Budget Miami Hotels - Apple IPad Debut Shows No Fear of Rivals’ Lower Prices

Source      - http://www.bloomberg.com/
By            - Adam Satariano
Category  - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

Even as rivals such as Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), Samsung Electronics Co. (005930) and Google Inc. (GOOG) introduce tablets at lower prices, Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook went in the opposite direction yesterday. He unveiled a new iPad mini with a high-definition screen that starts at $399, $70 more expensive than last year’s model. Apple also introduced a lighter and thinner design for its larger tablet, renamed iPad Air, starting at the same price of $499. 

The new iPads follow the debut of the iPhone 5c last month at a heftier price than analysts expected, underscoring how Apple is appealing to the higher end of the market where more profit is made. The Cupertino, California-based company is betting customers see its products as a unique mix of hardware, software and services that are more valuable than lower-cost alternatives. 

“You can see from the pricing decision that Apple doesn’t really fear much competition,” said Benedict Evans, an analyst at Enders Analysis, who attended Apple’s event in downtown San Francisco yesterday.

Apple’s top marketing executive, Phil Schiller, said the company sees the tablet market bifurcating. On one end, Apple is focused on delivering high-quality devices, while the other has lower-quality devices and faces more pricing pressure, he said. 

Schiller added that the iPad mini’s increased price is mainly the result of steeper costs for the new high-definition screens. Apple also dropped the price of last year’s iPad mini model to $299.

Crowded Market

Apple’s new iPads, which will be shipped next month, are debuting in a crowded market where companies including Samsung, Asustek Computer Inc. (2357), Google and Amazon have unveiled tablets, often at lower prices. The competition ramps up pressure on Apple because the iPad is its second-largest revenue source after its flagship iPhone. Success of the new models is critical as the company attempts to reignite revenue growth, which has slowed. 

Apple’s new iPads, which also include more powerful processors and faster wireless speeds, are part of a broad product update ahead of the lucrative holiday shopping season. The company released the new iPhone 5s and 5c last month. 

“We couldn’t be more pleased to introduce all of them to you in time for the holidays,” said Cook.

Many Macs

Apple also announced that it will for the first time start giving away its Mac software for free, starting with the latest release called Mavericks that was available for download yesterday. Apple’s productivity software, including iPhoto, iMovie and Pages, also are being made available for free. And the company showed an updated high-end Mac Pro desktop computer aimed at professions that need extra computing power, as well as new MacBook Pro laptops. 

“Last month was all iPhone and this was everything else,” Carl Howe, an analyst with Yankee Group, said after the event. 

Apple shares fell less than 1 percent yesterday to close at $519.87 in New York, leaving the stock down 2.3 percent for the year, compared with a 23 percent increase in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. 

Apple’s challenge with the iPad is similar to what it faces with the iPhone. Rivals are introducing devices based on Google’s Android software that are cheaper. 

Samsung, Asustek, Lenovo Group Ltd. (992), Acer Inc. (2353) and others are offering tablets with prices starting at less than half of the iPad mini’s previous starting cost of $329. Amazon.com introduced new Kindle Fires last month with higher-resolution screens at prices starting from $229, while Microsoft Corp. and Nokia Oyj (NOK1V) took the wraps off new tablets this week.

Budget Miami Hotels - European Union Declares Electronic Cigarettes Are Not Medicinal

Source      - http://www.popsci.com/
By            - Dan Nosowitz
Category  - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

This morning, the European Parliament, the legislative body of the European Union, voted to reject a proposal that electronic cigarettes or "e-cigs" be regulated as medical devices. The ruling, which contradicts several federal laws held by member nations of the E.U., is a major decision on what's a fairly new and poorly understood health issue.

Electronic cigarettes have gained momentum in the past few years; they're seen as quasi-medical tools to help quit smoking, but also seen as milder versions of cigarettes. They're small, sometimes cigarette-shaped devices that heat a liquid base containing nicotine and other ingredients (flavorings, mostly) slowly, so that the active chemicals vaporize, rather than burn as they would in a cigarette. The vapor is likely easier on the lungs than smoke from a regular cigarette, they can be smoked in places where cigarettes aren't allowed (like bars and restaurants), and are about the same price as cigarettes in highly taxed places like New York City. (Disposable e-cigs like the popular Blu brand, which costs $9.99, have about the same number of estimated "puffs" as a pack of regular cigarettes.)  E-cigs are estimated to become a $1.7 billion industry in the U.S. this year, more than twice that of the E.U.

E-cigs are barely regulated. The few studies that have been performed indicate that the vapor from certain brands contains carcinogens, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein, but e-cigs are so new and have so recently become popular that the laws and regulations are struggling to catch up. At the moment, the U.S. has banned the sale to minors, but courts have rejected the FDA's repeated attempts to have them classified as drugs (in the same category as nicotine patches). In the E.U., some countries, like Greece, have banned them outright. Some, like Britain, want them treated like medical devices, which would mean they would be more heavily regulated and only sold in pharmacies in some countries. The ruling will trickle down to the member countries within the next few years, as each country has to adjust its individual local and national laws.

Budget Miami Hotels - Leaked Video Reportedly Shows Off iPad 5

Source      - http://www.pcmag.com/
By            - Chloe Albanesius
Category  - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

The iPhone launch has come and gone, so naturally, it's time for the iPad rumors to begin. To get things started, Chinese parts supplier sw-box.com this week posted a video of what it says is the shell for the next iPad.

As noted by MacRumors, the almost six-minute video (below) shows off the shell of what the narrator calls the iPad 5 next to the 4th-gen iPad and the iPad mini.

The most noticeable difference is the size. The iPad 5 comes in at 241.2 mm high as compared to 239.2mm for the 4th-gen iPad, whereas the iPad 5 is 169.5mm wide and the 4th-gen is 185.7mm, according to the video.

