50 Things Every Traveler Should Know Before Exploring the World

Apple 'iOS in the Car' tie up with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz…

First the mobile phone, now the car. Having revolutionised personal communication Apple now wants to change the way we drive.

The technology group will next week launch its first in-car operating system with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo as it attempts to take the lead in a fierce race to dominate tomorrow’s smart cars.

The breakthrough comes amid a swirl of market rumours that Apple could be eyeing a bid for electric carmaker Tesla Motors. Google and other technology companies are already working on plans to develop their own car models alongside traditional automotive.

The deal marks the first time that Apple is embedding its software in devices other than its own branded products. The choice of the Ferrari, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz is seen to be in keeping with the US tech group’s high-end phones.

Apple’s head of internet software and services, Eddy Cue, joined the Ferrari board in 2012, saying at the time that he had “personally dreamed of owning a Ferrari since I was 8 years old and have been lucky to be an owner for the past 5 years.”

Cars connected to the internet and seamlessly integrated with personal communication devices are seen as the harbingers of vehicles that can drive themselves, mobile offices and “mobility solutions” for cities where all vehicles are controlled or monitored from a central database.

Carmakers are engaged in a fierce battle for control of car dashboards as incumbents fight with technology companies such as Microsoft and IBM to develop the software systems that will power the connected cars of tomorrow.

Rupert Stadler, chairman of Audi, used his keynote speech at January’s Consumer Electronics Forum, the technology industry’s annual symposium, to herald a new era of “connected cars” that would see automobiles become “the largest social mobile devices we own.

The official announcement of Apple’s deal will be made at next week’s Geneva Motor Show, sources told the Financial Times. A number of other manufacturers are expected to incorporate it into models in 2014. Apple, and the carmakers declined to comment

Drivers will be able to use Apple Maps as in-car navigation, as well as listen to music and watch films. Calls can be made through the system, which will tie into the Siri voice recognition platform so that messages can be read to the driver who can respond by dictating a reply.

An Apple powered car has been expected since the launch of its updated iOS 7 software. Cars can already play music through Apple devices but this allows the iOS software on the screen to be built into the car.

Apple showed the first images of the “iOS in the Car” platform at a developer conference last year, which in effect mirrors the iPhone on the in-car display.

Just Release a New Marlboro Marijuana Cigarette？

Is Big Tobacco already making moves into the marijuana business? Well, a story from Abril Uno might make you think that. When the website ran the story "Phillip Morris Introduces Marlboro Marijuana Cigarettes," the Internet exploded and hundreds of thousands of people shared the link on social media.

"Phillip Morris, the world's biggest cigarette producer, announced today that they will join the marijuana legalization bandwagon and start producing marijuana cigarettes," the article boldly stated. Marlboro M would be a major move by the multi-million dollar company and potentially signal big business's embrace of marijuana. 

In case you missed your ninth grade Spanish class, "Abril Uno" translate to "April First," a.k.a. April Fools'. If that didn't tip you off, maybe some key lines in the article should have given you an idea that this was too good to be true.

"Norcik added that they have begun contacting former drug lords in Mexico and Paraguay, currently the largest marijuana-producing countries in the world, for the possibility of setting up a distribution ring across the North and South American continents, to streamline the supply lines."

But some people really wanted to believe, and a few doctored images circulating the web didn't help quash the rumors. Even though the life of legalized marijuana in the U.S. is still in its infancy, it's not that crazy to think that a huge company like Philip Morris would make a move into the ganja game. This past December, Bill Phelps, a spokesman for Philip Morris USA, maker of Marlboro, was very vague when asked about the possibility of the company's move into the marijuana business. 

"We have a practice of not commenting or speculating on future business," Phelps said, adding "tobacco companies are in the business of manufacturing and marketing tobacco products."Marijuana business has already been killing it in Colorado, but we're probably still a while away from big business marijuana and Marlboro M — so don't hold your breath, in fact, just inhale ... that's the point.

