Author: Ben Feinstein

In a deal that may come as a surprise to many, Amazon appears to be the winner in the game of who will acquire Twitch. Though Google’s Youtube was previously thought to be the lead contender, Amazon has just purchased the video-game streaming giant for a hefty $970 million. Twitch, which bears a striking resemblance to Youtube, has become the go to source for streaming video-game play. Viewers can watch live and recorded video-game play from anywhere around the world. And most importantly, the site attracts 55 million unique visits every month. Amazon’s move seems to come from its determination…

By the middle of 2015 all cell phones sold inside the state of California must come with a built in “kill switch.” The state says the move is to deter would-be thieves. The bill was signed into law on Monday, August 25 by Governor Jerry Brown. Though the majority of Apple’s iPhones and certain Samsung smartphones already come with the “killswitch,” soon no brand will be safe. The “killswitch” currently embedded in iPhones and other smart phones allows owners to remotely shut the phone down in the event that it become lost or stolen. According to a report published by…

Put your hands up in the air! And wave them like you just don’t care! It’s something you’d expect to do at a rock concert, but at a movie? If Audience Entertainment has its way, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. The company’s goal is to get people out of their seats and start interacting with the screen. Seen as a pre-movie advertisement tool, the company wants to build simple games and activities that audiences will participate in collectively. By moving one way or another, the audience will control what happens on the screen. TechCrunch reported that the system has…

Crowdfunding is an amazing thing. It allows those with ideas but without the means to create and build a new company that otherwise would not be possible. Sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo has paved the way for investors looking to turn entrepreneur. But it seems that these sites have also paved the way for fraud. Investors and backers of the Kreyos smartwatch recently discovered that the campaign they thought they were contributing to turned out to be a sham. On paper the watch seemed like a great, realistic project for techies to get behind. It promised to be waterproof and…

Social networking has become not only mainstream, but to an increasing population also necessary. Facebook allows friends and family to keep in touch over great distances. SoundCloud allows musicians and fans alike to congregate and and share their music. Wiregrass, a new startup network, gives news junkies a meaningful opportunity to discuss and debate current events. So it would only make sense that a social network catering strictly to sports lovers would emerge eventually. It’s called Fancred, and it just finished a $3 million fundraising round. Currently only available for the iPhone, the app offers sports fans the services that…

It was only a matter of time, but it seems that the day of reckoning has finally come. Facebook-owned Instagram is finally offering businesses the tools needed to advertise on the picture sharing social media giant. Instagram’s upgrades offers businesses better insight and analytics to understand the reach their brands are having on the incredibly popular network. It also dissects the success of failure of paid ad campaigns. Businesses will now be greeted with a toolbar that includes options such as “Account Insights” and “Ad Insights.” The “Ad Insights” menu displays the analytics for impressions, reach, and frequency related to…

Move over Clash of Clans, the almighty Star Wars brand is ready to throw its hat into the arena. As Clash of Clans showed how lucrative mobile base-building games can be, a slew of pursuers are excited on cashing in on the latest fad. Star Wars: Commander was released today for the iPhone and iPad and the game is slated to be released on other platforms in the future. The game is a joint effort between LucasFilms and Disney. The game follows the classic format of players constructing bases while trying to conquer their opponent’s base. It is free to…

It has already been announced that next installment of Call of Duty will be leaving Wii U users high and dry. The mega hit virtual war series has already disclosed that it will not be making a copy of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare for the failing Nintendo console. But its not just Wii U console sales that have caused Activision to pull the title from Nintendo users. The company explained that creating the game for the Wii U is more complicated than it is for Xbox, Playstation, and PC. With the built-in gamepad controller, Activision would be forced to…

If you haven’t heard, Steve Ballmer just became the newest owner of the L.A. Clippers. He also has officially stepped down from Microsoft’s board of directors. This follows his departure as the software giants CEO eight months ago. It is the first time in over thirty years that Microsoft is going without Ballmer’s direct hands on supervision. He took over as CEO in 2000. Still, Ballmer is currently Microsoft’s leading shareholder. Though he won’t have a direct say, his voice will still be heard. And after his recent $2 billion purchase of the most expensive NBA franchise in history, he’ll…

As far as the food delivery service game is concerned, big names like Delivery Dudes and Grubhub have already secured themselves as the industry leaders. They bring restaurant food right to consumers doorsteps and deliver from hundreds of different eateries. Now a new food delivery service is looking to serve up the competition. The new startup, OrderUp, provides essentially the same service as its competitors but with one kicker. It has become a success while avoiding large urban areas. Based in Baltimore, the delivery service is already in 35 markets with the majority of them being smaller towns and suburbs.…

It’s a good time to be in the dollar store game. Between 2008 and 2013, the U.S. customer appetite for dollar stores has increased by 45.7% to $48.2 billion. In the next five years the dollar store business is expected to increase another 18%. And that is why Dollar General feels quite confident with its $8.95 billion dollar offer as it enters the Family Dollar bidding war. Family Dollar is currently the number two discount savings store in the country. Its stock finished at $80.00 in regular trading on Monday, August 18. That number is $1.50 higher than the all…

For all intents and purpose Tom Hanks is not just an Oscar winning actor, he’s quite the savvy app developer as well. Hanks’ new app, Hanx Writer, has just reached the number one spot on the iTunes store. The app brings users back to a simpler time when LED computer screens were replaced with paper and keys pressed with force to leave a lasting impression. The app, if you haven’t picked up on it, is a typewriter. Ranked number one in the productivity section as well as overall, the simple app creates the same feeling (well not really) as using…

Privacy has become one of the primary hot button issues that the tech industry has been forced to face. Apps such as Whisper and Secret allow users to post messages anonymously, giving people the chance to divulge personal information without identifying the person. Well it seems there’s a new app that is looking to take that concept one step further. The app is called Truth, and the newest identity protecting software allows users to send anonymous text messages. The app is set up to closely mimic already existing messaging menus (such as Apple’s) and it allows users to access their…

It’s not just giant cable conglomerates and big tech companies that have been snatching up any smaller business they can get their mits on, Coca-Cola’s getting in on the action too. Only six months after the beverage king bought out Green Mountain Coffee, the company has announced that it will invest $2.15 billion for a 16.7% stake in Monster Beverage. Coca-Cola will also acquire two seats on Monster’s board of directors. The deal has been negotiated in cash and Monster will also be issuing shares of its common stock to their new partner. Coca-Cola already owns Full Throttle, Burn and…

No one likes getting bumped from a flight. But the idea of being bumped or “walked” from a hotel is even more unbearable. After dealing with all the trials and tribulations of getting yourself from one city to another, the last thing anyone wants to deal with is more trouble from their hotel. Yet, like airlines, hotels often book more rooms than they have available. This often leaves the hotel with the difficult job of finding an empty room for their guests at some other hotel. Thankfully the good people at WalkSource have your back. WalkSource is a subscription based…

For athletes dehydration is the enemy. It’s also apparently the enemy of rock stars too. That’s why Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir and solo instrumentalist Joe Satriani recently invested in DripDrop, a company whose mission is to combat thirst everywhere. DripDrop, based in San Fransisco, claims that they have developed a medical grade rehydration solution that has a taste consumers actually enjoy. Weir and Satriani join a host of investors who recently contributed a combined $5.6 million in the latest round of fundraising. According to The Wall Street Journal, CEO Doug Wolf explained that $11 million has been raised so…

For a company that has not even been around for a solid decade, Lookout is doing really well. The company’s mission is to provide state-of-the-art mobile security, and it already has 50 million users worldwide. So far that number is made up of almost entirely individual subscribers. But what Lookout is really after are the big corporations, ones with thousands of employees and subsequently thousands of mobile devices that need protection. It is with this goal in mind that Lookout has recently raised an additional $150 million in funding. The leading investors in this newest round of fundraising included  T.…

Even though its been over a year since Obamacare has been brought into effect, there are still plenty of people wishing the new health care system would go away. It has been the motto for Republicans in Congress, and there are many business owners who echo their cry. Not everyone is weeping and wallowing though, theres a new company that thinks it has come up with the most efficient method of delivering health care. It’s called Collective Health, and its founders believe they have stumbled upon something revolutionary. As reported by TechCrunch, co-founder Ali Diab explained the idea came about after a…

Do you believe in magic? Ok, well it’s not magic but it’s still pretty cool. Meet the Om/One, a bluetooth enabled speaker that actually floats in the air. Om Audio, based in Oakland, has developed a revolutionary speaker that they plan to begin crowd-funding for via their own website. The makers claim that their own of a kind design is not just a sales gimmick, the floatation makes the speaker sound better too. The speaker is able to float via an electromagnet located in the base of the device. The ball is embedded with a Neo magnet. Both the ball…

Whether you hate it or love it, Candy Crush has become one of the most popular games in the last few years. Therefore it might be a tad surprising to find out that share prices for King, the maker behind the addictive game, fell about 20% dropping share value to an all time low. After an initial public offering King’s stock opened at $22.50 in March. Since that time the stock has fallen eight dollars. The cause in King’s stock devaluation seems to be as a result of players spending less for bonus features in the game. While the game…

Though your Facebook news feed is probably littered with more ads than you can shake a stick at, they’re not from small time business owners. Advertising with the social media giant has become so expensive that only those with millions to burn can really afford to take advantage of what Facebook claims it can offer. Think that’s a joke? Take a look at Little Passports, Inc. which told The Wall Street Journal that they spend $250,000 a month, or a mind boggling $3 million dollars a year, on Facebook advertising. Amy Norman, owner and operator, explained that she’s been advertising…

It has become a known fact that anything an internet user publishes can and will be scrutinized by the United States government. It is for this reason that earlier this year Google announced that it would soon allow users to encrypt emails, and apparently Yahoo is jumping on the bandwagon. In a measure to beef up Yahoo user security, the company announced that its members would be able to send encrypted emails as soon as this fall. By choosing to encrypt an email, the user has Yahoo’s assurance that only said user and the messages intended recipient will be able…

When looking for an app to help you find something to do, there are hundreds that are already available. That’s why the makers of Timista really think they have something unique on their hands. The app goes one step further than just recommending or making a reservation for an activity. Timista, the company claims, it acts as a personal and pocket sized concierge service capable of creating a full night of entertainment. Say a user is looking for a dinner, a movie, and then drinks with friends. Users punch in the activities desired, and then Timista makes recommendations based on…

When it comes to its population, the People’s Republic of China is 100% in control. The internet though, does not always like to listen to authority. That is why the government has just declared that users must provide their real information when using any and all social messaging apps inside of China. The recent declaration went so far as to say that those who wish to even just share political news on these messaging systems must be granted permission from the government beforehand. The process of “cleaning the internet” began last year after crackdowns on the Twitter-like messengers like Weibo,…

There’s an old saying that goes along the lines of “you shouldn’t put anything in your ears smaller than your elbow.” And before you go ahead to try and awkwardly shove your elbow into your ear, just acknowledge that the saying is trying to hint that nothing is safe to go in your ears. At least until now. Clear Ear is a company with two unique devices that claim to safely and effectively clean out ones ears. The first product is called Oto-Tip, and the company says this device is meant as a daily grooming tool. It has a soft…

Everyone knows the pain of listening to music through earbuds. They are uncomfortable to wear and always seem to fall out. That is why the creators of OwnPhones think they have a hit on their hands by 3D printing custom-made earbuds. The wearer’s ear is scanned by an app that is downloaded onto their smartphone, and then that image is sent back to OwnPhone headquarters. From there, the wearer’s custom-made earbuds are printed and shipped. The idea of custom earbuds is not new. What is new is the convience. Custom earbuds are expensive and require visits to the audiologist, but this business…

The Internet has made it easier to report the news, but this is not necessarily a good thing. It can be difficult at times to filter through all the junk and be certain of what is really the truth. There is a new website called Grasswire that is looking to change all that. Created by Austen Allred, Grasswire allows users to post world news topics for discussion with the ability to share articles proving or disproving other users’ points. It operates in a similar manner as Reddit, and articles move up and down the page depending on how users vote.…

