The storied TI-84 is about to get its first refresh in a few years, and the experts at Cemetech have some exclusive information on the latest entry. Here comes TI-84 Plus CE.
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27 Jan 01:15
boogery says FML
by boogery
Today, after putting a bag of dirty laundry in the laundry room to wait for an open washer, I came back to find a "free stuff" sign on all of my expensive jeans, new towels, and favorite sweatshirts. The bag was over half empty. FML
27 Jan 01:14
Head to head: Nexus 6 vs. Galaxy Note 4
by Jerry Hildenbrand
Battle of the big screens
A few years ago, you had little choice if you were looking for a phone with a bigger than big screen. Phones were gradually getting larger, but until Samsung pulled the original Galaxy Note out of their hat there just wasn't a phone that bucked any and every trend and had an extra-large screen, and didn't try to hide the fact that it was a big phone for all the people who wanted and needed a big phone. There was ridicule, there was disbelief, and there were predictions that Samsung would fail. Every one of them were wrong.
In 2014 we saw extra-large phones from all the major players. This includes Google and Apple, and is a testament to Samsung's vision and early market research. It also means more competition for Samsung, and that's always better for us consumers. We want Google to borrow from Samsung, and we want Samsung to take what Google has created and make it better. This endless circle means we all have better devices from both companies to choose from.
The Nexus 6 is Google's first trip into the land of giant phones, and they have a difficult road to travel to try and make their big phone as desirable as Samsung's, who currently owns this space. Let's see how their first effort matches up with he current big phone king, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
27 Jan 00:03
Judge Dashes Parents’ Dream Of Naming Their Child “Nutella”
by Mary Beth Quirk
Because a child is not a hazelnut chocolate spread, a judge in France has rejected a couple’s attempt to legally name their baby “Nutella,” saying it’s not only a trademarked name, but also would be “contrary to the child’s interest to be wearing a name like that” as it “can only lead to teasing or disparaging thoughts.” [La Voix Du Nord via Time.com]
27 Jan 00:02
The Ten Best Cars No One Is Buying
by Chris Perkins
Car enthusiasts: if we want automakers to keep making great cars like this, you need to start buying them now!
jigsaw likes this
26 Jan 23:57
Watch What Happens When You Sledgehammer An Aluminum 2015 Ford F-150
by Andrew P Collins
The editors of Edmunds.com have finally posted what skeptics of the aluminum-bodied 2015 Ford F-150 have been demanding: An independently sanctioned bludgeoning of the truck's quarter panel. Here's how it held up.
26 Jan 23:54
Did The Ford Shelby GT350R Really Just Destroy The Z/28's 'Ring Time?
by Patrick George
Here's what we don't know about the Ford Shelby GT350R : Exactly how powerful it will be, what its zero to 60 mph and quarter mile times are, and how much it will cost. But according to one report, we apparently know it can lap the Nürburgring faster than the Camaro Z/28 . And the 997 GT3 RS.
26 Jan 23:49
Lazy Greeks At Fault?? These Two Charts Suggest Otherwise!
by Tyler Durden
Submitted by Thad Beversdorf via First Rebuttal blog,
Well things are gonna change in Europe. Greece just voted in a majority no bullshit government. These guys appear to be unimpressed by titles and focused on facts, as is discussed by Yanis Varoufakis, tipped to be Greece’s next Finance Minister, during an interview with UK’s Channel 4 News. They seem to see things as right or wrong regardless of who’s mouth it’s coming from, which is great. Now there is no such thing as a perfect politician and these fellas are left of left with a heavy socialist slant. I obviously see no possibility of socialist ideology rebuilding a nation from the brink of bankruptcy. That said, if this new government is loyal to the cause rather than the ideology, their integrity will get the job done.
But what is it that needs to get done in Greece? That’s really the $64K question. On the surface it seems as though Greece is simply a bunch of lazy sponges. But I caution you to look at the facts before making a final judgement. Remember Greece was once upon a time the genesis of democracy. These people have been doing democracy longer than any other nation on earth. And so I have a hard time accepting all of sudden after thousands of years they simply got too lazy to carry on the pride of the people who created the concept of a self-governed and free populace. I just don’t buy it. Let’s look deeper.
I was studying international economics in Oxford in 1999 and so was very keen on watching the debates surrounding the implementation of the Euro. I remember even at the time there was tremendous controversy about what covenants were going to be placed on individual nations to ensure they all carried their own weight. The difficulty with such a system is that you have very different industry strengths among the nation states and so to force a uniform set covenants seems to be heading toward disaster. For instance look at the balance sheets of raw materials companies vs biotech firms. If you forced all industries to have a uniform set of financial metrics it would end in disaster for some sectors while working well for other sectors. The same is true on a macroeconomic level. But don’t take my word for it.
