WellnessFX Launches New Mobile App to Manage Health

SAN FRANCISCO,  — WellnessFX announced  the launch of their iOS  mobile app designed to help users build, manage and track their personal health goals. With the WellnessFX mobile app, users can research vitamins and supplements, scan supplements into their plan using a smartphone camera and then track and share their supplement plans with others.

WellnessFX mobile is designed for those new to WellnessFX as well as those already using the company’s cloud-based health and wellness platform to manage their health online with advanced predictive diagnostics and personal care teams.

WellnessFX collects labs, runs comprehensive analysis, and provides a personal health record with clear markers on areas of concern. Their team of licensed health professionals then reviews the data to deliver personalized insight and actionable recommendations.

The app allows one to:

• Research and understand the use of supplements through a partnership with Aisle7, a leading source of health data
• Quickly add vitamins and supplements to a personal plan by scanning the barcodes
• Capture daily activities like supplement use to track progress on a health plan
• Compare supplement use with RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) levels to track performance against guidelines
• See and share the biomarker data from WellnessFX personal health dashboard (for WellnessFX members)
• Share supplement plan and results to social networks

“In exploring ways for everyone to engage with their health, we wanted to create a tool for people to effectively track and measure their supplement use as part of their individual integrative health plan,” notes WellnessFX CEO and founder, Jim Kean. “It’s a simple and powerful tool to make small changes, which accumulate over time, to better manage your health.”

The app works in conjunction with the WellnessFX platform, with feedback and engagement on daily activities that results in better health outcomes. WellnessFX offers its customers an alternative healthcare experience by providing online access and phone consultations with physicians and nutritionists powered by data from advanced predictive biomarkers. The platform further promotes engagement by tracking health improvements based on changes made in diet, exercise, lifestyle or supplement intake as suggested by the WellnessFX physician. The mobile app is yet another way WellnessFX makes it easier for people to engage with managing their health data and trends to achieve their personal health goals.

“Aisle7 is delighted we’re part of the WellnessFX service. They are a very innovative company providing personal data and information in an attractive and useful way to help consumers make healthy decisions based on their own health record,” said Dr. Skye Lininger, CEO of Aisle7. “Integrating the Aisle7 sophisticated supplement rating system into the WellnessFX platform, creates the first consumer application that will give individuals direct feedback on the impact of supplements on their health.”

Silicon Valley VC firms Floodgate, Javelin, and Voyager have backed the companies. Tim Ferriss, internationally renowned author and speaker is an advisor to WellnessFX.

For more information, go to: http://www.wellnessfx.com/

About WellnessFX

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, WellnessFX is at the forefront of the consumer health revolution. WellnessFX meets the demand for a straightforward, accessible way to manage and understand one’s own health. WellnessFX provides easy access to health experts to help its users create personalized wellness roadmaps based on rich, personalized visualizations of leading health diagnostic test results. WellnessFX aggregates the underlying biomarkers of the primary detractors of wellness, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity.

SOURCE WellnessFX

North Bay Skin Care Center Announces New Wrinkle Reduction Treatment

SANTA ROSA, Calif.,  – North Bay Laser and Skin Care Center is pleased to announce the addition of the Pelleve® Wrinkle Reduction System to their menu of anti-aging treatments.

The Pelleve System uses radiofrequency to give patients a virtually painless cosmetic treatment that feels like a warm, relaxing massage and produces natural, yet youthful results. Pelleve is great for treating all areas of the face, including the mouth and jaw lines, and around the eyes for a brow lift.

North Bay Laser and Skin Care Center patients are seeking comfortable treatments that would provide immediate and long-term age-defying enhancements, which is why they turned to Pelleve. ”Our patients say that Pelleve feels like a face massage and they enjoy how their skin feels tighter afterward. Results are both immediate and long term as new collagen continues to build,” says Rebecca Callahan, R.N.

How does it work? The treatment slowly heats the deep layers of the skin, which clinical studies show improves collagen production to tighten and firm skin and plump wrinkles. The treatment is safe, effective and with each additional treatment, results continue to improve.

“Our practice is happy to offer the Pelleve treatment to our patients. Pelleve has no downtime, little to no pain and no photosensitivity. It certainly is an anti-aging solution that will allow patients to age more slowly,” adds Callahan.

