Accelerator planned for healthcare-tech start-ups

A new start-up accelerator focused on the intersection of healthcare and technology is coming to Miami next year.

Project Lift Miami, designed to help develop young companies and prepare them for investment opportunities, is a partnership between Lift1428, an innovation design, strategy and communications firm; the Miami Innovation Center at the University of Miami Life Science & Technology Park and its developer, Wexford Science + Technology; and the UM Miller School of Medicine, said Robert Chavez, the project’s executive director. “We’re being proactive and trying to support innovative ideas and companies. … We’d like to keep them here and really help to transform the area into a healthcare innovation hub.”

The accelerator will offer entrepreneurial teams a structured 100-day program of classes, workshops and training directed by national and local healthcare experts as well as mentoring and strategic support that will continue well beyond the program, said David McDonald, CEO of Lift1428 and co-founder of Project Lift Miami.

“This meets a critical unmet need in innovation,” said Norma Kenyon, chief innovation officer at UM’s Miller School, explaining that novel ideas often don’t find appropriate mentors and funding until they are pretty far along. “Where do you go if you have a great idea that really could be transformative? This provides much-needed support for these very early-stage technologies.”

Ten to 15 start-ups will be selected for the first class, which will start in May. Each will be offered seed funding — probably $20,000 to $30,000 in cash and services in exchange for a small equity stake — and will get free office space at the research park, Chavez said. The program will run through August, closing with a Demo Day, when entrepreneurs present their businesses to potential investors.

“There’s so much regulation and there are privacy issues and other barriers to entry that are different in the healthcare industry. Having the access to the environment we have here to test your idea and prove your concept is a great advance,” said Chavez, who is also executive director of business intelligence at UM’s Miller School. “That kind of mentoring you won’t get at a general accelerator.”

If Miami’s program goes well, future Project Lift programs could be rolled out at other Wexford science and technology parks across the country, said Bill Hunter, Wexford’s regional director of leasing. “Project Lift is directly aligned with our mission to cultivate innovation in our community. You need investment in those early-stage opportunities.”

Entrepreneurs interested in applying for the inaugural 2013 class can contact Chavez at rchavez@lift1428.com or 305-345-8670, or stop by the Miami Innovation Center at the UM Life Science & Technology Park, 1951 NW Seventh Ave., Suite 300. There is also more information at www.lift1428.com/projectlift.

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Sony confirms 10 devices will get Jelly Bean upgrade starting in February 2013

Title Post: Sony confirms 10 devices will get Jelly Bean upgrade starting in February 2013
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Angelina Jolie to Direct Unbroken Film

Angelina Jolie is in final negotiations to direct her second film, Unbroken, based on the story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympian-turned-World War II prisoner of war, according to Deadline.

Video: Angelina Jolie Talks Kids, 'Blood and Honey'

"I was so moved by Louie Zamperini's heroic story, I immediately began to fight for the opportunity to make this film," said The Oscar-winning actress in a statement. "Louie is a true hero and a man of immense humanity, faith and courage. I am deeply honored to have the chance to tell his inspiring story."

Adapted from Seabiscuit author Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption, the feature film will tell the real-life tale of American Olympic distance runner Louis Zamperini, who was captured and imprisoned by the Japanese Navy during World War II.

Unbroken will be the second film directed by Jolie. The 37-year-old made her debut in 2011's In The Land Of Blood And Honey.

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Democrats ‘caving’ on Social Security

WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers mostly fell in line yesterday behind President Obama’s proposal to cut Social Security payments as part of a fiscal-cliff deal, despite outrage from the party’s liberal base.

Obama’s offer to change the method of calculating annual cost-of-living adjustments for federal benefits would reduce Social Security checks by about 0.3 percent a year, according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, a liberal think tank.

“This loss would be cumulative through time so that after 10 years, the cut would be roughly 3 percent, after 20 years 6 percent,” fumed Dean Baker, the director of the center. “These benefits average less than $15,000 a year.”

AARP estimated the change would snatch $112 billion out of seniors’ pockets over the next 10 years.

“We understand the president is at the negotiating table,” said Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens). “We also know these [deals] can be difficult and not everything we want will be in the bill and not everything they want will be in the bill.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who previously said Social Security should be off the table, vouched for Obama’s negotiating position.