The narrator also noted a few other differences between the tablets, including a speaker on the center bottom of the iPad 5 and a mirrored logo, much like the iPad mini. There's also two separate volume buttons on the iPad 5 rather than one, and an extra microphone on the back of the device.

As the video noted, the iPad 5 seems to take a page from the iPad mini with its rounded design, which might make it easier to grip for longer periods of time.

Apple has not yet made any announcements about its iPad lineup, though rumors suggest that Cupertino will hold an iPad launch event in mid to late October as it did last year.

Budget Miami Hotels - How To Manage Chronic Pain Without Pills

Source     - http://www.news-sentinel.com/
By            - Drs. Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen
Category   - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By  - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

Q: I've had shoulder pain for a couple of years, and the constant low-level agony is making me nuts. What should I do? — Johnny M., Akron, Ohio

A: More than 100 million North Americans live with chronic pain, and, as you indicated, it does a lot more than just make you feel achy. Chronic pain is associated with a three- to fourfold increase in the rate of depression and anxiety, and most folks also have problems with sleep, memory, attention, high blood pressure and resulting cardio problems, not to mention sexual dysfunction. Chronic pain actually can damage your most valued relationships.

The most common sources (not related to cancer) are degenerative spine disease, lower-back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis (perhaps in your shoulder), fibromyalgia, HIV, migraine, nerve pain and complications of shingles.

The first step is to get the right diagnosis from a specialist (maybe a second opinion, too). If pain medications are suggested, ask about a pain-management specialist who knows how to do nerve-dampening blocks and how to safely put you on (and take you off of) potentially addictive drugs.

But we're huge fans of using wellness to control pain!

•Try mind-body therapies: guided imagery, cognitive-behavioral therapy, meditation, breath work, massage and acupuncture. They can break the cycle of pain, then stress that worsens the pain, then more stress and even worse pain.

•Get daily physical activity. You'll dispel stress and build strength. Work with a physical therapist to determine the safest, most effective exercise and to learn how to use the two best short-term pain relievers, heat and ice.

•Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet to help put out the pain fire: Eliminate added sugars and syrups, any grain that isn't 100 percent whole, and trans and saturated fats, and go for lots of omega-3 DHA from salmon and ocean trout two to three days a week, and consider a daily 900-mg supplement.

Q: I just turned 50. The kids are at college; the house is almost paid for; you'd think I'd be happy. But I'm getting hot flashes, and I'm grumpy all the time. There's no second honeymoon in our house! Do I just have to live with this? — Nancy J., Washington D.C.

A: Many women in their 50s feel ambushed by conditions related to menopause. In addition to hot flashes, you may have brain fog, heart palpitations, mood swings, sleep problems and less interest in sex. In fact, declining hormone levels can lead to vaginal atrophy – around half of women say intercourse becomes so painful (because of thinning, fragile tissue) that they avoid it. Plus, there are the risks to your heart health and long-term brain function.

Fortunately, menopause symptoms don't have to put you on the sidelines of your life. You can be as energetic, engaged and frisky in the bedroom as you want to be! And that's big news for the 72 percent of women (like you) who are getting no treatment at all for menopause symptoms!

First: Don't rule out hormone therapy. If you're not at increased risk for heart disease or breast cancer, before age 60, up to five years of taking micronized progesterone and bioequivalent estrogen can banish symptoms. (Ask your doc about taking two baby aspirins a day while on hormones to protect you from potential heart problems.) And older women can safely use topical estrogen to restore vaginal health.

Lifestyle changes also help: Get sweaty — on purpose. Exercise can improve your quality of life and sometimes reduces hot flashes. Dropping just 10 percent of your weight can cut hot flashes and improve sleep. Practice deep breathing when symptoms hit. Inhale slowly and deeply for a count of four; then exhale slowly for a count of eight. And use focus and memory techniques: Keep distractions to a minimum; write down what you want to remember; repeat specifics out loud to yourself; and optimize your sleeping environment (keep it cool and quiet), because nothing improves brain power like a good night's rest.

Budget Miami Hotels - iPhone 5S Fingerprint Sensor Is Ill-Disposed To Sweat

Source     - http://news.cnet.com/
By           - Dara Kerr
Category  - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

The fingerprint scanner on Apple's new iPhone 5S is being heralded as the most innovative feature on the latest model of the company's smartphone. However, Apple has admitted that its "Touch ID" sensor isn't exactly perfect -- namely, it doesn't like sweaty fingers.

Company testers have discovered that the Touch ID sensor will not always respond to fingertips coated in sweat, lotion, or other liquids, an Apple spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal. 

Besides fluids, the scanner also doesn't seem to like fingertips with scars. However, the company spokesperson told the Journal that this issue is easily solvable by using another finger on the scanner.

Apple's Touch ID sensor technology is something completely new for smartphone users. The scanner is capacitive, thin, and can scan in 360 degrees. This means the sensor doesn't have to be oriented in a certain manner in relation to a user's finger. It also can learn multiple fingers, so it's not limited to just a thumbprint. The technology is said to be superior to laptop fingerprint sensors that make users repeatedly swipe the scanner.

In adding a fingerprint sensor to the iPhone, Apple has begun to rethink device security and online identity. The scanner will presumably act as a first line of defense against would-be thieves and hackers. 

Users' fingerprint data will be encrypted and stored on the device's processor -- it will not be backed up to iCloud. According to the Journal, this type of storage means that it should be near impossible for a thief to reverse-engineer someone's fingerprint.

CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update this story when we get more information.

Budget Miami Hotels - Apple To Unveil New iPhone Models? What We Want To See

Source     - http://popwatch.ew.com/
By            - Samantha Highfill
Category   - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By  - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

On Sept. 10, Apple is holding an event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California to reportedly unveil new models of the iPhone, from a standard upgrade for the iPhone 5 to a brand new model that’s meant to be more affordable for those in developing regions. The event will also feature the release of an overhaul to the iOS mobile operating system, according to Bloomberg.

