Lifestyle

If you share your iTunes library so that anyone on the network can access your music, it's a matter of time till curiosity gets the best of you.

When you close iTunes or shut down your computer, you may be greeted by a message that says "One or more users are connected to your shared iTunes library." Then, if you're like me, you feel guilty about closing iTunes.

What if your loyal listener is in the middle of their favorite song? Who am I to poop on their party? And who is this mysterious listener, anyway? … Read more

In this episode of "Art imitates life," tiles imitate pixels.

Artist Arno Coenen created this video-game-inspired mosaic for an Amsterdam elementary school. The work, titled Virtual Fairytale, lines the tunnels to the entrance of the school. Not a bad way to head to class.

Imagine an archaeologist in the distant future uncovering these murals. They'd think today's world was inhabited by necktie-wearing apes, invaded by pixellated aliens, and haunted by multicolored ghosts.

Like most successful video games, there's even a sequel. The absolutely huge Virtual Fairytale 2 includes scenes from Track & Field and Pole … Read more

Time Inc. announced yesterday that it will stop printing its Life magazine newspaper supplement after the April 20, 2007 issue. The brand will live on through its various other ventures, such as its well-known hardcover and soft cover books, and a new Web site.

Describing the Web site as a "major portal," Time Inc. plans to offer Life's entire collection of photos, approximately 10 million images, on the Web site for free personal use. It is still unclear how Time will make the images available for commercial use, and the company will not disclose the URL for … Read more

Sometimes you just need to hide yourself away from the world, put your headphones on, and disconnect from reality. If pulling the sheets up over your head just won't cut it, there are some first-class options out there for you.

Alberto Frias's Transport is a dedicated chill-pod outfitted with speakers, a central cushion and a colored LED lighting system capable of pulsing in response to the music (or did you just imagine that?). Prices range from $10,000 for a base model, to $12,000 for a more custom design. We already know how you could add a laser show. … Read more

Imagine being allergic to every single gadget on these pages.

According to this article in the Daily Mail, that nightmare is a reality for 39-year-old Briton Debbie Bird.

Bird says she experiences a severe allergic reaction when exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF). That means no cell phones, no microwave ovens, no computers, and even no cars in some cases. Bird is also sensitive to public Wi-Fi hotspots, which limits her possibilities for social outings.

Bird has experienced symptoms such as headaches, skin rashes, a burning sensation, and swollen eyelids when exposed to the electromagnetic fields created by today's technology. … Read more

The perfect video for a Monday morning: a guy who makes coffee with a laser. Wow. Yes, it came from tinkering hub Make magazine's blog, but don't try this at home.

(Make via Gizmodo)

Hey, I heard about a new advertising campaign that's giving away free Guinness, Jose Cuervo, Captain Morgan, and more...to your Second Life avatar. There are a lot of companies turning to the Linden Labs virtual world as a new means of marketing, and most of them seem a little bit gimmicky. The one that TheBar.com has just launched seems to have a bit more promise, though. Basically, they've worked with Second Life gurus Millions Of Us (who, by the way, also constructed CNET Networks' virtual office space) to develop a virtual "bar kit" for … Read more

If you have a mean landlord who doesn't let you paint anything in your house or apartment, this could be a solution to your lack-of-color woes. The Morpheus Ambient Lighting Modules use really, really, really, really high-end LEDs to mix a combination of red, green, and blue light. Then it projects it on white walls--sorry, I'm not sure how it would be distorted by that lovely eggshell or alabaster color you've got in your living room.

It'll cost you the Brit equivalent of $167.

Basically, it's the ultimate haute end of color-changey gadgets. Because here'… Read more

This gadget made me do a total double take. It looks just like the machines we had in the dining hall in college that dispensed soda, Powerade, and iced tea. (A mix of Sprite and lemon-lime Powerade was my favorite.) But it's actually the "Vin au Verre," a European device designed for serving wine at parties. It has electronic temperature control to keep both reds and whites at the perfect temperature. The contraption can also control oxidation levels, serve up to eight varieties at a time, and keep the stuff fresh for three weeks.

Eh, I still … Read more