Over a year has passed since a Bangladeshi factory collapsed, leaving 1,100 families at least one family member short. Since that time, it seems that things have not gotten much better. In fact, they seem to have gotten worse. Recently, hundreds of garment workers from five factories took to the streets in central Dhaka to protest wages that they claim have gone unpaid. Read also: A Year Later and Bangladesh Factories Still looking for Answers Before going back to work, the protestors are demanding to be paid for three months of work, including extra for the Eid holiday. The…

Data privacy has become a hotly contested issue within the last few years. Companies like Google and Facebook spend millions of dollars a year to gather information. Though the majority of  global users have resigned to take the bad with the good, not everyone is willing to go down quietly. Recently, European courts granted E.U. citizens the “right to be forgotten. Allowing a user to request that Google remove pages baring his or her name as long as it is not deemed a matter of public importance. Now it seems the E.U. is looking to take the fight to Facebook. On Friday,…

Between Facebook, Foursquare, Twitter and a slew of other social media platforms, one would think there would be enough ways to let people know what you’re doing. Well, now it seems there is yet another service looking to raise the bar. The app has been dubbed HelloWorld, and its premise is simple: find your friends, or let them know where you are. The user submits what they are doing with either a text or a picture and lets other users know from how far away the message is being sent. A post is kept live for 24 hours and is…

That time in the afternoon comes around when blood sugar levels are low and that growl in one’s stomach returns. And while most people may head down the hall to hit up the closest vending machine, a new startup called Pantry is looking to shake things up. Instead of loading the machine with chips, cookies, candy bars and soda, Pantry believes that it can serve up healthy alternatives with the same convenience. So do 500 Startups, Menlo Ventures, Arsenal Venture Partners, Loic Le Meur, Nir Eyal, Georges Harik, Entry Capital and Lemnos Labs, which have invested a combined $1.3 million…

Women are moving up in the business world—or at least more so than they used to. According to Forbes, Amazon’s board is now made up of 30 percent women after the company’s recent acquisition of former MTV CEO Judy McGrath. The hire makes her the third woman out of the ten directors to sit next to Amazon’s CEO and Chairman Jeff Bezos. The company announced she will begin on Oct. 1. McGrath joins Amazon with 30 years of experience at MTV, becoming CEO in 2004. In addition to MTV, McGrath also oversaw Nickelodeon and Comedy Central as a part of…

Airbus is proud to announce its newest installment, the A350WXB. Powered by two humungous, Rolls-Royce-produced Trent XWB engines and boasting a sleek, new interior, Airbus is looking to mix up the airplane game. Those who have had the opportunity to travel on the A350WXB claim the engines are virtually silent from inside the cabin. This, it is said, is the Airbus’s most exciting new feature. The flight from Hong Kong to Singapore was only available to a select, lucky few, and all were employees of Airbus. The flight was considered a “proving route” or what most people would associate with…

Remember when Facebook offered to buy Snapchat for $3 billion dollars? Remember when the world thought Snapchat’s founders were crazy for turning that offer down? Well, it looks like Snapchat is set to acquire more than three times that offer. According to Bloomberg, people with inside knowledge claim that the company is in talks to raise funds from Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. The valuation on Snapchat is rumored to be somewhere around $10 billion. If all goes to plan, it will make 24-year-old Evan Spiegel, Snapchat CEO, look like a very smart man indeed. Snapchat wouldn’t be the only party…

The U.S. dollar is not all that it once was. Though it is still the most frequently traded currency around the globe, a recent study by HSBC has hinted that the Chinese Renminbi may take its place in the not-too-distant future. According to Forbes, the survey suggests that more U.S. businesses are accepting the RMB in trades and sales. HSBC took polls in 11 different countries and 102 businesses in the U.S. alone. HSBC Executive Vice President and Head of Large Corporate Commercial Banking Martin Brown explained, “There’s a continued expectation in the U.S. and countries such as the U.K.…

No cell service? No problem. At least that’s the tune those associated with goTenna are singing. The new startup is looking to turn smartphones into walkie-talkies—well, sort of. By connecting the company’s hardware to a user’s smartphone via bluetooth, a smartphone becomes capable of harnessing good, old-fashioned radio waves. The device works with both Apple and Android devices, and it sends text messages directly from one phone to another. The process of using the device seems lengthy, but it is actually relatively easy to use. Once the custom app is downloaded, all users have to do is connect their smartphone…

As time ticks on, there are many young smartphone users who draw a blank whenever Blackberry is mentioned. Apple and Android phones have dominated the cellular market, and the once-ubiquitous Blackberry is seemingly slipping into oblivion. When shopping for a new smartphone, the outdated devices are barely given a second thought. This is all news to Blackberry COO Marty Beard. Beard sees a bright future for Blackberry. He sees Blackberry’s less-than-ideal position in the smartphone world as something of an advantage. Beard reasoned that at where Blackberry stands, the only direction the company can go is up. As reported by…

From scheduling money transfers to managing household appliances, smartphones are becoming more and more integrated into every nook and cranny of daily life. And now all devices are set to take the place of yet another dwindling piece of technology, hotel keys. As soon as next year, Hilton Hotels & Resorts plans on giving guests the opportunity to unlock their hotel doors via smartphone rather than traditional plastic key cards. Read also: Hilton Modernizes Smartphone to Be Used as Hotel Key and More Hilton has announced that the new technology will be able to work with both Apple and…

Heard of Netflix? If not, you must be living under a rock. Well, now Electronic Arts is looking to jump on the subscription-based streaming train by launching their very own video game streaming service. For $30 a year, gamers can access a limited amount of popular EA-produced video games that include FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, and Battlefield 4. What’s the catch? The service is only available on Xbox One. Devoted gamers know that a new release comes with a starting price tag of $60. And while those with serious gaming tendencies might not mind shelling out that kind of…

For all intents and purposes, Beats is on top of the world. The billion-dollar headphone company was recently acquired by Apple, with Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine joining the tech giant in the process. Everything seemed to be going Apple’s way until Bose filed a legal complaint against Beats’ noise-canceling headphones. Bose claims that with the noise cancellation technology, Apple is violating their patent. They claim that Apple is infringing on over 50 years of research and development that have 36 patents and applications protecting them. In the complaint, as reported by Forbes, Bose stated, “To protect its investments, Bose has…

Wearable technology has been deemed the next frontier in technological advancement. Apple, Samsung and a slew of other competitors are all anxious to prove that they have the best gear on the market. Well, now there is an Indian company that is looking to shake the competition up. Ducere Technologies Pvt. has just come out with the very first smart shoe. Titled “Lechal,” the shoe uses bluetooth technology to connect with other smart devices, and the startup plans to release the shoe in September for $100. The shoe works by syncing with its custom app as well as Google’s map…

Sales aren’t everything, and to some investors, margins might matter more. Amazon has improved sales by over a quarter in the last twelve months, but that didn’t stop the stock from dropping 9.5 percent in after-hours trading. In the past year alone, Amazon has launched its own smartphone, set-top TV device and a new e-book service offering unlimited downloads for a monthly fee. It seems that all this new research and development has made investors a little nervous. Stockholders have a good reason to be nervous. Besides Amazon’s Kindle line of tablets, the company has little history to justify such…

Heard of Tinder? Well, now it’s time to meet Yeti, the Tinder of finding new places and meeting people with similar interests. Developed by the makers of At The Pool, this new app copies Tinder’s app layout, but it replaces selfies with locations and interests. Users even interact with the app in a similar fashion, swiping left on the photo to pass or swiping right on the app to join in on the discussion. Alex Capecelatro, a co-founder of the app, told TechCrunch the app has become incredibly popular with travelers. It’s true, there are a slew of travel advice…

Save the bears! Or in this case, save one specific bear. His name is Arturo, and he is a 28-year-old polar bear that hundreds of thousands of Internet users believe is severely depressed. Because Arturo is living in an Argentine zoo, many believe the excessive heat and poor living conditions are an inhumane way for the “world’s saddest bear” to live out his remaining years. While polar bears typically live 15 years in the wild, captive bears can live as many as 30. A petition on the Change.org website read, “We plead that you intervene on this issue and ask…

The National Science Foundation has recently committed $10 million to building robots that will influence children to make the right kind of decisions. The government has already spent $2.15 million on the project, which is slated to be ongoing for the next five years. Yale University has been placed in charge of carrying out the project. The child companion robots are expected to assist little ones in the learning of English. They will also be programmed to encourage their children to eat healthy and get plenty of exercise. According to a news release by Yale University, as reported by The…

Unsurprisingly, not all the Obamacare bugs have yet to be fixed. Most recently, undercover investigators were able to use false identification to procure taxpayer-subsidized health insurance under President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. The chink in the armor this time seems to be the call centers, where exhausted customers turn to after failing to register using the website. The investigation was carried out by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), who reported to a House committee that 11 out of the 18 attempts made were successful. The verification process also needed some tweaking, the GAO reported. In two of the successful attempts,…

Just as authorities are trying to piece together the attack behind Malaysian Airline Flight 17, two Ukranian fighter jets have been shot down. The attack took place in separatist territory, not too far from where Flight 17 was hit out of the air. Since 298 civilians lost their lives, Ukrainian authorities have increased an offensive military pressure against the rebels. Reports from Kiev indicate confidence in their military’s recent strides against the rebels. They have successfully cut enemy-held territory in half. Still, the downing of two fighter jets proves that their work is cut out for them. The U.S. and…

In the midst of the already mounting pressure against Vladimir Putin to actively disarm pro-Russian militants fighting in Ukraine, the U.S. has now lobbied claims blaming Russia for the recent Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 travesty. The Obama Administration has officially and publicly pointed the finger at Putin for providing pro-Russian rebels with the long-range rocket used to take down the plane. They have gone as far as to say that the Russian government has even assisted in the training of said militants. U.S. officials have reported that the intelligence gathered after the crash indicated the missile batteries used were moved…

It seems that Governor Rick Perry was less than satisfied with his recent meeting with President Obama. A vocal critic of the Obama Administration’s management of the border crisis, Perry has announced he plans to move 1,000 troops to the Texas border. Read also: Obama Skipping Border Visit “Drug cartels, human traffickers and individual criminals are exploiting this tragedy for their own criminal opportunities,” Mr. Perry said, according to The New York Times. “I will not stand idly by while our citizens are under assault, and little children from Central America are detained in squalor,” he added. Currently…

There’s a new app hitting the market that should make a lot of parents happy—their kids, though, not so much. The app is called Mamabear, and it is set to revolutionize the parent snooping game. Both the child and parent download the app on their smartphone, and then the parent will be able to monitor all of their child’s social media activity. In addition, the app will be able to track location, receive geographically-fenced alerts and even alert the parents to when their new driver exceeds predetermined speed limits. Co-founder Robyn Spoto had initially began the app as a location-based…

As the battle between Hamas and Israel rages on, becoming the focal point of the world, a much quieter political war is being fought thousands of miles away. In Beijing and other political centers across China, work almost has ground to a halt. Recent times have caused personnel holding any kind of political sway to become paralyzed with fear. That is because Xi Jinping, Communist Party general secretary, has been on a mission to purge the government of all corruption at every level. Politicians and bureaucrats alike are beginning to refuse to approve or disapprove work projects that are set…

If there was doubt that Hamas militants have been using Gaza civilian buildings to run terrorist operations, there is no more now. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency confirmed that 20 rockets were found in a United Nations-run school on Wednesday, July 16. The rockets were found during a routine inspection of the school, and it was reported that at the time of the inspection, the building was vacant. In an official statement, the UNRWA said, as reported by The Times of Israel, “UNRWA strongly condemns the group or groups responsible for placing the weapons in one of its installations.…

It looks like some cells at Guantánamo Bay are about to become vacant. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has already notified Congress that six lower-level detainees at the U.S.’s hotly debated detention center will soon be transferred to Uruguay. The transfer is expected to take place as early as next month. According to The New York Times, all six detainees had been approved for transfer as many as four years ago. The transfer was originally expected to happen this past March, though blowback from the release of five Taliban detainees has delayed the move. Of the men set to be transferred, four…

