Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Education of Business Online from NCSU Is Internet Marketing ...

You maybe heard somebody said ?I am going to start up my Internet marketing and earn money from it?.You also sometime quite tempting to start your own Internet marketing campaign.

What is it anyway?Sometime you also re-think ?Are Internet marketing suitable for me?. Determining whether or not your Internet marketing campaign is working for you is a very important part of the advertising process.

This is so important because while there is a great deal of Internet marketing which can be done without a great deal of expense,other types of Internet marketing do have financial costs associated with them. Also, in both cases there is a time and energy burden to orchestrating the Internet marketing.

For all of these reasons it is important for internet marketer whether he or she is a beginner or expert to continuously evaluate and track their marketing techniques and strategies to determine what is working and what is not.

This will help the internet marketer to focus his efforts on marketing strategies which are providing positive results as opposed to those which are either not providing results or are only providing lackluster results?

*You heard affiliate marketing before?

Affiliate is a person that selling other people product and earning a commission when he make a sale.You do not need a website when you become as affiliate.You just need an affiliate link (your special individual link when you join as affiliate).You just need to promote your link and earn a commission every time you make a sale.

*How about you have your products?

You can start your own affiliate program.Affiliate marketing is certainly one of the most cost effective Internet marketing strategies available.This marketing strategy involves having other to promote your products.

Just imagine you have 100 of eager and active affiliates that promote your product.It is like the battalion of affiliate armies helping you promoting your product.What is the best is affiliate is only paid when he produces a sale.

I like to call it ?No Works,No Pay? program. While the affiliate owner is only paying for the advertisement when it produces a desired effect, it is still worthwhile to evaluate the effectiveness of these ads to determine whether or not they are working well.

Fortunately we can track the affiliate marketing ads as every affiliate has its own link. This information or link is provided for the purposes of making payment to the affiliate,and it can also provide useful information on which affiliate ads are the most effective.

This information is especially useful when the affiliates are posting different ads.The internet marketer may conclude the ads posted by the more successful affiliates are more appealing to potential customers and may opt to use this style of ad for all of their affiliates.

Internet marketer who use Internet marketing strategies such as posting on message boards to promote their business might want to consider asking customers to complete a short survey when making a purchase.

This survey can include useful information which is always helpful for marketing as well as information because we can know where the customer learned of the products or services you offer.Including the message board web address as one of the responses will give you a good indication of whether or not the message boards are helping to drive customers to your website.

You may also have some unannounced feedback in terms of the response to your postings on the message board. If the general consistency is in support of your posts, you may guess you are generating some interest in your business or website through this strategy.

Internet marketing strategy can be evaluated by studying website traffic results as well as sales performance.Whenever you apply a new Internet marketing strategy or tactic,it is worthwhile to evaluate your website traffic reports and sales carefully to determine whether the strategy is effective or not.

For example,if you send out an e-newsletter to those who have requested additional information about your products or services,you may notice there is good indicator in your sales.

This is a good indication the e-newsletter was well received and effective.However,if there is not increase in traffic or sales ,you need to twist and tweak your current strategy.

Finally,all I can say is Internet marketing is for all people whether you newbie or expert in your niche market.The only matter and important is you need strategies in your Internet marketing campaign to take you to the next level.

Source: http://www.graspncsu.com/2012/09/is-internet-marketing-working-for-you/

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Monday, September 3, 2012

The Evolution From Screenplay to Novel - Authorhouse

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AuthorHouse Author Mark Hanley

AuthorHouse author Mark Hanley has reversed the norm by combining his screenplays into a novel to become a publishe author

Many AuthorHouse authors dream of seeing their story on the big screen. The number of participants in our recent book-pitch challenge on the AuthorHouse Facebook page is evidence enough. A lot of authors turn their books into screenplays, hoping they will be picked up by someone in Hollywood.

What makes Mark Hanley such an interesting author is that he has done the reverse. Today he joins the AuthorHouse Author?s Digest to talk about how he has turned a selection of his screenplays into Screemplays, making him a published author.

The Evolution from Screenplay to Novel
By Mark Hanley

First, I just wanted to say thanks to AuthorHouse for giving me the opportunity to talk about my new book, Screemplays and how it came to be.

