Gentlemen, start your incredibly lazy engines: Honda has a new answer for those of us too tired to get off our keisters. Meet the U3-X "personal mobility device," a unicycle-like ride that makes heading into the kitchen for pie as easy as -- well, pie.
The Harmonious Honda U3-X
Sure to excite mall cops everywhere, the Honda U3-X makes the Segway look like an outdated piece of junk that no one in their right mind would ride. (Actually, the Segway already looked like that. Disregard.) The device is a 2-foot tall infinity-symbol lookalike with two pull-out pads for your tuchas. Marketed as a mobility device that "co-exists in harmony with people" -- yes, seriously -- the U3-X lets you hop a squat and zip around a room simply by shifting your body weight.
Honda says its U3-X allows for "free movement" in any direction, be it forward-backward, side-to-side, or on a diagonal. And the more you lean, the faster you go. At least, until the battery runs out (or someone sees you on this thing and proceeds to beat the living daylights out of you).
The Honda U3-X weighs about 22 pounds and is said to run for an hour on each charge. It'll officially debut at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show next month, after which it'll presumably be ridiculed and then promptly forgotten.
Google Sidewiki -- A First Look
Ever wanted to read other people's observations -- or even share your own -- when you're browsing the Web? Google Toolbar's new Sidewiki feature, which currently works in Firefox and Internet Explorer, lets you read and post comments on virtually any Web page. Here's a quick run-through of how it works.
First, download the Google Toolbar with Sidewiki. Installation takes only a few minutes.
Once installation is complete, restart your browser. The Sidewiki button will appear in the Google Toolbar. (See lower right corner of image below.)
To see Sidewiki in action, go to a popular content site such as CNN.com. Select a story, and then click the Sidewiki button. If other Sidewiki users have already commented on the story, you'll see a list of entries in a right-side column, or sidebar.
Have an brilliant observation or additional information to share? Click "Write an entry" at the bottom of the sidebar. (To add a comment, you'll first have to log into your Google account.)
To filter out spam, off-topic remarks, and the all-too-common illiterate rants that plague comments sections of many sites, Sidewiki uses a "quality algorithm" in addition to user ratings to determine the order of entries that appear in the sidebar. You can vote on the usefulness of individual posts.
You can share a Sidewiki comment via Facebook, Twitter, email, or Web link. Here's a Twitter example:
Gmail Is Ailing -- Again
Today's problems come less than a month after Gmail's last major disruption. What's going on?
I awoke this morning to find that hundreds of folks were reading an old Techologizer story on Gmail problems-which is always a sign that Gmail is misbehaving on a grand scale. As usual, I checked my own two Gmail accounts, and found that my inboxes were available-but that both were displaying a message I'd never seen before (click on the image to see a larger version):
Then I checked the Google Apps status page, which confirmed that something was amiss but didn't mention contacts (I'm also not sure why it calls it "Google Mail," but let's avoid addressing that for now):
(Click on the image to see a larger version.)
Lastly, I turned to Twitter, which rarely explains why something is going on, but which can certainly help determine whether it's widespread. It did confirm that some people can't get into Gmail, period:
Whatever's going on, it comes less than a month after Gmail's last major disruption. When this is sorted out, I hope that Google not only publishes an explanatory blog post, but also one about that addresses more overarching issues concerning Gmail
Microsoft's Secret Pink Phones Pictured
A day after Microsoft's Courier concept (a double-screen tablet) leaked and surprised many with its coolness, Redmond rumors hit the snooze bar again with leaked images of two new Microsoft-branded phones. The images are supposed to be concepts of two handsets, codenamed Turtle and Pure, that are part of Microsoft's secret "Project Pink." The device images were leaked late Wednesday courtesy of gadget blog Gizmodo, which also broke the Courier story earlier this week.
Microsoft's Turtle phone (from Gizmodo)
Pink Rumors
Some of the rumors coming out with the new images match things we've heard before. Turtle and Pure are said to be the work of engineers from Danger--the makers of the Sidekick handset--which Microsoft acquired last year. The Pink phones may have Zune-like software or at the very least will access the online Zune Marketplace for music, videos, and other content. Microsoft designed the hardware, but it will be manufactured by Sharp--the company that also made some of the Sidekick phones. Turtle and Pure handsets will feature the Microsoft and Sharp brand names.
