Fancy That: Kasa Rechargeable LCD TV

There’s nothing like your first crush. And if you’re anything like us, you crush hard and often. This is where we pay homage to all things worthy of lusting after.

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Michael fancies a new high in LCD tech. The Kasa Rechargeable LCD TV is the futuristic result of a collaboration between industrial demi-god Kit Men and Korean electronics company LG Innotek.

How do you compete with an industry where manufacturers are constantly one-upping each other with enhanced benefits and increased energy efficiency? Try battery-operation and an ethereal acrylic frame. I’m sold, but don’t go rushing to your local Best Buy. This crystalline beauty isn’t projected to hit stores until 2020.

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Leave the Driving to Us

As the troubled auto industry continues to restructure itself and the economic downturn has Americans looking to more affordable (if not eco-friendly) forms of commuting, the strain on public transit is starting wear thin. Despite the record-breaking rise in demand, government-funded agencies are too feeling the pinch of purse-strings and are being forced to cut back. Things have been looking bleak in the greater Bay Area for transit service. State legislature recently cut transit subsidies and have reduced service on many suburban routes. But, in San Francisco, residents may be surprised to see (dare I say) improvements. Mayor Gavin Newsom is hoping the city’s planned series of updates to transit systems will be a benefit to its beleaguered workforce.

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sfmuni_bus03Recently unveiled was the first set in what will eventually be 1100 new bus shelters for the city. The eye-catching structures were Lundberg Design’s winning entry to the city-sponsored design competition. The results are noteworthy examples of how San Francisco is setting the standard for technologically-savvy design. The undulating red roof harnesses enough power from its solar panels to operate the LED displays. All shelters will also utilize a push-to-talk system for the visually impaired [shown left] and, impressively, WiFi. The building materials are even said to be graffiti and etch-proof.

Upgrade indeed. The shelters’ “art” won’t come courtesy of the street anymore. Clear Channel has the monopoly on this public landmark.

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You know the how the old saying goes though. You never get something for nothing. MUNI prices increased across the board on July 1. However, if wild postings and the transportation authority are to be believed, this is only the start of great things to come. Studies are underway to evaluate the effectiveness of a new rapid transit line on Van Ness Avenue. Don’t expect the ribbon-cutting to be speedy though. Service isn’t expected to begin until at least 2012.

—Michael

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iPhone the Third, Summer 2009

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Today, down at the Grand Genius Bar known as Apple in Cupertino, our tech demi-gods unveiled the new 3.0 Operating System for the iPhone. The most advancements will come for applications, allowing developers to sell monthly subscriptions of their product. Other improvements include enhanced Google maps and “push” notifications which allow companies to ping subscribers with sports updates and instant messages. All this plus, Apple’s trademark cut-and-paste feature finally gets the iPhone treatment. And I thought Transformers 2 was going to be this summer’s blockbuster.

Apple OS 3.0 launches this summer, at no cost to current iPhone users and for $9.95 to iPod Touch owners.

—Michael

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