Google voice app work around for iPhone - AT&T "Good night and good luck"

This is just one more Grenade lobbed into my personal battle with AT&T. I am reducing my plan as you read this message. iPhone users rise up against AT&T!

From Engadget
FCC investigation be damned, Google has finally managed to bypass the App Store and release Google Voice to the iPhone (and webOS, too) the same way it pulled off Latitude, i.e. via a HTML5-based web app. According to Senior Product Manager Vincent Paquet, it should work with any HTML5-compliant device, although the formatting at this point has been tailored to Apple and Palm's platforms. So here's how it works: much like with its mobile Gmail site, the app caches your contacts list in a browser page. All the usual GV functionality is there, writing SMS messages, checking your inbox, and even listening to voicemails (although that latter functionality wasn't working for us yet in our trials). Placing phone calls is an interesting trick: as pictured above, after you choose the recipient, the app prompts you to call one of Google's local numbers via the native dialer -- even for international calls, hence the lower rates by paying through Google. The recipient will see your proper GV digits, and upside with this method is you'll still be able to utilize call waiting and background usage. The catch, of course, is a call history littered with random numbers. It's not a perfect solution by any means -- if anything, take solace in an assortment of home screen icons for each section of the app -- but it's probably the best we're gonna get for the time being. The page should be up and running later today, so if you're anxious, direct your mobile browser to voice.google.com and just keep hitting refresh.

Meet Vohnbeats 12 year old music producer.

Nurturing talent always pays off. Check out Vohnbeats, a 12 year old producer who's tracks are laying waste to some if not most of the high dollar ear candy you hear on the radio. From the sounds of things this kid has a bright future ahead of him.

The Doritos ad they should have made - "The Slap"

Can you say "consumer insight". The first time I saw this joint I fell out laughing.

Aisan guys and white girls

This one kinda tells itself. Enjoy.

Music - Gil Scott-Heron "Me and the Devil"

Get a little culture in your life. Check out this recent video release from the legend. To learn more about Gil Scott-Heron below.




Gil Scott-Heron was born in Chicago, Illinois, but spent his early childhood in Jackson, Tennessee, the home of his maternal grandmother Lillie Scott. Gil's mother, Bobbie Scott-Heron, sang with the New York Oratorial Society. Scott-Heron's father, Giles "Gil" Heron of Jamaican descent, nicknamed "The Black Arrow", was a football (soccer) player who, in the 1950s, became the first black athlete to play for Glasgow's Celtic Football Club. When Scott-Heron was 13 years old, his grandmother died and he moved with his mother to the Bronx in New York City, where he enrolled in DeWitt Clinton High School. He later transferred to The Fieldston School after one of his teachers, a Fieldston graduate, showed one of his writings to the head of the English department at Fieldston and he was granted a full scholarship.
Scott-Heron attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, as it was the college chosen by his biggest influence Langston Hughes. It was here that Scott-Heron met Brian Jackson with whom he formed the band Black & Blues. After about two years at Lincoln, Scott-Heron took a year off to write the novels The Vulture and The Nigger Factory.^[2] He returned to New York City, settling in Chelsea, Manhattan, which was a multiracial and multicultural neighborhood. The Vulture was published in 1970 and well received. Although Scott-Heron never received his undergraduate degree, he has a Masters degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University.
Known primarily for his late 1960s and early 1970s work as a spoken word soul performer and his collaborative work with musician Brian Jackson. His collaborative efforts with Jackson featured a musical fusion of jazz, blues and soul music, as well as lyrical content concerning social and political issues of the time, delivered in both rapping and melismatic vocal styles by Scott-Heron. The music of these albums, most notably Pieces of a Man and Winter in America in the early 1970s, influenced and helped engender later African-American music genres such as hip hop and neo soul. Scott-Heron's recording work is often associated with black militant activism and has received much critical acclaim for one of his most well-known compositions "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". On his influence, Allmusic wrote "Scott-Heron's unique proto-rap style influenced a generation of hip-hop artists".

