Leaked pictures show HTC?s cleaned-up Sense interface from the upcoming M7

HTC Sense 4, left, Sense 5, right

HTC (2498) has a big problem: For the past year or so it?s been releasing some top-notch smartphones that few seem to care about. Now, however, the company has decided that one way to improve its sales is to clean up its Sense Android skin that often looks more cluttered compared with the Android skin used by rival Samsung (005930).

[More from BGR: Samsung will reportedly unveil the Galaxy S IV on March 22nd]

A forum member at XDA-Developers has posted some pictures of leaked screenshots of HTC?s Sense 5, which the company will likely unveil alongside its new flagship M7 phone that?s slated for release this spring. The images show a much simpler interface without the giant clock icon that has typically dominated the home screens of HTC Android devices.

[More from BGR: Why the American government has only itself to blame for Kim Dotcom?s celebrity status]

For comparison, Engadget has posted pictures of the leaked Sense 5 interface side-by-side with pictures of the older Sense UI that clearly show the new skin is at the very least much easier on the eyes than earlier versions.

Hopefully, we?ll get to check out the new skin first hand at the Mobile World Congress trade show next month.

This article was originally published on BGR.com

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/leaked-pictures-show-htc-cleaned-sense-interface-upcoming-125001786.html

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6 Tax Tips for this Upcoming Tax Season - Faith and Finance

Benjamin Franklin famously said, ?The only things certain in life are death and taxes? and come April 14^th, hardworking citizens will be scrabbling to get theirs done in time. Tax season doesn?t have to totally stress you out every year. With proper planning and attention to details, you can have your taxes done long before the (in)famous deadline. Here are some tips on how to ?keep calm and carry on,? so to speak, and save yourself some headache during this hectic time.

1. It?s the 21^st Century ? E-File

E-filing is one of the best routes to take when doing your taxes on your own. Companies such as Turbo Tax have expert CPAs and tax attorneys on deck 24/7 to answer your questions via chat or on the phone. Instead of staring at a page for hours in confusion, you can get help with a click of a button. They also make sure your calculations are correct and will refund you if there is interest or penalty fee. Plus, with E-Filing you can do your taxes on your time and you?ll save trees by going paperless!

2. Exemptions Are Your Friends

Exemptions are the government?s way of saying ?You rock for working!? If you?re married, have children, or are a contributing member of society you qualify for exemptions, you can save thousands of dollars.

3. Filing Status is Muy Importante

Your filing status is the very first step when you fill out your tax return and the most important. According to the IRS, this status lets the IRS determine your filing requirements, standard deduction, eligibility for credits and deductions, and your correct tax. Your status is one of these five: single, married, filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or qualifying widow(er) with dependent child.

4. Learn from Last Year

Look closely over your tax return from last year and really study it. You might find areas where you overlooked potential deductions or errors. Remember, while online tools and programs are helpful, they are only going off the information you provide so it is ultimately up to you to determine whether or not your information is accurate and up-to-date. Give yourself time to really go over your return and don?t speed through it ? you don?t want an easily avoidable mistake to cost you thousands in savings.

5. Don?t Forget Your Deductions!

You can choose between taking standard deductions or itemized deductions to save you even more. Standard deductions are based on your filing status while itemized deductions depend on several factors. You will more than likely pick the itemized deduction option if you spent a certain amount on specific tax-deductible expenses. These expenses include charitable contributions, student loan interest, mortgage interest, medical care, and more.

6. Know Your Adjusted Gross Income

Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is a very important number to know while you file. This number is the final outcome once your income and other expenses have been factored in. It is this number which determines what you are eligible for and how much, and there are a good many online calculators and resources to help you, such as this one.

With a little perseverance and know-how, (and these tips, of course!) tax season will carry on without a hitch.

Angie Picardo is a staff writer for NerdWallet, a personal finance website dedicated to helping consumers find the best credit card offers.

Did You Like This Article? If so, consider joining over 1,500 people who are learning how to make more money in our FREE 10-day Financial Freedom eCourse. Just enter your name and email below:

Source: http://www.faithandfinance.org/6-tax-tips/

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Son of Shakira: First Quasi Look!

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/01/son-of-shakira-first-quasi-look/

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United Tech fourth-quarter profit down after restructuring charges

(Reuters) - United Technologies Corp reported a 26 percent decline in profit, reflecting large restructuring charges at the end of a year that saw the company close its largest-ever acquisition and sell several small units.

The diversified U.S. manufacturer said on Wednesday fourth-quarter earnings from continuing operations fell to $945 million from $1.28 billion a year earlier. Per-share profit from continuing operations came to $1.04, down from $1.42 a year earlier.

The results for the just-ended quarter included 25 cents per share of restructuring charges and other one-time items.

Revenue at United Tech, the world's largest maker of elevators and air conditioners, rose 14.4 percent to $16.44 billion from $14.38 billion a year earlier.

The company, which also makes Pratt & Whitney jet engines and Sikorsky helicopters, did not change its 2013 profit forecast for earnings of $5.85 to $6.15 per share.

