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Friday, 9 December 2011

Music Creation Goes Mobile

Music Creation Goes Mobile

It wasn't just music utilization that got a big boost in 2011. Creating it has become less complicated than ever, owing to a growing array of digital tools.

Mobile apps geared in the direction of making music started showing shortly after the launch with the iTunes App Store in 2008. As platforms like iOS and Android have grown more capable, so too have these sorts of functions. There is not any shortage of apps that synthesize real instruments, and even ones that let you record your own samples, create beats and make songs from scratch.

In 2011, we saw Apple roll several of these concepts into one when it launched Garage Band for iPad, and then scaled it down for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It's not the first music recording and sequencing mobile app to appear, but for the price tag ($4.99), it's easily the best powerful. Garage Band for iOS consists of dozens of synthesized devices, which sometimes often be pretty high-priced when purchased as stand-alone apps. It has the benefit of several "smart" instruments to make the less musically inclined.

Like its desktop counterpart, the core function of this app is always to record and sequence multiple tracks of music. Using external accessories, one can even record vocals and guitars. Garage Band for iOS and apps like it provide an early glimpse of what's possible on tablets and smartphones, two categories of devices that continue to be relatively young.

It was an excellent year for SoundCloud, a social audio-hosting site which includes grown quite admired among newbie and professional musicians alike. Big labels and known acts are using SoundCloud to post and promote music, while less significant artists and laptop hobbyists are finding audiences there as well. Imagine it as sort of a YouTube for audio.

Saturday, 3 December 2011

K9 Magazine Announces Tablet Edition

K9 Magazine, the award winning digital magazine for dog lovers, has announced plans to launch a tablet edition of the popular title.

K9 Magazine is currently available to read on the iPad, the new tablet edition will also be compatible with Android and other digital reading devices.

Following the recent announcement that Adobe is phasing out its Flash support, K9 Magazine is investing in a HTML5 version of the magazine which will be available to all subscribers in 2012 and is currently in Beta testing mode.

K9 Magazine editor and publisher, Ryan O'Meara:

"Since we made our award-winning move to digital we've seen tremendous, unprecedented growth in terms of subscribers and commercial revenues. By going digital we have been able to take the magazine from a quarterly title to a monthly schedule and by combining the magazine product with an online membership model we've been able to serve our readers much better by way of personalising content and ensuring that readers get exactly what they want from their subscription to K9 Magazine."

O'Meara adds:

"We believe in the future of digital media. It's more agile and it's more personal. We have been delighted with the growth and scale we've been able to achieve since we made, what was at the time, a brave move to invest in a totally digital approach to publishing. Our view was and is informed by the simple fact that dog lovers are easier to reach via digital platforms than they are on the high street. We are excited by our new tablet edition, which looks amazing in the Beta tests."

About K9 Magazine

K9 Magazine was launched in 2001 and has featured an impressive list of celebrity dog owners who've been interviewed by the magazine over the past decade.

News item distributed by petbuzz :: social media for pet brands

New Report Says Pet Industry Growth Set To Continue

Pets come in all shapes and sizes, but the one constant is the bond between pets and their owners. In fact, 76% of dog or cat owners consider their 4-legged companions to be part of the family. This closeness creates marketing and sales opportunities that go far beyond basics such as food to include apparel, toys, treats, vet care and grooming, just to name a few. According to Mintel, the pet industry is expected to maintain a steady pace of growth, increasing by 33% over the next five years.

"To maintain and continue such strong sales is an impressive feat in our tough economy and truly speaks to owners' commitment to their pets and manufacturers' ability to develop products that resonate with pet owners," notes Fiona O'Donnell, senior analyst at Mintel. "We are noticing that innovations in the pet industry are mirroring innovations in human markets and since many owners consider pets as family members, this is not surprising."

Functional foods that have a great taste and also provide health benefits have hit a chord with Americans in the past several years, so it only makes sense that owners would want the same fare for their pets. According to the Mintel Global New Product Database (GNPD), pet food that offers a "functional" claim has increased by 130% from 2006 to 2010.

Innovations in the pet industry go beyond the food aisle into lifestyle products that reflect the owner's personality and interests. Martha Stewart has developed an exclusive line of pet accessories for PetSmart that are said to be developed with "both the pets and owners in mind."  In addition to supplies and toys, the product line includes apparel, which may appeal to the 9% of Mintel respondents who say they occasionally dress up their dog or cat. Pet-friendly vehicle features also appeal to the 28% of dog owners who claim to take their pets on vacations with them, if they are driving.

"I don't expect pet innovation to slow down any time soon," adds Fiona O'Donnell. "Despite the difficult economy, 50% of pet owners make unplanned toy and treat purchases for their pets and another 16% say they have cut back on extra household expenses in order to afford pet-related care…showing the true commitment of pet-parents."

So, who's got a better life, canines or kitties? According to Mintel, 55% of dog owners buy unplanned treats compared to only 37% of cat owners. Meanwhile, 42% of dog owners take lots of pictures of their pet versus 33% of cat-parents. And, nearly one-quarter of dog families have stayed home from work or school with a sick pet as opposed to 14% for their feline counterpart.

