Apple begins selling unlocked iPhone 5 in the US, starting from $649

It's that special time of the year... that is, when Apple decides to unfetter the iPhone for US shoppers. The Cupertino crew has quietly started selling the iPhone 5 in an unlocked, off-contract form that will work on GSM, HSPA+ and (if you're in the right countries) LTE networks. There's few surprises versus what we've seen in years past, or in other regions: the unlocked iPhone 5 ships in the same capacities and colors as the carrier-bound model, and starts from $649. That's still expensive for those still used to buying on an agreement, and it won't represent as much bang-for-the-buck as a $350 Nexus 4. If you're yearning for the LTE the Nexus 4 lacks and don't mind living in an iOS universe, however, Apple is ready and waiting.

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Via: AppleInsider

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Deadly, destructive 2012 hurricane season ends

FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 aerial file photo, people stand near damaged homes along the Atlantic Ocean in New Jersey after the region was pounded by Superstorm Sandy. The 2012 hurricane season has come to an end and it's another one for the record books. There were 19 named storms in what meteorologists consider an above-average year tied as being the third most active season since 1851. Sandy wreaked havoc across the Northeast, leaving millions without power and killing at least 125 people. It caused an estimated $62 billion in damage and other losses, making it the second-costliest storm in U.S. history after Hurricane Katrina.(AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 aerial file photo, people stand near damaged homes along the Atlantic Ocean in New Jersey after the region was pounded by Superstorm Sandy. The 2012 hurricane season has come to an end and it's another one for the record books. There were 19 named storms in what meteorologists consider an above-average year tied as being the third most active season since 1851. Sandy wreaked havoc across the Northeast, leaving millions without power and killing at least 125 people. It caused an estimated $62 billion in damage and other losses, making it the second-costliest storm in U.S. history after Hurricane Katrina.(AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

MIAMI (AP) ? The 2012 Atlantic hurricane season that spawned the destruction of Sandy and Isaac has come to an end as one for the record books.

There were 19 named storms in what meteorologists consider an above-average year that tied as being the third most-active season since 1851. The season runs from June 1st to November 30th, although tropical storms can and do sometimes develop outside those dates.

Even without a so-called major storm reaching the U.S., there was plenty of damage. A storm is classed as major once it becomes a Category 3 hurricane, with top sustained winds of 111 miles per hour (178 kph) and more.

Seven years have now gone by without a major hurricane making U.S. landfall, the longest stretch on record.

Dennis Feltgen, a spokesman for the National Hurricane Center, said a persistent jet stream pattern has steered storms away from the U.S. in recent years.

It wasn't enough to keep away Sandy, which morphed from hurricane to superstorm as it slammed into the New Jersey coast in October and wreaked havoc across the Northeast. It left millions without power and killed at least 125 people in the U.S. and 71 in the Caribbean.

The storm is estimated to have caused about $62 billion in damage and other losses in the U.S., most of it in New York and New Jersey. It is the second-costliest storm in U.S. history after 2005's Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricane Isaac struck southern Louisiana in August on the eve of Hurricane Katrina's seventh anniversary, swamping the Gulf Coast after trudging through the Gulf of Mexico and delaying the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

Sandy combined with an early winter storm and blast of artic air from the north to create a deadly brew meteorologists coined "Frankenstorm" and struck two days before Halloween.

A somewhat similar phenomenon occurred with the so-called Perfect Storm off the coast of New England in 1991, but that storm did not strike a major metropolitan region like Sandy.

"This was certainly one for the record books," Feltgen said.

A typical hurricane season has 12 named storms, six of which become hurricanes and three major storms. This year 10 storms became hurricanes and just one a Category 3 or higher, though it remained in the Atlantic Ocean.

Four storms in all made landfall, including Tropical Storm Beryl, which struck Jacksonville, Fla., with 75 miles per hour winds, the strongest tropical storm to strike the U.S. before hurricane season officially starts.

Whether next year's hurricane season will bring another calamitous strike is still too early to predict.

"You can't use this year as a gauge for next year," Feltgen said. "You have to go into each season thinking, 'This is the year I'm going to be hit and I have to be ready for it."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-11-30-Hurricane%20Season/id-21bc9d5d96904fb8a701d887bccac1e0

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California to join Powerball frenzy next year (Providence Journal)

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WebOS raised from the dead again, this time as an Android app [video]

Mitt Romney can take some solace in his devastating loss on Nov. 6: at least he won the voters who really count. That's the thesis anyway of top adviser Stuart Stevens, who penned an op-ed in the Washington Post on Wednesday arguing that by winning wealthier and whiter voters, Romney secured the moral victory over Obama. "On Nov. 6, Mitt Romney carried the majority of every economic group except those with less than $50,000 a year in household income," Stevens wrote. "That means he carried the majority of middle-class voters. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/webos-raised-dead-again-time-android-app-video-035619982.html

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Falcons pick off Brees 5 times, beat Saints 23-13

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) makes a catch for a touchdown as New Orleans Saints Saints middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) makes a catch for a touchdown as New Orleans Saints Saints middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) paces on the sideline in the final seconds of their 23-13 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) makes a catch for a touchdown as New Orleans Saints middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws under pressure from New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (98) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) makes a catch between Atlanta Falcons' Sean Weatherspoon, obscured, and Charles Mitchell (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

ATLANTA (AP) ? The Atlanta Falcons couldn't do anything offensively.

