Sometimes companies do stupid things to market their products. A silly commercial here. A ridiculous junket there
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Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/ZlqY6xeCbjM/samsung-just-got-fined-340-000-for-paying-people-to-ba-1451367955
FILE - In this Oct. 22, 2012 file photo Singer Kanye West and girlfriend Kim Kardashian attend Gabrielle's Angel Foundation 2012 Angel Ball cancer research benefit at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. Marriage is coming after the baby carriage for Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. E! News reports West proposed to Kardashian Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, on Kardashian's 33rd birthday, in front of family and friends at the AT&T Park. Kardashian gave birth to the couple’s first child, daughter North West, in June. Representatives for 36-year-old West and Kardashian didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment about the engagement. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 22, 2012 file photo Singer Kanye West and girlfriend Kim Kardashian attend Gabrielle's Angel Foundation 2012 Angel Ball cancer research benefit at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. Marriage is coming after the baby carriage for Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. E! News reports West proposed to Kardashian Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, on Kardashian's 33rd birthday, in front of family and friends at the AT&T Park. Kardashian gave birth to the couple’s first child, daughter North West, in June. Representatives for 36-year-old West and Kardashian didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment about the engagement. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2013 file photo, Kanye West, left, and Kim Kardashian leave after attending Givenchy's ready-to-wear Spring/Summer 2014 fashion collection in Paris. Marriage is coming after the baby carriage for Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. E! News reports West proposed to Kardashian Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, on Kardashian's 33rd birthday, in front of family and friends at the AT&T Park. Kardashian gave birth to the couple’s first child, daughter North West, in June. Representatives for 36-year-old West and Kardashian didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment about the engagement. (AP Photo/Zacharie Scheurer)
FILE - In this May 6, 2013 file photo, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit celebrating "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" in New York. Marriage is coming after the baby carriage for Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. E! News reports West proposed to Kardashian Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, on Kardashian's 33rd birthday, in front of family and friends at the AT&T Park. Kardashian gave birth to the couple’s first child, daughter North West, in June. Representatives for 36-year-old West and Kardashian didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment about the engagement. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, file)
FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2013 file photo, Kanye West, left, and Kim Kardashian arrive to attend Givenchy's ready-to-wear Spring/Summer 2014 fashion collection in Paris. Marriage is coming after the baby carriage for Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. E! News reports West proposed to Kardashian Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, on Kardashian's 33rd birthday, in front of family and friends at the AT&T Park. Kardashian gave birth to the couple’s first child, daughter North West, in June. Representatives for 36-year-old West and Kardashian didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment about the engagement. (AP Photo/Zacharie Scheurer, file)
Kanye West speaks on stage at the 17th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)
NEW YORK (AP) — Marriage is coming after the baby carriage for Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.
Kardashian's publicist, Ina Treciokas, confirmed Tuesday that the couple are engaged.
E! News first reported that West proposed to Kardashian Monday — her 33rd birthday — in front of family and friends at the AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.
Kardashian gave birth to the couple's first child, daughter North West, in June.
A photo posted on Instagram shows a screen at the stadium that reads "PLEEEASE MARRY MEEE!!!" — in typical West font — above a black-clad orchestra. Another shows Kardashian showing off a diamond ring with a smiling West behind her.
The Kardashian clan has a series of reality shows on E!, and, after initially saying it didn't have cameras at the stadium, the network said late Tuesday it did have cameras there to capture the moment.
Khloe Kardashian seemed to celebrate on Twitter when she wrote: "Tears of JOY!!!!!!! Wow!!!!!!" She also tweeted: "Wow!!!!! Am I dreaming??!?!" Kimye were quiet on Twitter.
Kardashian was previously married to NBA player Kris Humphries. Their divorce was finalized in June after they were married for 72 days in 2011. Her first marriage was to music producer Damon Thomas in 2000.
West is currently on a tour with Kendrick Lamar. "The Yeezus Tour" will visit the SAP Center in San Jose on Tuesday night. Earlier Monday, he attended the Hollywood Film Awards in Beverly Hills, presenting Steve McQueen with the Hollywood Breakout Director Award.
