Are There Any Legit Work At Home Programs?
With unemployment numbers extremely high, everybody is looking to make a few extra bucks these days. Many people are turning to work at home programs... But, which ones are REAL and which ones are SCAMS?
We just had to find out... So we set out to do some research ourselves. We came across a blog by Kelly Richards of New Jersey.
Like many, curiosity got the best of Kelly and she filled out a simple online form and put out just a little money to try a program she came across. Before she knew it, she discovered her secret to beating the recession, and being able to provide for her family while at home with her three children.
I read Kelly's blog last month and decided to feature her story in our weekly investigative report. In our phone interview she told me her amazing story. "I actually make $4,000 or more a month online which is enough to comfortably replace my old jobs income, especially considering I only work about 10-13 hours a week from home.
Online work has been a financial windfall for Kelly, who struggled for months to find a decent job but kept hitting dead ends. "I lost my job shortly after the recession hit, I needed reliable income, I was not interested in the "get rich quick" scams you see all over the internet. Those are all pyramid scams or stuff where you have to sell to your friends and family. I just needed a legitimate way to earn a living for me and my family. The best part of working online is that I am always home with the kids, I save a lot of money."
"I actually make $4,000 or more a month working from home."
-Kelly Richards
I asked her about how she started her remarkable journey. "It was pretty easy, I actually received an email that sparked my interest, so I went to the site, filled out a short form and signed up for a work at home program where I got instant access to everything! They actually were giving a limited-time $100 instant rebate, which last time I checked, they were still doing. And since they offered a 365 Day Money Back Guarantee - I figured I really had nothing to lose. So, I started the program and within four weeks I was making over $5,000 a month. It's really simple, I am not a computer whiz, but I can use the internet. I followed the instructions, and I don't even have to sell anything and nobody has to buy anything. This is a very stable system and they are recruiting, you should try it."
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Dow Jones
The Dow Jones industrial average broke through 12,000 for the first time in two and a half years Wednesday, but a late fade kept it from closing above that level.
The index of 30 prominent U.S. companies finished the day with a modest gain.
Weak profit forecasts from Boeing Co. and Xerox Corp. weighed on the market. Boeing fell 3 percent after saying its 2011 profits would be hurt by production delays. Xerox fell 8 percent after saying its profit margins were not increasing.
The Dow gained 8.25 points, or 0.1 percent, to end at 11,985.4. It reached as high as 12,020 in morning trading.
The last time the Dow closed above 12,000 was June 19, 2008, just as the financial crisis was worsening.
The Standard and Poor's 500 index rose 5.45, or 0.4 percent, to 1,296.63. The Nasdaq composite index jumped 20.25, or 0.7 percent, to 2,739.50.
Energy and materials companies gained more than 2 percent, the most among the 10 company groups that make up the S&P 500 index.
Investors were pleased with President Barack Obama's calls for lower tax rates on businesses during the State of the Union address late Tuesday, said Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at Harris Private Bank.
"If he can take steps to simplify the tax codes, be it for individuals or corporations, I think it would be a lot easier to do business," Ablin said.
The Federal Reserve said Wednesday afternoon that it was not making any changes to its $600 billion bond-buying program. The plan is meant to encourage borrowing by keeping interest rates low.
The Commerce Department said new home purchases rose 17.5 percent in December compared with November. Despite the strong one-month jump, new home sales for all of 2010 fell to the lowest level on records going back 47 years.
The index of 30 prominent U.S. companies finished the day with a modest gain.
Weak profit forecasts from Boeing Co. and Xerox Corp. weighed on the market. Boeing fell 3 percent after saying its 2011 profits would be hurt by production delays. Xerox fell 8 percent after saying its profit margins were not increasing.
The Dow gained 8.25 points, or 0.1 percent, to end at 11,985.4. It reached as high as 12,020 in morning trading.
The last time the Dow closed above 12,000 was June 19, 2008, just as the financial crisis was worsening.
The Standard and Poor's 500 index rose 5.45, or 0.4 percent, to 1,296.63. The Nasdaq composite index jumped 20.25, or 0.7 percent, to 2,739.50.
Energy and materials companies gained more than 2 percent, the most among the 10 company groups that make up the S&P 500 index.
