Google+ for Android Gets Revamped [PICS] (Mashable)

Google has launched a new version of Google+ for Android, complete with a new look, a new UI and support for Ice Cream Sandwich. Version 2.1 of the updated Android app provides a cleaner and more streamline version of the app that is consistent with the design changes implemented in Android 4.0. Notifications have been moved to the top right, the interface has been tightened and photos have been enhanced and enlarged

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Google has launched a new version of Google+ for Android, complete with a new look, a new UI and support for Ice Cream Sandwich. Version 2.1 of the updated Android app provides a cleaner and more streamline version of the app that is consistent with the design changes implemented in Android 4.0. Notifications have been moved to the top right, the interface has been tightened and photos have been enhanced and enlarged. Even profile pictures have been enlarged to improve the user experience.

[More from Mashable: Google Reader Gets a Redesign, Adds Google+ Integration]

“We worked closely with the Android team as they developed Android 4.0 (aka Ice Cream Sandwich), so you’ll see the same attention to beauty and simplicity in our new design,” Google product manager Ben Eidelson explained in a Google+ post.

According to the release notes, Google+ for Android features improvements to battery life, navigation, performance and notifications. The app also includes a new UI for posting to Google+ and support for Google Apps.

[More from Mashable: Halloween Google Doodles Through the Years]

Google+ for Android looks and feels sexier with the changes. We’re hoping that the iPhone version gets the same facelift soon as well. Check out screenshots of the new app in the gallery above, and let us know what you think of it in the comments.

Images courtesy of Google+, Ben Eidelson

This story originally published on Mashable here.

Ore. senator, others cited by digital-rights group (AP)

NEW YORK – An Oregon senator who was behind a 1996 federal law that has made content-sharing services such as YouTube and Facebook possible is among three recipients of Pioneer Awards from a leading digital-rights group.

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NEW YORK – An Oregon senator who was behind a 1996 federal law that has made content-sharing services such as YouTube and Facebook possible is among three recipients of Pioneer Awards from a leading digital-rights group.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., was co-author of a law that protects online service providers from legal liability for content produced by their users. That means Google can let users freely post video on YouTube, and Facebook can let users write status updates and share links without worry they would be sued for defamation and other issues. In such cases, any liability would rest with the user who posted the item.

In announcing the award, the Electronic Frontier Foundation also credits Wyden with recent efforts to block legislation deemed harmful to free speech and with proposing legislation to define when and how government and private parties can access location information in cellphones and other electronic devices.

Other recipients of the award were:

• Ian Goldberg, a University of Waterloo professor credited with exposing design weaknesses in encryption systems used to protect cellphone conversations and Wi-Fi traffic, resulting in improvements to the systems.

• Nawaat.org, a blog operated by four Tunisians and credited with spreading information on social and political unrest there.

“These Pioneer Award winners are all working to make sure that technology protects freedom instead of curtailing it,” EFF Executive Director Shari Steele said.

The EFF will give the awards at a Nov. 15 ceremony in San Francisco. The award does not carry a cash prize.

SEC: Companies are turning to private financing (Reuters)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Companies are increasingly taking advantage of securities rules that lets them raise capital without having to go through costly registrations, according to a new study by regulators. The Securities and Exchange Commission study found that these private offerings surpassed debt offerings in 2010 and continued to do so through the first quarter of this year.

Continue reading here:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Companies are increasingly taking advantage of securities rules that lets them raise capital without having to go through costly registrations, according to a new study by regulators.

The Securities and Exchange Commission study found that these private offerings surpassed debt offerings in 2010 and continued to do so through the first quarter of this year.

The study also found that the spike in private offerings came as public issuances fell by 11 percent from 2009 to 2010.

“To me, it is similar to other types of financial innovations,” SEC Chief Economist Craig Lewis told Reuters on the sidelines of the SEC’s first-ever small business advisory committee meeting.

“Once people understand this is another path for obtaining equity capital, firms will consider it as another choice to make at the time they need capital.”

The agency released the study as part of its review to determine whether it should pursue less restrictive capital-raising securities regulations.

The SEC has said it is looking at whether its rules are outdated. Lawmakers are also pressuring the SEC to remove hurdles for capital formation, to help create jobs.

The trend toward private offerings comes as Europe’s debt crisis and a weak U.S. economic recovery have made it difficult or less desirable for companies to pursue public offerings.

The study by SEC economists looked at various exemptions available for private offerings, including the most popular one known as Regulation D’s rule 506.

