The Tour de France 2008 begins today and runs through Sunday July 27, 2008. Made up of a total of 21 stages, there are 10 flat stages, 5 mountain stages, 4 medium mountain stages and 2 individual time-trial stages. Google created a special site using Google Maps that allows you to view the streets (and scenery) along every stage of the race. Interesting points of interest like the Eiffel Tower and Seine river and Arc de Triomphe are viewable through Google Maps. Links and a few screen shots on the next page.

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Here’s a neat tool for anyone who likes to hike and take pictures. It’s a combination hiking stick and camera tripod. Made by Trek-Tech, this device features a MagMount anti rotation device that holds the camera magnetically when placed in portrait mode. You can break it down to 22″ in size so it will fit in carry on luggage. A travel case is also included. Picture and a link on the next page.

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If you’re a Doors fan looking to round out your MP3 collection, check out this deal from Rhapsody. For only $9.99 you can download DRM free (256k sound quality) The Doors Perception music set. This contains 90 of their songs and by comparison the boxed (CD version) set on Amazon goes for $79.98. If you want to round out your MP3 collection with some DRM free Doors music, this is a good time to do it!

Rhapsody - The Doors Perception $9.99

While visiting New York City yesterday I noticed people taking pictures inside of what seems to be a large head resembling Eddie Murphy. Turns out this is a promo for his new movie “Meet Dave” set to open July 11. In the movie Eddie Murphy is a human spaceship that touches down in New York Central Park. Inside this guy are 100 human looking aliens (one quarter inch tall) who operate “Dave” and seek a way to save the planet. All you Eddie fans can catch a few more pictures as well as the film trailer after the jump

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Our man on the street, Wayne Schulz (he’s everywhere) just reported that the lines are beginning to form in front of the Apple Store in New York.

Wayne reports, “According to police the people began lining up this morning. Number one in line is a man and woman with a baby who’ve told the police and security guards that their goal is to set a record for time in line and possibly the first baby to wait with them (or some such nonsense).”

UPDATE:

“At about noon on July 4th while on a trip into New York City I noticed the first line forming for the 3G iPhone at the flagship Apple 5th Avenue Store in New York City. About 10 people in line with the first two being a man and woman with a young child. I talked to the security guards and New York police who will allow everyone to stay and indicated that as of yet there are no plans to put out barricades. It appears that most (if not all) of the people in line are part of some group who may be either attempting to set a record for waiting in line or gain some publicity for themselves. It’s too early to tell if this is a hoax/publicity stunt or whether these folks will stay in line through sun and rain for the next seven days”.

More photos after the break.

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Back in May it was reported that T-Mobile would introduce a method for users to block SMS, MMS and IM messages sent by other user’s phones. Right now the controls allow for blocking of messages but only for those sent via email. This new feature would reportedly allow for blocking messages originating from another user’s handset.

According to a Phone Scoop forum posting:

Beginning July 16, T-Mobile will offer Message Blocking, an add-on feature that gives customers the ability to block unwanted chargeable messages. T-Mobile will offer Message Blocking free of charge.

Our Message Blocking services will allow customers to block the following chargeable messages individually or all together:

• Text/Picture Messages
• Instant Messages
• E-mail

Message Blocking should be recommended to customers if you can’t upsell them to an overpriced messaging package the following options will not meet their needs

Customers who use Message Blocking will continue to receive non-chargeable messages from T-Mobile that are required to maintain the service.

PhoneScoop and HOFO

I’ve been using a Skooba Shuttle laptop backpack (shown above) since the start of this summer. I bought it for full price and just noticed that not only is Skooba offering a discount off the price I paid - but you can take another 20% off with coupon code SIZZLE. I love this backpack and carry my 15″ MacBook Pro inside it. The backpack has hugely padded shoulders so it never digs into my arms or shoulders. The lower part of the pack is heavily cushioned which helps support it on your back as well as provide plenty of protection for what’s inside. There are lots of inner pockets that hold extra stuff like power adapters, pens, pads, my Verizon Broadbandconnect modem. I use mine every day as an informal briefcase because it fits so well slung over one shoulder. I’ve also taken it with me on bike trips all over town and biking into work. If you’ve had your eye on a Skooba Design then this is your chance to save big. Head over to their site and use code SIZZLE to take another 20% off their prices. My two word review for this bag? Love it.

Skooba Design

If you’re an iPhone user and who is not yet a subscriber to the .Mac service, here’s an opportunity to purchase a 5 user .Mac subscription for $80. As a .Mac subscriber you’ll automatically get an upgrade on July 11 when the Mobile service launches. With Mobile Me you’ll have access to push email, push calendar, push contacts and 20GB of online storage. Mobile Me is looking like a must have application to go along with your iPhone. Take advantage of this offer and you’ll save about $40 off the regular street price of a 5 user .Mac subscription and you’ll be all ready to start receiving push mail/calendar/contacts when you pick up your shiny new 3G iPhone on July 11.

Royal Discount Technologies via SD

Boingo Wireless is having a promotion for the July 4th holiday weekend. Download their free connection software and you’ll get a complimentary day pass to any of their 100,000 hotspots worldwide. In my town they operate most of the McDonalds and Barnes and Noble locations - as well as many other smaller independent cafes. If you’ve been thinking of working remotely with your laptop, this is a good opportunity to check out the services of boingo and escape the family barbecue for a few hours this weekend.

boingo via jkOnTheRun

Here’s something that might be the ultimate in luxury. It’s what appears to be a Louis Vuitton trash bag out curbside waiting for collection. Imagine trying to keep up with your next door neighbors. First they got the BMW - then you did. Next they got the pool - then you did. Now it comes down to designer trash bags. No word on when the knock off designer trash bags will hit the streets of New York City or if the city would consider local ordinances against stealing trash bags.

KanYe West: Blog via freshome