I suppose I should start out by saying that my novel was never actually meant to be a novel at all. But the story of how it came to be is pretty interesting none-the-less. Hopefully.

Stirring Writing Passions
I?m a film student graduate who earned my B.F.A. from the Academy of Art University after five long years of online studying and course taking. My original intent was to become a film director by taking courses in film and television directing from here in Illinois in order to allow me to stay home and help out where I was needed most.

I originally planned to take my final semesters of production classes in person in San Francisco as would be required. But as the semesters neared, I knew I would not be able to go. So I switched my major over to screenwriting. I figured that since I love writing and a great story is the heart of any great film, it would be a practical and creative way for me to tell a cinematic story, graduate and still stay at home.

So, I took more and more screenwriting classes. So many in fact that I soon found that I liked writing more than being on a set. It?s just me and the idea. No soundstage getting in the way.?

Attracting Hollywood?s Attention
Finally, school ended, but I realized my next goal was perhaps the hardest yet ? get Hollywood?s attention. A feat much, much easier said than done, especially where I live.

Frustration and desperation soon followed. I didn?t know what to do next.

Then one day I thought to myself, if I can?t get my work into Hollywood the traditional way of query letters and such, why not get it out there another route?

A book, I thought.

Turning a Screenplay into a Book
I can?t remember anyone else having published a novel of formatted screenplays, so I figured I?d take the plunge ? making absolutely certain to preserve the format. In screenwriting it?s all about formatting. And since AuthorHouse allows us to format the way we want to, it was a perfect fit.?

I then compiled four screenplays I?d written in school from the genre I know best ? horror ? and compiled a 400 page novel from them.?

Once the book was proofed and on its way to being printed, I set about designing a book cover and trailer for my work. This is where a lot of my schooling came in very handy. I used the software and training I received in my non-film classes to do all the graphic and media aspects of my book. I think that all arts are intertwined in some way, and by doing all the writing and artwork myself it allowed me as an artist to come full circle.

The Similarities Between Self-Publishing and Film Making
In many ways self-publishing is a lot like independent film making. Both are ways that people can freely express themselves without the intervention of a large entity such as a studio or editor telling us that something doesn?t work.?

So there?s a quick wrap-up on, Screemplays and how it entered the world. Hopefully, in the near future I?ll set about compiling another series of my scripts for a follow-up book. Perhaps one in an entirely different genre? But for now I?m just glad to get my work out there. It?s certainly better than letting a pile of unsold scripts sit in the bottom of my desk and collect dust. At least this way someone can read them. And who knows, maybe Hollywood can still come calling?

Never hurts to dream.

Mark Hanley?s AuthorHouse Bibliography

Related posts:

Source: http://www.authorhouse.net/author-blogs/mark-hanley/

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Labor Day BBQ FREE | Campbell Sports & Recreation, Food & Drink ...

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Ellomay Capital Reports Financial Position as at June 30, 2012 and ...

TEL-AVIV, Israel, Sept. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --?Ellomay Capital Ltd. (NYSE MKT: ELLO) ("Ellomay" or the "Company"), today reported its unaudited financial results for the six month period ended June 30, 2012.

