Singapore Changi Airport – home to indoor waterfalls, epic lounges, and the occasional X-Wing – frequently tops the list of the world’s best airports. With the opening immanent for its new Terminal 4, Changi looks to be a shoe-in for the number one spot again next year.

The state-of-the-art terminal promises passengers a more pleasant way to fly the friendly skies. Though it won’t see its first flights until later this year, recently released photos reveal a modern boutique design sensibility mixed with nods to Singapore’s culture and history. The terminal will feature decor and sculptures by local and international designers and artists, the highlight of which is a 650-foot-long centerpiece named Petalclouds – a piece composed of six suspended structures that move in sync with animated lighting and music.

For a dose of local flavour, visit the “Heritage Zone,” where the shops and eateries are carefully disguised as the traditional Peranakan shophouses seen throughout Singapore. A large LED screen over two of the shophouses will display Peranakan Love Story, a theatrical production that takes place across two adjacent living rooms in 1930s Singapore.

Elsewhere, Changi’s T4 boasts features that wouldn’t look out of place in a Silicon Valley startup. LED facades are dotted throughout, keeping passengers occupied with entertaining visuals as they wind through security and passport control. Robot “housekeepers” roam the lounge. A “boulevard” of 160 trees separates boarding areas from the common area, and a selection of colourful furniture is surprisingly fun and funky.

But the new terminal isn’t just about aesthetics. Changi is also using it to introduce a new “fast and seamless travel” (FAST) system for check-in, baggage drop, immigration clearance, and boarding. T4 will use facial recognition technology to automate most of the departure process by capturing and tagging passengers’ photos onto their luggage, passports, and boarding passes – meaning you could theoretically make the slog from arrival to plane without ever interacting with another human being. Perfect for those days you skipped the morning latte.

(Don’t worry if you’re not the most tech-savvy traveller – conventional check-in counters will reportedly remain for passengers who can’t find their way around the new systems.)

“We are pushing the boundaries to take customer service up to the next level using new and innovative ideas, and thoughtful design features,” explains Poh Li San, vice president of Singapore Changi Airport Group’s T4 Programme Management Office.

Though Changi isn’t the first to experiment with facial recognition technology, the ever-ambitious airport is taking the most comprehensive approach we’ve seen yet.

“Competition remains strong in the region, and many of our neighbours are also building new airports or improving their existing infrastructure,” says Poh. “Changi Airport continues to push the boundaries to ensure that we stay ahead of the competition.”

Up next for Changi: a fifth terminal, due to be completed in the late 2020s, that will dwarf its siblings (and surely earn more awards for the swanky airport).

The post Inside The Groundbreaking New Terminal Of The World's Best Airport appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Struggling to make your travels look like the perfectly-curated lives of influencers on Instagram and YouTube? We can’t all be Devin Super Tramp, but GoPro is getting us closer with a new app that automatically edits your footage into ultra-sharable videos.Stop us if this sounds familiar. You capture every amazing moment from your holiday with your GoPro, and return home with the best intentions of creating videos to share with family, friends, and social media followers. But the grind of normal life quickly gets the better of you, and you put off the project until the following week when you’re feeling more settled… and then the week after that… and then…Before you know it, those GoPro glory days are lost on a hard drive somewhere, never to be seen again.GoPro QuikStories is the answer to your forgotten footage woes. The new GoPro app eliminates the need for time-consuming, cumbersome editing by automatically generating videos that are designed to be shared on social networks like Instagram and Snapchat.“QuikStories is our biggest leap forward since the invention of the GoPro itself,” says GoPro founder and CEO, Nicholas Woodman. “QuikStories is the simple storytelling solution our customers have been dreaming about for years. It’s an absolute game changer.”To make a QuikStory, users must pair their Hero 5 device with their smartphone. Opening the main GoPro app and pulling down on the home screen instantly begins the process of copying the latest footage to create the QuikStory. The transitions are automatically synced to a chosen song, which users can import from iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, and more. And that’s it – a push notification sends an alert when the clip is ready, and you can share it immediately in a transparent bid for social media stardom.If you have a few editing skills tucked up your sleeve and desire deeper customisation, QuikStory also allows users to include text, add slow motion and speed effects, use alternate filters and soundtracks, and edit the video’s length.“When you’re reviewing the footage [with QuikStories], it’s as though you captured it with the phone itself,” Woodman says. “That’s a much more compelling solution and experience than what GoPro was before QuikStories, and so we think it can weave GoPro into people’s more casual use in a way that GoPro wasn’t really relevant before because of the amount of work it took to get to the edit, to get to the story.”If you’re lazy but a sucker for likes, download GoPro QuikStories for iOS or Android.

