Hulu Plus is a new service due out soon that brings TV content to your iPhone. Hulu remains a free service, but pay ten bucks a month for Hulu Plus and you'll be able to look at TV on iPhones, iPads and Samsung HDTVs and Blu-ray players. To sign up for an invitation to view the Hulu Plus subscription preview, go to hulu.com.
Post resource: Hulu Plus streaming HDTV to your smartphone for ten bucks a month by Personal Money Store
Hulu not replaced by Hulu Plus
On its website, the company said "Hulu Plus is not a replacement for Hulu -- it's something new". Mobile phones or Internet-connected devices like video game consoles, Blu-ray players or even certain HDTVs aren’t at the moment supported by Hulu. Hulu Plus, PC World reports works with PCs and Macs; via an app for Apple's iPad, iPhone (3GS and 4), and iPod Touch (third-generation) platforms; and via the Samsung Apps platform on 2010 Samsung connected devices (including Blu-ray players, Blu-ray Home Theater systems, and TVs.
Expanded streaming content available on Hulu Plus
The standard Hulu that generally allows you to look at just a handful of episodes from a show before it begins pulling them--will probably continue to be available for free. But CNN reports that the $ 10 dollar Hulu Plus subscription lets you watch the entire current season of shows produced by Fox, NBC and NBC. You'll also be able to look at previous season of many hit network shows.
Hulu Plus battles Netflix streaming
Rick Broida at CNET wonders if Hulu Plus will compete with Netflix streaming. He makes the point that Netflix content is already streaming via an iPad app and an app for the iPhone will be ready soon. A Netflix subscription costs nine bucks a month for DVDs by mail and unlimited streaming. Netflix streaming also has a much larger movie library than Hulu Plus, along with a comprehensive TV catalog. Broida says Hulu Plus' only real edge is that it delivers the latest episodes of favored shows. An entire season of a show has to run its course to be accessible on Netflix a couple of months later.
A lot more data accessible at these websites:
pcworld.com
money.cnn.com
news.cnet.com
Eating in a car can make you sick
Unless you're the type of person who obsessively cleans the steering wheel, gear shift, door handles and other surfaces inside your vehicle with antibacterial wipes, eating in a car can place your health at risk. As outlined by the Daily Mail, British accessories company Halfords conducted a study on consumer cars in which they found germs that cause food poisoning, skin infections and par break emission. Bacillus cereus, staphylococcus and other harmful bacteria and lead to such unpleasant maladies.
Source for this article: Eating in a car is a sure ticket to food poisoning
Staph infection - Why eating in a car is not a good idea
The Mail indicates that staphylococcal infections jump from person to person with ease and lead to the skin condition impetigo, not to mention intestinal illness. Bacillus cereus hide in heating vents and on the floor, waiting for warmth to help their spores propagate. Car infestation can occur in no time at all. If there are food particles after eating in a car, bacteria will inevitably grow.
Cleaning interior surfaces is essential
Food poisoning that causes severe nausea, parbreak or diarrhea could be avoided if interior surfaces are cleaned thoroughly. Staph like to congregate where hands go (steering wheel, gear shift, door handles, radio and A/C knobs), while the bacillus cereus sits with the dust and dirt in seats, mats, carpets and vents. Of infected cars Halfords found, 70 percent of the owners admitted to eating in a car. Of all cars surveyed, half said they cleaned the inside of their car less than once a month, says the Daily Mail. In the best of all possible worlds, Halfords recommends at least once per week.
Eating in a car is risky, but cooking is handy
How to Do Things reports that cooking such foods as hot dogs on an engine is safer than you think. Simply use a tight double- or triple-wrap of aluminum foil to protect both food and engine. Pop the hood and place the wrapped hot dog on the part of your engine that generates one of the most warmth, but is safely from any wires and lines. This location will vary by engine and make of car, so a hand test after the engine's warm helps. Be careful not to touch the engine directly, or you'll get a nice burn.
Once you've found the place, secure the food using something that won't melt or burn up. It should be snug, but not to the extent that the engine overheats. Close the automobile's hood and start driving. How long will depend upon car, food and engine. For more info on how to cook hot dogs or a wide variety of other foods, check out the brilliant book "Manifold Destiny".