Perplexus

I had a Rubik's cube and never solved it. Perplexus looks like it's more fun and while I can't go as far as to call it "art" I do see a lot of promise with kids that are willing to put the (joy)sticks down for a minute. 
 independent reviewer

"This is a cool 3-dimensional maze that is easy to get started and hard to finish. You need to steer a small metal ball along an ingenious obstacle course by rotating the clear plastic globe. There are 100 stations along the way, including some difficult topsy-turvy turns. All ages can get into it. We've found the puzzle to be extremely addictive to anyone who gets started. Because it's like a 3D video game without the electronics, the very physical nature of playing -- turning it this way and that -- is very satisfying. In addition, the maze is like a sculpture, the design of the route is geekily brilliant, and the elegance of the eternal return of the steel ball within the sphere is a stroke of genius. Perplexus has the glow of a work of art. It makes me happy just to pick it up."

Hazel-E "Valley girl"

Something about this joint has me thinking it may do a little something. Where are all my private school, Spelman attending debutant Jack & Jill chicks at.

Jay Electronica Exhibit A trailer

I thought about calling this post "If you don't know, ask somebody."  or "The best rapper lyricist you've never heard of." But I chilled. I am just going to give you a little tease and come back with more heat from Jay Electronica when you're really ready to soak it all in.

On the bubble - Nike Air Force One Crocs

I am a seasonal AF1 buyer. A new pair of all white mid's find there way in to my closet every spring occasionally I'll cop a pair of unique lo's.  As more and more and more designers take a crack at freakin the classic design Nike has decided to participate in the cold war and tossed out this latest iteration. In my opinion they're like White Castles. I'll explain. At the right time, after 2:00 AM sliders are delicious. Between Noon and 9:00 PM those little jokers might take you out of the game.  Give them a good look and let me know what you think.  

Mecedes SLS AMG tunnel flip

The guys at fast lane daily posted the following video of the phenomenal new Mercedes SLS AMG. Many car aficionados are aware of the mythical car driving upside down Mercedes captures the moment in this product teaser. Is it real, I doubt it but it makes for great car porn for gear heads.  

Fashion - Gucci 2010 Spring Summer line for Men

Gucci Spring/Summer line 2010
I would love to subscribe to the mantra "Fashion is not a Luxury" but it is. So make peace with it and buy good stuff when you can as a man Gucci does a great job with it coats shirts and neck wear. As a Hetero man their pants are just a bit too...Fashion forward. With some tailoring you can come away with a killer suit but you almost feel like to took your Zonda to Best Buy to get a stereo put in it. You got the job done but some thing just was not right about the whole transaciton.
On the Causal side you see a lot of dope pieces that I am sure will be on the streets and in stores soon. My only ask would be, and this applies to high end designers across the board, make pant that fit but are not "skinny". A good pant that takes into account that I work out and don't have the legs of a 12 year old girl would be appreciated. I'm just saying, come on Gucci step your game up a little.


 

This litte dude goes extra hard on the Drums

Meet Jonah. He's 5 and he is a beast on the skins!
From his site

"Way back in 2008, at the age of 3, Jonah Rocks was lining up his Play-Doh cans to make a drum kit. He would sneak all the baby spoons from the cupboard, and use them as drumsticks. His daddy asked him if he wanted a real drum kit, and of course, Jonah said "YES!" Once he sat down behind that kit, and held that first pair of 7A's in his hands, he has never put them down, playing as much as he can, whenever he can. Jonah is completely self taught, never had a lesson, and if you've watched him play, you know he absolutely loves it."

Art - One reason why you cant kill Detroit - Chevy billboards during the Detroit Auto show.

Detroit is an awesome city.  Misunderstood, maligned and by some left for dead. As Wallstreet and most of America wrote Detroit off in late 2008 GM and Chevy went to the mattresses and have come out swinging. Hot new eco-muscle rides like the Corvette (20 mpg highway) and the CTS-V which is giving the M5 fits in the performance arena is a budget rocket ship for 4. And one of the latest nods letting the world know that Detroit is still on its feet in the late rounds is some very art/advertising. I use the slash because a real car guy know how beautiful these pieces are. In some cases the lines of copy don't do the vehicle Justice and the limited market (The Detroit  area during the autoshow) prevented most folks form taking notice but when you connect the images and the line you get the feeing of a company a brand and city that are one and refuse to die.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pacemaker personsonal DJ tool

As a DJ I have mixed feelings about any tool that glorifies push button DJing. After years of lugging crates and 1200's up flights of stairs I feel like that right of passage is needed to call yourself a DJ. I will say that in a few years ago I switched to Serato and I am contemplating CDJ's but the the feel of vinyl will always be my first love. I'll admit that I would like to have the same control that I have on my decks while I am in the office. This little gadget may do it. I don't know if it is hip-hop friendly but I am pretty sure that electronic/house music would be easy.

