LIGHT IS RIGHT

If you’re unfamiliar with the Elise marque, it was named after Elisa, granddaughter of Romano Artioli, who was chairman of LOTUS when the first model was launched in 1996. Hence, you can bet ‘she’ received quite a fair bit of attention while in production. In fact, the popular roadster pioneered a technology that would become a staple in all its successors to come – a lightweight aluminum chassis which weighs a mere 68kg, which would ultimately result in one of the most nimble marques available at LOTUS, a member of the DRB-HICOM Group.

Now renowned as an award-winning chassis, the ingenious creation to debut with the Elise is rendered in state-of-the-art, extruded and bonded aluminium to achieve its remarkable light weight. Next, it is coupled with a motorsport derived wishbone suspension with body panels made from lightweight composite – all without compromising the rigidity of the chassis and agility of the Elise as a whole. To achieve this feat, high-tech processes and hand finishing techniques are combined from start to finish of chassis construction. And to oversee the process, are highly trained LOTUS specialists on hand to ensure each and every component lives up to stringent quality control standards, and that they embody Colin Chapman’s original principle of delivering top-notch performance through lightweight construction.

That said, you can expect nothing but the highest levels of quality and performance from the latest incarnation of the Elise, as each and every detail is specifically designed to strike the perfect symbiosis between design, performance and the driver.

Lotus marques are all about making a connection with their drivers, and the engineering innovations certainly don’t end with the chassis. Standard features also include Blisten dampers, Eibach springs, and a track tuned braking system – components that work in perfect harmony with the frame, making the Elise ever-ready to take on either the track or road, and tackle even the most treacherous bends.

Now that you know some of the marque’s lesser known details about the evergreen Elise, you can save yourself the trouble of peering beneath her side-skirt. After all, she’s a lady.

BY KENNETH LIM 

http://www.360celsius.com

PREPARE TO DIGITIZE – 3D SCANNING COMES TO THE DESKTOP

Desktop scanners have been in existence for quite a while, and now, 3D scanning has been made available to the masses – which seems totally logical, since 3D printing is all the hype now. That said, the practical uses of a 3D scanner are pretty much endless when coupled with 3D printing technology, as you’ll be able to scan and replicate just about any object that will fit into the printer. The said technology comes in the form of the Maker Bot Digitizer (US$1,400) – a device compact enough for desktop use and an indispensable tool to designers in various fields – from your bedroom illustrator enthusiast to architects.

Eat laser, gnome.

If you were wondering how small it is and how it works, the Makerbot Digitizer is 8 x 8 inches and weighs 3 kg, it’s mechanics are pretty straight forward – rotating the object of your choice on a turn table platform, as lasers scan all surfaces.

Makerbot also offers a nifty 3D Printer to go with it too!

To the uninitiated, 3D scanning has long been in use to scan real-life objects for use in games and movies, and a common technique involves the scanning of clay figures for images that will later be manipulated by animators. However, back in the day, these devices were pretty darn bulky, and required some serious technical know-how to operate. Nonetheless, as with all things complex, mankind would have it mass produced and simplified for the layman, and that’s not a bad thing… is it?

We don’t condone use on hamsters.

BY ANGELOMANUEL 

http://www.360celsius.com

6 HANDY ITEMS YOU’VE NEVER THOUGHT OF POPPING IN YOUR PURSE

Sneak a peek into a woman’s handbag and you might just glimpse Narnia. From cosmetics to kitchen sinks to other unimaginables, we women are known for carrying all we own around with us “just in case”, often being a common topic for gender-bashing jokes (yet being the one people come to when they need a piece of tissue). This is a woman’s way of fulfilling the Boy Scout’s motto – always be prepared. While most of us have packed the essentials into our purses, here are some other neat and useful picks that might have been overlooked: Image above via usmagazine.com

#1: Mini Flashlight

Image via oempromo.com

Flashlights come in all sizes and shapes nowadays, so there is really no excuse to not carry one. Whether you’re looking for that darn lip balm in the dark, your pet hamster that ran away from home, or for a cockroach-free pathway, you’ll find many uses for pocketable light in situations that you’ll least expect. Try to get one with the little key rings attached to them; that way you’ll never forget to bring it along with you as long as you have your house/car keys.