The post New GoPro App Changes The Game appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Prepare your wardrobe for an all out assault from this week’s best dressed men of the celebrity world.There’s a bit of everything in this edition from the immaculately suited Hugh Jackman to a lighter ensemble by Superman himself, Henry Cavill. Making sure the boundaries of sartorial flair are being pushed this week are Lewis Hamilton who rocked up to a Vogue dinner event in a bright crimson suit sans the tie. Baby Driver actor Ansel Elgort also went all out in a grey and pink check suit which works well with the context of the film.Looking after the casual wear for men this week are Dave Franco, Justin Theroux, Harry Styles and Jensen Ackles who have provided more than enough inspiration from the patterned shirts to the simple chambray. It’s all good, baby. Now get your naked ass dressed.

The post Best Dressed Men Of The Week Feat. Lewis Hamilton, Hugh Jackman & Ansel Elgort appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Screw you, anyone who says dogs aren’t man’s best friend. No disrespect to the sika deer or the screaming hairy armadillo, but when it comes to couch cuddles and fetching sticks, we’re choosing Fido every time.

Science says we have good reason to. Multiple studies have confirmed the physical and mental benefits of owning a dog, and they go way beyond unconditional love and sloppy kisses.

Some of the most recent research on the subject comes from the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Researchers from the University of East Anglia and the Center for Diet and Activity Research at the University of Cambridge found that dog owners are sedentary for 30 fewer minutes per day on average than those who do not own dogs, even during crummy weather.

“We were amazed to find that dog walkers were on average more physically active and spent less time sitting on the coldest, wettest, and darkest days than non-dog owners were on long, sunny, and warm summer days,” project lead Andy Jones, a UEA professor, said in a press release.

“Being driven by something other than our own needs might be a really potent motivator and we need to find ways of tapping into it when designing exercise interventions in the future,” he added.

These findings support an earlier study conducted at Michigan State University, which found that dog owners are more likely to stick to their training plans and reach their exercise goals than those who do not have canine companions.

And improved fitness is only one of the reasons you may want to switch your allegiance from cat person to pup person. Other benefits of owning a dog include:

Lower Blood Pressure

The simple act of petting a dog can lower heart rate and blood pressure. The American Heart Association put out a statement confirming that multiple studies have found a link between pet ownership and better heart health, most likely because pets have a calming effect and dog owners tend to get more exercise. There is also evidence that owning a dog is associated with lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Decreased Risk Of Allergies & Asthma

Though dogs are a trigger for allergies in some, research at the University of Cincinnati suggests that owning a dog has some immunotherapy benefits and can reduce other allergies by as much as four times. Another study linked exposure to dogs at a young age to a lower risk of asthma in childhood.

Chronic Disease Prevention

Autoimmune disease and allergies are only one part of the chronic disease prevention equation. Dog owners who walk their dogs regularly also have one-third the risk of diabetes than non-owners, according to exercise scientist Cindy Lentino. Those who already suffer from serious health conditions can also benefit from canine companionship. Studies have found that dog ownership can reduce agitation and anxiety in people with dementia; increase survival rate following a heart attack, and reduce the need for pain medication when recovering from surgery.

