused. The Roger Ebert review for Nightmare on Elm Street garnered two thumbs down. He was bored. “I stared at Nightmare on Elm Street with weary resignation.” He also mentioned an endless supply of teenagers “who are introduced, haunted by nightmares and slashed to death by Freddy. So what?” Granted, it is a remake, and in franchises certain things go with the territory, but seems like he thought it was ground retrod to the point of it being boring. (A movie with no surprises is boring? Who knew?)

Rotten Tomatoes

The gaggle of critics on Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t think much of it either. Granted, horror films aren’t exactly Shakespeare. Rotten Tomatoes gave Nightmare on Elm Street a 13%. North, which most agree is the worst movie ever, has a 12% rating by way of comparison. That does not look good. One critic, Peter Howell, said “There are many things wrong with this remake of Nightmare on Elm Street, not the least of which is that it was made at all.” (Ouch!)

Perhaps Freddy is better off dead

A remake or reboot is always a gamble. They aren’t always horrible. (Batman Begins, for example was good.) Although reviews aren’t always the best source to learn the merits of any particular film, the Nightmare on Elm Street reviews give the appearance the remade film about Freddy Krueger, the man who kills people when they sleep, is putting people to sleep.

Article Resources

Roger Ebert review

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100428/REVIEWS/100429976

Rotten Tomatoes

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nightmare_on_elm_street_2010/?page=1&critic=columns&sortby=date&name_order=asc&view=#contentReviews

Bret Michaels Press Conference Show That Doctors Say He Will Recover

Bret Michaels press conference that happened on Tuesday gave those who enjoy gossip many details of the aging glam metal frontman. Bret Michaels’ prognosis is reported to be good, though he suffered from a massive brain hemorrhage on April 22. In the Bret Michaels press conference held at Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz., his doctor told reporters that Michaels is expected to make a 100 percent recovery.

Bret Michaels and his condition

The former Poison frontman and reality TV regular has been released from the hospital. Rumor has it that Bret Michaels’ condition could improve fast enough that he’ll make enough to pay his tax debt by appearing within the finale of Donald Trump’s “The Celebrity Apprentice” on Might 23. There are nevertheless seven finalists left although individuals are getting fired every week during his hospitalization.

Bret Michaels press conference

Michaels is only 47 and ended up in intensive care in critical condition after a headache was diagnosed as a massive brain hemorrhage. When Dr. Joseph Zabramski, Barrow’s chief of cerebrovascular surgery, got to talk to reporters about Bret Michaels’ prognosis, he said, “He’s just one of those lucky individuals, the 20 percent or so who have a subarachnoid hemorrhage who make a complete recovery and are able to resume all of their normal activities”. Aniograms failed to turn up an aneurysm and doctors say they still don't know what caused the brain hemorrhage.

Brain hemorrhage and Bret Michaels

Bret Michaels had an emergency appendectomy about two weeks before he was afflicted with the massive brain hemorrhage that put him back in the hospital. The New York Daily News reports that doctors don't think that the appendectomy could have caused the condition. Dr. Ezriel Kornel, a neurosurgeon and member of the board of directors for the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, explained to the New York Daily News that “It is highly uncommon for a prior surgery to produce a brain hemorrhage”.

Bret Michaels and his prognosis

Brett Michaels' doctors said at the press conference that the blood clot around his brain will take an additional seven to 10 days to dissipate. The doctors explained it is a painful process causing severe back pain and spasms called chemical meningitis. To talk about his other health issues, Michaels is diabetic. Glucose management could be interfered if doctors use steroids to kill pain. Although there has been a lot of gossip circulating about Bret Michaels’ return to “Celebrity Apprentice,” his doctor told him not to make any promises of a return to the show.

Sources

Donald Trump’s “The Celebrity Apprentice

http://www.nbc.com/the-apprentice/

subarachnoid hemorrhage

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/794076-overview

The New York Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/05/04/2010-05-04_bret_michaels_press_conference_poison_frontman_walking_and_talking_expected_to_m.html

Motor Vehicle Safety Act Of 2010 - Giving The NHTSA Teeth

For the first time in a decade, Congress will be considering legislation that will make major changes in automobile safety – the Motor Vehicle Safety Act 2010. Next Thursday, this act will start being heard in subcommittees. California Democrat Henry A. Waxman introduced this legislation.

Legislation would increase the NHTSA budget

Because of the questions about the effectiveness of the NHTSA, the Motor Vehicle Safety Act is constructed in a way that will increase the budget accessible to the agency. A “vehicle safety user fee” of $ 3 per automobile would be added to cars sold – and that cash would go directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s spending budget. In order to be able to make an impact on huge manufacturers, the NHTSA would also be able to levy fines without caps. There have been many frustrated arguments that the fine the NHTSA could levy on Toyota was simply too small. Finally, the NHTSA would have the ability to require urgent recalls if they identify safety concerns in a car.

Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 would improve safety

New safety features on each new vehicle would also be required by the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. A black box would be required on all vehicles sold within the United States. All electronic and mechanical events in the automobile would be recorded by this black box. Though they are depending on airline black boxes, these automobile data recorders are more lightweight, and don’t include things like voice recorders. Each car would also have to have a braking system that could over ride a stuck-open throttle.

Responses to the MVSA of 2010

Despite wide support in Congress, the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 is not loved by all. ”Concerned about the sheer number of new regulations” is the response of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers – a group of U.S., European, and Japanese vehicle makers. The Alliance spokeswoman suggested the Congress “focus on the few measures that would produce one of the most substantial safety benefit in the shortest time”. These new regulations are estimated to cost most vehicle manufacturers about twenty to forty dollars per vehicle.

