Evernote Brings Skitch to iPad

Late this summer Evernote, makers of the uber-popular note taking software of the same name, announced that they were buying Skitch, the company that made an (also eponymous) image annotation app for the Mac and Android phones.

Today, Evernote announced that they have brought Skitch to the iPad [iTunes link]. The app is free in the iTunes App Store. The app allows users to draw and annotate on a wide variety of images ? screen shots, maps, photos, the web, and more. It also includes a variety of sharing options. Users can send their work to Evernote (of course), as well as sending as email attachments or posting to Twitter. The app also allows for sharing over AirPlay

Evernote is careful to stress that they have not forgotten iPhone users. They say they have an iPhone app in the works already, but that they wanted to focus on the iPad first, as it seemed a better platform to show off the app?s capabilities.

Skitch is free in the App Store. Take a test drive, then let us know what you think in the comments.

About Shaylin Clark
Shaylin Clark is a staff writer for WebProNews. Twitter: @stclark81, Google Plus: +Shaylin Clark

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/insiderreports/~3/X-MXodcjOME/evernote-brings-skitch-to-ipad-2011-12

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Foster TD helps Houston take 10-3 lead over Indy (AP)

INDIANAPOLIS ? Arian Foster's 9-yard touchdown run in the first minute helped the Houston Texans take a 10-3 lead over the Colts at the end of the first quarter.

Foster ran for 64 yards on seven carries in the opening quarter.

Indianapolis had one first down and was held to 21 yards in the first quarter.

On Indianapolis' first play from scrimmage, Houston's Brian Cushing sacked Indy quarterback Dan Orlovsky and forced him to fumble. Houston's Brooks Reed recovered at the Indianapolis 17. Two plays later, Foster's touchdown gave the Texans a 7-0 lead 54 seconds into the game.

The Colts (1-13) went three-and-out on their next drive. Houston took over at its 38-yard line, but this time, the Colts caught the break. Robert Mathis sacked Houston quarterback T.J. Yates, forced a fumble and recovered it himself at the Houston 36-yard line. The Colts wasted the opportunity when Orlovsky was sacked by Connor Barwin at the Houston 40-yard line on third down.

Houston (10-4) punted out of its end zone on its next possession, and Indy's Pierre Garcon returned it 20 yards to the Houston 27.

Orlovsky's 12-yard completion to Austin Collie on third-and-8 set Indy up at the Houston 13. The drive stalled, and Adam Vinatieri's 23-yard field goal cut Houston's lead to 7-3.

Houston ripped off huge chunks of yardage to start the next drive ? a 29-yard pass from Yates to Kevin Walter and an 18-yard run by Foster ? to move into Indianapolis territory. Eventually, the Colts' defense tightened up, and Neil Rackers made a 44-yard field goal to push Houston's lead to 10-3 with 2:01 left in the quarter.

The Colts lead the series 16-3 and have never lost at home to the Texans, but Houston beat Indy 34-7 in the opener and has won two of the past three meetings.

Indianapolis is coming off its first win of the season, a 27-13 win over Tennessee. Donald Brown ran for a career-high 161 yards that day, including a clinching 80-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

The Colts dominated the AFC South for nearly a decade, but the Texans have already clinched the franchise's first home playoff game, dethroning a Colts team that won seven of the previous eight division crowns.

The Texans have kept rolling despite losing starting quarterback Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart to season-ending injuries. Receiver Andre Johnson missed his ninth straight game with a strained left hamstring.

__

Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cliffbruntap

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111223/ap_on_sp_fo_ga_su/fbn_texans_colts

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U.S. Says Details Of Flu Experiments Should Stay Secret

Enlarge Cynthia Goldsmith/CDC

H5N1 avian flu viruses (seen in gold) grow inside canine kidney cells (seen in green).

Cynthia Goldsmith/CDC

H5N1 avian flu viruses (seen in gold) grow inside canine kidney cells (seen in green).

A committee that advises the government says that details of two controversial experiments on bird flu virus should not be made public, because of fears that the work could provide a recipe for a bioweapon.

The government-funded experiments were done by researchers who wanted to understand if bird flu virus might change in the future to cause a pandemic in people. By tweaking genes, they made the deadly bird flu virus more contagious between lab animals.

In a landmark decision, an expert panel known as the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, which advises the government, says key details of the work should not be published openly.

This is the first time such a recommendation has been made even though the scientific community has discussed concerns about the potential misuse of biological research since the 2001 attacks and subsequent anthrax mailings. The life sciences have traditionally had a culture of openness, with all experiments published publicly so that others can replicate and learn from them.

In a statement announcing the committee's decision, the National Institutes of Health said the government will set up a new system to give the worrisome bird flu information only to legitimate public health researchers.

The Department of Health and Human Services agreed with the assessment and passed it along to the scientists and journals. The recommendations of the committee aren't binding on science journals and on the researchers themselves, who still could choose to publish their work.

?

The researchers and the journals involved appear to be taking the advice of the expert committee seriously. But they await details on how the government will ensure that legitimate researchers still have access to the information, despite the security concerns.

One of the experiments was done by Ron Fouchier of the Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands and his colleagues. In a statement released today, the medical center said that "the researchers have reservations about this recommendation but will observe it."

The statement from Erasmus Medical Center notes that "that confidentiality is almost impossible given the fact that the data has to be shared with hundreds of researchers and governments. Furthermore, academic and press freedom will be at stake as a result of the recommendation. This has never happened before."

The other experiment was led by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In a statement, the university said that "the recommendations made by the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity have been communicated to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the researchers here studying the H5N1 avian influenza virus. As they work with the journal to make the research available to the scientific community, the investigators will respect those recommendations."

The journal Nature's Editor-in-Chief Philip Campbell said:

"We have noted the unprecedented NSABB recommendations that would restrict public access to data and methods and recognise the motivation behind them. It is essential for public health that the full details of any scientific analysis of flu viruses be available to researchers. We are discussing with interested parties how, within the scenario recommended by NSABB, appropriate access to the scientific methods and data could be enabled."

The journal Science is considering publishing Fouchier's paper and the editor-in-chief of Science, Bruce Alberts, said his journal is still evaluating how to proceed.

He says the editors want to ensure that all responsible scientists will have access, even those overseas, because the work could speed development of new treatments. He noted that the journal's final decision will depend heavily on further steps taken by the government.

Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/12/21/144021870/u-s-says-details-of-flu-experiments-should-stay-secret?ft=1&f=1007

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Tim Cook Is About To Screw With The Size Of The ... - Business Insider

Image: Associated Press

?

Apple is "likely" to launch a smaller iPad before the fourth quarter of 2012, DigiTimes reports, citing supply chain sources.

