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Social power of an island nation: Singaporeans love Facebook than anyone else in the planet and spend the most time per visit on the world’s largest social networking site

Netizens live in a tiny island nation located in South East Asia spent the most time per visit on Facebook, the world’s largest social networking site.  Singaporeans love passing time on Facebook than anyone else in the planet. 

Based on a study of eight nations and their social networks usages conducted by Experian Hitwise during the month of August 2011, Singaporeans spent on average 38 minutes and 46 seconds per session.  In term of market share for social networks and forums, Singapore ranked number two with 16.4% of all Singapore Internet visits were to social networks in August 2011.

Of the eight countries, Brazil was at the last spot in term of Facebook usages as people live in this Samba country spent an average of 18 minutes and 19 seconds per session.  However, Brazil captured the number one spot of market share for social networks and forums.  18.9% of people visiting the Internet from the country who will host future Olympic 2016 were to social networks in August 2011.

The Facebook founder’s country ranked number five of the eight spots as Americans spent an average of 20 minutes and 46 seconds in Facebook during August 2011.  America ranked as the number three top market for social networking with a total of 15.4% share of all Internet visits in August 2011.

(Tables: Experian Hitwise)

American multinationals dominate top ten companies for job-seekers in 2011: Google, Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Procter & Gamble, Goldman Sachs, Intel, General Electric

A list of world’s top companies for job-seekers in 2011 is just being released by Universum who is an international employer branding company.  Based on a report with a title “The World’s Most Attractive Employers 2011,” the list shows the top 50 companies in the world.  The report is based on samples of 160,000 career seekers who have either a business or engineering background.  This year’s report is split into two categories, business and engineering.  Data was collected from the world’s 12 largest economies including America, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, and Spain. 

This year's data shows that most of job-seekers prefer to work for American multinationals companies.  The search giant company Google is the number one on both categories business and engineering for this year’s global talent attraction index published by Universum.  In the business category, top ten companies include KPMG, PwC, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, J.P. Morgan, Apple, and Goldman Sachs.

In the engineering category, after Google at number one, the top ten companies include IBM, Microsoft, BMW, Intel, Sony, Apple, General Electric, Siemens, and Procter & Gamble.

Click here to download a full report in .pdf format.

(Table: Universum)

Let’s say hello to four new Amazon Kindles from the world’s largest ecommerce company include smaller Kindle, Kindle Touch and Kindle Fire

The world’s largest ecommerce company Amazon just introduced four new Kindles.  The first Kindle is smaller, lighter, and cheaper than any previous Kindles with a price tag of $79.  It has a 6-inch screen and using e-ink display.  According to Amazon press release, this new Kindle is about 30% lighter than previous versions.  This product is now available via online order.

 
The second type of Kindles is Kindle Touch.  This version of Kindle has two models and two functionalities.  A simple feature as an e-reader with touch will cost about $99.  Another upgraded model with additional extra feature which allows users to connect to free wireless Internet 3G will cost about $149.  Users must wait until November 21, 2011 to get these two new Kindles.

The most exciting of all new models is "Kindle Fire."   This model will allow users to read books and magazines, watch movies and TV shows, listen to music, and play games, while also at the same time users can use the device to connect to Internet for web browsing.   Amazon also let users to store files, documents, books, music, photos, and other content, via Amazon Cloud online storages.  The Kindle Fire model has 7-inch touch screen and runs on dual-core processor.  The price tag for this unit is $199.  During the promo month, Amazon will let users to access Amazon Prime which has over 11,000 movies and TV shows. Amazon promised to deliver this model to users on November 15, 2011.

(Screenshot: Amazon Kindle)

Let’s talk to Tim Cook on October 4, 2011 at 10:00am Pacific Time at Apple’s Cupertino campus, Silicon Valley, California

On October 4, 2011 at 10:00am Pacific Saving Time, the world’s largest mobile devices company will introduce a new version of the iPhone at Apple’s Cupertino campus, Silicon Valley, California.  This is going to be the first upgrade of its popular smartphone since Steve Jobs resigned as CEO on August 24, 2011.  After the resignation, Mr. Jobs turned Apple’s leadership over to his chosen-one and right-hand man Tim Cook.  Mr. Jobs is now the world’s most valuable technology company chairman.

