Apple watchers expect new iPhone Monday

Unusual leaks may have stolen some surprises, but Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs is still expected to have some new features for the next generation iPhone when he takes the stage on Monday at the company's Worldwide Developer Conference.

Among the new things expected are a front-facing video camera, multi-tasking, more capacity and better battery life.

Some of these features are already offered on competing smartphones that run on Google Inc.'s Android operating system, which is beginning to give Apple some serious competition. The iPhone still has a clear lead in the number of software applications available, though.

One thing that appears to be off the table is the introduction of the iPhone to Verizon Wireless after a spokesman for the carrier this week said that isn't likely to happen in the immediate future.

The rumors over an end to AT&T Inc.'s (NYSE:T) exclusive wireless service arrangement with Apple are fed by constant criticism of its network quality. Jobs this week once again deflected that by saying he didn't think other carriers' networks would have much more success than AT&T has had dealing with the large data load the iPhone brings.

AT&T this week announced a new pricing plan for mobile subscribers, ending an unlimited data plan that many iPhone users found attractive, so that piece of news is also off the table for Monday.

Rumors persist that Apple will offer some sort of Web-based version of iTunes based on technology it acquired when it bought Lala earlier this year. That service was shut down over Memorial Day weekend.

But the only thing that seems certain for Monday is that Apple will keep its streak of coming out with a new version of the iPhone every year will be unbroken. Whether Jobs can pull another significant surprise out of his sleeve will have to wait until he takes the stage.

[+] Keep Reading

Carlos Slim overtakes Bill Gates in world rich list

Mexican telecom giant Carlos Slim has topped Forbes magazine's billionaire's list - the first time since 1994 that an American has not led the rankings.

Mr Slim's fortune rose by $18.5bn (£12.4bn) last year to $53.5bn. 

That beat Microsoft founder Bill Gates ($53bn) into second place, with US investor Warren Buffett ($43bn) third. 

In 2009 332 names left the list after a tough year, but the total number of billionaires on this year's list rose from 793 to 1,011, Forbes said. 

A spokesman for Carlos Slim refused to confirm the Forbes estimate of the Mexican tycoon's wealth, saying they did not "waste their time" on such calculations, but he welcomed the result. 

"We're pleased that he has been considered the best businessman of the world," spokesman Arturo Elias told the BBC. "It means there is trust among the investors." 

The year's biggest gainer, Brazilian mining tycoon Eike Batista, broke into the top 10 for the first time.

He came in at number seven, having boosting his wealth by $19.5bn to $27bn.

France's Bernard Arnault ($27.5bn), the man behind the world's biggest luxury goods firm LVMH, also moved back into the top 10 and number eight, increasing his fortune by $11bn to $27.5bn.

Their mounting wealth helped to push Ikea's Ingvar Kamprad and Theo Albrecht - one of the men behind Aldi - out of the top 10. 

Upturn

In a sign that the global economy could be seeing signs of improvement, the average net worth of the world's billionaires is now $3.5bn, up $500m from last year. 

Furthermore, 97 names made their debut while a record 164 returned to the list in 2010 - including Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg ($4bn), who, aged 25, also regained the title of youngest billionaire. 

The news was a far cry from 2009 when the financial crisis took its toll on the world's richest people, wiping 332 names off the list and an average of 23% off the wealth of the remaining billionaires. 

Falling stock markets and collapsing commodity prices were blamed. Russia's ultra-rich appear to have recovered from last year's commodity-related losses, however, with 62 billionaires on the 2010 list, compared with 27 last year.

Consumer focus

In Europe, shopping dominated the money list with six of the top 10 European billionaires making their money in retail and three more in consumer products. 

Top of the list was Bernard Arnault (7) from LVMH, closely followed by Amancio Ortego of clothes retailer Zara (9), Karl Albrecht of cut-price supermarket Aldi (10), Igvar Kamprad and family (11) of Ikea and Stefan Persson (13) of discount retailer Hennes & Mauritz. 

In the UK, the sixth Duke of Westminster Gerald Grosvenor (45) remained the wealthiest Briton with a net worth of $12bn as he improved his finances by $1bn despite the UK property slump. 

Meanwhile, two Britons also made their debut - real estate investor Xiuli Hawken ($2.4bn) and hedge fund manager Alan Howard ($1.8bn). 

On the up

The improving health of the global economy meant that 55 countries were represented in the Forbes list - with Pakistan (Mian Muhammad Mansha, number 937) and Finland (Antti Herlin, number 773) adding their first billionaires. 

Strengthening stock markets and several large public offerings during the past year helped Asia close the gap with Europe. 

A total of 234 Asian billionaires were featured in the 2010 list compared with 248 from Europe. 

Russia's reversal of fortunes in the past 12 months also helped it inch up the league of cities that are home to the most billionaires after slipping to third place last year. 

In 2010, New York remained at the top of the pile with 60 ultra-rich residents, Moscow was second with 50 billionaires and London third with 32.

[+] Keep Reading

First U.S. Rehab Center for Internet Addiction :: Opens its Door

Over the last few years, a new and disturbing phenomenon has been increasing in frequency. It’s called Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD), and it has been the subject of new research and debate. It is not currently included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), but many argue that addictions to the web and to Internet-based video games like World of Warcraft does indeed exist. The debate is now back in focus after the Heavensfield Retreat Center announced that it has opened what appears to be the first addiction recovery program for Internet Addiction Disorder in the U.S. Called reSTART, the 45-day program is designed to take serious sufferers of IAD and bring balance to their lives. It already has its first patient, a 19 year old who could not remove himself from World of Warcraft.