#2: List of Numbers

Image via clarington-library.on.ca

Whoever created the first mobile phone with the built-in phonebook was a genius. All that brain capacity previously used to remember 7-10 digit numbers can now be used to think of our next Facebook status update. How awesome is that? It also means that if our phone battery chooses to desert us in a time of need, we are pretty much screwed. That risk can be simply eliminated though, by writing down a list of important phone numbers that you might need in emergencies. You don’t have to list all your friends and family, just one from each social circle will do, as they too would have the contacts of your other mutual friends. If you’re feeling exceptionally diligent, you can even go the extra mile and laminate this piece of paper so that it is durable; a simple, cheap, and light solution that you’ll be thankful for someday.

#3: Recycle Bag

Image via how-to-recycle.blogspot.com

Save a plastic bag, save the world. It’s by time each of us start actively playing our part in healing the world. Say no to all the unnecessary plastic bags that you receive at the supermarket. Recycle bags don’t even have to be purchased these days – they’ll somehow find their way to you through events, shopping, and whatnots. Just fold one of them into a teeny weeny square and pop them into your handbag. If you can fit your obese wallet in there, you can definitely fit a folded recycle bag. Plus, you’ll earn brownie points in heaven.

#4: Nail Clipper

Image via roobeauty.com

Chipped nails are a more common occurrence than we would like to think, especially if we are nurturing them to grow into long Cruella De Vil styled manicures. Popping a nail clipper into your handbag can save you from looking like a cat caught scratching up the curtains while doubling up as a kind of scissors when you need to trim an unravelling thread or nip your friend who’s stealing your cheesecake.

#5: Safety Pins

Image via broschdirect.com

A lifesaver for a potential wardrobe malfunction, safety pins are surprisingly not popular inhabitants of handbags. You just never know when the button on your shirt decides to abandon its post, or the straps of your bright purple bra decide to make a guest appearance. A safety pin can help you avoid being the Janet Jackson for the day while also being a handy tool for removing a splinter that may have lodged itself in your finger.

#6: Plasters

Image via stacyjulian.com

Blisters, being a sworn enemy of women ever since the creation of shoes have an annoying knack of ruining a perfectly good girls night out by surfacing at the wrong moment. Carrying a stash of plasters or band aids with you in your purse can dull that nasty grinding pain that you get with every other step, leaving you in a better mood to socialize with your pals and break out the funky robot dance you never knew you could do.

BY NISHA 

http://www.360celsius.com

IF AT ANY POINT OF TIME YOUR BOSS YELLS AT YOU…

• Wake up the next morning and say this, “[Insert your boss’s name here] is one of the greatest people I have ever met. We’re becoming the best of friends. I’m loving every moment of this”. When you’re done, roll your eyes and throw up if you need to. And then, head to work.
• Yell at him…on the way back home; when you’re in the car alone.
• You know that favourite pen or coffee mug that seems to go everywhere with your boss? Just wait for him to go to the washroom and then sneak into his office and take or hide those stuff. You can “gift” it to the guy with the bad B.O. in the office or just coat it with durian (better still if you’re boss isn’t Asian). Be creative!
• When he ever makes a joke, don’t laugh after his funny stories; wait until he starts talking about the next laughable story and then start laughing about the previous joke – right in the middle of his story. If you feel like it, throw in a good laugh-snort while you’re at it.
• Call his phone and leave him a long-winded, rambling message on his voicemail and end it with “Oh, never mind. It doesn’t matter anyway”, and hang up. Better still, leave a message in a foreign language (Yiddish anyone?).
• CC: your boss on every email you send out. If he questions you, just tell him that you wanted to keep him in the loop.

Disclaimer: 360 Celsius will not be held responsible if you get fired. But if you do, we hope that you’d at least have fun on your way out. And yes, good luck in your future endeavours.

http://www.360celsius.com

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE BUT IF YOU DO IT RIGHT ,ONCE IS ENOUGH

ALBERT FOUQUET MEETS JFK

Albert Fouquet, the son of a Parisian aristocrat, was part of elite French society of the early twentieth century and a perfume connoisseur. In a room in the upper floor of the family chateau, Fouquet created and perfected various essences for his own personal use aided by Philippe, the family butler. At every social event he was invited to, he would surprise everyone with his exquisite fragrance that became increasingly in demand within the exclusive social circle he frequented. But Fouquet continually rejected proposals to market his fragrance.

