Business Channel 2007-01-17&19

Tomorrow Steve Jobs is said to address Macworld. Now that's the weeklong conference that Apple fans look forward to all year long. And it's a chance to get a sneak¹ peek² at Apple's latest gadgets³. But this year's convention comes just weeks after news of improper⁴ backdating its stock options. Apple's board gave Jobs a big vote of confidence after an internal investigation⁵, but it also revealed his involvement. Now, there's some speculation⁶ Jobs could get caught in the scandal. CEOs at other companies have lost their jobs for similar involvement. It's just one of the many plots at Macworld, a convention that always generates news.

Hey, any idea what Jobs will talk about tomorrow when he does address that conference?

Well, you know, that content is always a closely guarded secret, but there is lots of speculation. Apple will introduce a combination iPod cellphone along with the weight of being media content to a variety of devices. But no one was expecting the announcement of the iPod shuffle⁷ several years ago in Macworld. And that's why I feel this event with some would say mystery and excitement. Also the new products are generally available to consumers within several weeks and some time(s) right away. So Richard, plenty of plotlines to follow tomorrow.

Oh, yeah, a lot of people will be watching! Boy! If Jobs goes, that is really gonna be a hit to that company. And if he does go though, he would not be alone.

That's right. A new report shows CEO departures were rampant⁸ in 2006. And now a placement for on-the-track CEO job placement says close to 1,500 CEOs left their jobs in 2006. Now that is up 12% from 2005. Healthcare organizations saw the most turnover⁹, Richard.

Er, let's move to, the Emmys, I know it's gonna be tough to segue here, but evidently, you don't have to be on TV to earn and, and win an Emmy now.

That's right, this is unbelievable. Richard, in the world of the Internet, we've already seen that just about anybody can be a star. Now filmmakers and producers who upload video to MySpace will be eligible¹⁰ for not just fame but a special Emmy Award too. It's gonna be called a broadband content Emmy. MySpace says it has 50,000 filmmakers on its site. Starting February 1st, they can start to upload their premium¹¹ broadband work to a special Emmy page. The online community will then be able to view their work, but it will be reviewed by officials from the Emmy Awards. The winners will be announced the same day as the awards that go to more recognizable names like '60 Minutes', and maybe 'CNN'. This is the second year of Broadband Award will be given, but the first time, it's tied MySpace. Richard, you got your entry ready?

Oh, about that, I don't, but, man, "MySpace" is, it's here. It's here.

Oh, that's right. That's impressive.


Vocabulary


segue v. If something such as a piece of music or conversation segues into another piece of music or conversation, it changes into it or is followed by it without a break.
The conversation segued into banter¹² about the Cup Final.

eligible adj. Someone who is eligible to do something is qualified¹³ or able to do it.
You could be eligible for a university scholarship.

1 sneak   

vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行

参考例句：

• He raised his spear and sneak forward.他提起长矛悄悄地前进。
• I saw him sneak away from us.我看见他悄悄地从我们身边走开。

2 peek   

vi.偷看，窥视；n.偷偷的一看，一瞥

参考例句：

• Larry takes a peek out of the window.赖瑞往窗外偷看了一下。
• Cover your eyes and don't peek.捂上眼睛，别偷看。

3 gadgets   

n.小机械，小器具（ gadget的名词复数 ）

参考例句：

• Certainly. The idea is not to have a house full of gadgets. 当然。设想是房屋不再充满小配件。 来自超越目标英语 第4册
• This meant more gadgets and more experiments. 这意味着要设计出更多的装置，做更多的实验。 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史

4 improper   

adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的

参考例句：

• Short trousers are improper at a dance.舞会上穿短裤不成体统。
• Laughing and joking are improper at a funeral.葬礼时大笑和开玩笑是不合适的。

5 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

6 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

7 shuffle   

n.拖著脚走，洗纸牌；v.拖曳，慢吞吞地走

参考例句：

• I wish you'd remember to shuffle before you deal.我希望在你发牌前记得洗牌。
• Don't shuffle your feet along.别拖着脚步走。

8 rampant   

adj.(植物)蔓生的；狂暴的，无约束的

参考例句：

• Sickness was rampant in the area.该地区疾病蔓延。
• You cannot allow children to rampant through the museum.你不能任由小孩子在博物馆里乱跑。

9 turnover   

n.人员流动率，人事变动率；营业额，成交量

参考例句：

• The store greatly reduced the prices to make a quick turnover.这家商店实行大减价以迅速周转资金。
• Our turnover actually increased last year.去年我们的营业额竟然增加了。

10 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。

11 premium   

n.加付款；赠品；adj.高级的；售价高的

参考例句：

• You have to pay a premium for express delivery.寄快递你得付额外费用。
• Fresh water was at a premium after the reservoir was contaminated.在水库被污染之后，清水便因稀而贵了。

12 banter   

n.嘲弄，戏谑；v.取笑，逗弄，开玩笑

参考例句：

• The actress exchanged banter with reporters.女演员与记者相互开玩笑。
• She engages in friendly banter with her customers.她常和顾客逗乐。

13 qualified   

adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的

参考例句：

• He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
• We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。