I don’t think the woman comes with the dandruff shampoo . . .

We understand that household cleaning products aren’t necessarily the types of products Mom looks forward to receiving on Mother’s Day, but Dyson has revolutionized the vacuum cleaner market and is now the gold standard in that area. Many now realize that a Dyson can make your life so much easier with the superior technology.

Dyson keeps moving forward, and their recent innovation takes people back to canister vacuums of the past. The DC39 is Dyson’s first canister vacuum with Ball™ technology for stable maneuvering around the tightest corners. The unit is remarkably light and easy to maneuver, and the canister will be preferred by many over the upright vacuums as they make it so easy to get around and under furniture and also handle tough areas like carpeted steps.

The old canister cleaners are often awkward to steer and can topple. With Dyson’s Ball technology everything changes. Now it’s easy to move around, and you don’t feel like you’re dragging something that feels like a shopping cart. Sitting on a ball, DC39 has a lower center of gravity and is easier to pull without snagging on corners or the carpet pile. Coupled with a unique central steering system, it uses an articulating chassis and central pivot point for negotiating tight turns and circumnavigating sofas.

Also, because it’s a Dyson with its Radial Root Cyclone™ technology, the DC39 has superior suction and captures more microscopic dust than any other.

The DC39 makes for a great gift because it’s such a great product. Of course you might want to include something more personal or traditional like flowers or chocolate, but most moms will appreciate something as good as the DC39.

The cruiser of today is stuck in the image of the past. This means all cruisers must have chrome, retro styling and lolloping V-Twins, even if the rest of their lineup doesn’t fit that aesthetic. But what if the cruiser wasn’t stuck in the past? What if a brand wasn’t satisfied with the notion that comfort didn’t have to come at the expense of speed? Ducati, a brand built on their racing heritage, has decided to challenge the cruiser status quo with the Diavel. In the process, chrome has been replaced with carbon fiber.

When the Diavel first debuted, many people saw it as a brand expansion that had gone one step too far. Here was Ducati’s “Cayenne moment” – that moment in time where a brand sells itself on its image instead of its product. However, that would be true only if the Diavel was a bike that did not live up to Ducati’s performance heritage. And it not only meets the bar, but exceeds it. With the Diavel, Ducati has redefined the cruiser segment instead of the other way around, and created the essential urban assault weapon.

Devilish Looks

You can tell that this is not your grandfather’s cruiser just by looking at it. In pictures, the Diavel seems ungainly and large, but in person the size is compact and squat. On paper, it looks disjointed and wrong, but all the details look cohesive in person. The Diavel seems like it is bursting at the seams while sitting still; like a pit bull, all muscle and power. So it has the traditional cruiser aesthetic of looking tough while sitting still, but it does this with a completely modern design.

Not to mention that detailing is exquisite. On this Carbon model, the tank and rear seat cover is actual carbon fiber. Where one would find plastic on most bikes, the Diavel has milled aluminum. The Diavel also boasts Marchesini wheels that not only look good, but cut unsprung weight. And the rear wheel is showcased by Ducati’s hallmark single-sided swingarm. Everything on this bike not only fits the cruiser aesthetic, but helps the bike perform better.

The fact is that the Diavel manages to stand out, but looks like it belongs, in every place you take it to. I picked up the Diavel at Chicago Motoworks, a dealer in the heart of Chicago that offers Ducati, Triumph and Vespa scooters. From there, I was taken on a tour of the city from biker bars to upscale restaurants on the gold Coast, and everywhere in between. The feedback from others was always positive. Even a guy in a Prius shot a thumbs up. You can’t take a traditional cruiser into the heart of a modern city without looking a touch old-fashioned, but this is no problem on the Diavel. Conversely, showing up to a biker bar on a sport bike is a faux pas, but not on the Diavel. A cruiser is supposed to attract attention and the Diavel does so without conforming to the traditional aesthetic tropes that accompany the segment. Not to mention, with advanced electronics and impressive ergonomics, it’s actually comfortable in the inevitable city traffic instead of crippling.

