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New Article: 20 years ago today, humanity was given the greatest gift of all: The World Wide Web

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Happy birthday, World Wide Web! 20 years ago, the Web was presented to its soon-to-be-adoring public with a bow and a promise to make it available for free. The gift remains to this day.


We’re all pretty immersed with our digitally-driven lives, probably too preoccupied with our gizmos, gadgets, and social media accounts to even wonder how we got to be so technologically advanced in this day and age. Ever wonder about the Internet’s origin, or why it’s absolutely free to be used by anyone with a connection? Do you remember your very first encounter with the World Wide Web? It was 20 years ago today when Sir Tim Berners-Lee – a British scientist at CERN – made the Internet as we know it and the technology that drove it completely royalty-free, which basically meant anybody in the world could use it .

The Internet’s humble beginnings 

From 1989 to the following year, Berners-Lee along with Belgian systems engineer Robert Cailliau wrote and developed a proposal outlining the use of a global hypertext system, which would later on be referred to as the World Wide Web. In the proposal, terms pertaining to the use of the web were identified, including the way a web of hypertext documents (what we now know as HTML) could be viewed by browsers. In late 1990, demonstrations of their project’s prototype began. Since the project was originally intended to make information dissemination between scientists stationed in various locations around the world easier, an interface was developed on NeXT computers and applied so that people within CERN would be encouraged to use and test it out themselves. To this day, the original NeXT computer is on display at the Microcosm exhibit in Switzerland. According to CERN, it still bears the handwritten label that says, “This machine is a server. DO NOT POWER IT DOWN!!”

Web in the 90s 

As it was, only a select few had complete access to the NeXT computer that ran the first-ever browser. In 1991, CERN proceeded to develop a basic browser that could run on any system or computer. Complete with software, library, and functions that allowed other developers to modify the browser according to their needs, the new WWW system was quickly implemented by various schools and research centers.

The first Web server finally reached the U.S. and came online in 1991 at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. By that time, two versions of the browser were available – to further develop the newer one, Berners-Lee took to the Internet to reach out to other developers who would like to contribute. Quite a few were successful, the most notable one being the Mosaic, the very first graphical browser released by Marc Andreessen, Eric Bina, and others at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. This browser, along with the Web, gained media attention – the corporation founded to back it up would later on be known as Netscape. In April 1993, CERN made the decision to make the Web protocol and code available for everyone to use, partly to usurp other institutions’ plans to charge for it in the future.

Where we are now 

Since then, people’s exposure to the World Wide Web just kept growing. In 1994, 2 million computers were connected to the Internet and were specifically intended for academic use only; in 2012, there were 2.4 billion Internet users worldwide, from all walks of life. Radio stations, newspapers, book stores, and search engines began infiltrating Web space. Blogging started becoming a global phenomenon. The dot-com market rose then crashed again. Google started becoming a household name, alongside Wikipedia. iPods were released. File-sharing services were founded. Billions of webpages were created and visited on a daily basis, one of them being MySpace. Soon it was Facebook and Twitter and YouTube. After 10 years of being available to the general public, the World Wide Web began seeing the development of more online and portable technology, and more households were able to access highspeed Internet access that was available 24/7. People started turning to the Internet for entertainment purposes, which used to be exclusive to television. The rest is – as cliché as it sounds – history. And it’s only getting better. (SOURCE)

New Video: 2 Chainz feat. Lil Wayne - Yuck


 
2 Chainz - Yuck ft. Lil Wayne from 2 Chainz on Vimeo.

New Trailer: Thor “The Dark World"

Friday, April 26, 2013


In the aftermath of Marvel’s Thor and The Avengers, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) fights to restore order across the cosmos, but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all. Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones) directs Thor: The Dark World which arrives in theaters on November 8th in 3D.

New Kicks: Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Black Toe"

Thursday, April 25, 2013

The Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Black Toe” is set to return this summer. This time around, the “Black Toe” will return in a true high cut that brings it closer to the original model. The all-leather upper features the classic black toe box along with red heel panels and white on the top of the toe box, tongue and side panels. The “Black Toe’ also returns with official, and much desired, Nike Air branding. No word yet on a release date but expect these to drop sometime this summer.

New Gear: Nixon “The Passport” Watch

Made to “move in sync to the world, rotate and roll with it,” California-based Nixon has unveiled its latest premium timepiece – The Passport. Crafted with a custom Swiss-made world time quartz analog movement with 24 time zones, the piece pairs a ballistic nylon band with bezel-direct functionality that allows for quick and easy adjustments of a second time zone. Furthermore, a 49mm 100 meter/10 ATM custom stainless steel case includes a hardened mineral crystal and quick adjust Daylight Savings Time pusher, a screw-down case back, a triple-gasket screw-down crown, and luminous markers. Finally, a custom stainless steel buckle with screw pins creates a rugged and reliable closure for the leather-trimmed 22 mm band. Expect The Passport to be available from select Nixon stockists in the near future.


