Paging The Betty Ford Clinic! Mariah Carey made a fool of herself in front of a star-studded audience at the 2010 Palm Springs Film Festival on Tuesday night. The loopy singing legend left fans stunned as she slurred and stumbled through an acceptance speech after she won the Best Supporting Actress Award for her role as a dowdy social worker in the critically-acclaimed drama Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.

Director Lee Daniels escorted the unsteady MC to the stage and watched in awe as she stumbled through her words, giggled with the audience and hinted that she’d too much to drink. Carey hesitated for a few seconds, looked to the ceiling, sighed and said: “Please forgive me, because I’m a little bit, um …” An audience member finished the sentence for her, to which she replied, “Yeah!” with a laugh.

“Oooooooh, my goodness!” she bellowed.

Somewhere in Detroit, Eminem is laughing his ass off…..

Free Press has come out swinging against “TV Everywhere”—the cable industry’s bid to migrate its video content from your set-top box to your computer. But no sooner did the advocacy group release its not-too-subtly titled paper “TV Nowhere: How the Cable Industry Is Colluding to Kill Online TV,” than big cable cried foul.

“Free Press’s description of TV Everywhere is a reminder of the admonition that people are entitled to their own opinions, but not their own set of facts,” shot back National Cable and Telecommunications Association CEO Kyle McSlarrow on Monday. “The call for an ‘investigation’ of TV Everywhere has no factual or legal basis, no matter how many times Free Press and its allies repeat the words ‘collusion,’ ‘cartel’ and ‘illegal’.”

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Even as the “late 2010″ deadline for Windows Mobile 7.0 steadily approaches, Microsoft is doing more than just working on the next major version of its mobile OS. Most recently, there have been Microsoft job postings highlighting how the company wants to build synergy between its Windows Mobile and Xbox Live platforms, as well as documentation that confirms an upcoming Windows Mobile 6.5.3 release.

The first job posting, posted on December 21, 2009, asks for a Software Test Engineer that answers yes to the following three questions: “Are you a gamer? Do you want to work on the fun stuff? Do you think mobile gaming and always connected internet has the potential to change the way people play games?” The second one, posted on December 23, 2009, wants a Principal Program Manager who “can help drive the platform and bring Xbox LIVE enabled games to Windows Mobile. This person will focus specifically on what makes gaming experiences ‘LIVE Enabled’ through aspects such as avatar integration, social interactions, and multi-screen experiences.”

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates first envisioned a world where Xbox Live works on many platforms way back in May 2006, but the software giant doesn’t appear to be anywhere near reaching such a goal. Still, we keep seeing related job postings, such as the one last August suggesting the company still hasn’t axed the idea. That said, the fact the company is still hiring for related positions suggests we won’t be seeing Xbox Live on Windows Mobile at CES 2010.

There’s a small chance we’ll see a preview of Windows Mobile 7.0, or at the very least Windows Mobile 6.5.3. The latter has yet to be announced, but don’t worry, it does exist, at least according to an MSDN page on the Windows Mobile Developer Center, titled “Creating Widget Menus” that specifically mentions the new version: “Beginning with the Windows Mobile 6.5.3 release, touchable tiles replace soft keys. For developers, the change from soft keys to touchable tiles is automatic starting with Windows Mobile 6.5.3 (is this what previous rumors referred to as version 6.7?).”

6.5.1 and 6.5.3 builds have made appearances in the wild for weeks now, but Microsoft has refused to comment on them. Hopefully by the end of the week we’ll know more on how the company plans to speed things up.

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Just last month, we were defending Bruce Everiss over a ridiculous libel tourism attempt to have him tried for libel halfway around the world from where he lives. We still defend that post — libel tourism is terrible — but many in our comments pointed out that there may be more to the story, and one of the biggest things was that Everiss simply hated the fact that Evony — the company trying to sue him — came up with a business model that involves exactly the sort of thing we like: giving stuff away for free, and coming up with more advanced reasons to buy. That still doesn’t excuse the libel claim, but Everiss does seem to have a bit of trouble understanding basic economics of digital goods. A whole bunch of you have sent in his recent rant about how many people “stole” Modern Warfare 2. It’s the sort of thing we had thought went out of style years ago, when people realized that every download wasn’t a lost sale, and there were lots of reasons that people might download other than a lack of “moral fiber.” Everiss is having none of it, however, insisting that over 300 million dollars was “stolen” from Activision based on a “one download = one stolen copy” equation that went out of style around a decade ago:

That’s right, over 300 million dollars stolen just of the one game, Modern Warfare 2, in 2009. Obviously Activision had much more stolen from them with other titles, but MW2 is by far the worst affected. According to TorrentFreak 4,100,000 copies of the PC version of MW2 were stolen and 970,000 copies of the Microsoft Xbox 360 version.

