Looks like mobile OS allegiance will soon become part of the car buying decision: Hyundai and Kia will use Android to power in-car entertainment and navigation systems in all new models, starting with the new Kia Soul and Hyundai Genesis coming at the end of the year.
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Producer Janet Yang, who has long been involved in creating Hollywood-China partnerships, says studios need to be better engaged with the world's second-largest movie market.
Despite co-productions, partnerships like the one formed by DreamWorks Animation and studios incorporating Chinese actors and products into their films, "the studios are not doing that much right now," Yang told Reuters. "They are feeling it out."
PHOTOS: China's 10 Highest-Grossing Movies of All Time
She claims studios are mostly taking "defensive measures" to avoid alienating an important market.
"I've never seen so much talk about things with so few results. But that's going to change," Yang said. "It's two different systems trying to come together, so a lot of dating and few engagements and marriages but probably more on their way."
Yang has spent her career establishing partnerships between Hollywood and China since she advised on Steven Spielberg's 1987 film Empire of the Sun, shot partly in Shanghai. Since then she's produced The Joy Luck Club and Shanghai Calling, among other titles.
She also helped Disney adapt High School Musical for a Chinese audience.
She thinks studios should think about producing a homegrown film that would appeal to China and other markets.
"How about actually creating something that is appealing for the Chinese and also for the global market? I believe it's possible," Yang told Reuters.
The singer married her fiance in Tennessee! See more stars who made their romances official
Source: http://www.ivillage.com/celebrity-weddings-0/1-b-16623?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Acelebrity-weddings-0-16623
Goldust vs. Seth Rollins: WWE Main Event, Oct. 23, 2013The Prime Time Players vs. The Real Americans: WWE Main Event, Oct. 23, 2013Dolph Ziggler vs. Damien Sandow: WWE Main Event, Oct. 23, 2013The Funkadactyls vs. Aksana & Alicia Fox: WWE Main Event, Oct. 23, 2013Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns want their gold back: WWE.com Exclusive, Oct. 21, 2013The Usos vs. The Shield: Raw, Oct. 21, 2013The Usos vs. The Shield continues: WWE App Exclusive, Oct. 21, 2013
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Just days away from WWE Hell in a Cell, WWE Main Event was chock full of action-packed matches, including Goldust battling Seth Rollins!
Seth Rollins def. Goldust
After a string of recent successes with his younger brother Cody Rhodes – including the duo winning the WWE Tag Team Titles – Goldust battled Shield member Seth Rollins on WWE Main Event. Still reeling from the loss of the tag titles to the Rhodes brothers, Rollins was seeking vengeance against the former Intercontinental Champion. . Nevertheless, the younger Rhodes sibling joined his face-painted kin as well in an effort to counteract Roman Reigns and keep the battle between the combatants inside the squared circle.
WWE Main Event photos | Watch Goldust battle Seth Rollins
The Hounds of Justice are certainly rabid and rely on controlled chaos as a unit, but Rollins is certainly a gifted competitor in his own right. Holding his own against Goldust – a Superstar with experience spanning three decades – the Shield member certainly displayed his abilities while also taking advantage of a distraction from Reigns.
With momentum in his favor, Rollins methodically attacked Goldust while taunting a helpless Cody Rhodes. However, Goldust has tussled with the likes of Roddy Piper and Triple H, buiding a resilience that has led him to a long, storied career and allowed him to battle back and keep Rollins at a disadvantage.
However, as the action spilled to the outside of the ring, Goldust exchanged words with Reigns. Cody took a more direct approach and attacked the Shield member as The Bizarre One returned to the ring to resume his struggle against Rollins. However, Reigns’ distraction was enough for Rollins to recover and roll up his opponent and steal a victory.
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan stands on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan stands on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick responds to a reporter's question during a media availability at the NFL football team's facility in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. The Patriots will play the Miami Dolphins Sunday. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick shakes hands with New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan after an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won the game 30-27. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
In this photo taken Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, New England Patriots' Joe Vellano (72), Rob Ninkovich (50) and Chris Jones (94) watch as an official advances the ball after Jones was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty during overtime of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J. Jones was called for the penalty after pushing a teammate forward to try to block a Jets field goal, a new NFL rule. The Jets won the game 30-27 in overtime.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
In this photo taken Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick walks away from line judge Tom Stephan after the Patriots weres called for an unsportsmanlike penalty after New York Jets kicker Nick Foles missed a field goal during overtime of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. The Patriots' Chris Jones was called for the penalty after pushing a teammate forward to try to block the kick, a new NFL rule. The Jets won the game 30-27 in overtime. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Rex Ryan pushed back at Bill Belichick.