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Follow Mesfin Fekadu at http://twitter.com/MusicMesfin
Associated Press
Motorola, as it's done for the other carriers, has released the full changelog for the most recent update to Verizon's Moto X. The camera improvements are the big strokes, of course, but there's a good bit more to the update.
Here's what's new in version 139.15.1:
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/pXWRWAYpb8U/story01.htmNEW YORK (AP) — The end of the year looks busy for Carrie Underwood, and she couldn't be happier.
The six-time Grammy-winning singer will host the Country Music Association Awards for the sixth time. You can see her singing the opening on NBC's "Sunday Night Football." And for one night in December, she'll star in a live television version of "The Sound of Music."
The 30-year-old star told the Associated Press on the red carpet Tuesday night at the TJ Martell Foundation gala, where she was one of the night's honorees, that she nervous doing something she's never done before. But then she realized, "None of us have. This is a live show on TV. So this is definitely a challenge for all of us."
She said the live singing and acting was like "going to a Broadway show, but you're in your living room."
"The Sound of Music" airs Dec. 5 on NBC with Underwood playing Maria alongside "True Blood" vampire Stephen Moyer. He portrays Captain von Trapp. Broadway veterans — and Tony winners — Audra McDonald, Laura Benanti and Christian Borle round out the cast as Mother Abbess, Elsa and Max.
While the Nashville, Tenn.-based Underwood is no stranger to performing before millions of people on live television — she won the fourth season of "American Idol" — she felt she needed more preparation, so she showed up in New York three weeks early.
"I wanted to be here and have all my lines memorized and everything and be ready for it. It's been really wonderful," Underwood said. "Audra and Laura are incredible. Stephen's great. It's nice to be surrounded by that much talent."
Before doing that show, the multiplatinum-selling artist returns to her hosting duties on the CMAs. She's nominated for three awards, including album of the year and song of the year. While she and co-host Brad Paisley have it down to a science, she doesn't see the experience as old hat.
"You never know what's going to happen with us hosting," Underwood joked.
She added: "I think being nominated — especially when hosting the CMAs — you just never know."
The CMAs take place Nov. 6 in Nashville.
Underwood also spoke about recording the opening number this season for "Sunday Night Football." She claims doing it was a no-brainer.
"It's a lot of fun. I grew up watching football. I'm from Oklahoma, it's what we do," she said with a big smile.
The conversation then turned to hockey and her husband Mike Fisher's team, the Nashville Predators.
"They got off to a little bit of rocky start, but definitely getting some momentum. I feel like my husband right now. I know what he feels like now. I feel there's some really great, new young talent," Underwood said.
And what about the team's star center?
"My hubby, he's been out for the past couple of games with a foot fracture thing. But he'll be back on the ice, ASAP. I hope he does, because that's the only way I get to see him, other than iChat."
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Follow John Carucci at —http://www.twitter.com/jacarucci
In this April 12, 2013, file photo, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testifies before the House Ways and Means Committee on President Barack Obama's budget proposal for fiscal year 2014, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Three weeks after the nation's new health care law went into effect, President Obama said there was "no excuse" for the cascade of computer problems that have marred the rollout of a key element in his health care law, but declared he was confident the administration would be able to fix the issues. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
In this April 12, 2013, file photo, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testifies before the House Ways and Means Committee on President Barack Obama's budget proposal for fiscal year 2014, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Three weeks after the nation's new health care law went into effect, President Obama said there was "no excuse" for the cascade of computer problems that have marred the rollout of a key element in his health care law, but declared he was confident the administration would be able to fix the issues. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel gets into her car after she and cabinet received the dismissal documents from German President Joachim Gauck at the Bellevue palace in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013. Following the Sept. 22, national election Angela Merkel and her cabinet will stay in charge as acting government. Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Christian parties' block start coalition talks about a new government with the Social Democratic Party on Wednesday. ( (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Philip Chism, 14, stands during his arraignment for the death of Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer as his attorney Denise Regan speaks on his behalf in Salem District Court in Salem, Mass., Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. Chism has been ordered held without bail. (AP Photo/Boston Herald, Patrick Whittemore) MANDATORY CREDIT
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Thursday:
1. WHY ANGELA MERKEL CALLED OBAMA TO COMPLAIN
Germany says it received information that the U.S. may have targeted the chancellor's cellphone.
