As the latest edition in the Cream series, Phaidon has recently released Ice Cream, another selection of 100 of the most significant emerging artists working today. Chosen by a team of ten internationally-renowned curators, Ice Cream familiarizes readers with their well-regarded opinions of the art trends of tomorrow. The 448-page hard-back book contains over 700 images, and in all other aspects lives up to the other creatively inspiring standards of Phaidon’s publications. As always, there is cause to debate whether art can be categorized and deemed significant by curators instead of “real” people, but on the other hand, there’s gotta be some tasty stuff in there. In any case, the Phaidon website is always a blast (or a complete disaster, depending on how fast you reach for your credit card), so whatever your general opinion of prophetic art bibles may be, click on over for some killer workday procrastination.

If you’re looking to get some attention on the playground, I recommend an
Abacus, a German, Erich Lacher Watch Factory time-piece that presents time by the wavering position of a ball. Ignoring the fact that you may miss appointments by a few minutes thanks to the, um, interpretive visuals delivered by the watch, this thing may represent the most immature representation of time since the cookoo clock, a fact further solidified by the watches refusal to tell time until the wearer is perfectly still. Because the ball is controlled magnetically, movement restricts the ball from settling in the appropriate space — an aspect that may restrict the actual use of the watch to those who find time of little importance — but hey, could be worth it for a few laughs and gasps. Sweet; get one here.

While it may seem like not much can be done to improve your simple “leave a message,” YouMail amps up voicemail with a number of features meant to take it to a whole new level. The free service allows you to do a number of things including accessing your voicemail online and by phone, having your messages sent to your email and the ability to save messages forever. Which is great, but not that cool, right? What is cool is that it allows different callers to hear different recordings. So for instance, if your mom calls she'll hear “I am busy working hard, making money and saving the world one day at a time,” while your friend may hear, “Already at the bar. You owe me a round.”

You can also choose a pre-made message provided by YouMail that can sound professional or fun like “Fingers are Fat.” If someone calls that you have no interest in talking to like, ever (aka telemarketers, ex-girlfriends/boyfriends, your crazy uncle Fred from Appalachia), DitchMail plays them a message and then hangs up on them. The newest feature allows you to publish the messages people leave you via email, AIM, MSN, Yahoo Messenger, SKYPE, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and Pownce which is great for work and a ton of other areas in life. However, it could be potentially hazardous to your reputation and could be used to make a strong case for thinking before dialing. If you don't, your booty call may just end up all over the net.

Did anyone else notice that this week’s JC Report looked a little different? If you haven’t caught it yet, go take a peek. Yes, its got all the normal stuff you’d expect from a fashion report: scantily clad women, men in the latest styles, and discussions about many of your favorite fashion brands. But none of what you’ll see there actually exists. This week’s JC Report, the Digital Life Issue, is all about virtual fashion, primarily within the Second Life realm.

Now this whole thing leaves me with mixed emotions. I’m amazed that we’ve progressed to the point that a popular e-zine can devote an entire issue to “online style”. I’m also a little depressed that we’ve progressed to the point that a popular e-zine can devote an entire issue to “online style”. Like it or not, however, it’s here to stay. And with the Linden-dollar at an exchange rate of around 240:1 US dollar, Second Life residents can afford to gussy up their virtual selves in couture style without worrying about how to tailor their new look to their sometimes manimalian bodies. In fact, online styling has gained so much popularity that H&M is partnering with The Sims 2 to create a fashion expansion pack featuring the H&M brand exclusively. Is anyone else a little scared by this trend?

The trend towards designer speakers that focus on aesthetics rather than technical specifications seems to be growing. I am not sure how NXT does it, but they continue to find companies to create with “innovative” ways to use their flat speaker technology. The latest comes from a company out of Switzerland called XOUNTS, which offers wireless speakers with a choice of “skins” for the ultimate in chic home decor. The 2.1 system even packs in a light source which, when lit, reminds me of Chinese lanterns…except these play music and naturally, there’s also a wireless iPod option available. Pretty sweet.