Batangas Today: “World’s shortest escalator found in Japan goes viral (Video)” plus 8 more |
- World’s shortest escalator found in Japan goes viral (Video)
- Kindle Fire HD discount now going on, Amazon Student members can avail $50 price off for limited time
- Town Bans Bottled Water: Town of Concord In Massachusetts Bans Sale Of Bottled Water
- Madonna face plant: Singer lands face on ice during Swiss Alps skiing (Photo)
- Man Swept To Sea Near Point Reyes Beach Trying To Save His Dog (Video)
- Apple testing iPhone 6 and iOS 7, reports say
- Starbucks $1 reusable cups now being offered in US and Canada, part of waste reduction project
- World’s fastest four-seat convertible: 2013 Bentley GT Speed Convertible unveiled ahead of Detroit Auto Show
- Charlie Villanueva fined $25,000 by NBA for hard foul against Isaiah Thomas (Video)
| World’s shortest escalator found in Japan goes viral (Video) Posted: 03 Jan 2013 11:20 AM PST The so-called world’s shortest escalator can be found in Japan, as shown in the video below, which is now going viral. There were earlier videos (as early as 2008) about it, but the latest YouTube video is the longest so far, which was uploaded on Wednesday, January 2, 2012, and has a guide for tourists who want to check it out.  World’s shortest escalator Image Credit: YouTube video screengrab As described in the new video, the world’s shortest escalator is located near the parking lot at the basement (B2) of Kawasaki More‘s department store, across the street from the JR Kawasaki train station. It has a vertical rise of 32.8 inches (or 83 centimeters), and there is a normal stairway right after the escalator! “It’s a thing of beauty and magnificence.” YouTube user hippykiller1 said on the video, adding that he rode the elevator seven times and it was a glorious experience. And while it may not be really useful, it reportedly landed on Guinness World Records in 1989 as the world’s shortest escalator. Apparently, the video, which has nearly 440,000 views as of this writing, was also posted on Reddit on the same day, and has been earning more than 600 comments, with some of them being amazed but wondering why the said escalator is only for people going downwards and not for going up. Other commentators even suggested that they also found short escalators in other places such as in Amsterdam, in Edmonton, Canada, and others; but they were not sure if they are of the same size with that in Kawasaki, Japan. But the main question is why would Japanese engineers design such very short escalator? Well, since Japan is known for their superb talent in technology, why not use it for marketing purposes? It may be unnecessary for the train passengers, but is indeed one good thing to attract tourists. What do you think? World’s shortest escalator (2012 video) Video Credit: hippykiller1/YouTube World’s shortest escalator (2008 video) Video Credit: Tim Arai/YouTube      |
| Posted: 03 Jan 2013 08:22 AM PST A Kindle Fire HD discount is now being offered to Amazon Student members, who can buy the new Kindle Fire HD at Amazon.com and enjoy the $50 price off if they have an active Amazon Prime membership. This price discount promo applied to Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch Wi-Fi and 4G LTE versions. As posted on the ads at Amazon.com, qualified Amazon Student members can take advantage of the $50 price discount for the 8.9-inch 16GB Kindle Fire HD. It was earlier priced at $299, but will be sold for only $249, which is the same price as the 7-inch 32GB model Kindle Fire HD. “The promo codes below will become available 24 hours after activation of your account, through January 30 (2013).” A statement reads on the Amazon Kindle Fire HD discount ad “At checkout, enter the promo code KNDL4STU. If you are an Amazon Student member in a free or paid Prime plan, the discount will be applied to the items in your cart. This promo code may be redeemed once per customer. Offer good only while supplies last.” Amazon added. As unveiled by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in early September 2012, the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD sports a 1,920-by-1,200 resolution display, and the latest-generation Texas Instruments OMAP 4470 processor, a high performance 1.5Ghz dual-core processor with Imagination PowerVR 3D graphics core. In addition, it has a dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi promising a 40% faster performance, along with Dual Dolby Digital Plus stereo speakers and 10 hours of battery life, as well as a front-facing HD camera, and the Amazon-exclusive X-Ray for Movies feature, with over 23 million movies, TV shows, songs, magazines, books, and audiobooks available. New Amazon Student members are being advised to check their .edu emails and verify their accounts. For those who are not yet members of Amazon Student, they are invited to join via the Amazon Student sign-up page  Amazon Kindle Fire HD discount ad Image Credit: Amazon.com    |
| Town Bans Bottled Water: Town of Concord In Massachusetts Bans Sale Of Bottled Water Posted: 03 Jan 2013 08:10 AM PST A town in the United States has banned the sale of bottled water of one liter or less starting January 1, 2013 to encourage tap water use and reduce waste.  Bottled water Image Credit: Purwater.com According to a report from the BBC, the town of Concord in Massachusetts passed the law that banned the sale of small bottled water after a three-year campaign. According to Concord‘s bylaw published online at concordnet.org, penalties for offenders are as follows: First offenders will get a warning. Second offenders will be fined $25 and $50 will be fined for further offences. The ban is only limited to non-sparkling, unflavored drinking water in single-serving polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, which means that softdrinks and other beverages using the same PET bottles are still allowed. “What I’m trying to do with this bylaw is to increase the barriers to buying single-serve bottled water… In order to help people change, you need to put policies in place that steer them away from buying bottled water and toward considering the many other good alternatives,” Jean Hill, the person who led the campaign for this ban was quoted as saying by the New York Times.    |
