IndoPost.com Breaking News, Opinion, Indonesia and USA

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Many friends in Indonesia have asked why it’s been so long since my last blog post on IndoPost.com. Yes, it's true, it's been quite a while since I shared stories from America. The convenience of sharing updates through WhatsApp made it seem like there was no time for blogging on IndoPost.com.

But don't worry, IndoPost.com is making a comeback! According to our analytics, most of our readers are from Indonesia, so future posts will be primarily in Indonesian.

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$1.8 million for a Bluefin tuna: Japan's popular sushi chain won an auction bid for a monster fish at the Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market and broke the world’s record of the most expensive fish

Japan’s popular Sushi-Zanmai chain has just bought a Bluefin tuna with the winning bid of $1.8 million.  This was a new record for the world’s most expensive fish.  The winning bidder is Kiyoshi Kimura who is the president of Kiyomura Co, as reported by AFP.

Bluefin is one of the most expensive fish that is being sold at Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market.  This was due to the minimum numbers of Bluefin tuna available in the market. 

In recent years, many advanced nations have considered Bluefin tuna as endangered species. Many countries have also asked governments to ban fishermen on catching this type of fish.

Spam musubi nut: the maker of Spam lunchmeat agrees to buy Skippy peanut butter company and will expand its market into Asian countries, including Japan and China

A popular Japanese dish called Spam musubi could be adding peanut butter into its ingredient soon.  Spam musubi is a popular Japanese dish which included a slice of spam, wrapped with rice and seaweed.   Hormel Foods, the maker of Spam lunchmeat will buy the Skippy peanut butter company, as reported by bloomberg.com.  Therefore, the new Japanese dish could be called Spam musubi nut.

Skippy is one of the popular peanut butter brands in America and with its 11 varieties of product has about $370 million in annual sales. Spam lunchmeat is also a very popular canned meat product.  While Spam is popular in America, the canned meat is now a popular food in China and other Asian countries.

According to bloomberg.com, Hormel Foods will pay $700 million to acquire Skippy peanut butter company from its current owner Unilever.  In the meantime, Unilever will put more focuses on beauty products including shampoo and others care products.

(Images: top, a sample of Spam musubi; bottom, Spam + Skippy)

Over hundreds new California laws enacted and will take effect in the beginning of New Year 2013 including prohibits employers from requiring employees and job seekers to show their social networks passwords

California is one of several states in America that will prohibit employers from requiring employees and job seekers to show their social media passwords, as per a press release provided by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The social media law was passed few months ago which is also known as California AB 1844. 

The new law protects employees and job applicants from employers in terms of the use of social networks, including Facebook and Twitter.  This law also prohibits California public college and university admission offices to request potential students to disclose their social media passwords.

With more privacy protection for Californians, experts have warned employees and students that they should always take precautions if their posts are suitable for general audiences.  Employers are still entitled to use public information to check out employees’ images in public networks, tweets, inappropriate pictures, or making threats via online forum and social media.

The decline of landline telephone connections for American households as the use of wireless phones (incl. cellphones and smartphones) are increasing

According to the newest data provided by the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), there are growing uses of wireless phones in America in recent years, including cellphones and smartphones. Since 1957, NHIS has been monitoring the health of Americans. NHIS is under the management of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the latest report was published in late December 2012. The report was based on six months surveys which were collected from January to June 2012.

The report showed more than one-third or 35.8 percent of American households had only wireless phones for communication needs between January and June 2012. In term of percentage, this was an increase of 1.8 points from the previous survey which was conducted between July and December of 2011. Even though American households already have landline phone, the report also revealed that about 15.9 percent of those households would still use a wireless phone to communicate than using a landline phone.

In term of gender, the NHIS report showed 35.2 percent American men live in houses with only wireless phones for communication purposes, compared to 32.9 percent for women. In terms of education, 21 percent of Americans who live in houses with only wireless phones have a college degree. American households with a high school diploma accounted only15.5 percent of households with wireless phones.  While for American households who had not completed high school education accounted for 11.9 percent of all households with only wireless phones for communication needs.

(Image: CDC logo)

Show me the ID: China passed rules to require 550 million Internet users to show identification card when signing up services for web and phone

In order to control over web users, the world’s most populated nation has passed new rules which require users to show ID when signing up services for web and phone.  Citing a report provided by Xinhua News Agency, wsj.com reported that the new law will boost protection of personal information online and helping to maintain public interests.

