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The KOCH carton formers are employed for production of a huge number of varying boxes by application of a stamped carton blank made of solid fibre board or corrugated cardboard. The carton blank is picked out of a magazine by vacuum suckers. Afterwards the carton blank is placed into guide rails. Horizontal, oblique or pallet magazines are available depending on demand. Individual tracks or dots of hot glue are applied on the glued joints during feed via forming tool.

After reaching the stopper the carton blank is pressed through the forming tool by a forming tappet, moulded in and glued together. The finished boxes are transported out of the machine via outfeed conveyor belt rising laterally or frontally out of the machine. The glue tracks are controlled via machine control. The adjustments for different formats can be entered directly on the user interface. Furthermore it is possible to employ crimp tools to form the carton blanks without using hot glue.

Advantages of this machine technology

– Different sizes and performance ranges allow the optimal selection of a carton former depending on particular demand.
– Change of forming tools is not required, because the tools are equipped with adjustable spindles. Only the forming tappet must be changed.
– Quick format change
– Drives via servomotor, resulting in easy adjusting on the control monitor and format optimized motions.
– State-of-the-art control technology via industrial PC with convenient operator guidance via touch screen. Optionally Siemens S7.
– Telephone connection for remote diagnosis

Series SD 340 provides a new generation of industrial speed meters with unprecedented options for measuring and control of speeds, speed ratios, differential speeds and other calculations of two speeds. These are some of the highlight features of the new products:
• Two fully independent impulse inputs for sensors or encoders. It is possible to use simple transducers like proximity switches or photocells. The units however are able to also evaluate full quadrature signals of encoders (A, /A, B, /B)
• Operating modes for measuring of two individual speeds or combinations of two speeds like ratios, products, differential speed or percentaged difference, including full consideration of the directions of rotation of both channels
• Extremely wide frequency range from 0.01 Hz up to 1 MHz (each input channel)
• Four programmable presets and switching outputs with very fast response
(1 kHz)
• Programmable characteristics like self-sustaining of outputs, start-up-delay, digital filtering functions, linearization and more.
• Serial interface (RS232, RS485) and high-speed analogue output (model SA) for use of the measuring results with superior control systems

The units are available in a standard housing with dimensions 96 x 48 mm (3.78 x 1.89 ”) and operate from a power supply with either 24 VDC or 24 VAC

LumaSense Technologies, a leading provider of infrared thermography, non-contact temperature and gas sensing solutions, announced the release of its IMPAC IGA 320/23 Infrared Thermometer (Pyrometer).

LumaSense Technologies offers a broad variety of modern pyrometers. The IGA 320/23 Pyrometer is the first model of the latest offering from LumaSense Technologies’ IMPAC product line, especially designed for temperature measurements of metallic surfaces, graphit or ceramics.

With both analogue-output and digital RS485 interface, the pyrometer suits for the monitoring and recording of process data. It is to be characterised especially by its measurement speed (response time min 2 ms), high accuracy and wide temperature range between 75…1800°C. These features are essential for process control and optimization.

The built-in LED pilot light allows easily to measure object at target distance up to 800 mm. With the optionally available high quality conversion lenses, very small spot sizes of minimum 0.25 mm can be achieved.

Another outstanding feature are the very small housing dimensions. The diameter of only 25 mm and an external thread enable its use in nearly all environments. The robust stainless steel housing of the instrument accordingly to IP65 standard guarantees high operational safety even in rough industrial environments.

Due to all these properties the IGA 320/32 is very reliable and efficient. Moreover, special software for data analysis and reporting is available.

About LumaSense Technologies™
LumaSense Technologies is a global leader in providing temperature and gas sensing solutions to industrial, energy, medical and clean technology markets. We design and manufacture sensors for end-user and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) applications. LumaSense Technologies has proven expertise in developing state of the art infrared and fiber optic temperature sensors, radiometric thermal imagers, and gas analyzers. A common theme in our sensors is the use of infrared (IR) light to provide robust, accurate sensors for demanding environments, applications and customers. Worldwide offices located in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

For more information contact:
LumaSense Technologies GmbH
Kleyerstraße 90
60326 Frankfurt
Ph: +49 69 973 73 0
Fax: +49 69 973 73 167

Sodick’s new AG Series sinker EDMs are a precision EDMing solution for small to large size medical device, aerospace, energy-related parts and die/molds that require close tolerances, fine surface finishes and deep rib machining.

