This smart handbag could stop you from overspending

If you're the sort who overspends at the mall, you may need a firm reminder to watch your budget. How does an ever-vigilant handbag sound? 

Finder.com.au could soon make one: meet the iBag, a prototype carryall that locks you out if it believes you're going to splurge. The Arduino-powered bag automatically shuts tight at those times you're most likely to shop. 

Outside of those moments, it uses GPS to warn you when you get too close to favorite stores; ignore the alert and it will both record when you take out your wallet as well as send a text message to a trusted partner. iBag is primarily a publicity stunt meant to highlight the dangers of credit card debt, but it might become a reality. 

The site is asking potential customers to register their interest, and it may sell both men's and women's versions of the bag for $199 AUD ($173 US) if there's enough demand.

Source: Engadget 

Boy-band One Direction is world's best-sellers of 2013

From left, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne from British band One Direction (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)

LONDON: British pop phenomenon One Direction were on Thursday named as the world's most popular recording artists of 2013 by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

Band member Niall Horan called it "incredible news" and thanked fans for the newly-created award, which aggregates CD and vinyl sales; download sales and streaming numbers.

"It's great to have a chart that includes everything from iTunes and record stores, to YouTube and Spotify," he said.

"Again a huge thank you to all of our fans for such an amazing 2013."

The boy-band's third studio album, "Midnight Memories" raced to the top of the US Billboard Top 200 chart, making the five-piece the first group in US chart history to debut at No. 1 with their first three albums.

Their video for "Best Song Ever" attracted almost 200 million views on YouTube.

US rapper Eminem claimed second spot thanks to his eighth studio album "The Marshall Mathers LP 2" while third place was taken by former boy-band member Justin Timberlake. - AFP