About North Bay Laser and Skin Care Center
Located in Santa Rosa, California, North Bay Laser and Skin Care Center is a plastic surgery practice devoted to rejuvenating and enhancing one’s natural beauty using state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, natural results.

North Bay Laser and Skin Care Center is located at 1515 Montgomery Drive #1 in Santa Rosa, Calif. Phone: 707-528-2299. For more information visit www.northbaylaser.com.

About The Pelleve Treatment:
Available only through physicians including dermatologists and plastic surgeons, the Pelleve® Wrinkle Reduction System is a proven, effective, safe and virtually painless cosmetic treatment that reduces wrinkles on the face using advanced radiofrequency technology. To view a video of how Pelleve works, please visit: www.pelleve.com.

SOURCE North Bay Laser and Skin Care Center

TripAdvisor Announces Summer Travel Survey Results

TripAdvisor^®, the world’s largest travel site*, today announced the results of its annual summer travel survey of more than 1,800 U.S. respondents. Eighty-six percent of travelers are planning leisure trips this summer, up from 81 percent that traveled last summer.

A separate survey of more than 1,200 U.S. respondents showed that recently declining gas prices will not have an effect on leisure travel plans this summer, according to 86 percent of U.S. respondents. However, 10 percent now expect to take more trips by car this summer as a direct result of lower prices at the pumps.

Summertime Shell-Out

• More than a quarter of travelers surveyed (27 percent) said they will spend more on leisure summer travel than they did in 2011, while 47 percent plan to spend the same amount as last year, and 26 percent expect to spend less.
• 70 percent will stay at a hotel this summer, up three percent from 2011, 31 percent will stay at the home of family or friends, and 20 percent will spend their time in a vacation rental home.
• Of those going on summer trips this year, 70 percent will be traveling by car and 64 percent will be taking to the skies.
• If it meant saving a bundle on airfare, 21 percent would be willing to drive more than 10 hours to their summer destination.
• 79 percent would take a spontaneous trip this summer if they found a great deal.

Memorial Day in Motion

• More than one-third of U.S. respondents (34 percent) plan to travel for Memorial Day weekend, up eight percent from 2011.
• Of those traveling this Memorial Day, 70 percent will get there by car. Twenty-seven percent of those traveling by car will travel between 100 and 200 miles to their getaway spot, 19 percent will go 50-100 miles and 17 percent will drive more than 500 miles.

Summer Hotspots

The top five most popular summer destination types this year, according to U.S. travelers:

1. City – 58%
2. Ocean – 41%
3. National park – 20%
4. Lake – 18%
5. Resort – 16%

• 40 percent said the main reason for visiting their destination is due to tradition or because it’s a favorite place, while 27 percent are going for a new experience/to see a new place.
• According to the respondents, New York City, Las Vegas, and Chicago are the three most popular U.S. destinations for summer travel this year.
• 35 percent of U.S. travelers are planning an international leisure trip this summer.

U.S. regions travelers are planning to visit this summer:

1. Northeast – 35%
2. West – 31%
3. Southeast – 30%
4. Midwest – 22%
5. Southwest – 17%

Fun in the Sun

• Travelers will enjoy some active recreation during their leisure travel this summer. Hiking is the most popular activity (31 percent), followed by water sports (25 percent).
• 41 percent of respondents said while on vacation they plan to visit a historical site or landmark, 15 percent will attend a concert, and 12 percent will treat themselves to a food festival.

“The majority of U.S. travelers are committed to their leisure summer travel plans, whether gas prices are up or down,” said Karen Drake, senior director of communications for TripAdvisor. “Even if it takes cutting back on mileage and staying closer to home, the vast majority of Americans will take summer trips.”

About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor^® is the world’s largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 50 million unique monthly visitors*, and over 60 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 30 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to TripAdvisor’s millions of monthly visitors.

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 19 other travel media brands, and together the sites attract more than 69 million unique monthly visitors**. TripAdvisor’s travel media brands include www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.sniqueaway.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod.com, www.virtualtourist.com, www.whereivebeen.com, and www.kuxun.cn.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, Worldwide, January 2012

**Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Inc. and its subsidiaries, Worldwide, January 2012

©2012 TripAdvisor, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE TripAdvisor

Facebook Announces IPO Pricing

MENLO PARK, Calif., – Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 421,233,615 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $38 per share. The shares are expected to begin trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on May 18, 2012, under the symbol “FB.” Facebook is offering 180,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and selling stockholders are offering 241,233,615 shares of Class A common stock. Closing of the offering is expected to occur on May 22, 2012, subject to customary closing conditions.