There are over 550 million web users in China today.  The Great Wall nation has placed censors on Internet content since the birth of the technology.  The restriction on web users is critical to Communist Party rule, especially limiting access to sites or content showing pornography, conducting gambling activities, and propaganda against the government.

Q3 2012 smartphone ownership increased to 56 percent, while Google Android captured 52% market share and Apple iOS took 35% market share

For the first time ever in mobile phone history, the ownership of smartphone surpassed classic cellphone in America.  Q3 2012 (July to September) smartphone ownership in America increased to 56 percent compared to only 49 percent of all cellphone subscribers in Q1 2012 (January to March), as per the latest report provided by Nielsen.

Mobile operating system created by Google which is known as Android, captured 52% market share in Q3 2012.  Handsets run on Android include Samsung Galaxy, Sony Xperia, HTC One, and others.

Mobile OS developed by the world’s most valuable company Apple which is called iOS took 35% market share in Q3 2012.  Popular handsets by Apple include iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPhone 5.

RIM BlackBerry remained at number three with 7% market share.  Microsoft Windows Phone was at number four with 2% market share.   The remaining of 5% share was divided by Nokia Symbian OS, Samsung Bada OS, and others.

(Image: Nielsen)

$35 billion and counting: online shopping spending during the 2012 holiday season-to-date increased 13 percent versus one year ago

So far, the 2012 holiday season retail e-commerce spending has surpassed the 2011 season.  Based on data provided by comScore, online shopping spending from November 1, 2012 to December 16, 2012 (46 days) has accumulated a total of over $35 billion; compared to the same period one year ago, the total spending totaled just a little bit over $31 billion, or an increase of 13 percent.

During the week of December 10 to December 16, online spending hit a new record high of over $7 billion in sales, compared to the same period one year ago which was at $6.3 billion, or an increase of 12%.

Online spending on the 24-hour of Green Monday (December 10) reached $1.275 billion, compared to the same day one year ago which was at $1.133 billion, or an increase of 13%.

(Table: comScore)

America’s homebuilding permits increased 3.6 percent in November 2012 and reached 899,000 units which was the highest level since July 2008

America’s Commerce Department announced that homebuilding permits (future construction) increased 3.6 percent in November 2012 and reached a total of 899,000 units.  Since the economy turmoil started in the late 2007, the latest number of permits reached the highest level since July 2008.

Citing data from the Commerce Department, reuters.com reported that the early expectation by economists for November’s total permits were only 875,000 units.  The differences were 24,000 units (about 2.7%). 

Financial experts are very encouraged with the latest number in housing market as it will make some contribution to the growth of America economy in 2012.  Experts are projecting that the housing market will continue to expand through 2013.

$500 million and counting: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla, give 18 million shares to Silicon Valley Community Foundation to improve education and health care in the areas

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of the world’s largest social networking company and his wife, Priscilla, find giving spirit during this year holiday season.  Today, the couples are donating about $500 million in stock to a charitable foundation (or, equal to 18 million Facebook shares).

According to a post written by Zuckerberg at the social network wall, the couples had previously signed The Giving Pledge and promised to give away over 50% of the money they will earn during their lifetime to charity.

The lucky foundation is the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.  The fund will be used to enhance education and health in Silicon Valley areas.  Similarly, Zuckerberg has previously donated some of his fortunes to several schools in Newark, New Jersey.

(Image: Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook wall posting)

Facebook adds a new navigation menu called 'Nearby' to enhance local search and helping brick-and-mortar businesses, as the new feature will compete with Yelp and Foursquare

On Monday, December 17, 2012, the world’s largest social network Facebook has added 'Nearby' (a new tab) onto the navigation menu.  The new tab is only available for users who login into their account via mobile devices.  For now, only devices run on Apple iOS and Google Android will be able to use 'Nearby.'  'Nearby' will let users to find nearby places such as malls, restaurants, and bars, etc. Users can search thru category.

Overall, 'Nearby' is almost similar to local search.  The lists of nearby places were based on suggestions and recommendations from friends or family members.  Most 'Nearby' places are usually attached as geo-tag into posts or photos by friends.  Those places had been visited by friends; therefore, they usually give a thumb-up or a thumb-down.  Friends and other users can assign a rating value (i.e., 5-star).

