The Most Expensive - Perfumes

1 Clive Christian's Imperial Majesty: $215,000 (16.90z)
Only ten of these collectors' edition bottles were made: they're Baccarat crystal with a solid, 18-carat gold collar with a five-carat, brilliant cut, white diamond. The bottle is filled with nearly 17 ounces of No. 1, Clive Christian's signature scent, which has been widely marketed as the world's most expensive perfume.
For more information,  visit www.clive.com.

2 Clive Christian's No.1: $2,150 (1oz)
The bottle for No. 1 isn't as spectacular as its big sister, but it's no stinker, either. It's hand-made lead crystal with a .33-carat diamond in the neck. Production of No. 1 is limited by the scarcity of its ingredients, which include ylang ylang specially grown in Madagascar, vanilla, orris, natural gum resin, sandalwood and bergamot.

 
3 Caron's Poivre: $2,000 (2oz)
Caron was established in Paris, and the company today is 101 years old. Poivre, which was originally created in 1954, means pepper in French. The scent lives up to its name: It's a lively blend of red and black pepper, cloves and other spices and can be worn by either sex. The bottle above is limited-edition Baccarat crystal.
For more information, visit www.parfumscaron.com

 

4 Chanel's Chanel No. 5: $1,850 (15.2oz)
Chanel No. 5 is perhaps the world's best-known fragrance, the first perfume to bear a designer's name and the benchmark for elite perfumes ever since. The oversized crystal bottle pictured above is parfum, the purest form available, and has 15.2 ounces of the fragrance, so you won't keep running back to Chanel for refills.
For more information,  visit www.chanel.com.

5 Baccarat's Les Larmes Sacrées de Thebes: $1,700 (.25oz)
Baccarat, better known for its pure and high-quality crystal, decided to get in on the fragrance act in the late 1990s, with three limited-edition fragrances of its own. There are only six bottles of Les Larmes Sacrées de Thebes left at the Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie at Harrods, in London. The price is largely due to the pyramid-shaped bottle, made of Baccarat crystal, and the fragrance, which includes frankincense and myrrh, is meant to evoke the ancient Egyptians.
For more information, visit www.harrods.com

6 Annick Goutal's Eau d'Hadrien: $1,500 (3.4oz)
Annick Goutal is a European perfumer, former model and prize-winning pianist. Her Eau d'Hadrien is a fresh, citrus-y blend of Sicilian lemons, grapefruit and cypress. The limited-edition bottle pictured above is Baccarat crystal and was released in 2005.
For more information, visit www.annickgoutal.nl

New PSP Named And Coming This June

Sources confirm the next PSP will gain an internal flash drive, ditch UMD, and nix the rumored second analog nub. The handheld console likely will be called the PSP Go! and will be available with either 8 GB or 16 GB of flash memory.

Rumors of a major PSP hardware redesign have repeatedly bubbled to the surface over the last several months -- some claiming the removal of the system's UMD disc drive, and others pointing to a second analog stick and sliding screen. According to sources directly involved with the new system, we have learned that Sony will quell those rumors by unveiling their revamped PSP at this year's E3 conference in June.

Many have speculated that the update would be called either the PSP 2 or PSP-4000, but our sources claim Sony will forgo a numerical moniker in favor of a subtitle. We've heard various rumored code names for the project (including PSP Slide, PSP Flip, and PSP Go!), but given that Sony has introduced the Go! brand of add-ons (the Go!View video on-demand service and 1.3 megapixel Go!Cam) for the European PSP, it seems likely that the new system will in fact be called the PSP Go! Our sources further confirm that this redesign will be available in two SKUs, with either eight or 16 GB of built-in flash memory. The system is set for release in Japan this September with a U.S. debut coming in either late October or early November.

