Category: News

Earlier this year, we noted that with Avatar still being popular in theaters, it looked as though the DVD release would occur while the movie was still available in a bunch of theaters, and wondered what if it would actually boost sales at the box office. For years, of course, movie theaters owners have whined that they can’t possibly compete against home theaters, and have boycotted movies that tried to do a “day and date” release, where they offer the DVDs at the same time the movie is in the theater. This seems to ignore the fact that the theatrical experience is about the social experience of going out — which is not the same as staying in to watch a movie at home (no matter how good your home theater system is). But most theater owners don’t seem to believe this, and insist that if DVDs are out at the same time as the movie is in the theater, it will harm box office sales.

Avatar seems to suggest that’s not true.

btrussell points us to the news of the record-breaking sales of Avatar DVDs this weekend. His point, in submitting it, is noting that the sales were so strong even though the movie has been widely downloadable and widely downloaded for months. So, despite the claims that file sharing is destroying the DVD market, it looks like people are still quite willing to buy.

But a more interesting point is the impact on the box office. Last weekend, April 16 – 18th, Avatar averaged $2,006 at the box office per theater. On April 22nd, the DVD was released. This past weekend (April 23 – 25th)? Avatar averaged $2,257 at the box office per theater. That’s an increase of 12.5% over the week. That doesn’t seem to fit with the theater owners’ claims, now, does it?

Admittedly, a bunch of theaters stopped showing the movie this past week, probably falsely believing that with the DVD out, it would harm sales. But… the week before, a bunch of theaters added Avatar back into their lineup. If we go back two weeks, we have a much more apples to apples comparison. The weekend of April 9 – 11, Avatar showed in 454 theaters, with an average take of $1,860 per theater for a grand total of $844,651. Yet, again, this past weekend, when the movie was showing in fewer theaters, 421, it brought in both a higher average take per theater at $2,257 and a higher grand total at $950,000. So if we compare those two weeks, with fewer theaters, there was a bump of 21.3% in box office sales after the DVD was released

As we predicted, it sure looks like the DVD release while the movie was still in the theaters actually may have driven more people to the theater, rather than taken them away from the theater.

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When we last reported on the Deepwater Horizon, the oil rig had sunk in the Gulf of Mexico, but at least the Coast Guard saw no new oil leakage happening. Over the weekend, though, things went from bad to worse as response teams began to see crude oil leaking into the Gulf. Now, the Coast Guard says, 42,000 gallons per day are leaking into the sea, and it may be 45 to 90 days before the leak can be stopped.

Deepwater Horizon, under lease by BP, had been drilling into an oil reserve 5,000 feet below the surface of the water. When the burning rig sank, its 5,000-foot pipeline crumbled like a giant broken straw. The biggest leak has been found at the first crook. The well valve is holding for now but there’s at least one more leak [ABC News]. The Coast Guard couldn’t see the oil so deep under sea right away, which is why the initial assessment wasn’t this bad.

Cleanup teams have now deployed undersea robots to try to stem the oil spill. The best hope is that the remote-operated submarines—at least four are deployed at the scene–would be able to activate a huge device on the sea floor called a “blow-out protector,” a series of valves meant to control pressure in the well. “This is a highly complex operation,” said Doug Suttles, chief operating officer for BP’s exploration and production division. “And it may not be successful” [National Geographic]. If that doesn’t work, the next option would be to drill a relief well to ease the pressure. BP has brought in ships for such an operation, but it would require months to complete.

As we noted on Friday, the spill occurred dangerously close to the United States’ Gulf Coast—within 50 miles. The Coast Guard said the oil spill was expected to stay 30 miles off the coast for the next several days [CBS News]. But as of yesterday, the surface spill had already spread to cover 600 square miles. Whether it gets closer to U.S. shores depends on how the weather changes. Louisiana is already taking precautions, deploying containment booms around particularly sensitive areas along its coast. The oil spill is reportedly edging closer to the Chandeleur Islands, which are part of a wildlife refuge for pelicans and other seabirds; the fish and shrimp that live in Louisiana’s rich coastal ecosystems could also be threatened.

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Image: United States Coast Guard

Forget Cristiano Ronaldo, there’s a new leading man in Kim Kardashian’s life: None other than her adorable baby nephew Mason Dash Disick.

The newly-single reality star uploaded some heart-melting images of her special bonding time with little Mason to her personal blog on Monday– who was born to Kim’s big sis Kourtney and her boyfriend Scott Disick last Dec. 14.

