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next week FAMILIA Skateboard Shop is premiering “the VIDEO”, a full length skateboard video featuring a bunch of your favorite or soon to be favorite MN skaters. for now, here is a little promo…

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After the exciting news last week that Daimler is purchasing a 10 percent stake in the auto company, Tesla has been hit with a bit of a setback. The Office of Defects Investigation has discovered that many of the already-delivered Roadsters contain "under-torqued" bolts that could lead to major safety issues for the drivers. The company has had to recall 345 of the 400 cars they’ve delivered so far to fix the error.

Tesla is passing the blame for the cars manufactured between March 2008 and April 2009 onto Lotus, saying they built the chassis on those cars and are having to recall some of their own Elises and Exiges for the same problem.

Obviously trying to stay in the good graces of their customers, Tesla is offering to make house calls to repair the potentially-loose hub bolts, plus they’re performing full vehicle inspections and software upgrages at no cost while they’re at it.

The company pointed out that this recall has nothing to do with the electric powertrain and no accidents have been caused by the issue.

via Earth2Tech

Along with being a surprisingly versatile device for gaming, reading eBooks and surfing the web, iPhone is becoming an increasingly useful source of distribution for comics publishers. Late last month, ClickWheel, who’ve been in the comics-on-iPods game for a while, released Future Shocks: Part 1, a 99-cent collection of early Alan Moore stories, which was subsequently followed by part two. We caught up with ClickWheel Editor in Chief Tim Demeter for his thoughts on these apps and the market in general.

Cult of Mac: What are the Future Shocks apps and how do they work?
Tim Demeter: The Future Shocks apps are collections of early work from Alan Moore, digitally restored and formatted specifically for iPhone and iPod touch. The apps are entirely self-contained and once downloaded require no cell or Wi-Fi collection to read—you can access them anytime.

How do these apps sit alongside your ClickWheel app?
These are completely separate from our other app. The ClickWheel app is a reader for a multitude of streaming comics, some of which need to to be purchased from the ClickWheel site first. Each Future Shocks app is a one-time purchase. Once it’s downloaded you can start reading right away. Look for a change in how we handle downloading comics to iPhone once the 3.0 software is out there though.

What do you think of iPod touch/iPhone as a comics-reading platform?
We love it. ClickWheel began putting comics on iPods with the launch of the iPod video, so to say that these new devices have enabled us to take our vision of mobile comics to new levels would certainly be understatement. The nice thing about mobile comics is they provide the convenience and immediacy of web-comics while retaining the portability of printed comics. I don’t think printed comics will ever go away and I certainly don’t want them too but I wouldn’t be surprised if many monthlies go digital while the collections remain in print.

What advantages does the App Store bring a company like yours?
People know and trust the iTunes store and many people have a credit card stored in their account which makes impulse purchasing very much a reality. It also seems to be going through the same kind of growth that Amazon did. Back in the day, Amazon was just books. Now it’s just about everything. The iTunes store started as just audio but now it’s TV, movies and apps of all kinds. It’s quickly becoming a one-stop-shop for anything and everything digital and there’s a lot of value in that.

This article is copyright Cultomedia Corp.

Coming from the house of S.Electrics, known for their youthful electrical and digital devices, the S.MP3 by French designer Nicolas Cinguion is an innovative music player that plays green music anytime, anywhere. Looking like a regular yo-yo toy, the latest MP3 player comes with a cable (rolled within a rubber cover) to juice it up on the go. All you have to do is spin the player and play your favorite music. When the string of the player is stretched, the resultant energy is converted into useful electricity, which then charges the built-in batteries. The designers doesn’t state the time of yo-yo-ing required to completely charge the battery, but the idea seems practical and neat for all who like to play with their gadgets.

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I guess now that he’s on Birdhouse Jon Rob is getting his hawk on? Or he has just a new job driving taxi’s.

The president of China’s Innovation Center for Energy and Transportation has said that Chinese officials are drafting new mileage standards that would require an 18 percent improvement in fuel economy by 2015. New cars in China already average about 35.8 mpg and under the new rules, would be required to get 42.2 mpg by 2015. The new U.S. standards require an average mgp of 35.5 by 2016.