2. DEMOCRATS FRUSTRATED WITH HEALTH CARE WEBSITE WOES
"I think the president needs to man up, find out who was responsible and fire them," Rep. Richard Nolan, D-Minn., says.
3. WHAT DEFENSE THE BOSTON MARATHON SUSPECT MAY USE
Tsarnaev's lawyers may try to save him from the death penalty by arguing he fell under the influence of his older brother, experts say.
4. TESTS SUGGEST BABY BORN WITH HIV IN REMISSION
A report says the Mississippi girl, now 3, shows no active infection after she was treated aggressively 30 hours after birth.
5. HOW NORWAY TRIED TO STOP THE KENYA MALL SUSPECT
The country's domestic intelligence service attempted to prevent one of the suspected gunmen from joining Somali militants more than three years ago.
6. KENNEDY COUSIN SKAKEL WINS NEW TRIAL IN 1975 DEATH
A Connecticut judge rules his attorney failed to adequately represent him when he was convicted in 2002.
7. SOFT-SPOKEN MASS. TEEN ACCUSED OF KILLING TEACHER
Officials recovered the remains of the 24-year-old victim in the woods behind the school.
8. WHO HASN'T PAID MILLIONS IN BACK TAXES
Nearly 700 employees of Internal Revenue Service contractors owe $5.4 million, a report says.
9. WHAT'S SECRET ABOUT MITT ROMNEY'S NEW HOUSE IN UTAH
The home's study has a bookcase that swivels open and leads into a hidden room, according to plans obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune.
10. STUDY RECOMMENDS HIGH-DOSE FLU SHOTS FOR ELDERLY
Experts say regular flu shots tend to be only about 30 to 40 percent effective in people 65 and older.
Associated PressSource: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-10-23-10%20Things%20to%20Know%20for%20Thursday/id-1ce81cc21f804a26bdf4b800b457eacdBy Laura Zuckerman
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) - The body of a missing hiker has been recovered at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in central Idaho after a month-long search hampered by the recent U.S. government shutdown.
The remains of Jodean Elliott-Blakeslee, 63, were spotted on Tuesday evening during a helicopter search of the vast lava fields at the National Park Service site where she and her hiking partner, Amelia Linkert, were reported missing on September 24.
Searchers last month found Linkert dead from exposure. An Idaho coroner is determining how Elliott-Blakeslee perished, park officials said.
At its height, the search for the Boise-based physician drew helicopters, dog teams and as many 100 individuals from other U.S. parks, but those efforts were scaled back in part because of a congressional budget impasse that halted government operations on October 1. The government reopened last week after Congress passed a temporary spending measure that President Barack Obama signed into law.
Ted Stout and several other Craters of the Moon workers furloughed during the shutdown nevertheless continued to search for Elliott-Blakeslee across the Idaho park's 750,000 acres of volcanic rifts, cinder cones and underground tunnels carved by ancient lava flows.
"We can't let her down now. This needs to continue," Stout, the park's chief of interpretation and education, said the day after he and park officials were laid off.
(Reporting by Laura Zuckerman; Editing by Steve Gorman and Lisa Shumaker)
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/idaho-hikers-body-found-search-hampered-government-shutdown-045834953.htmlPhil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, introduces the new iPad Air on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, introduces the new iPad Air on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Craig Federighi, senior vice president of Software Engineering at Apple, speaks on stage before a new product announcement on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Craig Federighi, senior vice president of Software Engineering at Apple, speaks on stage before a new product announcement on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple Inc. is refreshing its iPad lineup in hopes of reclaiming lost ground in the tablet market and slashing the prices of its Mac computers to intensify the pressure on the beleaguered makers of PCs running Microsoft's Windows.
Tuesday's unveiling of Apple's latest products primes the company for a holiday shopping season onslaught aimed at a list of rivals that includes Google Inc., Samsung Electronics, Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft Corp.
A thinner, lighter and faster-running tablet computer called the iPad Air highlighted the event in San Francisco. Apple Inc. also showed off a souped-up iPad Mini that boasts a faster microprocessor, a high-definition display screen and a higher price than its predecessor.
The iPad upgrades, coming a year after the release of the tablet's previous generation, fell largely in line with analyst expectations.
