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Final Fantasy XIII soundtrack site launches with samples from game's four-disc score originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not long ago we would have believed that Prague had everything. The city responsible for gifting us with the Horologue, the Charles Bridge, Good King Wenceslas, Bohemians and the Lennon Wall, Havel, Kafka, Kundera, the Iron Door, and a mythical, 9-foot nocturnal worker made of clay simply had to be able to check off all the boxes. Apparently, we were wrong: the city had no luxuriant members-only club. That is, until LS Club arrived.

In Prague's district 1 -- of course -- the 2-story club's playrooms include a members' lounge, business center with 50-seat conference center and reception, SHISO Japanese restaurant featuring a chef with a NOBU pedigree, and its Cristal nightclub will be opening on New Year's Eve. You don't need to be a member to dine at SHISO, and for a closer look at LS you can step into The Library, open to members and restaurant patrons. That's where you'll find the cigars, humidor, and hundreds of whiskeys and vintage cognacs. And, of course, 500 volumes of literature, because your Rocky Patel Vintage '92 isn't complete without The Trial.

Beyond its location, LS offers complimentary transfers from the center of town, a personal concierge service, a meet & greet service for your international guests, and private shopping arrangements. Speaking of private, LS Club is all about it: no photography is allowed inside and no members of the media can join... which means you won't even find Luxist there. However, since LS membership also means reciprocal rights at a host of private clubs worldwide, you might find us elsewhere. But before you find out about those other establishments, you'll have to get into this one first.

Filed under: Journeys

Prague Introduces a Better Way to do Members Only: the LS Club originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Luxist Awards asked three of our Expert Panelists, all veterans of the travel industry, about the hot destinations of the future. Their answers may surprise you.

Adam Stewart the chief executive of Sandals Resorts International; Nikheel Advani, Chief Operating Officer and Principal of Grace Bay Resorts; and Ed Steiner, Senior Vice President, Latin America and the Caribbean, One&Only Resorts share their vision with Luxist.

Filed under: Video

What are the Next Hot-Spots in the Luxury Resort Scene? originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you're into real life bunny wabbits and other such wildlife, but not a fan of the cold, wet and windy outdoors, what do you do? We'd say just boot up the console and shoot you some pixelated peoples, but Steve Norris' idea might be just a tad more practical. He has authored the above mobile snap-station, which is equipped with an infrared video camera, a Nikon DSLR, and pairs of motors, 10Ah batteries, and solar panels. Power flows from the latter into the former to turn wildlife stalking into a pleasurable pastime for even the most indoorsy of folks. Video demonstration of the hardware after the break.

Continue reading CoolerBot photographs nature, gets its power from it

CoolerBot photographs nature, gets its power from it originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Action

2K Games has now issued their official press release announcing Spec Ops: The Line, their revival of the military shooter series from developer Yager. The press release offers up some actual storyline details for the first time, confirming that the game takes place in the city state of Dubai where for some unknown reason a massive series of sandstorms has devastated the region.

Your player character in the game is U.S. Army Captain Martin Walker. He leads a team of Delta Squad members into the city to try to rescue U.S. Army Colonel John Konrad and his squad who stayed behind to protect those who could not escape the sandstorms. Judging from the trailer shown on the Video Game Awards on Saturday night that rescue attempt does not go well. In addition to the game's single player campaign there will also be some kind of multiplayer element for Spec Ops: The Line although details are not mentioned. The game itself is not due for release until sometime in parent company Take Two Interactive's 2011 fiscal year which begins on November 1, 2010.

More info on Spec Ops: The Line's story revealed originally appeared on Big Download Blog on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read More... [Source: Big Download Blog]

Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, USA

Let's say you're a good-sized auto manufacturer about to release an all-electric car with around 100 miles worth of range and you want it to gain market acceptance (and market share) as quickly as possible. After years of planning and engineering, you have a vehicle that's attractive, safe and offers superior performance to its gas-powered equivalent. Your surveys and focus groups are telling you that a profitable percentage of consumers would pay extra for a superior ownership experience which is what, for the most part, you are ready to offer. There is really only one bad-apple issue that may need special attention to ensure the whole bunch doesn't get spoiled: range anxiety of the long trip kind.

