Is Now a Good Time to Buy a TV? 5 Shopping Tips

A recent report from J.D. Power and Associates says the much-hyped 3D feature in new high-definition TVs is the last thing people worry about. Price is first.

Here are the top nine reasons why people choose a certain TV, according to the report…

Price (75 percent say this is a reason)Brand reputation (60 percent)Positive reviews (37 percent)Experience with brand (36 percent)Quality construction (33 percent)Availability (31 percent)Style (29 percent)Ease of use (21 percent)3D capability (11 percent)

The report, which surveyed more than 1,000 people who bought an HDTV in the past year, also ranked brand satisfaction – Vizio, Sharp, and LG did best. But if price is the primary concern, is now a good time to buy?

Actually, no.

Market research firm iSuppli released a report on July 30 that says the average price for a flat-screen TV is at its highest in 2 1/2 years.

“Pricing for U.S. flat-panel televisions reached $1,224 during the second quarter, up a healthy 3 percent from $1,190 in the previous quarter,” says iSuppli.

And 3D is part of the reason. Even though most people don’t seem to care about it.

“The climb in U.S. flat-panel TV prices is attributed to market gains in retail among new sets sporting advanced technologies, such as 3D, integrated interactivity and light-emitting diode (LED) backlight technology used in LCD TV sets,” said tech analyst Edward Border.

Display Search, another research group, doesn’t expect prices to drop much through the end of the year: “Average LCD TV selling prices are only expected to decline 4 percent in 2012 compared with 6 percent erosion in 2011 and 10 percent erosion in 2010.”

Firm director Paul Gagnon blames lower worldwide demand and “economic uncertainty” for the stubborn pricing. But the group expects 74 percent more 3D TVs shipping by year’s end than last year, and prices to start dropping afterward.

“After a very slow start in North America, adoption is expected to improve as the premiums fall, availability grows, and accessories like glasses decrease rapidly in cost,” Display Search says.

If you don’t want to wait until next year or Black Friday to save cash, iSuppli has one idea: Buy a smaller TV.

One big exception to high prices “was the continued price decline of the ever-popular 32-inch TV sector. By the second quarter, the average price of the set was just $435, down from $495 in the first quarter,” says iSuppli. Another: 42-inch LCDs, which “plunged to an all-time low of $761.”

If those sizes won’t do, take these five shopping tips from J.D. Power and Associates…

1. Remember the accessories. Be sure to include in your TV budget accessories such as HDMI and component cables, mounting hardware, adapters, a universal remote control, and a TV stand or cabinet. These items often can add hundreds of dollars to the total cost, and in some cases all together may match the price of the TV itself.

2. Take careful measurements. TVs are available in almost any size, from a screen that fits in the smallest corner of your house to one that covers a large wall. Before you buy, think about and measure where you will display the TV and the screen size you will need based on how far you will be sitting from the TV when you watch it.

3. Consider colors and resolution. Different people prefer varying levels of brightness, contrast, and resolution of the TV screen. Some HDTVs produce unnaturally bright colors, and some viewers may not prefer them. One test of a TV’s picture or color quality is its “black-level performance,” as measured by the contrast ratio (the higher the number, the better). Generally, those that show the blackest blacks are best.

4. Consider glossy versus matte screen finishes. If you are using the television in a room that often has excessive ambient light, then a matte screen may be a better choice, as it tends to cut reflections that can be distracting. Yet, many matte screens can also mute colors to some degree, compared to glossy screens. Glossy screens are best used in darker rooms where ambient light can be controlled, as they tend to produce more vivid colors.

5. Don’t pay for unnecessary features. Don’t pay extra for “bells and whistles” that you think you may never use. If you’re satisfied with a basic TV, spend your money on size and picture quality, and not extra features. Even plain TVs sometimes have great features.

Like this article? Sign up for our email updates and we’ll send you a regular digest of our newest stories, full of money saving tips and advice, free! We’ll also email you a PDF of Stacy Johnson’s ’205 Ways to Save Money’ as soon as you’ve subscribed. It’s full of great tips that’ll help you save a ton of extra cash. It doesn’t cost a dime, so why wait? Click here to sign up now.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Why Donating Free Time Is Good For You

The following post comes from Eric Mohrman at partner site The Dollar Stretcher.

When a financially comfortable lifestyle comes to a halt due to job loss, the unwelcome abundance of free time – and decrease in income – can lead to negative emotions. Getting involved with one or more organizations can make your life better. Volunteering is a way to stay actively involved in your community, have some unexpected fun, and make new friendships.

In the words of Dr. Louise Hart, “Self-esteem is as important to our well-being as legs are to a table. It is essential for physical and mental health and for happiness.” Without a job, excess free time can feel like a burden. Committing a portion of that free time to helping others gives you purpose and can boost your self-esteem.

An extended period of unemployment can take its toll on you in various ways. You may become less interested in physical activity. Socializing may be an activity you seek to avoid or feel that you can’t afford to engage in. As a volunteer, agreeing to be present at a specific time to offer services gives you a reason to venture out of the house. Other than the cost of gas to get you where you’re going, volunteering is free.

There are numerous volunteer opportunities to help you stay physically active while you’re looking for new employment. According to the information complied in a report entitled The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review Of Recent Research, “Volunteering and physical well-being are part of a positive reinforcing cycle.”

Just a few examples of volunteer options that involve physical activity are helping with a youth sports team, volunteering at competitions, and assisting disabled youth with sports related events.

Volunteering at a “meet and greet” animal adoption fair or working at a festival booth for a specific charity gives you an opportunity to converse and socialize with numerous people. There’s always a possibility that you will discover a lead to an employment opportunity while talking with others at these events. You will certainly get a reprieve from dwelling on your personal situation while in the midst of a festive atmosphere and while conversing with a steady flow of people passing by.

Volunteering has many emotional benefits. If you do something that gets you directly involved with those you are helping, like working in a soup kitchen, handing out bags of pantry staples, or building a wheelchair ramp, you will instantly be rewarded. Your spirits will be lifted when you see the smile and feel the gratitude of the person you helped.

Some volunteer activity involves helping those you will never actually come in contact with. You may only see pictures of children or adults who have benefited from your work or you read notes of thanks that have been sent to the organization. But you’ll still be uplifted, knowing you have played a part in making a positive difference in someone’s life.

Becoming reclusive during financially trying times is not physically, mentally, or emotionally healthy. Joining with other volunteers to improve the quality of life for others can also make your life better. New friendships develop when people unite for a common cause. You will have the opportunity to form friendships with people you would probably have never met if you hadn’t joined them in a volunteer effort.

Volunteering may lead to the discovery of new interests that will cause you to redirect your job search. You may uncover passions that have gotten suppressed due to a hectic lifestyle. You may discover new talents you never imagined having. Sometimes, you will find that what appeared to be an unfortunate situation is actually an opportunity for change that will have long-term positive effects on your life and on your family.

Follow The Dollar Stretcher on Twitter. Like this article? Sign up for our email updates and we’ll send you a regular digest of our newest stories, full of money saving tips and advice, free! We’ll also email you a PDF of Stacy Johnson’s ’205 Ways to Save Money’ as soon as you’ve subscribed. It’s full of great tips that’ll help you save a ton of extra cash. It doesn’t cost a dime, so why wait? Click here to sign up now.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Sweeter Diet Pepsi?

If you drink diet soda, you may soon have an option to reconsider. The Wall Street Journal’s MarketWatch reports Diet Pepsi might be getting a little sweeter.

The company is considering tweaking the formula to fix the taste supposedly lost in transportation:

The goal is to have a Diet Pepsi formula in the U.S. that tastes closer to what the drink tastes like as soon as it is made and doesn’t change as much through all the heat and jostling that cans and bottles are exposed to from production to consumption.

They’re privately testing different blends with fans now, and the new formula could be used starting early next year. According to MarketWatch, the new sweetener would combine aspartame – known under the artificial sweetener brands Equal and NutraSweet – and acesulfame potassium, or ace-K, known under the brands Sunett and Sweet One.

