Ripping Off Dead War Vets' Beneficiaries

Ripping Off Dead War Vets' Beneficiaries
By Stephen Lendman
9-5-10

 

Wall Street and other financial scammers do it from the living, Prudential and many insurers from the dead, ripping off families of killed war vets. On July 28, Bloomberg.com's David Evans discussed how it works in an article titled, "Fallen Soldiers' Families Denied Cash as Insurers Profit," a polite way of explaining grand theft. From the living, it's bad enough, from the dead, it gives chutzpah new meaning, affecting countless thousands of bereaved families.   Evans wrote about one, Cindy Lohman. Two weeks after her son Ryan was killed, she received a Prudential Financial, Inc. "9-inch-by-12-inch envelope," the company managing life insurance for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).   A letter explained. As his beneficiary, she was entitled to $400,000 in death benefits along with something looking like a checkbook. The funds "would be placed in a convenient interest-bearing account, allowing her time to decide how to use" them, the letter saying:   "You can hold the money in the account for safekeeping for as long as you like," plus a disclaimer in easily overlooked fine print, explaining "what it called its Alliance Account," a non-FDIC insured scheme, a ripoff to defraud beneficiaries like Lohman.   After leaving the funds untouched for months, she tried unsuccessfully using one of the "checks," then failed a second time. She was "shocked," saying she thought the money was FDIC insured, in a bank, to be used freely.   Not so. The "checks" were drafts or IOUs. "That money - like $28 billion in 1 million death-benefit accounts managed by (130 insurers like Prudential) wasn't actually sitting in a bank." It was in Prudential's general corporate account earning income - around 4.8% for insurers, 1% or less for survivors. This summer it was 0.5%, less than half what some banks pay on jumbo CDs, and way less than insurers yield on their investments.   "It's a betrayal," said Lohman. "It saddens me as an American that a company would stoop so low as to make a profit on the death of a soldier. Is there anything lower than that?"   For sure - waging an illegal war of aggression, sending young men and women to die for a lie, Ryan Lohman one of thousands affected (plus others maimed and disabled for life), their deaths compounded by insurance fraud ripping of their survivors, and VA officials doing nothing to stop it, claiming ignorance when they damn well knew or easily could have found out. For every branch of government, the business of America is business, the public their patsies to be scammed of their money, health and welfare.   So-Called "Retained-Asset" Accounts   They've become standard practice "in an industry that touches virtually every American: There are more than 300 million active life insurance policies in the US, and the industry holds $4.6 trillion in assets, according to the American Council of Life Insurers."   Insurers tell survivors their money is safe, guaranteed by them not the government, making them woefully unsafe when investments are ripped off, and the principal depends on the company's health.   According to Jeffrey Stempel, Law Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law, the "checkbook" system cheats survivors.   "It's institutionalized bad faith. In my view, this is a scheme to defraud by inducing the policyholder's beneficiary to let the life insurance company retain assets they're not entitled to. It's turning death claims into a profit center," and Washington lets them get away with it.   Three firms, including Prudential and Metropolitan Life, handle retained-asset accounts for about 130 life insurers. No public records show how much, but at least $28 billion is involved.   Besides scamming beneficiaries, insurance companies may be violating federal bank law - a 1933 statute making it "a felony for any company to accept deposits without state or federal authorization." Only chartered banks and credit unions can do it. Insurers aren't chartered or regulated, so funds they hold for beneficiaries will disappear if they go under.   Further, the bogus Obama administration "financial reform" doesn't address retained-asset accounts, only a new federal insurance office with no teeth. The same holds for the entire bill, a gift to Wall Street and big insurers, small investors left unprotected, or as one analyst explained - "austerity" for the public, high times for the big boys, and why not. They wrote the bill and got what they want as they did for "healthcare reform" and everything else Congress enacts, corporate occupied territory like the White House and all federal agencies. How else could Wall Street and insurers like Prudential commit fraud and get away with it.   Pru and Met Life alone rip off hundreds of millions of dollars annually, stealing one of their main profit centers with no accountability. Since 1999, the VA let Prudential send survivors "checkbooks" for its Alliance Account. "In 2009 alone, (recipient) families....were supposed to be paid" $1 billion in death benefits "immediately, according to their insurance policies. They weren't."   Pru VA policies offer either a lump sum payment or 36 monthly installments. About 90% choose the former and get a "checkbook," not a cashable check. Yet under a 2008 law, recipients have one year to put their funds into a tax-free Roth IRA. Lohman said Pru never told her. Unless Congress corrects the fraud, she and other recipients "will remain a secret profit center for the life insurance industry," their officials robbing the graves of dead soldiers.   Parents Sue for Lost Benefits   On August 30, AP reported that the parents of six dead soldiers "are suing Prudential Financial, saying it paid paltry interest on military life insurance benefits while keeping more generous" payouts for itself.   Filed in Springfield, MA US District Court, it accuses Pru of using "bookkeeping maneuvers," misrepresenting how benefits are handled. "Their attorneys are seeking class-action status" for potentially tens of thousands of others.   One of four attorneys involved, Cristobal Bonifaz, said lost interest varies, "depending on how quickly beneficiaries withdrew the money," those leaving it untouched (the great majority) owed the most, as much as $30,000 per recipient.   "What we're saying to Prudential is, 'You kept investing the money, but that money did not belong to you as of the day that person died, and whatever you made off it, you should give to those persons it was meant for."   Hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake. Plaintiffs in the current suit are parents of soldiers who died in Iraq, Afghanistan, El Salvador, and those dying after returning home.   Lead plaintiffs, Kevin and Joyce Lucey, spoke for many saying: "It's totally unacceptable for any company to think they can treat any family that has gone through this kind of trauma, especially military families. (We) think it becomes part of our responsibility to make sure no one has to go through anything similar to this."   Given Washington's complicity with banksterism, insurance fraud, and numerous other corporate scams, imagine how many others haven't come to light. Imagine also the challenges ordinary people face for restitution, even by class-action, deep-pocketed bigness and business-friendly courts huge hurdles to overcome, plus interminable litigation years, especially when high stakes are involved.   Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.   http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