Danger Plays it Safe
Microsoft's Pink phone (from Gizmodo)
Judging by the photos, it doesn't look like the Danger folks were gunning for originality when they signed on with Microsoft. The handset that I assume is called Turtle looks like a smaller version of the Palm Pre, and Pure is just a regular slider phone with round edges. Gizmodo says Microsoft designed these phones for the younger set, just like Danger did with the Sidekick. Sure, T-Mobile's new Sidekick LX sports Exchange support, and maybe the Pink phones will too, but Turtle and Pure are supposed to be about entertainment and fun, not business.
No word on pricing yet or what any of the specs will be, but it sounds like these phones are getting close to production, and may hit store shelves in a few months. Until then, let me know what you think of Microsoft's stab at the multimedia smartphone.
Licking Lindsay Lohan and butch dyke Samantha Ronson have been house hunting in the United Arab Emirates paradise of Dubai in a bid to beat the paparazzi. The bearded couple have reportedly fell in love with glamorous Palm Island resort after Ronson performed at the nearby luxurious Atlantis Hotel last year, according to British tabloid the Daily Mirror. The former star is eager to capitalize on a lack of paparazzi in the Middle-Eastern state by snapping up a lavish $2.18 million pad. A source tells the publication, "Lindsay and Sam loved the tacky glitziness of Dubai. There is so much money and opulence out there it really impressed Lindsay - she can be quite materialistic like that. Despite her fair skin, Lindsay loves the beach and sunshine. "And with the property market over there probably the only place where there still seems to be a boom, she thinks it will be a wise investment. "There isn't as much paparazzi either - although that's sure to change once Lindsay and Sam become regulars on the scene." However, the pair will need to keep their romance quiet if they do move to Dubai as homosexuality is still illegal in the country.
It seems like every new building opened in Dubai is increasingly impressive – so it's quite fitting that Nokia's first ever EVO Concept Store would makes it debut in the UAE's most populous state. Opening its doors on 09.09.09 and inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed himself, you'll find it in the new metro link extension of the Mall of Emirates.
"Solutions" is the buzz word around Nokia at the moment, and is at the heart of each EVO store which represents the latest generation of Nokia's stores. In it you'll find more live demos, a highly trained staff who can further train and education consumers on Nokia's latest solutions.
Enjoy a few photos below of the new store!
Welcome! You've arrived too early though…
Ahh…much better
Elegant interior design
Devices and big screens, quite common in all Nokia stores
Have the staff activate your Ovi services right in the store!
The Abu Dhabi Metro Study is a result of the Surface Transport Master Plan (STMP), a major initiative taken by the DoT to develop a comprehensive plan for surface transport - including different modes for passengers and freight such as roads, metro, Light Rail Transit (LRT) - that will meet the needs of residents as well support the economy's mobility until 2030.
The metro rail system
The metro rail system will run approximately 131km, and will be supported by tram and bus feeder services. Besides serving the projected increase in population of the city and relieving congestion, the metro will connect the mainland with communities such as Saadiyat, Yas Islands and Al Raha Beach.
Meanwhile, the capital - already committed to sustainable transportation in its Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 - has raised the bar a level higher by signing the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) Charter on Sustainable Development.
Statistics
- Abu Dhabi Metro trains will start operating by 2016. - Abu Dhabi trams will start operating by 2014. - The metro rail system will run approximately 131 kilometres
Plans for the Doha Metro Network have been presented to the Qatar Government and are currently under consideration.
The contract could be awarded by the end of this year, a consultant working on the project said. The plans form one "cluster" of a wider consolidated national railway network.
The wider network is designed to integrate five railway systems planned across Qatar into a "comprehensive and consolidated national railway system."
It was prepared by DB International, the international wing of German railway company Deutsche Bahn, and local state-owned firm Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company.
Last August it was announced that the two firms had signed an MoU to develop the conceptual design. The Urban Planning and Development Authority is overseeing the work.
"The plans include Doha Metro as one cluster," DB International spokesperson Bernd Weiler told Construction Week.
"There are further clusters involving other forms of rail traffic including a line to Bahrain and a line south to Saudi Arabia."
Weiler confirmed that a presentation had been made last month to the Qatar Government. When asked how the government had received the plan, he said: "I have read reports which are friendly but neutral."
According to Doha's application to host the 2016 Olympic Games, phase one of the metro involves five sections, originally scheduled for a 2015 completion date.
But Qatar was eliminated from the running for the Olympics last June, making the 2015 completion unnecessary and unlikely.
PTV Doha manager Steve Cole, who is also involved in the wider masterplan, told CW the construction timetable, including the contract type, would not be agreed on until "the second half of this year."
