Current Events in January 2014

A new report from the Government Accountability Office finds that several major automakers and GPS manufacturers collect information about your location from on-board navigation systems.

In some cases, they also retain the information for at least a little while and sometimes share it with third parties.

According to the report, the companies can 'track where consumers are, which can in turn be used to steal their identity, stalk them or monitor them without their knowledge. In addition, location data can be used to infer other sensitive information about individuals such as their religious affiliation or political activities.'

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) requested the investigation and said the findings demonstrate that while companies providing in-car location services have taken concrete steps to protect their customers' privacy, more work needs to be done.

"Modern technology now allows drivers to get turn-by-turn directions in a matter of seconds, but our privacy laws haven't kept pace with these enormous advances," Franken said. "Companies providing in-car location services are taking their customers' privacy seriously — but this report shows that Minnesotans and people across the country need much more information about how the data are being collected, what they're being used for, and how they're being shared with third parties."

"Just common sense"

Franken said the report also underscores the need for him to reintroduce and pass a location privacy bill that made it through committee in 2012 but didn't achieve final Senate passage.

"It's just common sense that all companies should get their customers' clear permission before they collect or share their location information," Franken said in a prepared statement.

The report evaluated privacy protections provided by in-car navigations systems (e.g. OnStar), portable navigation devices (e.g. TomToms and Garmins), and mapping apps (e.g. Google Maps).

Ultimately, GAO found that while companies take various positive steps to protect the location information of drivers, they need to be more forthcoming to consumers about the data they collect, how they use them, and if and why they share them with third parties.

Sen. Franken originally requested the report after he convened a hearing on protecting mobile privacy in May 2011, during which experts testified about the benefits and dangers of using location data. That September, Sen. Franken successfully pressed OnStar to reverse a privacy policy change that would have allowed that company to continue tracking former subscribers even after they discontinued OnStar services. 

Franken,  Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, has made technology and privacy a key concern. He has pushed several companies on the privacy implications of new technologies.

In September, he raised privacy questions about Apple's new iPhone fingerprint technology and also pressed Facebook to reconsider the potential expansion of its facial recognition program. After Facebook proceeded with the expansion anyway, Franken successfully pressed the Department of Commerce to convene privacy advocates and industry stakeholders to examine the privacy implications of facial recognition technology.

According to the report, even if a motorist wants data about their travel destroyed, the entity collecting the data isn't required to destroy it. 

AAA urges caution

AAA said the repoprt demonstrates the need for companies to protect consumer rights through the principles of transparency, access, control, choice and security.

“Connected cars can dramatically improve the driving experience, but companies must be responsible in their use of consumer information,” said Bob Darbelnet, President and CEO of AAA. “The data that today can be routinely collected by cars includes some of the most sensitive data that can be collected about a person, including information about their precise location and driving habits.”

“Companies have an obligation to protect consumer rights when offering connected car services,” said Darbelnet. “It is a positive sign that automakers have taken initial steps to address the privacy and security of location data, but more must be done to reduce potential risks faced by consumers.”

If you were trying to decide what kind of smartphone to buy based on what other consumers are using, your choice would be a tough one. The race between the Apple and Android operating systems remains tight, according to the latest data from comScore, a market data firm.

Apple was still the number one smartphone manurfacturer in the November survey but Android remains the more popular operating system. The survey gave Apple's iPhone a 41.2% market share among individual devices. Google's Android system, however, continued its overall dominate with 51.9% of mobile devices in use employing its operating system.

Considering the fact that the smartphone explosion didn't really start until Apple introduce its first iPhone in mid 2007, the market penetration has been remarkable. By comScore's count, 152.5 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones during the three months ending in November, up three percent since August.

iPhone still #1

The iPhone is by far the most popular mobile device. Samsung's multitude of smartphone models cumulatively comprise just 26% of the market, coming in second to Apple's 41.2%. According to the comScore data, both Apple and Samsung improved their market share, to the detriment of their other competitors.