Investors were pleased with President Barack Obama's calls for lower tax rates on businesses during the State of the Union address late Tuesday, said Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at Harris Private Bank.
"If he can take steps to simplify the tax codes, be it for individuals or corporations, I think it would be a lot easier to do business," Ablin said.
The Federal Reserve said Wednesday afternoon that it was not making any changes to its $600 billion bond-buying program. The plan is meant to encourage borrowing by keeping interest rates low.
The Commerce Department said new home purchases rose 17.5 percent in December compared with November. Despite the strong one-month jump, new home sales for all of 2010 fell to the lowest level on records going back 47 years.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Canadian RSVP
Canada's income tax laws use the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (or RRSP) to encourage Canadian taxpayers to save money for retirement.
The RRSP is a special kind of savings account, as was introduced in the article "Canadian RRSP is a Savings Account".
One of the big differences between an RRSP and an ordinary savings account is that there is a tax savings to be had by contributing to an RRSP and by leaving money inside the RRSP to grow until the taxpayer withdraws it.
Save Money by Contributing to an RRSP
Every dollar you put into an RRSP is a dollar you don't have to pay tax on. For example, if you pay tax at the marginal rate of 40 percent, then by contributing $1,000 to your RRSP, your taxes will be $400 less than they would otherwise have been.
Save Money by Leaving Money Inside the RRSP
Not only do you save money by contributing to an RRSP, the idea is that the money inside your RRSP will grow over the years, by being invested in things that will accumulate interest, accrue capital gains, and generally increase in value. Not all investments go up, but the idea is that you will aim to make a profit rather than take a lot of risks and make a loss on your RRSP investments, since that is your retirement fund.
During the years your cash is inside the RRSP, you do not pay tax on the money it earns. The theory is that these are the years when you are earning your maximum as an employee or self-employed person. You are also paying tax at the highest rate of your life.
Read on
* Forms for Filing Income Tax Returns in Canada
* Canada Tax Free Savings Account Saves Tax Money
* Withdrawing From Your RRSP Before Retirement
After retirement, when you begin to withdraw money from the RRSP, you will probably be in a lower tax bracket. Thus your investment earnings and gains will be taxed at a lower rate than if they had been taxed in the year you made those earnings and gains.
The RRSP is a way of deferring tax on investments and saving for your retirement in a tax-effective way.
The RRSP is a special kind of savings account, as was introduced in the article "Canadian RRSP is a Savings Account".
One of the big differences between an RRSP and an ordinary savings account is that there is a tax savings to be had by contributing to an RRSP and by leaving money inside the RRSP to grow until the taxpayer withdraws it.
Save Money by Contributing to an RRSP
Every dollar you put into an RRSP is a dollar you don't have to pay tax on. For example, if you pay tax at the marginal rate of 40 percent, then by contributing $1,000 to your RRSP, your taxes will be $400 less than they would otherwise have been.
Save Money by Leaving Money Inside the RRSP
Not only do you save money by contributing to an RRSP, the idea is that the money inside your RRSP will grow over the years, by being invested in things that will accumulate interest, accrue capital gains, and generally increase in value. Not all investments go up, but the idea is that you will aim to make a profit rather than take a lot of risks and make a loss on your RRSP investments, since that is your retirement fund.
During the years your cash is inside the RRSP, you do not pay tax on the money it earns. The theory is that these are the years when you are earning your maximum as an employee or self-employed person. You are also paying tax at the highest rate of your life.
Read on
* Forms for Filing Income Tax Returns in Canada
* Canada Tax Free Savings Account Saves Tax Money
* Withdrawing From Your RRSP Before Retirement
After retirement, when you begin to withdraw money from the RRSP, you will probably be in a lower tax bracket. Thus your investment earnings and gains will be taxed at a lower rate than if they had been taxed in the year you made those earnings and gains.
The RRSP is a way of deferring tax on investments and saving for your retirement in a tax-effective way.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Hybird Cars
ow a day Hybrid cars are very popular amongst the buyers because its fuel-efficient and most importantly it’s an eco friendly car. Hybrid cars are those cars, which uses two or more distinct power sources to move the car. It uses a mix of energy sources, typically electric motors with traditional internal combustion engines.
