Lake County coroners officials said a 19-year-old Libertyville man who was stabbed while trying to stop a fight in Ingleside on Sunday afternoon has died from his wounds.
John Herres, 19, of Libertyville, was pronounced dead at 11 p.m. Sunday at Advocate Condell Medical Center, where he was airlifted following the stabbing.
An autopsy is scheduled for 1 p.m. today, but preliminary cause of death is a single stab wound to the abdomen, Keller said.
Lake County Sheriff’s Lt. John Crilly said officers responded to a call shortly before 1:30 p.m. Sunday on the 2600 block of West Route 134 in Ingleside.
Arriving on the scene, officers learned Herres had been stabbed in the abdomen by a 43-year-old male resident of the home when the victim tried to get in the middle of a fight between the man and a female resident of the home.
Police said Herres was not a resident of the home.
Herres underwent surgery Sunday afternoon, Keller said, but died following the procedure.
The 43-year-old man was placed in custody. He has not been charged with any crime.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — Astronauts successfully attached a fancy new observation deck to the International Space Station early Monday after a long, frustrating night spent dealing with stuck bolts and wayward wiring.
But they will have to wait a few more days before gazing out the $27 million domed lookout, expected to provide unprecedented 360-degree views of Earth, outer space and the space station itself.
The shutters on its seven windows, including the largest ever sent into space, will be unlocked during the mission’s third and final spacewalk Tuesday night and cranked open Wednesday or Thursday — and neither astronauts nor flight controllers can wait to soak in the views.
“The cupola, I think, is really one of the most spectacular viewing platforms that we will have had in space … so we’re eagerly awaiting the release of the shutters and the first views,” flight director Kwatsi Alibaruho told reporters Monday.
A pair of astronauts used a giant robotic arm to move the observation deck from one side of the space station’s newest room, called Tranquility, to the other. The lookout had been in a temporary position that allowed it to fit inside shuttle Endeavour’s payload bay during launch.
It took several hours for the shuttle and station crews to complete the relocation job.
Space station commander Jeffrey Williams was loosening a series of bolts to release the lookout when several jammed late Sunday. With commands from Mission Control, astronauts were able to increase the torque and free the bolts — but then they saw an electrical connector popping out from the dome.
Down in Mission Control, flight director Bob Dempsey clutched his head at the unwelcome news. As experts studied pictures that were beamed down from orbit, Williams assured everyone the wiring would not interfere, saying he had seen the wire like that before. He was right.
Alibaruho said it was an exhausting process for everyone involved and, in the end, “a very sweet victory … the latest of a series of victories that we’ve experienced on this mission.”
On Saturday, a different set of bolts prevented the astronauts from attaching a thermal cover between Tranquility and the observation deck. Williams removed those bolts and managed to secure the hatch cover over Tranquility’s docking mechanisms early Sunday.
The lookout — described as a bay window — is 5 feet tall and nearly 10 feet in diameter at its base. Its round central window is the largest at 31 inches across.
Because the port was going to be empty once the observation deck was moved, NASA wanted a cover there to keep Tranquility’s docking mechanisms from getting too cold. That port wasn’t going to be vacated for long. The astronauts planned to move a docking adapter into that slot Monday night.
Both the dome and $380 million Tranquility are European contributions to the space station and represent the last of the major building blocks. NASA’s part of space station construction will end with the retirement of the space shuttle fleet, scheduled for this fall.
Given the imminent end of the shuttle program, Endeavour’s six astronauts are savoring their time in orbit more than might have otherwise, Alibaruho noted. Their 1 1/2-week space station visit will end Friday.
“This crew has done a very good job of taking the time to really enjoy and reflect on the opportunities that they have in space right now, to see the wonder of it and just enjoy the time on the International Space Station,” he said.
HTC is set to unveil a number of devices tomorrow. Modaco managed to get pictures of the HTC Touch HD mini, previously known as the HTC Photon, and the Half VGA device is clearly running Windows Mobile 6.5.3, HTC’s first device to do so.
The specs are as we know it already, with a 5 megapixel camera and 600 Mhz processor.
On the face of it, that’s an incredibly stupid thing to say, and is amazingly offensive to the vast majority of people in the world who are creative amateurs.
Note: I did not say “the vast amount of creative people in the world who are amateurs”, though this would also be true. Most people in the world do creative things for no money. The vast majority of music in the world is made for cultural reasons that are not economic. To suggest that the only reason to be creative is with the expectation of payment is utterly offensive.
