Topic: The NPD Group Inc.

BlackBerry-maker RIM warns of layoffs, operating loss

RIM also hires advisers to look at strategies to reverse its downturn. RIM has seen its share of US smartphone market fall from 44 percent to 10 percent in two years. 

A tax on high heels?

High heels can exert a heavy toll on the body, and are often uncomfortable and unsafe. Should they be taxed?

More small firms expect to buy workers new iPads, tablets in 2012

Just when Apple may be poised to unveil a sparkling upgrade to its iPad, many small firms of fewer than 1,000 are looking to buy new tablets for workers. Demand for tablets is up, a new survey finds.

Little girls or little women? The Disney princess effect

In today's highly sexualized environment – where 5-year-olds wear padded bras – some see the toddlers-and-tiaras Disney princess craze leading to the pre-teen pursuit of "hot" looks. Do little girls become little women too soon?

Nintendo Wii 2 will rock E3: reports

Nintendo Wii 2 will be the biggest news coming out of E3, according to reports. But with titles like Halo 4, Modern Warfare 3, and Mass Effect 3, can the new system (which most likely will not be called the Nintendo Wii 2) hold on to headlines for long?

Dunkin' Donuts IPO: Doughnuts to go public

Dunkin' Donuts IPO announced. But private owners of parent company won't say when, or how many shares will be created for the Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin' Donuts IPO.

Greek debt crisis Act II: one of five things to watch April 15

Greek debt crisis worsens as its interest rates soar and government prepares new spending curbs. Also on the radar: Bank of America earnings and inflation jitters.

Pringles: How will it stack up with new owner?

Pringles to be acquired by Diamond Foods from Procter & Gamble. Diamond takes big step into snack food market with Pringles.

Groupon and four other firms thrived in recession. Their secret?

Although the recession is technically over, many companies are still struggling to make up for lost profit, customers, and locations. But some companies have come out of the recession better than they went in, thanks to their adjustments to consumer demand and other smart business strategies. Here are five companies that have thrived despite the worst downturn since the Great Depression:

Consumer confidence low, but won't sink holiday sales

Consumer confidence remains at historically low levels, but retailers still expect a modest rise in holiday sales.

Social gaming: The parlor-game crowd logs on

No geek credentials required for the low-tech, community-oriented games that draw Facebook fans.

Can Move and Kinect save a sagging video game industry?

A new crop of games, led by PlayStation Move and Xbox Kinect, steps up motion-sensing technology.

BlackBerry era coming to a close?

BlackBerry is losing out to Android in the smartphone market, slowly but surely.

Playstation Move vs. Microsoft Kinect vs. Nintendo 3DS: The war is on

Playstation Move is a bold move for Sony. But the Microsoft Kinect and the Nintendo 3DS are great gaming devices too.

Star Wars: The Old Republic, the Force is with sequels

Star Wars: The Old Republic. The video-game industry is banking on new technology to revive sales. But sequels like 'Star Wars: The Old Republic' have built-in momentum.

Jack White: Guitar Hero, Rock Band no substitute for real tunes

Jack White, the lead singer of garage band The White Stripes, has a stern lesson for aspiring musicians: Drop the toy guitar. Quit the Rock Band and Guitar Hero thing. And get a real instrument.

The candy machine just sold me an iPod

Popping up in military bases, airports, fast-food restaurants, and hospitals is a new kind of vending machine that offers everything from a DVD rental to a digital camera.

Can PlayStation Move, Natal revive video game sales?

February was a rough month for video game sales. One bright spot: demand for the Sony PS3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360 were up. Will PlayStation Move and Project Natal help?

Is 'Power Gig' the next step for music video games?

As sales of 'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band' continue to slip, Seven45 studios introduces 'Power Gig: Rise of the Sixstring," which ships with a real electric guitar.

Three ways iTunes, and its 10 billion in sales, changed music industry

As of Wednesday, Apple's iTunes has sold 10 billion individual songs. Here are three ways it has revolutionized the music industry, for better or for worse.

Do you love your e-reader? You are not alone

A new survey indicates that most e-reader owners are quite happy with their devices.

PS3 price cut by $100; slimmer model to come

Sony Corp. said Tuesday it will cut the price of the currently available 80 gigabyte PlayStation 3 effective immediately, to $299. It is also launching a slimmer, lighter model with a 120 GB hard drive in early September; that version will also cost $299.

She's got game: Report says more girls are playing video games

As sales sag, Activision hints it could quit making games for Sony

iPhone-like carrier switches for T-Mobile's G1?