Solutions For New Trainyard Express Bonus Levels

Here are the solutions for Jumping Joy and for Sidewinder.  Get Trainyard on iTunes.

Radioshack to Outperform in the Stock Market

The Associated Press is reporting that an analyst for Morgan Stanley has upgraded RadioShack's stock to "Overweight." The electronic retailer's shares surged today up 7.93% or $1.27 to close at $17.28.

Since they added T-Mobile in July to their wireless lineup of AT&T and Sprint, their business has started to stabilize. Verizon will be added to RadioShack's wireless offerings next year and it will only keep RadioShack's momentum going.

It is also speculated that RadioShack, will become the next exclusive retailer of Apple's iPhone. This makes sense because Verizon will be sold in RadioShack's stores nationwide next year, and it has been said that the next version of the iPhone will be available on Verizon as well as on AT&T. RadioShack currently sales Apple's range of iPods and accessories for iPhone.

Recently RadioShack started to promote it's brand with the nickname "The Shack." This move had mixed reactions but in the end, it can only help RadioShack to become relevant in the ever changing technology world.

Apple September 9 Event

The big announcement really was the iPod nano with video recording and a 2 megapixel camera for $149 for the 8GB and $179 for a 16GB model. The prices are really good and the new colors are very eye-catching. Another major announcement was iTunes 9 with a cleaner interface and App management for iPhone/iPod Touch. I believe there will be another update to the iPhone software on September 25 when MMS comes to the iPhone and it will include some cool features.

Palm Announces Pixi

Palm has announced today its newest smartphone, the Palm Pixi. It probably is no coincidence that they are announcing the same day that Apple has it's Event in San Francisco. The main difference between this phone and the Palm Pre is that the Pixi has no slide-out keyboard. My guess for that is they wanted to keep cost down, and users of the Pre have complained that slideout keyboard seemed flimsy and prone to breaking. Since this phone really has nothing new to offer I can expect Apple to steal the headlines today, especially if Steve Jobs make a triumphant return on stage. The price has not been announced (although Palm did say that it would be cheaper than the Pre) but the price of the Pre has fallen by $50 to $150 to stimulate demand. In my opinion this phone has no killer features that will set it appart from anything else out there. It does have a removable back cover that can be swapped by purchasing "designer" back covers. I believe this is a move by Palm to get some cash flowing to them because accessories have a very high profit margin espeacially those back covers that will probably be at least $30.

The phone has been announced to be available from Sprint in time for the holiday season. By then, the HTC Hero would have already come out (October 11) which I for one, am more excited about. Sprint is also expected to release several other Android based phones from Samsung and Motorola. 

Did anyone else notice how both of Palm's recent phones begin with a "P" (i.e. Pre and Pixi), Wouldn't it be funny if this was their attempt to compete with Apple since most Apple products start with the same leter also "i." iTunes, iPod, iPhone etc.

HTC Hero Preview

The HTC Hero will be available from Sprint starting on October 11. It is based on Google's Android OS. The phone will be $180 after a mail-in rebate, however, Best Buy stores will offer an instant rebate, making it $180 out the door with a qualifying 2 year contract. It does pinching to zoom like the iPhone (and the Palm Pre after that). So far, in my opinion the Hero seems to be a better choice than the Pre for a Sprint subscriber.

MMS on iPhone

AT&T has announced that MMS (Multi Media Messaging) is finally coming to iPhone 3G and 3GS on September 25. It will require a software update via iTunes. While this is great news for everyone, it does comes very late in the game. On the upside, keep in mind that MMS will come at no additional charge if you have a messaging plan. One MMS will count as an SMS. There is still no word from AT&T as to when tethering will be available for the iPhone.

Celebrate with a Free Madonna Video

Switching gears to an entertainment entry, iTunes is giving away Madonna's brand new video for her new single 'Celeration.' All you have to do is follow the link below or go to iTunes and look it up. I expect it to be free until this next Monday 7.

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewVideo?id=328936586&s=143441

Apple Sept. 9 event

Apple will have one of their famous invitation only event on Wednesday September 9. The invitation simply reads "It's only rock & roll, but we like it." It obvioulsy is going to be a music-centric event. What will be announced is anybody's guess, but if I had to speculate...
*iPod refresh for nano and Touch with cameras.
*Updat to iTunes with new features, maybe subscription model for iPhone.
*The Beatles on iTunes, it's the same day remasters and Rockband debut.
*OS X 3.1 for iPhone and Touch
*Steve Jobs back onstage

Less likely is the much rumored Apple tablet, sorry but I just don't see it happening next Wednesday. Perhaps early next year when Verizon gets their 4G network up and running.
That is also when I expect a new iPhone. There is a reason the iPhone 3GS looks identical to the 3G and that is to wow with a new look for their Verizon and possibly Sprint or T-Mobile launch.

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