Saturday, December 24, 2011

Here comes the iphone 3D viewer

Hasbro just announced that they prepare to launch a new 3D-viewer for the iPhone and the iPod touch. The gadget, delivering stunning 3D perspectives, looks like a pair of (ugly!) binoculars andd provides a 360-degree environement. It will cost just 30$.

Beautiful Stone Paintings

One again, there is somebody to show us that the art has endless possibilities. Her name is Ernestina Gallina, an Italian artist who loves to paint animals on rocks, in a very detailed and realistic style. These transformed stones are perfect for a happy, colorful and positive room. If you want to learn how to paint on rocks, take a look on Ernestina’s webpage, where you can find some intuitive lessons.










10 Awesome Love Songs

Love songs were among the first music lyrics composed. This musical style did not go out of date despite being hundreds of years old. It did not vanish, but it continue to flourish. We all enjoy listening to love songs, be it only for the short periods we feel butterflies in our bellies. This type of music finds millions of listening ears all over the world and has a huge amount of fans. The most popular love songs are the ones with the most cherished messages, the ones which can be related to most real life stories. We all have favored  songs, which we play at weddings, which we play when we are sad, or when we are sharing a romantic moment with our loved ones. Here are 10 awesome love songs . Feel free to add more to the list!

1. I’ll make love to you

ill make love to you
Boys II men released this song in 1994. It quickly became a number- one hit single and one of the most beloved love songs of all time.  Among the many tunes of Boys II men, ‘I’ll make love to you’ was one of the most successful and certainly, it was their best love song. And for a good reason that is! This love song really creates a romantic atmosphere in a room populated by 2. It was acknowledged as one of the best songs to make love on. Try it!

2.Truly, Madly, Deeply

truly, madly, deeply
The Australian Pop band Savage Garden recorded this song between 1995 and 1996. It had a tremendous world success in the year 1997 (when it lasted for 2 weeks on the first place on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart) and in the following years. People did not forget ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ and in 2011 was listed on the UK Singles chart, an amazing achievement considering it had passed 14 years since the great voice of Darren Hayes was heard for the first time singing about mountains, sea and sky.

3. I don’t wanna miss a thing

aerosmith
‘This is a love song from 1998, performed by the American rock band Aerosmith for the very popular movie Armageddon, featuring Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck and Liv Taylor. This beautiful song ranked first on several charts all over the world.  Since then, many wedding dances were performed on this song, many girls cried listening to it and many guys plaid it when trying to create a romantic atmosphere.

4. Tonight I celebrate my love

tonight i celebrate my love
This slow song is a charming duet single between Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack. It appeared back in 1983, but it is almost as popular today, especially at weddings, but also whenever the situation demands a special, slow song with a powerful romantic feel. You should definitely not let your girl sit when this song is on.

5. Because You loved me

because you loved me
A love song by Celine Dion, ‘Because you loved me’ was released in 1996. Written by Dianne Warren, the song is a tribute to her father, for his support. A very meaningful and emotional song, it is appropriate for any type of love relationship, romantic or not. Simple yet magical verses like ‘i am everything i am because you loved me’ and ‘I was blessed because I was loved by you’ inspired thousands of people and made others burst into tears. Celine Dion’s voice could not be highlighted more beautifully than through this timeless song.

6. Unchained Melody

unchained melody
No top featuring love songs is complete if ‘Unchained Melody’ is not on it! This is a tune with a long history. It was first created in 1955 by Alex North and Hy Zaret for an obscure movie called ‘Unchained’. Little did they know what an immense impact this song would have on many following generations! It was named by some the best love song of the 20th century and it was produced in as many as 500 hundred different languages. Later, the Righteous Brothers  helped the song regain popularity when they produced a version of it, in 1965. In 1977, Elvis Presley performed it on stage just few weeks before his death, in his last television appearance.  Closer to our times, in 2002, ‘Unchained Melody’ came once again in the spotlight as the first release of pop idol Gareth Gates.

7. Lady in red

lady in red
Thumbs up if you ever danced with your partner on this song! If you never did, don’t worry, ther is still time to do so! This is one of the most romantic songs ever. Chris De Burgh beautifully interpreted it for the first time in 1986.  The song was a hit from the start and reached the first position on tops in many countries.  Chris de Burgh confessed that the love song makes reference to the moment when he first met his wife, Diane and he added that often men cannot remember how their partners were wearing  the first time they saw them.

