Move over, Canadarm. You may have helped the space shuttle fleet repair the Hubble Telescope and build the International Space Station, but there's another robotic tool that's the apple of the Great White North's eye. Dextre, the Canadian Space Agency's dual-armed mechanical "handyman," has successfully refueled a faux satellite from the ISS as part of NASA's and the CSA's joint Robotic Refueling Mission. Not only did the exercise demonstrate how satellites could be juiced up in space and have their lives extended, but the CSA says it's a first for the history books, to boot. Since 2011, Dextre completed a trio of tests to show how it could service satellites that weren't built for being pried opened in space. Late this week, NASA and CSA robotics controllers removed two safety caps from a washing machine-sized mock satellite, snipped two sets of retaining wires and pumped in a bit of ethanol. Sure, you could take a Frankenstein-like approach and cobble together new satellites from old ones, but Dextre's trials indicate there's promise for a proactive tactic that would keep existing hardware humming.
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Dextre Successfully Refuels Mock Satellite and Aces a Major Test for Space Robotics
Longueuil, Quebec, January 25, 2013 - Dextre, the Canadian Space Agency's robotic "handyman" on board the International Space Station (ISS), made space history last night by successfully refueling a mock satellite on the exterior of the station. Topping off the satellite's fuel tank was the pivotal task in the experimental Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), a collaboration between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to demonstrate how robots could service and refuel satellites on location in space to extend their useful lifetime.
For RRM, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center designed a module simulating a satellite, as well as custom power tools for Dextre. Since RRM operations began in 2011, Dextre has performed three series of tests to show how a robot could service satellites, which were designed never to be opened in space. In this latest set of operations, Dextre removed two safety caps, cut through two sets of thin retaining wires, and finally transferred a small quantity of liquid ethanol into the washing machine-sized module. The latter maneuver was particularly tricky, since handling liquids in space required perfect precision to prevent dangerous leaks. The specialized tools built for the job allowed Dextre to seal the connections between the tool and the fuel valve to eliminate the possibility of leaks. Adding to the level of difficulty was the fuel hose itself, which adds additional forces that tend to pull Dextre's hands. It took the combined skills of the experienced NASA and CSA robotics controllers to pull off this first-of-a-kind space refueling demonstration successfully and without any mishap.
RRM is a significant step in pioneering robotic technologies and techniques in the field of satellite servicing-saving ailing space hardware by refueling or refurbishing them before they become space debris. The ability to refuel satellites in space could one day save satellite operators from the significant costs of building and launching new replacement satellites. With over 1100 active satellites currently operating in the near-Earth environment (many of them worth hundreds of millions of dollars), and an additional 2500 inactive satellites still orbiting around our planet, the savings could be substantial.
Korg has a string of classic sound-making machines that bear its name. One of the most well regarded would be the MS-20 analog synth that first landed in 1978. But that's no good to you right here in 2013 is it? Well, funnily enough, the kind folk at Korg realised this, and decided to relaunch it, updated for the modern musician. The MS-20 mini is, as you might surmise, a smaller version of the classic, measuring in at 86 percent the size of the original. It also looks like as much of the character that made the MS-20 sing to people's hearts has been carried over as possible. The mini was developed by the same engineers, has the same synthesis set up (two oscillators, ring modulation, VCA design etc) complete with manual cable-patching system (which is now 3.5mm rather than 1/4-inch). There is one modern addition, and that is a USB-MIDI jack around the back, letting you plug in to your favorite DAW / sequencing software through the more contemporary connection -- should you prefer that over the good old 5-pin MIDI (which is still an option). As we're right here at NAMM, we took a stroll over to the Korg booth to take a look for ourselves. Head past the break to see / hear more.
Undoubtedly, the MS-20 mini looks like the real deal. Although smaller second time around, it's still a good size, and big enough for competent keyboard players to do their thing. The knobs and pots felt surprisingly plasticky, but the rest of the machine seems robust and well made. It's hard not to get sucked in to the whole vintage detail, especially the patch bay on the right hand side. The action on the keys feels good and responsive, and those dials should be able to take some vigorous use -- ideal for live performances. The sound it generates will definitely please fans of analog synths, and we even caught Deadmau5 making an appearance at the booth to check it out. So, if you'd like to upgrade from that iPad app version, to the real deal, you should be able to do so in spring, for an expected $599. Want to hear how it sounds? Jump on the video below for the quick demo. Full press release comes after that.
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Korg USA Announces MS-20 mini - Korg's classic MS-20 is recreated in mini size -
WINTER NAMM, ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, January 24th, 2013 - Korg's MS-20 monophonic synthesizer, first introduced in 1978, is still coveted to this day for its thick, robust sound, powerful, iconic analog filter, and versatile patching options. It has now been reborn in hardware, as the new MS-20 mini. The same engineers who developed the original MS-20 have perfectly reproduced it in a body that's been shrunk to 86% of the original size, yet retains the distinctive look of the original.
The MS-20 Mini offers the same distinctive synthesis that made the original MS-20 popular: two oscillators with ring modulation, and envelope generators with delay and hold. The VCA (Voltage Controlled Amp) maintains the original basic design, but it's been modified to produce less noise. Particular attention has also been paid to delivering smooth parameter adjustments, which are a distinctive feature of analog synthesizers. Special care was also taken to completely reproduce the original specifications of the MS-20, to deliver the same powerful sound, from deep, growling basses to crisp, rounded leads.
One of the most well-known - and still most sought after - characteristics of the original MS-20 was its powerful filters, which provided both high-pass and low-pass with peak/resonance. Maximizing the peak/resonance would cause the filter to self-oscillate; producing a distinctive and dramatic tonal change that was acclaimed as inimitable, and was used many years later on Korg's monotron and monotribe. The filter circuit was changed mid-way through the production lifecycle of the MS-20; the MS-20 mini uses the earlier filter, which was felt to be superior due to its more radical sound. The ESP (External Signal Processor) functionality carries on the experimental spirit of MS-20, allowing users to utilize the pitch or volume of an external audio source to control the synthesizer. For example, an electric guitar can be used as an input signal, and the MS-20 mini can be used as a guitar synthesizer, or the mic input can allow it to be used it as a vocal synthesizer.
