Apple fans and tech lovers around the world are staring intently at their computers getting the latest updates about the newest product to come out of the great and powerful Apple machine - the iPad. The iPad is the long-awaited touch-screen tablet device that is something in between an iPhone and a laptop.
CEO Steve Jobs and other Apple execs are currently on stage revealing information about the device as we speak. Among the features that have been revealed are a built in browser, mail, photos, calender, maps, and a music player that is something "between an iPhone and regular iTunes."
Apple is calling the iPad "so much more intimate than a laptop. So much more capable than a smartphone." What do you think - do you think it'll become the next big thing?
Have you got big dreams to change the world but are lacking the funds to do so? The Do Something Awards are celebrating people 25 and under who are tackling a problem and changing the world. One grand prize winner will win $100,000 to help them reach their goal! You can apply yourself or nominate someone else at www.DoSomething.org/awards.
Since 1996, DoSomething.org has honored the nation's best young world-changers, 25 and under. Do Something Award nominees and winners represent the pivotal "do-ers" in their field, cause, or issue. Five nominees will be rewarded with a $10,000 community grant, participation in a live VH1 TV show, media coverage and continued support from DoSomething.org. The grand prize winner will receive $100,000 during the live broadcast!!
Fact: In 2006, the average American used 167 disposable water bottles, but only recycled 38. Have you made an effort to reduce your plastic waste for the good of your local and global community and those you share it with? Why not share that pledge with the whole world? Surfrider Foundation recently partnered up with Brita FilterForGood to get the message out about reducing plastic waste to ensure healthier water for people and animals around the world.
In addition to donating $100,000 to fund Surfrider's projects to clean up oceans and beaches, they've also launched an online pledge where you can publicly promise to give up your wasteful ways and promise to think green and global. Click here to sign the pledge now!
To help you in your new reduced-plastic lifestyle, you might need a reusable water bottle to replace those countless plastic bottles that are clogging up our environment. FilterForGood designed a variety of different BPA-free reusable water bottles that are not only perfect for your daily use, but are only about $10 each! That is a steal, my friends. Check them out here. We think these would make a mighty fine Earth Day 2010 gift for your friends.
Every year, the National Wildlife Federation holds an photography competition open to both professional and amateur photographers to showcase the best photos of animals, landscapes and plant life taken that year. The categories range from Backyard Habits to Global Warming. The photo picks for 2009 are in, and they are no less stunning than you would imagine!
For example, the Grand Prize winner in the "Professional" category features a bald eagle capturing a starling - see below.
The image was taken by Robert M. Palmer of Littleton, Colorado.
While watching a group of bald eagles that had congregated at a local cattle feed lot, Palmer noticed the raptors were climbing into the air to catch starlings and blackbirds—not necessarily typical prey for the large birds.
Check out some of the other impressive winning shots below, and see the complete list here.
Subharghya Das
Mysore, India
First Place, Mammals, Amateur
John Eastcott and Yva Momatiuk
Hurley, New York
First Place, Mammals, Professional
Debra Thomas
Edinburg, Texas
First Place, Landscapes and Plant Life, Amateur
Arthur Morris
Indian Lake Estates, Florida
First Place, Birds, Professional
Marcia M. Olinger
Caledonia, Michigan
First Place, Backyard Habitats, Amateur
Haylie Williams
Peachtree City, Georgia
First Place, Youth
Which one is your favorite? Are you a photographer? It might be worth entering the contest next year in their Amateur category!
George Clooney and Jennifer Aniston were two of the countless celebrities who helped pull in $58 million in donations for earthquake victims during Friday's Hope for Haiti telethon. In addition to donating their time for the cause, they're also donating a hefty sum of money to fund relief efforts.
Clooney announced his $1 million donation during the telethon, and yesterday Jennifer Aniston pledged a $500,000 contribution to benefit Doctors Without Borders, Partners in Health and Americares.
Last week, Leonardo DiCaprio, who manned the phones at the telethon, gave a generous $1 million to Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush's foundation, to which President Clinton replied:
“I am grateful for the generous gift Leonardo DiCaprio and his Foundation have made in support of our Clinton Bush Haiti Fund,” Clinton said. “Combined with the outpouring of donations from Americans and citizens around the world of all means, this support will go a long way to help save more lives, reach more people with emergency assistance, and help the Haitian people build their nation back stronger and more secure than it was before the earthquake.”
The more the merrier, that's what we say! The destruction in Haiti is beyond anything most of us could ever imagine, and it is comforting to see the abundance of financial and emotion support from people from all walks of life.
This is the Question of the Day on SocialVibe. Visit your Dashboard to answer this question and earn 10 points!
Spring isn't here quite yet, but before you know it, the weather will warm up and the world will begin preparing for the 2010 music festival season. With all the great options out coming up - Coachella, Warped Tour, etc. - which festival is on your "must attend" list this year?
[poll id="161"]
Which artist or band are you most excited about seeing?
These days, it seems like everyone in television or film is eager to spread their wings and launch a simutaneous career in music. Sadly, most are not successful, but one lady who seems to be on the right track is Leighton Meesterof Gossip Girl fame. Following her collaboration with Cobra Starship on last year's single 'Good Girls Go Bad,' the actress just released a solo single called 'Your Love's A Drug,' and so far, reviews are pretty good.
Give it a listen below and tell us what you think in the comments:
Do you think of the track? Does Leighton have a strong career in music ahead of her or is she just another wannabe?
The final donation numbers are in from the massive celeb-studded Hope For Haiti telethon that aired on every network imaginable on Friday night. With the help of stars like George Clooney, Tom Hanks and Taylor Swift hosting and answering phones, audiences called in donations totaling over $58 million dollars!
This is a record-breaking amount of donations, and it only gets better - sales of the Hope For Haiti Now album on iTunes aren't even factored into that sum. The album was #1 in 18 different countries this weekend, which means BIG sales - all of which will benefit the people of Haiti. This thrills us beyond belief!
All donations will be split between several non-profits working to provide relief in disaster-stricken areas in and around Port-au-Prince, including Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, the U.N. World Food Programme, Yele Haiti Foundation and the Clinton Bush Haiti Foundation
Did you call in and make a donation? What was your favorite part of the telethon?