 
WORLD TIME WATCH | INTRODUCING THE PASSPORT from NIXON Europe on Vimeo.

New Tech: USBGeek AK-47 and Handgun USB Drives

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Definitely more rebellious than your run-of-the-mill thumb drive, USBGeek has crafted USB drives based on your prototypical handgun and AK-47 assault rifle. Designed to work right out of the box for both Mac and PC, the high-speed USB 2.0 drives feature a molded silicone casing and range in capacity from 4GB to 32GB. The handgun and AK-47 designs are now available online for between $19 USD and $35 USD.

New Video: Miguel feat. Kendrick Lamar - How Many Drinks?

Monday, April 22, 2013


New Trailer: The Hunger Games “Catching Fire"

Friday, April 19, 2013


The Hunger Games: Catching Fire begins as Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow (Donald Sutherland) prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games, a competition that could change Panem forever. Francis Lawrence directs the film written by Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire) and Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3) and it arrives November 22nd, 2013.

New Kicks: Air Jordan 4 “Yeezy” Custom Kicks

Thursday, April 18, 2013

The Black/Solar Red Yeezy 2 colorway works well on many different sneaker models. The latest sneaker to get the “Yeezy” treatment is the Air Jordan 4. This custom Jordan features an all-black upper with a vibrant green sole that gives off a glow-in-the-dark feel, mimicing the Yeezy 2 used for inspiration. The kicks are then finished with a solar red sockliner that brings the look home.



New Gear: Master-Piece x Casio G-Shock GD100MS

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Renowned for its expansive range of toting goods that reaches all styles be it the pragmatic or opulent, master-piece aligns with fellow Japanese conglomerate Casio to release the limited edition G-Shock GD100MS. This time around the luggage purveyor decides to rework the electronic manufacturer’s military styled, hence the ‘MS’ stamp, GD100 with an olive resin band, black display and yellow complementing accents. With regards to the watche’s physical as well as technical makeup, it features everything the base model GD100 would, including: a 200m water- and shock-resistant build; Super Illuminator LED blacklight; Flash Alert; countdown timer; full auto calendar pre-programmed until the year 2099; stopwatch; and an approximate battery life of 7 years. The collaborative GD100MS wrist watch will be available April 20 at select retailers worldwide.

 

New Tech: BeoPlay H3 and H6 Headphones

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Manufacturer of high-end sound systems Bang & Olufsen partners with industrial designer Jakob Wagner to add two new headphone models to its youthful diffusion line BeoPlay. Firstly, the H3 earbuds offer a new Micro Bass Port for a dynamic and balanced sound combined with an aluminum body and 23 ventilation holes for superior acoustic clarity. The H6 however comes in the form of your traditional headphones silhouette that focuses on attaining a clear midrange as well as a balanced bass and treble output. Designed with 40mm custom drivers with neodymium magnets that are perfectly angled to unlock the best sound direction into your ears, the H6 finishes with an internal bass port to deliver a well-balanced bass performance. BeoPlay’s H3 and H6 headphones will retail for €249 and €399 EUR (approximately $326 and $522 USD), respectively, with availability beginning next month at select authorized retailers.

 

New Video: Drop City Yacht Club feat. Jeremih - Crickets

Monday, April 15, 2013


New Trailer: Elysium

Friday, April 12, 2013


Elysium, directed by South African filmmaker Neill Blomkamp (of District 9), focuses on Secretary Rhodes (Jodie Foster), a hardened government official, who will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium. However, that doesn’t stop the people of Earth from trying to get in, by any means they can. When unlucky Max (Matt Damon) is backed into a corner, he agrees to take on a daunting mission that if successful will not only save his life, but could bring equality to these polarized worlds. Sony/Columbia has Elysium set to hit theaters on August 9th this summer.

New Kicks: Nike SB Dunk Low Pro “Concord"

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Taking flight on April 20, 2013 is the Nike SB Dunk Low Pro “Concord”. Designed after the iconic Air Jordan 11, this Nike SB Dunk Low rendition features a white upper wrapped with black patent leather. Releasing at select Nike SB accounts, if this release is anything like the “Space Jam” Dunks, then you might want to head to your local skate shop early. (SOURCE)

New Auto: 2014 Maserati Ghibli

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Slated for an official debut later this month at the Shanghai Motor Show, Maserati has unveiled the upcoming 2014 Maserati Ghibli – designed to compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series as Maserati looks to significantly ramp up its production numbers in the years ahead. A sportier take on the Quattroporte, the smaller Ghibli appears to make use of an equally luxurious, leather-covered interior while a 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 engine – either gas or diesel – provides the power under the hood. Furthermore, the Ghibli will come standard with a rear-wheel-drive, 8-speed automatic transmission with an upgraded AWD configuration also available. Stay tuned for further info regarding the sedan in the coming weeks, including pricing details. (SOURCE)



 

New Tech: The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

The folks at Blackmagic Design have unveiled their latest project dubbed the Pocket Cinema Camera. Featuring 13 stops of dynamic range, Super 16 sensor size, lossless CinemaDNG RAW and Apple ProRes™ recording, the compact camera allows for cinematic looking shots in any situation. An MTF lens adapter allows users to mount almost any professional lens to the camera for nearly unlimited possibilities.