The patching system enables the creation of complex sounds by allowing the rerouting of both modulation and audio (both the internal oscillators and external audio). Different combinations of the modulation input/output and trigger, sample and hold, and noise generator can produce an incredible variety of sounds. By patching according to the MS-20 flow chart printed on the panel, musicians of all levels can take advantage of these possibilities right away.
To make it even more approachable, the MS-20 mini has been shrunk to 86% of the size of the original, with meticulous care taken to accurately reproduce the knob design and the printing. The patch cables have been changed from 1/4" phone plugs to mini-plugs, and the newly- designed keyboard is also 86% of the original size.
The MS-20 mini is equipped with a MIDI IN jack for receiving note messages, and a USB-MIDI connector that can transmit and receive note messages. Users can also connect the MS20 mini to a computer and play it from an external sequencer.
For added authenticity, the MS-20 mini packaging replicates much of the original. Also included are the original MS-20 owner's manual and settings chart.
Content management technique remains to be a massive question mark to some internet developers and internet marketers. They?re missing out an crucial factor in internet site development by getting na?ve to CMS. To assist webmasters and internet developers get the benefit of CMS, here are several of the often asked questions about CMS and their answers: What exactly is CMS? CMS stands for Content Management Method. This is often a program that assists in sustaining and expanding web site. It aims to create content and structure expansion less complicated.
What does CMS make? Content management technique shops information in a database. It makes pages only when a web site visitor asks or searches for it. This is helpful specially for web sites that continually updates their facts. So when a web site visitor asks for a particular page, the program will display the page becoming searched for. Some systems cache every single new page and produce a brand new 1 only when some
alterations are created.
Is CMS helpful in publishing web page on various platforms? Content management technique is really valuable in ensuring your web page appears at its ideal in various platforms. CMS makes it possible for you to develop diverse templates that may be appropriate to distinct platforms. This is often carried out with out altering anything using the content.
Is CMS getting employed now? You will discover various big organizations which are already employing content management program. Most internet websites prefer to make use of CMS since of its promising functions and positive aspects when it comes to internet content and structure maintenance and expansion.
What exactly is the price of CMS? The expense varies based on the supplier. Some could charge a big quantity but consists of training on its usage. Other people are inexpensive too. But be cautious in selecting low fixed rate given that most of the time the supplier does
not give added technical support.
Will there be web site restrictions if I use CMS? Content management program breaks up the presentation and content by making use of templates. You will discover systems that restrict templating. But other people do not provide restrictions. You can find also systems that impose restrictions on how the website is hosted. So when searching for a CMS, contemplate asking the supplier concerning the restrictions of the program.
Can I use my existing information base? In deciding on for CMS service, be positive that the program could be quickly linked to your existing database. This makes working less difficult. Most web sites have information stored in their own databases. Simple linking of the existing database using the technique is actually a massive relief for function.
In other Internet and Businesses Online:CMS news: Also piano lessons in NYC info:
The Opera at Florham cabaret series continues with an upcoming night of opera titled Passion of Verismo Selections from the Operas of Puccinis World at 3 pm on Sunday Feb 17 at 3 pm in Len Pianistcomposer Kevin Harris thrives on interaction and collaboration quotparticipationquot he says quotis what keeps our souls alivequot This attitude not to mention his immense talent has led to prolific sideman work with the likes of trumpeter Avishai Cohen Steve Langone Eddie Gomez Marco Pignataro Carlos Averhoff Jr Richie Barshay Duane Eubanks Ben Street Ralph Peterson Ralph Bowen Roslyn Ruff in August Wilson39s quotPiano Lessonquot Follow NYTimestheater for theater news and reviews from Broadway and beyond Amy Morton and Tracy Letts in the Broadway revival of quotWho39s Afraid of Virginia Woolfquot Follow NYTimestheater for theater news and reviews from Broadway and beyond
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Rhode Island State Rep. Frank Ferri, D-Warwick, center left, and his partner Tony Caparco, far left, greet Wendy Baker, center right, and her partner Judy McDonnell, third from right, both of Providence, R.I., in the gallery of the House Chamber at the Statehouse, in Providence, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. Legislation to allow gay marriage in the state is headed for a vote Thursday in the House after being unanimously endorsed Tuesday by a legislative committee. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Rhode Island State Rep. Frank Ferri, D-Warwick, center left, and his partner Tony Caparco, far left, greet Wendy Baker, center right, and her partner Judy McDonnell, third from right, both of Providence, R.I., in the gallery of the House Chamber at the Statehouse, in Providence, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. Legislation to allow gay marriage in the state is headed for a vote Thursday in the House after being unanimously endorsed Tuesday by a legislative committee. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Rhode Island Speaker of the House Gordon Fox, center, speaks with Ray Sullivan, campaign director for Rhode Islanders United for Marriage, right, in the House Chamber at the Statehouse, in Providence, R.I.,Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. Legislation to allow gay marriage in the state passed a House vote Thursday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Rhode Island Speaker of the House Gordon Fox, right, speaks with people on the floor of the House Chamber as R.I. State Rep. Frank Ferri, D-Warwick, center, and Sue Pegden, left, legal council to the speaker, look on at the Statehouse, in Providence, R.I., moments before the House was called into session Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. The House overwhelmingly passed legislation to allow gay couples to marry Thursday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Rhode Island Speaker of the House Gordon Fox places papers on the rostrum moments before calling the House into session in the House Chamber at the Statehouse, in Providence, R.I., Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. The House overwhelmingly passed legislation Thursday to allow gay couples to marry. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Rhode Island State Rep. Edith Ajello, D-Providence, opens discussion on a same-sex marriage bill on the floor of the House Chamber at the Statehouse, in Providence, R.I., Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. The House overwhelmingly passed legislation Thursday to allow gay couples to marry. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) ? The fate of gay marriage legislation in Rhode Island could hinge on the exemptions it affords religious groups that oppose it, the state Senate president said Friday, a day after the House overwhelmingly passed the bill.
Teresa Paiva Weed said she remains opposed to the bill and has heard that the sticking point for many senators is on how broad of a religious exemption is included in the only New England state that doesn't allow same-sex marriage.
