This is the age we live in—instant gratification. Every company has an App, and now there are Apps that people create to cover all bases at once, not just one particular business. A new one I read about is LodgeNet Mobile’s newest application called mCheckout. This allows hotel guests to check out of their hotel rooms from any location through their phones. Receipts can automatically be sent to guests through e-mail upon completing the mobile checkout process.

Will there be a time when you have so many Apps that your phone won’t work? I’m betting there are no worries there…the phones will become larger and larger and more technologically advanced. Remember those first mobile phones? Think back to Zack Morris on Saved by the Bell and his giant box phone. Are we heading toward those phones just to hold more and more easy-to-use Apps? Anyone with me when I say it’s okay to spend those few precious minutes looking things up online the old-fashioned way instead of relying on a million Apps? (cricket cricket) Anyone?

The “Here’s Johnny Trivia Game,” launched on Facebook recently, includes over 1,000 questions, broken down by topics and decades, to test your pop culture know-how and late-night TV proficiencies. There are also over 400 memorable clips and 1,500 images the late night show, which ran from 1962-1992. Gamers can earn collectible memorabilia and compete with others in a social media environment, as they answer questions for the opportunity to become the reigning champion of entertainment trivia. A shared leader board keeps track of scores for bragging rights.

Additionally, “Carnac the Magnificent” app is now available for download from the iTunes App Store or Android Market for $1.99. The app features Carson in character as the “all knowing, all seeing ... and former owner of a gasoline station” soothsayer who answers questions before seeing them. Carnac places each “hermetically” sealed envelope against his forehead and predicts the answer while users play along and guess the question in the envelope. Laugh or face a Carnac curse, "May the bird of paradise fly up your nose!” The app features over 50 timeless Carnac predictions.

The Carson app and game were devised by MediaMine in conjunction with Carson Entertainment Group.

The “Here’s Johnny Trivia Game” and “Carnac the Magnificent” app are possible because of the 2010 digitization of 3,300 hours of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Carson Entertainment Group (CEG) had the content digitized and archived to a licensing website accessible to the media and production industry, where show content is searchable by key words. Segments have been used in feature films and commercials.

“Having all of Johnny’s late-night shows transferred and transcribed for the licensing site was just the first step to extending Johnny’s reach to today’s new media platforms,” says Jeff Sotzing, president of CEG and a producer on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. “The Here’s Johnny game and the Carnac app give Carson fans young and old a fun and engaging activity.”

“Johnny Carson is the late-night host gold standard, and the one that all others still, and openly, aspire to,” says Barry Snyder, co-founder of MediaMine, a media management company that consults with content and brand owners to realize the full potential of their assets. “That puts Johnny in high-demand. Both the game and app are a great way to enjoy classic Carson clips, and introduce the King of Late Night to a whole new generation.”

“Carnac the Magnificent” is available for iOS 4 or later, and Android products, and is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch (3rd and 4th generation), and iPad.

To play the “Here’s Johnny Trivia Game,” go to http://apps.facebook.com/heresjohnny/

For more on the “Carnac the Magnificent” app, go to http://www.carnac.me/

In an era where ‘less is more’, the design of the application has been streamlined to make the booking process quick, easy and visually pleasing, satisfying both bargain shoppers and design-oriented users. As such, theCheapOair iPhone App has secured a top ranking amongst its users scoring a 5/5, the highest rated among competitors.

CheapOAir iPhone App:

• Combines great value with interesting design
• Content is concisely presented, with an aesthetic appeal
• Efficiently designed interface allows you to quickly research and choose best options for flights and hotels
• Airline tickets are presented on the same screen with a carnival game ticket graphic
• Great travel tips pop-up during the app’s searches
• The home screen gives you a promo code for further discount aside from the great deal for the reservation

The first report studied two financial pulse points — credit limit breaches and bank overdrafts —and compared them to new unemployment claims filed from March 2011 to April 2012.

The research team found:

• US consumers experienced a 40% decrease in credit limit breaches from their 2011 high.
• US consumers experienced a 17% increase in bank overdrafts from their 2011 high.
• During the same period, new unemployment claims declined by 21%.

“Traditional economic research lacks access to high-quality, high-frequency data. We’re very excited about the Pageonce data because it provides a comprehensive view into the real financial habits of Americans,” said Dr. Steven Tadelis from UC Berkeley. “With this data, we can significantly improve our understanding of consumer spending, saving and borrowing, as well as the macro-economic policies that impact consumer behavior.”

The award-winning Pageonce Money & Bills service helps consumers track their money and pay their bills by automatically linking their financial accounts, including banks, credit cards, bills, investments and more, all from one app.

