Sunday, August 4, 2013

Naomi Campbell’s Model Love Triangle Gets Even Weirder

More developments in Naomi Campbell's love triangle, which involves her ex-boyfriend Vladimir Doronin and her former protégée from The Face, Luo Zilin: The Post reports that Campbell is trying to get Zilin fired by her manager in China. This follows Zilin's abrupt dismissal from MIX Model Management NYC last week for "unprofessional misconduct" (i.e. making out with Doronin in Ibiza). The Post's unnamed "source" says, "Naomi has been calling colleagues in the industry to try and stop Luo’s career."

Or maybe not. Another "source" says that Campbell really couldn't care less what her ex and Zilin are doing on beach chairs, and hasn't made any efforts to ruin Zilin at all. Meanwhile, MIX president Neal Hamil clarified that his decision to terminate her contract had nothing to do with Campbell. An excerpt from his e-mail to the Post:

Either way, Naomi comes out of this situation on top, and she knows it.


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Kathleen Hanna Wants You to Dress Like You’re Asking for It

“This is exciting,” Bikini Kill and Le Tigre frontwoman Kathleen Hanna says. “We never get asked about fashion.”

Hanna and Bikini Kill bassist Kathi Wilcox are tucked behind a makeshift bar of single-serve champagne bottles in the Soho storefront of VFILES. The punk band and fashion media outfit have collaborated on a capsule collection, which launched yesterday, to celebrate the release of The Riot Grrrl Collection — a book of zines and other ephemera from Bikini Kill and other bands in NYU’s riot grrrl archives.

Hanna and Wilcox drink Perrier and sign a copy of The Riot Grrrl Collection for an uncharacteristically star-struck Leigh Lezark before chatting with the Cut about the origins of the collection’s dress. A black, short-sleeved t-shirt dress that reads “KILL ME,” it’s based on a similar number, in red, that Hanna wore to 1993 abortion rights benefit concert Rock for Choice.

“It was red and it had holes cut out on the sides,” Hanna says, gesturing to her ribs. “And I ironed on the letters.” The message was part reference to the Richard Hell design from which the punk oral history takes its name, part response to the attacks Bikini Kill faced at the time. In addition to the men who threatened the band at shows, she says, “women were saying we weren’t doing feminism right, journalists were like, ‘somebody should put tape on her mouth.’”

“It was along the lines of ‘slut,’” Wilcox adds. “A way of saying, ‘I’m going to take the words out of your mouth. I know this is what you want to do.’”

Writers and critics tend to focus on Bikini Kill’s politics and feminism, but Hanna says she put a lot of thought into her on-stage outfits. “Fashion really was a big part of our band, and we really liked goofing around with fashion, but people think it’s antithetical to feminism.”

On the contrary, she says, she used costumes to play with gender, like the hairy-chested pirate costume she cut into a shirt and paired with a Betsey Johnson miniskirt, or the dress with a photo of a Speedo-clad "Chippendale’s kind of guy" on it. (“It was the man inside me,” she says.) Others, like a Girl Scouts uniform, spoke to their anger at having been “ripped off” of their childhoods. “You remember the times when you were 15 and you should have been having fun but guys were driving past you in pick-ups, calling you names or trying to get you in the car,” Hanna says.

Hanna felt compelled to explain the Kill Me dress to the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls, which, along with other members of The Girls Rock Camp Alliance, will receive proceeds from the collection. “The idea is: What constitutes asking for it?” she says. We accept that women who wear revealing clothing invite commentary on their body. Hanna wonders, “If you wear a dress that says 'kill me' on it, does that mean you’re asking for it?”

Nineties fashion is not the only aspect of Bikini Kill’s moment that remains stubbornly relevant. From Slut Walk to Rookie, a new generation of young women appears to be drawn to riot grrrl politics. Hanna herself has called Bikini Kill's first album a gateway drug to feminism. If she had known riot grrrl would appeal to girls for decades to come, is there anything she would have changed about its message?

