Xbox One - Awesome or Not?

Xbox One is a video game console developed and marketed by Microsoft. Announced on May 21, 2013, it is the successor to the Xbox 360 and is the third console in the Xbox family. It directly competes with Sony's PlayStation 4 and Nintendo's Wii U as part of the eighth generation of video game consoles. Xbox One was released across North America, several European markets, Australia, and New Zealand on November 22, 2013, and is scheduled for release in 26 other markets, including Japan, the remaining European markets, and the Middle East, sometime in September 2014. Microsoft and various publications have classified the device as an "all-in-one entertainment system", making it a competitor to other home media devices such as the Apple TV and the Google TV platforms.

Moving away from the Xbox 360's PowerPC-based architecture and back into the x86 architecture used in the first Xbox, the console features an AMD processor built around the x86-64 instruction set. Xbox One places an increased emphasis on entertainment integration, offering the ability to overlay live television programming from an existing set-top box, split-screen multitasking of applications, and improved second screen support. The console includes a newly upgraded Kinect motion sensing peripheral, previously an optional attachment for the Xbox 360. Microsoft is emphasizing the Kinect's integration with Xbox One through features such as a built-in Skype client for videoconferencing, user recognition and tracking, and the ability to use voice commands and gestures to navigate the console's user interface. New gaming functionality includes an expanded Xbox Live service, improved Kinect functionality, cloud computing, the ability to automatically record and share video highlights from gameplay, and support for live streaming gameplay online.

Upon its unveiling, Xbox One was criticized for its initial digital rights management policies (including a requirement for a periodic connection to the internet, and ambiguous restrictions on the resale and sharing of previously-purchased games), along with Kinect usage requirements and higher price than its competitors. In response to the criticism, Microsoft dropped these restrictions prior to releasing the console.

10 Things You Should Know Before You Bid On A Business Product From An Online Auction

1. Know the value of the product before you bid. If the product is brand new, check to see what price retailers are charging for it. If the product is used or reconditioned, you will want to pay way less than the retail value.

2. If the product's description or picture isn't detailed enough for you, contact the merchant to get more information before you bid. You don't want to take a chance to waste your hard earned money.

3. Know the highest price you will bid for the product and stick with it. Don't get caught up in a bidding war; you may end up paying more than the product's worth. Don't forget to add in the shipping price with your bid.

4. Visit a few online auctions before bidding because some merchants auction the same product in many auctions. You usually can purchase the product for a lower price in a unpopular auction because there are less bidders.

5. Know the time the auction begins and ends. You also want to know how long it will take to ship. If you need the product by a certain date, you'll want to estimate the time it will take to receive it.

6. Know the payment options the merchant accepts before you bid on their product. If they only accept checks or money orders, it may take even longer to get the product because the payment has to clear. If they accept credit cards make sure they have a secure server.

7. Know if the merchant offers a warranty or money back guarantee or before bidding on a product. You don't want to get stuck with a product that does not work or you're not satisfied with.

8. Online auctions will, sometimes, allow you to check the merchants history with their auction. Check to see if people have complained about the their products or business practices before you decide to bid.

9. It's important to place a bid early in the auction to show other bidders you are interested in the product. If someone does out bid you, don't be afraid to out bid them. Remember not to go over your maximum bid price.

10. Another reason to know when the auction ends; you can place a last minute bid. The other bidders may not be keeping track of when the auction ends or may not have the time to bid again.

Maintaining Positive Investor Relations

Hedge fund investor relations can be a tricky business. The instability of the market in recent years has caused an increase in news stories regarding disgruntled investors and unethical companies. Because of this, it is more important than ever to maintain a positive relationship with your valued investors. If you are trying to improve your investor relations, consider these ideas.

Stay in Communication

You cannot relate to your investors if you never have any communication with them. However, all forms of communication are not the same.

If you are attempting to develop a new communication strategy, make sure that you understand what your investors really want. Do your investors prefer online communication, or do they appreciate phone calls? Would they like to receive your newsletter via mail or e-mail? How many in-person meetings would they prefer to have each year?

Sending out a survey to your investors is a great way to find out the answers to these questions. Once you understand what is important to your investors, you can develop a communication strategy that will improve hedge fund investor relations.

Utilize Social Media

Today's companies have more opportunities than ever to connect with their investors thanks to social media. Instead of just using Facebook and Twitter for personal reasons, use these and other social media tools to improve your hedge fun investor relations.

Creating a Facebook page for your business is an easy way to enter the world of social media. You can keep investors coming to your page by posting relevant articles, thought provoking questions and news about your company.

Connect Personally

Your investors will develop loyalty to your company when they feel that you care about them as people, not just as investors. Use every opportunity to connect with your investors on a personal level.

Depending on the size and type of your firm, personal connections can take place in a variety of ways. Small firms might set up a time to have lunch with each investor. If you are working for a larger firm, consider sending birthday cards or holiday cards to your investors.

Make an effort to celebrate the positive life and professional achievements of your investors. A simple congratulations card when an investor adds a child to his family can make a big impression. Hedge fund investor relations is all about making positive connections with the people who have entrusted your company with their funds.

Those Great Hamptons Weekends!

Have you ever heard the expression "it was one of those great Hamptons weekends?" People in New York state know this expression all to well. Known for parties that never stop, beautiful beaches and some of the most luxurious real estate on the East Coast, the Hamptons truly exemplify the good life. Because of it's fame as a summer vacation destination, there are a number of clubs in the Hamptons that make both relaxing and partying effortless to say the least.

Clubs in the Hamptons cater to people looking to get away from the hassles of life for a while and offer a retreat for a short or long term getaway. With some of the best beaches in the country, it's easy to get some sun and just relax in this coastal paradise. There's also no shortage of excitement in the evening. Clubs in the Hamptons are quite plentiful and there are some real hotspots that cater to both locals and tourists. The party scene after dark is famed as a never ending party and many of the clubs live up to this reputation with ease.

Of course, the private beach clubs in the Hamptons are seemingly endless as well. Not everyone can afford to own a home in the Hamptons, and so there's no shortage of hotels with private beaches. The summer tourist industry for the Hamptons is absolutely huge and local residents come to expect it each and every season. The locals may or may not love the non stop partying that comes every summer, but with the beautiful scenery and carefree lifestyle, it just comes with the territory. Many people from New York City love coming to the Hamptons as a weekend getaway several times each season. They may invest in a vacation home, so they can take full advantage of what the Hamptons has to offer. They just can't resist "those great Hamptons weekends!"