The New York coach vehemently denied the New England coach's claim that the Jets used similar push techniques on field goals against the Patriots on Sunday.
"That's not true!" Ryan said Wednesday.
During a conference call Tuesday with Boston reporters, Belichick was asked if he was bothered by a report that said the Jets alerted officials to the Patriots pushing on field goals. New England was called for the penalty — the first time it had been called in a game — to set up New York's winning field goal in overtime Sunday.
"Well, I mean, since they were using the play themselves, I don't even know about all that," Belichick said. "But, basically we're just moving on here."
Belichick was apparently referring to a play during Stephen Gostkowski's 44-yard field goal with 16 seconds left in regulation. Quinton Coples appeared to extend his right arm and slightly push teammate Muhammad Wilkerson from behind toward the Patriots' formation.
There was no call on that play, but it was also not as evident as what the Patriots did in overtime when Nick Folk was wide left on a 56-yarder, but had the miss was negated when New England's Chris Jones was called for unsportsmanlike conduct on a 15-yard penalty. Jones was penalized for pushing his teammate "into the opponents' formation."
Folk kicked a 42-yarder to win it a few minutes later, giving the Jets a 30-27 victory.
Belichick disagreed with the application of the rule after the game, saying, "You can't push in the second level. I didn't think we did that." Belichick backtracked Monday, saying he was mistaken in his interpretation.
But then came his accusatory comments on Tuesday.
"He's got to make up his mind," Ryan said. "Was he aware of this thing? Was it second-level, all this kind of jazz? Or, now the story is we did it? OK, I got you.
"The fact is, we're moving on. We earned that victory plain and simple, and we're focused on Cincinnati now."
NOTES: Wide receiver Santonio Holmes and tight end Jeff Cumberland both didn't practice with hamstring injuries. Ryan seemed optimistic Cumberland will be OK to play Sunday at Cincinnati. Holmes, however, has missed three straight games since being hurt at Tennessee last month. ... Backup QB David Garrard was activated Monday and added to the active roster after sitting out a few months while contemplating retirement because of a balky knee. Ryan said Garrard's conditioning is "good but I wouldn't call it great right now," but added that the veteran's arm is strong and could serve as a mentor to rookie Geno Smith. "He's been there and done it," Ryan said.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
Associated PressSource: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-10-23-FBN-Patriots-Jets-Push-Penalty/id-22c2f0730ddc4ce7b0611e25d8719ed5From left, Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini, Humana CEO Bruce Broussard, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida CEO Patrick Geraghty, and other health care chief executive officers arrive at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013, to meet with White House officials regarding President Barack Obama's health care law. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
From left, Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini, Humana CEO Bruce Broussard, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida CEO Patrick Geraghty, and other health care chief executive officers arrive at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013, to meet with White House officials regarding President Barack Obama's health care law. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio speaks during a new conference following a meeting at the Republican National Committee offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif. gestures as she speaks to reporters during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, left, and House Majority Leader Eric Canton of Va., right, walk away from the microphones following a news conference after a meeting at the Republican National Committee offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
From left, Tufts Health Plan President and CEO James Roosevelt, Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini, Humana CEO Bruce Broussard, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida CEO Patrick Geraghty, Kaiser Permanente CEO Bernard Tyson, and other health care chief executive officers arrive at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013, to meet with White House officials regarding President Barack Obama's health care law. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
WASHINGTON (AP) — On the defensive, the Obama administration acknowledged Wednesday its problem-plagued health insurance website didn't get enough testing before going live. It said technicians were deep into the job of fixing major computer snags but provided no timetable.
Democratic unhappiness with the situation began growing louder — including one call for President Barack Obama to "man up" and fire someone — as the president's allies began to fret about the political fallout. Democrats had hoped to run for re-election touting the benefits of the health care law for millions of uninsured Americans, but the computer problems are keeping many people from signing up.
The White House also signaled a change underway in the timeline for signing up for coverage. Consumers have until Dec. 15 to apply for coverage that's effective Jan. 1. Even though open enrollment lasts until March 31, people would face a penalty if they postpone buying coverage beyond mid-February. Calling that a "disconnect," the White House said officials will soon issue policy guidance so that if consumers sign up by the end of March they will not face a penalty. No action from Congress is needed to make that happen, the White House said.
Republican sniping about the website's flaws continued unabated, with House Speaker John Boehner declaring, "We've got the whole threat of Obamacare continuing to hang over our economy like a wet blanket."
Obama himself, though strongly defending the health care overhaul, has been increasingly willing to acknowledge extensive problems with the sign-up through online markets. Amid all that, the Health and Human Services Department on Wednesday provided its most specific accounting yet of the troubles with HealthCare.gov — an issue that is also about to get a lengthy, even-less-forgiving airing on Capitol Hill.