“I admire and appreciate very much the president showing the American people how reasonable he’s trying to be: significant tax increases, significant cuts,” Reid said.

Democrats’ sudden warming to Social Security reforms is a sign that a deal could be near.

Annual increases in Social Security benefits are currently indexed to the consumer price index (CPI), which measures the change in prices of consumer goods.

Under the proposed deal, the benefits would be indexed to the so-called chained consumer price index (CCPI), which takes into account how consumer buying habits change in response to rising prices and therefore reflects a slightly lower rate of inflation.

Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) are locked in tough negotiations but have slowly moved toward a debt-cutting deal.

If they fail, automatic tax hikes for every American and deep spending cuts, mostly to the military, will take effect on Jan. 1. Economists predict it would trigger a recession.

Obama’s latest offer included tax hikes for those earning more than $400,000 a year and spending cuts, including to Social Security.

Boehner offered a plan to block tax hikes for all but those making more than $1 million a year.A vote on the bill could come as soon as today.

He described it as a backup plan in case a broader deal can’t be struck in time.

“It’s important that we protect as many American taxpayers as we can,” said Boehner.

Obama immediately rejected it.

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Stocking stuffers and last-minute gift ideas

In the portable electronic world, stocking stuffers are easy to find. Here are some for those last-minute holiday gifts on everyone’s list.

•  WATER-POWERED CLOCK: Aside from telling time, the eco-friendly Bedol Water Clock is a portable alarm that is also waterproof in the event you feel like standing in a rain storm or showering with it.

It’s battery-free so all you do to keep the clock running indefinitely is just fill it with water.

A natural chemical reaction between two of its internal metallic plates generates enough power to keep it running indefinitely.

Details: www.bedolwhatsnext.com $17

•  CHAT OR SCROLL: Logitech’s Apple-friendly Broadcaster Wi-Fi webcam is great for online chatting and its wireless functionality makes it a great companion as a second angled video camera beyond what your computer, iPhone or iPad’s camera will do.

The camera has an internal battery, which is charged via USB for 2 hours of life and has a built-in mono microphone along with a port to add an external mic.

Video is captured in HD 720p and can be moved to any angle since it’s wireless.

Logitech has designed the camera to let users press a button to switch to the camera, giving your chatting partner a different angle.

The Broadcaster ($199.99) works with Mac video applications including QuickTime, Photo Booth, iMovie, Final Cut Pro or chatting with FaceTime, iChat or Skype.

• Logitech also has a few cool high tech-looking Windows 8 friendly mice with the t400 and t620.

The Logitech Zone Touch Mouse t400 ($39) has the functionality of a traditional mouse along with a touch strip to support horizontal and vertical scrolling.

Just click on the top of the touch zone for instant access the Windows 8 Start Screen and clicking on the bottom of the touch zone will scroll you through all your open applications.

The Touch Mouse t620 ($49) features a full touch surface letting you scroll horizontally and vertically from anywhere on the mouse, and to access the Windows 8 start screen you just swipe the edges of the mouse.

Details: www.Logitech.com

•  EARBUDS WITH A MIC: iFrogz EarPollution Plugz with Mic noise isolating earbuds are as simple as they get and work just fine.

You get three sizes of ear pieces to get the right fit along with an in-line microphone for cellphone use and most any portable electronic device.

The sound is decent and it makes a great hands-free choice.

Details: www.iFrogz.com $9.99 — in a big selection of colors.

•  TRAVEL POWER: Bracketron’s Universal USB Travel Power Kit ($26) includes an Apple 30-pin and Micro USB connections 3-foot cable for charging just about any device on the go.

The cable can be connected to a computer or the included USB AC adapter for 2.1 Amp charging, which includes power hungry tablets.

A 12V car charging USB adapter is also included.

Bracketron’s MetalDock ($18.91) is a contemporary-looking charging dock for the iPhone 4/4S, built with heavy-duty metal construction resulting in a lightweight and portable design.

It connects to any USB port for charging/syncing with its embedded 3-foot cable and works in landscape or portrait modes.

A company representative has emailed me that Dec. 12-17 everything on the Bracketron site is 40 percent off.

Details: www.Bracketron.com

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Miami-Dade court program helps young inmates change their lives

It was a graduation without pomp and circumstance.

There was marching in combat boots. No gowns.