Motorola saw its share of the market dip from 6.9% to 6.7%. LG's market share fell from 6.7% to 6.5%. But HTC was the biggest loser, with its share of the smartphone market dropping from 7.4% to 6.4%.

If you are shopping for a new smartphone all of these companies have relatively recent products vying for your attention.

Latest phones

If you want an iPhone, the latest model available is the iPhone 5S, an upgrade of its iPhone 5. It debuted last September with some nice features, but CNET's review said it is not “a required upgrade,” meaning if you continue to use the older iPhone 5 you aren't missing a lot. It still features a four-inch screen with the tech website said “looks tiny next to its Android competitors.” 

Samsung is known for a more rapid product cycle and turns out models with different features and price points. While the flagship Galaxy S4 has a large screen, some users might find it a bit too large. In late 2013 Samsung introduced the Galaxy S4 Mini. It has most of the same features of its big brother but in a smaller package, with a 4.3 inch screen. However, not all reviewers were wowed. 

Motorola's flagship smartphone is the Moto X. The company is trying to find its niche among budget-conscious consumers who don't want to pay $600 for a phone that they'll probably replace in two years.

CES debut

LG is using this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to roll out its latest smartphone offering, the LG G Flex. One of the things setting this device apart is its curved design, which the company says will provide a better user experience.

This device has a six-inch HD, curved OLED display, along with a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera. It will run on Google's Android 4.2.2 mobile operating system. It will be available in the first quarter at AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint.

HTC's flagship phone is the HTC One, introduced in the summer of 2013. While the phone has won positive reviews for its design, powerful processor and stunning 1080p screen, the company's smartphone sales have lagged competitors.

This week the Taiwan-based electronics firm delivered worse than expected earnings. Once dominant in the industry, HTC has lost nearly three-quarters of its market share in just the last two years.

Back in the day, people might try to bum a cigarette off you, which was basically no big deal. But with today's electronic cigarettes, it's a different story.

While some e-cigs are disposable, the high-end models can get fairly pricey, so it's something you want to nail down if at all possible.

Vapor Corp. introduced its solution to the problem at the Consumer Electronics Show yesterday -- the Vapor X personalized vaporizer.

The Vapor X, with patent-pending fingerprint lock technology, will incorporate biometric technologies to keep the device locked and turned off unless the authorized user is present.

When first purchased, Vapor X will require an authorized user to be assigned through a fingerprint scan. Once assigned, that user is the only person who can activate the device and start vaping away. This will not only protect against minors being able to turn on the device, but it will render the device useless in the case of theft.

"Much like the fitness mobile app technology we have seen gain recent popularity, vaporizer users will soon be able to download their 'vaping' statistics through a corresponding mobile application in order to track exactly how often they use the device," said Kevin Frija, CEO of Vapor Corp.

If you're trying to lose weight, you already know that healthy a healthy, low-fat, low-calorie lunch is a good start -- but it's what happens after lunch, namely snacking, that often caues problems.

Some potentially helpful advice comes from a studypublished in the November issue of Nutrition Journal. It found that adding half of a fresh avocado to lunch may have helped healthy, overweight people feel more satisfied and reduced their desire to eat following a meal. 

The study compared the effects of incorporating a fresh avocado into a lunch — either by replacing other foods or by simply adding it to the meal —  to the effects of eating a standard lunch to determine how avocado consumption would influence satiety, blood sugar and insulin response and subsequent food intake. The subjects were 26 healthy, overweight adults.

Researchers found that participants who added half of a fresh avocado to their lunch reported a significantly decreased desire to eat by 40 percent over a three-hour period, and by 28 percent over a five-hour period after the meal, compared to their desire to eat after a standard lunch without avocado. In addition, they reported increased feelings of satisfaction by 26 percent over the three hours following the meal.