Thieves using bit torrents are indulging in the biggest orgy of theft in the history of humanity. When they can steal with no chance of getting caught then they will. How they justify this appalling lack of moral fibre to themselves is beyond me. I have heard a whole litany of empty excuses from the thieves to try and justify their actions but the fact remains that they are benefiting from other people’s labour that they should have paid for but haven’t. So they are thieves.

Yes, according to Mr. Everiss, “benefiting from other people’s labour that they should have paid for but haven’t” means you are a thief. Everiss’ article is about to get traffic from us. He’s about to benefit from us linking to his article. He hasn’t paid us. I think he should. According to his own reasoning, he is a thief. You might spot the logical flaw in that, and it’s the same in Everiss’ own argument. It’s that because one party believe others should pay for their work, you are to assume that that other party must pay for the work. That’s not how transactions work, however. The economy is based on mutually agreeable transactions where one party only pays if they find it worthwhile to pay, and it is the job of the entity trying to make money to give people a reason to buy. Don’t give them a reason? Too bad.

Everiss goes on to then talk up DRM and three strikes as the best “solutions” to piracy, suggesting that he apparently hasn’t paid attention to pretty much all of technological history, and how well such “solutions” have (not) worked. He does (thankfully!) suggest that better business models are another option, but seems to think that’s a lot less important than DRM and three strikes.

The first reader who sent this story in, the creatively named TechWeasel, also wrote up a rather detailed response that he tried to post as a comment to Mr. Everiss’ rant, but for some reason it was not allowed, so I’ll republish it here:

“I’m happy to see more attention being paid to the problem of video game piracy, but I find this analysis questionable.

1) One pirated game does not equal one lost sale. People pirate games for a number of reasons (the litany of excuses referred to in the article), and not all of those reasons amount to “I would totally buy this game if I couldn’t download it for free.” First, there is no mechanism in the video game publishing industry to redress a lack of customer satisfaction. If somebody shells out $60 for a game and ends up not liking it or being plagued by technical issues, they can’t get their money back like they can for most goods. Thus, a tempting solution is to download a copy of the game almost as a trial version, and then to purchase if it turns out to be worth the price. This is only one example. Another reason to pirate is if legitimately available versions of the game are censored in the user’s country (India, China and Australia are heavy on the censorship), thus denying the user the ability to pay for a legimate copy. I am not speaking to the ethics of these reasons, but only trying to point out the fallacy behind the “1 download = 1 lost sale” argument.

2) Where are all the great DS games? Being written for platforms that don’t require the same degree of game design tailoring (two screens, touchscreen w/stylus, low hardware requirements), or which have online distribution channels and thus lower overhead (i.e. WiiWare, iPhone, PSN, XBL). Post hoc, ergo propter hoc.

3) Technical protection is not the best solution, because it punishes legitimate users and drives them away. I did not buy Spore specifically because of its use of invasive DRM (SecuROM) and I have passed over several other games because of their DRM or activation limits. I own multiple computers and often reinstall games when swapping parts. These are lost sales.

4) A mandate for ISPs to stop torrents through disconnection of their customers is akin to the power company cutting off the electricity to somebody’s house because their usage patterns match those of somebody else who runs heat lamps. Internet access is a utility that’s essential for education and work. This is why we have due process. Companies lack the expertise to make these judgments and it would be a financial and ethical burden on them to force them to.

There are some good points here, such as business model migration towards subscriptions or microtransactions. This is the way to go, moving forward. The idea is to minimize deadweight loss – let the publishers do whatever they can to ensure that everyone pays as much as they are willing to for their games, while having the best experience possible. Zynga, the maker of Farmville, Mafia Wars and a host of other Facebook and iPhone games, is doing a good job with this. So is Turbine, the maker of Dungeons and Dragons Online – free to play, with microtransactions for items, perks and other features.