Financial Highlights

  • Revenues were approximately $4.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Cost of sales were approximately $1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Depreciation expenses were approximately $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. These increases resulted from operations of the Company's Italian photovoltaic plants that were connected to the national grid during the six months ended June 30, 2011.?
  • General and administrative expenses were approximately $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to approximately $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to cost efficiency and decreased due diligence related expenses resulting from the Company's enhanced knowledge and expertise in the Italian photovoltaic market and from a lower number of due diligence processes that did not mature into transactions.??
  • EBIDTA was approximately $2 million earning for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to approximately $0.6 million loss for the six months ended June 30, 2011. This increase resulted from operations of the Company's Italian photovoltaic plants that were connected to the national grid during the six months ended June 30, 2011.?
  • Financial expenses, net were approximately $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to approximately $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. This increase in financial expenses was primarily attributable to the fair value measurement of swap contracts.
  • Share of losses of equity accounted investees was approximately $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to approximately $4.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease was due to the loss recorded by Dorad Energy Ltd. ("Dorad"), 18.75% held by U. Dori Energy Infrastructures Ltd. ("Dori Energy"), which, in turn, is 40% indirectly held by the Company, as a result of the changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments, specifically forward transactions, used to hedge its foreign currency risk exposure to the U.S. dollar.
  • Taxes on income were approximately $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to approximately $1.1 million tax benefit for the six months ended June 30, 2011.?The tax benefit for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was primarily attributable to tax assessments that have reached their statute of limitation, thereby decreasing the amount of unrecognized tax benefit. Taxes on income for the six months ended June 30, 2012 resulted from increased operations of the Company's Italian photovoltaic plants.
  • Other comprehensive loss from foreign currency translation differences from foreign operations were approximately $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to approximately $2.5 million income for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The loss for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was primarily due to the Company's operations in the Italian photovoltaic field and resulted from the devaluation of the Euro against the US dollar.
  • Total comprehensive loss was approximately $2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to total comprehensive loss of approximately $2.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011.
  • As of August 15, 2012, the Company held approximately $27.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, approximately $17 million in restricted cash and approximately $10 million in Short term deposits.
  • In July 2012, the Company, through its Spanish subsidiary (85% indirectly owned by the Company) closed the transaction to purchase the Rinconada II photovoltaic plant located in the Municipality of Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain, with a total nominal output of approximately 1.89 MWp and a peak power output of approximately 2.275 MWp.
  • Until June 30, 2012, we extended an additional aggregate amount of $3.7 million to Dori Energy in connection with Dorad's funding requirements from Dori Energy pursuant to the agreement between Dorad and its shareholders.
  • As of June 30, 2012, the Company repurchased an aggregate amount of 76,955 of its ordinary shares, for an aggregate consideration of $470,000 (excluding broker commissions). Due to Israeli regulatory considerations with respect to the funds available for share repurchases, the Company will not repurchase additional shares by December 31, 2012, the expiration date of the buyback program previously announced by the Company.

Use of NON-IFRS Financial Measures

EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure and is defined as earnings before financial expenses, net, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The Company presents this measure in order to enhance the understanding of the Company's historical financial performance and to enable comparability between periods. While the Company considers EBITDA to be an important measure of comparative operating performance, EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or other statement of operations or cash flow data prepared in accordance with IFRS as a measure of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA does not take into account the Company's commitments, including capital expenditures, and restricted cash and, accordingly, is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available for discretionary uses. Not all companies calculate EBITDA in the same manner, and the measure as presented may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures presented by other companies. The Company's EBITDA may not be indicative of the historic operating results of the Company; nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results.

About Ellomay Capital

Ellomay Capital is an Israeli public company whose shares are listed on the NYSE MKT stock exchange, which focuses its business in the energy and infrastructure sectors worldwide and is chaired by Mr. Shlomo Nehama.

Ellomay Capital's assets include ten photovoltaic plants in Italy with an aggregated capacity of approximately 10.8 MW, 85% ownership of a photovoltaic plant in Spain with a capacity of approximately 2.275 MWp 7.5% indirect holdings in Dorad, Israel's largest private power plant, which is currently under construction and is expected to produce approximately 800MW, representing about 8% of Israel's current electricity consumption, and 20% of the participating interests in the Yitzchak oil and gas exploration and drilling license in the Mediterranean sea.

Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company's plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements.? The use of certain words, including the words "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.? The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These and other risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business are described in greater detail in the filings the Company makes from time to time with Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:
Kalia Weintraub
CFO
Tel: +972 (3) 797-1111
Email: kaliaw@ellomay.com

?

