Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, iPod, Summer Fun

Hotels are spending big bucks on new pools, and we’re not talking about fluffier lounge towels and free slippers. Okay, we know, most nice hotels already give people free slippers, but we were trying to make a point. Anyway…

Basically, competition for the type of people who can still afford to travel is intense. Hotels know that having bells and whistles larger and shinier than the competition’s bells and whistles can give them an edge. You want examples? We got examples (which we got from a recent USA Today article).

For all things tech, visit Puerto Rico’s El San Juan Hotel and Casino where people can rent poolside cabanas with flat screen TVs and mini bars. The best part? While on break from spinning, the resident DJ will come around and customize iPods with some of his/her favorite music. Nice touch eh?

The Gaansevort South’s pool (pictured above) in South Beach is infused with underwater lights and music. Bar patrons can watch the aquatic debauchery unfold from a dry spot near the bar courtesy of a large window in the pool.

The new Thompson Beverly Hills boasts a pool lined with Swarovski Crystals. Jason Pomeranc, Thompson Hotels Chief, calls the pool “very Hollywood.” We call his description of the pool “very unoriginal.”

The Joule, a new hotel in Dallas has a pool on the 10th floor that has one end sticking out over the street. Not only is this cool, but it is open to the public, which makes us like it a lot more, because we can’t actually afford to stay there.

Get the picture? Now go have fun. If you can afford it. [Source: USA Today]

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Filed under: Cell Phones, BlackBerry

There is a new epidemic plaguing communities around the world. It’s called ambulatory texting, and it can happen to anyone, anywhere.

Okay, so we’re talking about “texting-on-the-go,” and it’s not that scary, but it is an issue worth discussing. It can leave you injured or even humiliated, and no one wants that. The problem is that when you text, you are usually looking down trying to figure out your stupid little keyboard. This leads to all kinds of accidents, from running into lamp posts,(London, England, apparently, has begun padding its posts) to walking into traffic.

Since we don’t believe that this story will actually deter anyone from texting-on-the-go, we found some tips from addicted texters to enable your nasty little habit.

Cate Kiim, program director for a Boys & Girls Club of America chapter admitted “Sometimes I stick my hand out while I’m walking and texting…you know, just to avoid a nasty spill even if I end up touching a stranger.”

On crackberry.com, a BlackBerry user site, a user that goes by the name JBEL suggested that you should “walk with ur chin @ about 45 degree angle, n u won’t bump into nothing. Trust me it works.”

And certainly DO NOT text while you’re driving — thankfully, several states have either already passed or are working on no-texting-while-driving laws.

Be smart. Text safely. Live longer. [Source: Wall Street Journal]

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Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Editor’s Picks, Celebrities, TV, Back to School Guide 2008

Some of the brightest starts of Hollywood put their creative talent to the test during the writers’ strike last year, among them “How I Met Your Mother” star Neil Patrick Harris, who teamed up with “Buffy The Vampire” creator Joss Whedon to produce the online-only musical miniseries “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog,” a whimsical tale of right vs. wrong, and love, that has steadily built a fanbase since it hit the Internet last July.

The three-part series is now available on iTunes for $1.99 per episode.

The Hollywood writers’ strike was a boon for online entertainment as many writers, directors and actors tested the waters of a more open version of content distribution. Getting major attention was Will Ferrell’s “Funny Or Die,” but many other top comedic talents had their creative juices flowing around the ‘net.

(Among our personal favorites was My Damn Channel’s “Horrible People.”)

Whedon’s goal with “Dr. Horrible” was “to make it on the fly, on the cheap - but to make it. To turn out a really thrilling, professionalish piece of entertainment specifically for the internet. To show how much could be done with very little.”

In the end, he and his cohorts produced a fine piece of comic musical diversion. [Source: iTunes, via Urlesque.]

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Filed under: Back to School Guide 2008

One of our most awkward childhood memories was going to see ‘Muppet Treasure Island’ at the AMC with mom and lil’ bro. There was this couple in the back totally necking (actually, they’d probably crossed over into heavy petting, though we didn’t know what that was at the time).

Not that we all haven’t made out in the cinema a time or two ourselves, but puh-leaze! It’s the MUPPETS.

Count on the British to put a stop to this sort of behavior — Odeon, the UK’s largest theater chain, has taken to installing security cameras inside movie theaters. So while you’re sitting around watching ‘The Dark Knight‘, someone might be watching you! It’s so meta.

