Some people think when you’re rich, especially when you’re born into money that you should help others that are less fortunate. You know like spending some time at a soup kitchen, raising awareness of the worsening state of Darfur, or just donating to the church. Well you can tell that to these kids …

Wow, I didn’t really think that some people were still visiting this site but it seems like the stuff I wrote was actually worth reading (to some atleast). So I’m going to try to get back into updating this site and doing it more often.

I do really want to get your feedback, suggestions, and tips, so drop me an email at pduch [at] newurbanite (.) com.

Carrying a superslim wireless phone like a RAZR or Blade doesn’t look so hot if your Bluetooth headset is big and clunky. That’s why I’ve never been a big fan of current Bluetooth headsets, but this offering from Sony Ericsson is changing my mind.

Sony Ericsson’s new HBH-IV835 keeps your sexy phone looking sexy. It’s glossy black and silver casing complements its sleek, slim profile. It also fits in your ear, rather than hanging on with an annoying hook, which makes taking it on and off much easier.

The IV835 also features the latest technology: Bluetooth 2.0, Digital Signal Processing to filter out unwanted background noise, automatic volume adjustment to make calls come through loud and clear, and auto-pairing to get you up and running fast.

It retails on Amazon.com for $80.

Fall is quickly approaching for us lucky enough to experience the four seasons, and that means it’s time to retire the linen and khaki blazers for the rest of the year, and time to bust out blazers more suited to the season — blazers like this.

The Armani Exchange Tweed Peak Lapel Blazer ($225) features a two-button front with flapped front pockets, a slim fit, and durable 44% cotton, 28% viscose, 28% polyester construction. For some odd reason they are calling this color black, but call it grey, black, whatever — we’ll still take it.

Click here to buy it …

Don’t call the new Nokia N95 a phone — it’s “an all-in-one multimedia computer,” according to the company. And the N95 ($700; Q1 2007) has the specs to back up that description. The headset features the S60 software on Symbian OS with web browser and email client, a 2.6″ QVGA display, integrated GPS functionality, and a 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, giving you the ability to capture print quality photos and DVD-like video clips. Designed for HSDPA networks (with support for WLAN, EDGE and WCDMA networks), the N95 also offers built-in stereo speakers, a standard 3.5mm audio jack, and a slick 2-way slide concept — a numeric keypad slides out from one end while dedicated media keys slide out from the other, converting the display into full screen landscape mode.

Learn more by visiting here …

We all know that while ice is a great way to chill drinks, it also has the unwanted effect of watering them down. The Piet Hein Drink Cooler ($31) is a liquid-filled, stainless steel egg that seeks to overcome this problem. Simply keep a couple in your freezer and drop them down into any drink you want chilled, or use them in your shaker to chill martinis and the like. Since they’re stainless steel on the outside, they won’t change the flavor of or water down your drink, and their great looks will keep your guests happy.

But it’ll probably take them awhile to get over the fact that there are silver cubes floating around their drinks.

Click here to learn more …

Satisfy your inner geek with the Pong Clock. A tribute to the first home video game, this clock not only tells the time, but provides hours of enjoyment by showing an endless random game of lo-res tennis. The Pong Clock, brainchild of Dutch design studio Buro Vormkrijgers, can actually switch to a game play mode that allows you to play against the clock, making a multi-functional device. Developed as a limited edition, the final handful of available clocks has been reserved to be auctioned on e-bay.

To learn more visit:
http://www.burovormkrijgers.nl

My initial reaction to the cutting scale designed by Jim Termeer and Jess Giffin was instinctively positive; in retrospect probably because it combines two of my main interests: technology and cooking.

Don’t get me wrong, I still think the idea of incorporating a scale onto a cutting board in and of itself is rather interesting, but as hard as I try to find a practical reason for these two kitchen instruments to be combined, I can’t.

I can’t think of a single “choppable” ingredient – because that is what you use a cutting board for – that also needs to be measured in grams. I chop onions, but even assuming I can’t judge how much I need without following the recipe step by step, recipes hardly ever tell you how many grams of chopped onions you need; they will more likely say you need 1, 2, etc. onions.

On the other hand, all the ingredients I usually need a scale for don’t seem to be very suitable for weighing on a cutting board: for instance, 250g of flower; 100g of cocoa, and so on.

That said, the 10’’ x 5’’ cutting scale looks really edgy, and will maybe be followed by many future products that will bring more “geekiness” into the kitchen.

Learn more by visiting:
http://www.p32.com

For all of you turntablists or DJs wannabes out there, here’s a new bag of tricks being offered by Gemini DJ, a division of GCI Technologies. The latest addition to the iSeries product line, the iTrax Mixing Console utilizes dual docking stations for iPod music players. Each iPod channel comes equipped with 3 band EQ control and 2 phono/line convertible inputs so you can use it with other devices such as CD players, turntable, etc.

On the back of the console, the iTrax provides a composite video output that can be used with the latest Photo/Video iPod product. USB connection allows the user to manage playlist and music library from both iPods via a computer.