The Program

reSTART is a 45-day treatment program out of Fall City, Washington (near Seattle) that takes 2-6 people at a time and essentially cuts them off from the web and works with them to “reprogram” their social skills. It includes work with a recreation coach, a therapist, exercise and yoga instructors, and more. Their website actually provides a detailed sample schedule, which includes exercise, nature hikes, “discovery quests,” career development, therapy, and more.

To qualify for admittance to reSTART, you have to display symptoms of its nine guidelines for IAD. They are as follows:

Have a strong desire or impulse to use the internet.

Decreasing or stopping of the internet leads to withdrawal symptoms (e.g., general malaise,   restlessness, irritability, lack of concentration, dyssomnia); and the above mentioned symptoms may be relieved by similar electronic media (e.g., TV, handheld games, gaming devices).

Continually increasing the amount of internet use and the extent of internet involvement to reach sense of satisfaction.

Use of internet in spite of its harmful effects; despite knowledge of harmful effects, internet use is hard to stop.

Difficulties controlling beginning, and finishing, and the duration of time of internet use; efforts to modify internet use may be attempted multiple times without success.

As a result of internet use, interests, recreation or social activities are decreased or abandoned.
Internet use is seen as a way to escape problems or to gain relief from negative feelings.

The extent of internet use is denied or minimized to teachers, schoolmates, friends or professionals (including actual time and expenditure of internet contact).

Everyday life and social function is impaired (e.g., in social, academic and workability.)

Of course, this program is not free. For 45 days, the price is a hefty $14,500. Rehabilitation programs have never been cheap, though, so this price does not particularly shock us.


What Are We To Think Of These Program

It’s getting tougher and tougher to argue that there is no such thing as Internet Addiction Disorder, especially if you watched the CNN video above. The sad truth is that it’s possible to become addicted to just about anything, and that the web (and World of Warcraft) has sucked many people in so deep that they ignore social interactions and forget real-world obligations.

Does a rehab center for extreme cases make sense? Yes, especially if reSTART can provide scientific proof of success in breaking the addictions of its patients. Still, rehab doesn’t work for all drug addicts, and it probably won’t work for all Internet addicts. And unlike drug addiction, you can’t simply avoid and abstain from using the web; it’s too central to our economy, our work, our education, and our lives to be ignored. 

This debate isn’t going away anytime soon, and most likely, neither is reSTART. We want your opinions in the comments below. Do you think IAD is real? Do you think reSTART is a good idea? Is it possible to “recover” from something as central to our lives as the Internet? Please chime in on the discussion.

[+] Keep Reading

Facebook Lite goes live

Social networking site Facebook unveiled a new downsized version of its Web site to selected test users, but accidentally revealed the 'Facebook Lite edition' to a much larger group than intended.

According to Facebook, the Lite edition is a fast-loading, simplified version of Facebook that enables people to post comments, accept friend requests and look at photos and status updates. Facebook Lite is being tested in India and other countries where new users are flooding to the service. Invitations to take part in a private test of 'Facebook Lite' reached a variety of U.S. bloggers only to have the enclosed links to be available to everyone online.

The screen shots of the new version captured and posted online revealed a Facebook page devoted to fresh comments and updates from friends in a style that could challenge the real-time interplay on Twitter.

Facebook had announced on Monday that it had acquired FriendFeed, a startup which allows members to see what their friends are doing online and share content. FriendFeed has been described as a potential rival to Twitter in its ability to conduct real-time search, an area where Facebook has been seeking to expand.

[+] Keep Reading

AAA Logo 2009 Review

AAA Logo 2009 is one of the finest, easiest, reliable logo designing software. Any newbie can create logo using this software.

AAA Logo 2009 is just like using Ms word, there is nothing like entering code, or using any tools just in illustration any other logo designing softwares.

You have a huge resources of shapes, gradients and fonts which are mostly used to design logo.

Enjoy creating AAA logo 2009 and design logos for your company without hiring any other company or logo designer.

Help yourself by reducing cost for your company.

Cost : $69

http://www.aaa-logo.com/purchase.php

[+] Keep Reading

Soon You will be able to have a Username on Facebook

In just over one hour, at 9pm PST, Facebook (Facebook reviews) usernames will open up to the public. You will be able to grab a vanity URL for your Facebook profile.

What are Facebook usernames?




Facebook usernames are an attempt to make Facebook profiles and pages easily shareable. Basically, usernames affect your profile’s URL.

Facebook pages also have the option to register usernames, your page has to have over 1000 fans to quality. Otherwise you’ll have to wait until the end of the month to register a custom URL. If you want to protect your trademark, visit this page to register it with Facebook.

Default choices are variation of your full name, but you can choose your own custom username. However, if someone else has taken it before you, you’re out of luck, so register your URL quickly. Usernames can only have numbers, letters, and periods, so no special characters or hyphens. Once you have chosen a username, you cannot change it, so choose wisely. Rushing it could result in a mistake that cannot be fixed.

[+] Keep Reading