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Apple says eight states have signed up to let people store IDs in Wallet
Arizona and Georgia are first up, with six more to follow.
Tesla found a loophole that lets it lease cars in Connecticut
Like numerous states, Connecticut has pro-dealership laws that industry groups have used to block competition from Tesla and other brands that prefer direct sales through stores. However, Tesla appears to have found a loophole. According to Electrek, Tesla told a local owner's club that it's now offering leases through its showroom in Milford. The key, the EV maker said, was to only focus on leases. While it still can't sell cars at retail in Connecticut, it is "eligible" for a leasing license.
After Math: Hello Darkness, my old friend
Well, this week lasted years. While we weren't being bludgeoned by the cantankerous Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, we were learning about how 50 million Facebook users had their accounts hacked, that Elon Musk is being sued by the SEC for his Twitter posts (the ones about privatizing Tesla, not the ones wherein he libels a rescue diver), and that Red Dead Redemption 2 will rustle the remainder of your hard drive's free space.
Two men charged with bank fraud following 'jackpotting' heist
A Connecticut court has charged two men with bank fraud after they allegedly stole thousands of dollars through ATM jackpotting. While a relatively new scheme in the US, jackpotting has been a problem in Asia, Europe and Mexico for years and involves loading up ATMs with malware and forcing them to release their cash contents. The two men are said to have dressed up as ATM technicians and accessed a Citizens Bank ATM in Cromwell, Connecticut in late January. Police found them near the ATM with tools and electronic devices believed to be required for jackpotting as well as $9,000 in $20 bills.
Two states are looking at Apple's deals with record labels
It's no secret that both Apple and music labels are less than fond of free music streaming from Spotify and other services, but are they conspiring together to hurt these services in favor of pay-only options like Apple Music? Not if you ask the attorneys general of Connecticut and New York state. Both of them have accepted a statement from Universal Music Group swearing that it isn't illegally blocking free tunes, indicating that antitrust regulators didn't find evidence of collusion between UMG, rival labels and Apple.
CT senator proposes bill to ban minors using fake guns in arcades
Connecticut State Senator Toni Harp proposed a bill in January that would ban anyone younger than 18 from playing "violent point-and-shoot" video games in arcades or other public establishments. The bill defined "violent point-and-shoot" games as any entertainment device that used the "facsimile of a firearm as an essential component of play," which would include games such as House of the Dead, Area 51 and Duck Hunt.The bill also called for research into the effects of violent video games on young minds, through a committee called the Violent Video Game Task Force within the Department of Children and Families. The task force would advise the Governor and General assembly on state programs that "may reduce the effects of violent video games on youth behavior," suggesting before the research was done that violent video games have an effect on children's actions.The bill's Statement of Purpose offered a clear position on violent video games' impact on young minds, again presented before any research began: "To prevent minors from using violent point-and-shoot video games in public arcades and to create a task force to study the effects of violent video games on youth behavior."This bill joined an influx of attention on video games in relation to real-world gun violence, following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. Senator Harp's suggestions mimicked and magnified President Obama's proposal to research violent video games and enact other forms of potential gun-violence prevention.[Thanks, Seth.]
Mass. removes violent games from turnpike rest stops
In response to a complaint and the events in Newtown, Connecticut, the state of Massachusetts has removed nine violent games from rest plazas controlled by the state. The service plazas affected were in Charlton, Ludlow, Lee and Beverly.If you're curious, the Mass. towns of Charlton, Ludlow, Lee and Beverly are 100 miles, 83 miles, 80 miles and 170 miles away from Newtown, respectively."Bottom line is I think there isn't a person who doesn't believe that there isn't too much violence in our society, and games can glorify that," Mass. Transportation Secretary Richard Davey told The Boston Globe. "A video game in a public space could be used by anybody of any age."Meanwhile, Mayor Robert Dolan of Melrose, Mass. (158 miles), is starting an initiative to persuade families to dispose of their violent video games, movies and toys by offering deals at local businesses and maybe even "get out of homework free" coupons.Representatives from the games industry met with Vice President Joe Biden today to discuss the role of violent video games in regards to gun violence.
