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Tuesday, January 6, 2015

CES 2015: Five things we learned Monday

This is the new Sony Walkman — CES 2015

Joe Clayton, president and CEO of Dish Network, makes an entrance at a Jan. 5 press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Clayton unveiled details on its new streaming service with ESPN and Disney.(Photo: Tim Loehrke, USA TODAY)

The doors have yet to officially open, but there are plenty of lessons to absorb at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

As tech titans including Sony and Samsung attempted to dazzle CES attendees during Monday"s press day, here"s what we"ve learned on the unofficial first day.

1. The wearable market is blowing up. Wearable devices are everywhere: on your fingers, your wrists, your dog. Attendees can"t walk anywhere in Vegas without spotting a wearable computing device. As expected, smartwatches and trackers for your wrists were the hot items, but there were some other intriguing ones. Ring is a smart ring that lets users perform simple tasks such as controlling lights with hand gestures. Belkin unveiled a series of trackable motion sensors, including a keychain fob users can hand to their kids or attach to a pets" collar to track their activity.

2. Tech behind the wheel. Those dashboards are about to get a lot more sophisticated. Tech and automotive giants are speeding up efforts to add more tech features to your car. GM is adding new features to its OnStar in-vehicle service that can evaluate drivers" performance and predict when vital components need repair. But the highlight might be Nvidia"s Drive PX, a self-driving car platform where cars not only find their own parking spaces, but can return to you like an automated valet. Then there"s Hyundai, which will let users start their cars with their watch.

3. Brought to you by the letter K. As in 4K and 8K, high-definition resolutions hitting computer displays and televisions soon. TV makers and content companies are pushing to create 4K-quality programming ahead of the rush of compatible TVs to store shelves. If 4K isn"t enough, Sharp unveiled a "Beyond 4K" set that offers a resolution 167% better than the standard 4K display.

4. Cord cutters win again. Score one more for consumers ditching cable television. On the heels of newly announced stand-alone options from HBO and CBS, Dish Network unveiled Sling TV, a streaming service for $20 a month that will include a dozen live channels, including ESPN. It launches during the first quarter of 2015.

5. Chromecast not just for TVs. Speaking of cord cutting, one of the handy devices that has helped consumers transition away from cable is Google"s Chromecast, a dongle with HDMI input that streams Web video to TVs. Now, it"s got audio, adding services including Pandora and Rdio. Users must have a compatible speaker to cast audio.

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.

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Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/01/05/ces-five-things-monday/21296027/

Monday, January 5, 2015

Idina Menzel tells her critics to let it go

Idina Menzel - Creep (Radiohead Cover) (New York City 06/16/14)
NEW YORK, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Idina Menzel responded to the people who criticized her after she botched the high note at the end of "Let It Go" during her New Year"s Eve performance.

She tweeted a previous interview in which she said not reaching every high note does not mean it was a bad performance.

"There are about 3 million notes in a two-and-a-half-hour musical," she said in the interview. "Being a perfectionist, it took me a long time to realize that if I"m hitting 75 percent of them, I"m succeeding."

"Celebrity Apprentice" 2015: Meet the cast

The Apprentice US Season 11 Episode 1 - Celebrity Apprentice

"Celebrity Apprentice"returns tonight with 16 new C-listers(and I"m being generous) competing in nominally business-related tasks to raise money for their respective charities, although the wins often come down to which contestants have the most pals willing to shell out major bucks for questionable foodstuffs.

I don"t have high hopes for this season, which was taped nearly a year ago and has been on NBC"s shelf ever since, but then again, I never expected to enjoy this show in the first place. NBC sent out the first half of the first episode for review; the challenge has the two teams making and selling pies. It"s a fairly typical brew of rampaging ego and second-guessing, with a special guest appearance by Cake Boss Buddy Valastro, who picks the best tasting pie for a special bonus.

This year"s cast is no better or worse then previous seasons, with the usual assortment of athletes, past-their-prime actors, and refugees from other reality shows. (Side note: I showed a photo of the cast to my husband, who, granted, once asked me in all seriousness, "What"s a Brangelina?" and he was only able to pick out Geraldo Rivera and Gilbert Gottfried,and mistook "The Deadliest Catch" star Sig Hansen for Gary Busey.)

Who are this year"s best bets? Based on my formula smarts times grace under pressure divided by craziness and the portion of the first episode available for viewing, I might Kay money onNew Jersey"s own Kevin Jonas,Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, and "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kenya Moore. Rivera may be the one bringing the nuts there"s a shot in the season preview of him rushing about in his undies, no pun intended. (Also look for a very uncomfortable exchange between Cosby kid Keshia Knight-Pulliam and Moore about Knight-Pulliam failing to call on Bill Cosby to donate.)

Who"s your favorite to take home $250,000 for his or her charity?

Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook

Source: http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2015/01/celebrity_apprentice_2015_cast_season_7_donald_trump.html

Ricky Martin Superfan Undergoes Plastic Surgery to Look Like His Idol

Ricky Martin - Adios (Spanish Version) (Official Video)

One superfan has gone to great lengths to look like his idol, singer Ricky Martin.

Fran Mariano, an Argentinian known for participating in the show Cuestion de Peso, subjected himself to more than half a dozen surgeries, and now he feels satisfied with the results. See pic here!

Speaking with the Argentinian newspaper Diario Show, Mariano explained, I operated my nose for the fourth time, had liposuction on my cheeks and with that same fat had lipo-transference in the cheekbones.

He continued, Then I took off the nasolabial folds from my face and they were filled with methacrylate as well as in the forehead. Also, I got a touch-up on the chin for the third time, for poor scarring I was operated [last Saturday] with [Dr.] Anibal Lotocki, and Im really happy with the changes that Im having.

