Geva Rechav, a Google product manager for emerging markets, confirmed in a blog post that Gmail SMS messages will be free to receive, but standard fees will apply for outgoing emails.

ENGADGET: Google launches Gmail SMS for text-based email in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya

Another fan of emerging-market debt: Morgan Harting, senior portfolio manager and emerging-markets multi-asset team leader at AllianceBernstein Investments Inc.

WSJ: The Allure of Emerging-Markets Bonds

The general manager of Western long haul markets for Tourism New Zealand, Gregg Anderson also had facts about the production of The Hobbit.

FORBES: $380,000 Worth of Coffee...and Other Fun Facts About 'The Hobbit'