The Newport Democrat said she doesn't want to fast-track the legislation and promised a "full and fair debate" on what she said is a personal and emotional issue for many lawmakers. She made the comments during a taping of WJAR-TV's "10 News Conference."
She said she doesn't know whether there's enough support in the Senate to pass the legislation, which would make Rhode Island the 10th state to allow gay marriage.
"There's a whole group of people who are genuinely struggling with this issue," she said. "The debate and the discussion in the Senate will be very real, and neither I nor anybody else ... really knows what the final outcome of that will be."
She would not detail her own objections to the bill or say what it would take to get her to support a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, saying it would be inappropriate for her to comment because of her leadership position.
Paiva Weed said several senators have told her they want a more expansive religious exemption to protect religious leaders, churches, religious charities and organizations that do not support same-sex marriage.
In legislative testimony, a lobbyist for the Roman Catholic Church raised concerns that Catholic schools and charitable organizations could be forced to change employee benefit policies if compelled to recognize the same-sex spouses of employees.
The bill passed by the House states that religious institutions may set their own rules for who is eligible to marry within their faith and specifies that no religious leader can be forced to officiate at any marriage ceremony.
Paiva Weed said she has instructed her legal advisers to compare Rhode Island legislation's religious exemption to those written into gay marriage laws in Maine, Washington state, New York and Maryland.
She said some in the Senate might be willing to put the question of gay marriage to the voters as a referendum. But that idea would run into difficulties in the House. Fox and Gov. Lincoln Chafee remain opposed to subjecting what they say is a civil rights issue to a popular vote.
"This is one of those issues you don't punt," Fox said.
It's likely to be weeks or even months before the Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearings and a vote on the legislation. That's in stark contrast to the House, where House Speaker Gordon Fox followed through on his promise to hold a vote on gay marriage before the end of January.
Fox, a Providence Democrat, is gay. He dropped gay marriage legislation two years ago when he concluded it would not pass the Senate. Following Thursday night's 51-19 vote in favor of the legislation, Fox said he trusts the Senate to weigh the merits of the bill and dismissed concerns from some gay marriage supporters that Paiva Weed would use the issue in political horse-trading that often occurs at the end of the legislative session.
"I'm used to that kind of stuff," he said.
Chafee urged the Senate to act on the legislation. The governor, an independent, argues that Rhode Island is at a competitive disadvantage to other New England states that allow it.
"Now that the House has swiftly acted, I urge Senate leadership to 'call the roll' ? for our economy, for our gay and lesbian friends and neighbors, and for history," he said in a statement.
Wendy Becker said she's optimistic the Senate will pass the bill. The Providence woman married her partner in Massachusetts, and they have two children. Becker has come to the Statehouse many times to testify in favor of gay marriage.
"I think we've reached the tipping point," she said. "Frankly, I don't want to have to come back here next year."
Baltimore coach John will battle brother Jim of the 49ers after winning AFC title game
By BARRY WILNER
updated 2:27 a.m. ET Jan. 21, 2013
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Oh, brother!
John Harbaugh and his Baltimore Ravens set up a family reunion at the Super Bowl, shutting down the New England Patriots 28-13 Sunday in the AFC championship game.
The Ravens reached their first Super Bowl in 12 years, thanks to three touchdown passes from Joe Flacco and a defense led by Ray Lewis that made Tom Brady look downright ordinary.
Next up for Harbaugh and the Ravens is younger brother Jim and the San Francisco 49ers, who beat Atlanta 28-24 earlier in the day for the NFC title.
"I don't know if we had a dream this big," John Harbaugh said. "We had a few dreams, we had a few fights, we had a few arguments ? just like all brothers."
They'll meet in two weeks in New Orleans ? what a place for a party to celebrate the first brother-vs.-brother coaching matchup in Super Bowl history.
It also will be quite a last game for Lewis, the emotional linebacker who will retire after the matchup with the 49ers, who opened as a 5-point favorite.
"This is our time. This is our time," said Lewis, who made 14 tackles Sunday and has 44 in three postseason games after missing 10 weeks with a torn right triceps.
Driven by Lewis' pending departure from the NFL, Baltimore's defense stepped up in the playoffs. Brady was 67-0 at home when leading at halftime, but this was no contest in the second half.
"We've lost before. It takes a while to get over," Brady said.
It also was a first for the Patriots, who hadn't lost an AFC championship at home.
After they had avenged last year's AFC title game loss at Gillette Stadium, many of the Ravens gathered on the field jumping, chest-bumping and whooping before several thousand fans wearing Ravens jerseys ? mostly Lewis' No. 52 ? who remained in the stands.
As in the previous two playoff wins against Indianapolis and Denver, the Ravens (13-6) were brilliant offensively in spots. This might be 17-year-veteran Lewis' team, but it's also Flacco's, and the quarterback's six road wins are the most in playoff history.
"It was pretty awesome," said Flacco, who has eight touchdown passes and no interceptions in the playoffs. "We were here last year and thought we had it, but came up a little short. Guys came out in the second half and made plays. ... We put pressure on them like that, and it worked pretty well."
Flacco, whose contract ends after the Super Bowl, is the only quarterback to win a playoff game in each of his first five seasons. He was dynamic with his arm and precise with his decision making. Looking much more the championship passer than Brady did, his throws of 11 and 3 yards to Anquan Boldin and 5 to Dennis Pitta all were perfect.
The touchdown by Pitta capped the Ravens' best drive of the game, covering 87 yards in 10 plays and made it 14-13. It started with a 15-yard defensive pass interference penalty, and it was an indication of things to come.
"We've always believed in Joe," Harbaugh said. "And for Joe to come out and to have this kind of a game and this kind of a stage three weeks in a row ..."
New England (13-5) lost a home AFC title matchup for the first time in five games. The loss denied Brady and coach Bill Belichick a shot at their sixth Super Bowl. They've gone 3-2, losing their last two times in the big game.
Instead, it's the AFC North champion Ravens heading to the Big Easy, seeking their second NFL championship. San Francisco has won five.
"All these men out there, there might just be only five of us up here, but every man out there sacrificed this year for each other," Lewis said during the trophy ceremony. "And man, we did it and we're on our way to the Super Bowl. That's awesome."
The Ravens have gotten there the hard way, with no postseason bye. Then again, five of the last seven Super Bowl champions took that route.
