2014 Detroit Auto Show: Mercedes unveils new midsized sedan

Mercedes-Benz showed off the next-generation C-Class at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Monday. The 2015 C-Class will be roomier than the current model and offer more safety features and amenities.Mercedes is growing the car and adding features because it is no longer the luxury brand’s entry-level vehicle. That role has fallen to the smaller CLA, a just-released sedan starting at about $30,000, roughly 20% less expensive than the expected starting price of the new C.“It’s not uncommon for lower-priced models to slowly move upmarket and get replaced by all-new, entry-level models,” said Karl Brauer, an analyst at auto information company Kelley Blue Book.“The C-Class was never the sportiest car in that segment, so making the next version larger and more luxurious isn’t a major shift for the model’s image or role,” Brauer said.united-promoMercedes’ challenge will be to pack enough luxury features into the new C while still keeping the price competitive, he said.The C300 will come with a 2.0-liter,Tampon turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder that will produce an estimated 235 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque.The C400 will have a 3.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected V6 making an estimated 329 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Expect a diesel option later.Initially, Mercedes will offer only the all-wheel-drive version. A rear-wheel-drive model will follow. 

The new C grows by four inches in length and 1.6 inches width. Mercedes has used that extra room to make a cramped back seat more comfortable. The trunk capacity also has grown to 17 cubic feet from 12.4.The bigger C gives Mercedes slots in nicely in the brands lineup, said Stephanie Brinley, an analyst at HIS Automotive, fitting between the CLA and the larger E-Class and S-Class models.And like Ford,Soft cup with the 2015 F-150 pickup truck also introduced at the Detroit show Monday, Mercedes is making a much greater use of aluminum alloys to shave weight from the car and increase fuel economy. The new C-Class will be about 220 pounds lighter than its predecessor.Nearly half the new C-Class platform is made from aluminum, compared with 10% in the outgoing model. This lightweight construction cuts fuel consumption up to 20% over the current model without any loss of performance, Mercedes said.Mercedes has not released fuel consumption numbers for the new car, but the current generation gets 24 or 25 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, depending on the engine choice, according to Environmental Protection Agency ratings.The new model will be the first passenger car built by the German manufacturer in America. Mercedes plans to assemble the C-class at the automaker's factory in Alabama, where it already produces sport-utility vehicles. The shift is part of as strategy by Mercedes to build cars closer to their markets to avoid the negative effects of currency fluctuations.

Microsoft's Management Discusses F2Q 2014 Results

Greetings, and welcome to the Microsoft second quarter fiscal year 2014 earnings conference call. [Operator instructions.] It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, Chris Suh, General Manager of Investor Relations for Microsoft. Thank you, Chris. You may begin.Thank you, operator. On our website, microsoft.com/investor, is our financial summary slide deck, which is intended to follow our prepared remarks and provides a reconciliation of differences between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures.As a reminder, we will post today's prepared remarks to our website immediately following the call, until the complete transcript is available. Today's call is being webcast live and recorded. If you ask a question, it will be included in our live transmission, in the transcript, and in any future use of the recording. You can replay the call and view the transcript at the Microsoft Investor Relations website until January 23, 2015.During this call, we will be making forward-looking statements, which are predictions, projections, or other statements about future events. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could materially differ because of factors discussed in today's earnings press release, in the comments made during this conference call, and in the Risk Factors section of our Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and other reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements.Before I hand the call over to Amy, please keep in mind that all growth comparisons we make on the call today will relate to the corresponding period of last year. Also, unless specified otherwise, all impacted numbers for the current quarter have been adjusted for the cumulative effect of last year's revenue deferrals and recognition related Windows, Office, and Xbox video games. 

As a reminder, with our new segment reporting structure, we have consolidated adjustments of this nature into “corporate and other” to provide better comparability of operating results. You can find details of the adjustments and a reconciliation of differences between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures in our financial summary slide deck.Thank you, Chris.Period Cup Good afternoon and thank you all for joining us today. As I look back on the quarter, I am pleased with the results, as we exceeded our expected revenue growth while continuing to maintain our focus on improved execution and cost management.TamponOur devices and consumer segment had a very good quarter and grew 13%, with a successful holiday. Our commercial segments had another great quarter, and grew 10%, to over $12 billion, as we continue to deliver on our differentiated cloud strategy.We performed well this quarter, and you see it in our financial results. This holiday, we continued to make significant progress in the consumer space, headlined by Xbox One, which launched in 13 markets and sold in 3.9 million units in just over five weeks.united-promoAccording to NPD Group figures, Xbox One was the leading console in the U.S. for the month of December, which was its first full month in market. When adding in Xbox 360, which held the third spot, Xbox led the U.S. market, with 46% share in December. We are excited by this enthusiastic response from our loyal customers, and are working to increase the availability of Xbox One.

iPhone 6 Features We Want from Apple

The iPhone 5s is just a few months old, but seeing as how we’re already into 2014 and a new iPhone will more than likely be released later this year at some point, it’s not too early to talk about the next generation, currently referred to as simply the iPhone 6 for now, although rumors have pointed to the “iPhone Air” as a possible name for the device.Period CupWe’ve already talked plenty about iPhone 6 rumors and what we can most likely expect out of the new device, but we’ve never really discussed what we’d like to see featured on the next iPhone,united-promo rumor or not — sort of like a wish list that we could give to Apple if we had the chance.There are a lot of rumors flying around about the iPhone 6, many of them are fairly realistic, but there are also a lot of rumors that are pretty ridiculous. With that said, we thought we’d come up with our ideal iPhone 6 and put together a next-gen device that we would want to see later this year. 

