I’m old-fashioned. Kahlua splashed into some decent coffee and I’m good. Well, in case you haven’t heard, Kahlua has released a Cinnamon Spice version of their ubiquitous coffee

Montanya Mermalada

• 1 oz Kahlúa Cinnamon Spice
• 1 oz Avión Tequila Blanco
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 6-8 concord grapes

Muddle Grapes. Add rest of the ingredients. Shake and strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass

Created by mixologist Lynnette Marrero

While the above sounds high class and expensive, Kahlua Cinnamon Spice liqueur costs about $20 for 750ml.

[ Links: Kahlua ]

Ars Technica directs our attention to a new New American Foundation report that found that United States and Canadian consumers consistently pay significantly more for wireless service. The study tracked prepaid, unlimited, and postpaid plans in 11 countries, and found that the U.S. and Canada were consistently the most expensive for complete plans (SMS/Voice/Data) and SMS. The U.S. fares slightly better in mobile data, ranging from thoroughly mediocre to very pricey:

In the case of unlimited data plans, the U.S. is in the middle tier of service rates. The U.S. offers a plan of $29.99 per month which is cheaper than Canada ($72.90/month), Japan ($52.60/month) and Hong Kong ($38.00/month). On the contrary, Sweden offers much cheaper unlimited data plans for $13.80 per month, followed by India ($19.00/month), and Taiwan ($26.60/month). For prepaid data plans, the U.S. has the most expensive rate at $10.24 per MB, whereas India offers $0.0004/MB, $0.43/MB in South Korea and $0.50/MB in the U.K. Several other countries that also have cheaper rates are $1.64/MB in Taiwan and $1.70 in Denmark.

It’s not entirely clear what guided the Foundation’s 11-country selection, or why countries like France and Spain were left out of the analysis. It’s also not clear how much a broader sample base would help, given that several studies have shown that Canadian and U.S. consumers tend to pay consistently more for lower quality wired and wireless service than many developed countries. We’re going to go out on a limb and guess that these prices don’t include all of the assorted fees, taxes, and “unfees” carriers tack on below the line.

Link to the original article…

Land Rover will be showcasing their most eco-friendly sport utility vehicle, the Land Rover Evoque during the Paris 2010 Motor Show on September 30th. However, some early information has already leaked out.

• Luxurious coupe design with a compact and more efficient footprint than other Range Rover models
• Targeting a new group of customers for the Range Rover brand
• Bold exterior is an evolution of Range Rover design language
• Strong, clean interior architecture with a contemporary and sporting feel
• Premium cabin with the high quality materials expected from a Range Rover.
• Available with full sized glass panoramic roof flooding the interior with natural light
• Use of efficient powertrain and advanced lightweight materials
• Smaller – at a 171 inches (434cm) it is 17 inches (432mm) shorter and 7 inches (178mm) lower than Range Rover Sport models
• Permanent all-wheel drive combined with turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an updated six-speed auto transmission deliver excellent perforrmance and fuel economy
• All-new 240 bhp 2.0-litre Si4 turbocharged engine combining six-cylinder refinement and performance with four-cylinder fuel economy
• All-new chassis specification delivers dynamic and agile handling across varied terrain, with optional Adaptive Dynamics featuring MagneRide™
• All-weather, all-surface capability with Land Rover Terrain Response®
• An extensive suite of Range Rover technologies including Bluetooth® audio streaming and optional Surround camera system
• To be sold in 160 countries worldwide, with deliveries from Fall 2011

With their new EcoBoost Si4 engine, the Evoque promises to be as fuel efficient as a 4-cylinder on the highway or in the city. With a release set for next Fall… I know what I’ll be saving for! No word on price yet though.

[ Links: Hello Evoque, Land Rover Evoque ]

In what looks a cross between the old Nike ACG water socks from the mid-1990′s and a hole puncher accident, the Nike Zvezdochka LAF – which actually are inspired by design of the Russian cosmonaut socks so they can get around whilst in space and is named after the dog that got blasted in space in the Sputnik 10 mission – is an interesting sneaker design by Australian designer, Marc Newson.