Let’s see if we can find anything to support our theory that perhaps the uniform set of covenants and the other policies surrounding the Euro benefitted some nations but were damaging to others. If it’s true then we must not be so harsh and quick to apply blame to the citizens of Greece. We must also then be open to solutions that will contradict the status quo given the status quo brought us to this point.
So what we need to do is look at the economic performance of various nations before and after taking on the Euro. The following chart depicts the economic performance, using total industry production cumulative growth as our indicator, of various EU nations for the 10 years leading up to the Euro implementation.
We can see that Spain was doing exceptionally well with Greece and Italy slightly behind and then Germany and France bringing up the rear. However, do note that all nations had similar trends (positive) during that 10 period.
Now let’s take a look at the relative performance of these same nations in the decade subsequent to the implementation of the Euro. Certainly the Euro is not the only variable on economic performance but remember most economic shocks have the same impact on all economies. That is, they are either positive or negative shocks to all economies. But our theory suggests that the Euro will be good for some countries while damaging to others. And so we are looking for a dislocation between relative performance. Let’s see what we find.
Very interesting. It appears that while Germany was actually second to the bottom of economic growth through the 10 years leading up to the Euro, subsequent to implementation of the Euro German economic growth exploded. That’s great, except that the four other comparative nations performed very poorly upon taking on the Euro. And so as the theory predicted we do have a significant dislocation in the performance of individual nations. This lends credence to the theory that the Euro was a positive stimulus to some nations but a negative shock to other nations. It means that the Euro itself and its respective policies may very well be the destructive force as opposed to a weakness of character of the southern nations.
What we need to take from this is that because some nations like Germany are doing well while others are not doesn’t mean the Germans are just better citizens or workers. It may very well mean the Euro and its respective policies created an advantage for the Germans and a disadvantage for the Greeks. This shouldn’t surprise us as here in America we have the very same problem.
The only difference being the US has two luxuries Greece, Spain, Italy and France do not have, namely the world reserve currency and the ability to print money. If the US had the same constraints we too would be defaulting on debt with negative economic growth. That is an absolute and indisputable fact. If you need to check on that proposition, read my past 4 articles and you will have no remaining doubts.
Now I’m not negating all responsibility from the Greeks themselves. What I’m saying is let’s look further into the facts given the above charts provide support that the Euro itself or perhaps its policies are the problem. Let’s understand what dynamics resulted in the current situation. Let’s understand all of the options that are available to Greece and not just the desired options suitable to the Lords of the ECB and the Oligarchs.
There is a new sheriff in town and he seems to have the right mindset. Let’s give him a chance to do the right things. My hope is his objective will be for a prosperous nation rather than proving some ideological point of socialism vs capitalism. A prosperous working class, guaranteed individual rights and freedom, these should be the end game.
So to pull this all together, my point is to show that what you think you know about the Greek situation is likely not the real issue as shown in the charts above. Therefore we need to be open to understanding what the issues are, what the options are and nailing down a final solution to the devastation. Know that we will be inundated with propaganda telling us how this new government is going to ruin all of Europe and perhaps the world. The ECB will work with banks and opposition to intentionally make things worse while blaming the new government for failing in an attempt to create unrest amongst the people. These are the things our current Western leaders do to get their way. We saw it in Northern Africa and we see it in Ukraine. It is a sad fact of life that the world must currently endure. But let’s be strong and at least give this new Greek government a chance to live up to the standards they have set for themselves. If they fail so be it. But let’s not kill all hope before hope has a chance to blossom into prosperity.
26 Jan 23:23
8 Musical Instruments That Are So Much Fun They're Practically Toys
by Mario Aguilar
Playing music is supposed to be fun! Remember? Sometimes electronic instruments we choose to play are so complicated that using them is a chore, or at least requires a ton of practice. It doesn't have to be that way.
26 Jan 23:11
KFC Just Took Hot Dogs to a Whole New Level
by Evan Campbell
Fast-food chain KFC is offering a Double Down Dog at select locations in the Philippines.
The Double Down Dog is a hot dog covered in cheese and wrapped up with a chicken breast instead of bread. It's only available today and tomorrow, with each KFC location only serving 50 per day to customers, according to a Facebook post by KFC Philippines.
Meat lovers, rejoice!
