Mercedes-Benz intros mbrace2 at CES, brings apps to the car

Here at Mercedes-Benz's CES keynote (its first), the creator of the automobile just unveiled the successor to its telematics system: mbrace2. This second generation builds upon last year's release, focusing heavily on adding social media into the mix with app support like Twitter, Facebook and Yelp via a smartphone interconnect -- much in the vein of BMW Apps and Ford SYNC AppLink. Rolling out first in the 2013 SL and later eventually to all US models, CEO Dieter Zetsche also mentioned it'll update itself, as lets face it, visits to the dealer just for new features isn't pleasant nor speedy. Stay tuned for a hands-on from the show floor in a few.

Gallery: Mercedes Benz CES keynote

Joe Pollicino contributed to this report.

Mercedes-Benz intros mbrace2 at CES, brings apps to the car originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alcoa posts loss on weaker aluminum demand

Alcoa Inc. on Monday started off the earnings season by posting its first net loss in more than a year.

The New York manufacturing giant's profits dwindled in the fourth quarter with fewer orders for its products as uncertainty grew about the impact of Europe's debt crisis on the global economy. Also, manufacturing activity declined in China, the world's second biggest economy behind the U.S.

Aluminum prices dropped by about 12 percent in the fourth quarter, and the price has fallen more than 27 percent from its peak in April.

Alcoa's performance can reflect global economic trends because its products are used in a wide range of businesses such as aircraft, automobiles, commercial vehicles like semitrailers, construction and pipe for the oil and gas industry. About half of its sales are in the U.S. and an additional 27 percent are in Europe.

As a result, Alcoa has looked for ways to reduce costs. It plans to cut global smelting capacity 12 percent by closing a smelter in Alcoa, Tennessee, and curtailing operations in Texas, Italy and Spain.

Alcoa said that its net loss was $191 million, or 18 cents a share, in the October-to-December quarter. That compares with income of $258 million, or 24 cents a share, a year ago. It marked the company's first net loss since the first quarter of 2010.

The most recent quarter included $185 million in one-time charges, the bulk of which came from its plan to close and curtail some smelting operations. Excluding that, the loss was $34 million, or 3 cents a share.

Alcoa also said its earnings suffered from higher energy and transportation costs.

Revenue rose to $6 billion from $5.65 billion, although business was down in most areas; including construction, industrial products, packaging and commercial transportation. Sales to automobile manufacturers fell 2 percent.

Alcoa had record higher revenue from its aerospace and industrial gas turbine businesses.

Argus Research analyst Bill Selesky said many customers used aluminum that they had on hand rather than order more, because they were concerned about the global economic environment. He said he has seen similar trends among chemical, steel and copper companies.

Selesky does not expect aluminum demand to pick up until customers feel more comfortable about the economy. He said that could happen around the middle of this year.

For all of 2011 Alcoa reported net income of $611 million, or 55 cents a share, compared with $254 million, or 24 cents per share, in 2010. Revenue rose to $25 billion from $21 billion.

Looking ahead, Alcoa CEO Klaus Kleinfeld predicted that cutbacks in aluminum production will create a global deficit in aluminum supplies of about 600,000 metric tons this year. He also forecast that global aluminum demand will increase 7 percent in 2012.

In the coming year the company expects that European sales will remain weak and that high costs for energy and raw materials will continue to drag on earnings. Global aerospace and automotive demand for aluminum is seen staying strong.

While European markets may be weak, Alcoa sees improving demand this year in China, especially for beverage can packaging, automotive and commercial vehicles, and construction.

Alcoa released its earnings after the market closed Monday. Its shares ended the day up 27 cents at $9.43 a share. In the past 52 weeks, the stock has ranged from $8.45 to $18.47 a share.

Alcoa was the first company listed in the Dow Jones industrial average to report fourth-quarter results.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45933610/ns/business-us_business/

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Harrisburg, Pennsylvania mayor vetoes budget (Reuters)

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (Reuters) ? The mayor of Pennsylvania's debt-laden capital of Harrisburg on Monday vetoed the budget passed by the city council in December, calling its provisions "politically motivated."