For local small business owners and brick-and-mortar places such as café shop, beauty salon or barbershop, 'Nearby' feature could increase exposure to potential buyers to find their locations easily.  Small businesses can rely on 'Nearby' to promote sales of products or services.  However, to take advantage of this new feature, every local business must have a Facebook page.  The “about us” page should include store address, store hours, phone number, and type of business.

As Facebook has launched the new app for mobile users, the biggest losers are local search service provider such as Yelp and Foursquare.  Most 'Nearby' recommendations are based on friends in the social network.  On the other hand, Yelp’s data were from the general public.

(Image: Facebook Nearby app for Apple iOS, iPhone)

Sales of smokeless tobacco products (i.e., chewing tobacco) increase in the largest state in America California, as more illegal tobacco sales to minors

Cigarette sales in the largest state in America have decreased during the past ten years.  However, sales of smokeless tobacco products have increased significantly in California in recent years.

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has published a report and showing that sales of smokeless tobacco accumulated total of about $211 million in 2011, compared to only $77 million in 2001.

High school students in California were among the top users of smokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco.  The use of smokeless tobacco products, non-cigarette tobacco and nicotine products, among high school students increased to 3.9% of students in 2010, compared to 3.1% in 2004.

The CDPH’s report also found that illegal tobacco sales to minors increase to 8.7 percent in 2011.  High schools which located close proximity to discount stores, delis, liquor stores, and discount shops, also increase chances of getting tobacco products to students.

(Image: California Department of Public Health logo)

Housing market in Southern California hit the highest level since 2006 as median home price increased to $321,000 in November 2012

As the U.S. election has completed in the early November 2012, Americans feel more confident about their jobs securities and the country’s economy.  This has impacted on housing prices in Southern California. Southern California region includes large cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and several large counties such as LA and Orange County. 

Citing data from DataQuick, latimes.com reported that the median home price in Southern California in November 2012 was $321,000.  Compared to September 2012, the median home price was $315,000.  While compared to one year ago, the median home price was $275,000 in November of 2011, or an increase of 17% over the twelve months ago.

Housing market in Southern California were boosted by buyers who tend to purchase middle ranges homes and upgrade to the high end homes.  On the other hand, there were fewer buyers of inexpensive homes in recent months.

Let’s say hello to @pontifex: the official Twitter page of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, a new era of social media will go live from Vatican on December 12, 2012

On Wednesday, December 12, 2012 (12/12/12), Pope Benedict XVI will start sending out tweets from Vatican.  This is the beginning of social media era from the current sitting Pope.  Pope Benedict XVI will use a Twitter handle known as @pontifex.  Just one day before the first tweet coming out from Vatican, the @pontifex account has accumulated about 631,000 followers.

As one of the most recognize religious figure in the world, Pope Benedict XVI will send out tweets to answers questions regarding faith and other religion issues.  Pope Benedict XVI is a well-known scholar, theologian, and also as a writer of several best-seller religious books about faith and morals.

Pope’s office in Vatican has utilized social media to reach out people from around the world.  The Vatican has established a YouTube channel since early 2009 and also continues to update its Facebook page.  Just before the Easter celebration of 2012, the Vatican sent several tweets regarding Lent.

(Image: Twitter @pontifex)

McDonald's global sales in November 2012: sales increased 2.5% in America, 1.4% in Europe, and 0.6% in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa regions

Overall sales for McDonald's increase 2.4% in November 2012. According to the press release, the fast-food chains’ sales increased 2.5% in America, 1.4% in Europe, and 0.6% in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa regions.  Compared to October sales number, the fast-food restaurants sales dropped about 1.8%.

The November sales number has encouraged executive team to continue their strategies to deliver long-term growth for the company. 

There are about 69 million customers visited any one of McDonald's worldwide to try great-tasting breakfast and newly created menu. The world’s largest fast-food chains have boosted its sales on everyday value options ($1 meal), breakfast menu, and new premium offers. 

The high-quality food has attracted new customers to try new menu such as limited-time Cheddar Bacon Onion sandwiches. The tasty sandwiches were launched during the third week of October 2012.  There are two types of sandwiches, including premium white chicken breast and 100% Angus beef. 

(Image: McDonald's Cheddar Bacon Onion sandwiches)

Photo images from Instagram photo sharing service to Twitter has been disconnected on Sunday, December 9, 2012

After several days of on-and-off, Instagram has finally disconnected its photo sharing feature with Twitter on Sunday, December 9, 2012.  The confirmation of the end of sharing capability was posted online via a Twitter's status update.