Both EDMs feature new technology which further improves machining production while cutting labor cost. The high acceleration and fast axis speed of the linear motor drives creates its own natural and even flushing condition. The machining result does not vary from an operators experience and there is no need to machine flush holes into the electrode. The new zero wear circuit further reduces labor cost by eliminating electrode wear which saves on electrode production cost.

New absolute glass scale feedback guarantees machining accuracy and reduces set-up time, since the operator no longer has to home the machine after it has been powered down. The X,Y,Z linear motor drives have no backlash and are backed by Sodick’s 10 year positioning accuracy guarantee.

AG40L Sinker EDM

Sodick’s new AG40L sinker EDM machine axes travels are 15″ x 11″ x 10″, maximum workpiece weight of 1,200 lbs. and the inner worktank dimensions are 29″ x 24″ x 13″. The AG40L replaces the AQ35L sinker EDM.

AG60L Sinker EDMAG60L Sinker EDM

The AG60L sinker EDM is a larger version of the AG40L machine. The axes travels are 23″ x 16″ x 14″, maximum workpiece weight of 3,300 lbs. and the inner worktank dimensions are 37″ x 29′” x 17″. The AG60L replaces the AQ55L sinker EDM.

With the Wolfgang S Birdhouse designer Dennis Nino Clasen has killed two, ahem, birds with one stone.  Not only does it allow you to trick your neighbors in to thinking you are watching their every move but it also puts an aesthetically-entertaining roof over the heads of your feathered friends.  While it may not keep your neighbor from tossing their raked-up leaves over the fence and into your yard for very long, it will provide a little extra ambiance for the exterior of your house during the spring and summer months.

Tags:
animals,
birdhouses,
cam,
dennis nino clasen,
entertainment,
joke,
novelty,
security camera,
wolfgang s birdhouse,

2010 Lexus GX 460

Toyota announced today that it has started selling its 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUV once again after coming up with an update for its vehicle stability control system. Toyota suspended sales of the model after Consumer Reports test results show there is danger of the SUV rolling over during aggressive driving.

“I’m happy to announce that an update for the 2010 GX 460 vehicle stability control system is now available at Lexus dealers nationwide,” said Mark Templin Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager. “Our dealers began contacting customers yesterday offering to make arrangements to perform the update, and we expect them to get in touch with most GX owners within one week.”

“As previously announced, we will continue to provide a courtesy vehicle to anyone who has purchased a 2010 GX 460 and has concerns about driving it until the recall work has been completed.

Customers who have any question regarding the Lexus GX can contact their local Lexus dealer or Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-25LEXUS or 1-800-255-3987.

– By: Omar Rana

United Airlines and Continental could announce a merger Monday to become the world’s biggest airline, the WSJ reports.

The combined airline would be based in Chicago and retain United’s brand, according to the report. (Not sure if that means it’ll also retain the Continental brand, or only use United.)

WSJ: The United board is meeting Friday, while Continental’s board is meeting Friday and Sunday to discuss the deal, these people said.

These people cautioned that negotiations could fall apart at the last minute as they did in 2008, when Continental backed away. But after a hiccup over pricing the transaction, the talks appear to be on track, they said.

United is in a much different position than two years ago. Earlier this week, United narrowed its first-quarter loss to $82 million, compared with a year-earlier loss of $382 million. Revenue rose by 15%, to $4.2 billion.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Mega Merger Between US Airways And United Airlines Reportedly In The Works
• 15 Luxurious Train Trips That Will Make You Swear Off Cars Forever
• 10 Awesome Foreign Airports That Make Ours Look Awful

WashPost’s Ezra Klein has posted an interview with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) about the immigration and climate bills.  Since my Monday post, it’s been hard to tell whether the Senator has been principled or petulant — or perhaps a bit of both.