The smaller iPad will be 7.85 inches, says DigiTimes, as compared to the current iPad which is 9.7 inches.

DigiTimes' sources claim Apple is building the smaller iPad in reaction to demand from consumers for 7 inch Fires, and large screen smartphones.

Separately, we've heard from a source that Apple is worried about the popularity of smartphones with bigger screens and has been looking at building a 4 inch iPhone.

It will be interesting to see if Apple actually makes a smaller iPad because in October 2010, Steve Jobs famously trashed 7" tablets, saying they are too small for people to actually use:

While one could increase the resolution of the display to make up some of the difference, it is meaningless unless your tablet also includes sandpaper, so that the user can sand down their fingers to around one-quarter of their present size.

Apple has done extensive user testing on user interfaces over many years, and we really understand this stuff. There are clear limits of how close you can physically place elements on a touchscreen before users cannot reliably tap, flick or pinch them. This is one of the key reasons we think the 10-inch screen size is the minimum size required to create great tablet apps.

Maybe an 8 inch tablet is significantly better than 7 inches?

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-working-on-a-small-ipad-2011-12

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Senate confirms McFaul as ambassador to Moscow

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2011, file photo U.S. Ambassador to Russia-nominee Dr. Michael Anthony McFaul testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his nomination. The U.S. Senate on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, confirmed McFaul, President Barack Obama's top adviser on Russia, to be the next U.S. ambassador to Moscow. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2011, file photo U.S. Ambassador to Russia-nominee Dr. Michael Anthony McFaul testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his nomination. The U.S. Senate on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, confirmed McFaul, President Barack Obama's top adviser on Russia, to be the next U.S. ambassador to Moscow. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2011, file photo U.S. Ambassador to Russia-nominee Dr. Michael Anthony McFaul testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his nomination. The U.S. Senate on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, confirmed McFaul, President Barack Obama's top adviser on Russia, to be the next U.S. ambassador to Moscow. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The Senate on Saturday confirmed Michael McFaul, President Barack Obama's top adviser on Russia, to be the next U.S. ambassador to Moscow.

The voice vote to elevate McFaul to the ambassador's post came on the last day the Senate is meeting this year after several months of delay.

McFaul is regarded as one of the nation's leading experts on U.S. relations with Russia and has been involved in the Obama administration's efforts to improve shaky relations with the Moscow government.

That includes the signing of the New START treaty that set a ceiling of 1,550 strategic warheads in each country's arsenal.

McFaul, who taught at Stanford, was a campaign adviser to Obama on Russia and Eurasia before moving to the National Security Council to become the president's chief Russia adviser.

Obama nominated McFaul to the post in September, but a Senate vote on his confirmation was held up by Republican Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois over issues with U.S. policies toward Russia.

Kirk said he wanted written assurances that the United States will not provide Russia with any currently classified information on a missile defense system. The administration said it had no plans to provide Russia with such information.

Democrats, before leaving for the winter break, tried to secure confirmation of several dozen other nominees, but were blocked by Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky who said the administration must first pledge that it will not make any recess appointments.

Temporary appointments made when Congress is not in session are a means by which presidents can fill positions that have been left open because of opposition in the Senate either to the nominee or to administration policies.

Senate Majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada said he would try again to confirm the blocked nominees next year.

They included Richard Cordray to be director of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Fed chairman Ben Bernanke to be alternate governor of the International Monetary Fund, Mari Carmen Aponte to be ambassador to El Salvador and nominees to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., Federal Communications Commission, and Amtrak.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2011-12-17-Russia-Ambassador/id-b9978d48165f48118480501c7d3963ae

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Venezuela honors Simon Bolivar with new coffin (AP)

CARACAS, Venezuela ? Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez paid tribute to 19th century independence leader Simon Bolivar on Saturday by unveiling a new coffin containing Bolivar's remains and adorned with gold, pearls and diamonds.

Soldiers lifted a flag from the mahogany coffin during a ceremony marking the anniversary of Bolivar's death in 1830. Bolivar is both a national hero in Venezuela and the namesake of Chavez's Bolivarian Revolution political movement.

"You live on in us," Chavez said in a speech, standing next to the coffin. "As the years pass, you will be more alive, father Bolivar."

Officials have said Chavez's government is spending 119 million bolivars ($27.7 million) to build a new mausoleum to house Bolivar's remains. The mausoleum is to have a soaring roof, and a metal framework has been partly erected behind the National Pantheon, where Bolivar's remains have long been entombed.

Chavez oversaw the exhumation of Bolivar's remains last year, seeking to confirm his idol's identity and investigate a theory that Bolivar could have been killed. Researchers confirmed Bolivar's identity through DNA tests but were unable to pin down the cause of his death.

The new coffin bears golden stars and the national seal, as well as Bolivar's initials and golden laurels. An announcer said the decorations on the coffin include diamonds and pearls from Venezuela.

Chavez has made Bolivar a central symbol throughout his nearly 13-year-old presidency. He often speaks below a portrait of Bolivar. In 1999, Chavez promoted the approval of a new constitution that changed the country's name to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111217/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_venezuela_chavez

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Typosquatters Aim For Apple, Google And Facebook

You?ve probably been caught out by typosquatting before: you type an address into your browser, get a letter wrong, and end up on a site that?s filled with ads, weird downloads or other unexpected content. But just how common is the practice of registering slightly incorrect domain names in the hope they?ll attract traffic? An analysis by web security software firm Sophos suggests that when it comes to popular web services, nearly every possible option has been grabbed.

Sophos research Paul Ducklin generated a list of all the one-character typo variants that could be created for six .com domains: Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter and Sophos. For each, he worked out all the possible variants involving adding one character, mistyping one character, or missing one character. That produced 2249 unique domain names, which Ducklin then tested to see if they were active.

The results showed that for popular services, virtually every example has been registered as an active site. For Apple, 86 per cent of typosquatting variants had been taken, and Google (83 per cent) and Facebook (81 per cent) weren?t far behind.

How risky are those sites? Just one Ducklin visited actually contained malware, while around 5 per cent were ranked as connected with cybercrime. Many, however, did attempt to pass themselves off as connected with their parent site, offering links to music software off faux-Apple sites or search services on faux-Google ones. And that is, as he points out, risky:

At the very best, typosquats which lead to parked domains are just aiming to make money out of nothing, by capitalising on your errors. At worst, typosquatters are trying to give you a false sense of safety, with the intention of misleading you further into unintended and possibly risky online actions.

The lesson? Check carefully when typing, and take advantage of autocomplete and searching to minimise your browsing risks. Hit the link for the full report.