Instagram was acquired by Facebook the world’s largest social networking in early April 2012 for close to $1 billion.  In the beginning Instagram was only available for iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod) and later the app was released for Android users.  The app has been downloaded by about 100 million users from around the world.  Instagram has generated high traffic from mobile phone users. 

In recent weeks, Instagram has launched its own website catered as photo sharing site.  Each user will be assigned their own sub-domain which contains all their photos.  On the site, users can view their photos and share with other users.  At the same time Twitter is preparing to launch its own photo app to take on Instagram. Tech watchers believe Twitter for photo app will be available during the Christmas holiday season this year.

(Image: Instagram logo)

Made in U.S.A.: Foxconn is planning to manufacture the next generation gadgets and computers for its biggest client Apple in America

Apple has been using a tag line read “Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China.”   However, in recent years, there are more buyers of Apple products in North America prefer their gadgets and computers to be Made in U.S.A.  In order to fulfill those requests, Foxconn Technology Group, the major supplier to Apple Inc., has started to look for expanding its operation in America. 

Foxconn has already assembled some computer servers using its factories in California and Texas.  The company will expand its operations in America to build Mac computers.  Some of the computer and phone parts including Samsung microprocessors and Gorilla glass for displays are currently manufactured in America.  By moving some of its manufacturing to America, Foxconn could shorten delivery times and reduce costs of transportation.

The Taipei, Taiwan-based Company has over 1.6 million workers around the world with about 1.5 million worker reside in Mainland China.  According to bloomberg.com, Foxconn plans to boost its workforces in America and will upgrade its facilities with funding over $100 million in 2013. 

The benefit of being a parent on longevity: women and men with a biological child can live longer than childless couples

A new study conducted in Denmark by Esben Agerbo, Ph.D., an associate professor at Aarhus University in Aarhus, found that being a parent may help women and men live longer. Agerbo and colleague believe that having children are the secret to a longer life in human. 

Danish researchers had hypotheses if childless couples were more likely to die early than men and women with kids.  The study titled “Childlessness, parental mortality and psychiatric illness: a natural experiment based on in vitro fertility treatment and adoption” is being published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Agerbo and the team of researchers used a large sample of 21,276 childless couples in vitro fertility treatment (IVF) between 1994 and 2005.   Researchers continued to follow those couples until the end of 2008 and recorded their death, their relocation, or conducting diagnosis of any type of illness.  Within the period of 1994 to 2005, over 15,000 babies were born and about 1,564 babies were adopted by those couples. Researchers found that being a parent actually decreased the risk of early death.

There were some conclusions from the study on longevity. First, women who become mothers with a biological child were four times less likely to die early than childless women.  Second, men who become fathers with a biological child were two times less likely to die early than childless men.  Other findings include that men who adopted a child were 50% less likely to die early than childless men.  Women who adopted a child have no significant differences with childless women. 

(Image: logo of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health)

20,000 retail stores by 2014 on six continents and counting: Starbucks is on track to open 3000+ stores in Americas by 2017 and will reach 4,000 stores in Asia-Pacific by 2013

As economy recession hit North America and many parts of the world (i.e., Europe) in the beginning of 2008, Starbucks was struggling to meet its quarterly earnings.  There were about 16,680 stores in 2008, and soon after that management decided to close some stores and lay off workers due to economy turmoil.  At the same time, CEO Howard Schultz returned to rescue the coffee chains which make Wall Street investors happy.  With Schultz as the boss, Starbucks market value recovered to a normal level and continued to increase over several hundred percentages until early 2012.

The new management has decided to expand aggressively into a new market and targeted Asia-Pacific region.  Starbucks is now on track to reach 4,000 stores in the region by the end of 2013.  The highest grow will occur in Mainland China with about 1,000 stores, followed by Japan with about 1,000 stores, South Korea with about 500 stores and other nations including Vietnam, India, Singapore, Indonesia, and others.  The Great Wall States is projected to become Starbucks‘s second-largest market as the company plan to operate 1,500 stores in 70 Chinese cities in 2015.

20 years and counting: text message technology (SMS) celebrate its 20-year anniversary on December 3

A conventional cellphone text messaging read "Merry Christmas" was sent by Neil Papworth, a software engineer, to Richard Jarvis, a director at Vodafone, on December 3, 1992.  This date was considered as the birth of Short Messaging Services (SMS) technology. The first-ever text message was sent thru an Orbitel 901 cellphone. 