In addition, since the UMD is going away, Sony will have over 100 classic and new PSP titles available for download at launch (Gran Turismo Mobile is said to be one of the premier launch titles). As for the hardware itself, the redesign will include a d-pad, analog nub, and face buttons as part of a sliding unit sticking out below the screen (as seen in our mockup above). Unfortunately for those looking for twin-stick shooter controls, the new system will not have a second analog stick, but instead will remain consistent with the current control configuration.

China’s iphone? New Apple Contender

Meizu M8 MiniOne

The Meizu M8, sometimes also called Mini One is an upcoming mobile phone to be produced by the Chinese MP3 player manufacturer MEIZU Electronic Technology.

The M8 has received a great amount of hype, not least from the fact that the new product renders features a design reminding very much of the Apple iPhone. Something online news sources often miss to mention is that the iPhone look-alike is only one of many concept renderings of the Meizu M8. And as it is set to be released in the third or fourth quarter this year, there will surely be room for change.

If Apple is taking its sweet time to supply Asia with their iPhones, then what is Asia going to do? Well, why not make their own? That would show them. If these pictures of the Meizu M8 is accurate, then Asia could have their own counterpart for Apple's iPhone. The Meizu M8 looks just like the iPhone in every way, including the fairly unique set of icons for navigation. In fact, the M8 is more Apple than Apple as they've opted for a glossy white finish instead of a black one.

These hasn't been confirmed as of the moment though, but if it is true, this is one sweet device!

Here is Apple’s IPhone on the left and M8 MiniOne on the right

The World's Best Places to Live 2009

No. 1: Vienna, Austria

Mercer score: 108.6*
2008 rank: 2
GDP: $325 billion (2008 est.)**
Population: 1,664,146 (total city); 8,210,281 (total country)
Life expectancy: 79.5
*The rankings are based on a point scoring index established by Mercer Consultings 2009 Quality of Living Survey, with Vienna scoring 108.6 and Baghdad scoring 14.4. Cities are compared with New York as the base city, with an index score of 100. The quality-of-living survey covers 215 cities and is conducted to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments. The survey also identifies those cities with the highest personal safety ranking based on internal stability, crime, effectiveness of law enforcement, and relationships with other countries.

No. 2: Zurich, Switzerland

Mercer score: 108
2008 rank: 1
GDP: 309.9 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 1,307,567 (total city); 7,604,467 (total country)
Life expectancy: 80.85

No. 3: Geneva, Switzerland

Mercer score: 107.9
2008 rank: 2
GDP: $309.9 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 438,177 (total city); 7,604,467 (total country)
Life expectancy: 80.85

No. 4 (tie): Vancouver, Canada

Mercer score: 107.4
2008 rank: 4
GDP: $1.3 trillion (2008 est.)
Population: 2,285,900 (total city); 33,487,208 (total country)
Life expectancy: 81.2

No. 4 (tie): Auckland, New Zealand

Mercer score: 107.4
2008 rank: 5
GDP: $116.6 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 1,303,068 (total city); 4,213,418 (total country)
Life expectancy: 80.36

No. 6: Dusseldorf, Germany

Mercer score: 107.2
2008 rank: 6
GDP: $2.86 trillion (2008 est.)
Population: 581,858 (total city); 82,329,758 (total country)
Life expectancy: 79.2

No. 7: Munich, Germany

Mercer score: 107
2008 rank: 7
GDP: $2.86 trillion (2008 est.)
Population: 1,300,000 (total city); 82,329,758 (total country)
Life expectancy: 79.2

No. 8: Frankfurt, Germany

Mercer score: 106.8
2008 rank: 7
GDP: $2.86 trillion (2008 est.)
Population: 662,000 (total city); 82,329,758 (total country)
Life expectancy: 79.2

No. 9: Bern, Switzerland

Mercer score: 106.5
2008 rank: 9
GDP: $309.9 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 962,983 (total city); 7,604,467 (total country)
Life expectancy: 80.85