Sophos

Source: http://feeds.lifehacker.com.au/~r/LifehackerAustraliaAU/~3/sHHW05fswDQ/

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PFT's picks: Seahawks will surprise Bears

Getty Images

Well, I?m finally gaining some ground.

Not much, but some.

A stellar 14-2 weekend could have been 15-1, but for that late collapse by the Cowboys.? In that moment, a three-game win over Rosenthal slid to a one-game edge.

I?m nine back with three weeks to go. ?For the season, he?s 142-66.? I?m 133-75.

This week, we disagree on four games.? This is my last chance to make a push.

Hopefully, God likes me better than him.

Jaguars at Falcons

Florio?s take:? If the Falcons can?t beat the Jaguars, the Falcons have no shot at winning at New Orleans on December 26.? And if the Falcons can?t win at New Orleans on December 26, the Falcons won?t have to worry about another one-and-done performance in the playoffs.

Florio?s pick:? Falcons 31, Jaguars 16.

Rosenthal?s take: The Jaguars are back in prime time! Atlanta is a 10-point favorite, which seems crazy until you look at the state of the Jags. An undrafted rookie and journeyman will cover Roddy White and Julio Jones.? At wideout for Jacksonville: Chastin West and Jarrett Dillard. Interim coach Mel Tucker isn?t playing with a stacked deck.

Rosenthal?s pick: Falcons 28, Jaguars 13.

Cowboys at Buccaneers

Florio?s take:? The best way for Dallas to avoid blowing a close game late in the fourth quarter is to never allow it to be close in the fourth quarter.? If this one gets too out of hand, Tampa coach Raheem Morris could be the fourth coach to go before Christmas.

Florio?s pick:? Cowboys 34, Buccaneers 17.

Rosenthal?s take: The Bucs are slump busters. The Panthers defense couldn?t stop anyone, but they could stop the Bucs. Jacksonville?s offense couldn?t score on anyone, but they could score on Tampa. This game is exactly what Jason Garrett and the ?Boys need.

Rosenthal?s pick: Cowboys 40, Buccaneers 27.

Dolphins at Bills

Florio?s take:? Nothing takes the steam out of a team that is playing hard down the stretch to try to save its coach?s job than the coach losing his job.? The Bills end a six-game losing streak with their sixth, and likely last, win of the season.

Florio?s pick:? Bills 28, Dolphins 21.

Rosenthal?s take: It?s weird and a little sad that J.P. Losman?s status decides my pick. If Matt Moore is out, I like Buffalo. Bills fans will happily tell you not to bet on J.P. Losman in Buffalo. (Especially with Jake Long out.) If Matt Moore starts, I like the Dolphins. (Can we make conditional picks, Florio?)

Rosenthal?s pick: Dolphins 20, Bills 17.

Seahawks at Bears

Florio?s take:? If the Bears had Jay Cutler and Matt Forte, they?d be the clear pick to win.? But they don?t, and if they can?t beat the Chiefs at home without these key players, they?ll have a rough time handling an underrated Seahawks team.? The bell continues to toll for the Bears, whose only remaining hope will be to do to the Packers on December 25 what the Dolphins did to the Bears in 1985.

Florio?s pick:? Seahawks 14, Bears 7.

Rosenthal?s take: Bears fans swore Chicago could go 4-2 or 3-3 at worst with Caleb Hanie to close the season. They haven?t won a game yet. Seattle, meanwhile, has won four of five because of a physical defense and running game. After this game, the Seahawks will have a better chance to make the playoffs.

Rosenthal?s pick: Seattle 16, Bears 13.

Panthers at Texans

Florio?s take:? The Texans keep losing key components.? And the Texans just keep winning.? This one won?t be easy without defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, but the Texans simply continue to find a way.

Florio?s pick:? Texans 34, Panthers 24.

Rosenthal?s take: If Cam Newton and T.J. Yates faced off last year, Yates? team would not be favored by a touchdown. Things change quickly. The Texans are a defense tough enough to withstand the loss of their best pass rusher. They can survive losing their playcaller for a week or two.

Rosenthal?s pick: Texans 21, Panthers 17.

Titans at Colts

Florio?s take:? It?s time.? Call it a gut feeling.? Call it a hunch.? Call it clinical insanity.? But it?s time for the Colts to win a game.? Especially since this very well could be their last chance to avoid going 0-16 and getting everyone not named Jim Irsay fired.

Florio?s pick:? Colts 19, Titans 17.

Rosenthal?s take: The Colts look likely to face three straight rookie quarterbacks. Unfortunately, Jake Locker isn?t a huge downgrade from Matt Hasselbeck. The Titans offense is different with Locker, but not necessarily worse. The Titans are just mediocre enough to let the Colts make this interesting.

Rosenthal?s pick: Titans 24, Colts 21.

Packers at Chiefs

Florio?s take:? Interim coach Romeo Crennel could go a long way toward securing the permanent job by winning his first game.? He likely wishes Todd Haley had lasted one more week.

Florio?s pick:? Packers 35, Chiefs 10.

Rosenthal?s take: The Chiefs have enough secondary talent to give the Packers offense some issues. Kansas City certainly upgrades this week at quarterback with Kyle Orton. And that ends the portion of this preview where I try to convince myself this game will stay interesting.

Rosenthal?s pick: Packers 31, Chiefs 14.

Saints at Vikings

Florio?s take:? From epic NFC title game to overhyped season opener to Cornell-Hofstra slaughter.? Les Steckel gets closer and closer to getting off the hook.

Florio?s pick:? Saints 34, Vikings 14.

Rosenthal?s take: Drew Brees is peaking at the right time. The Vikings are peeking at the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.? This is the game where Brees makes sure he wins the yardage crown for the season.

Rosenthal?s pick: Saints 33, Vikings 17.

Redskins at Giants

Florio?s take:? After the Redskins beat the Giants in Week One, safety Antrell Rolle said that Washington would win five out of 100 games between the two teams.? More recently, Rolle dropped that number to one.? Though we?re not ready to agree with a 99-percent success rate, we?re comfortable with 50.

Florio?s pick:? Giants 28, Redskins 14.

Rosenthal?s take: A Giants? loss Sunday could make next week?s Jets-Giants game almost inconsequential. A win against the Redskins would guarantee Big Blue a ?win and in? scenario in Week 17 against Dallas. Washington is feisty, but they are one-win-in-seven-games feisty. Rex Grossman is just good enough to get you beat.

Rosenthal?s pick: Giants 33, Redskins 28.

Bengals at Rams

Florio?s take:? It won?t be easy to keep a young Bengals team focused and motivated after losing a heartbreaker to the Texans.? But the Bengals are playing the Rams.? The Rams.? Yes, the Rams.

