Let’s not forget the iTunes store, which single-handedly changed the music and television industry by allowing hundreds of millions of users the ability to purchase high quality mp3s for as little as 99p in a matter of seconds. The iPhone and iPad are responsible for the latest technological phenomenon; the ‘app’. In fact, Apple’s App store is the largest around, with over a hundred thousand apps available for free or paid download, giving consumers and business new opportunities to interact with brands and technology.

The most remarkable part of this story is the astonishing growth that the company has achieved over the last decade. In 1986, Silicon Valley legend Steve Jobs (the original creator and CEO of Macintosh) was booted out of the company he built. After a few disastrous years of failed technology coupled with increasing competition from the likes of Microsoft, Jobs was reinstated in 1997 following Apple’s acquisition of ‘NeXT’, a hardware and software company also owned by Jobs, for $429 million. Since then, Jobs has nurtured Apple from a relatively dismal tech company to the largest and most impactful company in the United States.

Apple have always been a very secretive company, and have traditionally safe-guarded their developments in a fashion similar to Willy Wonka. Who knows what they will come up with next? What we do know is that the world is changing, and that companies like HTC and Android are releasing some similarly amazing tech masterpieces.  We at MadBid.com love Apple and we auction, and sell, items including iPhones, iPads and iPods, as well as the various MacBooks. Grab a bargain with us!

The extension of the communication channels have not gone unnoticed as Google has introduced their own social networking platform +circle project – with a video chat feature called ‘Hangout’ which has caused some controversy between the internet giants. With these extra add-ons MadBid.com’s popular auction product the new Dell Inspiron Duo Touchscreen would complement any social network user.

The new Dell Inspiron Duo Touchscreen can be used as a laptop or a notepad, both with a keyboard and touchscreen functions making it ideal for users on the go or in the comfort of their home.  The last time we auctioned the Dell Inspiron Duo Touchscreen the ending price was an amazing bargain at £6.37! Allow yourself to enjoy Facebook’s free video chat service with this sought after stylish gadget. The notebook has been reviewed by Amazon users as ‘Innovative and well-made’ The auction will start 3pm on 22nd of July the RRP price is £449 but only the bids on the timer will show the end price. The Stuff have stated that it ‘has a “whoa” factor to it when you see it swivel’ so team it up with Facebook’s or Google’s new Video options and put it in action!

Click here for a little sneak peek of this new function: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAeufSkW5y4&feature=related

Click here to see the last auction closing price : http://uk.madbid.com/show/1109590-Dell-Inspiron-Duo-Touchscreen/

Let us set an example:

Bobby loves iPad. His wife Jill owns an iPad and now he really wants to own one too and get the latest iPad 2. He managed to win a Mac on MadBid.com before for £22 and believes he could try for the iPad2. He couldn’t find any in the recent closed auctions but would like to know the average closing prices. He decides to use the Auction Peek function in order to get a rough idea. He sees the following appear on the bottom of his screen.

Basically Auction Peek allows you to see the most recent similar auctions and their closing prices. In this example in the information displayed you can see that iPad2 auctions currently run on a monthly basis together with the closing price of similar auctions.

Actually, where is the Auction Peek?

For all you new users or users that haven’t heard of this feature before, Auction Peek is accessible on the individual auction site. It is the lowest button of Auction Details.

What does it cost me?

The Auction Peek costs 4 credits per auction.

Why would I use Auction Peek?

The Auction Peek is different to Sneak-a-Peek as it lets you find out a particular item rather than information about other bidders. If you wanted to bid on this item, you can then decide what price to start bidding or setting your autobid. It is quick, easy, and simply Madly useful!

We have something brand new and exciting coming your way: the Scarlet Collection Voucher from Virgin Experience Days! With over a hundred different options to choose from, this might prove harder than it seems to choose just one activity. Ranging from Audi R8 Thrills to Ice Climbing, from Thai cookery courses to Poker lessons, the Scarlet Collection Voucher offers an exciting experience you’ll by dying to brag about to your friends. MadBid.com has selected a few favourites to share with you, but feel free to browse them all here!

1. Ice Climbing

Who wouldn’t like to learn how to go “Ice Climbing?” Set your sights high and the next thing you know you could be in Antarctica climbing glaciers. If you are an experienced mountaineer, or just interested in trying out a new challenge, ice climbing will provide you with that extra edge to a very “cool” sport. The concave is at a constant of -12°C and allows a real take on ice climbing.