Beyond stupidity
But it’s not just stupid and offensive — it’s corrupt. It’s so manifestly and obviously false that it could not possibly be the considered belief of a rational human being.
The alternative (and indeed, the only plausible conclusion) is that it’s a deliberate falsehood in order to support something that is utterly indefensible when examined with any intellectual honesty.
It’s the direct result of corporate lobbying, it’s entirely disingenuous, and it’s a bald-faced lie echoed to support the interests of powerful and moneyed multinational organisations.
He goes on to suggest that a statement like that, so revealing in how Timms views the world, should get Timms fired, as he’s basically admitting that he’s only there to protect corporate interests, rather than actual creativity.
Press Release: The 12 super-slim Acer neoTouch P400 with its stylishly & smooth chrome finish and featuring Acer’s all-new signature design home ring combines class, style and sophistication with instant functionality.
The neoTouch P400 brings style and simplicity to the smartphone world and bridges the gap between work and play with the latest release of Windows® Mobile 6.5.3 with optimized touch controls to assure a completely new web experience.
The neoTouch P400 puts in your hands a complete set of productivity applications including Mail, Microsoft® Exchange Server Support and Microsoft® Office Mobile applications so you can control your entire office and much, much more with a single finger, no matter where you are. Put your business in the palm of your hand!
The neoTouch 400 uses the powerful yet extremely efficient Qualcomm 7227 processor running at 600 MHz and comes with Internet Explorer 6 Mobile with Flash support, making it easier than ever to enjoy high quality browsing and media viewing as well as taking care of your life and your business from just about anywhere you go. With Internet Explorer 6 Mobile you can switch between column and full screen formats, log in to secure sites, make purchases, fill out and submit forms online as effortlessly as you would on your PC.
Also features Bing, the revolutionary new search engine from Microsoft®, a fresh new approach to search, to help you make better decisions while on the move by focusing initially on four key user tasks and related areas: making a purchase, planning a trip, researching a health condition or finding a local business.
The black and chrome finish of the neoTouch P400 makes the perfect companion to the most stylish and trendy users and it is also available with two exchangeable battery covers in fingerprint-proof soft touch black and high-gloss silver that wrap around the sides and give the neoTouch P400 its distinctively sophisticated look.
Your life isn’t all work, it’s also a mix of images, video and music and the neoTouch P400 is a great place to store them and enjoy them. Simply fire up Windows® Media Player 10 and your music, video clips and pictures are instantly ready to captivate you. It comes with a dedicated YouTubeTM application built right in, so you can search for more than just text and images on the move. And thanks to the combination of a high-definition screen and 3G+ and WiFi connectivity, you can now find and stream high-definition videos in seconds. The big 3.2” high-definition (HVGA) touch screen offers rich, vibrant colors and ultra-sensitive precision.
The neoTouch P400 installs a 3.2-megapixel autofocus digital camera mounted on the rear complete with autofocus and geo-tagging capabilities capable of taking crystal clear pictures thanks to filters and anti-shake option, which can then be sent directly to your contacts or shared on social networking sites. Perfect for turning unexpected moments into unforgettable ones. The neoTouch P400 offers easy back-up & automatic wireless and web-based synchronization with your netbook or notebook, allowing you to easily manage your Contacts & Calendar and documents across all your Acer devices. Life’s so much better in Sync.
In addition to the exceptional standard applications, the neoTouch P400 also provides instant access to the Microsoft® Marketplace, so you whenever you need a new application, game or just a software update, you’re just a tap or two away.
Press Release: Acer neoTouch P300 is a stylish smartphone targeted at users who want to combine personal and professional life in one single device. It’s the ideal product for people looking for a device with a strong focus on Efficiency, reliability and security.
The super-slim neoTouch P300 features a 3.2” WQVGA touch screen and full QWERTY keyboard, making it one of the most capable and user-friendly communication handsets.
With Windows Mobile 6.5.3 to provide an exciting touch experience and the slide down full QWERTY keyboard of the neoTouch P300 is where true mobility meets full communication. Big clear backlit keys make it easy to use in any lighting condition, and as you can comfortably write with both hands, you’ll soon be communicating faster than you ever thought possible.
The neoTouch P300 is ready to open your world to the endless possibilities of real mobile internet. With 3G+ & WIFI connectivity, you can browse your favorite information websites, update your social networks and have fun online whenever you feel like it. It comes with Internet Explorer 6 Mobile with Flash support, making it easier than ever to enjoy high quality browsing and media viewing as well as taking care of your life and your business from just about anywhere you go.
