Scientists and club owners have joined forces in a new venture using alternative resources, and it's dance power. Club WATT, the world's Sustainable Dance Club™ will open September 4 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, following in the footsteps of the world's first eco-club, Club Surya, in London on July 10.
SDC officials affirmed that one of the most important factors in the ultimate sustainable clubbing experience is the Sustainable Dance Floor™, which SDC has been developing since 2006, in collaboration with the student innovation lab Enviu (which was included in last year's Fast 50), Delft University of Technology, Ecofys (a sustainable energy solutions company) and Rotterdam-based Studio Roosegaarde. Made from a fusion of electronics, embedded software and smart durable materials, the dance floor will convert the dance crowd's movements into electricity, using the generated power to change the appearance of the floor’s surface. The energy-generating dance floor can also generate feedback to other systems that use electricity, such as sound systems. The floor will also be available in a custom mobile version this Fall. (If you're interested in seeing the new dance tech in action, click here.)
SDC’s goals are to reduce energy consumption by 30 percent and water consumption and waste production by 50 percent. Energy will be conserved with the use of renewable energy sources and LED lighting. Additional initiatives include decreased paper usage and ordering from clothing companies with ethical practices.
With even the clubbing scene getting green, you know that there is a serious culture change on the rise. After the September opening, SDC is setting their sights on opening a second location in London. How long do you think it will be until one pops up in the United States?
Just when one Internet phenomenon achieves enough hype, something new is right around the corner. Blogs, YouTube, Twitter, it goes on. Now there's the Blook.
Former Fortune 500 CEO Paul Mongerson recently launched OurBlook.com, a new Web 2.0 tool offering users a new way of discussing current issues. The site provides more depth and tuning than a blog, but more flexibility than a book.
"The Blook concept is a new type of Web 2.0 tool that cultivates the strengths of websites like Wikipedia, but at the same time provides gentle guidance," said Gerry Storch, OurBlook.com editor, "The idea is to use the power of collaborative communities to explore complex issues our nation faces, and hopefully come up with solutions that incorporate input from a diverse group of people."
Topics are written in an academic outline and essay format. For example, the topic " Is the press a 'feral beast' with public officials?" begins with a question, a summary and a four-part answer. The page reads much like a college or law school reading assignment, but the writing is concise and could prove to be a useful study tool.
It is debatable how a blog/book meld can market itself. After all, reading books digitally haven't been met with much popularity (see Kindle), and marketing a blog as a book doesn't sound very exciting. However, the academic format of the website could prove to be a useful quick-study tool for students and those interested in fast explanation of a pressing topic.
E3, the biggest annual week-long gaming conference on Earth, kicked off on Monday, July 14 in Los Angeles. On the minds of many was the next installment of the Final Fantasy franchise, as many bloggers and fans expected some sort of announcement from Square Enix at the gamer extravaganza. Right now, all that fans (like myself) have are a handful of freeze frame images and a trailer. Most gaming experts predict (or hope) that Square Enix will announce a release date some time this weekend, but the announcement that came Monday was most unexpected.
Final Fantasy XIII will be released on Sony PlayStation 3 AND the Microsoft Xbox 360. Square Enix has been steadfast in its partnerships with Sony and Nintendo, and the decision to release the title on two platforms could be seen as a huge slap in the face to Sony. In a press conference, Square Enix Corporate Executive, Shinji Hashimoto announced that the decision was made because they want to spread Final Fantasy to more places around the world.
Tech specs shouldn't make much of a difference when it comes to game play. The PlayStation 3 is only minimally faster, and image resolution shouldn't be affected. As for any special features, Final Fantasy XIII Producer, Yoshinori Kitase said that the content would remain the same, but with Blu-ray and other formats it might be different. What the execs did promise was a "flashier" and more exciting game.
While the cut scenes and graphics of Final Fantasy XII were beyond amazing, the story itself was lackluster and drawn out, and many fans hope that the next story will bring something new to the table.
For those who don't have a PlayStation 3 (like me, who still only has the PlayStation 2), the announcement could be a huge relief. It's a bit silly for me to drop $400 for a gaming console to play one game (two if you count the rumored Kingdom Hearts III), but with an Xbox, my options are slightly better. I have more friends with the 360, and the Microsoft gaming console has a cheaper price tag at $300 (and probably less by the time FF XIII is released).
