MP3 Inventor Develops Tool to Fight digital audio Piracy
February 10, 2006
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Thanks to the Fraunhofer Institute, inventors of MP3 audio compression, stealing digital audio music will be harder and even more risky! Music piracy has it's pros and cons: unknown artists get noticed faster - well known artists lose millions, but in the end I figure the listener will steal anyway. This new software system, based on the group's own digital watermarking technology, for tracking pirated audio files in peer-to-peer file-sharing networks will for the first time be used in a system to automatically track pirating in P-to-P networks. Yikes!
So "If, for instance, you purchase and download a CD, burn a copy and give it to a friend and that person puts it on a file sharing network, our system will trace that digital audio back to you and, depending on the legal system of the country you're in, you could be [hit] with an expensive fine," Kip a spokesperson for the institute says. "This could certainly help deter online music piracy."
Leading Spas Announced for 2006
January 13, 2006
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The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. has just released the list of hotels that have qualified as Leading Spas for 2006. Getting on this list was not easy and only 85 passed the rigorous, anonymous inspection process and have been accorded Leading Spa status for the coming year. Check out the Leading Spas Announced for 2006.
Airlines change the ways we board
January 11, 2006
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Industry giants Airliners like United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, AirTran, and America West have stopped boarding passengers back-to-front to wring out greater savings and to minimize passenger frustration. Why do I care? You will now be boarding in the most efficient way possible. United, for example, now groups passengers at the gate according to their seat's letter designation. The carrier boards window passengers first, followed by those in middle and aisle seats. Its boarding is now four to five minutes faster, saving the company about $1 million a year. Crazy! Now if only the employees saw some of that money, maybe there would be no more strikes in the future! Doubt it. Flight attendants at United Airlines are asking a court to reject the No. 2 U.S. carrier's plan to exit bankruptcy protection, citing plans to pay bonuses to 400 members of management. Nothing new.
new laws in spain
January 09, 2006
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The Spanish government has parted ways with siesta! You know the tradition for Spanish workers to work from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., party till 4:30 p.m., and then go back to the office till around 7. The new law, designed to help Spaniards balance jobs and families, makes sure government ministries close no later than 6 p.m. These days taking a siesta is hard because most have to travel far to get to work.
Also new anti-smoking laws are making smoking forbidden at work, and public and private buildings, like shops, schools, hospitals, buses and trains. Employees smoking on the job now have to go outside and make up lost work time.
Shangri-La Resort And Spa, in Seychelles To Open In 2007
January 07, 2006
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Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts recently signed an agreement with TriGránit Development Corporation to manage the Shangri-La Resort and Spa, Seychelles, which will open in 2007. The luxury resort will be located on its own 23-acre private island off the coast of Mahe in Northeast Seychelles, called Long Island. This exclusive island will be home to 55 villas, with a total of 100 spacious suites. Located on the Western side of the island will be 32 one-bedroom villas; seven two-bedroom villas; 15 four-suite villas; and a presidential villa. Shangri-La Resort and Spa will be 25 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes by boat to the capital city of Victoria.
Million-Dollar Bugatti Is Coming to U.S.
December 15, 2005
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The $1 million dollar Bugatti Veyron, now the world's fastest factory-produced automobile, is about to arrive on American shores. It features a massive, rear-mounted 16-cylinder engine with 1,001 horsepower, needs just 2.5 seconds to accelerate from zero to 62 miles per hour, and burns rubber so quickly that its makers had to hire France's Michelin SCA to develop a special compound for its tires. Its top speed: 252.9 mph. 6 U.S. Bentley dealerships will sell this fortune of a car. Who will buy this car....Not I.
Skype 2.0 now with video
December 02, 2005
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The new Skype software released lets you access video through webcams. Skype 2.0 supports all major webcam brands, is really easy to get going and includes a new easy to use menu.
Denver voted Best City For Singles
November 27, 2005
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Not having success finding that soul mate you dream off? Putting yourself in the classifieds and eharmony profiles? Don't worry maybe a change of scenery is all you need. The Denver-Boulder metro area is America's best city for singles as ranked by Forbes Best Cities For Singles. The criteria is nightlife, culture, job growth, number of other singles, cost of living alone and coolness. Check out the full list here.
Portugal Soccer-Themed Resort
November 20, 2005
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The Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo invested with four other top Portuguese soccer players in a soccer-themed luxury resort in southern Portugal. Included in the resort will be 400 apartments as well as bars, swimming pools, a spa, a health club and other sports facilities spread over seven hectares near the city of Portimao in the Algarve. The resort is planned for completion in June 2008.
(Luxist)
Hyatt Regency unveils design of new Trinidad hotel
November 19, 2005
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Planned for completion in late 2007, the new Hyatt Regency Trinidad, a five star high rise hotel will be constructed at the Port of Spain International Waterfront Development along the waterfront of Trinidad and Tobago's capital city. This 428-room hotel, will be part of a new eight-acre mixed-used development there. Featured in the design is 16,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, a 10,000 square-foot multipurpose facility, one full-service restaurant, a lobby bar and lounge, and a 6,000 square-foot spa and fitness center. To top it off a serene rooftop pool and terrace will provide a relaxing escape for business travelers.