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Devvy -- Christians: Beware the fox in the hen house and the Bible Literacy Project -- 09/05/10

Christians: Beware the fox in the hen house and the Bible Literacy Project

By: Devvy
September 5, 2010

Separation of Church and State has been a very lucrative business for the ACLU and AU (Americans United for the Separation of Church and State) for over a half century. They prowl the country looking for the right chicken to pluck.

Only someone who has put their brain on idle for the past 25 years can deny the attack on Christianity in this country is (1) real and in your face, and (2) a serious and constant war to wear down the American people. Get rid of the Ten Commandment anywhere in public! Why rot the minds of members of Congress and other elected offices with God's commandments: no lying, stealing, adultery, or murder (abortion). Useful fools throughout this country are increasingly taking to protecting the barbaric, totalitarian system called Islam masquerading as a religion, while accepting the massive assault on Christianity.

Funny thing, though, history doesn't back up all the blathering by those who work so hard to shut out God in America. Take for instance The New England Primer of 1777:

"In the early colonial period, reading the Bible was the primary reason and motivation for learning to read. For example, in 1647, the "Old Deluder Act" was passed by the Massachusetts General Court required every township with 50 or more families to hire a teacher.  Similar legislation quickly spread to the other New England colonies, being the first step towards compulsory education. The preamble was explicit that knowledge of the Scriptures was the chief goal, and that "one chief project of that old deluder, Satan, [is] to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures" (see text with original spelling and typesetting represented in Ford, and an modernized spelling rendering of the text is found here). Illiterate people were at the mercy of other people for their knowledge of God and His Word, and  inaccessibility to the Bible had fomented centuries of darkness prior to the Reformation. Indeed the appearance of early primers in England has been connected directly to the beginning of the Reformation. Only literate people could have the privilege of direct, independent access to God's revelation.

"This connection and between learning the alphabet and learning Scripture and doctrine is pervasive in The New England Primer. And the concern that children come to know Christ as Savior and Lord is obvious. By the modern taste, specific language in the Primer is frequently termed stern and morbid. Our modern culture tries to avoid the recognition of death. But to the colonial culture, where death was ever present, the reality of coming to know Christ before one's demise was of urgent concern. The truth spoken in verses such as "As runs the Glass our life does pass" (for letter 'G') is irrefutable--albeit unpopular.