Apple sent out invitations early this morning to all top bloggers, tech watchers and Wall Street analysts with a subject line stating “Let’s talk iPhone.”  There is no doubt everyone to attend the event will be talking to Tim Cook at its headquarters in Cupertino, California.

The new iPhone (dubbed as iPhone 5) will include an 8 MB camera, faster duo-core chips (similar to iPad 2) and more memory RAMs.  The new iPhone will run on new software called iOS 5 with a ton of new features such as iMessage for text messaging systems (similar to BlackBerry Messeger/BBM) and super-size storage for apps a.k.a iCloud.  Tech watchers rumored iCloud is currently hosted by Microsoft Azure Cloud services.  The Apple’s iCloud service will allow users to access from one-place for music, documents, pictures and files and can also sync all types of Apple devices including iPhones, iPads, and iPods.  The new phone is also equipped with a Qualcomm dual-mode GSM/CDMA baseband for world travelers.

The first iPhone was introduced in 2007.  Soon after that, many phone subscribers in America switched to the new phone thru AT&T and later via Verizon Wireless.  The iPhone sales have boosted Apple’s revenue and beating several new records in term of quarterly revenue.  The latest financial report showing iPhone sales contributed to almost 50% of Apple’s total revenue.

Smartphone trends in America: 56% of new buyers select Google’s Android mobile operating system over others including Apple iOS, RIM BlackBerry OS, and Windows Phone OS

According to the latest data from nielsen.com, 56% of new buyers selected new mobile devices run on Google’s Android mobile operating system in the past three months ended August 2011.  One of the top choices for smartphone running on Google’s Android OS is Samsung Galaxy S2 which is manufactured by Korean-based company.  The new smartphone was launched this past summer.  The company reported that it has shifted over 10 million Galaxy S2 handsets as of this past weekend. 

In term of new smartphone buyers share, Apple iOS remained at steady level.  The Cupertino-based company has a total of 28% shares of new subscribers.    RIM Blackberry had a total of 9% shares for the new smartphone subscribers by the end of August 2011.  For Microsoft's Windows Phone OS, there was a less than 6% of new buyers selected the OS for their mobile devices.

Among all smartphone subscribers in America, Google’s Android OS controlled about 43% market share by the end of August this year, as per data from nielsen.com.  Apple stayed at number two with 28% shares.  RIM BlackBerry was at number three and had a total of 18% shares for active smartphone subscribers in America.

(Chart: nielsen.com)

Divorce, smoking cigarette, and drinking too much alcohol may trigger hair loss in women and men

A research study conducted by a team of researchers led by Dr. Bahman Guyuron at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, found that marital status can impacting women's hair.  Researchers believe men and women were affected differently in term of hair loss.    Smoking cigarette and drinking too much alcohol may contribute to hair loss in men. 

The research findings are being presented this week at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons conference.  The annual meeting is being held in Denver, Colorado, from Friday, September 23, 2011 to Tuesday, September 27, 2011.

Apple Mania in Asia: the world’s largest mobile devices company adds more stores in China include the grand opening of two largest stores in Shanghai and Hong Kong as each store can handle about 40,000 visitors per day

Apple has officially opened its largest store in Shanghai, China, this Friday.  According to mercurynews.com, the Shanghai location is the fifth stores in China.  With its store size, the latest addition could handle about 40,000 visitors per day.  As the largest city in China, coastal city Shanghai has a total population of 23 million people.

The demand for iPhones and iPads continue to skyrocketing in many Asia countries.  In order to fulfill the demands, the world’s largest mobile devices company will open another store in Hong Kong this Saturday.  This is the first store in Hong Kong.