The term hybrid vehicle is mostly refers to a Hybrid electric vehicle. These encompass such vehicles as the AHS2 (Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Silverado, Cadillac Escalade, and the Saturn Vue), Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid and others. A petroleum-electric hybrid most commonly uses internal combustion engines (generally gasoline or Diesel engines, powered by a variety of fuels) and electric batteries to power electric motors. There are many types of petroleum-electric hybrid drive trains, from Full hybrid to Mild hybrid, which offer varying advantages and disadvantages.
Why Hybrid cars getting famous?
Hybrid cars are famous because of the technology, which is giving the extra power to the buyers, in terms of fuel efficiency, mileage, eco friendly etc. By next few years almost every automobile manufacturer must be producing at least one hybrid car to complete in the automobile market. It is considered to be the future of the automobile industry. Below are some of the basic advantages of buying a Hybrid cars comparing with other conventional cars:
A hybrid car gives an extra mileage between 20-30 miles per gallon.
In many cases of hybrid cars they are also faster in performance that of the gasoline engines offered in the same car.
Hybrid cars demand less Oil changes. In conventional cars oil change was required after every 3,000 miles which in case of hybrid cars are after every 5,000-6,000 miles.
Hybrids cars help in reducing the dependency on fossil fuels which directly affects fuel prices.
A hybrid car uses less gasoline, so it generates less pollution, because most hybrid cars are running with two different types of energy to power the car, gasoline and electricity.
Hybrid car does not rely on gasoline engine because it uses the alternative power sources like electric motor and batteries of the car. It automatically turns off the gasoline engine during the time of using these alternative sources of power.
There are purchase incentives for Hybrid vehicle owners (varies by state).
Still after all these charges, hybrid cars can easily be repaired by all the automotive shops for their regular maintenance.
With the rapid developments in the technology of hybrid cars, the future of this technology looks brighter.
Batteries of the hybrid cars need not to be charged through external source because of the Regenerative Braking technology.
Special warranties are also provided with the battery pack.
The term hybrid vehicle is mostly refers to a Hybrid electric vehicle. These encompass such vehicles as the AHS2 (Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Silverado, Cadillac Escalade, and the Saturn Vue), Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid and others. A petroleum-electric hybrid most commonly uses internal combustion engines (generally gasoline or Diesel engines, powered by a variety of fuels) and electric batteries to power electric motors. There are many types of petroleum-electric hybrid drive trains, from Full hybrid to Mild hybrid, which offer varying advantages and disadvantages.
Why Hybrid cars getting famous?
Hybrid cars are famous because of the technology, which is giving the extra power to the buyers, in terms of fuel efficiency, mileage, eco friendly etc. By next few years almost every automobile manufacturer must be producing at least one hybrid car to complete in the automobile market. It is considered to be the future of the automobile industry. Below are some of the basic advantages of buying a Hybrid cars comparing with other conventional cars:
A hybrid car gives an extra mileage between 20-30 miles per gallon.
In many cases of hybrid cars they are also faster in performance that of the gasoline engines offered in the same car.
Hybrid cars demand less Oil changes. In conventional cars oil change was required after every 3,000 miles which in case of hybrid cars are after every 5,000-6,000 miles.
Hybrids cars help in reducing the dependency on fossil fuels which directly affects fuel prices.
A hybrid car uses less gasoline, so it generates less pollution, because most hybrid cars are running with two different types of energy to power the car, gasoline and electricity.
Hybrid car does not rely on gasoline engine because it uses the alternative power sources like electric motor and batteries of the car. It automatically turns off the gasoline engine during the time of using these alternative sources of power.
There are purchase incentives for Hybrid vehicle owners (varies by state).
Still after all these charges, hybrid cars can easily be repaired by all the automotive shops for their regular maintenance.
With the rapid developments in the technology of hybrid cars, the future of this technology looks brighter.
Batteries of the hybrid cars need not to be charged through external source because of the Regenerative Braking technology.