Travel Secrets You Need To Know〜〜

Planning To Work Abroad

Planning To Work Abroad

Working abroad can be an exciting, rewarding and horizon broadening experience and if you take the time to plan ahead carefully before you go, you will make your transition into the overseas work place a smooth and successful one. 

So, if you’re considering relocating overseas to take up a temporary assignment or you’d like to move abroad permanently and find work there are basically three main aspects of expatriation that you need to think about before you make your move and this article examines them for you. 

1) Location 

Unless you’re being relocated by your employer to a fixed location you will quickly discover that it’s a big wide world and you therefore have a great deal of choice when considering which country best suits your lifestyle and employment requirements. In an effort to narrow down your search a little consider any country you’re interested in in view of the following considerations.

i) The location’s distance from your home country and your family and friends – remember that there will be times you want or need to return home and/or to catch up with old faces. How easy and affordable will it be for you to go ‘back home’ should the need arise and how simple will it be for your friends and family to come and visit you? 

ii) The weather – some countries are more or less hospitable in weather terms and someone who originally heralds from Tropical North Queensland may find it a struggle to cope with the wet, grey winters in England for instance and someone from Canada may find is a shock coping with the searing summer temperatures in Spain. Thinking about your ideal overseas location from a weather perspective may well cut down your choices! 

iii) Your family – particularly if you’re expatriating with children you’ll need to think carefully about the healthcare and education facilities available overseas and also about getting your essential insurances in place before you go. Some countries are more expensive and restrictive than others…bear this in mind. 

iv) Language barriers – if you’re considering moving to a country where the mother tongue is other than your own will this restrict your employment prospects? Can you overcome this by learning the language before you go or do you need to reconsider your destination? 



2) Employment 

Are you a professional in a given industry or do you have a flexible skill set that will allow you to seek work in many different sectors? Do your qualifications translate favourably and transfer directly overseas? What sectors would you like to work in, in which countries can you find work in a profession that suits you? 

These are all questions you have to consider carefully. Next, if you’re moving overseas permanently you need to be practical and realistic and consider the long term employment prospects for you, your spouse and any other family members accompanying you…if you can find employment today how easy will it be to change employer or advance your career later in life? 

You should then examine your desired location carefully and determine whether or not you need work permits, residency visas and permission to work and live abroad, if so you should get the ball rolling and apply as soon as possible in case of any paperwork and administrative delays. 

Also consider the taxation and financial aspects of working abroad…remember that if you’re moving to a low cost country the economy will likely pay lower wages than you’re used to, will these be sufficient to sustain your ideal lifestyle? 



3) Accommodation 

Last but not least is the thought of finding somewhere to live abroad. By now you’ll have a clear favourite in the location stakes but now you need to examine the property market and whether it’s easy and affordable to rent accommodation when you first arrive and whether, long term, it’s possible for foreign residents to purchase freehold property abroad. 

If you’re planning on moving abroad permanently you’ll also need to think about moving your household belongings and personal effects with you, and what about transporting your pets overseas too? 

There are many relocation companies who specialise in relocating individuals and families abroad, these companies have a fantastic skills base to assist you with every single aspect of the process. If on the other hand you’re on a budget or looking to work abroad for a shorter period of time use the internet to find forums and information sites dedicated to expats, working abroad and the particular countries you’re interested in and you’ll quickly be amazed at the wealth of invaluable information out there. 

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完成まで３００年はかかると言われていたサグラダファミリアが、ガウディ没後１００周年にあたる２０２６年に完成予定と設計責任者が発表しました。まだ１００年以上かかると言われていたサグラダファミリアの完成が早まったのは3Dプリンターの導入・高品質コンクリート開発・財源の安定が大きな理由みたいです。そして、最終的にどのような形の建物になるのかを３DCGの動画によって再現されたのがこちらです。

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