Odeon execs claim that the cameras are intended to ensure the safety of moviegoers, and have already cut down on “disruptive incidents.” But young Brits and human rights groups are sketched out. It’s Big-Brotherly, they worry, and takes all the fun out of an old fashioned makeout sesh at the movies. [Source: Telegraph UK]

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Now here’s a total desi gal from the industry who will never forget her roots, no matter how high she gets internationally. While Shilpa Shetty’s films from bollywood aren’t quite hit, the lady still says her heart is in here.
“I have left a lot of international projects to come back to Hindi films. Someone told […]

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Filed under: Computers, MySpace, Back to School Guide 2008

Ooohhh, it’s the Germans! The EU’s paragon of efficiency has done another efficient thing — created a no-nonsense, less-fun version of Facebook.

Entrepreneur Ehssan Dariani, after failing at his male cosmetics line, decided to turn his attention to social networking. And network he did. His site, studiDV launched in 2005, and became the largest social networking site in Europe within a few short months.

Save a few hacking debacles and one incident of mass stalking, studiDV, or ‘Fakebook,’ as the kleines deutsche have taken to calling it, has been humming along and growing by the minute.

But now Facebook is T.O.’d. Execs claim that Dariani ripped off their steez, and now Facebook is suing Fakebook. Face-off!

Dariani admits drawing inspiration from Facebook in the creation of his site. But until this March, there was no German language version of Facebook. What were the kids to do? [Source: Reuters]

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Sean Kingston, the rapper has just not had enough from the success of his track Beautiful girls, which topped the charts internationall. The news say that rapper, is planning to make a remake of his rap, beautiful girls, into Bollywood Girls. And, well, the singer has Kareena Kapoor topping his list of beautiful women!!!Kareena has […]

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Filed under: Cell Phones, Computers, BlackBerry

This item almost reads like something out of a spy story: ‘Western Government Official Conned By Seductress.’

But the real news is this: a senior member of British Prime Minster Gordon Brown’s staff, during a visit to Shanghai earlier this year, decided to spend the night with a pretty young local woman, and discovered the next morning his BlackBerry was missing.

At risk? At the very least, access to data on the handheld device and possibly to the computer servers at 10 Downing Street, the official office of the Prime Minister (Great Britain’s version of the White House).

While the British government claims no data loss or infiltration, the incident highlights the risk of bringing sensitive information and access into China - a problem that could balloon to great volume during the upcoming Olympics in Beijing, when thousands of international business and government leaders visit China.

The Chinese government has apparently been stepping up its espionage efforts during the last year, to the point where Jonathan Evans, the director-general of intelligence agency MI5, issued a warning that the threat could impact Great Britain’s economy if banks are compromised. (We assume other countries are similarly at risk.)

Despite all the warnings from governments and data security firms that people should protect their data (by avoiding everything from e-mail scams to carrying their laptops on international trips) the fact that the breach occurred in such a low-tech manner (a one-night stand is so cliché) reminds us all that good old-fashioned person-to-person contact is the possibly the greatest risk to information security overall. [Source: The Sunday Times.]

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Filed under: in sixty seconds

• Kim Honey learns about all the edible food out there to eat in the wild, and the particulars of slaughtering bunnies.
• More reasons to love summer: urban farming and rare beets.
• Delight in the inner flesh of a dragon fruit.
• Forget that typical round stuff. Here’s a recipe for square sushi!
• Mouth-watering chef delicacies in Quebec City.
• Cheap and tasty reds: Mezzomondo 2007 Sangiovese Merlot, Pascual Toso 2005 Merlot, and Concha y Toro Trio 2006 Merlot-Carmenère-Cabernet Sauvignon.
• The ins and outs of ceviche, and where to taste it in Toronto.
• Summertime white wines: Cantina di Gambellara Prime Brume 2006 Soave Classico, Flat Rock Cellars 2007 Riesling, Omaka Springs 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Novas Winemaker’s Selection 2006 Chardonnay/Marsanne/ Viognier, and Tawes Sketches of Niagara 2006 Chardonnay.

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While the promos of Drona are out and have already been a hit among the audience, there is one little gal who is not liking them totally. Piggy Chops, who has not even managed to earn a glimpse in the promos, is very unhappy about the marketing strategy of the producers. News is also that […]

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