In their quest to keep U.S. civilians in constant fear of attack, the FBI has warned Google that their new self-driving car could be used in terrorist attacks. Under a public records request, The Guardian has obtained an unclassified, yet still restricted, report stating that self-driving cars could have deadly consequences in the next few years. Though Google’s car is still only a prototype, it hasn’t stopped the FBI from speculating the damage it could cause. Read also: “Google Reveals Self-Driving Car” According to The Guardian, the report claims that “bad actors will be able to conduct tasks that…

The idea of smart homes, or home devices connecting all electronics wirelessly, has taken huge strides in the tech industry as of late. Apple and Google have already begun their quests to take over the home, but now it seems Samsung is interested in entering the game as well. The Korean-based tech giant has been playing around with the idea of purchasing SmartThings for a summly $200 million. SmartThings is a Washington D.C.-based startup that sells hardware that allows users to create a cloud in which hundreds of different smart gadgets can use to talk to one another. The device’s…

Yum!, the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, has reported disappointing figures for its second quarter earnings report. The company reported only $3.2 billion in sales, while they had expected to earn $3.26 billion. In addition, its shares missed their targeted 74 cents projected increase by a penny, as they reported their shares had gone up 73 cents in value. The stock is currently valued at around $82.71 a share. Yum!’s figures are better than last year, improving by six percent in overall global sales while the operating profit increased by 32 percent. Still, Wall Street seemed to…

Shannon Guess Richardson, an aspiring actress and model, has received the maximum sentence for sending ricin-laced letters to President Obama and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. A judge handed down the maximum sentence for the plea deal granted. Richardson sent the letters and then put the blame on her soon-to-be ex-husband. She will now be serving 18 years in a federal prison. After copping to the charges in December, Richardson pleaded, as reported by The Associated Press, “I never intended for anybody to be hurt. I’m not a bad person; I don’t have it in me to hurt anyone.”…

Syrian President Bashar al Assad has lived to lead another day. On Wednesday, July 16, Assad was sworn in for his third seven-year term as president of Syria. This happened despite the civil war that began as an objection to his rule. In fact, Assad held an elaborate swearing-in ceremony to mark the occasion and supposedly broadcasted it live on state-run TV. Read Also: Assad Faces Election in Syria Assad marked the occasion by announcing the country’s victory over terrorism and declared that those who back his opposition would pay dearly for it. As reported by The Associated…

If there was any question as to the United States support of Israel, there is no longer. A U.S. Congress that has been unable to agree on very little, has just approved a measure that will double the funds given to Israel’s Iron Dome defense. It is a move seen as absolutely necessary, as people around the world have protested against Israel in favor of the Palestinians. According to The Associated Press, the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee approved a bill that will provide Israel with $621.6 million for missile defense, with $351 million going specifically towards the Iron Dome. Deemed…

It seems that the violence in Israel could not be contained inside the Gaza Strip. It has apparently spread all the way to Paris, France. Recently pro-Palestinian supporters took to the streets to voice their displeasure with Israel who, according to AFP, have killed 168 palestinians over the last six days. On sunday, July 13, thousands gathered peacefully marching down the streets of Paris while carrying a sign that read: Total Support for the Struggle of the Palestinian People. The peace ended at the conclusion of the march when police officers were accosted with different projectiles. The police responded by…

As sad as it might seem, no one should be all that surprised of the violence in Argentina that ensued after their national team was unable to win the 2014 World Cup final. Riot police were forced to unleash rubber bullets and discharge tear gas in attempts to subdue protesters taking the country’s lose way too seriously. The violence began when thousands of Argentines gathered at the iconic Obelisk in downtown Buenos Aires. The gathering started peacefully enough, with fans expressing support for their team’s best performance in almost a quarter of a century. Police originally kept their presence to…

In a year that has seen acquisition after acquisition, Comcast has just acquired PowerCloud Systems. The deal is speculated to be fairly small, under $50 million, and Comcast will not be resurrecting Skydog, according to TechCrunch. It seems the cable company instead plans on gutting PowerCloud for parts and people. The endgame is to create their own version of a broadband monitoring system. Comcast plans to use what is salvageable from PowerCloud Systems and create its own hardware and software that will allow total monitoring and managing of all hardware in the home. The speculation of Comcast’s future with their new…

Taptalk is the newest app to bat against messaging giants such as WhatsApp and Snapchat for a piece of the social sharing pie. The concept is very similar to Snapchat, though fans of the app, including Ashton Kutcher, argue that it is much better. The premise is simple. The top half of the screen shows the camera’s picture, while the bottom half has a panel of square thumbnail images of your friends’ faces. To send a picture or video, all the user needs to do is tap or hold the picture of the person they want to send it to.…

Ray Nagin, the former mayor of New Orleans, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was found guilty of bribery and money laundering. Nagin has until Sept. 8 to report to federal prison and has been ordered to pay $82,000 in restitution. Prosecutors were insulted by the sentence, arguing that a sentence of 15-20 years would be more justified for the given charges. The crimes took place before and after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “What Ray Nagin did was sell his office over and over and over again… The damage that Ray Nagin inflicted upon this community… is…

In what is sure to have Republicans up in arms, President Obama will not visit the U.S.-Mexican border during his two-day trip to Texas. He will instead be meeting with Governor Rick Perry in Dallas to discuss the immigration crisis the country has been facing. Obama had recently asked Congress for a $3.7 billion emergency-spending package to be distributed to the overburdened border. He hopes within the following two days a more concrete plan will come together. Obama administration officials have told the Senate they believe the president has continued to act aggressively against illegal immigration. “Although we have made…

The smallpox virus is so infectious and deadly that it is considered a bioterrorism threat. Only two labs in the entire world are allowed to house the disease: one at the Centers for Disease Control’s headquarters in Atlanta, and the other at the VECTOR Institute in Russia. However, vials containing the potent virus were found in an unapproved and unequipped lab in Bethesda, Maryland. According to the CDC, the virus was found in a cold room at a National Institutes of Health research building. They were found in a room that remained at a constant temperature of five degrees Celsius…

The trucking industry is looking for a makeover, at least that’s if Daimler Trucks has anything to say about it. The trucking company recently unveiled a self-driving truck that they have titled Future Truck 2025. The prototype made its debut in Germany on the infamous Autobahn, hauling a full load and exceeding speeds of 50 mph. It did all this without a driver, thanks to Daimler’s Highway Pilot system. Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, the management member responsible for Daimler Trucks and Buses, said, as reported by The Detroit Bureau, “Autonomous driving will revolutionize road freight transport and create major benefits for…

Employees of a Samsung Electronics factory in Sao Paulo, Brazil were recently held hostage during a Hollywood-style robbery. This past Sunday, July 6, approximately twenty armed men entered the facility and used as many as ten trucks to get away with over 40,000 Samsung products. The value of said products is estimated at around $6.3 million. Samsung Eletronica da Amazonia Ltda., Samsung’s Brazilian based operation, declared in a statement, as reported by Yahoo! Tech, “We have cooperated fully with the police investigation that is underway and will do our best to avoid any sort of repeat incident.” A spokesman for the…

It could have been one of the closest matches of the World Cup. It should have been one of the closest matches of the World Cup. But destiny has a funny way of playing things out. To the horror of an entire country, Brazil’s national team crumbled against their mighty German opponents. In under just thirty minutes the German team scored an astounding five times, while adding an additional two late in the second half. Contrarily Brazil was only able to find the back of the net once at the ninetieth minute. Thomas Muller and Miroslav Klose both scored in…

It has been two long years since the Obama administration mandated that school lunch programs provide healthier menus. Those schools that subsidized their lunch programs with government funding were forced to add more fruits and vegetables to their menus while discontinuing to offer foods with high sugar and sodium content. On paper, the program seems like a no brainer. Not many would object to feeding kids more healthy foods and limiting their access to sugary treats. However, the School Nutrition Association, one of the program’s biggest supporters, is now lobbying Congress against the new nutrition plan. In what is seen as a complete…

Though the investigation is still ongoing, German politicians already have begun to announce their outrage in the most recent U.S. spying allegations. Last Wednesday, July 2, a German man was arrested after it was believed that he had been cooperating with foreign-intelligence agencies. An employee of the German foreign-intelligence agency, or BND, came to the attention of the federal German authorities after trying to sell classified documents to the Russians. Once interrogated though, the unnamed worker has reportedly admitted to selling German classified documents to U.S. intelligence. “If this is true, then I believe we are dealing with a very serious…

Besides the postseason, the All-Star break is every baseball fan’s favorite time of year. The league’s best gather once every year to face off and decide which league is best: National or American. For over the last decade the American league has won every year except for a brief National winning streak from 2010 to 2012. This year’s game is coming up on July 15, 2014 and is being hosted by the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. It is a truly one-of-a-kind game that transports the biggest names in the game back to a time where baseball was played just…

After Apple’s recent hire of Patrick Pruniaux, it seems all but certain that the tech giant is getting ready to release their own version of the smart watch. Pruniaux, sales director for watch manufacturer TAG Heuer, has reportedly joined the apple team to help promote the upcoming release of the iWatch. According to CNBC, Jean-Claude Biver, head of watchmaking LVMH, reported last week that Pruniaux left “to take a contract with Apple.” Apple has yet to make a comment. “If it had been a direct competitor, I would have felt a bit betrayed, but if he goes to Apple, I…

After another night of continuous rocket fire from Gaza, the Israeli Defense Force has begun reinforcing the Gaza border with tanks and heavy artillery. Israel has accused Hamas as the driving force behind both the kidnappings as well as the recent rocket fire. It has resulted in the arrest of hundreds of Hamas operatives in the West Bank. Palestinians in the meantime have been accusing Israel in the death of one of their own teenagers as a means of revenge. Rocket fire from Gaza has greatly increased in the past few weeks since the disappearance of the Israeli teenagers. Israel…

History was made on Tuesday, July 1, when the U.S. Navy promoted Michelle Howard to a four-star admiral. This is the first time in the history of the U.S. military that a woman has been promoted to the position in the Navy. With the promotion, she has become the vice chief of naval operations, the number-two job in the service. The U.S. Army and Air Force have already promoted women within their ranks to four-star admiral. Howard became well-known for her leadership position over an anti-piracy task force in the Gulf of Aden. During her time as commander, Howard oversaw…

thanks to a persistent drought, water prices in California have reached an all time high. Private well owners have been taking advantage of the dry spell by selling off their excess water. Apparently the profits are in the millions. Only two water districts and about forty private well owners have found themselves in the fortunate circumstance of having excess water. According to the Associated Press economists reported that water has not been this lucrative in decades. In the past five years, water prices have risen to approximately $2,200 an acre-foot. This equates to the approximate volume of a football field…

Lindsay Lohan has seen her fair share of the inside of court rooms. The dwindling star, best known for “Mean Girls,” has had trouble with sobriety and the law for much of her adult life. But this time it is Lohan who is doing the finger pointing. Lohan has recently filed lawsuits against the “Grand Theft Auto” makers, Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive Software, claiming the gaming companies stole her likeness. Lindsay claims that the popular video game features a minor character, Lacey Jonas, who bares an extreme resemblance to her own image. The lawsuit also claims the game features the Chateau…

How annoying is it to see that you have fifteen new emails to read but you know that more than half of them are spam? Well, apparently America’s neighbor to the north has had enough of all the junk and recently decided to do something about it. On Tuesday, July 1, the Canadian government put into effect a law that will dramatically affect the way unsolicited mail is sent. Under the new law, any business that wishes to send mass-email promotions to anyone inside of Canada must obtain the consent of the receiver. For big companies, this should be relatively…

As thousands of people illegally cross the U.S.-Mexican border everyday, some U.S. citizens have become fed up. On Tuesday, July 1, Homeland Security officials were forced to reroute buses carrying migrant children and families to a processing center in San Diego. The mayor of Murrieta, Alan Long, had urged his city to complain to elected officials as illegal immigrants have begun to be relocated in California due to overcrowding along the border. Instead they chose to take action. Protester Nancy Greyson told the Desert Sun newspaper, as reported by the Associated Press, “We can’t start taking care of others if…

A recent study by Michael J. Cooper of the University of Utah, Huseyin Gulen of Purdue University and P. Raghavendra Rau of the University of Cambridge have determined that higher-paid CEOs do a worse job than their lower-paid counterparts. According to the study cited by USA Today, CEO pay has increased 725 percent since 1978, while regular worker pay has gone up only 10 percent. As it turns out, it is not just the common worker who thinks CEOs get paid too much, the data agrees too. A high-paid CEO is looked at like any big name superstar athlete. Corporations…

