The year was 1983. Al Pacino had moviegoers riveted as Tony Montana in "Scarface. And Michael Jackson had the music charts on lock down with "Billie Jean" and" Beat It." 

Meanwhile, out west,  a small technology company out of California by the name of Apple was developing "The Bashful," a tablet like computer to go along with its "Lisa" and "Apple III+" computer.

Now, why is this important you ask? Fast forward  27 years. In a few days, Apple with its $212 a share price will be announcing its 2010 version of the tablet computer that may or may not look something like this:

Now, this post is not about the 2010 version as much as it's about 1983 version. A) its way more interesting and B) It always fascinates us how far ahead of the curve Steve Jobs has always been. With monster hits like the iPod, iPhone, iTunes and Apps store, will this device prove to be another homerun for Apple and bring salvation to the print industry (newspapers and magazines) like iTunes and the iPod did for the music business? Or will it be yet another "Bashful?"

Only time will tell...in the meantime, here's the main reason for this post - 1983 flicks of "The Bashful" for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!!!

[via: www.designmind.frogdesign.com + www.macrumors.com ]

This is one of the illest, Underground Brand x Fortune 500 collabo's that we've seen in a long time. Its rare when a brand like Pepsi allows a small company to remix their logo in a completely different product category and vice-versa. Props to both for taking the creative leap... [ via: www.highsnobiety.com ]

So last Friday, we received the following mass communique from Vice-President Joe Biden entitled "We Want Our Money Back":

Yesterday, President Obama announced our proposed Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee on the country's largest banks:

"My commitment is to recover every single dime the American people are owed. And my determination to achieve this goal is only heightened when I see reports of massive profits and obscene bonuses at some of the very firms who owe their continued existence to the American people...We want our money back, and we're going to get it."

The fee would recover every penny loaned to Wall Street during the financial crisis and stop the reckless abuses and excesses that nearly caused the collapse of our financial system in the first place.

But the banking industry -- among the most powerful lobbies in Washington -- is already launching attacks to stop Congress from enacting the proposal.

Barack and I aren't backing down. But to win, we'll need the American people to add their voice right away.

And here's our response to it:

Dear Joe, Barack and the current administration should of thought about this before handing billions over to the banks with basically no strings attached. Now the banks have you and the country by the proverbial nuts.

We can't comprehend why if the Fed is lending what amounts to almost free money to the banks, we the consumer are getting paid on average 1% in interest for them to hold our money only to have them take that 1% back via ridiculous banking and ATM fees. The playing field between bank and consumer really needs to be leveled so that it is a win-win situation for both.

The nice-guy regime is over. You cannot please everyone. We really need to get our shit together as a country. There is too much intellectual capital on your All-Star team to not win the trophy for our country.

Get it together or in another three years, there will surely be trades made to assure our country a Championship for the people. Don't let Massachusetts be the beginning of the end for your team.

We're baaack! It’s been a hot minute since our last post hence we feel that this is a very apropos time for us to get back on the scene, like a microphone fiend - just in time to give away one of vetch’s hottest new products - their wi-fi based internet radio (a $149.00 value for a limited time only).

The innovative Wi-Fi IS918 Internet radio receiver offers the flexibility and freedom of listening to live radio stations from around the globe. By having just one wireless internet connection at home, you will have access to more than 11,000 free Internet radio stations worldwide, as well as audio files (MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, Real) stored on a Wi-Fi Enabled PC, Mac or Laptop.  

In order to enter, go to www.facebook.com/rumba.vtech, become a fan and write on their wall, (under the "Just Fans" section) your favorite/most memorable Holiday moment of all time and don’t forget to mention the República Update in your post. These two components are necessary to win.    

The ninth person to post their moment on the wall and mention the República Update wins the radio.    

As there can only be one winner, boo-hoo, yeah-yeah, we know…here’s a little friends and family love that will save you 15% on the radio when you purchase it on the vetch site and it includes free shipping when you use the code: amigos2010 or…if your want to cop the sexy wireless phone below, the 10% off code for it is: rumba10.

For more information please visit: www.vtechphones.com/navidades

From your friends at the República Update family, we wish you and yours a warm and wonderful Holiday Season!

It amazes us that our politicians will go to any extent to "protect" its citizens from "external" threats via the waging of war. Yet when it comes to extending something as basic as the right to affordable health care to "protect" these same constituents, some individual political representatives fight it tooth and nail. Why? Check out Keith Olbermann's own personal experience with this very important subject.

Usablenet Inc. (www.usablenet.com) is looking for a testing Intern to work with the in-house QA team for Mobile websites. The right candidates will receive training and experience in the growth market of Mobile along with an hourly rate that reflects the intern position. The position will be approximately 20 hours per week. The time slot can be flexible.

This position is ideally suited for a student pursuing a bachelors/masters degree in a computer science related field.

