Author: Serkadis

Although Saab, the car manufacturer, will most likely cease to exist as an entity, Saab vehicles owners and fans will always be around. Their existence (if you doubted it until now) was confirmed on Sunday, in front of General Motors’ main office in Luton, UK, where a convoy led by Saab rally legend Erik Carlsson and comprising some 150 Saab vehicles set up camp to protest against the American bully.

The gathering (which, in our opinion, has all the chances of becoming a regular event, shoul… (read more)

Although most of us will never see the Tiger Woods sex tape, Ian Halperin claims he already has. The went on celebrity snitch went on “The Opie and Anthony Radio Show” last Friday to give us an oral play by play of the sex acts, drug use and role-playing featured in the footage.

Microsoft has agreed only to hold your personal information (read: darkest secrets] for six months, while Google and Yahoo will continue to keep them much longer to “improve search quality.” By which, of course, they mean “ad revenue.”

Granted, the Bing move comes after pressure from the European Union, who’s fined Microsoft so many billions of dollars in the past that the latter is understandably twitchy. It’s still a policy that should be applauded, though, to the same extent that Yahoo and Google’s lack of improvement should be roundly booed. Google stores cookies for a year and a half, far longer than they should need it for any purpose other than sending you the perfectly targeted Bowflex ad.

If Google and Yahoo continue not to comply with the EU’s wishes, the outcome could be fun to watch: more comically large fines for them, a less invasive search experience for you. Here’s hoping. [WSJ]

Is China pulling Avatar from theaters because it’s too popular? Moviegoers in the Asian nation who haven’t already seen James Cameron’s Golden Globe-winning sci-fi epic will find it more difficult to see the film, according to The Los Angeles Times.

The box office smash is already the highest-grossing movie of all time in the communist nation, earning $76 million, but the government has decided to remove Avatar from 1,628 2D screens this week. China’s state-run movie distributor China Film Group is replacing the box office hit with a biography about Confucius starring Chow-Yun Fat, according to The Times.

Chinese fans will still be able to view Avatar on almost 900 3D screens.

Meanwhile, a 42-year-old Taiwanese man with a history of high blood pressure died while watching the blockbuster in a Chinese theater last week. Doctors believe his fatally stroke was likely triggered by “over-excitement” from seeing the movie.

Atlus has announced that the third entry in their hardcore dungeon crawling Etrian Odyssey series won’t be meeting its March release date in Japan.

A few weeks ago, I was flying with my wife somewhere, and as we passed through security, a TSA agency took my wife’s shoes and asked if he could run a separate test on them. A little while later, he came back and asked if she had another pair of shoes, saying that hers had “failed the test.” It was around 5am, and neither of us were completely awake and we were both really confused, and trying to figure out how her shoes could have failed any sort of test (could she have stepped in some sort of mud that set off a test?!?) or if she had packed another pair of shoes, when the TSA guy started laughing, saying he was just joking and “you were supposed to protest!” Apparently, it was all a big joke. It wasn’t that funny. And, of course, we’ve been told over and over again that this kind of joking is only allowed to go in one direction.

Krubuntu points us to the news of a guy in the UK who found himself arrested and banned for life from an airport after posting a message on Twitter that read: “Robin Hood airport is closed. You’ve got a week and a bit to get your shit together, otherwise I’m blowing the airport sky high!!” This was in response to the airport closing due to snow, and the guy realizing he was supposed to fly from there a week later. Now, clearly, this was an ill-advised Twitter message. And, at the very least, I don’t begrudge police from at least doing a quick check to make sure that it wasn’t serious, but to then arrest him under the Terror Act, interrogate him for seven hours, threaten him with further charges and ban him for life from the airport? At some point you have to think that the response has gone too far as well. Yes, the post was in poor taste, but at some point law enforcement people should recognize when it was just a frustrated person making an ill-advised joke and move on.

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Google’s (GOOG) newfound morality in China may cost it dearly and not just in the search market, but in the mobile services sector as well. This morning the company said that it is delaying the release of two Android superphones that were to debut on China Unicom this week. And it cancelled a ceremony planned for tomorrow at which it was launch a brace of Android-based devices – one from Motorola (MOT) and another from Samsung.

“The launch we have been working on with China Unicom has been postponed,” a Google spokesperson explained.

The company offered no reason for the postponement, though it’s obviously related to the current uncertainties around its presence in China. Sources close to Google say the company simply felt it would be “irresponsible” to launch the phones in China at this time.