ATVI chose to launch the PC version of MW2 with total understanding that it was a lesser version, that the PC as a platform wasn’t worth the work of adding features that PC gamers expect from their games (dedicated servers, ability to mod, high degree of settings flexibility). As a PC gamer, I reject that, and chose not to buy (or pirate) the game. Others chose to pirate it, probably in part as a form of protest, but also because the neutered PC version of the game just wasn’t worth the price tag that ATVI slapped on it. Good God, Activision doesn’t even make $59.99 off a copy of a game purchased at Best Buy; at least make the math believable. I understand that this stance on the issue is a little too complicated to land easily beneath the headline Bruce chose, but an issue this complicated deserves more analysis.”

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MobilityMinded has published this video of the LG eXpo fingerprint security system in action.  They note that the setting to activate it is not where one would expect, which is unfortunate given how much more user-friendly it is rather than the default 4 digit Windows Mobile pin lock.

Read more at MobilityMinded here.

The hype at CES this year might be around LED and 3D TVs, but LG is still standing strong behind its plasma screens with the thinner and lighter Infinia PK950 and PK750.

The 2010 models have been completely redesigned, and are now a full 37% slimmer than previous iterations and weigh up to 40% less. The PK950 and PK750 both feature a new single-layer design that reduces the gap between the screen and the filter by 70%, and the PK550 and PJ350 sport a bezel width of under an inch. The PK models are all available in 1080p, while the PJ350 is a 720p display. Like their newly announced LED LCD counterparts, the plasma Infinia models also come quipped with NetCast Entertainment Access, which this year has been updated to support Skype.

All of that’s the good news. The bad news is that they’re still plasma displays, which means that they’re never going to be as thin or as energy efficient as LCDs. And with the advent of LED LCD displays, the picture quality gap is closing quickly. Still, plasmas offer some of the cleanest images and blackest blacks available, and it’s good to see manufacturers supporting the technology.

There’s no word yet on pricing, but you can expect new sets to be available this spring/summer.

LG ELECTRONICS REINFORCES COMMITMENT TO PLASMA HDTVs

WITH SLIM, VERSATILE DESIGN, PICTURE-ENHANCING TECHNOLOGY

New Plasmas Punctuated by Slim Bezel Depth, Enhanced Connectivity

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2010 – LG Electronics underscored its commitment to the plasma HDTV category with eight new models for 2010, led by the new LG INFINIA series, which represents the best in LG’s design, technology and entertainment options.

Featuring new picture-enhancing technology and lightweight designs in a variety of screen sizes, four new plasma series – the INFINIA PK950 and PK750, as well as the PK550 and PJ350– were introduced today at the International Consumer Electronics Show, (Booth #8205).

Design and Picture Enhancement

LG has completely redesigned its plasma line for 2010, resulting in plasma sets that are slimmer and lighter than ever before. At only around two-inches in depth, the 2010 models are approximately 37 percent thinner than previous models and dramatically lighter. In the most extreme case, the weight of a 60-inch plasma HDTV was reduced by more than 40 percent to a svelte 95 pounds.

LG’s new plasma series includes stunning new designs, such as the single-layer design of the PK750 and PK950, and the “TruSlim Frame” on the PK550 and PJ350 models, which boasts a bezel width of just 0.9-inches. Wireless capability contributes to the freedom of infinite entertainment possibilities.

Setting a new standard in picture quality, the PK750 and PK950 models have achieved THX Display Certification*. These models also feature 600Hz Sub-Field Driving, a protective “Skin Glass,” Dual XD Engine and a TruBlack Filter to provide consumers with superior picture quality in a bright room. The 600Hz Sub-Field Driving improves moving picture response time using a 10 sub-field per frame driving process, ultimately offering consumers a clearer picture.

The Protective Skin Glass system reduces the gap between the outer glass and filter by 70 percent, virtually eliminating double imaging and helping to reduce glare. LG’s exclusive Dual XD Engine facilitates up-conversion of standard definition content to near high-definition quality, so consumers can enjoy improved image quality with everything they watch. It also provides extremely accurate color reproduction. The incorporation of the TruBlack Filter reduces ambient light reflection, providing consumers with better black levels and improving contrast for a sharper and more detailed picture in a bright room.