Ice Climbing video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeSyfJZV3hY&feature=player_embedded

2. Face Your Phobia

It is a liberating experience when you are able to face your phobia of all things creepy crawly. “Face Your Phobia” will help you face your fears and handle the creatures of your nightmares (do not worry, it is under the supervision of friendly keepers). You could choose lizards, birds, non-venomous snakes and for those who can handle it; the tarantula. Imagine the incredible rush of adrenaline that you will get as you let a tarantula crawl down your arm!

3. For Your Eyes Only Photoshoot

Do you have a sexy sensual side that you would like to explore? Get ready to celebrate your curves or stunning figure with the “For Your Eyes Only Photoshoot”. Skin smoothing magazine quality photographs will show off your body with confidence and a gorgeous glow. The experience will leave you with a collection of portraits that even you will have trouble resisting yourself looking so sexy!

For Your Eyes Only Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7q8Skyo-34&feature=player_embedded

4. Thai Cookery Course

Sawasdee kha/krab! That’s how women and men greet in Thai; the local language of Thailand. Mr. MadBid loves Thai cuisine, as it is renowned for being fresh and full of natural flavour. Imagine learning from the master in the “Thai Cookery Course”. Afterwards you will be able to cook the delicious dishes using authentic Thai recipes. Som Tom is the delicious spicy green papaya salad that you will often find locals eating from street stalls, and you will have the opportunity to cook it in the comfort of your own home. Impress your family and friends with your newly born culinary skills!

5. Audi R8 Thrill

Envision yourself on a circuit in a race against the clock. You put the pedal to the metal and instantaneously, you’re in an amazing mechanical body, accelerating, your heart is racing and blood is pumping forcefully through your veins and you have never felt more alive. All this awaits you with the “Audi R8 Thrill” experience from Virgin Experience Days. As famous car racer Mario Andretti once said: “If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough”.

These are just a few of the crazy adventures you can now bid on with Virgin Experience Days on MadBid.com, but hurry these vouchers are going as fast as the Audi R8 Thrill ride!  These auctions are starting in the coming weeks.. Enjoy!

In recession-recovery Britain, many household names and brands have gone under the chop as businesses struggle to generate the revenue they need to be able to keep afloat. This is not new news but old, serving as a reminder that we are still emerging from an economic crisis that has endured for much longer than anticipated. The closure of these shops is somewhat untimely:  well-known clothing chain Jane Norman collapsed this week, while Oddbins recently suffered a loss of 52 shops and now Mothercare is the latest to be affected as it looks to close up to 110 of its stores.

Back in 2008, Woolworths was one of the first big High Street names to be hit by the recession, even after achieving a long successful track record as a retailer when it first opened its doors in Liverpool in 1909. JJB Sports, founded in 1971 by ex-footballer Dave Whelan narrowly avoided administration but has had to close stores. Now in the summer of 2011 as we prepare to take time off work and book last minute holidays, our beloved chocolate company is much more concerned about an economic meltdown than their chocolates melting in the heat..  Worse yet, the closure of its stores is predicted to set the business back £4.2m to £4.8m in sterling.

It may be unfortunate, but it is also far from surprising. Nowadays we are much more likely to favour comfort and convenience by staying within the confines of our homes than to make a trip to the shops, especially with the unpredictable British weather. Online shopping has become a huge market, which many brands have broken into in their attempts to ride the huge tidal wave that is E-commerce. Whether or not Thorntons are seeking to jump solely on this band wagon to pursue their business further is another matter, but the CEO of Thorntons reassures us of the following:

‘Our goal is to refocus the business across all channels and seek to deliver industry competitive returns over the next three to five years.’

Whatever the outcome MadBid will continue to source delicious chocolates for our customers to bid on for every occasion. And while we’re on the subject of delicious check out some of our Gourmet Voucher Restaurant Discount Cards going at amazing deals to treat yourself and a friend to dinner and desert out!

MadBid.com- the fun way to get a bargain online– has all the latest gadgets including iPads and even cars at 80% off RRP. With 1.6 million registered users and 1.4 million monthly unique visitors to the website it’s no surprise MadBid.com has an active Facebook fan following. Once a fan of the MadBid.com Facebook page, users get access to exclusive competitions, specials, games, polls, and auction updates.

MadBid.com MD Juha Koski says: “Our goal is to be accommodating and transparent to our customers, and the Facebook fan page is one of the ways MadBid.com interacts with customers to get their feedback and suggestions. We are constantly changing and improving to better serve our customers and user input from the fan page is often considered when we create new policies and promotions.”

