Stocks Finish Strong as Investors Wait for Unemployment Data (AAPL, PAR, & BKC)

Word on the Street

• Apple (AAPL) announced that it will release a new, updated version of its Apple TV device. Despite its uneventful debut back in 2006, the iPod creator has decided to move forward with its less than revolutionary Apple TV product line.
• The bidding war has officially ended. Hewlett Packard (HPQ) has muscled out Dell (DELL) with its $2.4 billion offer for 3PAR (PAR).
• 3G Capital must really like Whoppers because it just agreed to acquire Burger King (BKC) for $3.3 billion.
• Apple (AAPL) has had a busy day. In addition to its new Apple TV announcement, Steve Jobs introduced a new music social network called Ping. Find out the scoop about this new iTunes feature.
• Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke admits to partial fault about unclear message on Lehman Brothers disaster.
• Jobless claims fell last week- this looks like a step in the right direction, but it also appears that the economy is still far from a recovery.
• An oil rig off the coast of Louisiana catches on fire, but thankfully nobody was hurt. Mariner Energy also announced that none of the seven active wells are leaking.

Other Juicy Tidbits

• The nation’s capital is the most automobile-accident prone city in the United States for the third straight year. Whats going on in D.C. that makes the roads so crazy?
• Medical bills can be expensive. Check out this list of the most profitable hospitals in America.
• Rumors are circulating that Google (GOOG) may soon be entering the music business. Find out more.