There’s a reason that Apple hasn’t slapped a 5-inch display onto the iPhone: the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s’s 4-inch display allows for a fairly small device that’s easy to hold and easy to store in a pocket while on the go. The Nexus 5 is great and all, but it’s way too big for one-handed operation.However, Apple can go a bit bigger without compromising size. The iPhone 5s has surprisingly thick bezels, but if the company slimmed those down and made the iPhone just a tad larger, it could easily fit in a 4.2-inch display — maybe a 4.5-inch.Furthermore, if they upped the resolution to a proper 1280×720, the device would still be at least the same 326 PPI that the iPhone has always been since the iPhone 4. In other words, a 4.2-inch display is completely feasible.We want to see NFC in the next iPhone, but after Apple revealed iBeacon, we’re not so sure if that’s going to happen. iBeacon might be Apple’s NFC replacement, which can do many of the things that NFC can,Menstrual Cup but with a much wider communication range that’s similar to a local WiFi network. 

Granted, iBeacon will still be useful, and iOS users will still get close to the same benefits in a way, but cross-platform support is out of the question, so sending something via NFC to an iPhone from an Android device might never be possible. Then again, that's something that isn’t new.While I personally don’t think that Apple will implement wireless charging into the iPhone 6, I’d still love to see it as a feature. It's a simple enough technology that Apple could easily explain it to the everyday consumer, and Apple is all about simplicity and convenience, so users wouldn’t need to worry about wall chargers or USB cables if they needed to boost their iPhone juice.As far as how they could implement the technology is an entirely different question. Users might have to buy a separate Apple accessory in order to take advantage of wireless charging, or the company could start making new docks that have wireless charging capabilities inside. Whatever the case, we think wireless charging would be a big hit amongst iPhone users.

Car Accessories For Relaxation and Luxury

Car Accessories For Relaxation and LuxuryYou are looking for whether your automobile is low-priced or costly or sick maintained or maybe well held. You will need to install many car accessories that could make the feeling of travelling, a rather pleasurable a person. External vehicle accessories in addition to internal car or truck accessories are often the two groups of car equipment. Floor mars, specialty dash contains, seat contains fog devices and atmosphere perfumes are furnished car gadgets. It is usually insufficient to help simply get a car after which you can equip it without any accessories. More furnished accessories consist of car tire covers, figure covers, cool and environments accessories plus gas hats. 

You would probably surely need to make auto look wealthy and exciting right? Any time yes, then it’s good to purchase the appropriate accessories. There are a number people that live inspiration. They might do anything to acquire original gadgets. If this really is you, you need in store the showroom that could have each of the accessories you have to equip your vehicle. If possibly not, then a good accessory shop might your very best bet. If you happen to not in the fad with originality, then obtaining them through retailers certainly a better option because cost is leaner. No topic where you pay for the gadgets from, it is very important to decorate your automobile with all of them.The description of gadgets for cars might be ‘necessary add-ons’. They aid in categorize outer walls and insides accessories.GM TECH2 Increasing this performance for the car will be the role that could be played through the add-ons. They likewise go some distance in attracting a person’s eye of these passers-by. Merchandise that give auto, a totally new looks are definitely the car add-ons. If a person compromise to them, you usually are compromising on precisely what will make the vehicle look greater. 

The security portion of the car is not ignored.Menstrual Cup If your house is in a spot where a large amount of fog reigns from the winter, afterward fog equipment, are absolutely essential. If your home is an area where winters are very harsh, then choosing snow plus ice add-ons will are beneficial. Never compromise on the safety and purchasing car add-ons thus gets important. Your own satisfaction will possibly be enhanced using accessories including car take covers, saddle covers together with body includes.x431

Bolivian president heads welcome reception

Bolivian President Evo Morales Sunday personally welcomed the motorcycle and quad competitors of the Dakar Rally as they arrived in Bolivia as part of the seventh stage of the off-road race.As racers arrived in the southwestern town of Uyuni, a visibly moved Morales thanked the race organizers, the Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), for including Bolivia in the multinational route."We did not qualify for the World Cup (soccer finals), but we have a world-class race with the Dakar, and we hope to expand the race next year," said Morales, as he hugged Bolivian motocross competitor Juan Carlos Salvatierra, who was among the top 20 rally racers."Today I have seen ..China visa service. people moving along the mountain ranges, along the rpp resinivers. It is impressive how sports can bring people together, and that is why I thank the ASO for agreeing to be here."Morales said he hoped future editions of the rally, which has helped boost tourism, would continue to include Bolivia, traversing different regions of the country. 

