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Blackberry Storm Debuts to Long Lines
The Blackberry Storm was released today. The Blackberry Storm is the first BlackBerry device to offer a touch screen interface. Long lines were reported at Verizon Stores - see here, here and here - where the Storm is being sold. Verizon Wireless is offering the Blackberry Storm for $200 to customers who sign a two-year contract. Reuters says this is the same as the iPhone-AT&T offer.

Verizon Wireless is making a big bet on the Storm for the crucial holiday season. The No. 2 U.S. mobile service heavily promoted four different phones last holiday season, but its focus this year is on the first touch-screen BlackBerry.

Both the Storm and iPhone cost $200 for customers who agree to a two-year service contract and both come with a built-in camera, and music and video players

Survey Finds Holidays Cause Women More Stress Than Men
Market research firms KW Strategems and Decipher recently conducted a study about how much people are stressed out by the holiday. The study found that the holidays are more stressful for women. It also found that finances are the most likely cause of holiday stress - that's a stressor that will be in play this year for many families. Here are some highlights from the study's findings.

• Overall, Americans claim to be good at handling holiday stress
• On a 10-point scale, Americans rated their stress level at 3.44 points.
• Finances are the most likely cause of holiday stress
• Two-thirds of Americans claim financing the holidays is a significant stress factor.
• Slightly more than one-half of Americans will try to spend less this holiday season.
• The holidays prove to be a more stressful time for women
• Seven-in-ten women are moderately or significantly worried about finances during the holidays.
• Nearly one-half of women are moderately or significantly worried about their weight during the holidays.
• Except for health, Seniors (age 60+) were less stressed by the holidays than any other age group.

1. Spend Less - 57%
2. Finish my holiday shopping early - 39%
3. Prepare earlier for the holidays (shop, cook, etc.) - 31%
4. Exercise more - 28%
5. Buyer fewer sweets for home - 27%
6. Stick to my regular exercise routine - 27%
7. Bring healthy food to share at gatherings - 17%
8. Serve healthy options at gatherings - 14%
9. Do all my holiday shopping online - 13%
10. Escape for a girls/guys night out - 11%
11. Go to fewer holiday parties - 11%

Interactive Toys at Hamleys in London
ITN's Dominic Reynolds went to Hamleys in London to play with this year's crop of interactive toys. The toys he plays with include a robotic dog that offers its paw and Elmo Live. He looks like he is having fun aside from the baby that wets himself. Take a look:

Study Finds Away-Facing Strollers May Stress Out Babies
The AFP reports that a new British study has found that babies riding in forward-facing (or away-facing) strollers could become "emotionally impoverished" because they have no face-to-face contact with the parent who is pushing them.

Having infants facing their parent gives them positive reassurance and reduces mental stress, said the study by researchers at Dundee University in Scotland, believed to be the first of its kind.

"Neuroscience has helped us to learn how important social interaction during the early years is for children's brain development," said Suzanne Zeedyk of the university's School of Psychology.

"Our data suggests that for many babies today, life in a buggy is emotionally impoverished and possibly stressful. Stressed babies grow into anxious adults," she added.

Specifically, the study found that 25 percent of parents using face-to-face buggies actually spoke to their baby, more than twice as many as with away-facing buggies, which are the most common type.

Mac Launching Hello Kitty Collection in February

The bulk of the items are in the former category: six shades of lipstick with names like Fashion Mews and Strayin', each $14; six Lipglass shades, each $14; and two tinted lip conditioners, $14.50 each; two eye shadow palettes, which each contain four shades and retail for $38; two shades of pigment are $19.50 each, and two Reflects Glitter stockkeeping units - one blue, one pink - are $17.50 each. Four Glitter Eye Liners, each $16.50, two shades of Beauty Powder, each $22; three shades of nail polish, each $11; a black mascara, $12, and false lashes, $12, round out the color offerings. Shades range from pinks and turquoises to lavenders and greens.

Hello Kitty Kouture is intended to be the high end of the collection. Two shades of Dazzleglass, each $28, each feature a reusable silver chain pendant with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals on black with a pink crystal bow. Sheer Mystery Powder, $90 and available in three shades, is packaged in a silver powder compact with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals with a pink crystal bow on a black background.