However, the gaming execs didn't name a release date, signaling that it could be awhile (maybe a few years) before we can even decide whether or not to play FF XIII on an Xbox or a PlayStation. But we did get a new trailer!
However, despite the store's debut, it was pretty difficult to locate. I upgraded to iTunes 7.7, yet there was no link on the iTunes Store home page. Thanks to bloggers over at CNET, I found a way to access the store here. But, without the release of the iPhone 2.0 software upgrade, applications couldn't be transferred or used on the "classic" iPhone just yet. This morning, after an hour-long process of the restoring the phone to factory settings (required for installation) and then finally installing the upgrade, it was well worth the wait.
Apple opened shop with a good selection of over 500 applications, 125 of which are free. The most popular free apps (according to the iTunes sidebar) include Facebook, MySpace, AIM and regular updates from the New York Times and Associated Press. Categories include games, business, and pocket language guides by Lonely Planet. There were also safety applications, including Light, which turns your iPhone into a full-on flashlight in case of an emergency. That one is free, and there are quite a few more that list personal health (i.e. blood type) and contact information if your phone is lost, starting at $0.99.
Of course, there are a few random apps that probably shouldn't have made it past Apple's selection crew, including a free application that enables your iPhone to dial with a rotary dialer or another one that turns numbers into words in case one is writing a check. Why one couldn’t remember how to spell out a number into a word, I'm not sure, but at least that one is free too.
The new Facebook application will probably hold my attention most of the time (or at least, more time than it should), and I can't wait to see what shows up in the store over the next few months. Which applications are you most looking forward to downloading?
American Independence Day is all about celebrating the values our country holds most dear. And it's a holiday that we usually celebrate with fireworks in remembrance of the American Revolution.
However, how harmful are gusts of gunpowder and combustible chemicals each Fourth of July on the environment? According to a study by Environmental Science and Technology, fireworks spread perchlorate (a chemical that damages the thyroid gland), contaminating of surrounding water bodies. Last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studied a lake in Oklahoma and found that within 14 hours of the fireworks display, perchlorate levels were 1000 times higher than before. Pollutants' hazardous power are only heightened by high humidity levels and smog, which are especially prevalent at East Coast celebrations in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City.
Further development and research into compressed air technology and non-heavy metal products could green up those colorful bursts of flames. Even some major corporations are keeping the environment in mind for their light shows. The Walt Disney Company, whose theme parks use fireworks nearly everyday of the year, has implemented cleaner fireworks technology, using compressed air to lift fireworks, almost eliminating the need for smoke-producing black powder and other materials at launch, significantly reducing ground-level smoke and noise while continuing to provide an entertaining show.
Sure, fireworks are pretty, but how much are they worth the cost of poorer air and water? Cleaner fireworks can make this time-honored tradition safer for us all.
If the music industry can't figure out how to make a profit, they might as well just give their music away for free. The major labels have done little to innovate the industry. One innovation, however, that just might work (and one which I benefitted from) is free concerts. BIG free concerts.
Coldplay held three free concerts (London, Barcelona and New York City), and I was a lucky winner of two tickets to Madison Square Garden on June 23. Fans (and anyone else) could sign up on the band's official website earlier this spring, with hopes of winning a pair of tickets. The British band will commence their regular North American tour in Los Angeles on July 14. Sadly, you will have to pay for these.
Going to see Coldplay for free isn't like going to see some rising Indie band at a club. This is a band that came in at sold within the first week of its release. Going to see one of the biggest bands at one of the largest music venues in the U.S. is hardly a token event. It's a promotional extravaganza. The event was so huge that the 19,763 capacity arena was at least 75 percent filled, with a quarter blocked off by the stage.
The concert itself was close to spectacular. Not skimping on any stage production elements since it was a free show, but also not over-the-top, the English quartet performed their hearts out. While there were a few technical glitches here and there, the band members were never fazed, laughed it off and the audience laughed with them.
Now, who else in the music industry will be as kind (brave, foolish, insert adjective here) as Coldplay to hold giant free concerts for their fans? It could turn into a small trend, but I don't see free concerts at Madison Square Garden becoming a regular promotional technique. More than likely, smaller venues will play host to free concerts, like Wyclef Jean performing at the Apple Store in Manhattan's Soho district on June 9.