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In a prior article on the Instagram Camera, I said that the potential legions of fans that the prototype would draw should probably take to Kickstarter.com, in a mob like fashion, to make that invention a reality. I meant that somewhat jokingly. Well, in just a short time fund raising on that very site, tech developer Eric Migicovsky, along with his “dream team”, and their invention The Pebble Watch have pretty much guaranteed that no one will be making jokes about Kickstarter ever again.

The Pebble watch, which raised an almost unfathomable $2.5 million in just three days on Kickstarter, is a smart watch that works with iPhone and Android devices. It’s essentially an evolution of the inPulse smart watch, also designed by Eric Migicovsky and Co., which worked with Blackberry devices. The Pebble takes certain apps and functions of your smart phone, like controlling your music playlists or providing a heads up when you receive a text message or phone call, and transfers them to the face of the watch. It has an e-ink display, is waterproof, scratchproof, keeps its’ charge for seven days, and even functions with an app developer program.

I’ve got to confess. As nice as all of that sounded, I wasn’t  particularly impressed with the device at first. Or at least I didn’t understand how a “smart watch” could garner so much interest and cash in such a short time. But to truly appreciate the Pebble’s uses, you have to see the video that accompanies the product on Kickstarter.

 

No this isn’t a world changing device. That would be the smartphone. Instead this is a rare device that realizes that if you can’t beat the smartphone, you could do worse for yourself than to become its’ best friend. The Pebble is practically designed for joggers and bicyclists, as it allows you to do things like view your distance traveled, control your music, and manage incoming messages and calls without ever once having to break your motion. Even for pedestrians or drivers, the Pebble’s benefits of being able to access some of the most practical apps of your phone, without having to reach for it, actually brings your phone back  to being a convenience and not a burden. Not to mention this finally makes the modern watch more than just jewelry, and also brings us one step closer to the sci-fi staple all purpose “wrist computer” (think Fallout’s Pip Boy device).

But really, the Pebble itself isn’t the story here. That belongs to Kickstarter. The idea of a program that could essentially allow consumers to choose the products they really want, without designers having to wade through the machine of corporate funding or personal loans for a project, was merely a vague notion whose successes have been treated as exceptions and novelty stories. But the Pebble has managed to raise over $10 million so far through Kickstarter  (10,169% of  its original goal), which is such an absurd figure that the developers are now pleading with people to stop contributing money as they have too much of it and can no longer meet demand.

Whatever success the Pebble watch has from here on out will be tied directly to Kickstarter. As word of the sites potential spreads, only time will tell if its’ bazaar of ideas will change certain foundations of commerce. But considering many people will be telling that time on their new Pebble watches, my guess is it’s got a pretty good shot.

Adidas has been launching one great pair of athletic shoes after another, and the all new adiZero Sonic 3 for men are the real deal. We recently tested a pair, and if you are looking for some new kicks for running, cross training or just looking good, you’ll want to check these out. With maximum durability, the lightweight adiZero Sonic 3 is built for speed and features full length adiPrene+ midsole technology for responsive cushioning with each stride. The shoe’s stitchless SprintWeb provides superior support to ensure your foot stays in place without extra weight. An air mesh and totally new designed upper construction offer maximum breathability and comfort. We can tell you that after wearing the new adiZero Sonic 3s, they are some of the most comfortable and sturdy workout shoes we have tested.

These shoes were basically built for athletes looking to perform at the highest level, and when Robert Griffin III is also sporting them, you know they’re for real. This is what RG3 had to say about the new adiZero Sonic 3: “The first thing that comes to mind when you put on the adizero Sonic is how light it is,” said Griffin III. “It gives you a lot of support so you can run long distances, but you can use it multiple ways. It has support so you can lift in it and stay comfortable during a full day’s workout.”

RG3 is shown in action in this video which was partially shot at Baylor’s Floyd Casey Stadium where Griffin III set or tied more than 50 school records. Look at how the heavy weight of pressure and heat of the spotlight are shattered by what lightweight adiZero shoes deliver!