In addition, the iTrax also features master volume control, dual VU meter display, a user-replaceable X-Fader, a fully featured cue section, and a microphone control panel with 2-band EQ and volume control. With a Phat system like this, you’ll be able to cue up more than just Celebration at your next wedding gig.

Suggested retail for the iTrax is $179.95

For more information visit:
http://www.geminidj.com/iseries_itrax_bull.html

If one of the more thrillingly empowering elements of the internet boom of the late ’90s for the average capitalist was the advent of online consumer stock trading, commissions were regularly there to put a damper on the proceedings. Although still much cheaper than your typical brokerage house, it was still a heavy fee for people that did not have a lot of money to invest. A new startup called Zecco (Beta) is putting a welcome spin on the issue, offering stock trading with zero commissions. A budding online financial community, Zecco is a space for the exchange of financial information, allowing for informed trading in stocks, options, bonds, and mutual funds. Because traditional online brokers spend significant money on marketing, the overhead is passed on to the user in the form of commission fees. Zecco simply cuts out the marketing costs and lowers commission to zero.

That’s a price I like. Bear in mind, of course, that Zecco is still in Beta; don’t go putting your whole savings into a startup.

You can preview the site here:
http://www.zecco.com

Source: GigaOM

The name of a new energy drink from Las Vegas is causing quite a stir. It’s called Cocaine and it’s expected on shelves here in November. Aside from the obvious marketing ploy, the maker’s of this energy drink claim it to be 350 percent more powerful than Red Bull. The drink’s maker maintains that “doing Cocaine” - the beverage, that is - gives you a bigger and better high without the crash that other energy drinks cause. They say a high hits you within five minutes, followed by a caffeine boost 15 minutes later. The whole high is suppose to last around 5 hours, so taking several of these before going out should be a trip. Taste testers have compared it liquid jolly ranchers, which is the exact comparison I give to Red Bull. So if it does taste good, maybe it is time for a switch.

No word yet if this is safe to mix with Vodka.

Simplicity plus function, this clock is an ingenious concept that will make the jet setter’s life a bit easier. Looking like a grenade, this 12 sided clock has a city of each time zone placed along the outside which denotes the 12 o’clock marker for that city on the face. So if you were in New York or wanted New York time just place the New York side at the top position and you’ll instantly be able to tell what time it is in the Big Apple. The only drawback is if you’re city is not marked then you would have to find the corresponding timezone it’s in, which sort of takes away from the simplicity of this clock. Too much thought hurts the brain.

The clock can be purchased for $75 at MossOnline:
http://www.mossonline.com

While there probably is one or two of you reading this who do actually own a Bugatti Veyron, the other 99.9999999999 percent of us don’t and never will. Lots of new car buyers, however, turn to leasing when they want to drive what they can’t afford to own. This month’s issue of Automobile mag reveals what costs are associated with leasing the most powerful and unofficially fastest production car in the world from Putnam Leasing.

First, if you want to lease a Veyron you’ll need to take the college fund you set up for your kids, empty out your 401-K and get an advance on your parents’ will to afford the car’s $400,000 down payment. Then you’ll have to figure out how to scrape together $23,595 for your first month’s payment. And then you’ll have to repeat that feat another 60 times, as the Veyron is only offered with a five-year lease. You are afforded 2,500 miles a year, which means if you’re planning on using the Bugatti as a daily driver you’ll be taking the bus a lot. There’s no word on what the penalty is for going over that limit, but expect to forego a 50-inch plasma TV for every mile over.

When all is said and done you will have shelled out $1,815,700 for the privilege of driving a Bugatti Veyron without the hassles of ownership, which happens to be over $400,000 more than the car’s $1.4 million Buy-it-Now price. D’oh!

All environmentalist may not want to read the following about a disposable cellphone batteries (think of the children). The concept of selling packaged power to run electronic devices is as old as batteries, but it steps onto new ground with the Mobcharger disposable cell phone battery charger. Although not yet available, and aimed at the EU market anyway, the charger will juice your cell phone for up to 90 minutes (480 of standby) without actually recharging the battery, you need to keep it plugged in for the phone work. Still, the options in an emergency sound appealing (even if the waste issue sounds bothersome).

Dozens of models are available from five manufacturers, but no pricing or availability info is available just yet.

Learn more by visiting MobCharger:
http://www.mobcharger.com

Always getting your black luggage confused with someone else’s? There’s no doubt that us humans tend to play it safe but that also leaves to boring. The new Burton Wheelie Double Deck declares war on black and conformity. This colorful and surprisingly affordable replacement for your drab black luggage features a double deck design, 70 liter capacity and features extra niceties like a zippered compartment for travel documents, a shoe pocket, a hideaway eternal backpack attachment, a removable laundry bag, and a wheel assembly that uses skate wheels. Available in four colors, including the dreaded black if you must, my favorite is the the houndstooth design of the Equestrian Antique Ivory color, which is sure to be noticeable on your next trip.

You can check them out on the Burton website:
http://www.burton.com