Google Launches Its Own "Siri" Smart Voice Assistant

Google has been hard at work recently, launching a new 7" tablet as well as their own "Siri"-clone voice assistant program. The tech giant says the feature is far superior to Apple's popular Siri functionality built into the new iPhone 4S.

The new voice search product is built into Android 4.1 "Jelly Bean" and is powered by Google Knowledge Graph, a very cool semantic-search engine recently launched this year. It's expected to be availabe by mid-July and, at least initially, only on a select few new Android smartphones and tablet computers (surely including the Google Nexus 7).

Also built into the Android 4.1 OS is "Google Now" which apparently alerts you to important information you need to know right when you need to know it. For example, it can tell you when the next train or subway car is coming to your current location.

Here's a video about the new Google voice assistant:



We say: It's about time Google launched their own Siri! We were about to buy overpriced iPhones because we're too lazy to type questions into the Google search bar on our Samsung Galaxy phones!

Learn some mo': Google Now smart assistant could rival Siri

"Boob-Restaurant" Profits Are Busting Out

While many big restaurant chains in the US are struggling in the down economy, sexy girl-based restaurants -- or "Breastaurants" -- like Hooters, Twin Peaks, and the Tilted Kilt are seeing their profits skyrocket, according to food industry research firm Technomic. The sports bars/grills with cute and usually busty waitresses in skimpy uniforms are apparently doing a great job at attracting younger professional clientele with more disposable income to spend... and they're making a lot of money in the process!

Three of the newer "boob" chains -- Mugs N Jugs, Twin Peaks, the Tilted Kilt -- have experienced combined growth of 30% this year alone. The Twin Peaks chain has quickly turned into a $40+ million business in just a couple of years by hiring really sexy, outgoing waitresses!

Obviously cleavage and tight clothing helps to attract guys. Those guys consume lots of beer, drinks, wings, burgers, etc and don't mind paying a little extra because of the view and compnay. But many of the owners of these places say they are designed to be "family friendly" restaurants that just happen to have a lot of sex appeal.

According to Tilted Kilt CEO Rod Lynch: "We want to be very PG-13."


We say: Cute, large breasted waitresses will always sell, no matter what the economy's doing! They'll get customers in the door, get them to drink more than they probably should, get them to eat a lot of fried and grilled food, and them get them to leave big, fat tips. Our hometown of Las Vegas figured that out a long time ago and it looks like more business are finally catching on!

Learn some mo': Successful restaurants following Hooters' formula

New "Safe Haven" Gym Bans Skinny Girls

Niche exercise options are getting more and more popular. First there were women-only gyms. Then gyms for seniors. Now there's a gym that's only for fat women. The Body Exchange gym in Vancouver has decided to ban people who they consider too thin, too fit, too sexy, etc.

Why? So that their overweight clients don't feel intimidated and don't avoid coming to the gym to workout. Owner Louise Green say she wants the fitness center to be a "safe haven" for out-of-shape women with low self esteem. Her gym is one of the first to only allow "plus size" clients to join.

According to Green:

"Many of our clients have not had successful fitness pasts so I can see the anxiety before we get started and I can see the relief and happiness after we finish... People are often too fearful to become active. There wasn’t a model that offered camaraderie."

We say: This isn't a bad idea to help overweight ladies turn into sexier, fitter, healthier versions of themselves. It also isn't exactly a new idea. Here in Las Vegas Downsize Fitness only allows people who carry around at least 50 extra pounds to sign up. We're not quite at that point yet so for now we'll stick to watching the ridiculously sexy fitness models at the local Las Vegas Athletic Club for motivation! 

Learn some mo': ‘Plus-Size Friendly’ Gym Bans Skinny People

The Buzz Launch Blog is Here

Good news... we've added a new blog to our lineup!

It's called the Buzz Launch Blog and it's a lot like this blog... only different. Better. Sexier. Hotter!

It will focus on hot new product launches but it'll also feature a crap load of interesting news, videos, tips, links, and more of that content stuff everyone seems to like so much. We'll try to keep it fun and update it on a semi-regular basis.