All that sounds great and fancy, but what does it really mean for those of us with iPhones? Well, iOS7 has been introduced with a number of new features, including a Control Center, a Notification Center, and better multitasking (so all of those commercials can finally stop). It also promises an overall more organized experience when it come to things such as photos, and easier sharing with AirDrop, which uses WiFi and Bluetooth to share anything from an app. And did we mention the more colorful screen?

So far so good. But considering my iPhone is pretty much my best friend at this point, there are a few other adjustments I’d really like to see:

Colorful options: It’s time for customers to be able to get a blue iPhone if that’s what they want. It’s been five years. This relationship is not just black and white (and champagne) anymore.

Time stamps on iMessage: Surely this isn’t too much to ask for. It’s as simple as knowing when you sent a message, which works with text messages, so why doesn’t it apply to iMessages?

Easy picture editing: iOS7 has mentioned the ability to add filters to photos, which is great — or pointless if you’re an Instagram person — but what I want is to be able to edit photos easily without having to get a separate app.

Complete app control: Maybe this will never happen, but being able to get rid of the apps I don’t use (even the pre-installed ones) would really free up some space on my beloved home screen.

Auto-translate: I’m talking about the ability to translate a text message without ever leaving the app. Let that sink in.

Better battery life/wireless charging: I’m told this exists, so why am I still plugging in my phone at night?

Tactile screen: I’m told this exists, so why am I still touching a seemingly flat surface?

Individual MiFi for every phone: Without any extra cost, please and thank you.

Financial aid: No, my iPhone doesn’t need to lend me money. But if it could alert me when my bills are due without me having to add it in my calendar myself, my credit would greatly appreciate it.

Upgraded alarm clock: Here’s the deal — I want my alarm clock to 1) Link with my calendar, so it can wake me up by telling me that I have a 9 a.m. meeting (or whatever); 2) Be able to sound like anyone I want. I would definitely wake up if Ben McKenzie were saying “Good Morning,” wouldn’t you?; And 3) There’s no reason why my iPhone can’t know the difference between me turning off the alarm in a semi-comatose state and actually waking up. Bottom line: I shouldn’t oversleep anything ever again. Look, I’m not asking it to make me breakfast — let’s not get crazy — but it would be nice if it could turn on my coffee pot, pour my coffee, add milk and two sugars, and then put the mug on my nightstand (but not too close that I knock it over getting out of bed).

Shopping assistance: I don’t need my iPhone to carry my grocery bags (though that would be helpful), but it would be great if it could look in my fridge and tell me if my eggs have expired, how much wine is left, and if I have enough milk for it to make my coffee for the rest of the week.

Overall companionship: When my roommate is gone and something like Batfleck happens, I need someone to talk to. My iPhone knows what’s going on with Twitter and such, so why can’t I just talk to him/her about it (gender will be determined by what color phone I get)? And when we’re done chatting, it can give me endless compliments! Too much?

Now I pass the torch to you, PopWatchers. What changes would you make to your iPhone?

Budget Miami Hotels - 3 Bad Habits Fit People Don’t Have

Source       - http://news.health.com/
By             - Jennifer Cohen
Category    - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By  - Inn and Suites In West Miami

 

Budget Miami Hotels

Fit people aren’t born, they’re made. They’re the hard bodies that get up early, hit the gym, work full time, and still have the energy to volunteer at the animal shelter and make Pinterest-worthy fruit cups for the PTA meeting. You see, millions of small, healthy choices can result in big healthy habits. Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, and here are 3 habits that suck up time and keep many people from getting fit.

1. “I only work out when I feel like it.” You just got home from work. You feel sick, you didn’t get much sleep last night, you’re tired. If these excuses sound familiar, it’s time for your wake-up call. The more you do something, the more you’ll feel like doing it. It’s how you build a good habit instead of a bad one. If you think working out when you’re tired will only make you more tired, think again. In a study published in Psychology Bulletin, researchers found that over 90% of people who completed a regular exercise program reported improved fatigue and focus. In fact, the average impact of exercise on a person’s focus was comparative to stimulant medications, like those used to treat ADHD. If you keep missing your late afternoon workouts, try exercising earlier in the morning, before work or school. You’ll be amazed how much more focused you are. Try some of these tips to find the time to workout.

2. “Weekends don’t count.” If you’ve been good all week, working out and eating clean, doesn’t that make up for a few lazy days? News flash: Everything counts. Yes, a cheat day can help your overall program, but there are limits. Fitness should be incorporated into your everyday life. Yes, that means weekends, but it doesn’t mean you have to spend every sunny Saturday afternoon in the gym! It means that instead of relaxing by binge-watching Arrested Development on Netflix, go explore a new park, get a Groupon for a new kayaking place or take a bike tour of your neighborhood. Being fit and active will open up new weekend activities that you’ll end up loving, plus they’ll help keep you on track to your weekday fitness goals.

3. “My friends are couch potatoes.” Does the leader of your wolf pack plan most of your gatherings? Do you find yourself sitting for hours at the movies or restaurants, talking while eating cheesy apps and sugary drinks? Does everyone complain about packing on the pounds? Maybe it’s time to take the planning into your own hands and suggest active group activities, because if your friends are chubby, chances are you will be, too. In a study from the New England Journal of Medicine that followed people for 32 years, investigators found that people were more likely to become obese when a friend became obese–57% more likely to be exact! Now I’m not saying it’s time to get new friends. All it takes is one friend to suggest something new. Instead of going out for half-priced apps, go out and toss around a Frisbee. Join a fitness class with a friend, then teach your new moves to the rest of the group. This weekend, try some fitness dates with your friends. Friends that get fit together stay together!

