BlackBerry Aiming for the Top of the Tablet Game with the PlayBook

It hasn’t even been released to the public yet, but already the word on the street for the new BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is outstanding. And since I am a guy who appreciates a great gadget, I couldn't wait to get my hands on one of them last week during the SXSW conference. All I can say is, get your touch-screen fingers ready for this tablet, guys!

Some of the PlayBook’s key features include: a 7” touch screen, up to 64 GB of memory (with 16 and 32 GB model options), dual front and rear facing cameras, HD video and audio playback, and the ability to run multiple apps simultaneously, making multi-tasking a breeze. The BlackBerry PlayBook tablet also weighs less than a pound and is ultra thin, which means you can take it just about anywhere; it could easily fit in the front inside pocket of a man’s coat, or a woman's clutch purse!

The BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is hitting the streets April 19th, at prices as low as $499. To get a sneak peek of just how amazing this thing is, be sure to check out our exclusive SXSW coverage on the site!

Fig & Olive Brings Their Unique Tastes to L.A.

Who would have thought that you could design a concept for a restaurant specifically around extra virgin olive oil? Not me, but fortunately for the rest of us, Laurent Halasz, the founder of Fig & Olive, did just that, and with fantastic results.

Fig & Olive, which just opened in Melrose Place on Wednesday (March 2), boasts an impressive collection of over 30 different types of olive oil from varying regions (such as the south of France, Italy, and Spain) that encompass fruity, buttery, and peppery varietals as well as infused olive oils with truffles, lemon, and basil. Is your mouth watering yet?

Fig & Olive is such a unique concept it had to be successful. All of the details that go into choosing these specific EVOOs are used to create extraordinary and unforgettable dishes. After taking New York City by storm, Fig & Olive has finally branched out to the West Coast and spreading joy with every bite! I attended the opening on Wednesday, and the experience was way better than I could have expected. The event was put on by two of YH’s favorite people, EMC|Bowery's Ben Rousso and The Supper Club's Tamsin Lonsdale. Bending under lots of pressure, openings can sometimes go horribly wrong with unpreparedness and so-so food, but Fig & Olive nailed it, I can only imagine how even better it will be over time.

Let me take a moment to mention the decor -- it was amazing. As soon as you walk in, you feel as if you are stepping into a warm and intimate setting in the Mediterranean (exactly what they were going for). After walking into the smell of rosemary and olive trees, there is a display of their olive oils and a long white marble communal table with a tasting bar, a great place for getting to know other people during a fine dining experience. Even the smoking patio was the coolest I have ever seen. The main dining room is separate and has a view of the open kitchen, so you can get a first-hand view of the talents of Chef Pascal Lorange people. I had the most pleasant experience, and hats go off to General Manager Hardeep Birdi for making sure everything ran so smoothly.

All in all, Fig & Olive is sure to be the next best thing to hit L.A.’s culinary scene. I look forward to the next time and encourage anyone looking for a unique dining experience to give it a try. You wont be sorry!

Trevor Bayne Races to the Top

When your Twitter followers go from 6,000 to 31,000 in two days, you probably just did something pretty awesome. For 20-year-old Trevor Bayne, that something would be becoming the most recent (and youngest) winner of the “Great American Race,” AKA the Daytona 500.

He has been on the go ever since, but the champion driver managed to stay stationary long enough for a recent pit stop at the YH Studio. Following the lead of his childhood idol, Jeff Gordon, Trevor has become the youngest driver to win the title. He once carried a Jeff Gordon lunchbox around as a kid, but we will not be surprised if this Knoxville, Tennessee native's face soon ends up on a lunchbox of his own.

Trevor filled the Studio with his winner’s glow and the huge championship ring he is proudly rocking. And after those 500 miles (which adds up to 200 laps), it’s no wonder Trevor still feels like he is going in circles. He has practically become a celebrity overnight, to the point where none other than Pamela Anderson interrupted his phone conversation with friend and NFL Quarterback Tim Tebow for an introduction. Although he has accomplished quite the feat by being the second person to win Dayton on the first try, Trevor exudes humbleness good old Southern charm, appreciating host Jessica Smith's referring to her grandparents as “mamaw and papaw,” as well as finding it complimentary that her mother and grandmother are newly found “Cougars” and have the "Tennessee Hots" for him.

Trevor describes his accomplishments as “the craziest moment of my life,” and we can't help but suspect that he is destined for more winner’s glory.

Check out our interview with Trevor below, and look out for number 21!

Get Your Hands (and Pinkies) in the Air for Brit sensation Tinie Tempah!

There must be something in the water on the other side of the Atlantic, because the rate at which talented musicians are coming out of the U.K. is mind-blowing, and I can't see that changing any time soon.

22-year-old Tinie Tempah is the latest British phenom, hailing from South London, and he is a force with a microphone. It is not easy to picture him without one, although he is known to hold a mean cup of tea too (pinkies up, of course)! Tempah has definitely come out on top to secure his hold on the world of hip-hop music.