One night during his summer vacation in 1937 on the French Riviera (Cote d’Azur), Albert got on very well with a young American student who was touring France in a convertible: John F. Kennedy. Within minutes of being introduced, the vain JFK was captivated by the essence that Albert wore. Kennedy’s charm and congeniality persuaded Albert to leave him a sample of his cologne with a note at the hotel the following morning: “In this jar, you will find the dash of French glamour that your American personality lacks.”

On returning from his vacation, Albert received a letter from John in the U.S. thanking him for the kind gesture and informing him of the success his perfume was enjoying among his friends. He requested that Albert send him eight samples, “and if your production allows, another one for Bob”. Without fully understanding the request, Albert decided to send a box with enough extra samples to offset the transport costs. His perfectionism extended not only to the perfume but everything surrounding it. He didn’t fill the order until Philippe finally found some beautiful glass jars in a Parisian pharmacy. Albert considered them suitable for his cologne and labeled them with John’s amusing request: “EIGHT&BOB”.

(Image via AIROWS)

Albert couldn’t believe it a few months later when he began receiving letters from the U.S. with requests from various Hollywood directors, producers and actors such as Cary Grant and James Stewart. Everyone wanted the “EIGHT&BOB” cologne they had apparently discovered through Joseph Kennedy, John’s father, who had maintained relationships with well-known stars due to his previous business ventures in the movie industry.

Unfortunately, the success of his cologne would not spread much further. In the spring of 1939, Albert died in an automobile accident near Biarritz (France). Philippe, the only person who could handle the orders, would only continue with that work for a few months longer, since the start of World War II forced him to leave his job with the Fouquet family. In the last shipments he sent, Philippe hid the bottles inside books that he carefully cut by hand to prevent the Nazis from seizing the perfume.

Decades later, thanks to the family of Philippe the butler, the formula for “EIGHT&BOB” has been completely recovered, along with its refined production process. Once again, it has become one of the most exclusive colognes, preferred by the most elegant men in the world.

(Images via PER FUMUS, MASC)

 

BY KOGIV 

http://www.360celsius.com

ARE YOU GIVING WHERE IT COUNTS? NOT ALL CHARITIES ARE WHAT THEY SEEM

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While giving to charity brings about a sense of ‘I’m doing my part for society’, there is a pretty vast difference between being a true activist and a slacktivist – with the latter implying that you give or act superficially, with no sense of true conviction or responsibility to a given charity whatsoever. While it may look good on the surface, to tell your contacts on Facebook or Twitter that you’re supporting a cause, it would do you good to take a conscious interest in the cause and how funds collected arereally spent.

Check out this TED Talk featuring Dan Pallotta – an activist and fundraiser – who shares his thoughts on the matter, and just might make you go that extra mile before you blindly decide to give to charity for that ‘feel good’ factor.

BY ANGELOMANUEL 

http://www.360celsius.com

GOING BANANAS FOR ART

What do you get when you combine this mushy fruit with artistic talent and fine dexterity? What one would normally take as a healthy breakfast quickie, Keisuke Yamada sees as another canvas for him to express his creativity. The twenty-six year old self-taught artist became an instant Internet sensation back in 2011 when he uploaded his yummy pieces of work to a Japanese art site called Pixiv, and has since been featured by many of the world’s biggest websites and appearing on talk shows to feature his unique banana sculpting skills live.

All this hype began one day when his curiosity got the better of him, leading him to create a simple smiley banana face. After receiving some encouraging responses from art enthusiasts, he continued his endeavour, carving famous animated characters into his banana using only a toothpick and a teaspoon. It’s not as easy as one might think: once peeled, the flesh of this fruit must quickly be primed, shaped and finely sculpted within 30 minutes, before the fruit starts to oxidise and turn brown.

 Image via kotaku.com

 Image via kotaku.com

 Image via kotaku.com

After taking a shot or two of his current masterpiece, he proceeds to eat them. Almost like how a Black Widow Spider eats its mate after making love, only much cooler. Here’s a look at some of Yamada’s finished pieces:

Image via lifestyle.jp.msn.com

Image via tofugu.com

Image via comicsalliance.com

Follow Yamada’s Pixiv and Twitter accounts to get instant updates on his quirky and crafty banana models.

