Microsoft Hohm Beta: analyze home energy usage

Microsoft has launched a free online home energy-monitoring tool called Microsoft Hohm, this will allow consumers to gauge how much energy that they are using, and then see how they can reduce their consumption. This certainly sounds like a great way to save money on your energy bills. Read more

Ford Motor Co. could ask for $13 billion federal loan

A the end of last year Ford Motor Co. did not take the U.S. Government up on their offer of support, something that Chevrolet and General Motors did. A month has not even past, and now Ford might have to reconsidering federal aid because of low domestic sales. Read more

General Motors, Chrysler, Ford shutter factories while waiting rescue deal

General Motors Corp., Chrysler LLC and Ford Motor Co. have to shutter 59 of their factories in the coming months, while they wait for news from the U.S government over a rescue deal. All three U.S. automakers are seeing the worst car sales in 26 years. Read more

Big Banks Fail Consumer Test: new financial service website

Mozo.com.au is a first of it’s kind financial service website that uses consumer generated content and live data feeds to compare and rate financial products and providers on everything from interest rates to customer service Read more

StartupNation and Microsoft Search for Top Home-Based Businesses

StartupNation and Microsoft Office Live Small Business have launched the second annual “Home-Based 100” to find the top home-based businesses in the country. Home-based businesses interested in making the list can submit their business profile at startupnation.com/homebased100, with results to be announced in November Read more

Hands On: Logitech MX Air Cordless Mouse: evolution in technology

Logitech as we know always seems to be at the forefront in mouse design technology, speaking from a personal experience it seems that no one comes close to their mouse designs. Tweaktown realize this which is why they have decided to do a hands on review of the new Logitech MX Air Cordless Mouse, which is being described as an evolution.

When you first take the Logitech MX Air Cordless Mouse from the box you know that you have purchased something special, and the black glossy finish mixed with hints of silver gives it a sexy sleek look. As you know when Logitech launch a new mouse you know that there will be a host of improvements over their previous model and the MX Air Cordless Mouse will no disappoint.

As our computers are a complete home entertainment system it seemed natural for Logitech to add a quick launch system for Windows Media Player or Media Center, all you need to do is give the mouse a quick shake, ingenious.

Tweaktown’s final thought on the Logitech MX Air Cordless Mouse are “As expected, this is a mouse with a lot to live up to. Logitech has a history of pumping out products that people buy en-mass, and the MX Air is another one that will be finding its way into living rooms thanks to the popularity of HTPCs.

Speaking of home theatres, this mouse has a few more surprises in store for us, such as the ability to open Windows Media Player or Media Center by shaking the mouse (also available is a customisable menu allowing you to add any files/folders/programs you want) or adjusting the volume by holding the Volume and moving the mouse side to side.

The only final gripe I have about the mouse is that it dims its on-board lights after several seconds, indicating that it has entered sleep mode to save power. While this is a really great power saving feature for a wireless mouse, its drawback comes when you disturb the rodent from its slumber; it takes almost a second to register movement on the screen. This can be annoying when it occurs repeatedly, like right now while I’m typing and editing this review.

There is one thing that will hold the mouse back from flying off the shelves in my opinion, and that is the price. Logitech has put this mouse in their luxury range, and with a suitable luxury price tag; a tad too rich from most people’s tastes, I can believe.

However, looking at the components present I think the price is justified to a degree; we have a pair of RF transceivers capable of up to 30m range, 3-axis accelerometers, lithium ion battery to save weight and add battery life, and finally the laser tracking module for the precision desk work. Combined with a sexy design and solid software/firmware, it’s easy to imagine how the cost adds up pretty fast.

The good points however far outweigh the bad here; this mouse is amazing once you get it house trained! - I’m always using it now on the sofa when I’m watching movies because it’s just so much fun to use every time I pick it up. If you have the money, or don’t have the money because you just built a HTPC, take a loan or borrow it from your friends, because this rodent is the perfect accessory to complete that sweet living room setup”

For a full review on the Logitech MX Air Cordless Mouse just visit: Tweaktown

My Fico Credit Report: How has the Credit Crunch affected you?