Microsoft’s Bing decision engine released HTML5 video homepage as Internet users must have HTML5 enabled browser, such as Internet Explorer version 9

As Americans celebrate this year’s first day of autumn while clock turned midnight Pacific Saving Time on Friday morning (September 23), Microsoft’s Bing decision engine released the first ever HTML5 video on its homepage.  In order to see the dynamic video, users must have installed a browser catered for HTML5, for example Internet Explorer 9.  The new homepage is only available for the decision engine users in America, while for International users, they must wait for a while.

The first video for Bing’s homepage was produced by Bob Glusic of Wilderness Video.  This beautiful background was taken in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.  A beautiful state located in the Midwest of America, north of Colorado and south of Montana.

To learn more about the new HTML5 video homepage please click here to watch a presentation. Stephanie Horstmanshof, one of Bing team member who manages the decision engine homepage will give a tour to her office and showing daily activities.

 

(Image: Bing homepage)

Bisphenol A (BPA) Alert: bad foods for children include Campbell's Disney Princess Cool Shapes and Toy Story Fun Shapes Shaped Pasta with Chicken in Chicken Broth

The Breast Cancer Fund, as one of the top organizations with headquarter in San Francisco who gives funds to study link between chemicals, radiation and environments, has published a new report on the side effect of bisphenol A (BPA).  The report with a title “BPA in Kids' Canned Food” showed several canned foods targeted and consumed by kids could contain harmful chemical (click here to download in .pdf). 

Today’s standard level for safe level from the Environmental Protection Agency is 50 parts per billion (ppb) per day. The team of researchers tested six types of canned foods for kids includes from producers such as Annie's Homegrown, Campbell's, Chef Boyardee, and Earth's Best.  Researchers found all of the products tested positive for the toxic chemical. 

There are two types of soups produced by Campbell's company contained the highest BPA levels.  Disney Princess Cool Shapes Shaped Pasta with Chicken in Chicken Broth sold in California has 148 ppb.  The same brand sold in Wisconsin has 80 ppb.

Another type of soup produced by Campbell's company with the highest BPA levels is Toy Story Fun Shapes, Shaped Pasta with Chicken in Chicken Broth.  This type of soup sold in California has 90 ppb.  The same brand sold in Wisconsin has 71 ppb.

(Table: The Breast Cancer Fund)

See you and Tim (Cook) on Tuesday, October 4, 2011: the world’s largest mobile devices company will showcase Apple iPhone 5 as the new device will be available to phone subscribers no later than October 20, 2011

One of the most visited website link on Wednesday morning (September 21) was from the Wall Street Journal’s allthingsd.com.  As per the report, the world’s largest technology company will showcase its new iPhone 5 on October 4, 2011. CEO Tim Cook will be on stage to make his first appearance as the most powerful person in Silicon Valley to showcase the new phone.

Previous version iPhone 4 was announced by former CEO Steve Jobs on June 7, 2010 and then released on June 24, 2010, a total of 17 days span.  Given this assumption, the new iPhone will be available to phone subscribers no later than October 20, 2011.

The new iPhone 5 will be powered by a very fast A5 microprocessor which currently runs on iPad version 2.  It will be equipped with 8 MB digital camera.  The phone will run on the new OS which also known as iOS 5.  The new iOS 5 was announced by Steve Jobs during the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 6, 2011.

(Image: Apple iOS 5)

Link between Type 2 diabetes and risk of dementia incl. Alzheimer's disease and loss of mental functions (i.e., thinking, memory, and reasoning)

A team of researchers led by Dr. Yutaka Kiyohara at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, found new evidence linking between Type 2 diabetes and risk of dementia including Alzheimer's disease and loss of mental functions (i.e., thinking, memory, and reasoning).  The study with a title “Glucose tolerance status and risk of dementia in the community: The Hisayama Study” is being published in September’s issue of Neurology.

In the Japanese study, researchers utilized samples of 1,017 people aged 60 years or older (437 men and 580 women).   Of all participants, no one had memory problems at the beginning of the study. Researchers used a glucose tolerance test to determine diabetes or pre-diabetes.  Later researchers continued to monitor those participants for a lengthy period of about 15 years (from 1988 to 2003).  During the period of study, 232 participants developed dementia and other forms of memory problems (or, representing 23% of samples).