“There was a lot of imagery of white women in riot grrrl and it seemed like a very white thing,” she says. “In different states, there was way more diversity, and whenever people say riot grrl was all white, I feel like all the women of color — who were involved and contributed and whose voices are in The Riot Grrrl Collection — get totally erased. But at the same time, I have to admit I was a white middle class woman writing from that perspective, and that became associated with the riot grrrl look.”

“I don’t…” she begins. “I do. I do feel bad about it. I wish it would have felt more welcoming to more women and younger women of color.”

It's almost dinner time, and Hanna and Wilcox have come straight from band practice (a new album is due from their current group, The Julie Ruin, in September). A publicist rushes over with Sour Patch Kids and salt and vinegar chips. Hanna declines, joking, "We, like, only eat kale."

Video of Kathleen Hanna reading the riot grrrl manifesto via The Henry Review.


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Canada's NFB releases McLaren's Workshop for iPad, lets you create your own animated films

Canada's NFB releases McLaren's Workshop for iPad, lets you create your own animated films data = {blogUrl: "www.engadget.com",v: 315};when = {jquery: lab.scriptBs("jquery"),plugins: lab.scriptBs("plugins"),eng: lab.scriptBs("eng")}; var s265prop9 = ('20603730' !== '') ? 'bsd:20603730' : ''; var postID = '20603730'; var modalMNo = '93319229', modalVideoMNo = '93320648', modalGalleryMNo = '93304207'; when.eng("eng.omni.init", {pfxID:"weg",pageName:document.title,server:"acp-ld39.websys.aol.com",channel:"us.engadget", s_account: "aolwbengadget,aolsvc", short_url: "",pageType:"",linkInternalFilters:"javascript:,",prop1:"article",prop2:"software",prop9:s265prop9,prop12:document.location,prop17:"",prop18:"",prop19:"",prop20:"", prop22:"donald-melanson", prop54:"blogsmith",mmxgo: true }); adSendTerms('1')adSetMOAT('1');adSetAdURL('/_uac/adpagem.html');lab._script("http://o.aolcdn.com/os/ads/adhesion/js/adhads-min.js").wait(function(){var floatingAd = new AdhesiveAd("348-14-15-14d",{hideOnSwipe:true});}); onBreak({980: function () { adSetType("F");htmlAdWH("93319229", "LB", "LB"); adSetType("");}}); EngadgetMenu NewsReviews Features Galleries VideosEventsPodcasts Engadget ShowTopics Buyers Guides Sagas Store HD Mobile Alt Announcements Cameras Cellphones Desktops Displays Gaming GPS Handhelds Home Entertainment Household Internet Laptops Meta Misc Networking Peripherals Podcasts Robots Portable Audio/Video Science Software Storage Tablets Transportation Wearables Wireless Acer Amazon AMD Apple ASUS AT&T Blackberry Canon Dell Facebook Google HP HTC Intel Lenovo LG Microsoft Nikon Nintendo Nokia NVIDIA Samsung Sony Sprint T-Mobile Verizon About UsSubscribeLike Engadget@engadgettip uswhen.eng("eng.nav.init")when.eng("eng.tips.init") onBreak({980: function () {htmlAdWH("93308280", "215", "35",'AJAX','ajaxsponsor');}});Canada's NFB releases McLaren's Workshop for iPad, lets you create your own animated filmsBypostedJun 7th, 2013 at 2:28 PM 0

Canada's NFB releases McLaren's Workshop for iPad, lets you watch and create animated films

The National Film Board of Canada already has a few apps to its name, in addition to some other innovative internet-based efforts, and it's now branched out even further with a full-fledged filmmaking app. Now available for the iPad, McLaren's Workshop is a tribute of sorts to the work of animation pioneer Norman McLaren, known for the likes of Neighbours and Blinkity Blank. Not only does it let you watch 51 of McLaren's short films and 11 documentaries about him, but it provides the tools necessary for you to create your own animated films using three of the techniques he's known for (which you can then share on Vimeo). All that can be done for free, while two additional workshops available in the app will cost you $2.99 apiece. Head on past the break for a look at the app itself and some films created with it that were commissioned by the NFB.