Florio?s pick:? Bengals 34, Rams 14.

Rosenthal?s take: Despite winning seven games last year, the Rams are on pace to have the worst five-year run of any team in NFL history. Steve Spagnuolo coached the worst NFL team in 2009 and the second worst team this year. It may not be fair, but it?s hard to imagine any coach surviving that combination.

Rosenthal?s pick: Bengals 23, Rams 13.

Lions at Raiders

Florio?s take:? The Lions have struggled lately, but the Raiders have struggled more.? Neither team may make it to the postseason after promising starts, but the Lions have at least shown a recent ability to find a way to win.? Plus, while he?s not as dominant as he was in 2010, the return of Ndamukong Suh should help.? The ongoing absence of Darren McFadden doesn?t.

Florio?s pick:? Lions 24, Raiders 20.

Rosenthal?s take: These are two desperate teams that peaked too early. At least the Lions are getting players back: Ndamukong Suh, Kevin Smith, and cornerback Chris Houston all look likely to return for Detroit. The Raiders might get Denarius Moore back. The Lions win that trade.

Rosenthal?s pick: Lions 27, Raiders 24.

Browns at Cardinals

Florio?s take:? Though a little too late, the Cardinals have found their groove, regardless of whether Kevin Kolb or John Skelton is playing quarterback.? With a couple more wins, they?ll be one of the teams we?re all picking to make the playoffs in 2012.? The Browns, on the other hand, continue to be the Browns.

Florio?s pick:? Cardinals 30, Browns 17.

Rosenthal?s take: Skeltonmania is sweeping the nation. The Cardinals are 4-1 in the former Fordham quarterback?s games, winning insane, inexplicable games late in the fourth quarter. They are 2-5 without him. Skelton fever could last into the playoffs. I?d bet on a 9-7 team making the playoffs and the Cardinals should be 7-7 after this one.

Rosenthal?s pick: Cardinals 22, Browns 13.

Patriots at Broncos

Florio?s take:? The list of ?thou shalt nots? now includes a line regarding picking against Tim Tebow.? New England?s defense stinks, and Denver?s defense is good enough to keep it close.? If the Broncos keep it close, the guy who says God has spoken to him will overcome the once little-known sixth-round pick who possibly struck a deal with the devil.

Florio?s pick:? Broncos 24, Patriots 23.

Rosenthal?s take: The Patriots defense can barely slow down Grossmania, so Tim Tebow should have a big day. Tom Brady should be even better. There are weak spots in this Broncos? secondary that Brady can exploit, especially at safety. This result will test Florio?s Tebow man-crush.

Rosenthal?s pick: Patriots 31, Broncos 27.

Jets at Eagles

Florio?s take:? The Dream Team is waking up too late, but not late enough to crush the dreams of Team Rex.? And that will make next week?s Giants-Jets game even more intriguing.

Florio?s pick:? Eagles 27, Jets 23.

Rosenthal?s take: The Eagles won last week, but Michael Vick looked very rusty. The offensive line got pushed around. The Jets are not a defense you want to face when your passing game is out of synch and your line is not recognizing blitzes. The Dream should finally die for good, to the delight of many Eagles fans.

Rosenthal?s pick: Jets 22, Eagles 10.

Ravens at Chargers

Florio?s take:? The Ravens finally realize the connection between beating inferior foes and hosting home playoff games.? Chargers fans finally realize that they could have a new coach and G.M. in 2012.? Both could be very happy after Sunday night.

Florio?s pick:? Ravens 24, Chargers 17.

Rosenthal?s take: This is Norv?s last stand, and he has a shot to win. Philip Rivers? pinpoint accuracy returned the last two weeks. So did his pass protection. This is a dangerous game for the Ravens, but it?s hard to imagine Rivers? rag-tag linemen holding up against the Baltimore pass rush.

Rosenthal?s pick: Ravens 27, Chargers 24.

Steelers at 49ers

Florio?s take:? When the Steelers enter the red zone at Heinz Field, giant ketchup bottles unleash their contents onto the scoreboard.? When the 49ers get into the red zone on Monday night, the Steelers will be putting ketchup on Frank Gore?s legs and Alex Smith?s arm.

Florio?s pick:? Steelers 20, 49ers 13.

Rosenthal?s take: The Cowboys? 3-4 defense gave the 49ers problems. Baltimore?s 3-4 defense ate up the 49ers line. Arizona?s defense ? coordinated by former Steelers coach Ray Horton ? allowed two first downs to the 49ers in the second half last week. You see where I?m going with this one.

Rosenthal?s pick: Steelers 13, 49ers 10.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/15/pfts-week-15-picks-2/related/

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Yoho Bike Hotel: a hotel for the two-tired

The world's biggest bike manufacturer runs a hotel with bike-friendly hallways and elevators, and staff who do repairs and tune-ups.

? A local, slice-of-life story from a Monitor correspondent.

Skip to next paragraph

Giant, the world?s biggest bike manufacturer, has built a one-of-a-kind beach resort for cyclists.

Taiwan-based Giant operates the 68-room Yoho Bike Hotel, which opened in February 2009, to promote leisure cycling. For at least $166 a night, Yoho guests can pedal through the corridors and ride their wheels into extra-wide elevators and guest rooms with elevated storage racks. Hotel staff members do repairs and cleanups. Travel industry authorities say they know of no other hotel in the world with such extensive services just for bike-riding guests.

Taiwan?s bike industry grew 20 percent last year to $1.5 billion. Cycling increased in Taiwan on pace with the 2008 global oil price surge.

Giant hopes the resort will help keep its sales at current levels of about 5.5 million units a year.

?This is mainly to promote bike riding in Taiwan,? says Chen Jung-chiang, a division chief in the firm?s head sales office.

Guests without bikes can rent them starting at $6 per hour. Two-lane back roads outside the resort lure cyclists.

?There are quite a few roads, and they?re challenging because of the strong winds,? recalls Huang Wei-lun, a Taipei insurance worker who spent three nights at Yoho last year for a bike race. ?If you need any service, the [hotel] will help you fix the bike or wash it up.?

Think you know Asia? Take our geography quiz.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/csmonitor/globalnews/~3/4SAE2zr1gTI/Yoho-Bike-Hotel-a-hotel-for-the-two-tired

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Improvements in survival of gynecological cancer in the Anglia region of England

Public release date: 14-Dec-2011
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Contact: Amy Molnar
healthnews@wiley.com
201-748-8844
Wiley-Blackwell

Gynaecological cancer survival rates have improved in Eastern England following the reorganisation of services and multidisciplinary team working finds a new study published today (14 December) in the gynaecological oncology themed issue of BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

In 1999, the Department of Health (DH) produced good-practice guidance on commissioning cancer services for gynaecology, entitled Improving Outcomes in Gynaecological Cancer. The new guidance called for a reorganisation of services, working in multidisciplinary teams and a concentration of surgical expertise in centres.