India has recently elected a new prime minister, and to the U.S. and other Western powers, that means billion dollar business. Newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made his intentions of upgrading India’s Soviet-era military well known. Senior politicians from the U.S., France and Great Britain will arrive in India in the following weeks to try to woo the new PM to contract their country for the job. The most convincing representatives will bring billions upon billions back to their countries. Harsh Pant, professor of international relations at King’s College explained, as reported by Reuters, “All the countries are trying…

Though Dennis Rodman has seemingly become best friends with North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-un, he is unsurprisingly the only American to do so. No one has ever suggested North Korea as an ideal vacation destination, and recently two American tourists found out the hard way. On Monday, the North Korean government announced that they will try two U.S. tourists for crimes against the state. The announcement all but ends hopes that Jeffrey Fowle and Matthew Miller will be released by the isolated nation. Fowle had been arrested shortly after entering the country at the beginning of April. His family lawyer…

The Supreme Court of the United States has been in the news a lot lately. Recently they ruled warrantless cell phone searches at the time of arrest were unconstitutional. Now they have come to a decision that corporations are able to opt out of providing birth control for women as long as it is done so under religious objection. It is a decision that is sure to anger many, as the issue has been hotly contested for quite some time. In a 5-4 decision, the justices decided that for-profit business are allowed to hold religious views under federal law. Under…

Police in Libya confirmed on Thursday that political activist Salwa Bugaighis had been murdered after casting her vote in the country’s parliamentary elections. Bugaighis, an active pro-democracy and anti-extremist activist, was widely known in her hometown of Benghazi as a prominent figure in the 2011 overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi. No groups have stepped forward to claim responsibility for the assassination, but this is not the first time a progressive activist or politician was murdered in the region. The Associated Press reported that Bugaighis received a shot to the head as well as multiple stab wounds shortly after she returned home. She…

History has been made. Ian Burkhart, 23, who became a quadriplegic in a swimming accident, has successfully moved his hand using the power of his thoughts. Doctors at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center installed a first of its kind microchip into Ian’s brain. The microchip is able to read Ian’s thoughts and then transfer the signal to the designated body part. In the past few years doctors have managed to successfully have stroke patients manoeuvre robotic arms via their thoughts. However Burkhart is the very first example of someone able to move their own body. After going under…

If this isn’t just a story fit for Hollywood. The New York Times has reported that notorious Mexican drug kingpin Chapo Guzman’s top drug trafficker turned out to be a 90-year-old WWII veteran. His name is Leo Sharp, and authorities believe that the elderly daylilies grower got his start in the drug game some time in the early 2000’s. Sharp is known in the gardening world as one of the premiere daylilies growers, with no one suspecting that the seemingly sweet old man was responsible for distributing cocaine all across the country. Authorities believe that in just 2010 alone, Sharp…

The Swedish based furniture chain,  Ikea has planned to announce that it will be raising its minimum wage by 17 percent. Currently set at $9.17, Ikea will be raising their minimum wage to $10.76 starting January 1. The pay raise is expected to affect approximately half of the 11,000 employees working in the 38 stores across the U.S. Already almost two dollars above the minimum wage, Ikea seems to be one of the few companies interested in taking care of their employees. IKEA President Rob Olson said, as reported by USA Today, “It’s driven from our vision of wanting to…

Recently it feels like everyone and their brother has come out with a new smart watch. Big names like Google and Samsung have been leading the charge, along with a slew of other startup companies, but consumers are not responding as strongly as manufacturers have hoped. Most smart watches currently available offer the same features that smart phones do, providing little incentive for customers to invest in the wearable devices. Apple is looking to change that though. The company plans on releasing several versions of their watch, dubbed the iWatch, that will include more than 10 different sensors used to…

On Wednesday the Supreme Court made an important ruling in the defense of digital privacy. In a unanimous decision the justices declared that police enforcement can not generally search a cell phone automatically following an arrest. A warrant, they ruled, must be obtained before the device can be searched. This is a big win for anyone who approves of respecting personal privacy. Chief Justice John Roberts said, as reported by the Associated Press, that “Cellphones are powerful devices unlike anything else police may find on someone they arrest.” Some people pour their entire lives into their cellphones. It is unreasonable…

It has been reported by CNN that Syrian warplanes have dropped bombs on Iraqi towns lying along the shared border. Syria was recently blamed for the death of an Israeli Arab teenager not even a week ago. Now it seems Syrian bombers have killed at least 57 Iraqi civilians and injured an additional 120 according to local officials. These border cities have been known as Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, strongholds. The recent bombings are just further proof of the fading border between the two countries. Sabah Karkhout, head of Iraq’s Anbar provincial council told CNN that…

Whether you find it surprising or not, Lebron James has decided to opt out of his final two seasons with the Miami Heat. As of July 1, the world’s greatest basketball player, as fans call him, will become a free agent. This, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that he will automatically be leaving the team that he led to two championships in the last three year. All it means is he will be able to sign with another team if he chooses too. According to ESPN James’s agent, Rich Paul, informed the Heat that his client was electing to exercise his…

It is an understatement to say that people are less than thrilled with Veterans Affairs (VA). Long wait times and a limited quantity of doctors have some returning soldiers waiting six months or longer to receive treatment. A recent report from the desk of Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma reveals that the situation is a lot worse than previously thought. In a Washington Times article, Coburn said, “The problems at the VA are worse than anyone imagined. Over the past decade, more than 1,000 veterans may have died as a result of VA’s misconduct, and the VA has paid out nearly $1 billion…

New jobs are coming, and not exactly from where you’d expect. The China-based Golden Dragon Precise Copper Tube Group opened a brand new factory in Wilcox County, Alabama. The new factory will employ more than 300 workers in an area that use to employ thousands in textile mills and furniture plants. But apparently, this Chinese-owned factory in Alabama is not the only one of its kind. China has been known for decades as a world destination for cheap labor. U.S. companies more often than not employ Chinese factories in order to maximize profit margins. What many might not know however…

As it should be well known at this point, Google acquired Nest Labs quite some time ago. Nest Labs manufactures smart thermostats, smoke detectors, as well as a slew of other products aimed at making your life easier. It also collects and stores all of that information, Google’s true reasoning behind acquiring the company. Now it seems that Google’s subsidiary is anxious to close a deal with the techy upstart Dropcam. Indeed, Nest Labs has already begun the process of inking a $555 million cash deal with the new webcam operator. Forbes has described Dropcam as a “provider of easy-to-use…

Are you a monthly Netflix subscriber? Then Reed Hastings, Netflix CEO, owes you a big thank you. Hastings, co-founder of the popular streaming service, has just become the newest member of the billionaire club. Hastings owes this success to the 48 million subscribers spanning 40 countries for his success. Reed officially broke the billionaire ceiling earlier this year, when Netflix shares breached the $400 barrier. According to Forbes, the majority of Hasting’s wealth is tied up in Netflix stock and options currently valued at $900 million. Forbes columnist, Brian Solomon, explained, “His total estimated net worth surpasses $1 billion when…

Identity theft, and especially credit card fraud, have been a not so new plague across this country. Target, Neiman Marcus and P.F. Chang’s have all experienced massive data breaches recently, which resulted in millions upon millions of credit card numbers being stolen. Since then national retailers have been scrutinizing the security measures they have in place, while credit card companies have been reevaluating their own operating procedures. The major credit card providers have began to embed microchips into their new cards as an added security measure. Before the microchip, credit cards typically worked by scanning the card through a cash…

Israeli military officials have confirmed that they were behind nine bombings inside of Syria. The Associated Press reported that “direct hits were confirmed.” The bombings came in response to a recent attack on the Israeli-Syrian border that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old Israeli boy. The death occurred in Tel Hazeka, near the Quneitra crossing. Israeli military spokesman, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, told the Associated Press that the Syrian attack was “clearly intentional.” It is unclear whether government or rebel forces were behind the Syrian attack. Regardless, Israel argues that the attack was unprovoked. In Israeli fashion, the counter…

For those who are savvy, it is well know that professional car racing can lead to big dividends. And that’s exactly what American business man Gene Haas is hoping for. Forbes has reported that Haas has announced plans to launch his own Formula 1 racing team in the hopes of boosting the sales of his machine tooling company. He is so optimistic in fact, that he expects the move to bolster revenue by $2 billion in the next five years. It is the only reasoning behind the go ahead decision given by Haas to pursue the creation of a team.…

Sharp, the Japanese electronics maker, has recently unveiled a new type of display that they claim can be morphed into any shape. Forbes reported that the new type of display does not have to adhere to the classical rectangular shape, “Because of the way the drive circuit is dispersed throughout the display area, instead of around the bezel.” The display is subsequently being called “Free-Form.” In a public statement Sharp explained that, “With the Free-Form Display, the gate driver’s function is dispersed throughout the pixels on the display area. This allows the bezel to be shrunk considerably, and it gives…

Harley Davidson, known worldwide for their classic American choppers, has introduced plans for LiveWire, their first purely electricity driven motorcycle. Known to cater to those with a deep-seated love for traditional motorbikes, it seems that Harley Davidson can no longer ignore the fact that the internal combustion engine is slowly on its way out. And while there are many who would consider an electric bike to be an insult to the Harley brand, the company insists that nothing will be lost in the transition. Jeff Richlen, Chief Engineer of Harley-Davidson, told Yahoo Auto, “We see this as a bike for more…

Sadly, and not too surprising, the situation in Iraq has gotten so bad that the U.S. has felt forced to send troops back into the embattled country. President Obama informed Congress on Monday, June 16th, that 275 soldiers were transferred to Iraq in order to protect U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Obama made sure to note that the troops will be equipped for combat and will remain in Iraq until the situation proves that they are no longer needed. USA Today reported that White House press secretary Jay Carney, stated that the U.S.’s returning presence is being…

There has always been a sect of the general population who are incredibly health conscious. They count calories, keep a balanced diet and know exactly what kind of food they are ingesting. Well now there is a new tech friendly cup that knows exactly what beverage you’re drinking. The device is called Vessyl, and its creators hope to revolutionize healthy drinking. Made out of glass and a polymer coating, the smart cup identifies and measures what is poured inside of it, and tracks what you drink throughout the day. It connects via bluetooth and automatically sends the beverage’s information to…

You’ve probably heard the term insider trading, but what you probably don’t know is its apparently a lot more rampant than previously assumed. Insider trading is when someone either buys or sells stock according to tips they received that were not available to the public at large. According to a study reported by the New York Times as much as 25% of all trades involving public companies may be affected by insider trading. The study was conducted by two professors at the Stern School of Business at New York University (Menachem Brenner and Marti G. Subrahmanyam) and one professor from…

Adobe Systems recently released their quarterly earnings announcement, and the numbers were very surprising. Adobe, known as the software provider of programs such as Photoshop and After Affects, announced that the company’s market capitalization is at an all time high of $33.6 billion. Within the last year they have made $4 billion in sales. Unfortunately though, their net income was only $272 million. This reflects a 8% and 65% decrease respectively from the year before. Forbes Columnist, Peter Cohan, offered his explanation of why the company’s value increased while the overall profits went down. He believes, “That Adobe is in…

There has been a not so quiet battle between those who think the Washington Redskins should change their name and those who don’t. Many believe that the name is offensive, while those defending the name argue that there is a long history associated with it. Well, now it looks like the war is over. This Wednesday, June 18th, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office canceled six federal trademark registrations held by the Redskins. They cited that the name is, “disparaging to Native Americans, and cannot be trademarked under federal law that prohibits trademark protection on offensive or disparaging language.” Sports…

It seems that Japan and China are just destined to never get along. Japanese air force aircraft were recently spotted flying too close for comfort to Chinese air force planes. It is just the most recent incident of instigating tention by Japan according to the Chinese military.  The New York Times quoted Senior Col. Geng Yansheng who argued “For some time, Japan has engaged in close-up tailing, monitoring and interfering with Chinese vessels and aircraft, risking the safety of the vessels and aircraft.” Contrarily, the Japanese Defense Ministry has pointed the finger at China’s air force. They reasoned that Chinese…