"The kind of metro they are looking at is mostly underground, which takes time," Cole added.
The first section, running 30km from the under-construction Lusail mega-project to Doha International Airport, was valued at US $1.65 billion (QAR6 billion) in the Olympic application.
The four further sections, originally set to break ground between 2010 and 2012, run a total of 55km and were valued collectively at $3 billion.
Together, the five sections constitute the first phase of a long-term three-phase plan, with a preliminary 2026 completion date. All three phases total 140km.
The Olympic application confirmed that the city's planned transport infrastructure "will be developed, regardless of the International Olympic Committee's choice of host city for 2016." Qatari Diar was unavailable for comment. . The wider integrated system includes the Doha Metro Network; an east coast rail link; a high-speed link between the new Doha International Airport, Doha City Centre and Bahrain via the planned Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge; a freight rail link based on the GCC rail link studies; and light rail systems within specific developments including Qatari Diar's Lusail mega-project.
Doha metro is an 85-KM railway network in Qatar. The railway will include an east coast link, a high-speed link, a freight link and a light rail system. The railway will serve suburb of Doha and developments such as Lusail, Education city and West Bay.
Description • Tallest current building and sctructure in world since 2009.
• The Height of Burj Dubai was being kept private, and was not be told until it is completed. Developers said to be the tallest ever built, as it is the current tallest building on earth upon its completation, surpassing in all categories, like spire and roof, buildings already built as the Sears Towers, Taipei 101, Shanghai World Financial Center, Jan Hancock Center and Petronas. At the end of June 2006, a height of 2650ft (807.7m) has been made public by some of the firms involved in this project. Although, recently, it was announced on January 19, 2009 by a contractor working on the project, that it topped out at 818 meters.
• Topped-out on January 17th, 2009.
• Work on the foundations started in January 2004.
• When anounced in early 2003, the Burj Dubai's design was the same as the 560 meter Melbourne Grollo Tower design. However, in May 2003 a new design by SOM was released.
• An observation deck is located on the 124th floor.
• It would have the fastest elevators in the world with a speed of 700m/min (42.3 kmh / 26.1 mph).
Details were announced on Tuesday of the interactive journey on offer to visitors to Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, which is due to open in December.
ON TOUR: An artist's impression of the observatory deck at Burj Dubai.
The At The Top of the World experience will include travelling at a speed of 10 metres per second to the observatory deck on Level 124 which will take about 60 seconds.
When the doors slide open, guests will be welcomed with floor-to-ceiling glass providing unobstructed 360 degree views. Visitors can also adventure outside onto the open-air deck to peer into the distance or down to the familiar streets below, Burj Dubai bosses revealed in a statement.
Special telescopes will provide virtual time-travel visions of the scenes beyond and below, allowing guests to see them in the close-up real-time not only the spectacular views of Dubai but also its past and future.
Thomas Dempsey, general manager, Burj Dubai, said the At The Top journey "will be a never-before experience for visitors".
He added: "The entire journey - starting from the welcome lobby at The Dubai Mall through a 65-metre travelator to the vertical travel in a double-deck elevator to finally watching the world uninterrupted from Level 124 - is educational, inspirational, compelling and thoroughly fulfilling."
While a typical At The Top journey can be completed in 45 minutes, several other interactive features including 'Burj Dubai Among the Greats,' 'Burj Your City', 'Tallest Among the Tall', and 'Dubai Then and Now' can also be included.
Abdulla Lahej, executive director, Dubai Project Management, Emaar Properties, added: "With the At The Top experience, we are celebrating Burj Dubai's iconic status and providing the world an opportunity to partake in this celebration
A UK glass and steel glazing company with a growing international reputation has supplied a range of its specialist systems for the largest infrastructure project in Dubai for more than a decade.
Dubai Metro on Track With Wrightstyle
The £4.5bn Dubai Metro, which opened this month (September) is the world's largest automated driverless train system, with just under 75km of magnetic track, and joins together many of the Emirate's instantly recognisable icons, including the Burj Al Arab, Dubai's self-styled seven-star hotel, as well as the Palm Island, and the tallest building in the world, the Burj Dubai.
Wrightstyle, based in Wiltshire, supplied over 300 square metres of curtain walling, fire rated to 60 minutes of integrity and insulation, and which included both the company's SR60 framing system and WSL F28 specialist glass. The contract also included a number of fire-rated opening windows from their 6050F1 series, and mainly intended to protect the station's primary evacuation route.