Special warranties are also provided with the battery pack.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Toyota Camry 2011
EXTERIOR
Projector-beam headlamps with auto on/off feature and Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with manual on/off feature standard
Projector-beam headlamps with smoked sport trim auto on/off feature and Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with manual on/off feature not available
Hybrid Synergy Drive® blue-accent headlamps not available
Integrated front fog lamps not available
LED (light-emitting diode) for tail, stop and side marker lamps standard
16-in. steel wheels with full wheel covers and P215/60R16 tires standard
16-in. 7-spoke alloy wheels with P215/60R16 tires not available
17-in. 5-spoke machine-finished alloy wheels with P215/55R17 tires [1] [2] not available
16-in. 10-spoke alloy wheels with P215/60R16 tires not available
16-in. 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P215/60R16 tires not available
Color-keyed power outside mirrors standard
Heated outside mirrors not available
Acoustic noise-reducing front windshield not available
High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass standard
Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers standard
Power tilt/slide moonroof not available
Blackout front sport grille not available
Rear window defogger with timer standard
Dual rear exhaust outlets not available
Chrome-tipped exhaust not available
Color-keyed front and rear underbody spoilers and side rocker panels not available
Rear spoiler not available
Projector-beam headlamps with auto on/off feature and Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with manual on/off feature standard
Projector-beam headlamps with smoked sport trim auto on/off feature and Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with manual on/off feature not available
Hybrid Synergy Drive® blue-accent headlamps not available
Integrated front fog lamps not available
LED (light-emitting diode) for tail, stop and side marker lamps standard
16-in. steel wheels with full wheel covers and P215/60R16 tires standard
16-in. 7-spoke alloy wheels with P215/60R16 tires not available
17-in. 5-spoke machine-finished alloy wheels with P215/55R17 tires [1] [2] not available
16-in. 10-spoke alloy wheels with P215/60R16 tires not available
16-in. 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P215/60R16 tires not available
Color-keyed power outside mirrors standard
Heated outside mirrors not available
Acoustic noise-reducing front windshield not available
High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass standard
Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers standard
Power tilt/slide moonroof not available
Blackout front sport grille not available
Rear window defogger with timer standard
Dual rear exhaust outlets not available
Chrome-tipped exhaust not available
Color-keyed front and rear underbody spoilers and side rocker panels not available
Rear spoiler not available
Friday, January 21, 2011
Climate Change Study
A climate change study that projected a 2.4 degree Celsius increase in temperature and massive worldwide food shortages in the next decade was seriously flawed, scientists said Wednesday.
The study was posted Tuesday on EurekAlert, a independent service for reporters set up by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and was written about by numerous international news agencies, including AFP.
But AAAS later retracted the study as experts cited numerous errors in its approach.
"A reporter with The Guardian alerted us yesterday to concerns about the news release submitted by Hoffman & Hoffman public relations," said AAAS spokeswoman Ginger Pinholster in an email to AFP.
"We immediately contacted a climate change expert, who confirmed that the information raised many questions in his mind, too. We swiftly removed the news release from our website and contacted the submitting organization."
Scientist Osvaldo Canziani, who was part of the 2007 Nobel Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, was listed as the scientific advisor to the report.
The IPCC, whose figures were cited as the basis for the study's projections, and Al Gore jointly won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2007 "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change," the prize committee said at the time.
Canziani's spokesman said Tuesday he was ill and was unavailable for interviews.
The study cited the UN group's figures for its projections, combined with "the business-as-usual path the world is currently following," said lead author Liliana Hisas of the Universal Ecological Fund (UEF), a non-profit group headquartered in Argentina.
But climate scientist Ray Weymann told AFP that the "study contains a significant error in that it confuses 'equilibrium' temperature rise with 'transient temperature rise.'"
He also noted that study author Hisas was told of the problems in advance of the report's release.
"The author of the study was told by several of us about this error but she said it was too late to change it," said Weymann.
The study was posted Tuesday on EurekAlert, a independent service for reporters set up by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and was written about by numerous international news agencies, including AFP.
But AAAS later retracted the study as experts cited numerous errors in its approach.
"A reporter with The Guardian alerted us yesterday to concerns about the news release submitted by Hoffman & Hoffman public relations," said AAAS spokeswoman Ginger Pinholster in an email to AFP.
"We immediately contacted a climate change expert, who confirmed that the information raised many questions in his mind, too. We swiftly removed the news release from our website and contacted the submitting organization."
