David Lidsky's Blog, page 3372
December 20, 2013
Investor Tim Draper's Plan To Make Silicon Valley Its Own State
Venture capitalist Tim Draper has an extraordinary plan to change California's future by splitting it into six smaller states.
Last year, when we spoke to famous tech investor Tim Draper about his family's influence in Silicon Valley, he mentioned his next venture would be trying to turn the Valley into its very own state. "I've already written up a constitution," he said. He wasn't kidding.
DoorBot Lets You Answer The Door When You're Not Home
The doorbell is getting made over as a digital doorman and surveillance camera.
Unless you live in a doorman building or your house is located in a theft-free neighborhood, the downside of online shopping--especially during the holidays--is the fear that your packages might get swiped. For most of us, the new DoorBot is the doorman-slash-security-camera we've always wanted. Sleek and wireless, it easily attaches to your home and uses low-voltage Wi-Fi to beam live video of whoever rings your doorbell directly to your phone so you can see who's there and communicate with them intercom-style.
7 Gift Ideas For Technophiles Who Don't Get Technology
With well-designed products, you don't need to be a coder to love technology. Here are some of our favorite techie gifts for people who never majored in computer science.
Technology used to be a niche interest, a hobby for geeks. Now, in an era when we all want to send texts on smartphones, everyone is a geek. But just because we like those magical moments that technology can offer, like beaming your music wirelessly to speakers or receiving a notification when your laundry is done, doesn't mean we have any clue how to make them happen.
The Prettiest Way To Brew Pour Over Coffee
Introducing the Canadiano, a smart little wooden block for making a morning cup of jo.
Pour over coffee is having a moment. The method involves slowly steeping coffee by manually pouring hot water over the grinds, one cup at time. Devotees--including trendy coffee companies like Blue Bottle and Intelligentsia--will tell you that the process extracts a smoother, richer flavor from the beans.
The 2013 Gift Guide: What To Get Creatives (And Those Who Want To Be More Creative)
The best gifts for creative-minded folks in 2013.
There's but one short week until Christmas, which means that your favorite local businesses/the nearest mall/your click-"expedited-shipping" finger are going to get busy in the days to come. But when it comes to buying presents for the creative folks in your life the pressure to come up with something both useful and clever can make this a stressful time of year. For that reason, we've assembled this list of can't-miss presents for creative people of all stripes, and those looking to expand their creative horizons in 2014.
December 19, 2013
People in China Are Getting Photobombed By Smog On Instagram
Pictures from everyday people caught in China's smog problem.
The smog situation in China isn't good. Lots of photo reports have captured the dramatic and stunning imagery of the thick pollution that's putting people's health in serious question. In October, an emergency smog crisis shutdown the capital of Heilongjiang province affecting 11 million people. The air quality index has reached a level of 1000, while a mere 300 is considered hazardous. Still, it hasn't stopped people from Instagramming selfies.
The Most Impressive To-Do List of 2013
The winner of the Best To-Do List contest helps cancer survivors swim with sharks, while the runners-up help us keep perspective on what's important.
You accomplished so much in the past year that we were exhausted just reading your to-do lists. But it's what you plan to do that really caught our attention.
Gorgeous Arctic Resort Totally Puts Your Winter Cabin To Shame
Surrounded by lava fields, with views of the Northern Lights and Iceland's largest natural lake? Yes, please.
Folks, it's time to take a vacation. This gorgeous little resort set into Iceland's lava fields is too much to resist. The ION Luxury Adventure Hotel, designed by Santa Monica-based studio Minarc, is set into the hillside just outside Reykjavík near Iceland's Thingvellir National Park.
A Moving Ode To The Father Of Natural Selection (Nope, Not Darwin)
We've all heard of Charles Darwin. Why haven't we heard of A.R. Wallace?
The theory of natural selection might be the most famous scientific idea outside of e=mc². But unlike that stroke of singular insight, the theory of natural selection had two originators. One we all know: Charles Darwin. But you've probably never heard of the other guy: A.R. Wallace. Now, thanks to a gorgeously designed papercraft animation, we can rectify that omission.
Foursquare Gets $35 Million Worth Of Told-Ya-So's
With $35 million in Series D funding, Foursquare takes one more step toward silencing its critics.
Foursquare has taken one more step toward silencing its critics. After more than a year of harsh criticism from the press, competitors, and PrivCo, a research firm that said it would go out of business, the startup confirmed today that it has raised $35 million in Series D funding, breathing new life into the location-based service. "With non-apologies to the doomsday predictions of PrivCo and others, Foursquare is VERY much alive and well," tweeted Foursquare spokesperson Brendan Lewis.
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