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  • Wal-Mart Earnings Guidance Is Unimpressive, As Firm Sees “Continuing Challenging Sales Environment” (WMT)

    wal-mart walmartThe release is out.

    Earnings of $.88 were ahead of $.85 expectations.

    On the other hand, guidance for the coming quarter is a range of $0.93 tp $0.98. Analysts were already looking for $0.98, so this part isn’t so hot.

    Why don’t they see lights-out growth?

    Says CFO Tom Schoewe: “This includes the continuing challenging sales environment in the United States.”

    Said CEO Mike Duke: “Our customers, particularly in the United States, are still concerned about their personal finances and unemployment, as well as higher fuel prices…Our commitment to reducing prices and managing expenses positions us well across the retail landscape.” 

    Shares are up modestly pre-market.

    Join the conversation about this story »

  • Freeloaders rejoice: Hulu will be free for a while longer


    While the LA Times noted that Hulu would soon be offering Hulu plus by May 24, the $10 will apparently not be rolled out by next Monday, thus allowing you unfettered access to the intellectual produce of thousands of studio employees for a least a few more months.

    As you recall, Hulu Plus:

    … will be the source for streaming TV. The company is a joint venture of NBC, Fox, and ABC and, as such, has become a clearing house for popular broadcast television. The question here is what constitutes a more comprehensive selection – I suspect full seasons as well as almost immediate simulcasting of broadcast programming – but that has yet to be decided.

    via AllThingsD


  • Game People and FGA announce Spring 2010 winners

    Game People, in collaboration with the Family Gamer Awards, have announced the winners of their Spring 2010 selection. But it won’t be all about the awards. In addition, the partnership will also donate £100 to charities of

  • Kindle for Android coming to the Android Market soon

    Good news for all you e-book readers out there. Amazon has just announced that and Android version their popular Kindle application will be dropping on the Android market very soon. Kindle for Android will allow users to browse the Kindle store, purchase books directly from the Kindle application, and read directly on their Android device.

    Kindle for Android will sync with your Kindle Device, or Kindle for PC app to save the page you last read so you can easily transition between places without having to remember where you had left off. The Kindle app will include the ability to edit text size, add bookmarks, and view created annotations from your Kindle or Kindle from PC. More details can be found on the press release in the source link below.

    Expect to see the Kindle for Android app detailed the Google I/O 2010 conference, which begins tomorrow. The final app then should be release shortly thereafter, so hopefully we will be able to download this by the end of the month. We will post a full review shortly after the app is released into the wild.

  • Avis used car sales

    Avis used car sales is a good place to look for cheap and reliable used cars if you are hunting car rental companies that offer great used car sales. Avis is a famous car rental company that you can easily find it at most of the tourist place around the world. This has included the famous places like UK, United States, Canada, Aberdeen, Australia, and among others. Under Avis used car program, all the vehicle you wish to rent are available for sale with reasonable price. Check out how!

    Avis used car sales

    Car rental companies buy new cars every one or two years to replace previous models that have been rented out. The company has to sell of the previous models that will be replaced with new models. Therefore, this has created an opportunity where you can stand a chance to get cheap and reliable used cars from famous car rental company like Avis.

    Buying a car requires a lot of consideration before decision was made. You will need some car buying strategies and some tips on buying a car especially buying a used car from car rental companies. Here are some pros and cons of buying these cars.

    Pros of used rental car sales

    Those cars are typically in good condition and well maintained by reputable car rental company.

    You can get cheaper price for newer cars if compared to second hand cars dealer.

    Avis used car sales program consists thousand of cars from sedan car to MPV to four wheel drives.

    Cons of used rental car sales

    People who rent a car usually are traveler or tourist. It is often they will not take good care of the car as it is not their own car.

    The mileage of the car is usually higher than other car.

    Where to find Avis used car for sales

    So, where to find Avis used car for sales? Avis website is always the best place to look for the car you want, the price you wish, and the condition you expected. The website is http://www.avisnj.com/sales.htm.

    Some of the used cars is cheaper than market price and it’s only few year old. However, there are some disadvantages of buying used car from car rental companies. Most of the cars has been travel very far and have very high mileage on the ODO meter. Thus, you will have to go for reputable company if you are planning to buy a used car from car rental company. It is often a reputable company will maintain their cars follow the car maintenance schedule.