Sources for the article

New York Times

Washington Post

Annette Edwards, Jessica Rabbit And the World Record Bunny

January was when the Annette Edwards, Jessica Rabbit story first caught fire. Annette Edwards became an Internet sensation when news broke, with photos, the Englishwoman put 10,000 pounds — about the exact same as $ 16,000 — on her credit card so she could get plastic surgery intended to make her look like Jessica Rabbit–considered by numerous the sexiest cartoon character of all time. The surgically enhanced redhead is red hot again, as she is the breeder of the Guinness World Records world’s largest rabbit.

Annette Edwards’ Jessica Rabbit obsession

Annette Edwards’ Jessica Rabbit obsession doesn’t seem all that strange looking at it with the world’s largest rabbit in the picture. Among rabbit enthusiasts, she is a well-known bunny breeder. Her latest Guinness World Records rabbit, as reported by MSNBC, is her fourth world record rabbit. This rabbit of hers, names Darius, weights 50 pounds and is 4 feet, 3 inches long. Edwards suggests that it is possible for him to grow one more four to six inches.

Jessica Rabbit sexist cartoon character

Annette Edwards’ Jessica Rabbit obsession is inspired by the animated heroine within the 1988 fantasy comedy Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Jessica Rabbit is voiced by Kathleen Turner in a story where cartoon characters interact with real people. A promotional survey by British firm Cadbury voted Jessica Rabbit the sexiest cartoon character, beating out numerous other animated icons as Snow White, Wilma Flintstone, Cinderella, and Daphne from Scooby Doo.

Jessica Rabbits transformation for Annette Edwards

Annette Edwards’ Jessica Rabbit transformation required $ 16,000 worth of plastic surgery including cheek implants, chin implants, and a breast lift. She said her body went on "The Jessica Diet" to the Huffington Post. According to her, she lost a lot more than 40 pounds in 3 months just by eating like a rabbit. As for Darius, the Daily Mail reports he eats six apples, a dozen carrots and two cabbage heads a day.

Just a normal person says Annette Edwards

Annette Edwards doesn’t go around looking like Jessica Rabbit all the time. She is a great-grandmother, mother of 10, 59 years old, and dons her cartoon persona only for special occasions. “I’m only Jessica if I go on a shoot.” she told MSNBC. “I love being Jessica. … My family thinks it’s a little crazy. It’s one of those things. I just love it. I’m not Jessica at home. I’m just a normal person.”

Jessica Rabbit is within the flesh

A national tour is planned for Annette Edwards and her Guinness World Records rabbit. The bunny is insured for $ 1.6 million and has an agent; it also travels with a bodyguard who makes $ 100,000 a year. When Edwards makes appearances with Darius, the World’s Largest Rabbit, she wears a bright red wig, elbow-length purple gloves, platform shoes with stiletto heels and a tight, red sequined dress — and voila, Jessica Rabbit in the flesh.

Resources for the article

"with photos"

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Auw&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=annette+edwards+photos&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=Ov_ZS7iCK4-uswPE-4WlAQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBkQsAQwAA

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096438/

Daily Mail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1263470/Darius-Worlds-biggest-Easter-bunny-Worcester.html

BMW Tops All Automakers In the BrandsZ Top 100

AutoNews.com reports that BMW is now one of the most valuable of automotive brands worldwide, based upon a strong showing on the Millward Brown BrandsZ Top 100 survey. Toyota Motor Corp. had been the leader the year before in the annual poll, but their recall troubles and travails in Congress knocked them back to the number two spot among automakers (26th overall). While Millward Brown Global Brand Director Peter Walshe believes Toyota will bounce back next year on the BrandsZ Top 100, BMW AG will enjoy its position for as long as possible. BMW moved into the top slot despite a nine percent decrease from the previous year. A 27 percent drop could mean that Toyota’s trouble won’t vanish in a single year, nevertheless.

BMW rules, despite Ford’s high climb

Ford (19 percent) and Volkswagen (20 percent) both experienced a tremendous increase in brand value on the BrandsZ Top 100. Walshe attributes Ford’s success to technological innovations like voice-controlled systems, improved emission control and a strong social media presence. Volkswagen and Audi (2 percent increase) are “viewed as trustworthy brands with style, global distribution, German engineering and lower prices than prestige,” according to a Millward Brown press release.

Toyota has business on the way down

Brands like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche also dropped considerably, which comes as no surprise when one considers that the top six automakers on the BrandsZ Top 100 took a 15 percent nosedive as a whole. The 15 percent drop is the largest in any sector on the survey, thanks to bailouts and recalls.

Top 10 automotive brands on the BrandsZ Top 100

The Millward Brown’s BrandsZ Top 100 is based upon a combination of consumer interviews and corporate performance as derived from Bloomberg and Datamonitor records. Overall, Google stands atop the list with $ 114 billion in brand value, when IBM ($ 86 billion) and Apple ($ 83 billion) round out the tech trio. Without further ado, here are were the top 10 most valuable auto brands rank on the BrandsZ Top 100:

• BMW 21.82 billion dollars (ranked 25th)
• Toyota 21.77 billion (Twenty-sixth)
• Honda 14.3 billion dollars (ranked 46th)
• Mercedes 13.74 billion dollars (ranked 53rd)
• Porsche 12.02 billion (Sixty-fifth)
• Nissan 8.61 billion (Eighty-sixth)
• Ford 7.04 billion (not in top 100)
• Volkswagen 6.99 billion (not in top 100)
• Audi 3.62 billion dollars (out of BrandsZ Top 100
• Renault 3.26 billion dollars (out of BrandsZ Top 100)

Article Sources

BMW has moved to the lead

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100428/COPY01/304289884/1254

Millward Brown’s BrandsZ Top 100

http://www.millwardbrown.com/Libraries/Optimor_BrandZ_Files/2010_BrandZ_Top100_Report.sflb.ashx