“Mason is the happiest baby! There are no words to describe how much I love my little Mason! Isn’t he gorgeous?” the proud aunt exclaimed.

Kim and Khloe Kardashian threw a belated 31st birthday party for Mason’s mommy Kourtney at MGM Grand’s Wet Republic pool in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Jon of Tehkseven rounds up all of the big cellular news PhoneDog highlighted the week of April 18-24, 2010.  This week Jon recaps Android updates as well as special PhoneDog giveaways we had.  Watch his fast-paced exciting video of the week.

If you’re a Verizon Wireless customer that was waiting on the Nexus One‘s arrival before upgrading, looks like you’ll have to make a slight change of plans. Google has just made it known that, despite announcing that the Nexus One would hit Verizon soon, it is now dead. Instead, they recommend that you go with the Droid Incredible instead. At first glance, that may come across as lame, but the fact is that the Droid Incredible is a better phone than the Nexus One, so we have to give kudos to Google for recognizing the work that was put into the phone by HTC. We will have more on the Droid Incredible later today, as we are currently playing around with one in the Gear Live Review Labs.

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[JURIST] The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments Monday in two cases. In Hardt v. Reliance Standard Life Insurance Co., the court heard arguments on whether whether § 502(g)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) provides a district court discretion to award reasonable attorney’s fees only to a prevailing party, and whether a party is entitled to attorney’s fees when she persuades a district court that a violation of ERISA has occurred, successfully secures a judicially-ordered remand requiring a redetermination of entitlement to benefits, and subsequently receives the benefits sought on remand. The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit held that § 502(g)(1) provides a district court discretion to award reasonable attorney’s fees only to a prevailing party. Counsel for petitioner argued that she “is eligible for a fee award under section 502(g)(1) of ERISA by proper application of this Court’s established fee standards under any test this Court has previously established.” Counsel for the US government argued as amicus curiae on behalf of petitioner. Counsel for the respondent argued that “the Petitioner must demonstrate some success on the merits, and under Rule 54 she must specify the judgment entitling her to an award.”
In Rent-A-Center v. Jackson, the court heard arguments on whether a district court is required in all cases to determine claims that an arbitration agreement subject to the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) is unconscionable, even when the parties to the contract have clearly and unmistakably assigned this “gateway” issue to the arbitrator for decision. The Ninth Circuit held that that the district court was required to determine whether the arbitration agreement was unconscionable. Counsel for the petitioner argued:The agreement between Antonio Jackson and Rent-A-Center should be enforced as written. There is no statutory impediment to the enforcement of the clear and unmistakable agreement that gives the arbitrator exclusive authority to decide Jackson’s challenge to enforceability, nor is there any language in the Federal Arbitration Act that would prohibit the court from making the determination – prohibit the arbitrator from making the determination of Jackson’s challenge to unconscionability.Counsel for the respondent argued that “Petitioner would have the Court adopt a rule whereby agreements to arbitrate are presumed enforceable before their validity has been determined by a court under section 2 of the Federal Arbitration Act.”

SolarBridge Technologies, the Austin, Texas-based microinverter developer has raised $15 million in a series B funding led by new investor Rho Ventures.

Returning investor included Battery Ventures, which led the company’s Series A financing. With this latest financing the company has raised $27 million.

SolarBridge will use the funding to finalize testing and certification and ramp up production and expand sales and marketing — see full press release.

“

PIMCO co-chief Mohammad El-Erian is on CNBC this afternoon talking to Maria Bartiromo.

His first point: unlike US equity investors, he is concerned about Greece, and says that if Greece isn’t solved very fast, then this is a problem that will become a problem soon.

He says there’s nothing to feel good about until you see creditors step up to make concessions, and until some body step up to manage the bailout.

As for where he is investing client money, he’s looking for quality — so Germany and high-grade corporates.

He reiterated a point he’s been making recently that Greece is Europe’s subprime — tiny, but with the potential to metastasize.

Join the conversation about this story »

2010 Cadillac CTS-V

2010 Cadillac CTS Coupe

This great video of 2010 Cadillac CTS Coupe gets your heart pumping in excitement as it shows the CTS evolution over the years.

As we get closer to the launch of the Chevy Volt extended range electric vehicle (EREV), it’s becoming clear that GM has some hard work ahead of themselves trying to figure out how best to explain to the average consumer everything from EREV fuel economy to how a range-extender system works.

