Created by David O'Reilly, iHologram combines anamorphosis and the iPhone's gyroscopes to achieve this awesome visual magic trick. Anamorphosis is a way to draw things distorted so, while watched at a certain angle, they pop out of the 2D surface as if they were real.

David's application assumes a constant viewing angle of 35 to 45 degrees, which is the usual angle when anyone watches the iPhone screen. Knowing that angle, the application calculates the orientation of the screen relative to the viewer using the iPhone's motion sensors, so when you turn it around, the 3D world perspective gets skewed accordingly.

As you can see in the video, the effect is almost perfect, with the character popping out of the screen and the world he's walking on receding into a deep space. [Ismashphone]

You may remember that my bicycle was stolen by a tattooed, be-sutured junkie, its small parking lock apparently swiftly cracked and the whole thing wheeled away. Yesterday, almost three weeks later, I got it back, in almost tip-top condition.

A tribute to the benefits of alcohol and perseverance, the 18 day saga came to end when I spotted the jerk wheeling the bike past my local bar, where I was drinking a beer. He was walking with his mother, and there was a rather nice looking houseplant hanging from my handlebars. But before I tell you about how I interrupted this lovely domestic scene, a quick recap on the intervening adventures.

The bike was swiped two days before a cycling trip to Menorca (which, due to 98º heat, cloudless days and 85% humidity, quickly turned into a bus and hitch-hiking trip. The panniers and tools held up great, though) and I was left scrambling to find a new set of wheels. I hung aroung the barrio, talking to the guys on street corners and got the message out that I wanted to get my bike back (it's an old Gazelle, and the second hand prices here in Barcelona are through the roof -- I paid €280 for mine, or around $410, used).

Nothing happened before the trip, but when I got back, the local "chief of the junkies" found me in the corner store and told me he had my bike and wanted to sell it back to me for €30. This seemed a bargain: if you remember, the original asking price was €40. Nothing came of it, except that I managed to prove some of our commenters wrong. Johnny la Rue:

Even if you are a pansy, you could have at least paid the 40 and gotten your bike back.

Well, Johnny, I tried following your advice, and the bastard disappeared with the money. And that, I thought, was that. Until yesterday. I told the guys in the bar to watch my stuff and caught up to the original junkie, the one with the mother and the flowers and, dammit, my bike. When I grabbed the handlebars, some vague recognition swam into his eyes. I told him he had my bike, and he told me not to say anything in front of his mother, a short sturdy battle-axe of a woman in a floral print tent of a dress. Then he started ranting:

"Fifty euros. Pay me or I will slit your throat"

This was an improvement, I think, on the last offer, which was "a stab in the heart"

"You called the police"

"Yes. Because you stole my bike"

Again with the throat slitting. I offered €20. More threats. I said €40, and still it was no. For a junkie, he drove a hard bargain. Some of you will be thinking now that I am a "pansy" for paying anything. You might be right, but I don't think of it as buying back my own, stolen bike. I see it as a payment for my piece of mind in the barrio. I don't want to be looking over my shoulder every night, or worrying that the same guy will just smash my wheels next time he sees the bike locked (properly, this time) in the street. It's not a particularly rough part of town, but there used to be a methadone clinic in the street, and also, this kind of petty theft is endemic to Barcelona.

The bike itself is in good shape. The pathetic "shopping lock" which started all this is gone. Judging by the metal dust at the back end, it looks like an angle-grinder job. Also missing is the chain which held on the fancy Brooks leather saddle, and the cables to the lights have been disconnected.

There are some improvements, too. Johnny La Rue (again) will be pleased:

If riding your old Brooks saddle tilted way back wasn't enough of a shot to the balls, this certainly is.

The saddle has been tilted forward and is now much more comfortable. And in a fit of customer service, the guy offered me a spare front wheel, of which our esteemed editor Dylan Tweney said this:

The junkie offered to throw in a free wheel? Hell, my local bike shop doesn't even do that.

Go ahead. Call me a pussy, a pansy, a liberal a "grass eater" (?) or whatever you like. I don't care. I have my bike back. It might have cost me €80 to do it, but it's still a lot cheaper than buying another one. Plus I have met a few of the local characters.

Remember what it was like to walk into a barber shop and get the ultimate shave from a master barber? Probably not, since most of us have never experienced this classic men's grooming service. The Shave of New York, a new barber shop in Manhattan's Nolita neighborhood, aims to restore balance to our frenetic lives by encouraging men to slow down and enjoy the finer things in life, like a top notch shave, a scalp treatment or a simple trim.

Conceived by John and Daniella Scala, native Brooklynites with a family history in the grooming industry (their uncle is the man behind the Grand Central salon Francesco's), The Shave of New York opened just earlier this summer but looks as though its Elizabeth Street roots were planted decades ago. The shop was designed entirely by John, who spared not a single detail in creating an authentic salon experience. From the black and white ceramic tiled floors and Day Lily-yellow walls, to the century-old, reconditioned barber chairs and perfectly poised ceiling chandelier, the interior feels at once confident and inviting.

And inviting it is. Upon being seated, guests are offered a complimentary beverage prior to their service of choice — a fine way to relax the nerves of those who've never gone under the straight razor. Still, ambiance and amenities mean little if the barber's skills are lacking. Fortunately, Master Barber Michael W. Haar has the knowledge, dexterity, and authority (no small feat for a 24 year old) to transform a shave into a life-changing experience. A graduate of the American Barber Institute, Michael has been shaving himself with a straight razor for years and shares the kind of observations you'd expect from an old-timer (e.g. Johnny Depp stropped his razor the wrong direction in "Sweeney Todd").

But back to the shave. The Shave of New York offers two shaves: The Traditional Shave ($30) and the Ultimate Shave ($50). Sparing excessive details that might ruin one's virgin experience, let's just say that the Ultimate Shave, comprised of roughly fifteen stages including a home-made clay mask, is akin to a short holiday at an exclusive spa — one that won't compromise your masculine sensibilities. With time-honored products from Truefitt & Hill and Taylors of Old Bond Street, Merkur platinum-edged stainless steel blades (a new one for every client) and a specially curated selection of essential oils and floral waters, this is one shave that will change the way you look in the mirror.

Now through 22 August 2008, The Shave of New York will be offering Cool Hunting readers a complimentary Traditional Shave with any store purchase of $30 or more.

The Shave of New York (soon to be known as The New York Shaving Company)
202B Elizabeth Street
New York, NY 10012 map
tel. +1 212 334 9495

Product Page via TRFJ