Apple Store security plan irks merchants, locals
Apple has a gorgeous retail store in the swanky community of Greenwich Connecticut. The beautiful facade and lovely arched windows may soon be adorned with a security gate and this addition is causing a stir in the small, upper-class community. Apple is installing the gate after a theft last year resulted in the loss of thousands of dollars in computers, phones and tablets. While Apple may be happy with the gate, its neighbors are not. Some elected city officials and nearby merchants are criticizing the nighttime security measure. Naysayers claim the gate is "ugly", "unsightly" and gives the impression the retail district is not safe. One even says it will make the area look like Lebanon. Regardless of what others think, Town Planner Diane Fox says her office has no control over interior modifications like the one Apple is planning. [Via ifoAppleStore]
Sony's failure to report data breach incurs CT Senator Blumenthal's wrath
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal is "demanding answers" about why Sony Computer Entertainment of America failed to inform customers of the data breach of the PlayStation Network on April 20. "When a data breach occurs, it is essential that customers be immediately notified about whether and to what extent their personal and financial information has been compromised," Blumenthal said in a release. "Compounding this concern is the troubling lack of notification from Sony about the nature of the data breach." Of course, Sony just issued a statement that it says will be emailed to "all of our registered account holders" but, as we noted in our post, it's been nearly six days since the "intrusion" first took place. Blumenthal elaborated, "Although the breach occurred nearly a week ago, Sony has not notified customers of the intrusion, or provided information that is vital to allowing individuals to protect themselves from identity theft, such as informing users whether their personal or financial information may have been compromised." Sen. Blumenthal also sent a letter to SCEA President and CEO Jack Tretton, which can be found after the break.
Greenwich, Conn., Apple Store closed temporarily due to flooding
A mishap at a Greenwich, Conn., Apple Store resulted in the activation of the sprinkler system and significant water damage to the building. A cleaning crew working Tuesday night accidentally dislodged a sprinkler head, which activated the sprinkler system and fire alarm. Within minutes, the city's fire department responded to the call, but the main floor and two sub-basements were already flooded. The store was closed and initially determined to be unfit for occupancy due to possible damage to the electrical wiring in the building. The building was deemed safe by Greenwich building inspectors on Wednesday, but remains closed indefinitely while Apple begins the arduous cleanup process. Store employees would not comment on the loss of electronic equipment from the flooding, but it is expected to be extensive. This is not the first mishap for the beleaguered store, which opened in 2009. The Greenwich store made headlines in December 2010 when a break-in resulted in the loss of hardware estimated to be worth more than $10,000.
Five men rob Apple Store in Greenwich, CT
Apple Store burglars have struck again, this time in Greenwich, Connecticut. Police say that at least five suspects, seen in the surveillance photo to the right, broke through the front door and helped themselves to a whole bunch of Apple products valued in the tens of thousands of dollars. The store obviously had security cameras in place to record the break-in when it happened, but I wonder if any employees also got to watch the robbery in real-time, like this guy who watched on his iPhone as thieves robbed his house. So if you happen to live near Greenwich and receive an Apple product as a holiday present without a gift receipt, you may want to inquire as to where the generous gift-giver was on the morning of December 14. Most of these Apple Store robberies actually turn out well for the stores, since the police usually do a nice job finding the crooks. We'll have to see if the cops in Greenwich are able to catch the parties responsible here and recover any of the stolen merchandise.
Chevrolet bringing 10,000 Volts in 2011, but it's the current of change that will kill you
Good news for all electric heads out there: "intense interest" in the Chevy Volt has led General Motors to expand its launch markets to now include Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. They join California, Michigan and Washington DC, although only Austin in Texas and New York City will have the honor of retail Volts before 2010 is through; the rest of the new markets will get their fill in 2011. Though Chevy still hasn't set down a final date and price for its electric car, late 2010 availability seems to mesh well with a November 1 rumor we heard earlier. Beyond this year, 10,000 units are planned to be built in 2011, with 30,000 more coming up in 2012. So it's gonna be a pretty exclusive club however you look at it, now can we get a cheesy music video going for this car or what? Oh wait...
Dateline NYC: Desperately seeking iPad
What's harder to find than a cheap apartment in Manhattan or a table at Per Se? According to Silicon Alley Insider, it's the iPad. The great slate will make you wait; it may be magical and/or revolutionary but it isn't to be found anywhere in the tri-state area (that's New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, in this particular case). Combine the in-store shortages with a 7-10 day delivery lag on online orders, and you can see why this is either really good news ("Apple is selling iPads as fast as it can make them!") or really bad news ("Apple can't make enough iPads, something is wrong with the production process!"). How you see the current crunch largely depends on whether you are an iGlass half-full or half-empty kind of person. Have you been searching in vain for your iPad? Let us know in the comments.