Budget Miami Hotels - New Samsung 'Mega' Phone Nearly Tablet-Sized

Source        - http://www.caller.com/
By               - Press Release
Category    - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By   - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

Smartphones are getting bigger as people use them more to watch movies and play games. A new one from Samsung is beyond big.

With a screen measuring 6.3 inches diagonally, the Galaxy Mega is almost as big as a 7-inch tablet computer. The difference: It makes phone calls.

Samsung says the Mega is a hybrid that combines the portability of a smartphone with the immersive experience that a tablet offers for movies, books, music and games. Phones of this size are typically referred to as phablets.

Samsung Electronics Co. is known for big phones. Its flagship Galaxy S4 is 5 inches, while the Galaxy Note 2 is 5.5 inches. Apple's iPhone 5 is 4 inches.

Samsung is also known for offering a variety of devices, with different screen sizes and prices, to target a range of consumers. Because of that, it's now the leading maker of phones. Apple, by contrast, has been releasing one model a year that targets high-end consumers. A new iPhone is expected this fall.

The Mega includes many features available in other recent Galaxy phones. That includes Multi Window, which allows multitasking in a split screen, and Easy Mode, which reduces the number of features and choices for new smartphone users.

AT&T Inc. says it will start selling the Mega on Friday for $150 with a two-year service contract. The Mega is also coming to Sprint and U.S. Cellular. Dates and prices weren't announced for those carriers. The Mega made its debut in Europe and Russia in May, but hasn't been available in the U.S. until now.

As Samsung's phones get larger, at least one of HTC Corp.'s is getting smaller. AT&T announced Monday that it will start selling a smaller version of the HTC One. Called the HTC One Mini, it will have a 4.3-inch screen, compared with 4.7 inches on the standard model. It's also lighter, at 4.3 ounces. The One is 5 ounces. The One Mini will be about $100 cheaper than its big brother. It will be available starting Friday for $100 with a two-year service agreement.

Budget Miami Hotels - Food For Thought: Sleep More, Lose Weight

Source - http://www.thenational.ae/
By - Laura Holland
Category - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

Sleep more, lose weight? Yes, this does sound too good to be true: given all the advice to get active to lose weight, the idea of sleeping more to achieve this seems rather counter-intuitive.

But research from Tübingen and Lübeck universities in Germany and Uppsala University in Sweden investigated the relationship between sleep and obesity. The study monitored the effect of sleep deprivation on hunger, physical exercise and energy used by the body. The results found that those who were sleep-deprived felt more hungry than those who had enjoyed undisturbed sleep. There were also higher levels of the hunger hormone, ghrelin, detected in their blood.

Furthermore, after a subject missed one night’s sleep completely, the study showed that this reduced the amount of energy used by the body when resting. This tells us that the more sleep-deprived we become, the hungrier we feel and the less activity we want to do. Crucially this study also tells us that the less sleep we have, the less energy our body uses even when we are at rest. Over time this could certainly lead to weight gain and significantly so if disturbed sleep continues.

A new study by the journal Nature Communications, as cited last week by The New York Times, confirms the relationship between sleep loss and weight gain. In a study featuring 23 male and female subjects, those who were sleep-deprived strongly preferred food choices highest in calories. “The foods they requested when they were sleep-deprived added up to about 600 calories more than the foods that they wanted when they were well rested,” reported The New York Times.

A good night’s sleep will help to regulate your body clock, which in turn helps to regulate your appetite. More sleep also means that your body is more likely to utilise energy stores that have been accumulated from food consumption. To lose weight this is essential, otherwise fat is literally trapped within the body and continually stored.

So how much sleep is enough to ensure we are well rested and tuned into a weight-loss setting?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, there is no magic number and this really depends on your age and lifestyle. As a guide, teenagers need an average of 8.5 to 9.25 hours and adults 7 to 9 hours. It is true to say that what is most important is quality of sleep; this means undisturbed sleep throughout the night, allowing your body to enter into a deep and restful period of sleep.

To help you get a good night’s sleep, avoid caffeine and sugar in the evenings as these can prevent deep relaxation. Sipping valerian tea has been shown to be a helpful aid to get you in the mood to sleep – it’s available from nutrition stores and some supermarkets.

Budget Miami Hotels - 5 Reasons People Give Up On Losing Weight (and How to Overcome Them)

Source - http://shine.yahoo.com/
By - FitSugar
Category - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

Whether it's the Freshmen 15, breakup weight, baby weight, or can't-stay-away-from-the-dessert-cart weight, losing those extra pounds is not as easy as putting them on. It doesn't matter if you have five or 105 pounds to lose, here are the top reasons most people abandon their weight-loss goals, and what you can do to prevent it from happening.

• It's taking too long: Just as those pounds seemed to slowly creep on, it also takes time to slowly shake them off; coming to terms with this will make it easier to stick with your plan. Know that to safely lose weight and keep it off, you'll only drop one to two pounds a week, so do the math and you'll have an idea of how much time it'll be before you're near your goal weight. Find ways to celebrate your smaller goals and it'll help keep you on track. 

• I'm hungry: Weight loss comes down to simple math: calories in cannot exceed the amount of calories out. If you choose high-calorie foods, you'll only be able to have a few bites, which will leave your belly empty and unsatisfied. Eat smarter by choosing low-calorie foods like vegetables, high-fiber foods like whole grains, and foods with high water content like fruit. These foods will keep you feeling full, preventing hunger pangs

• I miss my favorite foods: French fries, pizza, burgers, chocolate cake, ice cream - it's hard not to spend every minute thinking about the foods you shouldn't eat. Plain and simple, diets don't work. You can't sustain an eating plan that is too restrictive. Of course, you won't lose weight on a diet of donuts alone, so eat healthy most of the time and allow yourself a little splurging to prevent feeling deprived; or find healthier ways to enjoy the foods you crave, like with this pizza quinoa polenta instead of a regular slice from the pizzeria, or this mango ice cream that's completely dairy-free. 