Friday, 2 December 2011

Boyles folks

Pit bull dogs
There are three main breeds of Pitbull dogs: American pitbull terrier, America Staffordshire terrier and Staffordshire bull terrier. Although these breeds of dogs were all originally bred from bulldog and terriers, these are registered as different breeds due to their characteristics and bloodlines.


 


An american pitbull terrier
Origin


The different breeds of pitbull dogs hail from England where these dogs were bred for fighting and other sports and later for farm use. After these sports were banned, breeders started developing pure breed for the purpose of developing the muscular strength and obedient characteristic of these animals.


These different breeds of pitbull dogs are characterized by different clubs (like the United Kennel Club, American Dog Breeders Association and American Kennel Club), which formed between the late 19th century to the early 20th century. The main objectives of these clubs are to develop pure pedigrees and register dogs that belong to a particular bloodline and are not crossbred from another breed.


Characteristics


There are some common characteristics that all breeds of pitbull dogs and some that are only specific to certain types of breeds. The common physical and behavioral characteristics include:


· Muscular and lean body structure


· Energetic and require to be taken to regular walks everyday


· Intelligent dogs


· Aggressive behavior that can be tamed by proper training


· Ears are often cropped to given the dogs a characteristic look


· Loyal and attached to humans.


The physical and behavioral characteristics that are specific to each of these breeds of pitbull dogs are elaborated below.


American Pitbull Terrier


American Pitbull Terriers can have different colors and are:


· Length is 18 to 22 inches


· Weight varies from 30 to 60 pounds


· Short coat which is thick and shiny


AmericaStaffordshire terrier


This breed is a medium-sized dog, which was earlier known as Staffordshire Terriers, later distinguished from this breed due to its heavier size, and named America Staffordshire Terrier. It has the following characteristics:


· Life expectancy is 12 to 16 years


· Health problems include congenital heart disease hip dysplasia, cataracts, thyroid problems and other infections.


Staffordshire bull terrier


This breed is also known as English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Stafford, Staffordshire, Staffie, Stafford, Staffross or Staffy. The characteristics of this breed include:


· Medium size body


· Length varies from 13 to 16 inches


· Weight varies from 23 to 38 pounds


· Energetic Courageous intelligent and obedient dogs


· Prone to health problems like cataract, hip dysplasia and breathing problems


Tips for Raising and Training Pitbull Dogs


Pitbull dogs can be aggressive dogs so it is importend to  trained at an early age. Untrained Pitbull dogs tend to become very aggressive and disobedient.  Nothing is worse than owning a dog that is a nuisance at home and pose a danger to people around them.


These intelligent dogs enjoy training and excel at sports like agility, obedience training and other competitions. Training pit bull dogs encompasses positive methods in which the dogs are rewarded for their good behavior. Training includes teaching these animals housekeeping, strength training, obedience training. All that is required to make these pitbull dogs obedient and a  reliable companion.
Make sure you checked out the Pitbull-Trainings guide to get the best behaved pitbull.


Are you missing something in this article or have something to add? Write a comment below!

A Few Interesting Dog Products You May Not Have Thought Of.

Most dog owners consider thier dogs a real part of their family, I know I do. I often try to find great and sometimes uncommon dog toys, training utilities, and health products online that I just can’t find at the everyday petstore for my two dogs Kratos and Kalypso as well as for you guys. These are just a few of the great gems I found in one of my late night internet searches. If you have any ideas for great products that you have found online for your pet leave a comment and let me know. Check out the Product Reviews Posts category section of the Dog Blog or on the Pitbull Friends site for some more interesting products.


Grannick’s Bitter Apple for Dogs Spray Bottle, 16 Ounces

Stop pets from licking, gnawing, and chewing fur, wounds, and bandagesNon-toxic and safeSimply spray problem areas to discourage chewingIngredients include water, isopropanol 20%, bitter principles, and extractsPlease read all label information on deliveryDiscourages fur bitingElimanates hots spotsSpray bottle for more coverage

Discourage bad licking, gnawing, and chewing behavior with Grannick’s safe, non-toxic Bitter Apple chew deterrent. Simply spray the bitter-tasting product on fur, wounds, bandages, shoes, furniture, or anywhere else you don’t want your dog to chew. The unpleasant but harmless taste will keep your dog away from the area. Developed by a pharmacist fifty years ago, Bitter Apple contains water, isopropanol 20%, bitter principles, and extracts. Safe for use on home furnishings, including wood. No reported side effects. Avoid spraying in the eyes. Shake well before using. Please read all label information on delivery.


Original Spray for Dogs. Discourages fur biting, hair chewing and hot spots. Sizes available: 118AT: 8 oz. 24/case 1116AT: 16 oz. 12/case.