The average mpg in China is greater than in the U.S. because the majority of their cars are much smaller. The country favors smaller cars with a 1 percent sales tax while mid-size and larger cars can come with a 40 percent sales tax. China’s new rules stand to benefit more than just the environment. Up until 1995, the country was self-sufficient in oil, but now they import three-fifths of their oil needs. Breaking free of that foreign dependence could mean economic and political advancement for the country as well.

Domestic automakers stand to gain from the new rules because they’re mainly making the small subcompact models that need very little improvement to reach the new standard. Multinational companies that make up most of China’s mid-size and larger market have the greatest gains to make in mpg to meet the new standards.

While China still has a long way to go in cleaning up their technologies, they’ve repeatedly shown great ambition and advancements in areas like electric cars and renewable energy. These new mpg standards can be added to the list.

via NY Times

So you find yourself in the market for a new laptop computer.  Your last one was a complete beast and incredibly heavy to lug around.  Being the savvy business man you are, you decide that this time you want something light and easy to open up just about anywhere to catch up on your email or go over the spread sheet figures from the sales meeting.  Maybe you are a designer looking for a lightweight laptop to take with you so that you can show off your portfolio to potential clients or to wow a current client with your latest designs.

It’s a good thing for you that you stumbled across this list, because we’re about to show you 15 well performing highly portable netbooks and laptops that won’t break your budget.

1. ASUS Eee PC
   Need a netbook that you can pound on all day long? Look no further. The Asus Eee PC EPC1000HE will last you up to 9.5 hours, more than sufficient for just about anyone. It boots quickly, running off of an Intel Atom 1.66GHz processor with 1GB DDR2 memory, and you can add another stick of ram for even more speed. The 10” viewable widescreen and integrated Intel graphics allow you to view movies and more. While you’re not going to be playing the latest and greatest games, you can still get your game on with some of your favorite older titles.It comes standard with a 160GB hdd, as well as integrated WiFi, and Bluetooth for connectivity on the go.

   Asus has been in the netbook industry for quite some time, and it really shows. The hinges are solid and will last for a very long time. With a price tag of around $389, this little buddy is rock solid and won’t hurt your budget.

2. MSI Wind U100
   MSI is traditionally known for making motherboards, and they’ve come out swinging with their line up of netbooks. The MSI Wind is powered by Intel’s Atom N270 processor running at 1.60GHz. Combined with 1GB of ram and Intel GMA950 integrated graphics and you have yourself a nice platform for staying productive even while away from the office. The included 3 cell battery only gives this netbook a solid 2 hours of stress usage, but the availability of an optional 6 cell battery really adds value to it.It has a wider keyboard than most of the netbooks out there, and because it is a larger netbook it does drain a little more on the battery than most. It has a 10.0” LCD screen and includes an 160GB hdd. For staying connected, integrated WiFi or Bluetooth is a big bonus. Weighing in at 2.9 lbs, it is a little bit heavier than some of its competition, but the price tag of just over $320 makes this netbook nicer on your wallet when compared to some of the others.
3. HP Mini 1035NR
   With one of the brighter screens on the market, the 1035NR also gains accolades for a well done keyboard. Its 10.2” WSVGA displays a resolution of 1024×600, and the Intel Atom 1.60GHz processor along with 1GB of DDR2 memory provides plenty of power for keeping up with your office productivity. As with several of it’s brethren, it relies on a hard drive instead of solid state. At 60GB and only 4200rmp, it is also has less storage and accesses information slower than a majority of the competition. Boot up time tends to be a little slower than many of the other netbooks out there because of this.It does come with integrated Bluetooth and WiFi allowing you to stay connected that much easier. The lack of a 6 cell battery might be a drawback for some, and requiring an adapter for VGA display certainly places a bit of a damper on what could be a rock solid offering from HP. With a recommended price tag of around $450, it may just be the most pricy netbook around with the least amount of features.
4. Acer Aspire One AOD150-1165
   The Aspire One netbook comes in with a $329 price tag. Standard features include an Intel Atom 1.60GHz processor, 1GB DDR2 ram, integrated graphics and Wifi. Everything you need to stay productive on the go is included. You’re certainly not going to be gaming or doing any serious graphic designing on this netbook, but if you’re planning on purchasing a machine with that in mind, then you’re probably not looking for a netbook anyway.It does not have integrated Bluetooth, which is something of a let down, and like most netbooks, it does not have an integrated optical drive. Getting your digital media onto this unit is a challenge, but the computer savvy person should have no issues with this.
5. Lenovo Ideapad S10e
   Always known for their quality products, Lenovo brings this netbook to the table. Integrated Bluetooth, WiFi, a netbook camera, and a 6 cell battery with up to 5 hours of operation are a great start. Add in the Intel Atom 1.60GHz processor, 1GB DDR2 memory and a 10.1” widescreen displaying at 1024×576 resolution makes the whole deal that much sweeter.