• I hate exercising: Not everyone loves the feel of a grueling run. If you don't love it, find something you do love. Maybe running on the treadmill isn't for you, but try giving that cardio kickboxing class a shot. Maybe you can't stand working out alone, and need to join a gym to get involved in some group classes. Or maybe exercise can't seem like exercise at all, and you'd rather go for an adventurous hike or mountain bike ride. If you look forward to your workouts, they're more likely to happen. Also be sure to mix up your workouts because even though you're obsessed with Zumba, you don't want to go so often that you get burnt out.

• I've tried everything and nothing works: When you're eating right and exercising and the scale isn't budging, it's understandable why that frustration would make a person give up. There are many reasons why what you're doing may not offer results, such as not doing the right kind of exercise, not exercising enough, overdoing it on healthy foods that are high in calories, or miscounting calories. Seek out the help of a professional like a nutritionist or a personal trainer, or sign up for a weight-loss program that offers support, such as Weight Watchers. Experts in weight loss can offer tips and shed some light about what mistakes you might unknowingly be making that are sabotaging your weight-loss goals.

Budget Miami Hotels - Has Apple’s iPhone 5S Launch Been Delayed?

Source - http://wallstcheatsheet.com/
By - Nathanael Arnold
Category - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

Although the general consensus among Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) analysts is for a September iPhone 5S launch, a recent rumor out of Taiwan warns that the Cupertino, California-based company may have to delay the release by several months due to production challenges. According to a story from the Taiwan-based Commercial Times reported by Bloomberg, the iPhone 5S may not be introduced until the end of the year.

The Commercial Times cites unnamed semiconductor industry sources who believe the iPhone 5S will not be ready by September or October because of Apple’s decision to redesign the device with a larger 4.3-inch Retina display. According to the report, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:TSM) may be shipping chips for the iPhone 5S in August.

The Taiwan-based newspaper’s sources also state that the so-called iPhone Lite, or budget iPhone, will still be ready by the end of the third quarte, according to Bloomberg. The report does not offer any other specific information.

Many analysts are expecting Apple to unveil at least two different models of iPhones sometime this fall. Numerous supply chain rumors and multiple leaked images of plastic iPhone casings in different colors seem to confirm these expectations. And recently leaked document obtained by PhoneArena also suggests that Apple may be releasing two different models of the lower-cost iPhone.

Budget Miami Hotels - What Makes You So Tasty To Mosquitoes?

Source - http://www.usatoday.com/
By - Polly Davis Doig,
Category - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

Whether you're one of those people who gets eaten alive by mosquitoes depends on some pretty tangible factors, and Smithsonian Magazine runs down the reasons that make an estimated 20% of us especially delectable to those buzzing little bloodsuckers. 

Without ado: 

-- How much booze you drink: Turns out beer goggles aren't just for humans. According to one study, just one bottle of beer can increase your appeal in the insect world. The scientific reasons aren't exactly clear, so we're sticking with beer goggles. 

-- How pregnant you are: It's just one more discomfort for moms-to-be, but pregnant women get about twice as many bites as other people. That's probably because they're about a degree warmer, and exhale 21% more carbon dioxide. 

-- What blood type you are: Type O? You get bitten about twice as much as Type A, and Type B is somewhere in the middleground.

-- How much you exercise: Working out builds up lactic acid in your sweat and body heat, making you all the more tasty. 

-- What you're wearing: Skeeters are also looking for you, so wearing eye-catching colors such as black, navy, or red make you stand out, according to one entomologist.

Budget Miami Hotels - Dollar Hits 3-Year Peak, Poised For More Gains

Source - http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
By - Press Release
Category - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

 

Budget Miami Hotels

The US dollar rose to a three-year high against a basket of currencies on Monday and was set for more gains on expectations the Federal Reserve could scale back stimulus by September after solid jobs data on Friday.

By contrast, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England were more likely to ease monetary policy, while the Bank of Japan was expected to continue with aggstimulus, keeping the euro, sterling and the yen weak.

The dollar index was at 84.425, having risen as high as 84.588 in Asian trade, its strongest since July 2010, after data on Friday showed employers added a higher-than-expected 195,000 new jobs last month.

The index jumped 1.5 per cent on Friday, its best one-day gain in 20 months.

"It looks like we will have a clearer diversion, with growth gaining momentum in the US and the euro zone bumping along the bottom," said Niels Christensen, currency strategist at Nordea.

"I expect interest rate differentials to continue to move in favour of the dollar and to pull euro/dollar lower."

But he said investors may need more evidence the Fed will start scaling back asset purchases by September before the dollar extends gains beyond key chart levels. Federal Reserve minutes on Wednesday will therefore be closely watched.

Sentiment towards the euro could also be helped in the near term by the fact that Greece looks likely to reach a deal with foreign lenders on its latest bailout review and by an improved political situation in Portugal.

The euro was steady at $1.2834, staying close to a seven-week trough of $1.2806 plumbed on Friday. It remained pressured after ECB President Mario Draghi last week said interest rates would stay low for an extended period.

The next key levels for the euro are the mid-May low of $1.2796 and the early April low of $1.2740.

Sterling was steady at $1.4897, close to a four-month low of $1.4855 hit in Asian trade after an unexpectedly dovish Bank of England statement last week. A break below $1.4832 would mark its lowest in three years.

The dollar pared some of its gains against the safe haven yen, however, as Chinese shares fell 2.4 per cent on concerns about Beijing's plan to choke off credit.

"On the whole, the dollar looks likely to gain further. But then again, if Chinese shares face more pressures, we could see a bigger dip in the dollar/yen," said Koichi Takamatsu, forex manager at Nomura Securities in Tokyo.

The dollar was at 101.18 yen, having earlier hit a one-and-a-half month peak of 101.54 yen. 