Check out the camera below and look for it to begin shipping in July at a price point of $995.









New Video: Drake - 5AM In Toronto


Drake ~ 5AM In Toronto from OctobersVeryOwn on Vimeo.

New Trailer: The Wolverine

Friday, April 5, 2013


"What they did to me, what I am, can't be undone." Unleash the beast! Fox has unveiled the first official trailer for James Mangold's The Wolverine, his solo stand-alone movie about Logan, played once again by Hugh Jackman, traveling to Japan to confront his inner demons and start a new life. There he falls in love with Mariko, played by Tao Okamoto, and meets the Silver Samurai, played by Will Yun Lee, as well as Viper (Svetlana Khodchenkova) and Yukio (Rila Fukushima). James Mangold (Walk the Line, 3:10 to Yuma, Knight and Day) is directing The Wolverine from a script by Christopher McQuarrie and Mark Bomback who are adapting the classic 1982 story arc in the Wolverine comics, which takes our favorite Marvel mutant all the way to Japan. 20th Century Fox is releasing James Mangold's The Wolverine in theaters everywhere July 26th this summer.

New Kicks: Nike Air Max 90 EM “Laser Blue"

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Engineered mesh updates an original on the Nike Air Max 90 EM “Laser Blue”. White resides on the technical upper, with black blocking the mudguard and outsole. Laser blue graces the eyelets and tagging on this new release, available now at Nike Store. (SOURCE)

Nike Air Max 90 EM 
White/White-Black-Laser Blue 
554719-114 
Price: $120

 

New Gear: Bremont ALT1-B2 Chronograph

A military GMT chronograph inspired by a design specially created for the elite B2 “Stealth Bomber” Aircrew in 2012, British watchmaker Bremont has unveiled the ALT1-B2. Sporting a modified BE-54E movement and a Trip-Tick® case with a Roto-Click® internal bezel and black DLC case, the timepiece makes use of Bremont’s most advanced features. Accented with red hands and markers, the watch comes with either a black leather strap or a matching DLC steel bracelet and is the culmination of the Missouri-based squadron’s own input and design requests. According to Bremont co-founder Nick English:

Working on this project with the B2 crew could not have been more interesting, they knew exactly what they were trying to achieve which was great. They are a fascinating group of people, most of whom are MIT or Harvard graduates as far as I can work out, probably a prerequisite to fly a B2 ‘Stealth Bomber!’ The B2 watch was a huge success with the Squadron, it also received rapturous applause from civilian watch aficionados so we knew there was a strong demand for general release version, hence the introduction of the ALT1-B2 Chronograph.

The Bremont ALT1-B2 Chronograph is due to be available beginning in May for $6,395 USD. (SOURCE)

New Tech: ChargeBite Phone Charger

Tuesday, April 2, 2013


You’re out and about with your friends for a daylong romp around town. You check in here, check in there, upload your lunch photo to Foodspotting, and constantly keep in touch with others as they meet up with you throughout the day. All of this takes its toll on your phone’s battery and, before you know it, you’re hear that dreaded chime that is your devices cry for help … in the form of an energy boost.

Of course, there are a ton of portable chargers that, as long as you’ve remembered to juice them up beforehand, can breathe life into your device. But maybe you’re the type that has a habit of forgetting to prepare ahead of time. Enter ChargeBite, a new project currently raising funds on IndieGogo. The portable charger touts itself as a social charger. Why? Because the boost you get is actually taken from your friends.

Because sharing is caring, right?

On paper, the charger is pretty ingenious. It’s great for a quick boost (a jump start, if you will) so that you’re not left completely stranded once you part ways from your friends. It requires no maintenance; just put it on your keychain and forget about it until you need it. It’s only about 1/2 inch thick, and the size of a golf ball, so it can more than easily slip into your pocket.

However, there are a couple downsides.

The device hasn’t hit the market yet, as the company is still raising funds, yet, its design is only compatible with older models of the iPhone, so if you have the 5, you’re out of luck. Coupled with that, you need two iOS-toting friends to make it work, so if you have just one with you, it won’t work.

We also have to note, it’s a little strange that whether you pledge $20, $22, or $25, the reward is the same: one ChargeBite, each delivered by the same date. (What’s the incentive to pledge $22 or $25?)

We’re hoping that, since the company uses 3D printing to manufacture the devices, an updated model will make its way to the market shortly after the current model does, if it does. (SOURCE)

Robin Thick feat. T.I. & Pharrell - Blurred Lines (Unrated Version)

Monday, April 1, 2013