Random Feed

JPMorgan Palladium Card

2013-02-05T21:16:00.001-08:00

Proper use of #palladiumcard #jpmorgan by ulasdikkaya #scrapeit

From Wikipedia:

A J.P. Morgan Palladium Card with EMV

The Palladium Card is a Visa Signature^[1] hybrid charge and credit (revolving) card, composed of one ounce of palladium bullion (as of Jan 18, 2012-2, worth $730.22^[2]) issued by J.P. Morgan Bank. The card was designed exclusively for ultra-high net worth clients of J.P. Morgan Investment Services with holdings in excess of US$25m in liquid assets, but has since been expanded to Chase Private Clients, which generally require between US$1m and US$5m in liquid assets under Chase management respectively. The card offers an advertised rewards profile similar to the American Express Platinum Card while the unadvertised perks seem to cater to select card holders and have a profile similar to the American Express Centurion Card. It has been dubbed by Bloomberg as "the card for the 1% of the 1%".^[3]

JP Morgan introduced the Palladium Card in 2009 to cater to their ultra high net worth customer base. The Palladium card is the first US credit card with a smart chip and is made out of around 1 ounce of palladium metal with the cardholder's information laser etched with 23K gold. The value of the physical card alone is estimated at around $1000. While many observers suggest the Palladium card is a direct competitor to the American Express Centurion Card, the advertised rewards and perks profile is more of a competitor to the American Express Platinum Charge Card. However, there are rumors of personalized unadvertised perks for select Palladium Card holders. Another key difference between the Centurion Card and the Palladium Card is the former is by invitation only whereas the Palladium Card requires a private banking relationship with JP Morgan Chase in order to be eligible to apply.

The Palladium Card offers "chip and signature" making international travel easier for U.S. card holders. Cardholders receive membership in Lounge Club and other elite services. The Chase (U.S.) website offers only minimal details on the card.^[4]

Availability and fees

Cardholders are required to pay an annual fee of $595 and $99 for each authorized user. There are no nuisance fees such as for foreign exchange, late payments, cash advances, or overdrafts. According to bank spokesman, Rob Tacey, he doesn’t put a dollar amount on just what it takes to acquire one of these cards, but Bloomberg does say, “If you happen to have an extra $25 million that you are willing to let JP Morgan manage for you,” you can get the card. Initially the card was only targeted at elite Private Banking clients but in 2011 the card was opened up to Chase Private Client customers and a few others who met the income and credit requirements but lacked the high assets originally required for the card.^[5]^[6]However, this has since changed and a private banking relationship is once again required to apply for the card. There are currently 5000 Palladium Cards active, making the Palladium Card even more exclusive by numbers than the American Express Centurion Card.

References

^ All Visa Signature cards, like certain American Express charge and Diners' club products, have no "pre-set spending limit", and come with additional features such as personalized concierge service. Compare Visa Infinite (a higher tier Visa card unavailable in America]], World MasterCard (the MasterCard equivalent to Visa Signature), and the MasterCard World Signia {comparable to the Visa Infinite, and also unavailable in America).

^ http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/18/markets-precious-idUSL4N0AN0C120130118

^ Bloomberg

^ https://creditcards.chase.com/credit-cards/jp-morgan-palladium-card.aspx

^ http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=475814

^ http://mypalladiumcard.com/

Proper use of #palladiumcard #jpmorgan by ulasdikkaya #scrapeit: Proper use of #palladiumcard #jpmorgan by ulasd... bit.ly/11HDiiJ

— Mirrrey (@Mirrrey_1) February 5, 2013

Happy (Documentary 2011)

2012-09-30T18:15:00.001-07:00

Watched this yesterday and comes highly recommended. Our circumstances- the job we have, how much money we make, where we live, our social status, those things that many of us are told to focus on, only affect about 10% of our happiness. The rest comes from elsewhere- well made movie that makes you think. :)

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Happy/70243161
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1613092/
http://www.amazon.com/Happy/dp/B007BECIVC
http://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/happy/id497249172

Curiosity landing video and the historic Apollo 11 descent

2012-08-06T22:08:00.001-07:00

So NASA JPL just released this amazing video of the Curiosity rover landing on Mars. I’m still amazed at how flawlessly the mission was executed.