Reporting Relationship:
• Conduct end user testing on mobile web sites as part of the Project team
• Track issues reported to developers and re-test
• Work with project managers to co-ordinate new site designs and tests

Primary Responsibilities:
• Work in a team environment to create Mobile device QA test process and help review and implement test plans.
• Demonstrate a general knowledge of mobile web development and mobile device use
• Identify, report, and document site bugs and other functionality that is inconsistent with stated requirements and design specifications. Must have good written and verbal skills and be able to review and assist with documentation.
• Assist with projects as requested

Technical Skills and Education:
• Pursuing a degree in Web Design, or related field.
• High level of energy, drive, enthusiasm, initiative, and commitment
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Professional, with good organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
* Compensation: $12 / Hour
* This is a part-time job.

* This is an internship job

For more info, contact Estela Rizzuto:
Main: 212-965-5388 | E: estela.rizzuto@usablenet.com

Check out Hermes traveling oceanfront estate. A collaboration between Hermes and Wally Yachts thus the acronym WHY. From a design standpoint, the concept is without a doubt sick! The only question we have is "does this make sense in the current economic climate?" For more info visit:www.why-yachts.com

For the writer in you...here are some entertainment industry diversity and fellowship program opportunities that recently came through our in-box. Take advantage and spread the wealth!
Cosby Writing Fellowship | www.cosbyprogram.com

Established by Drs. Bill and Camille Cosby in 1993, at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. The fifteen-week intensive workshop was designed with a two-fold purpose: To assist writers in the completion of a film or television script and to deepen the participant’s appreciation for and comprehension of African American history and culture.

Disney Writing Fellowship | www.abctalentdevelopment.com

Begun in 1990 in partnership with the Writers Guild of America, west, this has become one of the industry's best known and most respected writing fellowships. Fellows receive a weekly salary for a one-year period (currently amounting to $50,000/year plus benefits). The program is an intensive, hands-on experience that involves workshops, seminars and mentorships with creative executives from ABC, ABC Television Studio, Disney Channel, ABC Family, Lifetime and Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group.

Fox Diversity Program | www.fox.com

The Fox Entertainment Group again invite submission of original television pilot scripts in the multi-camera comedy, single-camera comedy, animated and drama formats. Writers selected this year will be invited to attend a six week session at Writer's Boot Camp with subsequent consultations with WBC mentors during which their scripts will be rewritten and improved. The goal is to achieve scripts at a level of professional execution that may be submitted to Fox programming executives.

CBS Television Program | www.cbscorporation.com

This program links aspiring writers with mentors from the ranks of CBS Network and CBS Paramount Studio executives. Also, writers are mentored by producer mentors from series airing on CBS. Additionally, there are weekly sessions with successful writers, producers and show runners examining in very specific and practical terms many aspects of the experience of being a television writer in Hollywood.

The Nickelodeon Writers' Program | www.nickwriting.com

Developed to broaden Nickelodeon's outreach efforts, the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship is designed to attract, develop and staff writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences on Nickelodeon Network productions. Operating in a three-phased structure, the Fellowship provides a salaried position for up to one year and offers hands-on experience writing spec scripts and pitching story ideas in both live action and animation television.

Warner Brothers Comedy and Drama Writing Program | www2.warnerbros.com

For over 30 years, Warner Bros. TV has committed to fostering new talent and providing opportunity for aspiring television writers. The Writers Workshop is the premier writing program for new writers looking to start and further their writing career. The Workshop teaches every aspect of spec script writing and features exposure to Warner Bros. TV's top television writers and executives, all with the goal of staffing graduates on a Warner Bros. TV show.

NBC Diversity Initiative for Writers | www.nbcunicareers.com

NBC is proud of the existing diversity of the writers who pen its Primetime Series. In order to further encourage diversity among our writers, NBC provides funding for a minority staff writer position for all scripted NBC Primetime Series. These positions are filled with writers selected and hired by the show runner/producers of each show, with the guidance of the network and studio(s). Scripts are accepted year-round for screening, however, positions are generally filled during the March - June staffing season.

 The Writers Guild of America | www.wga.org

The WGAW's Diversity department works with producers, studio and network executives, and writers to increase employment opportunities and to develop access/talent development programs and also hosts events, panels, and seminars to promote a more positive image of historically underemployed writers, to increase the industry's awareness of the unique obstacles often faced by these writers, and to encourage positive change in hiring practices.

Fresh off of a Peralta x SOA x República collaboration, here are ten new styles in a capsule collection entitled "The German Aviator Collection." This entire collection consists of less than 400 total pieces.

Initially released only in Germany, they are now available here in the states as a República online exclusive. Each frame comes complete with polarized lenses.
 
For more info visit: www.shop.republicatrading.com

This classic beauty first introduced in 1955 as a 300SL will be re-introduced on September 15th at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany as an SLS-AMG. Below is the original followed by the 2010 edition.








[ via: Mercedes Heritage ]