The Reg D rule 506 allows companies to raise an unlimited amount of capital through unregistered offerings as long as the offerings only go to certain sophisticated investors.

Overall, it found that there has been a shift from public to private capital, with private issuances increasing 42 percent to $1.4 billion from 2009 to 2010.

During that time, public equity offerings rose slightly while public debt offerings decreased.

“Historically, debt offerings have been the dominant source of capital that firms have used,” said Lewis, who called the study’s findings “surprising.”

The study also found that foreign companies are taking advantage of private unregistered securities offerings in the United States, showing that the United States is competing favorably with foreign markets.

For the period in the study, foreign issuers accounted for 25 percent of the capital raised. The total capital raised by foreign companies went up by roughly a third between 2009 and 2010.

“There has been some discussion about U.S. issuers…moving to foreign capital markets to raise money, but what we are finding here is there is significant participation on the part of foreign issuers in U.S. capital markets through this Regulation D exemption process,” said Lewis, who also serves as the director of the SEC’s Risk Strategy and Financial Innovation Division.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch in Washington, D.C.)

SEC: Companies are turning to private financing (Reuters)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Companies are increasingly taking advantage of securities rules that lets them raise capital without having to go through costly registrations, according to a new study by regulators. The Securities and Exchange Commission study found that these private offerings surpassed debt offerings in 2010 and continued to do so through the first quarter of this year.

Excerpt from:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Companies are increasingly taking advantage of securities rules that lets them raise capital without having to go through costly registrations, according to a new study by regulators.

The Securities and Exchange Commission study found that these private offerings surpassed debt offerings in 2010 and continued to do so through the first quarter of this year.

The study also found that the spike in private offerings came as public issuances fell by 11 percent from 2009 to 2010.

“To me, it is similar to other types of financial innovations,” SEC Chief Economist Craig Lewis told Reuters on the sidelines of the SEC’s first-ever small business advisory committee meeting.

“Once people understand this is another path for obtaining equity capital, firms will consider it as another choice to make at the time they need capital.”

The agency released the study as part of its review to determine whether it should pursue less restrictive capital-raising securities regulations.

The SEC has said it is looking at whether its rules are outdated. Lawmakers are also pressuring the SEC to remove hurdles for capital formation, to help create jobs.

The trend toward private offerings comes as Europe’s debt crisis and a weak U.S. economic recovery have made it difficult or less desirable for companies to pursue public offerings.

The study by SEC economists looked at various exemptions available for private offerings, including the most popular one known as Regulation D’s rule 506.

The Reg D rule 506 allows companies to raise an unlimited amount of capital through unregistered offerings as long as the offerings only go to certain sophisticated investors.

Overall, it found that there has been a shift from public to private capital, with private issuances increasing 42 percent to $1.4 billion from 2009 to 2010.

During that time, public equity offerings rose slightly while public debt offerings decreased.

“Historically, debt offerings have been the dominant source of capital that firms have used,” said Lewis, who called the study’s findings “surprising.”

The study also found that foreign companies are taking advantage of private unregistered securities offerings in the United States, showing that the United States is competing favorably with foreign markets.

For the period in the study, foreign issuers accounted for 25 percent of the capital raised. The total capital raised by foreign companies went up by roughly a third between 2009 and 2010.

“There has been some discussion about U.S. issuers…moving to foreign capital markets to raise money, but what we are finding here is there is significant participation on the part of foreign issuers in U.S. capital markets through this Regulation D exemption process,” said Lewis, who also serves as the director of the SEC’s Risk Strategy and Financial Innovation Division.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch in Washington, D.C.)

Summary Box: MF Global bankruptcy rattles markets (AP)

LOUSY END: The Dow Jones industrial average lost 276 points, its biggest loss since Sept. 22, to end at 11,955. Much of the decline came in the last hour of trading

See the article here:

LOUSY END: The Dow Jones industrial average lost 276 points, its biggest loss since Sept. 22, to end at 11,955. Much of the decline came in the last hour of trading.

BIG OCTOBER: Even with the lousy showing on the last day of October, the Dow still had its best month since October 2002. The S&P 500 index had its best month since December 1991.

EURO INFECTION?: MF Global, a securities firm headed by former Goldman Sachs chairman Jon Corzine, filed for bankruptcy protection. The company’s debt was downgraded and its business partners pulled back over concerns about its holdings of European debt.

Summary Box: MF Global bankruptcy rattles markets (AP)

LOUSY END: The Dow Jones industrial average lost 276 points, its biggest loss since Sept. 22, to end at 11,955. Much of the decline came in the last hour of trading.

