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There’s vulgarity for virality’s sake, and there’s virality for virtual sake. According to Ms. Arianna Huff, going viral has gone viral and we’re losing our minds because of it. But The Connects, an LA-based creative clan, lost their minds a long time ago, and the result is unadulterated, uncomplicated (yet completely complicated) cultural commentary through artful entertainment, which will take you all the way down to YouTube town.

Now I like to think of me-self as a lady, but even a lady can enjoy a filthy farce. When first confronted with this band of broheims, I completely ignored them. In fact, I Facebook message stiffed ‘em (sorry about that boys). But behind their shocking shenanigans, is serious talent, originality and drive (ok, and a lot of boobs) — a trifecta that’s hard to resist.

Dylan Trussell and David Dinetz hooked-up (er, uh) connected as Film Majors at University of Boulder Colorado (what idiot teacher gave them an A+ on this? Yeah, STOKED I busted my ass at Tisch) and formed a creative collective in 2 parts:

One Part: Production Company, Heart For An Eye (aw, see! They do have souls!); their work runs the gamut - a documentary for Universal Music here, a promotional video for Krug Champagne there. Their photographs have been featured in Town & Country and W Magazine, which is impressive… But they crashed Quentin Tarantino’s office to ask him his opinion of their Christmas Video, way more impressive. 

Two Part: Self proclaimed Siegfried & Roy of Hip Hop, The Connects made of Mr. Dan and D-Truss (aka Dyl.I.Am and PremaDana, I can’t believe I just wrote that), with Mr Dinetz leading the creative charge. Shooting, directing, producing, performing, rapping, dancing, editing, scripting, financing… who knows what else-ing. They do it all, like a Hip Hop’a Mockery, three-man pony show - with record wit and skill. 

But more than just their scrappy, Lost Boys work ethic, The Connects have a unique sound that blends 80’s pop, electro-funk, and hip-hop. Add hard drums, deep bass and social commentary that highlights the complexities of the post college dropout, the born-again young professional, or the stay-at-home “real estate” agent. The irony is, they never really tried to do what they’re doing. These masterminds have the Holy Grail (and I do not mean the string-bikini-clad strippers in their videos): heart, humor and honesty.

The Connects speak directly to and about a generation yearning for smart, savvy relief; their ability to pull productions out of thin air speaks directly to and about a generation of unconventional entrepreneurs. You won’t want to believe me (oh, believe me) but tune in to their channel and I dare you disagree. Finding substance in substance abuse —- take that back to the virality-uber-alles age. 

People who constantly reach into a pocket to check a smartphone for bits of information will soon have another option: a pair of Google-made glasses that will be able to stream information to the wearer’s eyeballs in real time.

According to several Google employees familiar with the project who asked not to be named, the glasses will go on sale to the public by the end of the year. These people said they are expected “to cost around the price of current smartphones,” or $250 to $600.

The people familiar with the Google glasses said they would be Android-based, and will include a small screen that will sit a few inches from someone’s eye. They will also have a 3G or 4G data connection and a number of sensors including motion and GPS.

A Google spokesman declined to comment on the project.

Seth Weintraub, a blogger for 9 to 5 Google, who first wrote about theglasses project in December, and then discovered more information about them this month, also said the glasses would be Android-based and cited a source that described their look as that of a pair of Oakley Thumps.

They will also have a unique navigation system. “The navigation system currently used is a head tilting to scroll and click,” Mr. Weintraub wrote this month. “We are told it is very quick to learn and once the user is adept at navigation, it becomes second nature and almost indistinguishable to outside users.” Read on…

Thank you to the anonymous Valentine who turned me into a Japanese Superhero with amazing boobs… Who are you!?

I had a dream… 
VIA Mashable: HP and Intel will be hosting the first-ever live stream of a concert on Twitter next week at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show. The headliner: electronic music master DJ Tiësto.

The concert will kick off the launch of a new 10-episode series on YouTube called “In the Booth” — a behind-the-scenes look at how Tiësto uses technology to make music and connect with fans. The private event at the nightclub XS at Encore in Las Vegas will stream live from HP and Intel’s newly enhanced Twitter brand pages.

Tiësto will play a 90-minute set starting at 10:00 p.m. PT. It will then play on a loop on HP and Intel’s Twitter page for the following 48 hours.

“We have offered streaming on the site before, but this is the first-time ever that the site will feature a live concert,” Rob Pietsch, Twitter’s director of West Coast sales, told Mashable. “HP came to us with the idea and we couldn’t be more excited to hear how the company and Intel will be using their Twitter brand pages to reach out to the public and become destination sites.

“It’s a first for us, and we expect in the future that more companies will integrate streaming video into their pages.”