Lower Stress Levels

Instituting a “bring your dog to work” day could be one of your company’s smartest moves. A study published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management found that people who took their pups to work reported lower stress throughout the day than employees without pets or those who had pets but didn’t bring them in. Dogs in the office also encourage people to take more breaks for playtime or walkies, which makes them more energised when they return to work, leading to greater job satisfaction and productivity in the long run.

Improved Mental Health

Dog owners are happier, more conscientious, and less neurotic than cat owners, according to researchers at Manhattanville College in New York. Though all pet owners were found to be more satisfied with life than non-owners, dog owners scored higher than cat owners on all measures of well-being. Dog owners are also less likely to suffer from depression, loneliness, and low self-esteem than non-owners.

Better Human Relationships

Dogs provide many of the same emotional and social benefits as your human friends, but they can also strengthen your bonds with fellow homo sapiens. Polls show that people trust dog owners more than other strangers on the street, and studies confirm that owning and walking a dog increases social interaction. On top of that, researchers at Central Michigan University found that when a dog is present in a collaborative group setting, group members rank their teammates higher in terms of trust, team cohesion, cooperation, and intimacy.

• Dog Baiting: The Sneaky Dating Strategy You’ll Go Barking Mad For
• Sharp Rise In Dog Adoption During Australia’s Lockdown

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It’s often said that there’s only two places in the world to prove a four-wheel drive’s worth. The dunes of Dubai and Australia’s red centre where the finest granules are hellbent on penetrating every crevice of an unassuming motor vehicle.

For the purpose of convenience, we headed to the latter along with Land Rover’s latest Discovery model to find out if it really had the chops to roll around town in comfort before proving Mother Nature wrong in a real world off-road environment.

So, is the fancy new Disco up for the job? Let’s talk British style and versatility in 2017.

Setting The Proving Ground

When Land Rover told us they were going to try something different by shipping twenty fresh Discovery models into the desert of the Northern Territory, the question that registered was simply, ‘Why?’

It’s a darned great length to test a four-wheel-drive when in most cases a short cruise around town would suffice before hitting a makeshift off-road course somewhere close by. 

As we’d soon find out though, the Land Rover name is about more than just ticking boxes. It’s about experiencing the Discovery’s most potent capabilities in the natural environment it was built for – engine-clogging sand, wild shrubs sharp enough to puncture tyres, flat highways of nothingness, suspension-bending dirt mounds, a man-made river crossing, an endlessly rugged fire trail, 45 degree descents and the great Australian outback which can see some serious heat during the day and proper cold snaps at dusk.

Cue ‘Great Southern Land’.

Under The Fresh Skin

Let’s get this one out of the way first. The latest fifth generation Discovery hasn’t gone soft. It’s simply trying to do the multi-tasking thing better than its predecessors.

In the real world that means a host of modern creature comforts on the inside which can keep the family occupied for hours on end during those long haul rides where deserting the ankle-biters can seem like a pretty good idea. Fortunately you won’t need to.

The latest model comes with 9 USB ports, a hidden centre storage console capable of holding 4 iPads, a Wi-Fi hotspot which can support 8 devices, plush heated leather seating and enough room for up to 7 adults across three rows, the latter of which comes with an intelligent seat folding system so that the SUV’s cabin space can be configured to any driver’s lifestyle. 

Finer details like a fold-down rear panel capable of supporting 300kg is also a welcome bonus and helps to elevate the new Discovery a bit more in the user-friendly ranks. 

Land Rover have seemingly put a lot of thought into this model and for the active driver, there’s even an optional waterproof wristband which plays the part of keyless entry as you partake in a spot of swimming or surfing.

When it comes time to packing and loading the kids and equipment, an Auto Access Height function can drop the ride height by 40mm on demand to ensure easy entry and exit. It would appear that Land rover have been doing their homework in this department. 

