If you are in the market for a new web browsing experience, Yahoo would like you to consider using it’s Axis, web browser. While many consumers may have thought of Yahoo as a dead or dying company the engineers at the former king of search engines, is hoping to bring consumer back into their universe of products with it’s new browser.

The Axis is, undoubtedly beautiful and sleek. It links your iPhone, Desktop and iPad to facilitate seamless browsing on all three. It utilizes a graphical listing of sites as opposed to static links. And it works within other browsers. You can still use, Chrome or Internet Explorer and add Axis as an add on feature to the bottom of your browser. Most of this is entirely academic. The best way to understand Yahoo’s latest creation is simply to view it and then decide if it has a place in your life. Check out the product demo below:

 

Former President George W. Bush is writing a book on economics and growth strategies. While it may seem that such a headline should be followed by-an- LMFAO or at least an LOL-it won’t be. George W is entirely serious about this endeavor. Apparently, he feels that he has something to contribute, in advising future leaders on the proper approach to cultivating a successful economy. Those familiar with the Bush Economy will be dissappointed. The book will not be a meaculpa or an apologetic tome. And Bush will not encourage the nation to learn from his mistakes.

During his Presidency, many observers noted W’s stunning lack of introspection. He seemed to lack the ability to reflect on his actions or mistakes and acknowledge that they even existed. According to early reports, the former President’s how to guide, for growing the economy will not acknowledge the failure of his own policies. For those that have forgotten the former President’s record on economics or for those for whom the hilarity of George W. Bush, penning a text on how to grow an economy, is a joke missed, consider the analysis of Pat Garofalo from the Center For American Progress. He noted that:

“Under his watch, “growth in investment, GDP, and employment all posted their worst performance of any post-war expansion,” while “overall monthly job growth was the worst of any cycle since at least February 1945, and household income growth was negative for the first cycle since tracking began in 1967.” As the Economic Policy Institute found, “between the end of the 2001 recession (2001Q4) and the peak of that expansion (2007Q4), the U.S. economy experienced the worst economic expansion of the post-war era”.

The truly concerning aspect of this story is that Mitt Romney, the current Republican Nominee for President, is vowing to enact policies very similar to George W. Bush. The reality is that in the minds of many on the right, the jury is still out on W’s  policies, which is why Bush’s book will likely find an enthusiastic audience. And why Mitt Romney, barely hesitates to propose the same, failed policies.

For Those Looking For A Great Laugh, George W. Bush’s new book will be out this summer.

 

American Idol has crowned its latest winner. Phillip Phillps, the indy-styled rocker, was the victor of last night’s talent competition. Phillip Phillips, is certainly very talented and he appeals to the teeny boppers that vote via text. Throughout the show, Phillip expressed his desire to define himself as unique. He emphasized his resistance to the cookie cutter-mold making of the American Idol show. We wish him continued success and good health. And we wish Jessica Sanchez a prosperous future as well.

The Upside for Jessica Sanchez, is that she is the superior vocalist and runner-up. We have no doubt that she will go on to significant fame and fortune. In her final performance, Jessica nearly stole the show with an incredible duet. The music industry is going to rave over this young, 16  year old.

 

Arsenio Hall is the Newest Celebrity Apprentice. Hall was once one of late night TV’s most successful talk show hosts. He brought urban cool to the mainstream, in well tailored suits. His comedy was edgy, controversial, and Hip Hop. Arsenio Hall, represented a brand of humor that was smooth, cool and rooted in African American culture. From his high top fade, to his signature bark to hype up his audience, Arsenio brought black culture into millions of homes, at a time when Late Night TV failed to represent diversity, in any meaningful way. Many African American acts gained exposure and notoriety by stopping through The Arsenio Hall Show. Even President Clinton, altered his electoral fate by playing Saxophone on Arsenio’s nationally syndicated TV Show. There was nothing like Hall on Late Night TV at the time, and arguably, there hasn’t been an African American as successful, since.

Donald Trump, the creator of Celebrity Apprentice, declared that “Arsenio Hall clearly demonstrated that he has what it takes to be a winner”. Arsenio was competing for his favorite charity, the Magic Johnson Foundation. Upon winning, the former late night host gave audiences a taste of his trademark chant; “WOOF WOOF WOOF”! In all, Hall earned $250,000 for the Magic Johnson Foundation. He added that “Working With Mr. Trump and his incredible staff on “The Celebrity Apprentice” has been an honor. And last but never least-I want to congratulate my lil’ brother Clay because tonight WE are both truly winners! Reality’s Batman and Robin! I will always treasure that friendship.”

Aresenio is the first African American to win the show. We are just hoping it’s enough to get the undisputed KING of Late Night, a new TV show.

The legendary disco queen, Donna Summer has lost her battle with cancer at the age of 63. Summer began her career, as many future pop stars, by singing in her church choir. She formed small singing groups as a teenager and went on to earn Grammy Awards in dance, rock and R&B. Her first album was “Lady of the Night” and “Love To Love You Baby” resulted in world wide acclaim. Her most famous song, “Last Dance” earned her a first Grammy Award. Summer’s still holds the record for most consecutive double albums to hit number one on the Bill Board charts. She was the first woman to have four number one singles in a 12 month period. Her last album was released in 2008.

