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Jamie alerts us to the news that the giant luxury department store Harrods, in London, is threatening a small roadside cafe, called Hollands (accurately named after the cafe’s owners) for having a logo that’s too similar. The Daily Mail article above has a number of excellent photographic comparison shots, including a nice one showing the dumpy looking cafe juxtaposed with Harrod’s famous, iconic, storefront. The logos themselves both use similar script fonts, but it seems unlikely that anyone would be confused, and the whole thing comes off as the department store bullying a little cafe.

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According to the WSJ, Motorola president Sanjay Jha said that “We will introduce new Droid products in the Verizon franchise.” This probably means something like the Droid Shadow that “appeared” in a toilet recently.

We can also expect about a dozen new phones from Motorola this year, although not all of them will run Android.

via Giz

Just as the National Security Strategy places an international order based on binding global norms at the center of President Obama’s foreign policy, a United Nations official tells Charlie Savage of The New York Times that Obama’s drone strikes ought to come to end:

Philip Alston, the United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, said Thursday that he would deliver a report on June 3 to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva declaring that the “life and death power” of drones should be entrusted to regular armed forces, not intelligence agencies. He contrasted how the military and the C.I.A. responded to allegations that strikes had killed civilians by mistake.

“With the Defense Department you’ve got maybe not perfect but quite abundant accountability as demonstrated by what happens when a bombing goes wrong in Afghanistan,” he said in an interview. “The whole process that follows is very open. Whereas if the C.I.A. is doing it, by definition they are not going to answer questions, not provide any information, and not do any follow-up that we know about.”

Alston stops short of calling the drones a violation of the laws of war. But that doesn’t diminish the tension between the rules-based internationalism Obama seeks and the drone strikes he considers a crucial counterterrorism tool.

Consider that the drones are a fairly cheap and unsophisticated technology. It’s only a matter of time before some other country replicates the U.S.’s move to outfit them with missiles. China, for instance, has at least seven types of unmanned aerial vehicles. Russia has at least eight. Will the Obama administration accept an assertion by China or Russia that they retain the right to launch missiles from remotely-piloted aircraft at foreign military targets in defiance of the wishes of a U.N. special rapporteur?

Credit: Concentrics Hospitality

This fine fellow striking the classic “Iron Chef” bring it pose is Nick Melvin, who will be leaving his post at Parish Foods & Goods in the Old Fourth Ward to join Athens chef Hugh Acheson in his first Atlanta venture, Empire State South.

A native of New Orleans, Melvin has worked at Bayonna in the Crescent City, and at Highlands Bar & Grill in Birmingham, Alabama — good training for a chef who will run the city’s most anticipated new Southern restaurant.

According to Acheson’s press release, his new Midtown eatery will be “
a
 modern
 meat 
n’
 three
 that
 takes
  a fresh and vibrant approach
 to 
Southern 
classics. 
Acheson’s
 vision
 is
 an
 “every
person”
 restaurant,
 where 
simple
 foods
 are 
cooked
 flawlessly.
 Empire
 State
 will 
be
 open 
for 
breakfast,
 lunch 
and
 dinner
 with
 courtyard
 bocce
 ball 
available
 all
 day 
and
 an …

Time to get the pitchforks out, people. We slept on it in hopes it was all a nightmare, but the ugly rumor that began yesterday (first by Android Guys and later confirmed by Engadget) is true: Video chat on Qik on the Evo 4G is going to cost an extra $4.99 a month, payable by Paypal.

It’s more than a little suspect that this wasn’t mentioned — ever — during Sprint’s Evo 4G launch party in New York, nor did any of the Qik folks there drop the bomb, and here we are just a week from launch. The good news is that there’s already one free alternative in Fring, and Skype may be bringing video chat as well in the form of a "consumer app" (outside the bounds of its exclusivity with Verizon) later this year. [Android Guys, Engadget]

This is a post by Android Central. It is sponsored by the Android Central Accessories Store

Rumors are running wild. And they out to, taken that Bugatti are planning to cease production of the iconic Veyron supercar. That’s left everyone wondering what the automotive company will come up with next. Another machine we can drool and dream about? Hopefully! Rumors of a 1,200-horsepower Super Veyron have surfaced too. And according to a few, the company is working on a green supercar, pushing the extremes of battery power to a whole new level.