Not to worry.

The defense left Drew Brees with egg on his face.

Brees threw five interceptions for the first time in his career and, rubbing salt in the wound, the Falcons also ended his NFL-record streak of touchdown passes. The result was a 23-13 victory Thursday night that pushed Atlanta to the brink of a division championship and might have finished off the Saints' fading playoff hopes.

The Falcons (11-1) built an early 17-0 lead, then struggled to move the ball. They finished with 283 yards, by far the lowest total allowed this season by a Saints defense that was on pace to give up the most yards in NFL history.

But William Moore had two interceptions, and Thomas DeCoud, Sean Weatherspoon and Jonathan Babineaux had one pick apiece. Another by Corey Peters didn't count because of a penalty.

"That's the first time that's ever happened to me, so that's extremely disappointing," Brees said. "I pride myself on being a good decision-maker and not someone who will be a detriment to the game."

The Falcons will clinch the NFC South with a month to go if Tampa Bay loses at Denver on Sunday. The Saints (5-7) need to win out to have any chance, and even that might not be enough to get the defending division champs back to the playoffs.

"It looks pretty bleak right now," interim coach Joe Vitt said.

Brees had thrown a touchdown pass in 54 consecutive games, breaking Johnny Unitas' long-standing record earlier this season. There was an apparent scoring pass to Darren Sproles late in the first half, but it was nullified by a penalty.

"I didn't realize that until we walked off the field," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "That's an unbelievable streak. Drew Brees is an outstanding quarterback. The way the defense played tonight speaks volumes. The guys had gone out there and thrown touchdown after touchdown game after game after game."

After Sproles' TD was wiped off the board, Brees made another huge mistake with New Orleans inside the Atlanta 10, allowing the clock to run out in the first half without at least attempting a field goal.

Four days earlier, Brees had two passes picked off and returned for touchdowns in a loss to San Francisco.

This one was even worse. He finished 28 of 50 for 341 yards but had a rating of just 37.6, the third-lowest off his career.

"I feel we have one of the best secondaries in the NFL," Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson said, "and I think we came out and showed that."

When the Saints arrived in Atlanta, their bus was pelted by eggs at the airport, epitomizing the long rivalry between the teams. New Orleans had dominated in recent years, winning four in a row and 11 of 13.

This time, Michael Turner scored on Atlanta's opening possession, Tony Gonzalez hauled in a touchdown pass from Matt Ryan, and Matt Bryant booted three field goals, including a 55-yarder.

The defense did the rest.

"We got the monkey off our back," DeCoud said.

After winning so many close games, the Falcons started this one as if they were intent on routing the only team to beat them this season. New Orleans knocked off Atlanta 31-27 at the Superdome on Nov. 11, the bright spot in a tumultuous year that was marred by a bounty scandal and a season-long suspension for coach Sean Payton.

Ryan completed a pass on the first play from scrimmage before turning it over to a running game that has struggled most of the season. Turner burst around right end for a 35-yard gain. Jacquizz Rodgers broke off two straight 14-yard gains. Finally, it was Turner going in standing from 3 yards out, giving Atlanta a quick 7-0 lead.

That was Turner's 58th touchdown in five seasons with the Falcons, breaking the team record he had shared with Terance Mathis.

Atlanta struck again in the opening minute of the second period. Julio Jones hauled in an 18-yard throw from Ryan, setting up a 17-yard touchdown pass to Gonzalez in the back of the end zone. He beat former teammate Curtis Lofton; maybe as a sign of respect, Gonzo just flipped the ball over the crossbar instead of his customary basketball dunk.

Brees' second interception, this one a sloppy pass behind running Chris Ivory that deflected into the arms of Weatherspoon, set up Bryant's 45-yard field goal for a 17-0 lead.

Then, suddenly, the game completely changed.

For the rest of the second quarter and most of the third, the Saints totally dominated. Mark Ingram scored on a 1-yard run, capping an 11-play, 80-yard drive, and New Orleans should have tacked on more points at the end of the half. Brees made a rookie-like mistake with 12 seconds remaining, dumping a pass over the middle to Sproles with no timeouts. He was wrapped up at the Atlanta 3 and the clock ran out before the Saints could spike the ball.

"Honestly, I thought we had more time than we did," Brees said. "The last time I remember, we had 17 seconds. ... But it was down to 7 when I looked up after the completion. That wasn't enough time to get the spike. That's on me."

But New Orleans got the ball to start the second half, and Brees went back to work. This time, he made a couple of nifty moves to avoid sacks, completing six passes on an 83-yard drive consuming 15 plays and more than 6 1/2 minutes. But the Falcons held again, forcing Garrett Hartley to boot a 21-yard field goal that cut it to 17-10.

