360 DEGREES Weblog

With all the online profiles many consumers maintain these days, there’s a greater need than ever for flattering photos. Which is why Estée Lauder is offering customers a free makeover and online photo of the result.

Late last month, Estée Lauder offered shoppers at the Carson Pirie Scott store in Orland Park, Illinois, a chance to get a free professional makeup job and photo for use on a social networking page, website or blog. Consumers had only to book an appointment and come into Estée Lauder on Jan. 30; no purchase was necessary. In addition to the makeover and photo—which, it should be noted, included the Estée Lauder logo in the background—participating customers also received a complimentary 10-day supply of foundation. Similar events were held last fall in other Estée Lauder spots around the U.S., beginning with New York’s Bloomingdale’s in October, StyleList reported. More are planned over the next few weeks in select locations in Canada.

Combining free love, tryvertising and sympvertising into a palette with unique off=on appeal, Estée Lauder’s effort is one that could be replicated by any beauty-focused enterprise.

Thanks Springwise

This is awesome and just plain makes sense: With Amazon’s Disc+ on Demand, when you buy a DVD or Blu-ray movie, you’ll be able to stream it instantly via Amazon On Demand.

So far, they’ve got this going for a few hundred titles it looks like, and it’s restricted to the US, but hopefully it grows. (And hopefully, they’ll stop being stingy with the high def streams.) Just look for the Disc+ on Demand logo on movie pages to see if it’s eligible.

A few forward-thinking libraries in the UK have started offering ebook downloads as an alternative to borrowing physical copies of books, and the local public’s reaction has been one of overwhelming enthusiasm. Seemingly attracted by the idea of being able to collect and return books without having to actually attend the library, Brits have been eagerly joining up to the new scheme. Free downloads that last for 14 days before self-deleting can be had either in the library or at home, and transitioned onto your Sony Reader, iRex iLiad, or that new hotness, B&N’s nook. Naturally, the proprietary-format Kindle isn’t invited to this party. We’ve already seen a similar initiative in the USA, and can only hope this kind of convenience becomes mainstream before too long.

Thanks Engadget

Being a pioneer from the day one of the e-Book reader industry, Irex, a Philips subsidiary company, has now introduced a new device for the gentle reader abroad. The DR800SG is armed to capture the throne with unlimited 3G wireless access powered by Verizon, and HSDPA connectivity provided by Qualcomm Gobi radio, to unopposedly buy books wirelessly from the Barnes & Noble’s e-bookstore in addition to 1.140 newspapers in their original layout from Newspapers Direct. Till the 2GB built-in storage is reached, which is enough to comfortably store a private library’s content, an side-note feature is on hand. Besides aforementioned media, the new Irex also supports a few common formats such as ePub and PDF, displayed on an 8.1-inch touchscreen with advanced visibility and contrast ratio.US 399

Combine advances in medical genetics with the age-old pursuit of immortality, and it comes as no surprise that DNA storage is a growing industry. In such a personal line of business peace of mind is paramount for consumers. Recognising this, Swiss DNA Bank offers ultra-secure DNA storage that meets Swiss banking regulations. For a one-time fee of USD 399, customers can store both their self-swabbed DNA and up to 1 GB of digital data, forever. The DNA and the web servers are held in a former Swiss military underground nuclear shelter in Gstaad, aptly named Swiss Fort Knox. Subscription fees are invested in “conservative Swiss investment formulas”, the annual interest from which Swiss DNA Bank claims is sufficient to sustainably cover storage costs.

By saving both DNA and digital ‘memories’ (in any file format), Swiss DNA Bank is aiming to preserve the fullest approximation of an individual for his or her heirs, who can buy access to their relatives’ shared data for USD 69. The online data storage can also be purchased individually for USD 299, and will likely appeal to a separate market of consumers eager to keep confidential info out of the wrong hands. The encrypted “Forever Account” is accessible only to the holder of two passwords: one created by the user upon sign-up, the other generated by a constantly changing key card supplied by Swiss DNA Bank.