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as at





June 30

December 31


2012 (Unaudited)

2011 (Audited)


US$ in thousands

Assets






Current assets:






Cash and cash equivalents

27,442

28,917

Short-term deposits

10,000

10,000

Restricted cash

14,729

16,412

Trade receivables

147

88

Other receivables and prepaid expenses

5,736

6,875


58,054

62,292

Non-current assets






Advance payments on account of investment

7,268

-

Investments in equity accounted investees

17,367

13,047

Property, plant and equipment

46,065

48,638

Restricted cash

2,250

2,250

Other assets

74

165


73,024

64,100




Total assets

131,078

126,392




Liabilities and Equity






Current liabilities






Loans and borrowings

12,494

12,129

Trade payable

1,805

2,790

Accrued expenses and other payables

15,255

14,593

Liabilities attributed to discontinued operations

200

200


29,754

29,712

Non-current liabilities:






Finance lease obligations

6,755

6,114

Long-term bank loans

10,801

5,115

Other long-term liabilities

2,229

1,344

Excess of losses over investment in equity accounted investee

-

46


19,785

12,619




Total liabilities

49,539

42,331

Equity



Share capital

26,180

26,180

Share premium

76,404

76,403

Treasury stock

(522)

(49)

Reserves

(4,873)

(3,504)

Accumulated deficit

(15,650)

(14,969)

Total equity

81,539

84,061




Total liabilities and equity

131,078

126,392

?

?

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Comprehensive loss






For the six months ended June 30



2012

2011



(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)



US$ thousands

US$ thousands

Revenues


4,382

1,601

Cost of sales


1,045

393

Depreciation expenses


1,292

493

Gross profit


2,045

715





General and administrative expenses


1,377

1,805

Capital gain


(160)

-

Operating profit (loss)


828

(1,090)

Financing income


780

345

Financial expenses in connection with SWAP contracts


(1,404)

(487)

Financing expenses


(569)

(137)

Financing expenses, net??


(1,193)

(279)

Share of losses of equity accounted investees


(145)

(4,641)





Loss before taxes on income from continuing operations


(510)

(6,010)

Tax benefit (taxes on income)


(171)

1,114





Loss from continuing operations


(681)

(4,896)





Loss for the period


(681)

(4,896)

Other comprehensive income (loss):




Foreign currency translation differences from foreign operations


(1,369)

2,528

Total other comprehensive profit (loss)


(1,369)

2,528





Total comprehensive loss for the period


(2,050)

(2,368)





Loss per share




Basic loss per share


(0.06)

(0.45)

Diluted loss per share


(0.06)

(0.45)





?

?

?

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Changes in Equity




Attributable to owners of the Company






Adjustments







arising from







translating







financial







statements of



Share

Share

Accumulated

Treasury

foreign



capital

premium

deficit

stock

operations

Total


US$ in thousands

For the six months ended







June 30, 2012 (unaudited)







Balance as at January 1, 2012

26,180

76,403

(14,969)

(49)

(3,504)

84,061

Loss for the period

-

-

(681)

-

-

(681)

Other comprehensive loss

-

-

-

-

(1,369)

(1,369)

Total comprehensive loss

-

-

(681)

-

(1,369)

(2,050)








Treasury stock

-

-

-

(473)

-

(473)

?Share-based payments

-

1

-

-

-

1








?Balance as at June 30, 2012

26,180

76,404

(15,650)

(522)

(4,873)

81,539


?

Attributable to owners of the Company





Adjustments






arising from






translating






financial






statements of



Share

Share

Accumulated

foreign



capital

premium

deficit

operations

Total


US$ in thousands

For the six months ended






June 30, 2011 (unaudited)






Balance as at January 1, 2011

26,103

76,266

(13,997)

194

88,566







Loss for the period

-

-

(4,896)

-

(4,896)

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

2,528

2,528

Total comprehensive loss

-

-

(4,896)

2,528

(2,368)







Exercise of warrants

77

104

-

-

181

Share-based payments

-

17

-

-

17







Balance as at June 30, 2011

26,180

76,387

(18,893)

2,722

86,396

?