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Google patents new facial recognition technology to let users unlock phones with a wink and a smile

Google patents new facial recognition technology to let users unlock phones with a wink and a smile data = {blogUrl: "www.engadget.com",v: 315};when = {jquery: lab.scriptBs("jquery"),plugins: lab.scriptBs("plugins"),eng: lab.scriptBs("eng")}; var s265prop9 = ('20604048' !== '') ? 'bsd:20604048' : ''; var postID = '20604048'; var modalMNo = '93312529', modalVideoMNo = '93320648', modalGalleryMNo = '93304207'; when.eng("eng.omni.init", {pfxID:"weg",pageName:document.title,server:"acp-ld39.websys.aol.com",channel:"us.engadget", s_account: "aolwbengadget,aolsvc", short_url: "",pageType:"",linkInternalFilters:"javascript:,",prop1:"article",prop2:"cellphones",prop9:s265prop9,prop12:document.location,prop17:"",prop18:"",prop19:"",prop20:"", prop22:"michael-gorman", prop54:"blogsmith",mmxgo: true }); adSendTerms('1')adSetMOAT('1');adSetAdURL('/_uac/adpagem.html');lab._script("http://o.aolcdn.com/os/ads/adhesion/js/adhads-min.js").wait(function(){var floatingAd = new AdhesiveAd("348-14-15-13f",{hideOnSwipe:true});}); onBreak({980: function () { adSetType("F");htmlAdWH("93312529", "LB", "LB"); adSetType("");}}); EngadgetMenu NewsReviews Features Galleries VideosEventsPodcasts Engadget ShowTopics Buyers Guides Sagas Store HD Mobile Alt Announcements Cameras Cellphones Desktops Displays Gaming GPS Handhelds Home Entertainment Household Internet Laptops Meta Misc Networking Peripherals Podcasts Robots Portable Audio/Video Science Software Storage Tablets Transportation Wearables Wireless Acer Amazon AMD Apple ASUS AT&T Blackberry Canon Dell Facebook Google HP HTC Intel Lenovo LG Microsoft Nikon Nintendo Nokia NVIDIA Samsung Sony Sprint T-Mobile Verizon About UsSubscribeLike Engadget@engadgettip uswhen.eng("eng.nav.init")when.eng("eng.tips.init") onBreak({980: function () {htmlAdWH("93312530", "215", "35",'AJAX','ajaxsponsor');}});Google patents new facial recognition technology to let users unlock phones with a wink and a smile MobileBypostedJun 7th, 2013 at 4:58 PM 0

Google first implemented face-unlock in ICS, and since then, it's been hard at work improving the feature and acquiring new IP related to it. Last fall, the search giant patented a way for multiple users to use face-unlock on a single device. This week it obtained a new patent for a method that requires users to make a series of facial expressions to gain access to a system. Essentially, the patent claims a method where a device captures two images of a user, then compares the differences in the images to identify a facial gesture and authenticate the user.

In other words, its a face-unlock method where a device looks at two pictures of your mug to tell if you're raising an eyebrow, frowning or sticking your tongue out as instructed by a prompt from the device. And, it double checks to ensure that it is, in fact, the same face in both images. Oh, and the patent leaves room for a series of expressions to be used -- so at some point in the future, you may have to give your Google-fied phone a wink and a smile before it grants you access. Guess that's easier than remembering a PIN, right?

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Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive breaks Nurburgring EV lap record

Mercedes-AMG establishes lap record in the "Grüne Hölle": SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive masters Nordschleife in 7:56.234 minutes

Nürburg/Affalterbach – The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive circled the Nürburgring Nordschleife ("north loop") in a record time of 7:56.234 minutes. Therefore, the electric AMG super sports car is at the same time the first electrically-powered series production vehicle, which masters the legendary race track in under eight minutes. The record time of the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive was notarially certified. Two weeks after the first overall win for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 in the 24 Hours Nürburgring, a further member of the SLS AMG family impressively demonstrates its potential on the most difficult race track worldwide.