Pepsi is trying to boost sales of the drink, which rates as the seventh best-selling soda in the United States. Diet Coke (which uses only aspartame, like the current Diet Pepsi formula) is in second place, behind the non-diet Coca-Cola. Like this article? Sign up for our email updates and we’ll send you a regular digest of our newest stories, full of money saving tips and advice, free! We’ll also email you a PDF of Stacy Johnson’s ’205 Ways to Save Money’ as soon as you’ve subscribed. It’s full of great tips that’ll help you save a ton of extra cash. It doesn’t cost a dime, so why wait? Click here to sign up now.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Lower Salary, More Flexibility?

Yesterday NBC News wrote about a new survey from staffing firm Mom Corps (great name), which found people would take a pay cut for more flexible work.

The article doesn’t say how many people the group talked to, but “nearly half of working adults surveyed (45 percent) are willing to give up some percentage of their salary for more flexibility at work.” More than half would consider starting their own business to achieve flexibility.

Flexibility includes flextime – the ability to set a variable schedule so long as you get an agreed amount of work done, usually with part of the day being non-negotiable – and working from home (one of my favorite things about writing for Money Talks News).

The study also found that those willing to trade salary for flexibility would accept a 9 percent pay cut, on average. That’s more than 50 percent above last year’s result (5.8 percent).

While a lot of people want flexible work, only a small number of jobs offer it. “Only 3 percent of wage and salary employees work mainly from home,” NBC News says. Like this article? Sign up for our email updates and we’ll send you a regular digest of our newest stories, full of money saving tips and advice, free! We’ll also email you a PDF of Stacy Johnson’s ’205 Ways to Save Money’ as soon as you’ve subscribed. It’s full of great tips that’ll help you save a ton of extra cash. It doesn’t cost a dime, so why wait? Click here to sign up now.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Dieting? Dim the Lights

Softer music and dimmer lighting in fast food restaurants makes food more enjoyable, according to a new study. That also apparently means people eat less, and slower. Reported Reuters…

In the study published in the journal Psychological Reports, [marketing professor Brian] Wansink and his co-author Koert Van Ittersum, of the Georgia Institute of Technology, said the bright lights, stimulating colors, sound-reflecting surfaces and loud music in fast food restaurants are not designed to be relaxing.

At an Illinois Hardee’s where they tested the theory, customers still made the same orders. But adding “plants, paintings, indirect lights, tablecloths, candles and instrumental music” led them to eat 18 percent fewer calories.

Which sounds interesting, but a little wasteful. Maybe order something a bit smaller next time you’re enjoying the burger-joint ambiance. Researchers suggest trying it at home too. Like this article? Sign up for our email updates and we’ll send you a regular digest of our newest stories, full of money saving tips and advice, free! We’ll also email you a PDF of Stacy Johnson’s ’205 Ways to Save Money’ as soon as you’ve subscribed. It’s full of great tips that’ll help you save a ton of extra cash. It doesn’t cost a dime, so why wait? Click here to sign up now.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Quicker Checkout With Smartphones?

Smartphones may soon speed up checkout at Walmart.

Mashable reported Friday that the retail giant is testing an iPhone-based self-checkout system at an Arkansas store…

Customers bag their purchases as they shop, and are required to stop by a self-checkout to pay for them before leaving the store, so you’re not actually finalizing your purchase on your phone.

The app also allows customers to create virtual shopping lists, and see what items on their list are in stock.

This differs from mobile payments, where you pay with a wave of the phone but otherwise go through a normal check-out process. (But the two could theoretically be combined.)

The company’s also adding more self-checkout lanes at Walmart and Sam’s Club, “in an effort to cut costs and lower prices for customers.” Like this article? Sign up for our email updates and we’ll send you a regular digest of our newest stories, full of money saving tips and advice, free! We’ll also email you a PDF of Stacy Johnson’s ’205 Ways to Save Money’ as soon as you’ve subscribed. It’s full of great tips that’ll help you save a ton of extra cash. It doesn’t cost a dime, so why wait? Click here to sign up now.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Labor Day Deals: Meals and Malls

I subscribe to the promotional emails of hundreds of companies so you don’t have to. I sift through 1,000 deal-touting emails every week. Most are worthless. But some offer valuable coupons, promo codes, sales, and freebies – which I collect and organize here and on our deals page.

Note: Expiration dates are in brackets.

Bob Evans Restaurant: $5 off a $25-plus carry-out purchase (print first) [9/3].Boston Market: 50 percent off a family meal (print first) [9/3].Champps Americana Restaurant: $10 off a $25-plus purchase (print first) [9/3].Macaroni Grill: Free entree with the purchase of one entree (“like” and print first) [9/3].Mimi’s Cafe: $10 off a $30-plus lunch or dinner check (print first) [9/3].Quiznos: Five coupons, including a free sub or free kids meal with purchase (print first) [9/3].Souper Salad: $5 buffet (print first) [9/4]. This coupon is good for everyone in your party.Sherwin-Williams: 30 percent off full-priced paints and stains in stores [9/3].Dolls: Moxie Girlz and Moxie Teenz dolls, play sets, and accessories are buy-one-get-one-free during the Labor Day Sale at Toys R Us online and in stores [9/3].Barnes & Noble: 15 percent off one item in stores (print first) [9/3].Bras: $10 off select styles and colors at Frederick’s of Hollywood during the Anniversary Sale in stores and online [expiration unknown]. This means bras start at $5. Just note that online you don’t see the sale prices until you put an item in your e-shopping bag.Express (for her): $25 off a $50-plus purchase in stores (print first) and online (use code on coupon) [9/3].Express Men: $25 off a $50-plus purchase in stores (print first) and online (use code on coupon) [9/3].H&M (for the whole family): 20 percent off any one item in stores (print first) [9/3].Home Shopping Network: Up to 70 percent off women’s clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories during the Summer Blowout sale online [expiration unknown].

Karla Bowsher runs our deals page and covers consumer, retail, and health issues. If you have a comment, suggestion, or question, leave a comment or contact her at karla@moneytalksnews.com. Like this article? Sign up for our email updates and we’ll send you a regular digest of our newest stories, full of money saving tips and advice, free! We’ll also email you a PDF of Stacy Johnson’s ’205 Ways to Save Money’ as soon as you’ve subscribed. It’s full of great tips that’ll help you save a ton of extra cash. It doesn’t cost a dime, so why wait? Click here to sign up now.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Silicon Valley Running out of Luxury Homes

Luxury real estate is doing pretty well in one corner of the country, according to NBC News: Silicon Valley.

Million-dollar home sales have doubled in several communities there, “toppling longtime luxury real-estate leaders like Beverly Hills or Miami.”

Who’s buying? Tech executives “at Apple, Google and other more established companies.” And Chinese millionaires, either as investments or to get their families out of the country…

Realtors say waves of wealthy Chinese buyers are pouring into Silicon Valley and buying up multimillion-dollar properties. They say the buyers are increasingly nervous about the Chinese government and economy and are looking for a safe haven.

But high demand and low inventory means even millions don’t guarantee instant luxury. “A 1,700-square-foot home in Los Altos, with dated fixtures and ‘lots of upside potential,’ is priced at $1.3 million,” says NBC. Like this article? Sign up for our email updates and we’ll send you a regular digest of our newest stories, full of money saving tips and advice, free! We’ll also email you a PDF of Stacy Johnson’s ’205 Ways to Save Money’ as soon as you’ve subscribed. It’s full of great tips that’ll help you save a ton of extra cash. It doesn’t cost a dime, so why wait? Click here to sign up now.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Some People Really Hate Cleaning the House

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Cheapest and Priciest Labor Day Hotels

Cheapest and Priciest Labor Day Hotels | Money Talks News /*

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Foster the People Pumps Up with Logic Pro

For several months in 2011, the radio hit “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People was the song we couldn’t get out of our heads. For Mark Foster, who wrote the song, getting it out of his head — and into a demo — was no problem at all. Using Logic Pro, and playing all the instruments himself, Foster was able to write and record the single in just a day and a half. After the demo went viral on the web, the song climbed the charts and eventually became a kind of fan anthem at the band’s typically sold-out concerts.

