In 2014 Nissan is experimenting with a paint designed to be water- and oil-resistant. It even repels dust, dirt and mud. By creating a protective layer of air between the paint and the environment, it effectively stops standing water and road spray from creating dirty marks on the car's surface. With one side of a car painted with the special paint and the other side with a standard car paint, the special paint responded well to sleet, frost, snow and standing water. If the testing continues positive, the paint could be offered as an aftermarket enhancement - possibly painting out car washes.
Taco Bell is testing a new restaurant. The U.S. Taco Co. is opening in Huntington Beach, California the summer of 2014. Instead of $2 tacos, it will have $4 tacos like the "Brotherly Love" - a Philly cheese steak taco - and the "Winner Winner" - a fried chicken and gravy taco. The Mexican Car Bomb isn't even a taco. It's a vanilla shake with Guinness, tequila caramel sauce and chocolate flakes. Instead of tortilla chips, there will be steak fries. This is Taco Bell's attempt to be a fast casual chain like Chipotle. Time will tell if it's a "Taco Bellwether" of change.
The "Guardian Angel" can be worn as a bracelet or necklace. It's a new tech accessory developed by JWT Singapore to help women out of awkward or dangerous situations. An inconspicuous button on the $120 piece of jewelry makes your cell phone ring - providing an excuse to get away. However, if the button is pushed for 3 seconds, it sends out an SOS message to the phone number programmed as your emergency contact, along with a link to your location. This is one more way of dealing with sexual harassment. It is a way for women to "dress for success".
Cat Cafe opened in a pop-up shop for 4 days in Manhattan in April 2014. Sponsored by Purina One, the event encouraged cat health awareness and adoption. In addition to free "cat'achinos", there was a "cat chat" speaker series with discussions led by a cat behaviorist, a veterinarian and other cat experts. There were also cats for adoption from the North Shore Animal League. Cat coffee houses started in Asia and have gained popularity in Europe. Although Manhattan's Cat Cafe was the first in North America, it may be the "cat-alyst" for ones in California, Oregon and Canada.
