Wash me, well maybe not?
Posted By RichC on January 26, 2013
This artist sure “one ups” the often seen “wash me” scribble on a dirty car, and on a Volkswagen Golf TDI no less — impressive!
Domestica and Rachel Kirkwood highlighted on WVXU
Posted By RichC on January 26, 2013
It is great to see the entrepreneurial spirit alive and well in the niche publishing of local “paper-based” magazine, Domestica (Domestica Magazine). This venture is somewhat close to home seeing that it is local … and edited by Rachel Kirkwood, a friend of our family. She started the community oriented publication using Kickstarter last year and as editor focuses content on topics of interest to those living in urban neighborhoods surrounding Cincinnati. Check out the WVXU public radio interview with Rachel.
WVXU (mp3) Rachel Kirkwood talks about Domestica Magazine
Tech Friday: How does your cell network rank?
Posted By RichC on January 25, 2013
OpenSignal.com offers a free online tool that compares cellphone networks in given markets. Obviously my choice of Sprint isn’t giving me the best service in south-western Ohio, but does improve when I drill down to my exact location … although I question the tested download (.81 Mbps?) and upload (9.03 Mbps?) speeds (below)?
I’m still crossing my fingers that once their 4G LTE service is up and running numbers and rankings will go up? How does your carrier in your state/zipcode look?
The Davis MegaLight as a backup anchor light
Posted By RichC on January 25, 2013
In order to resolve my ongoing “up the mast” electrical issues when it come to anchor lights, I’ve picked up a portable low-draw 12 volt anchor light for Encore. The Davis MegaLight gets reasonable reviews from those needing a simple way to be legal when mooring or anchoring their boats.
According to the information, the draw is “about 1 amp-hour per night” and has an automatic light sensor to turn the anchor light on and off. I’ve been testing it at home and it unfortunately requires bright daylight in order to turn off … which leave it on quite a few extra hours if it is not manually disconnected. The cord is also a bit short (15 ft) for my use, but it is suppose to be bright enough to be seen the legal 2 nautical miles … dubious??? My plan is to hoist it up the babystay as high as the cord will permit and use it for a low-draw back up anchor light.
Mega Light Utility
Mega-Light energy efficient lights consume very little current. At just 0.110 amps (approximately 1/10th amp), battery discharge is about one amp hour in a 12-hour period. Your batteries will hardly know it’s on.
Mega-Light Utility features a light sensor that automatically switches on at dusk and off at dawn. It sports a dual-function Fresnel lens that projects light for up to two nautical miles (3.7 km).
Comes with two easy-to-change light bulbs. One bayonet-type bulb draws just 0.110 amps and can be seen for up to two nautical miles (3.7 km). The other bayonet bulb draws 0.320 amps (approximately 3/10th amps) and is more than twice as bright. Includes a standard lighter plug and 15 foot (4.5 m) cord with easy hanger.
So what does Apple have in the pipeline?
Posted By RichC on January 24, 2013
Hmm, not much in the immediate future to put a smile back on shareholders’ faces. If Tim Cook has something up his sleeves, it might be a good time to turn on the magic. ($AAPL trading at $450 down 12% Thursday morning)
Brenda is a firebug … just like her dad
Posted By RichC on January 24, 2013
It may be 15 degrees outside, but that doesn’t keep my firebug wife from heading out to burn landscape grasses and who knows what else. She asked if I had a larger fire blanket (I gave her a small one for Christmas this year), and since I didn’t, she settled for a 5 gallon bucket of water and sopping wet painters tarp in order to protect the fence (the one she burned last year!) I suggested that we cut the grasses like everybody else, but it is obvious that she would rather burn them down. Where’s “global warm-ite” Al Gore when you need him?
Apple ($AAPL) to report earning after the closing bell
Posted By RichC on January 23, 2013
Apple Inc. (AAPL) will report results for its first fiscal quarter this afternoon. 
Investors are on pins and needles wondering just how business has been going with slowing computer sales and increased pressure from Android devices on iPhone and iPad sales. Apple stock has already been beaten down and if the numbers are lackluster could take another hit. On the other hand, if sales and earning are good, $AAPL could rally. So far this afternoon, traders look to be gambling that the news will be good as the stock price has been rising on the day.
