Google may be planning to release a new type of digital eyeglasses which display useful information to the user, according to reports from the New York Times. They are said to function in ways similar to the newest smartphones and will run on the Google Android operating system. Some tech writers are calling them "Terminator" glasses because they apparently give you some cyborg-like information retrieval capabilities.
An unnamed Google employee has stated that the new Google Glasses will include a small screen just inches from the user's eye and will be controlled mainly by head movements. They will sell for between $250 and $600 and should be available to the public by the end of 2012.
According to the source, the high-tech eyeglasses will feature a built in high-definition camera that allows them to provide location-specific information seamlessly to the user. One Google blogger, Seth Weintraub, says the glasses will feature a display on just one side and the user interface will be navigated using head tilting.
Experts say Google Glasses, if they really are coming, will be among the first of many "augmented reality" products expected to hit the market in coming years. They will be able to overlay helpful virtual information onto real-time images and will be featured in everything from smartphones to cars to home windows to, of course, futuristic Terminator eyeglasses!
We say: This is either a really funny early April Fools joke or an ultra cool new product we can't wait to get our hands on!
In just over a week, former Harvard point guard Jeremy Lin has gone from bench player to American sports superstar. He's done it by putting up huge numbers and helping the New York Knicks win 5 games in a row and put themselves back in the NBA playoff picture. He's become the most talked about athlete in New York City and almost certainly the entire country.
Earlier tonight, against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he became the first player in NBA history to score at least 20 points and dish out at least 7 assists in his first four games as a starter. When you consider how many all-time greats have gone through the league that is absolutely incredible! He's even already proved himself against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers by scoring 38 points on Friday in a 92-85 win in Madison Square Garden.
"Linsanity" is taking the US, Asia, and much of the rest of the world by storm as people everywhere learn about Mr. Lin and his incredible story. In just a few days his Knicks jersey has become one of the most looked-for NBA jerseys in the world. He's the NBA's first American-born Chinese or Taiwanese player who, despite a very good college career, went undrafted out of Harvard and was passed over by several pro scouts, general managers, and coaches.
In a week's time his incredible ball handling, passing, and scoring touch has turned him into a worldwide sensation the likes of which has probably never been seen before. His Twitter account is already nearing the 200,000 mark but he's still sleeping on his brother's couch in Manhattan because he has yet to buy a home in New York. His strong Christian faith and, especially, his "underdog" story is already drawing comparisons to Tim Tebow, an athlete who Lin says inspires him.
Now sports fans are waiting to learn the answer to a very important question: can Jeremy Lin continue to play such amazing basketball when the established Knicks superstarts -- Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Baron Davis -- return to play? The team's center Tyson Chandler says he's not too worried about Lin being a fluke, saying this:
"You can tell when a guy isn't really that skilled but is just having a good stretch. This guy is skilled. He's fast. He gives the defense a problem, and he's really crafty at the rim."
We say: This is AWESOME and it's exactly what this shortened, crazy NBA season needed. We hope Jeremy Lin continues his great play and turns into the next Steve Nash. We also hope he soon leaves NYC and brings his skills to a nice West Coast team (Suns anyone??)!
Some Starbucks cafes will soon offer alcoholic drinks, according to a new announcement from the coffee giant. Wine and beer will be available in select locations, as will a new variety of "premium food" like hot flatbreads and small plates. The company has already been testing the idea at a location in Seattle since 2010 where it offers $5 beers (including the delicious Rogue Dead Guy Ale) and $7-$9 glasses of wine (including an Oregon Pinot Noir and an Argentine Malbec).
Starbucks says the goal is to increase the level of "relaxation" in its shops and offering alcohol after 2 p.m. is a great way to do that. According to the company's senior vice president of U.S. operations:
"As our customers transition from work to home, many are looking for a warm and inviting place to unwind and connect with the people they care about."
The good news for worried parents and soccer moms: all beer and wine bottles will be kept behind the counters and not on the outside display cases. Experts say Starbucks is desperate to differentiate itself from up-and-coming competitors like McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts, and Panera Bread. They are also planning on launching a new chain of speciality juice shops so we'll have to wait and see if vodka screwdrivers are on the menu at those locations.