Spain's Joan Barreda (Honda) won the motorcycle race Sunday,Silicone Wristbands which covered a track that led from the Argentine city of Salta to Bolivia's Uyuni, while Chile's Ignacio Casale won the quad race, with a time of 3 hours and 56 minutes.This year marks the first time Bolivia has been included in the route of the rally, which began Jan. 5 in Argentina and concludes Jan. 13 in Chile, though only two of the rally's four vehicle divisions entered Bolivia. Cars and trucks took a different direct route to Chile Sunday.The quad and motorcycle racers crossed into Bolivia at 9:59 am local time (1359 GMT), at a point called "kilometer zero, Pachamama point," in the border town of Villazon.There, Morales, accompanied by his vice president, Alvaro Garcia, and a group of indigenous elders, welcomed the racers with a traditional ritual to Pachamama, or Mother Earth, asking for the race to go well.This year's 36th edition of the rally kicked off in Rosario, Argentina, with 431 vehicles: 174 motorcycles, 40 quads, 147 cars and 70 trucks.

Canada Post unveils stamps marking Chinese Year of the Horse

Canada Post on Monday unveiled a collection of Year of the Horse stamps to usher in the Chinese Lunar New Year, which will start on Jan. 31.The stamps, the seventh issue in a 12-year series, are part of a popular commemorative stamp program Canada Post has been running for the past 18 years.This year's collection, featuring designs by Louis Gagnon and Daniel Robitaille from Montreal-based firm Paprika, depicts outlines of horses. While it is the second time they have issued Year of the Horse stamps, Canada Post's spokesperson, Eugene Knapik, said this year's design was not like its 2002 predecessor."They (the designers) were influenced by shadow puppetry as well as traditional print-making techniques,GM TECH2 so they've gone with flattened images and used foiling to emphasize the flattening of the images," he explained.The two designers both had their own special traits, said Knapik. 

He pointed out that the international stamp this time adds a twist to a technique used in previous issues, using embossing on the entire image of the horse to add dimension, as opposed to just using the technique in small areas.A reusable silicone cup, worn internally to collect menstrual flow. Includes FAQ and testimonials.Menstrual Cup The domestic stamp depicts a horse in motion with a simple and elegant design."With the domestic stamps, they've really gone for motion," he said. "So when you look at the full sheet of 25 domestic stamps, you will see they're in motion like waves, because the tail of one touches the mane of another."Color is also a key element in the 2014 designs, with the designers making use of the traditional Chinese colors of red and gold on the pair of stamps to evoke the liveliness of fire and to portray a powerful and graceful horse. 

The stamps have become a long-standing tradition at Canada Post to usher in the new year and to celebrate the diverse cultures within the country.x431"Our stamp program focuses on all facets of the Canadian experience, and there's 1.5 million people of Chinese heritage living in Canada, and it's the most important festival in the Chinese calendar," said Knapik, adding that it has become one of their most popular series."I'm amazed at the popularity, the number of people who come out and purchase all the stamps," he added.As always, the launch never fails to attract avid collectors who cannot get enough of the series."I come every year because I have grandsons now, and I like to give it to them," said King Wong, an avid collector. "The kids love them, and they enjoy it very much."

Numerous Retailers Said Hit by Data Attacks Similar to Target's

Numerous retailers were probably hit by an unprecedented series of hacking attacks that extends beyond thefts of credit-card data from Target Corp.pendant lampand Neiman Marcus Group, according to a security company working with the Secret Service.The attacks on retailers may involve multiple groups of hackers who appear to be working from a sophisticated piece of software code that began circulating on underground websites last June, according to a report from iSIGHT Partners, a Dallas, Texas-based security company that tracks cyber criminals.The report doesn’t identify whether the software, dubbed Kaptoxa, was used in the theft of as many as 40 million customer credit and debit card accounts from Target. A person briefed on the investigation, who asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential, confirmed that Kaptoxa is the same software that infected Target. Molly Snyder, a spokeswoman for Target, declined to comment.“We haven’t seen the last of this,” said iSIGHT Chief Executive Officer John Watters in an interview. “Now it’s a race to the bank with the criminals rushing to hijack the data and convert it into criminal gain before the door to profitability is closed.” 

The iSIGHT report said the scale and sophistication of the campaign against retailers’ point of sale systems -- the terminals on which customers swipe credit and debit cards -- may be the largest ever seen, escaping elaborate industry efforts to secure a system that processes more than $3.3 trillion in U.S. transactions annually.Target, the second-largest U.S. discount chain,The knives wholesaler vertical of BRG offers aesthetically and ergonomically designed stainless. has said the theft of customer data may have affected anyone who provided basic information to the retailer over the past several years. In December, Target said credit- and debit-card data for as many as 40 million people who shopped in its stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15 may have been compromised. Earlier this month, the company said the thieves also got access to the names, phone numbers and home and e-mail addresses of as many 70 million people.Neiman Marcus said earlier this month some amino resinunauthorized purchases may have been made with customer cards, without disclosing the scope of the breach. Credit-card processors alerted the Dallas-based luxury chain to the incursion in mid-December and the company is working with federal authorities and investigating the matter, according to a statement.