"Satiety is an important factor in weight management, because people who feel satisfied are less likely to snack between meals," said Joan Sabaté, MD, DrPH, Chair of the Department of Nutrition who led the research team at Loma Linda University. "We also noted that though adding avocados increased participants' calorie and carbohydrate intake at lunch, there was no increase in blood sugar levels beyond what was observed after eating the standard lunch. This leads us to believe that avocados potential role in blood sugar management is worth further investigation."

While the findings were generally positive, more research is needed to determine whether the conclusions drawn from this study can be applied to the general public. However, the results do provide promising clues and a basis for future research to determine avocados' effect on satiety, glucose and insulin response.

"These research findings provide support for the emerging benefits of avocados," said Nikki Ford, PhD, Director of Nutrition at the Hass Avocado Board (HAB). "These results further complement our research efforts in weight management and diabetes as well as our continued work to explore the many benefits that fresh avocados have to offer when consumed in everyday healthy eating plans."

The study was funded by the Hass Avocado Board.

More consumers were shopping for mortgages as 2014 got underway.

Data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey show applications were up 2.6% during the week ending January 3.

The most recent numbers include an adjustment to account for the New Year’s Day holiday, while the previous week’s results were adjusted for the Christmas holiday.

The Refinance Index jumped 5%, recouping some of the 9% loss registered the previous week. Overall, the refinance share of mortgage activity was unchanged at 63% of total applications, while the adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity remained at 8% of total applications.

Contract interest rates

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages (FRM) with conforming loan balances ($417,000 or less) was unchanged at 4.72%, with points unchanged at 0.28 (including the origination fee) for 80% loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans. The effective rate increased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year FRMs with jumbo loan balances (greater than $417,000) held steady at 4.66%, with points decreasing to 0.12 from 0.27 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year FRMs backed by the FHA rose to 4.36% from 4.35%, with points unchanged at 0.15 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 15-year FRMs was up 4 basis points, from 3.73% to 3.77%, with points decreasing to 0.34 from 0.40 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 5/1 ARMs rose 2 basis points to 3.33%, with points decreasing to 0.44 from 0.46 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.  

As part of a campaign to educate the public about the new protections provided by its new mortgage rules, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has released new materials that include sample letters that consumers can send to their mortgage servicers.

“Taking out a mortgage to buy a home is one of the biggest decisions a consumer can make,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. “We want to make sure that people are aware of their new protections so they have the knowledge to make sound decisions about their financial futures.”

Prospects for payback

The CFPB’s mortgage rules protect consumers by requiring that mortgage lenders evaluate whether borrowers can afford to pay back the mortgage before signing them up. They also establish new, strong protections for struggling homeowners, including those facing foreclosure. Under the rules, mortgage borrowers will be protected from costly surprises and runarounds by their servicers.

New resources

The bureau is working with industry, housing counselors, and consumer groups to promote a smooth implementation of these rules. Educational materials the CFPB has released include:

Sample letters: Consumers can use these samples to find solutions to various problems with their mortgage servicers. The sample letters address such topics as:

• Requesting that a servicer correct errors: Consumers should use this letter template if they think their servicer has made an error. The instructions for the template describe what information to include in a letter to a servicer, how to identify the error, and include other tips. The template also tells consumers what to expect from the servicer and provides a general idea of the timeline of events once the letter is sent.
• Requesting information from a servicer  : Consumers should use this letter template if they need information from their mortgage servicer. The instructions for the template describe what information to include in a letter to a servicer, examples of information requests, and include other tips. The template also tells consumers what to expect from the servicer and provides a general idea of the timeline of events once the letter is sent.

Mortgage tips: The CFPB is providing a number of different tips on new rights under the new rules for homebuyers and homeowners at every stage of the mortgage process -- from taking out a loan to paying it back. The tips also include recommendations for troubled borrowers facing foreclosure.

Answers to consumer questions: The Bureau provides answers to mortgage-related questions through AskCFPB, an interactive online tool designed to answer consumers’ most frequently asked questions in plain language.

Consumer tools: The Bureau’s website offers a tool to help consumers find local housing counseling agencies to answer their questions or address their concerns. Consumers that have an issue with consumer financial products or services, such as a mortgage, can also submit a complaint.

