Newsflash – Signature9

Google Phone Will Translate As You Speak

Vanessa Quirk — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:37:23 +0000

The people at Google certainly love to think of themselves as innovators at…well, just about everything. And while – we admit – they usually are, we’re more than a little dubious about their latest claim.

Image from Gizmodo.

According to Google’s head of translation services, Franz Och, the company should have speech-to-speech translation software in their phones within the next few years. Think of it as a little interpreter living in your phone, letting you know – in real time – that your Great Aunt Maria from the old country finally had her kidney stones removed. We know you’ve been dying to know.

Google plans to combine their already existing voice recognition system (that voice command thingy – whichÂ people actually use…?) and their text translator to create this super speech translation software.

If you’ve ever tried to pass off your Web-translated essay in a high school class (not that any of us would ever do that, ahem), then you are more thanÂ aware of the limited nature of technology when it comes to language. Hence our cynicism about this supposed speech translator.

We’d love to see this phone in action, but until then – we’re thinking this idea sounds more sci fi than fact.

Valentine’s Day Alert: Sexy Fragrances for Men

Nicole Hulley — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:07:58 +0000

Men are notoriously difficult to shop for. If you’ve ever gotten a gift of a kitchen appliance or something decidedly unsexy, you’ll know that it’s possibly because guys are a bit shopping challenged themselves.

This Valentine’s Day, the Fashion Bomb rounds up a selection of sexy scents that will at least take the pressure off of your gift.Â Joop! and Alfred Dunhill Desire top the favorites list, and having smelled 3 of the 5 we’ll take their word on the rest. Particularly if you have a lovable, but romantic gift impaired Valentine, there’s nothing more satisfying than a great scent you both can enjoy.

Read the Full Story {The Fashion Bomb Daily}

The Better to Squeeze You, My Dear…

Vanessa Quirk — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:18:59 +0000

After 40 years of spurts and stains, it was certainly time for a change.

The classic Heinz Ketchup packet has finally received an upgrade – not only is it bigger, but it’s also more versatile (you can peel off the top for dipping or tear off the neck for squeezing). Begone, stressful fry-eating experiences! Say hello to a ketchup you don’t haveÂ to fearÂ wearing white around.

Even more exciting (yes, we are excited about condiments), Heinz also gave the inside of their ketchup a little makeover too. Their newÂ Simply Heinz ketchup has sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup and – by this summer – all Heinz products will have 15% less sodium as well.

It may have been a long time coming, but we’re just glad our ketchup has finally joined the 21st century.

Adidas & Jeremy Scott Keep Sportswear/Designer Collaborations Exciting for Spring 2010

Nicole Hulley — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:44:25 +0000

This rock & roll band leader themed collection from Jeremy Scott for Adidas is cool, sporty and reminiscent of Adidas most classic pieces. Following a lineup with Adidas designing footwear, Scott has broadened into women’s and menswear by putting a trendy and edgy spin on the Adidas hoodies and jerseys we all know and love. Speaking of love, we’re in it with the embroidered jacket on the bottom left with the serious epaulet action.

While they don’t always get the same level of fanfare as designer + fast fashion collaborations (think H&M or Target plus one of the gazillion designers they’ve worked with), designer athletic wear collections may be the new must have collaboration for designers.

Adidas seems poised to dominate the space. The Adidas Stella McCartney partnership is entering its 5th year; Y-3, the collection designed by Yohji Yamamoto may not be as daring as his runway pieces, but likely offers some financial stability while going through a much publicized bankruptcy. In short, designers get to continue being as creative or directional as they’d like on runways, while having more realistic (in terms of wearability and price) collections that pay the bills.

Tanning Regulations Propsed, Jersey Shore Cast Threatens Violence

YM Ousley — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:01:25 +0000

Okay, we made the last part up, but we don’t see recent regulatory proposals on tanning sitting well with everyone’s favorite artificially bronzed reality stars. If you take away tanning, there will only be the gym and laundry to pass the time. But we digress.

Recently, worldwide attention has turned towards the safety of indoor tanning beds. Two weeks ago, a bill to ban anyone under 18 from using a bed in a tanning salon was introduced in the UK. The bill won support across political party lines and even attracted celebrity campaigners. Less than a week later, the FDA was reported that public hearings would be held in March to debate stronger regulations of tanning beds in the US.

