Apple announced today in Cupertino its financial results for the third fiscal quarter of 2009, which finished September 26. The obtained income was of 9,87 billion dollars and the profit of the period was of US$1,67 billion. The result overcame the analysts’ expectation, that waited for income of US$9,2 billion. This was the most lucrative quarter of the history of the company.

The company sold more than 3 million Macs in the period, what represents an increase of 17% in amount of units sold in comparison with the equivalent period last year. The iPhone also grew: 7,4 million units sold in the period, an increase of 7% in relation to the already successful third quarter of 2008. The iPod, however, didn’t follow the same tendency: they were sold about 10 million units, a fall of 8% in relation to Q3 of 2008.

In spite of the times of caution in the economy and of their computers costing, in its majority, more than a thousand dollars, Apple also got to increase its portion in the market of computers for the largest market share in 15 years. The researches don’t arrive to the same number: Gartner indicates that Macs represents 8,8% of the market of computers, and IDC 9,4%. Anyway, is the largest participation of the market than Apple stops from 1994.

On the other hand, the iPhone, according to IDC, has 22% of the market smartphones in USA, behind just of BlackBerrys from Research In Motion, with 51%.

Besides the sales in discharge, the company also counted with an increase in its profits, from 34,7% in the last year to 36,6%. Being known that there were several price falls in Apple products, can be deduced that the company of Cupertino did get to dry their costs to the minimum.

Via: BBC.

Valentine’s Day for me has always been a day that was marked with some time spent with all my friends. However, I never have given the day much thought and always found it quite zany to be around all the red balloons and confetti. However, I think it isn’t a bad idea if one were to get a taste of what it is like to be not able to celebrate even the zaniest of festivals.

In most countries in South Asia and the Middle East, people live under suppressive and repressive governments that see everything that is ‘Western’ as ‘Evil’. In fact, one cannot but be shocked at the ignorance and violence that runs through certain groups of people. Terming everything that is normal day-to-day life ‘Western’ is a tool that repressive governments and organizations use to control society and people.

Perhaps, the causes range not only from religion to repressive societies and families, but also is deeply rooted among these cultures that use power, domination and threat to control the masses. In the end, Valentine’s day becomes an effective tool for these ‘culture brigades’ to control and intimidate their own people.

A stranger gazed across the street,
and met with a pair of eyes staring back
He looked away, the eyes followed;
Could it be the love at first sight?

Little down the street, he sipped coffee
The coffee came held in the hands of the owner
The very same owner with those strange eyes
Could it be an obsession?

Afternoon sun warmed his back and he walked down
Down the stony alleys and white washed houses
He heard a whimper, a moan
Looked back to see those reddened eyes

Sun set across the bay, and the man gazed
Gazed he at the reddened skies and at the blackened trees
Fragrant breeze smothered him while a gentle tap on the shoulder
Made him turn back and stare into those strange eyes again

Gazed they, into each others eyes;
Like long lost lovers they looked into each other
Finally said he, Happy Valentine’s Day
Pat came the reply, “We are strangers no more”

They kissed and bit, while the world turned crimson red
Crimson red with their love, flowing from their veins

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Today is Valentine’s Day and most of us would love to get away to the most romantic place ever. Why not try the most remote and idyllic place on earth? In fact, after you finish celebrating your Valentine’s Party with friends and family, you should just buy a ticket to Tahiti and go there as soon as possible.

It is during this time of the year that the Islands are cool, sunny and beautiful. You could go to the wonderful Bora Bora or just do some shopping at Papeete. While you are at Papeete you can go to exotic French boutiques and have some fun.

If all these don’t appeal to you, you could check out secluded islands where you and your lover can spend a few days in peace and calm which is so not available in our modern societies. Book your tickets and rooms in advance as you would not be the only one to get this great idea of going to Tahiti, bang in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Make sure you send cards to your friends back home!

It’s that time of the year, when even rugged men get misty eyed as they stare into their love’s eyes over the soft light of candles. Everywhere we go we find that places are decorated in the colour of the season with hearts of all sizes waving in the wind. And if you’re single, no need to get anti-Valentine; Cupid is a crazy kid who works ovbertime blindly shooting everyone. If you want a romantic day then settle down with your hottie at home to watch a romantic flick. To spice things up, choose movies with the most romantic kisses.

