Most umbrellas only protect you from the rain, but we found an umbrella that can also protect you from an attacker. The Unbreakable Walking-Stick Umbrella may look like an ordinary umbrella, yet it whacks just as strong as a steel pipe. This unbelievably sturdy device works so well that it's carried by the Presidential Security Group (PSG) of the Philippines President.

Unlike other methods of self-defense the Unbreakable Walking-Stick Umbrella is completely legal to carry everywhere and contains no special parts. Plus, you're not going to attract lots of attention with an umbrella, but you'll know the power this bad boy wields. Using this device is as easy as it comes. Simply take a good whack at a criminal who is attacking you and they'll be in the hospital for days.

As you can probably tell from the name of the device you can also use the umbrella as a cane or walking stick for those nights when you're too drunk to carry your own weight. The Unbreakable Walking-Stick Umbrella is available for $180 through real-self-defense.com, which is quite a deal considering how prone to breakage most umbrellas are. Even if you don't ever use the device as a weapon you'll still have the benefit of an umbrella that won't break during a bad storm.

Check out this video for a demonstration of just what these unique apparatus can do:

Labels: Scott Bernstein, Self Defense

The long awaited iPhone 3G was released on Friday, July 11th. But what should have been a happy and joyous day for iPhone fans, ended up being an exercise in frustration for many.

After waiting in line outside of Apple Stores for hours (or even days), some consumers then spent up to 7 hours inside because of "network problems" that slowed or even halted the activation of new iPhones.


The iPhone 3G line outside the Manhattan Apple Store on 14th Street at 12:52PM.
Estimated wait time was ~4 hours.


Apparently Apple's authentication servers weren't prepared to handle the amount of global network traffic from new iPhone 3G activations. Network slowdowns were first reported after stores opened in Europe. The network then came to a halt after US East Coast stores opened. By the time American West Coast stores had started selling iPhones, Apple's servers just couldn't take it anymore and started crashing. It was AT&T's insistence that all phones get activated in the store that caused the problem. During last year's iPhone 1.0 launch Apple had everyone activate their own phone at home through iTunes.

>>>Continue Reading

Labels: iphone

Are you fed up with the ever growing number of ads that take up space on your favorite websites? Well, we've got a way for you to turn those pesky ads into gorgeous works of art. Add-Art, a free new plugin for Mozilla's Firefox web browser replaces advertising on websites with curated art images. How cool is that?

Every two weeks the makers of Add-Art update the art shown with new images featuring contemporary artists and curators. For instance, this week's images are "Black Monochrome Paintings Cropped and Optimized For The Web" hand selected by Charles Broskoski. Among the artists featured in Broskoski's collection are paintings from modern masters like Rauchenberg, Kelly, Malevich, Marden, Reinhardt, and Rothko. Add-Art is partially supported by the New Museum/Rhizome in New York City and provides small stipends for artists and curators for their participation.

This unique plugin was developed by Steve Lambert, an artist who heads up the Anti Advertising Agency. Those of us who already use AdBlockPlus to defeat online advertising will be happy to know that Add-Art gets along famously with that plugin. While Add-Art doesn't currently work with the just-released Firefox 3.0 a new compatible version should be available within a week or two. To say goodbye to annoying banners forever simply head over to Add-Art's website and install this incredible new plugin.

The PimpWiz.com Bottom Line: Add-Art replaces online advertising with fine works of art.

Labels: Firefox, Scott Bernstein

We're proud to announce one of the most anticipated events of year: Kandy Kruise 2008. That's right, the three day full-ship charter that people are still talking about is back. The cruise departs Los Angeles on September 15th and heads to Mexican Riviera for three action-packed days and nights aboard the Carnival Paradise.

There are so many incredible activities planned that we'll have a hard time listing them, but let's start with some key details. Only 500 staterooms will be available for gentlemen, while 600 of the staterooms will be filled with Kandy Girls. If you've ever been to any of the legendary Kandy parties at the Playboy Mansion, you'll know what to expect. Once the ship travels the 12 miles to "International Waters," the real fun begins with gambling, sexy shows and entertainment without any restrictions.

Here are some of the outrageous events you can expect on Kandy Kruise 2008:

• Miss Kandy: The sexiest ladies on the boat compete for prizes including a free cruise, cash, modeling contracts and a convertible Mercedes Benz.

• World Famous DJs: Cort McCown of Playboy Radio will be hosting nightly parties and concerts featuring Cisco Adler and Skeet Skeet's Shwayze, DJ Skribble, DJ Ruff, DJ MisterE, DJ Danny Love, Miss Lisa and Steve Kastro

• Poker Tournament: Texas Hold’em is the game. Top players will compete in a $2,500-a-seat No-Limit Texas Hold’em Tournament to win fabulous prizes including an exotic car, cash, private yacht and jet charters, and extravagant trips to exclusive destinations.

• Night Clubs: The Kandy Kruise features themed lounges by America's hottest clubs. Remember, Kandy Kruise-goers will take over the whole ship so we can play and party to the extreme without any restrictions.
  