The cellphone businesses then grow rapidly with the introduction of full QWERTY keyboard devices from hardware makers such as RIM BlackBerry, touchscreen smartphones from Samsung and Apple.  The latest technology for SMS including voice-dictation services using Apple’s Siri technology.  Using voice command, Siri helps users to write messages into text format.

Many cellphone users love the SMS technology for its simplicity to communicate with others. However, some have blamed the technology due to sore thumbs and the decline of friendly phone conversation between one-to-one chat.

The SMS era has also created many text lingoes and has turned those into mainstream language among users.  For example, LOL (laugh out loud), OMG (Oh My God), etc.

As SMS celebrating its 20-year anniversary this week, text messaging usages continue to decline in recent years.  This was due to many free alternatives instant messaging applications provided by hard ware makers (i.e., BlackBerry Messenger/BBM) and smartphone application (i.e., WhatsApp, Apple's iMessage), etc.

One of the world’s best airline company Singapore Airlines plans to sell its 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic which is majority owned by billionaire Richard Branson

According to Associated Press, one of the largest airline companies in America is interested to purchase the Virgin Atlantic stake from Asia’s largest airline company Singapore Airlines.  America’s Delta Air Lines is based in Atlanta, Georgia, and is considered as one of the top airlines in North America. 

Virgin Atlantic was founded in 1984 by billionaire Richard Branson.  Sir Branson owns majority stake (51%) of the airline.  Since 1999, Singapore Airlines has captured 49% stake of Virgin Atlantic.  In recent years, the Asian’s largest airline company has been taking more businesses from many Asian countries and its region, and also continues to expand its flights into the world. 

Singapore Airlines has warned business investors that few negotiations have been going on for a while with several suitors.  However, all of those discussions may or may not result in a deal.

(Images: right, Singapore Airlines logo; left, Virgin Atlantic logo)

The impact of economy recession on birth rate in America, as it recorded only 63.2 newborns per 1,000 women between 15 and 44-year-old, while immigrant women have fewer babies in 2011

In 2011, America birth rate dropped to record low since 1920. The lowest birth rate was mainly due to economy turmoil starting after 2007.  In 2011, there were only 63.2 newborns per 1,000 women between 15 and 44-year-old.

The latest drop in birthrate in America was led by immigrant women.  The birth rate for foreign-born women plunged 14% in recent year, while for America-born women the drop was only 6% between 2007 and 2010.

According to Pew Research Center, there were 4.0 million newborns in 2010.  Of those, about 3.1 million babies were conceded by America-born women, while about 930,000 babies were carried by immigrant women. 

Just before the economy recession started in America, the highest number of babies carried by immigrant women was reached in 2007 and totaled 1,069,120 babies.  In 2007, foreign-born mothers representing 25% of all births in America.  Compared to 1990, the share was 16% of all births.  In 2010, the share dropped to 23%.

According to Pew Research Center, the bulk of newborns to foreign-born women were to Hispanic mothers in 2010.  This group of population accounted for 56% of all foreign-born mothers.

For babies that were conceded by America-born women in 2010, the majority of newborns were for white mothers.  This group of population accounted for 66% of all America-born mothers.

69 percent of pork chops and ground pork contain Yersinia enterocolitica harmful bacteria which cause fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea

A study conducted by Consumer Reports magazine has warned consumers in America that 69 percent of pork chops and ground pork contain Yersinia enterocolitica harmful bacteria.  Some of those meats also contain harmful bacteria salmonella, staphylococcus aureus or listeria monocytogenes.  The study is being published in the January 2013 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

The study also claims that some of the harmful bacteria cannot be cured by typical antibiotics.  In order to kill bugs and treat illnesses, health experts usually use multiple drugs or classes of drugs including amoxicillin, penicillin, tetracycline and streptomycin.

Among pork-related products, ground pork is considered to contain more harmful bacteria than other products. This is due to contamination during meat processes which require grinding machine and human handling.

Consumer Reports magazine suggested that chefs should use a meat thermometer when cooking pork.  This will help to make sure our foods reach the proper temperature inside and outside.  In order to reduce harmful bacteria, cooking ground pork requires a minimum temperature at 160° F, while cooking whole pork requires minimum of 145° F.  While in the kitchen, consumers should separate raw pork and vegetable for salad and they must always wash hands after touching raw meat.

