1. I S S U E S E V E N
SISTER ACT
2 incredible
Kiwi courses
ART SMARTS
Has the recession
affected art sales?
SALON DAYS
Salon’s French
finesse
TRAVEL
Argentina, Zürich
and Seychelles
THE MASTERS
The Black Knight’s
52 Years at Augusta
PLAYER
3. Issue seven PLAYER 21
TECHNOLOGY
Personal Transport
PROJECT P.U.M.A.
A partnership between Segway and General Motors Corp
aims to change the way we move from point A to B or, more
specifically, say, the 18 km between the Eiffel Tower in Paris
to the Palace of Versailles. The Personal Urban Mobility
and Accessibility Project, P.U.M.A. for short, is a small,
nimble vehicle and a new vision of urban transportation in an
increasingly congested world. The driving force behind this
transportation solution is a less-is-more equation: less mass,
less energy, fewer parts and fewer emissions equals more
enjoyment, productivity and connectivity.
Built on the same technology found in the popular,
two-wheeled Segway Personal Transporters, the P.U.M.A.
prototype, introduced at this year’s New York Auto Show,
expands passenger capacity to two riders in a seated position.
The vehicle travels at speeds up to 25 mph, (56 km/h) to
distances as far as 25 miles (56 km) between recharges. The
vehicle’s advanced two-wheel balance system provides a zero
turning radius, a small vehicle footprint and a unique, fun rider
experience. Electric propulsion means zero emissions and quiet
operation, with operating costs estimated at about one-third of
that of a normal car.
Segway and GM envision platoons of P.U.M.A.s prowling
about cities, sensing other objects and avoiding collisions.
The vehicles would all be connected by an Internet-like web
for communication, safety, parking resources and social and
business networking. The technology is available today; Segway
is seeking partner cities for pilot projects, and the next-
generation P.U.M.A. prototype is expected out later this year.
THE FUTURE OF PERSONAL URBAN MOBILITY
AND ACCESSIBILITY – P.U.M.A.
∙Lithium-ion batteries for efficient operation and zero
tailpipe emissions
∙All-electronic acceleration, steering and braking for safety
and a smooth ride
∙Dynamic stabilisation, or two-wheel balancing,
for maneuverability and fun
∙Vehicle-to-vehicle communications for convenience
and safety
∙Autonomous driving and parking for convenience,
ease and safety
∙Future designer input for fashion, style and
personal expression
‘Less mass, less energy, fewer
parts and fewer emissions equals
more enjoyment, productivity
and connectivity.’
4. Signature
22 PLAYER Issue seven
Android-powered phone
SAMSUNG I7500
Samsung was an early member of the Open Handset Alliance, a group devoted
to advancing open standards for mobile devices, and the brand has backed its
commitment to the emerging Android operating system with the I7500. The cutting-
edge smartphone features a 3.2-inch AMOLED touch screen, 7.2 MB/sec HSDPA
Internet and Wi-Fi connectivity, a 5.0 megapixel camera with flash and autofocus,
plus 8 GB of internal memory with a microSD expansion slot supporting up
to 32 GB. Services include Google Search and Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Street View
and more – and it’s only 11.9 mm thick. It launches in major European countries in
June but there is no current launch plan for the US.
For more info visit www.samsung.com
Energy saving
made ‘elementary’
WATTSON HOME ENERGY MONITOR
The Wattson home energy monitor
measures electricity consumption
for your home or small business
and can help you save between 5 and
25 percent annually. Simple operation
makes it intuitive and easy to install;
smart design features make it portable,
wireless and a sleek, contemporary
addition to décor. A sensor clip and
transmitter measure the electricity
coming into your home; the monitor
shows usage via colours and numbers.
Mac or PC compatible, you can install
tracking software and join an online
community to swap energy-saving hints
and tips. Pricing starts at £97.82.
For more info visit www.diykyoto.com
COMPILED BY PAULA STORY
Power-assisted skiing
SKI~MOJO
Next ski trip, while everyone else takes a break or takes it easy, you can enjoy
extra runs. In fact, the only thing that might stop you is an out-of-service gondola
or the closing of lifts. Your secret weapon on the slopes? New, power-assisted
ski technology designed to act as an additional set of thigh muscles which help
support you in the optimal skiing position. The Ski~mojo reduces strain
on knees and thighs by up to 33 percent and absorbs shocks to reduce
jolts and strains. It is lightweight and fits unobtrusively under your skiwear,
which will keep your ‘bionic’ secret safe. Pricing from US$589.
For more info visit www.ski~mojo.com
5. Amateur
filmmakers flip
FLIP ULTRAHD
Capture high-quality, high definition video, then download
and share it instantly and simply, plugging the built-in
USB arm directly into a Mac or PC. Two full hours of
recording capacity, simple editing and organising tools
and a bright, two-inch, transreflective screen for no-glare
viewing – even in direct sunlight – will make you look like
a pro videographer. The rechargeable, AA battery pack
can be fueled through the USB arm, too. In white with
chrome trim, or black;
HD video resolution 1280
x 720, with widescreen
HDMI TV output and
2 x digital zoom. From
Pure Digital Technologies;
priced at US$200.
For more info visit
www.theflip.com
TECHNOLOGY
Issue seven PLAYER 23
Music never looked better
OAKLEY SPLIT THUMP MP3 SUNGLASSES
No matter how challenging your chosen form of exercise,
these sunglasses with built-in MP3 player will keep pace,
with no wires to dangle and catch on your gear. Run, bike,
jump, crush a ball, soar through the air – the sweat-resistant
frames and speakers take just about anything you can give,
keeping your vision optimised with razor-sharp clarity and your
soundtrack in play. Store up to 500 songs, lectures or work
files on the 2 GB version with seven hours of playtime in
a single charge. Compatible with iTunes, MP3, WAV and more;
quick audio controls are cleverly hidden in the frames, and
speakers are removable. Priced at US$399.
For more info visit www.oakley.com
Computer peripherals with
security and style
PANDORA USB FLASH DRIVE WITH FINGERPRINT SCAN
Keep sensitive information secure. The Pandora USB Flash Drive
has 64 GB memory capacity and a fingerprint scanning detector
to ensure privacy and security of your sensitive information. The
drive is crafted of 200-year-old African blackwood and 18K gold.
The case is crowned with a white diamond, set above a flashing
LED to highlight every facet. Also available in red African wood
and silver, crowned with a ruby. Priced from US$999.
For more info visit www.gressodesign.com
