by Paul Riegler

One of the images of Cuba ingrained in my mind is the incredible scene of classic American cars from the 1950s that continue to ply Cuban streets. Indeed, a ride in a classic American car (many serve as taxis) is a rite of passage for visitors to Havana.
It is an image Detroit should be proud of: pristine Buicks, Cadillacs, Chevys, Dodges, and Fords chauffeuring tourists around, serving as props for …

Review: ‘Small World: A Fantasia’ at 59E59 Theaters

by Jonathan Spira

When I saw a notice that ‘Small World,’ a story about Walt Disney, was coming to 59E59 Theaters, describing it as a show that would “go behind the scenes of Disney’s classic ‘Fantasia,’” I started to count the days until I’d see it. “Fantasia” was the first full-length film I ever saw in a movie theater and it remains one of my all-time favorites, with a particular fondness for the …

Lobby Bar – September 22: Charizard the Tourguide, Being Tickled by a Butler, and BMW Invests in Dongles

by Jeremy Del Nero

Lobby Bar – An Optical Illusion of Words
Forced laughs. Take a seat next to us in the theater for a third viewing of “The Play That Goes Wrong.” Before you go swallowing any cayennidday, keep in mind that the actors are professionally trained thespians to give you a very poor performance. Don’t worry, if you aren’t smiling by the end of the show, Perkins the butler will personally go and …

Survey: Travelers Rely Most on Airline, Messaging, and E-Mail Apps During Trips

by Paul Riegler

Nowadays, travel without a smartphone in hand is akin to traveling without a map, although the smartphone is capable of so much more. Indeed, we assumed (correctly, as it turned out) that map apps are among the top used smartphone apps by frequent travelers.
According to a recent Frequent Business Traveler survey, conducted in partnership with GlobeRunner Insights, the research division of FBT’s parent company Accura, the most used app category …

This Is What’s New in iOS 11

by Paul Riegler

Apple released iOS 11 right on schedule on Tuesday and a trio of new iPhones including the vaunted iPhone X (the X, as you probably know by now, is pronounced “ten”) will follow by week’s end. We’ve tested the final version of iOS 11 for the past week and have this to report.
Keep in mind that, if you aren’t planning on purchasing one of the new iPhones anytime soon, you …

BMW: ‘We Don’t Need No Stinking Keys’

by Christian Stampfer

MUNICH—The first ignition keys were introduced by Chrysler in 1949, although car doors required keys prior to that time. Early innovations in car keys included jackknife-like flip keys and keys with elaborate marque’s logos on them. Starting in the mid-1990s, cars began to come with transponder keys, programmed to allow only a specific vehicle to start.
Fast forward to the early 2000s when automakers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz introduced keyless …

Review and Test Drive: 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SL Coupe/Roadster

by Jonathan Spira

One of the most beautiful cars ever built arguably was the Mercedes-Benz SL coupe, which was introduced in 1954 as the 300SL, a model known for its distinctive gullwing doors. The legendary 300SL was developed specifically for the U.S. market as the result of a suggestion by legendary European automobile importer Max Hoffman.
Hoffman, whose home and his Park Avenue Mercedes-Benz showroom were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, was the son …

Theater Review: ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ Continues to Go Right

by Jonathan Spira

After what seemed like unending last-minute repair work to the set, a man with a posh accent spoke to the audience while simultaneously missing the spotlight. “Firstly, I would like to apologise to those of you involved in our little box-office mix-up,” he started. “I do hope the six hundred and seventeen of you affected will enjoy our little murder mystery just as much as you would have enjoyed… ‘Hamilton.’ …