Nokia discontinues WiMax tablet computer

Just as Clearwire Corp. has fired up its long-awaited WiMax wireless data network in two cities, Nokia Corp. has stopped selling the only portable gadget that can use the network without accessories. 

Nokia spokeswoman Laurie Armstrong confirmed Wednesday that the company has discontinued the N810 Internet Tablet WiMax Edition on its Web site. 

Armstrong did not say why the tablet was withdrawn. But she said Nokia is still interested in WiMax, and by the time WiMax networks are more widely deployed, "refreshed products with even better performance will be required." 

Nokia's portable computer, which has a 4.1-inch touch-sensitive screen and a slide-out keyboard, is still for sale for $438 in a version without a WiMax modem. 

WiMax, sometimes described as a long-range version of Wi-Fi, is a competitor to traditional cellular broadband technologies. It offers relatively fast data speeds, and its proponents hope that WiMax antennas will be built into a variety of gadgets, from small computers to GPS devices. 

Leading computer manufacturers have announced their intention to make their laptops WiMax-capable, but for now the only way to use Clearwire's "Clear" network is with plug-in modems. 

"We have a robust pipeline of devices slated throughout 2009 and will be providing more details in the coming weeks," said Susan Johnston, spokeswoman for Clearwire. 

The network is live in Baltimore and Portland, Ore. 

Clearwire was formed last year by the union of a smaller company of the same name with Sprint Nextel Corp.'s WiMax division.

Source: Peter Svensson , The Associated Press , New York | Thu, 01/22/2009 8:29 AM | Sci-Tech 

A globetrotter uber lifestyle in Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey, has been acknowledged for centuries as one of the most important cities in the world, dating back to the Roman and Ottoman Empires. 

Known in the history books as Constantinople, it is truly a melting pot between the cultures of the east and the west, resulting in today’s Istanbul being a city rich with cultural heritage. 

These days Istanbul’s beautiful landscape is no longer dotted with just historical heritage, as new and modern establishments have appeared and have become a part of Istanbul. 

Some establishments have renovated their historical buildings and given them a new facade and some have decided to build entirely new buildings. If you are one of the world’s globetrotters and are eager to enjoy the luxury of an ubër lifestyle, then you will find Istanbul your new playground haven. 

Sumahan on the Water is the jewel of Bosporus. An establishment that dates back to 1875, Sumahan began as a liquor factory —that is until four years ago when architects transformed this site into a beautiful boutique hotel. But Sumahan owes its true beauty to its spectacular location— on the banks of the great Bosporus strait.

It is a priceless experience to wake up in the morning and be welcomed by this incredibly beautiful view. Every room is like a little villa with its own living room and fireplace. No matter which room you stay in, the morning will greet you with that glorious view.

Staying in Sumahan is like staying in a friend’s villa —one that is equipped with personalized services. Start your perfect day by having a delicious homemade breakfast with its delicacies— Turkish style. Don’t forget to try Turkish traditional bread simit (sesame bread) with butter —you are guaranteed to have a great start to your day.

One way to enjoy Istanbul is by cruising around the Bosporus strait by boat. You can cross to Istanbul’s European side by boat provided by Sumahan and visit majestic sites such as Aya Sophia Mosque and The Topkapi Palace. Or you can forget all the tourist attractions and instead enjoy a traditional bath and massage in Sumahan’s hammam. It is the perfect way to release all your stress and feel rejuvenated.

After a long day adventuring in Istanbul, there is only one perfect way to end it and that is by sipping a glass of Turkish red wine while relaxing in your room, gazing out through its wide window, You can hear the Bosporus’ flowing water while enjoying the lights on Ortakoy’s bridge which change color every few minutes. It is just the way Istanbul was meant to be seen. 


The Sunset Restaurant.

The Sunset restaurant on Ulus Hill is one of the most renowned spots for Istanbul’s crème de la crème to be seen —as well as the world’s jetsetter. They have all the required elements to be at the top of the competition. With its breath-taking views, The Sunset has a modern yet sophisticated ambiance and décor that is perfected with top-notch cuisine guaranteed to please everyone —even hard-core gastronomes. 

In addition to fine, authentic local selections you will also find Japanese cuisine. To prepare the Japanese menu The Sunset has brought a highly experienced Japanese chef from London, Hiroki Takemura. Chef Hiroki’s talent can be enjoyed through his custom-made menu or fusion. 

During our last visit we enjoyed his creation of steamed sea bass with black bean sauce with a touch of truffle oil. 

As for the Turkish cuisine, selections such as the Mediterranean plate and lamb shank guarantee total satisfaction. Add a bottle of Veuve Cliquot and you will surely have an unforgettable memory. Without a doubt, The Sunset is a must-visit restaurant when you are in Istanbul!