   Puzzling though is the 160GB standard HDD in lieu of a solid state drive and sole choice of Windows XP Home. A 3 cell battery places the S10e behind a few of its cousins on this list. Priced at around $350, the quality of the S10e seems to overshadow the included features.

6. Averatec N1030EA1E
   The only netbook on this list from Averatec, It has many of the same features as the rest. 10.2” viewable screen, Intel Atom 1.60GHz, 1GB DDR2 memory and onboard graphics are standard. This netbook also includes Windows XP Home installed standard. A 160GB standard HDD is included in this notebook.One downside to this netbook as is the lack of Bluetooth. Need to video conference? A 1.3 megapixel Netbook camera ensures you can participate with ease, and a 4-in-1 card reader helps you move files from your memory cards without hassle.The N1030 is lighter than some of it’s competition at 2.3 lbs, but the smaller 3 cell battery is not going to help you on a 14 hour flight. With a price tag of around $350, one might expect a few additional features.
7. Samsung NC10-14GW
   With up to 6 hours of battery life, this offering from Samsung has a lot of features packed into one small package. Features include a 10.2” screen with 1025×600 resolution, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor and 1GB of DDR2 memory. Storage is provided by a 160GB standard HDD, so this little unit is not going to be not exactly shock proof. If your goal is to stay connected anywhere you go, integrated 802.11b/g wireless card and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR allows you to connect to available wireless hotspots or use your Bluetooth enabled phone as a modem. Windows XP Home allows this netbook to run nice and smooth.A built in 1.3 megapixel netbook camera and a 3 in 1 memory card reader rounds out the rest of the included features. Weighing in at 2.8 lbs, this notebook is a featherweight…but the $419.99 average price tag will also make your wallet a bit lighter as well.
8. Lenovo G530-444623u Notebook
   Another offering from the folks at Lenovo, this is a fairly new player out in the market for budget minded laptops. It appears to have plenty to offer as well. A gorgeous glossy 15.4” widescreen is a good starting point for this laptop, and the only other machine on this list to offer an Intel dual core processor gives the G530 a leg up on much of the competition. 2GB of RAM is generous enough for office productivity, but you’re not likely going to be playing many games on the G530 are you?

   The onboard graphics card is the only weak point in the system, causing the performance with Vista to lag a little bit. If you’re savvy enough, installing a copy of XP or Linux might serve you better than the standard Vista that comes with the G530. With a price point of around $429, this laptop has a lot of value.