Scientist Osvaldo Canziani, who was part of the 2007 Nobel Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, was listed as the scientific advisor to the report.
The IPCC, whose figures were cited as the basis for the study's projections, and Al Gore jointly won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2007 "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change," the prize committee said at the time.
Canziani's spokesman said Tuesday he was ill and was unavailable for interviews.
The study cited the UN group's figures for its projections, combined with "the business-as-usual path the world is currently following," said lead author Liliana Hisas of the Universal Ecological Fund (UEF), a non-profit group headquartered in Argentina.
But climate scientist Ray Weymann told AFP that the "study contains a significant error in that it confuses 'equilibrium' temperature rise with 'transient temperature rise.'"
He also noted that study author Hisas was told of the problems in advance of the report's release.
"The author of the study was told by several of us about this error but she said it was too late to change it," said Weymann.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Kissing For Lovemaking
There are some things that we may not forget as time passes by. The latest study on facts of kissing has proved that the first kiss with your so called loved one is the most remembered other than losing one's virginity.
However, this study on facts of kissing in lovemaking is true because as per the scientists report that 90 percent of women and men can remember the details of their first kiss which is a memory more vivid than losing their virginity.
Buzz up!
Sheril Kirshenbaum, a scientist has stated that,"Women try to “extricate the significance of a relationship based on a single kiss and often that leads to miscommunication.”
The author of 'The Science of Kissing: What Our Lips Are Telling Us’, Sheril Kirshenbaum, says that men look at kissing a woman as part of means to an end and also with a sense of being in order to swap body fluids, which is a known facts of kissing in lovemaking.
Pertaining to the facts of kissing, researchers say that when a couple engages in kissing, the man is the most aggressive kisser. He tries to pass on all his emotions in this intimate type of communication with his beloved partner, related to that of a testosterone bomb. But, science has proved that the testosterone stays in the body for a longer period of time when the kisses are frequent and thus helps the woman to fall in love more quickly with the man when being kissed upon. These are some of the latest facts of kissing in lovemaking.
However, this study on facts of kissing in lovemaking is true because as per the scientists report that 90 percent of women and men can remember the details of their first kiss which is a memory more vivid than losing their virginity.
Buzz up!
Sheril Kirshenbaum, a scientist has stated that,"Women try to “extricate the significance of a relationship based on a single kiss and often that leads to miscommunication.”
The author of 'The Science of Kissing: What Our Lips Are Telling Us’, Sheril Kirshenbaum, says that men look at kissing a woman as part of means to an end and also with a sense of being in order to swap body fluids, which is a known facts of kissing in lovemaking.
Pertaining to the facts of kissing, researchers say that when a couple engages in kissing, the man is the most aggressive kisser. He tries to pass on all his emotions in this intimate type of communication with his beloved partner, related to that of a testosterone bomb. But, science has proved that the testosterone stays in the body for a longer period of time when the kisses are frequent and thus helps the woman to fall in love more quickly with the man when being kissed upon. These are some of the latest facts of kissing in lovemaking.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
China's Online Population
BEIJING (AFP) – The number of Internet users in China, already the world's largest online market, hit 457 million in 2010 -- up 19.1 percent from the previous year, a government-linked industry body said Wednesday.
The figure marks an increase of 73.3 million users and means more than one-third of the country's 1.3 billion-strong population is now online.
The number of people surfing the web on mobile phones surged nearly 30 percent last year to 303 million, figures released by the state-backed China Internet Network Information Center.
China's spiralling online population has turned the Internet into a forum for citizens to express their opinions in a way rarely seen in a country where the traditional media is under strict government control.
The Internet has also become a lucrative marketplace. The value of online sales rose 22 percent in last year to 4.5 trillion yuan ($684 billion) as more price-sensitive consumers turned to the web for cheaper products amid rising inflation.
The sales data published by the China e-Business Research Center covers business-to-business, business-to-consumer and consumer-to-consumer transactions.
The growing strength and influence of the web population has prompted concern in Beijing about the Internet's potential as a tool for generating social unrest, and authorities have stepped up surveillance in recent years.
The figure marks an increase of 73.3 million users and means more than one-third of the country's 1.3 billion-strong population is now online.