I’ll excerpt the parts of his interview with Klein about the climate bill and you can decide:

EK: You told Talking Points Memo that you would filibuster your own climate change bill if immigration moves this year.

LG: Yeah, I was asked a question. They said, “You would vote against your own bill?” And I said yes. I care equally about immigration and climate change. But if you stack them together this year you’ll compromise climate and energy. You’ll compromise my ability to get votes on climate change. When I told everyone I would do climate, in fact, I was assured we also wouldn’t be doing immigration….

EK: So what allows climate to move forward now? What do you need to hear from Reid?LG: Here’s the problem with climate. Do you have any chance of bringing it up and getting 60 votes in this environment? There’s a controversial provision in the transportation section. We have done as good a job as we can to get oil and gas companies to pay for their pollution. Some of that cost will be passed onto consumers. But it’s not a gas tax. I need Harry Reid to say I agree with you. I support that. I won’t introduce a bill and have the majority leader, who I have less than a strong bond with, say, “I can’t support that gas tax.” There was also a Fox News article where the White House said they couldn’t support Graham’s gas-tax gambit. I will not let this get blamed on me. It would be the worst thing in the world to take the one Republican working with you and make him own the one thing you don’t like.

I must say this is a semi-lame excuse.  First, this was a Fox News White House blog report!  Presumably one can’t entirely trust them to get the story exactly right.  It might be the case that there are people in the administration who are not thrilled at going forward with the climate bill and might have said something like what the story says.

BUT the story clearly quotes a White House spokesperson on the record saying “The Senators don’t support a gas tax, and neither does the White House.”  What else is there to say?

EK: So what you need isn’t just an assurance on immigration. It’s an assurance that if you’re going to do the dangerous things on climate reform, you won’t be hung out to dry on it.

LG: Right. Ask yourself: Why did they leak the story to Fox News? That told me they weren’t committed to this issue. Why let a story start on a venue that would hurt your partner the most?

Again, since when do people in the White House “leak” stories to Fox News?  LG ain’t making a compelling case here.

EK: Have you asked the White House?

LG: Yeah. They say, “Oh, we didn’t do it.” And it’s true: Rahm and David didn’t. But somebody involved in energy and climate there did. They’ve always worried about being in a bad spot on this. So someone pretty clever said, “Okay, we’re going to get on the record against this.”

Uhh, how about three other theories.  First, Fox News basically spun this non-story up out of nothing.  Second, maybe they spoke to somebody who doesn’t really follow the issue closely, and doesn’t realize all the ins and outs about what you all are doing in the transportation sector.  Third, maybe they spoke to somebody who doesn’t want a climate bill, a view that doesn’t represent that of the President or Rahm.

EK: Do these assurances go in the other direction, though? You want to make sure the Democrats don’t leave you hanging on this. But they’re worried that this bill comes out, and you’re with them, but 40 other Republicans are hammering them for supporting what they’ll call a gas tax, cap-and-tax.

LG: This is exactly what they’re going to say. I have never suggested they won’t. And they’ll say it about me, too. So we have to hold hands so I can make a credible argument, alongside business, saying it’s not a gas tax. But you can’t make this into my idea alone. It wasn’t my idea.

EK: Do you think there’s a chance for climate to move forward this year?

LG: Yeah.

EK: And for more Republican support on it?

LG: Maybe if business gets involved. It’s all about business. I can say I changed the face of the debate. This is no longer about economy-wide cap-and-trade. The business community is on-board with this proposal and they were against Waxman-Markey. I’ll sit down with my colleagues: If you believe we need more domestic energy supply, we’ve got offshore drilling. We preempt the EPA from regulating carbon. That’s a big get for business. About 80 percent or 90 percent of our caucus believes nuclear power is the way to go. We triple the current program of loan guarantees, do regulatory reform to make building plants easier. T. Boone Pickens’s plan is in here.

And what do we give the other side? A cap on emissions from utilities. It takes four years to come into play so they have time. On the transportation side, we take them out of cap-and-trade but they pay a fee, it’s their idea this fee, and the money helps you solve the overall problem. It goes into the transportation trust fund, or goes back to the consumer, or to business people, because that’s where all the money goes. The money will be passed on just like the cost of cleaning up an oil slick is passed on. It could be up to 15 cents a gallon, but not for many years. I really believe in this product. I think it’s a damn good solution.