No. 10: Sydney, Australia

Mercer score: 106.3
2008 rank: 10
GDP: $800.5 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 4,336,374 (total city); 21,262,641 (total country)
Life expectancy: 81.6

No. 11: Copenhagen, Denmark

Mercer score: 106.2
2008 rank: 11
GDP: $204.9 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 1,875,129 (total city); 5,500,510 (total country)
Life expectancy: 78.3

No. 12: Wellington, New Zealand

Mercer score: 105.9
2008 rank: 12
GDP: $116.6 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 448,956 (total city); 4,213,418 (total country)
Life expectancy: 80.36

No. 13: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Mercer score: 105.7
2008 rank: 13
GDP: $670.2 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 740,000 (total city); 16,715,999 (total country)
Life expectancy: 79.4

No. 14: Brussels, Belgium

Mercer score: 105.4
2008 rank: 14
GDP: $390.5 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 1,451,047 (total city); 10,414,336 (total country)
Life expectancy: 79.22

No. 15: Toronto, Canada

Mercer score: 105.3
2008 rank: 15
GDP: $1.307 trillion (2008 est.)
Population: 2,503,281 (total city); 33,487,208 (total country)
Life expectancy: 81.23

No. 16 (tie): Ottawa, Canada

Mercer score: 105
2008 rank: 19
GDP: $1.307 trillion (2008 est.)
Population: 812,129 (total city); 33,487,208 (total country)
Life expectancy: 81.23

No. 16 (tie): Berlin, Germany

Mercer score: 105
2008 rank: 16
GDP: $2.863 trillion (2008 est.)
Population: 3,398,888 (total city); 82,329,758 (total country)
Life expectancy: 79.26

No. 18: Melbourne, Australia

Mercer score: 104.8
2008 rank: 17
GDP: $800.5 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 3,900,000 (total city); 21,262,641 (total country)
Life expectancy: 81.63

No. 19 : Luxembourg

Mercer score: 104.6
2008 rank: 17
GDP: $39.42 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 491,775 (total city); 491,775 (total country)
Life expectancy: 79.33

No. 20: Stockholm, Sweden

Mercer score: 104.5
2008 rank: 20
GDP: $348.6 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 810,120 (total city); 9,059,651 (total country)
Life expectancy: 80.86

No. 21: Perth, Australia

Mercer score: 104.3
2008 rank: 21
GDP: $800.5 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 1,554,769 (total city); 21,262,641 (total country)
Life expectancy: 81.63

No. 22: Montreal, Canada

Mercer score: 104.2
2008 rank: 22
GDP: $1.3 trillion (2008 est.)
Population: 1,620,693 (total city); 33,487,208 (total country)
Life expectancy: 81.2

No. 23: Nuremberg, Germany

Mercer score: 104.1
2008 rank: 23
GDP: $2.86 trillion (2008 est.)
Population: 500,132 (total city); 82,329,758 (total country)
Life expectancy: 79.2

No. 24: Oslo, Norway

Mercer score: 103.7
2008 rank: 24
GDP: $265.5 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 560,484 (total city); 4,660,539 (total country)
Life expectancy: 79.9

No. 25: Dublin, Ireland

Mercer score: 103.6
2008 rank: 25
GDP: $191.9 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 506,211 (total city); 4,203,200 (total country)
Life expectancy: 78.2

No. 26 (tie): Singapore

Mercer score: 103.5
2008 rank: 32
GDP: $240 billion (2008 est.)
Population: 4,657,542 (total city); 4,657,542 (total country)
Life expectancy: 79.2

No. 26 (tie): Calgary, Canada

Mercer score: 103.5
2008 rank: 25
GDP: $1.3 trillion (2008 est.)
Population: 1,169,492 (total city); 33,487,208 (total country)
Life expectancy: 81.2

No. 28: Hamburg, Germany

Mercer score: 103.4
2008 rank: 27
GDP: $1.3 trillion (2008 est.)
Population: 1,169,492 (total city); 33,487,208 (total country)
Life expectancy: 81.2

No. 29: Honolulu, U.S.