Same Badge, New Tricks, New Look

The Land Rover moniker has been floating around civilian off-road circles ever since 1978 and during that time it’s built a robust reputation for functionality in a quintessentially British package. 

Fast forward to today and that neat little formula has evolved to be more than just a workhorse; it’s now a marriage of surprisingly proper off-road capability and modern creature comforts laced with a hint of luxury DNA from the Range Rover Sport.

That latter part is most evident in the car’s exterior design which finally does away with the Esky box look for a much sleeker silhouette and sharper front fascia. The goal? To gain a wider appeal across the market. And as a pragmatic result, it simply looks better and is generally more suited to 2017. 

On the agenda of pulling power Land Rover are offering a choice of three diesel-only engines. Two of those are 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines with 132kW and 177kW whilst a 3.0-litre V6 will top the range with 190kW and 600Nm. Our pick was the V6 variant which made for effortless cruising across various challenging surfaces before reaching any sort of incline. The car felt much lighter to steer and nimbler than what it looks from the outside.  

Towing capacity has also improved on the new Discovery which can now haul up to 3.5 tonnes with the 132kW entry model mustering a respectable 3 tonnes. Towing aids come part of this package with an integrated lowering and raising function which makes for easy hooking onto trailers.

Pair that kind of performance with an 85% aluminium body which is 480kg lighter than previous model and you have a pretty formidable package in an unassuming skin. 

Those thinking of going for a spot of weekend four-wheel-driving will also be glad to know that there’s a generous wading depth of 900mm alongside special vanes in the bonnet that have been engineered to channel water out of the engine bay shall you venture too deep.

We got to test this feature on the custom Uluru track and the car had no issues playing Moby Dick. Most importantly the cabin remained completely dry and void of crocs.

Conquering The Red Dust

Civilisation was calling and the dust had finally settled at Uluru. With dusk approaching we popped open the rear hatch and it was instantly evident as to how much engineering and thought has gone into this 2017 Discovery.

A distinguishable line break runs along the boot sill which meets the rubber lining – on outer side, red powder covering almost all of the body paint. On the interior side, nothing. Not even a single red speck. It was as clean as when we had first set foot in the Disco a day and a half earlier.

And it’s this level of attention to detail that Land Rover are beginning to inject into their four-wheel-drives with the new Discovery taking full advantage of this movement.

The ride comfort is exemplary for a car of this nature and it will take on your daily duties in the urban space with ease. When the weekend calls, simply pack away the family (or camping gear if you’re one man wolf pack) and disappear into the bushland.

It’s a good bet you’ll return unscathed and a brand new man with the comfort of knowing your lengthy drive is sorted with a fuel economy ranging from 6.2L – 7.2L/100km across the range. 

The only downside? Washing the car and deciding your next adventure.

The post Land Rover Discovery: The Rise Of A New Urban Warrior appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Lovers of defunct Australian-made sedans can now wipe away their tears and cry tears of joy in a Jaguar instead.

The British marque’s latest performance upgrade to the XJ sedan has eventuated in the XJR575, an absolutely menacing looking machine for the executive after a power trip. And it looks like a Ford Falcon.    

Labelled the fastest XJ ever created, the car comes compliments of Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) who have graced the vehicle with a big 5.0-litre supercharged V8 which delivers 575hp (428kW) and 380Nm of torque. 

On the performance front that allows for a 0-100km/h time of 4.2 seconds. Joining the serious hardware is of course some crucial aesthetic upgrades in the form of a hooded vent, painted brake calipers, 20-inch black wheels and a choice of two exterior colours – Velocity Blue and Satin Corris Grey.

The inside also looks the business whilst retaining the luxury feel and glam of the original XJ line. Think quilted seats with 575 embroidery and special door sill markings. And yes, there is special ‘R’ badging on the exterior to let people know this is one special wild cat.

Jaguar has been on a roll lately with their performance marketing, first with their bonkers XE SV Project 8 and then with the launch of their E-Pace SUV into a barrel roll.