View original post here:

LOUSY END: The Dow Jones industrial average lost 276 points, its biggest loss since Sept. 22, to end at 11,955. Much of the decline came in the last hour of trading.

BIG OCTOBER: Even with the lousy showing on the last day of October, the Dow still had its best month since October 2002. The S&P 500 index had its best month since December 1991.

EURO INFECTION?: MF Global, a securities firm headed by former Goldman Sachs chairman Jon Corzine, filed for bankruptcy protection. The company’s debt was downgraded and its business partners pulled back over concerns about its holdings of European debt.

UPDATE 1-Bluestem Brands sees IPO priced at $14-$16/shr

{“s” : “www”,”k” : “a00,a50,b00,b60,c10,g00,h00,l10,p20,t10,v00″,”o” : “”,”j” : “”} On Monday October 31, 2011, 5:24 pm EDT * Sees IPO of 10 million shares * Co to list on Nasdaq under symbol “BSTM” * To use proceeds to repay debt Oct 31 (Reuters) – Multi-brand retailer Bluestem Brands filed with U.S.

Read more:

On Monday October 31, 2011, 5:24 pm EDT

* Sees IPO of 10 million shares

* Co to list on Nasdaq under symbol “BSTM”

* To use proceeds to repay debt

Oct 31 (Reuters) – Multi-brand retailer Bluestem Brands filed with U.S. regulators to sell 10 million common shares at an anticipated price of $14-$16 per share.

Bluestem’s latest filing comes as new listings slow to a crawl on stock exchanges, due to volatility in global stock markets and increasing fears of a slowdown in the U.S. economy.

Bluestem, which caters to low to middle income consumers via its Fingerhut and Gettington.com brands, said it has applied to list its common stock on Nasdaq under the symbol “BSTM.”

In April, the multi-channel retailer had filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to raise up to $150 million through an initial public offering.

The retailer expects to use the proceeds mainly to repay debts and to make interest payments.

UPDATE 1-Bluestem Brands sees IPO priced at $14-$16/shr

{“s” : “www”,”k” : “a00,a50,b00,b60,c10,g00,h00,l10,p20,t10,v00″,”o” : “”,”j” : “”} On Monday October 31, 2011, 5:24 pm EDT * Sees IPO of 10 million shares * Co to list on Nasdaq under symbol “BSTM” * To use proceeds to repay debt Oct 31 (Reuters) – Multi-brand retailer Bluestem Brands filed with U.S.

Link:

On Monday October 31, 2011, 5:24 pm EDT

* Sees IPO of 10 million shares

* Co to list on Nasdaq under symbol “BSTM”

* To use proceeds to repay debt

Oct 31 (Reuters) – Multi-brand retailer Bluestem Brands filed with U.S. regulators to sell 10 million common shares at an anticipated price of $14-$16 per share.

Bluestem’s latest filing comes as new listings slow to a crawl on stock exchanges, due to volatility in global stock markets and increasing fears of a slowdown in the U.S. economy.

Bluestem, which caters to low to middle income consumers via its Fingerhut and Gettington.com brands, said it has applied to list its common stock on Nasdaq under the symbol “BSTM.”

In April, the multi-channel retailer had filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to raise up to $150 million through an initial public offering.

The retailer expects to use the proceeds mainly to repay debts and to make interest payments.

Best Buy To Sell HP TouchPad for $149, with Strings (NewsFactor)

After the fire sale that saw Hewlett-Packard’s TouchPad tablet sell out for $99 in August, the device is making its way to Best Buy store shelves once again. Best Buy will begin selling the TouchPad online Tuesday and in stores Friday.

See original here:

After the fire sale that saw Hewlett-Packard’s TouchPad tablet sell out for $99 in August, the device is making its way to Best Buy store shelves once again. Best Buy will begin selling the TouchPad online Tuesday and in stores Friday.

The difference is, the discount isn’t as deep this time around and it comes with a string attached. Best Buy is selling a 32 GB TouchPad for $149 — but consumers have to buy an HP or Compaq notebook or desktop PC in order to get the deal.

Consumers who just want the TouchPad will pay $599.99. Best Buy warned that quantities would be limited. HP is not selling the tablet on its own Web site.

Revitalizing PC Business

“HP is trying to get people to start buying its computers again because everybody stopped,” said Michael Disabato, managing vice president of network and telecom at Gartner.

