Archive for December 11th, 2008
Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Earnings/Financials
Nekkei index plumments, GM retains the services of bankruptcy advisors
Late Thursday evening, the U.S. automaker bailout bill failed to pass through the Senate. The legislation is dead and there are no plans for another bill to go through the process until the end of the year. To quote Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, this will be “a very, very bad Christmas” for many Americans.
Over the past day, Senators have tried to resolve the House-approved bill so it could pass Senate Republican muster, but reports suggest that the UAW was unwilling to accept GOP demands that workers agree to parity in pay and benefits.
News of the failed bill has already spread to markets across the Pacific, with the Nikkei index nose-diving over 6%. Things on this side of the world are bound to be worse when trading on the New York Stock Exchange begins tomorrow.
According to reports, General Motors has got bankruptcy and restructuring advisors on speed-dial in preparation for the bad news and Chrysler has already retained CH11 counsel.
Countless economists and industry analysts are warning that if any one of the Detroit 3 goes under, it will spell disaster for an economy already suffering in a recession. Video of the vote is embedded after the jump. More to follow tomorrow.
[Sources: Reuters, Detroit News, Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Continue reading Repercussions of failed automaker bailout spreading quickly
Repercussions of failed automaker bailout spreading quickly originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted by James Ransom-Wiley
Filed under: Culture
Troy Dixon, who played Terence “T-bag” Brown in Pure Pwnage, was killed in a car accident on Saturday, December 6th. “He will be remembered for his warmth and kindness, and for the laughter he was able to bring to this world. Whether he was on the stage of a comedy club or in front of a camera, Troy was truly in his element as an entertainer,” recalls a message posted on the Pure Pwnage site.
Troy’s character, T-bag, first appeared in Season 2, Episode 3 of the web-based mockumentary series. The episode featured Troy’s hilarious salute to Halo 3, “Straight Outta Blood Gulch.” Our thoughts and prayers go out to Troy’s family, friends and fans during this difficult time. He will be missed.
If you would like to express your condolences, please do so on the official Pure Pwnage forums thread.
Troy Dixon (1981-2008) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Patches, FPS, Multiplayer, Team Fortress 2
After a hiatus of a couple of months, the official Team Fortress 2 blog site has posted up an update on Valve’s plans for the future of their multiplayer team shooter game. Valve’s Robin Walker states that the game will get a small update that tweaks a couple of things and in fact that update is now available via Steam. The Engineer will now have teleporters and dispensers that can now be upgraded to level 3 in a game (teleporter cooldown time decreases while the dispenser will heal and generate metal faster). In addition picking up ammo from the ground can now recharge a spy’s cloak. Finally any weapon in the game that fires bullets can destory a sticky bomb planted by a Demoman.
The next major update will focus on the Scout class. There’s no info on what will be done with the class but Walker asks anyone with any suggestions to write them out on the Team Fortress 2 forum pages. Finally some engine improvements made for Valve’s current game Left 4 Dead will make their way to Team Fortress 2 as well, including better multi-core processor support.
New Team Fortress 2 update; Scout next in line for expansion originally appeared on Big Download Blog on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Software, iPhone, Holidays
December is packed full of holidays, and one of the most ideal situations is receiving a shiny new Mac, iPod, iPhone, Apple TV or other Apple-related product as a gift. But what about the Mac products that you already have? We’ll tell you how to spruce up your iPhone, then your Mac, for the holidays. Please note that all application links opens iTunes. All prices given are from the U.S. iTunes Store and are in dollars.
Making a list …
TUAW recently reviewed Nice List from Polar Bear Farm as a solution to keeping track of your holiday gift list. The application keeps track of whether you’ve purchased your gift, wrapped, and mailed it. It’s not the only holiday-related task manager out there. Christmas List from Better Day Wireless, shown at right, boasts similar features to Nice List, but goes in-depth in a few areas, such as making notes on the gifts that you’ve purchased. The application also boasts festive graphics throughout, which adds a nice touch to a standard task manager. Both applications do a fantastic job at keeping track of the gifts that you’re giving, but Nice List is currently on sale for $.99. However, if you’re more attracted to the graphic interface of Christmas List, that might be the better application for you.
Continue reading Preparing your iPhone for the holidays
TUAWPreparing your iPhone for the holidays originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Okay, we can’t actually think of a single reason why you’d need a KVM switch with a max range of 25 freaking miles, but we do know it’s pretty insane that such a product even exists. Built on top of an Icron ExtremeUSB chipset, the ThinkLogical VelocityKVM can pipe two 1920 x 1200 DVI signals, USB 1.1, serial, PS2 and stereo audio up to 40 kilometers over single-mode fiber with no loss in quality, and can be upgraded to support USB 2.0 as well. ThinkLogical doesn’t even begin to list prices on its site, which probably means you’ll need some deep pockets to get in on the action — uh, yeah, we’ll stick to VNC for now, thanks.