The first of several hearings is set for Thursday in the Republican-led House, with lawmakers ready to pounce on the contractors who built the balky online enrollment system.
Acknowledging what's been obvious to many outside experts, the administration said Wednesday that the system didn't get enough testing, especially at a high user volume. It blamed a compressed time frame for meeting the Oct. 1 deadline to open the insurance markets. Basic "alpha and user testing" are now completed, but that's supposed to happen before a launch, not after.
The Health and Human Services explanation identified some bugs that have gotten little outside attention.
For example, technical problems have surfaced that are making it hard for people to complete the application and plan-shopping functions. That's a big concern because those stages are further along in the signup process than the initial registration, where many consumers have been getting tripped up. The problems are being analyzed and fixes are planned, the department said.
The explanation, posted online in a department blog and accompanying graphic, identified other broad areas of problems and outlined fixes underway but in most cases incomplete:
— Unexpectedly high consumer interest that overwhelmed the system in its initial days. Equipment has been added to handle the load and system design has been improved. More fixes are in progress.
— Lack of a way for consumers to browse their health plan options without first having to set up a user account. A partial fix is in place.
— Incorrect or duplicate information in enrollments is being delivered to insurance companies. Some software fixes that should help address the issue have been completed, others are underway.
— Difficulties for consumers trying to create user accounts, including drop-down menus that didn't work. Design changes and software fixes should address the situation.
The new markets are supposed to be the portal to coverage for people who don't get health insurance on the job. Middle-class people are to pick from subsidized private insurance plans, while low-income people are steered to Medicaid in states that agreed to expand that safety-net program.
The federal government is running the online markets in 36 states, and its website has had more than its share of problems. As a result, even Obama has urged consumers to revert to low-tech approaches, by applying through the mail, telephoning federal call centers, or seeking in-person assistance.
On Thursday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will line up contractors, including CGI Federal, the lead developer of the website, and QSSI, which designed a back-room operation known as the federal data services hub. The hub is integral to verifying applicants' personal information and income details, and the administration says it is working as designed.
Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa., chairman of the panel's health subcommittee, said he wants to focus on the administration's decision not to allow browsing, or window shopping. That's a standard feature of e-commerce sites, including Medicare.gov for seniors. Lack of a browsing capability forced all users to first go through the laborious process of creating accounts, overloading that part of the site.
"Who made that decision? When was it made? Why was it made?" said Pitts.
In prepared testimony, an executive of QSSI's parent company said the decision was made late in the game. It could have contributed to overloading the system, said the executive, Andy Slavitt.
CGI vice president Cheryl Campbell said the administration was the "quarterback" of the entire effort.
Meanwhile, Democrats are worrying aloud about persistent problems with the rollout. Rep. Richard Nolan of Minnesota emerged from a Wednesday morning meeting with administration health care officials on Capitol Hill and told The Associated Press the computer fiasco has "damaged the brand" of the health care law.
"The president needs to man up, find out who was responsible, and fire them," Nolan said. He did not name anyone.
Likewise in the Senate, Florida Democrat Bill Nelson said somebody should be fired over the computer problems. "That's the problem in government today," Nelson told ABC's Miami affiliate. "People are not held to account."
Obama says he's as frustrated as anyone and has promised a "tech surge" to fix the balky website. White House spokesman Jay Carney also said the administration will be more open about the problems. After more than 20 days without briefing the media, HHS will start regular sessions on Thursday, he said.
In light of the computer problems, some Democrats are saying Obama should consider extending open enrollment season beyond next March 31, and revisit the penalties for individuals who don't sign up and remain uninsured. Under the law virtually all Americans must carry health insurance starting next year or face fines.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi advised against the change.
"I think we should try to fix what we have, move forward with the deadline we have," the California Democrat told reporters. "What we want to do is fix it and go forward with it, not make policies that are predicated on its not working."
Even if the computer problems get ironed out, the Republicans are unlikely to end their criticism. Said Boehner on Wednesday: "When you look at the problems with Obamacare, all the focus here lately has been on the website. ... I would argue the problems go much further than that."
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Associated Press writers Josh Lederman, Laurie Kellman and Julie Pace contributed to this report.
Associated PressSource: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-10-23-Health%20Overhaul-Problems/id-80d55e134e81402cac6ea237a8a863bb
Part of the whole draw of gardening is watching your botanical efforts slowly bloom. But let's face it—most of us barely have time to water the houseplants regularly, much less manage a garden. Luckily, with these internet-enabled plant sensing systems, you'll be able to watch your garden grow from the couch.
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