The Ravens also were pushed into a second overtime in frigid Denver last weekend before eliminating Peyton Manning and the top-seeded Broncos.
And now they've cast aside the league's most successful franchise of the last dozen years.
"I'd probably say we came up a little short in every area," Belichick said.
New England, which hasn't won a Super Bowl since the 2004 season, had four injuries, the scariest when running back Stevan Ridley was knocked flat by Bernard Pollard in the fourth quarter, forcing a fumble. Baltimore turned that into the final touchdown, on the only short scoring drive it had, 47 yards.
The Ravens gained just 130 yards in the first half.
Brady guided a 13-play drive to Stephen Gostkowski's 31-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. Neither defense yielded a big play, and punters Zoltan Mesko and Sam Koch were the busiest guys on the field.
That changed when the teams switched sides for the second quarter. Baltimore again was pinned deep, at its 10, but Flacco led a 13-play drive. Ray Rice, whose 83-yard run on the Ravens' first play from scrimmage in their wild-card round victory here three years ago, ran left untouched for the TD.
Awakened by Baltimore's march, the Patriots staged a long one of their own, 79 yards, aided by a 15-yard personal foul by Ravens linebacker Dannell Ellerbe. Wes Welker picked up 24 yards on a short pass, then got free in the right corner of the end zone after a mix-up in the Ravens' secondary, making it 10-7.
It was 13-7 by halftime as Gostkowski connected from 25 yards, with New England outsmarting Baltimore several times. Danny Woodhead ran for 7 yards on a direct snap on fourth-and-1 in the drive. Defensive end Paul Kruger, who's good at sacks, not much in coverage ? found himself downfield on Aaron Hernandez on what became a 17-yard reception.
But Brady made a mental error himself, not calling timeout quickly enough after a short scramble. So the Patriots didn't get a shot at the end zone and Gostkowski made his second kick.
Shockingly for an offense that scored 557 points this season, that was it for New England.
"We are probably the only team in the AFC that matches up good with the boy, No. 12 over there and his coach," linebacker Terrell Suggs said of Brady and Belichick.
NOTES: Brady now has 5,949 yards passing, the most in NFL history for the postseason. He threw for 320 yards Sunday but was picked off twice in the fourth quarter. ... Ridley sustained a head injury but walked off the field. Patriots CB Aqib Talib hurt his thigh and DT Kyle Love injured his knee. Backup safety Patrick Chung was helped off the field after one play. ... Baltimore beat San Francisco 16-6 in the 2011 season.
? 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Ravens throttle Pats, set up 'Harbaugh Bowl'
Joe Flacco outdueled Tom Brady, throwing three touchdown passes in the second half and leading the Baltimore Ravens to their first Super Bowl in 12 years with a 28-13 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday for the AFC championship.
It's getting more tempting to give away used goods on Listia, the marketplace startup backed by Y Combinator and Andreessen Horowitz (among others), thanks to a new partnership with Best Buy. When you give away "old stuff" on Listia, you earn points, which can be redeemed for items that other users are giving away, as well as new goods offered through the company's rewards store. Those rewards already covered a pretty broad spectrum (when the store launched last summer, the goods were anywhere from $20 to $16,000 in value), but adding iPads, TVs, video game consoles, and other products from Best Buy can't hurt.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) ? A teenage boy fatally shot two adults and three children at a home near Albuquerque, authorities said Sunday.
The boy, who police believe to be about 15 years old, was arrested and booked on murder and other charges in connection with the shootings Saturday night at the home in an unincorporated area 10 miles southwest of downtown Albuquerque, Bernalillo County sheriff's spokesman Aaron Williamson said.
The victims' identities haven't been released, and the boy's motive and connection to the five victims weren't immediately known. Williamson said investigators were trying to determine if the victims were related.
"We are trying to identify the victims," Williamson said.
Each victim suffered more than one gunshot wound.
Investigators also were seeking to determine who owned several guns that were found at the home, one of which was a semi-automatic military-style rifle.
Authorities weren't releasing the name or age of the teenager accused in the attack or details of any conversation that he had with investigators.
He was booked on two counts of murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death.
Watch out, folks: Pantech is moving up the AT&T food chain. Once known in the US as little more than a budget brand, the Korean company is learning that it's possible to push out a device with premium components without increasing the going price (while choosing an outside-the-box design at the same time). The latest piece of evidence supporting this is the Discover, a $50 smartphone with enough trimmings to turn some heads. But will the phone set a new precedent for its pricing tier, or is it just blindly checking off items on a spec sheet to-do list? Follow us after the break and find out.
Hardware
On our stage at CES, Pantech's Manager of US Marketing Chandra Thompson told us that nearly 60 percent of the company's employees are dedicated to R&D, a claim that certainly can't be made by very many companies. We were quite surprised to hear that from a company like Pantech -- it caters almost exclusively to the penny-pinching demographic in the US, so it's easy to dismiss its hardware as cheap and unexciting.
Au contraire, naysayers: the Discover, Pantech's latest budget-friendly offering on AT&T, actually bucks the trend of the stereotypical slab, making it a visually arresting device to behold. The curvaceous back is chock-full of contours, but each one is done up in a way that enhances how the phone feels when you hold it in your hands. (We can't help but be reminded of the Sony Xperia arc when looking at it.) In fact, we'll go ahead and say that the Discover is one of the most comfortable phones we've used in recent history; its chassis hits the ruler at 134.2 x 68.6 x 9.1mm (5.3 x 2.7 x 0.36 inches) and gives us a solid grip that made us confident it wouldn't slip out of our grasp. It's also relatively light, weighing in at 4.76 ounces (135g).
Much of that has to do with the textured plastic material on the removable back panel, which adds just the right amount of traction without drawing too much attention to itself. The Discover is not only attractive; it also exudes durability. If you've only handled it for a few minutes it might be hard to tell that the device is as inexpensive as it is. We were happy to discover (pun not intended) that the back doesn't flex or creak when you add pressure, lending even more credibility to the phone relative to its pricing tier.
The front of the device shows off the 4.8-inch 720p TFT screen, with a 2MP front-facing camera and the typical array of sensors above. You won't find any capacitive nav buttons on the bottom, as the Discover uses virtual keys instead. To take the place of the missing keys, you'll expectedly find a Pantech logo.