Russia has cut off the gas. After previously warning Ukraine that Russian gas does not come free, the turmoiled country has been officially cut off. In the midst of continued fighting in eastern Ukraine, neither side was able to come to a compromise on gas prices or the outstanding balance that Russia is owed. According to the Associated Press, Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said “Gazprom supplies to Ukraine only the amount that has been paid for, and the amount that has been paid for is zero.” In addition he urged that the flow of gas to Europe should not be…

Recently the travel discount provider Priceline agreed to purchase OpenTable for $2.6 billion. OpenTable, for those who are unaware, is a service that allows users to make reservations conveniently on their smart phone. And while the company is unarguably a success, Forbes has recently called into question the multi-billion cash offer that Priceline made. Priceline is paying $103 a share, approximately 47% higher than the $70 OpenTable closed at on Friday. Forbes analysis of OpenTable however, has the company’s value lower at around $1.65 billion. The premium that Priceline has offered most likely has to do with other competitive bids…

In the quest for greater corporate consolidation, Level 3 looks like it is going to be acquiring TW Telecom for $5.7 billion. Level 3 is a nationwide telecommunications company that specializes in fiber-optic cables. The multi-billion dollar deal breaks down to approximately $40.90 a share, or a 12% increase in stock value from where it closed on Friday. The deal specifies that TW Telecom will receive $10 in cash per share. Level 3 will also be inheriting approximately $1.6 billion in debt. Level 3 is considered to be one of the major “backbones” of the back-end Internet industry. Their cables…

Good news for parents who use summer day camp as day care for your kids, the federal government now recognizes summer day camp as such. If you are a parent who uses camp to babysit your kids because you have to work, Uncle Sam is offering summer camp  subsidization for as much as 40% off. If you’re interested in cashing in on the discount, there are two ways in which to do it. The first is the dependent care tax credit and the other is the workplace dependent care flexible spending account. And depending on your financial circumstances, you might…

Scientist have made a breakthrough in diabetes. Unfortunately the breakthrough isn’t a cure, but it looks like managing the disease is going to get a lot easier. It’s being referred to as a “bionic pancreas” and its a wearable, experimental device that keeps an eye on your sugar levels for you. Created by Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston University, the device has already been through real world tests. By constantly monitoring your sugar levels, the device automatically dispenses insulin or sugar boosters on the patients behalf. For now the device is only for Type 1 diabetes. Those with Type 1…

As if you needed another reason to love Starbucks, the Seattle based coffee giant has added one more anyways. Millions of people turn to Starbucks when they are in need of a pick-me-up, but now the popular chain is extending the courtesy to your cell phone as well. Starbucks recently announce it has teamed up with Duracell with the initiative to introduce wireless charging in its coffee shops. Over the next three years Starbucks plans to install 100,000 charging pads in table and counter tops in about 7,500 of its company-owned stores. Starting in the San Francisco Bay Area, customers…

In a recent announcement in the name of progress Elon Musk, founder of Tesla, explained that the company will not pursue lawsuits against those who use Tesla technology “in good faith.” On the Tesla Motors Blog, Musk proclaimed the removal of its current patents has been done “in the spirit of the open source movement, for the advancement of electric vehicle technology.” Patents, he argued, restrict progress and allow giant, faceless, corporations to glean outrageous profits while giving nothing back in return. With this move, Musk has invited others to create electric car competitors using the same technology that Tesla…

There are many words used to describe Michael Jordan. Athlete. Champion. Franchise Owner. And now there’s another word to add to the list. Billionaire. That’s right Michael Jordan is now a billionaire. Jordan is known as the six time NBA league champion who up until recently had an 80% stake in the Charlotte Hornets. Over the last few months though Jordan has quietly been buying out his co-owners, and has increased his stake in the Charlotte based franchise to 89.5%. Jordan originally invested in the team in 2006, but became the controlling owner in 2010 after buying out Robert Johnson…

In the world of TVs, a rule of general thumb dictates the bigger it is the better it is. Well now those who have a thirst for the biggest and the best have a trip to the store to make. That is if you can afford it. British company Titan has just unveiled a $1.7 million dollar TV that measures 26 feet by 16 feet. The TV is appropriately titled Zeus. If you can’t be at the World Cup, this TV is no doubt the next best thing. If you haven’t worked the dimensions out yet, it measures out to…

How many times can you remember seeing Tony Stark flick images across a virtual screen with just the slightest motion of a wave? Well apparently that kind of technology will no longer be just a piece of science fiction. Stephen Lake, Aaron Grant and Matthew Bailey have come up with a revolutionary new way of using motion sensitivity to control technology. Their company is called Thalmic Labs are their prized possession has been titled Myo. What makes Myo stand out from the other motion sensitive gadgets out there? Like Xbox’s Kinect,  it does not require the use of a camera.…

The set-top TV streaming market has become over run. From Apple TV to Chrome Cast to Ruku there seems to be a system that is perfect for everyone. And just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be any more options, Sony has just thrown their hat into the ring. The Japanese tech company announced at E3 that PlayStation TV will be coming to the U.S. and Canada this fall. PlayStation TV is set to be released at $99, the same price that Apple sells its own unit at. But unlike Apple TV, the gaming giants new system will focus on…

We all know billionaires have a lot of money. Bill Gates is listed as the world’s wealthiest man with $78.4 billion. Warren Buffett has $65.5 billion. And when the Walton family combines their net worth, it equates to an estimated $111.5 billion. And while these numbers are very impressive, few can truly imagine what having that much money really means. The following is a great way to visualize a billionaire’s fortune. The Walton family has so much money that if they wanted to they could by every single residence within the city limits of Seattle. You read that right, they…

Whether you agree with it or not, we all know that professional athletes make boatloads of money. If you’re lucky enough to be considered an elite performer than your contract can range upwards of $100 million. Basketball, football, baseball, hockey, take your pick because all of these sports can turn a poor man into a rich one. It appears though that no mainstream sport is capable of delivery a humungous payday quite like boxing. Floyd Mayweather has been making at least $25 million a bout for the last nine fights dating back to 2007. Since the superstar boxer’s debut in…

In what has come as a shock to many, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor was defeated by David Brat in the primaries for the congressional election in Virginia’s 7th district. Brat, backed by the Tea Party, had been critical of Cantor for not being conservative enough. The economics professor accused Cantor of supporting amnesty for illegal immigrants, and for being soft on immigration in general. What’s even more surprising is that Bart was able to win with just a mere $200,000 in financing for his campaign. Keep that in mind when his opponent spent $5.4 million on his own. Republicans…

It had been 36 years since there had been a triple crown winner, and it looks like we’re going to have to keep on waiting. California Chrome, winner of both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, failed to win the Belmont this past saturday. A crowd of about 100,000 people gathered at Belmont park. They had all hoped that they would be witnesses history that hadn’t been made in more than a quarter of a century. They were all sadly disappointed. In pure distance figures, Chrome lost by less than two lengths from the winner. But what those who tuned…

In the world of Playstation gaming headsets, the competition is limited to say the least. Primarily Madcatz, Astro, and Turtle Beach have been the three headset companies that Playstation users turn to most frequently. That’s why Turtle Beach is looking to up the ante at the 2014 E3 convention with two brand new headsets. Though E3 isn’t available to the press until tomorrow afternoon, Forbes was able to get an exclusive look at the new pieces early. Juergen Stark, CEO of Turtle Beach, told Forbes “Turtle Beach is taking audio for the PlayStation 4 to a new level, with features…

The lottery is one of those things where we know its never going to happen, but for whatever reason most  just can’t keep away, hoping the day would come where they win the jackpot . After the sixth drawing without a winner the Mega Millions jackpot will be at $55 million for tuesday’s drawing. Though buying a ticket is almost the same as throwing a couple of dollars into the trash, buying into the dream even for a little bit makes it worth it for a lot of people. If you are lucky enough to win though, you’ll walk away with…

When most teenagers are 16 they’re worried about getting their license or if they’ll be asked to prom. Then again, Madison Robinson is not most 16-year-olds. Madison created Fish Flops, a creative brand of flip flops that incorporates cute sea creatures and flashing lights, when she was only 13-years-old. When she unveiled the product for the first time at a trade show in 2011, Robison had 30 stores placing orders for their own business. Online sales boomed and boutique stores everywhere wanted the flip flops on their shelves. Then, Madison did something amazing, she got her flip flops into Nordstrom’s.…

What do Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, and Dominos have in common? Besides the obvious answer that they all sell pizza, these three pizza giants dominate the competition with the ability to take and process orders online. According to a story by the Wall Street Journal, online orders make up a whopping 40% of their overall sales. Why would you order anywhere else when getting a pizza is as easy as making a few selections on your smartphone or computer. People choose to purchase from these companies not for their superior product, but on a purely convenience basis. According to a…

There was a time, not so long ago, when Google Glass was the talk of the town. Companies and individuals alike became ecstatic over the ability to fit a tiny computer screen over their eye. But once the dust cleared and the hyped settled down, many people have began to question the little camera that you can’t quite tell if it was on or off. Well, a German artist has become tired of wondering and has apparently come up with a crafty method of answering that question. His name is Julian Oliver and his solution to the problem was to…

Feel like you spend half of your waking hours wading through unbearable traffic? You’re not alone. We’ve all spent long afternoons trying to get home from the office, desperate for just a slight peace of mind before we have to get up the next day and do it all over again. And apparently it’s only expected to get worse. According to a study conducted by TomTom navigation road congestion is only expected to get worse as the years pass on. The company study millions of TomTom users and has put together a combined list of the U.S. and Canada’s most…

After five long years, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has finally been returned home. Bergdahl had been serving a tour in Afghanistan in 2009 when he went missing and was later reported to be captured by the Taliban. Like everything else that happens, his return has not been without controversy. As a stipulation in the sergeants release from captivity, the U.S. released five high ranking Taliban officials from Guantanamo Bay. And while setting free five dangerous men is enough to anger some, those who served next to Bergdahl claim that he was nothing more than a coward and a traitor. The soldiers…

Just as Brazil begins to host the biggest soccer tournament in the world, it seems that the World Cup can not escape the barrage of controversy and scandal. The New York Times has allegedly accused referees of match fixing qualifying and exhibition games leading up to soccer’s greatest tournament. Already one referee has been called out. In May 2010, Ibrahim Chaibou had been seen depositing approximately $100,000 only hours before he officiated a an exhibition match between South Africa and Guatemala. Throughout the match he made questionable calls, and it turned out that he had been hired by Singapore based…

Rihanna has been known to surround herself in her fair share of controversy. Instagram has recently acted out against the star when she continued to post risque photos of herself even after being warned against it. Well apparently the hip-hop star just can’t seem to keep her body to herself. An advertising campaign for her new “Rogue” perfume was temporarily shut down in the U.K. as it had been deemed too provocative. The advertisement depicts the star leaning against a wall with her feet propped up against a blown up version of her new perfume. It appears the only clothing…

Politics, as it is well known, is a dirty game. Sadly from time to time it also appears to be an illegal one. Annette Bosworth (Republican) and Clayton Walker (Independent) have both been formally charged with perjury as well as election fraud after the recent South Dakota election. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has publicly stated “The election complaints received by the secretary of State involve conduct that is serious, deliberate and must be addressed in order to preserve the integrity of our elections.” Bosworth has been accused of submitting nominating petitions claiming that she was the one who…

If you are an athlete who has been honored with the title: elite, then the day you become a free agent is better than Christmas. Those with superior skill in free agency expect to be wined and dined by suiting teams. It is not a matter of whether or not a team will sign them, but which team it will be. If you happen to be Carmelo Anthony the day you become a free agent is coming up in the near future. While Carmelo Anthony is a valuable asset in attracting talented free agents to join the ranks of the…

Some have attributed the term: “Thirst for Whiskey”, to the “Mad Men” effect, and yet, consumption of the spirit has been booming. While the types of whiskeys available range far and wide, Jack Daniels reigns supreme, well, as far as their fans are concerned. The Tennessee based liquor company is well aware of this recent demand and has been successful in cashing in. Brown-Forman, the owner of Jack Daniels, has noted a 6% rise in  global net sales these past 12 months. The company noted that sales were particularly strong in France, Germany, Russia, Turkey, and Brazil. Jack Daniels CFO,…