Factsheets on the rules: The CFPB offers a factsheet with an overview of the new consumer protections in the Bureau’s mortgage rules. The CFPB also offers a summary of the new procedures to facilitate borrowers’ access to foreclosure avoidance options.

The new mortgage rules go into effect January 10.

In light of the old joke “You're not paranoid if everyone really is out to get you,” we offer the following joke corollary: “Therefore it's not possible to be paranoid on the Internet, where everyone really is out to get you.”

More frightening is the following non-joke observation: “It's not paranoia to think using Google might be all it takes to get in trouble with the law.”

Last month we told you about the former federal contractor suing various federal officials on the grounds that they unfairly deemed him a national-security risk due to autocomplete results on a Google search:

“In October of 2009, Kantor used the search engine Google to try to find, 'How do I build a radio-controlled airplane …. He ran this search a couple weeks before the birthday of his son with the thought of building one together as a birthday present. After typing, 'how do I build a radio controlled', Google auto-completed his search to, 'how do I build a radio controlled bomb.'"

But if Google+ user Thomas Gagnon's complaints are accurate, what happened to him was even worse. On Dec. 21, the Salem News in Massachusetts reported that Gagnon was arrested for violating a restraining order his ex-girlfriend had taken out against him — specifically, by sending her an invitation to join one of his “circles” on Google+.

But Gagnon's attorney claims that Google+ sent the invitation automatically, without Gagnon's approval.

Numbers inflated?

The story came to national attention on Jan. 8 when tech writer Austin Carr wrote about it for Fast Company; Carr also discussed various ways Google is alleged to have been inflating the number of Google+ users – or at least inflating the number of people who have a Google+ account, regardless of whether they ever do anything with it.

Since last November, for example, anyone wishing to comment on YouTube can only do so through a Google+ account. Even worse (and potentially more relevant to Gagnon's case) are claims that Google connects Gmail accounts with Google+ circles, to the point where “by default, when someone joins Google+ and that person is in your Gmail contacts, Google will automatically send you a notification, along with an invitation suggesting that you "add him [or her] to your Circles to stay connected."

Of course, it's also possible that Gagnon actually did violate the terms of his restraining order, by deliberately sending a Google+ invite to his ex, and is now blaming Google in hope of wriggling off the hook. Thus far, Google has not released any records or responded to any media requests for comment, regarding exactly how that invitation came to be sent.

Another 238,000 jobs were created by the U.S. economy from November to December, according to the latest ADP National Employment Report.

The report, produced in collaboration with Moody’s Analytics, is derived from ADP’s actual payroll data, which measures the change in total nonfarm private employment each month on a seasonally-adjusted basis.

Goods producing sector

Employment in goods-producing companies rose by 69,000 jobs in last month from an upwardly revised figure of 46,000 in November. Construction led the advance, adding 48,000 workers to payrolls -- the best month since 2006. Manufacturing was also strong, but growth slowed slightly to 19,000 in December.

During the year just ended, goods-producers added 286,000 jobs with nearly 75% coming from construction as the housing recovery accelerated.

Service providers

Service-providing industries added 170,000 jobs in December, dropping slightly from an upwardly revised November figure of 182,000. Professional/ business services contributed the most to growth in service-providing industries, adding 53,000 jobs -- the largest gain in a year. Growth in trade/transportation/utilities slowed slightly, adding 47,000 jobs in December.

Private payrolls increased by nearly 1.9 million jobs in the service-providing industries in 2013. The bulk of this increase was split evenly between transportation/trade/utilities and professional/business services. Finance brought up the rear gaining just 59,000 in the last 12 months.

"The job market ended 2013 on a high note,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics,. “Job growth meaningfully accelerated and is now over 200,000 per month. Job gains are broad-based across industries, most notably in construction and manufacturing. It appears that businesses are growing more confident and increasing their hiring.”