Hard to know exactly where this is going to go.  It’s pretty clear that both the President and Reid doubt a bill could make it to the Senate floor even by the election.  So I remain somewhat hopeful Graham will join the effort before the bill gets back from EPA analysis in June.

I’m reading an interesting new book, Bursts by Albert-Laszlo Barabasi. It’s just released today, but I scored an advance copy by virtue of sharing the same publisher. The basic idea is simple: human behavior obeys power laws! That is, things we occasionally do tend to be clustered together, rather than simply occurring with uniform probability. I can’t vouch for either the truth or usefulness of the claims put forward in the book; we all know that power laws can be slippery things. But the stories related along the way are pretty amusing. (And there’s a very spiffy web page.)

I’ll admit that I jumped right to a chapter in the middle that relates the correspondence between Einstein and Theodor Kaluza in the year 1919 and thereabouts. Kaluza had just come up with the idea that electromagnetism could be unified with gravity by hypothesizing an extra dimension of space — a scenario now known as Kaluza-Klein theory, which underlies all the contemporary excitement about extra dimensions of space. Many crackpots like to assert that our contemporary system of scientific publishing is overly ossified and hierarchical, and that a modern-day Einstein would never be appreciated; the truth is close to the opposite, as back in those days you really needed endorsement from someone established to get your papers published. So Kaluza wrote to Einstein, who was originally enthusiastic about the idea, and they had a flurry of correspondence. Eventually (as I now know) Einstein cooled on the idea, and Kaluza left physics to concentrate on pure mathematics. A couple of years later, after getting nowhere with his own attempts to unify gravity and E&M, Einstein turned back to Kaluza’s approach, and wrote him again, offering to present his paper to the academy.

The book’s interest is actually in the “burstiness” of the correspondence — a flurry of letters back and forth in 1919, then silence, then the conversation resumed in 1921. I was struck by this paragraph, relating the growth of Einstein’s celebrity after the eclipse expedition of 1919 provided evidence supporting general relativity.

[Einstein’s] sudden fame had drastic consequences for his correspondence. In 1919, he received 252 letters and wrote 239, his life still in its subcritical phase, allowing him to reply to most letters with little delay. The next year he wrote many more letters than in any previous year. To the flood of 519 he received, we have record of his having managed to respond to 331 of them, a pace, though formidable, insufficient to keeping on top of his vast correspondence. By 1920 Einstein had moved into the supercritical regime, and he never recovered. The peak came in 1953, two years before his death, when he received 832 letters and responded to 476 of them.

Can you imagine what Einstein would have faced in the email era? One thing is for sure: he was a champion correspondent. He composed approximately 14,500 letters, more than one per day over the course of his adult life.

Not for the first time, Einstein makes me feel like a slacker.

Posted by Ray Long and Michelle Manchir at 3:46 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD — House Democrats today failed to muster enough votes to put on the November ballot a new set of ground rules for how lawmakers redraw their district boundaries after every once-a-decade census.

The Democratic version of redistricting reform got 69 votes — two shy of the number required for approval.



Redistricting is one of the most contentious and personal issues in Springfield because careers can be made or broken when the lines are drawn a block or two one way or another. That was reflected in today’s debate.

House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago, urged lawmakers approve the Democratic proposal so that voters could consider the measure on the November ballot in the form of a proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution.

The measure called for a multi-step process for determining how to draw boundary lines, but a key feature would eliminate the current constitution’s provision that calls for a deadlock to be resolved by drawing a name of either a Republican or Democrat out of a stovepipe hat, a replica of one worn by Abraham Lincoln. The result is that district boundaries end up slanted toward the party whose name was drawn.



“This is clearly an improvement over the current constitution,” Currie said. “It gets rid of the tiebreaker.”



