Air Guitar...Nordic Thunder

Air Guitar Soloist

The Air Guitar Channel

United States Air Guitar

US Air Guitar Champion 2012

Eric 'Mean Melin' Melin US, Air Guitar World Champion 2013

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Air Guitar Hero

Finland hosts 17th annual Air Guitar World Championships

The Weekend - Can't Feel My Face

Virtual Reality Gets Better

      New York - Video-game players (gamers) love to put themselves into virtual-reality gaming worlds. Virtual-reality (VR) devices are sold mainly for video-games 3-D immersive video puts you on stage with Cirque de Soleil.  Strap on a headset and you are in three-dimensions (3-D
). Screen and graphics technologies have finally gotten good enough to give you a realistic and responsive gaming experience.  See also, www.samsung.com. 

Gwen Stefani - Rich Girl ft. Eve

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts Ride - Universal Studios - Or...

Xbox One Voice and Motion Recognition

     Redmond, Washington - Microsoft announced that streaming content apps like Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, VUDU, Crackle, ESPN, Univision, Fox, CW, HBO, and the NFL will all be on Xbox One, some as soon as Spring 2014.  Graphically, the Xbox One interface is able to switch between video games, watching live episodes of television, and viewing the channel guide.  Xbox One can also, record and upload footage captured from video games and the Kinect motion sensor.  Microsoft introduced the machine as an all-in-one entertainment solution for living rooms, that allows users to switch between activities on a TV screen, by just telling the machine what to do without needing to press buttons.  Rather than the previous super-powered gaming console that the Xbox 360 is, Microsoft has included other audiences than just gamers.  See also, www.xboxone.com.

Smart Watches Get Smarter For The Holidays

      Smart phones do the heavy work such as downloading apps and loading full web pages.  But smart watches may can now act like assistants to the smart phones.  Smart watches can now stay in contact with your smart phone and serve as a representative of the telephone to the outside world,  monitoring traffic between your smart telephone and other wireless devices.  Sony's SmartWatch2 uses a bigger screen and is water resistant.  For 2013 a smart watches main function is to act as a handy second screen for your smart phone.  The premise is to allow users to dismiss useless phone notifications and allow you to only grab the handset when absolutely necessary.  Smart watches linked to operating systems, like Android for example, will receive alerts for texts, calls, and social media updates while on the wearers wrist.  Smart watches will also be able to control your phones music player, so you won't have to reach into your purse or pocket to change volume or skip to the next track.  And, ultimately at the cash register, near field communication (NFC) is a natural component that allows a relatively secure way to pay bills, by simply waving your smart watch wearing wrist at   NFC enabled cash registers, while leaving your smart phone in your purse or pocket.  See also, www.sony.com.          

Companies Provide Online Automobile Insuurance Quotes

     New Haven - Those surveyed were asked to perform various tasks online and rate them.  After interpreting the numbers J.D. Power says it came up with several findings, including:  all shoppers are most likely to buy from an insurer with the lowest quote (39%), or had a better looking website that wasn't a hassle to move through (38%), and the overall appearance of the website.  J.D. Power also evaluated the buying and service experiences provided by 20 insurance companies.  Cost is a huge factor when buying car insurance.  However,  this J.D. Powers study suggests younger drivers are more swayed to websites they can "cruise" through, finding useful information along the way.  J.D. Powers says in its "2014" Insurance Website Evaluation Study" that 35% of both Generation X and Generation Y consumers are likely to buy a policy based on price when they compare insurance companies.  47% of Boomers want the lowest monthly premiums they can get.  29% of Generation Y drivers rely on thorough coverage information in their decision-making, with 36% saying it needs to be "conveyed in a clear and intelligible way," on a companies website and when communicating with a companies agents.  A large number (40%) of shoppers from both Generation X (those generally  born in the early 1960s to the early 1980s) and Generation Y (born during the 1980s and early 1990s) said they would likely purchase a policy from companies with easier website navigation.  The younger generations preferences to use websites can improve insurance companies sales, if they have an "Understanding of the preferences of different generations, particularly Generation Y consumers, is of utmost importance to ensure that shoppers are having the best experience possible," Jeremy Bowler, J.D. Powers' senior director of its global insurance practice says in a written statement.  AMC Mutual, Esurance, Farmers, GEICO, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, and Travelers all performed well, according to the J.D. Powers research.  See also, www.cnn.com. 