"The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Schools throughout the country, as well as counties and local municipalities, have been under attack for decades by threats of lawsuits or actual lawsuits by the ACLU and the AU for even whispering the word God. All based on the First Amendment.

Now, let me give you an example. After 9/11 our nation is in anguish and pain. A school puts God Bless America up on their marquee. In marches those pious (oops) bastions of constitutional enforcement, ACLU lawyers. Why, you can't put that on your marquee - it violates separation of church and state! Do you hear me? We will sue!

Go back and read the First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

Did Congress come into Smith County School District to make a law establishing any religion? Well, no. Congress has never done such a thing, yet toxic organizations who purport to support the First Amendment and "everyone's right to worship" constantly use threats of lawsuits to convince everyone that a simple statement on a school marquee translates to Congress coming into the school district and establishing a religion.

How about the Ten Commandments on display at the Supreme Court building in Alabama? Those of us who were outraged over the removal of Chief Justice Roy Moore from the Alabama Supreme Court remember very well:

"U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ruled the granite carving was an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. Moore refused to obey the order but was overruled by his eight colleagues on the state Supreme Court."

Let's apply that monument sitting on display with the words in the First Amendment because words have meaning: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

Now, did Congress sweep into the State of Alabama and make a law establishing any religion as a result of that monument sitting there? Well, no.

A federal judge, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson, appointed by Jimmy Carter, decided to rewrite the First Amendment: A display of the Ten Commandments anywhere in public buildings or in front of a public building constitutes establishing Christianity as an official religion by Congress in the State of Alabama. That's exactly what Thompson's ruling said. A violation of church and state. Hooey!

What did Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story have to say about the matter back in 1833, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States?

"The whole power over the subject of religion is left exclusively to the State governments, to be acted upon according to their own sense of justice and the State Constitutions."

That quote comes from a book that should be read by Americans so they can get actual historical facts about the issue of religion when this nation was birthed and for centuries to come: The Original 13: A Documentary History of Religion in America's First Thirteen States by William J. Federer. I'm sure it drives atheists and the other God-hating organization nuts, but they are historical facts. I have never and do not endorse any state of the Union establishing any religion, but tens of millions of us are fed up with the ACLU and AU and their never ending lawsuits based on a local high school football team violating church and state because they willingly decide to say a little prayer before a game.

How about my state's constitution?

The Texas Constitution Preamble

Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

How about California's State Constitution?

California Constitution - Preamble

We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure and perpetuate its blessings, do establish this Constitution.

How about the State of Vermont?

Article 3rd. Freedom in religion; right and duty of religious worship (notes) -- That all persons have a natural and unalienable right, to worship Almighty God, according to the dictates of their own consciences and understandings, as in their opinion shall be regulated by the word of God;...Nevertheless, every sect or denomination of Christians ought to observe the sabbath or Lord's day, and keep up some sort of religious worship, which to them shall seem most agreeable to the revealed will of God.

Why hasn't the ACLU or the AU sued to force any state of the Union to take those "offensive" words out of their state constitutions? Why? Because they would lose. The ACLU and AU prey on school districts and municipalities who cave rather than face monster legal bills.

Please remember that communism cannot take root and grow in a country until God is driven out. The communitarian doctrine is the communist morality. This is important to understand. Communitarianism is a toxic, evil doctrine. Communitarian policy does not get  enough attention, but it's critical you take the time to learn because it's the poison is being inculcated in your child's brain; children and college students.

 I'm old enough to remember prayer in public school. I'm also old enough to see the complete and total meltdown of a moral nation into one of decadent sewage since prayer was taken out of schools.

Over the years truly Herculean efforts have been underway by dedicated organizations like the National Council On Bible Curriculum In Public Schools; board members include Chuck Norris and his wife. I have been truly awed by their work as well as so many others (too many to name) to right the wrong regarding any mention of God or the Bible in public schools. Before anyone reaches for the phone to call the ACLU, here is their mission statement:

"A program is underway to serve the public through educational efforts concerning a First Amendment right and religious freedom issue. This is to bring a state certified Bible course (elective) into the public high schools nationwide.