Boeing to attempt world's longest flight
November 09, 2005
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Boeing plans to break the record for the longest non-stop flight by a commercial jet — a 12,500-mile trip that is to begin in Hong Kong, fly over northern Canada and land in London, the company said Wednesday. The plane will have 35 passengers, including Boeing representatives, journalists and customers. By doing this they hope to break the current world record of 10,500 miles (London to Sydney in 1989).
(UsaToday)
Flashy maps from Yahoo
November 04, 2005
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Yahoo's new map service, Yahoo Beta maps, is completely in Flash. The service features live traffic icons and warnings for ongoing road constructions to save you time on the road. The maps are also re-sizable for easy scanning. Check it out.
Adirondack ski area reborn as year-round resort
November 04, 2005
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Investors have bought the defunct Big Tupper Ski Area in the Adirondacks for $1.3 million and plan to reopen it by Christmas 2006 as part of an upscale year-round resort, USA Today reports. New building plans will feature new ski lifts, a new ski lodge, a hotel and spa, and usual ski resort amenities. A shooting school and a fly fishing school are also planned to be built. Financing this large project will be based on the idea of selling the residential backcountry lots to finance development of the hotel and redevelopment of the ski area. This seems backwards to the Adirondack Council, who still feel that they have seen half a dozen grand schemes to redevelop the Tupper ski area come and go ... and they've all turned to dust so far. Hopefully things will go to plan. Read the full story here.
San Francisco Airport will get new Spas
November 04, 2005
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After a long grueling flight cross country or cross-world it is nice to get a massage, facial, and even get those cuticles redone. Many people get flight fatigue, sickness and paranoia. For these reasons you will be seeing many more spas in airports in the next decade. San Francisco airport (SFO) plans to triple the amount of space allotted to spas, reports the San Francisco Examiner. When completed, SFO’s spa facility will compare to New York’s JFK International Airport, which currently hosts four facilities itself. No doubt these businesses will prosper. Get the full story here.
(Luxist)
the mc-h (micro compact home) pod house
November 01, 2005
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Check out these 9 foot x 9 foot x 9 foot micro compact homes. Finding property in Britain, as well as many places in the world, these days can be a long hard struggle. Will these new kind of accomodations solve the housing problems? We'll have to see... Richard Horden of Horden Cherry Lee, believes his mc-h (micro compact home) will make an ideal temporary student and key-worker accommodation. I see what the world is coming to, it's true, we are all going to live in small boxes one day.
Edinburgh offers wireless tours
October 27, 2005
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Edinburgh plans to attract more tourists by offering “wireless tours” of the city on everyday mobile phones and handheld computers. Tourism leaders believe that this service will be able to assist tourists in pre-planning their visits, while important events happening in the capital could be relayed quickly. What a revolutionary idea for tourism industry! It will offer a unique advertising opportunity to all tourism providers small and big.
Solar-powered bus stops
October 26, 2005
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These environmentally friendly i-SHELTERs were created by Carmanah, a Canadian company. Whenever you walk into one of these bus shelters, solar-powered LED lights will greet your arrival. Edinburgh, one of more recent cities to adopt such bus shelters was preceded with installations in Canada, Chicago, and Seattle. London will soon see at least 1,200 of these solar-powered bus stops.
(Treehugger)
(Ubergizmo)
Bruce Lee festival next month in Hong Kong
October 25, 2005
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The Bruce Lee festival next month in Hong Kong will be held to celebrate the unveiling of a statue of Bruce Lee on Hong Kong's Avenue of Stars. The 6-foot-6-inch statue will feature the martial arts star with his torso bared and his hands spread in a fighting stance. The pose was selected in an online poll of Lee's fans. The Nov. 25-Dec. 1 festival, backed by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, will include a fan gathering, tours of Lee-related sites and free showings of his movies at the Avenue of Stars. It will be like Hong Kong's equivalent of Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
(UsaToday)
Conrad Hotel Indianapolis To Open in 2006
October 17, 2005
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Based on an an interview the Indianapolis Star has with Jan Chovanec, the manager of the Conrad Hotel in Indianapolis, The Conrad, part of the upscale version of the Hilton chain, is scheduled to open in April of 2006. Opening in time for the Final Four is almost determined since almost all rooms available during that time are sold. The Conrad Hotel will have 245 rooms, a spa and an indoor swimming pool and will be connected via the sky bridge system to both the Indiana Convention Center and the RCA Dome.
(Via Indystar)
fish plane
October 05, 2005
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The government paid to have an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 painted with a gigantic fish to promote the Alaska fishing industry. It cost them $500,000 of our tax dollars. Appropriate? I don't think so! What do you think?