The current world record for most high fives in 24 hours is held by Blake Rodgers from Rhode Island, USA who high-fived 3,131 people at a Dunkin Donuts in September 2008. Mr MadBid will be traveling around London all day on Thursday 30^th June to get as many high fives as possible trying to reach our target of 25,000. His itinerary for the day includes Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, The London Eye, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus.

Sarah Wilson, senior corporate fundraiser from The Children’s Trust said “We are overjoyed at the support MadBid.com has given us over the past 3 years. The MadBid.com team always come up with crazy ideas to engage with the public and raise money for us. The children in our care face complex challenges everyday so we love the idea of being part of a world record challenge too!”

To celebrate 25,000 Facebook fans Mr MadBid will be giving out more than just high fives. Meet up with him and you may get some free MadBid.com credits or even a t-shirt!

Check the MadBid.com Facebook page to follow Mr Madbid on his tour of London 30 June or become a fan and look out for special deals exclusive to Facebook fans.

http://www.facebook.com/MadBid.Auctions

As if Facebook couldn’t be more renowned for its attempt to connect people across the globe, Mark Zuckerberg’s 2004 social networking phenomenon is now about to embark on its latest adventure, which if successful, MadBid.com reckons will revolutionise the social aspect of music sharing.

With the uprising of technology has come a huge surge in music sharing and downloading over the internet. Just look at Napster or Spotify, the biggest pioneers of music streaming.  In a similar way, it appears that Facebook’s newest project is being launched in partnership with, the former, Spotify – one of the more notorious names in the online music business industry.

The new feature aims to provide a music dashboard or platform that lets you stream music, see what your friends are listening to and share your favourite tracks. When you log into your account, the music dashboard will display as an official bookmark on the site’s homepage as well as a separate tab on your profile, in which you can access and control the music you want to hear.

The music dashboard will not be tied to Spotify exclusively though, Facebook is looking to incorporate many more music streaming websites, which the music lovers among you may already be familiar with, such as: Pandora, Mog, Rdio, Last.fm, and Grooveshark amongst others. In Facebook’s attempt to create a similar service with similar functionality, the result may be a giant music library, which anyone and everyone can subscribe to.

Here’s a look at just a few of the features that will be included:

1. Music Notifications
2. Recommended Songs
3. Top Songs
4. Top Albums
5. Recent listens

This move will ensure that we are better connected than ever: now you will be able to see just what your friends are listening to and even light-heartedly mock them when you see them playing that Boyzone album they said they had thrown out years ago! In addition to this, Facebook’s music dashboard will help you to discover more genres and artists, making the world of music even more social and accessible than it is already.

Techno giant Apple might have brought the social to the music, but now the tables have turned and Facebook is bringing music to the social; a long-time dream its founders have sought to implement into its service. The result is a collaboration of two powerful social forces, both of which bring people together, making the world a more connected place. Keep your eyes and ears open for the potential release date of the music dashboard, which is to be announced after Facebook’s F8 conference in August.

Until then, you can visit MadBid.com for its range of Facebook and Apple friendly products, including our latest instalment, the New Apple TV which lets you stream photos and music from your PC as you please. Alternatively, there is our great range of stereo systems such as the new Samsung Home Theatre System so you can blast your music to the max!

It’s not every day you can get a brand new Mini One for almost 90% off the RRP, but it happens more often than you might expect on MadBid.com

On the way home from cricket training with his family, David from Essex noticed the Mini auction had ended. He couldn’t remember if he had left his auto bid on or not while he was out and just figured he had lost the auction.

When he later got home and found out he was the winner of a brand new Mini One for just £1,478.94, he ran straight to his wife to tell her the news. He had been bidding in secret, and as it turns out David doesn’t even have a licence! David calmly told his wife that he had won a Mini for her, and she took it as a joke. Unaware that her husband had been bidding in the auction, and having seen a Mini on the street earlier that day she’d commented “I would like that” in jest to her husband, she thought he was joking with her.

But it was no joke. After one year of participating in auctions on MadBid.com David can boast a few past wins, but even he was in shock over winning a new car. His bidding strategy for the auction was quite simple. After watching the auction for a while he thought he didn’t have a chance against some strong competitors, but then as he kept watching, he noticed some of the big bidders begin to withdraw and that’s when he stepped in and activated his auto bid.