Prepare yourself for a whole new level of instant communication with Acer connected contacts. Simply add your friends’ Facebook®, Flickr™ and Blogger™ accounts to their contact details and whenever they update anything about themselves or any other information on these pages, you’ll know almost instantly.
The neoTouch P300 is really complete and performing: it comes packed with a full communication suite. Stay connected with your friends, family and colleagues via corporate email thanks to Microsoft® Exchange support, IM with Windows® Live™ Messenger, text messages and voice calls.
The neoTouch P300 comes with a dedicated YouTube application built right in, so you can now find and stream high-definition videos in the seconds on the move.
To be always synchronized, neoTouch P300 offers easy back-up & automatic wireless and web-based synchronization with your netbook or notebook, allowing you to easily manage your Contacts & Calendar and documents across all your Acer devices. Life’s so much better in Sync. Efficient. Practical. Productive. Simple. The neoTouch P300 is the right tool to keep up your productivity wherever you are.
Despite many attempts, and many claims, of having built a perpetual motion machine, (see Steorn’s recent Orbo device) no one has, for one very simple reason. They are impossible.
Not impossible however, is a device which uses available energy, solar or water for example, to do its work for it. Not so much a perpetual motion device, as just a very efficient (or should you be feeling judgmental, lazy) machine.
Such is the Beverly Clock, a clock invented in 1864 by Arthur Beverly and located in the foyer of the Department of Physics at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. Run on atmospheric pressure and changes in the temperature, an airtight box inside the clock expands and contracts throughout the day pushing on a diaphram. It takes only a six-degree Celsius temperature variation over a day to raise a one-pound weight an inch. This in turn descends, powering the clock.
Despite having never been wound, the clock has indeed stopped running a number of times due to mechanical failure, for cleaning, and on a few occasions when the temperature and atmospheric pressure has remained steady for very long periods of time.
Despite this, because the mechanism continues to function, the Beverly clock is considered one of the worlds longest running experiments, and is the closest anyone will ever see to a “perpetual motion machine.”
Join us on Obscura Day – Marth 20th, 2010 – at the University of Otago physics department where Paul Yates will put on an afternoon of scientific wonder, with an explanation of the Beverly clock, followed by demonstrations of a water manometer, equipment belonging to radio pioneer Robert Jack, a Wimshurst electrostatic generator, cloud chambers showing radioactive decay, as well as liquid nitrogen demonstrations.
The CarWale Endurance Run Tata Nano – Click above for image gallery
The Indian car shopping site CarWale.com is driving a Tata Nano in a loop across the length and breadth of India to make a point about the car and the country. Their journey started on February 4 and ends February 19, covering 6,909 kilometers (4,284 miles) of terrain best described as… Indian… and along the way, the crew will explore every aspect of the Nano, including how it came about and what it means for the people who can benefit the most from it.
Naturally, the trip has seen its share of heat, goats, nearly impossible roads, wild motorbikers, jury-rigged repairs, Jeep Wrangler taxis with roof-mounted loudspeakers and miserable GPS instructions. It’s a colorful tale all the way, and as if a Nano in iconic Gulf drag weren’t enough (love the auxiliary Hella lamps, guys), the pictures alone are worth a visit. And to the two gents at the helm, best of luck to you the rest of the way.
John Preble, a Louisiana painter, has picked up just about every rock, bottle, and license plate he has passed. Inspired by the Tinkertown Museum in New Mexico, he put it all together in the Abita Mystery House, also known as the UCM Museum. Pronounced “you-see-em-mu-se-um”, the name stands for Unusual Collections and Mini-town.
Just outside of New Orleans, it is a roadside attraction and folk art environment with thousands of found objects and home-made inventions. A rambling place spread over a number of buildings, one enters UCM through an old Standard Oil Gas Station on their way to see art cars, an old creole cottage, and a house covered in mosaic tiles, each one stuffed with a different collection. The exhibits range from a comb collection to arcade machines to Darrell: the half-alligator half-dog dogigator.
There are also miniature towns with push-buttons that activate animated displays such as the “jazz funeral” display and “Lil Bubs BBQ.” The exhibits are eclectic, and range from the truly amazing to pure junk. There even a cave and a trailer that was “hit” by a flying saucer shown under the title “UFO vs. Airstream.”
As the museum explains, “If you have 3 or more, it’s a collection. A museum has over 3 collections.” The museum also boasts a gift shop full of the jewelery and wares of local artists. In case the entry price of $3 is too rich for your blood, a $1 off coupon is available on the website.