Most active texters in America: young adults are sending or receiving an average of 109.5 text messages on a daily basis or a total of over 3,200 messages on monthly basis

Majority of people live in America now own at least one cell phone which accounted for about 83% of total adults population, as per a research study conducted by Pew Research Center for Internet and American Life Project.  Of all adults who own cell phones, 73% of them use their handsets to sending and receiving text messages. 

There are more people prefer to receive texts than phone calls in America today.  The most active users for texting are young adults in the age group between 18 to 24 years old.  Then, it followed by age group of 25 to 34 years.  As per the data from Pew, the age group of 18 to 24 years old are sending and receiving an average of 109.5 text messages on a daily basis or a total of over 3,200 messages on monthly basis.  While for age group of 25 to 34 years, they sent an average of 41.8 text messages on a daily basis or about 1,250 messages per month.

(Chart: Pew Research Center for Internet and American Life Project, see the report page 4, click here to download the full report)

From 22% to 14%: America’s largest city experienced the lowest level of number of smokers as young adults are also quitting smoke

The percentage of adults who smoke in the largest city in America has dropped significantly since 2002.  Citing report from New York City Health Department data, New York Times reported that the smoking rates in New York City hit its lowest level at 14% in 2010, compared to 22% in 2002. 

Among young adults in age group of 18-24-year-olds, the smoking rate for this group was 13.6% in 2010, compared to 23.8% in 2002.

With the latest data, health experts praised the policies under the guidance of NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.  Since taking the mayor office after the 9/11 terrorist attack, Bloomberg administration passed new policies to a prohibit smoking in bars, restaurants, and government and private offices. In recent years, new policies also ban smoking at hospital entrance areas while also prohibit smoking in public parks.

More kids age 5 years and younger in America poisoning by medication while also increasing the number Emergency Room (ER) visits

Using sample 453,559 records of children 5 years and younger who had visited ER, a study conducted by Dr. Randall Bond and colleagues from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati, found 95% of cases were due to poisoning by medication.  The data was collected from 2001 to 2008 for all cases reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

Researchers believe children got into prescription medicines were the main reason to visit ER.  The study is being published by The Journal of Pediatrics.  Citing Dr. Bond the Journal noted "...there was a 22% increase in the exposure for this age group, although the number of children in the U.S. under the age of 5 years increased only 8% during the study period."

Eating lots of white fruits and vegetables (i.e., apples and pears) may protect against stroke and cut stroke risk by 52%

In a latest study with a title “Colors of Fruit and Vegetables and 10-Year Incidence of Stroke” and conducted by Dutch researchers led by Linda M. Oude Griep of Wageningen University, found consuming various colors of fruits and vegetables could have impact on stroke risk.  The study was based on sample of 20,069 men and women between ages 20 and 65 and gathering information on their eating behavior for one-year period.  To get more accurate and clean results, researchers picked those 20,069 people who had no experienced with heart disease or stroke as the beginning of the research study.  The study is being published by “Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.”

The Dutch researchers found risk of stroke was 52% lower for people who consumed a lot of white fruits and vegetables such as apples and pears.  According to the research findings, other white fruits and vegetables include bananas, cauliflower, and cucumbers.

Let’s say hello to Canon PowerShot S100 advanced point-and-shoot digital camera, coming to stores near you in early November for $429.99, replacing last year's best camera PowerShot S95

The best of the best advanced point-and-shoot digital camera in the planet today is Canon PowerShot S95 which was released just about one month before Thanks Giving holiday shopping in late 2010.  Canon just announced a new model dubbed as PowerShot S100 to replace the popular PowerShot S95.  Photography fans could expect to find the new camera in stores in early November for $429.99 in two colors black and silver.  The new S100 will definitely compete with similar models such as Panasonic LX5 and the Olympus XZ-1.

The S100 model will has a significant update over the S95 model.  S100 will come with new 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor.  S100 also equips with a new 5x zoom lens, compared to 3.8x for the S95 model.  For low-light performance, S100 maximum aperture remains at a speedy f/2.0 which is similar to S95.  S100 can produce 1080p HD video with more advanced Digic 5 processor which will help stabilizing the camera.  To connect with outdoor fans and to link to Google Maps feature, S100 has a built-in GPS for geo-tagging.