Hartford, Connecticut-based United Tech last year closed its $16.5 billion takeover of aircraft components maker Goodrich Corp and sold or are selling units that make products including wind turbines, fuel cells and industrial pumps.

United Tech shares are up 12 percent over the past year, outpacing the 9 percent rise of the Dow Jones industrial average <.dji>.

(Reporting by Scott Malone; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/united-tech-fourth-quarter-profit-down-large-restructuring-120911292--finance.html

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Facebook Page SEO Strategies

My last couple blogs have talked about the importance of search engine optimization also known as SEO. As many businesses are beginning to do the bulk of their business online SEO and other forms of internet marketing have become extremely important and are becoming increasingly important. One of those forms of internet marketing that is growing and can really set your business apart from your competitors is social media marketing. As a Phoenix web design company we have seen social media sky rocket and the businesses that are taking advantage of this are getting rewarded big time. Facebook is right around a billion users plus or minus a few thousand depending upon how many fake users they have. This makes Facebook a major player for businesses in the competition for internet marketing. Many Phoenix web design companies have not caught up to social media marketing as of yet. Let?s take a look at some ways you can optimize your Facebook business page for SEO.

1. Facebook Name ? This may sound like a ?duh? moment but this is extremely important. Many companies fall to the urge to add in way to many keywords into their title or they are too vague. If you own a sports memorabilia store you don?t want to name it Joe?s Football Memorabilia, Basketball Memorabilia, Baseball Memorabilia this is to vague and comes across as spam.
2. Vanity URL ? Facebook allows you to create a vanity URL however you must get at least 25 likes before you can get one. Google does use URL?s in their algorithm so it is extremely important to use a keyword that describes your business.
3. Use Keywords ? Just like when you are writing content for your website try to work in keywords on Facebook. Be creative as their are different places you can add these keywords in such places as the About Us section on Facebook.
4. Contact Information ? You would be shocked at how many company?s Facebook fan pages don?t have their contact information on it. This is a necessity as many companies are getting so much of their businesses through the internet why would you want to take away an avenue of a potential customer to contact you?

Facebook is an avenue for you to gain customers and visitors to your website. If you have any questions about how you can improve your conversion rate and grow your business to the next level we are here to help. We are a professional Phoenix web design company that understands web development and internet marketing. Visit our home page at www.hireawiz.com to check out everything we have to offer. Contact us today for a free analysis and quote.

January 22, 2013

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Source: http://www.hireawiz.com/blog/social-networking/key-ways-optimize-facebook-page-seo?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=key-ways-optimize-facebook-page-seo

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Caring for a Dying Parent

By Contributing Writer, Marci Ferrell

As I was?pondering?where to begin in sharing about our time this past year in caring for my husband?s sweet Mama in her final days, I realized my first post at Visionary Womanhood was?Biblically?Caring for Our Aging Parents. ?We had just brought Mom home and were adjusting to caring for her medical needs round the clock. ?We knew it was not going to be an easy road, and that our days would be more difficult as time went on since Mom?s condition was deteriorating day by day.

I?ve appreciated the time in preparing for this post to ponder the lessons we learned through this process and how death as a believer is a divine appointment. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, Hebrews 9:27)

Preparing to Die

Mom suffered several major strokes that left her unresponsive and bedridden. ?We didn?t know if she could hear or see us. ?In time her body began to slow down, and we realized that death was near. ?It had been over a year since she suffered the first stroke, and we as a family had come to a peace knowing that she was going to be going home soon. ?There was so much comfort knowing Mom was a believer. ?We knew she was going home to be with Jesus. ?

Our hospice nurses and aides were a blessing during this time. ?There were so many times the Lord allowed us to share the gospel and minister to the needs of these nurses and aides who ironically can offer us no everlasting hope because they are lost themselves. ?This time was especially difficult for Dad, but his eyes would light up, and you would see the joy of the Lord when he was able to share about the work of Christ in his and mom?s lives to these nurses who had truly become part of our family during this time.

It is amazing what happens in our lives as believers when the focus is taken off ourselves and our troubles and all we see is Christ. ?

As the Time Drew Near

I have never watched someone I loved so dearly ? die. ?This was one of the most difficult times of my life, and as a family, we hurt so much for my husband?s dad. ?The woman he had been married to for 50 years was leaving this earthly body. ?She had left us over a year ago in being able to respond and communicate with us, but we still had her there physically to touch, care for, love on and talk to and pray over. ?Dad had purpose in taking care of her needs, and I don?t think we realized the impact that had on keeping his mind busy until she was gone.

My husband was an only child and had such a close relationship with his mom. ?He had taken on the role of being strong for his dad and our family. ?There was much put upon Doug, but I watched his?reliance?on the Lord during this time and how he directed each one of us during?trying?times to God?s Word for strength and hope. ?I have so much love and respect and?thankfulness?for the gift of my husband. ?Our marriage was?strengthened?during this time.

As the time drew closer, we were provided with nurses around the clock. ?They were there to help us keep mom comfortable and to administer medication to aid her in breathing.? On the evening of her death, the nurse that was with us let us know it was getting close. ?We were able to gather as a family around mom and sing to her, pray over her, and just share with her all the things we loved so much about her.