9. Compaq – Presario QL-62
   An entry level laptop, the offerings on this unit are meager compared to some of the other netbooks and notebooks on this list. It is unique however, due to the available processor at its heart. An AMD Athlon X2 provides the computing power for the QL-62, and according to some reviews that has made it a bit on the slow side. Another unique thing about this unit is the separate number pad that comes standard on the keyboard. If you’re really into spread sheets or data entry on the go, this laptop might very well be for you. Built in WiFi and stereo speakers ad a small bonus, but this laptop is also on the heavier side of the list, weighing in at 6.6lbs.
   With as cheap as memory is, the standard 2GB of DDR2 memory of this laptop is certainly a bonus. One would think that the rest of the netbooks on the list might include more. A 250GB HDD and an stardard Nvidia GeForce 8200 mobile graphics do help to ensure this laptop isn’t beyond saving, but with a starting price point of around $429, there are certainly better values out there.
10. Toshiba Satellite L305-S5945
    An inexpensive option from Toshiba, the Satellite L305 has a lot to offer. Starting with an Intel Pentium Processor T3400, 4GB of DDR2 SDRAM and a 15.4” widescreen, you can be sure that this laptop can get pretty much any job done. If you’re planning on heavy gaming though, this laptop is probably not for you. A standard onboard shared memory graphics card and only a 160GB HDD probably isn’t going to make you king of the game, but it will certainly allow you to stay productive nearly anywhere you go.
    Oddly enough, this laptop does not include Bluetooth capabilities, nor does Toshiba even allow you to add it on should you choose to customize your own Satellite L305. If you’re willing to look beyond that however, like everything else on this list, there is plenty of value to be seen in this unit.
11. Dell Mini 9 Series
    The Dell Mini 9 series is ultra thin at a mere 1.07” and weighs a slight 2.28lbs. Will it be able to cover all of your on the go needs? Its Intel Atom Processor running at 1.6gh and available 1GB DDR2 ram says yes! Integrated Intel graphics and your choice of Ubuntu Linux or Windows XP will help you stay productive no matter where you are. 16GB or 32GB solid state drive configurations add up to one sweet recipe for on the go computing and plenty of room to store music, movies and more.
    Other options such as Bluetooth or an AT&T built-in cellular mobile broadband ensure that you can stay connected nearly anywhere you go. Reviews suggesting at least 3 hours of constant usage on one battery charge are coming in, making this little buddy almost a no brainer as far as netbooks go. With an opening price point at $249 and a price point of $449 for all the bells and whistles, this netbook has a lot of value for little cost.
12. Dell Mini 12 series
    Just a slight bit bigger than it’s little brother…this offering from Dell weighs in at only 3 pounds and is just over 1” thick. The Mini 12 series is the largest of Dell’s netbook offerings.It features a keyboard 92” the size of a standard keyboard, is available in either Windows XP or Ubuntu Linux and can come in a variety of different colors and styles. An Intel Atom Processor Z520, 1GB DDR2 memory and a 40GB PATA HDD provide plenty of power to keep you surfing the web or keeping your productivity up even while on vacation. Integrated Bluetooth can help you keep your Bluetooth enabled gadgets connected.

    If you’re looking for light and portable but with power to get things done, this netbook can be yours at a starting price point of $399.

13. Dell Latitude 2100
    With a base price of $399 and the option to customize to your specifications, this netbook might just be one of the best values. Dell has always had a plethora of options available for varying costs, and the Latitude 2100 series is no exception. Need more memory? You got it. Different colors? You got it. XP or Vista? Choose…but choose wisely.Need this netbook for the business sector? Well, you see…this netbook is intended for the education sector. So your kids (or kid brother) might possibly be seeing these machines in their schools sometime soon. Even the keyboard is meant for the little guys in our lives. You can get an optional antimicrobial keyboard coating that is supposed to “provide a line of defense” against germs in the classroom. Strange, but for those of us with kids, this little gem is a big deal.

    Dell seems to have hit a home run for schools with this netbook, though it remains to be seen whether or not it actually takes off.

14. Gateway LT1005u
    Gateway’s offering starts with an Intel Atom Processor coming in at 1.60GHz and 1GB of DDR2 RAM. It comes standard with Windows XP, so for the die hard Windows guy, this might just be the netbook for you. This netbook features a 8.9” display and a media card reader with a “Smart Copy Button” enabling you to instantly download and file images directly from your camera card. The LT1005u comes standard with HD audio, providing a more rich listening experience for your listening pleasure.Gateway includes a 160GB SATA hard drive. Notably, the LT1005u is currently sold out, with Gateway having posted a note suggesting a new LT model due out this summer.
15. Dell Inspiron 15 Series
    If you’re budget minded and looking for a great laptop, this may just be the right choice for you.
    Starting with a 15.6” glossy widescreen display, the 15 series has a host of features you might find included in a much more expensive laptop. A standard Intel Celeron 585 processor with 2GB DDR2 shared memory and integrated Intel Graphics whets your appetite for basic functions such as browsing the internet and office productivity. For the graphic artist or gamer in you, a modest cost upgrade can get you an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, an impressive 4GB of DDR2 memory and a 256MB ATI Radeon HD4330 graphics card.