Mercer score: 103.1
2008 rank: 28
GDP: $14.29 trillion (2008 est.)
Population: 905,601 (total city); 307,212,123 (total country)
Life expectancy: 78.1

No. 30: San Francisco, U.S.

Mercer score: 103
2008 rank: 29
GDP: $14.29 trillion (2008 est.)
Population: 808,976 (total city); 307,212,123 (total country)
Life expectancy: 78.1

Coming Soon: Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC

Windows XP Mode is specifically designed to help small businesses move to Windows 7. Windows XP Mode provides you with the flexibility to run many older productivity applications on a Windows 7 based PC.

All you need to do is to install suitable applications directly in Windows XP Mode which is a virtual Windows XP environment running under Windows Virtual PC. The applications will be published to the Windows 7 desktop and then you can run them directly from Windows 7.

Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC are best experienced on your new Windows 7 PC. We will be soon releasing the beta of Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC for Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate.

Swine Flu Q & A

What is swine flu?

Swine flu is a respiratory disease normally found in pigs and caused by type A influenza viruses. While outbreaks of this type of flu are most common in pigs, human cases of swine flu do happen. In the past, reports of human swine flu have been rare—approximately one infection every one to two years in the United States. From December 2005 through February 2009, only 12 cases of human infection were documented.

How is it spread?

Humans with direct exposure to pigs are those most commonly infected with swine flu. Human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses have been documented; however, it's not known how easily the spread occurs. Just as the common flu is passed along, swine flu is thought to be spread by coughing, sneezing, or touching something that has the live virus on it.

If infected, a person may be able to infect another person one day before symptoms develop; therefore, a person is able to pass the flu on before they know they are sick. Infected individuals may spread the virus for seven or more days after becoming sick. Those with swine flu should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are showing symptoms, and up to seven days or longer from the onset of their illness. Children might be contagious for longer periods of time.

Can I catch swine flu from eating pork?

No. The CDC says that swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food. Properly cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills all bacteria and viruses.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of a regular flu: fever and chills, sore throat, cough, headache, body aches, and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting can also be present. Without a specific lab test, it is impossible to know whether you may be suffering from swine flu or another flu strain, or a different disease entirely.

What precautionary measures should I take? 

The same everyday precautions that you take to prevent other contagious viruses should be used to protect yourself against swine flu. "The best current advice is for individuals to practice good hand hygiene. Periodic hand washing with soap and water, or the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hand washing is not possible, is a good preventive measure. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as germs can more easily gain entrance into your body through those areas," suggests Rob Danoff, D.O., an MSN health expert. Covering your mouth with a disposable tissue when you cough and sneeze is also a good practice.

The CDC recommends avoiding contact with sick people and keeping your own good health in check with adequate sleep, exercise, and a nutritious diet.

What should you do if you think you are sick with swine flu? 

Contact your health care professional, inform them of your symptoms, and ask whether you should be tested for swine flu. Be prepared to give details on how long you've been feeling ill and about any recent travels. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you feel sick, but are not sure what illness you may have, stay home until you have been diagnosed properly to avoid spreading any infection.   

Watch for these symptoms in children. Seek emergency medical care if your child experiences any of the following warning signs:

• Fever with a rash
• Dehydration
• Fast breathing 
• Bluish skin coloration
• Slow to wake or sluggish interaction
• Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return and cough worsens
• Severe irritability

For adults, emergency medical care is needed if you experience these warning signs: 

• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting 
• Pain or pressure in the chest or stomach

Remember that the symptoms for swine flu are almost identical to those you might experience with the regular flu. Only your doctor can give you the correct diagnosis.

Are there medicines effective in treating swine flu in humans?

The current strain of the swine flu appears to respond to the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu), or zanamivir (Relenza) for those infected. For treatment, these antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within two days of the appearance of symptoms), and for that reason, it's important to notify your health care provider right away if your symptoms are severe.