Even though Mariano went through these extreme physical changes, he is still longing to find love. The reality is that every time I submit myself for surgery, I deposit many hopes and a lot of pain as well, for all the time that I felt different. However, no surgery fills the void I have."

He added, In fact I have spent all day crying, I think that I seek perfection in me, but I cannot find someone to love me.

Source: http://extratv.com/2014/12/16/ricky-martin-superfan-undergoes-plastic-surgery-to-look-like-his-idol/

Sunday, January 4, 2015

So, Macklemore"s going to be a father

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - The Heist (Full Album)

If his tastefor thrift shops is any indication, Macklemore will look right at home in dad jeans.

The Seattle rapper,also known as Ben Haggerty, and hisfiancee, Tricia Davis, announced they were expecting in a YouTube video that looks more like a movie trailer than a home video.

Producer Ryan Lewis, ever Macklemores right-hand man, helped edit the film.

Apparently, the pregnancy newsleaked a bit earlier than the couple intended. The New York Post reported Friday,spies in Las Vegas over New Years noticed Davis, in a loose-fitting black dress, wasnt drinking while out with Macklemore and pals.

If youre not drinking, youre pregnant, apparently.

The baby trailer addressed the rumor head on:

Today the media speculated about some big news in our life. So we decided to share it with you ourselves.

Source: http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2015/01/so-macklemores-going-to-be-a-father/

New Year 2015: Apple iPhones, iPads discounted

BEST Animation Compilation 2015 - 3D EFFECTS NYE PARTY Timer Effect Remixed

The New Year is a global event that brings consumers great deals, and that includes discounts on Apple products.

Because of the new season, Apple is offering almost 50 percent cut-backs from their products like iPads, MacBooks and Apple TV.

Apple has offered discounted prices on their refurbished products which will have a 10-year warranty and free shipping and free returns. Here is the list of Apple"s refurbished products and their discounted prices:

Refurbished iPad 2 with Wi-Fi+3G 32 GB- Black AT&T (2ndGeneration) for $339 (previously $620).

Refurbished iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi+ Cellular for AT&T 32GB Silver for $399 (previously $470).

Refurbished iPad Air Wi-Fi +Cellular for AT&T 16GB Space Gray for $439 (previously $520).

Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.5GHz Dual-core Intel i5 for $929 (previously $1,000).

Refurbished 11.6-inch MacBook Air 1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 for $869 (previously $1,040).

Refurbished 15.4-inch MacBook Pro 2.0GHz Quad-core Inter i7 with Retina Display for $1,489 (previously $1,700).

Refurbished Apple TV for $75.

There is also another Apple offer specifically made for education-related purposes, the Apple Store for Education. Users can "save up to $200 on a new Mac, and up to $20 on a new iPad."

This pricing scheme is only available for college students, students recently accepted in college, parents buying for their college kids, professors, homeschool teachers and other staff.

Apple is also endorsing their study products like different apps that will help the users study well like the "Pages, Numbers, and Keynote helping you write, analyze data, and present your work in engaging ways."

Then, there"s the iBooks which takes advantage of the OS X Yosemite on MacBooks. Apple also has the iTunes U that offers varied educational materials like videos, books and lectures all for free.

Source: http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/new-year-2015-apple-products-iphone-ipad-sale-27720

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Joseph Gordon-Levitt"s Extraordinary Wife: Tasha McCauley

NEW | SKINNY: Actor Joseph-Gordon Levitt Weds Tasha McCauley

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the Inception star who stole the hearts of millions of women across the U.S., is no longer an eligible bachelor. The 33-year-old married his girlfriend in secret at his Los Angeles home on December 20. Most fans know plenty about him, but little about his new wife, Tasha McCauley, and that has been by design.

Gordon-Levitt has stated that McCauley, who he has been dating since 2013, wishes for a quiet life out of the Hollywood limelight. In 2013, when interviewed by People, he explained his relative silence regarding his relationship.

I have a girlfriend but I tend not to really like to talk about it in public. The girl who Im with, she really doesnt want to be a part of that.

Its no surprise that he landed an extraordinary woman, and indeed he did. Tasha McCauley is a mixture of beauty, brains, and business skills. Tasha is the co-founder and the CEO of Fellow Robots. People reports that the company is based at NASA Research Park in Silicon Valley, California. Her intellect and skills include post-graduate degrees and a specialization in robotics. After earning her B.A. from Bard College and a graduate certificate in robotics from Singularity University (she went on to teach students about rapidly accelerating technologies there), McCauley earned an International Business Education and Research MBA from the University of Southern California in 2013.

The dark-haired beauty is multi-lingual; she reportedly speaks English, Spanish, and Arabic, and has traveled to Antarctica and Cuba. This type of cultural and educated woman is what Gordon-Levitt has been searching for. He has stated that hes always had a phobia of getting attention from girls for [being famous], according to People.

How does Tasha McCauley see herself? The new Mrs. Gordon-Levitt had some interesting insight in an interview with the Chicago Toy and Game Group.

Im the sum of many inputs, mostly arts and sciences, which can make for some surprising collisions. Im a skeptic and an optimist. I guess I should clarify that by skeptically, I dont mean cynically. Both are Greek in origin. Cynical, in early English, denoted fault-finding, while skeptical means to consider or examine. Im skeptical because I love pushing limits in order to understand how things really work. And Im optimistic because, so far in my life, the unknown has revealed many wonderful possibilities.

One of those wonderful possibilities has become being the new bride of one of Hollywoods most eligible bachelors! Congratulations to Gordon-Levitt, who selected a wife who has myriad exceptional qualities.

[Photo Credit to Kairos Global Summit 2014]

Source: http://www.inquisitr.com/1724462/joseph-gordon-levitts-extraordinary-wife-tasha-mccauley/