The $54 million budget passed by the city council eliminated 10 vacant positions plus the jobs of the mayor's communications director and ombudsman. It also raised the council's line item while decreasing the mayor's allotted tax dollars.

The 2012 budget the city council adopted is $1.9 million less than what Mayor Linda Thompson proposed in November and contains the same tax increases. At the time Thompson called the council's actions "spiteful."

With Thompson's veto, the city could operate under the terms of its 2011 budget until both parties agree on a new spending plan decided by state courts and the appointed receiver. The council could override the veto, however, given its original 4-1 vote to pass the budget.

Harrisburg is in a $317 million hole due largely to the expensive repairs and upgrading of its trash incinerator. The city council filed for bankruptcy protection, but the case was dismissed by a federal judge, paving the way for a state takeover of city finances.

Regarding the council's budget adopted 10 days ago, Thompson said, "These are irresponsible, reckless, unacceptable cuts."

(Reporting By Mark Shade; Editing by Leslie Adler)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/us/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120109/us_nm/us_harrisburg_budget

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Predecessors attack Mayor Bell's firing of two city employees

Read?more: Economy, Government, Local, Politics, News, Legal, Department of Neighborhoods Firings, Jack Ford and Carty Finkbeiner Press Conference, Director Katie Bond, Housing Comissioner Mike Badik, Termination, City Employees, Federal Housing Funds

TOLEDO -- Former Toledo mayors Jack Ford and Carty Finkbeiner had a bone to pick?about the recent firings in the?city's Department of Neighborhoods?during a?joint press conference on Monday.

Ford and Finkbeiner?denounced Mayor Mike Bell's decision to terminate Director Kattie Bond and Housing Comissioner Mike Badik, who are under investigation?for poor oversight and contract bid-rigging.?The former mayors?talked about the character of the two former?city employees, advocated a?lighter punishment and attacked Mayor Bell's judgment.

"It's time for Mike to be a man and start doing his job and taking responsibility,? Finkbeiner said.

Mayor Bell shot back at his predecessors and upheld?his decision,?maintaining?they risked losing federal housing funds if the city failed to act.

Source: http://www.northwestohio.com/news/money/story.aspx?id=705352

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China Unicom offers users free iPhone 4S for multiyear service contracts

by Swati on January 7th, 2012

iPhone lovers in China can now get the new? iPhone 4S for free.

According to a latest report from the Bloomberg, China United Network Communications Group, the country?s second-largest wireless carrier, will give users free iPhone 4S, if they sign multiyear service contracts with company, costing as little $45(286 yuan) a month.

The promotion which will begin on Jan. 13 offers subscribers a 32-gigabyte model with a three-year service contract, and the 16-gigabyte model with two-year.

Out of China?s three carriers offering the iPhone, China Unicom is the only one that offers the phone with a service contract. The company has been targeting high-end subscribers who access the web, play games and watch online videos using their phones.

China Unicom experienced a 51 percent of sales growth in the first half of last year came from non-voice services, the company revealed. However, the growth in the sales comes at a price, as Unicom?s 3G subsidy costs jumped almost sevenfold in the the first half of 2011.

Beyond the plans required for a free iPhone 4S, China Unicom also offers a series of other service plans, carrying varying levels of subsidy and term lengths for the iPhone 4S. Users can opt for lower plans beginning ?at 66 yuan ($10) per month, or choose the more expensive plans carrying higher subsidies and lower device costs.

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Chiefs pick Crennel as head coach

Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel looks on during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel looks on during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) ? The Kansas City Chiefs made Romeo Crennel the permanent head coach on Monday after he led the floundering team to a pair of wins late in the season.

Crennel had been the interim coach and the leading candidate to replace Todd Haley, who was fired last month. He was scheduled to be introduced at an afternoon news conference.

"We are very excited to name Romeo the new head coach of the Chiefs," Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt said in a prepared statement. "In 30 years as a coach in the National Football League, Romeo has established an outstanding track record of success, and we believe his experience and proven ability make him the best person to help us reach our goal of consistently competing for championships."