I’m going to put these on right now and get in a super workout! The adiZero Sonic 3 is available now for $85 in-store at Dick’s Sporting Goods and online at DicksSportingGoods.com and on adidas.com.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) presented a special sneak preview of a number of upcoming products on the evening of April 18 at Studio 450, near Penn Station in Manhattan. Most of these products are officially premiering now or in June, but HP provided an elegant showcase to whet the appetites of consumers and professionals alike, with a variety of simulated environments ranging from a college dorm room to an elaborate in-flight setting. At this particular event, even the food was high-tech, with Nova Catering & Events providing a variety of delicious offerings, including a caprese salad hors d’oeuvre speared on a small capsule of vinaigrette which is then injected directly into the mouth.

The new products on display were every bit as impressive as the catering and, of course, the demo environments in which they were presented. One of the more popular environments was the “cafe” setting, wherein a variety of stylish new HP ENVY laptops were displayed, including the Sleekbook and its slightly larger counterpart, the Ultrabook. Both are made of natural materials and designed to be thin and lightweight, without sacrificing connectivity, usability or high quality picture and audio. In fact, despite being as thin as 19.8 mm and weighing less than four pounds, these laptops are equipped with Beats Audio and feature subwoofers for top sound quality. The HP ENVY Spectre, also displayed in the cafe setting, is even thinner and lighter at only 14.5 mm and 3.07 pounds; made entirely of aluminum, it is the younger cousin to the all-glass Spectra, launched in January.

The very impressive “frequent flyer airline cabin” setting also showcased a number of new HP laptops, including the EliteBook 8470p/8570p (expected to be available June 4), as well as a new mobile printer, the HP Officejet 150 Mobile All-in-One. Purported to be the world’s first inkjet mobile all-in-one, this handy device weighs in at only 6.8 pounds and features built-in Bluetooth and a 2.36 inch color touchscreen to manage print, scan and copy tasks. Coupled with the EliteBook or one of HP’s other new laptops, this device gives the user an entire portable office weighing only 10 pounds, and the copy quality is surprisingly sharp, with very little degradation from the original.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the least popular demo environment was the standard office setting, despite an elaborate set-up that included a large San Jose Sharks banner (presumably the HP staff didn’t’ have time to switch it out for New York Rangers memorabilia). The home office “where I work” simulations fared better, and perhaps the most impressive product that I saw all evening was the HP Z1, an all-in-one workstation with an eye-catching display that snaps open and shut using a hydraulic system, and that allows the user to swap out parts and make upgrades without the use of any tools. As spokesman Jim Christensen said of his own fast learning curve with the workstation, “If even a marketing guy can figure it out, it must be user-friendly.”

I’ve never been much of a hat guy. Sure, we all have a friend who is a “hat guy” and is rarely caught without a hat on his head, but as I’ve gotten older, hats have more appeal.

And when I say hats, I don’t mean baseball caps or other hats adorned with the emblem of their favorite sports team. Those have their time and place, but you can’t wear those all the time. We’re men now fellas and it’s important to have a hat that can top off an astute, smooth look for those times when casual won’t cut it.

The hat scientists at David and Young (D&Y) have you covered, and they’ve just released their latest collection of men’s caps, fedoras and panamas in their Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

For purposes of this review, I was sent the D&Y tweed Duckbill in grey, tan and burnt orange colors. I pulled each one out of the box and was impressed immediately by the look. The grey one was calling my name, and at first, I was concerned about the one-size-fits-all Elastafit because it was a little snug. But that is the style of these hats, the way they are made. After a couple cocktails, the hat didn’t feel tight at all; in fact, it felt perfect.

So what do you do when you get a new hat from D&Y? You hit some bars and rock the shit out of that sucker, that’s what. As I strolled through the night, I checked my reflection whenever I passed the occasional reflective surface, and surprisingly, I looked great and was very impressed, especially for a guy who never wears a hat.

The other thing I noticed is that ladies dig a guy who isn’t dressed like every other shmoe (i.e. every other dude wearing a sports related cap). I was hanging out at a lounge enjoying a cold cup of Hennessy and actually got approached by two separate ladies, and the first thing that both of them said was, “I love that hat on you.”

