Gmail gets Google Goggles

Users of Gmail, Google's email system, can now activate a new feature called Mail Goggles.

It requires an emailer to solve a few easy maths problems quickly before hitting the "send" button. The service is set by default to come into force only on weekend nights, although the settings can be changed.

Google's theory is that if your mental faculties are sufficiently intact to answer the questions, you will have been composed enough to be aware of the consequences of whatever you have just typed.

The goggles were developed by Jon Perlow, a Gmail engineer who admitted he had been inspired by his own weaknesses. "Sometimes I send messages I shouldn't send," he wrote in his company blog announcing the new feature.

"Like the time I told that girl I had a crush on her over text message. Or the time I sent that late night email to my ex-girlfriend that we should get back together."

He derived the name from the slang term "beer goggles", used to describe the distorting effect of alcohol on one's perception of members of the opposite sex.

To activate Goggles, Gmail users should click the "Settings" link at the top of a Gmail page, then go to the "Labs" section.

Expensive Luxury Real Estate Markets

Take a look around the world at what $1.5 million buys in 20 of the world's most expensive housing markets.

1. London
Price: $6,191 per sq. ft.
What you get for $1.5 million: Small studio apartment
Annual price change: 29%*
A housing boom began in Central London in September, 2005, and continued through 2007, as wealthy buyers flowed in from around the world. The annualized growth for prime real estate is slowing this year and is expected to weaken further. But the super-luxury segment remains incredibly strong. Sales for £10 million-plus homes in Belgravia, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, and Mayfair increased by 190% in the six months ending January, 2008, compared with the same period a year earlier.


2. Monaco
Price: $5,888 per sq. ft.
What you get for $1.5 million: Studio apartment
Annual price change: 25%
It's not just the casinos, beautiful people, and staggering views of the Mediterranean that have made Monaco a popular home for the world's wealthiest buyers. The real appeal is that its residents don't pay income tax.


3. St. Jean Cap Ferrat (France)
Price: $5,853 per sq. ft.
What you get for $1.5 million: Small studio apartment
Annual price change: 39%
St. Jean Cap Ferrat on the French Riviera continues to be popular with European aristocracy and the super-rich, such as billionaire Paul Allen, who enjoy the gorgeous beaches and warm weather.


4. Courchevel (France)
Price: $4,710 per sq. ft.
What you get for $1.5 million: Studio apartment
Annual price change: 5%
Like to ski and shop? This resort town high in the Savoie region of the French Alps is favored by the Russian elite and is known for expensive hostelries such as the Hotel Le Lana, fashion boutiques, and wild parties.


5. Hong Kong
Price: $4,507 per sq. ft.
What you get for $1.5 million: Studio apartment
Annual price change: 21%
Hong Kong's real estate market has been driven by China's strong economic growth. Despite limited space, real estate demand on the island has started to slow, and prices are softening as the effects of the U.S. credit squeeze spread.


6. Manhattan
Price: $4,320 per sq. ft.
What you get for $1.5 million: Studio apartment
Annual price change: 25%
At the high end, Manhattan continues to boom even as the credit crunch deepens. In fact, in the first quarter of 2008 average prices were up 19% and the price per square foot was up 16%, according to the Corcoran Group. There are several reasons: First, the city has been shielded from the subprime crisis, largely because its co-ops and condos are well out of reach of most buyers with poor credit and shaky finances. Second, it remains a popular destination for movers and shakers in the financial, entertainment, and media world. Last, because of the weak dollar it is more affordable than ever for wealthy foreigners looking for a Manhattan pied-à-terre.


7. Cortina d'Ampezzo (Italy)
Price: $3,028 per sq. ft.
What you get for $1.5 million: 1 bedroom
Annual price change: 22%
The Northern Italian resort town is a popular second-home destination for ski buffs and Milan's business elite. Prices for prime European vacation homes have benefited from the growth of the world's population of high-net-worth individuals.


8. Portofino (Italy)
Price: $2,692 per sq. ft.
What you get for $1.5 million: 1 bedroom
Annual price change: 14%
Although there's no beach, the harbor of this resort village on the Italian Riviera is packed with yachts owned by the world's rich and famous. The village is about 20 miles from the Genoa airport.


9. Singapore
Price: $2,423 per sq. ft.
What you get for $1.5 million: 1 bedroom
Annual price change: 31%
The city's high-end real estate has benefited from an influx of foreign buyers and has been particularly strong close to the Orchard Road shopping area and on the island resort of Sentosa.


