Author: JD
AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-D900USB
A new audiophile-grade headphone that integrates a 24-bit USB DAC and amplifier right into the housing of the headphones. The headphones can be plugged in via USB or your standard 3.5mm stereo jack and features big 53mm drivers to handle all that big, hi-fi sound. Available February 2014, Audio-Technica
SQUARE CASH
THIS IS CRAZY!! EVERYBODY IS GONNA USE THIS Square has a new service called Square Cash that makes sending money as easy as sending an e-mail, literally. All you do is punch in how much you need to send, type in your friend’s e-mail address, and once you link your debit card number the money is immediately on its way. Your friend doesn’t need to use the app or sign up for any services either, they just enter their debit card number and the cash is deposited into their account within 1-2 days. Easy as pie. Available on Android and iOS, Square
SONY A7
Sony’s new A7 enters the market as the lightest full-frame camera on the market and starts at just $1,699. The camera will be available in a 24MP model and a 36MP A7R model ($2,299) that loses the AA filter for sharper images. The A7 series will feature a built-in 2.4 million dot OLED EVF, a tilt-able 3.0″ screen, Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity, 5 fps continuous shooting (4FPS in the A7R), and a weather-sealed body. Amazon
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” -Michael Jordan
Richard Branson 6-tips for using Social Media to screw business as usual
1. Tell stories There’s a tendency amongst environmentalists to rely a little too much on data and science. That’s crucial, but let the evidence be the base and start with a story. People respond to stories, not data. A great example of this is Breaking The Taboo, where Sundog Pictures turned the compelling research of the Global Commission on Drug Policy into a stunning story on film. 2. Be creative: Don’t get hung up on being too serious. Experiment with new ways of telling your stories and make the most of all the new tools out there like Tumblr and Storify, as well as visualising your stories through films, photos and audio slideshows. It needn’t cost much – you can do a lot with a smartphone, free social tools and enthusiasm. 3. Choose the right channel: LinkedIn is perfect for our stories about entrepreneurship, Twitter supports a broader range of content, and Facebook can get a bit more personal. Match or reversion your content to different platforms and audiences – and be sure to engage with the people following you on each channel. 4. Be truthful: Don’t pretend you’re something you’re not. Social media has been instrumental in ushering in our age of transparency, and people erring from the truth are usually found out. The truth is usually more interesting than fiction anyway, so find real stories and tell the world about them. 5. Work together: Fuel your efforts by collaborating with people and organisations who are fighting for the same cause. Sharing hashtags can be an extremely powerful way of rallying and organising people around time-critical events or regular community gatherings, like #IranElection or #AgChat. 6. Have fun! Virgin was built on the belief that work should be fun – and that making work fun brings success. So have fun, be yourself, and share it through your social media. Your community will respond to it. If you’re going through the motions at work, your boss will notice. If you do the same on social media, your community will be able to tell. Equally, if you are having fun, your followers will have more fun too.
Sunset Plaza Residence
This luxury property spreads over 13,023 square feet on a hillside in Los Angeles, California. Combining privacy and views, architects used the sloping terrain to compose flat and terraced areas for an ultimate luxury living experience. Grabbing views from different vantage points and bringing them inside via an extensive use of glazing, Belzberg Architects planned a home where relaxation and entertainment take their roles seriously, switching back and forth according to the inhabitants’ needs and wishes. Listed for sale, the stunning residence is made up of three volumes – the main building, a wellness center and the guest house, providing everything one needs for a relaxed lifestyle.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.” -Steve Maraboli