In addition, in 2000 the DH published referral guidance for primary care for symptoms that were suggestive of cancer (the 2-week wait initiative). Hospital providers were expected to respond to the referral in a timely fashion, with a target of 2 weeks between the date of referral and the first appointment. It was hoped this would improve outcomes and address the variation in access to diagnosis and treatment.

In the Anglia Cancer Network (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk), the guidance was implemented by the year 2000, with the centralisation of care predominantly shifting to Addenbrookes Hospital, serving a population of 1.5 million and the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital serving a population of 850,000.

This paper looks at 3406 cases of invasive gynaecological cancer between 1996 and 2003 in this area. Sixty percent of the cases had known tumour stage and grade and the majority of cases relate to endometrial and ovarian cancer (77.4%).

The study found that the survival of cancers diagnosed between 1997 and 1999 was effectively identical to the survival of cancers diagnosed in the baseline year, 1996. Survival of cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2003 increased significantly: Overall 17% improvement; uterine cancer improved by nearly 10% (9.5) to 83% and ovarian cancer improved by 45% to nearly 40% when compared with cancers diagnosed in the four earlier years. These changes have been most significant within endometrial and ovarian cancers.

Dr Robin Crawford, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, and co-author of the paper said:

"The data shows that there has been a significant increase in survival of gynaecological cancers over the time period reviewed.

"In addition to the minor year-on-year improvements, there was a significant stepwise improvement in survival in 2000, following the major reorganisation in the region.

"Centralising services and working in multidisciplinary teams has been shown to improve patient care significantly and most importantly survival rates.

"Further work is being undertaken to ensure that these improvements are continued."

BJOG Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Pierre Martin-Hirsch, added:

"It is exciting to see such promising results. This cancer network implemented new policies very promptly and as a result there has been a significant improvement in the gynaecological cancer survival rates.

"This paper confirms the findings in a recent Macmillan report based on research from the Cancer Research UK Cancer Survival Group at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine demonstrating improved survival times for women with cancer. Cancer patients are surviving for longer and an example of new initiatives aiding this is the work being undertaken in the Anglia region."

The BJOG theme issue focuses on gynaecological oncology with papers looking at cervical cancer prevention, as well as new developments in cervical and ovarian cancer management.

###

Notes

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology is owned by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) but is editorially independent and published monthly by Wiley-Blackwell. The journal features original, peer-reviewed, high-quality medical research in all areas of obstetrics and gynaecology worldwide. Please quote 'BJOG' or 'BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology' when referring to the journal and include the website: www.bjog.org as a hidden link online.

Reference: Crawford R, Greenberg D. Improvements in survival of gynaecological cancer in the Anglia region of England: are these an effect of centralisation of care and use of multidisciplinary management? BJOG 2011; DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2011.02961.x.

---

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 14-Dec-2011
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Contact: Amy Molnar
healthnews@wiley.com
201-748-8844
Wiley-Blackwell

Gynaecological cancer survival rates have improved in Eastern England following the reorganisation of services and multidisciplinary team working finds a new study published today (14 December) in the gynaecological oncology themed issue of BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

In 1999, the Department of Health (DH) produced good-practice guidance on commissioning cancer services for gynaecology, entitled Improving Outcomes in Gynaecological Cancer. The new guidance called for a reorganisation of services, working in multidisciplinary teams and a concentration of surgical expertise in centres.

In addition, in 2000 the DH published referral guidance for primary care for symptoms that were suggestive of cancer (the 2-week wait initiative). Hospital providers were expected to respond to the referral in a timely fashion, with a target of 2 weeks between the date of referral and the first appointment. It was hoped this would improve outcomes and address the variation in access to diagnosis and treatment.

In the Anglia Cancer Network (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk), the guidance was implemented by the year 2000, with the centralisation of care predominantly shifting to Addenbrookes Hospital, serving a population of 1.5 million and the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital serving a population of 850,000.

This paper looks at 3406 cases of invasive gynaecological cancer between 1996 and 2003 in this area. Sixty percent of the cases had known tumour stage and grade and the majority of cases relate to endometrial and ovarian cancer (77.4%).

The study found that the survival of cancers diagnosed between 1997 and 1999 was effectively identical to the survival of cancers diagnosed in the baseline year, 1996. Survival of cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2003 increased significantly: Overall 17% improvement; uterine cancer improved by nearly 10% (9.5) to 83% and ovarian cancer improved by 45% to nearly 40% when compared with cancers diagnosed in the four earlier years. These changes have been most significant within endometrial and ovarian cancers.

Dr Robin Crawford, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, and co-author of the paper said:

"The data shows that there has been a significant increase in survival of gynaecological cancers over the time period reviewed.

"In addition to the minor year-on-year improvements, there was a significant stepwise improvement in survival in 2000, following the major reorganisation in the region.

"Centralising services and working in multidisciplinary teams has been shown to improve patient care significantly and most importantly survival rates.

"Further work is being undertaken to ensure that these improvements are continued."

BJOG Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Pierre Martin-Hirsch, added:

"It is exciting to see such promising results. This cancer network implemented new policies very promptly and as a result there has been a significant improvement in the gynaecological cancer survival rates.

"This paper confirms the findings in a recent Macmillan report based on research from the Cancer Research UK Cancer Survival Group at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine demonstrating improved survival times for women with cancer. Cancer patients are surviving for longer and an example of new initiatives aiding this is the work being undertaken in the Anglia region."

The BJOG theme issue focuses on gynaecological oncology with papers looking at cervical cancer prevention, as well as new developments in cervical and ovarian cancer management.

###

Notes

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology is owned by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) but is editorially independent and published monthly by Wiley-Blackwell. The journal features original, peer-reviewed, high-quality medical research in all areas of obstetrics and gynaecology worldwide. Please quote 'BJOG' or 'BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology' when referring to the journal and include the website: www.bjog.org as a hidden link online.

Reference: Crawford R, Greenberg D. Improvements in survival of gynaecological cancer in the Anglia region of England: are these an effect of centralisation of care and use of multidisciplinary management? BJOG 2011; DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2011.02961.x.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-12/w-iis121211.php

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Citi discussing plan to shuffle Asian managers: WSJ (Reuters)

(Reuters) ? Citigroup Inc (C.N) is discussing a plan to shuffle Asian managers to reassure Japanese regulators as they prepare to sanction the bank for alleged lapses in disclosure related to the sale of financial products, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the situation.

