More than 33 years after the popular American TV show Knight Rider showed David ‘The Hoff’ Hasselhoff talking to his car KITT, Volvo and Microsoft are launching a wearable-enabled voice control system.
Volvo owners will be able to talk to their car via their Microsoft Band 2, allowing them to instruct their vehicle to perform tasks including, setting the navigation, starting the heater, locking the doors, flashing the lights or sounding the horn via Volvo’s mobile app Volvo on Call and the connected wearable device.
In November 2015 Volvo and Microsoft announced their high-profile collaboration with the first automotive application of HoloLens technology. HoloLens is the world’s first fully untethered holographic computer, which could be used in future to redefine how customers first encounter, explore and even buy car. Now the two companies are delivering remote voice control for Volvo cars via the Microsoft Band 2 as another proof-point in their ambition to jointly develop next generation automotive technologies.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7717752-volvo-cars-microsoft-enable-people-to-talk/
China-based smartphone manufacturer Vargo Technology and CEO, Fu Zhaowei, were featured in Times Square on December 21, 2015. The video clip drew the attention of passers-by, generating interest in Fu’s dedication to product detail and his ideas concerning security.
The excellent craftsmanship and seamless operating system left an impression on passers-by who trialed the application on site. The closed-loop design uses a safe communications system.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7724951-vargo-smartphone-security/
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today launched a global thought leadership platform to help frame and stimulate regional and global debate on vital development issues shaping the Middle East.
The “Middle East Exchange” will commission original articles from international experts including Nobel laureates, heads of state, academics and intellectuals. New articles will be published weekly in newspapers globally on a wide range of topics relevant to the region, from health and education to development and innovation.
UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs His Excellency Mohammed Al Gergawi discussed the project at a meeting with Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in Abu Dhabi on December 6. Speaking after the meeting, H.E. Al Gergawi said:
“The Middle East has spent too long in the global spotlight as a source of conflict and trouble. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision is for innovative and tangible solutions that benefit people’s lives on the ground. There is a huge appetite for practical ideas. The Middle East Exchange will be the number one global platform for positive voices and ideas for the Middle East.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7719851-mohammed-al-maktoum-global-initiatives/
Did you know central Wisconsin is the ideal place to cultivate ginseng, an herb prized by Chinese and other Asian cultures for its health benefits? Neither did first-generation immigrant Paul Hsu. After he figured it out, he founded Hsu Ginseng Enterprises, which continually sets the standards for quality and purity as the global leader in the ginseng industry.
Meanwhile, Paul’s son, Will, grew up and went on to college. He earned his degree in finance at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Business with additional majors in Chinese language and East Asian studies. After graduation, Will accepted a position at General Mills, where he worked for more than a decade. During that time, the company sponsored his MBA at Harvard Business School.
Two seemingly divergent paths for father and son, but a question kept persisting for Will that kept those two paths from completely separating: “Are you going to take over the family business?”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/74221515-northwestern-mutual-hsu-ginseng-enterprises/
This Saturday, Dec. 12 marks what would have been the 100th birthday of legendary performer Frank Sinatra. While it has been several decades since the man with the unmistakable blue eyes commanded the stage at iconic venues up and down the Las Vegas Strip, it is undeniable that his presence and impact are still felt.
The momentous centennial celebration brought many of those who knew Sinatra best back to Las Vegas, his home away from home, including his youngest daughter, Tina Sinatra, and granddaughter, Amanda Erlinger. The pair spoke on a variety of Sinatra’s brightest Las Vegas performances, his favorite Las Vegas hot spots and how Sinatra would perceive the transformation of the glittering Strip into the Las Vegas of today.
“Any trip to Las Vegas with my dad was always great, always eventful,” shared Tina Sinatra, smiling over memories from her childhood visits to Las Vegas to watch her father perform. “He was born to play Las Vegas; some say he made Las Vegas.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7266356-las-vegas-frank-sinatra-birthday/
I've had the idea for this song since the day of the terrorist attacks in Paris but I couldn't find the time to actually work on it until recently as I've limited my amount of video watching here temporarily on Youtube. It was the only way for me to get this done. I wanted to have this song and video uploaded well before Christmas and so I had to rush this composition more so than with any other previous song I've ever written. I haven't even tested it out in my friend's car to hear it through his stereo as my main concern is always in the vocal quality here. The instrumental sections were very complex and I was making up those parts as I was going and they all seem to be fine as far as composition goes. I wish to especially thank Bethany Ann Meyer who gave me that little extra incentive that I needed to get this song finished. She's a gifted singer and a real sweetheart. You can check out her channel "Melody Meyer" at this link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM3Dtw0qXSE6cWavTq2UyTA/videos
LYRICS: Live in peace. Share the Land. All good brothers, take my hand.
Come good shepherd, heed my call. Peace on Earth, Goodwill to all.
Star above. Star so bright. Guard us safely through the night.
Father's love. Brother's hand, guiding peace throughout this land.
Today, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) issued a report card on President Obama's immigration efforts over the past seven years and made recommendations for how to reform immigration in his last year.