BY NISHA 

http://www.360celsius.com

ATTENTION GAMERS: LAST CHANCE TO BE HUMBLED BY ORIGIN’S EPIC BUNDLE

I thought I was dreaming or it was one of those scams when my friend discreetly passed me the link to the Humble Origin Bundle website, as the deal seemed too damn good to be true. Seriously? Below US$5 for TENawesome games, that’s bloody unprecedented.

Total nerd-hype aside, it’s a ‘pay what you want’ deal, for six games with a minimum of US$1, while surpassing US$4.91 gets you an additional four games. Man, you don’t even get that at the annual Steam Sales. In case you were wondering, the games on offer are not ‘rejects’ or B-graders, in fact, they include immensely popular titles such as Dead Space and Dead Space 3; Crysis 2 Maximum Edition; Medal of Honor; Mirrors Edge; The Sims 3; Battlefield 3; Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3; Uprising; and the classic Populous. No joke, no adware, no virus, this is 100% legit, and my Origin client is already working overtime to download the whole shebang over the next two days.

There are currently just over 48 hours to go for this insane deal, so if you’re dying to scratch that gaming itch, do it. Do it now.

So what gives you ask? Well, the deal is for charity, with Origin and Electronic Arts (EA) donating the proceeds to six charities: The Human Rights Campaign, Watsi, the San Francisco Aids Foundation, the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society; and GamesAid. And, to date, the campaign has raised well over a whopping US$9 million.

That said, you can tell your girlfriend or boyfriend that you’re going recluse for at least two weeks for a good cause.

Enjoy.

BY ANGELOMANUEL 

http://www.360celsius.com

KNOCK-KNOCK. WHO’S THERE?

If you’re too lazy to get your butt off from the couch to go check out who’s at the door whenever the doorbell rings, the iDoorCam is definitely perfect for you lazy a**es because this nifty gadget allows you to see, hear and speak with a person at your door from exactly wherever you are.

Developed by technology industry veterans, iDoorCam gives users a cutting-edge way  that make answering the front door convenient and easy. The beautifully designed iDoorCam device replaces a current doorbell and connects to a home’s WiFi network. When a visitor pushes the button, the device sends an alert to a user’s smartphone or tablet and they can choose to ignore or answer the call. If answered, the user will see, hear and speak to the person at the front door. The call from the digital doorbell is routed to the mobile device over both WiFi and cellular networks.

“iDoorCam began with a single mission: to create technology that improves our everyday lives and helps people stay connected to their homes. As a busy executive who travels often, I am constantly on the go and needed a way to ‘be home’ even when I wasn’t. Being able to keep tabs on the house while traveling, brought me peace of mind,” said Desiree Mejia, co-founder and CEO, iDoorCam. “When it comes to connected gadgets, people are seeking simplicity, and iDoorCam is easy to install and easy to use. iDoorCam gives everyone exactly what they want — anytime, anywhere connectivity to their home.”

No other doorbell device offers an advanced feature set that includes:

• Multiple users: allows for unlimited users on an account so an entire family can receive alerts when a visitor rings the doorbell
• User initiation: users can initiate communication with the front door through their mobile device, even if the visitor doesn’t ring the bell
• Patent-pending motion sensor technology: primes connection and starts call before button is pressed, resulting in faster connections and reduced delays
• Night vision with infrared LED camera: captures video in total darkness
• LED indicator: notifies user when WiFi connection is lost
• Do not disturb mode: allows a user to turn off their traditional home chime so it does not make a sound in the house
• Automatic updates: updates device without having to sync or plug into a computer
  Secure connection: provides an unparalleled level of encryption and SSL for bank-level security
• 2-Way Voice – 1-Way Video: homeowner sees and hears visitor; visitor hears homeowner

iDoorCam is perfect for parents, frequent travelers, on-the-go professionals, senior citizens, or anybody who wants to stay connected with their homes. iDoorCam will be available to the general public at www.idoorcam.com for a retail price of $164.95 and is expected to ship in time for the holiday season.

(Images via iDoorCam)

BY KOGIV 

http://www.360celsius.com