Thursday, October 31, 2013

Time Warner Cable's Profit Tops Estimates on Rate Increases

Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC), the second-largest cable company in the U.S., reported third-quarter profit that topped estimates as subscriber-rate increases helped make up for a shrinking pool of customers.vacuum bottleNet income fell 34 percent to $532 million, or $1.84 a share, in the three months ended in September, from $808 million, or $2.60, a year earlier, the New York-based company said today in a statement. Excluding one-time costs, earnings per share were $1.69, surpassing the $1.64 average analyst estimate, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.Revenue from residential high-speed Internet subscribers rose 14 percent in the period to $1.46 billion from a year earlier, even as those customers declined in number. Time Warner Cable also dropped 306,000 video subscribers, as the broader cableScrap metal baler industry continues to face increased competition from newer video providers such as AT&T Inc. (T) and streaming services such as Netflix Inc. (NFLX)While profit topped estimates, the company lost residential subscribers at all its business lines, including 24,000 broadband customers -- the first time it had lost numbers in that once-booming category. The company increased profit by raising the average monthly bill paid by customers. 

The subscriber exodus may strengthen the effort by billionaire investor John Malone to combine Time Warner with Charter Communications Inc. (CHTR), according to Craig Moffett, founder of research firm MoffettNathanson LLC.“These results are so bad that it makes it extraordinarily difficult for the Time Warner Cable board to continue to resist Charter’s overtures,” he said in an interview following the report.Banner PenMalone’s holding company, Liberty Media Corp.vacuum flask (LMCA), is the largest shareholder in Charter. After acquiring a 27 percent stake in the Stamford, Connecticut-based cable company, Malone said he wanted Charter to be “a horizontal acquisition machine.”Time Warner Cable shares rose 2.8 percent to $120.15 at the close in New York. The stock has gained 24 percent this year.Malone’s overtures to Time Warner Cable are part of a broader push for consolidation in the cable industry. Pay-TV companies are having to pay more to carry programming from the major cable and broadcast networks, and Malone has said that bulking up would help extract better terms.Time Warner Cable recently agreed to pay a significant increase for the right to carry CBS Corp. (CBS) programming, ending a dispute that caused a monthlong blackout in the quarter. Cable customers in quantum analyzerDallas, New York and Los Angeles missed some of CBS’s popular programming such as “Under the Dome” and “60 Minutes” as a result of the dispute.Time Warner Cable sales gained 2.9 percent last quarter to $5.52 billion, just short of the $5.54 billion average estimate.

iPad Air sales kick off, while wait for Mini remains unknown

In-store sales began in Australia, and are headed to 41 other countries,tyre equipments marking the biggest launch yet for one of Apple's tablets. Last year's iPad Mini and fourth-generation iPad launch initially targeted 27 countries, while the third-generation model launched in just 10. One of those 42 countries is Greater China, which was Apple's third-biggest market behind Europe and the Americas this year.The launch is the first part of a two-stage release that also includes a new version of the iPad Mini equipped with a Retina Display. Apple has said it plans to release that device sometime in November. A listing on retailer Target's Web site late Wednesday suggested that Apple's eyeing November 21 -- a little more than a week before the holiday shopping season kicks off.While the new iPad Mini is expected to be scarce when it arrives, early indications suggest Apple has a healthy supply of its larger Air tablets available. Initial online sales in Australia, China, and other countries began just after midnight local time, though only sold out in Hong Kong. New buyers in other countries face a 24-hour wait for their tablets to ship.In Apple's store in Sydney -- where CNET's Seamus Byrne was on location -- the lines were noticeably shorter than they were for the iPhone last month, though still several hundred people stood in a line that stretched around the block. Apple typically puts up barriers for crowd control at that store, but did not do so for this particular product.The launch comes as Apple's spot on top of the tablet market, one it helped create, is slipping. Apple's share of that market dipped to 29.6 percent -- its lowest ever -- in the third quarter of this year, while the market overall increased by 37 percent. That's according to data released yesterday by IDC, which still had Apple in the No. 1 spot among rivals. That includes Samsung, which grew 123 percent from the same quarter last year, and accounted for 20.4 percent of units sold. During the same time last year, Apple accounted for more than 40 percent of tablets.The new model, which goes on sale at 8 a.m. local time in the US on Friday, is Apple's fifth version of a tablet since it was released about three and a half years ago. Since then,quantum magnetic analyzer Apple's quadrupled the number of pixels on the display and amped up the processor and other components like RAM, cellular networking, and Wi-Fi antennas. The new Mini model, a size that joined the iPad lineup last November,Clawfoot tub faucets has nearly identical specs as the Air.It's unclear just how many iPads Apple is expected to sell in its launch weekend. Last November Apple reported initial sales of 3 million iPads in the first three days, which was twice the 1.5 million it sold during the third-generation launch in March. Apple might not report its own official numbers until early next week, though it's in a rather unusual situation of selling only one tablet,Used excavator with a wait still ahead for the other.Online sales kick off at midnight in the US, with the company's retail stores opening up at 8 a.m.Vintage tubs local time.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