So check it out, leave some comments, and enjoy... :)

http://buzzlaunch.blogspot.com

The Biggest LED TV in the World: 90" Sharp Aquos

Sharp has released a new product that's being called the world's largest LED television: a giant Aquos model that stands 4 feet tall and 6 feet 8 inches across. It might not be the biggest TV overall -- there are plasma HDTV's that are bigger apparently -- but it is definitely huge no matter how you look at it!

The LC-90LE745U is a 3D-capable set and features a 1080p full array LED screen. It has built-in WiFi connectivity and Sharp's unique SmartCentral user interface. The price for the 90-inch HDTV? Just 11 thousand dollars. $10,999.99 to be exact.

According to Sharp Electronics President John Herrington:

"[The 90 inch television] offers size, picture quality and smart functionality unlike anything consumers have experienced... Imagine yourself standing at the precipice of the Grand Canyon... It's 3,000 feet straight down. The wind howls in your ears. Your heart races as you leap forward and plummet toward the bottom. Just before you plunge into the river below ... you spill the popcorn all over the living room couch.... That's the experience you'll get when watching the breathtaking 90-inch (diagonal) AQUOS LED TV (model LC-90LE745U), introduced today by Sharp."

We say: This giant LED TV seems cool but for that price we'd rather have about a dozen or so nice 50" sets!

Learn some mo': Sharp unveils 'world's biggest' LED TV

The Healthiest Meal Ever (According to Some Scientists)

A group of British food researchers have chosen what they believe to be the healthiest meal ever. It's based around several proven "superfoods" and the researchers say it's delicious as well as good-for-you!

The Leatherhead Food Research organization looked at over 4000 health-boosting claims used by food manufacturers and their marketing teams. Of those only 222 were considered to be based on real scientific evidence. Omega 3 fatty acids (found in fish and seafood) and whole grains were two well-known foods that made the cut.

The "healthiest" meal according to the Leatherhead geeks starts off with fresh and smoked salmon terrine and includes a mixed leaf salad with extra virgin olive oil dressing. The health main meal is chicken casserole with lentils and mixed vegetables. Desert is a "live yogurt" blancmange that includes fresh walnuts and a no-sugar caramel sauce topping.

A Glucomannan and berry-based shake was touted as the ideal meal replacement for dieters. Hot chocolate was also recommended because of the health-boosting properties of cacao. For some reason the scientists also included a special sports drink packed with micro-nutrients like selenium and magnesium.

According to top researcher Dr Paul Berryman:

"We have also shown that healthy foods do not have to be dull... We carry out thousands of consumer taste tests a year and one thing is clear. No matter how healthy, if foods do not taste good they will not sell."

We say: We're not so sure about the conclusions of these food geeks. The real healthiest meal ever would almost definitely be a paleo diet meal based around natural proteins and low-glycemic vegetables!

Learn some mo': Healthiest meal ever: After editing thousands of claims, scientists serve up a superdish

Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements Might Help You Live Longer

Taking vitamin D and calcium supplement may help you live longer, according to new research from Denmark. Researchers found that vitamin D by itself did not lead to longer life, but when combined with calcium the supplements caused a 9% decrease in overall mortality.

According to the researchers, the vitamin D/calcium combo did more than just protect the bones from osteoporosis and fractures. They appear to help protect health in the elderly in other ways that aren't completely clear.

Some experts believe that calcium and vitamin D supplements may help to improve cardiovascular health while also improving overall cell function. In regards to the recent studies showing no benefit taking D+calcium supplements, many claim those studies to be flawed because participants didn't take high enough levels of the nutrients.

According to study author Dr. Lars Rejnmark:

"Our study provides evidence of a cause-effect relationship -- that calcium and vitamin D causes beneficial effects to general health... Calcium with vitamin D has now been proven to reduce risk of osteoporotic fractures and death in the elderly."

Experts recommend that adults take up to 2,000 IU of vitamin D and about 1200 mg of calcium each and every day. Try to get it from both food and supplements if possible. According to Dr. Michael Holick, a professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine:

"[By taking vitamin D and calcium supplements] you will preserve your bone health, you will improve muscle strength and you may have additional health benefits including [lowering the] risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes and infectious diseases... There is no downside to increasing your vitamin D intake."