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Cash Flows






Six months ended June 30



2012

2011



(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)



US$ thousands

US$ thousands

Cash flows from operating activities




Loss for the period


(681)

(4,896)

Adjustments for:




Financing expenses, net


1,193

279

Capital gain


(160)

-

Depreciation


1,292

493

Share-based payment


1

17

Interest on loans from related parties


(122)

-

Share of losses of equity accounted investees


145

4,641

Increase in trade receivables


(63)

-

Decrease (increase) in other receivables and prepaid expenses


1,885

(2,907)

Decrease (increase) in other assets


(34)

355

Increase in derivatives


1,120

364

Increase (decrease) in accrued severance? pay, net


(3)

20

Tax benefit (taxes on income)


171

(1,114)

Increase (decrease) in trade payables


(147)

309

?Decrease in accrued expenses and other payables


(1,157)

(1,668)

Interest received


86

348

Interest paid


(412)

(140)

Net cash provided (used) in operating activities from continuing operations


3,114

(3,899)

Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations


?

-

?

154





Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities


3,114

(3,745)





Cash flows from investing activities:




Purchase of property and equipment


(1,049)

(15,432)

Advance on account of investment


(7,268)

-

Investment in equity accounted investees


(4,329)

(10,663)

Settlement of forward contract


-

465

Proceeds (Investment) in restricted cash


1,620

(7,761)

Investment in long-terms deposits


-

(750)

Net cash used in investing activities


(11,026)

(34,141)





Cash flows from financing activities




Proceeds from sale and finance lease back


1,086

2,285

Purchase of treasury stock


(473)

-

Loans received


6,288

5,072

Proceeds from warrants exercised


-

181





Net cash provided by financing activities


6,901

7,538

?

Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows (cont'd)









Six months ended June 30




2012

2011




(Audited)

(Unaudited)




US$ thousands

US$ thousands

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents


(464)

434





Decrease in cash and cash equivalents


(1,475)

(29,914)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period


28,917

76,583





Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period


27,442

46,669









SOURCE Ellomay Capital Ltd.

Source: http://www.businessreviewusa.com/press_releases/ellomay-capital-reports-financial-position-as-at-june-30-2012-and-results-for-the-six-months-then-en

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The 7 Deadly Sales Sins Committed By Startups

elastic_7deadlysins
Editor's note:?Steli?is the Co-Founder / Chief Hustler of?ElasticSales?and an advisor to several startups and entrepreneurs. You can follow Steli on Twitter?here.
At ElasticSales, we?ve had the honor to create and run sales campaigns for some of the hottest Silicon Valley startups today. We?ve also consulted with dozens more each week to learn the challenges their sales team face. We realize we can?t work with every startup just yet, but we have seen the same, avoidable mistakes made by many young companies as they conduct their sales campaigns. Below are ?7?Deadly Sales?Sins? committed by many startups today. Some of these may sound familiar to you, but by identifying and address these mistakes, you will help your company succeed.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/K2Sv3_RZMRI/

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Applying For A Payday Loan: A Sensible Option | How Important Is ...

?

If you asked a friend in the pub if you should take out a payday loan, he would probably throw up his hands in horror and tell you that you shouldn?t do it. But would the same friend be able to lend you some money in an instant when you have an emergency?

Everyone has an opinion about payday loans, whether based on fact or otherwise. The reality is that some people are just not going to be able to avail themselves of fast access to short term cash. The kind of loans such as those available from Dosh Express Payday loans are for people who perhaps are not typical users of formal loans which have complicated APRs and tie in periods. They may however, still need help to deal with emergency situations where money is needed for only a small period of time. It is a known fact that ironically to be able to borrow money from traditional financial institutions you first need to demonstrate that you have money. What about students, people with a poor credit history or people who are not working? What about business owners who have exhausted their credit but need short term financial borrowings or people who do not want to reveal the exact state of their precarious finances to their bank? What about people who need the money right now without spending time completing endless paperwork? Who do you turn to? Would you ask your parents or the sceptical friend?

Perhaps not a good idea, since money matters can often come between people and ruin relationships.

Organisations such as Dosh Express Payday Loans allow you to complete a short form on the internet. It is a simple process with a response within fifteen minutes. The money may be transferred to your current account by the next day. There are no credit checks and no collateral required. The loan period is agreed and the interest rates and charges are transparent, so the repayment amount is made clear. If you do not default on the payment, then your payday loan has been a confidential, effective and cheap solution to an immediate problem.