8. I just can’t stop loving you

i just cant stop loving you
‘I just can’t stop loving you’ is a ballad performed by the late Michael Jackson in duet with Siedah Garrett. It was released in 1987 and it immediatelly made its way to the top in most of the world’s carts. Apparently, Jackson was supposed to sing this son in ‘This is it’ tour with Judith Hill, but consequently to his sudden death, Hill recorded a “sequel” to the song, entitled “I Will Always Be Missing You.

9. Carry my love

carry my love
Sarah Geronimo is a Pilipino singer who recorded this tune in 2007. Elected by the listeners as one of the best  love songs of all times,’ Carry my love’ is the righteous successor of  all the classic love songs presented so far. It was a huge success from the moment it was launched and many people became fans of this young singer after listening to this powerful, moving melody.

10. Crazy for you

crazy for you
Recorded for a 1985 movie, ‘Vision Quest’, this awesome love song was performed by Madonna, the world wide famous singer, who is as eternal as her songs. Initially, Warner Bros. Records did not want to release ‘Crazy for you’ as a single, because they thought it would take the attention away from the hit ‘Like a virgin’. Eventually, the single was released and it opened a new musical path for Madonna, who had never before tried to sing love ballads.  Apparently, fans appreciated the change and this song became one of the best of the year, ranking first in tops for several weeks, in countries such as Australia or Canada, and second in USA, England, Ireland and New Zeeland.

Motorola Droid Pro: A Blackberry with Android


Official specs from Verizon: 3.1-inch screen, 1GHz processor, 4GB memory, 5MP camera (but only “DVD quality” video, 3G hotspot powers, DLNA compatibility. For the suits, it’s got QuickOffice pre-loaded for Office docs, remote wipe and AuthenTec IPSec multi-headed VPN integration, with device and SD card encryption coming early next year. Sounds great!

10 Highest Statues in the World

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Highest statues in the world were lifted to serve a serious purpose: their impressive size and the huge amount of money spent on them talk about the significance of the characters which reached such overwhelming proportions. They were destined to make a deep impact upon people and they do their job. These 10 highest statues in the world are the wonders that we leave behind for the generations to come, as our ancestors did before us.

1. Spring Temple Buddha

huge statues1
The world’s highest statue in the world is located in China. Looking upon the amazed visitors from its height of 128 meters is Vairocana Buddha.  This enormous religious symbol was built on top of Jiuhua Mountain and stands on a 25 meters pedestal.

2. Laykun Setkyar Statue

hugest statues2
The second tallest in the world is another representation of Buddha, this time, located in Myanmar.  This beautiful statue stands out with its impressive 116 meters but also with the beautiful of the concept itself.  Laykun Setkyar is very recent- it was finished in 2008, and it was probably intended as a means of growing the believers’ respect for Buddha.

3. Ushiku Daibutsu

hugest statues3
The rest of the world really has reasons to admire Asia, as the third tallest statue in the world is located in…surprise…ASIA, and it represents Buddha as well.  The Great Buddha of Ushiku  is located in Japan and stands 110 meters tall. Its weight, of 4,000 tones is unimaginable and   one can hardly realize how imposing this monument is without seeing it with his own eyes. Just to make an idea on its size, imagine that only the head of the sculpture is half of the entire Liberty Statue.

4. Nanshan Haishang Guanyin

hugest statues4
Also located in China is the 108 meters high Guanyin Statue. Located on the Hainan Island, well-known as a touristic attraction, it represents a goddess this time. Bodhisattva Guan Yin is the goddess of mercy. A very important figure in the Buddhist religion, her official inauguration was saluted by 108 monks and many enthusiasts.

5. The statues of the emperors Yan and Huang

hugest statues5
We remain in China, where the importance of a person is definitely measured after the size of the statue raised in his honor. Emperors Yan and Huang are believed to be ancestors of the Chinese people and thus, in their honor, the grateful Chinese citizens lifted one of the tallest statues in the world. Measuring 106 meters, this huge statue needed 20 years in order to be completed.

6. Sendai Daikannon

hugest statues6
This statue in Japan was subject to much controversy as it was raised by one of the Japanese companies in order to avoid paying taxes. People in Sendai were not fooled and do not consider this statue worthy of admiration. Tourists though like it and the Sendai Daikannon receives many visits each year. From its top, where the visitors can reach by means of an elevator, the view of the city is astonishing.