Peter Eliot, Citigroup's country officer and head of its institutional client group in Thailand, is being considered as a possible interim successor to Darren Buckley, the head of Citibank Japan, these people told the newspaper.

Buckley will be reassigned to another post in Asia, the location of which has yet to be decided, the paper said citing the same people.

Della Pietra, Citigroup's general counsel in the Asia Pacific region, may become the chief operating officer of Japan, a newly created position, according to the paper.

No decision had been made yet and plans could still change, the Wall Street Journal said citing the people.

Citigroup has hired the executive search firm Egon Zehnder to help it find a permanent head of its Japanese operations, people familiar with the matter told the paper.

Citigroup declined to comment on Sunday.

The news comes as Japan's Financial Services Agency prepares to issue sanctions against Citigroup. Japan's financial watchdog will likely order the local banking unit of Citigroup to suspend part of its operations for about two weeks as a penalty for allegedly failing to fully explain product risk to customers, the paper said citing a person familiar with the matter.

(Reporting by Dhanya Skariachan, editing by Maureen Bavdek)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/japan/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20111204/bs_nm/us_citi_japan

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[OOC] Kingdom Hearts: A Scattered Dream

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Ex-head of state appears in dock over murder, rape

Peter De Jong / Pool via EPA

Laurent Gbagbo, center, is accused of crimes against humanity in the aftermath of Ivory Coast's disputed presidential elections in November 2010.

By msnbc.com wire services

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Ivory Coast's ex-president appeared at the International Criminal Court Monday, becoming the first former head of state to face judges at the world's first permanent war crimes court. Laurent Gbagbo vowed to fight the charges against him.

Gbagbo, 66, was calm and smiled at supporters in the public gallery as the 25-minute hearing opened. He told judges he did not need them to read the charges.

Gbagbo was extradited to the Netherlands last week to face charges including murder and rape committed by supporters as he attempted to cling to power.

Prosecutors say about 3,000 people died in violence by both sides after Gbagbo refused to concede electoral defeat.

---

A?four-month war that?displaced more than a million people erupted when?when he refused to accept the results of the?November 2010 election.

President Alassane Ouattara took power in April with the help of French and U.N. forces.

The former president, speaking in French, said he wanted to see the evidence against him.

Former Ivory coast President Laurent Gbagbo is now? in the custody of his challenger Alassane Ouattra - and he's asked the United Nations for protection.? Mr Gbagbo had barricaded himself inside a bunker at his presidential palace in Abidjan for days, resisting all efforts to negotiate his surrender.??John Sparks, Channel 4 Europe reports

"I will challenge that evidence and then you hand down your judgment," he told the three-judge panel.

Gbagbo also complained about his arrest by opposition forces backed by French troops in April, saying he saw his son beaten and his interior minister killed in the fighting.

"I was the president of the republic and the residence of the president of the republic was shelled," he said.

'Deceived'
He also complained about his transfer to The Hague last week from the north of Ivory Coast where he was under house arrest.

"We were deceived," he said. "Things could have been done in a more regular manner."

Monday's brief hearing was scheduled to confirm Gbagbo's identity and ensure he understood his rights and the charges.

Presiding judge Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi of Argentina scheduled a hearing for June 18 next year at which prosecutors will have to present a summary of their evidence and judges will decide whether it is strong enough to merit committing Gbagbo for trial.

Hundreds of people were kidnapped and killed in a crackdown by Gbagbo's forces following last year's contested election, sparking a war that only ended when Ouattara's French-backed rebel forces captured Gbagbo in April.

But Ouattara's forces were also behind some of the atrocities, including rapes and executions, as they swept toward the coast from their northern stronghold.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Source: http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/05/9222915-ivory-coasts-ex-president-laurent-gbagbo-appears-at-war-crimes-court

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PFT: Suh unhurt after crashing car into tree

Getty Images

Undrafted in 2010 and a reserve for nine of 11 games in 2011, Giants receiver Victor Cruz is on pace to do something very significant.

At his current rate of 87 receiving yards per game, Cruz would finish with 1,392.? And that would set the franchise single-season record.? (Amani Toomer currently holds the mark, with 1,343 yards in 2002.)

?That?s crazy man,? Cruz said, per Jeff Roberts of the Bergen Record.? ?I mean, I don?t even know how to respond, how to react to that, because it wasn?t even in my wildest dreams to even be the all-time leading receiver for the New York Giants.?

When he joined the team, Cruz hoped merely to make the roster.? ?I was just trying to find my niche on this team and just find a place, whether it be special teams or kickoff returns, just any way I could help this team out and get myself on the field, that?s what I wanted to do,? Cruz said.

He?s now 43 yards away from a 1,000-yard receiving season.

Cruz emerged as a potential star in the 2010 preseason, but a hamstring injury shut him down without a catch in his rookie regular season.? Now, he?s standing out among a group that includes Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham.? And with Manningham listed as doubtful for Sunday?s game against the Packers, look for Cruz to get even more chances.

He may even get his third career start.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/03/ndamukong-suh-escapes-unhurt-after-crashing-car-into-tree/related

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Jessica Simpson Flaunts Baby Bump in Animal-Print Outfits (omg!)

After showing off her growing belly in a tight red dress on Tuesday, Jessica Simpson is keeping up with her sexy pregnancy style.

PHOTOS: Jessica's chic maternity looks

The 31-year-old star stepped out in a curve-hugging, low-cut patterned dress with sister Ashlee and son Bronx in the Big Apple on Thursday.

PHOTOS: Aw! Jessica and her little sister Ashlee through the years

"I like wearing things more fitted," the Fashion Star mentor explained to Us Weekly earlier this month. "You want to show off your bump! It's just so fun. You don't want to wear muumuus so you can moo around town."

Later on, she changed into a short leopard-print Dolce & Gabbana number with sky-high platforms to celebrate the launch of her Jessica Simpson Girls line at Dylan's Candy Bar.

PHOTOS: Stars with their own fashion lines

"This is regular size. I don't think I?m going to fit into regular stuff for too much longer," she told Us at the event.

Get more Us! Follow us on Twitter, Friend us on Facebook, Subscribe to Us Weekly

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Court: Appointment of S.Africa prosecutor improper (AP)

JOHANNESBURG ? A top appeals court has ruled South Africa's president acted improperly when he appointed the national prosecutor in a case that has been central to a debate about corruption at high levels of government and political meddling in the fight against crime.

"The president will study the judgment, obtain legal advice and thereafter decide on what course to take," President Jacob Zuma's office said in a terse statement hours after the Supreme Court of Appeals issued its ruling Thursday.