The number of people surfing the web on mobile phones surged nearly 30 percent last year to 303 million, figures released by the state-backed China Internet Network Information Center.
China's spiralling online population has turned the Internet into a forum for citizens to express their opinions in a way rarely seen in a country where the traditional media is under strict government control.
The Internet has also become a lucrative marketplace. The value of online sales rose 22 percent in last year to 4.5 trillion yuan ($684 billion) as more price-sensitive consumers turned to the web for cheaper products amid rising inflation.
The sales data published by the China e-Business Research Center covers business-to-business, business-to-consumer and consumer-to-consumer transactions.
The growing strength and influence of the web population has prompted concern in Beijing about the Internet's potential as a tool for generating social unrest, and authorities have stepped up surveillance in recent years.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Internet in Pakistan
Nayatel a relatively new broadband operator in Pakistan is providing state of the art ultraband applications in corporate & domestic scenario. being the first adopter of GPON technology in the country, nayatel is rapidly expanding its services in the capital city Islamabad & the adjacent metropolitan city Rawalpindi. they are using Alcatel-Lucent’s industry-leading GPON solutions. However PTCL broadband is the most favorite broadband services in Pakistan for their unlimited downloading facility & cheap packages, but however due to their pathetic customer services people is preferring nayatel for the quick resolution of their broadband & other telecommunication problems.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Sony Tablet Devices
Competitors including Samsung -- whose Galaxy Tab is out and being called by some analysts a potential iPad killer -- and Research in Motion -- which is getting positive early reviews for its PlayBook demonstrated here on Wednesday -- are pushing ahead.
But computer division head Kunimasa Suzuki said the company had ambitions to catch up quickly.
"For sure iPad is the king of tablets. But what is the second, what is the third? Who is taking the second position? That is our focus," Suzuki said. "We would like to really take the number two position in a year."
Stringer said the company was biding its time and considering whether the tablet offering should have 3D capability. "If I want to differentiate it from others, do I release it tomorrow, or do I wait till I differentiate it?"
DIFFICULT TARGET
After Sony disappointed some investors by not unveiling a new tablet, an analyst said it would be difficult for the electronics maker to achieve its goal of becoming the world's No.2 in tablet devices by 2012.
"Many electronics makers have already unveiled tablet devices since last year, and it would be extremely difficult to come up with products that are different from the others and to steal market share from the far-and-away front-runner, Apple," said T.I.W. senior analyst Takao Hattori.
"To attract consumers, Sony would have to come up with features that are totally unexpected," Hattori said.
Sony's Suzuki said he saw casual and social gaming as an area of interest for Sony, adding that a rumored PlayStation phone was "one potential opportunity," but declined to comment further.
A series of media reports have focused on 68-year-old Stringer's career prospects, with one saying part of his responsibilities would be hived off to another executive as Sony seeks to groom a successor. Last month, Britain's Daily Telegraph said he had been approached to become chairman of the BBC.
"I am not a candidate," Stringer told reporters at the CES on Thursday. "I'm not worried about the future. I am still very excited about what we're doing here. For me, this is the culmination of a dream that started five years ago."
Analysts said Stringer, who took the helm at Sony five years ago, deserves credit for pushing through necessary job and cost cuts and for trying to pull the sprawling conglomerate's diverse units together to leverage its unique combination of content and technology.
But the company has fallen behind Apple in innovations that seize the public imagination and lost ground to South Korean rivals in the flat-panel television market.
Stringer, who is expected to stand down in 2013, joked that a lifetime award for technology he was set to receive later on Thursday inspired somber thoughts.
"That does suggest, I agree, it's over," he said. "Actually, I already have a lifetime achievement award in media from the Emmys too. That was ten years ago, so it doesn't mean it's over."
But computer division head Kunimasa Suzuki said the company had ambitions to catch up quickly.
"For sure iPad is the king of tablets. But what is the second, what is the third? Who is taking the second position? That is our focus," Suzuki said. "We would like to really take the number two position in a year."
Stringer said the company was biding its time and considering whether the tablet offering should have 3D capability. "If I want to differentiate it from others, do I release it tomorrow, or do I wait till I differentiate it?"