What also remains to be seen is what kind of benefits such a promotion can reap. After all, the album debuted at #1 in the United States before the free concert, so its hard to tell if the spectacle really helped Coldplay's album sales or not. Judging by the audience's enthusiasm, I'd guess that the majority of those in attendance would have thrown down big bucks to see them anyway. I know I was planning to buy tickets until I found out the concert was a free lottery.
However, there is something to be said for anything free: it is still advertising, whether you realize it or not. Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of Wired Magazine, wrote a piece, "The Long Tail" about the future of entertainment markets and the premium of free. Essentially, "free has a cost: the psychological value of convenience." For those in the audience who weren't big fans before and happened to win tickets or were brought along by a friend, a huge entertaining performance can influence album sales.
So I ask you, can the industry save itself this way and boost album sales, or is it just throwing away money on big-budget productions?
The biggest A-list movie stars, particularly the Americans, often appear in foreign advertisements -- and they'll go to all lengths to ensure their domestic fans aren't clued in. However, with YouTube, that's all but impossible now. The availability of high-speed, high-quality streaming video anywhere could potentially be a reason behind why many Hollywood stars aren't afraid of endorsing products here in the States. L'Oreal has even become a launching pad for rising faces (Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba and Eva Longoria had all been spokesmodels for the hair care line before reaching the pinnacle of fame). The same can be said of younger stars and Neutrogena, whose previous faces included Mandy Moore and Hayden Panettiere. (Is current Neutrogena spokesmodel Vanessa Hudgens the next it-girl?)
Celebrities are retaining long-term endorsement deals, considering that anything will help when it comes to boosting star power. Sarah Jessica Parker has long been the spokesmodel for Garnier's Nutrisse hair-dye line. But it's not just beauty products that stars are endorsing. Grey's Anatomy stars Patrick Dempsey and Kate Walsh can be seen and heard in Mazda and Cadillac ads, respectively. Gap ads feature a rolling roster of celebrities, often the most popular at the moment. The Holiday 2007 campaign featured John Krasinski, James Marsden and Amy Adams, just to name a few.
But the popularity of domestic endorsements isn't holding stars back from appearing in ads abroad. On Wednesday, Kristin Davis made her first voyage to Jerusalem, Israel as the fresh face of the skincare line, Ahava. The Sex and the City star (whom quite a few bloggers suspect that life is imitating art in the case of her Jewish-convert character, Charlotte) toured the Holy Land and posed for a photo-shoot as part of her new endorsement deal.
Nowadays, it might not be a question of whether or not a celebrity wants an endorsement in the United States, but whether they can get one at all.
It’s summertime, which is almost synonymous with vacation-time. This year, however, vacation plans for many Americans has been thrown into a tailspin as rising fuel costs force airlines to raise ticket prices -- and tack on additional fees wherever airline execs see fit.
Along with higher costs, long delays are also characteristic of summer travel. My worst experience ever was last June, and it took 36 hours for two friends and I to fly from London to San Francisco. We even slept on the floor of Chicago O’Hare airport for the night in between. Last Wednesday, June 11, however, was a far more pleasant experience. Jet Blue Flight 649 from New York City (JFK) to San Francisco was a relative breeze (aside from some bumpy turbulence along the way). Specifically, there was only a 15-minute delay. Not bad for JFK, and definitely not bad for summer, considering the night before, the flight didn’t touch ground in California until 5:00 a.m. PST. On the subway to the airport, I was nervous that the flight would be cancelled altogether, as many domestic and international carriers are combating escalating fuel costs by cancelling flights for small problems or even at random.
What struck me was the number of fees this flyer, who has always touted itself as a discount airline in the United States, was the number of amenity fees to offset fuel prices. Included meals were thrown out the window on most domestic carriers years ago, and have since been replaced by “food-for-purchase” for $10 or more. JetBlue has unlimited free snacks (tasty ones at that), but one now has to pay $1 to buy a pair of headphones, which were free before June 1. The advertisement on the Digital TV screen said it was about being greener and more environmentally friendly, but we know it’s all about the fuel. Furthermore, for “as little as $10,” you can pay for four more inches of legroom (38” total). This is one of the few times it pays to be short, as I’m quite fine with the regular 34” of legroom.