Over 400,000 units of Wii U and counting: Nintendo’s new video game console has great sales in its first week in America

Japanese-based Nintendo launched its new video game console called Wii U on Sunday, November 18, 2012.  After one week in the market in America, the latest sales figure showed that Nintendo has sold over 400,000 units of Wii U. 

While Wii U is more expensive than its previous version with asking price of $299, the new console is equipped with more innovative features, including a touch screen controller like a small tablet and high-definition graphics similar to Xbox 360 or PS3 consoles.

Gamers around the world have bought over 97 million units of Nintendo’s first version of Wii console that was launched about six years ago.  Although it has been in the market since 2006, the old Wii remains one of the top seller gaming consoles.  In conjunction of the Wii U launch and full week of sales, the original Wii sold over 300,000 units in one week during the Thanksgiving holiday shopping.

(Image: Wii U)

2012 Black Friday online sales hit an all-time high of over $1 billion, led by ecommerce king Amazon and followed by Walmart, Best Buy, Target and Apple

More Americans buyers were flocked into online retail stores as the 2012 holiday shopping season has started on the Thanksgiving Day (November 22).  According to comScore, the biggest sales day occurred on Black Friday (Nov 23) as e-commerce shoppers spent $1.043 billion within the 24-hours period.  Compared to the same Friday one year ago, total spent was $816 million within the one day period (or, an increase of 32%).

While Americans were busy cooking their best dinner with a turkey as their main menu, they also spent time to buys electronics devices, cloths, toys, and others stuffs online on the Thanksgiving Day.  Americans buyers spent $633 million on the 2012 Thanksgiving Day.  Compared to the same day one year ago, total spent was $479 million within the one day period (or, an increase of 26%).

The 2012 holiday shopping season winners include Amazon.com, followed by Walmart, Best Buy, Target and Apple.’

As per comScore, from November 1 to November 23, 2012, Americans buyers have spent a total of $13.7 billion, compared to the same period one year ago, the total spent was $11.8 billion, or an increase of 16%.

(Table: comScore)

11.22 million units and counting: Activision Blizzard’s “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” video game has been sold for over 11 million units in its opening week

A new video game developed by Activision Blizzard which is known as “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” has been sold for 11.22 million units during its record-breaking opening week, as per data provided by VGChartz.  The game was release on Tuesday midnight November 13, 2012.  Within its first 24 hours sales, the new video game from Call of Duty franchise has accumulated over $500 million in retail sales globally

During its initial release, the game was made available on Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and PC laptop and desktop.  A special version of the video game designed for the new Nintendo Wii U gaming console was released on November 18.

According to VGChartz, among all game consoles, version for Xbox 360 was the best-selling and has been sold for 6.21 million units in the opening week, representing about 55 percent share of all sales. Version for Sony PlayStation 3 has been sold for 4.61 million units, representing about 41 percent of all sales. Version for PC has been sold for only a little bit over 400K units during its first week sales.

(Image: “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” game for Xbox 360)

America’s car thieves prefer standard cars (i.e., Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and others) than hybrid cars (i.e., Toyota Prius, Honda Insight)

Aside of reducing gasoline cost due to economy turmoil in the last few years, car buyers in America have not found a real good reason to buy an electric or hybrid car such as GM Volt, Nissan Leaf, Honda Insight, or Toyota Prius.  However, a study published early this week by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) may change those car buyers decision soon. 

While hybrid cars ownership continue to skyrocketing in America, such as in sunshine states California and Florida,  car thieves do not like to steal Prius as much as the standard model cars such as Honda Accord or Honda Civic, or other brands.

According to NICB, during 2008-2010, only one Prius was reported stolen among every 606 stolen vehicles during the period.  While during the same period, burglary occurred on one standard car (such as Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and others) for every 78 similar cars.

NICB also reported that between September 4, 2000 to June 30, 2012, there were totaled 2,439 units of Prius had been reported stolen.  Top states for reporting stolen Prius are California, Florida, New York, Washington, and Texas.

Prius was introduced in 1997 in its homeland in Japan where sales reached one million units in August 2011.  The first Prius was shipped to car showrooms in America and some other countries in 2000.  The entire Prius family car sales had finally reached one million units in May 2008.  Prius global sales reached 2.8 million units in October 2012.   As economy turmoil in the western nations continued worsen, gasoline prices had reached all-time high level in recent months, especially in the state of California.  More car buyers opted to get Prius than other type of cars. In America, Prius sales reached 1 million units in April 2011.  One year after that it reached 1.2 million units.   While Toyota is working hard to design the fourth-generation Prius, the current model (third-generation) Prius was launched in mid-2009.  The third-generation global sales reached 1 million units in September 2011.