(Images: Canon USA)

Do you like or dislike seeing News Feed? The world’s largest social networking site adds “Subscribe” button for users to choose exactly what they would like to see and let others to see them

Facebook just added a new “Subscribe” button to let users to screen News Feed and decided what they would like to see on their walls.  By using “Subscribe” button, the world’s largest social networking users can offer people who are not related to them with the option to subscribe to their regular updates.  

The new feature is really cool for Facebook users who have reached 5,000 friends limit in their account, so additional fans or friends can subscribe and receive updates.

According to a blog post written by Zach Rait of Facebook, the social network users can use the new button to do the following activities:

• Choose what users would like to see from their best friends or family or coworkers in News Feed
• Hear from other outsiders while they are not friends
• Allow outsiders to hear from users while they are not friends

(Image: Facebook)

Google Android mobile operating system conquers the top five European markets include Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, and captures 22.3% share of smartphone market, while Nokia Symbian and Windows Phone shares drop drastically in July 2011

Google Android mobile platform experiences the fastest growth in the top five European markets include Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.  According to comScore MobiLens dataset, Android had only 6.0% share of smartphone market in July 2010, but it has jumped to 22.3% share in July 2011 (an increase of 16.2% shares).

The European-based technology company, Nokia Symbian mobile platform dropped to 37.8% shares in July 2011, compared to one year ago which was at 53.9% shares (a drop of 16.1% shares).

Apple iOS remained stable in the top five European markets.  The Silicon Valley-based company captured a total of 20.3% share of smartphone market in July 2011, compared to July 2010 which was at 19.0% shares (an increase of 1.3% shares).

RIM BlackBerry also at stable level with 9.4% share of smartphone market in July 2011, compared to one year ago which was at 8.0% shares (an increase of 1.4% shares).

Lastly, Microsoft’s new operating system Windows Phone received very small interests among users in the top five European markets.  Microsoft new OS replaced the previous version Windows Mobile was launched in late October 2010.  The market share of the new OS continued to decline and captured only 6.7% shares in July 2011, compared to one year ago which was at 11.5% shares (a drop of 4.8% shares).

(Table: comScore MobiLens)

The growth rate for mobile Internet access in America to hit 16.6% between 2010 and 2015: there will be more mobile users than wireline users as booming market for smartphones and tablet PCs

According to data provided by the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide New Media Market Model (NMMM), there will be more Internet users in America login into Internet via mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs in the next few years starting 2010 to 2015.  The research firm confirmed the decline of Internet access via wireline devices such as desktops and work stations, while at the same time confirmed the growth rate for mobile Internet users at 16.6% from 2010 to 2015.

The booming market for smartphones and tablet PCs started in the last few years.  Apple Company as one of the world’s largest mobile devices company continues to introduce new products every year while its iOS operating system remains strong and captures large market shares.  iPhone smartphone was launched in 2007 and then followed by Apple iPad tablet PC in 2010.  Other operating system for smartphones and tablet PCs include Google Android, RIM BlackBerry, and Windows Phone.

On the latest release, IDC also published several projections for Internet future such as the world’s users count will increase about 700 million users during the next five years, from 2 billion in 2010 to 2.7 billion in 2015, or representing about 40% of total world's population. 

The research firm also projected that online advertising spending will double by 2015, from $70 billion in 2010 (about 12% shares of global total ads spending) to about $138 billion (about 18% shares of global total ads spending) in 2015.

Microsoft to showcase several tablet PCs powered by the next version of Windows 8 Operating System, at Build Developer Conference in Anaheim, California, on Tuesday, September 13, 2011

After a very interesting introduction of Windows 8 OS by Steven Sinofsky, at the D9 Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes’s brand new golf course resort, California, on June 1, 2011, several Microsoft executives will attend Build Developer Conference in Anaheim, California, on Tuesday, September 13, 2011. 