DIFFICULT TARGET
After Sony disappointed some investors by not unveiling a new tablet, an analyst said it would be difficult for the electronics maker to achieve its goal of becoming the world's No.2 in tablet devices by 2012.
"Many electronics makers have already unveiled tablet devices since last year, and it would be extremely difficult to come up with products that are different from the others and to steal market share from the far-and-away front-runner, Apple," said T.I.W. senior analyst Takao Hattori.
"To attract consumers, Sony would have to come up with features that are totally unexpected," Hattori said.
Sony's Suzuki said he saw casual and social gaming as an area of interest for Sony, adding that a rumored PlayStation phone was "one potential opportunity," but declined to comment further.
A series of media reports have focused on 68-year-old Stringer's career prospects, with one saying part of his responsibilities would be hived off to another executive as Sony seeks to groom a successor. Last month, Britain's Daily Telegraph said he had been approached to become chairman of the BBC.
"I am not a candidate," Stringer told reporters at the CES on Thursday. "I'm not worried about the future. I am still very excited about what we're doing here. For me, this is the culmination of a dream that started five years ago."
Analysts said Stringer, who took the helm at Sony five years ago, deserves credit for pushing through necessary job and cost cuts and for trying to pull the sprawling conglomerate's diverse units together to leverage its unique combination of content and technology.
But the company has fallen behind Apple in innovations that seize the public imagination and lost ground to South Korean rivals in the flat-panel television market.
Stringer, who is expected to stand down in 2013, joked that a lifetime award for technology he was set to receive later on Thursday inspired somber thoughts.
"That does suggest, I agree, it's over," he said. "Actually, I already have a lifetime achievement award in media from the Emmys too. That was ten years ago, so it doesn't mean it's over."
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
An injection of cash that values Facebook at $50 billion
An injection of cash that values Facebook at $50 billion will help it delay going public for at least another year, giving the company breathing room to focus on long-term ambition rather than short-term profit.
The infusion — $500 million from elite investment house Goldman Sachs and a Russian investor, according to a report by The New York Times — represents the most emphatic endorsement yet of Facebook's potential to make money in online social networking.
It places the company at twice the value of Internet giant Yahoo and about equal to what well-established names such as Boeing and Kraft Foods are worth on the open market.
More important, it buys time for Facebook to keep its books private and not have to cater to the demands of the market. And it gives 26-year-old founder Mark Zuckerberg room to grow into his role as the public face of a multinational company.
Zuckerberg is widely believed to be more comfortable operating behind the scenes, thinking about technology and business, than engaging in public discourse, says Standard & Poor's equity analyst Scott Kessler, who follows large Internet companies.
"There is still some question whether he has the persona to be a public CEO and, if he doesn't, would he be willing to cede control to someone who does," says Mark Heeson, president of the National Venture Capital Association, a trade group that represents firms that invest in startups. "That is probably an issue that Facebook's board has been discussing for some time."
As it nears the seventh anniversary of its founding in a Harvard dorm room, Facebook is already slightly more mature than Google was when it went public, in 2004. At the time, investors placed Google's value at about $24 billion.
The infusion — $500 million from elite investment house Goldman Sachs and a Russian investor, according to a report by The New York Times — represents the most emphatic endorsement yet of Facebook's potential to make money in online social networking.
It places the company at twice the value of Internet giant Yahoo and about equal to what well-established names such as Boeing and Kraft Foods are worth on the open market.
More important, it buys time for Facebook to keep its books private and not have to cater to the demands of the market. And it gives 26-year-old founder Mark Zuckerberg room to grow into his role as the public face of a multinational company.
Zuckerberg is widely believed to be more comfortable operating behind the scenes, thinking about technology and business, than engaging in public discourse, says Standard & Poor's equity analyst Scott Kessler, who follows large Internet companies.
"There is still some question whether he has the persona to be a public CEO and, if he doesn't, would he be willing to cede control to someone who does," says Mark Heeson, president of the National Venture Capital Association, a trade group that represents firms that invest in startups. "That is probably an issue that Facebook's board has been discussing for some time."
As it nears the seventh anniversary of its founding in a Harvard dorm room, Facebook is already slightly more mature than Google was when it went public, in 2004. At the time, investors placed Google's value at about $24 billion.
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