Lemonade

On the heels of an the 2nd worst economic implosion in US history. Millions of American lost their jobs. And for some it was a blessing. When your only option is to fully immerse yourself in your passion you'll be amazed at what can be accomplished.

Music Monday - Mariah "Up out my face" feat. Nikki Minaj

Looks like we've got the next break up anthem for the ladies on deck. Mariah comes pretty clean on this track and Nikki, while a little all over the place with the word play still has something the ladies to quote. The killer though is Mariah's line "If we were two lego blocks Not even the 2010 graduating class of Harvard university could put us back together again." Shouts out the yard! Let me know what you think in the comments section.

MagicJack move

Do you hear MagicJack now? Good. Cellphone companies are going going to be beyond pissed in few months when this gadget drops. As more info becomes available I'll make updates to the story.

The company behind the magicJack, the cheap Internet phone gadget that's been heavily promoted on TV, has made a new version of the device that allows free calls from cell phones in the home, in a fashion that's sure to draw protest from cellular carriers.

The new magicJack uses, without permission, radio frequencies for which cellular carriers have paid billions of dollars for exclusive licenses.

YMax Corp., which is based in Palm Beach, Fla., said this week at the International Consumers Electronics Show that it plans to start selling the device in about four months for $40, the same price as the original magicJack. As before, it will provide free calls to the U.S. and Canada for one year.

The device is, in essence, a very small cellular tower for the home.

The size of a deck of cards, it plugs into a PC, which needs a broadband Internet connection. The device then detects when a compatible cell phone comes within 8 feet, and places a call to it. The user enters a short code on the phone. The phone is then linked to the magicJack, and as long as it's within range (YMax said it will cover a 3,000-square-foot home) magicJack routes the call itself, over the Internet, rather than going through the carrier's cellular tower. No minutes are subtracted from the user's account with the carrier. Any extra fees for international calls are subtracted from the user's account with magicJack, not the carrier.

According to YMax CEO Dan Borislow, the device will connect to any phone that uses the GSM standard, which in the U.S. includes phones from AT&T Inc. and T-Mobile USA. At a demonstration at CES, a visitor's phone with a T-Mobile account successfully placed and received calls through the magicJack. Most phones from Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp. won't connect to the device.

Borislow said the device is legal because wireless spectrum licenses don't extend into the home.

more @ http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/us_tec...show_magicjack

DJ AM & DJ Premier Nike Sportswear Event Recap

Check out Nike's launch of a new DJ Premier & DJ AM sportswear line.

DJ AM & DJ Premier Nike Sportswear Event Recap from Terry Urban on Vimeo.

New offerings from beats by Dre

I bought a pair of of the Original Beats by Dre and I was truly amazed at the depth of sound. Now Monster and Dre are back with 3 new offerings. Hey Monster, can I get a pair of the Spin by Dre for evaluation?

The A-Team movie trailer

Okay, I post a lot of heady tech stuff, sneaker geek features, street graf & modern art. Well... this is noe of the above. I just LOVED watching the A-Team as a youngster.

Unveiling The Burj Dubai

Suite For Ma Dukes - Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and a 40 piece orchestra

Hip-Hop and sheet music can co-esxist.Check out one of a series of recording honoring the late Detroit producer J Dilla.

Nike takes a turn at duck boots - Meet the Woodside

So back in the day my Mom would call these Rubber uglies or Duck Boots. Nike takes a turn at the genre and comes up with a shoe that hold true to it's genes but has a flavor that is unique to Nike. I suspect that if bad weather decides blow in the topsider crowd as well as fashion forward urbanites will find themselves coppin' a pair of these. 

