Top 10 Tech Innovations of 2012

1. GOOGLE GLASSES
Created under the moniker Project Glass, Google's wearable technology was finally seen in the real world in April on the face of Google co-founder Sergey Brin

2. MINIATURE TABLETS
Small tablets became big business this year, starting with a little something from Google and finishing with a handbag-friendly number from Apple

3. LYTRO CAMERA
It's the camera that lets photographers change a photo's focus after it's been captured and it arrived in Australia this year. The Lytro camera, created by Australian Ren Ng, makes sophisticated technology easy to use, as it contains a series of tiny lenses that capture light from all angles

4. PHONES GO LARGE
Big phones are now big business. The tech trend started last year but went mainstream in 2012. From the HTC One X, with its 4.7-inch display, to Motorola's new 4.7-inch RAZR HD, smartphones edged closer to tablet size. Even Apple joined the trend, upping the iPhone's screen to 4 inches, and Nokia produced its first 4.5-inch screen on the Lumia 920. Samsung retained its crown as size leader, however, with the Galaxy Note II boasting a 5.5-inch screen.

5. 4G SPREADS
Not only did many more smartphones and mobile modems start supporting 4G this year, but Telstra and Optus delivered Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks to more areas. Telstra's 4G coverage now extends more than 5km outside Australian CBDs and will reach 66 per cent of the population by mid-2013.

6. MACS SEE RETINA
Laptops chips, drives and lids get the most upgrades, but Apple this year focused on the screen. Unveiled in June, the 15-inch MacBook Pro became the first Apple Mac to receive a Retina screen, so-named because users are unable to see individual pixels up close. The screen features more than five million pixels, giving it a resolution sharper than a TV. The technology has since been passed on to the smaller 13-inch MacBook Pro.

7. MUSIC-STREAMING SERVICES
Music no longer has to be stockpiled. From 2012, it can just as easily be streamed. Subscription music service Rdio kicked off the trend with a quiet launch in January, though it was joined by Rara just days later, and by big-name service Spotify in May. Telstra's MOG, Sony's Music Unlimited, Nokia Music and Microsoft's Xbox Music are also dancing to the same tune now, all for a monthly subscription fee.

8. CONNECTED CAMERAS

Cameras finally dropped their pretensions and joined the internet revolution this year. Some fully embraced the trend, including Samsung's Galaxy Camera that offers the latest Google Android software and, for the first time, a built-in 3G connection for instant sharing. Similarly, the Nikon Coolpix S800c features a wi-fi connection and Android apps. Other cameras simply offered an optional wi-fi connection, including the Canon 5D Mk III, while internet-ready memory cards upgraded the rest.

 9. INSTAGRAM BOOM

The future will be documented in vintage photographs, thanks to Instagram. This photo app, launched in 2010, boomed in more ways than one. It launched on the Google Android system, announced it had attracted 30 million users and was bought by Facebook in a $1 billion deal in April. Rather than turning users off, the announcement only boosted its popularity. More than 100 million photographs had been cut into squares, filtered and shared by July and that figure jumped to 150 million by August.

 10. OLED TELEVISION SCREENS

Unveiled in January and seen at tradeshows ever since, organic light-emitting diode televisions represent a giant leap in TV technology. The OLED screens offer significantly brighter pictures, higher contrast, smaller screen borders and significantly thinner forms. Samsung's 55-inch screen was just 4mm thin, while LG's was just 9mm. Neither TV arrived in large numbers before the end of the year, however, making this one to watch in more ways than one.

 Source : Top 10 Tech Innovations of 2012

How soon could U.S jobless rate reach 6.5%?

The Federal Reserve says it will keep interest rates near zero until unemployment reaches 6.5%, but some economists say the central bank may have to consider changing its policy sooner than it thinks.

The Fed's economic forecast suggests that the U.S. jobless rate won't hit its new target until mid-2015, which most economists think is close to the mark.

That's 30 months out. The unemployment rate now is 7.7%, so the Fed's target rate is 1.2 percentage points away. That's how much the rate has fallen in 14 months, from September 2011, when it was 9%.

If the unemployment rate takes 30 months to reach 6.5%, that would be more than twice as long as it's taken for the rate to fall by the same amount, points out Dean Maki, U.S. economist at Barclays.

If the Fed's economic forecast proves right, it will be because many of the 4 million-plus people who have left the labor force since 2007 begin looking for work again, says Maki.

Source :  How soon could jobless rate reach 6.5%?

23 keys to build healthy financial habits

While you're assessing career, relationships and parenting these holidays, don't forget to add improving your financial decision-making to the list.

Money doesn't buy happiness but it can certainly help. And the key is building healthy financial habits.
Have a look through some of our top thought-starters to help create a new financial you.

1. Create a financial plan and spend some time each week reviewing it to make it happen. With every transaction, top of mind should be "how does this fit in with my financial goals?"

2. Take five minutes to review your main accounts each day. Ensure all charges are accurate and review any purchases you may regret later.

3. Every week, review all transactions to maintain goals.
 
4. Review accounts monthly to make sure all bills are paid on time. If the funds aren't there, alert the institution to an expected payment date or work out a payment plan.

5. When creating an annual financial plan, create quarterly milestones. For example, if the plan is to pay off $10,000 from the mortgage in 12 months then by month three, you should have $2500 paid off. If not, readjust the plan, move the goal or play catch-up.

6. Set your finances on autopilot. Set up every recurring expense using BPay or via direct debit.

7. Create a goal statement: My intention is to ... in order to achieve financial freedom.

8. Save 10 per cent of income for savings and retirement.

9. Cut non-mortgage debt to less than 15 per cent of income.

10. Read or watch the financial media to keep abreast of emerging financial issues.

11. Be mindful of emotional impulse spending.

12. Spend more time with those who are where you want to be financially. It helps you compare how you operate while helping you make changes along the way.

13. Every day, daydream and feel what it will be like when you reach your financial goals: debt free, 6-12 months of emergency fund savings ... whatever it is, dream about it, talk about it, write about it and make it happen.

14. Give back. This can be with your time or money. Give back to others less fortunate than you to maintain a good sense of priorities.

15. Declutter your finances. What are some things that you're paying for (magazine subscriptions, extra trips to the make-up counter, techie impulse buys) that leech money?

16. Don't stress about the past. Leave financial regrets behind. Commit to learning from mistakes to avoid making them again.

17. Don't compare yourself to others who are in a better position. They had to work to get where they are and if you take anything from their situation, it should be you can one day be financially free yourself.

18. Make some hard decisions about spending. The more insight you have, the better decisions you'll make.

19. Find ways to earn more money. Develop multiple streams of income. Things like a part-time job or a home-based business.

20. Sell anything you haven't touched in six to eight months and use the proceeds to pay down debt or plug into savings.

21. Discuss your financial plans for the coming year with your partner or spouse. Make sure you are both onboard with goals and how you will address setbacks.

22. Give children gifts that will last long past the next birthday. Create, or add money, to an education fund.

23. Consolidate your super funds

Source : 23 tips to get your finances in order