In a new short video, GM walks you through what they think could be just about the average daily commute for many people — plus they use some fancy graphics from Google Earth to make sure you are wowed by flying and zooming over the world as we learn about Volt commuting!

(more…)

Janesville, WI.

“I believe this is Russ Feingold’s last summer as Senator,” Dick Leinenkugel said today while announcing his intentions to run in the Republican primary for the US Senate.

Leinenkugel, who recently served as the Wisconsin Secretary of Commerce for Governor Jim Doyle (D), is most known for his family’s beer brewing business.

Click on link wi-senate-race-leinenkugels-on-tap to read Fox News Correspondent Steve Brown’s exclusive interview with Dick Leinenkugel.

2010 Cadillac SRX vs 2010 Lincoln MKT Comparison

From the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, Cars.com’s Mike Hanley takes a first look at the 2010 Cadillac SRX and 2010 Lincoln MKT

Changing the Universal Service Fund (USF) is right at the top of the list of National Broadband Policy Broadband Action Plan. In their own words, they plan to “Carry out a once-in-a-generation transformation of the Universal Service Fund over the next ten years to support broadband service. This will be achieved by converting existing subsidy mechanisms over time from “POTS” (plain old telephone service) to broadband, without increasing the size of the fund over the current baseline projection.”

That’s a tall order. Now some of what they plan to do is expand upon already successful programs, such as the E-Rate program and Rural Health Care Program. Those programs have worked well in the past. I think the most interesting changes will come with the new Connect America Fund created to “extend broadband service to unserved areas of the nation and to ensure affordable broadband service in high-cost areas where support is necessary”.

Last week the FCC kicked off their Universal Service Reforms by inviting “public comment on the use of an economic model to precisely target support for areas where there is no private-sector business case for carriers to provide broadband and voice services”. They also want to hear ideas on “how to quickly provide consumers in unserved areas with broadband access while the Commission is considering final rules to implement fully the new CAF funding mechanism”.

TeleCompetitor recently ran an interesting article that outlines industry chatter about the changes. I think they sum up the highlights…

In effect, the competitive landscape will broaden beyond the traditional marketplace, to include a new regulatory/policy marketplace, where broadband carriers of all types compete for USF. The national broadband plan advocates for this process to be complete by 2020. The battle lines are already forming.

I think we’re starting to industry posture for the battle with recent announcements of mergers and purchases. Any change is expected (according to the Action Plan) to transition over 10 years. And when the transition will actually start has yet to be decided. The FCC seems to be making this a top priority, but some folks, such as Rep. Bart Stupak predict that “lawmakers would not follow through on their plans this year to create a fund that would expand broadband access nationwide”.

So we watch, and hopefully respond to the request for ideas, if you have any.

2010 Cadillac BRX Crossover Spy Shots

After mediocre success with its midsize SRX crossover, Cadillac is refocusing its efforts on the growing compact SUV segment. The 2010 Cadillac BRX, or CTX as it may be called, is a smaller two-row SUV built on a modified version of GM’s midsize sedan platform

Caught testing in suburban Detroit, the Cadillac BRX looks as though it will borrow most of its design cues from the Provoq concept shown at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The chevron-shaped grille remains largely intact and the overall shape of the greenhouse hasn’t changed.

With so much camouflage over the rear end it’s impossible to tell if the production version of the Cadillac BRX will get the retro tail fin lights in back like the concept; but chances are good.

One element of the concept that’s guaranteed not to show up is the Provoq’s hydrogen fuel-cell drivetrain. In its place will be a couple of gas-burning V6s and traditional automatic transmissions. They’ll send power to the front wheels most of the time, with some power sent to the rear wheels on all-wheel-drive models.

Entry-level models will most likely come with the 2.8-liter V6 currently used as the base power plant in the European CTS sedan.

With only 210 horsepower, the 2.8-liter V6 looks more like a nod to fuel economy above all else. For those who can afford the extra gas, a 3.6-liter V6 will be offered as well. It should deliver closer to 300 hp and use a six-speed automatic transmission.

By the time the 2010 Cadillac BRX goes on sale next year, it will have a formidable list of competitors.

Similar compact luxury SUVs like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class will all be competing for the same buyers. Cadillac needs to deliver more than just a more fuel-efficient SUV; it needs to have standout styling as well. Look for the introduction of the final production BRX at next year’s Detroit auto show.