“Working with the team from Berkeley and Michigan will help us better understand how the economy impacts people’s daily lives,” said Guy Goldstein, CEO and founder, Pageonce. “Americans face real problems everyday with their money, and our goal is to use this research to help people make better financial choices.”

Signs of Improvement but Proceed with Caution

In this first study, the Pageonce economic team looked for clues of stress in people’s personal finances. The economists analyzed anonymous, aggregated financial data from Pageonce users and compared it to the number of new U.S. unemployment insurance (UI) claims, a national economic indicator.

Two “Pulse Points” were analyzed and compared to the UI claims:

1) Credit card limit breaches:  Spending more than the credit limit; often signals overuse of credit cards, or inability to qualify for more credit.

2)  Bank overdrafts: Spending more money than is available in a bank account; often signals a shortage of cash

By comparing the Pulse Points to new UI claims, the economic team found two important insights:

1.     Less Debt Pressure: After a spike in Spring 2011, the number of Credit Limit Breaches has steadily decreased.  A variety of factors could explain this positive change, including other ways to pay expenses – like a raise at work that would mean more cash on hand – or credit card companies making it easier to get credit either by issuing more cards or increasing limits.

Credit limit breaches have fallen at a rate similar to new unemployment insurance claims for the past six to nine months. However, where it looks like unemployment insurance claims have continued to decrease, credit limit breaches have not kept declining at the same rate. With credit limit breaches remaining relatively high compared to the number of new unemployment insurance claims, we must keep a watchful eye on credit usage.

2.     Continued Cash Crunch: After moving up quickly in the spring and summer of 2011 alongside new unemployment insurance claims, bank account overdrafts decreased through the fall before rising again to the same levels as July 2011. This level of overdrafts could be left over from overspending during the holidays or signs of difficulty during the slow economic recovery.

Despite looking promising in late 2011 and early 2012, the increase in bank overdrafts could be cause for concern. If people are still finding themselves without sufficient cash to cover expenses, it could be a sign that the recent improvements in the job market may not be sustained through the spring.

“The Pageonce data indicate that Americans continue to experience everyday financial stress despite better job prospects,” said Dr. Daniel Silverman from the University of Michigan. “We see some encouraging signs, but we are just scratching the surface of what these data can reveal about economic conditions. We’re excited to further study the Pageonce data to better understand the trends.”

Pageonce and the economics team have a series of studies planned over the next year, to answer questions like:

• How do economic stimulus efforts influence consumer spending?
• Who makes bad financial decisions and why?
• Why do people pay late fees?

Methodology

Pageonce provided the University of California, Berkeley and University of Michigan researchers a sample of anonymous user data from March 1, 2011 to April 23, 2012. This data set includes 320,415 unique Pageonce users who experienced at least one Bank Overdraft Pulse Point and 250,811 unique Pageonce users who experienced at least one Credit Limit Breach Pulse Point. Each unique Pageonce user in the population was assigned a value of one (1) if the user experienced a Pulse Point. Otherwise the user received a value of zero (0). For each of the 54 weeks in the data set, the fraction of users who received a Pulse Point was recorded. To account for increases in the Pageonce user base over time, the raw fraction of users that received a Pulse Point was weighted by the total number of Pageonce users.

• INSIDE THE CLUB– A conversation with two of Silicon Valley’s biggest moneymakers, Reid Hoffman and Peter Thiel, who met at Stanford University as undergrads 25 years ago.  Here, they reveal how entrepreneurs can break into tech’s most exclusive network.  The full 30-minute conversation is available at www.forbes.com/video.  http://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2012/05/02/reid-hoffman-and-peter-thiel-share-the-secrets-of-breaking-into-techs-most-exclusive-network/

• VENTURE CAPITAL’S NEW BAD BOYS – Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz have created the hottest venture capitalist firm America.  The story behind their success, and how they embraced Michael Ovitz’s Hollywood talent agency model. http://www.forbes.com/sites/connieguglielmo/2012/05/02/andreessen-horowitz-venture-capitals-new-bad-boys/

• GROWTH CHAMPIONS – The Forbes Fast Tech 25, Forbes’ annual list of 25 torrid tech firms, many of which are still accelerating.  http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2012/05/02/the-forbes-fast-tech-25-our-annual-list-of-growth-kings/
• COMPLETE PROFILES OF THE 100 BEST VCS http://www.forbes.com/lists/midas/2012/midas-list-top-tech-investors.html

• MIDAS LIST: THE TOP 100– The complete list, also available at www.forbes.com/midas.