Learn some mo': Vitamin D Plus Calcium May Extend Life

Intravenous Vitamin Therapy: The New Celebrity "Drug"

Apparently, intravenous vitamin drips are the new "drugs" of choice for some movie stars, singers, and other A-list celebrities. The IV vitamin fad has been simmering in the United States for some time, but it has just now hit the mainstream in a big way after pop singer Rihanna tweeted a photo of her "party-girl drip" IV stuck in her arm.

Some claim this strange medical procedure provides a huge energy boost while protecting over-worked celebs from flu's, colds, and fatigue. Several doctors even promote IV nutrients as the perfect anti-aging treatment for people who can afford them. Carmen Keys is a high-level music executive who takes a 45-minute liquid vitamin infusion every week and says:

"Instead of feeling energized, you feel alive. Eating a salad, taking a nap and traditional vitamins don't compare... That would probably do four percent of what this does!"

These energy-boosting cocktails are quickly growing in popularity, especially in high-end "medical spas" and anti-aging clinics on the West Coast. But many doctors and health experts warn that, in most cases, the negatives (like infection risk, high cost, etc) don't outweigh the positives. In fact, some doctors believe the great feelings people experience after a vitamin drip are almost completely due to the placebo effect.

Still, there is increasing evidence that certain types of IV vitamin therapies -- like intravenous vitamin C -- may provide some very real treatment/cure benefits, at least in cases of severe disease. And people have used B-vitamin injections for years to boost energy and vitality. So maybe there is something to this new celeb energy fad.

Or maybe it's just another stupid thing for rich people to spend their money on!!  :)

Learn some mo': Vitamin Drip Infusions Gain Favor in Hollywood

Xbox SmartGlass System Promises to Make Home Entertainment A Lot Cooler

Microsoft has just introduced their new SmartGlass system and promises it will change the way people use their smartphones, tablet computers, HD televisions, and Xbox video game consoles. It will run on the soon-to-be-available Windows 8 operating system and is designed to enhance all forms of digital entertainment -- including movies, TV shows, online music, and video gaming.

Microsoft's PR people promise the SmartGlass app will run on Google Android and Apple iOS devices, not just Microsoft-based products. Still, it appears that to get the most out of the system you will need an Xbox video game console as well as a Windows 8-based tablet PC and/or Windows smartphone.

According to insiders, SmartGlass will allow users to stream video and audio content to any TV hooked up to an Xbox. It will allow for new types of video game play that some experts believe will give MS an edge over Nintendo and their popular Wii console. The app will be free for anyone to download and install on their mobile devices.

According to Don Mattrick, head of Microsoft's gaming business:

"We all go into our living room and have a touch surface like a phone or a tablet, but it has no idea what's occurring on the TV...SmartGlass will allow the Xbox to communicate with whatever glass surface you have."

We say: This new media consumption program sounds like it could be cool. But it also sounds like it could be just another confusing Microsoft product that doesn't really work that well!

Learn some mo': Microsoft hopes to enhance games, TV with Xbox SmartGlass

A Boring Diet Might Not Help You Lose Weight

Think eating a boring diet might help you shed pounds? Think again. According to new research from the U of Tennessee, eating fewer foods might not be one of the best ways to lose weight. That's because, although you might eat less junk food and high-sugar/high-fat options, you'll likely eat more calories from other sources to make up for the deficit.

According to UT professor/researcher Hollie Raynor:

"Limiting variety was helpful for reducing intake for that type of food group, but it appeared that compensation occurred in other parts of the diet."

Many experts believe that overall calorie intake -- not food selection/types of calories -- is the most important thing when it comes to weight loss. Of course, there is quite a lot of evidence showing that the type of food you eat is just as important, if not more important, than calorie counts. We don't care what anyone says: 300 calories of pure refined sugar is not the same (health wise or weight loss wise) as 300 calories of apples!

Still, the new study shows that a monotonous diet based around a handful of foods might not work very well. The best option may be to avoid junk foods and refined sugars while eating  wide variety of healthy but delicious foods -- like fresh fruit!

Note: This is closely related to recent research proving that many people have a hard time losing weight during exercise-based programs because of increased hunger and food consumption!

Learn some mo': Fewer food choices don't help people lose weight