The sides are where the Discover starts to get really interesting. The phone bulges near the top to make room for a pair of 3D surround sound speakers, and the back cover tapers inward to meet up with the chrome edge. The speaker grilles are dotted with a snowflake-like pattern -- the only hole in this analogy is that they're all exactly alike. On the left side, adjacent to the grille, you'll find a volume rocker that blends in perfectly with the rest of the chrome trim; the top end houses the power button and 3.5mm headphone jack, while the bottom end is where you plug in your micro-USB charger.
Completing our tour, we take you to the back of the Discover, which is where the 12.6MP rear-end camera module is located, with the LED flash directly beneath. You'll also see a pair of logos for AT&T and Pantech, but neither is so ridiculously large so as to distract from the overall elegance of the device. Rip open that removable cover and you'll find slots for the micro-SIM and microSD cards, as well as the replaceable 2,100mAh battery and NFC contacts.
Antenna-wise, the Discover is packed with plenty of radios: GSM / EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900; HSPA+ / UMTS 850/1900/2100; and LTE 700/850/1900/AWS. While most observers may be puzzled by the inclusion of four LTE bands when AT&T's network is only currently utilizing two (700 / AWS), it actually means that your device will continue working properly if the operator decides to begin refarming 850 / 1900 HSPA+ spectrum for the use of LTE. Many of AT&T's latest phones offer the same new LTE setup, but it's typically not advertised -- in the past we've had to dig into each handset's FCC filings to figure it out.
Rounding out the specs, the Discover also offers aGPS, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11a/b/g/n, 16GB of internal storage and supports DLNA. That microSD slot is capable of holding cards up to 32GB in size. There is, however, one glaring omission: there's no LED notification light.
Display
Now, let's dive deeper into the display itself. Typically, the only time we see a $50 phone sporting a panel with a 720p (1,280 x 720) resolution is either when it's on sale or is near the end of its retail shelf life (such is the case with the HTC One X). Thus, the fact that Pantech is pushing out a device with a higher-end screen at such a low price point should be enough to get any budget-conscious consumer excited. But how is it in real life? How does the display hold up against similar offerings?
While the HTC One X still holds the crown for best 720p display, the Discover doesn't disappoint. It's not quite as bright as the One X, but it certainly bests the Galaxy S III in this area. We also like the decent viewing angles and natural-looking colors -- it's definitely less saturated than the GS III, but then again, most phones are. It doesn't use a PenTile matrix, so the fonts were crisp and easy to read without any jagged edges getting in our way.
Software
Pantech is just as creative in its firmware design as it is in hardware. The Discover runs Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), though company reps have told us that Jelly Bean is in the works -- unfortunately, they wouldn't tell us which version, but this is at least a step in the right direction. Despite the fact it's running now-antiquated firmware, it at least throws in quite a few differentiators that make its custom skin one of the most unique we've encountered on this side of the Pacific.
For starters, the app dock on the front screen allows 14 total icons, instead of the standard four. How so? If you look carefully, you'll see arrows on either side of the dock indicating that you can swipe left or right for more shortcuts, folders or apps. We imagine this will only come in handy if you prefer using most of your front screen space for widgets, but it's a nice touch regardless.
Additionally, while the virtual nav buttons at the bottom of the display feature the usual suite of back, home and recent apps, Pantech throws in a tiny menu button on the right-hand side that's visible only on the front screen. (It doesn't replace or duplicate the settings buttons you'll find in most apps.) Pressing it brings up a menu that overlays the app dock and offers widgets, wallpaper, themes, settings and tips. Sounds great in theory, but it's absolutely pointless since long-pressing the home screen achieves exactly the same result.
Moving on to the app menu, you'll first notice that widgets are nowhere to be found -- you'll need to access them using the settings bar. Pantech has chosen to use the tab space on top to enhance the group-viewing experience. Essentially, you can choose to put any of your apps into customizable groups -- just as if they're a separate folder -- and each group you create gets its own tab up on top. You can also assign each tab its own specific color and change the name to whatever you want; even better, you can also long-press the tab to install the entire group as a folder on your home screen, making it less work for you to set up groups in multiple places.
The navigation menu also has a few tweaks of its own: the top of the menu features a quick settings bar (nothing new there) and a second bar for settings shortcuts. This bar, which can be collapsed if you deem it unnecessary, includes icons for sound, WiFi, display, Bluetooth and more -- the idea is to get you one step closer to these individual settings, thus reducing the amount of time you spend trying to reach them. We don't foresee this saving more than a fraction of a second, but it's there for you as an option if you want.
Pantech is also taking a page out of Samsung's book by introducing its own set of motion / gesture controls. The concept is roughly the same: by waving your hand left and right over the front-facing camera, you can answer calls and navigate through pics and music without touching the screen. It worked much better than we expected; the camera recognized our hands from as far away as two feet.
Speaking of looking to Samsung for inspiration, the Discover also features a pop-up video option. When you begin watching a video, tap the proper button near the top of the screen and it hovers above whatever app you want to use simultaneously. You can also do something similar in the music app: the press of a button will float a "now playing" widget (which can be switched to playlist view as well) above your other programs.
Easy Experience Mode is offered with the Pantech Discover. We went into more detail on this particular feature in our review of the Flex, but in a nutshell: Easy Experience is essentially a special introductory launcher that helps first-time smartphone users settle into the whirlwind world of Android without experiencing as drastic a learning curve. There's less stuff to customize, the font and icons are a little larger and the app menu is much more streamlined. Not much is different on the Discover, with the exception of a new toggle switch on the main UI, which makes it pretty easy to go back and forth between the two modes.
As you might expect, you'll still have the normal onslaught of preloaded apps (though fortunately Pantech lets you hide unwanted apps or tuck them away in groups), but AT&T is pushing one new program in particular: DriveMode. The app is intended to prevent drivers from reading texts or taking calls when on the road. When your driving speed is above 25MPH, the service (which can be disabled if you prefer) sends an automatic SMS response to anyone who calls you or sends a text, letting them know you'll get in touch with them as soon as you've finished your journey. It definitely does the job as intended -- when we first began this review, our unit had the service enabled by default, and it showed up as soon as we hit the right speed. (Disclaimer: the reviewer was in the passenger seat when making this discovery.)
