MINI Countryman Photos

Kilometer magazine has leaked three photos of the MINI Countryman. Officially not to be shown to the public until March in Geneva, the Countryman was scheduled for an internet debut in a few weeks. As it stands now it’ll be interesting to see how MINI handle this leak and if they release the rest of the information of photos. One thing for certain, Kilometer magazine likely will not be invited to the next MINI vehicle launch.





Initial thoughts? Let’s hear them…

Updated: Look for our full analysis of the Countryman along with dozens of new photos both inside and out. Along with that MINI will be releasing full information on the Countryman for the EU, UK and US markets as well. Finally we’ll be following is all up with video of the car in motion. It all starts tomorrow morning.

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Robert Pattinson On for Haiti Telethon

The Twilight Saga star will join a number of other celebrities this Friday as part of Hope for Haiti, the George Clooney-hosted telethon that will air across all major networks and focus on earthquake relief in that troubled nation.

Reports indicate that Robert will be the sole presenter in London, likely introducing performances by Jay-Z and Bono.

Artists performing during the live, two-hour event will include Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Shakira and Bruce Springsteen.

Meanwhile, other A-listers scheuled to present and/or work the phone lines will be: Jennifer Aniston, Jake Gyllenhaal, Brad Pitt, Anna Kendrick, Sandra Bullock, Zac Efron, Bradley Cooper, Renée Zellweger, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Colin Farrell and Jon Hamm.

Stars such as Sanda Bullock, Gisele Bundchen and Brangelina have already donated at least $1 million each to the cause.

Note to THG readers: stay in Friday night. Save money on drinks at the bar and donate to the victims of this earthquake.

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stop using IE6 Use Internet Explorer Says Microsoft

So Google got hacked, or something, by cyber criminals in China, and Microsoft has acknowledged that their Internet Explorer browser was part of the problem. Specifically, Interent Explorer version 6 was part of the problem, and Microsoft is quick to point out that version 8 is much better, and much more secure. Cliff Evans, Microsoft’s Head of Security and Privacy in the UK, further states that switching away from Internet Explorer is also a bad idea. According to him, it’s MSIE8 or nothing. Firefox? Chrome? Safari? Opera? None of those will keep you as safe from cyber attacks as Microsoft’s Internet Explorer version 8.

Is that true? Microsoft’s Windows — in all its incarnations — is the most popular operating system on planet earth, meaning that if you’re looking to attacks something, attacking Windows is a fairly safe place to start. Similarly, if Internet Explorer is the de facto browser of choice, attacking it will yield a better-than-average chance of finding and exploiting a vulnerability. If you’re trying to attack an Opera exploit, for example, you’re going to be waiting a long time for some poor Opera user to visit your malicious website, simply because there aren’t many Opera users in the world.

Ed Bott makes a rather breathless attack against anyone still using MSIE6, claiming It’s time to stop using IE6 on his ZDNet blog. In general, I agree with the notion that there’s been ample time to move away from MSIE6; but the unfortunate reality is that there’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem with doing so. Until a software vendor certifies that a browser works correctly with their product, most organizations are reluctant to declare that browser a supported product (even though the browser may work flawlessly with the software). IE8 is a case in point: it works with Peoplesoft, but since Oracle (owners of Peoplesoft) haven’t certified IE8 on various Peoplesoft products and versions, it remains “use at your own risk”. If an organization wants to continue to enjoy receiving technical support, they need to use the application vendor’s supported browser versions, and the application vendor may be in no particular rush to certify a new browser version.

The bottom line? Whenever possible use the latest version of your preferred browser, whichever one that might be.

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Side Sleeping is More Comfort

In this crazy lifestyle of ours, sleep is the only rejuvenating factor to look forward to. But slumber hasn’t been easy for 50 per cent of the adult population that sleeps on their sides. That is precisely why AbsolutelyNew has devised the Side Solution Pillow.

The pillow has a unique shape designed so that the entire neck is cradled along with the head and the shoulders. This reduces stiffness and allows good blood circulation in the arms and even prevents snoring and sleep apnea.

Doctor-turned-inventor Paul Mettler created this polyfoam pillow. Mettler works as a physical therapist specialising in treatment of headaches and painful conditions affecting jaw and facial muscles.

Actually, it ws during one of his consultation that Mettler realised that the ailments of some patients, who slept on one side, was the cause of an incorrect sleeping posture owing to the traditional pillow. Their lower shoulder was hunched into their ear.

And so the Absolutely New Side Solution Pillow was born. It is currently available in two models, the Standard with polyfiber fill with a thread count of 260 where as the Deluxe version is a dual sided model with 75 per cent polyfiber fill and 25 percent memory foam. The former is available for USD $49.99 while the latter comes for $79.99 boasting a thread count of 300 with a bacteria inhibitor. Both types are machine washable.

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Best Film at Golden Globe 2010 Awards for Avatar

Avatar and the director of this blockbuster both bagged top awards of Best Film and Best Director at the glittering Golden Globe Awards Ceremony held at Beverly Hilton, Los Angeles. James Cameron’s last blockbuster Titanic too had bagged best film and this award again endorses the cinematic genius of this great director. Haiti’s tragedy loomed large on everyone’s mind at the award ceremony and celebrities, film fraternity showed solidarity with victims by wearing yellow, blue and red ribbons.

The awards function was hosted by Ricky Gervais who kept audience entertained throughout the ceremony. The best actress was bagged by Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side and Jeff Bridges took home the Globe for his brilliant portrayal of a country singer in Crazy Heart. Evergreen Julia Roberts won everyone’s heart when she was awarded Golden Globe for top actress in a comedy for her film Julie & Julia. Best animated movie and original score went to Disney’s Up. Martin Scorsese received lifetime achievement award for his brilliant contribution to the cinema.

It would be another one long year wait for another Golden Globe Award ceremony when celebrities, film stars and noted people of Hollywood will once again converge to celebrate the magic of cinema.

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