To increase the well-being between your body and soul in a holistic manner is what The LifeCo offers. Located in Akatlar district where most of Istanbul’s high society reside, The LifeCo is simply one of the city’s hottest institutions when it comes to treating your entire being.

With its wide selection, The LifeCo offers options from a detoxification program —which includes a custom-made program for your body and even a mind detox program —to self-pampering such as through massage and its traditional hammam. They have created a concept that enables you to experience this entire program without disturbing your daily routine.

It is The LifeCo’s goal to balance and achieve harmony among body, mind and soul for every client. This is achieved through various means, such as colon cleansing, yoga ashtangi, a custom-made organic menu and dietary supplements. They balance this with pampering through a solar sauna, mint steam bath and of course the traditional hammam treatment for exfoliation.

If this is your first time at The LifeCo, their friendly attendants will assist and give you all the required information. In a city such as Istanbul, where English is not its major language, it’s a delight to visit an establishment where English is spoken fluently. 

If you are planning to visit Istanbul, then we highly recommend that you increase your well-being by obtaining a healthier lifestyle through The LifeCo. It is an experience that ensures you will feel rejuvenated with complete satisfaction. 

The LifeCO

Abdi Ipekci Cad 26/8
Nisantasi 34367
Istanbul, Turkiye
Tel: +902122196826
Website: www.thelifeco.com

The Sunset Restaurant

Adnan Saygun Cad. Yol Sok.
Ulus Parki No. 2
Ulus, Turkiye
Tel: +902122870357
Email: info@sunsetgrillbar.com

Sumahan on the Water

Kuleli Caddesi No. 51
Cengelkoy
34684 Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 216 422 8000
Email: info@sumahan.com
Website: www.epoquehotels.com

Source: Erza S.T. , Contributor , Istanbul, Turkey | Sun, 01/18/2009 11:10 AM | Travel 

Music Republicain: A sanctuary for professionalism and fun

The busy street outside is in stark contrast to the serenity inside the offices of Music Republicain, a new school for music and image. 

Located on the crowded Jl. Fatmawati in South Jakarta, the music school has just resumed its classes after taking a Christmas and New Year break. 


The building of Music Republicain poses a unique facade for passerby in the crowded Fatmawati street. courtesy Music Republicain. (JP/Kurniawan Hari)

The office may be quiet, but any time a class begins, "the sound of music" can be heard coming from the 10 classrooms where students are practicing piano, voice or ensemble playing. 

"This is a new institution which combines instruction in both music and personal image. We are offering someting different from other music schools," director Ivonne Atmojo told The Jakarta Post Thursday. 

The school was designed with a philosophy that everyone has a particular interest and skill in music. With a customized approach, every student can develop his or her abilities. 

Their open approach has attracted a broad range of music students of different backgrounds and ages. One student is barely four years old, another is 67. 

"The idea is to make a place where everyone speaks the same language -- music -- regardless of their age," Ivonne said. 

The director explained the school is flexible because she understood people choose to learn music for different reasons. Some people are aiming to become professionals while others want to play just for fun. 

With each student's interest and goal in mind, the school also provides each student with a well-suited teacher or mentor from their staff. For this reason, the school also requires teachers to audition and pass through a detailed evaluation before joining the school. 

The evaluation helps Ivonne and her team understand the strengths, weaknesses and general profile of their teachers. 

"We also require our teachers to customize lesson plans so each student will get what they want from their experience," said Ivonne who holds a Master's degree from the US San Francisco Conservatory of Music. 

The artful thing in this process, she said, is to match up the right teacher with the right student. Some foreign students want to learn in English so the school also employs teachers who can speak English. 

At this school, students can learn music either just for fun or for a serious motive of becoming professional musician. For those who want to become professional, it is recommended they take a certified international test, the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). 

But if they want to learn music for fun, they need not take this test. 

Because many students take music classes after school, classes are scheduled at Music Republicain generally in the afternoons and evenings. Busy professionals have signed up for the evening choir class. 

Music Republicain general manager Ivana stated she wanted the school to become a place for people to learn music as well as to further their interests. 

"This is a place that offers more than just music education but also music as a means of self-expression, a means to have fun and a means for socializing," she said. 

At semester's end, each student will perform in a musical project at the school's concert hall. The hall, fully equipped for lighting and sound, can accommodate 140 people and is available for rent. 

