By Himanshu Poddar - September 11, 2012 | Tickers: DG, DLTR, FDO, WMT | 0 Comments

Himanshu is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinions of our bloggers and are not formally edited.

Amidst the problems of an uncertain economy with rising unemployment, sovereign debt crisis, cost inflation, and shrinking budgets of consumers; all companies are facing difficulties in attracting customers and lure them to their stores. Companies do not have any option but to increase their promotional spending or offer discounts to instigate sales, hurting margins in the process. Hence, they are in a deadlock.

However, there are companies who benefit from such circumstances and always manage to rise above the others. As discussed in my recent article, the discount retailers tend to benefit from such consumer sentiments and if you own any of those jewels, they will make your portfolio shine. One of them is Dollar General (NYSE: DG), which has again posted a quarter that beat market expectations and delighted investors. If you would have owned the stock at the beginning of the year, you would have earned an amazing 25% on your investment in this choppy market.

The Retailer Did It Again

After four consecutive quarters of remarkable revenue increases, the retailer did it again with a increase of 10.4%, clocking $3.95 billion. Adjusted earnings jumped 33% to 69 cents a share as compared to prior years quarter. The results were driven by increased customer traffic in its stores and higher purchases in each visit of the customers. All thanks to the retailers strategy of offering everyday low prices which includes most items for $10. This enables the customers to shop more while spending each penny judiciously.

A point which works in favor of the discount retailer and also makes it different from its peers is the fact that it along with offering low prices its stores are smaller, making it easier for customers to navigate. Also, since the stores do not require much space such as stores of Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) do, it can be opened closer to the customers making it more accessible to them.

This also enables Dollar General to have lower costs attached to the smaller format stores as against retailers such as Wal-Mart which are suffering under the pressure of huge costs related to its conventional large stores. Even Wal-Mart is now intending to switch to smaller stores which can be opened in customers neighborhood so that shoppers can easily drop in for their daily requirements.

Dollar General witnessed an amazing quarter in terms of its segmental performance. All four segments witnessed stellar growth over last year with the highest growth of 12% coming in for its largest Consumables segment. The segment makes 75% of the retailers revenue and was largely driven by its expansion efforts in the snacks and perishable foods category.

New Store Spree

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An Opportunity Not To Be Missed – This Company Is Right On Track!

Consumers who purchased the 16 GB version of Google's Nexus 7 tablet are complaining of severe performance issues.

Not to get personal, but I thought it was just me. When I first received the Google Nexus 7 tablet, it was simply badass, even more so compared to my Kindle Fire (which was tossed over to my wife). But since then, the tablet's performance has glaringly slowed to a crawl, turning into a disappointing, worthless piece of junk. That may be harsh, but the before and after is like night and day, and as a consumer who shelled out $250 for the 16 GB version, I expect a quality product.

It seems that my Nexus 7 tablet no longer has spunk.

Mind you I'm horribly obsessive about performance. Just like on the PC, I make sure nothing is running in the background that will steal a single frame from my games. Android is no different, and while I like the way Ice Cream Sandwich will allow applications to run simultaneously in the background, I make sure they're all nuked so I can get every drop of juice from Nvidia's quad core Tegra 3.

But now it seems that I'm not the only one who's noticed the performance degradation. The Register has an interesting article that describes the same problem, only the information is based on various forums where annoyed customers have flocked to provide their complaints. Apparently the problem exists only on the 16 GB model, and when the storage capacity falls below 2 GB.

Technically device owners only have 13 GB of internal storage to use the rest is eaten up by Android. Unlike many Android smartphones, that 13 GB is reserved for apps, their data, multimedia and so on. Unfortunately, 13 GB isn't really enough for the Android gamer, especially when playing Gameloft titles. As an example, N.O.V.A. 3 eats up 1.99 GB, whereas Modern Combat 3 eats up 1.47 GB. Order and Chaos, Gameloft's World of Warcraft mobile knock-off, consumes 0.92 GB. With just those three Gameloft games alone, I've lost 4.38 GB.

"So here I am, stuck with a device that is labeled for 16 GB storage, that in reality only has just over 13 GB of storage ... but due to performance issues, REALLY only has 9-10 GB of storage available for content and software," writes one angry Nexus 7 owner.

"Ever since I got my Nexus 7 I noticed it was a little on the slow side, when playing 3D games I experienced a lot of freezing and issues when it was loading in new textures but more recently I've noticed these issues get worse," writes another owner. "Downloading an app is tremendously slow with it taking several minutes to download just a few meg while my phone completes the same task in seconds."

"I've seen reports of this linked with poor IO transfer benchmarks," another owner writes who saw a performance increase after disabling Currents and freeing up 2 GB of cache. "Current best guess seems to be that the device is having trouble writing and reading cache during background tasks and is slowing down everything else. Thing is it ran like a particularly greased up Usain Bolt for the first few months. I was sure it was some sort of app I'd installed messing things up but I can't isolate it at all, and it manifests as high IO usage. It really is incredibly annoying, with Chrome habitually showing the "Not Responding" dialogue, and Google Now becoming Google Eventually."

For the record, AndroBench produced these results on my Nexus 7:

Go here to see the original:
16GB Nexus 7 Can't Perform With Storage Nearly Full?

By Rita Chattaraj - September 11, 2012 | Tickers: AMZN, AAPL, GOOG, NFLX, NOK | 0 Comments

Rita is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinions of our bloggers and are not formally edited.

Things have been good for the worlds largest online book seller Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and the situation continues to be so as the company decides to enter new market segments as well as strengthen its hold in the existing ones. Recently the company signed a multi-year licensing agreement with cable channel Epix and analysts and industry experts are expecting this move to create some ripples, if not waves, in the online video streaming space.

New Partnership with EpixWith popular movies such as Paramount Pictures Iron Man 2 and The Hunger Games from Lions Gate Entertainment under its belt, Epix can prove to be very helpful to Amazons online video streaming business and can prove to be fatal for Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX). Epix is actually owned by Paramount Pictures, Lions Gate Entertainment and MGM, and these huge names of the entertainment universe can aid Amazons video streaming services growth hugely. Thanks to the dynamics of the market place, till now Netflix was enjoying a head start which it got through its $8 per month unlimited video streaming service. But now, the arrival of Amazons Prime Instant Video Service can shake things up and pose as a serious contender for the top spot. The Amazon-Epix deal will help the giant to double its movie library and thus turn more attractive to the movie-buffs.

Netflix recently ended its exclusivity deal with Epix and now it could have a problem on its hands. With this move, Netflix opened the door to Epix for Amazon and the retailing giant jumped in to benefit from the opportunity. Even things havent been very smooth for Netflix recently and surely this is not a stock which is at the top of any investors mind. The pricing change which the company brought about coupled with few other choices made by the company made Netflixs stock price drop rapidly. Though the company recovered from all this marginally, this new development is likely to put Netflix back in a poor form. Unless Netflix starts to expand its content offerings, it might lose its market share to Amazon and end up being a company stuck in its days of former glories.

The Launch of the New KindleApart from strengthening its video streaming business, Amazon is also working on capturing a better share of the tablet market too. The company has plans to launch its latest Kindle Fire tablet shortly and has many new plans for the device. The Kindle Fire has the advantage of being less expensive than Apples (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPad and this new model might be priced again keeping in mind Googles (NASDAQ: GOOG) Nexus 7. Some analysts are even expecting the new Kindle to be priced at a mere $150 if a rumoured ad-support model is actually available. If this really turns out to be the situation, Amazon will be benefiting hugely from this low priced starting range as even if the iPad gets a price cut, it will still be far more expensive than $150, thus making it very easy for the Kindle to penetrate into the market.

Amazon is fine with the idea of making minimal money out of the tablet as the main intention of the company is to get the device to as many hands as possible and then benefit from selling higher-margin digital content. Introducing a tablet for $150 can act as another game changer in the space and favor Amazon since the $199 price tag is no longer unique. Amazon is competing with Apple and Google and to make the most out of the situation it's best if Amazon goes after lower priced models.

Unlike the old Kindle Fire, the new model will have mapping software integrated into the device. However, Amazon has decided not to go with Google and instead have partnered with Nokia (NYSE: NOK) for the mapping function. After Nokia acquired Navteq in 2007, it became one of the largest mapping providers in the world, and now Amazon wants to work with the Finnish phone maker to build maps for its tablet. Though the Kindle will run on Googles Android OS, the company does not want to be dependent on Google even for the maps. The combination of Nokias mapping expertise and Amazons recently acquired UpNexts specialization in 3D maps will help the online book retailer to position its product differently. Apart from the new Kindle Fire, Amazon is also all set to roll out its latest e-reader and the company has good expectations from this as well.

Concluding ThoughtsAmazon had made an announcement regarding the unveiling and launch of its latest Kindle Fire tablet and yet, just about a month ahead of the launch, the company saw its most popular product being sold out completely. Unlike the situation with the iPhone, where users hold back from purchasing an iPhone in anticipation of the launch of the newer model especially after the announcement has been made, users went ahead and bought the Kindle Fire though they knew that the new model is just a month away. This tells a lot about the product. Because of the huge demand of the existing model, analysts are now expecting even better things from the latest improved version of the Kindle. This, combined with the Epix agreement is making the company a very attractive one for investment. Analysts are expecting that Amazon will post solid stream of revenue going forward and the company should also improve its margins and numbers hugely. Given these developments, I strongly recommend Amazon.

Rita Chattaraj is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network

Excerpt from:
Amazon’s Strong Moves to Drive its Success

Written by TSN The Sports Network

(Sports Network) - The Washington Nationals have made Citi Field their personal stomping grounds this season and will try for a seventh straight win there in the continuation of a three-game series against the New York Mets.

The NL East-leading Nationals made it six wins in a row in Flushing with Monday's 5-1 verdict, as Gio Gonzalez became the first pitcher to 19 wins by limiting the Mets to a run and three hits in six innings. He did walk five batters, but struck out six.

"I'm focused on trying to get more wins," Gonzalez said. "We're just having fun and playing our baseball."

Gonzalez was backed by home runs from Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond and Kurt Suzuki. The Nationals, who have a 6 1/2-game lead on the Atlanta Braves in the division, improved to 10-3 in their last 13 games and opened a six-game road trip on a high note.

Major League Baseball's only team to have a winning record every month this year, Washington is 37-6 when scoring three or more runs since the All-Star break and 7-3 in September.

Jordan Zimmermann looks to string back-to-back winning starts together when he takes the mound tonight for the 29th time this season. Zimmermann ended a four-start winless streak (0-2) his last time out in a 9-2 pounding of the Chicago Cubs in which he struck out nine and gave up two runs in seven innings. He improved to 10-8 and lowered his earned run average to 2.99.

"I felt I had a pretty good fastball, and we stuck with that most of the night," Zimmermann said after his most recent outing. "The slider wasn't very good, so we went with the curveball. I was able to locate the fastball and go up and in when I wanted to."

Zimmermann is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three meetings with the Mets this season and 3-2 in 10 career starts against them.

New York has dropped the first four games of its six-game homestand and six of seven overall, including last night's poor offensive showing.

Excerpt from:
Nats aim to extend road success over Mets

Lionel Messi admits that he would rather bring more titles to Camp Nou than repeat his 72-goal season.

Despite contributing massively to the Catalan giants' cause last term, Barca failed to win the La Liga title or the Champions League, which is something he admits he keeps track of.

"It was an unforgettable season. I don't put goals and numbers on my seasons, although I think the more titles the better," explained Messi, speaking to ESPN Deportes. "At the beginning of the season I come out wanting everything, goals, titles, but a championship would be very desired by me."

The 25-year-old also spoke warmly of former manager Pep Guardiola, who upon his arrival to the club, kept their spirits high during a barren trophy-less spell.

"The morale in the dressing room was very bad, and he changed everything with his desire to win, his trust and his way of working. He treated every game the same," explained the Argentine. Follow GOAL.COM USA on Twitter

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Messi: I would rather win titles than score goals

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Tovbot (www.Tovbot.com), an Atlanta-based personal robotics startup competing in the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield, announced its plan to bring Shimi, a robotic musical companion, to the masses via Kickstarter, a crowdsourcing platform that helps creative projects come to life. Developed by a team of roboticists from Georgia Tech, IDC Herzliya and the MIT Media Lab, Shimi is an intelligent robot that serves as both a high-quality speaker system and dance partner.

Shimi, appropriately named after the Shimmy dance move, is more than an appcessory, hes a robotic musical companion. Shimi loves to play and listen to music from a docked iPhone or iPod, then dance along with the beat and even create new, unique musical compositions. He also has the ability to react to humans, using advanced facial and speech recognition algorithms.

The Tovbot Kickstarter campaign will be used to transform the Shimi prototype into a product that can be mass manufactured and sold at an affordable price.

Kickstarter is the perfect platform to introduce Shimi to its audience of early adopters who are looking for both practical and novelty innovations, said Tovbot Co-Founder, Gil Weinberg. Were confident that Shimi will dance his way into everyones hearts as soon as they hear the sound he produces and see the moves he can make.

First and foremost, Shimi functions as a high-quality speaker dock with an optimized shape designed for ideal sound reproduction. Beyond producing the ultimate in sound, Shimi uses your iPhone as its brain, making it your own personal robotic musical companion. Shimi not only knows and understands music, but also knows and understands what moves you.