• “Never on the lips“- Who can forget Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman as the cheeky call girl who knew she should never kiss a client but couldn’t resist. The bedroom scene in which Vivian finds Edward asleep and can’t stop herself from kissing his lips is a romantic reminder of how we just can’t say no to love.
• “All men are *beep!*“- Strange how sometimes you don’t realise that what you need is right infront of you. In French Kiss, Kate played by Meg Ryan, just can’t seem to understand why kissing obnoxious French guy Luc seems like the right-est thing in the world. It also happens to be one of the most romantic kisses.
• “Bella Notte“- This kiss from Lady and the Tramp is a favourite with all kids, and most adults. Reminiscent of accidental first kisses, the scene in which street-smart and wild Tramp shares a plate of noodles with Lady and both of them find the others lips at the end of a string of noodles may be digitally done but is one of the sweetest.
• “The time of my life“- Patrick Swayze woos ‘Baby’ with his Dirty Dancing lessons that end up with Baby stripping to the bare minimum and the hottest kiss of the movie.
• “Wouldn’t it be nice“- Henry, Adam Sandler’s character in 50 First Dates couldn’t get enough of Lucy (played by Drew Barrymore), even though she never could remember him for more than a day. For Lucy, every kiss is her first kiss with Henry, and the one on the beach after Henry sings her an extremely idiotic made-up song is the sweetest of her many first kisses.
• “I’ll have what she’s having!“- When Harry Met Sally, it seemed no two people could hate each other more. But after much trouble they end up talking about ‘old aquaintainces’ and kissing on New Year’s Eve, sure they were perfect for each other.
• “Wet“- Harry Potter’s description of his first kiss in Order of the Phoenix brought laughter from his best friends, but the kiss under the mistletoe with Cho Chang was one that many ardent fans ahd impatiently waited for as they watched him grow up. Ron’s face’eating kiss will definitely make the list of ‘wet kisses’ next year.
• “Cat, oh, Cat!“- The kiss in the rain at the end of the movie Breakfast At Tiffany had people sympathising with the cat squashed between Paul and Holly in the midst of a most romantic kiss.
• “Love is a force of nature“- The movie that broke all boundaries, Brokeback Mountain,  will always be remembered as one of the greatest love stories, no more, no less. The forbidden kiss that Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) convinces Ennis del Mar (Heath Ledger) to accept in the tent is one filled with pain and pleasure and the first of many between the two.
• “Kiss me as if it were the last time“- The scene at the window in Casablanca where Ilsa, played by Ingrid Bergman, tells Bogart’s character to kiss her is one immortalised in movie history, and in the mind’s of romantics who believe every kiss should feel like the last.

Now that you know which movies have the most romantic kisses, which one do you want to want to watch while cuddling up with your sweetie?

On first thoughts, I thought that these were the latest trends to hit the Gen Next, in the lines of online dating and online sex. But no, we are not talking about actual condoms here, but E-Condoms are messages launched by the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, urging safe sex and directing readers where to get official “NYC Condoms” for free.

I am not sure whether this indicates the growing popularity of social networking sites or the growing and more pressing need to encourage safer sex practices. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the City’s officials launched a Facebook page and Facebook application promoting condom use with “e-condoms”.

This unconventional and ambitious use of social networking tools by a State Department shows that that the need is indeed pressing. New York has more AIDS cases than Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Washington combined. More than 100,000 residents are HIV positive. “By using Facebook, we can help millions of people spread the word about condoms,” said the assistant health commissioner for HIV prevention and control.

Since the city’s official condom was unveiled in 2007, more than 70 million have been given away. Last year, Yves Behar, an industrial designer in San Francisco, redesigned the condom with a new wrapper and a dispenser that has received several awards from design organizations.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and send a E-condom as a Valentine’s Gift!

via : New York Times

Chocolates, they say, are more sensual than sex. In fact, chocolates activate certain parts of the brain which are activated during the most intense of the orgasms. No wonder lovers relate to chocolate more than they relate to themselves! This Valentine’s Day, why not have a great chocolaty celebration? I have compiled the best chocolate products you can buy this Valentine’s Day.

Get yourself and your partner the luxury of a chocolate spa, right in London. You can indulge in cocoa, vanilla and other chocolaty treatments. Prices begin at £145.

There is nothing better than a basket full of love. Did I just say love? Well, let us say, a basket full of chocolates, for your lover. It costs $49.95

If chocolaty treatments were not enough for you, go ahead and indulge yourself in another wonderfully luxurious chocolate treatment at the Sanook Spa, which is even more luxurious and costs £244.

When all is said and done, you would definitely need something hot to turn you on. Get yourself or your guy the Chocolate flavoured edible underwear for $5 each.

Condomi Chocolate Condoms come in a pack of hundred and cost £13. It would be the best way to end the Valentine’s Day.

After the celebrations are over, why not spend the next day at the spa again? The Coutts have an awesome chocolate based massage and treatment plan. You must check them out for prices and details!

Chocolate found its way into the hearts of people when America was discovered. Don’t you want to celebrate this Valentine’s day with some gorgeous and delicious chocolate? I know you want to!