“Plasma TV technology is still considered the gold standard of picture quality by discerning home theater enthusiasts,” said Tim Alessi, director of product development, LG Electronics USA. “LG’s 2010 plasma line combines new technology, such as the TruBlack Filter and superior color accuracy, with striking new designs that are slimmer, narrower and lighter, demonstrating LG’s commitment to innovation in the plasma category.”

Content and Connectivity

The PK950* and PK750* plasma series boast a connectivity package with a variety of entertainment options including NetCast Entertainment Access™. With this NetCast feature, consumers can access an array of online content options**:

o Skype™: Newly added in 2010, this allows consumers to make free video and voice calls over the Internet to family members and friends (Separate camera and other equipment needed and sold separately).
o Netflix™: Updated with Netflix 2.0, consumers can stream thousands of movies without a PC.
o VUDU™: Allows consumers to instantly buy or rent from an extensive library of movies and TV titles, including a catalog of more than 2,000 high-definition movies – with no monthly fees or additional hardware.
o YouTube™: Offers the ability to instantly stream millions of Web videos directly from the Internet (without a personal computer).
o Napster™: Napster subscribers can now enjoy unlimited on-demand streaming music from millions of songs on their NetCast TV.
o Yahoo! Widget Engine™: Enables access to various applications called TV Widgets that allow viewers to interact with popular Internet services and online media through applications specifically tailored to the needs of the watcher, such as up-to-the minute Yahoo! News, Weather and Finance, and new widgets, including CNBC, CBS and Showtime.

LG Electronics has incorporated the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) technology across the full line of plasma models. This allows consumers to access content stored on other DLNA-certified devices within the home, such as computers, making content options almost limitless.

Providing easy options for connecting to the Internet, in addition to the wired Ethernet jack, all NetCast-enabled sets can also integrate into a wireless home network by using a USB wireless broadband adaptor (sold separately). Both PK950 and PK750 models support multi-media playback from a connected USB device including photos (JPEG), music (MP3) and video (DivX HD).

For greater convenience and flexibility in setup and installation, all LG Plasma series with NetCast offer wireless Full HD 1080p transmission from a “Wireless Media Hub” from up to 98 feet. Connecting source components, such as Blu-ray Disc players, cable or satellite boxes and video games to the media hub enables transmission to a compact receiver adaptor which attaches to the back of the TV, hidden from view. This eliminates the need for individual components to be connected directly to the TV, making for a clean and easy installation and removal of unsightly wires (Media Hub and receiver adaptor sold separately as a package).

Controls

LG’s PK950 series also incorporates a unique “Magic Wand” remote system that provides an immersive interaction with the set. This “Magic” user interface brings together menus, component controls and even embedded games which can be accessed using a simple remote that combines minimal buttons and gestures to control the on-screen activity, mirroring a “Wii-like” experience.

Plasma Expansion

A founding member of the Plasma Display Coalition, LG also introduced two other series of plasmas this week at CES. The PK550 and PJ350 models offer consumers a 1080p and 720p plasma option respectively and do not compromise on features or design. Both series boast LG’s TruSlim Frame, reducing the bezel width to only 0.9 inches, along with a slim 2-inch depth and the protective Skin Glass system for picture quality improvement. This is in addition to the many value-added core features found on virtually all LG HDTV products.

The PK550 Full HD 1080p series (available in 50-and 60-inch class sizes*) features a TruSlim Frame and slim profile for a clean, modern look. It also incorporates 600Hz Sub-Field Driving, Intelligent Sensor technology for energy savings and USB 2.0 for additional content viewing options.

The 720p PJ350 series (available in 42- and 50-inch class sizes*) also offers consumers the TruSlim Frame and slim profile for a clean, modern look, as well as 600Hz Sub-Field Driving in two display sizes. The USB 2.0 feature and three HDMI ports allow consumers to connect to a variety of entertainment devices.