House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, lashed out at the Democratic proposal, saying it failed to take the redistricting process away from the legislature or put it into the hands of the citizens. He compared the current redistricting process to the Berlin Wall of politics in Illinois and the attempts to defeat the plan to President Ronald Reagan’s call for Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear it down.



“The status quo isn’t working,” Cross said. “It is broken. It is time to break from the past. The wall has got to come down.”



Cross saw a Republican proposal, one supported by the League of Women Voters and other reform-oriented groups, fail in a Democratic-controlled committee, and Senate Republicans suffered the same fate in the Democratic-controlled Senate.



Cross argued his plan established a commission that gave more of a voice to the public, but Democrats contended their proposal gave more protection to minority rights.



Rep. Will Burns, D-Chicago, argued the Democratic map set a higher standard to help the rights of people of color live legislative districts among their communities of common interests, and it will work to ensure they won’t be split apart to dilute their voting strength.



“Redistricting is a serious, serious issues,” Burns said. “This amendment reflects the best of Illinois and our commitment to racial justice and to continuing the efforts of the civil rights movement.”



The Democratic proposal called for each house to set up a 10-member commission of legislators and non-legislators to make recommendations of new district boundaries. Lawmakers then could try to send to the governor a single map for both the House and Senate. If they deadlocked, the House and Senate could draw their own, separate maps. A three-fifths approval would be needed for both houses under that provision.



Further stalemate sends the issue to the commissions to craft the maps. If they still can’t agree, a special referee would be chosen by the two senior justices from Republican and Democratic parties sitting on Illinois Supreme Court. If the special ref cannot his the deadline, the issue goes back to lawmakers to try again.

The House vote came after Gov. Pat Quinn today broke with his fellow Democrats on their redistricting plan.

Reuters recently conducted a new poll in an attempt to understand those things that Americans are most loyal to. Not surprisingly, the top of the loyalty list was country. But of some interest is that more respondents said they were loyal to their favorite brand of soda than said they were loyal to the company that currently employs them.

Of course, it’s generally easier to be more loyal to something that gives you even a small amount of pleasure than it is to something that many people do out of pure necessity.

And it’s much easier to be tempted away from your current job by more money or better benefits (or even something like a shorter commute) than it is to be lured into giving up your favorite fizzy drink.

That being said, we want to hear from you:

Americans more loyal to brands, country than company [Reuters]

(This is a guest post from the author’s blog.)

80+ proud owners in the Riverwalk at Redmond Washington condo complex have had enough and are ready to bail, en masse.

I received news of this event from Matthew who writes …

Hi Mish

I am good friends with an owner in the Riverwalk at Redmond condo complex and I also used to rent there, which is how I got wind of this story.

It turns out the developer sold out the complex, dissolved his LLC, and is living somewhere in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, unit owners are in the hole by as much as 50% of their purchase price, not counting needed repairs of as much as $50,000 per unit.

There are major defects that require about $4.1 million in renovation work to address underlying ‘envelope’ issues that cause leaks and mold issues in 11 units. The consultants said the exterior on the entire complex had to be replaced.

The home owners association (HOA) discussed five alternatives.

1) Sue the developer. Since the developer left the country so there’s no one to sue.

2) Pay the $4.1 million maintenance with a loan. However, no bank will issue a loan because the HOA fund has a high delinquency rate and not everyone is paying their dues nor are they paying on time.

3) Make each home owner pay approximately $45,000. Who would be willing to do that when everyone’s mortgage is seriously underwater?

4) Liquidate the entire complex, forcing everyone into foreclosure.

5) Opt for Band-Aid fixes. Go into each unit, rip it apart and fix the problem. However, the consultants have said that the damages will eventually spread to all units because the problem is structural. The HOA has gone this route in the past but the problems in 11 units keep coming back.

Unwarranted Hope and Begging the Mayor for Help

In a followup email Matthew writes “As of the last HOA meeting they’ve narrowed it down to option 4 and a new option… beg the local government for help. So they’re sending a letter to the Mayor of Redmond”.

I read the letter but it did not disclose much more that what is shows above. My general comment on the letter is it is a useless waste of time.