David makes it look easy, but there is a lot of strategy that goes in to winning an auction. What advice does David have for new bidders? “Start out on the smaller auctions to build your confidence, and spend some time to learn the dynamics of the site and the strategies of your fellow bidders” said David.

David shows we are so MAD at MadBid.com that you don’t even need a licence to win a car! The brand new red Mini One David and his wife drove away in this month, is one of the 11 cars we have auctioned on the site since 2008. Cars are just one of the amazing prizes our users are winning. Click here to get amazing savings on all the latest gadgets including laptops, phones, camera, appliances, and even hard cash!

Video coming soon…

I won an Ipod Shuffle 2GB on 26/05/11. I won it for 64p, and I like the size of it; it’s very discreet. The sound is very clear through the earphones, it holds quite a lot of music, and it’s very easy to use.
-Ryanred5

I won a Sony PS3 for a total price of £18.43. What I like about the product is it’s a dvd/blu-ray player and upscales dvd’s to full hd quality. I was looking to buy a blu-ray player. So why not buy one that can also play games, browse the web, watch and record tv (with ps3’s add on play tv) It’s a great piece of equipment which can do so many things.
-garru

I won a Bijan Women Gift Set for 0.41p on madbid.com and its retail value is £42.
-rawsht_kirkuky

I won a copy of Smackdown vs Raw 2011 for PS3 just for 25p. The thing I love most about it is that the game brings back childhood memories of watching wrestling late at night
- bigmacman

Hi Madbid!
On my first go at bidding I won a Restaurant Discount Card for £0.02!! I thought this would be useful as I am due to go on holiday in the UK shortly.
-rawsht_kirkuky

I won George Foreman Grill & Melt (£5.04), Restaurant Discount Card (£4.51) and 75 credits (£0.50). I think all the products on Madbid are very cheap and it was worth trying it.
-Inamhassan

Hi Madbid Team, I won a Morphy Richards Kettle for 90p and although I have not yet received it I am still excited about receiving my quality product at a quality price. Cheers!
-Dudesmurf

I love Madbid because although you have to pay money for credits you can win a lot more, if you’re lucky, I had won £10, £25 and a restaurant card and the maximum amount of money I spent on was £20 so I would say to everyone that asks “is Madbid good…… have you tried it?” that it is a very good website and that if you are worried about losing your money, if you’re new, you get your money back on your first time buying credits.
- Fabtaste

On my first visit to the site I won 100 credits and have already used these to launch into my online entertainment!
-Mumzy75

I won £10.00 cash for only £0.01. I like the product because I made £9.99 profit!
-Stitchgrin

Sony is bringing gaming to life in their new portable gaming device the PSVita. PSVita is set to launch at the end of 2011 for £249 WiFi and £299 3G.  MadBid.com are delighted to see several new built in features include front and rear camera, a microphone, front multi-touch screen and a rear multi-touch pad, motion sensors, a high definition 5 inch OLED display, and GPS location software.

The new features of the PSVita will bring handheld gaming to a new level with Augmented Reality (AR) Technology.  Players will be able to interact like never before with new applications like “Near”, “Party”, and “Welcome Park”.

“Near” takes the PSVita ups social connectivity by allowing users to see what games others are playing nearby and gift virtual game related items through location-based gaming. By checking in at geographic locations players can share virtual content like character costumes, weapons, and treasures.

“Party” is an application available on the PSVita that allows users to text chat or voice chat not only while gaming online, but also while connected to the internet at any time. The PSVita will come in two models one with WiFi connectivity and a more expensive 3G model, which will be connected to the internet 24/7.

“Welcome Park” is a PSVita app designed to help players learn the new 3-dimension-like finger motions available on the device such as touch, grab, trace, push, and pull. With a touch screen on the front, a sensor pad on the back, dual analog sticks, and built in motion sensor, gyroscope, and accelerometer capabilities, the new PSVita brings hand held gaming to a new level of reality.

One of the most exciting features of the PSVita is its full backwards compatibility with all PlayStation Portable games. Check out the official video trailer from the E3 conference above to see some of the games that will be enhanced on the new device.

We at MadBid.com are excited about the launch of the PSVita and you can bet we will be one of the first to offer the product on our site when it comes out just in time for Xmas. Can’t wait till Christmas to get your gaming on? Check out some MAD deals on our site for gaming consoles like the Sony PS3 320GB that went for £5.82 or the Nintendo 3DS Console for just £1.17!