Core Plasma Features

For easy self-calibration, all plasma lines feature LG’s Picture Wizard II technology, which provides on-screen reference points for key picture quality elements, such as black level, color, tint, sharpness and backlight levels. Also included in the new plasma lines are ISFccc calibration options to deliver the level of calibration filmmakers intended viewers to see. Others include:

o Intelligent Sensor: Automatically calibrates and optimizes brightness, contrast, white balance and color, based on the brightness and color temperature of lighting in the room – thereby saving on energy output in most circumstances.
o Clear Voice II: An enhancement to Clear Voice, this feature customizes volume settings by 12 distinct voice zoom levels without diminishing other surrounding sounds, helping ensure consumers don’t miss a single line of dialogue during action sequences.
o AV Mode II: Includes three AV modes preset to optimize picture and sound settings based on Cinema, Sports or Game content which can be easily set with the remote control.

Heads will explode, and evolution will move forward.

Sony announces line of SD memory cards — no, really originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What fits in a doublewide trailer, loves Lady Gaga, and smells like the 3-week-old oil in a neglected deep fryer? Why, it’s Engadget’s 2010 CES coverage, of course! Join us for the first in a series of what is destined to be a spellbinding and uncensored peek into the private lives of your favorite bloggers during an annual melange of stress, sleep deprivation, and wacky concept devices. It’s the Engadget Podcast – beaming the shimmering seediness of Las Vegas direct to your home and/or portable media player for far too many years running.

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Song: Note! – Poker Face (Blurp Remix)

Hear the podcast

01:31 – Nexus One review
01:53 – Verizon getting Google’s Nexus One in Spring 2010
17:00 – Microsoft to reveal HP built Courier slate tomorrow?
20:20 – Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid hands-on and impressions
24:30 – Lenovo Skylight hands-on and impressions (video)
35:25 – Live from ASUS’s CES press event
35:36 – ASUS gets official with Eee PC 1008P Seashell: available in hot pink and coffee brown (updated: with video!)
35:40 – ASUS announces U series Bamboo Collection laptops, gives little detail
36:23 – ASUS ROG G73jh launches with Core i7, Radeon HD 5870, bragging rights
36:55 – ASUS NX90Jq hands-on: dual touchpads unite! (update: video)
43:53 – Skiff Reader is largest yet, will be hitting a Sprint Store near you
45:00 – Spring Design Alex hands-on (Update: video!)
50:25 – Michael Jackson ‘This is It’ PS3 bundle makes it a better place for you and me
51:10 – Hands-on with the Boxee Box

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Engadget Podcast 175: CES 2010 Day 1 – 01.06.2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint and Samsung are adding some spice to the Moment by incorporating mobile DTV into Samsung’s flagship Android device. The Moment will showcase Samsung’s ATSC Mobile DTV chip, a single chip DTV implementation that promises lower power utilization, smaller size and less cost than its multi-chip counterparts. The chip inside the handset will tune in DTV signals from local broadcast stations, allowing users to receive news, sports, prime-time TV and emergency alerts on the Moment’s 3.2 inch AMOLED screen. A mobile DTV-equipped version of the Moment will be rolled out in a limited trial to customers in Washington D.C and Baltimore in Q1 2010. Hit the jump for the full press release. Samsung Moment™, Exclusively from Sprint, Selected as First Mobile Phone to Demonstrate Mobile Digital TV Chip at International CES 2010

Samsung Moment’s Brilliant AMOLED Display to Showcase Live Mobile Broadcast TV on Mobile Phone Format at Mobile DTV TechZone Exhibit in Central Hall of Las Vegas Convention Center January 7 – 10, 2010

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sprint (NYSE: S) and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile)1, the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States2, today announced that Samsung Moment™ will display a mobile phone demonstration of the North American mobile digital TV broadcasting standard during International CES 2010 in Las Vegas on January 7 – 10, 2010. Samsung Moment, exclusively from Sprint, will receive live digital TV using Samsung’s Mobile DTV Chip, the world’s first single-chip solution for the recently approved Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) Mobile Digital TV standard. The ATSC Mobile Digital TV chip will allow Samsung Moment to receive live TV programming from local broadcast stations, including prime-time network programs, local news and sports and emergency alerts.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see one of Samsung Mobile’s flagship devices be integrated with the Samsung ATSC Mobile DTV chip that’s giving the power and potential of free, live mobile digital TV to our U.S. customers.”

