Virgin officially announces Project magazine for iPad (and iPhone soon)

We're here at Virgin's press event for Project magazine, which Sir Richard Branson just called the "first all-digital magazine." It's launching on iPad first, then on the iPhone, but we also snuck a peek at the app last night and noticed a line about Android tablet support coming soon. Branson says the content will change constantly -- there'll even be comments, and sharing features are said to be "coming soon." Mapping features will be introduced in the iPhone version, which the Project editor-in-chief describes only as "all the coolest places in the world mapped by our users." Pricing for the iPad version is set at $2.99 per month, with the app updating throughout the period with new content and features. When asked about Rupert Murdoch's The Daily, Branson responded that "this is not a battle, not a war, but the future of publishing," while his chief editor had this to say: "We're not similar ... they're a daily newspaper, we're a monthly style magazine ... we wish them nothing but luck."

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Beautiful Contemporary Homes - Passive Solar House in Texas

Dick Clark Architecture designed this beautiful contemporary home, a sustainable passive solar design in Austin, Texas with a real minimalist appeal. In reflection of the owners’ simple lifestyle, the house stands out for its simple structure, minimalist material palette and barely-there glass walls. The natural treed and landscaped surroundings give the house an “urban oasis” aesthetic. The open-concept main floor houses the kitchen, which opens to a two-storey living and dining area. This glass-enclosed entertaining area features sliding glass walls that open to the pool deck with views of the Austin city skyline. Echoing the home’s natural exterior design, interiors feature lots of natural wood and windows naturally sun-soaked interiors. This eco-sustainable home also features a few other friendly features, namely a 3kw solar panel system, instant hot water heaters, bio foam insulation, rain water collection, efficient mechanical systems and of course, the expansive glass is low-e. Dick Clark Architecture
via Contemporist

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Concrete Walls Home Inspired by Ship Sails

Australian architects Tony Owen Partners is the creative force behind this amazing concrete house in Sydney, Australia. This contemporary concrete walls home was designed for a concrete contractor, who used his expertise to put a personal touch and built the house himself. The first thing you’ll notice are the contemporary curved concrete walls that characterize the home ’s exterior. Like windblown sails, these massive white walls give the house a light, airy, in-motion effect. Inspired by Mediterranean architecture, the concrete and glass house features patios and terraces that abut floor-to-ceiling windows, bringing the outdoors in. Designed as a series of blocks, the house is must grander than it appears from street level. A multi-level layout progressively steps up from the ground floor, each level connected by a central staircase that commands the attention of everyone in the room. Expansive glazing floods interiors with bright natural light, which reflects off the polished stone floors and contemporary finishes found throughout. Complementing these chic, urban finishes are rustic, natural elements like cobblestone walls and a central courtyard. For more Australia home designs check out Tony Owen Partners

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Modern German Architecture – Unusual Concrete House Plan

 A prime example of forward-thinking, modern German architecture, this concrete house plan by Architects Brauning is situated in a dense urban centre, but its unusual look and unique flow are totally out of this world. Concrete, steel, wood and an expansive glass wall make their way around this home’s irregular shape, offering awesome views of the outdoors. Inside, this modern house spreads living areas across four levels, which are open to one another but still provide a level of privacy. The architects stayed away from a traditional layout of walls and rooms, opting rather for an open-concept house plan that allows for a connection between these conventionally separate living spaces. The four-tiered design lets residents appreciate the modern yet cozy fireplace from any room. Below the living spaces are two lower levels, housing the bathroom with a gorgeous stone bathtub, and the master bedroom. Architects Brauning
via Architektourist

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Safretti's back with Double Vision hanging HDTV / fireplace combo

Nothing quite says "the holidays" like warming up to an artificial fire in a spacious, well-appointed apartment while watching a DVD of generic snow-filled landscapes. Unless you're in our family, in which case "the holidays" is more about drunken egg nog brawls and recrimination. Either way, it looks like the kids at Safretti have improved their hanging, portable fireplaces the only way, really, that it could be improved upon: by adding an HD LCD TV to the mix. We're not sure what the Netherlands-based company is charging for this, but seeing as how this purveyor of ultra-expensive home furnishings doesn't even have an office in the states (the closest is in Mexico, and the one in Liechtenstein refuses to answer our emails) we're pretty sure you can't afford it anyways. It comes in two sizes, featuring either a 37-inch or 47-inch TV. Get a closer look after the break.

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Microsoft in talks to start new TV service using the 360?

 

   Microsoft's been strangely quiet during the recent smart TV explosion even though it has arguably the most mature set of products in Windows Media Center and Mediaroom, and now we know why: Reuterssays MS has been meeting with media companies in an effort to create an entirely new TV service possibly delivered through the Xbox 360. Apparently there are multiple options on the table, ranging from a full-on "virtual cable operator" with monthly fees to using the 360 as an extension of existingcableco online TV initiatives to simply delivering certain channels like ESPN and HBO a la carte, andReuters' sources say the plan might take another 12 months to develop. That sounds like a bit too long, if you ask us: Apple and Google are waging a major living room assault, and we can't imagine Microsoft is willing to miss another technology cycle -- especially not one where it holds the significant advantage of the 360's installed base and proven history as an IPTV device on multiple operators worldwide,including Uverse. We'll see what happens -- it sounds like the battle might finally be joined.

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Richard Branson launching 'Project' magazine for iPad next week

Is there something in the air? Hot on the heels of Rupert Murdoch's impending The Daily newspaper for the iPad, we're getting word of a Richard Branson-funded, iPad-specific magazine dubbed Project. The magazine will cover entertainment, travel, business, design, and international culture. It's hard to tell if these two announcements are somehow related to each other, or if they imply some sort of shift in Apple's treatment of publications, but either way they do indeed seem to be happening. The full announcement of Project is due for Tuesday next week. 

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