Lastly, the Discover uses the same stock Skyfire browser as the HTC One VX and LG Optimus G (among others). This means it comes with the love-or-hate browser bar at the bottom of the screen that offers several shortcuts and other settings. It appears that this particular browser is here to stay, and we shouldn't be surprised to see it continue to surface on future AT&T models.
One major quirk with the UI is that Pantech doesn't really take full advantage of the vertical space afforded to it. In addition to the virtual keys taking up room at the bottom of the screen, most of the phone's UI elements are much larger than your typical device. The app dock on the front screen, the extra settings in the navigation menu and even the tabs on top of the app menu are easy to press, but you only get this benefit by sacrificing precious screen real estate.
Camera
The weakest link in every Pantech phone we've ever reviewed is the camera. The 8MP sensor used in the Flex was certainly an improvement over the 5MP models used previously, but it still couldn't hold a candle to Samsung's and HTC's 8-megapixel units. So what did we get out of the Discover's 12.6-megapixel rear-facing cam? Pixel count isn't everything, after all.
First, let's go over the user interface on the camera. The shutter button sidebar consists of a few toggle switches: front / rear, camcorder and HDR. The other sidebar is where you'll find your various settings, as well as shortcuts that can be customized to specific things you tweak the most (this bar is free of shortcuts by default -- you have to add them in at your leisure). Among the listed settings are exposure, flash, resolution, white balance, color effects and focus mode (in which you can choose between touch focus and tracking focus). Long-pressing the viewfinder in touch mode will lock your focus, and then you can touch the screen another time to lock exposure.
Speaking of which, the Discover is missing the ability to lock focus on objects in low-light or near-dark conditions; the phone doesn't give us the option to use LED flash as a focus mechanism prior to taking the shot, so you may need to take several images in low light before it truly comes out the way it should. The LED flash itself is sufficiently bright, so that particular part of the camera isn't an issue.
In fact, low-light images in general didn't turn out very well. Perhaps a big part of the problem is the fact that Pantech didn't throw in any special modes like the ones you'll find on the One X, Galaxy S III and other flagships. No low-light, night or candlelight modes are offered; the phone doesn't even have macro mode. Unfortunately, it's just not as decked out as we'd like it to be. Frankly, this is to be expected on a phone that is geared toward the budget user, but we have a hard time understanding exactly why Pantech would go through the effort of boosting the megapixel count without enhancing the actual image-taking experience.
While we have a difficult time recommending the Discover's camera over the proven modules found on the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S III, the images on the Discover were still at least par with what we originally expected (which unfortunately isn't saying much). We had quite a few issues with washed-out colors, middling dynamic range and soft focus. The upside is that white balance seemed to be pretty good. Regardless, it's not the point-and-shoot replacement you'd like it to be.
We actually didn't have so much to complain about with the video capture performance (MPEG-4, 18 Mbps bit rate, 30fps frame rate). It was very smooth when catching motion or panning, and the mics picked up our voice loud and clear. Its only drawback was that it couldn't properly handle sunlight without ultimately washing out the colors in the process.
Performance and battery life
On the performance side, the Discover doesn't bring anything new to the table. It sports the same 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus processor that we enjoyed on the Burst and Flex, along with 1GB RAM and an Adreno 225 GPU. Thus, it shouldn't come as any surprise that its actual output is nearly the same. Responsiveness is great and lag is near non-existent when performing most processor-heavy tasks. All told, we didn't feel like we were using a subpar handset. Gaming was also as smooth as we've come to expect on an S4 Plus device. Here's how the Discover benchmarks against some similarly priced phones on AT&T's network:
Pantech Discover
HTC One VX
LG Escape
Quadrant v2
5,782
5,242
5,026
Vellamo 2.0
1,928
1,268
1,461
AnTuTu 3.0
9,652
10,552
N/A
SunSpider 0.9.1 (ms)
1,614
1,504
1,598
GLBenchmark 2.5 Egypt 1080p Offscreen (fps)
14
12
11
CF-Bench
9,824
7,423
8,112
SunSpider: lower scores are better.
In terms of battery life, our standard endurance test -- looping a video with a series of notifications rolling in the background -- went on for six hours and 45 minutes. That's hardly spectacular, but it's still better than what we saw on the HTC One VX. What this means is that moderate users can make it through an entire day before having to charge up the phone, but anyone who uses the device extensively will get a solid nine or 10 hours out of it. However, unless you're barely using it, you shouldn't expect it to last overnight and into the next day.
On AT&T's LTE network in Salt Lake City, the Discover zoomed through speed tests at an average of 18 Mbps down and 12 Mbps up. Keep in mind that this number may vary depending on the strength of your local network. We had mixed results with the phone's WiFi performance; on multiple occasions it randomly disconnected from our preferred network and would refuse to reconnect again (it often would get stuck in an endless loop, going back and forth between "connecting" and "saved"). Quickly shutting WiFi off and then turning it on again typically resolved the problem, but that's of course an annoyance.
When it came to actually making phone calls, our callers could hear us perfectly loud and clear. Noise cancelling was in full force, as callers had no idea that we were in a noisy room. On our end, other voices came through crystal clear, although the volume was a little softer than we would have preferred.
So what about the dual 3D surround sound speakers on the Discover? In a couple words: not bad. Thing is, it's louder than your typical budget phone, so in that sense you're getting your money's worth; however, we could barely tell any difference between it and the audio output on flagship phones like the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S III. In fact, when doing direct comparisons between the three devices, the Discover's sound was on the tinny side and not as full or rich as the others. Again, it's pretty good for its intended price range, but not the best out there. One other thing: while the surround sound concept works okay when the phone's in portrait mode, it's a completely different story when you're watching movies in landscape, since both speakers are on the same side. It's pretty difficult to mimic stereo sound very well with this kind of setup.
Pricing and comparison
Going by the spec sheet alone, the Pantech Discover blows away any other brand-new device in its price range -- you may see some better-specced phones on sale around the $50 margin, but this surpasses any other budget or midrange phone that has begun at this particular cost. On AT&T's network, the next in line would be the HTC One VX, a phone that for the same amount of money snags you a qHD display, 5MP rear camera, 8GB internal storage and a few other mid-range specs to go along with it. While we were fond of the VX, the Discover ultimately offers more bang for your buck.