The companies also announced that the Mobile DTV-equipped Samsung Moment was selected for a showcase with Sprint customers in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore markets during the first quarter of 2010 — this is the first-ever consumer showcase of this technology. Moment was selected because of its 3.2-inch AMOLED display screen, which delivers crisp colors, bright pictures outdoors, and wide viewing angles. Samsung was the co-developer of the ATSC standard that is making mobile digital TV broadcasting possible on mobile phones, laptops, USB drives and other mobile devices. Samsung’s single-chip implementation of the standard—the world’s first—enables reception at lower power, size and cost than previous multi-chip solutions which separate the tuning and decoding functions between two or more chips.

“The selection of Samsung Moment as the first trial handset for mobile digital TV in the U.S. is an enormous honor for Samsung Mobile,” said Omar Khan, chief strategy officer for Samsung Mobile. “It is incredibly rewarding to see one of Samsung Mobile’s flagship devices be integrated with the Samsung ATSC Mobile DTV chip that’s giving the power and potential of free, live mobile digital TV to our U.S. customers.”

“Samsung Moment is already a customer favorite with its integrated and innovative Android™ platform so we are very excited to be able to offer it with the Samsung’s Mobile Digital TV chip to customers in the Washington and Baltimore areas,” said Fared Adib, Sprint vice president of product development. “It is truly an amazing experience to watch local and network television on Moment with the benefit of its dynamic screen. This trial is a great opportunity for Sprint customers.”

“We are delighted to include the Samsung Moment as a key device to be used by Sprint customers during the Consumer Showcase in Washington DC this spring. Mobile DTV technology will allow DC area consumers to watch their favorite live programs with instantaneous access to local news, weather, emergency information, and of course their favorite entertainment programs broadcasted by eight local TV stations,” said Brandon Burgess CEO of ION Media Networks and President of the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC).

The OMVC is actively promoting mobile digital television technology within the U.S. broadcast industry to achieve widespread market penetration in 2010.

Samsung Moment, without the Mobile DTV chip, originally launched in November 2009 as Samsung’s first U.S. handset integrating the open and innovative Android™ platform with the high-speed connectivity of America’s most dependable 3G network3 (EVDO Rev. A.) and one of the best values in wireless with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM calling feature, available on Everything plans with data.

Samsung Moment represents a new generation of portable Internet access devices and provides access to built-in Google™ mobile services, including Google Search™, Google Maps™, Gmail™ and YouTube™, as well as thousands of applications available in Android Market™. Moment is powered by an 800 MHz processor, making this device one of the fastest wireless phones available today. Moment is also designed with a full QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy messaging and email entry.

Customers can purchase Samsung Moment without Mobile DTV capabilities through all Sprint channels including Web (www.sprint.com), Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) and our national retail partners. Retail pricing is currently $179.99 (excluding taxes) after a $50 instant savings and a $100 mail-in-rebate with a two-year service agreement.

As charter members of the Open Handset Alliance™, Sprint and Samsung are closely aligned with the Android community. Through Android Market, Samsung Moment users can download more than 20,000 applications, widgets and games on their phone. Pandora®, ShopSavvyTM, TwitterTM, ShazamTM, amazon.com®, USA Today®, Flixster®, PacManTM, CraigslistCheckerTM, and MySpaceTM Mobile are among the countless well-liked applications already available on Android Market. Additionally, customers can access Sprint Navigation and Sprint exclusive applications NFL Mobile Live and NASCAR Sprint Cup MobileSM already preinstalled on the device. Samsung Moment is a perfect solution for anyone who wants the freedom to stay connected on the go and enjoy a PC-like experience.

About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 164,600 people in 179 offices across 61 countries, the company consists of seven independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving almost 49 million customers at the end of the second quarter of 2009; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The company’s customer-focused strategy has led to improved first call resolution and customer care satisfaction scores. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

1 Samsung Mobile is proud to provide ENERGY STAR-qualified power adapters with its mobile phones and accessories. ENERGY STAR qualified products use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment. Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR meet strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy.

2 Based upon reported shipment data from Strategy Analytics Q3 2009 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Report.

3 “Dependable” based on independent, third-party drive tests for 3G data connection success, session reliability, and signal strength for the top 50 most populous U.S. markets (including Puerto Rico) from January 2008 to July 2009. Not all services are available on 3G, and coverage may default to a separate network when 3G is unavailable.