Join us on Obscura Day – Marth 20th, 2010 – on a tour with the founder John Prebleat of this eccentric museum near New Orleans is a folk art environment with thousands of found objects and homemade inventions.
Ed Conarchy is not your typical LO. He is a mortgage planner, and is out to educate the consumer as well as originate loans. I believe his method represents the future of mortgage origination. Ed uses Youtube videos to get his message out, and I found this video post to be of interest. From time to time, Ed will guest post on MortgageNewsClips – BC
video: What Your Home Insurance Does Not Cover – Ed Conarchy – In this week’s Conarchy’s Corner (length: 8 minutes) Ed Conarchy wants to know if you felt the shake, rattle and roll of the 3.8 magnitude earthquake in Northern Illinois at 3:59am Wednesday. It’s a good time then to remind you that your standard homeowners insurance policy does not protect you from many things, including earthquakes. Ed will show you the complete list of things not covered …
A glassful of raw eggs incites mixed reactions for many of us. It’s routine for some and revulsion for others. Commonly associated with bodybuilders and boxers (the Rocky scene) who want to bulk up, a lot of folks who fit neither category include them on a regular basis for simple nutritional reasons. However, there’s more to the picture, as this reader’s email suggests.
Dear Mark,
I have searched the site to see if there is any pros/cons of eating raw eggs. I know in the past, CW says that eating raw eggs can create a biotin deficiency in our bodies. I like having a couple of raw eggs in my whey protein drink after a workout. Do you have any information that would be helpful in the use of raw eggs?
Eggs in general are a nutritional (and wholly Primal!) powerhouse with impressive supplies of selenium, iodine, phosphorus, molybdenum, choline, lutein, vitamins A, B2, B5, B12, E, D and K. Add to this a healthy 5.5 grams of protein, 20% of your RDA for tryptophan and essential fatty acids. But what’s the specific draw to raw eggs?
A lot of folks choose to eat raw eggs because some nutrients can be diminished by heating. (Although this is true of cooking just about anything, cooking also makes certain nutrients more bioavailable – hence the constant pull and push between the raw foodists and traditional cooks.) Some people feel any change in the chemical structure is to be avoided. Others don’t. Although some vitamins (like vitamins C, B6 and B9) are more fragile and lose potency during heating (the more/longer heat, the more loss), other nutrients are enhanced. As reader Tuscoyote noted in the forum a few months ago, researchers have found that egg protein is more bioavailable when heated. (Thanks for the NPR link, Tuscoyote!) Here’s the study referenced in that interview. The study showed that egg protein is more digestible (94% versus 55-64%) when heated, probably due to alteration of the protein’s structure and the ability of digestive enzymes to infiltrate peptide bonds. Whether you eat your eggs heated or raw (or a little of both) in part depends on your goal in eating them to begin with.
As for drawbacks, there’s the well-circulated salmonella risk, which isn’t the dire prospect it’s often made out to be. The risk has been estimated as 1 in 10,000 (CDC) or 1 in 30,000 (Risk Analysis journal). And though washing eggshells can reduce much of the risk, it doesn’t eliminate it entirely. Salmonella can be present in the yolk due to infection in the hen’s reproductive tissue.
Of course, not all eggs are created equal when it comes to salmonella or nutrition. Not only are organic, free range eggs more nutrient-dense, one study found them to be significantly less contaminated than battery cage hens. Hens that graze and eat a natural diet as well as have more space to roam (to avoid living in feces) are naturally healthier. While the survey determined a quarter of battery cage groups to be contaminated, only 5% of those that were both organic and free range showed contamination. (Free-range, non-organic came up at 6.5%.) Simple refrigeration can keep any salmonella bacteria from multiplying, which minimizes the risk of actual illness from contaminated eggs. In those who are very young, pregnant or immune-compromised, salmonella risk is more of a consideration.
As you mention, eating raw eggs carries the eventual risk of a biotin deficiency. Although egg yolk is actually a rich source of biotin, the white contains avidin, a glycoprotein that bonds with biotin, preventing the nutrient’s absorption. Avidin is generally inactivated when cooked, which makes the biotin in the yolk fully available for absorption by the body. You don’t have to rule out raw eggs by any means. I wouldn’t advise eating them daily for long stretches of time without a biotin supplement (supported within a B-complex intake, since these vitamins work synergistically). If you’re eating them just a few times a week, the risk for deficiency isn’t as great, but I would still do a supplement or at least make sure I was getting a hefty amount of biotin rich food (swiss chard, tomatoes, carrots, liver and others) the days I eat raw eggs. As a compromise, some folks will just eat the raw yolks alone and cook up the whites later.