"The curriculum for the program shows a concern to convey the content of the Bible as compared to literature and history. The program is concerned with education rather than indoctrination of students. The central approach of the class is simply to study the Bible as a foundation document of society, and that approach is altogether appropriate in a comprehensive program of secular education."

Programs are now being taught in America's schools in exactly the context described above. But, there is a problem with one of the textbooks and content. There is also the age old problem of the fox in the hen house and in this case, one who has tremendous influence.

The textbook I refer to is The Bible and Its Influence (Bible Literacy Project). I have the 'Student Text' and the Teacher's Edition right in front of me.

This textbook is from the Bible Literacy Project. The only problem is that it contains a slew of problematic passages. Many well known pastors and reverends have stepped forward to voice their objection to this textbook; see a list here.Those who have done the hard research about the Bible Literacy Project are shocked that popular Christian leader and cultural commentator, Chuck Colson, continues to support the BLP despite being told the truth about that operation. One has to wonder why?

See these two images?

They are the opening pages of the student text which can be purchased from Amazon. One name that sticks out is Charles Haynes who is a senior scholar at the First Amendment Center. Now, you might ask just why are so many Christians fighting the Bible Literacy Project and in particular, Charles Haynes? What is it you should know about the BLP, Charles Haynes and the Communitarian Network? Here is an excellent piece written by Alabama State Senator, Scott Beason:

The deception of the Bible Literacy Project
April 10, 2008

"Virtually banned from American schools in the early '60s, the Bible has faced a rising onslaught of wrath, ridicule and legal assaults. So, why after all these years would liberal opponents suddenly turn and support a textbook titled, "The Bible and Its Influence"? Why such enthusiastic acclaim for a controversial curriculum published for public schools by the Bible Literacy Project?

"The answer may lie behind a man by the name of Charles Haynes, a key player in the work of the Bible Literacy Project.

* Charles Haynes, of the innocuous-sounding Freedom Forum / First Amendment Center, has written an article entitled "When the Government Prays, No One Wins," in which he infers that the National Day of Prayer should be declared illegal. This has been published nationwide (see last article on page).

* Charles Haynes co-authors books with the Council On Islamic Education, which also endorses the guidelines by which "The Bible and Its Influence" was written.

* Charles Haynes serves on the Board of the Pluralism Project, along with a Wiccan high priestess, Margot Adler.

* Charles Haynes is the author of a Communitarian manifesto on religious education. In addition, Haynes authored "Public Schools and Sexual Orientation: A First Amendment Framework", which is endorsed by the radical Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network.

"The Communitarian Network has been written about by both Joseph Farah, founder of WorldNetDaily, and Gen. Ben Partin. Farah says, "The best I can decipher of this popular new idea of Communitarianism is that it is not a new idea at all. To put it in its simplest form, I would describe it as a form of communism for people who believe in God." Partin says that the bottom line of the Communitarians is to bring in communism. Six members of the Board of Directors and Advisory Board for the Bible Literacy Project are signatories to the Communitarian Platform.

* Charles Haynes was a project director for the liberal Americans United for Separation of Church and State (Washington Times by Larry Whitham, July 27, 1990, "Teachers Study Role of Religion in History").

* Charles Haynes was a contributor, reviewer, and consultant to the Bible Literacy Project's textbook, "The Bible and Its Influence."

* The Bible Literacy Project textbook has an almost full-page promotion of UNESCO (page 365). (UNESCO's first director-general, socialist Julian Huxley, laid the foundation for today's global education. Pointing to facilitated group dialogue as the solution, he wrote, "The task before UNESCO … is to the help the emergence of a single world culture. …").

"The textbook by the Bible Literacy Project, "The Bible and Its Influence," incorporates the Hegelian dialectic process outlined in "Finding Common Ground: A First Amendment Guide to Religion and Public Education" by Charles Haynes and ACLU author/lawyer Oliver Thomas. Thus, schoolchildren learn "about the Bible" through a pre-planned group process that twists the Bible into the evolving ideals of the planned global spirituality."