In the difficulty of the moment there was still a celebration of remembering the life of faith mom lived out. ?God was glorified in her death as we thanked and praised Him for the gift she was to us and for Him saving her as His daughter. ?

?The best moment of a Christian?s life is his last one, because it is the one that is nearest heaven. And then it is that he begins to strike the keynote of the song which he shall sing to all eternity.?

~C. H. Spurgeon

Preparing a Funeral

God is sovereign over all of life, and He calls us to die. ?In Surprised by Suffering, R.C. Sproul shares that we are all called to various vocations in our lives as believers. ?Some are called to preach, to teach, to build buildings, make cars, and be parents. ?He reminds us that though we are all called to different vocations as?believers?- we all share in the vocation of death. ?This calling comes to each of us and it is a calling from God just as we are called to the ministry of Christ.

?We usually limit the idea of vocation to our careers or our jobs. ?The word vocation,?however, comes from the Latin word vocare,?meaning??to call.? ?Used in the Christian sense, vocation refers to a?divine?calling, a summons that comes from God Himself.

R. C. Sproul, Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in the?Christian?Life

We knew Mom would want the gospel boldly proclaimed at her funeral, for there would be believers and unbelievers in attendance. ? Mom may not have had the vision to view death as a vocation, but she had a heart for the lost and knew that the purpose of our lives is to glorify the Lord in all we do ? dying included. Doug, my husband, gave the message and our children shared their testimony of the impact their grandmother had in their lives. ?It was beautiful, simple, and the focus was on Christ.

Precious in the sight of the LORD?is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:15)

Ministry of the Saints

The days, weeks, and months after a funeral are sometimes the hardest. ?Our presence in the lives of those suffering loss may be one of the most important things we can do. ?We are so thankful for the body of Christ to give a listening heart and truly just be there for our family during this time. ?Hugs, cards, phone calls and meals provided were such a blessing. ?One of the most important things we can do for those who are grieving is to point them to the faithfulness of God.

If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (1 Corinthians 12:26)

Comforting those who Grieve

Dealing with the grief dad was experiencing was new territory for us. ?We have learned the best thing we can do is just be there.? My husband lost his mom, and this has been a difficult transition for him. ?We have had our share of mistakes, but I wanted to share some practical helps we have learned through this process that have been an encouragement through the process of grieving:

• We are thankful dad is living with us so he is not alone but part of the family everyday.

• My husband has been good at taking the time to have one on one time with his dad whether it is just going out to lunch or taking a ride to Cabela?s together.

• Sharing memories of Mom?s life and just taking the time to sit and listen. For Christmas we made dad a photo album with favorite memories of Mom?s life.

• Being especially mindful to talk about Mom during the holiday season when her presence is missed even more.

• The pain of the loss is always there, and we sometimes just need to weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15)

?The Hope to Come

We know that Mom would never exchange her place in Glory to be back in this fallen world, nor would we want her to. ?I miss Mama, her smile, laugh, hugs, cooking, and the way she loved and cared for each one of us. ?She was such an example in my life of a heart to serve others.

I have learned to focus on all the blessings of having her in my life. ?There are moments of tears, but in Christ we always have hope. ?God?s comfort truly gives us strength to continue on the path He has called us too. ?Our true comfort is only found in the Gospel. ?It is knowing that God is going to finish this work that He started in us, and we will all, as believers, one day share in the glory that truly outweighs the present sufferings of this world.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
(Philippians 1:6)

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18)

?

Related posts:

Source: http://www.visionarywomanhood.com/caring-for-a-dying-parent/

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HBT: Blessed to have met classy 'Stan the Man'

I can?t claim to have known Stan Musial, who died this evening at the age of 92, and you?re sure to find far more thorough tributes to ?The Man? in various other corners of the baseball media landscape.

But I figured I?d share some memories from the couple of times I was lucky enough to meet him.

I was a sophomore third-string catcher on the JV baseball team at St. Louis? Chaminade College Prep in 2003 and our starting third baseman ? a talented freshman with a very familiar batting stance named Andrew Edmonds ? was one of Stan?s grandsons. Andrew of course wore No. 6, even when he eventually shifted his focus to?ice hockey.

Stan would show up at Chaminade?s baseball field every few weeks, sit with his wife in matching lawn chairs just behind the backstop, and sign autographs for the duration of sloppy seven-inning high school games. I always felt bad that people were hounding him, but he never stopped shaking hands or scribbling away on different items except during his grandson?s plate appearances. St. Louis loved Stan and Stan loved St. Louis right back. It was an active mutual affection that seems likely to somehow remain.

I feel like everyone I know in St. Louis has a ball signed by Stan Musial. They spill loosely out of cabinets at my parents? house and I keep one at my apartment that he signed for me personally. He told me not to put it in a case ? ?get it dirty? ? so I usually keep it in my softball glove. It has a significantly different feel tonight.

Stan knew his signature gave people joy so he signed everything. He was simple like that. Pure class.

Source: http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/19/everyone-i-know-in-st-louis-has-a-ball-signed-by-stan/related/

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