Wrap-up
With each of its recent phones, Pantech has shown that it's possible to make an inexpensive handset without sacrificing premium components. It specializes in the lower-end (in the US, at least), and it does its job very well. With a going price of $50 (after a two-year commitment), it's sure to turn quite a few heads. It's far from perfect, of course, but right now, at least, we have a hard time seeing how anyone could make a better budget device.
A Second Take on Meeting the Press: From an up-close look at Rachel Maddow's sneakers to an in-depth look at Jon Krakauer's latest book ? it's all fair game in our "Meet the Press: Take Two" web extra. Log on Sundays to see David Gregory's post-show conversations with leading newsmakers, authors and roundtable guests. Videos are available on-demand by 12 p.m. ET on Sundays.
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus wipes the sweat from her face during her third round match against Jamie Hampton of the US at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus wipes the sweat from her face during her third round match against Jamie Hampton of the US at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Jamie Hampton of the US gets treatment during her third round match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Serena Williams of the US serves to Japan's Ayumi Morita during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Russia's Maria Sharapova celebrates after defeating Venus Williams of the US in their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Russia's Maria Sharapova celebrates after defeating Venus Williams of the US in their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) ? Title favorite Serena Williams and defending champion Victoria Azarenka advanced in contrasting styles Saturday to the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Williams, aiming for a third consecutive major title, recovered from a break down in the second set to win six straight games and finish off a 6-1, 6-3 win over Japan's Ayumi in 66 minutes.
The 15-time major winner even surprised herself with another serve at 128 mph (207 kph), matching her career fastest serve she hit earlier in the tournament.
"I tried to hit it really hard. I hit 207 (kph) the other day and I thought it was luck," she said. "But I did it again and I was like whew! I'm going to try to go for 210. We'll see."
Top-ranked Azarenka struggled to hold off injured American Jamie Hampton 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, and didn't help herself with six double-faults.
Hampton, who needed a medical timeout for a lower back problem before she served out the second set and winced in pain, frequently on the verge of tears, throughout the third, still managed to hit 41 winners to keep the Belarusian under pressure.
Azarenka appeared frustrated at times, but overcame an early break and fended off triple break point in the seventh game of the deciding set before clinching the match in 2 hours, 9 minutes.
"She played incredible, went for every single shot. I felt it was touching every single line," Azarenka said. "She took a medical timeout but she rips winners all over the place and I was like, 'Can I have a back problem?' I'm feeling great, but I'm missing every shot."
After wasting two set points on Azarenka's serve late in the second set, Hampton had to leave the court for nine minutes to have treatment on her back.
Azarenka practiced her backhands and serve while Hampton was in the locker room, but the break didn't help her immediately. Hampton returned and held in the next game and needed more treatment in the break at the end of the set.
Even with the pain of two herniated disks, the 23-year-old Hampton, from Auburn, Ala., went down swinging ? making 47 unforced errors to go with the winners that caught Azarenka off guard and had her asking, loudly at one point, what she could do to counter them.
Sensing an upset, and stirred by the obvious signs of pain, the crowd on Rod Laver Arena got right behind the No. 63-ranked Hampton, who had never gone past the second round at a major.
Azarenka had her share of supporters in the stands, too, including friend and musician RedFoo who was wearing a shirt emblazoned with "We Go Hard" across the front.
If results go according to rankings, Azarenka and Williams will meet in the semifinals. Williams has won the Australian Open five times and is on a 19-match winning streak ? and she has lost only one match since her first-round exit at the French Open last year.
Considering Azarenka has lost 11 of their 12 meetings, including all five in 2012, it's a potential matchup where Azarenka will have to play better than ever.
But they both have to advance to the last four, something Williams failed to do here last year when she was knocked out in the fourth round.
In the corresponding round this year, the 31-year-old American will meet No. 14 Maria Kirilenko, who beat No. 20-Yanina Wickmayer 7-6 (4), 6-3.
Elsewhere, two-time major winner Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 win over Spain's Carla Suarez.
On Friday night, Maria Sharapova celebrated with extra exuberance after her 6-1, 6-3 win over Venus Williams, her first victory over the seven-time major winner in a Grand Slam.
"I was just really pumped," she said. "Why shouldn't I be?"
After back-to-back 6-0, 6-0 wins in the first two rounds ? the first time that happened at major since 1985 ? Sharapova has conceded the fewest number of games en route to the fourth round at the Australian Open since Steffi Graf did so 24 years ago.
Graf also lost only four games in her first three matches on her way to the second of her three consecutive titles in Melbourne.
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic took another step closer to a third consecutive Australian title, defeating Radek Stepanek 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 in the third round.
His victory came on the same day Lance Armstrong admitted during a television interview with Oprah Winfrey that he used banned drugs to win his seven Tour de France titles. Djokovic, a lifetime cycling fan, said at his post-match news conference that it was "a disgrace for the sport to have an athlete like this."
"He cheated the sport," Djokovic said. "He cheated many people around the world with his career, with his life story."
Djokovic did not have an easy time against the 31st-seeded Stepanek and was troubled at times by the Czech's serve-and-volley game. But Djokovic came out laughing, and he embraced his opponent over the net at the end.
Stepanek even had chair umpire Carlos Bernardes grinning after producing an unexpected, over-the-shoulder winner to save one match point in the last game.
Djokovic will play Sunday against No. 15 Stanislas Wawrinka, who knocked out the last American man in the draw with a 7-6 (6), 7-5, 6-4 win over No. 20 Sam Querrey.
For the second straight year, there will be no American men in the fourth round at Melbourne Park.
Fourth-seeded David Ferrer finished off a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 win over 2006 Australian finalist Marcos Baghdatis with an ace, advancing to a fourth-round match against Japan's Kei Nishikori.
No. 5 Tomas Berdych beat Austria's Jurgen Melzer 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 and will next play South Africa's Kevin Anderson. Djokovic's Serbian Davis Cup teammate Janko Tipsarevic advanced to a meeting with No. 10 Nicolas Almagro.
In an all-Serbian match of two former No. 1 women, 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic beat Jelena Jankovic 7-5, 6-3.
