Author: Richard Atkins

Richard Atkins is a senior contributor at Tech Insider covering online media, online travel, and video games. Richard has been with Tech Insider covering companies in these industries since 2011 and has authored numerous industry reports, including "Internet Video: Field of Dreams or Nightmare on Elm Street," "The Next Leg of Online Travel," and "Pwned: How Casual Games Changed The Gaming Landscape." Atkins was recognized as the No. 2 stock picker and earnings estimator in the 2011 Financial Times / StarMine Internet & Catalog Retail category and was ranked in the 2010 Wall Street Journal "Best On The Street" for the Leisure Goods & Services category.
Analysis, Energy

Can technology allow us to solve the energy price crisis ?

As a householder, you will be well aware that energy prices have been rising, and the situation has reached crisis level as many property owners are financially stretched by the effort to keep their homes and families warm. The good news is that there are solutions available to reduce the price of energy for consumers, and technology is playing a big role in delivering those … Continue reading Can technology allow us to solve the energy price crisis ?

Richard Atkins
BioTech, Finance

Biotech Stocks in Focus: Biogen consolidates, Stock Rated High

Biogen Idec’s (BIIB) shares were up slightly (0.62%) on the FDA approval of multiple sclerosis (MS) product, Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a). The FDA approved Plegridy for the treatment of people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). Plegridy Pen, a ready-to-use autoinjector, or a prefilled syringe can be used to administer Plegridy subcutaneously. Plegridy’s less frequent dosing schedule (once every two weeks) could help it gain … Continue reading Biotech Stocks in Focus: Biogen consolidates, Stock Rated High

Richard Atkins
Finance, Internet

Stock in News: A Report on Facebook (NASDAQ FB) Q2 Earning

The Californian online social networking firm, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ FB), reported its second quarter earnings on July 23, exceeding analysts’ expectations for the eighth straight quarter with $2.91 billion in revenue and earnings per share at $0.42. The company is making inorganic growth the mode to grow larger in the advertising services domain. Revenue for the quarter climbed 61% to $2.91 billion from the last … Continue reading Stock in News: A Report on Facebook (NASDAQ FB) Q2 Earning

Richard Atkins
Finance, Software

Bitcoin Report: Seeing Bitcoin as a Gold Replacement

Given that the design of bitcoin’s peer-to-peer system was partly inspired by gold, it’s not a surprise that many bitcoin enthusiasts are also fans of the precious metal. Both gold and bitcoin are scarce commodities used as stores of value by those who might be distrustful of fiat currencies.

The bitcoin community has long been interested in courting gold users – Ripple, for example, recently introduced gold trading to its platform. Even so, gold enthusiasts have not always been bitcoin champions. Some even go so far as to vocally oppose bitcoin as an investment vehicle.

News on Bitcoins

It’s important to establish why bitcoin users believe the digital currency could take the place of gold in the global market. One of the main reasons is because some see bitcoin as an investment without the common pain points associated with gold. In addition, significant investment capital pouring into the bitcoin market could make it more valuable than gold. The high-water mark for those who share this value belief took place on 29th November, when the price of bitcoin on then-operational Mt Gox exchange reached a high of $1,242, trading two cents above gold’s $1,241.98 at the time.

That price similarity was short lived, however. Soon after the start of 2014, bitcoin’s price fell due to uncertainty in the Chinese market – along with the collapse of Mt Gox. Despite a brief correlation in price, high volatility is the reason some still think that most gold bugs don’t believe in bitcoin as an investment.

Gold prices fluctuate too, but not as much as bitcoin has this year. BTC has seen an over 62% drop in 2014 after hitting a high of $951.39 in early January down to $360.84 in April.

Bitcoin News Video

Watch this video for more “News on Bitcoin”.

Continue reading “Bitcoin Report: Seeing Bitcoin as a Gold Replacement”

Richard Atkins
Finance, Mobile

Stock making Headlines: Apple (NASDAQ AAPL) Willing to Replace iPhone 5 Batteries

On Friday, Apple Inc (NASDAQ AAPL) announced a free battery replacement program for iPhone 5. The tech giant said it would replace the batteries of select iPhone 5 units, free of charge. The move came after many iPhone 5 users began experiencing shorter battery life. Apple discovered that the units sold between September 2012 and January 2013 had faulty components. The device was launched in … Continue reading Stock making Headlines: Apple (NASDAQ AAPL) Willing to Replace iPhone 5 Batteries

Richard Atkins
Finance, Internet

Active Google (NASDAQ GOOG) Stock: An Update on Google’s Driver less Cars

Google Inc (NASDAQ GOOG) has said that it will install steering wheels and pedals in the 100 prototype cars that are coming out soon to comply with the new law, reports Alistair Barr for The Wall Street Journal. The California Department of Motor Vehicles has decided that it won’t allow autonomous cars to drive on public roads unless there is a ‘natural person’ who is … Continue reading Active Google (NASDAQ GOOG) Stock: An Update on Google’s Driver less Cars

Richard Atkins