Another product lost in the shadows of the 3G iPhone announcement on June 9 was MobileMe, a revamp of .Mac service. One of Apple’s most genius and useful facets is that it makes the process of syncing different products (iMacs, MacBooks, iPods, etc.) remarkably simple. The downside is that sometimes it comes at an extra cost. A big extra cost.
.Mac included online storage for file backups (not a lot, though) as well as a medium to sync contacts, calendars, and other files between computers, PC or Mac. MobileMe isn’t much different. Touted as Microsoft Exchange “for the rest of us” on the Apple website, MobileMe is .Mac with some remarketing and a bigger storage account (from 10 GB to 20 GB). Gawker bloggers even charged that its square cloud logo rips off the Intel logo.
The best upgrade with MobileMe is that it enables all syncing to happen through a “cloud,” according to Apple. Basically, MobileMe pushes e-mail, contacts and calendars straight to an iPhone, iPod Touch, Mac or PC wirelessly. One can upload a photo instantly to their MobileMe account and begin sharing with friends (although that feature could be potentially dangerous at parties. How many times have you untagged yourself in a Facebook photo after a party?).
Essentially, at the new “Me.com,” one can access their desktop files anywhere. Like most Macware, MobileMe has an elegant and clean interface. with the suite of Web applications, including mail and photo. The MobileMe Gallery is the most enticing of the applications, as far as I if you've felt the pain of losing photos without backing them up, then like I, and I’ve felt the pain of losing photos without backing them up in the past. However, I’ve felt the simplest (and cheapest) backup method has been a portable external hard drive, not a yearly subscription service.
Sure, the online suite is appealing, but it comes at a pretty penny too. It’s unfortunate when one pays $399 for an iPhone (I have the first one, and when you do the math, the next one will cost the same) and at least $999 for a MacBook, one has to pay another $100 a year to keep everything synced up.
My friend and fellow Mac aficionado Brent lamented his qualms with the service altogether, saying Apple should provide a free syncing program between computers. “I just need to sync my two Macs and future iPhone,” he said, adding that with Apple, “you pay a premium to get something that can do everything you want out of the box (minus Microsoft Office).”
ValleyWag even estimates, that with the new iPhone service, one could go broke over all the extra costs. A 60-day trial will be available, but will be $99 to hold onto the account for a year. You can tag on extra file space for an additional fee, starting at $49 for another 20 GB. However, bloggers at CNET have pointed out that .Mac accounts are going for $78 on Amazon, and .Mac users will be automatically upgraded (for free) when MobileMe is released.
If you weren’t listening closely to the first couple of minutes during Steve Jobs’ keynote speech yesterday, you might have missed another significant product announcement: Snow Leopard OS X. Details were sparse from the Silicon Valley-based company at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, but it appears the similarly named feline will be more of a performance enhancement to the operating system released last October.
The upgrade will address a number of bugs regarding stability issues and improved compatibility with Microsoft Exchange 2007, among other overhauls on Safari, Address Book and iCal. Snow Leopard also brings with it a new version of Apple QuickTime, optimized for more efficient playback. In comparison to my now-defunct PowerBook that ran on Panther OS, version 10.3.9, Leopard 10.5.2 (which coincidently I bought the week it was released, when my Panther gave out on me after three years), has been like warp-speed. However, nothing is perfect -- not even Apple.
Bloggers and journalists alike have been quick to note that the new release, however, will only work on iMacs and MacBooks with the Intel chip, potentially alienating PowerPC users, according to PC Magazine. Echoing the PowerPC problem, Jacqui Cheng at Infinite Loop, however, applauds the focus on performance control, as “things like the MacBook Air, iPhone, iPod touch, and other mysterious devices that have yet to be announced need better performance for better battery life.”
Interestingly, following a long line of big cats in the OS X series (most recently, Panther, Tiger, and Leopard), Snow Leopard is not the first upgrade to an OS, but it is the first spin-off. For extra hype, Snow Leopard is expected to ship a year from now, possibly at MacWorld in January 2009, going head-to-head with the release of Microsoft Windows 7, the successor to the less-than-beloved operating system, Vista. However, judging by its name, it would make a great holiday season release.