2010 Cadillac SRX Crossover Unveiling

by Tom Laskawy

American as apple pie. But how bad for us is soda?Hoo boy. The American Beverage Association isn’t going to like this news one bit. Food companies now add significant amounts of phosphates to soda and other processed foods. And now researchers have found evidence that phosphates may accelerate aging (via Science Daily):

High phosphate levels may also increase the prevalence and severity of age-related complications, such as chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular calcification, and can also induce severe muscle and skin atrophy.

“Humans need a healthy diet and keeping the balance of phosphate in the diet may be important for a healthy life and longevity,” said M. Shawkat Razzaque, M.D., Ph.D., from the Department of Medicine, Infection and Immunity at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. “Avoid phosphate toxicity and enjoy a healthy life.”

“Soda is the caffeine delivery vehicle of choice for millions of people worldwide, but comes with phosphorous as a passenger” said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB Journal. “This research suggests that our phosphorous balance influences the aging process, so don’t tip it.”

This has nothing to do with sweeteners, food coloring or any other previously established badness associated with soda and processed food—it’s a “new and improved” risk.

And what, pray tell, are these phosphates doing there in the first place? According to other scientists, food companies starting adding them at high levels only in the last 20 years:

…[W]hile a moderate level of phosphate plays an essential role in living organisms, the rapidly increasing use of phosphates as a food additive has resulted in significantly higher levels in average daily diets. Phosphates are added to many food products to increase water retention and improve food texture.

“In the 1990s, phosphorous-containing food additives contributed an estimated 470 mg per day to the average daily adult diet,” he said. “However, phosphates are currently being added much more frequently to a large number of processed foods, including meats, cheeses, beverages, and bakery products. As a result, depending on individual food choices, phosphorous intake could be increased by as much as 1000 mg per day.”

“Increase water retention and improve food texture”?! That’s worth shaving years off our lives for sure! We’re all lab rats now.

Related Links:

Ask Umbra on fertility awareness, grilling, and Earth Day pledges

Scientists show ‘growing’ fuel is waste of energy

Ask Umbra’s Earth Day book giveaway

Consolidation continues to hit the rental car market as Hertz announced today that it has agreed to a $1.2 billion purchase of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group.

When completed, it should make Hertz the second-largest rental car company in the country in terms of market share. Currently, Enterprise dominates the market with a 53% market share, followed by Avis’ 20% share. Adding Dollar Thrifty should give Hertz a 23% share and allow it to jump ahead of Avis.

Says the guy from Hertz:

Dollar Thrifty also has a strong international presence, complementing our global footprint, which enables us to utilize a recognized brand to accelerate our leisure rental strategy in Europe and other markets

Hertz to buy Dollar Thrifty for $1.2 billion [Reuters]

From Green Right Now Reports

Senator Lindsey Graham. Image: lgraham.senate.gov

A climate change bill already under fire from environmentalists will not be introduced Monday and may not be unveiled any time soon after Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina abandoned talks over the weekend.

Graham had been working with Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) on the legislation, but announced on Saturday that he was leaving the effort because of Democratic intentions to prioritize the push for an immigration reform package, a move he described as a “cynical ploy” designed to curry favor with Hispanic voters.

According to Lieberman, Graham is open to returning to the cause, but his future involvement seems tied to the position the immigration talks will be given on the overall agenda.

“Lindsey couldn’t have been stronger this morning about his commitment to going forward on this bill,” Lieberman said on Sunday. “But he needs it to be separated from immigration reform because he thinks that’s necessary if we’re going to have a real chance to get it adopted.”

Until now, Graham has been the only major Republican working with the White House on the thorny climate change issue. In recent days, he reportedly became unhappy when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) discussed moving a debate on comprehensive immigration reform ahead of the environmental legislation deliberations. (Reid has been accused of making this change to shore up support from Hispanics as he faces a re-election campaign in Nevada.)

Even before the immigration talks became an issue, Graham was feeling heat from his own party for participating in climate and energy legislation. A March Gallup poll revealed that the percentage of conservatives who believe climate change is real had declined from 50 percent in 2008 to 30 percent this year.

After Graham’s announcement, Kerry and Lieberman postponed a scheduled Monday news conference and did not offer a new date. The two pledged to continue working on the issue and expressed hope Graham would rejoin them.