The former head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Crennel had been serving as defensive coordinator when general manager Scott Pioli made him the interim coach. He quickly united a disjointed locker room and instantly endeared himself to fans in Kansas City, leading a team that had been ransacked by injuries over Green Bay, the Packers' only loss this season.

Crennel's lone defeat came in overtime against Oakland, which knocked the Chiefs (7-9) from playoff contention. But he rallied his team to a season-ending victory over the Broncos, after which players spontaneously began to chant his name in the locker room in Denver.

"Romeo's vast experience and intelligence have helped him achieve success at the highest level," Pioli said. "The way in which he creates accountability and respect amongst the team creates a very productive work environment and will be critical in continuing to develop our young core of players."

Crennel was considered the front-runner to get the full-time job not only because of his work over the final three weeks of the season, but because of his calm demeanor and strong ties to Pioli, whom he worked with during his days running the New England Patriots defense.

"I have a deep appreciation for the vision that Clark Hunt has and his commitment to building a championship-caliber team," Crennel said. "I believe in the types of players that we are trying to win with and the identity we are trying to create."

Pioli also spoke to former Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher, Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin and former Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio before settling on the in-house candidate.

"It is a rare opportunity to be a part of an organization like the Kansas City Chiefs with its storied history and passionate fans," Crennel said, "and I am eager to get to work and bring this franchise and our fans the success they deserve."

Crennel went 24-40 during four years in Cleveland, though the record is somewhat misleading.

He took over a suffering franchise short on talent and went 6-10 and 4-12 in his first two seasons, missing the playoffs each year. But his breakthrough came in 2007, when the Browns went 10-6 and fell just short of the playoffs, earning Crennel a two-year contract extension.

After falling back to 4-12, though, the affable Crennel was summarily fired.

He figures to have a much better chance of success in Kansas City, where Pioli has locked up several young players to long-term deals and continues to overhaul an aging roster.

The Chiefs should be the favorites to win the wide-open AFC West next year. They nearly claimed a second straight division crown despite losing several star players to season-ending injuries.

Tight end Tony Moeaki, All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles and Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry were lost to knee injuries by the second week of the season. Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Cassel joined them on injured reserve in Week 10 after he hurt his throwing hand in a game against Denver.

That left the team in the hands of journeyman Tyler Palko. The Chiefs claimed quarterback Kyle Orton off waivers from Denver, but he hurt his hand on the first pass he attempted against Chicago, and did not return until the final three weeks of the regular season.

By that time, Haley had been fired and Crennel had been given the reins.

"Throughout the year, we were all over a little bit. We came to a common ground over the last three weeks," said fullback Le'Ron McClain, who is a free agent but has said he hopes to return to the team next season. "We started doing good when Romeo stepped in."

Fisher reportedly spoke briefly with the Chiefs about the head coaching job, but he's expected to decide between St. Louis and Miami. Philbin also was linked to the job, and Del Rio's agent, Phil DePicciotto, had conversations with the Chiefs about the former Jaguars coach taking over.

Crennel will likely have to hire a defensive coordinator to replace himself, and also could be in the market for a new offensive coordinator.

The Chiefs struggled to move the ball under longtime assistant Bill Muir, who was in his first season as a coordinator. Muir has been contemplating retirement.

"Trying to put a staff together is a tough deal, because maybe the guys you want aren't available, so you have to look other places. You end up trying to do the best you can, getting the best guys you get," Crennel said. "You have to adapt and adjust as you go along."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-01-09-FBN-Chiefs-Crennel/id-7f2f25a5beb948ff85bb82ceadad7c32

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CrassPolitical: Latest among many Perry head-scratchers:last night's pledge to send troops back to Iraq.Going after the all important Bush-Cheney vote?

Latest among many Perry head-scratchers:last night's pledge to send troops back to Iraq.Going after the all important Bush-Cheney vote? Il y a environ 10 heures via web

Source: http://twitter.com/CrassPolitical/statuses/156133113746038784

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