PROS:

• They don’t tangle. This is great considering that I always toss my headphones into some bag or another, only to spend an absurd amount of time untangling the mess I’ve made
• They have pretty cool designs, if only a few currently, that will appeal to a variety of different people. Designs: Blue Graffiti, Pink Leopard, and Zebra Print. Granted, the colors tend more toward the pink and powder blue than anything else
• They aren’t horribly expensive when compared to some other headphones, even if they aren’t the cheapest either
• There are three different sizes of interchangeable inner earbud pieces so that size isn’t a concern

CONS:

• The sound is fairly average, not really a con, but not really a notable feature either
• They feel a bit heavier than the traditional cord variety which makes them a little uncomfortable at times
• There is a bit more pressure in my ear (would that be my inner ear?) than my traditional inner ear headphones and it creates an awkward feel, although not really painful or uncomfortable

Overall, while they are quite fashionable, they don’t offer more than their tradition counterparts in the way of comfort and sound quality. That is something that each person will have to weigh on their own and see where fashion fits in on their list of music priorities.

Price: $ 29.99

The basic plot of the movie is that the brother of Thor, Loki, is trying to summon an army of aliens to take over the Earth, and Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. calls forth The Avengers as humanity's last hope to save the human race. The plot is very basic for a superhero movie, but it works very well with all of the action that the movie had to offer. The special effects were top notch as usual for a Marvel movie, and that combined with the action of the movie made it an experience that really can amaze even people who are not big fans of The Avengers.  There is also a huge reveal at the end that may further hype up fans of the Marvel Comics, so be sure to see all of the things after the credits.

Already raking in over 200 million in the box office, this movie has audiences all around the US buzzing about this movie, and its popularity just keeps rising as time goes on. I loved every second of this movie, but just to be nit-picky, the only gripe about this movie that I have is that at parts, it is kind of slowly paced and it seems like not much happens at all, but that is something that usually does not bother me too much unless it actually hinders the movie, which the movie is not in any way hindered here. While this flaw of the movie may be present, all of the action and awesome special effects really help sell this movie.

If you haven’t gone to see The Avengers yet, I highly recommend that you do when you can. This is definitely one of the best superhero movies I've seen a very long time.

Greenlight’s global “Search & Social Survey (2011-2012)” asked 500 people - students, law enforcement professionals, medical staff, accountants, lawyers, the unemployed, and everyone in between, how they engage with online advertising, search engines, and social networks, in order to glean insight into how consumers engage with marketers today, and formulate views on what the future might hold.

Facebook could capture around 22% of the global search market

Greenlight's research revealed 5% would 'definitely' use a future Facebook search engine if the firm were to launch one to rival Google's. The other extreme, those categorically saying that they simply would not use a future Facebook search engine, totalled 26% of all respondents. Those responding in the 'Definitely' and 'Probably' camps totalled 17%. Those responding 'No' and 'Probably not', totalled 48%.

Fig 1 - If Facebook incorporated its own search engine, would you use it over your preferred search engine?

Source: Greenlight

“These stats therefore suggest Facebook could capture around 22% of the global search market by simply launching its own search engine tomorrow morning (the 'Definitely', 'Probably', and half of the 'Don't know' respondents combined), says Andreas Pouros, chief operating officer at Greenlight.  “It wouldn't need to be a spectacular engine either, just well integrated into the Facebook experience and generally competent.

What’s more, the results also suggest Facebook could increase that projected market share to a maximum of 50% within a few years by converting the least overtly loyal Google users over to them. However, that increase would need to come from the 27% of respondents who replied ‘Maybe, but only if it was better than Google and Bing’ ”.

(Facebook already integrates Bing into its search function, but it is a buried option in the navigational side-bar post query, so this really does not constitute its own search engine by any real definition).

23% of Google users have been +1'ing listings in Google's search result

On the flip side, Greenlight found that Google's own social endeavors with Google+ might be more successful than most have initially speculated. For instance, 23% of Google users have been +1'ing listings in Google's search results, giving Google lots of data about what people like.

When compared to the 35% of users that Greenlight’s survey found routinely 'like' a brand or company on Facebook, then it is not that significantly more than Google's social signal collection, particularly as 28% of respondents said they had no idea what '+1' actually meant, which says Greenlight, will invariably decrease rapidly over time.

Fig 2 - How regularly do you'+1' something in Google's search results

Source: Greenlight

Greenlight’s research essentially shows that Facebook will both be front and centre in 'social search' and so it won't be enough for websites to simply be relevant, they also need to demonstrate qualities that attract social validation and promotion.

Pouros concludes:

“Brands and e-retailers need to be encouraging +1's in Google, as it isn't something that might be important in the future - it already is! It affects natural search rankings and will have an increasing impact over time across every Google product they utilise - AdWords, price comparison, Shopping, YouTube, etc., and Facebook could be a major search engine overnight. As such a brand’s performance on Facebook today (likes, visits, etc.) will likely have a decisive impact on how well exposed it is on that new search engine.”

- “Your account has been compromised.”

