Thursday, June 26, 2008

World's Largest Pool: No, Not The Ocean

Try making a splash in the world's largest swimming pool... it's 1,000 yards long

If you like doing laps in the swimming pool, you might want to stock up on the energy drinks before diving in to this one.

It is more than 1,000 yards long, covers 20 acres, had a 115ft deep end and holds 66 million gallons of water.

Yesterday the Guinness Book of Records named the vast pool beside the sea in Chile as the biggest in the world.

Acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest swimming pool, the lagoon measures 1,013 metres in length and covers an area of eight hectares

But if you fancy splashing out on one of your own ? and you have the space to accommodate it ? then beware: This one took five years to build, cost nearly £1billion and the annual maintenance bill will be £2million.

The man-made saltwater lagoon has been attracting huge crowds to the San Alfonso del Mar resort at Algarrobo, on Chile's southern coast, since it opened last month.

Its turquoise waters are so crystal clear that you can see the bottom even in the deep end.

It dwarfs the world's second biggest pool, the Orthlieb ? nicknamed the Big Splash ? in Morocco, which is a mere 150 yards long and 100 yards wide. An Olympicsize pool measures some 50 yards by 25 yards.

The saltwater pool contains 250,000 cubic metres of water and is navigable in small boats.
Children play in the clear waters of the 3,323 ft long pool !!

Chile's monster pool uses a computer- controlled suction and filtration system to keep fresh seawater in permanent circulation, drawing it in from the ocean at one end and pumping it out at the other.

The sun warms the water to 26c, nine degrees warmer than the adjoining sea.

Chilean biochemist Fernando Fischmann, whose Crystal Lagoons Corporation designed the pool, said advanced engineering meant his company could build "an impressive artificial paradise" even in inhospitable areas.

"As long as we have access to unlimited seawater, we can make it work, and it causes no damage to the ocean."



[dailymail]
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World's Deepest Pool Lacks A High Dive

The world's deepest swimming pool (108 feet) resides in Brussels, Belgium and serves as "multi-purpose diving instruction, recreational, and film production facility."
The pool itself consists of a submerged structure with flat platforms at various depth levels. The pool has two large flat-bottomed areas at depth levels of 5m (16 ft) and 10m (32 ft), and a large circular pit descending to a depth of 33m (108 ft). It is filled with 2,500,000 liters of non-chlorinated, highly filtered spring water maintained at 30°C (86°F) and contains several simulated underwater caves at the 10m depth level. There are numerous underwater windows that allow outside visitors to look into the pools at various depths.

While that's cool and all, where the hell is the high dive? You can't have a pool that deep and not have a high dive, it's blasphemous. I mean, WTF? Oh well, I'm still gonna sink my girlfriend's body in the deep end.

via Anvari

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iRetroPhone - Rotary Dial Phone App for iPhone

The iRetroPhone for Apple’s iPhone is fun application that uses realistic sound effects and animations to simulate an old rotary dial phone.

Here’s a video demonstration of the iRetroPhone:



The iRetroPhone will soon be available in the iPhone App Store.
via Dvice
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R2-D2 and Darth Vader USB Hubs

I’m quite happy with my current Belkin hub/dock, but anyone of these two cool Star Wars USB hubs would be more than welcome in case of a switch.

Both hubs, one in the shape of R2-D2 and one Darth Vader bust, will light up their eyes, move their heads and play sound effects every three minutes when being connected to a computer. The sound effects can be switched off.

The Star Wars USB Hubs measures 90(D) x 100(W) x 150(H) mm and will cost around $66 when they are released in Tokyo next month.
via Technabob
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5-Disk HDD Tower
Acer Aspire Predator Gaming PC
OWC now offers 320GB portable FireWire hard drives
Making That Notebook Into A Desktop
2 Terabyte Big Disk Extreme + from LaCie
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Monday, June 23, 2008

A pool toy that dreams are made of

Yes, this is only a concept, but what a concept it is. The "PC of the Swim Rings" would turn the most hapless landlubber into a water rat, creating a floating computer and media center.

Displayed at the Next-gen PC Design Competition, this aquatic marvel would include "a GPRS receiver, Bluetooth, finger-touch input, solar power-driven processor, water-cooling system, magnetic charging interface, and waterproof design." Hey, if you're going to dream, might as well go all the way.

And just to show that it isn't entirely frivolous, according to BornRich, the "amphibious PC" can also be detached to double as a land-based computer with a 7-inch LCD, Webcam, stereo speakers, and even a backlit keyboard for nocturnal use. As long as we're talking fantasy, we request that it be combined with the "RadioRaft"--especially its six stainless steel cupholders--to make it the greatest pool invention ever made.

via

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ICE Hotel
Alien Life May Be "Weirder" Than Scientists Think, Report Says

Dual Dock for your iPod & iPhone

Check out this neat device that allows you to dock both your iPod & iPhone at once. JVC has just released this device called the NX-PN7. Apsrt from docking more than one apple device at a time, the $149.95 PN7 features an AM/FM radio, alarm clock, timer and an unspecified video out.