    As far as standard options go; integrated WiFi, a 7 in 1 media card reader round out the features on the Inspiron 15 series. It is the heaviest pc on this list at 5.8lbs, but the availability of solid upgrades make the 15 Series a solid contender for best value. If you’re content to settle for the $399 price point, the standard specs on this bad boy are hot and earn a solid spot in this list for best value for your money.

Which one would you choose?

Image via Engadget

The biggest announcement at today’s fairly lackluster All Things D7 conference is that the very intriguing Palm Pre will sync easily with iTunes — it even pops up an iPod icon in the process. It won’t be able to play any old iTunes DRM’d films, but anything else is fine.

Now, assuming that Apple lets this stand, this is a very bold move by Palm. Apple’s ecosystem of iTunes, the App Store and its various hardware devices is the real strength of the iPhone. With Palm offering its own App Catalog and iTunes integration, it really will come down to which OS is nicer, and which hardware is more appealing.

Honestly? If the Pre weren’t limited to 8 GB, it would be hard for me to say with any certainty that I’ll be picking up a next-gen iPhone. Credible competition is grand, ain’t it?

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

This article is copyright Cultomedia Corp.

Zaha Hadid is well-known for consistently pushing the boundaries of architecture and urban design. Zaha Hadid Architects have now unveiled plans for an office and retail development called “The Stone Towers” for Rooya Group of Egypt. Located in the Stone Park district of Cairo, “The Stone Towers” is a 525,000sqm office and retail complex, which includes a five-star business hotel with serviced apartments, retail with food and beverage facilities and beautiful landscaped gardens and plaza called the ‘Delta’. The north and south facades of each tower draw inspiration from the patterns and textures of ancient Egyptian stonework. These facades will be covered with recesses and protrusions, which highlight the effects of light and shadow on the surfaces.

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At this very moment the streets of Madrid are taking a little breather and praising Jesus—praising the fact that Jesus De Pedro stopped bringing the wrath to the spots out there and decided to beat down the pavemnet in San Diego for a while. Dude’s been steady stacking clips with help from Supra, KR3W, Almost, and now it’s time to pop that Mag Minute play button y’all.

Air quality index information is widely available for cities on a daily basis, but so far there’s been no collective breakdown of that information in real time or for specific neighborhoods. Traffic jams and wind conditions can make air quality vary considerably from one side of town to another. To give people more accurate information, Sensaris has designed a wearable air quality sensor called the City Senspod that will enable you to know the air quality for the very spot you’re standing in at that very second.

Their GPS-equipped sensor gives you real-time air quality information including CO2 and ozone levels for wherever you are and then uses Bluetooth technology to transmit that information to a publicly available database where it’s mapped along with data from other sensors for the world to see.

The device will be distributed in Paris for a trial run, but Sensaris hopes to bring the sensor to other cities and towns soon. It will be interesting to see if people are willing to wear such a thing on their arm or if it ends up latched onto backpacks and purses instead.

via Engadget

Can you think of another company whose outdated and obsolete products get repurposed as art pieces even a fraction as often as do those from Apple?

How about a late 20th century PowerMac G4, which, as a 10 year-old desktop might possibly still be good enough to run your elementary school children’s games and learning software, but for all practical purposes is probably better suited as the inspiration for a wall clock to remind you, time after time, how gear Apple cool is.

At a mere $60, these may not last long and you should look into turning your own dusty G4 into a DIY project.

[iPhoneSavior]

This article is copyright Cultomedia Corp.