The Next Samsung Galaxy S, Galaxy Note, And Refurbished Apple Products

Of all the smartphones Samsung makes during the year, two usually end up being the most popular: the latest version of its flagship Galaxy S phone, and its newest giant Galaxy Note device, writes Business Insider.

In Korea, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the related S6 Edge have already shipped more than 10 million units already, according to the Korea Herald and cnet.com.

A prototype of the Note 5 phone is expected to be finished by June, according to WhoWiredKorea, and the company is expected to show it off to carrier partners before the end of July.

The Galaxy Note 4 is currently the biggest competitor to Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus. However, while Apple has been selling boatloads of iPhones, Samsung has been struggling a bit.  It’s relying on a new phone like the Note 5 to give consumers a reason to choose its Galaxy phones over the iPhone.

It’s too soon to know exactly what to expect from  the Note 5, but blog Sam Mobile, which has an excellent track record when it comes to reporting on unreleased Samsung gadgets, claims to have some insider information. Samsung is reportedly developing a new version of its curved Note smartphone, too, which would be a successor to the Galaxy Note Edge.

The phone is reportedly being called “Project Zen” internally, and it might have different hardware than the standard Galaxy Note 5. This would be a different step for Samsung, considering the Galaxy Note Edge is essentially a clone of the Galaxy Note 4, but with a curved screen.

Samsung usually waits until the August/September timeframe to release its large-sized Galaxy Note phones, but this year the company will reportedly make the big announcement in July, according to a recent Korean news report.

Samsung is expected to move its announcement up in an effort to undercut Apple, which is rumored to unveil a successor to the iPhone 6 Plus in September, writes Business Insider.

In other news, Apple today added several iPad Air 2 models to its online store for refurbished products, marking the first time refurbished versions of the iPad Air 2 have been made available for purchase, according to macrumors.com.

(Updated article)

http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-note-5-release-date-specs-rumors-2015-5#ixzz3adwiEM2w

‘Ludicrous’ Red Tape Delaying New Zealand Earthquake Rebuild

Developers in Christchurch, New Zealand say that “ludicrous” rules are delaying the city’s rebuild from an earthquake that happened in February  of 2011.

Building owner Richard Peebles said the Christchurch City Council consenting department had become more efficient but was still asking “ridiculous” questions.  He said the consenting process for construction was “bananas.”

“The red tape is just f…… unbelievable.”

His Kilmore St/Cambridge Tce building was in its fifth month in the consenting process, Peebles said.

The council asked him how he planned to clean the building’s windows.

“I went back and said ‘warm water and a soapy cloth’. I’ve never known that to be part of your consent process.”

He blamed legislation, rather than the council.

For another building, the council had asked him to move a disabled toilet 20 millimeters because it would fail compliance otherwise.

Requests like these were “delaying the rebuild”, Peebles said.

“We were asked to show one of our car parks would be able to hold a fire engine. We had to prove a truck would not fall through the seal.”

Developer Antony Gough said the consenting process seemed “ludicrous” at times and made life difficult for developers.

Part of his central city development The Terrace failed council inspection because fire exits were not the required eight meters (roughly 25ft) apart.

The council agreed on a second fire escape that could be accessed though “a maze of corridors”.

“The solution was technically right but did not make any sense on a practical level,” he said.

Council inspectors were being “pedantic” and their overly cautious approach slowed down the rebuild, Gough said.

Not everyone had a problem with delays.  Developer Nick Hunt said he had no complaints.  Hunt is developing a retail and office complex.

Council inspectors had been “pretty good up until now,” said Hunt, and he had had no consenting issues.

More:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/66949677/When-will-Christchurch-police-station-implode

(Updated article)

Drastic Bill To Give Oklahoma Governor Huge New Powers For Appointments

Oklahoma’s governor Mary Fallin would have broad new powers to appoint the directors of ten different state entities under a bill narrowly passed by a Senate committee, states KGOU.org.

The Senate General Government Committee voted 5-4 earlier this month for the Senate bill 829, written by Broken Arrow Republican Sen. Nathan Dahm, states enidnews.com.  This happened despite concerns it gives the governor too much power.

Dahm says he expects the bill to be rewritten.

The bill calls for firing the directors of ten different state agencies effective Jan. 1st next year and allows the governor to name their replacement.

Gov. Mary Fallin’s spokesman Alex Weintz says his office did not request the bill, but does support its intent.

The proposed legislation includes firings for the following directors:

• The Executive Director appointed by the Oklahoma State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners;
• The Executive Director appointed by the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry;
• The Executive Director appointed by the State Board of Pharmacy;
• The Executive Director appointed by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision;
• The Executive Director appointed by the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners;
•  The Executive Director appointed by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners;
• The Chief Operating Officer appointed by the Board of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority;
• The Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services appointed by the Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services;
• The Commissioner of Health appointed by the State Board of Health; and
• The Executive Director appointed by the Office of Juvenile Affairs.

(Updated post)

Is Loretta Lynch Tough Enough On The Big Banks?

Sam Seder / Ring of Fire

On Thursday, September 25th, 2014, the U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced that he would be leaving his office as soon as a replacement could be found.

According to Ring of Fire Radio, the Obama administration has turned to a corporate attorney who has plenty of experience representing Wall Street – rather than an attorney that spent her career fighting for average citizens.

Liberals have remained almost silent about Obama’s nominee Loretta Lynch and her record on going after the big banks.

Farron Cousins and attorney David Hersh talk about why people need to be very wary of Lynch’s nomination.

Kim Jong Un Sports New Haircut