At Build, Microsoft is planning to showcase several tablet PCs manufactured by hardware companies such as Samsung and others.  This year Build will also help developers to build more apps for the new OS.  Microsoft will help developers to gain more exposure to Windows App Store and support for apps.

Aside with simpler user experience, Windows 8 OS can be installed on desktops, laptops, smartphones and tablets PCs.  The new OS is enhanced with HTML and Javascript.

This year’s Build also attracts several heavy-weight tech companies.  Executives from traditional microprocessors manufacturers such as Intel and AMD, and ARM processors manufacturers such as Texas Instruments, Qualcomm and Nvidia, will also join the conference.

Drug use among America’s Generation Y (Millennial Generation): more young adults (18-25-year-olds) used illegal drugs, but fewer youngsters (12-17-year-olds) drank alcohol and used tobacco cigarette

A survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), found 22.6 million people aged 12 years or older used illegal drugs in 2010, representing 8.9% of the population in America.  Compared to rates of illegal drug use in 2009 which was at 8.7%.  While compared to 2008 which was at 8%.

Citing data from SAMHSA, webmd.com reported that there were 17.4 million Americans used marijuana in 2010, compared to 14.4 million in 2007 (an increase of 3 million people within the past three years).

While using survey sample of 67,500 people aged 12 or older conducted by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the agency found more young people in the age group known as Generation Y (Millennial Generation) are using illegal drugs.  America’s Generation Y, or Millennial Generation, are people whose birth dates ranged from mid-1970s to the late 1990s. Their age brackets include youngsters (12-17-year-olds) and young adults (18-25-year-olds).  Citing the survey data, webmd.com also reported that the rates of illegal drug use for young adults (18-25-year-olds) went up to 21.5% in 2010, compared to 19.6% in 2008.

One piece of good news for America’s Generation Y was that fewer youngsters (12-17-year-olds) drank alcohol and used tobacco cigarette during the period of survey was conducted.  

Google Android operating system naming convention (continue): after Android “Ice Cream Sandwich” then the next version will be known as “Jelly Bean” … after that it could be “Kettle Corn” then "Lychee juice / Lychee cup" (exotic Asian fruit)

Former CEO Eric Schmidt signaled early this week that the next version of Google’s Android OS with codename Ice Cream Sandwich will be released sometime in October or November this year.  Tech watchers believe November will be the best bet.  Ice Cream Sandwich was announced during Google I/O conference in May of this year.  One of the top features of Ice Cream Sandwich is that the new OS will combine both mobile phone OS and tablet PC OS. 

According to thisismynext.com, the next version operating system after Ice Cream Sandwich will be called as “Jelly Bean.”  This is consistent with Google’s naming convention by using food-related or desert-related naming.

A list of Google Android OS naming convention:

• Android version 1.5: Cupcake
• Android version 1.6: Donut
• Android version 2.0: Éclair
• Android version 2.2: Frozen Yogurt (Froyo)
• Android version 2.3: Gingerbread
• Android version 3.0: Honeycomb
• Android version 4.0: Ice Cream Sandwich
• Android version 5.0: Jelly Bean
• Android version 6.0: “Kettle Corn” (popcorn)

There is no doubt that the next version of Android OS should be called Jelly Bean, and then Kettle Corn.  While Google has traditionally considering named after a desert or some kind of sweet stuffs, using all the alphabet letters, the future version of Android operating system could use the following naming convention:

• L -- Lollipop or Lychee juice or Lychee jelly cup (exotic Asian fruit)
• M –- Milkshake or Marshmallows or Muffin
• N –- Nougat (sugar or honey + roasted nuts)
• O -- Oatmeal Cookie
• P -- Pumpkin Pie or Peppermint or Pudding
• Q -- Quiche or Quesadilla (flour or corn tortilla + cheese)
• R -- Raisin Bread
• S -- Soufflé or Strawberry shortcake or Soy milk
• T -- Tiramisu
• U -- Upside-down Cake
• V -- Vanilla
• W -- Waffle
• X -- Xigua (Chinese watermelon)
• Y -- Yogurt
• Z -- Zabaglione (Italian dessert made of egg yolks, sugar, and sweet wine)

Zagat got eaten by Googlers: the search engine giant acquired the company that provides reviews and ratings for restaurants and places to boost Google local search

The world’s largest search engine company Google has acquired Zagat.   Zagat provides reviews, ratings and insights for restaurants and places from around the world.  Google didn't reveal how much they paid for the rating company. 

