David Lidsky's Blog, page 3257
May 20, 2014
Uber Picks Up Interesting New Hire: A Former NYC Taxi Commission Official
Ashwini Chhabra, deputy commissioner of policy and planning at the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, will become Uber's first head of policy development and community engagement.
Cabbies haven't been exactly fond of Uber, but on Monday a top official at the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission said he was joining the e-hailing app company.
Chipotle To Gun Owners: Please Keep Your Firearms Away From Our Literary Cups
Over the weekend, a gun-rights group called Open Carry Texas staged a pro-carry demonstration at one of the burrito chain's restaurants, causing Chipotle to respond. Fast.
When you think about Chipotle, a few images spring to mind. Baby-sized burritos. Mysterious secret menu items. More recently, literary cups. Military-style rifles, however, probably wouldn't come to mind for most people.
This Flying Hotel Room Costs $43K (Butler Included)
The UAE's Etihad Airlines created a flying hotel room, complete with an ensuite bathroom and butler service. One problem: It's ugly.
In an attempt to one-up competitors in the growing luxury air travel industry, United Arab Emirates airline carrier Etihad has just announced what they're calling "The Residence." This three-room, first-class suite will be onboard Airbus A380 flights. Billed as "the world's most luxurious living space in the air," The Residence is basically a flying hotel room, with a double bed, an ensuite bathroom with shower, as well as butler and chef service. The pricetag? Up to $43,000, according to Businessweek.
With Google Glass-Like Blink Gear And Smartwatch Fever, Samsung Goes All In On Wearables
According to one new study, the company commands 70% of the smartwatch market. But it doesn't reveal the whole picture.
The selfie-staging master puppeteers at Samsung are one of the only tech companies in the world seriously competing in the wearables space. Which is why, in what might be the most peculiar market research study you'll read today, Samsung was found to command a hefty 70% slice of the smartwatch market. That's a significant piece of the timepiece pie, but it doesn't tell the whole story.
Can A Smarter Lighter Wean You Off Smoking?
What if you combined fitness tracking technology with the world of tobacco? You might just add fuel to the addictive fire.
It's been a long day, so you sneak outside for one more cigarette before your next meeting. You open your lighter, take a few drags, and realize there's no smoke. Why? You're over your cigarette quota.
McDonald's New Happy-Meal Mascot Is Upsetting People
It's a Happy-Meal box with a face and apparently it scares some adults.
McDonald's has introduced its latest marketing mascot. Meet "Happy," a happy meal with arms, legs, and a smile.
May 19, 2014
Japanese Architects Petition Against Zaha Hadid's Olympic Stadium in Tokyo
The petition to reconsider the stadium gains traction.
From its inception, architect Zaha Hadid's design for the 2020 Olympic Stadium in Tokyo was met with controversy. And now, Tokyo-based architect Toyo Ito and Pritzker Prize-winning Fumihiko Maki have organized an online petition to halt the construction of the new sports arena. Instead, they propose saving the city's existing Meiji Jingu Gaien Stadium and neighboring gardens.
A Wall Clock That Displays Your Heartbeat In Real Time
Wearable tech gets poetic with Uji, a wall clock controlled by biological data and inspired by Zen philosophies.
The design studio Being and Dying has just taken wearable tech to an unusually poetic place with Uji, a wall clock that displays the owner's heartbeat in real time. It offers a clever twist on the term "biological clock."
The NSA Is Recording "Virtually All" Cell Phone Calls In The Bahamas: New Snowden Docs
The Intercept reveals an alleged NSA program called SOMALGET, that intercepts, records, and archives the audio of cell phone calls made to and from the Bahamas.
The reach of the National Security Agency is wider than previously thought, according to a report from The Intercept. Citing new documents provided by Edward Snowden, the news site--cofounded by Glenn Greenwald, the Guardian reporter who broke the news of the NSA's PRISM program--revealed an alleged secret government program that is recording "virtually every cell phone conversation" to and from the Bahamas.
What's Wrong With Mac OS X?
Apple's desktop OS has fallen into disarray as the company shifted focus to iOS. Four major Mac developers say its time for that to change.
This story contains interviews with Keith Blount, developer of Scrivener; Iliya Yordanov, developer of MoneyWiz; Simonas Bastys, head of development at Pixelmator; and Adrian Thomas, product manager at Equinux.
David Lidsky's Blog
- David Lidsky's profile
- 3 followers