Following a decade working dead-end jobs in Los Angeles while trying to make it as a songwriter and musician, a career-launching hit was more than Foster could reasonably have hoped for. But “Pumped Up Kicks” has sold more than four million copies. The group’s debut album Torches reached the Top 10 on the Billboard 200, a notable feat for a two-year-old band. And Foster the People have since become concert headliners, selling out impressive venues like Central Park SummerStage, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and Gibson Amphitheatre, as well as drawing record crowds at Lollapalooza, Coachella, and South by Southwest. The band also performed on Saturday Night Live and at the Grammy Awards — where they received two nominations and played with The Beach Boys.

Isom Innis and Mark Foster edit tracks in Logic Pro.
Photo credit: Magda Wosinska.

Foster credits much of his songwriting success to years of work with Logic Pro, which, by the time he wrote “Pumped Up Kicks,” had become his main creative instrument. “When I switched over to Logic, my songwriting changed drastically because it opened my eyes to being able to do a lot of things in one place,” he says. “Not just play piano, but put the bass part in. Not just lay in the bass, but put a drum pattern in. It also allowed me to learn various producer tricks that don’t have much to do with songwriting but really affect the overall listening experience.”

Those opportunities for rich composition and control were a revelation to Foster, who grew up near Cleveland, Ohio, writing music from an early age. Inspired by a Beach Boys tape he received from his dad when he was six, Foster became a multi-instrumentalist, playing drums, piano, and guitar in various bands. “I guess that was the intro to songwriting for me, writing for many different kinds of musicians and styles of music,” he says.

After graduating from high school, Foster followed his musical interests to Los Angeles, but his efforts left him discouraged. “I hit a ceiling with songwriting on acoustic guitar,” he says. “I realized that if I had no money to pay a producer for studio time, and didn’t know how to do it on my own, I was just going to continue to flounder. So I decided to get my own system and learn how to produce, because I didn’t want to rely on anybody else.”

But Foster’s first experiments with PC-based sound tools were frustrating. “After I worked a little while, my PC just turned to Swiss cheese. I remember being in a really good groove creatively, writing tons of songs, while my computer was crashing every 10 seconds. I’d start it up, make a couple of moves, and save them really quick. I would do that for hours. It was all I could do.”

During short-term production stints at various studios around Los Angeles, Foster came to see how he might do more. “Working in sessions with producers like Greg Kurstin and Switch, I saw how powerful Logic was. It seemed more intuitive and a better creative tool for a songwriter than Pro Tools. I knew I wanted Logic.”

When he made his first decent paycheck for scoring a friend’s movie, Foster used it to buy a MacBook Pro and Logic. Having an application, operating system, and hardware all designed by Apple made for better stability and performance. “They’re made to run smoothly together,” he says. “Logic felt so intuitive, as if a musician had created it. It really sped up my workflow while letting me stay creative. I didn’t have to be a sound engineer to work the program, so I could just be a songwriter.”

The transition was sweetened by the useful tools that came with the application: “I loved the amount of control that Logic gave me, as well as all the instrument and effect plug-ins it came with, especially the EXS24 sampler and Space Designer reverb. And I use the Tape Delay and Compressor plug-ins all the time. As a rookie switching over, it was good to have these things at my fingertips and not have to buy a hundred outsourced plug-ins.”

With his growing Logic skills, Foster was finally able to land a musical day job. “My songwriting and producing in Logic continued to get better as I went deeper into the program,” he says. “I became so familiar with it that I was offered a full-time job as a composer scoring commercials at a company called Mophonics.”

While working at Mophonics, Foster was encouraged to pursue his outside songwriting aspirations. Those efforts, which had ranged widely across genres, found real traction in 2009 when Foster (handling lead vocals, keyboards, piano, synthesizers, guitar, programming, and percussion) joined drummer Mark Pontius and bassist Cubbie Fink to form Foster the People. After the success of “Pumped Up Kicks,” which Foster wrote at the Mophonics studio, the band followed up with an EP called Foster the People and their first album, Torches.

With a goal of creating 10 great, no-compromise songs for Torches, the band worked with accomplished producers Greg Kurstin, Rich Costey, and Paul Epworth. Foster brought to the studio fully developed versions of each song for the producers to hear. “I pretty much had all the songs demoed out in Logic myself,” he says. “As we looked at my sessions, it was easy to add stuff and integrate it with what I’d already done in Logic.”

On a recent break from touring, Foster and the band were at Paramount Recording Studios in Hollywood writing material for their next album — tentatively scheduled for a 2013 release. For the new album, Foster is using the capabilities of Logic Pro to support a whole new creative approach. Moving away from the solo songwriting efforts by Foster that shaped their first album, this time the writing is coming from the band. Backing Foster, Fink, and Pontius in the studio, as they do on stage, are guitarist Sean Cimino and Isom Innis (keyboard, synthesizer, piano, programming, percussion, and background vocals).

Pages

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

New iPad Tops Three Million

 CUPERTINO, California?March 19, 2012?Apple® today announced it has sold three million of its incredible new iPad®, since its launch on Friday, March 16. The new iPad features a stunning new Retina™ display, Apple’s new A5X chip with quad-core graphics, a 5 megapixel iSight® camera with advanced optics for capturing amazing photos and 1080p HD video, and still delivers the same all-day 10 hour battery life* while remaining amazingly thin and light. iPad Wi-Fi + 4G supports ultrafast 4G LTE networks in the US and Canada, and fast networks around the world including those based on HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA.**

“The new iPad is a blockbuster with three million sold?the strongest iPad launch yet,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Customers are loving the incredible new features of iPad, including the stunning Retina display, and we can't wait to get it into the hands of even more customers around the world this Friday.”

The new iPad is already available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Switzerland, UK and the US Virgin Islands and will be available in 24 more countries starting at 8:00 a.m. local time on Friday, March 23 through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The new iPad Wi-Fi models are available in black or white for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad Wi-Fi + 4G for either AT&T or Verizon is available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad is sold in the US through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. Additionally, the incredible iPad 2 is now offered at a more affordable price of $399 (US) for the 16GB Wi-Fi model and just $529 (US) for the 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G model.

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

**4G LTE is supported only on AT&T and Verizon networks in the U.S. and on Bell, Rogers, and Telus networks in Canada. Data plans sold separately.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

Press Contacts:
Trudy Muller
Apple
tmuller@apple.com
(408) 862-7426

Natalie Kerris
Apple
nat@apple.com
(408) 974-6877

Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, iPad, Retina and iSight are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Review: Slate From Chase

I review dozens of credit card offers each week to find the best deals. Check out more on our credit card page. 

With most credit cards, it’s hard to put a value on them – one might offer a unique set of features or benefits, while another card has slightly lower rates. But I can tell you without a doubt that the Slate card from Chase is the best credit card for those trying to get out of debt.

It’s currently the only card on the market that offers zero-percent balance transfers with no balance transfer fees. Used properly, you’d transfer high-interest debts from other cards, then pay off the balance during the zero-interest period. Just be sure you’re fully committed to getting it done: adding any credit card is folly if you’re just going to use it to borrow more.

No-fee balance transfers. You get 15 months of zero-percent APR on balance transfers with no fee. Other cards charge 3 percent or more of the amount transferred. But note: This offer applies only to transfers made within the first 60 days of opening an account.15 months of interest-free financing on new purchases.No annual fee.Access to Blueprint. Blueprint is a powerful financial tool that Chase includes with this card. It allows you to pay some items in full while carrying a balance on others. It also lets you set goals to pay off your balance more quickly and easily.No rewards. But if you’re carrying debt, zero-percent interest on new purchases and balance transfers should be all the reward you need.Uncertain interest rate. New applicants will receive a rate of 11.99, 16.99, or 21.99 percent depending on their creditworthiness. You won’t know which rate you’ll get until your account is opened.Foreign transaction fees. Chase charges a 3 percent fee on all transactions processed outside the United States. While they’ve waived this unnecessary fee on many of their travel reward cards, it still persists on some of their other products.