Budget Miami Hotels - Brain trauma Seems To Increase Risk Of Ischemic Stroke

Source - http://www.latimes.com/
By - Melissa Healy
Category - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

In the wake of a traumatic brain injury, a victim may have more to worry about than lingering headaches, dizziness or inability to concentrate: A new study finds that the risk of ischemic stroke -- in which blood flow to the brain is blocked or reduced -- rises in the years that follow.

That finding, published this week in the journal Neurology, may help explain the incidence of stroke in patients under 65 and in patients without some of stroke's known risk factors, such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes or atrial fibrillation.

Researchers from the University of Michigan scoured the discharge records of all California trauma patients seen in an emergency room and either admitted or discharged between 2005 and 2009. Of the more than 1.37 million patients they tracked, 37% had suffered traumatic brain injury. A portion of the trauma patients without trauma -- those with broken bones below the neck for instance -- served as the comparison group.

Then researchers looked for subsequent hospital visits by the same patients for symptoms of ischemic stroke, tracking patients for an average of 28 months from the time of their traumatic brain injury. About 87% of the 795,000 strokes that occur each year in the United States are ischemic events; the remainder are hemorrhagic, involving bleeding into the brain.

The difference would not appear earth-shaking: Among the group with traumatic brain injury, whose average age was about 49, 1.1% returned to a hospital during the study period with ischemic stroke. In the slightly older comparison group -- average age 50 -- the rate of stroke during the subsequent study period was 0.9%.

Translated into the subtle statistics of risk, however, that difference was not at all negligible: Suffering a traumatic brain injury raised the stroke risk of those victims 31% over that of the comparison group. And that makes a recent history of traumatic brain injury a predictor of stroke risk roughly as powerful as hypertension, the best-known risk factor for stroke.

And traumatic brain injury is common, too: Every year, Americans suffer 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The researchers suggested that concussions may cause abnormal clotting in the brain, or damage to the brain's blood vessels -- not just the carotid artery but any of the smaller ones that supply oxygen to the brain's deepest recesses. That, in turn, may disrupt blood flow to a traumatic brain injury victim's brain long after the dizziness or cognitive symptoms have subsided.

Budget Miami Hotels - Say Goodbye To Stress For Good

Source - http://healthyliving.msn.com/
By - Jenna Mccarthy
Category - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

At the risk of sounding immodest, I get a lot done. On any given day, I work, exercise, send and receive several hundred emails, and drive my kids, it seems, across the country and back. Most of the time I don't walk around feeling stressed about my load, but sometimes it feels like life is one giant blur of frantic activity. And while I have beautiful rose bushes in front of my home, I can't remember the last time I stopped to smell them.

Researchers are figuring out ways people like me (and you) can chill out and get more delight out of life. "It's about balance," says Fred B. Bryant, PhD, professor of psychology at Loyola University Chicago and co-author of Savoring. "Yes, we need tools to deal with stress, but it's also important to look at how we can intensify the good."

That's because when you do, even the busiest days can feel full and happy, not frazzled. Here are some simple techniques to boost your joy.

Stress-proof yourself

What if we told you that you have the power to stop stress before it even starts? That's precisely what a report recently published in Scientific American suggests.

"It turns out that there is only a tenuous relationship between stressors -- the things that cause us to feel anxiety -- and stress, or our response to them," says the report's author Robert Epstein, PhD, founder and director emeritus of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies in Massachusetts. "This is good news because it implies that with the right training and preparation, we might be able to face any stressor with calm composure. The idea is to 'immunize' yourself against them." To do it:

1. Sweat to protect.  We know exercise reduces stress in the moment and for a period afterward, but new research from Princeton University suggests that working out may actually build new super brain cells that are more resistant to stressors. That means hitting the gym now could help keep you smiling no matter what problems pile on later.

2. Relive what's good.  When a friend asks you how you're doing, resist the temptation to download that awful commute; instead, try to recall something pleasant, like the great deal you just scored on a new dress. Recounting stressful events actually makes us, and our bodies, stressed. "When you share a positive memory instead, that can put the brakes on those damaging effects," says Christine Carter, PhD, a sociologist at the University of California–Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center.

3. Take a joy break.  When we're crazy-busy, our natural inclination is to cut back on pleasurable activities -- as if fun is a luxury. However, research suggests that this is a mistake. One study found that people who engaged in enjoyable leisure activities had lower blood pressure and cortisol scores (two measures of stress) than those who didn't. They were also more resilient in the face of stressful life events. You might not be able to grab your knitting needles in the middle of a hectic day, but you can head out for a short walk or call a friend for a chat, whatever gives you a quick lift.

Make the bliss choice

Ready for some more good news? "Happiness isn't reserved only for the lucky few," says Aymee Coget, PhD, CEO of the American Happiness Association. "The truth is, happiness is something we can choose, every minute of every day." These moves help you consciously embrace joy:

1. Be your own spin doctor.  "When someone cuts you off in traffic, the situation may be out of your control, but you get to choose how to respond," Coget explains. You could fume and curse and tailgate the guy, or you could smile. "It's empowering to realize that it's up to you whether you're going to be happy or miserable," Coget adds.

2. Pay it forward.  Performing small acts of kindness doesn't just feel good; according to research, it may actually lower stress hormones. But that's not all. A new study conducted by the University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School suggests that kindness and happiness form what's called a "positive feedback loop."

"The idea is that by engaging in one kind act, you feel happier. And the happier you feel, the more likely you are to perform another kind act," says study co-author Lara Aknin. Start your own loop today: Treat a co-worker to a cup of coffee, or offer to do the dishes even if it's not your turn. Note how it feels. Then watch the positive feelings snowball.