[Via Wired]
Filed under: Peripherals
ThinkLogical debuts Velocity USB KVM — with a 25-mile range originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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If you turn on C-SPAN2 right now, you’ll be able to see the Senate vote on the auto bailout bill, which appears set to fail. Negotiations between Republicans and Democrats were apparently very close to a deal. According to Bob Corker (R-TN) speaking as I type, “three words” separate the two sides on the deal, but an agreement could not be reached. Hence, when it goes to vote in the next few minutes, it is likely to fail. Chris Dodd, visibly upset, preceded Corker on the floor. Stay tuned.
Okay, may as well liveblog the remainder of the proceedings. Richard Shelby spoke briefly, basically saying he’s voting no.
10:34 PM: Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) speaking now. Repeats the “not a bailout, it’s a bridge loan” position. Thanks Dodd for his work. Stabenow is obviously upset here. The hangup is the UAW pay issue, and Stabenow is fairly distraught. “We are in serious trouble, ladies and gentlemen.”
10:39 PM: Stabenow upping the drama. “The middle class hangs in the balance.” Says that suppliers, manufacturing sector are in mortal danger. Pleads with the Senate for the votes on the existing bill. Asks for “3 months of time” to restructure the auto companies.
10:41PM: Stabenow finishes. here comes the cloture vote.
10:43 PM: C-SPAN flashing factoids while we wait for the roll call to be completed. Harry Reid (D-NV) has predicted the votes aren’t there.
10:45 PM: Roll Call still going on. We’re in the “D’s.” Mr. Dorgan…Mr. Durbin….Mr. Ensign….Bueller…
10:48 PM: Now we’re in the “L’s” as Senators mill about the floor BSing with one another
10:51 PM: Inching closer. We’re at “W”
Here we go….
Stragglers voting now…
10:55 PM: Michigan Sens. Stabenow and Levin having an animated conversation with Harry Reid on the floor.
10:57 PM: Votes continue to come in.
11:02 PM: Republicans who voted “Aye” include Arlen Specter (PA) and Sam Brownback (KS). More waiting as the official tally gets tabulated. Hillary Clinton’s red jacket is likely visible from Mars.
11:05 PM: Did Kit Bond (R-MO) just change from “No” to “Aye”? Anyone else notice this, or did I mishear it the first time?
Ayes: 52
Nays: 35
Cloture was not invoked (you need 60 votes). The bill fails.
Reid acknowledges that this won’t be revisited until the new Senate convenes next year. Asks the President to consider using TARP money.
Senators continue to speak on the floor, but this essentially signifies the the end of the bailout debate for calendar year 2008. And now we wait to see what happens.
LIVE: Bailout bill fails in the Senate originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Hacks, PC, Adventure, RPGs
With just 8.47MB to spare, you can create a whole post-apocalyptic world on your PC. Bethesda has followed through on its not-quite promises from Penny Arcade Expo and released the aptly-titled Garden of Eden Creation Kit, a set of mod tools. According to the description, everything in the game can be modified, so feel free to go LittleBigWasteland, and please, let us know how it goes.
Fallout 3 G.E.C.K. mod tools now available on PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: iPhone
 For me, the best part of buying my original iPhone was the activation process. After giving the guy at the AT&T Store my money, he popped my unopened iPhone into a bag and sent me on my way.
Once I was home, I connected my precious to my iMac, launched iTunes and, about fifteen minutes later, she was up and running. That was the glory of at-home activation. Some say it was only a legend.
Since then, Apple changed their policy to require in-store activations. Meaning, AT&T customers must pick up their iPhones at their stores. Fortunately, that’s changing. AT&T is now offering to ship iPhones to customers who have completed an online registration, which includes signing up for a 2-year contract. In fact, if you order your phone before 4PM Central time, you can enjoy overnight shipping.
Happy shopping!
[Via MacNN]
TUAWActivate your iPhone from home originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted by Joshua Topolsky
Hey, remember that Acer Aspire One equipped with on-board 3G we spied in a Radio Shack ad the other day? Well guess what? It’s real — and we’ve got the PR to prove it. Just as expected, the netbook is being offered for the teensy price of $99.99 (coupled with a lengthy and expensive contract with AT&T). The diminutive laptop comes equipped with a single mind-blowing gigabyte of memory and a decently sizeable 160GB hard drive. Besides doing its mobile broadband thing, it also sports 802.11b/g, weighs in at 2.44 lbs., and will never, ever seem worth it in the long run.
Filed under: Laptops
Acer Aspire One goes official on AT&T’s 3G network originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Okay, so maybe Android isn’t ready for prime time — we’re not here to judge, at least not at the moment — but Sprint’s still fully committed to launching a Google-powered set down the road, as evidenced by Miner’s cameo at its developer conference tomorrow. That encouraging has been reinforced by new comments from Kevin Packingham, Sprint’s veep of products and devices, who gloats that “We can, when the timing’s right, pull the trigger.” With the G1 out the door, why isn’t the “timing” right this very second? According to Packingham, “We’ve just got to make sure our customers are saying, ‘If you had a phone like this, man, I would really be more interested in Sprint because of it. You want to go out with a bang, because you believe that your investment is one that’s going to generate a lot of return with customers — new customers.” Isn’t “go out with a bang” a bad choice of words for a company that could realistically bite it?
[Via Phone Scoop]
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds
Sprint keeping a watchful eye on G1, will offer Android when it’s good and ready originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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