The Case for a Larger ‘iPad Pro’ with Integrated Keyboard

Gadget geeks are pretty good at pattern recognition. Immediately after Apple announced the ultra-light iPad Air last week, the tech world began speculating on the possibility of an “iPad Pro.”Apple already offers the MacBook Air for mainstream laptop users and the MacBook Pro for those who want more power, so the birth of the iPad Air hints at a pro-level counterpart, aimed at people who use tablets as work machines. Given Apple’s messaging around iPad productivity during last week’s event, we can guess that Apple has at least thought about the idea.One thing that pundits are already talking about is the idea of a keyboard that also serves as a tablet stand and screen cover.Banner Pen Many third-party vendors offer this already, but a tightly integrated keyboard from Apple would be even better. Consider how the existing iPad Smart Cover connects through magnets built into the tablet, and it’s easy to imagine how a keyboard cover would shine. (And yes,quantum analyzer I know Microsoft has its own implementation with Surface; let’s not turn this into a flame war.)Apple is rumored to have prototyped its own keyboard cover, and some tech watchers thought we’d see it at last week’s event. But John Moltz makes a good point on why it didn’t happen:Although Moltz doesn’t guess at what a proper solution would look like, a wider iPad makes sense. Just as Apple stretched the iPhone 5′s screen from 3.5 inches to 4 inches, a pro-level iPad could get a wider aspect ratio, while keeping pixel density the same at 264 pixels per inch. 

To maintain the Retina display, the screen size would measure 10.7 inches diagonally–exactly one inch longer than the iPad Air–and 8.98 inches lengthwise. With bezel size remaining at 7/8 of an inch on either side of the screen, the entire tablet would measure 10.73 inches lengthwise. That’s just enough for a full-sized keyboard.There is one problem with my theory: The aspect ratio is atypical, floating halfway between 3:2 and 16:10. Alternatively, It might make sense for Apple to stretch the screen out even further. An iPad with 16:10 aspect ratio, for instance, would have a 2458-by-1536 resolution display, measuring just under 11 inches.But Apple isn’t afraid of odd aspect ratios (the iPhone 5s is 71:40, just a little off from 16:9), and widening the screen too much would make it feel awkward in portrait mode. Also, keeping the screen as small as possible makes touch interaction easier, because you don’t have to move your hands as much. I know there’s speculation about a 13-inch iPad, but I question how comfortable that would be to hold in your hands or use in your lap. This hypothetical device still has to function like a normal tablet, after all. 

Keyboard aside, those extra pixels could be useful for all kinds of apps. Consider GarageBand. In the current version, you can expand the instrument panel in track view to show the volume slider and mute controls, but this takes away from how much of the timeline you can see. A wider iPad could show more of the timeline even when the instrument panel is fully expanded. For movie editors, a wider iPad would reduce some of the letterboxing you get now,vacuum bottle even if it’s still not a perfect fit for 16:9 video.The app transition would be similar to what it was for the iPhone 5, with a black border on either side of the screen until the app is properly optimized. Having to expand app content in just one direction for each orientation would minimize the amount of work developers must do. Meanwhile, Apple could use the extra screen space for a slide-out app dock, allowing users to quickly toggle between programs.If this kind of iPad Pro existed, we can assume it would include more processing power and RAM, and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor to make it more practical for business users.vacuum flask But mainly, I’m interested in what a pro-level iPad might look like, and how it would fit in with the rest of Apple’s lineup. A modest size increase to just under 11 inches would retain much of the comfort level and portability of the current iPad,Scrap metal baler while allowing for a full-sized keyboard and new software features. And while I have no idea whether this is something Apple will build, it’s something I’d be interested in.