In addition, Facebook and the selling stockholders have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 63,185,042 additional shares of Class A common stock to cover over-allotments, if any.

Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Goldman, Sachs & Co., BofA Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Allen & Company LLC, Citigroup, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank Securities are serving as book runners for the offering. RBC Capital Markets and Wells Fargo Securities are serving as active co-managers.

The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus related to the offering may be obtained from: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014, Attention: Prospectus Department (Tel: +1 866 718 1649; e-mail: prospectus@morganstanley.com); J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, (Tel: +1 866 803 9204); or Goldman, Sachs & Co., 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, Attention: Prospectus Department (Tel: +1 866 471 2526, e-mail: prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com).

A registration statement related to these securities has been filed with, and declared effective by, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

SOURCE Facebook

Santa Clara County Housing Market Shows Signs Of Strong Recovery

SAN JOSE, Calif.,  — The Santa Clara County housing market is showing multiple signs of a robust recovery: prices are up, days-on-the-market are shorter, and the number of closed sales is increasing.

In April, the average price for a single family home stood at $843,189, a 6.09 percent increase from the $794,823 of April 2011, according to data compiled by MLSListings. The average price of a condo stood at $395,751, an 8.71 percent jump from the $364,027 of April 2011.

In the past year, the number of days a single family home stayed on the market before being sold shrank from 77 to 58, and it decreased from 90 to 55 for condos. At the same time, the number of closed sales went up from 997 to 1,025 for single family homes and from 350 to 390 for condos.

Inventory has reached one of the lowest levels in a decade. There were 2,573 single family homes and 956 condos for sale in April, as compared with the 4,180 single family homes and 1,761 condos on the market in April 2011.

“We’re consistently seeing offers at or very near list price,” said Barbara Lymberis, president of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®. ”Many homes are receiving multiple offers and therefore are selling over the list price. If you’re considering selling, do it now, while demand still outstrips supply.”

About the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®
SCCAOR, established in 1896, is California’s oldest and Northern California’s largest real estate association. We represent about 10,000 REALTORS® and affiliate members. SCCAOR exists to meet the business, professional and political needs of its members and to promote, protect homeownership and private property rights.

SOURCE Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS

Whole Foods Market Announces Top10 Summer Wines

To toast the sunny, carefree days of summer, Whole Foods Market shares its Top 10 favorite warm-weather wines – from crisp, fragrant whites to earthy, spicy reds – all priced between $7.99 and $14.99. This year’s selection of wines offer super variety at a value – from every day sippers and old classics making a comeback, to hearty reds that stand up to grilled foods.

The company’s Top 10 Summer Wines include a one-of-a-kind organic grüner veltliner from Austria as well as the old favorite Bolla Soave Classico, an Italian favorite from the 1970s that has been bottled in classy, retro packaging.

“We have found some great wines that are like ‘bottled sunshine’ for our shoppers who will also be pleasantly surprised when they see the prices of these gems,” said Doug Bell, Whole Foods Market global wine buyer. “With our selection and diversity of summer wines, shoppers can easily find the perfect bottle or two for the beach, outdoor picnic and/or backyard barbecue.”

Whole Foods Market invites wine enthusiasts to share their thoughts about the Top 10 Summer Wines during two different Taste & Tweet online chats. Go to wholefoodsmarket.com/wine for more information about the Twitter Tastings and use the hashtag #WFMwine to follow the conversation.

Summer Wines Twitter Tasting 1 – Thursday, May 31, 7-8 p.m. CST

• Mionetto Prosecco
• Pratsch Grüner Veltliner
• Tormaresca Neprica

Summer Wines Twitter Tasting 2 – Thursday, July 12, 7-8 p.m. CST

• Kyklos Moschofilero
• Yalumba Christobel’s Eden Valley Riesling
• Pallas Tempranillo by Jorge Ordonez

Here’s a look at Whole Foods Market’s Top 10 Summer Wines that are priced so well, shoppers will want to keep several on-hand for last-minute summer soirées:

Mionetto Prosecco (Italy): With golden apple and elderflower flavors, this lively and delicate sparkling wine has a clean, lingering finish – perfect to sip or pair with seafood. Made with organically-grown grapes.