Potential road-tripping consumers of your LEAF / i MiEV / Focus EV are worried they may find themselves on a dark desert highway without cool wind in their hair and without a charge in their batteries. Yes, the vast majority of trips taken are well within the range limits of your product and opportunity-charging stations are being installed in their thousands over the next few years, but it's not enough. A few times a year, many Americans want to take their car on a trip that involves driving a few hundred miles and, until batteries are greatly improved, that can't be done in a BEV.

GM has, of course, opted to overcome this obstacle by placing a gas engine in the vehicle to act as a personal mobile generator which, though a bit of a kludge, is a decent short-term fix. For those haters of the whole gasoline paradigm though, it's akin to driving around with a lawyer in your back seat (or if you prefer, your trunk) on the off chance you may actually need his/her/its advice one day. We believe we have another approach that may not only be greeted enthusiastically by your customers but also allow you an opportunity to introduce the electric experience to more members of the driving public: Free rental cars. Hit the jump for the details.

Continue reading Automaker Advice: How to relieve long-range anxiety and gain market share

Automaker Advice: How to relieve long-range anxiety and gain market share originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One&Only Resorts, the luxury resort company known for its stunning properties in some of the most beautiful locales in the world, will open its second property in Dubai. One & Only The Palm will open on Palm Island in October 2010. The property is being developed by His Highness Sheikh Bin Saeed Al Makthoum (right) and Sol Kerzner, (left) CEO and Chairman of Kerzner International, parent company of One&Only Resorts.

The property will have a striking location on the peninsula of Palm Island crescent with spectacular views of new Dubai's skyline. Resort guests will be able to indulge in an exclusive island feel getaway or choose to be whisked away by the resort's private water taxis or limousine to Dubai's wide array of activities, from golf at award-winning courses to world-class shopping, dining and entertainment at the most sought-after of venues.

Set in some of the most beautiful locales in the world, One&Only Resorts offer a distinctive style and personality borne of its local culture. Other locations include One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives; One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius; One&Only Royal Mirage in Dubai; One&Only Ocean Club in The Bahamas and One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico. The One&Only Cape Town, South Africa opened on April 3, 2009.

"We believe the government's continuous commitment to developing tourism in the region combined with all the destination has to offer, its constant innovation and its easy international access make this the perfect place for us to expand the One&Only portfolio," says Kerzner.

Located at The Palm Jumeirah, the resort's external architecture will blend Moorish and Andalucian influences, while the interiors will display contemporary, chic living environments, promoting a sense of understated elegance with privacy being of the utmost importance. Surrounded by lush landscaped gardens, the resort will provide an oasis of tranquility amid cosmopolitan Dubai.

Guest accommodations at this intimate resort will be composed of 35 suites and apartments within the grand Manor House, six independent low-rise mansions with eight to ten suites and exclusive two and three bedroom beachfront villas. Stunning and spacious with every modern amenity, guest rooms and suites will have a stylish modern design with an elegant palate of rich fabrics in hues of turquoise and purple. Sumptuous bathrooms will feature over-sized, freestanding bath tubs and rain showers with the finest inlaid marble from Italy and Spain.

All accommodations will offer outdoor terraces or private pool. Guests staying in suites, apartments and villas will also be indulged by a dedicated butler, 24 hours a day. The resort will also feature private cabanas by an 850 square meter pool, a private beach and a freestanding 2,400 square meters spa, fitness and beauty complex. The One&Only Spa will be set amidst outdoor gardens and will offer a fitness center featuring state-of-the-art equipment by Technogym and Kinesis studio, tennis court and a beauty salon.

The resort's Marina Restaurant will offer al fresco dining adjacent to the marina. Guests can reach the restaurant by private yacht or One&Only water taxis.

Filed under: Journeys, Real Estate Developments

One&Only Resorts to Open on Palm Island in Dubai originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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