10. Tokyo
Price: $2,334 per sq. ft.
What you get for $1.5 million: 1 bedroom
Annual price change: N/A
Despite traditionally astronomical prices and cramped living conditions for all but the very wealthiest, Tokyo's market is beginning to slow as a result of the credit crunch and a heavy supply of new condos that have recently come on the market.

The World's Most Impressive Airport Lounges

1. The Wing - Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong

The Wing is a 43000 sq ft open-air facility that features and 80ft bar (The Long Bar - featured above), four restaurants and a full-service day spa. This luxurious terminal lounge also features private cabins with showers, beds and Jacuzzi tubs. Top it all off with free Wifi, and executive office suites and you've got yourself quite the lounge. Theres no doubt why this lounge is always featured near or at the top of everyone's favorite airport lounge.

2. Premium Terminal - Qatar Airways, Doha International Airport, Qatar

First of all, you are greeted by a porter to take your bags and a concierge just to make sure you find all the other enclosed luxuries. If you are in need of secretarial or medical services, you’ll find both in here. Pretty nice. There is also a complete world-class spa where anti-aging facials and deep-tissue massages are administered. You can also take advantage of the Jacuzzis, and If you have kids there are a number of Wii consoles as well as a free nanny service. Definitely a relaxing way to get ready for a flight, or to recover from one.

3. Golden Lounge - Malaysian Airlines, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia

KL’s airport deserves mention to this list if only for the fact that there is a rain forest enclosed within the airport itself. Within the Malaysian Airlines Golden lounge, you will also find a river that literally runs through the terminal. Other notable amenities include: a gym, private rooms, and arcade and a full-service daycare center.

4. Lufthansa Lounge - Lufthansa, Frankfurt International Airport, Germany

Lufthansa’s Frankfurt terminal consists of a 12,000 square loft-like lounge with plenty of seating, a dining area and private office space (if you travel for work). This lounge also features a cigar lounge, and if you are a first class traveler you will have a personal assistant from checkout to departure (where you will be driven out to the tarmac on a Porsche Cayenne).

5. Virgin Atlantic Lounge - Virgin Airlines, London-Heathrow, England

Virgin’s flagship at London-Heathrow features: a lounge, a den as well as a clubhouse all done in typical Virgin style. In the lounge, you can take to the roof where you can grab a drink while you wait for your flight and catch some rays. Leave the kids in the Den where billiards and video games will occupy their short attention spans until just before departure. And if you are hungry, you can take to the clubhouse to grab a drink, where you can get anything from a light snack to a hearty and tasty plate of bangers and mash.

6. Air France Lounge at Terminal #2 - Air France, Charles de Gaulle International Airport, France


The Air France lounge at CDG Terminal 3 features some of the most useful amenities: showers and massages. While all the modern bells and whistles are nice, nothing beats a nice hot shower upon arrival. And, If you weren’t able to sleep that well, or you’re just tired from the overnight flight, treat yourself to a massage. Because hey, you deserve it.

7. Terraces Lounge - British Airways, JFK International Airport, USA

British Airways is always known to up the ante, and the Terraces Lounge at JFK International is no exception. Put trickling water fountains and nature sounds together with hydrotherapy showers, and pre- and post-flight massages and you have a way to truly relax if your coming or going. Special bonus is the faint smell of cut grass in the terminal to give it an outdoorsy feel.

8. Admirals Lounge - American Airlines, John F Kennedy International Airport, USA

American Airlines flagship lounge is a 7,000 sq ft facility that features a complete business center and cyber cafe with complimentary printer and fax services. If you want to take a break from your work there is a renowned commissary complete with world-class wine list and a diverse menu from which you can eat to your heart’s content. A number of plasma TVs (so you can watch what YOU want) and private shower facilities round out some of the most useful amenities offered here.

9. Qantas First Class Lounge - Qantas, Sydney International Airport, Australia

Designed by the world-renowned/ native Australian Marc Newson, this lounge features a 180 degree view of Sydney’s beautiful Botany Bay. The main feature of this lounge is the day spa with a number of complimentary treatments to help you relax. There is also a dozen desktop computers free-of-charge, if you didn’t bring your laptop, and private office suites if you require a bit of privacy. And if you are hungry, there is a 48-seat restaurant that boasts a menu of exotic meals from around the world.

10. The Royal Orchid - Thai Airways, Bangkok Airport, Thailand

The Royal Orchid offers complimentary traditional Thai massage to its visitors, as well as a host of other amenities, most notably world-famous Thai hospitality. Complimentary, gourmet Thai cuisine makes for a nice touch, and private meeting rooms with wifi definitely can come in handy. And just to show you that you are in fact a VIP, you can expect tarmac transport from via the airlines fleet of Mercedes-Benzes.