The post Jaguar's Latest Performance Sedan Looks Like A Ford Falcon appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

A trip to Pakistan is the adventure of a lifetime. Picture navigating the breathtakingly grand Karakoram Highway, or watching an ox race in Lahore, or visiting the mud volcano in Hingol National Park, or exploring the Buddhist ruins of Takht-i-Bahi…Unfortunately, most Westerners picture a different side of Pakistan. Decades of political instability have kept the country off the radar for all but the most intrepid adventurers, leaving its abundant natural riches and historical treasures sadly undiscovered.While it’s always important to keep safety in mind, we believe wanderlust should win over fearmongering. Take appropriate cautions while visiting Pakistan and you should find nothing but majestic scenery and warm hospitality waiting. Here are the laws and social customs to know before you go.

Intoxicants

The consumption of alcohol is illegal for Pakistanis and forbidden by Islamic law. Though it is available to tourists, you’ll only find it in major hotels and it must be consumed on the premises. Drugs are illegal and possession of even small amounts of “soft” substances for recreational use can result in heavy fines, long jail sentences, or deportation. Some offences, like drug trafficking, are even punishable by the death penalty.

Other Legal Matters

Pakistan is not the place to test law enforcement policies. Along with the above laws about alcohol and narcotics, a variety of other offences – some of which may seem inconsequential to an outsider – face serious repercussions if charges are pressed. Importing pork products is illegal, as is homosexuality and co-habitation by an unmarried couple. The death penalty can and has been imposed for crimes including blasphemy, murder, rape, and unlawful assembly.

Religion

Faith is woven deep into the fabric of life in Pakistan. When visiting you are expected to respect Islam and its customs. If travelling during Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, it is considered highly disrespectful to be seen eating, drinking, or smoking publicly during the fasting period. Do no speak about the Islamic religion in an insulting manner (even slight criticism or humour may cause offence). In general, it’s best to avoid discussion politics and religion with Pakistanis unless you have established a strong friendship.

Dress

Dress modestly, particularly when visiting holy sites. Pakistanis favour loose, comfortable clothing that covers the body. Men should cover their arms and shoulders, and wear trousers rather than shorts. Conservative, dark-coloured suits are preferred in business settings, though more casual attire may be appropriate in certain industries or more Westernized areas.

Gender Relations

Public displays of affection are strictly no-go in Pakistan – that goes for both married and unmarried couples, and even for gestures as innocent as handholding. It is customary for women to be escorted by men when out in public. They are expected to keep keep some distance between each other and eye contact between the sexes should not be prolonged. Male friends, on the other hand, often walk holding hands or with their arms around each other.

Socialising

Pakistani people are known for their hospitality. English is extensively spoken in major cities, and visitors may find themselves invited over for dinner or tea. If you are invited to someone’s home, bring a small gift to show your gratitude and remove your shoes before entering. Flowers, chocolates, or a trinket from your home country are acceptable offerings; alcohol is not. In more conservative families, men and women may not socialise or dine together, and only people of the same gender will greet each other. Do not shake a woman’s hand unless she offers it first. It’s considered good manners to make polite enquiries about friends and family when greeting someone, but avoid asking a man about his wife, which may be viewed as intrusive and improper.

Body Language

Pakistanis are generally not as concerned with personal space as Westerners. They tend to stand closer together and be more tactile with each other during conversations between the same sex. Gesture, touch people, or offer items using the right hand or both hands together – the left is used for for cleaning purposes according to Islamic principles, and as such should not be used for waving, eating, or offering items. Beckoning should be performed with the palm of the hand facing the ground and using all fingers; to use a single finger is considered extremely rude. Pointing and gesturing should also be done with the whole hand or palm.Pushing the nail on your thumb against your front teeth and flicking it is an offensive gesture. It is impolite to maintain intense eye contact while speaking with someone, as doing so is seen as arrogant or seeking validation. Lowering one’s gaze is respectful and shows that one is not yearning for attention. Winking has sexual connotations and should be avoided altogether.

