Sprint is notorious for their sweet products and providing off-the-hook cell service with their Now network, but most recently, they're bringing it to your desktop with a snazzy screen saver.
To emphasize the power of "Now," Sprint's screen saver pulls in feeds from all over the world - including what's happening in your own world. So in addition to finding out the amount of global energy currently being used, the weather, or the number of texts currently being sent, you'll also get feeds from your Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flicker (if you've got 'em). Talk about being connected!
My favorite part is the little Twitter birdie flying in holding my most recent tweets.
More trees = healthier planet. But visiting your local state park, digging a hole and actually planting a tree sounds like a lot of hard work (not to mention illegal.)
Thankfully, Odwalla, maker of those fine superfood juices, is making it super easy to give back to Mother Nature with their Plant A Tree program. They're going to do all the hard work for you, all you have to do is tell them WHICH state park you want a tree planted in.
It works like this: From now until Dec 31, 2009, Odwalla will donate $1 for each tree that gets "e-planted" in one of 11 participating state parks, up to $100,000. Each dollar will go towards the purchase of a real bark-bearing, leaf-producing tree to be planted in that park (cost of each tree averages $.25 to $1.20).
This is the second year Odwalla has offered this program, and last year, they planted an impressive 60,000+ trees. This year let's blow that number out of the water, and reach the 100,000 goal.
Sadly you can only plant one tree per person, but website also features some fun tree facts. For example, did you know that trees are not only good for the land, but for our economy?
"Each average-sized tree provides an estimated $7 savings in annual environmental benefits, including energy conservation and reduced pollution."
So far, over 2,600 trees have been e-planted, the majority of which are in Virginia. Utah is struggling with only 16 trees, so all you Utah-ians should scoot on over and get clicking.
We can't see any reason why you shouldn't take a few seconds to visit this website and plant a tree in the state of your choice. Make our Earth BEAUTIFUL!
We are so in love with this video that JackJackGivesBack made to help promote SocialVibe, we think you should all take a few minutes to check it out.
He asked all of his friends, schoolmates and even strangers to take a photo with a "Join SocialVibe" sign and then created a flashy video using One True Media. The final product is below!
You can always count on Will Ferrell to give you a laugh in the most unexpected way - a la The Landlord. The former SNL castmember is using his jokes for a good cause now, as he's teamed up with Cancer for College, an organization that provides scholarships to cancer patients.
If there is one sure way to help prevent skin cancer, it's loading on the sunscreen. Which is why Will has created a line of sunscreens to help raise funds for the organization. Each of the bottles is not only ridiculously good looking thanks to his goofy mug, but has a funny name to match - Sunstroke, Sexy Hot Tan, and Forbidden Fruit. They're not too expensive either, only $12 a bottle.
100% of net proceeds of the 30 SPF suncreens will benefit the scholarship fund, but it gets better. They're also giving one supporter the chance to meet Will Ferrrell in California as he hosts the Cancer for College Golf Classic on September 18 (that's my birthday, for the record). To win, all you have to do is create a 30 second commercial for Will Ferrell Sunscreens. Here are the contest details.
Good luck, and be smart - pile on that SPF this summer!
Summer is just around the corner, and you know what that means: Warped Tour. One of the most exciting aspects of this sweltering festival of music and fun is the opportunity to get to meet and hang with several of our charities, including To Write Love on Her Arms.
TWLOHA, notorious for totally rocking the music-charity scene, are giving one SocialVibe member free tickets to the Warped date closest to you (including transportation) along with the chance to meet the band Sing it Loud.
When Polaroid announced the retirement of their classic Instant Film cameras a few years back, there was an audible sigh heard round the world, followed by a mass auction of film packets for the 1 billion people who still own Polaroid cameras (myself included). It was the end of an era, largely due to the emergence of digital cameras, which have been advancing at the speed of light and getting cheaper by the day.
A small group of Dutch engineers are not prepared to send Polaroid on it's way... they're doing everything they can to reinvent what was one of the most classic inventions of the 20th century. Despite the current fads around digital photography and effects, they're focused on rejuvenating the outdated production process in an abandoned Polaroid factory, because they feel it would be well-received by old-school photography lovers.
“This project is about building a very interesting business to last for at least another decade,” said Florian Kaps, the Austrian entrepreneur behind the effort. “It is about the importance of analog aspects in a more and more digital world.”
Despite hurdles facing Mr. Kaps and the other engineers, including a factory that is in major need of tidying up, he is enthusiastic and hopeful that he can start production later this year for distribution in the US, Europe and Asia and is convinced there is still a need for Polaroid film.
Mr. Kaps feels that the popularity of digital media is actually beneficial for the market. “If everyone runs in one direction, it creates a niche market in the other,” he said.
What do you think - would you welcome the return of a retro Polaroid-esque camera or do you think it is a waste of time?
Supporters of same-sex marriage did not take yesterday's news of Prop 8 being upheld lightly. Immediately following the Supreme Court's decision, protests and rallies speaking out against the decision were planned, and gay rights activists took the streets of West Hollywood, San Francisco and Long Beach until the wee hours of the night to speak their minds.
Among the celebrity supporters at the protests were: Pete Wentz, Sophia Bush, Mark Hoppus, Kathy Griffin, Perez Hilton, Kelly Osbourne, Shanna Moakler, Emmy Rossum and more.
Here's what the stars are saying about the decision to deny same-sex couples marriage rights:
“This just should invigorate people to get it back on the ballot in 2010 and 2012 and every two years until all people are allowed a basic civil right,“ George Clooney told E Online.
“This really makes me sad,” said Kim Kardashian, who also expressed disbelief at the decision. "I thought we were more forward thinking than this, and I’m disappointed in the Supreme Court for being so close-minded.
“Everyone – gay, straight, bisexual, transgendered — EVERYONE should have equal rights to marry who they want to. I have many gay friends, and all I want is for them to be happy, yet this is just another obstacle in their way. Now they must continue fighting to be granted a basic civil right that many people take for granted. Shame on you, California! We must all continue to fight the h8!”
Former Star Trek actor George Takei – who married Brad Altman in September last year – expressed his hope that another ballot will overturn the decision: "I am confident that if we go through this again, we will ultimately prevail and our [State] Supreme Court will go into the dust of history.“
Twitter was ablaze with opinions, including tweets from Alyssa Milano ("a sad day for equality"), Eliza Dushku ("Shame on California Supreme Court!") and Holly Montag ("BOO CALI! Our Bill of Rights and Constitution intended equal rights for ALL regardless of race, gender, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, age or creed!")
The issue is expected to be voted on again as early as 2010. Do you think it stands a chance of being passed?
Sometimes it's just necessary to interject your otherwise routine week with something that will more than spice it up. We're finding it absolutely imperative that we share this video with you this morning, and start your day off with a bang.
Hopefully, you're all familiar with Keyboard Cat, the sleepy-but-classy keyboard-playing cat. I'd like to you all meet his lazy, uncooperative cousin: Keyboard Gato.