Once the music starts, Shimi takes the stage. Five strategically placed motors allow Shimi to dance to the beat of any song, with a variety of dance moves that fit the specific song and genre. As your musical companion, Shimi always knows where you are in the room and points the speakers toward you. He also responds to your voice, your taps, your gestures, learns your musical preferences and even recommends new music for you.

In a way, Shimi started out as an animated character. We worked to nail down his personality and then we transferred that into the robot, said Guy Hoffman, Chief Technology Officer. The result is that Shimi doesnt just play your music, he actually listens to it and enjoys it as much as you do.

To showcase the Shimi innovation, Tovbot was selected to participate in this weeks TechCrunch Disrupt event as a contender in the Startup Battlefield. Looking ahead, Shimis development team will continue to create new applications, including apps for gaming, education, music production, tele-presence and more.

Tovbots Shimi has a target availability of February 2013. Supporters can back the Kickstarter campaign immediately for just $149 to bring home their own Shimi robotic musical companion. Shimi was developed with support from the National Science Foundation, Georgia Tech, and IDC Herzliya. For more information on Tovbot or Shimi, visit http://www.Tovbot.com.

See more here:
Tovbot Launches Kickstarter Campaign for Shimi Robotic Musical Companion

Summary: Mint's founder asserts how important these APIs and reliable financial data is to spurring innovation for personal finance solutions.

Intuit is gearing up to open up its application programming interfaces to its financial data service in the United States and Canada for the first time ever.

The idea behind the open APIs is to spur innovation for developing new personal and small business finance applications from third-party developers.

Essentially, Intuit is offering resources to find what could be the next QuickBooks or Mint.com

The APIs will also offer developers with the opportunity to develop new tailored apps for their respective customers based on data from more than 19,000 sources of personal and business banking, brokerage and investment accounts in North America.

It's important to note that Intuit specifies that technology providers can only create solutions based on data given with customers' permission.

Aaron Patzer, founder of the Intuit-owned personal finance platform Mint, emphasized in prepared remarks about the importance of this kind of information being available to developers as access to reliable financial data is "among the biggest challenges developers face when working to innovate."

"These new APIs will accelerate the pace of development well see at startups looking to create new services for both individuals and businesses," Patzer continued.

The small business software provider asserts that this is a big move for the company as it is touted to be a win-win situation for both Intuit and its customer base. Specifically, customers should win thanks to more offerings tailored to them by leveraging data while Intuit is boasting to be improving the cost for developers seeking to access this data.

The open APIs to Intuits financial data service will start rolling out on a limited basis in October through the Intuit Partner Platform. Up until now, this platform has only offered QuickBooks data.

The rest is here:
Intuit opens up APIs to its financial data service in US, Canada

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vd4xxp/delivery_system_ha) has announced the addition of Elsevier Science and Technology's new report "Delivery System Handbook for Personal Care and Cosmetic Products. Technology, Applications and Formulations" to their offering.

Novel delivery systems designed to facilitate the use of fountain of youth and other functional actives is an idea whose time has come. In a rapidly growing global market eager for products that really work, accelerating market pull forces and technology push have set the stage for this foundation text.

This must have book has been carefully designed for training, development and synergistic technology transfer across the personal care, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. It is not only intended for scientists and technologists but will also be of high interest to market development and business personnel. This book will cause a breakthrough in effective interaction among technology and marketing.

It is a showcase for understanding, using and marketing the technology of why and how delivery systems work as well as current, emerging/potential applications and working formulations.

Each chapter is written by one or more experts in the field. A wide range of companies serving the global marketplace are represented. These companies offer numerous types of delivery systems containing highly desirable functional actives, delivery system technology development services, and opportunities for technology licensing, mergers and acquisitions.

A unique feature of the book is the use of Mind Map technology to capture and present the essence of the thinking of over 80 authors in a Book-at-a-Glance Executive Overview section.

This section has been specifically designed to empower decision making leading to the development of innovative product differentiation in a global context.

Key Topics Covered:

Introduction

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Research and Markets: Delivery System Handbook for Personal Care and Cosmetic Products. Technology, Applications and ...

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soeH47Ww3dw

11-09-2012 10:38 Ohio University recently hired Deborah Gearhart to serve as Vice Provost of online learning and community college partnerships.

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Ohio University Brings On New E-Learning Vice Provost - Video

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX_jYTd2_aw

11-09-2012 00:05 Education Online Program , Top online Education Guide line online Education Program Guide line

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Education online Program - Video