    Avis that offer all the cars a minimum of 30 day bumper to bumper warranty and a 12 months, 12,000 miles full engine warranty backed by Avis. Besides, Avis has a list of workshop that will remove dirt and polished the car to look brand new before the car was send to new owner. This definitely attracts a lot of car buyer. In other words, one of the great used car sales programs to look for cheap used cars is Avis used car sales.
    Avis used car sales

    Source: Cars, Fast Cars, Cool Cars, Sports Cars

  • Android Launcher Pro beta makes an OK home screen even better

    Android 2.0+ Let’s face it people, the stock Android launcher is straight up boring. You can’t configure it, and on most phones, you can’t have more than 3 home screens. Luckily, LauncherPro [Market link] has arrived, and although it’s very similar to Helix, it’s got some strengths of its own. The first thing I noticed was the speed – this thing is blazing fast. Everything from sliding through the screens to pulling up the app drawer is much faster than stock. Let’s check it out after the break.

    read more

  • Susan Sher to deliver Loyola Law School commencement address

    WASHINGTON–Susan Sher, chief of staff for First Lady Michelle Obama, will deliver the commencement address Saturday at the Loyola University Law School in Chicago. Sher, an alumnus of Loyola, will address graduates at the Gentile Center, on the Lake Shore campus.

  • Final release of Silverlight 4 Tools for Visual Studio 2010 now available

    Get Microsoft Silverlight

    The final version of Silverlight 4 Tools for Visual Studio 2010 is now available to download. Silverlight is one of the two run times available on Windows Phone 7, and will form the basis of most non-game applications on the platform.

    Silverlight 4 Tools for Visual Studio 2010 includes many essential features to help developers work with your Silverlight 4 applications including:

    • New interactive design surface
    • Working with Styles and Resources
    • Go To Value Definition lets you directly locate nested styles
    • Using the new "Data Can" to pinpoint data hookups
    • Moving stuff around in complex Grid panels using the new right click "goodies"

    Check out this 20 minute Silverlight.tv video above which shows most of the new Designer features in action.

    The latest build can be downloaded by following the instructions at www.silverlight.net/getstarted .

    Via Mobileblab.com


  • Microsoft presents a more streamlined and faster Hotmail

    Microsoft presents a more streamlined and faster Hotmail
    Microsoft unveiled yesterday the new version of it’s Hotmail email service, which the company has strived to provide users with the tasks of sharing photos, videos and other items, such as Office documents or allow them to update their social networks through the mailbox.

    In this way, debuts the ability to upload photos, presentations or other files using Microsoft’s SkyDrive service, allowing to send links to to download up to 10GB instead of the physical files or access to photos and videos third parties such as Flickr, Hulu or YouTube without leaving the service. This will solve many problems related to the size that often make it difficult to share.

    The new Hotmail is being optimized for mobile devices, so manufacturers like Nokia and RIM are already creating special applications for Microsoft’s service. The software maker will also add the option to allow users to send emails using an encrypted HTTPS connection.

    Two features that are not part of the summer update, but are on the horizon, are the ability to have multiple email aliases on one account, and an option to update an email with a new name.

    No related posts.

  • It’s All Ogre for Shrek

    “For the last, my dear friends, we have come to the final chapter, but I’m afraid our hero has fallen victim to a terrible curse…” this was the opening line of Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) in the trailer of Shrek Forever After or Shrek: The final episode. More exciting events will be shown in the movie and for sure, you will have fun watching this with your family!

    After all his extreme adventures, Shrek (Mike Myers) became very bored with his life as a family man. It is unusual for him as an ogre on how he deals with people, because instead of scaring them away, he signs autographs for them. With this, he became depressed and said “sometimes I wish to have just one day to feel like an ogre again”. With this, Shrek fell into the trick by the devilish Rumpelstiltskin (Walter Dohrn) as he let him sign a contract. Because he thought that the smooth-talking deal maker can be trusted, Shrek agreed to the deal. Relaxation was also his motive in signing this deal because he was tired of his unexciting life. How ever after signing the contract, Shrek knew that he was tricked thus he must face the consequences of the act that he have done.

    What made the movie interesting? Shrek finds himself in a twisted, alternate version of Far Far Away! The small, evil, tricking Rumpelstiltskin became the king of Far Far away and ogres were hunted for near extinction. All of Shrek’s friends even his wife forgets who he is in their lives.

