Finance Matters

Archive for January 15th, 2010

From TechCrunch: …With the latest version of its iPhone app (version 4) which will be released today in the App Store, Yelp is introducing a bunch of new features. But none is bigger than the new ability to check-in to venues. Considering there are some 1.25 million users of the Yelp iPhone app, with this update, Yelp will already become the largest network offering this functionality by far. And it’s not just check-ins. Yelp is also adding rewards for users who frequent certain venues, and a leaderboard. Yes, they’re also getting into the gaming element of location.

So does this spell doom for Foursquare, Gowalla, Loopt, and the others?

Continue reading at TechCrunch »

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See Also:

• Foursquare Ready To Be In Every Town, On The BlackBerry
• Foursquare Launches On Palm Pre
• Yahoo Going After Yelp? Carol Bartz Is Looking To Make Acquisitions

Well aware voice is dying and data is the future, both AT&T and Verizon announced today plans to cut the price of their wireless voice plans.

Both companies will offer $69.99 per month for unlimited voice; $89.99 for unlimited talk and text. Previously, the unlimited plans ran $99 per month.

AT&T is offering a $99.99 per month unlimited data and voice plan for the iPhone.

Sprint still offers the best deal of all. It’s $99 per month for voice, data, and text.

Because wireless plans are so standardized, it’s unlikely this is going to make much of a difference for any of these companies.

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See Also:

• Palm Pre Gets On Verizon, Adds Video
• Verizon: $99 Unlimited Cellphone Plan Won’t Kill Us (VZ)
• AT&T: $99 All-You-Can-Eat Plan Selling Better Than Expected

When even the unnamed senior party officials cannot muster confidence, you know your campaign is in trouble.

Today’s report from the New York Times revealed a startling lack of confidence.

A senior Democratic official on Friday described Ms. Coakley’s chances as “within striking distance,” and in a special election that many voters may not even know is taking place, the attention that comes with a presidential visit could increase turnout.

That sounds a lot like the party is trying to lower expectations so they can play down the implications of a loss next week.

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See Also:

• Here’s Why Healthcare Dies If Coakley Loses
• Obama To Make Emergency Campaign Stop For Martha Coakley
• How Martha Coakley Blew It

At a time when plastic is “choking the Pacific Ocean,” bio-engineers at the Ford Research and Innovation  Center are developing natural-based plastics in hopes that one day cars will use compostable parts, WalletPop.com reports.

The average car has roughly 300 pounds of plastic on it, all of which is petroleum based. Ford’s research team’s goal is to develop a plastic that will actually nourish soil when composted, rather than sitting around for a thousand years.

Check it out!

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See Also:

• Biodegradable Plastic Bags Aren’t Good For The Environment

The Conan O’Brien-Jay Leno-NBC debacle has been quite a whirlwind.

Here is what happened, from beginning to end:

• It begins — NBC considers dropping Conan at 11:35 p.m. for Leno.

• Leno addresses cancellation rumors: “Nobody has said anything to me.”

• Senior NBC execs say Leno may get 30-min show with Conan to follow at 12:05 a.m.

• Fox considers scooping up a humiliated Conan.

• NBC moves Leno back to 11:35, leaving Conan to mull his options.

• Jimmy Fallon is the only happy NBC host; says he’s willing to air at 3 a.m. thanks to DVRs.

• The New York Post reports that Conan is ready to leave NBC.

• Conan’s contract is missing something crucial: the Tonight Show‘s time slot.

• We take a look at who is responsible for this whole mess.

• Despite rumors, Fox affiliates declare they aren’t interested in taking Conan.

• We examine Conan’s chances in taking on NBC.

• Conan writes letter to ‘People of the Earth’ stating he will not do the Tonight Show after Leno.

• NBC exec tells New York Times that Conan is out.

• Conan hires top celebrity lawyer to shake down NBC.

• Sources say Leno considers bailing on NBC with Conan.

• Conan blasts NBC and Leno, potentially threatening his severance package.

• David Letterman gets in on the fun; takes crack at NBC Entertainment chairman, Jeff Zucker.

• Jeff Zucker threatens to keep Conan off the air for 3 1/2 years.

• NBC officially cancels the Jay Leno Show at 10 p.m. and releases its new line-up.

• Conan’s last Tonight Show is set for Friday, January 22.

• Leno takes jabs at Conan and their employer: “Get me off NBC.”

• NBC decides to pay Conan and allow him to stay on TV (as long as its somewhere else).

• NBC blames the whole disaster on “an outstanding failure by Conan.”

• Conan needs a new home, and we think it should be HBO.

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See Also:

• 10 Messages On Jeff Zucker’s Voicemail
• Watch Out Jeff Zucker, Ted Harbert’s Staying At Comcast
• Conan Savages NBC And Leno… Any More And He Could Presumably Be Fired For Cause