Since the premiere of his debut album Disc-Overy, and his first two singles “Pass Out” and “Frisky”, Tinie has collected multiple music awards, including two MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin), four Urban Music Awards, and two Brit Awards (for Best Breakthrough Act and Best Single), which is not a bad start at all. Tinie is quickly becoming a familiar name, with a musical strategy to write in a familiar and relatable context. Tinie is determined to keep it at the next level, making sure his music stays relevant with the current generation and the world we're living in. He doesn’t even use a pen to write his lyrics -- according to him, “That is so '90s.” I guess it is true; people these days seem to text faster than they write anyway.

Tinie is on his way to fulfill his mission of making timeless music and aspiring to be “the voice of our culture." If he is talented enough to bring Prince William out to his shows, then he is fully capable of making his desired impact on the industry. After Tinie filled the Studio with his British charm and words of inspiration to live the dream, the thought of his inevitable success in the U.S. and around the world left me confident that I won't be seeing the last of him. He is poised to be a superstar and a well-known name here in America.

Check out my interview with Tinie in the Studio to find out who his fellow musically-inclined friends of the U.K. are and how to properly make a "cuppa" tea, Tinie Tempah style:

Alex Pettyfer: From "Number Four" to Number One in the Near Future

Recently, I had the pleasure of hanging out with Alex Pettyfer in the YH Studio, and I have to say, although he plays Number Four in his new film, I Am Number Four, he is surely going to rank high amongst the Number Ones in Hollywood.

U.K.-born Alex comes from a family of entertainers, with his father being an actor and his mother a model; his half-brother James is a top-ranked tennis player (an entertainer of sorts!). Alex began his career as a child model doing commercials before he was discovered by Ralph Lauren himself at only 8 years old! (His mother threw away Lauren's card, and it wasn’t until later in life when Alex realized who it had actually belonged to.)

Pettyfer began acting at 15 and gained popularity by scoring the lead role in the British film Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker, co-starring with heavyweights like Ewan McGregor, Mickey Rourke, and Alicia Silverstone.  But he nearly missed his big break. As director DJ Caruso relayed to us, Alex walked out of the audition for I Am Number Four before he even spoke a word of of his script, standing up and declaring, “Don’t worry, I’m not right for this.” With encouragement to come back, Alex was called in two weeks later for a screen test, and before you know it, Steven Spielberg gave him the go, and the rest is history. Alex even performed 98% of the stunts and lived to tell about it. I Am Number Four is now in theatres and hit number two at the box office in its opening weekend. Go check it out!

With turning 21 on the horizon, Alex has two other major films set to hit theaters soon, including Beastly, which is modern twist on the classic "Beauty and the Beast" tale, which also stars Vanessa Hudgens, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Neil Patrick Harris. Also on the slate, another  sci-fi flick, Now, which features Justin Timberlake, Oliva Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, and Cillian Murphy. He also admits to dabbling in producing because it appeals to his "control freak side"; it makes sense, as we watch the control he has over his career as it takes off.

Check out my interview with Alex below and see just how he and his nerves are adjusting to celebrity!

TurboTax SnapTax Makes Taxes a... Snap!

Once a year (and usually at the last minute) we all find ourselves scrambling to file our taxes and get square with the Government again. Fortunately for us, this year could be a breeze thanks to the folks at TurboTax. Their SnapTax App allows you to do your taxes from start to finish just by, believe it or not, using your iPhone or Android device.

This app makes the dreaded and often time-consuming obligation of filing taxes as simple as taking a picture on your smart phone. First, just download the application, which is free (awesome); next, take a picture of your W-2 (where the "snap" part comes in); then, answer a few simple questions, review, and that's it! Consider yourself e-filed. No standing in lines, no paying an accountant... This app just saved you tons of time and money. Can't argue with that.

Even for those filing on their own for the first time this year and feeling a bit intimidated, don't worry -- TurboTax has your back. There are no more excuses for not being able to get your taxes done by the April 18 deadline!

Here's a short video to show you how the SnapTax app works:

RetroN 3 Brings Back Video Game Classics

Before there was Wii, there was Luigi and Dr. Mario.

Some of you reading this probably become a little misty-eyed with nostalgia when you think back to those old-school video games from the ‘80s. Sure, the graphics weren’t that great and the theme music would never get out of your head (I won’t even get into the dreaded “Tetris dreams”), but they defined our childhood and an entire generation. How could you not love Zelda?

With this in mind, the RetroN 3 Video Gaming system brings you the latest in Nintendo nostalgia and takes you back to the simpler, more innocent days of video gaming. This is the only system that allows you to connect all three major game labels -- Nintendo, SEGA Genesis, and Super Nintendo – so that you can composite all of your favorite games with one ultimate machine. The sleek design of the console itself combines modern portability with that recognizable classic look.

So, if you could use a break from carjacking in Chinatown or performing black ops, pop in your old copy of Donkey Kong or Super Punch-Out. If you still need something to shoot, though, there's always Duck Hunt!