Let's take a look at the jam-packed schedule for Kandy Kruise 2008:

Friday – 9/12/08

• 12pm: Check-in and board ship
• 5pm: Set sail for Mexico
• 11pm: Welcome Kick-off Party Entire pool deck
• 3am: After hours parties

Saturday – 9/13/08

• 8am: Dock in Ensenada, Mexico
• 11am: Pool Party all day, Fashion Contest Prelims, DJ spin-off
• 6pm: Depart Ensenada
• 7pm: Pre-parties, Lounges, Showroom shows
• 11pm: Main Event – White Party - Entire pool deck
• 3am: After hours parties

Sunday – 9/14/08

• 10am: Poker Tournament Registration / Start
• 11am: Pool Party all day, Fashion Contest Finals, Calendar Shoot
• 6pm: Poker Tournament Final table
• 7pm: Pre-parties, Lounges, Showroom shows
• 11pm: Main Event – Red Light District Progressive Party – All Night Clubs

Monday – 9/15/08

• 7am: Arrive in Long Beach – Depart ship

As we mentioned Kandy Kruise 2008 is an exclusive event, and only 500 staterooms are available for gentlemen. You'll need an invitation code to buy a boarding pass for the Kandy Kruise, and we're excited to offer our PimpWiz readers a chance to attend by using invitation code JK1117. Be sure to book early, as three levels of staterooms have already sold out. For more information check out Kandy Kruise 2008's website.

Labels: Kandy Kruise, Scott Bernstein

Our own personal version of hell is filled with steroid loving, glowstick waving meatheads dressed head to toe in Christian Audigier designed clothing. That's why we'll be far away from Treasure Island in Las Vegas on Friday night when the modestly-named Christian Audigier The Nightclub opens to the public.

Check out the first photos of this place and you'll see that Audigier's crappy designs know no limits of tastelessness. Only tribal tattooed meatheads with fake tans could enjoy drinking among skull and rose encrusted mirrors and crocodile-embossed patent leather booths.

Christian Audigier The Nightclub is breaking with tradition by offering a variation on VIP service:

the VIP booths at the club won't lock you and your guests into a set number of bottles. Instead, there's a minimum tab you need to spend, which you can do by ordering anything you please—cocktails, wine, beer—even water.

Can you imagine the collection of horrible t-shirts you'll find at this new club every night? Just in case you make the mistake of wearing something that doesn't feature gold cursive letters or hideous fake tattoo designs there will be an Ed Hardy Boutique by Christian Audigier steps away from the club. Christian Audigier The Nightclub hasn't even opened yet, but it's still the newest member of the Pimp Wiz Cheesy Hall of Fame.

Labels: Las Vegas, Nightlife

This upcoming Friday night our friends at LearnAboutWine and HollywoodWine.Net are teaming up for Taste: Paso Robles BBQ Wine Tasting at A & D Museum with LACMA, a special wine tasting under the stars at the Architecture and Design Gallery in Los Angeles. Not only will you be able to sample 40+ wines from more than a dozen of Paso Robles' best wineries, you'll also get to enjoy great food, live music sets and a DJ with over 300 other wine enthusiasts.

Some of the wineries that will be participating include Kiamie Wine Cellars, San Marcos Creek, Eden Canyon and Calcareous. A BBQ menu that features food which will go down perfectly with these fine wines will be served throughout the event. For the evening's entertainment up and coming singer/songwriters Kari Kimmel & Shawn Hlookoff will each perform while you enjoy all of the different vintages.

Tickets for Taste: Paso Robles BBQ Wine Tasting at A & D Museum with LACMA can be purchased for $55. For more information on what's sure to be a unique event and experience email brad@hollywoodwines.net. The festivities begin around 7:30 PM at A + D Gallery (Across from LACMA) located at 5900 Wilshire Boulevard in LA. To purchase tickets call 818-515-3760.

Labels: Scott Bernstein, Wine

Kites are so 1904 and, soon, being out in a wide, empty field will take on an entirely new meaning. The Buzzball is a work in progress – in what looks like an oversized, tricked out hamster ball, you can control the direction of a giant, motorized pod all while sitting inside it and waiting for it to take you in whatever direction it chooses.

According to the manufacturers, the pilot’s body will remain upright in the pod when it starts moving, but will eventually rotate in any other direction the ball starts to move. The pilot can control the direction of the ball using left and right control triggers and, once the ball picks up speed, both the ball and the pilot go from making partial barrel rolls to complete rotations.

No word yet on when it will be available and for how much, but you can enter your email address on the site and receive product updates. And we’re hoping it’s at least air-conditioned, because being stuck inside a giant, rotating plastic ball on a hot day seems like it would make for a sloppy situation.

Labels: Gadgets

Digg is rolling out a new recommendation engine this week. The new feature's goal is to help users discover content from like-minded individuals amid the clutter of the 16k+ stories submitted to Digg.com each day.

You know how when you are browsing Amazon.com and the site suggests related products based on what you are viewing and what you've already purchased? This new Digg feature works kind of the same way. It analyzes your previous "diggs," or stories you've voted for, then lets you know what other users with similar tastes have recommended.

If you want to know more, Digg execs Kevin Rose and Anton Kast go into detail about how it works on the Digg blog.

Rose will also probably explain the new feature during his next Diggnation podcast.


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Labels: tech news