Savor the moment

Ever watch a child playing? They relish every bit of joy, completely losing themselves in the now. But as adults, we lose this ability. That pure, raw enjoyment is what Bryant calls savoring, which he describes as a complex set of skills that can (and should) be mastered and used daily. Here's how:

1. Take a photo walk.  Head outside (or around your house) with a camera and photograph things you find interesting or fun or beautiful. It could be a flower, your child's imperfectly made bed, or the way the sunlight glints off the building next door. "Mindful photography trains us to look for and notice positive features of our environment," Bryant says, "which data show can boost happiness." As this becomes more habitual, you'll be able to see and savor more fully, even without a camera.

2. Slow yourself way down.  One of the most powerful ways to savor is to share feelings and events with others as they unfold. Whether you're out with friends, on vacation, or just having lunch with a colleague, stop and ask: What do we want to remember about this day/time/occasion? "By focusing on the experience as it happens," says Bryant, "you can intensify your appreciation of it."

3. Pretend it's about to end.  Studies show that people find greater pleasure in things and activities that they believe are scarce or about to end. Imagine that just as you're about to call your best friend, you're told this will be the last time you'll ever talk to her. It may sound morbid, but the effect is the opposite. "When we acknowledge the fleetingness of our lives," Bryant says, "we live more fully in the moment and experience greater happiness and appreciation."

Budget Miami Hotels - Exchange Will Pay a $6m Penalty

Source - http://www.bostonglobe.com/
By - Marcy Gordon
Category - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

The largest US options exchange will pay a $6 million penalty to settle federal charges it failed to enforce trading rules.

The penalty being paid by the Chicago Board Options Exchange is the first imposed on an exchange for failures of regulatory oversight, the Securities and Exchange Commission said.

The CBOE is a self-regulating organization, like the Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange. They are charged with enforcing trading rules. The SEC has broad oversight but leaves day-to-day monitoring to the exchanges and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

The SEC said the CBOE failed, among other things, to prevent abusive short-selling (betting a stock will lose value). Excessive short-selling targeting weak companies can push them into collapse and fan market volatility.

The exchange agreed to take corrective action but neither admitted nor denied wrongdoing. The SEC also censured the exchange. Censure brings the possibility of a stiffer sanction if the alleged violation is repeated.

The settlement came two weeks after the SEC fined the Nasdaq $10 million for computer failures and decisions alleged to have disrupted Facebook’s public stock offering last year.

Budget Miami Hotels - Android Jelly Bean Marketshare Rises To 33 Percent

Source - http://gadgets.ndtv.com/
By - Anupam Saxena
Category - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

Android Jelly Bean (version 4.1 and 4.2) has now overtaken Ice Cream Sandwich by a decent margin, just a few percentage points less than Gingerbread, the old version of the operating system.

Each month, Google shares data related to the distribution of different versions of its Android mobile operating system. According to monthly distribution data for Android for the month of June, the latest version of the operating system, Android Jelly Bean, which comprises of versions 4.1 and 4.2 of the OS, is now present on 33 percent of all Android devices. Meanwhile, Android 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich, the previous version of the OS, is now present on 25.6 percent of all Android devices. This means that Android Jelly Bean has gained a healthy lead over Ice Cream Sandwich, which is good news for Google and Android developers. The distribution share of Jelly Bean witnessed an increase of 4.6 percent compared to last month's share of the OS.

It's worth pointing out that Jelly Bean or Android 4.1 is a major improvement in terms of performance as it brings Project Butter, making the user experience much better than Android 4.0 ICS. Also, we believe a major number of ICS devices would be able to run Jelly Bean, as there's not much difference in hardware requirements. This lead shows that a number of new phones are being launched with Android Jelly Bean out of the box or old Ice Cream Sandwich devices have received OS updates. We've seen a number of Indian OEMs launch devices running Jelly Bean in the last month, including Spice and Zen Mobile. Samsung's flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S4 also runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and the company has able to ship 10 million phones, though that doesn't necessarily translate to device activations.

As we mentioned, Android 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich commands a 25.6 percent share in the Android device ecosystem, which is a decline of 1.9 percent compared to May's data.

It's worth pointing out that beginning April the data charts are now based on the data collected from each device when the user visits the Google Play Store to make it more accurate and reflect the percentage of users who are most engaged in the Android and Google Play ecosystem, as per Google. Prior to this, data was collected when the device simply checked-in to Google servers.

Android 2.3.x Gingerbread's user base continues to shrink with the OS version recording a 36.5 percent share across all Android devices, a month on month decline of 2 percent.

 

The combined share of Android 2.2 Froyo and 2.1 Eclair is now reaching the 4.7 percent mark, down from 5.4 percent last month

Budget Miami Hotels - EU Investigating Apple's iPhone Agreements With Mobile Operators

Source - http://www.pcworld.com/
By - John Ribeiro
Category - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

The European Commission has sent a questionnaire to a number of mobile operators in the European Union, focusing on whether its distribution terms with these providers may put Apple at an advantage over other smartphone makers, according to a newspaper report.

"The Commission has information indicating that Apple and Mobile Network Operators ("MNOs") have concluded distribution agreements which may potentially lead to the foreclosure of other smartphone manufacturers from the markets," the nine-page questionnaire states, The Financial Times reported Sunday.

The commission referred to the possibility that certain technical functions are disabled on certain Apple products in certain countries in the EU and the European Economic Area, which if confirmed could constitute an infringement of antitrust law. The questionnaire also probes operators on Apple's sales practices, including whether they are required to buy a minimum number of phones, and are required to always offer Apple no worse subsidies and sales terms than other smartphone vendors, according to the newspaper.

The European inquiry, based on private complaints from some mobile operators, is at a preliminary stage, and would require that Apple be found to be dominant in the EU smartphone market, the newspaper said.

Apple could not be immediately reached for comment. The company was questioned last week in the U.S. by a Senate subcommittee looking into charges that the company avoided tax by diverting profits to subsidiaries in Ireland. Apple said it did not break the laws.