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In an attempt to get things moving for Saab, a delegation from the Swedish government will meet with General Motors next week in the United States to discuss the future of the brand. Swedish national news agency reported yesterday that representatives from the finance and industry ministries will meet in Detroit with GM and will also swing by Dearborn to meet with Ford regarding Volvo’s sale to Geely.

“As we understand it, GM has not closed the door to a sale, even if the official line is a wind-down,” state secretary Joran Hagglund said. ”We want to make totally sure they  have all the information they need.”

Spyker, which wants to acquire Saab, has said that GM has set a deadline of Jan. 7 (tomorrow) for it to come up with financing to purchase the brand.

In a separate report, a person with the direct knowledge of the situation said that Spyker Cars is the only buyer under consideration for the Saab brand and that financing has been the main obstacle to a deal.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Reuters and Automotive News (Subscription Required)

• iP48 Portable Rechargeable Stereo Alarm Clock: Yes, it’s another alarm clock (pictured above), but this one zips shut to easily slip into your roller. It packs an internal, rechargeable battery and also will sync with your iPhone’s time, so no more late-night attempts at clock setting, you jet-setter you.
• iP49 Portable Rechargeable Studio Series Audio System: We unfortunately don’t know what this one looks like, but we’re told it packs all the features of the home alarm clocks but with even better audio and, again, a rechargeable battery. A remote control is a nice bonus for when you’re too tired to wander across that 2,500 square foot penthouse suite your platinum reward status earned you.
• iHM79 Rechargeable Mini Speakers: Perhaps the most useful of the three, the iHM79 (pictured after the break) is simply a set of tiny, portable speakers that will work with Apple devices or, indeed, anything with a 3.5mm output. They too are rechargeable and pack an internal amp.

Continue reading iHome expands its portable offerings with trio of road-warrior iPhone and iPod accessories

iHome expands its portable offerings with trio of road-warrior iPhone and iPod accessories originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re getting ready fo the first (of many) press conferences of the day, LG figures to unload all manner of new HDTVs, mobile TV and who knows what else. Watch Phone anyone? Things start in another minute or two, so hang on.

Continue reading Live from LG’s CES press event

Live from LG’s CES press event originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The folks over at VUDU have been very busy apparently, not only have deals been struck to get VUDU onto new Sharp, Sanyo, Toshiba, and VIZIO HDTVs and Blu-ray players, but there are also 100 new apps for select models — TV manufactures like LG can decide not to support the Apps even though the VUDU movie streaming is supported. The list is pretty extensive, but many of the names look iffy — more like show names than apps — so we’ll hold back on judgement until after we’ve gotten a chance to try them first hand. There are some that piqued our interest though; like Twitter, Facebook and Weather. Check out the entire list for yourself after the break.

Continue reading VUDU coming to Sharp, Toshiba and VIZIO, adds tons of new apps

VUDU coming to Sharp, Toshiba and VIZIO, adds tons of new apps originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sort of funny that D-Link is calling its other new media streamer the Pebble, since it’s just about as anonymous — especially compared to the company’s own Boxee Box, which is also launching this week for just slightly more than this thing’s $119 list price. We’re sure the Pebble will do a fine job streaming local and network media to your TV, but c’mon — have you seen the Boxee Box’s remote? Case closed.

D-Link Pebble media streamer isn’t the Boxee Box originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Moody anchored on weeknights. A native of Palm Harbor, she is a University of Central Florida alumnus and worked in Orlando, Charleston, S.C. and Flint, Mich. before joining Bay News 9.

Girven, from Boston, is a University of Florida graduate who worked in Gainesville, Savannah, Ga. and Mobile, Ala. He was the sports director for WCJB-TV in Gainesville for more than seven years before joining Bright House. He was the baseball play-by-play voice of Bright House and anchor of the Toyota Sports Connection on Saturday nights.
The newschannel has already posted notices seeking a replacement, indicating cost cutting may not have been an issue. Moody, a broadcast journalism graduate from the University of Central Florida, anchored at Bay News 9 for nine years, coming to the Pinellas County-based newschannel after stints in Orlando, Charleston, S.C. and Flint, Mich.
Across the bay in Tampa, Mike Pumo has left his job as general manager of Media General-owned NBC affiliate WFLA-Ch. 8, according to an email circulated to staff.

