In brief: Hewlett-Packard recalls notebook computer power cords
WASHINGTON – Hewlett-Packard Co. is recalling about 5.6 million notebook computer AC power cords in this country and another 446,700 in Canada because of possible overheating, which can pose a fire and burn hazard.
HP has received 29 reports of power cords overheating and melting or charring, resulting in two claims of minor burns and 13 claims of minor property damage.
The Hewlett-Packard LS-15 AC power cords were distributed with HP and Compaq notebook and mini notebook computers, and with AC adapter-powered accessories including docking stations from September 2010 to June 2012.
The power cords are black and have an “LS-15” molded on the AC adapter end of the cord. They were manufactured in China.
Instagram releases app for time-lapse videos
Instagram threw a bone to creative types on Tuesday by releasing Hyperlapse, a new app for the iPhone that makes it easy to record time-lapse videos.
The new app records video at a lower frame-rate than normal then plays it back much faster. “Thus motion that takes a long time, like a flower blooming, appears to happen in real-time,” Instagram said in an email to the Los Angeles Times.
Hyperlapse videos are saved into the iPhone camera roll and can be uploaded to Instagram and other apps.
The app is available now in the Apple App Store. There are no plans to bring Hyperlapse to Android due to technical limitations with Google’s mobile operating system.
Consumer confidence highest since 2007
WASHINGTON – U.S. consumer confidence this month reached its highest point in nearly seven years, boosted by strong job gains.
The Conference Board says its confidence index rose for a fourth straight month to 92.4 from 90.3 in July. The August reading is the highest since October 2007, two months before the recession officially began.
The optimism suggests that Americans will be more likely to spend in the months ahead, an important boost to the economy. Consumer spending drives about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity.
The survey found that Americans’ outlook on the job market brightened considerably. The percentage of respondents who said jobs were “plentiful” rose to 18.2 percent from 15.6 percent in July. That’s the highest level since 2008.
Turner Broadcasting offers buyouts to 600
NEW YORK – The corporate parent of CNN, TNT and TBS on Tuesday offered voluntary buyouts to 600 veteran employees, part of an overall cost-cutting effort at the Atlanta-based broadcasting company founded by Ted Turner.
The offer went out to U.S.-based employees who are over 55 and have worked at the company for at least 10 years, excluding on-air talent and others with specific contracts. Some 9,000 of Turner’s 13,000 employees are based in the United States.
The company would not comment Tuesday, saying it should become clear this fall how many employees it will be shedding. Turner Broadcasting chief executive John Martin has been talking for several months about a restructuring plan he has called Turner 2020.
Turner is a division of Time Warner, the media company whose profitability is being closely watched following a spurned takeover bid earlier this year by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. Turner also owns The Cartoon Network, HLN, Tru TV and Turner Classic Movies.