Samsung Electronics became the top smartphone manufacturer in Europe in April last year, a position it has maintained through the rest of the year, Web and mobile usage tracking firm comScore said in February. The South Korean company had a 32.3 percent share of the market by December, followed by Apple with 20.5 and Nokia with 16.3 percent.

Budget Miami Hotels - Astronomers Now Know Why Uranus, Neptune Host The Solar System’s Strongest Winds

Source - http://thespacereporter.com/
By - Press Release
Category - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

The distant gas giants Uranus and Neptune hold many secrets that scientists have yet to unlock. While NASA’s Galileo and Cassini space probes have investigated both Jupiter and Saturn and transmitted a wealth of fascinating new data about these planets. The only time astronomers have been able to get a close view of these giant icy worlds was when NASA’s Voyager 2 passed by in the 1980s.

Atmospheric circulation on Uranus and Neptune is dominated by powerful east-west jet streams. These winds can reach supersonic speeds, with jet streams blowing hundreds of meters per second–10 to 15 times greater than on Earth. The question of the depth of these winds has puzzled scientists trying to understand their internal structures, energy output, and overall dynamics.

GALLERY: The 10 Most Amazing Solar Flare Images

Now, researchers, after pouring over data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the Voyager 2 space probe, have concluded that the weather on Neptune and Uranus is confined to a relatively thin atmospheric layers. The new study by lead author Yohai Kaspi of Israel’s Weizman Institute of Science and published in Saturday’s issue of the journal Nature could have important implications for understanding not only the dynamics, but how these planets were formed.

According to Kaspi, there were two approaches to explaining the existence of the strong winds on Neptune and Uranus. The first hypothesized that the jet streams are driven by shallow atmospheric processes near the surface. The second approach suggested that the winds were propelled by forces extending deep into the planets’ interiors. Kaspi and his colleagues resolved the issue by looking at the planets’ respective gravitational fields.

Looking at perturbations in Uranus and Neptune’s gravitational fields, the team separated out what could be attributed to the fact that the planets are not perfect spheres and what arose from small changes in the planets’ density, which indicates the effect of strong winds. By calculating how much the winds contribute to gravitational irregularity, the researchers found that the jet streams are active in only the outermost 0.2 percent of Neptune’s mass and in the outermost 0.15 percent of Uranus’ mass. In other words, the winds are not being propelled by forces active deep in the planets’ interiors.

Kaspi’s team is uncertain about what exactly does drive the jet streams, but a top contender is moist convection. When water vapor rises and condenses on Earth, it forms a cloud and releases latent heat into the atmosphere. This process can also happen on planets like Uranus and Neptune, according to Kaspi.

The new findings by Kaspi and colleagues could shed light on how the tremendously strong winds on Uranus and Neptune arise and evolve over time and help scientists create more accurate models of the interiors of these gas giants.

Budget Miami Hotels - Standard Chartered Operating Profit Falls as Wholesale Slips

Source - http://www.bloomberg.com/
By - Stephanie Tong & Howard Mustoe 
Category - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

Standard Chartered Plc (STAN) said operating profit in the first quarter declined “slightly” as wholesale banking revenue fell, pushing down shares in the U.K.’s second- largest bank by market value.

Revenue grew from a year earlier as an increase in consumer banking income offset a “mid single digit” decrease in wholesale operations, the London-based company said in a statement today, without giving specific figures. The shares fell 2 percent to HK$197 at 2:14 p.m. in Hong Kong, after advancing as much as 2.4 percent before the announcement.

Chief Executive Officer Peter Sands, 51, is trying to increase revenue by at least 10 percent a year while keeping cost growth at a similar pace, as he hires and opens branches in China and Africa. Standard Chartered, which gets most of its profit from Asia, last year reached a $667 million settlement with U.S. regulators who said it violated sanctions with Iran.

“Stanchart will surely grow this year, but it remains to be seen whether they can achieve their double-digit targets,” said Sandy Mehta, chief executive officer of Value Investment Principals Ltd. in Hong Kong, which doesn’t own shares in the lender. “The year is off to a slow start so some catch-up will be required.”

Today’s decline in Standard Chartered shares compared with a 0.6 percent gain in Hong Kong’s benchmark Hang Seng Index. (HSI) The lender is alone among Britain’s five biggest banks in not disclosing detailed quarterly earnings.
‘Very Liquid’

“The issue facing all of the strong global banks, such as Standard Chartered, is how to make more money in poor-to- middling economic times,” Jim Antos, a Hong Kong-based analyst at Mizuho Securities Asia Ltd., who has a buy recommendation on the shares. The lender “is a very liquid bank, and this gives Standard Chartered limited ways to invest that excess liquidity and earn a decent return.”

In August, Standard Chartered was accused by Benjamin Lawsky, head of the New York Department of Financial Services, of helping Iran launder about $250 billion in violation of federal laws, keeping false records and handling lucrative wire transfers for Iranian clients.

Chairman John Peace was forced by U.S. regulators to apologize for claiming breaches of sanctions on Iran that led to the fine were unintentional. Peace, who told reporters at a March 5 press conference that the firm had no “willful” intention to dodge U.S. rules, said in a statement on March 21 that the earlier claim was “wrong.”
Consensus Estimate

“We have started the second quarter well with April income back at trend levels” and the bank is “comfortable” with the consensus estimate of pretax profit, it said in the statement. By region, revenue increases of 10 percent or more in Africa and Hong Kong were “offset by a weaker performance in Korea and Singapore,” the bank said.

HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA), the other U.K. bank that gets most of its earnings in Asia, yesterday posted a bigger-than-estimated increase in first-quarter profit after provisions for bad loans shrank. Pretax profit increased to $8.43 billion from $4.32 billion a year earlier.

“Standard Chartered has a more coherent franchise worldwide” and “has been more effectively managed in recent years,” Antos at Mizuho said. “But this year if you want to make money on bank stocks, you have to look at HSBC first. The market loves a recovery story.”