Recipe pairing: Mussels Vinaigrette

Cheese pairing: Fromager d’Affinois

Kyklos Moschofilero (Greece): This light straw-colored white has melon, white rose, and citrus flavors with some fresh vegetable notes, providing a zingy, pleasant finish. A great pairing with seafood, this is a fun substitute for chardonnay or pinot grigio.

Recipe pairing: Calamari Pasta

Cheese pairing: Mahón

Bolla Soave Classico (Italy) – What is old is new again with this classic Italian white with aromas of flowers and fresh stone fruit and a clean, fresh finish. This is an easy-drinking white that pairs well with fish. With a new vintage label, this is the perfect summer porch wine.

Recipe pairing: Shrimp and Mango Ceviche

Cheese pairing: Wellspring Creamery Cranberry Orange Goat Cheese

Louis Latour Ardèche Chardonnay (France) – With a toasty bouquet, this white has delicious apple notes and a crisp acidity and round finish. This is a bargain for a French chardonnay from one of the most innovative producers in Burgundy.

Recipe pairing: Waldorf Salad with Honey-Yogurt Dressing and Fresh Mint

Cheese pairing: Mons Camembert

Pratsch Grüner Veltliner (Austria) – Made with organically grown grapes, this fruit-forward fragrant white offers apple, citrus and white pepper notes paired with great acidity for a crisp finish.

Recipe pairing: Lemony Angel Hair with Crème Fraîche, Parmesan and Artichoke Hearts

Cheese pairing: Morbier

Yalumba Christobel’s Eden Valley Riesling (Australia) – With aromas of nectarine and white peach, citrus zest, tropical fruits, and some minerality, this white offers a touch of sweetness. This riesling would be perfect paired with apple pie and cheddar cheese.

Recipe Pairing: Sesame-Peanut Noodles

Cheese Pairing: Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog

Hogue Late Harvest Riesling (Washington) – This dessert wine offers zesty aromas of sweet tangerine, honeysuckle and apricot flavors, with hints of mint on the finish.

Recipe pairing: Grilled Fruit with Caramelized Orange Sauce

Cheese pairing: Rogue Creamery Oregon Blue Cheese

Vinum Cellars Pinot Noir (California) – With classic earthy, cola and ripe cherry flavors, this full-bodied red has soft tannins and drinks like a gem. It is a perfect pairing with grilled salmon and pork loin with fruit.

Recipe pairing: Firecracker Grilled Salmon

Cheese pairing: Borough Market Cheddar

Pallas Tempranillo by Jorge Ordonez (Spain) – This lush, ripe red has aromas of red and dark berries, smoky herbs and spices – the perfect pairing with barbecue, shish kabobs, and Spanish chorizo.

Recipe pairing: Spanish Chickpeas and Chorizo

Cheese pairing: Solé Gran Queso

Tormaresca Neprica (Italy) – A blend of negroamaro, primitivo and cabernet sauvignon, this lean red has dusty aromas, black raspberry and pepper flavors, and silky tannins. This is a top-notch pick for pepper steak.

Recipe pairing: Skillet Fajitas with Jicama Salsa

Cheese pairing: Drunken Goat

Columbia Winery Merlot (Washington) – With black cherry and plum flavors, and mint and smoky undertones, this merlot is the perfect “go to” wine for burgers and eggplant parmesan.

Recipe pairing: Eggplant Bolognese

Cheese pairing: Parrano

Bubo Cabernet Sauvignon (California) – Rich layers of black cherry, blackberry, spice and cedar create a jammy red for pizza, barbecue and sangria with berries.

Recipe pairing: Grilled Vegetable Pizza

Cheese pairing: Grafton Classic Reserve Cheddar Aged Two Years

Edmunds.com Announces “Debt-Free Car Project”

Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, has launched “The Debt-Free Car Project,” which aims to assure car buyers that they can find a reliable used car for under $5,000 without the burden of monthly payments. Last month, Edmunds.com’s consumer advice editors purchased a 1996 Lexus ES300 for $3,800, and over the next year they will document the vehicle’s performance as part of the company’s long-term car test fleet.