Credit card experts argue all day about which product combines the best qualities for a particular type of customer. But for anyone who is trying to use a balance transfer offer to get out of debt, the Chase Slate is easily the best card on the market. Like this article? Sign up for our email updates and we’ll send you a regular digest of our newest stories, full of money saving tips and advice, free! We’ll also email you a PDF of Stacy Johnson’s ’205 Ways to Save Money’ as soon as you’ve subscribed. It’s full of great tips that’ll help you save a ton of extra cash. It doesn’t cost a dime, so why wait? Click here to sign up now.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Apple Reports Third Quarter Results

CUPERTINO, California—July 24, 2012—Apple® today announced financial results for its fiscal 2012 third quarter ended June 30, 2012. The Company posted quarterly revenue of $35.0 billion and quarterly net profit of $8.8 billion, or $9.32 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $28.6 billion and net profit of $7.3 billion, or $7.79 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 42.8 percent compared to 41.7 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 62 percent of the quarter’s revenue.

The Company sold 26.0 million iPhones in the quarter, representing 28 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 17.0 million iPads during the quarter, an 84 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 4.0 million Macs during the quarter, a two percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 6.8 million iPods, a 10 percent unit decline from the year-ago quarter.

Apple’s Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $2.65 per share of the Company’s common stock. The dividend is payable on August 16, 2012, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 13, 2012.

“We’re thrilled with record sales of 17 million iPads in the June quarter,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We’ve also just updated the entire MacBook line, will release Mountain Lion tomorrow and will be launching iOS 6 this Fall. We are also really looking forward to the amazing new products we’ve got in the pipeline.”

“We’re continuing to invest in the growth of our business and are pleased to be declaring a dividend of $2.65 per share today,” said Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s CFO. “Looking ahead to the fourth fiscal quarter, we expect revenue of about $34 billion and diluted earnings per share of about $7.65.”

Apple will provide live streaming of its Q3 2012 financial results conference call beginning at 2:00 p.m. PDT on July 24, 2012 at www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/earningsq312. This webcast will also be available for replay for approximately two weeks thereafter.

This press release contains forward-looking statements including without limitation those about the Company’s estimated revenue and diluted earnings per share. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ. Risks and uncertainties include without limitation the effect of competitive and economic factors, and the Company’s reaction to those factors, on consumer and business buying decisions with respect to the Company’s products; continued competitive pressures in the marketplace; the ability of the Company to deliver to the marketplace and stimulate customer demand for new programs, products, and technological innovations on a timely basis; the effect that product introductions and transitions, changes in product pricing or mix, and/or increases in component costs could have on the Company’s gross margin; the inventory risk associated with the Company’s need to order or commit to order product components in advance of customer orders; the continued availability on acceptable terms, or at all, of certain components and services essential to the Company’s business currently obtained by the Company from sole or limited sources; the effect that the Company’s dependency on manufacturing and logistics services provided by third parties may have on the quality, quantity or cost of products manufactured or services rendered; risks associated with the Company’s international operations; the Company’s reliance on third-party intellectual property and digital content; the potential impact of a finding that the Company has infringed on the intellectual property rights of others; the Company’s dependency on the performance of distributors, carriers and other resellers of the Company’s products; the effect that product and service quality problems could have on the Company’s sales and operating profits; the continued service and availability of key executives and employees; war, terrorism, public health issues, natural disasters, and other circumstances that could disrupt supply, delivery, or demand of products; and unfavorable results of other legal proceedings. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company’s financial results is included from time to time in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the Company’s public reports filed with the SEC, including the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 24, 2011, its Forms 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012, and its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 to be filed with the SEC. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

Press Contact:
Steve Dowling
Apple
dowling@apple.com
(408) 974-1896

Investor Relations Contacts:
Nancy Paxton
Apple
paxton1@apple.com
(408) 974-5420

Joan Hoover
Apple
hoover1@apple.com
(408) 974-4570

Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Apple Previews iOS 6

Beautifully designed from the ground up (and the sky down), Maps will change the way you see the world.1 Map elements are vector based, so graphics and text are incredibly detailed — even when you zoom all the way in — and panning is smooth. Tilt and rotate to view an area, and Maps keeps the names of streets and places where they belong. Get visual and spoken turn-by-turn navigation and real-time traffic updates. Even soar over cityscapes to see the sights from the air in amazing, high-resolution quality. Learn more about Maps

Enjoy new, beautifully detailed maps.

See cities and landmarks from the air.

Spoken directions route you to your destination.

Type in your address and choose your route.

Turn-by-turn directions are spoken aloud. And you can follow along with 3D views.

If traffic conditions change, Maps offers alternative routes.

Maps uses real-time traffic conditions to calculate your ETA. You’ll also get details about incidents that are causing traffic jams, so you can tell if there’s a major accident ahead or just a temporary slowdown.

See the world from a whole new perspective with amazing photo-realistic and interactive 3D views of major metro areas. Explore like never before as you zoom, pan, tilt, and rotate around a city and its landmarks.

With iOS 6, Siri understands more languages, works in more countries, and is available on the new iPad.2 So you can get more things done in more places around the world. Want to know the latest scores and stats for your favorite teams and players? Thanks to iOS 6, Siri knows the answers. Or maybe it’s movie night. Siri can show you the latest reviews and showtimes. Find the best restaurants in town and make reservations. Even open your apps for you — no tapping required. Say "Launch Flight Tracker" or "Open Angry Birds" and Siri does just that. You can even use Siri to post Facebook updates and tweet for you, too. Learn more about Siri in iOS 6

Find out scores from live games and the current season’s past games, schedules, team rosters, and player stats for baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer. They’re all just a question away.

Ask Siri to get upcoming showtimes, look up movie facts, play trailers, and more. If you’re still undecided about which movie to see, Siri can show you ratings and reviews from Rotten Tomatoes.

Have Siri help you find restaurants by cuisine, price, location, outdoor seating, or a combination of choices.
Siri will show you photos, Yelp stars, price range, and reviews. Siri can even make a reservation for you via OpenTable.

Now it’s easier than ever to interact with the world’s largest social network. And there’s no need to leave your app to do it. Share a photo to Facebook right from Camera or Photos. Post your location right from Maps. Brag about a high score right from Game Center. If you have your hands full, just ask Siri to post for you. You need to sign in to Facebook only once, and you’ll be off and sharing. Never miss another birthday or get-together, since Facebook events are integrated into Calendar. And your Facebook friends’ profile information is integrated into Contacts, so when they update an email address or phone number you automatically stay up to date. Now that’s something to post about.

Share photos from the Camera app, locations from Maps, links from Safari, high scores from Game Center, and more. Or post a status update from Notification Center or with Siri.

Post a web link to Facebook right from the web page.

Keep your friends’ information handy and never miss another birthday or get-together — Facebook integrates your friends’ contact info into Contacts and birthdays and other events into Calendar.

The Like button is now part of iTunes and the App Store. So you can Like songs, albums, shows, movies, and apps. And there's no need to leave whatever app you’re in to do it.

Now you can share just the photos you want, with just the people you choose. Simply select photos from the Photos app, tap the Share button, choose who you want to share your photos with, and they’re on their way. Friends using iCloud on an iOS 6 device or a Mac running Mountain Lion get the photos delivered immediately in the Photos app or iPhoto. You can even view shared photo streams on Apple TV. If the folks you're sharing with aren’t using an Apple device, they can view your photos on the web. People can like individual photos and make comments. And you can share as much as you want: Your shared photo streams don’t count against your iCloud storage, and they work over Wi-Fi and cellular networks.

View others’ comments and leave one of your own.

Get alerts when friends and family share photos.

Set up a web album to share your photo streams.

Your boarding passes, movie tickets, retail coupons, loyalty cards, and more are now all in one place. With Passbook, you can scan your iPhone or iPod touch to check in for a flight, get into a movie, and redeem a coupon. You can also see when your coupons expire, where your concert seats are, and the balance left on that all-important coffee bar card. Wake your iPhone or iPod touch, and passes appear on your Lock screen at the appropriate time and place — like when you reach the airport or walk into the store to redeem your gift card or coupon. And if your gate changes after you’ve checked in for your flight, Passbook will even alert you to make sure you’re not relaxing in the wrong terminal.