In a surprise, Apple is introducing slightly revamped MacBook Pros at prices 9 percent to 13 percent below the previous versions. What's more, Apple is giving away its latest Mac operating system — Mavericks — for free, as well as several pieces of software, including programs called iWorks and iLife that provide many of the same tools as Microsoft's Office.
"We are turning the industry on its ear," Apple CEO Tim Cook said of the company's strategy.
Technology analyst Patrick Moorhead predicted the discounted MacBook Pros will force personal computer makers to cut the prices of their machines by at least $100 for the holidays.
And Ovum analyst Jan Dawson thinks Apple's giveaway of the operating system and software programs "is now teaching people to expect both of those things to be free. While this won't disrupt Microsoft's business overnight, it will create further pressure on Microsoft to bring down prices."
If that happens, it would be another blow for Microsoft, which has seen its Windows revenue suffer in recent years as personal computer sales sink amid a shift to smartphones and tablets.
Apple triggered the upheaval with the 2007 release of the first iPhone followed up with the 2010 introduction of the iPad.
While both products have a fierce following, Apple has been losing market share to rivals who primarily make mobile devices running on Google's Android software. As Apple is now doing with its Mavericks software for Macs, Google gives away Android to device makers who can afford to undercut the prices for iPhones and iPads.
Despite the competitive pressure, Apple has steadfastly refused to cut prices on its top-of-the-line products. Instead, it has sold older versions of its Phones and iPads at slight discounts to consumers who are willing to settle for something less than state-of-the-art technology.
The Cupertino, Calif. company is hewing to that philosophy with its latest tablets. The iPad Air will start at $499, just like its predecessors, while the new iPad Mini will sell for $399 — a 21 percent increase from the price of the first Mini. The price of the original Mini, which runs at slower speeds and lacks a high-definition display screen, is falling from $329 to $299.
As it has done for more than year, Apple will continue selling the iPad 2 — a tablet that came out two-and-half years ago — for $399.
"Apple doesn't want to play in the mud with declining prices" on iPads, Moorhead said.
The strategy hasn't been a hit with investors who are unhappy with the Cupertino, Calif. company's slowing growth as it loses sales to lower-priced alternatives. Wall Street also is disillusioned with Apple's lack of another breakthrough product since the death of co-founder and chief visionary Steve Jobs two years ago.
Apple's stock dipped $1.49 to close at $519.87 Tuesday. The shares remain about 25 percent below their peak reached 13 months ago.
The iPad Air's main appeal is a more svelte design and a faster microprocessor, the same kind of chip in the iPhone 5S that Apple released a month ago. The new tablet weighs just 1 pound, compared with 1.4 pounds for the previous version. Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller hailed it as a "screaming fast iPad," noting that it is eight times faster than the original model that came out in 2010.
The iPad Air will go on sale Nov. 1. The new iPad Mini will be available at a still-to-be-determined date later in November.
They are coming out at a time when Apple needs to reassert itself in a tablet market. Google, Amazon.com and Samsung have been winning over consumers with flashy tablets that sell for $200 to $400. None of the rivals boast the 475,000 apps that Apple says are made for the iPad, but that vast selection hasn't mattered to many cost-conscious consumers.
The research firm Gartner Inc. estimates that Android tablets will end 2013 with a 50 percent share of the worldwide market versus 49 percent for the iPad. Just two years ago, the iPad commanded a 65 percent market share compared to 30 percent for Android tablets.
Apple sold 14.6 million iPads during the three months ending in June, down 14 percent from the same time last year. It marked the first time Apple has posted a year-over-year decline in iPad sales.
It might have happened again in the latest quarter ending in September. Although Apple isn't scheduled to report its results for the latest quarter until next Monday, a statistic released at Tuesday's event gave a hint of how the iPad fared in the period.
Cook said Apple's total iPad sales since the device's inception surpassed 170 million units earlier this month. Given that Apple sold 155 million iPads through June, that means fewer than 15 million were sold in the quarter ending in September. Apple sold 14 million iPads in last year's quarter ending in September.
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Ortutay reported from New York.
Associated PressSource: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/495d344a0d10421e9baa8ee77029cfbd/Article_2013-10-22-US-TEC-Apple-Event/id-aacb1e53d77d46bda1e6493421b1a5d1