The Jacksons - Destiny

Upscale Drones Will Give Hollywood's Television and Film Studios a Lift in Their Profits

     Raglan - Six figure price tag drones will help meet demand for motion picture and television studio's need for aerial camera platforms.  However, if drones can be used satisfactorily in television and film production, they can drastically reduce costs. 
     According to Los Angeles -based drone production firm Aerial MOB, helicopter rentals can go as high as $30,000 a day, while daily drone rental rates for motion picture making are as low as $10,000 to $15,000 per day to the production studio.  Until now, cinematographers have bolted specialized add-ons, like cinema-quality cameras, to off-the-shelf drones that cost a few thousand dollars each.  Two New Zealand drone manufacturers, Aeronavics and Shotover Camera Systems, want to change that.  Until recently, drone use in feature films and television was limited to productions shot outside the United States, but late last year Washington began granting exemptions to commercial drone users on a case-by-case basis.  Of nearly 700 exemptions issued by the Federal Aviation Administration at the start of July 2015, approximately half of them were for aerial photography (including transmitting live television).  Unmanned aerial vehicles have been used in films that include:  "Dr. Who", "Twilight", "007 Skyfall", "Furious 7", "Jurassic World", and other hits.  "A lot of people have been shooting with drones in the past few years but not really in the very high-end space, so that's where our business will operate, "says Shotover Camera Systems'  general manager Brad Hurndell.  See also, www.popularmechanics.com.                  

New Drone Legislation Would Give Six Months and/or Thousands of Dollars in Fines

     Sacramento - Senate Bill 168 looks likely to become law.  SB 168 will protect emergency responders from any liability for the destruction an an unauthorized drone during firefighting or medical support operations.  Private UAVs have disrupted firefighting operations several times this year, including during a wildfire last month on Interstate 15 in San Bernardino, California.  See full story...http://www.kfi640.com. 

British Academy of Film and Television Arts Presented The 11th Annual B.A.F.T.A. Video Game Awards

     London - The 11th British Academy Video Game Awards ceremony, was presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), in March of 2015.  It was as good as it gets including 25 exciting categories, a red carpet entry with nominee interviews, an opening performance by Riva Taylor, and more.  The awards show honored such  computer and video game categories as:  best video game, best video game designer, best video game animator, greatest video game breakthrough technology, best video game music, and more categories.  BAFTA took place in March of 2015, at the Tobacco Dock, in London, England.   See full story, www.bafta.org.   

400 ft. 4,000 ft. 11,000 ft...One of Those is Right

   Newhall - A drone flying at approximately 11,000 feet required the loss of two hours of fire-fighting time, after the drone interfered with fire-fighting operations in Newhall, California.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies drones as model aircraft, and-as-such, limits their flight altitude to 400 feet maximum.  See whole story, www.ktla.com.   

Drones Cost Crucial Hours of Fire-Fighting Time in California

    Newhall - Fire-fighter injuries and delays in fire-retardant-dropping air-bombers increase when model aircraft, drones, fly within or near restricted airspace that is intended for wild-fire fighting, according to the National Inter-agency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.  See whole story,  www.dailymail.co.uk.   
  

MOST SOUGHT AFTER SPORTS CAR

     Carmel - The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, known as 'chassis number 3851 GT', that sold in California in August 2014, set a new high for a classic car at $38 million.  The Ferrari 250 GTO beat the previous sale record of approximately $30 million, for a Mercedes W196.  The Ferrari 250 GTO is among the world's most rare and sought-after cars.  Only 39 Ferrari 250 GTOs were built.  See whole story, www.latimes.com.         