FaceTime now works over cellular networks as well as Wi-Fi, so you can make and receive FaceTime calls wherever you happen to be.3 You can even make and receive FaceTime calls on your iPad using your phone number. That means you can use FaceTime wherever you are, on any device. And never miss another wink, smile, air kiss, or eye roll.

iOS 6 adds new calling features to your iPhone. Now when you decline an incoming call, you can instantly reply with a text message or set a callback reminder. And when things are just too hectic, turn on Do Not Disturb and you won’t be bothered by anyone — except can’t-miss contacts like your boss or your better half.

Redesigned with a more streamlined interface for easier reading and writing, Mail in iOS 6 lets you set up a VIP list so you’ll never miss an important message from your accountant, your boss, or your BFF. It’s even easier to add photos and videos to email messages. And to refresh your mailboxes, all you have to do is swipe down.

Your VIP list is iCloud enabled, so Mom will still be a VIP no matter which iOS device you’re using.

Add photos and videos to email messages with just a few taps.

iOS 6 brings even better web browsing to your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. iCloud Tabs keeps track of which pages you have open on your devices, so you can start browsing on one device and pick up right where you left off on whatever device is handy. Safari now saves web pages — not just links — in your Reading List, so you can catch up on your reading even when you can’t connect to the Internet.4 And when you’re posting a photo or video to eBay, Craigslist, or another site, you can take photos and video — or choose from your Camera Roll — without leaving Safari. When you really want to see the whole picture, turn your iPhone or iPod touch to landscape and tap the full-screen icon to view web pages without distractions.

Take websites full screen with a tap.

Pick up browsing wherever you left off.

Full web pages — not just links — are saved in your Reading List.

iOS 6 comes with even more features to make it easier for people with vision, hearing, learning, and mobility disabilities to get the most from their iOS devices. Guided Access helps students with disabilities such as autism remain on task and focused on content. It allows a parent, teacher, or administrator to limit an iOS device to one app by disabling the Home button, as well as restrict touch input on certain areas of the screen. VoiceOver, the revolutionary screen reader for blind and low-vision users, is now integrated with Maps, AssistiveTouch, and Zoom. And Apple is working with top manufacturers to introduce Made for iPhone hearing aids that will deliver a power-efficient, high-quality digital audio experience.5

Restrict touch input to certain areas of the screen.

It happens. You misplace your iPhone or your iPad or your iPod touch. Luckily, iOS 6 and iCloud now offer Lost mode, making it even easier to use Find My iPhone to locate and protect a missing device.6 Immediately lock your missing iPhone with a four-digit passcode and send it a message displaying a contact number. That way a good Samaritan can call you from your Lock screen without accessing the rest of the information on your iPhone. And while in Lost mode, your device will keep track of where it’s been and report back to you any time you check in with the Find My iPhone app.

Find My Friends is a great way to share locations with friends and family.6 Those who share their locations with you appear on a map so you can quickly see where they are and what they’re up to. And with iOS 6, you can get location-based alerts — like when your kids leave school or arrive home. Find My Friends can also notify others about your location, so you can stay connected or keep track of the ones you love.

iOS 6 brings a new kind of shopping experience to the redesigned iTunes Store, App Store, and iBookstore. See the best of what’s new in music, movies, TV shows, apps, and books at the top of each store’s home page. Browse with a swipe of your finger and tap to learn more. Keep track of the music, movies, and TV shows you previewed by tapping the History button, and when you’re ready, tap Buy to add something to your collection. With iCloud, your preview history is always up to date on all your devices. So you can start shopping on your iPhone and continue on your iPad. And now you can buy your favorite music, apps, and more without leaving the app you’re in.

With improved text input and built-in support for popular Chinese Internet services, iOS 6 makes iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch even better for Chinese-speaking users. With a new Chinese dictionary and improved text input, typing in Chinese is easier, faster, and more accurate. You can mix full and abbreviated Pinyin and even type English words in a Pinyin sentence without switching keyboards. With support for over 30,000 characters, iOS 6 more than doubles the number of Chinese characters supported in handwriting recognition. And when you add words to your personal dictionary, iCloud makes them available on all your devices. Baidu is a built-in option in Safari, and you can share videos directly to Youku and Tudou. You can also post to Sina Weibo from Camera, Photos, Maps, Safari, and Game Center.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Women CEOs Among World’s Most Powerful

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Families Finding Ways to Spend Less on College

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Apple Updates MacBook Air and Current Generation MacBook Pro

Get answers before you buy. Call 1-800-MY-APPLE to talk with a knowledgeable Specialist.

*Up to 60 percent faster compared with previous-generation MacBook Air.Apps are available on the Mac App Store.Shop the Apple Online Store (1-800-MY-APPLE), visit an Apple Retail Store, or find a reseller.

Copyright © 2012 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

No More American-made Mazdas

NBC News reports Mazda is no longer making vehicles in the United States…

Sometime [on Aug. 24], the very last Mazda6 sedan will roll off the AutoAlliance International assembly line in Flat Rock, Michigan. Mazda has been building cars at the facility in suburban Detroit for the last quarter century, having set up AAI as a joint venture with long-time partner Ford Motor Co.

Ford was done with the partnership, according to the report. The company will keep operating the plant for its own vehicles, but Mazda will now use a factory in Japan for the Mazda6 and open a new factory in Mexico for Mazda2 and Mazda3 vehicles.

Meanwhile, Toyota, Nissan and Honda “have announced significant expansion plans for North America in recent months.” Like this article? Sign up for our email updates and we’ll send you a regular digest of our newest stories, full of money saving tips and advice, free! We’ll also email you a PDF of Stacy Johnson’s ’205 Ways to Save Money’ as soon as you’ve subscribed. It’s full of great tips that’ll help you save a ton of extra cash. It doesn’t cost a dime, so why wait? Click here to sign up now.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Lowe’s Uses iPhone to Put Power In Hands of Employees and Customers

Since its early days as a small hardware store, Lowe’s has been in the business of helping homeowners achieve their dreams through do-it-yourself projects. Even though it currently operates in more than 1,725 locations throughout North America, the company has retained its neighborhood store feel, thanks to its hundreds of thousands of knowledgeable employees.

Every day, those employees are approached by customers who want to know “anything from how to start a project to how to think about it and what products to buy,” says Dennis Knowles, Senior Vice-President of Specialty Sales and Store Operations. With hundreds of thousands of products in-store and online, Lowe’s employees use iPhone to help customers find the right inspiration, materials, and tools so they can start and finish their dream projects.

Lowe’s developed three custom iPhone apps—two for employees, one for customers. The Lowe’s Employee app gives store staff access to key product information, while the Store Manager app allows managers to handle administrative tasks. And every iPhone for employees is encased in a custom solution that includes a bar code scanner, a credit card reader, and an additional battery.

Lowe’s free consumer app gives customers a wealth of home improvement information at their fingertips, including how-to videos, product prices and reviews, store locations, and gift card balances.

In the past, a Lowe’s employee needing to look up product availability or inventory had to walk to a fixed terminal in the store and possibly wait in line to use it. Now store staff can scan a product and immediately access vital information right on iPhone, including product pricing, inventory, and location in the store, without having to leave the customer’s side.

If a product is out of stock, the Employee app indicates when more will arrive and whether any nearby Lowe’s stores have it in their inventory. And employees will also soon be able to place an order for a product and use the credit card reader to process payment.

Lowe’s Executive Vice President and CIO Mike Brown relates a story about a customer who needed a large quantity of an out-of-stock product: “A store manager was able to look where the inventory was, order the product in 10 seconds, and solve the customer’s problem. The customer was absolutely blown away at the simplicity and how fast that could happen in a Lowe’s store.”