Mayor Marchione would be a fool to do anything more than send his sympathies. Of course there are countless government fools, but in this case 80+ homeowners are nothing compared to the complaints the mayor would get if he helped such a small select group.

Furthermore, if the mayor were to bail out this complex, there would be 10,000 more requests. The mayor understands this without a doubt, thus there is absolutely no chance the mayor can do anything other than write a nasty letter to the developer. That would be a waste of time and money, while building unwarranted hope.

Here’s the deal. Under the circumstances presented, it seems foolish to make another mortgage payment or another homeowner’s association payment.

If you own a unit in that complex, your best choice of action is to consider walking away

Caution: Before Walking Away Consult An Attorney. There are a lot of potential snags to consider if you go it alone.

If you live in that complex (or any complex with similar issues), please seek legal help before you waste another cent on dues or mortgage payments.

By the way, assuming every owner walks, and assuming those loans are widely spread out among lenders, it will be impossible to sell those units. The entire building could be worthless.

Join the conversation about this story »

Well, Nouriel, anyway:

“Greece is only the tip of the iceberg, the canary in the coalmine…”

Mike Milken actually thinks the most comparable period is the ’73-’77 period, which wasn’t a complete disaster.

Click through to watch.  WARNING: It’s 81 minutes long (Nouriel and Mike start at 9:00)

Join the conversation about this story »

United States Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and President Barack Obama

After much ado in the United States government over the whole Toyota situation, U.S. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood will meet to discuss the situation with Japan’s top transportation official today. Seiji Maehara, Japan’s transport minister, has commented on Toyota’s delayed reactions to safety issues. Mr. Maehara will be spending two days in Washington, meeting with LaHood, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., and will be discussing the Toyota situation, and high-speed rail technology.

Though this trip will be a brief one for Maehara, the dialogue between the countries will not be; LaHood is set to visit Japan next month with NHTSA administrator David Strickland and plans to meet with Toyota officials.

Problems continue for the former top selling automaker in America, as stability control issues forced a recall yesterday of 50,000 2003 Toyota Sequoias. In addition to yesterday’s recall, 609,400 Toyota and Lexus vehicles have been recalled in the last 10 days alone.

LaHood had previously mentioned to Detroit News that he was displeased with the treatment received by top NHTSA official Ron Medford during his Dec. visit to Japan, and that he expects a better reception for the American delegation this time around.

About the picture: Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a Republican member of the Cabinet, feigns being a blocking back for President Barack Obama as he arrives backstage to meet with GOP House leaders before speaking to their issues conference at the Renaissance Baltimore Harbor Place Hotel in Baltimore, Md., Jan. 29, 2010.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Detroit News
Image Source: Flickr – White House

by Jonathan Hiskes

Downtown ChicagoPhoto: Chicago Man via FlickrBusinesses ought to
consider locating in walkable, culturally diverse city centers because that’s
where young workers want to be, according to some liberal commie rag printed on
recycled draft cards. No, scratch that, this argument comes from the Harvard Business Review.

An article in the May
issue opens with the news that United Airlines is moving its headquarters to
downtown Chicago from the outer-ring suburb Elk Grove, while Quicken Loans
plans to build headquarters in downtown Detroit. 

“These companies are
getting a jump on a major cultural and demographic shift away from suburban
sprawl,” writes Assistant Editor Ania Wieckowski. “The change is imminent, and
businesses that don’t understand and plan for it may suffer in the long run.”

She finds that both
young workers and retiring baby boomers want neighborhoods that offer shops,
parks, schools, arts centers, and the like. The same preference holds for
compact suburban cores, so it’s not as if every business in Chicago needs to
find space in the downtown Loop. There’s data behind this: In the last U.S.
census, 64 percent of college-educated 25- to 34-year-olds said they searched
for a job after choosing the city
where they wanted to live.

It’s not just a matter
of taste.  There are a lot of real
problems associated with auto-dependent living, says Wieckowski.

“Studies in 2003 by the
American Journal of Public
Health and the American Journal of
Health Promotion linked sprawl to rising obesity rates,” she writes. “…
Research by behavioral economist Daniel Kahneman and his team shows that out of
a number of daily activities, commuting has the most negative effect on
people’s moods. And economists Bruno S. Frey and Alois Stutzer have found that
commuters who live an hour away from work would need to earn 40% more money
than they currently do to be as satisfied with their lives as noncommuters.”