| Madonna face plant: Singer lands face on ice during Swiss Alps skiing (Photo) Posted: 03 Jan 2013 07:48 AM PST  Madonna face plant Image Credit: INFphoto.com Like A Virgin singer Madonna face planted on ice several times while skiing in the Swiss Alps during a New Year’s Day family vacation in the resort town of Gstaad, Switzerland. A Madonna face plant photo was taken after the singer suffered a fall beside 25-year-old boyfriend, Brahim Zaibat. The 54-year-old singer was reportedly on vacation with her boyfriend and two daughters, Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon and Chifundo Mercy James. It seems Madonna should take some tips from 16-year-old daughter Lourdes who was just cruising along several advance trails while a private instructor reportedly guides 6-year-old Mercy. Zaibat, unlike his partner, was also seen having no problems with the Swiss Alps trails.    |
| Man Swept To Sea Near Point Reyes Beach Trying To Save His Dog (Video) Posted: 03 Jan 2013 06:39 AM PST Dog is really man’s best friend. This was proven by a man swept to sea while trying to save his dog in a Northern California beach on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2013. Charles Quaid and his wife was walking along the beach, near Point Reyes, when a wave of water washed off their dog. The area was reportedly about 30 miles northwest of San Francisco. According to the Coast Guard, the couple tried to rescue the dog but the husband ended up being swept by strong sea waves. The wife and dog was able to reach the shore safely with the help of rescuers who witnessed the incident. However, rescuers were not able to grabbed Quaid due to the strong waves that immediately swept him into the sea. Search and rescue operations was launched by the Coast Guard. Two of their boats and two helicopters were dispatched in the area. The lifeless body of the 59-year-old Quaid was found after a three hour search. Witnesses described the narrow beach waves to reach over 20 feet during high tide. If you are a dog owner, will you be risking your life as the man did?    |
| Apple testing iPhone 6 and iOS 7, reports say Posted: 03 Jan 2013 06:22 AM PST Apple is now testing the iPhone 6 (or so-called iPhone 5S) and its iOS 7, the company’s upcoming operating software, and that app developers have seen references in their usage logs. Well, this is according to a report by The Next Web (TNW) on Tuesday, January 1, 2013, which is a good way to start the year.  iPhone 5, showing features of iOS 6 Image Credit: Apple.com “One developer showed us that Apple has been testing hardware relating to a new ‘iPhone6,1‘ identifier, powered by a device running iOS 7, which is expected to be released by Apple in the middle part of this year.” A statement reads at TheNextWeb.com that day, noting that developers have contacted them. “From the developer logs that we have seen, the app requests originate from an IP address on Apple‘s Cupertino campus, suggesting that members of Apple‘s software development and app teams are compatibility testing some of the more popular or well-known applications already on the App Store.” TNW added. As noted in the report, there were no specific details on the iPhone 6 hardware or software features shared in the developer logs, but sources have indicated that Apple engineers started to work on the iOS 7 towards the end of 2012 and will soon finalize its features, which will be included during its launch. It can be remembered that Apple unveiled the iOS 6 during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) back in June 2012, while the iOS 5 was unveiled on the same annual event in 2011. Apple released the iOS 5 on October 12, 2011, while iOS 6 was released on September 19, 2012. Meanwhile, the iPhone 5 was unveiled last September 12, and Apple later announced that the iPhone 5 preorder sales have reached to 2 million in the first 24 hours. Back in November, a rumor surfaced saying that Apple will be having an actual production of the iPhone 5S in the first quarter of 2013. Apparently, a post by Boy Genius Report (BGR) also this Wednesday says that Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White, was quoted saying that “our checks indicate that the next iPhone will have more choices for customers,” and that “the next iPhone that we currently believe will be launched in May/June.”    |