Before iPhone, Lowe’s managers used to find themselves trapped in the back office for hours at a time, pulling up reports on a terminal and printing out reams of data. Now they can access that information anywhere with the Store Manager app on iPhone, allowing them to spend more time with customers and employees. They can double-check the accuracy of price changes, view sales reports, see when new products are due to arrive, arrange product transfers between stores, view employee schedules, and also access corporate email and calendars. “With iPhone, our managers are able to keep their fingers on the pulse of the store because they’re out in the aisles,” says Knowles.

“The iOS platform allows us to build simple but meaningful solutions for our customers,” says Kris Douglas, member of the Lowe’s IT Innovation Team. She notes that the iOS Software Development Kit “helped us create a seamless design experience,” with the iPhone Simulator enabling the design team to get immediate feedback from users.

“The iOS platform is a robust ecosystem where we can have a consistent development, deployment, and management process across multiple devices,” Douglas adds. Lowe’s currently has more than 42,000 iPhones for use by store employees, and managing the fleet at an enterprise level or device-by-device is no problem. “Using our mobile device management tool, we are able to push updates to the devices in our stores,” says Douglas.

“We look at deploying iPhone as the first step of hopefully many more to come,” she says. Brown adds, “iPhone, iPad, and the iOS platform are enterprise solutions that we can build on for the future. We’re very excited about what else we can do.”

Lowe’s has seen many advances in technology during its several decades of existence, but iPhone rises above them in its ability to offer mobile access to key business and product information. The retailer understands that a nimble, well-informed workforce is crucial to top-notch customer service, which will drive future business success.

“In all of my 27 years at Lowe’s,” Brown says, “iPhone will go down in history as being the most impactful device we have ever put in our employees’ hands.”

Established in 1946Based in North Carolina234,000 employeesTwo custom iPhone apps for employees to access product and store information.One custom iPhone app for customers to find the right inspiration, materials, and tools for home improvement projects.http://www.lowes.com/

“iPhone will go down in history as being the most impactful device we have ever put in our employees’ hands.”

Mike Brown, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer,
Lowe’s

“Our managers are able to keep their fingers on the pulse of the store because they’re out in the aisles.”

Dennis Knowles, Senior Vice President of Specialty Sales and Store Operations,
Lowe’s

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

MacBook Pro with Retina Display Named Editors’ Choice

Pros Brilliant Retina display. Thin profile. Good port selection. Discrete graphics. Speedy storage. Has 8GB of memory. Ready for Mac OS X Mountain Lion. Cons Ethernet use requires adapter. Not all apps currently work well with Retina display. Bottom Line With a higher-resolution display, thin chassis, and up-to-date components, the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch with Retina Display is the new king of high-end desktop replacement laptops. By Joel Santo Domingo

The Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Retina Display) is the laptop you want if you care about performance, thinness, and the screen. It's not the vaunted "15-inch MacBook Air" that was rumored prior to 2012's WWDC—it's better, thanks to an up-to-date components, super-thin chassis, and impressive battery life. This "next-generation" MacBook Pro hasn't just caught up to the thin and powerful Windows laptops and ultrabooks on the market; it has surpassed them to become the high-end choice for media professionals, enthusiasts, and general Mac fans alike. As such, the MacBook Pro is our new Editors' Choice for high-end desktop replacement laptop PCs.

Design and Features
The MacBook Pro 15-inch (Retina Display) carries the same Jony Ive–design DNA as previous systems—it's all aluminum unibody chassis, glass, and black plastic for the keyboard. In fact, it still looks like a MacBook Pro, which is good news, because the cachet of the Apple ID is part of the reason people go nuts for the company's products. It even feels similar to previous models in your hand, though it's noticeably thinner and lighter (4.46 pounds versus 5.6 pounds); if you've held a 13-inch MacBook Air, you're not too far off.

The 15.4-inch screen now looks more seamless, if that's possible. The bezel around it is black, but unlike on the MacBook Air it's of a piece with the screen glass. The screen electronics are built into the glass, which helps the laptop's thin profile. Apple mentioned that the screen is less prone to glare than was the case with previous MacBooks, but the glare is still visible when you're viewing a black background and if you're really picky. If you want a matte-finish screen, for now you'll have to go with the updated MacBook Pro with Ivy Bridge.

The Retina display itself is glorious. The resolution is 2,880 by 1,800, which sounds like a lot, but text is scaled so it doesn't look too small. Instead of making the letters smaller like on the iPhone 4 or 4S (to see this effect, use one to visit a non-mobile-optomized Website), Apple kept the font sizes consistent with what you'd expect in the real world and just made them smoother. In contrast, text on a MacBook Air looks smooth from your seat, but the individual letters are still jaggy close up. Text on the new MacBook Pro looks smooth from both far away and close up, as if it were laser printed on paper.

The real magic is when you view photos (and high-res video). You can view images straight from your camera and they will look more like printed images than electronic ones. Look at a geometric form, like a picket fence in front of a yellow wall, and the lines look smooth, not jaggy. Likewise, a 1,920-by-1,080 HD video takes up a relatively small portion of the screen at full resolution, leaving the video editor with lots of space for timelines, toolbars, and other interface items. It's almost like having a dual 20-inch-screen setup in a 15-inch diagonal space. When playing back 1080p video full screen, the improved IPS display exhibits rich colors, deep blacks, and a generally pleasant viewing experience. It really is like having a large-screen HDTV you can rest on your lap.

If there's any drawback to the Retina display, it's that all of your existing Mac applications will have to be updated for it (kind of like what happened with the iPhone 4/4S and latest iPad). Apple-sourced apps like Safari, Final Cut Pro, and Aperture look terrific, but non-optimized apps like Google Chrome will show upscaled and jaggy fonts. It's a problem that's likely to go away as more developers update their programs, but it's an annoyance right now.

The power button has moved to the upper right of the keyboard proper, like it is on the MacBook Air. The island-style keyboard has the same feel as the MacBook Air; key travel feels shallower than the previous MacBook Pro. The function keys match those of the MacBook Air, which may be a hang-up for people with older-generation MacBook Pros, particularly ones made before the advent of Mission Control and the Launchpad in Mac OS X Lion. The backlighting is everything we expect from a MacBook, clearly visible in a darkened room. After several straight hours of playing back video during our battery rundown test the bottom of the system was still cool to the touch, demonstrating the new chassis' cooling capabilties.

There is a full-size HDMI port on the side of the laptop. The new MagSafe 2 port is wider yet shorter than the previous style, so you'll need an adapter for existing LED Cinema and Apple Thunderbolt Displays, as well as older power adapters. (Newly purchased Thunderbolt Displays will come with the MagSafe 2 adapter.) The USB 3.0 ports aren't colored blue like they are on some Windows PCs, but because there aren't any USB 2.0 ports on this MacBook Pro, you won't need color coding to tell the difference.

Copying a 1.22GB test folder from a USB 3.0 drive took 21 seconds, which is half the time we needed to copy the same folder using a USB 2.0 drive on the previous MacBook Pro. Speedier drives using the Thunderbolt interface are likely to be even faster. Two Thunderbolt ports are a boon for the video editor: You can connect up to 14 devices, seven devices per port. The system can also support at least two Thunderbolt Displays for more screen real estate. An SDXC slot and a headphone audio jack with headset support round out the ports.

One thing you won't find on the new MacBook Pro is a DVD SuperDrive: The optical drive has been eliminated to benefit the new profile, which is 0.71 inch (18mm) at the thickest point (meeting the spec for 13.3-inch or smaller ultrabooks, and slimmer than the 21mm requirement for 14-inch or larger ultrabooks). The MacBook Pro is the same height as both (11- and 13-inch) MacBook Air models at their thickest points, an impressive feat. The slim profile prevents Apple from using Ethernet and FireWire 800 ports (they simply won't fit); if you need either, you'll need to buy adapter cables (at $29 each). Using a Thunderbolt Display is also an option, as it has built-in FireWire 800 and Ethernet. On the plus side, the MacBook Pro includes 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi with 2.4GHz and 5GHz support, as well as Bluetooth 4.0, so you'll be able to connect to almost any hotspot or wireless audio device.

