International

Top Ten Augmented Reality Devices

by Ron Callari

Worlds Collide with the introduction of Augmented Reality. Now the latest craze for smartphones, PCs, camera, GPS systems and even eye-wear, AR merges our virtual and real worlds. Its initiated by technology that takes your existing environment and provides an overlay of extra data and information about the things you are viewing. Now us mere mortals can have some of the superpowers we thought were exclusive to the Bionic Man and the Terminator!

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Mecha Impression with the Gundam 30th Anniversary 1:60 Replica Model

by Steve Levenstein

Can't afford the 60-ft tall Gundam RX-78 Mobile Suit that looms menacingly over Tokyo's Odaiba Island? That's OK, it's not for sale... but a 12-inch tall, 30th anniversary replica model is!

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Japan Fights Swine Flu With Gosshi, the Hand-Washing Dog

by Steve Levenstein

Swine flu has struck Japan and the country is fighting back with its most reliable resources: face masks and cute characters. The latest mascot to make the scene is Gosshi, the hand-washing dog.

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Twihotels Helps Guests Book & Hoteliers Sell Hotel Rooms

by Ron Callari

Twihotels, the unique Twitter app that offers post-your-hotel-queries in a tweet format has expanded their hotel solutions for both hoteliers and hotel guests. Known as the first social networking hotel-finder, Twihotels is already enhancing their feature offerings after their recent debut launch in August.

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More Chinese Farmer Innovations: Baby Buddha Pears!

by Rick Martin

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you're likely familiar with the unusual phenomenon of inventive Chinese farmers. For some reason, these rural inventors are grabbing more headlines than most Chinese tech companies. Well, here's another distinguished farmer to follow in that tradition.

This particular pear producer isn't going to let any economic downturn get the best of his crop sales. His baby buddha pears are selling like hotcakes, and he's doing so well that he now hopes to take them overseas. Check the photos:

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'The Good Web' Uses Social Media To Advance Causes

by Ron Callari

Something is afoot when people begin to distinguish something that is familiar as 'good.' Not inferring that everything that went before it was 'bad,' "The Good Web" looks at the Internet and Social Media with new eyes and places value on using the tools of the Digital Age to create a groundswell of activation for causes.

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Lexus Reveals Lf-Ch Hybrid Concept: Could be Hinting at Future Styling

by George Delozier

Not too long ago, Lexus let it slip that they were working on a hybrid coupe, at the time called the LF-CT, which would likely be competing in the same ring as the recently released BMW 1-Series. Now, they have offered up some sketches of the soon-to-be-revealed concept and given us its true name.

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Airline Seating Follows Airline Food... Bye Bye!

by Toby

Interior designers in the airline industry are clearly charged to create seating designs that work... for the airlines. Pack 'em in must be the industry's motto now, as designers create drawings of face to face seating (a là city bus), stand-up seating (a là torture chamber), and stacked seating (a là someone sits in the luggage rack).

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Mein Kampf Manga Blitzes Bookstores With Comic Nazi-ness

by Steve Levenstein

Fancy a little Adolph with your anime? Japan has something for that: a manga comic version of Hitler's guide to world domination. Anybody seen Mein Manga?

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Full Hybrid Auris Concept Ready for Market...Could be Priced Lower then Prius

by George Delozier

Since introducing the Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) system on the Prius, Toyota has been promising to expand the technology to other platforms. The first vehicle in the sights for the next generation HSD powerplant is the upcoming Auris.

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100 Years Of Social Media

by Ron Callari

Social media is not a phenomenon exclusive to our current Digital Age. It has a long tradition and distinct parallels with events in the past that seem to run in 100 years cycles. Editorial cartoons, postcards and even the Industrial Revolution were all forebearers to how we communicate today through social media.

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Jetlev: Amazing Jetpack Company Offers Experiences That Will Blow You Away

by Beth Hodgson

A new and innovative company is just getting off the ground, both figuratively and literally. It offers a unique service that is the stuff that dreams are made from, and it will blow you away!

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Sample Marketing Comes To Japan Coffee Shop LCAFE!

by Beth Hodgson

When you walk into your local coffee shop or café, at best, the only freebies you'll get are the chocolate toppings or other spices available at the station where you have to lid your own drink. Well, not anymore; at least, not if you live in Japan and plan on frequenting LCAFE.

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YouTube's "All the Kremlin, All The Time" Launches

by Ron Callari

Joining the likes of the Dalai Lama, Barack Obama, the Pope, and the five million pageviews of Dave Carroll's "United Breaks Guitars", Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has launched his own channel on YouTube to grab the attention of the youthful Digerati in his country.

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Mercedes Begins Leasing New Fuel Cell Sedan

by George Delozier

Earlier this year, Mercedes Benz released information regarding their development of a new Fuel Cell vehicle called the F-Cell. Since then, they have been refining the project and now believe it is ready for small scale production.

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Let's Party Like Its 09/09/09!

by Ron Callari

What is the significance of 09/09/09 and why is there this slow simmering buzz about it? Well for one, its the last of the single digit dates for this millennium. Next year, we move to double digits with 10/10/10, and September 09,3009 isn't due for another 1000 years.

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Backhanded Tweets From US Open

by Ron Callari

Twitter, like death and taxes is sort like the "great leveler." Sport figures, celebs and the average Joe's of this world can all co-exist in an environment as equals and communicate with each other in a non-threatening and open way. Well, maybe not at the US Open?

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Volkswagen to Bring 71MPG BlueMotion Polo to US....May Hurt Prius Sales

by George Delozier

Since first being introduced, the Volkswagen Polo has been one of the most fuel efficient vehicles on the road. Years of diesel development and improvements to powertrain design have improved the overall efficiency ever more. Now, VW is offering a BlueMotion version of the Polo and promising even more miles for every gallon.

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Marsh Mellow Festival Boutique: Novelty Festival Gear Will Have Other Burning Man Attendees Drooling

by Beth Hodgson

With the days of summer drawing to an unofficial close, there are summer music festivals taking place around the world to wish it adieu. Finding all of the things you need to survive roughing it in the sub-standard living conditions can be a challenge, but not with one UK business making everything easily accessible.

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Bunny Petting Cafe Has Rabbit Fans Hopping

by Steve Levenstein

Did you hare? Japan's Bunny Petting Cafe is the best thing in ears, and that's fur certain!

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