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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Comcast offers new home security service

Comcast Corp. is offering customers a home security service as part of its Xfinity Home package. The new service, available this week in Washington, allows a user to control home lighting or heating as well as to see video streams from within one’s residence.

The remote app for controlling home lights or utilities is currently only available for Apple devices, said a Comcast press release. Consumers can also use a personal computer to access home security services.

Monthly cost is $39.95. Among other options, customers can be alerted by text or email when doors open or close, or when motion detectors report activity.

Tom Sowa

New version of 747 nearly ready for delivery

Boeing said on Tuesday that it’s on track to deliver the first of its new 747s that will haul paying passengers. Flight testing on the 747-8 Intercontinental will wrap up in five to seven days, said Elizabeth Lund, program manager for the 747. The first customer for that plane is German airline Lufthansa.

On Tuesday, Boeing delivered a new 747-8 to an unidentified VIP customer. It was something of a formality. The plane still needs modification in Wichita, Kan., that will take about six months. After that it goes to Hamburg, Germany, to have its VIP interior installed, a project that typically takes about two years, said Steve Taylor, president of Boeing Business Jets.

Boeing has been making the 747 for more than 40 years, but this is a major overhaul. The new version includes changes to 70 percent of the plane.

Boeing has booked orders for 96 of the new 747s. That includes 60 cargo planes and 36 passenger planes. Of those, nine have been ordered by VIP customers. Boeing said most of those are heads of state, generally in the Middle East.

Associated Press

Unveiling of new iPad expected next week

NEW YORK – Apple is expected to unveil a new version of the iPad at an event in San Francisco next Wednesday.

Apple sent out invitations to news media on Tuesday with an image showing part of an iPad screen. The company had been widely expected to reveal the third version of its popular tablet computer soon, close to the anniversary of the launch of the iPad 2.

Since the first iPad came out in 2010, sales of traditional computers have slowed in the U.S. and other wealthy countries. Rival PC and phone makers have been unable to mirror Apple’s success with their own tablet computers. Apple has sold 55 million iPads so far, about the same as the estimated number of Mac computers in use.

Apple Inc. didn’t provide any details on the new device. Various unconfirmed reports speak of a sharper screen and faster cellular broadband options.

Associated Press