Electronic Entertainment Expo 2015

     Hollywood - New hardware (3-D Printers, hand-held game-controllers, virtual reality machines, etc.) new video games, new versions of previously existing video games, new software, and more. The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E-3) is an annual video game show and conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  This years show took place from June 16-18. 
     For 2015, there was more of what we want, some of the leading computer and video companies, business partners, media,and industry analysts from over 100 countries converged on the Los Angles Convention Center.  Among some of the extra features of E-3 were house-sized walk-through virtual reality exhibits and live-streamed interviews of experts, visionaries, and entrepreneurs from all walks of the computer  and video-game industry.  E-3 is owned and operated by entertainment software association (esa), which is dedicated to serving the needs of the companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles (machines that are distinct from coin-operated arcade machines or home computers, hand-held devices, personal computers, and the internet.  See also, www.e3expo.com.             

On The Down-Low Drone Racing

     Melbourne - Underground drone racing is really racing.  Underground drone racing is increasng in popularity in Australia.  Competitors build and prepare their drone-quadcopters for racing in abandoned warehouses, schoolyards, and neighborhoods. 
     In what has been called Game of Drones, the sport, of drone-flying, which has been done in neighborhoods, warehouses, and schoolyards acrcoss the country for decades, is being taken to a new level of intensity.  This new version pits drone against drone in fast-paced races.  Some drone clubs meet weekly to push their drones to the limit.  According to, NOWTHISNEWS, some of these drones hit speeds of 60-70 miles per hour (mph).  These drones are not autonomous (self-piloting).  These drones use the skills of the pilots to fly at higher speeds and avoid obstacles.  See whole story and video, www.aol.com.      

Smart Navy Robot Drone Plane

     Maryland - A United States Navy (USN) spokesperson recently announced the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) may likely be the last strike-fighter flown by the USN.  A strike fighter is a primarily ground attack plane with some air-to-air capability. 
     Citing unmanned systems as a key element of needed innovation in a fast-changing global technological environment, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus says, he plans to start up a new Navy office for unmanned systems, and appoint a new Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Unmanned Systems.  The new office, called N-9, will seek to streamline various unmanned system efforts and technology.  See also, www.aviationweek.com.  

Verizon Would Like To Purchase Aol

     Washington - Aol is one of the original online content providers.  Verizon Communications, Inc.  now views Aol Advertising, an Aol company, as a company Verizon can use for future television advertising.  Verizon Communications might pay $4.4 billion to buy Aol if the acquisition is allowed to be completed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  Verizon wants to increase its personalized advertising on the over-the-top, online, and stand-alone video service Verizon plans to launch later this year.  Now, commercials seen on over-the-top services (OTT), which include Hulu, Sling TV, and HBO, are often repetitive and not well targeted, particularly when compared with other online venues such as Facebook Inc.
     Verizon wants to use a specific technology Aol has.  That technology will allow real-time bidding of advertising space by advertisers as viewers tune in to OTT services. Basically, the same television show, seen at the same time, on Verizon's OTT service in two different homes, might have different commercial advertisements.  Advertisements that are only relevant to the viewers preferences.  The advertising industry views this way of putting the advertisements (commercials) of products that are based on what the individual website address normally searches for as a better way of buying and selling advertisements.  This, so-called "programmatic" buying is becoming the most effective way for online advertisements to be bought and sold.  See also,www.businessweek.com.                