Motorola Project Ara Customization by Consumer

What happens when Google takes over a brand? Innovation is born to whole new levels of techie goodness. Moto X made smartphone shoppers shrill in excitement as they were able to determine color options and accents from the company’s website. Now, Motorola is ready to tackle a project that will be sure to boost consumer interest. Called Project Aura, Motorola expresses they have been working on a development that would leave a majority of customization options to the consumer. Broader than colors, Motorola is looking to make waves in the saturated industry.Moto X is a success to Google. Motorola was hemorrhaging serious losses when Google took over the ship and the company is still finding its footing. Larry Page, Google’s CEO implored for patience, advising investors that Motorola’s rebuilding process is merely in its infancy. Sales did rise in the third quarter, boosting an outlook that had been dismal for too long with Motorola.Antique tubs In addition,thermos bottle Google is manufacturing the Moto X in the United States, taking the cost of labor to an incredible higher percentage compared to what Apple pays in China.quantum resonance magnetic analyzer This alone may cause reconsideration for purchase options for Americans.Moto X was a success and seemingly a testing phase for Project Ara. The customization process for the Android device allowed consumers to pick from a slew of color combinations. Pink, blue, lime and yellow were the rave as customers flocked to the site to start building their phone. Sure, while Motorola may look like the black sheep for shipping 400,000 handsets compared to Apple’s multi-million range – there is a greater level of perception. Google is looking to build Motorola and truly the company is barely in crawling stages as they look to innovate and grow.Antique faucets 

What is Project Ara? It is the next phase of developing smartphones that leave the level of building satisfaction to the consumer. The concept derives from the idea of an open hardware system – consider mix and matching components that include a colorful display, varying size keyboard or even adding an extra battery. This advanced process of smartphone development is an incredible idea for consumers to enjoy the possibilities of creating their own device.Dave Hakkens, the creator behind Phonebloks is working with Motorola in regards to streamlining the components for high-end smartphones. This open ecosystem of choice, advancement and possibility is pretty exciting.Wholesale Quantum Resonance Magnetic Analyzer QMA101 Especially with Google behind the push of this latest technology. The concept of Project Ara is still a guessing game for those in the tech field as they await word from Motorola. The company is forecasting an “alpha release of the Module Developer’s Kit” to arrive sometime this winter. Below are pictures from Motorola (credit Motorola) to the varying designer, customization blocks.Motorola now back with Google’s innovative creativity and pocketbook is looking to make waves in the smartphone industry. While curved and flexible screens are dominating the predicted 2014 new technology buzz, Motorola just blew open the doors of expectation. Project Ara is looking to expand the process of open systems on a level of hardware selection for consumers, by working with Phonebloks creator Dave Hakkens. It would permit consumers to have a vast array of selection when it comes to Lego-building their own smartphone. A new way of customization for the consumer soon to spear the niche of Motorola. Is Project Ara the next step to connecting smartphones with consumer desires or will the idea flop in the progressive steps of Apple?

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Australia Shares End up 1% Before ANZ Results

Australian shares rose the most in two weeks, setting a fresh five-year high Monday as global equity markets continued to benefit from expectations of sustained quantitative easing by the Federal Reserve. Banks continued to soar before ANZ kicks off the bank reporting period early Tuesday.The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed up 1% at 5441.4 after rising to 5457.3,Vintage tubs and share trading value soared to 6.5 billion Australian dollars (US$6.2 billion) versus the 200-day moving average of A$4.4 billion.tyre equipmentsReflecting broad-based demand for a diverse mix of companies, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, ANZ Bank, National Australia Bank, CSL Limited,Clawfoot tub faucets Macquarie Group, Fortescue Metals, Brambles, Santos and Insurance Australia rose between 1.5% and 4.%4Vintage tubs."Momentum continues to be very strong," said Goldman Sachs institutional dealer Richard Coppleson. He noted that the S&P/ASX 200 had risen 11 of the past 14 trading days, helping generate a 4.3% rise for the month so far.The rise in Australian shares this month was nonetheless in line with strength in global markets, underscoring the fact that most of the gains have been driven by expectations that the prospect of sustained quantitative easing and low interest rates from the Fed will continue to push money into equities. 

Traders said Australian banks have been particularly attractive before upcoming dividend payments in the sector, and that the market was primarily being driven by the weight of money, rather than cheap valuations."People are chasing large bank dividends, too many people were hoping to buy at the 5000 level still have not pulled the trigger and too many of the key S&P/ASX 200 stocks remain clearly bullish on technical view," said Shaw Stockbroking investment adviser Shawn Hickman. "But the most important point is the weight of money. There's a lot of cash out there."On a technical basis, the S&P/ASX 200 broke a major resistance level at 5426--the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the fall from the 2007 peak at 6851 to the 2009 trough at 3120.Among stocks that weakened,quantum magnetic analyzer Navitas Limited, an education services provider, fell 9.4% after releasing fiscal 2014 earnings guidance which missed market expectations.