In December, Twitter announced that it would be introducing Facebook-style brand pages for companies to customize and highlight content. HP and Intel are among the first 21 brands invited to test out the new platform – other companies include Dell, Disney, JetBlue, Nike and Paramount Pictures. Read More… 

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Just when I thought I was over the whole Jewish-Boy-Rapper thing, I was bombed with Timeflies (thank you @AdamAlpert19). Let’s cut to the chase… The music duo, made up of 23-year-old Cal (vocals) and 22-year old Rez (producer), bridges elements of electro, rock and hip-hop to create the Timeflies sound… one that, granted, might be a bit reminiscent of Hoodie or Chiddy, but is skilled (and weirdly sexy) nonetheless. Their “Timeflies Tuesday” Websiode series on YouTube has a major following - who wouldn’t love that punim!? Tufts University grads, lovers of Scotch (the booze and the new album) and Janis Joplin… Sign. Up. Here. Oh, and did I mention steel drums? We ALL know how I feel about a steel drum. 

! Just when I thought a map couldn’t get any sexier… Leave it to the brilliants at Business Insider to map out the madness of startups in NYC. They’ve compiled a list of 100 companies, work spaces and more to build (drum roll) the startup ecosystem… 

View NYC Startups in a larger map

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Every so often a hotel comes around that makes me reevaluate my idea of a perfect pad. And thanks to the Haylofts, I am now craving a collection of 17th-century farm buildings. On the steep slopes of the Italian Alps, near the village of Chiavenna, is a small hamlet of 300-year-old haylofts, today converted into luxury cottages. Despite its seclusion, Zurich and Milan are just two hours away by car, and Lake Como and St. Moritz are less than an hour away. The Mini Cooper-sized cabins aren’t lacking in cool. Expect a bohemian feel, with hand-painted walls, SMEG appliances and custom cabinetry. Bring it. 

In my fantasy world, a New York to Tokyo flight would be about as long as an UES to WV trek. Alas, a girl can dream. But what’s a reality? A Tokyo to Paris flight in under three hours, two and a half hours to be exact. The concept of zero-emissions, supersonic flight is being explored by European aircraft maker, EADS. This bad boy might in fact fly above the atmosphere, yet it will still take off from a regular runway. The concept project, known as ZEHST (Zero Emission High Speed Transport), is prepping to whisk away 50 to 100 business-passengers. Because what goes down at 158,000 feet is always business. Need more? 

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Nero: The wait is over. 
Between my Turntable.fm fame and my recent VC obsession, I guess the nerd is out of the bag. And there’s nothing tugging on these tech strings more right now than Star. Trek. Theme. Park. 

Aqaba, Jordan. Estimated $1 Billion. 2014 Opening. The Red Sea Astrarium. 
So what is an Astrarium? It’s a 184-acre themed entertainment resort with none-other than the first ever Star Trek-themed center. Paramount Recreation and CBS have teamed up to bring Jordanians a real-time immersive, space-flight “adventure.”

“At its core, Star Trek is about bringing worlds together and about a profound hope for the future,” said Liz Kalodner, EVP and General Manager of CBS Consumer Products. “We are proud to bring such a unique, interactive Star Trek property to this part of the world to be a part of Jordan’s future.”

Spock: Permission to come aboard Captain. 

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Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel announced the launch of their Facebook sharing initiative – a first for the hotel industry. Hotel guests, and everyone who attends the concerts (and they have a lot of concerts), will be given the option of wearing a slim RFID wristband synchronized to their Facebook profile. With a swipe of the wrist, they can check in, take pictures and post status according to where they are positioned in the hotel… how? With completely non-intrusive Facebook polls! Love it or hate it? Help me decide… (thanks to Nomad Lab for the tip-off)

Facebook integration Ushuaïa Beach Hotel from Dorst & Lesser // Social Media on Vimeo.

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Since Doctor Klein put me on to Turntable.fm a few months ago I’ve been hooked… and seriously hooked in to what is one of the most innovative and fun music startups we’ve seen since Napster… yeah I said Napster. I’ve been running around the rooms, trolling the turntables for tunes and debating over valuations with DJ Wooooo. But this morning I woke up to the best. email. ever….. “Jetset, I would like to officially invite you to DJ our real life Turntable.fm Dance Party! You’ve rocked our socks in some way and look forward to seeing you do it in person!”

Do I, want to spin, at the first ever, non-virtual, virtual DJ event, with five other down-like-Klosman DJ’s? Y.E.S. And to top this bad boy off, they’ve invited my partner-in-techy-crime, Doctor Klein, to join me in the booth as well. So send in suggestions, give me tips and get ready to rage. DJs will be scored by how many people are dancing…. and thankfully, that’s never been a problem for me.

When:  Thursday 7/28 from 8pm until late… 
Where: 412 Broadway
How: JetsetFarrynRocks promo code for tickets 

The Last Space Shuttle Project was created to document every stage of NASA’s final shuttle preparations, and to follow the process - launch, mission, and the eventual retirement of each of the NASA shuttles.

The best thus far? This 360º panorama of Space Shuttle Discovery’s flight deck during decommissioning in the Orbiter Processing Facility by Jook Leung. Let’s give those little boys a big ol’ BRILL.DOT.COM.

Click on the link, it’s worth it, scouts honor. 

(Source: jstn)