If you want to try out a new look, or pretend you are someone else for a night, snag a hat from D&Y. But you’re not stuck with the Duckbill look alone. Check out the Straw Fedora, the Denim Cadet Hat, or even the Houndstooth Cabbie.

Find all the necessary info here: www.davidandyoung.com

We’ve been huge fans of the stunning Megan Fox since she first appeared in “Transformers,” so we’re definitely on board with the decision by Sharper Image to make Megan their new spokesperson. Given the sexy photo their using, they definitely know what they’re doing . . .

In life, it’s easier to do something if you’re clear about the reason you are doing it. Right now you are finding out about the pastel clothing trend because wearing it will make you cool. You will be in style, up-to-date and on-trend. But all this might be pretty meaningless until you look at it this way; wearing clothes that show you know what’s what in the style stakes might make you a hit with women, and other men might respect you. Sorry, even more of a hit with the ladies, and even more respected. Of course.

First off, let’s get one thing straight. No one is asking you to get in touch with your feminine side, so just calm down. You may not believe it but you can wear pastel colours in a masculine way, and you’re about to find out how.

Many of the latest trends for men mix up traditional style categories: take the printed shirts that combine a masculine cut with floral patterns, or the male re-imagining of the classic woman’s staple piece, the belted mac, as seen in Louis Vuitton’s A/W 2012-2013 collection. New styles, such as the polo shirts available from High and Mighty men’s clothing retailers now combine sporty, masculine shapes with easy-to-wear, flattering pastel shades.

These two terms are key. To get the most wear out of an item of clothing you want it to go with as many different pieces from your wardrobe as possible – ie, be easy to wear. While a bright orange suit jacket may make you stand out in a crowd, you’ll pretty much have to dress all in black to balance it out. Pastel colours can go together without looking clashy, or can be worn with whites, blacks, denims, or even with a splash of bright colour if you’re the type who likes to be one step ahead of the game.

Unlike that aforementioned bright orange suit jacket, pastel clothing are flattering so won’t leave you looking washed out. While you want to look on-trend, you don’t want the trend to be wearing you! Pastel yellows can play up a tan, making you look healthier, while light pinks can add warmth to a paler complexion. If you wouldn’t know your complexion from your elbow, just try out a few colours and you’ll see straight away which ones bring out the colour of your eyes/make you look younger/play down those dodgy grey strands in your beard.

If you’re not feeling ready to jump straight in to the peachy-toned sweaters, how about starting yourself off with a powder blue shirt or blazer? That way, if you’re out with the guys you’re simply wearing a light denim-style shirt, what of it? But if there are ladies present: “Yeah, I am rocking the latest pastel trend, thanks for noticing.”

Rockport has been expanding its reach and continues to innovate and modernize its footwear collections, and the new truWALKzero T-Toe Sport Review will expand their customer base starting today. The T-Toe is one of the most lightweight shoes that Rockport has ever developed and you get the sense of floating at times when walking or exercising in them. Our test shoes were black and orange with uppers that are made of a combination of synthetic/textile mesh that wicks away moisture and enhances breathability. The shoes are also extremely flexible and the Lightweight EVA cushioning in the footbed conforms to the shape of the foot for a personalized fit.

I spent considerable time in the T-Toe Sports and felt they pretty much looked good with whatever I chose to wear, and that’s a major plus for any style shoe! The answer to the comfort side of these shoes is the truWALK Architecture that provides a natural full range of motion, from shock absorption at heel strike (adidas adiPRENE®) to forefoot flexibility during push off (adidas adiPRENE®+) for a responsive, springy, energized stride. And your feet will thank you for it! Sometimes you have to see things to believe them, so check out the launch video below.

The truWALKzero T-Toe Sport for men is a sleek, low profile, lace-up sneaker with leather/mesh uppers available in black/charcoal. The truWALKzeroWingtip is a dressier low profile, lace-up sneaker for men with wingtip detailing, available in black/charcoal and dark brown/orange. All the styles include contrasting soles for an added color pop. We really like these new entries from Rockport, so check them out here. truWALKzero footwear have suggested retail values between $120 and $140, and can be found at Rockport retail stores worldwide and select mid-tier retailers, as well as through Rockport.com beginning right now!