She moved into the fourth round against Poland's Angieszka Radwanska, who is seeded No. 4 and won her 12th straight match ? including titles at Auckland and Sydney ? with a 6-3, 6-1 defeat of Britain's Heather Watson.
No. 5 Angelique Kerber and No. 19 Ekaterina Makarova, two of the four women who beat Serena Williams in 2012, will meet in the fourth round.
Kerber stopped 17-year-old American Madison Keys 6-2, 7-5 to celebrate her 25th birthday. Makarova had a 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4 win over 2007 Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli.
The Sunshine State is falling out of step with the housing recovery taking place in several regional markets across the country. Although real estate sales and speculative actions are brisk in metro areas such as Miami and Tampa, a sudden spike in foreclosure evictions and repossessions are threatening the housing recovery.
According to recent data released by foreclosure analytics firm RealtyTrac, Florida beat all other states in terms of home repossessions in 2012, and one out of every 32 residential properties in the Sunshine State were undergoing foreclosure proceedings last year. Nearly 84,500 repossessions took place in 2012.
Paying the Piper
Florida is the most likely state to see a glut of foreclosures suddenly come into the market and disrupt the home price recovery. Foreclosure is a judicial proceeding in Florida, and the court dockets move at a glacial pace. Even though Florida is home to a few foreclosure mills, it takes a lot to speed up foreclosures in the Sunshine State. Foreclosure defense is widely practiced in Florida, which explains why some cases have been languishing since 2007.
The backlog of foreclosures is finally catching up to the Florida real estate market. In 2012, more than 16,000 foreclosures were finalized, and the pace is expected to pick up in 2013. Florida seems to be paying the piper now due to its protracted foreclosure proceedings that average more than 850 days, but things are not as bad as they are in New York and New Jersey. Foreclosures take even longer to move forward in those two states.
A Lot of Homes
Once the foreclosure pipelines and court dockets clear up, Florida may experience another housing bonanza. Home builders are getting busy in Southwest Florida, and real estate investment firms are snapping up foreclosures in Miami, Orlando and Tampa. Miami is the best performing metropolitan area in terms of housing, with prices in the Magic City rising by 9,5 percent in 2012, followed by Tampa with 8.2 percent.
Inventories are looking good in Florida, at least for home shoppers and investors. More than 83,000 homes are distributed among the Real Estate Owned (REO) portfolios of banks across the state, an increase of 6.8 percent over the last 12 months. With more than 305,750 homes with upside-down mortgages or in danger of foreclosure, Florida could see its shadow inventory considerably grow in 2013.
BEIJING -- A Marxist theoretician has been removed as head of an important, but obscure Communist Party research institute over a sex scandal as China's new leadership moves to end the latest, embarrassing revelation of high-level sleaze.
The removal of Yi Junqing as director of the Central Compilation and Translation Bureau, which was announced Thursday, has been anticipated for weeks since the appearance online of a salacious account supposedly written by a female post-doctoral fellow at the bureau who was a former lover of Yi.
The 210-page document - which was a brief Internet sensation before it was scrubbed off the web - chronicled the illicit relationship between Yi and Chang Yan, from December 2011 to November 2012.
Chang said she bribed Yi with tens of thousands of yuan in cash and slept with him to get her fellowship turned into a permanent position only to discover he was not going to help and that he had other lovers.
Chang later said the writing was fictional, but Chinese netizens believed it was real. Yang Jinhai, the bureau's general secretary, confirmed Chang's stint at the bureau and said Chang has returned to Linfen, Shanxi province, for rest, where she was a teacher at a local university.
The official Xinhua News Agency reported Thursday that Yi was fired for "lifestyle issues" - often a euphemism for corruption and mistresses. Contacted by phone Friday, Yang said that Yi's removal was related to the online account.
"Yes, his removal should be related to it," said Yang.
Yang, who also appeared in Chang's narration in his real-life role, said the author had correctly recorded the time and place of academic meetings but that her interpretation of events was subjective. Yang said Yi remains in the bureau though his new assignment is unclear. Neither Yi nor Chang could be reached for comment.
Yi's fate comes after party leader Xi Jinping came to power in November vowing to stamp out corruption and warning that the problem - if unaddressed - could destroy the party.
The scandal is reflective of how deeply embedded corruption is in the corridors of power, even in stuffy think-tanks, and of the hypocrisy of professed communists.
"Corruption has the ability to spread and infect when it's unchecked," said He Zengke, an expert on corruption, who happens to work for the same bureau. He declined to talk about Yi's case directly, saying he was speaking only in general terms.
The field of Marxism studies has become a business with competition for government funding, he said. "Some people want to seek their own interest in the name of research," He said.
"It shows the prevalence of corruption," said Li Manchun, a professor who studies corruption at Central South University in Changsha city. "The Central Compilation and Translation Bureau is deeply trusted and considered reliable by our party."
Directly under the party's central leadership, the center is tasked with providing Marxist theoretical support for party policies. Yi was a delegate to the 18th party congress, which anointed Xi and other leaders in November, and he had served as the public champion of the party's theoretical righteousness.
"We are particularly aware and confident in greater theoretical innovation of Marxism pushed by the Chinese Community Party," Yi said before the congress last fall, as reported by state media. "Such theoretical innovation is not disparate but carries the cultural wisdom of a great civilization with comprehensive grasp of advanced Marxist theories."
Now, the case is fueling public indignation.
"The inner belief of Yi Junqing has long been rotten in his bones," said an editorial published Friday in the state-run Qianjiang Evening newspaper. "He looks knowledgeable and sounds Marxist-Leninist, but once dissected, all people can see is thieving and whoring."
In her lengthy report, Chang detailed the 17 sexual trysts with time, hotel and even room number. It also is full of details such as their birthdays, cell phone numbers they used to contact each other, major meetings at the bureau and their discussions of Chinese politics, including the dramatic fall of politician Bo Xilai.
It's getting more tempting to give away used goods on 
The Sunshine State is falling out of step with the housing recovery taking place in several regional markets across the country. Although real estate sales and speculative actions are brisk in metro areas such as Miami and Tampa, a sudden spike in foreclosure evictions and repossessions are threatening the housing recovery.