Wieckowski quotes
Robert Fishman, a University of Michigan urban planning professor: “In the
1950s, suburbs were the future. The city was then seen as a dingy environment.
But today it’s these urban neighborhoods that are exciting and diverse and
exploding with growth.”

This is great stuff, and not just because it comes from a respected, clean-cut
publication. Urban-minded employees can only do so much if their jobs require
them to commute to the outskirts. Successful city centers require more than
condos and retail shops-they need major employers.

My one-time hometown of
Grand Rapids, Mich. (metro population 770,000), is a perfect case study. There’s
a fair bit of urban redevelopment and it’s got loads of creative types building
civic culture through things like the public contest ArtPrize.
Yet all of the region’s largest businesses-which include Amway, Wolverine, and the
furniture maker Steelcase—are headquartered on the suburban fringe. The only
large employers downtown are the government buildings. If more executives locate
their companies downtown to attract new talent, as HBR advises, they can
provide a major boost for compact urban designs, and all the social benefits they
bring.

Related Links:

Gulf of Mexico: from magnificent resource to industrial sacrifice zone

The story of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill [PHOTOS]

Louisiana shrimpers file lawsuit over U.S. oil spill

MocoSpace, the mobile equivalent of MySpace who dormantly registered more than 11 million, released a report surveying their users to reveal people are twice as likely to buy an iPhone and Android phone however Android traffic is up nearly 40% in the first quarter 2010. Key take-aways from data like this shows the market is shifting from a desktop computing world to a mobile computing world.

“Our Mobile Social Graph report demonstrates the rise of Android and iPhone as central social-networking devices,” says Justin Siegel, MocoSpace CEO. “Our data confirms that smartphones encourage longer sessions and also increased purchasing of virtual currency.”

Key findings from the Mobile Social Graph:

• Android phone traffic increased 39.9% in Q1
• 30% of traditional feature phone users plan to purchase a smartphone in 2010
• iPhone is 2 times more attractive than Android for potential smartphone buyers
• Traditional feature phone usage decreased by 22%
• iPhone/Android sessions are 27.8% longer than feature phone sessions
• Mobile users log-in almost twice as often as PC users
• iPhone/Android users are 72% more likely to buy virtual currency than feature phone users

Just last week Garmin and T-Mobile announced the Android-based T-Mobile exclusive Garminphone, with planned availability later this Spring.  Only a week or so later, Garmin and Asus are bringing you the next Android device in their lineup, the Garmin-Asus A10, a pedestrian-friendly phone that will help you navigate the world one step at a time.

The A10 comes equipped with Android (no details on version), 3.2-inch multitouch-ready HVGA touchscreen, 1500mAh battery, WebKit browser, 5MP camera with auto-focus and image geotagging, accelerometer, and of course access to all your favorite Android apps.  One of the features Garmin-Asus are boasting about on this device is the pre-loaded maps.  The A10 comes prepared to travel with or without connection to a cellular network.  All you need is a clear sky and your A10 will take you where you need to go on foot or behind the wheel, including turn-by-turn directions that will not get interrupted if you lose signal.  The device also comes with a “powered audio mount that magnifies the volume of the device’s voice commands.”

The A10 will be available mid-2010 in the Europe and Asia-Pacific markets, with no time frame or indication of whether it will ever navigate (har har) its way to the US.  Pricing and carrier availability is also yet to be announced.

Via Engadget

Garmin-Asus Announces Newest Android Smartphone with Garmin Navigation

The Garmin-Asus A10 is expected to be available in mid-2010 in Europe and Asia-Pacific. Additional information about Garmin-Asus products is available at www.GarminAsus.com.

This augmented reality billboard in the Netherlands involuntarily pulls passersby into a scene depicting the brutal beating of a paramedic. As the shock wears off, the billboard delivers a brief message regarding the citizens’ role in prevention/cessation of violence. [PopSci] More »