360 DEGREES Weblog

Akshay Kothari and Ankit Gupta, two Stanford grads who signed up for the Launch Pad class at the University?s Institute of Design (aka d.school), could have hardly chosen a better path to try their hands at startup life. The pair has gone from idea to a (very cool) digital news app for the iPad in just 5 weeks, and they?re just getting started.

The application, called Pulse, is essentially a visually attractive RSS-based news aggregator. On sale for $3.99 (iTunes link), the app is aimed to please both hardcore RSS reader users and people who are willing to pay top dollars for single publication apps.

For its next Apple TV, Apple may ditch the set-top box form factor and instead cram a media player into a tiny device running the iPhone OS, according to Engadget.

The blog cites an anonymous tipster who claims the next Apple TV has been described as

As we explore themes in ever changing design trends, it?s always a refresher to see a design paying homage to the past. Putting the same philosophy into practice, Ventury Paris has brought the Royal Rock Limited Edition furniture reflecting French standards of style and elegance. Inspired from the poise and glamour of Parisian chic, the Royal Rock limited edition furniture takes a bold approach with its new creations.

We’ve already seen a few uses of interactive technology in bars?both at the Adour Wine Bar in New York and in iBar installations around the globe?but until recently, we hadn’t yet come across a bar that incorporates an online component in its patrons’ interactions. That’s exactly what South Africa’s MiWorld does, however, with a website, a digital wall and touchscreen tables that facilitate both digital and real-world conversation.

To participate in MiWorld, consumers must be invited and given a secret code, which allows them to register online. Then, when they’re ready to head out, they can choose one of two bricks-and-mortar locations in Johannesburg: MiBar Martini, a contemporary cocktail bar in the Design District of Rosebank, or MiLounge Martini, a sophisticated cocktail, champagne and wine bar with a lounge atmosphere in Melrose’s Blu Bird Shopping Centre. In August, a third option?MiCafe?will launch in Rosebank, and there are occasional pop-up ?MiEvents? at varying locations as well. Whichever locale they choose, members must first log in at the door. Then, once inside, they can order off the interactive MiTables, e-chat with patrons at neighbouring tables and even different MiLocations, sign into Facebook, view the menu and access the MiWorld network to view exclusive content and special offers. MiWorld is the brainchild of South African LiquidChefs.

Thanks Springwise

Right along our lines, Nike Sportswear will be releasing the Perforated Leather Pack. Consisting of a Dunk Hi AC, Air Toki and Air Force 1 Low, all three come with clean white perforated leather uppers. Matching the uppers, the Swoosh comes in white leather, resulting in an overall very clean look.

Well pass the lord and praise the ammunition: Skype for iPhone now works over 3G, allowing you to make Skype calls

As impressive as the picture is on the latest generation of flatscreen TVs, the built-in speakers often sound like they were stripped from a clock radio.

If you don’t want to go all-out on a surround system

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Big brands are considered to be an epitome of authenticity, and thus they often enjoy a strong fan following. And they also tend to take stern actions when they are maligned or other people counterfeit their products. But this time around, Fashion giants Louis Vuitton to face the bitter end of the stick: one of their adverts has been pulled up as misleading, so as to imply that its bags were handmade. Although the advert featured a woman stitching the handle of a handbag, the label contended that some aspects of the bags were stitched by hand sewing machines which in the 21st century should ideally amount to hand made. In response to the other complaints, Louis Vuitton responded to the Advertising Standard Authority (ASA) that the advert was to honor their artisans, and the images were indeed enhanced, to make them look more appealing visually. The use of modes was to avoid employee favoritism.