Thanks Springwise

Forget the Veyron, here’s a super saloon with the same engine offering performance and opulence never before seen in a four-door.

Dubbed the Galabier 16C, it’s Bugatti’s audacious attempt to steal the thunder from under the noses of the world’s motor industry on the eve of the Frankfurt Show. And although it’s just a concept car, it will be on sale in less than four years’ time, at a price just shy of £1m pounds. And you thought there was a recession on?

For archivists or self-promoters, Memolio publishes small decks of multiple images. Whether handing them out as mini portfolios, creating albums to commemorate special events or giving them as gifts, the unlimited options make them endlessly useful.

Much like Moo cards, the service works by uploading images, which you have the ability to edit and preview before ordering. An “explore” feature encourages browsing around to get inspiration from others. The resulting water and crinkle resistant Memolios make for a keepsake that will stand the test of time. For only €15 Memolios deliver anywhere in the world with shipping included.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co’s Japan unit said it would sell movies on flash memory cards as small as a fingernail so that people can watch them on mobile phones and other portable devices.

The movie studio plans to package pre-recorded microSD cards together with DVDs holding the same movie content, allowing customers to watch at home as well as on the go. These cards will be available in November.

Users can watch movies stored on microSD cards on mobile phones capable of showing terrestrial digital broadcasting, and other portable gear such as car navigation systems.

For new movies, the package of a DVD and microSD card is expected to retail for 4,935 yen ($53), about 1,000 yen higher than the DVD alone, a spokesman at the Japan unit said.

It is difficult to make a sales forecast since this would be the first time for Disney to put its movies in microSD cards, he said.

Initial titles in the microSD format include “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “National Treasure” series.

Panasonic Corp is set to provide Disney with microSD cards, the spokesman said.

Childhood obesity may be a problem of epidemic proportions in many parts of the world, but several games are doing their part to help keep kids moving. We’ve already covered LocoMatrix, Swinxs and The Hidden Park, and now a new contender launched last month takes kids on a wifi-based treasure hunt outside.

Published by Aspyr Media, Treasure World is a game for the Nintendo DS that converts real-world wifi signals into online treasures. The story focuses on Starsweep, a space traveller who journeys through space in his ship called Haley. In the game, however, Haley has broken down and needs more stardust to get going again. A quirky robot named Wishfinder helps players find not just stardust but also treasure during their adventure by tapping the wealth of wifi hotspots available around the world. More than 2,500 in-game items and treasures such as trees, flowers, candy and clothes can be unlocked as players access the more than 200 million wifi treasure spots worldwide that are registered within the game, and those items can be used to decorate in-game environments. Some feature musical qualities; others can be used to dress up the player’s unique character. Either way, the stardust uncovered helps move the spaceship along. Only some items are available at each hotspot, however, meaning that the more kids move around, the more they’ll find. Players can also join Club Treasure World to chat, trade items and show off with other treasure hunters around the globe. Treasure World’s list price is USD 29.99.

Ooh, baby, baby, it’s a wild world. And we all have to bond together on these Internet social systems so we know we’re not alone. As time marches on, social networks evolve from global gathering grounds to cul-de-sacs devoted to specific interests. You might join a network of crafters. I might flock to a hub where people debate the meaning of Beatles lyrics. But seriously, folks, has it devolved to the point where we need a social network devoted to the type of lube one might use to silence a squeaky wheel? Yes, the WD-40 Co. has launched The Money-Saving Tool community. At this budding Peyton Place of cyberspace, members are encouraged to share money-saving tips and tricks—through stories, photos, videos, what have you—to show the creative ways they protect their investments and avoid paying for expensive repairs or replacement goods. According to the WD-40 Web site, the substance boasts more than 2,000 uses. As a virtual welcome wagon during the site’s launch earlier this month, WD-40 offered the first 40 community residents a value pack containing its WD-40 Smart Straw can, WD-40 Big Blast can and WD-40 No-Mess Pen assortment.

Thanks Becky Ebenkamp