The JVC NX-PN7 dock also features two illuminated strips under the devices that can display nine different programmable colors. [JVC]

Source

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ION Audio Block Rocker- Powerful Portable Speakers
Portable iPhone Speakers
Limited Edition Designer iPod touch
LP to iPod Converter Brings Back Fond Memories
iPhone Wide Angle Lens
LP to iPod Converter Brings Back Fond Memories
PSP iPhone-esque Concept
Portable iPhone Speakers
Inflatable Neutron - rest and listen to music with comfort
R2-D2 speakers for moderate 'Star Wars' freaks
Review: Blaupunkt Velocity 2Go
Futuristic Sony Vaio Zoom Making That Notebook Into A Desktop
2 Terabyte Big Disk Extreme + from LaCie

Snow Globes by Walter Martin & Paloma Munoz

When I was younger, I hava a snow globe which is a Christmas gift. The pretty Snow Globes were created by artists Walter Martin and Paloma Munoz. These globes features included amazing miniature people scenes and filled with water and a touch of alcohol that acts as a preservative. They are recent works - Travelers series globes($750). They are a limited edition as only 250 signed snow globes were made. "These two artists have been working together since 1993. They sculpt miniature figures set in snowy outside scenes that depict sometimes horrible situations. Each snow globe tells a story and it��s up to the viewer to fill in the blanks of those stories. Some of these miniature people seem trapped in a fairy-tale like story. " More pics check out.
[ Via... ]
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B-membrane Concept

The B-membrane Concept by Korean designer Won-Seok Lee. This concept Laptop/Desktop designed like a omnidirectional projector, which can post the Windows on any surface and features included a membrane keyboard that appears when needed.
[ Via... ]

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5-Disk HDD Tower
Acer Aspire Predator Gaming PC
OWC now offers 320GB portable FireWire hard drives
Making That Notebook Into A Desktop
2 Terabyte Big Disk Extreme + from LaCie
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Sunday, June 22, 2008

LEGO Star Wars Diorama Is Legit, 3,800 Pieces, $400

The $400 Death Star diorama from LEGO weighs in at a whopping 3,800 pieces and is making me hotter than a volcano. A volcano on fire. The thing depicts 14 scenes from the original Star Wars trilogy and comes with 21 mini-figs, including 7 exclusive to the set. Wow, what could be awesomer? I mean besides a LEGO Death Star big enough to live in. Because that's what I freaking want. Like my dad always says, "Dream big or don't bother sleeping. Oh, and son -- keep your buttcheeks clenched tight -- aliens."
more...

3,800-Piece Death Star Diorama Is Coolest Star Wars Lego Ever [gizmodo]

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Thursday, June 19, 2008

Hollywood sand sculptures

This is a picture of Darth Vader in sand sculpture form (aka Sand Vader). It's not bad if you squint your eyes and shake your head so you can't tell it's way out of proportion and Vader has creepy bug-eyes. Personally, I would have gone with a Jawa Sandcrawler and a bunch of those little freaks running around. Yeah -- and a giant Princess Leia. But what do I know? I've only won the Interplanetary Sand Sculpture Competition six years running. I know what the judges like. And let me tell you, a Princess Leia sand-boob would have gone a long way.

Hit the jump for several more sculptures, including a Rockbiter (Sandmuncher) from The Neverending Story (I cry just thinking about Artax drowning in the Swamp of Sadness), the Simpsons (Sandsons), and the Silver (Sand)Surfer.

Hollywood sand sculptures

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Lilypad - A Floating Ecopolis For Climate Refugees

The Lilypad is a project for the Climate Refugees - A Floating Ecopolis For Climate Refugees. It is a solution for the water rising, each floating cities designed to hold around 50,000 people. Lilypad travels on the water line of the oceans, from the equator to the poles following the marine streams warm ascending of the Gulf Stream or cold descending of the Labrador. And it is a a prototype of auto-sufficient amphibious city. It enables to live in the heart of the subaquatic depths. It also feature with green technologies(solar, wind, tidal, biomass), the double skin is made of polyester fibres covered by a layer of titanium dioxide (TiO2) like an anatase which by reacting to the ultraviolet rays enable to absorb the atmospheric pollution by photocatalytic effect...

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Turkish Ice Cream Juggler



Oh wow - I want to open an ice cream stand here in Valencia to entertain the tourists and spread a giggle or two.

Video Link: Turkish Ice Cream Dude

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