Two new colorways are available, Mahogany (burgundy) and Aegean Blue paired off with Neutral Grey. The Zvezdochka LAF will be made available at the 21 Mercer Nike Store, which is located in New York City’s historic SoHo neighborhood, between Grand and Howard.

[ Links: SneakerFreaker via Nike Sportswear ]

OtterBox has popped out another case for the Apple iPhone 4, this time part of their Commuter Series.

The OtterBox Commuter Series offers three sleek layers of security to complement the iPhone 4’s thin design. First, a self-adhering screen protector keeps the Multi-Touch display screen safe from scratches. Next, a silicone mid-layer absorbs shock, keeping the glass panels safe from bumps and shock. Finally, a polycarbonate shell provides added strength and helps the device slide easily in and out of a pocket or purse. The Commuter Series offers coverage for the iPhone 4 power button, volume rocker and home button, while silicone plugs for the charging port and headphone jack keep out dust and dirt but flip open for easy access.

With a good layer of protection on the sides, this is yet another way to avoid Apple’s “Antennagate” and the dreaded “death grip” where you lose all of your signal. Priced at $34.95.

[ Links: OtterBox ]

Exclusive this month at Bloomingdales with wider distribution next month, Marc Jacobs set out to make a spicy cologne that would allude to sexuality while maintaining an intimate scent that would entice your partner to stay close. With notes that include: cedar, white, black and pink pepper notes, vetiver, white moss, and patchouli; Bang is an utterly masculine scent that doesn’t give off killer sillage.

In simpler terms, it’s to be enjoyed by you and the person close to you, not the entire room. After one wearing of this scent, I’m a fan – reminds me of Hermes Terre D’Hermes but lighter, yet slightly spicier. Sold at 3.4 and 1.7 ounce sizes for the eau de toilette at $75 and $55 respectively, this is definitely a scent to add to your list.

[ Links: Marc Jacobs Bang at Bloomingdales ]

I’ve covered OQO news in the past, anticipated the OQO Model 02+ which was to come with their first Intel processor but somewhere along their timeline to come out with that model, OQO went out of business. Or did they?

From out of nowhere, OQO.CC has come forth with news about how they are/were the Chinese arm of the American OQO firm that went out of business officially in April of 2009, before the release of the OQO Model 02+. There are even official sounding specs on the device:

Operating system: Windows 7
Processor: 2.0 GHz Intel Z550
Memory: SSD 128GB
Memory: 2GB
LCD: 4.8-inch bright LCD screen (supports 1024X600)
Touch mode: Multi-touch
Graphics: Intel GMA500
Sound Performance: Built-in speaker and microphone
Communication: Wireless LAN, Bluetooth 2.0 chip, 3G, Ethernet (optional), etc.
Computer Interface: High-speed USB2.0 port headphone jack DC power input port HDMI port
Interface expansion slots: Power input port VGA port Ethernet interface (optional)
Input Devices: Built-in keyboard pointer keys
Battery Type: Polymer lithium battery
Power adapter: V AC 12 V DC/100-240
Supplied Accessories: Standard Battery Double the battery power adapter
Price: 31,888 yuan

While it looks very official and even has an official release date of Q3, 2010… that price is a killer. 31,888 Yuan translates to about $4700 USD. Ouch!

Guess my old OQO 01+ will have to wait to get replaced after all.

[ Links: OQO Chinese ]

Not every toy and gadget needs to have the latest CPU and polymer materials to be considered highly desirable and worthwhile. The Auditorium Toy Co. has produced a handmade, wooden push car toy that looks like some of the toys from your youth… but better constructed.

It’s not just a looker though – the Boattail Racer is handmade from materials that time cannot easily erode.

The wooden bodywork is sculpted from rugged 13 ply Baltic birch. The muscular stance comes courtesy of the 77.5 millimeter carnelian-core industrial grade wheels, which float effortlessly on precision bearings. Solid stainless steel axles and fasteners ensure faithful service for generations to come.