    This hilarious and comedy movie is a must see and for the fans of Shrek out there, Shrek’s final movie will be coming out in every big screen near you on May 21, 2010.

    No related posts.

  • Paypal: Manage your account and send money on the go

    Paypal is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to pay for things online, offering strict security encryption of your personal data and the convenience of being accepted at most major online retailers. Paypal is also a very good way for organizations or groups to accept donations, or for some employers to pay their employees. It’s also a good way for small/home businesses to accept credit card payments.

    Paypal has released an app to help Paypal users view their current Paypal balance, send money from your paypal account, and view your transaction history, all conveniently from your Android phone. The balance tab is overly minimalistic, with a snapshot view of your current account balance.

    The history section looks at–obviously– your historical transactions. An added bonus here is that positive transactions (such as money transfers from your bank to your Paypal account) are black in color, whereas money out is in orange lettering. This makes for an easy to read and pleasant viewing experience, and is very helpful for keeping track of your purchases.

    Finally, Paypal allows you to send money to anyone, with convenient contact book integration for easy payment to individuals in your contact list. The send money tab also features the ability to…err…send money in many different currencies for added convenience for all of you international types. Users also have the option of attaching a short note to their donation.

    The Goods

    • Minimalistic UI. Lacks polish but does the job well.
    • Convenient access to your Paypal account while on the go.
    • Transaction view allows you to figure out what you’ve been spending money on.

    The Bads

    • Can’t really use this app for online shopping. Tighter integration with the Android platform would be nice, though not essential since you can pay via paypal through many stores via the browser.

    Final Verdict: The Official Paypal app is a very good 1.0 release and promises easy management of your Paypal account while on the go. Though somewhat simplistic, it gets the job done and does it pretty well.

    Paypal can currently be found for free on the Android Market. It should support all Android platforms, but as usual please let us know if you have trouble accessing the app.




  • The Gettie Awards Holds Best Damn App Awards

    GetJar, the world’s second largest app store behind Apple, is calling for nominations for the best apps across all major smartphone platforms for their first ever “The Gettie Awards 2010“.

    A panel of five judges including prominent industry heavyweights, press and analysts will first select three (3) nominees within each category from all submissions of files/applications. Winners from each category will be determined by review of the actual physical applications. The Gettie Award winner will be determined by a combination of popular vote and judge’s votes. Developers get the chance to be the best within each category and best for overall application at this prestigious event.

    The deadline for entries is June 25, 2010. Submissions after this date may not be eligible for consideration.

    7 total awards will be given for:

    • Best Android application
    • Best Blackberry application
    • Best iPhone application
    • Best Java application
    • Best Symbian application
    • Best Windows Mobile application
    • The Gettie Award for best overall application

    Winners get $15,000 in pay-per-download credits from GetJar, 80 hours of free testing from Device Anywhere worth. Head over to nominate your favorite Android App!

    Algadon Free Online RPG. Fully Mobile Friendly.

  • Rocket Racing League, Led by XSITE Keynoter and X Prize Founder Peter Diamandis, Readies iPhone & iPad Game

    Rocket Racing League iPhone Game screen shot
    Wade Roush wrote:

    The Rocket Racing League game coming to the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad early this summer is a rare beast: a futuristic video game that’s based on real life.

    RRL Games, a wing (or should I say fin?) of the Orlando, FL-based Rocket Racing League, is expected to release its game for the iPhone and iPod Touch this month and for the iPad in June. Judging from previews, it’s a high-octane simulation of the even higher-octane real-world sport of rocket racing, in which pilots fly four-seat, delta-wing airplanes modified with rocket engines that burn liquid oxygen and ethanol.

    Rocket racing, which CNN reporter Miles O’Brien has called “a mashup between Stars Wars pod racing and NASCAR,” is the co-creation of investor Granger Whitelaw and X Prize Foundation founder Peter Diamandis, who will give a keynote presentation at the Xconomy Summit on Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (XSITE) on June 17. Their Rocket Racing League organization raised a $5.5 million venture round last year to advance its vision of a rocket racing circuit that would take place at airfields around the country, with fans watching military, acrobatic, and test pilots competing in four-lap heats around a 5-mile raceway.