The system comes with Mac OS X Lion 10.7.4, so you'll get all the same iLife apps and familiar Mac OS interface. Systems purchased now will be eligible for a free upgrade to Mac OS X Mountain Lion (Mac OS X 10.8 in all but name) when it is released in a month or so. Mountain Lion will introduce iMessage, Notification Center, Power Nap, AirPlay, and lots of other iOS-like features to the MacBook Pro and other Macs.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

6 Simple Ways to Avoid West Nile Virus

This summer’s West Nile virus outbreak is on track to be the biggest since the disease first reached the United States in 1999.

So far this year, 1,118 people have been infected – and 41 of them have died, according to the latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency has never before seen that many infections in people as of this time of year.

So what does this mean for you?

The good news is that most people who get West Nile virus have no symptoms, although the disease can be serious if it reaches your brain. Certain populations, like people over 50 and those with weakened immune systems, are at a greater risk.

Preventing the disease won’t cost you much time or money. More on that later, but first let’s take a closer look…

WNV is a relatively new infectious disease, which just means it can be transmitted from one person or animal to another, and it’s caused by an infection.

The microbe, or micro-organism, that causes this particular infection belongs to a group of disease-causing viruses called flaviviruses, which usually spread by tics or mosquitoes, say the National Institutes of Health. West Nile virus in particular is usually spread by mosquitoes that feed on the blood of infected people or birds. (So don’t worry, you can’t catch it by, say, touching or kissing someone.)

Other diseases caused by flaviviruses include yellow fever and dengue fever.

According to the Mayo Clinic, most people with West Nile virus have no symptoms, and about 20 percent experience only mild symptoms (like a fever, headache, body ache, and fatigue) that go away on their own. But for about 1 percent of people, the virus crosses the blood-brain barrier, causing a serious neurological infection that affects the brain and spinal cord. Serious symptoms (like severe headaches, a stiff neck, and an altered mental state) merit urgent medical attention.

WNV was discovered in 1937 in Uganda, which Africa’s Nile River flows through. According to the NIH, it’s most common in Africa, West Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. But it surfaced in the New York City area in 1999 and has since been found in every continental state.

Most of this year’s cases are in Texas, with Mississippi, Louisiana, South Dakota, and Oklahoma coming in second place. Check out the CDC’s infection map and table to find out if any of this year’s cases or deaths occurred in your state.

There is no vaccine to prevent WNV, but it’s easy to protect yourself…

Flush out mosquitoes. They usually lay their eggs on standing water, so walk around the outside of your entire home looking for any places where water has collected or could collect: planters, saucers, buckets, garbage cans, gutters, tire swings, kiddie pools. Empty them out and, if possible, drill a hole in the bottom of them so they automatically drain before water can accumulate. (For kiddie pools, store them standing up on their side when they’re not in use.) Then repeat this process weekly.Screen your home. Make sure all your windows have a screen and that the screen doesn’t have any gaps or holes that a mosquito could fit through.Suit up. Wear pants and long-sleeve shirts outside when possible.Protect your skin. Spray exposed skin – and clothing (to stop mosquitoes from biting through clothing) – with a bug repellant that contains an active ingredient that’s registered with the EPA, which basically means it’s safe and effective when applied according to the directions. Check out the EPA’s bug repellant search tool for more help.Avoid twilight. Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, so consider staying indoors during those times or be extra careful if you go outside.Report dead birds to authorities. Informing your local health department helps the experts who monitor the spread of West Nile virus, which has been seen in more than 130 bird species. Just don’t handle the dead birds.

Karla Bowsher runs our deals page and covers consumer, retail, and health issues. If you have a comment, suggestion, or question, leave a comment or contact her at karla@moneytalksnews.com. Like this article? Sign up for our email updates and we’ll send you a regular digest of our newest stories, full of money saving tips and advice, free! We’ll also email you a PDF of Stacy Johnson’s ’205 Ways to Save Money’ as soon as you’ve subscribed. It’s full of great tips that’ll help you save a ton of extra cash. It doesn’t cost a dime, so why wait? Click here to sign up now.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Mountain Lion Available Today From the Mac App Store

Shop the Apple Online Store (1-800-MY-APPLE), visit an Apple Retail Store, or find a reseller.

Copyright © 2012 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Ask Stacy: When Should You File Bankruptcy?

Here’s a recent email from a reader that offers the opportunity to talk about when enough is enough.

Dear Stacy,
I know you deal with a LOT of debt collection questions, but I couldn’t find the answer to mine in a search of your website–maybe I don’t have the right terminology.

Isn’t there any way to get debt collectors, including credit card companies, to pause the debt collection process or the payments for a period of time? I am disabled and awaiting SSDI determination (it may drag on another year) and completely out of money now, living with family just to survive.

Citibank refused to work with me on a payment low enough for me to continue paying them, which would have at least given them assurance that I had not abandoned the debt. I suggested the same $5 a month I pay a on a medical debt, as I can usually make a very little each month holding yard sales of my last few possessions. Citi wouldn’t accept anything less than $200+/month. So this account has now gone to a debt collector who has offered to settle for less than the full amount, but it’s still way more than I can currently pay. And in the meantime Citi continues to charge me $35/month in late fees and 29% interest rate on the overdue amount.

When I spoke to Chase about my overdue account with them, they transferred me to a debt management company, that also could not help me since debt management plans require INCOME! Given that I can’t afford a lawyer, is there some action that can get these agencies to at least stop charging penalties each month when I’ve already appraised them of my situation? What about a means of temporarily halting the collections process until I can get SSDI? I have already sold my furniture trying to pay these guys, and don’t have the money to pay for the medical treatment I need to stay alive now! The stress of constant calls and letters from collectors is adversely affecting my health. If I drop dead before Social Security Administration admits I’m disabled from illness I can’t pay Citi or Chase at all–they’ll just be beating a dead horse. And I’m not withholding any money from them–you just can’t squeeze water from a stone!

Why aren’t there protections for people who are the worst off of all? I have tried repeatedly to help myself out of this situation, but nothing works. Any suggestions? Or am I just sunk?
- Jane (not her real name)

Jane, there is protection for people who are the worst off of all. It’s called bankruptcy, and you need to think about it.

I wish Jane had contacted me earlier. Like many others in her situation, a strong sense of pride combined with a lack of knowledge is keeping her from acknowledging the inevitable. As a result, she’s needlessly enduring monster stress and pouring what money she does have down the drain. It breaks my heart when I see words like “I have already sold my furniture trying to pay these guys, and don’t have the money to pay for the medical treatment I need to stay alive now!”

This is exactly why we have bankruptcy laws. (And why I’m for guaranteed health care for all Americans – but that’s another story.)

You don’t often read articles by personal finance writers suggesting bankruptcy. Instead, we prattle on about building budgets, targeting debts, and squeezing additional savings by using coupons and buying generics.

That kind of advice is fine for many people…even most. But it’s useless for people like Jane.

The magic word when it comes to debt problems is “income.” If you have it, debt problems are often solvable. If you don’t, they’re not, especially when you’re in Jane’s situation: no savings and no prospects for significant future income.

In a story I did a few years back called “Dealing With Debt: Bankruptcy,” the lawyer I interviewed gave me some simple advice: If you don’t have enough income left after eating and putting a roof over your head to make even minimum payments on your debts, it’s time to talk to a lawyer.

If you’ve read much of my stuff, you know that I’m a believer in paying back what you borrow. (See Website Says It’s OK to Walk Away – No It Isn’t.) But Jane’s situation is a textbook example of why we have bankruptcy laws. Sometimes bad things happen to good people, and the last thing those people need is to be verbally abused by collection agencies or made to feel guilty.

When a credit card or other company loans you money, they understand the risk they’re taking. The interest rate they collect compensates them for it – often handsomely.

In How Much Tax Do the Most Profitable Companies Pay?, we point to a study from NerdWallet that reveals the profitability of many of America’s biggest companies. If you think companies like Walmart are monstrously profitable, you’re right: Walmart made $24 billion last year – $2 billion a month. But guess what company also made $24 billion? Wells Fargo Bank. JP Morgan Chase, one of the companies Jane owes, made even more: $26 billion.

