ps2-world-us

© jordanmerrick

The European Brand Institute has revealed that Apple Inc., the maker of the iPod and the iPhone, is the most valuable brand across the globe. Apple has beaten Coca-Cola and tops the list with a brand value of 9.7 billion euros ($96 billion). This study was conducted amongst more than 3000 companies over 24 countries. Microsoft Corp. is ranked third, one ahead of its rival Google Inc. A separate report by WPP Plc's Milward Brown Unit indicated that Apple overtook Google in brand value this May. According to this Vienna-based institute, that compiled global rankings for the first time, North American brands have performed twice as well as compared to European brands when it comes to brand value. The study also revealed that the top 10 brand companies are all based in the US.

© GoodNCrazy

While I was introducing my parents to the concept of a smartphone it wasn't, at first, elliciting much enthusiasm from them. After all, their "regular" phone works just fine. When I mentioned apps, however, their level of interest picked up! Once I saw this, I mentioned some of the android apps, to give them some examples. Both of them were interested in Google Maps, while my mum was the one who liked the concept of Astrid Task/Todo List, and my dad liked knowing he could get his favorite news site on his phone. While I know they may or may not wind up using it as often as some people use apps, I could tell that they did feel good about having a better understanding of what's available today in terms of the internet on phones. It seems like something was demystified for them, and they were encouraged to see how user-friendly in fact apps, at least the latest apps, are intended to be.

© mick / Lumix

In his interaction with lawmakers, British Prime Minister David Cameron came out defending Andy Coulson, his former communications chief, arrested in the phone hacking and police bribery scandal,.
Along with Coulson, 10 other people have been arrested so far, in the phone hacking episode.
Speaking to lawmakers, before an emergency meeting of the Parliament on Wednesday, he said that there would be an investigation into the relationship between, press, police and the politicians in the wake of the phone hacking.
He said that he had learnt his bit through this phone hacking scandal. The larger responsibility was to cleanse the system of the mess. He also promised to look over the issue of ethics, raised for the police team and promised to bring in genuine changes, in leadership.
Questions were raised by lawyers as to reasons for hiring Coulson, despite warning given to the Prime Minister. They also enquired as to how much he knew about the phone hacking investigation.