    Peter-DiamandisThe league is recruiting teams for the competitions now, and the first races are tentatively planned for 2011. But meanwhile, eager fans will be able to experience rocket racing on their Apple mobile devices. In screen shots from the game, rocket planes zoom through course markers that define the race course—essentially virtual tunnels in the sky. In actual rocket races, pilots will have heads-up displays showing them much the same information, and fans will be able to watch their progress from the ground on jumbotrons running augmented-reality software. (You have to watch this video from a demonstration in Tulsa, OK, to fully grok this.)

    The organization says that eventually, it would like iPhone- or iPad-toting spectators to be able to race virtual planes alongside the actual ones in real time. But that’s a ways off. In the nearer term, gamers will be able to use the apps to compare race times with their friends on Facebook, as Diamandis explained in the following e-mail interview.

    Xconomy: Do you hope that the rocket racing video game will help to generate increased interest in rocket racing as a real-world sport?

    Peter Diamandis: In the development of any business, especially a sports league, it’s vital that we give our fans as many ways to get involved and be a part of the action as possible. The RRL game allows our fans to design and pilot their very own …Next Page »

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  • SNL Digital Shorts Make Us Laugh Once Again with “Great Day”

    No matter how bad life gets, you’re just one crippling coke addiction away from turning it all around.

    Full Disclosure: This probably won’t work and probably will kill you.  Just enjoy the damn video, please.

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    1. Bill Simmons and ESPN – Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together
    2. Ultra-Thin Digital Booth Babe
    3. The Ultimate Gaming Chair

  • The Joker’s iPad [Ipad]

    See, there were these two guys in a lunatic asylum… and one night, one night they decide they don’t like living in an asylum any more. They decide they’re going to escape! More »










    RefugeeArtsbatman-arkham-asylumAustraliaTelevision

  • Mark Kirk’s Illinois GOP Senate bid gets Chamber boost today at Chicago event

    below, from Kirk campaign…

    ***Media Advisory***

    Illinois Chamber of Commerce to Endorse Kirk for Senate

    State’s oldest and largest business advocacy group represents Illinois employers of all sizes from all sectors of the economy

    WHO: Congressman Mark Kirk

    Doug Whitley, Illinois Chamber President and CEO

    Calvin Butler, Chairman of Illinois Chamber Board of Directors

    WHERE: Cardinal Colorprint Printing

    2532 W. Irving Park Rd.

    Chicago

    WHEN: Tuesday, May 18th

    10:00 AM

    WHAT: The Illinois Chamber of Commerce will announce its endorsement of Congressman and Navy veteran Mark Kirk for U.S. Senate due to his strong support for policies that create jobs, help small businesses grow and spur economic growth.

    The Illinois Chamber is the state’s oldest and largest broad-based business advocacy group representing small and large employers across all sectors of the state’s economy.

  • Finally More Users on Android 2.1 but Android Still Fragmented [Chart]

    We recent illustrated in a handy chart of sold Android phones in the market the issue of Android fragmentation, most phones were on Android 1.5. In a chart just released by Google showing Android Platform Versions; we can see there are more users on Android 2.1 at 37.2%, followed by Android 1.5 at 34.1 then Android 1.6 at 28%. With Google I/O starting tomorrow we expect to see Android 2.2 (Froyo) debut, which could add to more fragmentation, however it is rumored this version makes updating easier hopefully easing the scattered pains.

    See the Stats:

    Android Platform Percent of Devices
    Android 1.1 0.1%
    Android 1.5 34.1%
    Android 1.6 28.0%
    Android 2.0 0.2%
    Android 2.0.1 0.4%
    Android 2.1 37.2%

    Data collected during two weeks ending on May 17, 2010

    [Via AndroidGuys via Android Platform Versions]

    Algadon Free Online RPG. Fully Mobile Friendly.

  • This young man willingly gets an Apple tattoo. And you call us fanboys?

    Look, I love my iPad as much as the next guy and, just like the next guy, if I had to make the choice between food and water and the iWork suite, I’d probably go for the iWork suite. However, I would not tattoo the Apple logo onto my shoulder.

    Billy Hime, a self-professed “iPhone Owner,” “shameless flirt,” and “Youtube Video Blogger” filmed himself getting his tattoo with his mom. He also wrote on Twitter that “Lotion=burning my Apple,” a comment on what we can only assume to be the effects of the antiseptic on his tattoo and not a euphemism for something else.