NASA JPL Curiosity landing

Couldn’t help but dig up this gem of a video of the Apollo 11 mission of the Eagle landing on the moon. I can only imagine how stressful the landing may have been for everyone involved on that historic day in 1969:

Apollo 11 Eagle landing

Original NASA JPL embedded video:

Source: NASA JPL

Astronaut pegman on Google Maps

2012-08-02T20:56:00.001-07:00

Just noticed how the drag-and-drop Google street-view "pegman" icon changes into an Astronaut on Google Maps when browsing the new self-guided tour of the Kennedy Space Center. :)

Previously: Lego Minifig on Google Maps

8765i.jpg

2012-07-09T23:09:00.001-07:00

Clearly, you came looking for the Vanessa Hojda Resume Nicolas Cage picture. :)

Original email:

Here it is, 8765i.jpg, in all it's glory:

Nicolas Cage is awesome! :)

Vanessa's original post is here.

Watching This Is the Closest You'll Get to Aerial Combat [Video]

2012-04-27T12:06:00.001-07:00

Sent to you by Aakash via Google Reader:

Watching This Is the Closest You'll Get to Aerial Combat [Video]

via Gizmodo by Sam Biddle on 4/25/12

If you've ever dreamt of flying a jet into war—I see you, joystick jockeys—this incredible GoPro footage is your best new alternative. Watch it in fullscreen if you actually want to feel nauseous.

All that's missing is the g-force factor pulling at your face, and, of course, the risk of crashing or being blown out of the sky. But that's OK! These F-15 videographers were just training, anyway, as part of ACM (Air Combat Maneuvering) dogfight practice between the "Fighting Cocks" (hush) and "Vampire Bats" squadrons, based out of Japan. But man, it looks like the real thing: flares released, midair refueling, and best of all, the absolutely crazy maneuvering. All the Top Gun radio chatter helps with the mood, too.

For you true air combat nerds, David Cenciotti points out that the video is a great way to check out the JHMCS (Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System)—the advanced helmets the pilots wear: "it enables pilots to cue onboard weapons against enemy plane merely by pointing their heads at the targets."

One real world hazard? The awful music that seems more at home in a compilation of monster truck crashes than the Air Force. BUT PERHAPS IT MAKES IT ALL FEEL MORE X-TREME—GUITAR SHRED ENGAGED. [Vimeo via The Aviationist]

Things you can do from here:

Subscribe to Gizmodo using Google Reader
Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Case Review, Comparison (US version - Verizon 4G LTE)

2012-02-19T16:35:00.001-08:00

I spent a lot of time researching cases for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus today and thought a quick write up with links to review videos and case product pages would help others. This is not a review per se, but I’ve listed pros and cons of the cases I found and what I think might b a good, affordable choice that meets most of my needs. The following were my requirements for the case:
What is the best, thin profiled case for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (US version)?

Must be thin and not add any bulk to the phone
Must protect edges, corners and not leave them unprotected
Must be under $35 USD
Must fit the Verizon Galaxy Nexus CDMA US version
I prefer a hard-case over cheap gel cases. However, am open to suggestions that are quality products.
Must have a fine lip on the front side so that the screen is not scratched if the phone is placed face-down

Regarding #2 above, see what happens when you don't protect the edges below. This is a HTC Google Nexus One after <2 years of medium to heavy use:

The SGP Neo Hybrid Case looks good but is unfortunately, not available for the Verizon US version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus:

Looks good, but not available for the US Verizon version of the phone

Product link:goo.gl/MHwI0

The Incipio Feather does not cut it because of the corners it leaves unprotected and missing front lip:

Feather Touch: Not enough cover on the corners and edges

The Incipio Silicrylic is simply "silly" & looks ugly:

Incipio Silicrylic: Ugly Sibling of the Incipio Feather

Not impressed with the Otterbox: adds a lot of bulk and seems expensive!