Citations
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1284632/Eating-wheel-puts-risk...
http://www.howtodothings.com/automotive/how-to-cook-food-on-your-car-engine
http://books.google.com/books?id=tZIFAAAACAAJ&dq=cooking on your car engine&ei=CwYMR7nrDI--ogLO_oTdDg
Being developed for blind drivers is a new Ford Escape
Blind drivers are left out of the equation when it comes to latest automotive innovations. The fact that the phrase "blind drivers" could be uttered at all in The United States might invoke a bad comedy act to some, but the truth is that technology is changing the playing field. The Detroit Bureau blog reports that the National Federation of the Blind is presently developing a special version of the Ford Escape that will, in fact, enable blind drivers to safely and independently use America's roadways.
Source of article: New Ford Escape is being developed for blind drivers by Car Deal Expert
Drivers who are blind can ‘see’ the road
In January 2011, the Rolex 24 endurance race at Daytona International Speedway will consist of a specially modified Ford Escape that will enable its blind driver (whose identity has thus far not been revealed) to see and compete, writes The Detroit Bureau. This will occur following the special Ford Escape's debut at the Blind Driver Challenge happening earlier in the month. When it can be a while before such a car becomes accessible to the public view, the day for blind drivers will eventually come.
AirPix gives 'sight' to those who are blind drivers
Developed by technicians that are at Virginia Tech University, AirPix technology uses a non-visual interface that enables blind drivers to know about their surroundings and perform standard driving functions like steering, braking and accelerating. Going beyond blind spot camera technology, AirPix is a viable technology that is going to be making blind drivers actual drivers, rather than just passengers or pedestrians. A small tablet is the AirPix interface. Air currents keep blind drivers informed as to the roadway environment. An additional technology called DriveGrip uses a glove that informs blind drivers of conditions with simple vibrations.
Think of this as science fiction? Rethink it all
Individual elements of the technology the National Federation of the Blind will be displayed soon at the annual convention of the organization. By the time the Blind Driver Challenge gets under way in late January 2011, it is believed that more than one autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle for blind drivers may participate. Blind drivers are the future.
Citations:
The Detroit Bureau
thedetroitbureau.com/2010/07/new-car-could-let-the-blind-drive/
See the car that empowers the blind to drive:
I set up a blog for my trip, I am 3400 miles into it and taking a break with my grand kids in Austin Tx my blog is at http://ronvansickle.blogspot.com/
Ron
Federal Reserve adds consumer protections to credit card rules
Guarding consumers from interest rate hikes, heavy late fees and other penalties are the focus of new credit card rules approved by the Federal Reserve on June 22. Since the 2009 credit card law was passed last May, credit card companies have tried to stay a step ahead of the law with creative new fees and penalties. The latest additions to the Fed’s credit card rules become effective Aug. 22. The provisions close some loopholes and complement rules in 2009 credit card law already in effect.
Resource for this article: New Federal Reserve credit card rules beef up consumer protection
New limits to credit card late fees
The latest additions to Federal Reserve credit card rules are the finishing touches of regulation enacted by the credit card law of 2009. A primary goal of credit card legislation was reducing penalty fees and Congress left it up to the Fed to say how. CNNMoney.com reports that consumers will most instantly notice the new penalty fee limit of $ 25. The rule does have exceptions. The credit card business can charge up to $ 35 (which they'll) for a lot more than one late payment in six months. Late fees will remain at $ 39 until the law kicks in on Aug. 22.
New limits on credit card penalty fees
Penalty fees for exceeding credit limits are limited with the new credit card rules. Forbes reports that the dollar amount of the penalty fee can no longer be more than the violation. For example, a credit card business can no longer charge a $ 39 fee when a customer exceeds his or her credit limit by $ 20. From now on $ 20 will be all they get. But the credit card company could still penalize the customer with a higher rate of interest on future purchases. There may also be no a lot more inactivity fees, a penalty imposed on cardholders who aren’t using their cards.
A reconsideration of interest rates
High credit card interest rate hikes imposed on customers given that Jan. 2009 in response to the credit crunch will be subject to review by credit card companies. The New York Times reports that credit card companies may have to lower interest rates if the reasons it raised them no longer apply following a re-evaluation.
More information about credit card rules
In a press release announcing the new credit card rules, the Fed said consumers can learn a lot more about changes to their credit card accounts by accessing a new online publication "What You Have to Know: New Credit Card Rules Effective Aug. 22”.
Citations
money.cnn.com
forbes.com
bucks.blogs.nytimes.com