Mobile sales up 32 percent last year: Gartner
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Worldwide mobile sales increased 32 percent last year and smartphone shipments surpassed those of personal computers for the first time in the fourth quarter, according to tracking firms.Technology research firm Gartner said Wednesday that mobile device sales rose 31.8 percent last year to 1.6 billion units over the previous year.Smartphone sales soared…
Penguins need scoring relief without stars
PITTSBURGH – Sidney Crosby's return date from a concussion is still unknown. Evgeni Malkin is headed toward surgery and won't play again until next season. Chris Kunitz is day to day, and Mike Comrie, Mark Letestu and Arron Asham are all sidelined with various injuries.May as well add one more Pittsburgh Penguin to the out-of-action…
'Z'-names people react faster than 'A'-names: study
WASHINGTON (AFP) – People whose last name starts with a letter near the end of the alphabet react more quickly to opportunities to buy something than those whose surname starts with an early-alphabet letter, according to a recent study of consumer behavior.But the trait is apparent only in relation to childhood last names, not for…
San Francisco Bay Area United V.I. Plumbing Offering 15% Discount Through End of June 2011
UnitedV.I. Plumbing, a locally-owned San Francisco Bay Area plumbing company, is offering homeowners two ways to save 15% of installation of a tankless hot water heater or any other plumbing service.Nocato, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) February 05, 2011 United V.I. Plumbing of Novato, a well-respected , is offering homeowners savings on services. Through the end of June,…
Bristol Palin: Id probably run for office further down the road
In an exclusive, in-depth interview with E! Online’s Giuliana Rancic, “Dancing With the Stars” finalist Bristol Palinfor public office “further down the road,” son Tripp, ex-boyfriend Levi Johnston, her new boyfriend, and being a Maricopa, Ariz. homeowner.When Rancic asked if she would ever run for office, Palin said, “Probably. But that would be further down…
Starbucks forecast takes hit from coffee costs
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Starbucks Corp forecast full-year earnings below analysts' expectations as the company expects rising coffee prices to hit profits more than it previously thought.The world's largest coffee chain said it now expects earnings of $1.43 to $1.47 a share for fiscal year 2011, compared with the average analyst expectation of $1.49 a…
Motorola warns of 1st quarter net loss, shares fall
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc (MMI.N) posted a profit for the fourth quarter, but its shares fell almost 4 percent after it warned it would revert to a loss again in the current quarter, as it faces new competition from the Apple Inc (AAPL.O) iPhone.In its first quarterly report as a separate…
J. Crew settles shareholder suit
NEW YORK – Clothing retailer J. Crew Group Inc. said Tuesday that it has settled a shareholder lawsuit challenging its proposed $3 billion takeover by private equity firms TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners LP.As part of the settlement, J. Crew said in a statement that on Tuesday it extended until Feb. 15 the…
Who Will Design Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress?
With the world looking to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding later this year, soon-to-be Princess Kate will need a wedding dress that exemplifies her new royal status, as well as reflect a modern and youthful Britain. Middleton is no stranger to the fashion world as she has been seen as a trendsetter and fashion…
R. Sargent Shriver remembered at wake in DC
WASHINGTON – R. Sargent Shriver, the ever-upbeat Kennedy in-law who served as the nation's first Peace Corps director and later led a national assault on poverty, was remembered Friday evening as an energetic idealist who left a legacy of public service."Sargent Shriver was the kindest, most cheerful, most optimistic person I knew in 50 years…