A test car, based on Bently’s Continental GT is under tests currently, using two electric motors and a high-tech lithium-ion power cell that will when combined deliver 800 horsepower and 1,600 lb-ft of torque. And this isn’t the first time Bugatti is going electric. They’ve tried it before with the Type 56 in the 30’s which received a good enough response. An electric supercar by Bugatti in the future sure seems likely.

Source

by Kevin Jon Heller

Skytrax has released its annual list of the world’s 10 best airlines.  Here they are, from #1 down:

• Asiana Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Air New Zealand
• Etihad Airways
• Qantas
• Emirates
• Thai Airways
• Malaysia Airlines

Two things stand out.  First, Asian and Australia/New Zealand dominate. I fly Air New Zealand and Qantas regularly, and think both are excellent.  (Air New Zealand is better, as the ratings indicate.)  I also like Virgin Australia, which isn’t on the list but has a great non-stop from Melbourne to Los Angeles for between $800-1000 (US).  My friends fly Singapore, Etihad, and Emirates regularly and rave about all three, especially Singapore.

Second, there are no US airlines on the list.  In fact, no US airline wins any of Skytrax’s 50-odd individual awards, either.  That, of course, should come as no surprise to anyone who lives in the US.  Our airlines are absolutely atrocious — dirty, cramped, lousy food, unpleasant service, pathetic entertainment.  (The only airlines that are anywhere near as bad are British Midlands and British Airways.)  A friend recently flew to Melbourne on United.  It was a 14-hour flight and the only entertainment was the airline-selected movie shown on little televisions attached to the ceiling.  Air New Zealand, Qantas, and Virgin, by contrast, have in-seat TV screens with your choice of more than 120 movies.  And the food is good.

Skytrax’s rankings don’t take them into account, but the difference between Asian and American airports is also stark.  Denver and Indianapolis have nice airports, but most are just as dirty, cramped, and unpleasant as the airlines themselves.  (And don’t get me started on US customs…)  The Asian airports, by contrast, are fantastic.  They’re spacious, clean, with great food choices and — invariably — free internet everywhere.  And getting though customs is a breeze.

I really don’t miss living in the US.

Smashing beer bottles has never been a greener affair before. This time, you can spread awareness of recycling by smashing beer bottles, in a controlled environment. Blow off the steam by smashing bottles at the Glassphemy glass-pulverizing installation. The rectangular shaped structure is made out of bullet-proof glass, and can easily sustain the impact of a bottle smashing on it. The Glassphemy, created by Macro Sea, works as a glass recycling center and a great stress reliever too!

Standing 20 feet high and 30 feet long, bottles from bars are kept besides the structure, ready to be hurled and soothe your nerves too. The breaking grass sets on a lighting system by Jason Krugman. A cement mixer, powered by a bike, polishes the shards and grinds them to sand. Macro Sea also has a contest wherein you can submit your ideas on finding uses for the broken down glass. This sure is an aggressive means to recycling.

Source

As the government works to finalize by July its financial regulation bill meant to prevent another crisis, the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission is still trying to figure out what went wrong. Despite the fact that President Obama will sign a bill this summer, the FCIC won’t even issue its report until December. What’s the point?

This question is posed by an editorial in today’s Washington Examiner. It provides FCIC Chairman Phil Angelides’ response:

Angelides and the FCIC’s vice chairman, former Republican Rep. Bill Thomas of California, told The Washington Examiner the panel won’t be making policy recommendations. “This report is to explain to the American people what really caused the meltdown,” said Angelides. But if it won’t be making policy recommendations and Congress has already passed legislative fixes to avoid another meltdown, why are we spending $8 million on this commission? The only explanation Angelides could offer was that his panel’s report might be of use to those who enforce the new law.

So $8 million of taxpayer money is being spent just in case someone might want to read it? Why not use that money to save some teacher jobs, or prevent a few dozen foreclosures? At least those options would provide tangible results.