Facebook Privacy Policy

When Facebook Inc. recently lifted its restriction on public posts by teenagers, some privacy scholars applauded the move as a win for parents -- offering them a chance to teach their children about digital accountability. They may be overstating the case, however.thermos flask If information and communication technologies aren’t designed to help users -- especially younger ones -- guard their information, appeals to good judgment and discipline won’t go very far.To understand the dynamics of Internet privacy, parents need to appreciate what Facebook had previously done to shield its young users. Before the most recent change, the social-media site did a decent job of protecting privacy through obscurity, especially for teenagers. Under its former policy, younger users could communicate only within their extended network. Their biggest privacy concern was whether one of their “friends” or a “friend of friend” would release their information to an unintended audience.Now that Facebook (FB) has changed its policy, teens have access to a broader, more public audience. Even if today’s children are more Internet-savvy than their parents,vacuum bottle they still need to be taught to avoid oversharing, and parents are placed in the unenviable position of guiding teens without seeming too controlling. 

Technological advances have made it easier to analyze large data sets and identify patterns, and this makes Facebook especially dangerous when filled with accessible, “public” information. Facebook is designed to collect and hoard massive amounts of personal data, and its search engine, Graph, allows users to filter through a trove of information, including “status updates, photo captions, check-ins and comments.” Of course, other social-media services can be a liability, too. Public Twitter posts can be easily found on Google, stored in easily searchable databases and archived by preservationist sites.beilin-bearingSearchability can become a serious hazard if it reveals the controversial or embarrassing views, relationships and experiences many of us had as teenagers. These seem harmless when stored in our own memories but could be toxic if publicized -- as our most humiliating or damaging moments become just a click away. 

The more public teenagers’ disclosures become, the easier it will be for unintended parties to find them. The Web is teeming with creeps, snoops, bullies and curious bloggers -- never mind potential employers -- who could have access to our children’s darkest moments, and perhaps even make them go viral. Consider “name and shame” blogs such as “Hello There, Racists!” These websites aggregate offensive, regrettable and embarrassing posts, many of which were written by younger users. The kids whose worst moments are featured should have shown better judgment, but the attention from such unwanted publicity can be catastrophic. 

Thankfully, the default setting for teen accounts on Facebook still restricts information to make it sharable only with friends. However, the new policy also allows teenage users to change the setting, warning those who do about basic problems that can arise from posting publicly. This is a helpful nudge -- in principle. But convincing teenagers to act in their best interest is often a losing battle.There is ample evidence that people of all ages often fail to grasp the consequences of sharing information about their lives publicly. Cognitive biases -- that is, tendencies to reach irrational judgments -- are a fundamental part of the mind’s landscape, and teens are especially vulnerable to them. Hence, teens who don’t appreciate the negative short- and long-term outcomes of public posts will be resistant to protective nudges.united-promo And once a social-media platform such as Facebook allows teenagers to share far and wide -- and perhaps a chance at Internet fame -- a pop-up warning won’t do much to dissuade them. 

Perhaps the most important reason Facebook shouldn’t have introduced this change is that teens need opportunities to fail safely. They must be allowed to experiment -- to make mistakes and to learn from them. As parents, our job is to encourage them to explore ideas, experiences and even personas. Responsible companies will do their part by offering Scrap metal balerteens technologies that enhance personal development and strive for minimal risk.Facebook now presents parents, teachers and teens with a heightened challenge of taming a technological tool that often encourages recklessness. While social media can be personally empowering, it also gives others increasing control over our lives -- including powerful companies and advertisers who often seem a step ahead of our ability to defend against them. Growing up online is complicated enough without the medium working against you.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Ease tensions with Clawfoot Tub