Enterprises in particular were hesitant to purchase HP or Compaq machines because HP was considering spinning off or selling its PC business. Enterprises were concerned about buying into machines for which the company may or may not provide support. But news emerged late last week that HP had decided to hold on to its Personal Systems Group.

“HP objectively evaluated the strategic, financial and operational impact of spinning off PSG. It’s clear after our analysis that keeping PSG within HP is right for customers and partners, right for shareholders, and right for employees,” said Meg Whitman, the new HP president and CEO. “HP is committed to PSG, and together we are stronger.”

A strategic review involved subject-matter experts from across the businesses and functions. Beyond the contributions the PC unit makes to HP’s solutions portfolio and overall brand value, the study showed that the cost to recreate these in a standalone company outweighed any benefits of separation. HP is still the leading manufacturer of personal computers globally, with revenues totaling $40.7 billion in 2010.

Where Are the Apps?

The TouchPad, however, is still on the chopping block. The TouchPad seemed doomed from the beginning. Early reviews of the product, which debuted on July 1, were mixed. Some said HP released the TouchPad too early. Others called its performance sluggish. Still others said there weren’t enough apps in HP’s app store to compete.

“I’ll still ask the question, where are the apps?” Disabato asked. “Samsung’s Galaxy Tab is the only tablet that has offered any real competition for the iPad, which is why I think Apple tried to kill it off.”

On the upside, the multitasking was a hit, the webOS implementation is finding praise, and the hardware is getting a nod. It didn’t sell well at $499, but at $99 it seemed like a basement bargain to tens of thousands. It remains to be seen how well the TouchPad will sell with the PC strings attached, especially with Research In Motion’s offer of buy two, get one free for the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Best Buy To Sell HP TouchPad for $149, with Strings (NewsFactor)

After the fire sale that saw Hewlett-Packard’s TouchPad tablet sell out for $99 in August, the device is making its way to Best Buy store shelves once again. Best Buy will begin selling the TouchPad online Tuesday and in stores Friday. The difference is, the discount isn’t as deep this time around and it comes with a string attached

Originally posted here:

After the fire sale that saw Hewlett-Packard’s TouchPad tablet sell out for $99 in August, the device is making its way to Best Buy store shelves once again. Best Buy will begin selling the TouchPad online Tuesday and in stores Friday.

The difference is, the discount isn’t as deep this time around and it comes with a string attached. Best Buy is selling a 32 GB TouchPad for $149 — but consumers have to buy an HP or Compaq notebook or desktop PC in order to get the deal.

Consumers who just want the TouchPad will pay $599.99. Best Buy warned that quantities would be limited. HP is not selling the tablet on its own Web site.

Revitalizing PC Business

“HP is trying to get people to start buying its computers again because everybody stopped,” said Michael Disabato, managing vice president of network and telecom at Gartner.

Enterprises in particular were hesitant to purchase HP or Compaq machines because HP was considering spinning off or selling its PC business. Enterprises were concerned about buying into machines for which the company may or may not provide support. But news emerged late last week that HP had decided to hold on to its Personal Systems Group.

“HP objectively evaluated the strategic, financial and operational impact of spinning off PSG. It’s clear after our analysis that keeping PSG within HP is right for customers and partners, right for shareholders, and right for employees,” said Meg Whitman, the new HP president and CEO. “HP is committed to PSG, and together we are stronger.”

A strategic review involved subject-matter experts from across the businesses and functions. Beyond the contributions the PC unit makes to HP’s solutions portfolio and overall brand value, the study showed that the cost to recreate these in a standalone company outweighed any benefits of separation. HP is still the leading manufacturer of personal computers globally, with revenues totaling $40.7 billion in 2010.

Where Are the Apps?

The TouchPad, however, is still on the chopping block. The TouchPad seemed doomed from the beginning. Early reviews of the product, which debuted on July 1, were mixed. Some said HP released the TouchPad too early. Others called its performance sluggish. Still others said there weren’t enough apps in HP’s app store to compete.

“I’ll still ask the question, where are the apps?” Disabato asked. “Samsung’s Galaxy Tab is the only tablet that has offered any real competition for the iPad, which is why I think Apple tried to kill it off.”

On the upside, the multitasking was a hit, the webOS implementation is finding praise, and the hardware is getting a nod. It didn’t sell well at $499, but at $99 it seemed like a basement bargain to tens of thousands. It remains to be seen how well the TouchPad will sell with the PC strings attached, especially with Research In Motion’s offer of buy two, get one free for the BlackBerry PlayBook.

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