You may find over the longer term that Payday loan applications which you pay off in full and on time, have the benefit of improving your credit rating. In turn this would allow you to apply for alternative longer term loans in the future if you need them because lenders have seen that you are reliable and a good credit risk.

Dosh Express are an honest payday lender offering short-term loan solutions to those experiencing financial difficulties in the run up to payday.

?

Source: http://www.howimportantisyourfinance.com/2012/08/31/applying-for-a-payday-loan-a-sensible-option/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=applying-for-a-payday-loan-a-sensible-option

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Saturday, September 1, 2012

Obama Breaks Reddit; Google+ for Business; Samsung's Galaxy Note II Unwrapped

Reddit Logo

Topping tech headlines Wednesday, President Barack Obama made a surprise visit to social news site Reddit, causing an online traffic jam and a flurry of excitement among Web users.

Obama spent about 40 minutes on the site, as verified by a photo of the president studiously typing on his laptop, supposedly reading through the hundreds of posted questions, and choosing about 10 to answer directly (including naming his favorite basketball player, Michael Jordan, natch). Obama also discussed Internet freedom and gave a shout-out to recently deceased space pioneer Neil Armstrong and space exploration, calling it "a reminder of what remains to be discovered."

In other news, Google+ is going to work, announcing Wednesday that it will begin rolling out new features tailored for corporations. Google Apps users can get a sneak peek at the tools, which include more distinct control over posted content and additional Hangouts options. The tools will be available for free through the end of 2013 and a mobile version of the new business suite, plus more administrative controls, will be rolled out in the near future.

Meanwhile, Samsung recently unveiled its Galaxy Note II phablet, winning praise from PCMag senior mobile analyst Jamie Lendino as "a significantly improved Android device" that more closely toes the line between phone and tablet. A combination of the best features from the Galaxy S III smartphone and the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet, the phablet runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and has a 5.55-inch screen with 1280-by-720 resolution. The Note II will be hitting U.S. shelves before the end of the year.

Also making headlines Wednesday:

  • Grooveshark Android App Returns to Google Play: The Grooveshark music app has returned to Google Play more than a year after it was removed.
  • Apple, Samsung to Face Off Over Product Bans Dec. 6: Apple this week requested that eight Android-based Samsung phones be banned as a result of last week's patent infringement verdict, but the two sides will not face off in court until December.
  • TiVo Stream Lets You Watch On Your iPad: The new TiVo Stream can stream and transfer shows to iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch devices.
  • IBM Preps Watson for Business-Based Smartphone Assistance: IBM researchers are working to turn Watson into a smartphone-sized attendant, a la Apple's Siri, for businesses.
  • World of Warcraft Cut Off in Iran Due to U.S. Sanctions: Activision Blizzard blocks access to the MMOG to comply with U.S. sanctions against Iran.
  • Cricket Announces New Wireless Plans, Muve Music Expansion in Lieu of 4G: Beginning Sept. 2, Cricket Android phones will be equipped with Muve Music, as well as any one of its new wireless rate plans.
  • Google Now Displaying Birthday Reminders on Search Page: As if Facebook's reminders weren't enough, now you really just have no excuse to forget someone's big day ? Google has joined the birthday nagging game.
  • Samsung Announces First Windows Phone 8 Smartphone, Ativ S: Samsung is first out of the gate with a next-gen phone running Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 OS.
  • Vimeo Partners With Dropbox for Automatic Uploading: Vimeo on Wednesday announced that it has teamed up with cloud-based file-storage and synchronization service Dropbox to ease the process of uploading videos.
  • Sprint Continues 4G LTE Rollout in Four New Markets: Sprint on Wednesday announced four additional cities where residents can now turn on their smartphones' 4G LTE access.
  • California Approves Facebook, Instagram Deal: The California Department of Corporations Wednesday approved Facebook's acquisition of Instagram, the final step in a five-month process.
  • Original Apple 1 Headed to Auction: Want to get your hands on a small piece of tech history? Get your checkbook ready, because Christie's in London is auctioning off one of the first Apple computers.

For more from Stephanie, follow her on Twitter @smlotPCMag.

Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2409105,00.asp?kc=PCRSS05039TX1K0000749

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