D G likes this
26 Jan 22:37
12 of the Cutest Pups in Puppy Bowl XI
by Abbey Stone
We are just six short days away from the year’s greatest sporting event: the Puppy Bowl. The players may not know the meaning of off sides or holding (or touchdown, for that matter), but gosh darn if they aren’t the cutest things ever.
Here are some of our favorite* players representing teams Ruff and Fluff in the starting line-up—who, by the way, are all available for adoption.
Kickoff for Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XI is at 3 p.m., Sunday, February 1.
Pepper // Team Fluff
Age: 16 weeks
Breed: Boston terrier mix
Sex: Female
Fun Fact (Provided by Animal Planet): Can’t wait for the new Star Wars movie!
Lewis // Team Ruff
Age: 12 weeks
Breed: Shar Pei
Sex: Male
Fun Fact: Can name every state capital
Drew Carey // Team Fluff
Age: 12 Weeks
Breed: Cocker spaniel
Sex: Female
Fun Fact: Loves to bid $1 on The Price is Right
Kiaria // Team Ruff
Age: 12 weeks
Breed: Pekingese/Japanese chin mix
Sex: Female
Fun Fact: Loves car rides
Chicklet // Team Fluff
Age: 16 weeks
Breed: Australian shepherd mix
Sex: Female
Fun Fact: Wants to visit all 50 states
Titan // Team Ruff
Age: 12 weeks
Breed: Bulldog mix
Sex: Male
Fun Fact: Fluent in English, Spanish and Japanese
Aaron // Team Fluff
Age: 14 Weeks
Breed: Boxer
Sex: Female
Fun Fact: Trained at The Royal Shakespeare Company
Boomer // Team Ruff
Age: 17 weeks
Breed: German shepherd mix
Sex: Male
Fun Fact: Champion chess player
Maggie // Team Fluff
Age: 20 weeks
Breed: Beagle/dachshund mix
Sex: Female
Fun Fact: Was first in line to buy the new iPhone
Faulkner // Team Ruff
Age: 16 weeks
Breed: Great Pyrenees/lab mix
Sex: Male
Fun Fact: Wants to be on Dancing with the Stars
Savannah // Team Fluff
Age: 13 weeks
Breed: Shih tzu
Sex: Female
Fun Fact: Thinks Lorde is overrated
Falcor // Team Ruff
Age: 14 weeks
Breed: Clumber
Sex: Male
Fun Fact: Has a crush on Miley Cyrus
*”Favorite” is used loosely here, as we love all puppies in equally extravagant amounts.
Photos courtesy of Animal Planet
26 Jan 22:31
You'll recall that Stemberger had stompy-feet meldowns over gay marriage coming to his home state after vowing that it was an issue "worth dying for." (Tipped by JMG reader Erik)
Tweet Of The Day II: John Stemberger
by Joe Jervis
26 Jan 22:30
Surface Booked More Than $1 Billion For Microsoft Last Quarter — Up 24% (MSFT)
by Steve Kovach
Microsoft's Surface business is growing slowly but surely.
For the calendar fourth quarter of 2014, Surface revenues were $1.1 billion, the company reported Monday. That's up 24%.
Microsoft also told us that the product is now respectably profitable, compared with being barely profitable (for the first time) last quarter.
Microsoft says its latest Surface model, the Surface Pro 3, drove most of the growth. It confirmed on a call with Business Insider that it is no longer manufacturing for sale the less expensive Surface 2.
For the year-ago quarter, Surface revenues were $893 million.
But Microsoft's Surface business is still tiny compared to Apple's iPad business. Apple reports earnings Tuesday, so we don't have numbers for last quarter. But for Q3 2014, Apple's iPad business generated $5.3 billion in revenue. (It'll likely be more than that due to holiday sales last quarter.)
Microsoft doesn't report unit sales. Surface revenues include sales for Surface tablets, plus accessories like the optional (but essential!) keyboard cover.
The Surface business will likely get a nice boost with the launch of Windows 10 later this year.
Windows 10 is designed to work better with hybrid devices, letting you switch from a traditional desktop mode to a tablet mode just be removing the keyboard.
Join the conversation about this story »
26 Jan 22:30
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
Here's What Median Rent Will Get You In Silicon Valley
by Madeline Stone
Silicon Valley may be the center of the tech world, but finding a place to live there can be tough.
Gentrification brought on by the tech boom has drastically driven up housing prices, so much so that the area has become unaffordable for many.
In Menlo Park, for example, home to Facebook headquarters, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $2,300 a month.
Our friends at Zumper helped us compile a list of one-bedroom apartments you can rent for around the median price in six Silicon Valley cities: Palo Alto, Mountain View, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Menlo Park, and San Jose.