Whether you receive this notice via email, text or telephone, you’re typically directed to a website that downloads malicious software onto your computer or requests that you provide personal information, which the scammer will use to steal from you. Web links can be “masked” to look like your bank or credit card company’s website, but clicking it takes you to a completely different site. To thwart this, hover your cursor over the link to see the actual address you’ll be directed to.

Stick to this simple rule: Never click on a link in an email or reply to an unsolicited message with personal information. Call the company or go directly to its website by typing the address into the browser bar yourself.

- “Click here for your chance to win!”

Now that so many of us frequent Facebook, it’s no surprise scam artists have started targeting our social networking activities. Common bait is the posting on a friend’s page with these enticing words: “I just signed up to win an iPad 2. Click here for your chance to win!” Click the link and you’ll be prompted to allow access to your Facebook account and personal information before being “entered into the contest.” The result? You end up with lots of spam and your personal data compromised or sold.

Pinterest, a hugely popular “shareable scrapbook” linked to Facebook, allows people to “pin” pictures to their boards that automatically link to outside websites. Beware of those encouraging you to “re-pin” for a reward, often a gift certificate to your favorite store. Provide your information to claim the nonexistent prize and, as with the iPad contest example, you expose yourself to data mining.

- “Oops, I overpaid you.”

Many buyers and sellers already know not to enter into an online transaction that requires an advance fee, or send a high-dollar item to a potential buyer without payment in escrow. One sneakier trick is the “overpayment” scam. A buyer makes a strong offer, and then sends you a check for more than the price you agreed upon. “Oops, do you mind wiring me the difference?” You wire the cash, his check bounces, and he disappears with your money.

- “You’re pre-approved.”

Then there’s the pre-approved credit card offer that requires a “small transaction fee” to process your application. You send money and never hear from the company again. Bottom line: Don’t provide information or payment in response to any unsolicited email, pop-up ad, Web contact or phone call.

- “Hi, this is Microsoft.”

A scam that takes advantage of concerns about viruses and spyware is becoming more common. You get a phone call out of the blue. The caller says she’s from Microsoft and an infection has been detected on your system. She can remove the virus if you’ll give her remote access to your PC and pay a small fee. While most PC users would know better than to click a pop-up ad with a similar message, the telemarketer can be quite convincing.

For the record, Microsoft will never contact you to say there’s a problem with your PC. The same goes for Dell, HP, Norton, etc. Don’t trust anyone who tells you they’ve discovered a problem with your PC, sight unseen, and then asks you to pay for repair. Hang up and, if you think there might be a legitimate problem, call your computer service company. And contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov), a partnership of the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center.

For more on fighting Internet fraud, see the federal government’s list of resources at http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Internet-Fraud.shtml#Reporting_Internet_Fraud.

Andrea is the celebrated and syndicated technology columnist for Scripps-Howard and regularly appears as a guest tech correspondent on ABC, NBC, FOX, and CBS on shows such as eHow, Good Day Sacramento, Good Morning Arizona and MORE Good Day Portland, offering viewers easy tips on technology, Internet lifestyle, and gadgets.  Andrea is available for Q and A’s, expert tech quotes to reporters and will even appear on your show, so call today! To see Andrea in action check her out at www.callnerds.com/andrea.

The story of Zipfit.me starts out with Liz taking 20 of her guy friends on shopping excursions to find the perfect fit for jeans. This later escalated into something much bigger, and Zipfit.me was born; the ultimate place to find your best fitting pair of jeans. If you’re trying to find price comparisons on different pairs of jeans, look no further, this can all be found on Zipfit.me. They carry brands from Levi's, Diesel and Buffalo jeans to name a few, all personal favorites of mine.

The list doesn’t end there, the website also features new and upcoming trends that we all should be aware of. If you’re trying find that perfect look check out the ‘Good Looks’ section on the website. This gives you different styles that every guy should be rocking out in this modern era. Zipfit.me is currently designed for men, sorry ladies. This goes to out the guys who are unsure of how to dress themselves, Zipfit.me has given you a ‘fine’ selection of fashionistas to you guide in the right direction. I’d personally like to give a shout out to Jade “hipster”, if you’re ever looking for a date or just a great time please contact me. I’m not a hispter, but I can party with the best of them in skinny pants and some vans.

Zipfit.me is your virtual sales associate, so stop wasting your time at the stores when you can get it done in a matter of minutes online. The virtual sales associate will you leave smiling ear to ear-- promise. Liz Kammel, the CEO of this beautiful website, can tell what will fit your body by just taking a look at it. Trust me I’ve seen it in action. To all my single gentlemen out there check out this website, and have the best shopping experience you’ve ever had, take a look here. Liz, thanks for the interview I had a blast-- Jade i’ll count my blessings.