Small business employment takes off

The growth in payrolls for businesses with 49 or fewer employees accelerated in December, adding 108,000 jobs -- the fastest they have grown since the beginning of 2012.

Employment levels among medium-sized companies with 50-499 employees rose by 59,000 and employment at large companies -- those with 500 or more employees -- increased by 71,000. Both of these figures are relatively unchanged from last month.

The government is scheduled to release the December employment report on Friday, Jan. 10.

American Honda Motor Company is recalling 7,387 model year 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, through November 5, 2013.

The bolts that attach the rear lower control arms to the sub-frame of the vehicle may have loosened during transport to dealerships. Loose rear lower control arm bolts may reduce steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension lower control arm bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early January 2014.

Customers may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JD0.

Hyundai is recalling 28 model year 2014 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 5, 2013, through November 15, 2013, and equipped with P235/65R17 103T Continental Crosscontact LX tires.

The tires may have a damaged sidewall, which may result in a separation between the belt edges. That could cause tread detachment or rapid air loss, increasing the risk of a crash.

Hyundai notified dealers to suspend sales of affected Santa Fe Sport vehicles equipped with the P235/65R17 103T tires, and replace them with alternative tires. All affected vehicles were remedied prior to retail sale.

Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151.

With it promising to be a cold, snowy winter in much of the country you may be considering adding a snow blower or “thrower” to your arsenal of power tools. But if so, what kind? What should you look for – and look out for?

Snow blowers come in two basic types – stand-alone units and those that attach to the front of a lawn tractor. Beyond that, there are differences in size, the snow-handling process and durability. The kind you select should be determined by the amount of snow you plan to move.

If you only expect to remove an occasional dusting, a light-duty electric snow blower may be what you need. It's designed to easily remove 2 – 4 inches of snow.

Make sure it can handle the job

The medium-duty snow blower is built to handle 2 – 9 inches of snow while a heavy-duty unit should take care of 6 to 16 inches of snow accumulation. If you are unsure of how much snow you need to take care of, err on the side of heavy. Asking a light-duty blower to clear a blizzard can overtax the machine, leading to problems.

That's true for stand-alone and implement blowers alike. Charles, in Anchor Point, Alaska and David, of Superior Point, Wis., both report transmission problems in their John Deere lawn tractors they used with a snowblower attachment.

“After only 79 hours of operation – non-commercial lawn mowing and snow blowing only -- the hydrostatic transmission failed and needed to be replaced,” David wrote in a ConsumerAffairs post.

When shopping for a stand-alone unit, it's also important to make sure the snow blower you choose has enough power to handle the job. When comparing models, be sure to note the size of the engine. It's also important to understand key differences in the various models, such as manual or automatic controls. The video below highlights some things to consider when shopping for a snow blower.

Story continues below video

How they work

Heavy-duty blowers can be two or three-stage machines. Two-stage snow blowers throw the snow twice. First, a metal auger scoops up the snow and ice.

Next, a high-speed impeller throws it out through the discharge chute. The auger doesn't touch the ground so there's no danger of it picking up rocks or other debris. They also have taller buckets capable of taking on snow drifts.

If you typically face deep snow, you might consider a three-stage snow blower. Two metal augers scoop up the snow and ice. Then they move it toward the center where an accelerator chops and pushes the snow to the impeller, launching it out of the chute at high speed. A powerful three-stage snow blower will toss snow as far as 50 feet.

What they cost

How much should you expect to pay? As you might expect, the light-duty blowers are the cheapest, the three-stage units tend to be the most expensive. At Home Depot, a Toro single-stage snow blower with electric engine sells for $279.

At Snow Blowers Direct, an Ariens two-stage gasoline-powered snow blower sells for $980. A Cub Cadet three-stage blower lists for $1,150.

"What's under the hood?" used to be the first question car enthusiasts asked when a new model came out. These days, the question is rapidly becoming, "What's the operating system?"