Ingredients
Ingredients: Water, Isopropanol 20%, Bitter Principles and Extractives


Petstages Heartbeat Pillow

Heartbeat sound can be turned on as desiredSound lasts 5 minutes once activatedCozy fleece and plush pillowMachine WashableGreat to calm pets of any age

Adorable plush pillow uses the sound of a heartbeat to calm and sooth an anxious puppy or dog. The pillow contains a heartbeat mechanism that can be turned on as desired or removed for washing. It provides a great way to reduce separation anxiety in dogs and/or ease the transition into a new home for a puppy.


PetZoom Pet Park Indoor Pet Potty, 25.5? x 20? x 2?

Indoor pet potty made of a synthetic surface that’s similar to grassNon-toxic mat consists of 3 layers to keep your home clean and odor-freeGreat for indoors, porches, patios, and balconiesIdeal for housebreaking your petPortable, easy to clean (25.5" x 20" x 2")

The PetZoom Pet Park is the unique solution for pet accident-free living. Perfect for when you’re late coming home to let the dog out, or unable to let your pet outside due to bad weather. Ideal as a training tool for your puppy, it’s also great in assisting an older dog that might be unable to go to the bathroom outside. Pet Park is made of a synthetic grass material that looks and feels real. It is weather proof, so you can leave it outside on the patio or balcony. PetZoom Pet Park is non-toxic and is safe to use around your pet. Easy to clean, just wash in warm soapy water. Pet Zoom Pet Park is an indoor pet potty made of a synthetic surface that’s similar to grass. It prevents pet accidents by giving your dog a designated place to urinate instead of using your carpet or furniture. Pet Park’s triple stage protection allows fluid to pass through the anti-microbial mat. The mat stays high above the liquid in the collection tray because of Pet Park’s elevated grid system. It can hold an entire gallon of liquid. Simply empty the collection tray at the end of the day. Pet Park’s reusable surface stays fresh and sanitary. It rinses clean and stores easily. Now, you don’t have to spend lots of money on expensive dog walkers or messy wee wee pads. With Pet Park, you’ll be happy your dog went in the house.

Healthy, Easy, And Cheap Homemade Dog Food Recipes.

No Other Recipe Will Give Your Dog A Better Life


These are top secret dog food recipes that you can make yourself at home.


Even Veterinarians Are Using This Homemade Dog Food.


Dog food companies spend billions in advertising and control vet schools via sponsoring.
They will do everything to make sure you don’t realize homemade dog food is infinitely better for your animal!!!


John Miller can lead your dog to the best health of their life. John has 50 years of major dog health experience. His never before revealed recipes will give your dog complete vitality, health, and beauty. This could save you thousands in veterinarian expenses and give you a new way to bond with your dog.


This set of 245 dog food recipes can be applied to any dog. It doesn’t matter if your dog is young or old, small or big, or a finicky eater, these recipes will work.


You will see a change in your dog when you start feeding him from these recipes: he listens to you better, he works better, he sleeps better, he plays better and also he protects you better… he FEELS GREAT again.

Homemade Dog FoodHomemade Dog ShampooEliminate Your Dogs Bad BreathMake Dog Safe FertilizersMake Dog Safe InsecticidesMake Odor Remover

These 245 individual recipes all use healthy ingredients and are perfect with your dog, you won’t believe how fast your dogs health and behavior will improve all without the harmful chemical products your dog is used to eating.

Elanco & Bayer Animal Health Lawsuit Settlement

Elanco Companion Animal Health and Bayer Animal Health have reached a successful resolution regarding a lawsuit filed by Bayer earlier this year. "Elanco has always believed the lawsuit was without merit and continues to deny the allegations set forth in the complaint," stated Eric Graves, senior director of Elanco Companion Animal Health.

In a suit filed in May, Bayer objected to a letter Elanco sent to veterinarians regarding the flea and tick marketplace. This is a non-monetary resolution, and Elanco maintains its ability to communicate and advertise concerning the availability of flea and tick products outside the veterinary channel. In addition, Elanco can continue to communicate and advertise regarding the availability of Bayer's Advantage II and Advantix II products through retail channels and over-the-counter merchants.

Today's resolution also allows Elanco to continue promoting its Track and Trace product tracking system and its strict sales policy. Using unique identification numbers and bar coding on boxes and cartons, Elanco helps ensure product integrity and guard against theft, while helping to keep its products sold within the veterinary channel. If Elanco products are discovered outside that relationship, Elanco endeavors to identify the point of sale and cut off the offending diverter. Elanco's strict sales policy and Track and Trace technology is designed to help keep the sale of its parasiticide products within the scope of the veterinary-client-patient relationship. Since the implementation of the sales policy and the product tracking system, Elanco has revoked the ability of more than 300 veterinarians to purchase products because they failed to abide by Elanco's corporate sales policy.

"We believe our innovative product introductions and efforts to keep our products within the veterinary channel illustrate our support and commitment to veterinarians and their practices," Graves said. "This resolution allows us to continue to discuss issues that our valued veterinary partners find important. Our success is completely tied to their success," Graves said. "We have absolutely no second thoughts about that."