360 DEGREES Weblog

An iPhone application developed for 7-Eleven Sweden combines a store locator with coupons for a free coffee and biscotti. After downloading the app, users plug in their phone number and receive a unique coupon code on their iPhone. To claim their coffee, they just show the code to a 7-Eleven clerk; no purchase necessary. The coupon is only valid once, and free coffee in April will be followed by free ice cream in May.

The application, developed by Stockholm-based digital agency Lonely Duck, was downloaded 2,500 times in the week it launched—a considerable number given the size of the Swedish iPhone community, and enough to place it in the top 10 of free app downloads.

7-Eleven hasn’t launched the app in other markets yet, but it’s a smart example for other iPhone-loving retailers to follow: don’t just help (a relatively affluent group of) consumers find your store, but give them a good reason to visit and spend money while they take you up on your generous offer.

Amazing build quality and a sober elegance through simplicity that has been reserved for over a century defines the largest bicycle producer in the Netherlands, Gazelle. The reissued Toer Populair commemorates the 115th anniversary in business and is based off the original model designed in 1892 that was the only bicycle endorsed by the Dutch royal family. Looking back on a true illustrious history rife of majestic transportation and aesthetic refinements, offers today a reissued sophisticated bike that strikes with begone elegance. Following a path of tradition aspiring the perfect combination of comfort and style, the classic Dutch bike features a comfortable and relaxed upright sit position cushioned by an original Brooks seat and instantly emanates a spring dominating urban outdoor-chic. Get Up for a ride and escape the city for a small journey whilst being a visual tidbit in the stream of mundane bicycles.

Being the world’s most mentioned name when it comes to sunglasses makes clear that Ray-Ban knows a thing or two about eyewear. Now, they’ve decided to reproduce the frame that once had the reputation of a truly hidden gem in the fashion scene as it made its first appearance in the mid-80’s – talk is of the iconic Clubmaster. The reissued classic-cool Ray-Ban model knows to blend an nostalgic touch that derives from the shade’s inherent Browline design with novelty vibrant colors enriching the distinctive brow bar. However, the foundation of traditional materials doesn’t excludes avant-garde technical refinements that are exemplified in several metal details or engraving effects. Just as Ray-Bans decades of success, the Clubmaster is still an unmistakable statement, but requires a certain taste.

Though there are some surprisingly entertaining games in the App Store, I’m still not convinced the iPhone or iPod Touch will replace my DS or even my trusty GameBoy. And while something like the GameGrip does make it easier to play action-intense games that rely on the device’s motion sensors, it completely negates the portability factor. On the plus side though, the bright blue silicon grips are sweat-proof and can be pulled off allowing you to tuck away the charging cable and still use a set of headphones. Nice design and all, but I just can’t see this being worth the $51 that Trinity wants for it.

From version to version, it always gets rewarded as the most functional, the best of its segment, but Aliph, the creators, always find new edges and concerns to further enhance the most acclaimed headset, the Jawbone. The successor is proudly and firmly dubbed Prime and appears on the scene in a variety of colors such as black, platinum, green or orange with the task to add a smile to your gear. Prime’s improved Noise Assassin technology is ready to sneak through 10mph fast walls of wind, a readjusted fit and sensitized voice activity conception ensures a fail-safe and merciless function, and the subtle textured surface further refines the minimalistic styling. Further features are composed of added Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR and offers a talk time of 4 hours and up to 8 days standby.

$130

The world’s largest producer of lawnmowers and diamond refined cutting tools, Husqvarna introduces the first fully robotic lawnmower. The 260 ACX with no doubt is the pinnacle of futuristic lawn mowing possessing the chief characteristics of being inexhaustible and designed just for the most demanding green fields. It charges itself, it operates itself and in case of required assistance it also is able to send a status report containing short message via built-in GSM. Furthermore it is totally irresistible to any weather related influences or circumstances, thus you’re free to seize that additional time just as you wish.

There might be a Swine Flu shot in the near future for you, but who wants to get stabbed by a sharp needle? It makes us dizzy just thinking about it. But help could be on the way. The brainiacs at FluGen figured out a way to deliver vaccine just under the skin, and not into the muscle, which is what hurts so much.

This nifty disposable micro device is a Swine Flu fighter that’s about the size of a poker chip, and with a quick button press, its tiny pump sends the vaccine into a set of micro needles that are barely embedded into the top layer of your skin. You can hardly feel them.

While not the first idea of its type, FluGen’s version is probably going to become reality soon, given the current Swine Flu outbreak. Even better news is that for some reason, this type of multi-pronged shallow injection is more effective against the flu. Also, more people will probably show up for the shot, since it’s allegedly painless. Good timing — bring it on.

Assembled using the traditional anglaise technique and color-tipped by hand on art-quality paper, each page of this limited edition series bears the unique imprint of the artisan. The Assouline Ultimate Collection heralds a return to luxury, care, and mystique of a fine, hand-bound book.

Barbie Limited Edition
by Yona Zeldis McDonough

Big-eyed, blonde, and beautiful, Barbie took over the world in 1959 with little more than a white-and-black striped bathing suit and a pair of high heels. Today, Mattel sells three Barbies a second, and children in more than one hundred and fifty countries know her name. Now, on her fiftieth anniversary as cultural icon, Assouline presents the ultimate collector’s volume on the world’s most popular doll. Encapsulating her history, chronicling her fashion, and imagining her life as a woman of mystery, glamour, and fun, Barbie presents this totemic figure as never seen before—in vivid dioramas of Barbie at work and play and in portraits of vintage dolls and accessories. A muse for children and adults, designers and artists, writers and cultural critics, Barbie remains a powerfully evocative and enigmatic reflection of our dreams, our hopes, and ourselves. Amazon $ 315

Alberto, who was vacationing in Mexico must have expected nothing but a good relaxing time away from all the hassles of the world. During this holiday, I think he assumed he could finally catch one of the best animated flicks, Wall-E. He must have thought the fastest way is to download it over his wireless carrier’s network. Little did he know that this would result in a sky high bill of $62,000. Even Wall-E and Eva’s love isn’t worth that much money! Obviously, he complained to the carrier about this and they decided to bring down the cost. They only charged him bandwidth costs which still amount to a whopping $17,000. Hmm I like Wall-E but just the DVD for me!

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of dashing British tennis champ Fred Perry, and to celebrate the classic clothing brand that bears his name is coming out with an exclusive new collection of limited edition polo shirts. The polos feature an enlarged version of Fred Perry’s iconic 16-leaf laurel symbol with centenary embroidery underneath, in vintage-inspired colors.

Launched at Wimbledon in 1952, the Fred Perry polo shirt was an immediate success. The new collection debuts on May 15th and will be available at the Fred Perry Soho store in New York, Neiman Marcus in Dallas, and Citizen Clothing in San Francisco among others for $95. Perry was the World No. 1 player for five years and was the last Englishman to win the Wimbledon, US Open, French Open and Australian Open Men’s Singles titles.