These luxury apartments are less than a mile from Apple HQ.
Rent: $2,146-$2,428/month
Neighborhood: Cupertino
The complex has a variety of floor plans varying in price. A swimming pool, sand volleyball court, and laundry center are among its amenities.
$2,400 gets you a 650-square-foot apartment in Menlo Park.
Rent: $2,395/month
Neighborhood: Menlo Park
The kitchen has a dishwasher and garbage disposal, and the complex has its own swimming pool.
In Mountain View, you'll get a comfortable place with some amenities.
Rent: $2,137-$2,375/month
Neighborhood: Mountain View
The kitchen may be a bit small, but there's a nice fitness center and a swimming pool.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
26 Jan 22:24
This Is What Happens When You Put Magnetic Buckyballs In A Blender [Video]
by Mary Beth Griggs
A viral marketing campaign is literally making sparks fly in their latest video. Blender company Blendtec is known for their 'Will it Blend?' series of videos, in which…
Mason likes this
26 Jan 22:22
Marketers Of Green Coffee Bean Weight-Loss Products Must Refund $9M
by Ashlee Kieler
By now we should all be fairly familiar with the saga of Dr. Oz, the supposed “miracle” weight-loss benefits of green coffee bean extract, and the Federal Trade Commission’s mission to put a stop to the craze by shutting down marketers and online sellers that created fake news sites, fake reporters and relied on bogus studies to sell the product. The Commission’s work continued Monday when one such company agreed to pay $9 million in consumer redress to settle charges of deceptively marketing the products.
The FTC announced that Lindsey Duncan and his controlled companies have agreed to settle charges that they deceptively touted the supposed weight-less benefits of green coffee bean extract through a campaign that included appearances on The Dr. Oz Show, The View and other programs.
Under the settlement [PDF], Duncan and his companies must pay $9 million to consumer duped by the product’s marketing campaigns.
According to the FTC complaint [PDF], Duncan and his companies, Pure Health LLC and Genesis Today, Inc., deceptively claimed that a study proved the supplement could cause consumers to lose 17 pounds and 16% of their body fat in just 12 weeks without diet or exercise.
While on The Dr. Oz Show, Duncan cited a heavily flawed and disputed study to tout the supposed benefits of green coffee bean extract.
Back in September, the FTC settled charges against Applied Food Sciences – the company that sponsored the bogus scientific study – for $3.5 million.
The FTC complaint against Duncan claims that after he taped his Dr. Oz appearance, but before the episode aired, he began selling the extract and tailoring a marketing campaign around his appearance to capitalize on the “Oz effect” – a phenomenon in which discussion of a product on the program causes an increase in consumer demand.
During Duncan’s taped appearance on the show he urged viewers to search for the product online using phrases his company would use in search advertising to drive consumers to their websites selling the product.
Duncan also allegedly reached out to retailers, describing his upcoming appearance on The Dr. Oz Show, saying he planned to discuss the clinical trials that purportedly proved the supplement’s effectiveness.
Duncan, appeared on the Dr. Oz show to talk up the disputed benefits of green coffee bean extract. The host of the show called it a miracle weight-loss cure for all body types, and that you could lose significant amounts of weight without doing anything.
Additionally, he and the companies began an intensive effort to make the extract available in Walmart stores and on Amazon when the program aired.
After Duncan’s appearance on the show, the efforts to sell the product intensified. The FTC claims the defendants posted links to the episode on websites and used retail displays showing messages such as “New Health Discovery! As Seen on TV, ‘The Dieter’s Secret Weapon.’”
According to the FTC, the efforts were successful, and the companies sold tens of millions of dollars worth of extract.
In addition to the deceptive marketing campaigns, the FTC alleges that Duncan and several of his companies’ spokespeople portrayed themselves on television shows as independent sources of information about the extract and other natural remedies, while failing to disclose their financial ties to the company.
In addition to paying $9 million in consumer redress, the FTC settlement bars Duncan and his companies from making deceptive claims about the health benefits or effectiveness of any dietary supplement or drug product.
The company must also substantiate any future weight-loss claims with at least two well-controlled human clinical tests.
Marketer Who Promoted a Green Coffee Bean Weight-Loss Supplement Agrees to Settle FTC Charges [Federal Trade Commission]
26 Jan 22:21
Weak Tiny Pansy Man Lists Six Things He Hates About The Ford GT
by Raphael Orlove
Here we see a weak tiny small little pansy boy-man list six things he hates about the Ford GT, that pure image of big strong manly man's man perfection.
