Oooooh, I need this for our flights to Egypt tomorrow (from Dean Morris Cards UK):

This is just concept right now, but imagine the possibilities: an app for the iPhone that lets you place your Starbucks order ahead of time, calculates what you owe and then generates payment. Even though I am not a Starbucks devotee, the ramifications for retail may major if things like this take off.

I've decided that I'm not going to take any checked baggage on our upcoming trip to the Middle East, relying instead on whatever clothes I can fit into a 22-inch carry on. That means packing extremely light, with five shirts, five pairs of pants and five sets of underwear, all washable and quick-drying. But what to do with all that other junk I need to carry with me? I've purchased perhaps the coolest and most ingenious piece of clothing I have ever owned - a ScotteVest, which has 22 hidden pockets capable of holding all my electronics (iPhone, PSP, video camera, digital camera, an all-purpose electrical adapter and noise-cancelling headphones), as well as sunglasses, travel documents, a bottle of water, magazines and more! And the coolest part is that when you have it on, it doesn't look like you are carrying much of anything in it. Very James Bond and very, very cool.

Forbes magazine has published a list of the 10 most miserable cities in the United States, and guess who’s clocking in at number 7? The full list:

10. Providence, RI 9. Charlotte, NC 8. Modesto, CA 7. Los Angeles, CA 6. Chicago, IL 5. Philadelphia, PA 4. New York, NY 3. Flint, MI 2. Stockton, CA 1. Detroit, MI

Hmmmm...I dunno, I can think of a lot of places in the world that are much more miserable than what I see from my front door every day:

Well, the Writer's Strike is over and it didn't kill my favorite new show of the 2007 Fall Season, ABC's "Pushing Daisies." Not so thrilled that the nine episodes aired so far will count as Season 1, and that the show will not return until this fall. Feh. Well, with all that time to write and produce, I bet it will be stellar.

If you own an iPhone, you know that the built-in digital camera takes great photos, but the range is pretty limited due to its fixed lens. Now you can add a zoom lens which attaches to a protective plastic case that snaps snugly around the phone. If you don’t mind adding a little extra bulk to your iPhone, you can pick one up from DealExtreme for just under $15 (plus, it's kinda phallic).

The Britney Spears drama has managed to graze us a little as it careens wildly through the streets of Los Angeles. Brit and her pal Adnan paid a late-afternoon visit to Philip's law firm today. Judging from the footage on Celebtv.com, the paparrazi were insane, chasing her car into the parking garage then following her up the escalator and practically into the elevator. When Philip tried to leave for the day, the phalanx of photographers made it nearly impossible for him to get out of the building. No wonder she's gone nuts!

Watched a TERRIFIC Netflix rental last night, Colma: The Musical. Shot on what looks like a budget of $3, this great-spirited coming-of-age film is heartfelt, fun and refreshing. (Colma is a little town right next to San Francisco whose claim to fame is that the dead outnumber the living 1500 to 1 because of its many cemeteries.) One part Rent, one part Grease, and one part Rocky Horror Picture Show, Colma: The Musical grabs you from its first song and doesn't let go!

Blue States vs. Red States, the Democrats have a dream for 2008 and now you can too with this Heat Activated Blue States Mug from Wicked Cool Stuff. Pour hot liquid into this coffee mug and watch the nation swing to the left.