If the girl that you’re dating is ‘The One’ and you want to give her everything that her heart desires, then this Valenti’s Day is your chance. She’s probably going to be coy and tell you that she would love anything you give her, and you must be confused beyond agony, so here are a few tips on the kind of gifts she expects you to give her this special day.

• Beaded Silk Dress- When you take her out to a special place for a wonderful candlelit dinner on V-Day, she’d wantto look her best for you. So make her happy and get her this awesome silk dress with a deep neckline and beaded waist at $390.

• Satin Platform Sandals- The perfect dress needs the perfect footwear to go with it and these platform sandals by Lanvin will do the trick. Cost: 628 pounds.

• Buckle Strap Tote- Finish up the rich red ensemble with this red handbag from the house of Martin Margiela. Cost: $1,095.

• Perfect Jewellery- Need I say more? Love Heart with Petal Wing Necklace ($225) will make her eyes shimmer. Match this off with the Little Princess Heat Earrings which are amazingly beautiful and range between $138 to $598. Additionaly, the Love HeartBeat Watches by Frederique Constant will show her you mean forever.

• Flare Chocolate Bark candles ($22)- Once the romantic dinner is over, you may just as well skip desert and come home for that instead. And once you’re there, it would be a good idea to set the mood with some perfumed sandals. And then you can sin with, umm, chocolates.

Each of these gifts will bring her a step closer to you, setting the perfect mood to make the both of you inseparable for the rest of the night.

Yes, the recession is affecting most, if not all, of us but Valentine’s Day isn’t a day to be taken lightly. She may know you love her and true feelings mean more than anything else but she’ll still expect you to get some little something. Come to think of it, buying the perfect gift doesn’t have to leave you bankrupt. There are a slew of products that you can get for her without having to miss paying your bills, and it would certainly leave her breathless.

• Diamond and Pearl Post Earrings- Studded with diamonds and gemstones, these white gold and yellow gold earrings would be any girl’s favourite gift, and it won’t hurt your pocket at $75.

• Hanky Panky Long Stem Lovin’ Low Rise Thong Bouquet- Make her blush with half a dozen different coloured thong roses ($130). Make sure she models every one of these for you.

• Little Princess Butterfly Necklace- These little sterling silver butterflies are adorable at $148.

• Chooka Peace Love- If she’s into the 70s style of free loving and peace, she would love this graffitied waterproof rainboot at $60.

• Crystal Heart Shaped Mouse- If you think she’s a bit of a narcissist you could give her this $80 mouse studded with crystal and with ‘I love me’  written on it.

• Kiss-o-Meter- This $30 gadget is a breathalyser that will tell you if you’re kiss-ready or not. Gifting this can make her furious for a second before you tell her she’s supposed to try it on you instead.

• Spin Me- This bottle for 22 pounds is stuffed with strips of paper that would start a romantic adventure between the two of you.

• Love-in-a-Cup- A cute little coffee cup with a matching saucer paired off with handcut bonbons and hot chocolate by Burdicks, for $26.

Now you know that you could give her some really special things and you don’t have to cry trying to make her smile. This Valentine’s, make her ecstatic with one of these wonderful gifts and join in the happiness.

If the girl in your life means everything to you and making her happy this Valentine’s is the most important thing for you, well, she’s the luckiest girl. The sky’s the limit in this case and I’ll give you a few choices on what you could get her if you don’t care to check the price before buying it.

• Jewel Knot Halter Dress- this halter dress by Neiman Marcus is in the traditional Velntine colour of red and costs $495.

• Swarovski Platform Sandals- these golden beauties by Miu Miu have five inch heels studded with crystal. Costs: £418.94.

• Mini-Cosmo Earrings- Gift her the cosmos with these 14k hand-crocheted ruby red earrings by Sonya Otten. Costs: $625.

• Big Heart Zip Clutch- This leather bag by Marc Jacobs is quite zany and has leather hearts all over it. Costs: $795.

• Onyx and Ruby Heart Necklace For $850, you can get this black-hearted beauty by David Yurman.

• Athena Pave Bracelects- Sterling silver chain with diamond studded heart-shaped pendant by Judith Ripka will make any ensenble look like a million pounds; it costs $650.

• Rosario Shoes- These shoes from the Pretty Ballerinas collection are adorned with 3000 Swarovski crystals and cost $995.

• Abazia Engagement Rings- If you’re ready for that final step and a lifetime of romance, you could opt to say ‘Marry me’ and in style with the custom-made Abazia engagement rings; price start from $200.

Your girl deserves the best and why not when you can afford to give her the best. Pamper her with the best this Valentine’s Day.