There's an old saying: Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas.

If you are concerned about what your child is being taught, then please read the full column above.

The "I'm too busy" excuse is no excuse when it comes to what propaganda is being pumped in your child's head at school and who is priming them for spiritual disaster. I am a strong supporter of the goals of the many, many fine organizations all across America who have worked so hard to bring the Bible back into the class room for study, but I also know from being an activist full time in the trenches for two decades that the deceivers are draped in the American flag. Their target is your child. Don't let that happen. Do not support the Bible Literacy Project or any of the players like Charles Haynes, their foundations or centers.

Once you do the homework, I hope parents by the millions will demand their schools remove and stop using The Bible and Its Influence (Bible Literacy Project). If the school refuses, put it in writing that your child will not participate in being taught dangerous and anti-Biblical material. Rise up and stand firm on this because your child's soul is at stake.

"The National Council on Bible Curriculum has been voted into 555 school districts (2,061 high schools) in 38 states. Over 360,000 students have already taken this course nationwide, on the high school campus, during school hours, for credit. I have devoted many hours to studying this and fully endorse and support their program."  Talk to your school district policy makers and tell them you want the National Council on Bible Curriculum used and not any books or materials from the Bible Literacy Project. Stand firm.

I'll tell you something else and this is just my personal opinion. I believe without hesitation or doubt that those who fought for and birthed this constitutional republic were divinely inspired and driven to define for the whole world what freedom and liberty really means. They believed our rights come from God and not government. Look at how America has not only ignored God's laws, but has become one awash in immoral degeneracy while gradually accepting a nation without God. Like secular conservatives.  Like the rotten, corrupt and morally bankrupt politicians in this country.

The people of this country had better get down on their knees, as George Washington did at Valley Forge, humbly beg God's forgiveness and ask him to help us as we fight evil in human form. Without his blessing, we will fail and our republic will fall.

Important Links:

Media's "Go-To" Man on Religion in Public Schools Has Conflict of Interest
The real Charles Haynes

Charles Haynes and Communitarianism

2nd VP Southern Baptist Convention Still Says No to Bible Literacy Project
Ltr from Dr. James Kennedy denouncing the Bible Literacy Project (scroll down)

ACLU fulfilling communist agenda

Connecticut School Removes Lord Reference in High School Diplomas
"We certainly don't want to offend anyone"

Really? That dolt should read his own state constitution:

Constitution of the State of Connecticut - Preamble
"The People of Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God;"

Music can be banned if it even sounds religious
No crosses for the fallen
America, 2010: Christians hauled to jail for preaching Jesus
Bible finally allowed in Florida school
Mention of 'God' stops kindergarten field trip
"I didn't know it was a sin saying 'God' in America."

Board enraged by any mention of 'God'
Dispute over teacher's patriotic banners escalates

This is a perfect example of the absolute stupidity and hysterical nonsense going on in schools. One banner reads:

All Men are created Equal. They are endowed by their Creator.

Where have you read those words before? The Declaration of Independence

Perhaps the fact challenged board at that school should go back to school and learn something besides political correctness.

More insanity and stupidity:

Georgia Senior Citizens Told They Can't Pray Before Meals

"If there's one thing Mayor Glenn "Pig" Jones can't stomach, it's telling elderly citizens at a local senior citizens center that they can't pray before meals.

"But Jones, mayor of Port Wentworth, Ga., a town of roughly 3,000 near Savannah, has been doing just that since last week, when the company that provides food for the seniors -- with federal funding -- determined that saying an organized prayer before meals violates the separation of church and state."

First of all, Congress has no legal authority to steal the fruits of your labor to provide funds for senior meals in any state. That is the domain of the State Legislatures.
Second, tell the state to find a new company to provide the meals paid for by their taxpayers.

America's Christian Roots

---

Devvy Kidd authored the booklets, Why A Bankrupt America and Blind Loyalty; two million copies distributed. Devvy appears on radio shows all over the country. She left the Republican Party in 1996 and has been an independent voter ever since. Devvy is a constitutionalist who believes in the supreme law of the land, not some political party.