Safety

When in doubt if your behaviour is risky, common sense should come into play. Avoid taking photographs of airports, military and government buildings or installations, and anything else that might be considered sensitive. Protests and demonstrations sometimes turn violent and are best avoided. Steer clear of military convoys and facilities that are potential targets for attacks. Beware of venturing into unstable tribal regions. Keep an eye on important documents and valuables. Be on the alert for pickpockets and credit card fraud.

Dining

Most Pakistanis do not use utensils while eating, although more Westernized families may have them. Instead, you will pass dishes, serve, and eat with your right hand (and only your right hand). Your left only should be used to hold the plate or assist the right hand in serving food. Any guests at the table are traditionally served first, followed by the oldest people, then down the line in approximate age order until the youngest in served. Do not start eating until the eldest person at the table begins. Expect a Pakistani host to offer additional helpings of food to a guest as a gesture of hospitality. It’s more polite – and much easier – to accept.

The post How To Not Get Arrested Or Shot In Pakistan appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

See that luxury yacht floating in your wharf? Burn it down because according to new studies, it won’t bring you much happiness. In fact while you’re at it do the same with your luxury car and expensive suits too.

Findings from an experiment suggests that using money to free-up your time will lead to more happiness than material goods. 

The surprising study via the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal focused on individual participants who reported a greater level of happiness from using £30 to save time through paying off chores rather than spending it on material goods. Psychologists believe that today’s anxiety and insomnia is caused by stress from a lack of time.

Oddly enough though, they say that even the wealthy are reluctant to pay people to take on the jobs they hate. Think menial tasks like buying lunch, getting food delivered and general errands.

RELATED: The Real Reasons Why You’ll Never Be Rich 

“In a series of surveys we find that people who spend money to buy themselves more free time are happier – that is they have higher life satisfaction,” said Dr Elizabeth Dunn, a psychologist professor at the University of British Columbia, Canada.

This trend in first world wealth is often referred to as “time famine”, stress derived from the daily demands on a person’s time. And yes we know, it absolutely is a first world problem. Psychologists in the US, Canada and the Netherlands also went further to determine if the origins of happiness when it came to money. 6,000 adults including 800 millionaires were queried on how much money they spent on buying back their time. 

The results revealed that fewer than a third of individuals spent money to buy themselves time each month but for those who did there was a greater level of life satisfaction. To test the theory even further, the same participants were also asked to spend their allocated funds on material goods. This included wine, clothes and books.

Professor Dunn who worked with colleagues at Harvard Business School, Maastricht University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam said that, “Money can in fact buy time. And it buys time pretty effectively.”

“And so my take home message is, ‘think about it, is there something you hate doing that fills you with dread and could you pay somebody else to do that for you?’ If so, then science says that’s a pretty good use of money.'”

So uh, who’s cleaning the toilet tonight? 

[via BBC]

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We’re not overly enthusiastic about stark minimalism here at D’Marge but when one pops up as an OCD fiend’s worst cleaning nightmare, we simply can’t help ourselves.

Step inside PS3H House, the latest Swedish home to showcase true minimalism in a single storey space which also features a Mercedes-Benz SLS as its centrepiece – also in white of course.

The home was designed by Sirotov Architects and features an open living area which makes full use of the floor-to-ceiling glass walls letting in an abundance of natural light – if you’re albino or ginger you’ll probably die a stylish death.

Beyond that there’s a master suite and three guest bedrooms all decked out in the soft hues of white, grey, pastel and natural wood tones. There’s no doubting that this is a one of a kind living space but keeping it immaculate might just drive you over the edge. But at least you’ll have a nice car to take with you.

For more homes with cool cars in them check out this amazing Sydney pad, this Belgian beauty or Melbourne’s very own Bat Cave.

The post Step Inside The Minimalist Home That's Impossible To Keep Clean appeared first on DMARGE Australia.