It has recently become known that Hillshire Brands is on the market looking for a new home. Pilgrim’s Pride had previously put in a bid for $6.4 billion, but they have seemed to have been usurped by Tyson Foods. They have put in a bid at $6.8 billion with a pledge to pay $50 cash per share. This represents an 11% premium on the offer Pilgrim’s Pride had submitted. Investors have been anticipating that Hillshire Brands would seduce a large offer. The company’s stock has risen an impressive 17% as investors are looking to cash in on a nice pay…

Doc Neeson, lead singer of The Angeles, passed away at the age of 67 after losing his fight to brain cancer. A comment on Neeson’s confirmed Facebook page announced “He has battled with a brain tumor for the last 17 months and sadly lost his fight this morning.” Though his battle with cancer had been on going, Neeson only announced last month that he was suffering from a brain tumor. As sad as the news is, it seems Neeson was in good spirits up until the day he passed. The singer, during an interview with ABC had said, “The news is…

If you know the company Walmart, then you should have no confusion in whom the Walton family is. Worth an approximately $140 billion between all family members, the Walton’s are America’s wealthiest family owning 50% of the world’s largest retailer. Sam Walton, the founder of the iconic brand, built a multi-billion dollar company but it seems that the Walton family is not very interested in giving back. Oh sure Sam and his wife Helen created the Walton Family Foundation. Established in 1988, it is currently valued at around $2 billion dollars in assets. Just in 2013 alone the Foundation invested…

Tesla Motors Inc. has recently expanded its factory location search from two sites to three. Tesla, known as the luxury electric car brand, has been scouting across the U.S. for a site they can build a battery plant on. Tesla hopes to be able to cut the cost of its vehicles if they are able to build the car’s lithium-ion batteries in America. It is being dubbed the “Gigafactory,” but an official announcement of the site Tesla will select is not expected to come before the end of the year. Chief Executive Elon Musk announced at a press conference “We’re…

The people of Seattle have spoken and their government has listened. The minimum wage in Seattle has just been raised to $15/hr, making it the highest in the country. Seattle Mayor Ed Murray had officially proposed the increase and is expected to sign the ordinance within the next day or so. Washington already has the highest minimum wage in the country at $9.32, so the approval is not as surprising as it would have been if passed in another part of the U.S. The minimum wage increase will be introduced gradually. Large business will be expected to switch to the…

Though the civil war in Syria largely has to do with his position in the leadership role, Bashar al-Assad has once again will win his country’s election for president. Those who still live in the government controlled sections of the country will be visiting the polls and will give greater resolve to Assad’s quest in demolitioning the country’s rebels. Not all in the country oppose Assad’s rule, some supporters go as far as leaving drops of their own blood under pictures of their president to show unwavering support. Something new is happening in this election though, something that hasn’t happened…

Until 1930, the Woolworth Building was once famous for being the world’s tallest building. Now it is looking to recapture some of that lost fame.  According to BusinessWeek, developers are seeking $110 million for the penthouse apartment that sits at the top of the 58-story building. Jonathan Miller, president of appraiser Miller Samuel Inc., has been reported as saying that it is the highest price ever asked for in  downtown Manhattan. Though the luxury housing markets has been up he noted, the price reflects the history of the building and the apartment. The top 34 floors of the building will…

Today Apple unveiled the new iOS 8 operating system that will be available for its iconic smartphone at its annual World Wide Developers Conference. At this point the software is available for developers at its beta stage, and will be free for all to download in the fall. The iOS 7 operating system was a drastic change compared to its previous systems. This time it seems Apple has focused on functionality as it has already remodeled its look. The new operating systems has made upgrades to the iOS notification system, the smartphone  operating more succinctly with Apple’s iCloud and other…

It’s not enough that you give them money every morning, breakfast staples Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks want you to come back for lunch too. Dunkin’ Donuts has just released a new grilled-chicken flatbread for $3.99 in response to a slew of new hot sandwiches that Starbucks has already began testing in a limited selection of their cafes. While both companies continue to have lines out the door in the morning, they can’t seem to sustain the same demand as the P.M. roles around. John Costello, global marketing and innovation president at Dunkin’ Brands, explained “Our mission is to get people…

Those with the privilege of knowledge of the inner workings of Washington politics have announced that President Obama is planning to propose stricter pollution emission restrictions on U.S. power plants. The proposed restrictions would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. It would be one of the strongest moves against global warming that the U.S. has made. Those in favor argue that a passed proposal would strengthen the economy in addition to relieving health issues such as asthma and heart attacks. Republicans of course promised to block the proposal immediately. Remarks released,…

Whether you’re rich or poor, black or white, gay or straight, water is unarguably the great unifier. Without it even the richest man would perish and as our climate continues to change access to clean water is becoming a real concern. The western United States has been experiencing extreme droughts in recent months. California is currently at one of its driest moments in history. They have already started limiting water use throughout the state. Luckily though technology looks like it might have some water saving answers. There are several software programs and apps that people have been imploring to save…

Southwest is known as the airline company offering one way tickets for the low low price of $59. Well, apparently the U.S. government has decided that those prices are too good to be true. They have fined Southwest $200,000 for false and deceptive advertising. The U.S. Department of Transportation contests that though Southwest claimed to offer flights starting at $59, there were infact no seat offered at that price. Southwest had been previously fined $100,000 for a previous offense similar to their current one. That fine though was suspended. The U.S. Department of Transportation explained that rules governing airfare advertising…

As long as you haven’t been living under a rock for the past few months, then you know that saying General Motors is in hot water is an understatement. GM has admitted to knowing that millions of their cars had faulty ignition switches which could cause the car to unexpectedly lock up, leaving their drivers completely helpless. The company declined to recall the defectives cars though, because it was deemed too expensive. Since then the company has promised to take responsibility for the defective cars, though it seems that one of America’s most prominent auto makers just can’t seem to…

It’s been a rough couple of years for the Egyptian people. Every time it seems as if a suitable government and leader have settled in, at least more faction or another has an outlandish problem with it. It seems though at last the country may have united. In Egypt’s most recent election Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, general of the Egyptian military, has taken 90% of the votes from those who cast a ballot. Some, of course, question the credibility of the election, as the turnout to the polling stations was far less than what was expected. Judicial sources have reported that…

You’re probably pretty familiar with the term BYOB. But how about BYOC. That stands for Build Your Own Cloud, and it is computer manufacturer Acer’s new heading for their budding cloud storage system. Seen as direct competition against Amazon and Google’s already existent cloud systems, Acer is trying to push past its limits as only a hardware manufacturer. Though few details on the system have been released, Acer is desperate to stay competitive as the global PC market shrinks, being replaced by tablets and software stored on the internet Stan Shih stated “The computer is still our foundation, but BYOC…

Man has always had a fascination with space. It is often dubbed “the last frontier.” But in the recent economic troubles of the world, space exploration has taken a back seat to more pressing matters. NASA scrapped its space shuttle program, but it seems the folks over at DragonX are keen on offering up its replacement. Dubbed the Dragon V2, SpaceX unveiled their latest design that they expect to deliver astronauts up to the international space station. After a dramatic curtain drop, employees, executives, and other VIPs gathered around the stage to check out the next step in space exploration…

According to the LA times, Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, has reportedly won the bidding for the Clippers at a staggering price of $2 billion. The plan to remove the Los Angeles Clippers from the possession of Donald Sterling seem to be moving forward. Shelly Sterling has reportedly agreed to sell the team to ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for a whopping $2 billion dollars. If approved by the NBA, the deal will prove to be groundbreaking. The Sterling Family trust has faced outlandish pressure from inside and outside of the NBA to sell the team after Donald Sterling’s racist remarks went…

Rolling Stone magazine is reporting that Apple is officially confirming that they will be purchasing Beats By Dre. Though $200 million shy of the original projected price, Dr. Dre is sure to be happy with his share of the $3 billion that has been reported. He will also be joining the Apple team along side Jimmy Iovine, though their roles have yet to be specified. Pending approval from the government, Apple has said that the deal will be closed no later than September 28th. The fellas over at Beats have got to be popping the champagne right about now. Iovine…

Facebook is one of the giant corporations right now that has been snatching up other tech and social media companies like it’s going out of style. Though their acquisition of WhatsApp is no longer breaking news, the social networking giant is waiting on European Union courts to review whether or not it has violated antitrust laws. Facebook has actually taken the initiative to ask the court to review the $19 billion deal as a means to save the time of having each individual country review the matter. The commission that Facebook has approached will most likely take a more neutral…

Apple has made it its mission to become the biggest and baddest electronics company out there. From phones, to computers, to their media streaming device, Apple is the dominant force in the industry. And now the tech giant is announcing plans that they want to become a part of your home as well. According to a Financial Times report, the company is planning to launch a new software platform that allows your iPhone or iPad to control the system in your house. This includes but is not limited to lights, security systems, cooling and heating, as well as any other…

Self-driving cars are no longer a concept seen possible somewhere off in the far future. There are cars already on the market that can parallel park themselves and others that can recognize and autocorrect drivers drifting out of their lanes. Google has now produced a prototype that can drive itself completely. You couldn’t even drive if you wanted to, because Google has conveniently forgotten to include a steering wheel. They have also left off the brakes. Google has plans to start putting these autonomous driving machines on the streets sooner than later. Sergey Brin, Google’s co-founder,  said “You’re going to…

It might be kind of crazy to believe but the U.S. has been in Afghanistan for 13 years. We went in right after September 11 in 2001 and we’ve never given up on our conquest to enforce democracy and defeat terrorism in the embattled region. Though we are told over and over again that our troops are finally coming home, there seems to be an actual end in sight. U.S. officials have declared that U.S. military presence will be removed from Afghanistan by 2016. The U.S. currently has 32,000 troops still in the country, but President Obama has promised to…

Despite all the reassurance from Thailand’s military that its recent presence on the streets is not an indication of a coup…they have just announced that its a coup. In the name of ending political turmoil, the military has recently detained prominent government officials and is for all intent and purposes direct controller over the country. Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, commander in chief of the Royal Thai Army, claims the move will allow the country to return to normalcy as quickly as possible. There are others though who believe that it will only increase the tension in Thailand. The military takeover removed…

Everywhere you look there are ads, ads, and more ads. They’re an unavoidable crushing force drilling you with the compulsive need to buy. Google has just announced plans to sell ad space on your thermostat. Well Twitter has recently inked a deal with Omnicom Group Inc for a $230 million dollar advertising deal. Omnicom’s automated ad buying unit Accuen will be working with Twitter’s mobile ad exchange MoPub for the next two years. This deal will lock in ad rates for Omnicom in addition to access to inventory. As an added benefit they will also be getting the first glimpse…

The reports keeping coming in from the east and the news doesn’t seem to be getting better. It has been reported recently that 40 people have been killed in Ukraine. The government employed fighter jets as a last means effort to repel pro-Russian rebels who attempted to seize the airport in Donetsk. The mayor pleaded with residents to stay home until an all clear was given that the fighting had officially ceased. According to journalists from the Associated Press the fighting lasted the duration of the day and spilled into the night. It is sadly being reported that two of…

We already deal with advertising coming out of our TV’s and radios, but it looks like Google wants to put it in our thermostats as well. According to a letter that Google sent to the Securities and Exchange Commission, they are planning to put ads “on refrigerators, car dashboards, thermostats, glasses, and watches, to name just a few possibilities.” It would certainly explain Google’s recent acquisition of thermostat maker Nest, which is purchased for $3.2 billion. Based on seasons and your geographic location, ads might suggest the purchase of a new wool sweater or an extra bottle of sunscreen. Google…

The country of Lithuania has just voted on the ban of selling energy drinks to minors. It is the first country to have made such a move to protect its youth. It is a move that will likely have governments around the world contemplating their own legislature concerning highly caffeinated beverages. Almantas Kranauskas, a Lithuanian Health Ministry official, stated “We hope that some countries of the EU that don’t have a clear position will follow the Lithuanian way.” There is an absolute trend that those belonging to the lower age demographics turn to the energy filled concoctions on a regular…