The remarks by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Beth Bloom were full of the hallmarks common at any graduation. She spoke of goals and achievement and of the opportunity.

But were it not for the “I’m Ready” program, many of Monday’s graduates would not be anticipating their release from jail in a few short weeks.

The 13 young men in “I’m Ready’s’’ inaugural class had already been convicted of some crime and sentenced to boot camp. But each had some medical or psychological problem that made him ineligible.

Take, for example 20-year-old Franklin Robinson. After being sentenced to boot camp after he violated his probation, Robinson underwent several tests, including an EKG that showed there was difficulty pumping blood to his heart. That prevented him from being admitted to boot camp and could have meant him ending up back in jail with the general population.

Instead, he ended up at the six-month “I’m Ready’’ program, which offers youths ages 14-24 education and services. They undergo behavior modification, life skills, job training, counseling and treatment.

The day begins at 5 a.m. A routine of schooling and vocational training in automotive technology or carpentry carries them through until about 8 p.m.

“I’m Ready” participants are housed in a separate unit to accommodate program activities rather than with the general jail population. They are referred to as “students,’’ not “inmates.’’

“There is a reason why boot camp is able to reduce recidivism,” Bloom said. “It sets the tone that they are there to learn.”

It’s not so different from boot camp, said Officer Cathy Harpp, who oversees the program.

“You can’t do pushups, but you can clean the floor and the toilet bowl with a toothbrush,” Harpp said.

The hardest part was getting them to be receptive to change and adapt to the new rules, Harpp said.

“Once they knew I was not going to let up, eventually, they cave in,” she said. “Here, they’re accountable for everything.”

The idea for the program came to Bloom after she oversaw the case of an insulin dependent diabetic with a 10th-grade education.

After he was deemed unfit for boot camp because of his health condition, Bloom wanted to know what would happen to him.

Young offenders like him would have been incarcerated with the general population of inmates, where there would be no access to training and no structure.

“I’ve seen far too many youth return to the criminal justice system,” Bloom said Monday at the program’s first graduation ceremony. “All of you have met your goal. The community needs you to be the different persons that you are.”

The group of 13 will be released Dec. 28. Twenty-two new students will replace them in January.

Before the new graduates students left the room in a final marching formation, Harpp offered one lasting piece of advice: “This is where the difference begins.”

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Facebook to launch new Snapchat alternative with self-destructing messages

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YouTube Announces Top 10 Videos of 2012

YouTube has just released their top 10 videos of 2012 along with one dazzling video bound to become a viral sensation in its own right.

Watch the clip to see the Rewind YouTube Style video featuring the website's biggest stars acting out a parody of Gangnam Style and Call Me Maybe. The video was shot at the new YouTube Space in Los Angeles, a place for YouTube creators to come learn, collaborate, and create great content to put up on their YouTube channels.

Check out the list of 2012's greatest YouTube moments below:

1) PSY - Gangnam Style: The Korean pop music video that surprised the world is set to hit 1 billion views and has become the most viewed video of all time in just six months.

2) Walk off the Earth: This is the most-viewed cover song of 2012, attracting 140 million views this year.

3) KONY 2012: This video contained a call to action and collected 31 million views in a single day -- the most views ever for a YouTube video.

4) Call Me Maybe - Bieber, Gomez, Pena: This video, covering the song of the summer, kicked off a trend of lip sync videos that spanned from the Harvard baseball team and celebs to Olympians.

5) Epic Rap Battles - Obama vs. Romney: This episode featured well-known Obama impersonator Alphacat, and is one of the better known instances of the 2012 trend of Obama and Romney videos.

6) Dramatic Surprise: This video, featuring a mysterious sign in the middle of a Flemish square, brought in 25 million views in its first week.

7) Why You Asking All Them Questions: Comedian Emmanuel Hudson's popularity exploded this year partly from this video that garnered 39 million views -- almost half of which came from mobile devices.

8) Lindsey Stirling: Lindsey's trademark dubstep violin styles created a lot of buzz this year -- especially in the U.S., Germany and Poland. This video, which was shot by Lindsey's fellow YouTube creator Devin Graham, has over 500,000 likes and 100,000 comments.

9) Facebook Parenting: This video taught us not to mess with Dad. Bringing in 11 million views in one day, this video was the catalyst for an international discussion about parenting and Facebook.