Apple to open 2 New England stores this weekend
Attention, New Englanders: Nashua, New Hampshire and Greenwich, Connecticut will host new Apple Stores as of this weekend. Apple Store Pheasant Lane will open at 310 Daniel Webster Highway in Nashua. You'll find it on the 1st floor of the Pheasant Lane Mall near the Food Court. Doors open at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 21st. The weather will be in the 50's so you needn't bundle up too tightly. You'll find full travel information here. At the same time (10:00 AM on the 21st), Apple Store Greenwich Avenue will open in Greenwich, CT. This store is located at 356 Greenwich Avenue. Again, the weather will be nice. We're always happy to see your photos and hear your stories from Apple Store openings, so let us know how it went. Here's hoping a little shopping therapy will erase last week's Patriots loss from your memories. [Via MacDailyNews]
AT&T also has a grudge against Cablevision
Looks like Verizon's not the only one to have beef with Cablevision's treatment of its MSG HD channels, now that AT&T has also petitioned the FCC to compel the cabler to sell the high definition feeds to its competitors. AT&T cites stats showing high definition is a big deal for consumers, with 45% saying they'd switch providers for a superior sports package, claiming it can't compete in Connecticut without the networks. Just as before, Cablevision claims it can do as it likes, that it already sells them every single game (in SD format) and that AT&T is a bigger company that doesn't need a bailout. We've had plenty of summertimes squabbles about who was and wasn't playing by the rules that ended with one side claiming they'd take their ball and go home, but we usually didn't bring the FCC in to settle it. The FCC is still on a five month clock to consider the complaints and the "terrestrial loophole," 'til it responds we can't guess how this one will end.
Comcast plans HD additions for Connecticut markets
Comcast has been on fire of late, adding in high-def stations in more markets than we care to count. The next dot on its warpath is Connecticut, and starting today, it's planning a whole heap of HD channels for a variety of areas. In Middletown, viewers will see CNN HD (196), SciFi HD (217) and AMC HD (222) added within the next 24 hours, while Bravo HD (243), CNBC HD (244), Hallmark Movie Channel HD (252), QVC HD (281), E! HD (284) and Cartoon Network HD (287) will land in Hartford on Wednesday. Plainville, Vernon, New Haven, Norwich and Old Lyme all have HD newcomers of their own to deal with soon, so hop on past the break for the full list.[Thanks, Erik]
AT&T celebrates a year of U-verse in Connecticut
Huzzah! AT&T has made it a full twelve months in the great state of Connecticut, and it's out to make sure you recognize that fact. Since being granted a certificate of video franchise authority around this time last year, the provider has strung its U-verse services to "approximately half of the municipalities" in the Constitution State. Just recently, it also brought along Total Home DVR to the customers here, and while it vows to continually expand its services in due time, there's no birthday mention of new communities getting any fiber-based presents. Talk about a lame party.
Two LIN TV stations to trial Backchannelmedia's TV-to-Internet ad platform
While LIN TV and Time Warner Cable remain embroiled in all sorts of disagreements, two of the company's stations in the Hartford-New Haven, Connecticut area are gearing up to trial Backchannelmedia's TV-to-Internet click through technology. If you'll recall, we first heard of this worrisome interactive advertising platform back in May when MGM Grand at Foxwoods signed on. Now, WTNH (ABC) and WCTX (MyNetworkTV) have also agreed to participate in the company's market trial, which is set to start next month. In essence, it will give viewers the ability to click on "non-intrusive icons at the bottom of the their TV screen" in order to bookmark offers for online viewing; obviously, all of the response data is forwarded on for use in soliciting more cash from advertisers. Why does the idea of having to engage with ads sound so dreadful from here?
AT&T slings Total Home DVR to Connecticut
Houston and San Diego -- hope you enjoyed your time at the top, as Connecticut has swooped in and stolen away the limelight. As of now, CT-based U-verse customers can take advantage of all the niceties that come with Total Home DVR. At this rate, we'd suspect that AT&T will have its entire US footprint covered with the software before the year's end, but we wouldn't recommend holding your breath or anything.[Thanks, Anthony]
Comcast unloads 5 new HD stations in Danbury, CT
For high-def lovers in Danbury, Connecticut, chances are that you've already witnessed the addition of five new HD channels in your EPG. If you're frantically shouting "No, I didn't!" this very moment, take a chill pill and have a read. According to a local Comcast subscriber, Science HD, AMC HD, ABC Family HD, Disney HD and TLC HD were just added in, giving you -- as our eloquently speaking tipster put it -- "another reason to not go to work today." That's the spirit![Thanks, meskinct]