All that said, raw eggs can be part of your Primal fare. (There are advantages to cooked eggs, but it’s however you enjoy them.) If you like raw eggs, I’d say have at it – with the above info in mind. If you would rather cook them, I’d suggest going easy on the heat to avoid overcooking. Some folks suggest choosing cooking methods that leave the egg yolk intact and soft (like sunny side up or poached) because of concerns about oxidizing the cholesterol. I’m not too concerned about the small amount that might result from my breakfast routine. For myself, I take a middle road (mostly for taste). Sometimes I do my omelets, but just as often these days I’ll poach them so the egg white is cooked and yolk runny. Just had two for breakfast in fact.
Let me know your take on raw versus runny versus fully cooked. For those who go raw or not, how do you eat them? Thanks for all your questions and comments, and keep ‘em coming!
FoMoCo announced in Dec. 2009 that it had more than 1,000 reservations for the 2010 Ford Fiesta six days after launching a new Web site that allows consumers to build, price and reserve the compact hatchback. Last week, FoMCo confirmed that it now has 6,000 reservations, with half of them from non-Ford customers and more than 100,000 handraisers showing interest in the new fuel-efficient Ford.
“The Reservations program is providing Ford with a better understanding of consumer preferences, Ford said in a statement. “Nearly 60 percent of customers are opting for high series models, and 65 percent are choosing the five-door hatchback. Among the top three color choices are Blue Flame and Lime Squeeze.”
“People saw the Fiesta come to life through the Fiesta Movement, a program where 100 young trendsetters drove a European-spec Ford Fiesta for six months, which created tremendous interest for the vehicle,” said Sam De La Garza, Fiesta brand manager. “That interest now has translated into 6,000 reservations from interested consumers who can build and price their Fiesta.”
Fiesta reservations can be made by visiting www.fordvehicles.com/2011fiesta or by texting “reserve” to 4Ford on an iPhone or BlackBerry.
Refresher: The 2011 Ford Fiesta is powered by a 1.6L DOHC 4-cylinder engine making 119-hp with a peak torque of 109 lb-ft. It is estimated to deliver best-in-class highway fuel economy of 40 mpg. Pricing for the 2011 Ford Fiesta starts at $13,320.
As the Greek drama continues to play out — even after European leaders promised a bailout — it’s worth noting yet another deep structural problem faced by the Eurozone: it’s got too many cooks.
When the US government bailed out its banks, there was some basic uniformity on the part of the players. Bush, Paulson, Geithner, and Bernanke were all on the same side. So too was the Democratic leadership in the House.
But who’s in charge in Europe?
At the ECB you have Jean-Claude Trichet.
Then you have European Council President Herman van Rompuy.
But of course, the real power is in Germany, where Angela Merkel holds forth. Then after her you have Sarkozy.
And on and on it goes.
If you’re reading through all the reports and can’t help but feel as though it’s an endless stream of mixed messages, that’s because it is. There’s no unified authority, just the fantasy of one — a fantasy which instantly evaporates at the first sign of crisis.
Not all PS3 owners have an active and reliable broadband internet connection, of course, but most of them do. If you just happen to be one of the few who don’t
When the redesigned Acura TL debuted in late 2008, it represented a substantial transformation over previous iterations. The third-generation model retained the transverse V6 of its two predecessors, but for the first time included an all-wheel-drive option. But while the torque-vectoring Super Handling-All Wheel Drive is an appreciated addition when you’re putting out over 300 horsepower, performance oriented drivers were appropriately miffed that both the TL Type-S and a manual transmission were no longer available.
Thankfully, shortly after the 2009 TL went on sale, Acura announced plans to add a manual gearbox back to the lineup. Unfortunately, it would take an entire year before it hit the market. Now it’s here, and we’re ready to find out if the Acura TL SH-AWD six-speed can fill the Type-S-sized hole in our hearts.
Big SUVs aren’t only popular in the United States – in areas like the Middle East, large SUVs are somewhat of a status symbol. Hoping to appeal to the large SUV shoppers, Nissan made sure that its new Patrol flagship SUV competes strongly against the popular Toyota Land Cruiser.
“We paid special attention to the needs of current Patrol owners, and their passengers, and so focused on creating first-class levels of comfort for the whole family. Heightened luxury, a roomier cabin and a quieter ride combine to achieve this goal, while maintaining Patrol’s superior off-road heritage” stresses Hiroyuki Fushiki, project head and Segment Chief Product Specialist.
Besides a new exterior and a roomier cabin, the 2010 Nissan Patrol features a 5.6L V8 with VVEL and DIG making 400-hp and a peak torque of 405 lb-ft.
This 2010 Nissan Patrol gives us our first look as to what we can expect from the next-generation Nissan Armada – and we like it.
2010 Nissan Patrol:
Press Release:
Stunning looks coupled with unstoppable 4WD upgrades make Nissan Patrol new class-leader as Nissan’s ‘Hero of All Terrain’
Abu Dhabi, UAE (Feb. 13, 2010) – Reliable, unbreakable, affordable. The Nissan Patrol is a name synonymous with ruggedness, a legendary off-roader capable of going anywhere, anytime. Meticulously honed for over five decades, the Patrol is Nissan’s flagship large SUV model and enjoys a rich heritage particularly in the Middle East that dates back to the 1950’s. This off-road trendsetter was one of the first dedicated four-wheel-drive vehicles in the climatically demanding Middle East region, and boasts the notable distinction of also being the first vehicle to successfully cross the grueling Simpson Desert in Australia back in 1962.
Under the banner of “The Hero Comes Home” the Patrol is back as an all-new seventh generation model, building on its impressive history, but at the same time, incorporating a new platform, a radical new design direction, significantly enhanced interior comfort and luxury, powerful new V8 engines, a 7-speed automatic transmission and a new 4WD system.
Tested to the limit
Wanting to build the best possible Patrol, engineers first tuned and tested 200 prototypes for dynamic evaluation at the company’s Motegi, Oppama and Tochigi proving grounds before sending them to the Middle East where they were exposed to every imaginable challenge; desert, rocky surfaces, highways and inner-city traffic. “By the time we came around to adding the new body and interior, we had virtually completed our reliability and durability testing and perfected all of the new technologies,” says chief vehicle engineer, Takashi Fukui.
New exterior more sophisticated but still rugged
After extensive market research, especially in the Middle East, the design team concluded that for the Patrol to beat its main competitors, it needed not only a brand new design direction but class-leading engine performance, greater luxury and comfort and a smart mix of new technologies that enhanced the total driving experience. Product design director, Taiji Toyota, tells us that the all-new exterior design is like a breath of fresh air. “Not as edgy and hardcore as its predecessor, the softer new surfaces are beautiful and add a sense of modernity to the design equation, while still maintaining a ruggedness and commanding road presence” he said.
According to the design director, one design element that expresses ‘Patrol’ and had to feature strongly was the angled-strut motif front grille. It was meticulously proportioned to deliver a sense of continuity with past models but give a touch of newness while enhancing the car’s status level.
Focus on roomier, more luxurious cabin
Featuring generous amounts of leather, polished aluminium and wood grain paneling, the Patrol’s interior too has been significantly upgraded. Given that most customers only go off-road no more than 15% of the time, designers wanted to create a better, higher quality interior for the whole family.
In keeping with the Patrol’s mission to deliver more comfort and more room, the new Patrol delivers seat dimensions that outclass all competition. Boasting wider, higher and deeper front seats, the Patrol offers over 100mm more legroom for second row passengers, and a roomier third row of seats as well. Employing double the lateral rigidity over the outgoing model, the new Patrol sits on a revised platform that now offers a more robust construction with a low vibration body.
All-new V8 engine leads array of segment-beating hardware
The new Patrol is now the most powerful vehicle in its class. And the key technology achieving this jump in performance over the predecessor’s 4.8 litre power plant is the newly developed ‘VK56VD’ 5.6-litre V8 engine with VVEL (variable valve event and lift) and DIG (direct injection gasoline) technologies that generate 400hp and 550Nm of torque on the top specification version of this new engine.
Every component has been redesigned for maximum performance and smooth response, while a new 7-speed automatic transmission with a wider range of gear ratios than its predecessor, gives the off-roader the ability to deliver power faster.
Comprehensively upgraded 4WD system sets new standard
In a world-first for Nissan, the new Patrol employs a Hydraulic Body Motion Control System (HBMC), which keeps the car flatter with less body roll during lane-changing and cornering, while delivering a comfortable ride in city driving and superb stability on rugged and sandy tracks. Another crucial part of handling equation comes from the new suspension system, which now employs 4-wheel independent suspension, upgraded from the previous rigid axle setup. Nissan has completely redesigned the vehicle’s suspension from the bushes to the links. The combination of HBMC and the new suspension system with its longer suspension stroke delivers significantly improved handling and stability on both on- and off-road terrain.