In fact, a theoretical report that the government isn’t actually using to form its policy is a complete waste. If you want to learn what happened during the financial crisis, just pick up one of the many books written about it, such as former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson’s “On The Brink,” Andrew Ross Sorkin’s, “Too Big to Fail,” or Michael Lewis’ “The Big Short,” to name a few. Or read some of what are sure to be thousands of economics and finance journal articles written by academics for the next 50 years about the crisis. All of that great stuff comes without costing taxpayers a cent.

What’s stranger is that the FCIC, which is a body that seeks transparency about Wall Street, refuses to disclose its own finances. According to the editorial, Angelides refuses to reveal how he’s spending the $8 million budget. He won’t release a list of staff members, salaries, or job descriptions. We requested this information as well, so should they decide to provide it, we’ll be sure to keep you posted. Of course, no matter how the FCIC is using the money, it’s pretty hard to imagine that it could be well spent, considering how little impact its report will ultimately have.

Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission – Wall Street – Economic – FCIC Chairman Phil Angelides – Michael Lewis

F1 World Champion, Jenson Button, announced the break-up on his relationship with the super Japanese lingerie model, Jessica Michibata. Button has hit the brakes and no longer wishes to sit in the car again, to carry on with the relationship. One of the most lovely and happy couple, I have ever witnessed on the tracks after Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Scherzinger.

Reason behind the break-up was pretty confusing as the racer told that it was difficult to maintain their long distance relationship. The racer is most of the times travelling to places in the world to race on the tracks while the model is also on the move for some great snaps. Both couldn’t give up on their career’s which ended up, sadly.

One good thing which we noticed was that the formula one champion was in high spirits and in a great mood as he trained in Istanbul to be ready for the Turkish Grand Prix.

The beautiful model has shown her full support for the young driver as she has attended almost all of his races including his win in Australia and China. Seems like things were a little bad from Button’s side and he couldn’t coup up with the star model. But on the other hand we have also seen Button visiting her regularly in Tokyo.

A close source revealed that the driver was dating another beautiful model, Kimberley Keay which was the reason behind the break-up.

Related posts:

1. Jenson Button Marks 12-Second Victory Over Kubica @ Australian Grand Prix
2. NASCAR: Larry Pearson Survives Frightening Crash
3. Subway Fresh Fit 600, Sprint Cup: Newman Records Victory After 77 Races

Gene Simmons has been accused of sexual assault and sexual battery by a California makeup artist.

Victoria Jackson has filed a lawsuit against the KISS singer – whose real name is Gene Klein – alleging he inappropriately-touched her while she was working at Los Angeles’ ESPN Sports Center last November.

According to documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court May 14, Jackson says Simmons, dressed in his famous KISS costume and makeup, approached her and said in “a lecherous and inappropriate manner, ‘I like you.’” The Family Jewels star then allegedly “grabbed and hugged” Jackson and rubbed his groin on her backside. Victoria claims she has suffered humiliation, shame, embarrassment, anger, anxiety, loss of sleep, and depression. She describes the rocker’s behavior as “vile and inexcusable” and is seeking over $500,000 in damages.

The “Crazy Crazy Nights” star has filed a countersuit against Victoria, arguing that no assault occurred and branding Jackson’s suit as financially-motivated.

Bruce V. Bigelow wrote:

Stand on any beach on any ocean, and one of the things you will eventually notice about waves is that they keep coming—which might turn out to be the case with legal disputes over wave-making technology as well.

It certainly seemed that way last year, when I wrote about a startup in Solana Beach, CA, called American Wave Machines, or AWM. Founder Bruce McFarland and his wife Marie started the company in 2000 to develop his ideas for SurfStream, a machine capable of generating a standing wave big enough for paying customers to surf. But AWM’s hopes for a glassy ride to the green room got pitched in the soup in 2008, when San Diego’s “wave war” began.

McFarland’s former boss, Tom Lochtefeld, filed a patent infringement suit, alleging that AWM’s technology was infringing on patents that Lochtefeld and his company, San Diego-based Wave Loch, have been commercializing since 1991. Lochtefeld was all amp’d about McFarland dropping in on his wave—or what he said was his wave. It was like a field day at the courthouse for all the men in the gray suits. AWM denied Lochtefeld’s allegations, and asked a federal judge in San Diego to suspend the litigation until the patent office has conducted an official review of the claims asserted by Lochtefeld and Wave Loch.