The company was chosen for its international experience, its specialist expertise in the supply of both the glass and steel frames in one integrated, tested and guaranteed system – and its ability to meet the demands of a complex project in just over one month from the order being placed.
The systems were all supplied into the Rashidiya Main Depot, the starting station of one of the Metro's two lines, capable of handling 22,000 passengers an hour, and able to accommodate 64 trains for cleaning and maintenance. The Depot also includes the system's operations and emergency response centre, all managed through 668 military personnel, 3,000 surveillance cameras, two police stations, and eight security offices.
The interior of each of the system's 47 stations all feature themes adopted from the four elements of nature: water, air, fire and earth. The design of the exterior of the elevated stations is a unique shell-shaped roof which invokes the heritage of pearl diving – an integral part of Dubai's history.
The theme of water and air is carried through into the interior design of the trains, each of which has five compartments and three classes – Golden Class with leather seating, Women and Children's Class, and Silver Class.
The Wrightstyle systems were all designed and fabricated at the company's Devizes base and supplied fully finished to the main contractor, JTMJV (Japan Turkey Metro Joint Venture), that employed a local fixing company, approved by Wrightstyle, to handle installation.
The contract timetable meant that design, manufacture, paint and packing had to be completed within four weeks of the order being placed. This necessitated Wrightstyle having to airfreight four tonnes of framing and nine tonnes of glass, with the balance following by seafreight.
The new Metro system comes in response to the Emirate's huge growth. From a population size of 183,000 in 1970, Dubai now has a population of 1.1 million, still growing at 6.4% per year, and set to reach three million by 2017.
The city also boasts the world's largest shopping mall, the first underwater hotel and the longest indoor ski slope. Not forgetting Space Adventures, in neighbouring Ras Al-Khaimah, that will soon be offering suborbital spaceflights.
There is also a $4.5 billion new airport; more than 60 residential towers at the Dubai Marina; the Dubai International Financial Centre, bigger than London's Canary Wharf; Dubai International City; Dubai Healthcare City; Dubai Festival City; and the $5 billion Dubailand theme park, a desert Disneyland. Dubailand alone consists of 45 main building projects and 200 smaller building projects.
In keeping with the scale of growth, fire safety in the UAE has also improved. The first indication came with the establishment last year of a centre of excellence for fire safety testing and product approval, in a joint venture between Bodycote Warringtonfire and the Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) authority.
That has led to a sea-change in both enforcement attitudes and how products and systems are being specified and test certificates ratified. Until recently, most projects had to comply with integrity-only specifications. Now, a growing number of specifiers are requesting project-by-project fire test certification for both integrity and insulation – as was the case for the Dubai Metro contract.
Wrightstyle's range of interior and exterior firescreens, doors, windows and curtain glazing systems can be found at www.wrightstyle.
Hundreds of special taxis to serve Metro commuters
DUBAI // Concerned that many people are using the Metro for pleasure rather than to get to work and back, municipal authorities are to assign some 300 taxis to serve commuters of the network.
Hundreds of special taxis to serve Metro commuters
The special taxis are being deployed by the Dubai Taxi Corporation to bolster the existing bus feeder services.
Meanwhile, according to the Roads and Transport Authority, Eid gave the Metro its busiest days yet. The trains carried 97,527 passengers on Sunday, and 97,881 on Monday, the corporation said in a statement.
Yet some residents say they will need a more comprehensive complementary transport service before they can depend on the Metro for their daily commute.
"The Metro is a good thing to have here, but I am still using my car because not all the phases are complete," said Dipal Buch, an Indian resident of Bur Dubai.
"Until then, it is not that useful."
As a result, the Dubai Taxi Corporation is working to include taxis in the Metro feeder services.
There are more than 7,000 taxi drivers based in Dubai.
Among the visitors to Dubai on Sunday was Marions Popa, a Romanian national living in Abu Dhabi who was planning to travel from one end of the Metro line to the other. "We came down from Abu Dhabi just to ride the Metro," she said. "We read about it in the newspapers and thought we'd try it out on our free day."
For Sadaf Pitt and her family, using the Metro on Sunday meant being whisked out of one area of Dubai and discovering somewhere new.
"If the Metro didn't exist, we would probably have stayed here," she said at the Mall of the Emirates station, waiting to pass through the barriers to board the train to Rashadiya with her husband and four-year-old daughter, Parisa.
"We thought we'd check it out, because the alternative at the moment is to just hang out at the mall."