The Patrol also employs a newly developed ALL MODE 4×4 system incorporating a variable 4×4 mode package. It allows the driver to quickly switch between four drive modes: sand, on-road, snow and rock, with the flick of a switch. In sand mode, owners are able to drive safely, quickly and skillfully in sand and dirt, just like professional rally drivers.
In addition, the Patrol also offers a new Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control which can also be selected easily with the touch of a button. With Hill Start Assist, if a driver stops on a slope and steps off the brake pedal, the system keeps the vehicle stationary – with no roll back. Hill Descent Control uses the brakes to maintain a constant downhill speed of 7km/h in 4H mode and 4km/h in 4L mode.
The new model employs a revised Tyre Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with tyre inflation indicator which beeps the horn softly to inform drivers that a suitable tyre pressure has been reached.
A revised, more effective brake system also provides the best braking performance in its class thanks to its new hydraulic brake booster and a 4-piston opposed front caliper setup with larger 358mm front discs.
More world-firsts
Nissan designers paid special attention to the second row seat passengers by not only significantly expanding legroom, but by also fitting a new multi-screen DVD entertainment system, a first form Nissan. It boasts two rear-facing TVs; one 7-inch monitor embedded into each front seat headrest.
Fitted with six airbags for top grade, the Patrol also comes with a totally revised climate control system boasting another world-first – the curtain vent. Curtain vent has several small but highly effective vents mounted in the ceiling above each side window to blow a strong current of cool air down forming a curtain of air that acts as a barrier to heat penetrating the cabin.
Yet another impressive Patrol feature is the cool box mounted in the centre console between the front seats. Incorporating a unique double hinge design, the lid of the cool box can be opened easily from either the front or second row of seats to access the six 600ml drink bottles inside.
And lastly…
With its fresh new styling, superior packaging, powerful but economical V8 engine, clever off-road technologies and higher levels of luxury and comfort, the all-new Patrol is now a true segment leader.
New phones designed for life in motion to debut at holiday 2010.
BARCELONA, Spain – Feb. 15, 2010 – Today at Mobile World Congress 2010, Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled the next generation of Windows® Phones, Windows Phone 7 Series. With this new platform, Microsoft offers a fresh approach to phone software, distinguished by smart design and truly integrated experiences that bring to the surface the content people care about from the Web and applications. For the first time ever, Microsoft will bring together Xbox LIVE games and the Zune music and video experience on a mobile phone, exclusively on Windows Phone 7 Series. Partners have already started building phones; customers will be able to purchase the first phones in stores by holiday 2010. “Today, I’m proud to introduce Windows Phone 7 Series, the next generation of Windows Phones,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer at Microsoft. “In a crowded market filled with phones that look the same and do the same things, I challenged the team to deliver a different kind of mobile experience. We believe Windows Phone 7 Series is a phone that truly reflects the speed of people’s lives and their need to connect to other people.”
Designed for Life in Motion With Windows Phone 7 Series, Microsoft takes a fundamentally different approach to phone software. Smart design begins with a new, holistic design system that informs every aspect of the phone, from its visually appealing layout and motion to its function and hardware integration. On the Start screen, dynamically updated “live tiles” show users real-time content directly, breaking the mold of static icons that serve as an intermediate step on the way to an application. Create a tile of a friend, and the user gains a readable, up-to-date view of a friend’s latest pictures and posts, just by glancing at Start. Every Windows Phone 7 Series phone will come with a dedicated hardware button for Bing, providing one-click access to search from anywhere on the phone, while a special implementation of Bing search provides intent-specific results, delivering the most relevant Web or local results, depending on the type of query. Windows Phone 7 Series creates an unrivaled set of integrated experiences on a phone through Windows Phone hubs. Hubs bring together related content from the Web, applications and services into a single view to simplify common tasks. Windows Phone 7 Series includes six hubs built on specific themes reflecting activities that matter most to people: * People. This hub delivers an engaging social experience by bringing together relevant content based on the person, including his or her live feeds from social networks and photos. It also provides a central place from which to post updates to Facebook and Windows Live in one step. *Pictures. This hub makes it easy to share pictures and video to a social network in one step. Windows Phone 7 Series also brings together a user’s photos by integrating with the Web and PC, making the phone the ideal place to view a person’s entire picture and video collection.
