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Thursday, January 10, 2013

The mobile phone with a battery that lasts 15 years

The affordable mobile that runs on a single, AA battery and is built as a 'spare' phone for emergencies - it can even call emergency services without a SIM card.
This phone uses a AA battery to make calls when the power goes out.
In a world of battery-hungry phones such as iPhones and Androids, the SpareOne Plus sticks out - its makers claim it lasts for 15 years.
The affordable mobile that runs on a single, AA battery and is built as a 'spare' phone for emergencies - it can even call emergency services without a SIM card.
Designed as a back-up phone you can carry without worrying if it’s charged or not, the SpareOne is built to leave in the car for emergencies, or to pack in travel luggage – especially if you or your loved ones plan to go off the beaten track (or off-piste).
The simple numerical keypad is also ideal for older users who might only use a phone occasionally.
[Related: First rigid airship since Hindenburg to take flight]
The new version, SpareOne Plus, has a GPS tracker which allows the user to be tracked by emergency services - and can display its location on a paired iPhone app. The Spare One can be pre-programmed for instant access to phone numbers of key contacts, including the relevant emergency services in any location.
That single battery offers a talk time of up to 10 hours.
The phone’s developer, XPAL Power, says: “it’s essentially designed to make and receive the most important calls, no matter what”.
It even comes with the AA battery included.

The new preacher man on 'Justified' is the little boy from 'Jurassic Park'

Joe Mazzello in "Jurassic Park" and "Justified"Remember that cute little boy who was running from dinosaurs in "Jurassic Park"? He's all grown up and handling a different kind of reptile in the new season of "Justified," which premieres tonight on FX.
He was billed as Joseph Mazzello when he played Tim Murphy in 1993's "Jurassic Park" Steven Spielberg hired him after deeming him too young for a role he'd originally been promised in 1991's "Hook" -- but now he's Joe, and he's no longer afraid of reptiles, at least not the long, scaly, slithering kind.
Mazzello's juicy role in the fourth season of "Justified" finds him fearlessly handling poisonous snakes as Preacher Billy, a charismatic new Harlan County figure who's luring the local citizenry to his revival meeting tent.
And once he gets them there, he's made it his mission to talk them out of spending their money on the drugs and alcohol being slung by local crime mogul Boyd Crowder (Emmy nominee Walton Goggins), who, needless to say, is none too pleased that this interloper is trying to take a sledgehammer to his business enterprises.
[Related: Walton Goggins discusses the new season of 'Justified']
Preacher Billy's efforts will not go unchallenged by Boyd, and that makes up one of the new tension-filled storylines on what promises to be another fine season of one of TV's best, stylish, and unique dramas.
The "Justified" gig is Mazzello's third major TV role, following his performance as World War II Marine Eugene Sledge in his old pal Spielberg's 2010 HBO miniseries "The Pacific," and a role as med student Geoffrey Fairweather in last September's Ridley and Tony Scott-produced miniseries remake of "Coma" on A&E.
The actor, who started working professionally at age 5, also played Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz in "The Social Network" and wrote, directed, produced, and co-starred in the 2007 family drama "Matters of Life and Death" with David Strathairn and Rachael Leigh Cook.
Next up on the big screen, Mazzello co-stars in March's "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," alongside Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum, Dwayne Johnson, Ray Stevenson -- and Walton Goggins.

Selling your home? Three projects you should and shouldn't tackle

Are you trying to sell your home, but you're worried that the pink tile in the bathroom will turn buyers off? Maybe it's the shag carpet in your living room that's got you worried?
Well, it might be time to make some small updates. But be warned: Some remodeling projects could not only be huge money suckers, but they might also fail to add resale value to your home.
When deciding which projects are worth completing, you don't want to over-invest your time and money. Expensive projects are rarely worth it if your goal is simply to sell the house.
"Beware of projects that could run into delays," says Ben Bowen, a third-generation landscaper in Portland, OR. "You don't want to end up in a situation where you have to either put off listing the house or trying to sell it with an unfinished project going on."
[Need to make some updates on your home before your sell? Find a contractor who can help.]
So, which projects are worth it and which aren't? Here are three renovations to tackle and three to avoid before you put your house on the market.

Project-to-Avoid: Adding Unconventional Appliances or Features

A built-in wine fridge, custom closets, or a hot tub may sound like a dream addition to your home, but what happens if the buyer hates wine or thinks the hot tub is an eyesore?
"You are not going to get very much extra money for your wine cellar if the prospective buyer is looking at it as a great thing to tear out and replace with a home theatre," says Jeff Moeslein, president of Legacy Remodeling, Inc., a specialty remodeling company in western Pennsylvania.
Adding unique features to your home makes sense if you like those things and are planning on enjoying them yourself, according to Moeslein. Just don't expect to recover the total cost when you're ready to sell.
Other contractors agree: "If you are considering adding a 'special touch' to your home to entice new buyers, save your money," says Aja Covell, a certified general contractor and the owner of Investcove Properties, a residential development company.
Why? These personal touches - anything from funky kitchen tile to accent paint to wall decals - make it harder for other families to picture themselves living in the house.