Google is the latest to put together an alliance of car manufacturers, including Audi, General Motors, Honda and Hyundai. Microsoft already provides the Sync system for Ford and Apple's Siri is found in some BMW, Mercedes, Toyota and Chrysler models. 

There's also some crossover. Some manufacturers will feature one system in certain of their marques but not others.

Google has dubbed its effort the Open Automotive Alliance. It's intended to provide better integration between cars and Android devices and a safer experience that will create an "open development model" to accelerate the use of technology in cars.

The alliance hopes to bring the Android mobile operating system to some car entertainment systems later this year. It's supposed to create new opportunities for developers to power "connected experiences" in cars, much like the "Chevrolet AppShop" announced yesterday.

The group will focus on bringing the Android mobile operating system (OS) to cars in entertainment systems this year.

Safer and more fun

Just what will this be, exactly?

The OAA explains it this way in its publicity material: "We're working with our partners to enable better integration between cars and Android devices in order to create a safer, car optimized experience. We're also developing new Android platform features that will enable the car itself to become a connected Android device. Stay tuned for more details coming soon."

The automakers say it will make driving safer and more fun.

“The worlds of consumer and automotive technologies have never been more closely aligned, and this alliance will only pave the way for faster innovation,” said Ricky Hudi, Head of Electrics/Electronics Development at AUDI AG. “Working toward a common ecosystems benefits driver safety above all.”

“Partnering with Google and the OAA on an ecosystem that spans across vehicles and handheld mobile devices furthers our mission to bring vehicles into our owners digital lives and their digital lives into their vehicles,” said Mary Chan, President of General Motors' Global Connected Consumer unit. “We see huge opportunities for the Android platform paired with OnStar 4G LTE connectivity in future Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles.”

“Millions of people are already familiar with Android and use it everyday,” said Sundar Pichai, SVP of Android, Chrome & Apps at Google. “The expansion of the Android platform into automotive will allow our industry partners to more easily integrate mobile technology into cars and offer drivers a familiar, seamless experience so they can focus on the road.”

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill says it's tough enough to lose weight without being victimized by dead-end weight-loss scams and supplements. The Missouri Democrat, who heads the Senate's Consumer Protection Subcommittee, is launching a campaign to eradicate bogus programs.

McCaskill's announcement follows a $34 million Federal Trade Commission settlement with two manufacturers of food additives, skin creams and dietary supplements that claimed to help consumers shed extra pounds.

McCaskill applauded today’s new guidelines and enforcement actions by the FTC, but said she is certain there is more to be done.

“It’s a good thing that action is being taken against these scam artists, but I refuse to believe these fraudsters are the only ones out there” said McCaskill. “I think this is just the tip of the iceberg, and that’s why I’m calling on folks across Missouri to tell me their personal experiences with these types of scams, so we can raise the curtain on these deceptive practices, and rein them in. Losing weight and improving our health is tough enough as it is, and the last thing consumers need is a dead-end product that delays their goal of a healthier, more fulfilling life.”

McCaskill is encouraging consumers to use an online tool on her website that allows individuals to report scams and fraud they encounter in advertising and sales. The “Submit Your Scam” button at www.McCaskill.senate.gov allows constituents to submit personal stories and tips to help McCaskill crack down on scams and protect consumers. 

After collecting first-hand accounts about weight-loss scams, McCaskill said she plans to lead a Senate hearing during the first half of 2014 to shine light on the widespread deception being aimed at consumers by marketers of weight-loss products and what more can be done to protect consumers from these abuses.

McCaskill is also calling on publishers and broadcasters to quickly implement  new FTC guidelines for spotting false weight-loss claims in advertising. By adhering to these new rules, media outlets will be able to protect their reputations and prevent harming their customers by airing claims known to be false, she said.

For most people, the trick isn't remembering to record TV shows and movies, it's finding the time to watch all of them.

Dish Network isn't going much to help. At the Consumer Electronics Show today, Dish unveiled a new digital recorder system that can record eight TV shows at once. It uses Dish's Hopper DVR and a new Super Joey add-on box for separate rooms.