“Not everyone has the credit or steady income to afford monthly car payments, so it’s important to show consumers that they can find a dependable used car for just a few thousand dollars up front,” says Edmunds.com Consumer Advice Editor Ronald Montoya. “We were determined not to buy a beater that would have us visiting a mechanic every month and, like any car buyer, we wanted a car that we would not be ashamed to drive.”

Edmunds.com’s consumer advice editors used online resources to find the Lexus at an independent car dealer in Pasadena, CA. The forest green ES300 had 135,000 miles on the odometer and a vehicle history report showed a clean accident record and multiple service visits to a Lexus dealer. After back-and-forth negotiations, the dealer agreed to sell the vehicle for $3,800 out the door. For the full blow-by-blow of Edmunds.com’s shopping and negotiating process for the 1996 Lexus ES300, please visit http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/the-debt-free-car-project.html.

Edmunds.com editors will track the car’s fuel, maintenance and repair costs, as well as their anecdotal experiences while driving the car on a daily basis. They’ll drive to and from work, run errands around town and take long road trips with a goal driving it 15,000 miles in the next year. Readers can track the vehicle’s progress on Edmunds’ InsideLine.com’s award-winning Long Term Road Tests blog.

“The Debt-Free Car Project” is just the latest example of Edmunds.com practicing what it preaches. Editors will use the same strategies advocated in a piece published earlier this year that advises consumers “How to Buy and Maintain a Very Inexpensive Car” at http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/how-to-buy-and-maintain-a-very-inexpensive-car.html.

When buying any used car in any price range, it’s always important to ask the seller all the right questions. Edmunds.com provides an outline to make sure you hit all the right points with its Used Car Worksheet at http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/used-car-worksheet.html.

About Edmunds.com, Inc. (http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/index.html)

Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, launched in 1995 as the first automotive information Web site. Its acclaimed mobile site, Edmunds.com Android App and five-star Edmunds iPhone and iPad apps make car pricing and other research tools available for car shoppers at dealerships and on the go. Its automotive enthusiast web site, InsideLine.com, is the most-read car publication of its kind. Its highly regarded mobile site and iPhone app features the wireless Web’s most comprehensive gallery of automotive photos and videos. Edmunds.com Inc. is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and maintains a satellite office in suburban Detroit. Follow Edmunds.com on Twitter@edmunds and fan Edmunds.com on Facebook.

Amazon Launches Dynamic Content Support in Amazon CloudFront

Amazon Web Services LLC (AWS), an Amazon.com company,  launched support for dynamic content in Amazon CloudFront. This new capability gives AWS customers a simple, cost-effective way to improve the performance, reliability and global reach of their website by using Amazon CloudFront to deliver all their content, including the dynamic portions of their site that change for each end-user.

Amazon CloudFront works seamlessly with dynamic applications running in Amazon EC2, without any custom coding or proprietary configurations, making the service simple to deploy and manage. And, because Amazon CloudFront charges the same low rates for both static and dynamic content, customers can now accelerate all of the content on their website for a low price, without any up-front fees or long term commitments.

For more information about delivering dynamic content with Amazon CloudFront, visit http://aws.amazon.com/cloudfront.

Previously, developers who wanted to improve the performance and reliability of their dynamic content had limited options, as the solutions offered by traditional CDNs are expensive, hard to configure and difficult to manage. This often requires custom code on their websites, and configuration can take days or weeks. Now, developers running web applications with both dynamic and static content can accelerate their entire website in minutes using only the AWS Management Console, without adding undue cost or complexity to their architecture. Amazon CloudFront has implemented several performance optimizations such as maintaining persistent connections with the origin web servers and other network path optimizations to speed up the delivery of dynamic content. When dynamic content delivery is used with origin web servers running in Amazon EC2, customers get an even better experience as AWS monitors and streamlines the network paths from each Amazon CloudFront edge location to the various AWS Regions for improved latency and reliability. All of these features are available at the same low prices that Amazon CloudFront already offers to its customers.

“With this release, we are continuing on the same path we started when we launched CloudFront: iterating based on customer feedback and making premium and innovative content delivery features that other CDNs sell at high prices much less expensive and much easier to use,” said Tal Saraf, AWS’s General Manager for Amazon CloudFront. “In 2008, CloudFront showed customers that they didn’t need to pay premium prices and sign long term contracts to get great performance and reliability for static content. In 2009, we did the same for video on demand, offering RTMP streaming at the same low prices we were already charging for static object delivery. In 2011, we did the same for live events. Now, with this release, customers can use CloudFront to accelerate their dynamic content, and again, customers don’t have to pay any more than our already low rates. No up-front fees, no requirement to make a long term commitment, no monthly platform fees, no need to hire expensive consultants to help with configuration, no more being over-charged by traditional CDNs that used to be the only ones who could provide this important feature for customers.”