E-Drone Telephone Home

     New York  - Pilots of increasingly popular mini-copters (drones) have a tendency to crash into things like trees, houses, etc.  Drones require electronic (computerized) stabilization to remove some of what makes personal drones dangerous, or less safe. 
     Newer generation drones can do much of the flying themselves.  Applets (apps) can tell drones to take-off, follow flight plans, and land automatically, without human effort.  Drones require some practice to fly as a hobby and professional drone use is still in the future, but it is coming.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering rules that would require pilots of commercial drones to have a license, but that would not apply to consumers.  Some cities, and all United States national parks have banned drone flying, even recreational flight.  Piloting drones requires hours and hours of practice.  Autopilot drones can turn your smartphone into a joystick controller and can be told to fly to specific places.  Autopilot apps can also suggest manuevers, like having the drone circle a building while keeping its camera pointed at the building.  Without many hours of practice, that would be difficult to do using a traditional joystick controller.
     Some drones offer a feature known as 'Follow Me' mode.  When using Follow Me mode the drone tracks the location of your smartphone and will hover over you and your smartphone, wherever your smartphone is.  You select the altitude it follows you at.  Drones cannot sense and avoid objects and will crash into things that you have not programmed the drone to fly over.  Or, things that enter the drones flight path after the drone has launched and is on its way.  Follow Me mode still has some issues in the program that need to be improved.  Drones that leave the flight path you input are called rogues.  The phenomenon is known as 'fly-away'.  Smartphones transmit and receive with very low power.  If the GPS in the smartphone that is commanding the drone does not consistently track the location of the smartphone the drone can leave the flight path you put in.  When it leaves the flight path you input, the drone becomes vulnerable to crashing into objects it is not programmed to fly over.  Some drones have a feature that allows them to return home.  Return Home mode works, but flying in a crowded city is still very complicated. 
     Drones with Follow Me mode programmed into them are still expensive.  According to the WSJ, a good drone with Follow Me mode can cost as much as $2,900.  Some companies will not enable Follow Me mode until their drones can be programmed to avoid obstacles while flying on autopilot.  Drones that have autopilot take time to learn to pilot and drones that do not have autopilot take even more time to fly learn to fly.  See whole story, www.wsj.com.          

The Porsche 965 Did Exist... Almost

     Stuttgart - The street  version of the Porsche 959 debuted at the 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show as a 1986 model, but numerous issues delayed production by more than a year.  In 2004 Sports Car International named the 959 number one on its list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s.  First customers received their Porsche 959s in 1987.  The car debuted at a cost of $225,00 USD per unit (with some models selling for as high as $1,000,000 USD per unit in 1992).
     The Porsche 964 Turbo was not a  model 965.  Porsche model 965 was a project in the 1980s  that was to have been sold as the  Porsche 969.  The Porsche 969 would have been a high-tech successor to the original Porsche 911 Turbo.  The  Porsche 964 Turbo (or 965) was deemed to complicated and expensive to manufacture, distribute, and sell.  The Porsche 964 was rushed out in its place in 1989.  Porsche introduced the Porsche 969 Turbo in March 1990, as the successor to the 930.  In 1992 the 3.3 litre Porsche Turbo S was introduced.  Porsche boasted the Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 in January 1993.  At the end of 1994 the Porsche factory had some 90 Porsche 969 chassis left, these were all transferred to Porsche Exclusive and built as the very special Porsche 964 Turbo S 3.6 litre.  The Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 was available with the traditional Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 body or with the exclusive Slant nose option.  See whole story, www.total911.com.                                

Quadcopter Drones the Most Popular

     Tokyo - Most recent developments in the field of small autonomous drones seem to use quadcopters (four motors).  Most small drones don't look like regular helicopters because the quadcopter design is mechanically more simple for small drones.
     Small drones are less stable than an equivalent sized regular helicopter.  On a regular helicopter the main-rotor blades adjust their pitch as they spin.  The cyclic-pitch mechanism allows a regular helicopter to do this is complex and expensive.  Quadcopters use four motors connected to four fixed-pitch propellers.  This makes quadcopters  more simple and less expensive than an equivalent sized helicopter.  When helicopters are made larger it starts to make more sense, from a cost and complexity point of view, to have a single, more complex (variable-pitch)  propeller and one tail-rotor.  Quadcopters, and other small drones, require electronic stabilization for humans to fly them without constantly crashing.  For a quadcopter to remain stable in the air it must indivdually adjust the thrust produced by each of its propellers.  See also, www.aviationweek.com.                               