| Starbucks $1 reusable cups now being offered in US and Canada, part of waste reduction project Posted: 03 Jan 2013 03:35 AM PST Starbucks launched its $1 reusable cups offer, which is part of their project to cut down waste, wherein customers in the US and Canada can help save the planet and will have a discount of ten cents. The Seattle-based coffee giant had implemented this program starting today, Thursday, January 03, 2013.  Undated photo of Starbucks reusable cup Image Credit: Starbucks “Reducing the environmental impact of our cups depends on the success of two interrelated efforts: developing recyclable cup solutions and dramatically increasing our customers’ use of reusable cups.” A statement reads at Starbucks.com on their Recycling & Reducing Waste page. “Many of our customers are also working to reduce their own environmental impact even as we are. Customers enjoying their beverage in-store can also request that it be served in a ceramic mug where available. Every paper cup saved helps keep our forests intact.” Starbucks added. As noted in the 2011 report by Starbucks, customers have used their own personal tumblers for more than 34 million times, or almost 2% of all the beverages being served in global company-owned stores. The goal of their $1 reusable cups is to serve 5% of beverages made in their stores in personal tumblers by 2015. Starbucks also mentioned its earlier initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of their disposable cups, which started in 1997 when they launched their recycled-content cup sleeve, which is not only to protect customers from hot beverages, but also to avoid the waste of “double cupping.” “It’s not a burden for people to buy two or three,” Jim Hanna, the director of environmental affairs at Starbucks, was quoted telling to USA Today on their January 2, 2013 report. The Starbucks $1 reusable cups are made in China, bearing the same Starbucks logo, and appears to be like their paper cups version.    |
| Posted: 03 Jan 2013 01:14 AM PST The world’s fastest four-seat convertible today is the 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible, which has a top speed of 202 mph (325 km/h) and will make its international debut at the North American International Auto Show (Detroit Auto Show) on Monday, January 14, 2013.  2013 Bentley GT Speed Convertible Image Credit: BentleyMedia.com According to a press release by Bentley on its official press site this Wednesday, January 2, this latest Continental GT Speed Convertible sports a 625 PS (616 bhp) twin-turbocharged 6.0 liter W12 engine, powering the vehicle to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds (0-100 kph in 4.4 seconds). This 2013 GT Speed Convertible, a successor of the old Bentley Speed Convertible, which is 7-mph slower, is 3-mph slower than the GT Speed Coupe that has a top speed of 205 mph (330 kph). In addition, it has a gross weight of 2900 kg (6393 lbs), slightly heavier than the GT Speed, which weighs 2750 kg (6063 lbs). “Following the recent successful introduction of the GT Speed, the new GT Speed Convertible will appeal to drivers who seek the sensory thrills of the world's fastest four-seat soft-top and the practicality of a year-round grand tourer, together with unrivalled levels of luxury and refinement.” Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, Bentley Chairman and CEO, was quoted at BentleyMedia.com. “It is designed for those who accept no compromise.” Dr. Schreiber added, with the GT Speed Convertible also sporting a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission with Quickshift, Block Shifting and a wheel-mounted paddleshift, having a driveline of continuous all-wheel drive (40:60 rear bias). For the exterior part, the Continental GT Speed Convertible has a 10 mm lower suspension, a set of unique 21″ Speed alloy wheels, which are available in silver or an optional dark tint; along with dark chrome air intakes and radiator grille, as well as enlarged tailpipes with rifled interiors. For the interior part, this world’s fastest four-seat convertible features the hand-made specialty from the Mulliner Driving Specification, and offering an exclusive Dark Tint Aluminium ‘engine spin’ finish, inspired by the dashboard of the Bentley‘s Le Mans in the 1920s.    |
| Charlie Villanueva fined $25,000 by NBA for hard foul against Isaiah Thomas (Video) Posted: 02 Jan 2013 09:22 PM PST Detroit Piston‘s Charlie Villanueva was fined $25,000 by the National Basketball Association (NBA) for giving a hard foul to Isaiah Thomas of Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, January 1, 2012 (New Year’s Day), as shown in the video below. Piston was then leading by 12 points (58-46) and eventually won, 103-97.  Charlie Villanueva’s foul on Isaiah Thomas Image Credit: NBA video According to an official statement at NBA.com this Wednesday, January 2, Stu Jackson, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations, confirmed that Villanueva has been fined $25,000 for his Flagrant Foul Two on Tuesday night, throwing his huge arms at Thomas‘ face. He was immediately ejected from the game. Thomas, standing at 5 feet 9 inches, was on his way to make a shot with four seconds remaining in the second quarter, when Villanueva, stands 6 feet 11 inches, rotated to stop him and landed an obviously hard foul at the face of the Pistons forward. Thomas dropped on the floor but stood up at once and confronted him. DeMarcus Cousins, Kings‘ center, was the first one to rush in between them and pulled his teammate away. Referees, players, and some NBA officials immediately joined until Thomas, who was furious with what happened, was brought to the bench. The game was temporarily stopped, until Villanueva‘s ejection from the game was announced. “No, it was just the fact that it was a dirty play and he’s a dirty player. It is what it is. He got kicked out of the game, so it wasn’t nothing big. A lot of guys do stuff like that knowing you can’t really fight in this league, so it’s all right.” Isaiah Thomas was quoted as saying, when asked if the play was the worst part of him. “I didn’t swing on him. That’s one thing I didn’t do. In the heat of the battle, in the heat of the moment, it is what it is.” Thomas added, who appeared to be making a swing on Villanueva right after the incident, with Kings Coach Keith Smart saying that he will review the video of the incident. Charlie Villanueva, making Flagrant Foul Two against Isaiah Thomas Video Credit: XK Cheung/YouTube/NBA    |
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