Try This Instead: Middle-of-the-Road Kitchen Upgrades

Instead of adding unconventional touches to your home, consider updating different elements in your kitchen - like your cabinets, for example. Complete kitchen remodels can be complicated and costly, but small upgrades take less time, cost less, and can often be done without even hiring a contractor.
Erica Lugbill, the owner and lead designer of Lugbill Designs, a Chicago-based residential design firm, recommends focusing on small "face-lift" projects, such as painting your cabinets, switching out your hardware, installing a tile backsplash, or replacing the countertops.
And there are ways to make the latter project even more cost-efficient: "You can go to a stone remnant yard where there is often a large selection of discount pieces of granite or quartz that can be installed for a fraction of the cost," says Lugbill.
[Ready for new kitchen countertops? Click here to find a contractor in your area.]
If it's going to take a little more than elbow grease to get your kitchen in shape, Moeslein recommends what he calls a "replacement kitchen." This is a kitchen remodel in which the existing cabinets and countertops are replaced with new ones, but the layout of the kitchen is not changed.
"If you stick to moderately priced materials, a replacement kitchen is a smart investment for homeowners looking to sell," he adds.

Project-to-Avoid: Room Additions

Want to increase the square footage of your home? A room addition might sound like a great idea, until you realize that doing so could cost you as much as $100,000.
In fact, according to Remodeling magazine's 2011-2012 "Cost vs. Value Report," a master suite could cost over $106,000, while adding a family room could run you around $83,000.
Large projects like additions, sunrooms, and master suites are also not worth pursuing because they typically stretch across a long period of time, according to Moeslein. "From planning to obtaining a permit to completion, a large addition may take six to nine months," says Moeslein.
And Moeslein has another interesting insight about the drawbacks of room additions. "If you put a large addition on your home, you may help increase the value of the homes around you, but you won't do anything for yourself, except make it harder to sell your house at the price you want." After all, your house would look very similar to the ones around it, but you would have to charge a much higher price to recoup some of the investment.

Try This Instead: Roof Replacement

Rather than extending the size of the house, worry about making the outside look inviting.
And if your home has a leaking roof, you should absolutely talk to a contractor about having it repaired or replaced immediately. "A leaking roof will either push away prospective buyers or lead them to demand large price concessions," says Moeslein. Not to mention the other problems a roof can lead to - drywall damage, mold, and eventually, structural issues - which a home inspector will undoubtedly look for if you have a leaky roof.
Fortunately, getting your roof ready for the market isn't too difficult. "Correcting this problem will save you a lot money, as the repairs generally can be made for as little as a few hundred dollars," adds Moeslein. "This is much less than the concession a potential buyer may expect if they are being saddled with this issue."
[Is your roof looking a little worse for the wear? Click here to find a contractor who can help.]
An entire roof replacement will greatly improve the overall appearance of your home, according to Moeslein. Just make sure your roof is easily visible from the street so that potential buyers can take in its stunning beauty.

Project-to-Avoid: Major Bathroom Updates

Are you worried that your outdated bathroom will scare buyers away? A major bathroom remodel might be in order, but just remember that it will be expensive, and in the end it still might not suit the buyer's tastes.
According to Moeslein, bathroom renovations typically cost about $250 per sq. ft. or more, which means a 5 x 8 ft. bathroom may cost upwards of $10,000.
Why so expensive? Well, a complete overhaul would typically require a contractor and replacement of the floors, walls, and fixtures in a bathroom. Depending on the specifics of the project, it may also involve relocating the plumbing in order to place the fixtures (shower, tub, sink, etc.) in a different location, says Moeslein.
And if the buyer doesn't share your taste in grout, you'll end up limiting your audience. Because bathrooms are a highly personal space, says Moeslein, some homeowners could be better off letting the buyers do the remodeling after purchasing the property.  

Try This Instead: Fixing Up Bathroom Flooring and Walls

If bathroom renovations are necessary and time is limited, think small. A number of smaller improvements can improve the condition and look of the bathroom without digging too deep into your pocket.
You may be able to install a one-piece vinyl floor, or replace the vanity, sink, and faucet. These types of projects can often be completed by the handy DIYer for about $1,000 or less, according to Moeslein. Of course, if home improvement is not your forte, it's best to consult a home contractor.
[Does your bathroom need a little spit and polish? Click here to find a contractor today.]
Along the same lines, a new coat of paint can do wonders, particularly in a bathroom environment where the humidity can cause paint to deteriorate faster than it might otherwise. If you do decide to paint prior to offering a home for sale, Moeslein says it's important to stick with neutral colors that offer a wide appeal.
Moeslein adds these words of wisdom: "While you may think that new bright pink paint is awesome, it may not be for everyone."