Both the commuter and Defender add a lot of bulk

Product link: goo.gl/MhvI2

The Case-mate Barely There Case came very close to meet all the requirements of a good samsung galaxy nexus case, but leaves far too much exposed on the edges. I’m just afraid that when the phone falls and bounces around on asphalt, the edges and screen will surely take a scratch or two. Also, the black case seems out of stock as of this writing.

Great case, $25, but leaves a lot exposed. See #2 above.

Product Link: goo.gl/Z4RWa

And the winner, so far, is ultra-thin, custom fit flexible TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) Diztronic Matte Back Black Flexible *Revision 3* TPU Case & Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
I know this isn’t a hard case, but seems to meet most of my requirements. Wonder how much lint it will gather but from the video review, this looks pretty good for the price:

the winner so far

Product Links: goo.gl/bQUee, goo.gl/u2plE
I’ll post an update after I buy the above or find something more fitting.

Update: 08/03/2012: I've had the diztronic Matte case for the last few months and think that the case is the best! I've not had any issues with the case and will recommend it any day! (have already recommended it to 3 people).

This post is for informative purposes only and just some research I did online. All content above is copyright original youtube uploaders and product owners.

Google map maker live stream

2011-04-28T14:10:00.001-07:00

Pretty cool tool that let’s you watch google map updates made by people from around the world live!

http://www.google.com/mapmaker/pulse

Back to the future

2011-03-03T19:02:00.001-08:00

From Irina’s website:

I love old photos. I admit being a nosey photographer. As soon as I step into someone else’s house, I start sniffing for them. Most of us are fascinated by their retro look but to me, it’s imagining how people would feel and look like if they were to reenact them today... A few months ago, I decided to actually do this. So, with my camera, I started inviting people to go back to their future.

All of her work here.

Source: Irina Werning

Tick Tock (Emory University 2011)

2011-03-03T18:48:00.001-08:00

Source: Youtube

Refill T-mobile flex account via a text message

2010-12-26T21:08:00.001-08:00

How do i refill my tmobile account through a text?

To refill a t-mobile flex account using a text message or SMS without having to log into T-mobile’s site, you can directly send a text to 7777. The body of the message needs to contain the amount (in dollars) you want to credit to your account followed by the last 4 digits of the credit/debit card that you’ve used (last? or) atleast once online to refill that same number’s account in the past.

For example, if my credit card number is 1234 5566 1234 5678, and I want to add $10 to my T-mobile flex account using a text message I should send the following sms to 7777:

10 5678

You should receive a text reply from T-mobile (456) confirming the transaction right away.

Try the links here to get discounts on refills:

Ascent - Commemorating Shuttle

2010-12-19T22:18:00.001-08:00

To achieve orbit, the space shuttle must accelerate from zero to a speed of almost 28,968 kilometers per hour (18,000 miles per hour), a speed nine times as fast as the average rifle bullet. It takes over a million moving parts, weighing in over 4.5million pounds to work in perfect synchronization to put this marvel into orbit:

This compilation of film and video presents the best of the best ground-based Shuttle motion imagery from STS-114, STS-117, and STS-124 missions. Rendered in the highest definition possible, this production is a tribute to the dozens of men and women of the Shuttle imaging team and the 30yrs of achievement of the Space Shuttle Program.

Don’t miss the awesome detail on some of these clips- the “docucam” for documentaries and that awesome shot of the sun behind the SRBs @ 34:45- amazing photography. I could watch this for hours. :-p

Must watch if you are a shuttle-head: Worth every minute of the 45minute collection.

Original Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2VygftZSCs | Source: Jalopnik

Speed-flying at Chamonix

2010-12-18T11:13:00.001-08:00

Source: Gizmodo

Visualize your GMail!

2010-11-22T13:09:00.001-08:00

A very simple chrome extension lets you graph your gmail inbox for some very interesting insights to your mailing habits. Install Graph Your Inbox for Chrome here.

Another cool gmail related web-app I’ve used recently is called FindBigMail. It automatically searches your inbox for large emails and sends out a very concise summary of the largest emails- automatically labeling them for future reference and deletion when you are running out of gmail space.

I buckled to my online storage needs this last weekend and bought 20gb of Google storage for $5. Not bad given the amount of data I store on their servers.