Alaska Airlines Nets Largest King Salmon on Earth (Alaska Air)
HD DVD's for real!
October 05, 2005
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Yes, you've heard the rumors and it's true, HD DVD is a reality. Expect big competition between BluRay and HD-DVD to conquer this new market.
HD DVD CEATEC 2005 (Akihabara News)
Gillette and Shick Duke it out - Result Gillette is still better looking
September 14, 2005
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Gillette hopes Fusion, the newest of their line of razors, with five blades on the front and a trimming blade on the back of its pivoting head, will become its leading franchise, followed by Mach3 and Sensor. The Ferrari of Shick's line, the battery-powered Quattro, comes in both manual and battery-powered models with the microchip, and won't hit North American stores until early next year. "The Schick launch has nothing to do with this, it's like comparing a Ferrari to a Volkswagen as far as we're concerned," said chairman, president and chief executive James Kilts, who has been using Fusion for about a year. You guys play nice. Theres no time to play monopoly!
Gillette unveils five-blade razor (Reuters)
Heavy drinking is no good? No way!
September 13, 2005
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Seems that holidays and vacations may be bad for your health! That is if you prefer to treat a holday like a real holiday! An article in the Guardian states the following, "Heavy drinking, by which they mean more than 35 alcoholic drinks a week, can cause atrial fibrillation: a rapid, irregular heartbeat. This happens when the heart's upper chambers contract too quickly. The heartbeat becomes not only irregular, but less effective at pumping blood from the heart. The blood may pool and form clots, which can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. Having atrial fibrillation gives a person nearly a fivefold increase in their risk of stroke." Well that's bad news! But you don't have to drink heavily on vacation. Sometimes the company of a female partner can be even better than getting smashed with the boys. And you might even burn a few calories while your at it. Who knows?
Heavy Drinking on Vacation is (Surprise) Bad (Gadling)
Children Under 2 don't need Plane Tickets
August 25, 2005
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The government has decided that children younger than 2 years old will still be allowed to sit on their parents' laps while flying. Making safety seats mandatory on planes for small children had been under discussion, but didn't happen because then parents would have to buy extra plane tickets. Making safety seats mandatory would in effect lead cost conscious travelers to drive to their destination instead of flying, increasing the risk of accidents (43,000 people died in highway accidents compared to only 13 deaths on commercial airline flights). Good news for traveling parents!
Children Under 2 Won't Need Plane Tickets (abc news)
honey... let's use those urine batteries
August 23, 2005
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Seems researchers at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore have created a disposable, credit card sized battery to be used as a power source for medical test kits. The idea surfaced when researcher Ki Bang Lee and colleagues realized that the testes urine could be used for a power source when performing diagnostic urine tests to detect a malady. They then designed a disposable battery on a chip activated by biofluids such as the urine. Ok so maybe you're grossed out ... but what’s important is that these low-cost biodegradable batteries produce 1.5 volts (same as a standard AA battery), and last about 90 minutes. The technology could even be used to power to laptop computers, mp3 players, televisions, and cars etc. One day you might be peeing in your gas tank!
Urine Battery Turns Pee Into Power
Game Boy Micro available in September for $99 in US
August 18, 2005
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Nintendo announced that Game Boy Micro, the new cell phone-sized handheld, will ship somewhere at the end of September and will be sold for $99 in the United States. Its release in Japan and Europe will be just in time for the holiday season.
Game Boy Micro, will ship at the end of September and sell for $99 in the United States (ployer)
Sony Playstation 3 Available for Pre-Pre-Order
August 18, 2005
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Yeah just messing... you can’t pre-order them just yet. But you can enter in your email address so that Amazon.com will email you once it’s available for pre-order. Yeah sorry for pulling your chain. They’re selling for $299.99 which sounds pretty cheap after Sony told everyone they where going to be expensive. Make sure you get yours.
Sony Playstation 3 Available as Pre-Order on Amazon - $299 Ain’t ‘Spensive at All! (Gizmodo)
credit card parking meters in Sacremento
July 26, 2005
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Sacramento has become even more convenient to travelers. New Parking meters where installed in Cesar Chavez Park and City Hall. The nine new solar-powered machines will accept credit cards and coins. Sacremento hopes to reduce costs and maintenance, and according to officials a 25 percent increase in profits is expected from this effort to make downtown parking more convenient. This 6-month trial can bring way to hundreds more of the machines.
cell phone freedom on airlines
July 15, 2005
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The British Civil Aviation Authority are allowing mobile phones to be operated in calendar, photo viewer or similar mode. This is great progress for phone users, who before where not allowed to use cell phones onboard at all. The British Civil Aviation Authority has decided that during flight mode when the radio is disabled cell phones do not interfere with pilot systems. Users have to make clear that they are in flight mode when their transmitter is off. Sony Ericsson's P900 smartphone is a good example and displays "FLIGHT MODE" on its display.
Via Gearbits.com