* Games. This hub delivers the first and only official Xbox LIVE experience on a phone, including Xbox LIVE games, Spotlight feed and the ability to see a gamer’s avatar, Achievements and gamer profile. With more than 23 million active members around the world, Xbox LIVE unlocks a world of friends, games and entertainment on Xbox 360, and now also on Windows Phone 7 Series. * Music + Video. This hub creates an incredible media experience that brings the best of Zune, including content from a user’s PC, online music services and even a built-in FM radio into one simple place that is all about music and video. Users can turn their media experience into a social one with Zune Social on a PC and share their media recommendations with like-minded music lovers. The playback experience is rich and easy to navigate, and immerses the listener in the content. * Marketplace. This hub allows the user to easily discover and load the phone with certified applications and games. * Office. This hub brings the familiar experience of the world’s leading productivity software to the Windows Phone. With access to Office, OneNote and SharePoint Workspace all in one place, users can easily read, edit and share documents. With the additional power of Outlook Mobile, users stay productive and up to date while on the go.
Availability Partners from around the world have committed to include Windows Phone 7 Series in their portfolio plans. They include mobile operators AT&T, Deutsche Telekom AG, Orange, SFR, Sprint, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telstra, T-Mobile USA, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone, and manufacturers Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC Corp., HP, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Qualcomm Inc. The first phones will be available by holiday 2010. Customers who would like to receive additional information about Windows Phone 7 Series and be notified when it is available can register at http://www.windowsphone7series.com. To watch the full replay of Steve Ballmer’s press conference at Mobile World Congress, and to experience Windows Phone 7 Series through an online product demo, readers can visit http://www.microsoft.com/news/windowsphone. Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
We’ve seen more than a few lawsuits over the years by the entertainment industry against various sites that merely link to infringing content. The entertainment industry likes to make the claim that this is inducing infringement, but if you’re just pointing to a bunch of YouTube videos, it’s difficult to see how that should be considered infringement at all. In one such case, over in the UK, a site called tv-links.co.uk, after years battling this in court, was found not to have infringed on the copyrights of movie studios. The case was brought by FACT, the “Federation Against Copyright Theft,” but had little evidence of any actual infringement being done by the site, who merely linked to videos found on YouTube, Veoh, DailyMotion and other sites.
FACT originally claimed that the site “facilitated” copyright infringement on the internet, despite that not being a part of UK law. Eventually, the official charges were “Conspiracy to Defraud and breaches of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act,” which is quite similar to what OiNK’s admin was charged with. And just like how OiNK’s Alan Ellis was found not guilty, the court has sided with TV links, noting that it didn’t actually infringe on anyone’s copyrights directly. Of course, this still took years of having to fight it out in court and a ton of resources — some of which were frozen by a “financial restraining order” during the case itself.
So while it’s great that TV Links prevailed in the end, it does show how the decks are usually stacked again those doing perfectly legal things. If the entertainment industry does decide to sue, you’re basically facing a huge, costly and painful legal battle, no matter how strong your case is. The system is weighted way too heavily in favor of the entertainment industry, such that they can bully sites they don’t like into compliance in many cases, even if they’re legal. It’s great that TV Links was able to make it through the process, but many other sites don’t even have the chance — and that’s why these kinds of lawsuits keep showing up.
At the 2010 Washington Auto Show, FoMoCo CEO Alan Mulally said that Mercury will be positioned with smaller vehicles that fill the void between mainstream Ford and Lincoln branded vehicles. According to Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields, FoMoCo is ready to launch a new small car for Mercury in early 2011.
The new small Mercury will be one of the 10 vehicles that will use FoMoCo’s global small car architecture that also underpins the 2012 Ford Focus.
Fields outlined the plans during a meeting with U.S. dealers at the annual National Automobile Dealers Association convention in Orlando, Fla.
“The trend towards more fuel-efficient vehicles is very important, the trend toward (small) cars in general is coming back. We are responding to that,” Fields told reporters after the meeting with dealers.
Mercury sales in the U.S. fell 23 percent to 92,299 units in 2009.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — Astronauts successfully attached a fancy new observation deck to the International Space Station early Monday after a long, frustrating night spent dealing with stuck bolts and wayward wiring.
A glassful of raw eggs incites mixed reactions for many of us. It’s routine for some and revulsion for others. Commonly associated with bodybuilders and boxers (the Rocky scene) who want to bulk up, a lot of folks who fit neither category include them on a regular basis for simple nutritional reasons. However, there’s more to the picture, as this reader’s email suggests.
