4 Apple products in Time’s Top 10 gadget listing

Apple‘s domination of the gadget market continued this year, according to Time magazine. In a series titled “Top 10 Everything” Apple Inc. has 4 for the top 10 gadgets.
Claiming first spot is the iPad, third spot goes to the new 11-in MacBook Air, sixth place is the iPhone 4, and the Apple TV is in seventh place.
That’s a lot of Apple love for a top ten list, and it seems that the only device that’s missing from their list is an iPod (if you don’t classify the iPhone as an iPod).
Personally I’d have Microsoft’s Kinect in the first or second spot. That thing has exploded this holiday season, and has quickly become the fastest selling consumer electronic device of all time. It’s a pretty accurate list, despite opinions about positioning. Most of these items have dominated the tech news this year.

The Top Ten Gadgets according to Time.

1. The iPad
2. The Samsung Galaxy S
3. 11 Inch MacBook Air
4. Google TV Via Logitech Revue
5. Nexus One
6. The iPhone 4
7. Apple TV
8. Toshiba Libretto Dual-Screen Laptop
9. Kinect
10. Nook Color

Holidoo: Zoo sells elephant poop in time for Christmas

Believe it or not, people who garden might actually want some elephant dung to spread around their flower beds. From a zoo spokeswoman:

"Holidoo is the ideal present for garden enthusiasts or that person who seems to have everything! The festively packaged Holidoo product is available exclusively during the holiday season only at the ZooStore in jumbo-sized, 4-gallon containers. Traditional Zoo Doo compost is also available in 2-gallon buckets or pints for stocking stuffers."

In that case, maybe the naughty kids really will get dung in their stockings.

Holidoo is a blend of elephant manure and bedding, "the biggest and richest composting materials at the zoo," according to zoo officials. A four-gallon container costs $20.

The year-round Zoo Doo costs $12.95 for a two-gallon container and $4.95 for the pint-sized "stocking-stuffer" container. Both blends are available at Woodland Park's two ZooStores.

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Google boosts 'nicer' brands with algorithm changes

Brands with poor online customer relations are to be penalised by Google following changes to its search engine.

The company has amended its algorithm to expose hundreds of advertisers it believes deliver a bad user experience. These will consequently appear lower in search results, which, according to Google, will benefit online consumers.

Google said it made the change in response to a US newspaper article that claimed online retailer DecorMyEyes deliberately abused customers so that the complaints and negative reviews generated boosted its prominence in results.

It said that the possibility of introducing user reviews and ratings alongside search results is 'still on the table'.

Heineken to sell branded goods via Facebook shopHeineken to sell branded goods via Facebook shop

The Dutch lager brand is aiming to tap into Facebook's 560m active users, and its own fanbase of nearly 1m on the site, to build a profitable retail operation.

The store will offer Heine-ken-branded clothes and merchandise, but Floris Cobelens, manager of global digital media at the brand, plans to encourage its Facebook fans to tell it what to sell.

'Why not give them the chance to decide what they want to buy?' he asked.

The initiative is in line with Heineken's plans to use the web to develop its global presence. It has brought its multiple Facebook pages together to build a single one for the brand and, similarly, has only a single YouTube channel; it is also revamping its global website.

Heineken is finalising plans to standardise its branding globally, too. Having altered its logo design, including moving the star to above the centre of the word 'Heineken', it is now rolling out standardised bottle and can designs.

New ways to sell

Sep 2009 French Connection launched YouTique, selling clothes through YouTube.

Oct 2009 Procter & Gamble began to offer 29 brands via Facebook store; VW launched new GTi model via iPhone game.

Dec 2009 Dell announced $6.5m of sales through Twitter.

Dec 2010 Heineken to become first alcohol brand to sell goods through Facebook.

New Inventions For Common Problems

Upstanding Toothbrush
When the toothbrush is set down, it will sway momentarily until it reaches a balanced position - just like a tumble doll.

Bladeless Fan
Dyson fans use Air Multiplier technology to draw in air and amplify it. With no blades or grille, they are safe and easy to clean.

Two Way Toothpaste
Two way toothpaste is ideal for those who get angry with their partner for squeezing the toothpaste from the front.

Infinite USB
Innovative USB plug designed to act as a USB hub when plugged in.

Sixpack Bottle Carrier
It can safely transport up to six beer, soft drink, or water bottles.



Greenbo Rail Planter
Simply place your Greenbo planter on your railing, deck or fence. State of the art unique design assures its secure fit and stability.



Innovative Sewing Needle
With a bit of pressure, the loop eye of Big Eye Needle expands to the size of a button hole - making threading a cinch!

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Amazon and Penguin announce-2011 breakthrough-novel-award

Amazon and Penguin recently announced their fourth annual Breakthrough Novel
award competition. The international competition to find the next popular novel will award a grand prize to the best book in the general fiction category and in the young adult novel
category. Penguin will publish both winning books and each author will receive a publishing contract with a $15,000 advance.

The 2011 competition will be open to unpublished and self-published novels (this could be a good opportunity for you NaNoWriMo participants!). All the details can be found at www.amazon.com/abna

First ethical fashion label launched in USA

Fair Trade USA have officially launched their Fair Trade Certification program for apparel and linens. A full range of Fair Trade Certified clothing items is now available in the United States as part of their two-year pilot test of the program.


Fair Trade USA's Fair Trade Certified label helps consumers and companies create jobs and sustainable livelihoods for garment workers and cotton farmers in India, Latin America and Africa.

The following sustainable fashions are ready for the holiday season from pioneering brands working with best-in-class Fair Trade manufacturing facilities and cooperatives in Costa Rica, India and Liberia:

Liberty & Justice is made by the Liberian Women's Sewing Project, which creates sustainable jobs for women's sewing cooperatives and provides workforce development training as well as health and education programs. Celebrity designed tees for men and women are now available online and in select locations.

Good & Fair Clothing is a new fashion brand that strives to create clothes that are both good to the earth and fair to people. Men's and women's tees and underpants are now available online and at local Austin retail locations. 



HAE Now, which stands for Humans, Animals and Environment Now, offers organic t-shirts and other blanks for wholesale, promotional printing and private label needs. All their products are made with organic cotton from the Chetna project, a farmer-owned collective in India.

Maggie's Organics is one of the oldest eco-apparel companies in the United States. Bena Burda, its founder, has been involved with the Fair Trade Certified Apparel and Linens Pilot since 2005, when Fair Trade USA first began to explore the sector. Women's dresses, Men's shirts, scarves, wraps, hoodies and camisoles are available online, and at Whole Foods Markets locations across the United States. 



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