The number of new-car dealerships in the U.S. shrank further in the first half of 2010. The dealership count fell to 18,223 after 258 showrooms shut their doors between Jan. 1 and July 1, according to Detroit-based Urban Science.
Rising confidence
Confidence among U.S. consumers rose in August, a sign the biggest part of the economy may soon stabilize.
The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment climbed to 69.6 following a reading of 67.8 in July that was the lowest since November, the group said today. The gauge was forecast to rise to 69, according to the median of 65 economists in a Bloomberg News survey.
No hands necessary
The latest version of Google’s Android 2.2, released Thursday, includes 10 new voice commands that can be used to operate phones without using a keypad. The new tool, called “Voice Actions,” enables people to dictate their text messages and e-mails. The voice recognition tool automatically translates the spoken words into text.
Phone calls can be made simply by speaking the name of a person or business.
CDC: Frozen fruit pulp linked to typhoid cases
Health officials are investigating an outbreak of typhoid fever that has been linked to a frozen tropical fruit product used to make smoothies. Seven cases have been confirmed — three in California and four in Nevada. Two other California cases are being investigated. Five people have been hospitalized.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said four of the cases have been linked to a Goya brand of fruit pulp that was used in milkshakes or smoothies. No other food was tied to the illnesses.
The fruit pulp was made from mamey (ma-MAY’), a sweet, reddish tropical fruit grown mainly in Central and South America. The company has recalled packages of the pulp.