EDIT:
Apple Reports Record Results
47.8 Million iPhones Sold; 22.9 Million iPads Sold
CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple® today announced financial results for its 13-week fiscal 2013 first quarter ended December 29, 2012. The Company posted record quarterly revenue of $54.5 billion and record quarterly net profit of $13.1 billion, or $13.81 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $46.3 billion and net profit of $13.1 billion, or $13.87 per diluted share, in the 14-week year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 38.6 percent compared to 44.7 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 61 percent of the quarter’s revenue.
“We’re pleased to have generated over $23 billion in cash flow from operations during the quarter”
Average weekly revenue was $4.2 billion in the quarter compared to $3.3 billion in the year-ago quarter.
The Company sold a record 47.8 million iPhones in the quarter, compared to 37 million in the year-ago quarter. Apple also sold a record 22.9 million iPads during the quarter, compared to 15.4 million in the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 4.1 million Macs, compared to 5.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 12.7 million iPods in the quarter, compared to 15.4 million in the year-ago quarter.
Apple’s Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $2.65 per share of the Company’s common stock. The dividend is payable on February 14, 2013, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 11, 2013.
“We’re thrilled with record revenue of over $54 billion and sales of over 75 million iOS devices in a single quarter,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We’re very confident in our product pipeline as we continue to focus on innovation and making the best products in the world.”
“We’re pleased to have generated over $23 billion in cash flow from operations during the quarter,” said Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s CFO. “We established new all-time quarterly records for iPhone and iPad sales, significantly broadened our ecosystem, and generated Apple’s highest quarterly revenue ever.”
Apple is providing the following guidance for its fiscal 2013 second quarter:
• revenue between $41 billion and $43 billion
• gross margin between 37.5 percent and 38.5 percent
• operating expenses between $3.8 billion and $3.9 billion
• other income/(expense) of $350 million
• tax rate of 26%
Apple will provide live streaming of its Q1 2013 financial results conference call beginning at 2:00 p.m. PST on January 23, 2013 at www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/earningsq113. This webcast will also be available for replay for approximately two weeks thereafter.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130123006477/en/Apple-Reports-Record-Results
Terrafugia Flying Car development continues to move ahead
Posted By RichC on January 23, 2013
Getting the testing done and appropriate governmental safety and FAA approvals takes time, but the Terrafugia experimental airplane/car is continuing to make progress. The company has over 100 orders and has had few setbacks considering their undertaking in their goal of producing the first commercially viable flying car. The video PR makes it all look “too” easy. Nice! (previous posts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Would a Volkswagen Crossblue Diesel Hybrid work for you?
Posted By RichC on January 23, 2013
Volkswagen is showing off a new DSG all wheel drive Diesel Hybrid this year at the 2013 auto shows and getting a fair amount of praise and criticism — it is hard to make everybody happy. Some chastise the hybrid concept and others the unglamorous styling. Others see it as the SUV that they’ve been waiting for, but are doubtful that the price will be affordable. Who knows if VW will build it with the listed specs … or whittle it down a bit to offer price point closer to "a people’s car" (doubt that’s even possible). Volkswagen suggests that this is a "serious" concept and says that “if it goes into production, the CrossBlue would flesh out the Volkswagen SUV lineup with a seven-seat midsize crossover that slots in above the Tiguan and below the premium Touareg.”
Here are a few specs to spark your interest:
- VW’s TDI clean diesel engine with two electric motors
- DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission
- Unique electric All-Wheel-Drive called "propshaft by wire"
- Questionable 89 MPGe or 35 MPG as a hybrid fuel economy
- Combined power is up to 305 horsepower with 516 lb-ft of torque
- Estimated 7.2 second 0 to 60 times
- Manual or automatic mode capable of running 14 miles on the plug-in chargeable 9.8kWh lithium-ion battery
- Range is 661 miles on 18.5 gallons of diesel … plus battery
- Seats six in 3 rows with 12 airbags
- 10.2 in touchscreen interface with user programmable instrument cluster
Governing and economic thoughts from Jon Meacham
Posted By RichC on January 22, 2013
Pulitzer-Prize winning historian and biographer Jon Meacham made a few comments that had me nodding my head Monday evening in a discussion with Bill O’Reilly. I snagged a bit of audio while replaying for my wife.
He was able to succinctly communicate the fiscal issues facing our nation and the seeming lack of urgency President Obama is demonstrating. We all know that jobs and expanding the private sector is the key to dealing with our rapidly growing debt, but the Obama administrations lack of a growth agenda is very concerning.
| FoxNews (mp3) Bill O’Reilly talks with Jon Meacam – 1/21/2013 |
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.