The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, went to court to challenge lawyer Menzi Simelane's appointment as director of public prosecutions, saying he was unfit for the job and that Zuma, who has faced corruption charges, appointed him because he needed an ally in the prosecutor's office.

"This judgment is a victory for our constitutional democracy," the Democratic Alliance said in a statement.

Zuma can appeal. The Democratic Alliance is calling on him to instead fire Simelane and "appoint somebody who will enjoy the respect and confidence of the legal profession, the judiciary and the people of South Africa."

Just two weeks before the 2009 elections, prosecutors, acknowledging the case had been tainted by political meddling, dropped corruption charges against Zuma. Zuma went on to lead his African National Congress to victory and become president. He appointed Simelane soon after taking office.

A previous national prosecutor, Vusi Pikoli, was pushed out after he pursued corruption charges against the national police chief and Zuma. Pikoli had headed a special crime-busting unit known as the Scorpions that the ANC-dominated parliament dismantled.

Zuma has maintained he was innocent of accusations he sought bribes to thwart an investigation into wrongdoing by a French arms company involved in a massive weapons deal in the late 1990s. The accusations were linked to an international scandal in which tens of millions of dollars allegedly were paid in bribes to secure contracts in the multibillion-dollar arms deal soon after democracy came to South Africa in 1994.

Prosecutors said their case against the man who is now president was solid ? his financial adviser was convicted of soliciting bribes for Zuma from arms dealers. But prosecutors also said key colleagues had abused their powers in pursuing the case by trying to time an announcement of charges against Zuma in a failed attempt to undermine his bid to become party president.

Zuma this year announced that an independent panel of judges with sweeping powers will investigate the arms deal scandal.

Zuma has been accused of acting slowly to confront corruption in his government. After months of calls to act, in October he suspended his national police chief and fired a Cabinet minister after the two were caught up in a scandal over leasing a police headquarters building. Zuma also fired another minister who an independent investigator said used taxpayer money to visit a girlfriend imprisoned in Switzerland.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/africa/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111202/ap_on_re_af/af_south_africa_top_prosecutor

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Sara Benincasa: World's Biggest The Walking Dead Fan (Huffington post)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, News Feeds and News via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/168629488?client_source=feed&format=rss

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DeMarco: Expect Cubs to make big splash

With trimmed-down payroll and weak lineup, Theo and Co. want big bat

Matt Slocum / AP

Prince Fielder has up to five seasons of major production ahead and should be a big target for the Cubs, NBCSports.com contributor Tony DeMarco writes.

OPINION

updated 4:52 p.m. ET Dec. 1, 2011

Tony DeMarco

The winter meetings begin Sunday in Dallas, and although the general manager and manager shuffling is complete, so much needs to happen player-wise, led by the destinations of free-agents Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and C.J. Wilson.

So who's going where? Here are a handful of teams primed for action on which to focus:

Chicago Cubs
Add it up: Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are the new guys in charge, they've already changed managers, and $40 million has come off the payroll from Aramis Ramirez, Kosuke Fukudome and Carlos Pena. Think things are about to change on the north side? You bet.

Although the new front office will put major emphasis on procuring and developing young talent, and are certain to bring their brand of statistical analysis/roster building with them from Boston, the trimmed-down payroll and lineup needs dictate the signing of an impact free-agent bat.

After all, Ramirez and Pena tied for the club home-run lead, and Ramirez led in RBIs. And you know that Epstein and Co. also will try to unload Alfonso Soriano, the antithesis of their type of player.

So somebody will have to pick that power slack, and that's why the reported interest in Fielder fits. Body-type notwithstanding, there should be little argument that at 27, Fielder has up to five seasons of major production ahead. And you'll just have to live with an expected decline in defense in that period.

Plus, the Fielder market might not be as crowded as originally thought, as only other non-contenders such as the Nationals seem to be involved at this point. Meanwhile, Pujols is at least four years older, and is more valuable to the Cardinals than to anyone else, and offers are likely to reflect that.

The other option is signing neither, and instead taking a course of a slower rebuilding and implementation of a new way of doing things. Not the worst way to go, although maybe not a sellable idea to the Wrigley faithful.

The next major need lies in the rotation, where only Ryan Dempster can be counted on, while Carlos Zambrano can't, but will return anyway. This makes speculation about trading arbitration-eligible Matt Garza (the staff's top pitcher) a bit out of whack.

Look for more subtle moves like the signing of free agent David DeJesus, who probably will play right field. One possibility: A change of scene is a must for Colorado third baseman Ian Stewart.

Tigers
After getting to the ALCS, there's even more urgency to take the next step. And when you consider that both the Yankees and Red Sox find themselves in ? by their standards ? slightly vulnerable positions, there might be no more opportune time for the Tigers than in 2012.

There also is $23 million to spare with Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen coming off the books. Third base must be addressed, and there are several options. Signing Reyes and moving Jhonny Peralta to third sounds sexy, but taking the longer-term risk on the mercurial Reyes doesn't seem like a Dave Dombrowski move.

Signing Aramis Ramirez for two years does, and the Tigers could use another power bat. That also could lead them to making the biggest offer to Cuban-defector outfielder Yoennis Cespedes ? especially if they can put Delmon Young in a deal for either a third baseman or even a top-of-the-order type such as Coco Crisp. Maicer Izturis at third/top of the order is another way to go that fits manager Jim Leyland's style, as Austin Jackson has to move to the bottom third of the order for good.

One more quality starting pitcher ? Buehrle, Wilson ? would put them a very enviable position rotation-wise. But adding another quality reliever would be the more cost-efficient way to go.

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'It's more than a special day'

??Bobby Valentine took over as manager of the Boston Red Sox on Thursday, promising to be hard-working, open-minded and even humble.

Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/45514517/ns/sports-baseball/

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T-Mobile Springboard 4G

At the crest of a wave of highly anticipated 7-inch tablets, you may have missed Huawei?s T-Mobile Springboard 4G. It lacks the hype of the Amazon Kindle Fire?($199, 4 stars) or the Barnes and Noble Nook Tablet?($249, 4 stars), but the Springboard is worth considering if you're looking for a tablet with 3G connectivity?something those other tablets are missing. Unlike the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet?s heavily modified Android 2.3 software, the Springboard runs Android Honeycomb 3.2, joining the Acer Iconia Tab A100 ($329.99, 4 stars) in a growing lineup of smaller-screen Honeycomb tablets. The Springboard outclasses the Iconia Tab A100, with its slick aluminum chassis, beautiful IPS display, and above-average battery life. But with a new version of Android coming and competition stepping up, it's just harder to get a four-star rating than it was when we reviewed the A100 this summer.