Muse - Dead Inside [Official Music Video]

Top Houses of $100 Million

     Ft. Lauderdale - A Russian billionaire became the first person known to pay a price that was unheard of at the time.  $100 million for a single-family home in the United States is still extremely rare, but the numbers are increasing.  As of March 31, 2015, there are 10 properties in the United States at that price or higher.  Christie's International Real Estate recently reported, the $100 million price mark will be reached at least three times in 2015.  According to Christies International Real Estate those life at the top sales, are largely being created by forces outside of the housing market.  Factors like an increasing concentration of global wealth, the desire for a safe place to put capital, and the notoriety and bragging rights that come with owning one of the most expensive properties in the world.  See also, www.christies.com/services/real-estate.      

Cool Kids - Echosmith (Lyrics Video)

Shivering Timbers...Michigan, United States (Featuring Evanescence)

Unmanned Navy X-47B Lands On Aircraft Carrier

     Washington, D.C. - The X-47B is an unmanned combat air system carrier (UCAS) being developed by Northrop Grumman for the United States Navy (USN).  By the end of March 2015, the USN will have picked a winner from among the four defense contractors currently being asked to design a version of the aircraft, including DARPA /(Defense Advanced Research Agency), Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman.  In August 2014 the USN successfully tested its X-47B (UCAS) on an aircraft carrier flight deck. 
   Alongside a USN F/A-18F, the unmanned Northrop Grumman X-47B completed a series of tests, which included a catapult launch and an aircraft carrier landing.  This demonstrated the X-47B's ability to fly safely with manned aircraft.  After an eight-minute flight, the X-47B performed an aircraft carrier landing, folded its wings, and drove itself out of the landing area.  This proved the X-47B's ability to land and vacate the landing area in time for the next aircraft following closely behind it, in this case, the USN F/A-18F.  See full story, www.popularscience.com.   

Asia Region to Soon Receive HOOQ

     Singapore - Singapore Telecommunications Limited, Sony Pictures Television,  and Warner Bros. Entertainment have combined in a joint venture start-up ( two  or more companies starting a new business adventure).  HOOQ will offer over 10,000 Hollywood films and television programmes.  HOOQ will compete with Netflix in Asia.  By March 2015 HOOQ will also be offering movies and television programmes that were originally produced in Asia.  HOOQ will be streamed directly to a screen of ones choice.  HOOQ will be the largest online video service in the region.  HOOQ will be rolled out progressively in Singapore Telecommunication Ltd's. Asia region including, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and Thailand.  See whole story, www.variety.com.            

Federal Aviation Administration Will Allow Some Film and Television Companies to Use Drones

     Washington, D.C. - The companies may not fly the drones at night, the companies may only use the drones on sets that closed to the public, and operators must inspect the aircraft before each flight.  The film and television industry seems comfortable and able to comply with the new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules.  Allowing motion picture companies to use drones shows the FAA is working to approve new uses of drones. 
     The FAA is still making proposed rules for integrating commercial drones into the national airspace.  In 2013, the United States government created six sites for testing broader commercial uses, in Alaska, Nevada, North Dakota Texas, and Virginia.  The drones must not weigh more than 55 pounds, they must be used within sight of the remote pilot (who must hold a private pilot's license), and they must be flown under 400 feet in altitude, among other restrictions.  The FAA currently bans most commercial drone flights, but is required by Congress to integrate drones into the United States airspace. 
     Drones have been used in other countries to film scenes in such movies as the James Bond film "Skyfall" and in the "Harry Potter" series of novels.  Drones that can carry cameras and other equipment make them useful for a wide range of uses, from inspecting oil pipelines to crop dusting to rescuing people lost in the wilderness.  Amazon has said it plans to use drones to make home deliveries.  See whole story, www.aviationweek.com.                                 