Are there a vaccine available to protect against swine flu?  

No, there is no vaccine to protect humans from this new strain of swine flu. Steps have been taken to start developing one, though the process is complex and can take months.

Would a recent vaccination for the seasonal flu help protect against swine flu?

The CDC reports that those individuals who received the seasonal flu vaccine do not have added protection against the swine flu. The human H1N1 viruses are very different from the H1N1 viruses responsible for the recent outbreaks of swine flu. Therefore, a seasonal flu vaccine would not protect against the swine flu.

10 Most Anticipated Ultraportables and Netbooks of 2009

Thinking of buying an ultraportable laptop or a netbook soon? Check out this Top 10 list of upcoming portables before you open your wallet.

MSI Wind U115

Price: Less than $700
Release date: Unknown
OS: Windows XP or Vista Basic
Screen size: 10 inches
Weight: Under 3 pounds
Why you'll love it: The MSI Wind U115 is touted as the world's first hybrid-storage notebook. It comes with a 160GB hard disk but also includes a solid-state drive (8GB or possibly 16GB) to run the operating system and programs. An SSD is more durable and faster than a standard hard drive; it also uses less laptop battery power, keeping your system running longer between recharges. When you're on the go, just switch off the power-sucking disk-based drive, and you'll still have access to your computer’s normal functions. MSI says the machine will last from 12 to 20 hours with a six- or nine-cell battery, respectively. Intel's Atom Z530 1.6GHz processor powers the U115; the system also supports up to 2GB of RAM and has three USB ports, a webcam, two-channel stereo speakers, a microphone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a four-in-one card reader (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro).

Asus Eee Keyboard PC

Price: Rumored to be $400 to $600
Release date: Summer 2009
OS: Windows XP Home Edition
Screen size: 5 inches
Weight: 2 pounds
Why you'll love it: Asus takes the all-in-one concept literally with an entire computer packed into a wireless keyboard. This ain't your old Commodore 64 though: The Eee Keyboard PC comes with a 5.5-inch touch-screen with 800-by-480 resolution on the right side. The Keyboard PC packs in an Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB or 32GB of solid-state storage, three USB ports, VGA output, wideband wireless HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 and an internal battery. The machine is optimized for Web surfing or for controlling your wireless home network right from your sofa with wireless HDMI.

Gigabyte M1022 Booktop
Price: Unknown
Release date: April 30
OS: Windows XP Home
Screen size: 10.1 inches
Weight: 2.87 pounds
Why you'll love it: The M1022 Booktop looks to the future with a base station that converts the netbook into a desktop machine. Just slap it into the base and fire up your monitor, and you’re surfing the Web like a desk jockey. It comes with your choice of an Intel N280 Atom 1.6GHz or 1.66GHz processor, a maximum of 2GB RAM, a 160GB hard drive, three USB ports, a four-in-one card reader (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro), the docking port, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, Wi-Fi, optional Wi-Max and a 92 percent full-size keyboard.

Asus Eee PC T91
Price: Rumored to be around $500
Release date: Summer 2009
OS: Windows XP Home
Screen size: 8.9 inches
Weight: Under 2 pounds
Why you'll love it: The Asus Eee PC T91 has a swiveling touch-screen that can also work with a stylus if you’re a tablet PC lover. The T91 packs an Intel Atom Z520 1.33GHz processor, a TV tuner, 1024-by-600-resolution, GPS, two USB slots, an SD Card slot, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. For storage, you can use a 16GB solid-state drive, a 16GB SD card and a 20GB Web drive.

Asus Eee PC T91

Look again: Here's a second view of the Asus Eee PC T91, this time in its tablet mode.