Visit Devvy's website at: http://www.devvy.com. You can also sign up for her free email alerts. Devvy's radio show broadcasts Mon-Fri. To listen, go to: http://www.devvy.com/new_site/rense_show.html

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Wooden Boat Plans For Home Builders | Recreation and Sports - Report Universe

Wooden Boat Plans For Home Builders

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Wooden Boat Plans For Residence Builders

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Kinect's Israeli partner sees a remoteless world - Yahoo! Finance

Kinect's Israeli partner sees a remoteless world

Israeli partner of Microsoft's new Kinect game controller envisions a remote-free future

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Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press Writer, On Saturday September 4, 2010, 10:48 am EDT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) -- Inon Beracha envisions a world where your movements control the gadgets and devices around you. There's no remote control to lose, no buttons to push. The air conditioner senses your presence and changes the temperature to your liking.

Controlling your surroundings with the wave of a hand sounds like magic, but Beracha's company, PrimeSense, is already making headway, thanks to a little help from video games.

PrimeSense's 3-D camera is a key component of Microsoft Corp.'s Kinect motion- and voice-control technology for the Xbox 360 game system. Coming this fall, Kinect will let people play games and watch movies on the Xbox with no wand, controller, mat or remote. It recognizes users' gestures and voices, so you can control on-screen characters in racing, action and sports games simply by speaking or moving your body. If it's a hit, it could pave the way for a remoteless future.

Beracha and his PrimeSense colleagues see their technology as an integral part of the home of the future. PrimeSense already has other collaborations in the works, with TVs and PCs fitted with its device targeted for next year.

"Our vision is to see this technology become ubiquitous, in every consumer device," said Beracha, PrimeSense CEO.

Several companies have developed depth-sensing cameras. Another Israeli company, 3DV Systems, developed one that determined the depth of the picture with a technique similar to radar. Microsoft snapped up that company in 2009, but didn't use its camera for the Kinect.

The camera from 3DV was relatively sophisticated and expensive. PrimeSense's, by contrast, is a fairly standard one that you might find in any Web camera, according to Adi Berenson, the company's vice president of business development.

The setup is able to determine depth because the camera is paired with a projector that emits invisible, infrared light in a complicated speckle pattern. The camera picks up how the pattern is distorted when it hits objects. At a distance of 7 feet, it can distinguish depth differences of less than an inch, Berenson said. That's enough to decipher gestures and hand movements. At a distance of 3 feet, the resolution is finer, and facial expressions can be distinguished.

Kinect also has a microphone that picks up the location of sounds, helping the system understand its surroundings. Microsoft's software ties the components together.

Microsoft is counting on Kinect to lure people who haven't traditionally been interested in video games. The company will start selling it in the U.S. for $150 on Nov. 4 and elsewhere at around the same time.

The founders of PrimeSense all hail from Israel, which has evolved from a farming nation into a high-tech powerhouse, known for its many startups and developments in communications, software and military technology.

The company started with Aviad Maizels, who worked in research and design for Israel's military intelligence service. He was looking for a better way to interact with consumer devices, and games in particular. He teamed up with Alexander Shpunt, now the company's chief technology officer, who came up with the camera system, building on the work of others on speckle patterns for depth-sensing.

The company got started in 2005. Its goal isn't to make the gadgets. Rather the Tel Aviv-based company makes the sensor system and seeks others to embed it in products. Microsoft was the first to bite, Beracha said.

PrimeSense's technology brings to mind the 2002 movie "Minority Report," where Tom Cruise shifts documents and pictures around on a screen using a special glove. But with a depth-sensing camera, you wouldn't need a glove to do the same thing. PrimeSense has made the hardware from the film -- set in 2054 -- look obsolete.

As is often the case with new technologies, gaming provides the first toe-hold. In four or five years, Beracha believes we can see a home furnished by gesture-controlled TVs and other electronics.

He acknowledged that PrimeSense's technology may not be for every device or every consumer. Without an actual remote to tear away, parents may struggle with children refusing to turn off the TV. Some users may have a hard time completely letting go of remotes, he said.