Decades after the world’s premiere rock band fell apart, Beatlemania seems to be going just as strong as ever. A personal guitar of George Harrison recently went to auction and fetched an astonishing $657,000 at Julien’s Auctions House. Harrison died in 2001 at the age of 58. He played the famous guitar on the British TV show Ready, Stead, Go! in 1963. The guitar was also used in the recordings of “I want to hold your hand” and “This Boy” in October of 1963. Before auction Julien’s estimated the historic guitar would sell for between $400,000 and $600,000. Other Beatles…

As the saying goes “the show must go on!” That’s certainly the tune that The Fast and Furious 7 producers are singing. It should have been no surprise to anyone that those involved were dedicated to finishing the project after Paul Walkers death. Both of his brother, Cody and Caleb, have stepped in as body doubles for their deceased brother, and sources close to the movie say that the script has been altered very little from its original state. Though Universal swears that they will finish only slightly over their original budget ($200 million), their films insurer has already started…

The word on Wall Street is that Staples Inc. is facing dark times. This past march the office supply chain announced plans to close as many as 225 stores in an attempt to recoup losses. Staples has been experiencing consistent decline in sales as well as losing customers to the convenience and pricing of Amazon. Brian Yarbrough, an analyst at Edward Jones & Co, stated “It is a positive that Staples is closing stores, shrinking the square footage of stores, but we’re talking about an industry that’s under constant pressure from Amazon, and unfortunately, there’s no value-add for Staples.” Staples’s…

A new record has been set. A divorce settlement record. Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, an owner of the French soccer club AS Monaco, has been ordered by Swiss courts to pay $4.5 billion to his ex-wife Elena Rybolovleva. In addition the judge ordered Rybolovlev to hand over $146 million in properties owned in Gstaad, Switzerland. She was also granted ownership of several properties in Geneva, though no value for them have been listed. Elena was also granted custody of their 13-year-old daughter, Anna. Marc Bonnant, Elana’s lawyer, has been quoted as saying it is “the most expensive divorce ever.” Under…

Security breaches are always cause for worry, and Ebay is reporting that users login credentials have recently been compromised. They explained that while the hackers had hacked into encrypted files containing login information, no credit card numbers were stolen, nor were there any unauthorized transactions processed. Nonetheless, Ebay is urging its users to change their information immediately. The attack took place sometime between late February and March, and hackers were able to access personal information such as physical addresses and dates of birth. Ebay stated that credit card numbers are stored in a separate part of their website and that…

It is not a secret, the National Football League is not for the feint of heart. It is rough and it tough and it a sure fire way for a person to destroy their body. Yet for all of the knowledge, to some it’s just a part of the game they love. To the NFL, it’s an unavoidable aspect of making money. Though player safety has become a hot button issue the past year or so, those who played a decade or more ago are holding the NFL responsible for their deteriorating health conditions. Eight former players —Richard Dent, Jim…

It appears pretty much official that Steven Spielberg (known for directing classics such as Jaws and Jurassic Park) is set to produce a live-action TV series based off of the Halo franchise. The project is rumored to begin production in the fall of 2015 which will coincide nicely with the release of Halo 5. The TV show story will supposedly take off from the end of Halo 4, though details have not been widely released. When the announcement was made, Spielberg spoke digitally saying “For me, the Halo universe is an amazing opportunity to be at that intersection where technology…

Disney as we know is the happiest place on earth, at least for kids. It is also becoming one of the most expensive. Disney Land, Mickey’s west coast location, has raised its single day ticket price over the weekend. Up from $92, the park is now charging $96 for a single day ticket and $150 for a single day park hopper. Disney is a staple for family vacation destinations however, and the parks have been experiencing record levels of attendance despite the continued price hikes over the following years. Profits have been in the double digits every year since 2011,…

Vince McMahon, CEO of WWE, has recently experienced what one could imagine to be his worst nightmare. Forbes reported that in just 24 hours McMahon has lost approximately $350 million of his fortune. The loss comes in the form of dramatically devalued WWE stock, which plummeted $8.66 from $20.13 a share down to $11.27. Blame has been fingered towards two contributing factors. The first is the mediocre launch of WWE’s streaming network with only 700,000 subscribers. WWE management has already announced that they expect to lose between $45 million and $52 million this year. The second reason behind the stock…

Though you might not have noticed it, Facebook has implemented a new button designated to get you to reveal more information. It’s called the “Ask” button and it can be found under your profile picture, on the left side of the screen where all of your personal information can be found. There are those of us who choose not to detail every aspect of our lives, but Facebook has given our friends the power to make us do it anyways. Want to know if someones in a relationship status? Just hit the ask button. Want to know where someone works…

Everyone’s favorite terrifying monster has returned to the silver screen to wreak havoc in the world one more time. Through its opening weekend Godzilla grossed a whopping $93.2 million domestically. In addition, the Japanese remake made $103 million from 64 territories worldwide. That borders just shy of the $200 million mark in only its first three days in theaters. With these sales it is conjuring high expectations for the rest of the summer blockbusters to meet. Success of the massive release is partially credited to fanboys and fangirls across the world who have been anticipating the films release since it…

If you haven’t heard of Twitch you will now. Google’s Youtube is interested in acquiring the video game streaming service. So interested in fact that they are offering $1 billion to make it happen. It makes perfect sense for these two streaming giants to come together under one roof. Both companies offer streaming services and the integration of Twitch should be fairly seamless. In addition, the deal will give absolute validity to Twitch, which has become the gaming worlds go to place for viewing highlights and streaming live video game play. If the offer goes through, Twitch will be the…

It’s not just the U.S. that has been struggling to raise the minimum wage, the Swiss have seemed to hit a ceiling as well. Currently the Swiss minimum wage hovers at around $15 an hour. The proposal to raise the minimum wage lost with 76.3% of voters deciding against it. Reasons cited for the proposal’s failure echoed similarly to those who argued against a $10 minimum wage in the U.S. Small and medium sized businesses make up roughly two thirds of employment in Switzerland, and business owners reasoned that they would not be able to stay open with such a…

If you’re taking the popular sleeping aid Lunesta then you’ll want to keep reading. The Food and Drug Administration has recently cut back on its recommended dose for the favored drug. This is due to new studies indicating that taking Lunesta may make a person too groggy the next day to perform serious tasks such as driving. According to the latest FDA statement the drug leads to “severe next-morning psychomotor and memory impairment, impairment to driving skills, memory and coordination as long as 11 hours after the drug is taken.” Until this point the recommended dose has been 2 milligrams,…

Are you a smoker who’s ready to finally kick the habit? Well theres now a new app for that. Labeled as Quitbit, the app on your phone syncs with a custom made lighter to track and limit your daily cigarette consumption. You simply input how many cigs you want to allow yourself to smoke that day and minimum time of how far apart you want each one to be. That’s all there is to it. If you try to use the lighter outside of the restrictions you have instructed it to follow it will not work. There is a built…

Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-California, has made recent remarks that she accepts Israel’s denial of spying on the U.S. at “face value.” The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee met with top Israeli Defense officials and was quoted as saying “He was very direct in saying this is totally false, and he assured me that such was not the case.” Sen. Feinstein did not go as far as to say that she endorsed the denial however. She said she will reserve her final judgement until she’s had a chance to review the truth behind the Newsweek article that brought Israel under…

Losing weight is hard work. The constant inner struggle between giving up and staying strong is very real. Fortunately, not all yummy food is bad for you. Here are some foods to eat if you need some extra help losing a little unwanted fat. You have to combine them with a variety of healthy foods and a workout regiment though. Don’t expect for them to do all the work for you. Here are 4 foods to help burn fat: Greek Yogurt Skip the regular stuff, we’re going Greek tonight. Greek yogurt typically has twice the concentration of protein that regular yogurt has.…

So it appears that Japan is actually the first country to land on the moon. Okay so that’s not true, but they are about to become the first country to land advertising on it. The Japanese drink maker Otsuka has released plans to send a 2.2 pound titanium can to the moon as the first official form of truly universal advertising. The can will contain Pocari Sweat powder that turns into a tasty beverage when water is added. It will visit the moon in 2015 with Japan’s first voyage. In a press release, the company stated “Otsuka hopes that one…

The recession that started in 2008 is still affecting people today. Though job growth has been on a steady upward climb and the stock market has as well, the hardship is still fresh in peoples minds. And it has affected the “mobile” population in America to stay still. Those who are under 35 have typically been seen as a fluid age group. Meaning that these are the people who are generally expected to move around the country and are willing to relocate for employment. Lately though this has not been the case. The people in the under 35 age group…

Volkswagen, one of Germany’s largest automobile manufacturers, looks to be set to acquire yet another auto company. They already own Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and Porsche, but it seems that the five companies are not enough. VW posses two-thirds of Scania stock and have just recently received the support of shareholders, equating to an estimated 90.7 percent share ownership. The German automaker has been trying for the last decade to incorporate a heavy-trucks unit into their operations. With this latest security to their endeavor, VW is now offer $9.2 billion for the minority shares in the Swedish car company. They…

It happens once every four years and is considered by some to be the world’s most important athletic competition. We’re talking of course about the World Cup. Brazil has this years honor of hosting the World Cup, though there has been speculation as to whether or not they would be ready in time. Some projects have been canceled, such as the six story international media center attached to the main stadium. In addition, Brazil is known as a country ramped in crime and danger. But for this problem at least, it seems that Brazil is asking for some help. After…

If this country ever was “the land of the free” it is sinking slowly into the past. A recent ruling by the Pennsylvania court system will now allow police to search cars without the need for a search warrant. Typically Pennsylvania had been a state that had granted greater privacy to its citizens than the minimum requirements spelled out in the U.S. constitution. This new ruling will take the decision making out of the judicial systems hands and allow police to decide at the time whether a search is reasonable. Dave Rudovsky, both a professor at Penn Law school and…

Recently a top court for the European Union is considering a ruling that would force tech companies to destroy collected personal data upon request. Up until this point companies have collected personal data on millions of people and the general population has had little say in it. Allowing people to decide when and what kind of information to share and have stored should be within their personal rights, though getting back to that place in time is easier said than done. It’s being labeled as “the right to be forgotten.” People are fed up with information being shared against their…

It seems as if Ukraine and Russia have found themselves in an “undeclared war.” Seven Ukrainian soldiers were killed and another eight wounded in a recent skirmish between Ukraine troops and a group of rebels. Apparently a mob of more than 30 ambushed a Ukrainian convoy just outside the city of Kramatorsk. The attack was carried out by pro-Russian militants, though Russia denies any involvement in any of the militias that have taken form. “Russia is already engaged in supporting Russian-led protesters and terrorists,” said Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. And though Russia has definitely had involvement in the situation…

If you thought that child labor only happened in places like China then it’s time to think again. Human Rights Watch, an international rights group, has recently released a report that legally employed children on U.S. tobacco farms are not being treated properly. Some farmers have workers as young as seven working in the fields, and more often than not come into contact with leaves heavy in nicotine and pesticides. The watch group wants Big Tobacco to push stricter safety standards on all farms they associate with. The report detailed that there are at least 140 children working on farms…

Looks like Darden Restaurants is cleaning house. Or at least a part of it. Darden, the conglomerate that owns restaurants such as Olive Garden, Capital Grille, Longhorn Steakhouse, Red Lobster and Yard House just to name a few, is ready to cut away the rotting limbs. It is reported that Red Lobster will be sold to investment firm Golden Gate Capital for $2.1 billion…in cash. Darden had been on a financially downward slope and it had already announced plans to either give the restaurant chain a complete makeover or to just sell it outright. It appears that they have elected…

There is a housing shortage in London that has caught the city completely out of whack. Though the wealthy are happy enough unloading millions for ultra luxury condos and apartments, it seems there is not enough affordable housing for those with lesser incomes. Living expenses in London have reached an all time high, and even those making respectable salaries have had to look to the government for help. “The very fact that people above the median household income in London require subsidized housing is a strong indication of market failure,” said Andrew Heywood, a consultant who has researched housing for…