(Image: Toyota Prius)

18 days of November and counting: e-commerce spending in America is projected to increase 17% and to hit $43.4 billion during the last two months of 2012 (Nov-Dec)

Shoppers in America continue to flock into online stores during this year’s holiday season. Buyers are no longer relying on brick-and-mortar stores for their holiday shopping.  Instead, they are now going online and buying electronic devices and equipment, fashion clothing for women and men, other stuffs.  According to comScore, shoppers had spent over $10.1 billion during the first 18 days of November, compared to the same period one year ago, the total spending was $8.8 billion.  This was an increase 16% within the past twelve months span.

comScore also noted that the highest level of shopping within 24-hours period occurred just two days after the America’s President Election on November 8.  On this date, online sales recorded a total of $829 million.

With the election has passed, consumers in America also have high confidence on their spending sprees which contribute to the recent growth in online spending.  The benefits of online shopping include less worry about traffic congestions, better pricing options with coupons, and more products to select from multiple stores.

In the meantime, comScore has projected that sales from online stores during the 2012 holiday season from November to December period could reach as high as $43.4 billion.  Compared to one year ago, the total online spending was $37.2 billion.  This is going to be an increase of 17% for the twelve months span.

(Image: comScore)

American Kids: all I want for iChristmas is . . . an Apple’s device or gadget including iPad (regular size or Mini), iPhone, or iPod

While the Silicon Valley-based company continues to struggle to maintain its stock value in Wall Street Stocks Exchange during the past few weeks, American kids are hoping Santa Claus will bring those presents containing devices and gadgets made by Apple. As per Nielsen, Apple will likely enjoy these huge sales during this year’s holiday season shopping. Kids (between 6 to 12 years) will be more interested in devices and gadgets that run on Apple's iOS (iOS 6.0) than other electronics and gaming consoles.

According to Nielsen, among top-5 American kids’ wish list for this year’s Christmas Eve, those will include 4 items produced by Apple.  Large screen iPad is on the top of the list with 48% of children expressed their interests, while the smaller screen iPad Mini gathered about 36% interests among kids. The previous popular gadget, Apple iPod Touch, is now ranked number three with 36% interests.  About 33% of American kids want an iPhone as their communication device.  Among top-5 American kids’ wish list, Japanese Nintendo's Wii U console ranks number two and captured 39% interests as the most popular gadget for this year’s shopping season.

For teenagers and adults (aged 13 years plus), about 21% are interested in getting a large screen iPad.  Aside of Apple brand, teens and young adults are also considering tablets made by other manufacturers such as Amazon Kindle Fire, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and Microsoft Surface Tablet.  Only 14% teens and adults buyers are interested to get an iPhone. iPad Mini attracted about 11% of all teens buyers.  Among all type of gadgets and mobile devices, teens will likely to purchase a desktop or laptop computer (PC).  This hardware ranks as the top two on their wish list.  19% of teens will buy a PC.

(Images: top, Apple iOS 6 logo; middle, Apple New iPad)

In conjunction with the Thanksgiving largest shopping weekend, Apple starts to operate its first store thru leading auction site eBay and selling refurbished products

While Apple stocks value has been up-and-down during the past few weeks, the Silicon Valley-based company is testing its first store thru leading auction site eBay. The store gets high marks from buyers. There is no Apple logo.  However, the site keeps a large label with text showing “Apple Certified Refurbished Products” and using a sub-domain as “stores.ebay.com/refurbishedoutlet” (Refurbished Outlet).  The finding of an Apple’s eBay store was first reported by 9to5mac.com.

In conjunction with this week’s Thanksgiving largest shopping weekend, Apple seems to be testing its store to attract buyers of refurbished products.  Thru the store, the world’s largest mobile device company is now selling refurbished products directly to customers through eBay.

In term of asking prices, there is no difference between the price at Apple’s eBay store and the price at Apple’s official store.  For example, refurbished iPad Wi-Fi 32GB (3rd generation) is cost $469 on both stores.

In order to make customers happy, all products on both stores will include full one-year warranty, installed with original OS, re-installed with new battery, and many others.

(Images: top, Apple’s eBay store homepage; bottom, comparing the price of an iPad at left eBay store and right Apple store)