Pricing and Design
The Springboard comes in a 16GB model that T-Mobile offers for $179.99 with a two-year contract, or $429.99 sans contract. The contract price requires you to pay at least $50 per month for your first 20 months, which gets you 2GB of data with no overages, but reduced speeds if you go beyond 2GB. For many users, a simple Wi-Fi connection will be enough, and any additional data can be bought on a pay-as-you-go basis. T-Mobile offers no-contract prepaid plans in MonthPass and WeekPass options, ranging from $10 for 7 days with 100MB, to $50 for 30 days with 3GB. The $429.99 off-contract price is higher than the Springboard's main competitors, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus ($399), the Acer Iconia Tab A100, the Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet, and Kindle Fire. However none of those offer a cellular data option, and all but the Galaxy Tab have less onboard storage.

Fitting comfortably in a single hand, the Springboard feels solidly built and substantial. Its aluminum body is reminiscent of the iPad 2 ($499, 4.5 stars), using a smooth nearly-unibody construction with two plastic pieces attached to the back. At 7.5 by 5.1 by 0.4 inches and 14.1 ounces, the tablet is heavier than the 13.9-ounce Iconia Tab A100 and on par with the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet.? When held in portrait mode, the top edge of the tablet houses two small speakers and a standard 3.5-mm headphone jack.? The speakers are fair and produced decent audio output in my tests, but like with most tablets, to get the best results, you'll need headphones or an external speaker.

The Power button and volume rocker sit towards the top of the right edge. A power jack, micro HDMI port, and micro USB port for connecting to computers can be found on the bottom edge. The Springboard comes with 16GB of onboard storage, expandable up to 48GB with up to a 32GB microSD card. The microSD slot and SIM card slot can both be found under the bottom plastic panel on the back. ?

?Though T-Mobile touts it as a 4G tablet, we class the Springboard's HSPA+ 14.4 connection as 3G. But that's OK. It's still fast. (More on speed and performance in a minute.) The tablet also supports Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and I was able to connect to protected networks easily. The Springboard also supports Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, which made it easy to connect to wireless headphones or speakers. The Springboard can double as a mobile hotspot and I had no trouble browsing the Web, streaming Netflix, and downloading files on multiple devices.

The 7-inch 1280-by-800-pixel IPS touch-screen display is a pleasure to look at. Colors are vivid, with deep blacks and very sharp text. The viewing angles were considerably wider than on the Iconia Tab A100. I found the screen to be brighter than the Kindle Fire with both at max brightness. The Kindle Fire?s 1024-by-600 display is good, but the Springboard?s higher pixel density made reading on the screen easier. The screen is responsive and I rarely had to press more than once to register touches. One minor problem I found was that the bottom bezel, in portrait mode, is touch sensitive, causing a good amount of accidental clicks, inadvertently exiting apps or going back in the browser.

OS and Performance
The Springboard runs stock Android Honeycomb 3.2, with a few preloaded, removable apps and widgets from T-Mobile. This includes apps such as T-Mobile TV, Lets Golf 2, and Blockbuster, none of which were very useful. Other than that, if you've seen Honeycomb, there's nothing new here to note. The Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus has a smoother interface and apps run more fluidly on Samsung?s 7-inch tablet.

As far as third-party apps go, the Android-tablet-specific app selection still pales in comparison with Apple?s iPad app collection, and those tablet-specific apps are tougher to find in the Android Market. Given the smaller screen size, phone apps scale well on the Springboard, but until Google overhauls its app store to cater to tablet users, Android is at a distinct disadvantage. Tablet-specific apps such as StumbleUpon look great and took advantage of the screen real estate. Phone-specific apps like Facebook worked well enough, but there was a lot of room for improvement.

Under the hood, Huawei went with a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8260 S3 Snapdragon processor.? Overall the Springboard felt very snappy and responsive, though I did notice some occasional choppy scrolling during my testing.? Apps loaded quickly and I was able to seamlessly switch between multiple running apps with ease. In our benchmarks the Springboard bested the Iconia Tab A100 on all but the Browsermark test. The HSPA+ 14.4 wasn?t what we consider 4G, but it turned in respectable speeds averaging 6.6Mbps down and 1.3Mbps up in Ookla?s Speedtest.net app. ?

The Springboard has a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera. The front-facing camera is on the top right corner when you hold the tablet in portrait mode, and its placement makes for odd video-chatting angles. Both still photo and video quality were disappointing. Even in good lighting conditions, there was noticeable noise in images. Test shots were grainy, with color speckles obscuring fine details when zoomed in. Outdoor shots were also problematic, with overexposed bright backgrounds and underexposed shadows. The rear-facing camera shot 720p video, but at jerky frame rates ranging from 15-25 frames per second. Video recorded with the front-facing camera had an out-of-sync audio track, rendering it video almost completely useless. Using Google?s Talk app to video chat produced choppy and out-of-sync video, ruling it out as a viable means for communication.

T-Mobile rates the Springboard's 4100mAh battery at up to 7 hours of continuous use and 12 hours on standby.? In our battery test, a continuous looping video with Wi-Fi on and screen brightness at 100 percent, the Springboard lasted 5 hours, 16 minutes. That's better than the Iconia Tab A100?s 3 hours, 53 minutes and more than the Kindle Fire?s 4 hours, 55 minutes, but shorter than most 10-inch tablets with bigger batteries, such as the iPad 2, which lasted 7 hours, 30 minutes.

Conclusions
The T-Mobile Springboard 4G offers a great 7-inch tablet experience in a high-quality design, as long as you're willing to write off the camera. The aluminum construction and excellent display outclass the Acer Iconia Tab A100. But at $430 without a contract, the Springboard is pricier than most other 7-inchers, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus at $400. The Galaxy Tab 7.0 is lighter, but it also has a lower-resolution 1,024-by-600-pixel display. Whether that's enough to justify the higher price tag will depend on consumers, but with the price of the Springboard approaching iPad levels, T-Mobile may have a hard time moving its newest tablet.

We gave the Acer Iconia Tab A100 four stars this summer, but competition has stepped up since then, especially in the form of the low-cost Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet. Those two tablets are considerably less-expensive options, with solid features, tighter ecosystems, and more-user-friendly interfaces. If media consumption and light Web browsing are all you are looking for, our Editors' Choice for small tablets, the Amazon Kindle Fire is a better choice. The Springboard isn't a bad tablet especially if you need one with 3G, but at its $430 off-contract price, it falls in a gray area between the high-end iPad 2 and the budget-friendly Kindle Fire. It is well made and feature-rich, but ultimately it doesn't provide enough to draw consumers away from either end of the spectrum.?

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