According to a blog post by Marissa Mayer, Google’s VP for Local, Maps and Location Services, Zagat’s reviews, ratings and insights will be integrated into the search engine's local search.  As Mayer wrote “…Zagat will be a cornerstone of our local offering…”  Later Mayer added “Zagat provides people with a democratized, authentic and comprehensive view of where to eat, drink, stay, shop and play worldwide based on millions of reviews and ratings.”

(Image: Zagat.com)

$1.6 billion and counting: Facebook's revenue increased significantly during the first half of 2011 (January to June), while net income was about half a billion dollar during the period



As one of the most valuable Internet properties today, Facebook continued to make more money every day.  According to Reuters, the world’s largest social networking website collected a total of $1.6 billion in revenue from January to June 2011 with net income around $500 million.  Citing data from Goldman Sachs, Reuters also added that total revenue for the entire 2010 was $1.2 billion with net income of $355 million. 

Top venture funds and billionaire investors continue to pour money into Facebook.  Many analysts speculated that Zuckerberg’s company is worth over $80 billion in today’s market value while many expected the company will go public (IPO) within the next twelve months.

To add more financial value into the company, new features will be added into the social networking in the next few weeks.   The company invites developers to join this year’s f8 developer conference on September 22, 2011.  Tech watchers believe the Palo Alto-based company is rumored to announce music and media platform by partnering with providers such as Spotify, MOG and Rdio.

(Image: Facebook.com/f8)

Fewer people in America are cigarette smoking: 35.4 million adults were “full-time” smokers while 9.9 million adults were “part-time” smokers

Officials from America’s top agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that the rate of smoking among American adults has continued to drop.  At the same time, CDC also proclaimed that the current generation of adults who smoked a pack and a half or more per day dropped significantly than previous generations. 

According to CDC, data for the latest findings on cigarette smoking were collected from two surveys.  First, from the 2005-2010 by National Health Interview Surveys and second, from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey.

Experts believe TV, print and Internet media campaigns, locals and states smoking bans, and high cost of cigarette have influenced in recent drop of smoking rates in America. 

There were 45.3 million adults who smoked cigarette in 2010, representing 19.3% of total population.   Of the 45.3 million smokers, 35.4 million were “full-time” smokers, or 78.2% of total number of smokers.  And 9.9 million were “part-time” smokers, or 21.8% of total number of smokers.

CDC also found that smoking rates in the West (California, Utah) was the lowest compared to other states in America. Smoking rates in the West was 15.9%, Midwest was 21.8%, and South was 21.0%.  In term of genders, smoking rates for men was 21.5%, compared to women was 17.3%.  Higher education also has impact to reduce the smoking rates, while people in poverty line have the highest at 28.9%.

Baldness can be cured with human stem cells: belly fat stem cells could be the source of chemicals to tackle baldness and helping to regenerate hair growth

A team of researchers at the Yale University found that hair stem cells were controlled by healthy body’s fat.  Belly fat stem cells could be used to restart the growth of hair and reversing baldness in adults.  The study is being published in the September 2 issue of the journal Cell.

The Ivy League’s university lab researchers had tried the new method by injecting a special type of fat cell in mice which later helping to regenerate hair.  Medical experts believe this method could be applied to human, but it will be about five years away from first test.

Citing one of the Yale University’s study authors, Valerie Horsley, an assistant professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology, healthday.com wrote “If we can get these fat cells in the skin to talk to the dormant stem cells at the base of the hair follicles, we might be able to get hair to grow again."