Google says it plans to hold meetings with Chinese authorities in “coming days,” though they’re not likley to be easy going given the recent messaging from Beijing. This morning a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman again stressed that foreign companies doing business in China must respect Chinese laws and regulations, adding, “Google is of course no exception.”

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Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Ford

Ford is reportedly preparing to launch a subtle facelift for its European-market Mondeo sedan, but according to reports, this will be the last Mondeo revision before the new model – Ford’s third new global product – hits the streets in 2014.

The interim Mondeo, pictured in the leaked photo on the right, will receive some minor adjustments to its appearance and specifications in an effort to keep it fresh, like the new Galaxy and S-Max minivans, until the new model arrives.

The next-gen Mondeo, however, will join the Fiesta and the new Focus as Ford’s third new global car, replacing the Mondeo overseas and the Fusion in the North American market. According to reports, the new Mondeo/Fusion is being developed in the United States for expected simultaneous manufacturing – with few adjustments to local tastes – in the U.S., Europe and China.

[Sources: Autocar, BurlappCars.com]

Ford to launch facelifted Mondeo until global Mondeo/Fusion replacement arrives originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The following is a list of the articles that appear in the January 2010 issue of Technology Transfer Tactics monthly newsletter. If you are already a current subscriber click here to log in and access your issue. Not a subscriber already? Subscribe now and get access to this issue as well as access to our online archive of back issues, industry research reports, sample MTAs, legal opinions, sample forms and contracts, government documents and more!

Technology Transfer Tactics,
Vol. 4, No. 1 (pp 1-16) January 2010

• Don’t panic, but take steps to prepare for Bilski decision. The U.S. Supreme Court’s much-anticipated ruling in the  Bilski case will likely alter the landscape for business method patents and send shockwaves through the tech transfer community. Though no one can predict for certain the outcome, many observers believe the days of business method patents are numbered
• UNC introduces standardized ‘express’ start-up license. Forming a start-up at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill may become easier following the introduction of a standard licensing arrangement that the university is promoting as its “best deal”
• In bold stroke, U of Kentucky brings clinicians into commercialization pipeline. In 2008, only one disclosure came out of the University of Kentucky’s Medical Center in Lexington, and it didn’t go anywhere. But in just the last quarter of 2009, there were 16 disclosures, including two that already have working prototypes
• TTOs face new reality when seeking venture funding. TTOs say they are facing a hard truth when it comes to early-stage financing: Projects that would have been considered “venture ready” a few short years ago are having a much tougher time attracting VC funding today
• Do poster presentations jeopardize your TTO’s commercialization efforts? Go to virtually any innovation showcase or industry meeting and you’re bound to see a collection of poster presentations. They look harmless enough; summaries of ongoing research often created by graduate students. But beneath their innocuous façade, some say, lies a potential threat to the commercialization of the technologies in question
• UMich creates ‘one-stop-shop’ center for start-ups. Having a wide range of services and resources available to faculty entrepreneurs and investors has always been seen as an important goal by the TTO at The University of Michigan, but recently its leadership decided that those services could be provided more effectively and efficiently by creating a central contact point for all interested parties

Chicago-based C. Cretors & Company, established in 1885, announces they will be hosting a special reception for media, government, community leaders and influencers to celebrate their 125^th anniversary on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010 from 5:00 pm until 7:00pm at their manufacturing facilities located at 3243 N. California Avenue, Chicago.

C. Cretors & Co [cretors.com] is a leader in the over $10 billion U.S. concession industry business, and is widely credited as being the catalyst for the creation of the modern concession industry.

Founder, Charles Cretors, while renting an apartment after the great Chicago fire, unveiled the world’s first commercial popcorn machine at the Columbian World Exposition held in Chicago in 1893. Cretors continues to strive, and is now run by the 5^th generation of the Cretors family.

“We take pride in the part our company and employees have played in the creation of the modern concession industry, and are excited to share this with Chicago,” said Andrew Cretors, president of the company.

After two world wars, during one of which [World War II] Cretors provided machine parts for the U.S. Military, and the Great Depression, Cretors survival is truly a remarkable story, and a benchmark for longevity and prudent business operations in dire economic conditions. Cretors’ history is an inspiration to entrepreneurs when it comes to persistence of ideas, ambitions and corporate values.

About C. Cretors and Company

Established in 1885, C. Cretors and Company is the leading designer and manufacturer of food processing and concession equipment providing a complete range of innovative food service solutions to companies around the world.

Cretors is a renowned industry innovator, who in 1893 introduced the first patented steam driven popcorn machine that popped corn in oil. In 1967, Cretors’ Food Processing Division introduced a patented continuous production line featuring a hot air fluidized bed oven for high-volume popcorn production, ranging from 80 to 5,000 lbs. per hour.