Beyonce’s GQ Cover Leaks: Is This Her Sexiest Magazine Shoot Ever?

Bey-once graces the cover of the February issue of GQ – and a leaked photo that hit the Web on Wednesday indicates it’s going to be one hot issue.
The 31-year-old singer/actress – who gave birth to her daughter Blue Ivy a year ago – shows major skin in the men’s mag, posing in a cut-off football shirt and animal-print panties. Proving she is still bootylicious, she struck a sultry pose as well, holding her hair up while casting a seductive look.
[Related: Beyonce Gives Rare Glimpse of Pregnant Belly in Upcoming Documentary]
Though Jay-Z’s wife has been famous since her Destiny’s Child days, this could possibly be her sexiest magazine cover ever. The megastar has stripped down for magazines on other occasions, but perhaps none more revealing than this, which is promoting her much-touted Super Bowl performance in February. Some other memorable covers featuring the “Dreamgirls” star include her wearing a cleavage-exposing wet tuxedo shirt on the cover of Vibe, appearing in a pink string bikini with see-thru gym shorts on the British FHM, donning a frayed ab-exposing top on the Brazilian Nova, and dressing in frilly lingerie on the Spanish DTLux.
Some of Beyonce's other sexy magazine covers through the years.

One thing is for sure: It’s certainly Beyonce’s hottest photo shoot since becoming a mom in January 2012. But make no mistake – she’s worked hard to regain her famous figure. Just four months after giving birth, she told the audience at a concert in Atlantic City, “Y'all have no idea how hard I worked. I had to lose 60 pounds. They had me on that treadmill. I ate lettuce!”
[Related: Beyonce Nabs People Mag’s Coveted World’s Most Beautiful Woman Honor  and Says Daughter Blue Makes Her Feel ‘More Beautiful’ Than Ever]
In addition to sweating it out on the treadmill, "I counted calories,” she told People last year. “I worked out maybe three to four times a week. I did a lot walking in the beginning and now I'm running. But I had to work my way up. I couldn't just go right from being pregnant to running." Additionally, "I lost most of my weight from breast-feeding and I encourage women to do it,” she told the magazine. “It's just so good for the baby and good for yourself.”
It was announced on Wednesday that Beyonce will be among the performers at President Obama’s upcoming inauguration, but on New Year’s Eve, she sang at a private Vegas concert. Designer Rubin Singer, who dressed her in a show-stopping custom gold unitard for the event, sings her praises in a new interview. In addition to noting that she is lovely, polite, and generous, he told Glamour that Beyonce and her sister, Solange Knowles, are "the only celebrities that always dry clean and send clothes back in a box, with a handwritten thank you note. They are true ladies."
And she’s not a diva. "When you do a fitting with her, she doesn't keep you waiting half a day like some celebrities do," he says. "When she's there, she's present and honest and grateful."

Katherine Webb didn’t see any need for ESPN apology about Brent Musburger’s comments

Katherine Webb didn't have a big problem with what Brent Musburger said about her looks during the BCS Championship Game, even though ESPN felt the need to apologize about it. Musburger created the most interesting moment of the blowout between Alabama and Notre Dame when the ESPN cameras found Webb, who is Miss Alabama and Crimson Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron's girlfriend, and McCarron's mother. Musburger, 73, commented about Webb's beauty and joked that boys in Alabama should throw the football around with their fathers because quarterbacks get all the beautiful women.
Appearing with Matt Lauer on "Today," Webb said she wasn't offended.
"I think the media has been really unfair to him," Webb said on NBC's morning show. "If he would have said something along the line of that we were hot or sexy or made any derogatory statements like that, I think that would have been a little bit different. The fact that he said we were beautiful and gorgeous, I don't see why any woman wouldn't be flattered by that."
ESPN apologized, saying Musburger's commentary "went too far," but Webb didn't think an apology was necessary.
"I don't think it was needed, honestly," Webb said. "Of course, I appreciate it. At the same time, I don't think I needed an apology."
We tend to agree. The same network that apologized for Musburger's comments made the decision to show Webb repeatedly during the broadcast. That doesn't quite add up.
Webb has handled her newfound fame (she went from a few thousand Twitter followers to a little more than 228,000 as of Wednesday morning) pretty well. She also seems to realize that there's something a little odd about her being the center of attention after her boyfriend and Alabama actually, you know, won a national championship. She talked about how Alabama's football players need to be the ones getting the attention.
"That's such an accomplishment," Webb said to "Today." "I'm flattered at all the attention, and I'm humbled, but at the same time I think we need to draw back our focus to who the real winners are."