"Mercedes-AMG impressively shows the potential of the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive with the new record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Mercedes-AMG is the first vehicle manufacturer which makes it possible to circle the Nordschleife in under eight minutes with an electrically-powered series production vehicle. This record run is another proof for our constant innovative vigour", according to Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

"For the first time, an electrically-powered series production vehicle circles the Nürburgring Nordscheife in under eight minutes. The record for the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive in 7:56.234 minutes on the Nordschleife shows the special position of our innovative and unique drive solution. With the extremely efficient battery technology deriving from Formula 1, four electric motors positioned close to the wheels, the individual wheel torques "AMG Torque Dynamics", the SLS eSound and our ambitious "AMG Lightweight Performance" design strategy, the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive generates a breathtaking sensation unlike any other model out on the road", according to Tobias Moers, Head of Overall Vehicle Development and member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

The SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive, with which Mercedes-AMG set up the record on the 20.832 kilometres long traditional race track in the Eifel, corresponds to the series version, which celebrates its launch in June 2013. The currently strongest AMG high-performance car has four electrical motors with a total output of 552 kW (751 hp) and maximum torque of 1000 Nm. The gullwing car is therefore advancing to become the strongest and fastest electrically-powered series production vehicle in the world. The SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in a mere 3.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited).

A new dimension of driving performance – the AMG brand pledge is fulfilled to remarkable effect by the outstanding performance dynamics, which come courtesy of AMG Torque Dynamics and are made possible by the wheel-selective all-wheel drive. The most "electrifying" gullwing model ever has been developed in-house by Mercedes-AMG GmbH. The extremely powerful high-voltage battery for the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive is the result of the collaboration between Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth in the UK and is setting the pace in energy density, power density and efficiency. Here, the British Formula 1 experts were able to draw on their extensive experience with KERS hybrid concepts.

The car's agile response to movements of the accelerator pedal and the linear power output are a source of pure delight: unlike with a combustion engine, the build-up of torque is instantaneous with electric motors – maximum torque is effectively available from standstill. The spontaneous torque build-up and immense power delivery without any interruption in traction on the one hand are combined with completely vibration-free motor running characteristics on the other.

An overview of the most important data:

*Electronically limited

All-wheel drive with AMG Torque Dynamics offers new-found freedom

Four motors, four wheels – the intelligent and permanent all-wheel drive of the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive guarantees driving dynamics of the highest calibre, while at the same time providing the best possible active safety. Optimum traction of the four driven wheels is therefore ensured, whatever the weather conditions. According to the developers, the term "AMG Torque Dynamics" refers to individual control of the electric motors, something which enables completely new levels of freedom to be achieved. The AMG Torque Dynamics feature is permanently active and allows for selective distribution of power to each individual wheel. The intelligent distribution of drive torque has a beneficial effect on driving dynamics, handling, driving safety and ride comfort. Each individual wheel can be both electrically driven and electrically braked in accordance with the specific driving situation, thus helping to

* optimise the vehicle's cornering properties,
* reduce the tendency to oversteer/understeer,
* increase the yaw damping of the basic vehicle,
* reduce the steering effort and steering angle required,
* increase traction,
* and minimise ESP® and ASR intervention.

The AMG Torque Dynamics feature boasts a high degree of variability and individuality by offering three different driving modes:

* Comfort (C): comfortable, forgiving driving characteristics
* Sport (S): sporty, balanced driving characteristics
* Sport plus (S+): sporty, very agile driving characteristics

Manufaktur hand finishing at company headquarters in Affalterbach

Mercedes-AMG has installed a dedicated Manufaktur hand-finishing section for electric vehicles at its headquarters in Affalterbach for final assembly of the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive. The electrically powered gullwing model is assembled and readied for operation at a total of seven different stations. The entire logistics process is based in Affalterbach, too.

Production of parts such as the exterior and interior initially takes place at the Mercedes-Benz production facility in Sindelfingen. In Affalterbach, highly trained workers take charge of assembling the axles, electric motors, transmissions and cooling system components. Particular care is taken with the installation of all high-voltage components, such as the liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery, the accompanying cables, inverter and control units, and the onboard charger. Needless to say, the utmost standards of safety are applied during all work on high-voltage components. The operational check and extensive final inspection at the end ensure that the manufacturing and product quality offered by the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive is of the very highest order.

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive celebrates its sales launch in June 2013. The purchase price for Germany (incl. 19% VAT):

SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive: 416,500 euros


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