There is one catch -- four of the recorded shows have to be from the broadcast networks ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox. 

Dish also unveiled partnerships with LG Corp. and Sony Corp. so that Hopper users can watch recorded shows in a second room without needing a Joey. Instead, the system uses an app on a smart TV or PlayStation game console.

"The Hopper continues to break new barriers in terms of accessibility, affordability and mobility," said Joseph P. Clayton, DISH CEO and president. "You see that in the way in which DISH delivers more content and virtually ends channel conflict with SuperJoey. Our new Wireless Joeys and software-based Virtual Joeys make in-home installation options almost limitless."

The system gives DISH customers the ability to record, pause, and play back shows from any room in the home and on the go. 

Less channel conflict

Customers can record up to eight shows simultaneously with Hopper by pairing it with DISH's new "SuperJoey," a client that adds two network tuners to the Hopper's native three tuners.

"With so much to watch on the Hopper, customers have asked for even more recording capability," said Vivek Khemka, DISH senior vice president of Product Management. "This upgraded ability, combined with the Hopper's capacity to store 2,000 hours of content, will anchor its place as simply the best DVR available."

While extending the capabilities of a Hopper to any television in a household, SuperJoey gives users the ability to record up to eight shows simultaneously -- any four shows plus the four major broadcast networks. Alternatively, the five network tuners give users the ability to watch and record any five shows from any network.

SuperJoeys are backwards compatible for all models of the Hopper.

Cancer death rates have been on the decline for the past two decades, according to the annual cancer statistics report from the American Cancer Society, leading to a 20% drop in the overall risk of dying from the disease over that time period.

The report, Cancer Statistics 2014, finds progress has been most rapid for middle-aged black men, among whom death rates have declined by approximately 50%. Despite this substantial progress, black men continue to have the highest cancer incidence and death rates among all ethnicities in the U.S. -- about double those of Asian Americans, who have the lowest rates.

Each year, the American Cancer Society estimates the numbers of new cancer cases and deaths expected in the United States in the current year and compiles the most recent data on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival based on incidence data from the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics. The data are disseminated in two reports, Cancer Statistics, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, and its companion article, Cancer Facts & Figures.

The cancer forecast

This year's report estimates there will be 1,665,540 new cancer cases and 585,720 cancer deaths in the United States in 2014. Among men, prostate, lung, and colon cancer will account for about half of all newly diagnosed cancers, with prostate cancer alone accounting for about one in four cases.

Among women, the three most common cancers in 2014 will be breast, lung, and colon, which together will account for half of all cases. Breast cancer alone is expected to account for 29% of all new cancers among women.

The estimated 585,720 deaths from cancer in 2014 correspond to about 1,600 deaths per day. Lung, colon, prostate, and breast cancers continue to be the most common causes of cancer death, accounting for almost half of the total cancer deaths among men and women. Just over one in four cancer deaths is due to lung cancer.

Declining incidence and deaths

During the most recent five years for which there are data (2006-2010), cancer incidence rates declined slightly in men (by 0.6% per year) and were stable in women, while cancer death rates decreased by 1.8% per year in men and by 1.4% per year in women.

The combined cancer death rate has been continuously declining for two decades, from a peak of 215.1 per 100,000 in 1991 to 171.8 per 100,000 in 2010. This 20 percent decline translates to the avoidance of approximately 1,340,400 cancer deaths (952,700 among men and 387,700 among women) during this time period.

The magnitude of the decline in cancer death rates from 1991 to 2010 varies substantially by age, race, and sex, ranging from no decline among white women aged 80 years and older to a 55% decline among black men aged 40 years to 49 years. Notably, black men experienced the largest drop within every 10-year age group.

"The progress we are seeing is good, even remarkable, but we can and must do even better," said John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. "The halving of the risk of cancer death among middle aged black men in just two decades is extraordinary, but it is immediately tempered by the knowledge that death rates are still higher among black men than white men for nearly every major cancer and for all cancers combined."