So it seemed like victory at sea for AWM when I got a press release this week (from AWM) that says the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) “has invalidated each of the 27 patent claims asserted by Wave Loch in its patent infringement claim against American Wave Machines.”

In an e-mail, the lawyer for AWM, Gil Cabrera, says, “Once the USPTO issues the Reexamination Certificate consistent with its final rejection of Lochtefeld’s claims, we will file a motion to dismiss the entire case because none of the claims he asserted against AWM survived reexamination.”

Cabrera says the patent office ruling puts AWM in a “great position to ultimately prevail in the litigation.” But when I asked Lochtefeld for his response, he was like, Whoa. Wait a minute Ho-dad. He tells me by e-mail: “Bruce. Your information is false.” Then he calls me—from London—to say, “There are still patent claims outstanding. I met with …Next Page »

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Oftentimes I browse BlackBerry related sites looking for good quick tip ideas. It seems like there are an almost infinite number of functions you can perform with your BlackBerry, and the more we present the better off our users will be. Sometimes, though, I come across tips that don’t quite merit their own posts. I’m going to start combining these into easy tip packages. Today’s three-pack will include deleting old messages to free up memory, easily switching applications, and how to change your application menu grid style.

(more…)

2010 Kia Soul Commercial: A new way to roll 2010

We’re pretty sure you remember the famous Kia Soul commercial that made its debut in March 2009 with a bunch of hamsters driving around in the new compact. Well, the group of hamsters is back for another round in 2010 and this time they have a lot of style… hip-hop style.

The commercial also features some shots at other automakers that produce cars shaped like toasters and cardboard boxes (hint: they are called the xB from some company named Scion).

Click here to get prices on the 2010 Kia Soul.

Check out the commercial after the jump to see what we mean.

Kia presents: A new way to roll 2010:

– By: Omar Rana

The Samsung Behold II is finally getting updated from cupcake (Android 1.5), but it’s not exactly what you’d expect.  It’s a big drawn out mess of pulled youtube videos, supposed broken promises, random forum posts, and even threat of some sort of legal action. Thankfully the good folks over at Phone Scoop reached out for the official word from Samsung and Kim Titus, the Director of PR for Samsung Telecommunications America, let them know that the Behold II will indeed be updated, but only to Donut (Android 1.6).

According to Samsung, the Behold II is not upgradable beyond Android 1.6.  To sweeten the blow a little bit, Samsung says they will also offer the Swype keyboard, an improved media player, improved bluetooth capabilities, and the Android core apps (the apps like Gmail, Maps, or Talk) would be getting an upgrade.  We don’t like it any more than you do, but this is how legacies are built.  [Phone Scoop]

This is a post by Android Central. It is sponsored by the Android Central Accessories Store

Apple’s iPad is now available internationally, a full 53 days after its original U.S. debut.

This Friday morning early adopters around the world queued up in a bid to get their hands on the long-awaited tablet device. Many of Apple’s retail stores decided to open an hour earlier than usual. The doors opened as planned, ready to serve the scores of awaiting anticipated Apple shoppers that had formed queues from the very early hours of the morning.

Shoppers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK can now get their hands on the device. In the UK a basic 16GB Wi-Fi model can be picked up for £429.99, the same model is priced at $549 for Canadian customers, whereas German consumers can grab a new iPad from €499. More international pricing details for the iPad can be found on your country’s Apple store website.

For those not in the countries outlined above, Apple has detailed that more countries will receive the 9.7-inch device at some unknown point in July. Today’s more widespread global availability comes after Apple had to delay the international launch due to the overwhelming debut the tablet enjoyed in the U.S..

Reports regarding the tablet’s global launch have started to roll-in, detailing the reception Apple’s device has garnered. Several hundred people were queuing outside Apple’s flagship UK store according to UK tech publication The Register. Similar scenes were reported at Spain’s Munich store, where 9to5Mac described the launch event as manic. Apple fans in Japan apparently started queuing days in advance according to a TUAW report.

Following today’s global launch Steve Jobs will no doubt detail how the international launch fared at the upcoming WWDC next month with some early sales figures.

Related GigaOM Pro Research: Hot Topic: Apple’s iPad