Hartley connected again from much farther out on the Saints' next possession, a 52-yarder that brought New Orleans even closer.

The Falcons, meanwhile, failed to pick up a first down on five straight possessions, a stretch in which the Saints had a 289-30 lead in total yards and a staggering 18 first downs.

But the Atlanta defense kept coming through when it counted.

Late in the third, Brees rolled to his right and threw over the middle. Moore stepped in front of the receiver and returned it to the New Orleans 16. Ryan connected on first-down throws to Gonzalez and Roddy White to set up Bryant for a 29-yarder that extended the lead back to a touchdown.

NOTES: Brees had two previous games with four interceptions. ... This was Brees' lowest-rated game since joining the Saints in 2006. With San Diego, he turned in a 35.7 at Washington in 2005 and a 26.8 at Chicago in 2003. ... Turner ran 12 times for 83 yards. ... Lance Moore of the Saints hauled in 11 passes for 123 yards.

___

Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-11-30-Saints-Falcons/id-1e99170fb3da47638578c10545c25f5c

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Tonight, on the Greatest Android Podcast in the World!

Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Androids and ... Dogs and cats of all ages! It's Thursday. Again. And that means it's time for the Android Central Podcast. We're all recharged from the Thanksgiving break here in the states, and it's time to catch up on how everybody's doing with their new Nexus devices, who's been able to buy more -- and what the hell Google need to do to keep that process from getting any worse. Plus, more of your e-mails and voicemails!

Join us tonight at 8 p.m. EST at androidcentral.com/live.

The Android Central Podcast is your weekly peek into the world of Android, where we break down the news that really matters, and explain what's just a bunch of hype. Plus, we answer your e-mails and voicemails. You don't want to miss it. Check out the Android Central Podcast.

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Can California Democrats Capitalize on a Legislative Supermajority?

November 6 was an historic day by any account. One of the more interesting results, from a state tax perspective, is the supermajority that was achieved in the California Legislature. In a somewhat unexpected result, Democrats picked up a supermajority in both houses of the state legislature. Obtaining a supermajority in both houses has not occurred in California since 1933, when Republicans were in control of both houses. But while this presents Democrats in California with an historic opportunity, will they capitalize on it or squander it?

California is, for lack of a better word, broken. Decades of gridlock and ill-advised constitutional requirements imposed by voters have left the state all but dead in the water. California is a test case in what happens when neither party will budge. Many of the contemporary fiscal problems in the state began with the passage of Proposition 13, which fixed the property tax rate at one percent of a property?s assessed value. Since that time, the state, which boasts the 9^th largest economy in the world, has had to deal with skyrocketing debt and a plummeting credit rating.

Still, Democrats and Republicans have been unable to agree on a solution. Republicans have held strong to "no tax pledges" and Democrats have used gimmicks to make it appear they were cutting taxes, when they weren't cutting taxes at all. Now, however, Democrats have been handed power that is often dreamt of by politicians. Democrats can bypass legislative rules and override vetoes by the governor (though with a supermajority in both houses, it is unlikely the governor would bother to try a veto).

But perhaps the most important power Democrats will have in the next year is to put constitutional reform measures before voters. In order to lead the state out of the hole it is in, Democrats must rise to the challenge of major constitutional reform. In fact, it may be time for a constitutional convention and repeal of the state's current constitution. California's constitution is over 30,000 pages long. It is exceedingly complex. It is unworkable.

Taxpayers in California are ready for change and they said as much at the ballot. This past November, voters passed Proposition 30, which increased income taxes on earnings over $250,000 for seven years and increased sales taxes by a quarter percent for four years. The revenue increase from the initiative will be used to fund schools. Passage of any tax increase is a decided step away from Proposition 13.

With all that in mind, here is a bit of advice for both parties. Republicans: although you lost legislative seats on November 6, hope is not entirely lost for the party. Given that many changes in the state require voter approval, the party should focus on selling a conservative message to the people. The Republican message cannot simply be "no tax increases" because there is no hiding from the fact that the state needs revenue. Instead, Republicans must go back to their conservative roots and promote limited government and personal responsibility. It may sound simplistic, but Republicans in California need to review the basics of being conservative -- and being conservative does not equate to no tax pledges, or at least it shouldn't. Once they remember their basic principals, then perhaps they can sell the message.

Democrats: take a deep breath and think before you act. This is an opportunity that may not present itself again any time soon. If ever the party wanted to advance its goals, this is the time. But while Republicans cannot block your efforts, there will be no blaming Republicans if your policies fail to revive the state. If the state fails now, Democrats in the state may be left holding the smoking gun.

All views expressed on these blogs are those of their individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Tax Analysts. Further, Tax Analysts makes no representation concerning the views expressed and does not guarantee the source, originality, accuracy, completeness or reliability of any statement, fact, information, data, finding, interpretation, or opinion presented. Tax Analysts particularly makes no representation concerning anything found on external links connected to this site.

Source: http://www.tax.com/taxcom/taxblog.nsf/Permalink/CGRH-92F27Y?OpenDocument

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