The ultimate goal of the PrimeSense is "for humans and devices to live seamlessly side-by-side, so that we don't have to do anything special for devices to work," said Maizels, PrimeSense's president.

AP Technology Writer Peter Svensson in New York contributed to this report.

via finance.yahoo.com

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iWon News - Apple refreshes iTunes software, updates iPods

Apple refreshes iTunes software, updates iPods
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Sep 1, 8:45 PM (ET)

By JESSICA MINTZ and JORDAN ROBERTSON

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Users of Apple Inc.'s iTunes software will now be able to see what songs their friends are buying and where their favorite bands are playing next.

These social features are part of Ping, a new Apple service akin to Facebook, Twitter and other popular social networks.

People can sign up, then find friends, acquaintances and public figures to "follow." As with Facebook and Twitter, Ping will deliver a stream of updates, showing friends' iTunes purchases and other information. Ping will also generate a personalized top-10 music chart based on what friends buy or listen to.

Apple says Ping is an optional service; people can choose to keep their music purchases and other iTunes actions private.

Ping doesn't have to rival Facebook or Twitter in popularity to be a success, Forrester analyst James McQuivey said. He said Ping just needs to help Apple sell a few more songs.

The social feature is the first obvious sign that Apple is integrating technology from the music startup Lala.com, which it bought last year.

Lala also gave members a peek at what music friends were playing. And it had developed - but never introduced - an iPhone app that would have allowed users unlimited streaming of songs for 10 cents each.

Apple, however, gave no indication Wednesday that it might be working on a Lala-inspired streaming music service, which might let people access their vast iTunes music libraries remotely instead of having to download and store them individually.

Other companies are set to benefit from Ping, including Live Nation Entertainment Inc., which powers the concert listings of the new Ping music discovery tool. CEO Michael Rapino said in a statement he was "thrilled" to take part in the plan, which he said will help sell tickets through LiveNation.com and Ticketmaster.com.

At a media event in San Francisco, Jobs also showed off a line of revamped iPods. Among them was a smaller, button-free iPod Nano that people control with swipes across its touch screen.

Apple also added a front-facing video camera to the iPod Touch so that people can use it for video chats using Apple's FaceTime software, which was previously available only on the iPhone 4. The iPod Touch also got a new, sharper screen and a camera on the back for taking photos and recording video.

A new iPod Shuffle brings back buttons that Apple did away with in the most recent version.

Jobs also said Apple is updating the software that runs iPhones, the iPod Touch and the iPad. Next week, iPhone and iPod Touch users can get the free iOS 4.1, which adds the ability to upload high-definition video over Wi-Fi and improves the quality of photos taken with the devices.

The iPad, which currently runs an older version of iOS, will catch up to its siblings in November. It will get multitasking and other features Apple introduced in iOS 4, plus features such as wireless printing from the tablet. Apple had been criticized for making a powerful device but hobbling it by not including any ports for USB devices such as printers or thumb drives.

---

Mintz reported from Seattle. AP Business Writer Ryan Nakashima in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

via apnews1.iwon.com

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iPhone app to replace the stethoscope - Telegraph

iPhone app to replace the stethoscope

The iPhone could replace the stethoscope as millions of doctors across the world are signing up for a free app created by University College London.

Published: 7:45AM BST 31 Aug 2010

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iStethoscope Pro app Photo: PETER BENTLEY

Inventor of the iStethoscope Pro Peter Bentley uses the app with his iphone Photo: PETER BENTLEY

The view on the iPhone's screen of a heartbeat Photo: PETER BENTLEY

Peter Bentley invented the iStethoscope application which monitors heartbeat through sensors in the phone as just a bit of fun.

But it took off and now 500 apps are being downloaded everyday after a free version was introduced last week.

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"Everybody is very excited about the potential of the adoption of mobile phone technology into the medical workplace, and rightly so," said Bentley.

"Smartphones are incredibly powerful devices packed full of sensors, cameras, high-quality microphones with amazing displays," he said

In the furture it could be possible for people to conduct their own ultrasounds or monitor blood pressure through smartphones.

via telegraph.co.uk

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