Earth Networks gathers and analyzes environmental observations from around the world to help promote a better understanding of the planet and its atmosphere. “We use Amazon CloudFront to deliver static content and are excited to take advantage of the new capabilities that Amazon CloudFront has added to deliver dynamic content generated by our application servers running in the AWS cloud. With these new features, we can be sure that our customers get the accurate and personalized weather updates they need to plan their day and stay safe from severe weather as quickly as possible,” said Andy Rosenbaum, Development Manager at Earth Networks. “With Amazon CloudFront’s strong performance, ease of use and flexibility, our team can use the API or the Management Console to quickly make changes to our CDN configuration and see the updates within minutes. And with the low cost of delivering dynamic content using Amazon CloudFront, we expect to see significant cost savings as well.”

“We use Amazon CloudFront to deliver over 5 billion requests and 250TB of bandwidth per month to our international user base,” said Steve Corona, CTO of Twitpic. “The reliability of Amazon CloudFront allows our small team to focus on our core products instead of scaling servers and network resources. Support for dynamic content is a natural extension of Amazon CloudFront and is something we’re eager to provide our customers to give them a better user experience at Twitpic.”

With this new feature, requests for dynamic, static and streaming content are all routed through Amazon CloudFront’s full worldwide network of edge locations, giving customers improved performance and reliability through network and route optimizations that accelerate the delivery of content from the origin to the end user. There are no additional costs beyond Amazon CloudFront’s existing low prices for data transfer and requests, and no long-term commitments for use. You can get started at http://aws.amazon.com/cloudfront with just a few clicks in the AWS Management Console.

About Amazon Web Services

Launched in 2006, Amazon Web Services (AWS) began exposing key infrastructure services to businesses in the form of web services — now widely known as cloud computing. The ultimate benefit of cloud computing, and AWS, is the ability to leverage a new business model and turn capital infrastructure expenses into variable costs. Businesses no longer need to plan and procure servers and other IT resources weeks or months in advance. Using AWS, businesses can take advantage of Amazon’s expertise and economies of scale to access resources when their business needs them, delivering results faster and at a lower cost. Today, Amazon Web Services provides a highly reliable, scalable, low-cost infrastructure platform in the cloud that powers hundreds of thousands of enterprise, government and startup customers businesses in 190 countries around the world. AWS offers over 28 different services, including Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) and Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS). AWS services are available to customers from data center locations in the U.S., Brazil, Europe, Japan and Singapore.

About Amazon.com

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth’s Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon’s developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon’s own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. The new latest generation Kindle is the lightest, most compact Kindle ever and features the same 6-inch, most advanced electronic ink display that reads like real paper even in bright sunlight. Kindle Touch is a new addition to the Kindle family with an easy-to-use touch screen that makes it easier than ever to turn pages, search, shop, and take notes – still with all the benefits of the most advanced electronic ink display. Kindle Touch 3G is the top of the line e-reader and offers the same new design and features of Kindle Touch, with the unparalleled added convenience of free 3G. Kindle Fire is the Kindle for movies, TV shows, music, books, magazines, apps, games and web browsing with all the content, free storage in the Amazon Cloud, Whispersync, Amazon Silk (Amazon’s new revolutionary cloud-accelerated web browser), vibrant color touch screen, and powerful dual-core processor.

Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, and www.amazon.es. As used herein, “Amazon.com,” “we,” “our” and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management’s expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com’s financial results is included in Amazon.com’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

Source: Amazon.com, Inc.

Mortgage Rates Fell For 7th Time in 8 Weeks

Mortgage rates fell for the seventh time in the past eight weeks and set a new record for the fourth consecutive week. The average rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped below the 4 percent mark for the first time ever, down to 3.97 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s (NYSE: RATE) weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.44 discount and origination points.