We say: This is a fantastic idea. Now we don't have to bring flasks of bourbon in our laptop bags when we go to Starbucks to work on blog posts! :)
Looking for a 10 minute workout that actually works? Well it appears millions of other people are too, especially in North America. In the past three weeks "10 Minute Trainer" has become a top search phrase in Google, even appearing on their Hot Trends page a few days ago. So what's the deal? Well, it turns out 10 Minute Traineris another one of those incredibly well-produced and well-promoted Beachbody home workout programs (P90X or Insanity anyone?) that promises a fitness model's body within a matter of weeks.
Surprisingly, this is not a new product. In fact, going by the oldest reviews on Amazon.com, it was first released way back in early 2008. So why the explosion in popularity online? Probably because Beachbody has been seriously ramping up its TV and web marketing efforts in the past few weeks, most likely to take advantage of the surge in interest in fast weight loss and quick fitness solutions that appears every January.
What Is It?
10 Minute Trainer is basically an ultra-efficient, super fast workout system for busy people. It combines high-intensity cardio, ab exercises, and "total body toning" strength training exercises in one short workout. It of course includes a strict eating plan that is absolutely necessary for rapid fat loss results and the DVDs also come with special rubber resistance bands to help raise the intensity/efficiency of the exercises. The videos are hosted by Beachbody fitness guru Tony Horton and they promise to help you "tone and trim" your entire body in just 10 minutes per day by using the supposedly unique "Super Stacking Technique" system.
Sound super, doesn't it??
Reviews Needed
As is often the case with Beachbody's ultra-popular home exercise products, there's not a whole lot of real information online. Most of the customer "reviews" currently available on the web were created by people who make money selling the 10 Minute Training DVD program -- often promoting it directly on the very same website. The over 100 reviews currently on Amazon are generally positive although there are a handful of negative 1 and 2-star reviews as well. Unfortunately, many of the most positive 5-star reviews appear to be fakes. There's too much similar language, too many exclamation points!!!, and few if any other reviews from the reviewers -- all signs of less-than-genuine reviews. So we need your help...
If you've used the 10 Minute Trainer workout system please leave your own reviews, ratings, or opinions in the comments section below. Thanks! :)
We say: Ten and 15 minute workouts are nothing new and many of the best are totally free. Although we're sure the 10 Minute Trainer system has some definite benefits, especially for newbies and people who need some visual motivation from their televisions, we're also fairly confident it's a little over-priced for what it is. For $90 you could buy a couple of high-quality kettlebells and a great jumprope, which all anyone needs to get an extremely effective fast workout anytime they want! (If you don't disagree tells us why in the comments section below!)
By the way, here's the Ten Minute Trainer commercial. If you live in the US you've probably already seen it a few hundred times...
Here's some more good news for Las Vegas tourism: it has just been voted as being among America's rudest and most stressful cities! A new study by CNBC.com identified Vegas as the country's second most stressful city, right behind Tampa, FL. They base their findings on the Vegas area's high crime, horrible economy, bad traffic, crazy unemployment rate, and still-going-down home values. The city has one of the highest divorce rates in the nation and is lucky enough to have a high per capita violent crime rate.
The only "happy" thing about Vegas? Sunshine. We have the fewest cloudy days of any city surveyed. Awesome.
All that stress must be making Vegas Valley people very rude, because Travel + Leisure magazine just rated us the 12th rudest population in the US. The magazine's editors say they took into account culture, quality of life, shopping, nightlife options, trip experiences, and overall "friendliness" in making their list. They say Vegas kicks butt in the nightlife category but that people here (locals and tourists alike) don't necessarily enjoy interacting with one another very much.
Kind of surprisingly, Vegas was among the worst cities for "athletically active" people. Aren't we supposed to be one of the best cities for outdoor sports enthusiasts?? Not surprising at all, the city ranks extremely low for intelligence of the population, city pride, museums, peace, and public parks.
We say: Of course we're stressed and pissed off in Sin City! There are no jobs. Everyone's losing their house. The economy absolutely sucks. And Vegas seems to attract some of the least friendly people not just from the US but from all over the world (we're looking at you Vietnamese blackjack dealers... learn how to smile once in awhile!). Thank God for the sun...