MSI X340
Price: Under $1,000
Release date: Expected in May 2009
OS: Vista Home Premium
Screen size: 13.4 inches
Weight: 2.8 pounds
Why you'll love it: As slim as the MacBook Air, the MSI X340 is a strong up-and-comer among ultraportables. The X340 promises speed with Intel's 1.3GHz Core 2 Solo CULV processor, the screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio, and the computer comes packed with a 320GB HDD, up to 4GB RAM, a four-cell battery, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a 3G/WiMax option. You can also pick up an external Blu-ray Disc player for the X340 to take advantage of that 16:9-ratio screen.

Samsung Mondi
Price: Unknown
Release date: Spring 2009
OS: Windows Mobile 6.1
Screen size: 4.3 inches
Weight: Light
Why you'll love it: Designed to run on Sprint's Clearwire Wi-Max network, the Mondi is one of two Internet devices to make our Top 10. The Mondi features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, GPS, the Opera 9.5 browser, 4GB internal memory, a 3.0-megapixel camera with video support, Bluetooth 2.0, HDMI-out, Wi-Fi, WiMax, push e-mail and instant messaging support for Messenger, Fring and Gypsii. Samsung will ship the Mondi with a car mount for on-the-go action, too.

Samsung NC20
Price: Around $550
Release date: Unknown
OS: Windows XP
Screen size: 12.1 inches (1280 by 800 pixels)
Weight: 3.3 pounds
Why you'll love it: The Samsung NC20 isn't available in the United States yet, but PC World's laptop expert, Darren Gladstone, got his hands on an Asian model that came with a 120GB hard drive, a 1.3GHz VIA Nano processor, three USB ports, a webcam, Ethernet, VGA-out, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0. According to Samsung’s U.S. site, you can expect a six-cell battery for longer battery life (the Asian model does about five hours already), a 97 percent full-size keyboard, the same VIA Nano processor as the Asian model and a 160GB hard drive.

CrunchPad
Price: Around $300
Release date: Unknown
OS: Custom Linux build
Screen size: 12 inches
Weight: Unknown
Why you'll love it: When TechCrunch recently got scooped on its own device, I knew it had to make this list. Powered by an Intel Atom chip set, the CrunchPad comes with a touch-screen and virtual keyboard, a camera for photos and video, speakers, a microphone and one USB port. Outsiders have not laid their hands on the CrunchPad yet, but this little tablet device could be a hot property for simplified Web surfing, e-mail, media streaming and video chat.

Acer Aspire Timeline
Price: $699 to $899
Release date: Unknown
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium
Screen size: 15.6, 14, or 13.3 inches
Weight: 5.3, 4.2 or 3.5 pounds
Why you'll love it: The Acer Aspire Timeline is all about improved battery life and awesome graphics. It comes with either an Intel Core 2 Duo 1.40GHz CPU or the Intel Core 2 Solo 1.30GHz processor, and is expandable to 8GB of DDR3 1,066MHz RAM. The screen has a 1366-by-768-pixel resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Storage is not a problem, with hard-drive options for 160GB, 250GB, 320GB or 500GB; a solid-state drive is also available. The Timeline includes three USB ports, a five-in-one card reader (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro and XD Picture Card), an Acer Crystal Eye webcam, and built-in Wi-Fi and WiMax support. Acer says the Timeline is eco-friendly, too, as it consumes 66 percent less power than Energy Star standards require.

The Rumor Mill
Some of the most anticipated devices may or may not even exist -- for now, they're relegated to the realm of rumors. Included in this group is Dell's leaked netbook road map, which features devices with high-definition screens, TV tuners, bigger hard drives and various OS flavors.
Then, of course, there's the Apple tablet that's too big to be an iPhone but too small to be a netbook. No one knows what kind of specs Apple's rumored device might have -- assuming it ever makes an appearance -- but I'm sure it will sport so many juicy features that Apple fans will line up months in advance to get one.
Google's Android OS may go beyond smartphones and morph into a netbook OS in the coming months. No products have been announced yet, but rumored manufacturers include Asustek and HP.