10) Stratos Highlights: This live stream of Felix Baumgartner's free-fall from 128,000 feet shattered previous live stream records with 8 million concurrent views.

Visit youtube.com/rewind for more.

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‘His smile was larger than life’

Andrea Peyser

IN NEWTOWN, CONN.

He looked as if he was asleep.

I thank God for that.

Jack Armistead Pinto, a little boy with a big and important name, lay in a pure white casket, eyes shut as if in slumber. He wore a small, white-and-red Jersey bearing the No. 80, for Victor Cruz, his beloved New York Giants player. In each chubby fist was a small, gray stuffed whale, along with rosary beads from which hung a tiny metal crucifix.

He cannot be gone.

If Jack had the chance to grow into a man, the small boy with the infectious grin and enormous personality might have played for the Giants one day. For Jack was a nimble and talented athlete, even at a tender age, said Wally, the dad of his best friend, J.J.

We’ll never know.

Jack was 6 when he died.

Crushing grief so great it threatened to swallow this small town washed up on the Honan Funeral Home yesterday, where hundreds of people lined up for hours to say goodbye to Jack. A child who never had a chance.

It was up to Jack’s father, Dean, to comfort the many mourners who hugged him, wordlessly, and wept into the arms of Jack’s mom, Tricia.

“Just think of our baby boy, Jack,” said Dean, tears staining his face.

“Just think of our baby boy.”

Jack’s was among the first of 26 funerals for those who died in this town, torn by senseless violence, ripped by unimaginable tragedy. Twenty of the dead are children, each just 6 or 7, who made the grievous mistake of coming to Sandy Hook Elementary on Friday.

The funeral home was adorned with flowers, letters and a white Teddy bear — along with many photos of little kids, their faces all asking an unanswerable question:

Why?

“Jack was one of Jesus’ lambs,’’ said Pastor Rob Morris of Christ the King Lutheran Church. “All of us are asking, ‘Where was God when this happened?’ ”

The pastor answered the question simply:

“He was with Jack.

“Today we weep together as Jesus wept when he was on this earth.’’

Pastor Morris’ voice broke with pain.

“He wept for everyone who went to Sandy Hook Elementary School. He wept for 20 children.

“He wept for Jack.”

But the pastor did not mention the name of the man who brought such unfathomable grief. No one, not one mourner or minister, not Jack’s grieving family, mentioned the name Adam Lanza.

This was a day to remember Jack.

A friend of the Pinto family, Mary, talked of Jack’s large personality. “From the moment Jack arrived in a room, he attracted all the attention,” she said.

He adored his big brother, Ben, too.

“He followed Ben anywhere. He was so proud you were his big brother,” said Mary.

J.J.’s dad added, “His smile was larger than life.”

The boys were inseparable.

“He and J.J. would run around the house like two wild animals,’’ Wally said. “We’d say, ‘Jack, would you like a hot dog?’

“ ‘Is J.J. having a hot dog?’ ”

“ ‘Jack, would you like to go swimming?’ ’’

“ ‘Is J.J. going swimming?’ ”

Jack was an avid wrestler at school. He once told the coach he lost a tooth, and the coach took it. Jack immediately went back to wrestle.

Eventually, his mom asked where his tooth was.

“Coach has it.”

“Now, when someone loses a tooth,” said Wally, “they call it a Pinto Break.”

Mourners’ laughter got mixed up with their tears. They celebrated a boy whom Wally called “a real ego booster.” The kind of kid who always told others, “Good job!” — whether or not they deserved it.

“Jack is a model for all of us, young and old,” Wally said.

My heart is breaking.

Jack Pinto was precious. Kind, strong and brave, he was a bright light, taken too soon.

This town will never get over his loss.

andrea.peyser@nypost.com

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American Airlines adds new agreements, flights in South America

In a nod to the importance of Latin America for its business, American Airlines on Monday announced new codeshare agreements with airlines in the region as well as new routes.

American has agreed to codeshare with TAM Airlines, based in Sao Paulo, and LAN Colombia, both part of LATAM Airlines Group.

The airline also said that it will add new routes in late 2013 between Miami and two destinations in Brazil: Curitiba and Porto Alegre. American also plans to add service between Dallas/Fort Worth and Bogota late next year.

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