Now comes news of a bill called the Tanning Bed Cancer Control Act, which would allow for federal regulation of tanning beds if passed. The bill has to go through normal legislative channels, which means that even if passed if would probably not take effect for at least a year or more. But that hasn’t stopped the FTC from charging the Indoor Tanning Association with making false health and safety claims about the potential dangers of indoor tanning.

For their part, those who are against more regulation of tanning beds claim that the potential cancer risks from indoor tanning have been overstated by the cosmetic industry, who seeks to boost sunscreen sales.

Mmmkay. While we don’t doubt that there may be a level of tanning bed usage that doesn’t significantly heighten the risk of cancer (just like there’s a level of sun exposure that would likely not heighten the risk of cancer), we can’t see the harm in increasing awareness of the dangers of overdoing it.

Love it or Hate it: Chanel Spring/Summer 2010 Bares Elegant Ink

Nicole Hulley — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:00:22 +0000

We first noticed Chanel’s temporary tattoo fixation among the thigh focused accessories sent down the SS2010 runways last year. A closer look at this intricate work and we are impressed! The tats are mostly delicate chains and pearls with the iconic diamond Chanel C’s wrapped around the thighs and legs of the models. At $78, the faux ink is probably the least expensive way to incorporate the interlocked Cs into your wardrobe. And of course, you don’t have to wear them at thigh level if you’re a bit more modest.

We aren’t sure if we’re ready for a revival of the ’90s trend, but this isn’t a bad place to start. While many designers turned their backs (and collections) on the rock chic looks that have dominated for years, if you’re still attached to the pretty punk aesthetic these are a fun way to toughen up the lighthearted spring looks that will be in stores soon.

Manhattan Welcomes Joseph Custom Clothing for Men

Nicole Hulley — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:30:38 +0000

Joseph’s Custom Clothing, formerly only available through the Long Island store (New York Ave. in Huntington, to be precise) will be setting up shop in Manhattan. Run by Joseph Wendt and Marisa Akson, the shop is well known to members of the NFL for sharply tailored made-to-measure suits. Custom shirts, jeans, European footwear and accessories for men round out the selection. Perhaps a sign of the fashion industry beginning to recover, Wendt attributes the success in rough economic times to a recession proof clientele. The Manhattan shop will open at 805 Third Avenue.

Sex and the City One, Two…and Three?

Nicole Hulley — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:00:03 +0000

Nobody is more excited than we are for the sequel to the Sex and the City blockbuster released last year. There are rumors however, that time is of the essence as the main stars of the film like the rest of the world, age (cue the Golden Girls jokes). Directors allegedly decided that they will film the two subsequent films back to back to combat the inevitable. Whatever the reason, we are thrilled about a possible Sex and the City trilogy, and we think that the fierce foursomeÂ look great too.

Read the Full Story {The Sun}

Be My (Sassy) Valentine

Vanessa Quirk — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:31:42 +0000

If you’re looking for a traditional and sentimental way to tell your loved one how much you care on Valentine’s Day – then this isn’t it.

Far from your typical Greeting Card, the offerings at Old Tom Foolery are sure to make your significant other chuckle – or throw a shoe at you. Depending on how testy your significant other is.

Not Your Average Greeting Cards, available at Old Tom Foolery

But we say take a chance on these cheeky cards! Should you need even more incentive, Old Tom Foolery’s having a Valentine’s Day Deal: Buy 3 by February 15th and get the 4th free!

Of course, if you’d rather not risk it, you couldn’t go wrong with these beauties from Rifle Paper Company. Or, in the event of shoe-throwing chaos, perhaps it would be wise to buy both?

Just a suggestion.

H&M Handbag Lawsuit Settled

Nicole Hulley — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:42:52 +0000

Popular retailer H&M was accused last year by a Californian consumer watchdog group of using dangerous levels of lead in the production of their handbags. For the first time in retail establishments, there will be restrictions on handbags and wallets as extremely high levels of the dangerous substance were found to wipe clean off bag surfaces. The Center for Environmental Health went to 100 H&M retail locations to buy purses for testing. The reports were “disturbing,” according to the CEH. Â The final world on the subject is that the brand will take the purses off the shelves and pay a fine which will in part help pay for educatingÂ consumers on the toxic dangers of lead poisoning. As much as we love the brand, this is a downside to fast fashion that’s not often examined. Glad to see someone took up the case.