The email was sent by John Schueler, president of Florida Communications Group, the arm of Media General which runs WFLA and all of the company’s locally-based platforms. Schueler said he would take over Pumo’s duties, which also included supervising advertising sales for other Media General outlets in Florida, such as TBO.com and the Tampa Tribune.

Pumo is the second high-ranking manager to leave Media General’s Florida outlets in recent weeks; on Dec. 18, Tampa Tribune executive editor Janet Coats left the company to join her husband in Knoxville, Tenn..

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Carrie Underwood will make her acting debut on an upcoming episode of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.

The recently-engaged “Cowboy Casanova” crooner will play Tiffany, a pharmaceutical sales rep and potential love interest for Josh Radnor’s Ted, in an episode scheduled to air in March, PEOPLE said on Wednesday.

TransUnion released its annual auto loan forecast today indicating national auto loan delinquencies (the ratio of borrowers 60 or more days past due) will increase approximately 7 percent at the end of 2010 to 0.92 percent from an expected 0.86 percent at the conclusion of 2009.

Only one state – California – is expected to see a decline in auto loan delinquencies by the end of 2010. The state’s auto delinquency levels should decrease 3.55 percent from approximately 1.40 percent to 1.35 percent.

“Our forecast indicates we will see auto loan delinquencies drop in the first and second quarters of 2010 due to many factors such as ‘cash for clunkers’ and tightening lending standards,” said Peter Turek, automotive vice president in TransUnion’s financial services group.

“Delinquencies will rise in the second half of 2010 as economic pressures, along with traditional spending patterns of summer vacations, back to school and the holidays, will continue to strain consumers. While the rate of increase should be relatively mild, it is a cautionary number to those expecting an abrupt turnaround in the auto finance industry.”

The expected increase will be the fifth straight year the nation’s 60-day auto loan delinquency rate will have either remained the same or increased from the previous year. Between 2004 and 2005 the nation’s delinquency rate dropped 4.35 percent from 0.69 percent to 0.66 percent.

In addition, the first half decrease in delinquency rates followed by a second half in the year increase also is consistent with the cyclical pattern of previous years, with a new baseline being set with each yearly increase.

Areas in the country expected to experience the highest year-over-year auto delinquency increases include the Midwest and Southeast. Indiana (27.23 percent), Michigan (26.74), Kentucky (22.31) and Georgia (18.71) are among the states expected to see the greatest spikes in auto delinquency.

In addition to California, other parts of the country that have been hit hard by the mortgage crisis look to be slowly improving their credit picture on the auto side as many auto loans reach maturity. Both Florida (4.55 percent increase expected) and Nevada (4.05 percent increase) are among the top 10 states expected to see the least amount of increase in auto loan delinquencies.

At the conclusion of 2010, Mississippi (1.76 percent), Georgia (1.46 percent) and Alabama (1.40 percent) are expected to have the highest auto loan delinquency rates.

The District of Columbia (0.34 percent), North Dakota (0.39 percent) and South Dakota (0.45) should have the lowest delinquency rates during that same time period.

Current auto loan delinquency data for each state and the nation can be found at transunion.com/trenddata.

TransUnion’s Trend Data database

The source of the underlying data used for this analysis is TransUnion’s Trend Data, a one-of-a-kind database consisting of 27 million anonymous consumer records randomly sampled every quarter from TransUnion’s national consumer credit database.

Each record contains more than 200 credit variables that illustrate consumer credit usage and performance.

Since 1992, TransUnion has been aggregating this information at the county, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), state and national levels.

For more information, please visit transunion.com/trenddata.

About TransUnion

As a global leader in credit and information management, TransUnion creates advantages for millions of people around the world by gathering, analyzing and delivering information.

For businesses, TransUnion helps improve efficiency, manage risk, reduce costs and increase revenue by delivering comprehensive data and advanced analytics and decisioning.

For consumers, TransUnion provides the tools, resources and education to help manage their credit health and achieve their financial goals.

Through these and other efforts, TransUnion is working to build stronger economies worldwide. Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Chicago, TransUnion employs associates in more than 25 countries on five continents.

For more information, please visit transunion.com/business.