Ease tensions with Clawfoot TubBak has existed since ancient times, but only in the last century or so bathing become necessary in everyday life. This is why the built-in bathtub and shower units were created: they are cheap, quick to install and easy to maintain. But if you are just looking for reliability, you can lose a lot of other luxury bath unit can provide. Clawfoot tubs have been around for generations, and although they retain a vintage look to the past, has been completely revised from time to time to offer modern comfort.When people think about clawfoot tubs, they tend to think of a romantic setting and a soak in a bubble bath with a loved one. Although it is true today, the tub was originally designed with the intention of more practical in mind. In the 1800s, the foundry began making large vats made of iron agricultural equipment. Tub horse-trough change shape and adds a layer of enamel for the purpose Used excavator of maintaining and four-legged creatures alike legs (most often lion’s paw) to stand on. They then advertise the product as “scalder horse through / pig” which can also be used by people.Over time, of course, the shower unit has become more and more common in homes until they were eventually replaced by the standard built-in shower unit. Bath became a thing of the past. Except for the recent resurgence in this tradition: people with busy lives who do not have relaxation and romance, and they need a place to decompress. Therefore, clawfoot bathtubs are becoming more popular as well. They not only provide a great look in the toilet, they also provide a great place to soak away your worries.Because of clawfoot tubs have become so popular lately have the need to modernize to fit contemporary life kind of comfort. 

They are still larger than normal bath unit is perfect for R and R, but they also come in a large variety of shapes and styles.Slipper Bathtub: This is a tub with one end raised gently sloping,Clawfoot tub faucets offering more comfort to relax. This is why clawfoot tubs are often referred to as “soaker tub” and they are perfect for unwinding.Double Ended Tub: A bath is raised at both ends and dips in the middle, fixtures and faucets often centered in the middle. It is still good to lie, but because there is less risk of a spill, it’s also great for the kids bath.Cast-Iron Tub: If you want a more classic look,tyre equipmentsiron tub was made for antique collectors out there. The benefits of cast iron can be painted any color and they tend to have more options for bathroom installations. Still they are coated with porcelain because of fights against blisters and more stain resistant than metal.Vintage tubs Bath plus a durable and have a long life. But they are also heavy (up to 500 lbs), so it is also difficult to move and may need more support in the floor beneath them.Acrylic tubs: A clawfoot tub can now come up with a lightweight way to easily move between the house and the stories of the house. Acrylic is also a natural insulator so the water stays warm bath. It is also resistant to chipping,quantum magnetic analyzer but still can be scratched so never use abrasive cleaners on it but rather gentle detergents that can wash away quickly.

Google accelerates Glass rollout

Google has said that it will not put Glass on sale to the general public until next year but, in a manner that one source likened to its gradual rollout of Gmail, existing owners will be able to invite a limited number of friends to buy the device.In a web post on Monday,quantum analyzer Google said that it would allow these Glass “Explorers” to invite up to three people to buy the device, over the coming weeks.“More Explorers means more feedback, and more feedback means better Glass,” said Google in the posting.Banner Pen It also said that an update to the Glass hardware would soon be released, bringing improvements such as prescription lenses.Google’s approach of “viral” referrals and incremental improvement to the product is common in online services but unusual in technology hardware, which is more typically launched as a finished device at a glitzy Apple-style event.The futuristic gadget shows updates from a tethered smartphone on a small screen just above the wearer’s eye and can be used to take photographs and videos. It is controlled by voice commands,vacuum flask beginning with the phrase “OK Glass”.Google has championed a variety of applications for the device, from filming active sports and cookery videos to teaching aids and even a fashion accessory in a recent issue of Vogue magazine. Updates have brought functions such as navigation directions, and developers from social networks to media organisations have created apps for Glass’s small screen. 

However, while Glass has become a familiar sight at technology conferences in Silicon Valley, it has yet to win over the public amid concerns ranging from personal privacy to social etiquette.Part of the goal of the slow and steady expansion is to help people become more familiar with Glass ahead of a full consumer rollout, which is expected in mid to late 2014,Scrap metal baler sources say.Glass was first unveiled a year ago at the Google I/O developer event, where attendees could order the futuristic device for $1,500. Developers received their first units this year.A spokesman for Google X, the experimental lab which is developing Glass alongside the self-driving car and other innovations, declined to comment beyond the posting.In July, Google said in a posting that it was “starting to test out other ways of expanding the program so that additional Explorers can join”. Earlier in the summer, academic researchers were given the opportunity to try the devices. This autumn, Google began a roadshow across American cities,vacuum bottle starting in Durham, North Carolina, to let the public try the technology.The expansion of Glass comes as other electronics companies explore their own wearable technologies. Samsung, which released a smartwatch a few weeks ago, may be working on smart glasses, according to designs revealed in patent filings, while Apple is also working on an iWatch, sources say.