That great deal you got on a Detroit Red Wings sweater may not have been such a bargain after all.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) seized $723,377 in fake sports merchandise after a three-month enforcement initiative targeting counterfeit National Hockey League gear and other sportswear leading up to the 2014 NHL Winter Classic events.

Working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), HSI special agents seized 6,121 items of counterfeit NHL gear and other sportswear, $32,550.38 of which was seized in metro-Detroit. The effort concluded after the New Years Day NHL Winter Classic outdoor game between the Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs in Ann Arbor.

The operation, dubbed Operation Team Player, resulted in seizures of jerseys, hats, T-shirts and other souvenirs. Although most of the seized items were fake NHL merchandise, agents also seized other counterfeit professional sports merchandise. The seizures were part of a crackdown on intellectual property rights (IPR) violations leading up to the NHL Winter Classic events. Operation Team Player is an effort by the HSI-led IPR Center that targets counterfeit sports merchandise from all of the major sports leagues.

Sharp rise in scams

"Around every major sports event in this country, we always see a sharp spike in counterfeit merchandise as criminal groups try to exploit the enthusiasm of fans," said Marlon Miller, special agent in charge of HSI Detroit. "They use inferior materials to pump out look-alikes that do not benefit the teams, the players or the associations that have trademarked these goods. Counterfeiting hurts the consumer, it hurts business and it costs American jobs."

"The interagency collaboration for the 2014 NHL Winter Classic truly exemplified our ability to protect the American consumer," said Christopher Perry, director of field operations for CBP. "Our partnership with HSI and other agencies gives us pride in being part of the team that stops counterfeit and pirated goods that steal revenue from legitimate businesses and shortchange buyers who think they’re getting the real deal."

"The NHL very much appreciates the efforts of HSI, and CBP to protect NHL fans from being victimized by counterfeiters and to ensure that legitimate businesses playing by the rules will not be harmed by these illicit activities," said Tom Prochnow, group vice president, legal and business affairs for the NHL.

Although it's a major health problem in the United States, alcohol abuse is a topic that rarely comes up between physicians and their patients.

A new Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says only one in six adults -- and only one in four binge drinkers -- say a health professional has ever discussed alcohol use with them.

Even among adults who binge drink 10 or more times a month, only one in three have ever had a health professional talk with them about alcohol use. Binge drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men within 2-3 hours. Talking with a patient about alcohol use is an important first step in screening and counseling, which has been proven effective in helping people who drink too much to drink less, according to CDC.

A drink is defined as five ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor.

The toll of alcohol abuse

At least 38 million adults in the U.S. drink too much. Most are not alcoholics. Drinking too much causes about 88,000 deaths each year, and was responsible for about $224 billion in economic costs in 2006. It can also lead to many health and social problems, including heart disease, breast cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, motor-vehicle crashes and violence.

Alcohol screening and brief counseling can reduce the amount of alcohol consumed on an occasion by 25% among those who drink too much. It is recommended for all adults, including pregnant women. As with blood pressure, cholesterol and breast cancer screening, and flu vaccination, it has also been shown to improve health and save money.

“Drinking too much alcohol has many more health risks than most people realize,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Alcohol screening and brief counseling can help people set realistic goals for themselves and achieve those goals. Health care workers can provide this service to more patients and involve communities to help people avoid dangerous levels of drinking.”

The screening process

Health professionals who conduct alcohol screening and brief counseling use a set of questions to screen all patients to determine how much they drink and assess problems associated with drinking. This allows them to counsel those who drink too much about the health dangers, and to refer those who need specialized treatment for alcohol dependence. CDC used 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to analyze self-reports of ever being “talked with by a health provider” about alcohol use among U.S. adults aged 18 and older from 44 states and the District of Columbia.

No state or district had more than one in four adults report that a health professional talked with them about their drinking, and only 17% of pregnant women reported this. Drinking during pregnancy can seriously harm the developing fetus.