Statistics & Time

2010-09-15T21:35:00.001-07:00

Checkout this infographic that maps world/US statistics to time:

Thanks for sharing @Ilona Alekseenko !

http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf

Cloud Time Lapse

2010-08-23T20:12:00.001-07:00

This video was shot a little over a year ago on a windy day in Atlanta from a window sill at work. I wasn't carrying a tripod or I would have angled this to get a much better view (such as cropping out the parking lot, angling the camera to the side to get more perspective and avoiding the reflection). This was a 10 minute exposure in sepia tone with no preparation. Just discovered the original on an old memory card I was about to throw away today! :)

The 650 meg file converted to 18MB of high speed camera trickery. I know this can be improved in so many ways- just didn’t want to delete the file without making something out of it. The music is "are y0u awake" by kevin shields - the song that I had playing at work that afternoon.

Click here to view on YouTube.

This Train Lays Its Own Tracks

2010-07-21T12:04:00.001-07:00

From the comments in the Original post:

Some of the most amazing shit we've ever built has stemmed from laziness.

Source: Gizmodo

Recognize the real signs of drowning

2010-07-10T13:58:00.001-07:00

Not knowing how to swim, it’s good to know things like this. Hopefully someone will notice if this were happening to me..

Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled, before speech occurs.

Drowning people's mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. When the drowning people's mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface of the water.

Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the water's surface. Pressing down on the surface of the water, permits drowning people to leverage their bodies so they can lift their mouths out of the water to breathe.

Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment.

From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people's bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs.

Source: Lifehacker

Deadmau5 Live

2010-07-08T12:20:00.001-07:00

Pretty much sums up the show I went to the next day in Detroit.

Deadmau5 Live @ Soldier Field from RECTv on Vimeo.

Deadmau5 Nexus One Wallpaper

2010-07-01T09:32:00.001-07:00

Slapped together a quick wallpaper for the Nexus One:

Because the entire background pans as you swipe across the screen, at 960 x 800 pixels, the Nexus one’s screen resolution is more like a square rather than a rectangle. Click on image above to download the original. Image copyright deadmau5.

Apollo 11 Saturn V Launch in 500fps HD

2010-04-29T17:15:00.001-07:00

So.. take the most powerful liquid fuel rocket motors ever built, load them with over 5 million pounds of rocket propellant kerosene, and film the ignition sequence in 500 frames-per-second of mind-boggling, Matrix-like bullet time.

Next, watch the results over, and over, and over, and envy the people who get to do this every other month for a living! :-/

Apollo 11 Saturn V Launch (HD) Camera E-8 from Mark Gray on Vimeo.

Source: Gizmodo

Camera shutter speed and chopper blades

2010-04-29T17:07:00.001-07:00

Pretty cool trick- if you know how to change your camera's shutter speed.

Reminds me of a printing press stroboscope demo I watched nearly a decade ago..

A stroboscope is an instrument for observing moving bodies by making them visible intermittently and thereby giving them the optical illusion of being stationary. A stroboscope may operate by illuminating the object with brilliant flashes of light or by imposing an intermittent shutter between the viewer and the object.

For me, that little definition eventually led to the discovery of timing belts and how they use a similar kit for cars...

Eisenhower interstate system

2010-04-18T17:53:00.001-07:00

The Eisenhower interstate system requires that 1 mile in every 5 must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips in emergency situations.

Octopus

2010-04-18T16:57:00.001-07:00

"Unfortunately, the octopus seems to have fallen into the bad habit of relying on a narrator to convey the story. Like Tarantino before him, however, his juxtaposition of pop music with unsettling imagery is inspired."

Gizmodo comment

Microsoft Office Communicator 2005 Installer Issue

2010-03-15T13:32:00.001-07:00

On trying to install Microsoft Communicator 2005, the installer quits producing a “Microsoft Office Communicator 2005 was not Installed” - “The installation was interrupted. No changes were made to your computer system. Please try running this installation again.”

The source of this issue is detailed here. The solution is detailed here. All one needs to do to fix the issue is to install ocsasnfix.exe. The file can be downloaded directly from Microsoft here.