In a public media that is often reticent to praise President Obama, it is rare for public figures to give full throated endorsements of the embattled President. David Letterman, let rip on the President’s critics. He expressed exasperated frustration at those who refuse to give President Obama credit for his achievements. At what point the late night comedian emotes, “What More Do We Want From This Man”. He praises the President’s brilliance and judgement and makes it clear, where his loyalties lie.

 

The Fashion Star, Jessica Simpson’s fashion based reality show, has crowned it’s first winner. Kara Laricks has proven herself to be the undisputed queen of the runway. The edgy designer began the competition with a huge stumble that nearly sent her home, early in the first episodes of the series. She tempted the judges by not creating an actual outfit to be judged. Instead, she created an accessory; a simple tie, for the judges to consider. The arrogant move, angered the judges. They nearly dismissed her. However, she fought back with innovative designs and over the duration of the season has won the hearts of the buyers, the judges and the shows enthusiastic viewers.

The Fashion Star is the only truly successful fashion-based reality show, since the inception of Project Runway. Numerous shows have come and gone but only the Fashion Star has captured the same kind of magic that Project Runway once held. A part of that magic must certainly be in the designers competing on the show. Kara vested some very stiff competition, in order to become the victor. Ronnie Escalante was a fan favorite. Nzimiro Oputa was also a major threat. Nzimiro was, arguably one of the most innovative designers in the competition. As a former Engineer, he walked away from a thriving career, angering his parents to pursue his fashion dreams. His innovative designs made men’s fashion, fun which is rare in fashion competitions. Fan boards lit up declaring Nzimiro to be the winner of the night. And perhaps they were correct. Oputa’s designs were compelling, however  in the end, Kara stood well above all of the rest. The judges made their selection based on the overall work of the competition. Oputa, may have been the best of the evening but Kara has dominated the competition since her initial stumble at the beginning of the season.

Fashion Star has been renewed for another season.

After  Deion Sanders, alleged that his wife assaulted him and successfully filed for a restraining order against Pillar Sanders, it seemed as if Deion was going to avoid paying his soon to be ex. However, a recent ruling has put one legal victory, in the win column for Pillar. Deion has been ordered to pay $10,000 per month in child support to his wife. He was also ordered to pay $275,000 in legal fees. Deion had hoped to avoid substantial payments to his wife, emphasizing a nearly iron clad, Pre-nuptial agreement. However, Pillar has argued that alleged habitual cheating by Deion, justifies altering the initial agreement. Deion’s only consolation is that he was not ordered to pay, spousal support. But at 10K a month, its difficult to distinguish tremendous child support payments, from Spousal support.

Pillar has begun to tell the tale of a self obsessed media, and glory hog. She suggests that her husband is simply using their divorce, to wrestle his way back into the media limelight. Primetime, she argues hasn’t been worthy of public mention in some time and the sordid events of their divorce have given him to kind of titlating gossip he needed to thrust himself back into the spotlight. ” I think he just wanted and needed the media attention for him to continue to do what he does, which is sell himself” Pillar told Good Morning America.

Deion tells a very different tale. He suggests that he has publicized the events of their divorce, which include a domestic dispute-in which the former athlete posted pics and a play by play as he filed assault charges against his wife, in order to protect his image. ” I can’t be alleged the guy thats lost his mind. Thats not who I am or what I am. I’m opening up schools. I’m doing many things for the community. I have endorsements.”

General Motors, the most successful automaker in the world, has announced that it will no longer advertise on Facebook. According to GM, ads on Facebook are ineffective. Interestingly, Facebook is on the cusp of releasing it’s IPO, which estimates suggest will value the company at over 104 Billion dollars. This value however is based on the perception that Facebook holds some monetary value for advertisers and businesses. If Facebook is a waste of advertising dollars, as GM suggests, it may call into question the value of social media sites, in general. If the undisputed king of the social media landscape cannot claim to deliver financial results, for it’s advertisers; What then, is the value of advertising on any social media platform? GM left Facebook with a back-handed compliment, by adding that Facebook is very useful for engaging with it’s customers.

As Facebook ventures out into the real world of business, there will be even greater pressure on the company to prove that it has real world value. It will no longer be enough to boast of millions of users or a company cool factor. Facebook will have to prove that, just like any other company, it has an actual product to sell. This will be a crucial test for Facebook, Social Media and the Internet as a whole.

In an announcement yesterday, the long rumored deal became official. Britney will be a judge on X Factor. Joining the troubled starlet will be Demi Lovato. Together with Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid,  the foursome will host the talent competition. X Factor is one of an increasing number of talent competitions. With so many similar shows, crowding the same category of television, X Factor is struggling to distinguish itself. The Voice distinguishes its by eschewing the image obsession of shows like American Idol and instead focuses entirely on the vocals. New shows, like Duets will test the ability of its competitors to go toe to toe with the most famous faces in pop music. And X Factor distinguishes itself, with…….Britney Spears.

The media, which is has an insatiable is setting their countdown clocks for Britney’s onstage breakdown. They predict that Britney is in a fragile state and that she is literally not ready for prime time. The speculation of the media has raised the stakes for Britney. While, she is being paid handsomely for the gig, the media is portraying X-Factor as a critical test of her stability which will determine the likelihood of a full Britney Spears comeback.