Considered the main rival to Apple’s iPhone, Samsung has recently released their highly anticipated Galaxy S5. The phone starts at $199 with a contract or you can pay the full retail price of $650 if you just can’t live without it. The new edition in the Galaxy legacy has come full of upgrades. The screen is now 5.1 inches and the display is clearer and more crisp. The camera has received an upgrade and just like Apple have a finger scanning security feature. It has computing power to rival any smartphone on the market with a 2.5GHz quad-core CPU, 2GB…

With all the money that he has, it doesn’t seem like it’s enough for Donald Sterling to just keep his mouth shut. Recently the disgraceful owner of the Los Angeles Clippers gave an interview with Anderson Cooper in hopes of saving a little face after the well deserved embarrassment he has experienced. Though the aim was  to make a case in his defense, all it did was further everyone’s certainty of how much of a disgusting bigot Sterling really is. During the interview he told Cooper “I’m not a racist. I love people. I always have. But those words came…

China in one of the few countries with world superpower status. This means that they get to do pretty much whatever they want. Child labor is rampant despite it being outlawed. They are one of the few countries who back North Korea. And they have absolute control over what their citizens have access to on the internet. More often than not websites that might offend the ruling party are pulled down and an explanation isn’t needed. Facebook has been and still is illegal in China, but that hasn’t stopped the social networking giant from laying down potential ground work. Facebook…

Earlier this year Comcast acquired Time warner cable, now it looks like AT&T is looking to get in on the action. It is rumored that the company is interested in offering DirecTV $50 billion for the acquisition. Nothing has been made public yet and so nothing can be confirmed as the selling price may be subject to change. Mike White, CEO of DirecTV, may make the transition over to AT&T as a stipulation in the sell as well. Sales from both satellite companies have been less than stellar. ReconAnalytics analyst Roger Entner stated “They both see the Grim Reaper at…

Michael Kors has become synonymous with fashion and luxury. Known in relevant circles for years, Michael Kors is a brand with high standards. That’s why we’re expecting big things from Cathy Marie, the new Senior Vice President of Global Operations. The luxury brand just announced Marie will be taking over the position with 24 years of experience in the industry. Her last position was with Toys R US as operator of global supply chain management. Before that Marie was the Senior Vice President, Supply, Logistics and Customer Experience at The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P). John D. Idol,…

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has now reached an all time high. It advanced 0.6% to a whopping 16,676.20 as of monday at 11:27 am in New York.  Experts are thanking the tech industry and the ruble for the positive Dow trend. The big tech firms such as Twitter and Facebook share prices took a big hit last week (Twitter as much as 18%), and their modest recoveries on monday made a big impact on the Dow. Twitter rose 4.3% and Facebook came up 3.7%. Terry Morris, Senior Equity Manager at National Penn Investors Trust Co., explained “We’ve had a…

It has been reported that Apple is interested in purchasing Beats, the company made famous by Dr. Dre, for a summly $3.2 billion. While this may seem like a lot, in reality it’s only 0.6% of Apple’s market cap. Many have condemned the move, believing that Beats will add very little value to Apple. One of the critiques of the this deal is that the sum rumored to be paid is the largest the company has ever paid. In addition, Beats only made $450 million in profit last year. Approximately seven times less than what Apple is rumored to offer.…

#488308567 / gettyimages.com If you find yourself suddenly able to get a reservation at the The Beverly Hills Hotel, continue reading down this page before you book a room. The Beverly Hills Hotel, known as a flocking point by Hollywood’s elite, is located in the tiny country of Brunei. Recent implementation of harsh Islamic law in the country, including stoning and flogging, have had many A listers boycotting the hotel and the country at large. The Motion Picture and Television Fund is among a growing list of groups and individuals refusing to affiliate with any of the hotels within Brunei.…

Tyrese Gibson posted a video to his Facebook account in which Dr. Dre proclaims himself as “The first billionaire in hip-hop, right here from the (expletive deleted) West Coast.” With this statement it seems that Dr. Dre has confirmed the sale of Beat by Dre to Apple for an approximate sum of $3.2 billion dollars. You read that right, that’s billion with a capital B. Though we’ve heard about billionaires before, it is almost unheard of for someone whose background started in entertainment. Dr. Dre made his mark as an outspoken member of the 1980’s rap group N.W.A. He has…

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple of months, then you know the situation in the Ukraine has been less than ideal. The U.S. has placed heavy economic sanctions on Russia as a result of their interference with the civil unrest in the region. Though U.S. business will be hurt by these restrictions, its the countries which fall into the European Union that will be devastated. A substantial percentage of the oil Europe relies on comes from Russia, and these sanctions are estimated to cost billions of dollars. Ledbury Research has good news though, and sees…

It wasn’t that long ago since Target experienced one of the largest data breaches in U.S. history. Millions of credit and debit cards were affected. If you visited Target anytime leading up to Christmas there was a good chance you were affected too. With such a large and public screw up it surprising that Target is just now hiring a new CIO (Chief Information Officer). Beth Jacob, the former CIO, retired in March after the debacle became widely known and is being replaced by Bob DeRodes. A native to Atlanta, DeRodes has held similar positions with Home Depot, Delta Air…

If you’ve used the internet in the last decade then there should be no confusion about Google. They have made searching the internet far more efficient than it ever was and is constantly searching to improve the Google experience. While the tech giant is synonymous with search engines, Google’s true desire is the quest for more information. Information on what you ask? It doesn’t matter, from your login information to storage location, Google is happy to collect any information you’re willing to provide. Recently Google continued their history of data collection by acquiring Rangespan. Looking to improving its online shopping…

Nintendo, the company behind the iconic brand Mario, is set to report losses on its newish Wii U gaming system. During the last three months Nintendo reported selling only 310,000 units and have only sold 6.17 million total since its release over a year and a half ago. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone though. The Japanese gaming company has struggled to keep up with Microsoft and Sony since the release of the Wii. While the first generation motion sensitive console did fairly well during its initial release, both the Wii and Wii U have struggled to attract customers…

From Netflix to Hulu to Amazon Prime to Youtube, streaming videos has quickly become one of the more popular ways to view primetime content. As cable prices continue to soar, there are many who have started cutting the cord in lieu of these online services. It is not a trend exclusive to the U.S., as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd’s giant investment in Youku Tudou Inc is proof of interest by the international community. Alibaba is one of the largest internet companies in China, and has made this deal as a move against their greatest competitor Tencent Holdings Ltd. They are…

Bill Gates was recently listed as the wealthiest man in the world by Forbes. According to the list he is currently worth $77.2 Billion. He made his fortune as the co-founder of Microsoft which makes it a little shocking to believe that he will have no more company stock in four years. Gates has been selling 20 million shares a quarter for the last dozens years and if this current rate continues it will be all gone by 2018. The end of last week witnessed the history of Gates no longer being the largest shareholder of the company. It is…

So you’ve finally waded through the dozens of different smartphones and not too surprisingly have settled on Apple’s Iphone. But now what case to choose? With literally thousands of different cases, from Tory Burch to your favorite sports team, the possibilities have become endless. Most of them look fairly tacky for the most part and who can say that it will actually even protect your phone. Well look no further because the future of phone cases is here. Meet Lunecase, a new case that harness the power of your phones electromagnetic energy to make your life better. The case will…

We’ve reached the point where technology is unavoidable. From cell phones to self driving cars, innovation is being integrated into our daily lives as far as the eye can see. But Amazon doesn’t just want you to just possess it, they want you to wear it too. With the release of their new wearable technology marketplace, they are offering a slew of wearable tech that includes smart watches, activity trackers, wearable cameras, and they have even developed activity trackers for your pet (or elusive small child). The new virtual store offers trusted brands such as Samsung, Jawbone, and GoPro, but…

Sexual orientation has become mainstream news. Gay rights have taken center stage and have had to demand equality. The argument to withhold basic rights because of one’s sexual preference is ludacris. Thankfully (and surprisingly) the NFL is not going to be subject to this controversy. Michael Sam will be the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL. It is not a question of if he will be drafted (he’s got the skills) but rather how he will be received by his teammates. The NFL has recently been consumed in reports of unruly locker room behavior, but this…

It was the most exciting 2:03.66 minutes in all of sports this weekend. If you blinked you might have missed it completely. We’re talking of course about the Kentucky Derby. It’s hard to not get lost in all the big hats and expensive sun dresses, but there was also a horse race going on. California Chrome took one of horse racings most prestigious events, winning by a length-and-a-half. He is owned by Perry Martin and Steve Coburn, and trained by Art Sherman. Sherman, 77, is now the oldest trainer to win the event. The colt went into the event with…

You can’t please everyone and that includes who should have access to city bus routes. Plans for tech companies to use San Francisco’s municipal bus routes have had activists up in arms. As early as late last year activists have been barring buses that ferry tech firm employees from Google, Facebook, and Yahoo. They blame these and other tech companies in the San Francisco area for creating economic disparity. The lawsuit states the tech bus program displaces lower-income workers, creates greater pollution, and disrupt the usual flow of public transit. Chris Daley, political director of SIEU Local Union 1021, stated…

You should be careful what you say, and that goes double for what you tweet. PayPal, the payment system that has become synonymous with Ebay, has released a newly acquired strategy executive. Rakesh Agrawal used twitter to spew disrespectful messages, some of which were directed at his employers. Since their time of publication the tweets have been removed. According to those with copies of the alleged messages however, one of the tweets stated “Duck you Smedley, you useless middle manager.” This is referring to Christina Smedley, PayPal’s vice president of global communications. In a public statement PayPal said, “”Rakesh Agrawal…

Its official. Billabong has appointed their COO. The brand that has become famous with surfing has anointed Jeff Streader as their new Chief Operations Officer. This comes after BillaBong’s recent higher of Mark Weber as men’s global merchandising & design vice president in March. Streader left his position as an operating officer at the investment firm Marlin Equity. There he specialized in new retail investment opportunities with a focus on textile and footwear companies. Neil Fiske, CEO of BillaBong, enthusiastically stated “Jeff’s deep experience in global supply chain and operations will help us build the global platforms we need to…

Hooray! This past April has seen a big surge in the U.S. employment rate. According to the labor department there were an estimated 288,000 jobs that were created. In addition there were another 36,000 jobs that were created during the months of January and February that had not been accounted for. This has drove unemployment rates in the country down to 6.3%. This is the lowest it’s ever been in the last 5 ½-years. The labor department has released that the country is only 120,000 jobs shy of where it was prior to the “great recession.” Unfortunately though just because…

Wearable technology is set to be the next big market in personal technology. Samsung, Sony, and Pebble are all making a play at the market. Amazon has just launched a virtual wearable technology store. Apple will be releasing a highly anticipated smartwatch as well, which many consider the standard that consumer electronics live up to. Will people buy them? The unfortunate answer is yes. Consumer electronics are trendy. If you have the newest hot commodity it is automatically the best. To their credit, they can do some pretty cool things though. Depending on the watch you choose they can do…

Well it shouldn’t be a surprise but the U.S. Senate can not come to a compromise. This time it’s minimum wage. Currently the lowest possible wage an employer can legally pay their employees $7.25/hr. The goal had been to raise it to $10.10, though it most likely will not happen. Supporters of the bill lacked just six of the 60 votes they needed for it to pass. It failed with the vote at 54-42 with all but one republican voting against it. One of the major oppositions of the bill is that the raise is too much. They also argue…

It has been a year since the horrific travesty in Bangladesh, but sadly things do not seem to be getting better. Out of the 5000 factories located in Bangladesh, less than 300 of them have successfully been able to form unions. Amirul Haque Amin, president of the country’s National Garment Workers’ Federation, has stated “I think it is really hard to say that an ethical factory exists in Bangladesh at present. As a trade union we cannot say that. We can simply say that factories are moving towards better conditions.” He continued on by explaining that his union has doubled…

Google to the rescue!  Well that is if you’re the tax man.  The tax authorities of Lithuania have a new reason to be thankful for google.  The fine people of the Google street view team who man cars armed with cameras are helping this poor country catch tax evaders.  After the global financial crisis began in 2008, the country was forced to fire a quarter of its taxation department’s employees.  This lead to the department being severely understaffed, but thanks to google they are still able to collect on the money thats due. Two recent cases netted $130,000 in taxes…