360 DEGREES Weblog

It seems that Apple has plans to update its official “Apple Store” app with a self checkout feature that is expected to take effect this week. Basically what this feature update does is that it allows customers to essentially skip the queue but paying for their item via iTunes, thus cutting down on potentially long waits in line at the checkout counter.

Users will be able to pay by entering their Apple ID and password, which is linked to their iTunes Store account. The item will then be charged to the credit card linked to that particular account and a receipt will then be emailed to the customer, who can show it to the retail store staff as proof of purchase. This feature is expected to be made available after Apple’s in-store pickup program, which is currently limited to a handful of stores in San Francisco.

Unfortunately this self checkout feature will not be available for some of Apple’s more expensive items, such as iPhones, iPods and Mac computers, which are kept in the back room and will require assistance from staff.

Go easy on the gas, Speed Racer, because Cordon is on its way. Developed by Simicon, this new speed sensor promises to take highway surveillance to new heights of precision. Unlike most photo radar systems, which track only one violator at a time, Simicon’s device can simultaneously identify and follow up to 32 vehicles across four lanes. Whenever a car enters its range, the Cordon will automatically generate two images: one from wide-angle view and one closeup shot of the vehicle’s license plate. It’s also capable of instantly measuring a car’s speed and mapping its position, and can easily be synced with other databases via WiFi, 3G or WiMAX. Plus, this device is compact and durable enough to be mounted upon a tripod or atop a road sign, making it even harder for drivers to spot. Fortunately, though, you still have time to change your dragster ways, as distributor Peak Gain Systems won’t be bringing the Cordon to North America until the first quarter of 2012.

If you happen to fight one constant battle all of your life without gaining a noticeable uppper hand, chances are it would be the battle of the bulge. Well, assuming you have tried just about all sorts of ways without being able to achieve complete and total victory, perhaps there is a way out for you – with the PowerBIKE. This particular device is said to harness the power of vibration in order to increase the level of resistance. Doing so will in turn, stimulate active involvement of all the primary cycling muscles, and those will include your hamstrings, glutes and quadriceps, in addition to improving circulation.

If you do a lot of reading at night, you probably encounter the dilemma of whether or not to turn on an overhead light, or try to get by with some sort of odd reading light. The latter is usually a better idea, as it uses less electricity, and a smaller light isn’t going to wake the person trying to sleep next to you. If you’ve had trouble finding a good book light in the past, maybe you’d do better with these Rechargeable LED Reading Glasses.

As the name implies, these reading glasses pack a pair of LEDs, one on either side of your lenses. The lights can run for up to five hours on a single charge, and get their juice from an included USB cable. The best part is that the light will always be where you need it, as it follows your eyes. The only downside is that $50 might be a little more than you’re wanting to spend on glasses that make you look like R2 D2!

The 2012 Grand Prix de Monaco will be truly grand for multiple reasons, the primary being the showcase for the single largest bike collection the world over. With over 100 bikes to be during the race’s 2 day splendor, it truly would be a dream like situation for every bike lover, and more so the vintage bikers. Amongst this elaborate collection, will the Saltarelli Ducati bikes, featuring 2 classic models; the 1972 Ducati 750SS Imola racer and the 1990 Ducati 888 SBK.
The Monaco Grand Prix race will be an elaborate affair, spread over 2 days, simply because of the jackpot of classic racing vehicles, especially bikes that will be on show at the event. The main stay of course, is Salterelli Ducati collection will showcase 100 bikes, which have been a part of the elaborate collection put together by Mr. Carlo Saltarelli over a period of 30 years. He has been a collector of bikes of the brand for over 3 decades, and was once a test rider at the bike maker’s production facility. He now owns a Ducati dealership, and will now witness the entire collection go under the hammer, all of which are investment grade bikes. The first we speak about is the 1972 Ducati 750SS (pictured top) which was called the ‘Green Frame’ for the similarly colored framework on the lower end of the chassis. The 1972 Imola 200 miles race was known worldwide for being one of the toughest in history, and this particular bike was created as a reserve piece for that race. The current estimates peg the winning bid for the bike to be between $212,190- 282,920.

Its name might lead you to think it was a music venue, but the Cantata Music Center (£6,000, roughly $9,700) is actually one of the world’s best — and most expensive — USB-based Digital Audio Converters. Able to handle a variety of sources, from CDs via the built-in player to digital audio files stored on your Mac, PC, or NAS, the Cantata can also handle wireless or wired links via the Pont Neuf add-on, outputting its pristine audio over XLR or RCA outputs. The worst part? It’ll probably end up in an entertainment center, where the gorgeous body and LED display will be hidden from view.

What would you get if you took a Motorola RAZR (the original), a BlackBerry and a mid-1980s Bang and Olufsen stereo, tossed them in a blender and poured the results to set in a shallow cake tin? You’d get the Porsche Design P’9981 Smartphone you see above.

Specs-wise, the phone doesn’t do anything special. It simply checks the boxes required of a modern mobile telephone: 1.2GHz processor, 720p video camera, 8GB storage, 5MP stills camera and a microSD card slot for expansion. It’s relatively small 2.8-inch, 640 × 480 287dpi screen can be explained away by the backlit hardware QWERTY keyboard.

But design-wise, it’s a rather hot-looking slab of glass and stainless steel (no silvered plastic here), and even has a leather-coved back panel. It probably won’t help BlackBerry pull out of its terrible death spiral, but it will at least make e-mail addicted businessmen look a little less dorky. Rumors go that the price will be around $2000.

Preparation H is a brand of ointment that is used in the treatment of haemorrhoids. The pages of this magazine represent the cheeks of someone’s behind and the red blush is left to your own imagination. The concept is an obvious copy of this example for Wonderbra. But it will probably turn a smile on your face.

The perennial footwear favorite, the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star, is seen here with a new makeover for this Fall 2011 season. This iteration of the classic shoe Includes a gusseted tongue, brown pebbled leather upper, gum colored sole, red laces, and white contrast stitching throughout. The All Star Gusset Tongue is available now.

Whether you’re an animation buff or simply like learning more about the creative process, The Art of Pixar ($35) is a requirement for a cool coffee table this fall. Spanning over 300 pages, this unique tome offers a behind-the-scenes tour of every Pixar film to date, including the complete color scripts, select visual development art, and a foreword by Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter. A fitting accompaniment for Steve Jobs, and way more flip-through friendly for your couch-dwelling guests.