To see mortgage rates in your area, go to http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages/

The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate held at 3.2 percent while the jumbo 30-year fixed mortgage sank to another record low of 4.52 percent. Adjustable mortgage rates were mixed, with the average 1-year adjustable slipping to 3.11 percent, while the popular 5-year ARM ticked higher to 3 percent.

The ongoing European debt crisis is producing another flight to quality, where investors gravitate to safe-haven investments such as U.S. Treasuries. Mortgage rates, which are closely related to yields on U.S. Treasuries, have been direct beneficiaries, falling to new lows. As long as uncertainty prevails, mortgage rates are likely to remain at these ultra-low levels.

The last time mortgage rates were above 6 percent was Nov. 2008. At the time, the average 30-year fixed rate was 6.33 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With the average rate now 3.97 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $951.37, a difference of $290 per month for anyone refinancing now.

SURVEY RESULTS

30-year fixed: 3.97% — down from 4.02% last week (avg. points: 0.44)

15-year fixed: 3.20% — unchanged from last week (avg. points: 0.40)

5/1 ARM: 3.00% — up from 2.99% last week (avg. points: 0.33)

Bankrate’s national weekly mortgage survey is conducted each Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.

For a full analysis of this week’s move in mortgage rates, go to http://www.bankrate.com/mortgagerates

The survey is complemented by Bankrate’s weekly Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next seven days. The majority of the panelists, 58 percent, see little change in mortgage rates over the next seven days. The remainder are evenly split, with 21 percent predicting an increase in mortgage rates and an equal 21 percent forecasting a decrease in the coming week.

For the full mortgage Rate Trend Index, go to http://www.bankrate.com/RTI

About Bankrate, Inc.
Bankrate is a leading publisher, aggregator, and distributor of personal finance content on the Internet. Bankrate provides consumers with proprietary, fully researched, comprehensive, independent and objective personal finance editorial content across multiple vertical categories including mortgages, deposits, insurance, credit cards, and other categories, such as retirement, automobile loans, and taxes. The Bankrate network includes Bankrate.com, our flagship website, and other owned and operated personal finance websites, including CreditCards.com, Interest.com, Bankaholic.com, Mortgage-calc.com, CreditCardGuide.com, Nationwide Card Services, InsuranceQuotes.com, CarInsuranceQuotes.com, InsureMe, Bankrate.com.cn, CreditCards.ca, NetQuote.com, and CD.com. Bankrate aggregates rate information from over 4,800 institutions on more than 300 financial products. With coverage of nearly 600 local markets in all 50 U.S. states, Bankrate generates over 172,000 distinct rate tables capturing on average over three million pieces of information daily. Bankrate develops and provides web services to over 80 co-branded websites with online partners, including some of the most trusted and frequently visited personal finance sites on the Internet such as Yahoo!, AOL, CNBC, and Bloomberg. In addition, Bankrate licenses editorial content to over 500 newspapers on a daily basis including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Boston Globe.

SOURCE Bankrate, Inc.

Interest Rates on New Credit Card Offers Unchanged Again

Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged for the fifth straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report.

The average is composed of 100 of the most popular credit cards in the country, including cards from dozens of leading U.S. issuers and representing every card category. Introductory (teaser) rates are not included in the calculation.

Rates for card categories tracked by CreditCards.com are listed below:

The national average annual percentage rate (APR) on new card offers stayed put at 14.91 percent Wednesday. This is the fifth week in a row interest rates haven’t budged.

This is also just the second time on record that average interest rates haven’t changed for more than four weeks. The last time interest rates remained unchanged for this long was in the spring of 2011.

Issuers left promotional terms alone as well this week, breaking a four-year record. This week marks the first time since CreditCards.com began tracking credit card offers in mid-2007 that all 100 of the cards we track featured the same offer terms for five straight weeks. Previously, issuers frequently tested new promotions.

The CreditCards.com credit card rate survey (permalink: http://www.creditcards.com/rate-report) is conducted weekly, using offer data from the leading U.S. card issuers’ websites. Introductory offer periods and regular interest rates will vary with applicants’ credit quality and issuer risk-based pricing policies.

About CreditCards.com
CreditCards.com is the leading online credit card marketplace connecting consumers with multiple credit card issuers, including a majority of the 10 largest in the United States, based on credit card transaction volume. CreditCards.com, http://www.creditcards.com, enables consumers to search for, compare and apply for credit cards and offers credit card issuers an online channel to acquire qualified applicants.