Over 6,000 gamers and fans attended the first ever "Call of Duty XP" gaming convention in Los Angeles from September 2 to 3, 2011

Over 6,000 gamers and fans attended the first ever "Call of Duty XP" gaming convention this past weekend before the Labor Day holiday.  The Hollywood-style convention was held for two days from September 2 to 3, 2011 (Friday and Saturday). 

The event took place in an old warehouse near LAX International Airport that was constructed after the World War II where aeronautic engineer Howard Hughes assembled the Spruce Goose in the late 1940s. 

According to AP news, during the event in Los Angeles, popular video games maker Activision Blizzard Inc. also unveiled the next version of "Modern Warfare 3” which allows multiplayers to join online.  There were also a session that let gamers and fans to meet-and-talk to games developers.

(Image: "Call of Duty XP" website)

San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) confirmed missing "iphone5.doc" and sending a team of policemen to hunt for the new version of popular iPhone smartphone in Bay Area and Silicon Valley

Since early this week, several tech bloggers and tech watchers reported that the world’s largest mobile devices company has lost a prototype of the new version iPhone dubbed as iPhone 5.  Some speculated that the new iPhone went missing in a San Francisco bar in July. 

Then, on Friday night (September 2), San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) confirmed that a team of policemen are working hard to looking for the iPhone 5 in Bay Area and Silicon Valley.  As reported by reuters.com, the codename for the operation is the hunt for "iphone5.doc."  The latest operation is a combo work between SF police officers and Apple employees.

As the new version of iPhone 5 is well equipped with advanced technology (such as global positioning software), reuters.com also reported that SFPD’s team had visited a resident and searching for the missing item in a house in late July.   So far, not much luck for the giant tech company.

Trends in circumcisions among newborns in America: the number of baby boys getting circumcised in hospitals has dropped about 5.9% for the period from 1999 to 2010

A team of researchers at America’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just published their findings regarding trends in circumcisions among newborns in America.  The study was conducted to track changes in rates of circumcision for baby boys born in hospital. 

The practice of circumcision in hospital includes removing the foreskin of boys’ penis.  Cultures, religions, and races play a big role on decision to circumcise newborn boys.  For Muslims and Jewish, parents are obligated to follow traditions and usually circumcise the newborn baby boys.  In recent years, the spread of HIV disease worldwide also has alarmed parents to sign paperwork to circumcise newborn boys while in hospital. 

The research study authored by Xinjian Zhang, Ph.D, et. al.   It applied several sets of data for the period from 1999 to 2010, one set of the data showed a total of 19,933,000 newborn baby boys with 11,789,000 (59.1%) boys were circumcised in America.  Another set of data showed a total of 21,359,690 newborn baby boys with 12,347,096 boys (57.8%) were circumcised during the period.

Citing three sets of data, CDC reported that baby boys circumcision rates dropped to 56.9% in 2008, compared to rates of 62.5% in 1999.  While using the second set of data, rates of circumcision dropped to 54.7% in 2010, compared to rates of 58.4% in 2001.  In the third set of data, rates of circumcision dropped to 56.3% in 2008, compared to 63.5% in 1999. 

Since the study applied three sets of data, researchers have to figure out the differences rates of circumcision, as the report noted “…for the 8 years of commonly available data (2001--2008); however, the maximum difference in absolute incidence did not exceed 5.9 percentage points for any given year.”

Americans’ bad habits: many drink daily soda and sweet beverage with heavy drinkers include males aged 12–19 who consumed 273 kcal per day

America’s top agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, released a study with a title “Consumption of Sugar Drinks in the United States, 2005–2008.”  The study was a work of a team of researchers led by Cynthia L. Ogden, Ph.D., M.R.P.

Some of the key findings include:

• About 50% of Americans consume sodas and sweet beverages on daily basis. 
• More males drink sodas than females.
• Teenagers and young males aged 12–19 consume more sodas than other age groups, as this group of population drink an average of 273 kcal per day.

Health experts blame soda and sweet beverages to the increasing number of people in obesity and related medical issues.  Health experts also have been asking Americans to reduce the amount of sodas for years.  While at the same time, some cities officials have proposed additional tax for sodas and urged schools to stop distributing sodas to kids.