With the Global credit crunch well underway and the Mortgage and loan problems in the U.S. now hitting the UK and other countries. It is more important than ever to keep an eye on what you spend, ways to cut costs and also your credit score. My Fico is a service that is celebrating its 7th anniversary by taking 25% off any myFICO product, they give a free 30-day trial of Score Watch and claim millions of people have no idea that their credit is out of control “seize the power of your credit”.

In 2008 many homes around the world will see budgets tightened and it will be a rough ride, the way for people to ride the storm is to take control and get organised.

How has the Credit Crunch affected you?

Fed Rate Cut By 0.5 pts, Federal Reserve Announcement Lowers Interest Rate to 3.0 pct

The Federal Reserve has just announced a Fed rate cut of half a point to 3 pct.

The announcement was made by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke after the monthly Fed meeting due to increasing pressure caused by the meltdown in the stock markets across the globe Read more

Michael Jackson To Lose Neverland Ranch

Reports have said that Michael Jackson will lose his Neverland Ranch in 90 days if he doesn’t pay back a $23 million loan.

It has been said that legal papers Read more

The McCanns: ‘There Is A Possibility That Madeleine Is Dead’

Kate and Gerry McCann have revealed that they accept their four-year-old daughter may now be dead. Clarence Mitchell, spokesman for the family said, “Kate and Gerry are realistic enough to know that there is a probability she is dead. They have not given up hope that she is still alive and is being looked after somewhere. Read more

Home Sales Crumple, Real Estate Prices Collapse: Is there a crash coming?

 

The figures for sales of new homes are really down for August and real estate prices have recorded the largest year-on-year drop in nearly 37 years!

This shows how the US housing market is still suffering and the mortgage crisis is Read more

Fed Rate Cut By 0.5 pt, Federal Reserve Meeting Lowers Interest Rate to 4.75 pct

Today the Federal Reserve announced a Fed rate cut of half a point to 4.75 pct.

The announcement by Ben Bernanke after the Fed meeting has come after increasing pressure Read more

Wall Street Expects Fed To Cut Interest Rates: Stocks Set To Rise

An interest rate cut is what many investors on Wall Street are expecting Ben Bernanke and the Federal Reserve to do on Tuesday.

Due to the global credit crunch and the possibility of a major recession in the US, the Fed is under tremendous pressure to Read more

Over $2 bln Withdrawn From Northern Rock Due to Mortgage Crisis: Bank of England To The Rescue

The panic amongst savers at the British bank Northern Rock may be getting out of control as over $2 billion dollars, roughly £1 billion, has been withdrawn.

The Bank of England had to step in to save Northern Rock, as Read more

Banks Warned to be Careful over Lending Levels In Light of Current Financial Turmoil

The British Chancellor Alistair Darling has warned banks to be careful about their lending policies in light of the recent credit crunch and financial crisis.

Personally I do not think its the banks responsibility, there are just a business and they are their to make money Read more

Banks Are Struggling as Mortgage Interest Rates Rise: But Its Good News for Savers

The current credit crunch in the financial markets may be causing trouble within the mortgage market but for people who have money saved up, they are benefits to be had as Read more

Ron Paul Says: “Pay Off The Country’s Mortgage”, Your Thoughts?

Ron Paul has earned his right as being the president of the internet with his obvious popularity amongst the web. His thoughts and ideas provoke many to question him, whilst thousands are backing his every word with reason.

The unfortunate American policy of Read more

Buy-To-Let Investors Pour Back Into Real Estate Market

Despite the home loan and mortgage crisis, the “Buy-To-Let Take-Ups” are at record levels in the housing market.

Investors are returning because Read more

Lou Pearlman Loses In Bankruptcy Case

It has been reported that a bankruptcy judge has approved the sale of boy band svengali Lou Pearlman’s homes in Orlando, Florida and Atlantic City, New Jersey.

53 year old Lou Pearlman was former manager of Read more

Technology Sector Leads Wall Street Stocks As Banks Fall

At the end of trading today, the mainstream stock market was actually little changed as declines in banking stocks were made up for by rises in the technology sector.

Banking stocks were falling as investors Read more

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