Kid Daytona feat. Bun B. "Airborn"

Just got put  up on this fly track from Kid Daytona feat. Bun B. This joint dropped in September but it's just starting to bubble up. Let me know what your think.

IPEVO Tubular wireless speakers

While the announcer is pretty painful to listen he does a good job providing the detail behind the product.

The L5 Universal remote a.k.a. The couch potato app

 

I fully embrace my inner nerd. In doing so I've got gadgets galore and the remotes to prove it. Universal remotes are the answer but isn't it just adding another remote to the equation. Yes. Enter L5 with their universal remote app.

"L5 Technology today introduced a accessory and free app that turn any iPhone or iPod touch into a universal remote control. Launching at ShowStoppers @ CES, the L5 Remote provides consumers with a powerful alternative for replacing multiple and often-confusing remote control devices. The L5 Remote transforms the iPhone and iPod touch into a personal universal remote that controls televisions, DVDs, DVRs, cable boxes, audio equipment, and most other products that come with an infrared remote. Developed by L5 Technology, the L5 Remote is comprised of a small hardware device that plugs into an iPhone or iPod touch dock connector and a free app to be available from the iTunes App Store. The L5 Remote offers a quick an easy set-up, using a drag and drop features so consumers can create their ideal, and personally customized remote control interface. The L5 Remote is priced at MSRP $49.95 and will be available for purchase in February" 

While I have not had the opportunity to try it the idea is strong. The obvious downside is the IR transmitter. This little thing is beggin' to lost or eaten by the dog/vacuum/todler/drunk friend with a cold "Dude I thought it was a Halls" - Buie

 

Music Monday - KeSha, Young Money & Usher "lil Freak"

New pop artist Ke$ha has an album dropping Tuesday. While I can't say it is spectacular there are a couple of bouncy tracks that would play nicely as background music during "Jersey Shore".  All jokes aside the lead single "Tik Tok" is cool but there are much better choices that could have been offered up like "Take it off", "Blah Blah Blah" and probably the best track on the disc "Boot's and Boys" if it's pushed as a single it will be Kesha's strongest club record for her this for this quarter. The girls are going to be all over the hook.
Woudl I cop the disc, no but I do think the tracks mentioned are worth scooping on iTunes. 




 

On the other side of the spectrum Young Money's "We are Young Money" features the entire Young Money roster I would mention them all but I don't want to get Carpel tunnel. Wayne Drake Nikki and Jae are the album stand outs.  Notable tracks on the album include The lead single "Bedrock" which ought to be in every club DJ's heavy rotation. The trunk bangers include "New Shit" is unfortunately called "Wife Beater". The most progressive track is "Play in my Band" While it will never see radio play it would be my choice for the b-side for any DJ service CD. It's just odd enough to stand out while still filled with that head nod base line to keep the hood hooked in. Finally Where Wayne gives a nod to the genre genesis track "Trigga man" (Look it up) the flow is not exceeptional but I respect what they are trying to do. All in all if you need some ear candy "We are Young Money" is worth picking up on sale.

While were speaking of Nikki Minaj she's featured on Ushers new album Raymond vs. Raymond

check out the track below. The interesting part of the story is Nikki getting a little open talking about her sexuality.  Not trying to go all Media take out on you but...

2010 Predications

So I an effort to try to stick to my Schedule in the new year I am going to make a few predictions about what trends are on their way in, what's on the bubble and what's on the way out.

On it's way in:

The return of the intelligent athlete.
After years of dumb, yet talented players ruining the image of their sponsors and teams you'll see a shift toward the intelligent athlete.

iPhone, A7&T breakup.
AT&T has been the single greatest handicap to the iPhon becoming the #1 pocket accessory of all time. Apple knows it and I have a sneaking suspicion that the erosion of brand equity has reached it's tipping point. Look for Apple to do an early opt out. In contract AT&T will probably pull a "New Coke" campaign in an effort to save what little face it has left. Much like an M80 this will be very cool in theory but inevitably cause them to "Wiley Coyote" themselves.