Over the company’s long and storied history, its Foodservice Division offerings have expanded to include machines that produce and/or dispense cotton candy, nachos, caramel corn, and hot dogs, topping and dispensing equipment as well as warming and display cabinets.

Today, Cretors union operation with over 75 employees continues to reinvest in research and development to ensure constant improvements in everything from equipment manufacturing to customer responsiveness to distributor network communications.

For more information about Cretors’ services and products, please visit cretors.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

A.C. McLean, 312-373-1778
[email protected]

After being replaced by Tom Sykes and Chris Vermeulen in the Paul Bird Motorsport Kawasaki team, Makoto Tamada confirmed he will remain in the World Superbike Championship after signing a deal with Pro Ride Honda, newcomers to the series. The switch comes after two difficult seasons for the 33-year-old Japanese rider, who was unable to report any notable performances.

On the other hand, the Italian team, run by Marco Nicotari tried to take part in last year’s championship with Gregorio Lavill… (read more)

American manufacturer Ford announced today it will keep offering the taxi and car rental packages for the Mondeo, S-MAX and Ford Galaxy "free of charge". The offer already existed, as it was launched in October 2009, but is now extended "until further notice". The offer is valid for the two taxi and car rental packages offered by Ford in collaboration with the Oldenburg Company INTAX Innovative Automotive Solutions.

For taxis, Ford is offering roof sign pre-installation wi… (read more)

Ten years ago, Doug Van Sandt made a bet with the authors of a best selling book called Dow 36,000 that after a decade the Dow would be closer to 11,000 than it would to 36,000.

Now that the Dow is linger in the ten thousands, lower than it was when the bet was made, he says it is time for authors James Glassman and Kevin Hassett to pay up. He wants them to send the money to the Salvation Army.

On Monday morning he sent a letter to Glassman asking for them to pay up. We obtained a copy of the letter.

Dear Mr. Glassman: I am writing to confirm that the Dow did not get halfway to 36000, so that under the terms of our Atlantic Monthly wager, you and Kevin Hassett owe $1000 to the charity of my choice, which is the Salvation Army. I should add that it’s a good thing that I was not required to come up with a predicted Dow level, as I would never have guessed that the level would actually have fallen in ten years (who did ?).

In looking you up on the internet, I discovered that we have a common educational experience. I too worked on the Crimson in the early 60’s with Joe Russin , Andy Weil, Peter Gann and a bunch of other really smart guys. I also graduated cum laude with a Government concentration, in 1964. Judging from your career path, we share a conservative bent. Since graduation , law school and an Air Force term, I’ve been defending doctors and hospitals against malpracticwe suits here in Stockton, California. Sincerely,

J. Douglas Van Sant
Kroloff, Belcher, Smart, Perry & Christopherson
[Redacted] (Main)
[Redacted] (Fax)

There’s been no word yet from Glassman or Hassett.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• The Authors Of Dow 36,000 Just Lost A Ten Year Old $1,000 Bet
• The Guy Who Called The Lost Decade For Stocks Just Told Us We’re Now Set For A Decade Of Slow Growth

Poor ol’ John Hodgman. He’s always been beleaguered and sad-looking – from his first appearance in the Get a Mac ads back in ought-six to his most recent in October 2009. He always looks like he needs a hug, a nice pair of comfortable jeans, and a low-fat, no sugar coffee drink.

However, if you can’t get enough of his frumpy corduroy, AdWeek has all of the commercials, in series, for your pleasure. You can doot-doot-doot along to the soundtrack while smilin’ Justin Long and Mr. Grumpy Hodgman keep you amused and informed while, essentially, telling you what hunk of code to buy. Isn’t the 21st Century great?

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This crazy guitar is actually an open source MIDI system using a sexy touchscreen with multi-touch and reactive fretboard. The result? Let’s just say while you probably won’t get much cherry pie playing this thing, the guys at Information Society will definitely invite you into their trailer at the Iowa State Fair this year.

Called the Misa Digital he fretboard has 144 note buttons, runs Gentoo Linux and, friends, has an Ethernet port with SSH server. Now you can truly hack the Gibson.

via Giz

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Amazon’s lopped $50 off the price of the 4.7-inch Magellan Maestro 4700, which includes Bluetooth, voice command, and predictive traffic features. You can get it for $140, today only.

Other features include a built-in AAA TourBook, 6 million points of interest, highway lane assist, spoken street names, and 3D landmarks “such as stadiums and bridges.”

Magellan Maestro 4700 4.7-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator [Amazon.com]

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