Music Republicain
Jl. Fatmawati 8, Pondok Labu
South Jakarta
Phone: (021) 7511374

Source: Kurniawan Hari , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 01/11/2009 10:03 AM | Lifestyle 

Golf resorts being upscaled in Puerto Rico

Source: Mercedes M. Cardona , The Associated Press , Rio Grande, Puerto Rico | Mon, 01/05/2009 3:04 PM | Travel 

This seaside stretch, a half-hour's drive east of the airport in San Juan, is not placid in midday. Construction equipment rumbles through the beachfront while workers sweat out installing the marble floors and granite countertops in developer Donald Trump's latest Caribbean venture.

The 700-villa Trump International Golf Club and Residences is among several golf resorts on this Caribbean island that are either under construction or being upscaled. Some have famous course designers like Robert Trent Jones, and many are attached to luxury resorts with well-known hotel brand names like St. Regis and Mandarin Oriental.

Golf is one of three tourism niches being targeted for promotion here, along with water sports and food, said Mari Jo Laborde, deputy executive director of marketing and promotions of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. Golf is a big part of the island's "Explore Beyond the Shore" campaign highlighting activities outside beaches, she said. And although Puerto Rico has long been a golf destination, the combination of a growing local golf market and a drive to attract more affluent tourists is putting an emphasis on luxury.

This might seem like a risky approach given the current economic downturn. Puerto Rico, like many tourism destinations, is experiencing a drop in visitors, with a 3 to 5 percent decline projected for the near future.

But hoteliers and course owners are hoping that a more affluent crowd will be less vulnerable to the economy's swings than the package-tour-and-cruise market concentrated around the port of San Juan.

High-end projects can also take years to come to fruition after they are planned and financed. "They are definitely an investment in the future," said Peter Finch, senior editor at Golf Digest magazine. "It takes years and in some cases decades to get everything lined up for these courses to open. These golf courses are major undertakings across hundreds and hundreds of acres, if not thousands of acres. You can't just snap your fingers and they appear."

Not far from the Trump villas, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts in 2007 opened the Bahia Beach golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones; a luxury hotel and spa are scheduled to open in 2010. Diaz noted a 369-room J.W. Marriott hotel is expected to open in early 2011 next to the Trump property. In October, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Regent Hotels & Resorts both announced they will open new luxury hotels in 2011 in Palmas del Mar, a resort southeast of San Juan with championship golf courses designed by Reese Jones and Gary Player. Existing hotels are also raising their game with renovations and additions.

The number of residential units at the Trump resort in Puerto Rico, a $600-million project, was halved from an initial plan of 1,400 villas, while other aspects of the project were upgraded, said Jorge L. Diaz, partner of Empresas Diaz, the developer of the project. The first 56 units are up for sale with prices starting at just under $1 million.

Next door to the Trump course, the Gran Melia Puerto Rico Golf Resort and Villas recently upgraded from Melia's Paradisus all-inclusive brand to a more upscale Gran Melia hotel. All rooms in the 486-suite hotel were redecorated, restaurants upgraded to focus on fine dining and staff retrained. The upgrades were coincidental, but the Trump project, "goes on a par with the Gran Melia brand," said Evy Garcia, director of sales and marketing. "We get many golfers, especially now, with the PGA (tournament)."

The Trump course last March hosted the inaugural Puerto Rico Open, a PGA tournament it will host again in 2009. The clubhouse and course underwent a $4.5 million renovation and the course, designed by Tom Kite, was updated to meet PGA standards.

"Some of the hotels just needed an upgrade," said Lydia Feliciano, internal communications manager at the El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa in Las Croabas, in the northeast coast. The 750-room resort just completed a $120 million renovation that added 237 rooms, new restaurants and a new convention center. LXR Luxury Resorts, the hotel's new corporate parent, also renovated the existing facilities, including the guestrooms and casino. The latest addition is a seaside water park with slides, an infinity pool and activities.

The hotel also has plans to expand its golf facilities by adding a second course to the hilly 18 holes designed by Arthur Hills. Construction on the new nine-hole course is not scheduled yet, but the plans have been drawn, said golf director Trent Bluemel.

"They're trying to make the hotels a bit more upscale to attract another kind of tourist," said Veronica Taveira, a spokeswoman of the 600-room Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort resort, in Rio Grande.

The Wyndham, formerly a Westin hotel, is now in the midst of a $40 million renovation. Westin had already spent $16 million renovating the pool and beach areas before the brand switch a year ago, and Wyndham plans to spend another $15 million this year, including nearly $4 million in improvements to the clubhouse and two 18-hole golf courses, designed by pros Tom and George Fazio and Greg Norman.

While most golf resorts have traditionally been located in the greener northern coast, the last couple of years have seen new courses appear in the more arid south. In Guayama, on the southeast coast, veteran golf pro Chi Chi Rodriguez designed the course in El Legado, his 200-villa resort, and the Hilton Ponce Resort in the southern coast recently opened a country club with 27 holes of PGA championship play.