Manhood.
Look for the retune of real dudes. Stand-up guys that know how to treat women, fix a car and a computer, These guys are Momma's boys in the right moment but still will hit a guy in the mouth for disrespecting her but only after requesting an apology. Once. No tough talk, just a crisp jab. Now don't get me wrong this violence does not equal manhood but the attitude to defend an protect and ideal consistently vocally and physically when necessary, is.


On the bubble:
Playlist/fair-weather DJ's
It is novel that everyone is a DJ now but playing a playlist or buying a Mac does not a DJ make.
While technology, which I do embrace (I converted to Serato a few years ago but still cary some vinyl just in case), does allow for a tremendous amount of flexibility is does not replace the ability to read a crowd or tell a story with a mix. Real DJ's will return to the forefront. I wish I could tell you what the defining moment will be exactly but it is feeling like a cataclysmic celeb playlist DJ failure at a public event.

On the way out.
Guys rockin' Skinny Jeans.
After two+ years I think this is going to draw to a close this year. Did you know that the testes (follow me now) need to have their temperature regulated constantly? This done by either contracting or retreating from the body. Skinny Jean prevent this and could in theory effect the sperm count of Skinny Jean wearers. Hmmm...maybe this is a good thing (Stay with me). In theory the gene that made a guy think women's tights in denim would be a good look could be prevented from being passed on? If so, Rock on D bag. rock on.

Sunglasses at night or indoors.
Do I really need to expound on this. We get it Blade, you want us to see you but you don't want to be seen. Lord forbid we figure out who you are in the club and harass you autograph the CD you rung up for us at your 9 to 5 at Best Buy. That is if you are not "At the studio" or "flipping houses" or "hustling".

So that is my fist crack at predictions. If you have some Please be sure to share. I'd like to hear your thoughts. - Buie

Gorilla cam app

The iPhone's built-in camera is capable, but its features (or lack thereof) aren't exactly electrifying. Gorillacam adds all the tools you wish the default Camera app had and then some, including timed shots, time-lapse, burst mode, and more.
If you've ever watched the perfect shot pass you by because you're stuck waiting for the last photo you took to save to the Camera Roll, then you'll love Gorillacam's Auto-Save—it works in the background to save pictures while you keep taking more. If you want to take your pics in at set intervals anywhere from one second to two minutes apart, then fire up the Time-Lapse feature. Alternatively, you could use 3-Shot Burst to take three rapid-fire pics in succession.
Gorillacam's got enough features right there to make this free app well worth the download, but Gorillacam does even more. A countdown timer lets you take self-portraits, and Grid Overlay helps you line up and compose shots like a pro. Add to that a shot-leveler and a toggle that turns the whole screen into a shutter button and you've got yourself a must-have app to enhance your iPhone's camera. - Lifehacker

Parallels- " I'm on a Mac"

So the folks at Banyan Branch repping switchtomac.com shot me a copy of this video because they deemed me a "Hip-Hop blogger". Ummm, OK?

While the parody is good for a smile. the product they are shilling on their homepage is pretty dope. Parallels allows the user to run windows 7 on their Mac along with a number of other slick features.  As a Mac user I am constantly forced to flip between a work PC and my MacBook Pro constantly. On the worst of the worst days I find myself lugging two laptops. No Bueno.  The moral of the story. Give Parallels a try. Oh and Banyan, next time just send me a copy of the damn program! - Buie

New Video - Jay-Z Feat. Swizz Beats "On to the next one"

As we bring in the new year I thought Jay's latest video would be a fitting opener. Leaving the old year behind and moving on the next one.
With that as a the theme. ThePurveyourOfCool.com has moved on to a new format and a new editorial schedule. Going forward I'll make timely posts the moment a good topic comes to mind but I aiming to stick to a themed delivery schedule.

Monday = Music
Tuesday = Tech
Wednesday = Urban culture
Thursday = Art
Friday =Fashion
Saturday = International perspective
Sunday = Editorial

Now I am going to try my best to stick to this format but it will take some help from you. If you have ideas or you're interested in being a contributor send me an email at jamilbuie@gmail.com. As always thank you for reading and I hope you are like me and look at this year as just another series of 365 opportunities to make an indelible mark on the lives of others in a positive way. - Jamil Buie