“In recent days and weeks he has shown leadership in protecting refugees from Syria,” said AILA President Victor Nieblas Pradis. “But until recently, the president's response was timid and he still plans to resettle only 10,000 Syrian refugees this year. He can save many more lives by setting his target at 100,000 Syrian refugees.”
“In our own hemisphere, when Central American individuals and families, including young children, arrived at our southern border seeking refuge from the horrific violence plaguing those countries, the president should have protected them, but instead, he treated them as a border threat. The president should acknowledge that the situation in Central America is a humanitarian crisis and use every tool at his disposal to protect those fleeing. Most important he should stop detaining thousands of families.”
“The reforms to the legal immigration system he promised a year ago have moved forward at a glacial pace, earning him an incomplete. He can benefit the economy enormously by implementing plans to encourage research, development and entrepreneurial start-ups.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7683151-aila-national-immigration-report-card/
To mark the one-year anniversary of the most popular Tiny Desk Concert ever and the 10th anniversary of his debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, we hosted T-Pain at our Washington, D.C. headquarters. The inimitable Floridian performed a short set of classics, both his own and others', and brand new, never before heard song from his forthcoming album, Stoicville: The Phoenix.
Follow @NPRandB and @NPRHipHop.
Director: Mito Habe-Evans; Producer: Frannie Kelly; Videographers: Colin Marshall, Julia Reihs, Cameron Robert, Morgan Walker; Audio Engineers: Andy Huether, Josh Rogosin, Neil Tevault; Special Thanks: Chris Berry, Saidah Blount, Bobby Carter, Kate Drozynski, Kiana Fitzgerald, Savoy Jefferson, Cedric Shine, Justin Winn; Executive Producer: Anya Grundmann
Extended Stay America – one of the largest owner operated hotel chains in the U.S., announced an exclusive partnership with The Noerr Programs, the premier provider of authentic Santa Experiences to nearly 300 of America’s top shopping centers. Extended Stay America hotels was hand-selected by The Noerr Programs and Santa Claus himself, for its comfort and home-like conveniences, and named “Santa’s Official Hotel,” while he travels away from the North Pole in his seasonal tradition of listening to children’s holiday dreams and wishes this season.
“We’re excited to partner with The Noerr Programs and Santa Claus, to help light up the holiday for travelers,” said Chief Marketing Officer, Tom Seddon. “Santa has been staying with us for years. As an iconic symbol of kindness and generosity, we believe Santa is perfectly aligned with our brand’s personality and the spirit you’ll find in our associates. During the holidays it is easy for travelers to get caught in the frenzy of the season and often times become stressed with balancing it all. Our Extended Stay America family, with a little magical help from Santa, looks to help ease holiday woes through the best way we know how -- extending the creature comforts of home so that guests can focus on enjoying time with loved ones and creating lasting memories.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7617751-extended-stay-santa-s-official-hotel/
The National Limousine Association (NLA) and When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation (WGS) join forces on The Aspire Initiative, a domestic violence program, which aims to reduce the level of intimate relationship violence in the US and instill the importance of bystander responsibility. With an escalating number of passenger assaults alleged against ride-hailing app drivers, the NLA believes Aspire is vital to ending violence and sexual assault. Robin McGraw announced the partnership in a video message posted to her Foundation’s Facebook timeline on Friday, November 20th. The message was then shared by Robin’s husband and television personality Dr. Phil McGraw to his show’s Facebook page timeline on Monday, November 23rd.
The Aspire Initiative is available free of charge and includes a potentially-lifesaving smartphone app, Aspire News, a smartphone app available as a free download on Google Play, as well as at www.whengeorgiasmiled.org, that allows the user to create a pre-written text or voice message to be sent to designated numbers (i.e., 911 or other chosen contacts) with just the tap of a button. The ignition of the app‘s “go button” also starts a recording to capture the details of the domestic violence encounter and/or other dangerous events taking place. Aspire News is designed to appear like any other smart phone app to the untrained eye, allowing it to be downloaded and used discreetly.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7430253-nla-wgs-the-aspire-initiative/
Global internet sensation Joseph Griffin made his triumphant return to Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 19, to properly capture the sights and sounds of the iconic Las Vegas Strip. This time, he filmed a few familiar places from his original ‘selfie’ video paired with additional only in Vegas experiences.
Griffin garnered the attention of more than 7 million YouTube views with his GoPro goof – as he documented his very first trip to Las Vegas with the camera pointed directly at his face in selfie mode. This time, Las Vegas created a double-sided GoPro for Griffin to capture the imagery while simultaneously providing his colorful commentary.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7266355-lvcva-las-vegas-redo/
Though Quanzhou was once the greatest port in the world, it is now relatively unknown to the international traveler. Perhaps that was one reason Bill Brown, MBA Professor at Xiamen University, was advised to write a book on the city, and not just by anyone.
Brown and his family moved to Fujian, southern China in the 1980s and, finding China very different from how he expected, he started writing about the fascinating region.
Then there was a meeting with Xi Jinping, then governor of the province.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7696651-bon-cp-china-mystic-quanzhou/