Leadpile is excited to be a part of the upcoming Affiliate Summit West in Las Vegas, NV. If you are an affiliate that will be attending this weekend’s upcoming show, please make sure and stop by our Meet Market booth on Sunday January 17th. This show is a great opportunity for us to see some past, present and new partners all in one place. We would love to talk about lead generation, publisher opportunities, advertisers opportunities, affiliate marketing, traffic and anything else related to affiliate marketing. If you are not attending the show, make sure and reach out to us so we can discuss how we can potentially work together (mari@leadpile.com).

The last time I checked, everyone was still saying that we were still in a recessions. So why has there been a increase in smartphone sales and a huge push for big screen TV’s? Frankly, just because people want them. It is true that many consumers have been cutting corners here and there, but it is where they are cutting that is showing changes.
Most people find it very easy to switch from a name brand food to the store brand, or maybe hold off on that new pair of shoes that you have been eyeing in the store window. However, when it comes to electronics, it seems that consumers just don’t want to cut back. They buy the newest smartphone or upgrade to the new version without even thinking twice. This has been great for the technology companies seeing an increase in their sales even in the tough economy.
A lot of consumers are finding themselves trying to rationalize their electronic purchases. They upgrade to a large HD flat screen TV saying that they will stay in more and watch a movie, rather than going out to a movie. Even just switching from a regular DVD player to a Blu-ray player is something consumers are not thinking twice about. The next big electronic buzz you are going to hear about….3D TV. It really was only a matter of time before something like this was going to hit the shelves. 3D televisions are set to hit the shelves in most stores mid 2010, and experts are estimating there potentially to be 4 million sold this year.
The real question is if this is all really necessary? Smartphone are great. We use them at LeadPile all the time to get back to our clients when we are on the run, but a 3D television set? Really? I have a feeling they are not going to be as awesome as everyone thinks. What do you think?

The US Postal Service has just launched an iPhone and ipod Touch application! In an effort to make it’s services more appealing to a younger demographic and attract more mobile web using consumers, the application features a GPS equipped post office locator, maps, directions, a Zip Code locator and provides the ability to track and confirm packages. The second edition of the application being created currently will include a rate calculator.
According to dmnews.com the USPS is planning to consolidate many bricks-and-mortar location due to a reported $3.8 billion net loss for 2009.

In the last year or so we have talked about the controversy over China blocking certain websites from being viewed by the Chinese residents. Unfortunately, it seems there might be another website “victim” being added to this now long list – Wired.com. There doesn’t seem to be any common factor involved in the websites that this country continues to block, except for the fact that these sites are too dangerous. Currently, the sites blocked are: YouTube, Facebook, the BBC, Wikipedia, Google and a movie information site called IMBD. So does this sort of restriction prevent affiliate marketing from happening in China? Many use some of the banned sites as a source for traffic and some are even working with Leadpile……and WHAT is so “dangerous” about Google? I don’t get it! What will be next?

A new calling device was announced today that could save people a lot of money on cell phone minutes they are currently racking up. This new product is called the MagicJack. The MagicJack uses the internet to make free calls from cell phones when in the home. According to yahoo.com this device uses the same radio frequencies that cellular carriers have paid billions of dollars for exclusive licenses.
The way it works is like a tiny little cell tower located in your home. It is plugged into your computer and connects to a cell phone that is located within 8 feet of the MagicJack. It places a call to your cell phone, once the phone is connected by entering a security code with the keypad of the phone, it is connected and you are able to make calls as long as it stays in range of the device. The device is said to have a range that will cover a 3,000-square-foot home. No minutes will be charged to your cell phone because the call is placed over the Internet.
Introduced at the International Consumers Electronics Show, the MagicJack is expected to start selling in May for $40, it will provide free calls to the U.S. and Canada for one year. I guess the cell phone companies are going to have to come up some more creative ways to charge the consumers.

With the holidays finally over and a week into January, it is about time that we get that one last present from the credit card company. What might that present be you ask? A nice fat bill. Whether you did your holiday shopping in the stores or at the comfort of your home online, so many of us just go swipe, swipe, swipe all season long. It really is the the fastest and most convenient way to make a purchase. Sometimes you do not even realize how much you have racked up until it is all down on paper. More times then not, individuals will not be able to pay off the whole bill in one lump sum by the time that the bill is due.
Below are some helpful suggestion for when you realize you have bit off more than you can chew:

1. Use credit cards that offer cash back for purchases – You can put the money you get back towards your credit card bill.
2. Know your interest rate and try to use the card with the lowest interest rate.
3. Do not just pay the minimum balance due – Often that minimum payment will only cover the interest that was charged that month.
4. Get a balance transfer – transfer to a card that offers you a lower interest rate/reward programs.
5. Create a feasible payment plan and stick to it.

In some instances where you find that you are getting into too much debt, try to not feel overwhelmed and that there is no way of getting out of it. There are several options out there to get you back on your feet. For example, debt consolidation or debt settlement might be the perfect solution. Everyday at LeadPile we are matching consumers to debt professionals who are there to help you get the professional advice that you may need. Maybe consider getting help if none of the above options really worked out for you.

It seems that Iowa might be trying to follow some of those other states that have imposed payday lending laws. The Des Moines Register is reporting that a few Iowa lawmakers are attempting to get a law passed that would limit the number of payday loans a consumer could take out in this state. Many are saying it is a “cycle of debt”, but many are going to keep an eye on this new potential legislation that is trying to get passed. Leadpile will certainly keep an eye on what is going to happen in Iowa. Stay tuned!

It seems like everyone thinks that the iPhone is the best invention that has happened to cell phones. Whether you just use it for talking and texting, or if you are someone who pretty much has it glued to your hand for work or play, the iPhone does it all. No matter how hard other companies try to copy all the unique features, they just can not seem to hit it on the nose…until now that is.
Google has just released their new Nexus One Phone. The Nexus phone has a very similar style to the iPhone, but it does have one improved feature that sets it apart. This new cell phone has the ability to run multiple applications at the same time. This is a huge advantage over the iPhone. There will be no need to close out of an application because a text comes in or trying to figure out which app you need to use first to make sure that you have everything ready for the next one that you need to go into.
The only real down side that can been seen in the phone is the fact that it is not a multi touch touch screen, meaning that you are not able to increase or decrease an image size just by a pinch of the fingers. This might not even be a downsize if you are someone who is accustom to using a Blackberry. So how much will this new little item set you back? About $179.99 with a contract from T-Mobile or $529.99 to purchase the phone by its self. Price wise, it is right at the same level as the iPhone, and even the Droid (which has been receiving both positive and negative buzz). It looks like there is finally some real competition for the iPhone.
The real questions is, will this be the next big phone or will the IPhone continue to remain on top?

As of January 1st 2010, a new payday lending law was imposed in Washington. “The new law limits the size of a payday loan to 30 percent of a person’s monthly income, or $700, whichever is less. It also bars people from having multiple loans from different lenders, limits the number of loans a person can take out to eight per 12 months, and sets up a database to track the number of loans taken out by people.” This will be something that lenders will now have to pay attention to.
Leadpile will be watching the status of Washington and payday loans, because we work with publishers nationwide, and we will be interested in any legal changes that happen in this particular state.