You owe your creditors your best effort to meet your obligations. But you don’t owe them your health, your life, your sanity, or your self-respect. If you’ve done your best, put your head up, shoulders back, and deal with it.

Jamie Dimon, JP Morgan Chase CEO, took home $23,105,415 last year – he’s going to be fine.

Just because bankruptcy is the correct course for people like Jane, however, doesn’t make it easy. In the ultimate Catch-22, many Americans don’t have enough money to become bankrupt. In an article called Too broke to go bankrupt, CNN/Money says hundreds of thousands of Americans can’t afford the $1,500 to file bankruptcy. Result?

“It ends up being the relatively better off, or middle-class consumers who can actually afford to file, and the people with lower incomes can’t afford to file.”

Have you ever read stupider words? Only people who by definition aren’t broke can afford to go broke. Sometimes life is truly stranger than fiction.

What Jane should do is find a local bankruptcy attorney and get a free consultation to explore her options, like perhaps creating a payment plan or finding a pro bono (free) lawyer. But she shouldn’t be surprised if that attorney ends up saying something like…

In her email, Jane says “you just can’t squeeze water from a stone!” She’s right.

Bankruptcy is a good option for those who can’t pay their debts, and that’s especially true for those with assets to protect, like a house, expensive possessions, or a decent income.

Without the protection afforded by bankruptcy, your creditors can file a lawsuit for unpaid debts that could result in a monetary judgment against you. With that judgment in hand, they’ll go on an asset search to see if you have anything valuable they can force you to sell to satisfy the judgment. They could also potentially garnish your future wages to collect it.

But if you have few possessions and meager income, creditors or collection agencies may not bother suing, because it’s expensive and likely to be a waste of effort. You’re essentially “judgment-proof.” Given what we know about Jane’s case, that’s probably exactly what she is. She should still, however, turn to an attorney for a free consultation and an expert, empathetic ear.

Stop paying your debts. You’re not going to be able to repay your creditors with $5 a month anyway, and that money means more to you than them. Stop throwing it away.Stop selling your stuff. No matter what you do, nobody will ever have the legal right to strip you of simple personal possessions.Don’t worry about the late fees. You’re not going to pay them.Don’t worry about your credit history. It’s already trashed, and you don’t have the resources at this point to defend it. Water under the bridge.Stop the collection calls. There’s no law requiring you to talk to any creditor or collection agency. There is a law, however, that says you can stop their calls simply by telling them to quit contacting you. These people don’t care about you – don’t talk to them. Read this page of the FTC website for more about your rights.Talk to a lawyer. It’s not going to cost you a dime, and it’s going to make you feel much, much better. I guarantee it.Stop beating yourself up. You didn’t get drunk and run over someone’s child. You became disabled and are unable to pay a couple of bills. It happens every day. You have nothing to feel guilty about. If you ultimately regain your financial footing, fine – you can always pay them back then.Like this article? Sign up for our email updates and we’ll send you a regular digest of our newest stories, full of money saving tips and advice, free! We’ll also email you a PDF of Stacy Johnson’s ’205 Ways to Save Money’ as soon as you’ve subscribed. It’s full of great tips that’ll help you save a ton of extra cash. It doesn’t cost a dime, so why wait? Click here to sign up now.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Unconventional Learning with iPad, Mac, and iPod touch

Students at the UK public school Flitch Green Academy use iPad, Mac, and iPod touch to create unique learning experiences.

Flitch Green is a public elementary/middle school located just outside of London. This modern eco-friendly version of a village school was designed to be the hub of the community — where the teachers support the kids so they feel safe to explore, to ask questions, and even to make mistakes. The school was built on the principle that there needs to be a purpose to learning, and that children learn best from an innovative curriculum that teaches through first-hand experience and discovery.

The founders of Flitch Green designed a creative curriculum that allows children to develop skills for the 21st century. The school’s philosophy is that learning is not just about gaining knowledge and acquiring facts — it’s that you need to be able to do something with those facts. This purposeful learning needs a strong investment in technology, That’s where Mac, iPad, and iPod touch come in.

When designing this curriculum, Apple products were a natural fit. Their ease of use allows students to master the tools, and focus on their projects. The work they’re able to produce is greatly enhanced by the creative opportunities the products give the students. Flitch Green’s creative curriculum couldn’t exist without the Apple products.

We wanted a curriculum that was meaningful, purposeful, and creative. And with Apple technology we have the whole package. It’s ignited everybody’s learning progress.”

— Tracey Bratley, teacher at Flitch Green Academy

The staff first purchased MacBooks, and as the curriculum evolved, they quickly added iPad and iPod touch devices. Apple products have become an essential piece of how students learn at Flitch Green.

Flitch Green’s unique approach is taught through open-ended “experiences” where students use the Mac, iPod touch, and iPad, alongside more traditional media, to work towards an end product. “This allows children to use all the resources they have available to them to represent what we’ve asked them to do,” says Principal Helen Johnson. “And normally they come back with things that we won’t have even dreamt of.”

Giving all students access to all of the Apple products was also a goal for the school. The 11 year-olds as well as the 4 year-olds are using the Mac, iPad, and iPod touch to explore and create. “Originally we thought the iPod touch would be great for the older children and the iPad being bigger would be for the younger children. But actually our 4-year olds are more than capable of picking up the iPod touch, recording their voices, taking a photograph, or writing on it for phonic work,” says Helen Johnson. The Flitch Green vision — right from the beginning —was to equip the children with the technological know-how so they would be well prepared once they got to the outside world.

Creating their own learning experiences with Apple products allow the students focus on their end-product. The Mac, iPad, and iPod touch lend themselves seamlessly to these cross-curricular experiences and give the students the choice of technology tools that best suits their individual project.

Since first opening its doors in 2008, Flitch Green’s academic scores have been in the 90th percentile, granting the school Academy status. Students are not only learning basic academic skills such as English, Mathematics, and Science, but they also learn and practice key life skills such as resilience, reflection, and risk taking. With the Mac, iPad and iPod touch, lessons are fun, interesting and packed with activity.

“Students can find all the objects inside and outside the school that start with a certain letter and record it with their iPod touch. They get excitement out of that which keeps them engaged, and keeps them learning longer than they would have if they’ve been sat down with a pencil they can’t hold very well.” says Helen Johnson.

Everything has a similar feel and a similar look — there’s synergy. So it’s easy for kids to pick up an Apple product and just start working.”

— Emma Nichols, Flitch Green Academy parent

Using technology has helped both the children’s speaking and listening skills — particularly for many of Flitch Green’s shy children. “Put them in front of a Mac, put them in front of a camera and they lose all their inhibitions, they’re really confident. “ Says teacher Tracey Bratley. “We’ve been able to gain lots of evidence from children just from watching what they recorded on iMovie or PhotoBooth. Apple products have given children the tools for them to develop their confidence. And it’s been a great assessment tool for us as well.”

Besides academic achievement, Flitch Green Academy can also lay claim to having students that are excited about their learning. It has students excited to come to school each morning. And their enthusiasm and love of learning is carried home with them. They are confident, creative students that have had their curiosity fostered with the help of the Mac, iPad, and iPod touch.

MacBook Air

This notebook computer is great for learning both inside and outside the classroom. Learn more about MacBook Air

iPad

This revolutionary mobile device introduces a whole new way of teaching and learning. Learn more about iPad

iPod touch

This device — and the apps made for it — are perfect for on-the-go learning. Learn more about iPod touch

iLife

Create photo books, movies, podcasts, music, and more with the latest versions of iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, and iDVD. Learn more about iLife

iWork

The easiest way to create great-looking documents, spreadsheets, and presentations on the Mac. Learn more about iWork

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Apple Introduces All-New MacBook Pro with Retina Display

Get answers before you buy. Call 1-800-MY-APPLE to talk with a knowledgeable Specialist.

Shop the Apple Online Store (1-800-MY-APPLE), visit an Apple Retail Store, or find a reseller.

Copyright © 2012 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.