YaYa DaCosta Making It Seem Real In 'Whitney'

     New York - YaYa DaCosta had to study work long hours to find what would be the essence of Whitney Houston's on stage performances.  To make Whitney Houston's concert performances seem real YaYa DaCosta studied hours and hours of Whitney Houston music videos.  When asked to single out one big discovery YaYa DaCosta got from watching the music videos, she said, she was surprised at how well Whitney Houston was as a dancer.  YaYa Dacosta says, I got to see videos of her performing on tour and she was full of energy and dance moves, she was doing a lot of the choreography (making up dance moves) right along with her back-up dancers.  See also, www.variety.com.    

No Flying Between Countries

     Washington, D.C. - SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd. develops and manufactures unmanned aerial systems for recreation and business use. 
     Now, in response to a drone crash that happened on the White House lawn on Monday, January 26th, the Chinese drown manufacturer, says it will update its drones so that they will not be able to fly over much over Washington, D.C.  When downloaded the firmware (software that updates computerized devices) will prevent SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd. drones from taking off within the restricted flight zones that cover much of Washington, D.C., company spokesman Michael Perry says.  Mr. Perry also says, SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd. will update its firmware to disable drone flights across national borders.  The national border update will prevent SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd. drones from flying from one country into another country.  SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd. already prevents its drones from flying near most airports, in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. 
     SZ DJI Technology Company, Ltd.'s planned update will prevent ANY flying inside the most restricted airspace above Washington, D.C., which has an approximately 15.5 mile radius.  The altitude of flights in a larger zone around Washington, D.C., outside of the 15.5 mile radius  will also be limited.  See also, www.popularmechanics.com.             

Michael Jackson SuperBowl XXVII Show 1993 Full show HD

These Japanese Machines Are Not Human Yet

     Osaka - Four robots recently chatted with each other at a news conference full of microphones.  The robots seem to understand each other, but "Voice recognition has always been very difficult for robots," Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University says.  Ishiguro says, an often frustrating drawback for robots is trying to understand human speech.  Sota ('social talker' $850) and the more elaborate CommU (communications unity $4,300) are designed to mainly talk to a fellow robot.  To fully enjoy their features one would have to buy at least two of the robots, although people can buy just one. 
     Robot maker Vstone simplified Professor Ishiguro's research.  Vstone expects to sell 3,000 Sota robots in 2015, mostly to businesses that will use them to do such things as draw attention to, and verbally give information to customers about any product that can fit on a display shelf (Sota is only 11 inches tall). 
     Softbank will start selling Pepper, a humanoid (shape, appearance, and character of a human) it claims is programmed to read human emotions.  Pepper will go on sale in Japan in February 2015 for $1,700. 
     Robots are not human yet, but they can do more than vacuum the floor.  See also, www.popularmechanics.com. 
   

Underground and Online in Cuba

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If It Weighs Less Than 55 Pounds It Soon May Be Delivered To You By Drone

       Washington, D.C. - Those high definition personal cameras often used in extreme-action video photography are just the beginning.  In the near future we may see everything from brooms to vacuum cleaners delivered by way of drone.  Its a matter of time before drone applications (apps) become normal, or at least commonplace to us.  The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) will be attempting to integrate drones into United States airspace, if they can safely do so away from commercial airline flights.  The FAA's next major step is expected later this year, when the agency says it will publish rules and requirements for drones weighing less than 55 pounds. 
     Drone flights are controlled automatically by on-board computers or by the remote control of a pilot on the ground.  Historically, UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) were simply remotely piloted aircraft (RPA).  Now, autonomous (independent with the ability to make its own decisions) control is becoming more popular. 
     The concept of a UAV dates back to the mid-1800s when Austrians ( a country next door to Germany) sent unmanned bomb-filled balloons to attack Venice, Italy.  The UAVs we see today started innovation in the early 1900s and were originally used for target practice to train military personnel.  One of the best known and widely used drones (called drone for the bee-like buzzing sound the engine made) was the 1940s Nazi-German V-1 that flew autonomously by jet power.  The V-1's successor was the V-2.  The V-2 was rocket powered and could travel substantial more distance than the V-1.  See also, www.aviationweek.com.