Just like the old Tonka toys, this solid birch and stainless steel toy will probably outlast you. Priced at $350 per toy, it does come in its own archive box that doubles as a presentation box.

[ Links: Auditorium Toy Co. ]

I’ve had blueberry, raspberry or even citrus based wheat based beers in the past. But 21st Amendment Brewery’s Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer is the first time I’ve seen watermelon used in a beer.

Using 100% fresh watermelon puree, we start by brewing a classic American wheat beer, which undergoes a traditional secondary fermentation using fresh watermelon. A straw-colored, refreshing beer with a kiss of watermelon aroma and flavor.

Sporting a 4.9% alcohol content, this pale straw colored beer (I’m surprised it’s not pinkish red) that comes in a can seems like it would be an odd addition to your next cookout. Sold in 12 oz. cans for about $9.99 per six pack in limited states and locations.

[ Links: 21st Amendment Brewery, Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer ]

I can’t believe that it’s been 20 years of Ninja Tune already, but Ninja Tune is doing it up big with an absolutely huge limited box set of 3 hardback cases packed in an outer box which includes 6 fully-packed CD’s (some 126 songs!), 6 x 7″ singles, 2 posters, 20 stickers and the hardback edition of “Ninja Tune: 20 Years of Beats and Pieces”.

The Ninja Tune XX Limited Edition Box Release will have new music from Amon Tobin, Roots Manuva, The Cinematic Orchestra, Kid Koala, Mr Scruff, The Bug, King Geedorah, Zomby, Jaga Jazzist, Bonobo,Toddla T, Daedelus, Dorian Concept , Eskmo, Floating Points, Jammer, Two Fingers, Wagon Christ, The Heavy, cLOUDDEAD and many others. And also include new remixes from Switch, Autechre, Benga, Cut Chemist, Modeselektor, Roots Manuva, Diplo, Gold Panda, Mark Pritchard, Amorphous Androgynous, Rustie, Prefuse 73, 808 State, Tunng, Todd Edwards, Scuba, Joe Goddard, King Jammy, The Orb, Tom Middleton, Micachu, Metronomy, Gaslamp Killer, Kronos Quartet, Dan Le Sac, Mala, El-P (and EL-B) and many more.

What got my attention was the unreleased track by King Geedorah (MF DOOM) featuring Biolante (Kurious) called “Snake Charmer”. All of that music and art for $160.00 at Ninja Tune’s website.

[ Links: Ninja Tune XX ]

A geek cannot live off of coffee, energy drinks and sodas alone. At one point, our tastes should expand to finer tastes, right? As part of of the Venturing and Emerging Brands division of Coca-Cola North America, Cascal contains between 60 and 80 calories a bottle, the brand has three variants: Crisp White, with notes of pear, apricot and magnolia; Light Red, with notes of blackcurrant, cherry and mirabelle; and Fine Dry, with notes of cherry, apple and anise.

Cascal’s always fresh, crisp taste is fashioned with imported European ingredients at a microbrewery in Florida, where it is pioneering a patented new “dual-stage slow malt fermentation” method with no added sugar. Fermented malt is used in the Light Red and Fine Dry flavors.

Cascal is akin to a fine wine or prosecco, yet without alcohol. Careful crafting gives the sophisticated French-style soda its unique taste and aroma and natural goodness – with 60-80 calories per bottle.

Priced at $1.99 a bottle, $6.99 a 4-pack and exclusively sold at Whole Foods and on-trade stores in New York City. This isn’t your normal “soda”.

[ Links: Cascal, Whole Foods ]

Some things just “go together”. Peanut butter and chocolate. Toast and vegemite. Leather, studs and booze.

IN AN ABSOLUT WORLD, you’re with the band. To pay tribute to rock-and-roll — ABSOLUT is launching a limited edition bottle wrapped in a leather and studs gift pack.

On second thought, it looks like a fetish version… but that also seems to go with booze too. This limited edition Absolut vodka was a collaboration with designer Natalia Brilli.

[ Links: Absolute Rock Edition ]