    Regardless, let poor Billy’s example be a lesson and a warning to all of you of how far a young man will go to satisfy his Apple addiction and, next time you get the urge to call us fanboys, I’ll remind you that my only tattoo is of Ernest Borgnine circa Airwolf on my left upper thigh. It’s for religious reasons.


  • Iran Agrees to Ship Uranium to Turkey

    Iran Agrees to Ship Uranium to Turkey
    Iran agreed Monday to ship most of its enriched uranium to Turkey in a nuclear fuel swap deal that could ease the international standoff over the country’s disputed nuclear program, just as pressure mounts for tougher sanctions. The deal was reached in talks with Brazil and Turkey, elevating a new group of mediators for the first time in the dispute over Iran’s nuclear activities. There was no immediate comment from the United States and the other world powers that have led earlier negotiations as to whether the new deal would satisfy them and stave off a fourth round of UN sanctions.

  • A Quick Guide To 15 Things That Will Happen In The Near Future

    For a moment, at least, the world seems calm.

    The violence in Bangkok has settled down, and for now Europe does not look as though it is on the verge of collapse.

    So let’s take a look at InTrade.com to get the odds on what’s going to happen next in the worlds of politics, pop culture, and businesses.

    Note the way Intrade works: Each contract is based off some kind of a question that can resolve in one of two ways. (E.G. “Will Barack Obama win re-reelection”). If the outcome is affirmative, the contract ends at 100. Otherwise, the contract ends at 0. In the meantime, traders trade the contracts back and forth, and the current price, represents the odds, more or less.

    Sen. Arlen Specter has only a 20% chance of winning his primary race today.

    Sen. Arlen Specter has only a 20% chance of winning his primary race today.

    Source: Intrade.com

    Rand Paul, on the other hand, appears to be lock to win his race.

    Rand Paul, on the other hand, appears to be lock to win his race.

    Source: Intrade.com

    The next Supreme Court Justice (probably Kagan) is likely to be sworn in by Jul 31

    The next Supreme Court Justice (probably Kagan) is likely to be sworn in by Jul 31

    Source: Intrade.com

    It doesn’t look like Lloyd Blankfein is going to resign anytime soon.

    It doesn't look like Lloyd Blankfein is going to resign anytime soon.

    Source: Intrade.com

    But it seems very likely Goldman will pay a fine to the SEC before the end of the year

    But it seems very likely Goldman will pay a fine to the SEC before the end of the year

    Source: Intrade.com

    Crystal Bowersox is the slight favorite to win American Idol

    Crystal Bowersox is the slight favorite to win American Idol

    Florida Governor Charlie Crist is unlikely to be the next Senator from Florida

    Florida Governor Charlie Crist is unlikely to be the next Senator from Florida

    Source: Intrade.com

    The GOP still isn’t quite the favorite to win the US House of Representatives come November

    The GOP still isn't quite the favorite to win the US House of Representatives come November

    Source: Intrade.com

    Odds of any current Eurozone nation to leave the union has fallen to 17%.

    Odds of any current Eurozone nation to leave the union has fallen to 17%.

    Source: Intrade.com

    There’s only a 5% chance that Twitter announces an IPO by the end of June.

    There's only a 5% chance that Twitter announces an IPO by the end of June.

    Source: Intrade.com

    There’s just a 5% chance the US experiences any credit rating event by the end of the year.

    There's just a 5% chance the US experiences any credit rating event by the end of the year.

    Source: Intrade.com

    There’s a 10% chance New York defaults by the end of the year.

    There's a 10% chance New York defaults by the end of the year.

    Source: Intrade.com

    Odds of a California default are 20%.

    Odds of a California default are 20%.

    Source: Intrade.com

    Odds are still against the so-called “Volcker Rule” from becoming law by the end of the year.

    Odds are still against the so-called "Volcker Rule" from becoming law by the end of the year.

    Source: Intrade.com

    California slightly favored to legalize marijuana by the end of the year

    California slightly favored to legalize marijuana by the end of the year

    Source: Intrade.com

    Now don’t miss:

    Now don't miss:

    Image: Wikimedia Commons

    The Radar: 10 brewing stories you need to start paying attention to >

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