7. Peter the Great

hugest statues7
This giant statue is located in Moscow, Russia and it represents Peter, one of the greatest emperors of Russia. This is considered one of the ugliest constructions in the world and it has a rather funny history: The creator of the “Peter the great” statue(96 meters), Tsereteli tried to make actually a statue of Christopher Columbus, and sell the huge thing to the American government but America did not appreciate the work of art and refused it. Thus, the sculptor replaced Christopher’s head with that of Peter and sold it to Russia.

8. Great Buddha of Thailand

hugest statues8
Looking down to the believers from its 92 meters height, the Great Buddha is Thailand’s tallest statue. This golden monument needed 18 years in order to be completed and it now give comfort to Thailand’s believers, by means of its smiley, kind face.

9. Ling Shan Grand Buddha

hugest statues9
China definitely holds the supremacy, in what huge statues is concerned. Decided to earn Buddha’s favor, the Chinese people happily raised another huge statue which depicts their most important religious figure. This Grand Buddha, located in the Lingshan County welcomes its visitors with a hand raised in salute and stands 88 meters tall, thus ranking among the highest statues in the world.

10. Mother Motherland Calls

hugest statues10
The inspiring title fits the extraordinary statues lifted in Russia, in memory of the Battle of Stalingrad. It was the highest statue in the world at the moment of its inauguration, in 1967, but since then, Asian nations started to compete in creating the highest statues in the world and the Mother Motherland lost her supremacy. It is actually on the 11th place, since the 88 meters high Dai Kannon, in Japan surpasses the 85 meter Russian statue but honestly, I was so impressed with its beauty that I could not help myself “cheating” a little and adding it to the list. No offense to the Japanese people!

10 Awesome Bikes

These bikes are creative, unusual, scary to death, funny, practical or totally useless.

“Gismo” – Rocket Powered Bicycle

It is powered by two 75lb. Thrust Hybrid Rocket Motors. The frame is made of lightweight T6-6061 aircraft aluminum. “Gismo” features a unique front suspension system designed by Ky Michaelson, the “Rocketman”.

Renovatia

Jens Eichler got himself some sheets of beech plywood, along with a strong glue (phenol-resorcinol) and some power tools. After a few months of playing with the concept, he set to work in August 2006 on what would become a tandem bicycle he calls “Renovatia.” 


Hopworksfiets

Phillip Ross of Metrofiets rolls out the new Hopworks party bike, complete with wood bar, kegs on tap, pizza rack, sound system, and mountains of mojo.

Cyglo bike with LEDs

Founded by James Tristram, Cyglo Tyre uses tough, durable, bright and long lasting LED bulbs
embedded into the tyre tread or wall to form a ring of high powered light to maximise the visibility
of cyclists to other road users.

BigDog

A strange bike with four seats and four big wheels.
Read a nice interview with builder Tom Wilson on 

ConferenceBike

The ConferenceBike is pedalled by 7 riders sitting in a circle. One person steers while the other 6
pedal (or not) as the bike moves effortlessly along. link

Camper bike

Camper Bike is a functioning sculptural piece, built in April 2008 by Kevin Cyr.



Fire Bob

A company from Japan sells this crazy bike for one million yens. It has a motor that produces 4.4
horsepower with flames, smoke and scary sounds. 

The Copenhagen wheel

This is a great project from MIT that consists in a special clever wheel. The Copenhagen Wheel
turns the bike you already own, quickly and easily into an electric bike with regeneration and
real-time environmental sensing capabilities. The wheel harvests the energy you input while braking
and cycling and stores it for when you need a bit of a boost. At the same time, sensors in the
wheel are collecting information about air and noise pollution, congestion and road conditions.

10 Beautiful iPad Finger Paintings

Apple’s iPad is a great device for designers and digital painters. With apps like Brushes, Sketchbook Pro, and ArtStudio, you can draw some beautiful paintings with some skills and patience. Congrats to all the authors of these excellent paintings!

Deep Blue:


Sea Front:


Giant Tree:


Bugs Life:


Hung Out To Dry:


Little Friend:


Mostly Horrible:


Joker:


Whistler’s Grand Experiment:


Reddy Vette: