Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com prods@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Producers) support@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Web Support) en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. View our terms of service here: http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/ Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Webby Awards Lists the Millennium's Top 10 Web Moments]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/webby-awards-lists-the-milleniums-top-10-web-moments/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/webby-awards-lists-the-milleniums-top-10-web-moments/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/webby-awards-lists-the-milleniums-top-10-web-moments/#comments With the decade coming to a close in less than two months, expect to see plenty of "Best of" lists. It's awful fun to think back on marquee moments from years past, especially when those moments occurred on our beloved Internet. Plus, it's shocking to recall just how much the Web has changed since the start of the millennium. In that spirit, the Webby Awards has released its list of "The Ten Most Influential Internet Moments of the Decade."

The moments, which are listed in chronological order, begin with Craigslist's 2000 expansion from a San Francisco exclusive service to the largest free classifieds site on the Web. From there, Napster met its demise in 2001, the same year Wikipedia launched and changed the way we got information. A few years later, in 2006, online video became cooler than sliced bread thanks to YouTube. Shortly thereafter, Facebook became open to non-college students in 2006 (much to our chagrin), and Twitter started its climb to the top of the social networking ladder.

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Webby Awards Lists the Millennium's Top 10 Web Moments originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> craigslistfacebookinternetlistnapstersocialnetworkingtopwebwebbywikipediayoutube switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:31:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Scientists Find RFID 'Fingerprint' That Could Prevent Counterfeiting]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/scientists-find-rfid-fingerprint-that-could-prevent-counterfei/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/scientists-find-rfid-fingerprint-that-could-prevent-counterfei/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/scientists-find-rfid-fingerprint-that-could-prevent-counterfei/#comments Radio frequency identification tags (RFID), which appear in items like credit cards and passports, have long been susceptible to hackers looking to steal personal information. Still, RFID tags are used in many ways -- from tracking a shipment of clothes to automatically opening a doggie door. But a breakthrough from a group of University of Arkansas scientists might just ease the minds of those who worry these devices aren't secure enough. The discovery hasn't much to do with the devices themselves, but the way in which they are read.

According to Physorg.com, Professors Dale R. Thompson and Jai Di discovered that each RFID tag has a "fingerprint." Essentially, each tag has a unique power response at different radio frequencies -- even for tags of the same make and model. With preexisting physical characteristics in mind, scientists can interpret an electronic "fingerprint" to each tag. Using those fingerprints as a key would make the devices harder to hack and counterfeit.

With RFID being used more and more by government agencies and private businesses, it's comforting to know that somebody is thinking about security. Maybe now we can stop wrapping our credit cards in aluminum foil. It's a good thing this news broke before we let paranoia take over. [From: Physorg.com, via Engadget]

Scientists Find RFID 'Fingerprint' That Could Prevent Counterfeiting originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> counterfeitcredit cardsCreditCardsfingerprinthackidentity theftIdentityTheftradioresearchrfidsecurity switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Chinese Military Web Site Battered With Attempted Cyber-Attacks]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/chinese-military-web-site-battered-with-attempted-cyber-attacks/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/chinese-military-web-site-battered-with-attempted-cyber-attacks/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/chinese-military-web-site-battered-with-attempted-cyber-attacks/#comments
When China launched a Web site for its defense ministry in August, the whole world took notice. With both English and Chinese versions, the government hoped the site would prove it was serious about being more transparent when it came to the military. However, this attempt also attracted hackers.

According to BBC News, there have been about 2.3 million cyber-attacks on the site in its first month of operation alone. We thought Twitter was bombarded with a ridiculous number of attacks, but that's just a flat-out, mind-boggling number. There are no reports that any military information was compromised, but it seems that hackers aren't the only truth-seekers visiting the site. The site's editor, Ji Guilin, told the state-run newspaper that 1.25 billion people -- many from the U.S., U.K., Australia, Singapore, and Japan -- have visited the site to search topics like "military photos," "top military leaders," "high-level events," and "military power."

This can't be comforting news for the Chinese government, which is notorious for limiting its citizens' Web access. We can only hope that China won't step back from free-flowing information and shut down the site as a result of the attacks. Our more rational minds, though, are pretty sure that once a hacker successfully cracks the site (and one will), it will get yanked faster than an Olympic gymnast on her 16th birthday. [From: BBC News and Al Jazeera]

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Chinese Military Web Site Battered With Attempted Cyber-Attacks originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> chinadefense militaryDefenseMilitaryhackhackersmilitarysecurityweb switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[80-Percent of Cyber Attacks Could Be Prevented, Says NSA]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/19/80-percent-of-cyber-attacks-could-be-prevented-says-nsa/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/19/80-percent-of-cyber-attacks-could-be-prevented-says-nsa/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/19/80-percent-of-cyber-attacks-could-be-prevented-says-nsa/#comments
While the Federal government might throw a hundred million dollars at cyber-attacks, the real solution to the problem is much easier and cheaper -- at least that's what National Security Agency information assurance director Richard Schaeffer told the U.S. Senate Tuesday. According to Wired, Schaeffer says about 80-percent of the attacks could be prevented if network administrators were to simply adhere to conventional configuration policies and closely monitor the networks. If this occurred, Schaeffer believes, it would deter hackers from making attacks because their chances of being caught would be much higher.

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80-Percent of Cyber Attacks Could Be Prevented, Says NSA originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> common senseCommonSensehacknetworknsasecuritysenatetopweb switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:32:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Luke Wilson Joins the AT&T and Verizon Ad Fray]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/19/atandt-fights-back-at-verizons-ad-campaign-with-actor-luke-wilson/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/19/atandt-fights-back-at-verizons-ad-campaign-with-actor-luke-wilson/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/19/atandt-fights-back-at-verizons-ad-campaign-with-actor-luke-wilson/#comments In case you haven't noticed, the two major cell phone service providers have spent the past few weeks trying to prove their mettle in a 3G network-wagging contest. It started with Verizon's "There's a Map For That" commercial, which debuted in October and was a direct dig at the iPhone (which just so happens to be carried exclusively by AT&T). The latter company filed a lawsuit against Verizon Wireless, claiming that the commercial led consumers to believe AT&T doesn't offer any wireless service outside a 3G network.

After losing a request for an injunction this week, AT&T decided to fire back with an advertisement of its own. According to Engadget, AT&T's new 30-second spot, which features actor Luke Wilson, makes the Great Smartphone War official (video after the break). In the commercial, Wilson places magnets on a board according to which company offers a certain feature. To no surprise, Wilson and his magnets claim that AT&T kicks Verizon's butt when it comes to the fastest 3G network, and that it has the most popular smartphones as well.

Let's assume that AT&T thought some star power would make people forget about Verizon's witty spot. Well, it didn't. This is an epic fail, folks. If AT&T had to go this route, couldn't it at least have snagged the funny Wilson brother? [From: Engadget]

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Luke Wilson Joins the AT&T and Verizon Ad Fray originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 3gadvertisingattcellphonedroidfailfeudiphonelawsuitluke wilsonLukeWilsonsmartphonetopverizon switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:48:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Twitter Moves Into Sleek New Digs in San Francisco]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/18/twitter-moves-into-sleek-new-digs-in-san-francisco/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/18/twitter-moves-into-sleek-new-digs-in-san-francisco/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/18/twitter-moves-into-sleek-new-digs-in-san-francisco/#comments What's the best part about moving into new digs? Well, decorating it and showing off the space to your friends, of course. That's the thrill Twitter employees are feeling right now. According to Tech Crunch, the company moved into its new, massive San Francisco office space, which had previously housed Bebo, on Monday. Employees are posting online photos more quickly than we can click through them.

Here's a peek of what we've seen so far: The design is super sleek and modern -- from the furniture to the art. According to the Huffington Post, it's the brainchild of Sara Morishige Williams, wife of CEO Evan Williams. There are plenty of birds and '@' symbols plastered around the office. There's a shot of a vanity mirror placed in a spacious bathroom stall (which is a little creepy). And just to prove its own hipness, the company installed a DJ booth for employees to spin records and unwind after long hours of coding. In keeping with Web 2.0 style, there's a kitchen/break room worthy of its own cooking show.

While the micro-blogging service has an estimated worth of $1 billion, it might be a good idea for it to work on a proper business model before splurging on a new crib. You know, the kind where your company makes a profit. We're not economists, but isn't this the kind of reckless behavior that got us into our current financial mess? [From: Tech Crunch and Huffington Post]

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Twitter Moves Into Sleek New Digs in San Francisco originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> designluxuryofficesocialnetworkingtoptwitter switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA['Fit or Fugly?' Apps Uses Golden Ratio to Determine Your Beauty]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/18/fit-or-fugly-apps-uses-golden-ratio-to-determine-your-beauty/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/18/fit-or-fugly-apps-uses-golden-ratio-to-determine-your-beauty/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/18/fit-or-fugly-apps-uses-golden-ratio-to-determine-your-beauty/#comments How is beauty truly measured? That's been a much-debated question for quite some time. But the creators of a new iPhone application have the answer: symmetry. According to the Huffington Post, 'Fit or Fugly' uses Fibonacci's Golden Ratio to determine your face's degree of symmetry, which apparently correlates to how good looking you are. For just $0.99, you can download the app, upload a photo of yourself (or maybe a thick-skinned friend), place anchor pins on the eyes, ears, chin, mouth, and nose, and you'll instantly find out if you're hot or not. Unfortunately, 'Fit or Fugly' isn't even the most superficial app we've seen.

Of course, it's a big hit with consumers, earning rave reviews and such incisive testimonials as: "This is a very cool app...simple and fun...I tried the app with a pic of a hobo and a baby and they were both fugly!!!" We don't condone judging the beauty of either hobos or babies, but whatever you do, avoid using this app on your mom or girlfriend. Thank us later, when you're not homeless and single. [From: Huffington Post]

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'Fit or Fugly?' Apps Uses Golden Ratio to Determine Your Beauty originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> app storeappleAppStorebeautyfit or fuglyFitOrFuglyhggiphonephotostopweird switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Computer Company Displays 'Mona Lisa' Made From Motherboards]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/17/computer-company-displays-mona-lisa-made-from-motherboards/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/17/computer-company-displays-mona-lisa-made-from-motherboards/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/17/computer-company-displays-mona-lisa-made-from-motherboards/#comments There aren't too many mysteries left out there, but the 'Mona Lisa' endures. We still might not know what, exactly, makes her smile, but this recreation of Leonardo Da Vinci's famous 'Mona Lisa' sure did put a grin on our faces. According to Neatorama, this piece of art isn't in a museum. Instead, it's placed in the lobby of ASUS International, a computer parts manufacturer in Taipei, Taiwain, and is composed entirely of old computer motherboards and the like.

This got us thinking about other examples of technology and art colliding in wonderful ways. We've seen salvaged PCs made into sculptures of biological viruses and an impressive collection of techno-art at Royal Pingdom, but our favorite has to be Palo Alto, California's enormous egg, constructed of old circuit boards.

Leonardo could draw, paint, and sculpt, but let's see him work with circuit boards, hard drives, and other components. The results, we think, might've been a little different. [From: Neatorama]

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Computer Company Displays 'Mona Lisa' Made From Motherboards originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> artcomputermona lisaMonaLisamotherboardtopweird switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[One in Three Teen Texters Drives While Thumbing]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/17/33-of-teens-texts-while-driving-study-finds/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/17/33-of-teens-texts-while-driving-study-finds/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/17/33-of-teens-texts-while-driving-study-finds/#comments By now, you'd have to live under a rock to be unaware of the dangers of texting while driving. There have been more studies on the subject than we can count. Despite raising awareness, all this information isn't doing much to change drivers' behavior. According to MSNBC, the Pew Internet & American Life Project recently released a study finding that over a third of 16- and 17-year-old texters drive while doing so. Yes, some of the most inexperienced drivers on the road are busy playing on cell phones instead of focusing on the road.

But they're not alone. The study also found that 48-percent of children between 12 and 17 years old said they'd ridden in the car of somebody who was texting. This means parents might not be setting the best example for their youngsters. One kid surveyed in the study said his dad "drives like he's drunk" while using his cell phone in the car (which, we know from other studies, might be an understatement). On the other end of the spectrum, another kid said "it's fine" to text while operating a vehicle, and that he wears sunglasses so police won't see him looking at the screen.

Sorry to break it to that last kid, but there's no disputing that texting while driving is very dangerous. The challenge is finding a way to break the habits of cell phone users. Different states have enacted bans on the practice, but we need an all-encompassing federal ban to really make a change. Even then, though, it'll be tough to cause a change in hearts and minds. [From: MSNBC]

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One in Three Teen Texters Drives While Thumbing originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cellphonedangerdrivingstudyteenstextingtexting while drivingTextingWhileDrivingtop switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Head Massager Looks Crazy, but Feels Oh-So Good]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/17/head-massager-looks-crazy-but-feels-oh-so-good/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/17/head-massager-looks-crazy-but-feels-oh-so-good/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/17/head-massager-looks-crazy-but-feels-oh-so-good/#comments There may be no better feeling in the world than a good scalp massage, but unfortunately, nobody wants to sit around and massage our noggins all day. But we've found the perfect solution. It's called Headtime by South Korean company Kinatech, and this over-sized silver helmet will melt away all your worries and stress. According to Engadget, the device uses 29 silicone balls and 34 ceramic balls to gently massage your scalp. While you're being treated, a built-in speaker pipes nature sounds (singing birds, bubbling creeks) into your ears. There's even a temperature control that makes sure your head stays warm and relaxed.

There's only one downside to this product: It looks like a weird cross between a 'Jetson's' helmet and a beauty salon hair dryer. In other words, you'll want to use the Headtime in the privacy of your own home. Despite the potential for humiliation, having your own personal massaging device is worth every second. It's a good thing Christmas isn't too far away. [From: Engadget]

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Head Massager Looks Crazy, but Feels Oh-So Good originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bizarrebodyheadhealthmassagerelaxrelaxationtherapytop switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Complex Cell Phone Plans Dumbfound Economists, Too]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/16/complex-cell-phone-plans-dumbfound-economists-too/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/16/complex-cell-phone-plans-dumbfound-economists-too/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/16/complex-cell-phone-plans-dumbfound-economists-too/#comments Cell phone plans are complex creatures. With all those options for minutes, text messaging, and Internet, it's impossible to figure out exactly what you're paying for. The result? Thoroughly confused, many customers just play it safe and purchase the most expensive packages.

Barry Nalebuff, economics professor at the Yale School of Management, told the New York Times, "The whole pricing thing is weird. You pay $60 to make your first phone call. Your next 1,000 minutes are free. Then the minute after that costs 35 cents." It's all clear as mud, right? Basically, phone companies want to squeeze as much money as they can out of each customer. Unfortunately, the need to keep investors happy can become more important than the consumer's best interest.

Continue reading Complex Cell Phone Plans Dumbfound Economists, Too

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Complex Cell Phone Plans Dumbfound Economists, Too originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appleattcellphoneinternetiphonemoneysprinttextingtoptrendsverizon switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:54:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[After the Hype: Technologies That Never Lived Up to Their Promise]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/15/after-the-hype-technologies-that-never-lived-up-to-their-promis/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/15/after-the-hype-technologies-that-never-lived-up-to-their-promis/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/15/after-the-hype-technologies-that-never-lived-up-to-their-promis/#comments The hype machine is a cruel, cruel beast. It builds us up, only to let us down. For every piece of technology that's taken off, there's another handful that failed to live up to the buzz. To honor these fallen ideas, CNET UK has compiled a "Whatever Happened to..." list of the past's most remarkably unremarkable tech.

Remember Sony's MiniDisc? Yes, the colorful plastic cartridge promised that it would become the best, most portable way to listen to music. Well, it didn't. Blame the MP3, if you like. Or go further back, to Apple's LISA. The bulky $10,000 computer was one of the first to use a graphical interface, but it never took off, either. On the bright side, Apple did learn from its mistakes, and certainly knows how to push product these days. There's also the doomed Amstrad Emailer, which arrived about five years too late, and Motorola's Rokr E1, which was promptly owned by the iPhone. Although it's not included on CNET's list, we couldn't go without mentioning Sega's Dreamcast console. We still shed a tear when thinking about what might've been if gamers had only supported the platform.

It's fun to reminisce, but in most cases, we're better off without these failed technologies. Don't believe us? Trade in your iPod for a MiniDisc player, or your iPhone for a Rokr -- just for a day. [From: CNET UK]

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After the Hype: Technologies That Never Lived Up to Their Promise originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> applecellphonecomputerfailurehypelistmicrosoftsonytechnologytop switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Nerdy Guy Electrifies Aboriginal Didgeridoo]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/15/nerdy-white-guy-electrifies-aboriginal-didgeridoo/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/15/nerdy-white-guy-electrifies-aboriginal-didgeridoo/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/15/nerdy-white-guy-electrifies-aboriginal-didgeridoo/#comments Ancient Aboriginal instrument, we'd like you to meet modern technology. Who can you thank for this introduction? A nerdy white guy, not even from Australia.

Musician and geek Kyle Evans took a didgeridoo, which is an Australian wind instrument, and modified it because he was interested in combining organic sound with modern technology. Evans can manipulate the noise that the custom-built instrument makes thanks to mounted modules. Data is sent via Bluetooth to a computer, which interprets the info using a software program that turns it into sound. Evans describes the process on his blog, and he even includes photos and videos, too. If you've never heard a didgeridoo, think of the sounds of the smoke monster on the television show 'Lost.'

Evans's invention won't change the music landscape like the electric guitar did, but it's pretty cool (and funny) to watch him play the instrument (video after the break). Honestly, we're just thankful Evans isn't wearing traditional Aboriginal garb while he plays. [From: Yaktronix, via Ubergizmo]

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Nerdy Guy Electrifies Aboriginal Didgeridoo originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> aboriginalbizarrebluetoothdidgeridooinstrumentmodificacionmusictopwireless switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Harry Potter's Invisibility Cloak Might Actually Happen, Thanks to Physics]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/15/harry-potters-invisibility-cloak-might-actually-happen-thanks/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/15/harry-potters-invisibility-cloak-might-actually-happen-thanks/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/15/harry-potters-invisibility-cloak-might-actually-happen-thanks/#comments Hold onto those wands, all you would-be wizards. One of Harry Potter's most valuable possessions might soon make the jump from the page to the real world. According to The Daily Mail, researchers at Imperial College in London received an $8.1-million grant to develop an invisibility suit. That's right, you could throw on a garment and sneak around, just like Harry did while stalking the halls of Hogwarts.

The idea isn't as far-fetched as it initially sounds. When light hits an object, it bounces off the surface and into the eye, which is what makes it visible to us. Using "meta-material," these scientists want to force light waves to flow around an object (think water flowing around a rock in a river), not bounce off of it, which would make the object invisible to the eye. But right now, all this is simply theory. Next, the researchers must engineer a material that can manipulate light waves in such a manner. As we've said before, that's much easier said than done thanks to a little thing we call physics.

If this idea becomes reality (trust us, we're keeping our fingers crossed), we have one simple request: Please don't model the suit's look after Harry and the gang's school uniforms. That just doesn't work for us. [From: The Daily Mail]

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Harry Potter's Invisibility Cloak Might Actually Happen, Thanks to Physics originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> harrypotterhgginvisiblelightphysicsresearchtop switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:31:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Bidding for Tour of Bill Gates's Home Begins at $35,000]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/14/bidding-for-tour-of-bill-gatess-mansion-begins-at-35-000/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/14/bidding-for-tour-of-bill-gatess-mansion-begins-at-35-000/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/14/bidding-for-tour-of-bill-gatess-mansion-begins-at-35-000/#comments

Have you ever wanted a personal tour of a celebrity home? We're talking full-blown, 'MTV Cribs' style. Well, if you're a Microsoft employee with a fat wallet, that dream can become a reality. According to Tech Flash, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates is auctioning off a personal tour of his gigantic house on Lake Washington as part of a yearly charity campaign within the company. Just how much would this VIP tour set you back? Well, the current high bid is $35,000. To put that in perspective, the same tour, which includes appetizers at the end, sold for just $8,600 last year. Looks like the recession might be over... at least for the people in the Pacific Northwest.

Since not everybody works for Microsoft (or can drop that much cash), US News & World Report will take you on a virtual tour of the Gates household. You can click on different parts of the house and read interesting facts. But it must pale in comparison to the real thing. After all, you can't peek inside the Gates medicine cabinet on a virtual tour.

Alas, the closest we'll get to this house is a view from an airplane or boat. Seriously, you're more likely to have a beer with President Obama than you are to get an audience with the notoriously private Gates. [From: Tech Flash and US News & World Report]

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Bidding for Tour of Bill Gates's Home Begins at $35,000 originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> auctionbill gatesBillGatescelebritycharityhomehousemicrosoft switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:21:00 EST Switched <![CDATA['Mario' and 'Luigi' Rob and Beat Cabbie on Halloween]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/13/mario-and-luigi-rob-and-beat-cabbie-on-halloween/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/13/mario-and-luigi-rob-and-beat-cabbie-on-halloween/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/13/mario-and-luigi-rob-and-beat-cabbie-on-halloween/#comments Police are on the lookout for two brothers. Occupation: plumbers, Clothing: overalls, Hobbies: saving princesses and collecting coins. Reports say they answer to these names: Mario and Luigi.

No, this isn't breaking news from the Mushroom Kingdom (unless Staten Island just got a new nickname). According to the New York Daily News, Staten Island police are searching for four men (two were dressed like the video game icons) who were caught on a gas station's surveillance video around 4 a.m. on November 1st robbing and beating a taxi driver. After apparently leaving a Halloween party, one of the men tried to steal money from the cabbie's pocket. The driver pulled into the gas station and asked the men to pay and get out of his car. They refused, beat the driver, and stole his cash anyway.

There's no word yet on whether or not the crooks were disappointed that the driver wasn't carrying large, gold coins. In all seriousness, let's hope these guys are caught soon. If a couple no-good criminals ruin one of our favorite Halloween costumes, we'll have to go out and regulate. And we won't use turtle shells, either. [From: the New York Daily News]

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'Mario' and 'Luigi' Rob and Beat Cabbie on Halloween originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> costumecrimehalloweenluigimarionintendorobberytaxi switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Chips N'Kicks: Artist Immortalizes Nike With Circuit Board Sculpture]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/13/chips-nkicks-artist-immortalizes-nike-with-circuit-board-sculp/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/13/chips-nkicks-artist-immortalizes-nike-with-circuit-board-sculp/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/13/chips-nkicks-artist-immortalizes-nike-with-circuit-board-sculp/#comments
Everybody knows Nike sneakers will never go out of style. So when artist Gabriel Dishaw decided to embark on a series of sneaker sculptures, the Swoosh was the obvious place to start. The result, sure to please both Kanye West and Bill Gates, are called the "Blazer Pentium 1.0" (Dishaw apparently has talent and wit). Made from an old circuit board and weighing about 15-pounds, these chip-heavy kicks (they come in a suitcase tricked out in circuit boards) are available on Dishaw's site, along with some of his other work.

While any good geek (and probably some art-school kids, too) would obviously drool over Dishaw's sneakers, we still don't think they hold a candle to Nike's Marty McFly throwbacks. Face it, there's no way you could zip around on a hoverboard with these clunky things on your feet. [From: Gabriel Dishaw, via: Engadget]

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Chips N'Kicks: Artist Immortalizes Nike With Circuit Board Sculpture originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> artgeek chicGeekChicnikesculptureshoestop switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Crook Who Texted Cops His 'Preferred' Mugshot Gets Nabbed]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/13/image-conscious-crook-gets-busted-at-barber-shop/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/13/image-conscious-crook-gets-busted-at-barber-shop/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/13/image-conscious-crook-gets-busted-at-barber-shop/#comments Remember Matthew Maynard? He's the image-conscious crook who sent his own photo to a UK newspaper via text message because he was unhappy with the police mugshot they published. Just when we thought Maynard's vanity had peaked, it turns out the 24-year-old burglary suspect was arrested Wednesday while getting his hair cut at a Swansea, South Wales, barber shop. According to The Sun, a person walking past the shop recognized Maynard and called the police. One witness told The Sun, Maynard was still sitting in the barber's chair "...laughing about as the cops stormed in to haul him off."

When police issued Maynard's mugshot as part of a larger crackdown on crime, the suspect contacted the newspaper. He told the staff he wasn't happy with his look (we don't blame him), and that he would send a better pic. So, Maynard donned some neon yellow pants and a black coat, and just to really stick it to the man, he used his cell phone to snap a photo of himself in front of a police van. Then, he sent the photo via text message to The Evening Post, which ran the shot on the front page. The BBC News reports that Maynard is now in custody at the Swansea Central police station. At least in his new mugshot, Maynard's hair will be well-coiffed. Let's just hope he looks good in stripes. [From: The Sun and BBC News]

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Crook Who Texted Cops His 'Preferred' Mugshot Gets Nabbed originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> crimedumbcriminalfunnymugshottextingthieftop switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:35:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Schools Shun Kindle Due to Lack of Accessibility to the Blind]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/12/schools-shun-kindle-due-to-lack-of-accessibility-to-the-blind/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/12/schools-shun-kindle-due-to-lack-of-accessibility-to-the-blind/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/12/schools-shun-kindle-due-to-lack-of-accessibility-to-the-blind/#comments Despite a function on the Kindle that reads text aloud, two universities and an advocacy group for the visually impaired adopted a staunch anti-Kindle stance Wednesday. According to an Associated Press report, the University of Wisconsin - Madison and Syracuse University won't invest in more electronic readers for college students because the audio feature is too difficult for a visually impaired person to activate. To engage the feature, a user must navigate a series of onscreen menus -- a process requiring a degree of sightedness that many of the United States' 1.3 million legally blind simply don't have.

A spokesman for the National Federation of the Blind applauded the schools' efforts. "These universities are saying, `Our policy is nondiscrimination, so we're not going to adopt a technology we know for sure discriminates against blind students'," Chris Danielsen told the Associated Press. With such strong words, it's no wonder that universities aren't ready to invest in the burgeoning e-book market. But Amazon.com, Inc. spokesman Drew Herdener said he hopes to change that. The company is working on improving the Kindle so that everybody can easily use it. Just how that'll happen, though, remains unclear.

For the record, we're rooting for the Kindle. Take it from former college students, the potential of having cheaper, digital textbooks is enough to make a starving student's mouth water. [From: Associated Press, via Newsvine]

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Schools Shun Kindle Due to Lack of Accessibility to the Blind originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> accessibilityamazonblindbookscollegeebookereaderkindlereadingschooltopuniversity switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:55:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Facebook Alibi: Man's Status Keeps Him Out of Jail]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/12/facebook-alibi-mans-status-keeps-him-out-of-jail/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/12/facebook-alibi-mans-status-keeps-him-out-of-jail/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/12/facebook-alibi-mans-status-keeps-him-out-of-jail/#comments
We've heard of Facebook leading to arrests, but now there's a flip side to the story of social networking and the law. Today, a man can thank Facebook for keeping him out of jail. According to The New York Times, defense lawyers used Rodney Bradford's status update as an alibi when he was arrested in connection with an October 17th robbery. Lawyers say the update, which read "Where's my pancakes," was posted from a computer in the Harlem apartment of Bradford's father at the exact time the robbery in question occurred.

Lawyers subpoenaed the site's records to make sure Bradford's story held water. It did, and the charges were dropped (although Bradford faces previous robbery charges, too). However, some worry that anybody could've entered the man's user name and password and posted the update for him. "[Teenagers]...could develop an alibi," said Joseph Pollini, a law teacher at John Jay College. "They watch television, the movies, there is a multitude of reasons why someone of that age would have the knowledge to do a crime like that."

Continue reading Facebook Alibi: Man's Status Keeps Him Out of Jail

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Facebook Alibi: Man's Status Keeps Him Out of Jail originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> crimefacebooklawsocialnetworkingstatus updateStatusUpdatetopweb switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Spam Spreading on Twitter via Direct Messages -- Again]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/12/spam-spreading-on-twitter-via-direct-messages-again/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/12/spam-spreading-on-twitter-via-direct-messages-again/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/12/spam-spreading-on-twitter-via-direct-messages-again/#comments
Not to sound like a broken record, but there's a lot of spam on Twitter. Let us illustrate. If the Internet were high school, Twitter would be voted "Most Likely to be Spammed." So, it was no surprise when Mashable reported that a number of users have recently been flooded with spam via direct messages. A quick search on the micro-blogging site proves that people are pretty upset about it, too. There's still not a lot of details on the scam, but you should be on the lookout for any suspicious messages from people you don't recognize. For example, if you receive a message from a half-naked girl asking you about a quiz, don't click the link! We know that sounds obvious, but apparently some people are falling for the scam. After all, it takes hacked accounts to continue spreading the spam.

So what do you do if you become a victim? First, change your password right away. While Mashable has reported this wave of spam to Twitter, it's probably not a bad idea for you to report it to the site, too. Last, don't feel ashamed if your account gets hacked. Remember, this isn't the first time the Twitterverse has been plagued by spam, and we're sure it won't be the last, either. [From: Mashable]

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Spam Spreading on Twitter via Direct Messages -- Again originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> scamsecuritysocialnetworkingspamtoptrendstwitterweb switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:35:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[New Toothbrush Equipped With Tiny Spy Cam]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/12/new-toothbrush-equipped-with-tiny-spy-cam/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/12/new-toothbrush-equipped-with-tiny-spy-cam/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/12/new-toothbrush-equipped-with-tiny-spy-cam/#comments For the spy with a thing for dental hygiene, may we present the perfect gift: It's overpriced ($243), electric, and it'll record grainy video while polishing pearly whites. The Pinhole Spy Toothbrush Hidden Camera DVR proves that there's nothing that can't house a tiny camera and be sold to the masses. This gizmo can record about four hours of video at 640-by-480 pixels before needing a recharge, and stores the resulting footage on its 8 gigabytes of internal flash memory.

Usually, we don't want to watch any footage that was recorded in a bathroom, but this spy camera could really help solve some perplexing mysteries. Wondering who used all the shampoo? Or what's the cause of that dried toothpaste in the sink? Or, worst of all, can't figure out who peed on the seat? Well, now you can.

OK, maybe that's wishful thinking. But this might make a nice addition to your collection of weird bathroom gadgets. In fact, we think the spy cam toothbrush would look quite nice sitting next to the accelerometer toothbrush. [From: Gizmodo, via Ubergizmo]

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New Toothbrush Equipped With Tiny Spy Cam originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cameranoveltyspyspy cameraSpyCameratoothbrushtopvideoweird switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:31:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Ultrasound Could Protect Pacemakers From Hackers]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/11/ultrasound-could-protect-pacemakers-from-hackers/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/11/ultrasound-could-protect-pacemakers-from-hackers/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/11/ultrasound-could-protect-pacemakers-from-hackers/#comments You never want your wireless device open to attacks, but if that device is implanted inside your body, security becomes even more important. With pacemakers and other medical devices being controlled and monitored from afar, scientists say it's time to step up protection. Those concerns in mind, a group of researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control have developed a new safety net.

According to Technology Review, the system uses ultrasound waves to measure the distance between a medical device and the wireless reader trying to communicate with it. This could prevent potential hackers from wirelessly gaining access to private information stored on the device, draining its battery, or causing it to malfunction. With the ultrasound system, access to the device would be restricted to the physical proximity of the communicator. In the plan proposed by senior researcher Claude Castelluccia and his team, you'd need to go through a series of authentication steps and be within 10 meters of the device in order to gain access.

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Ultrasound Could Protect Pacemakers From Hackers originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> hackhealthmedicalpacemakerresearchsciencesecuritytopultrasoundwireless switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Hackers Charged for Stealing Over $9M From ATMs]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/11/hackers-charged-for-stealing-over-9m-from-atms/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/11/hackers-charged-for-stealing-over-9m-from-atms/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/11/hackers-charged-for-stealing-over-9m-from-atms/#comments After running an elaborate scam that netted about $9 million, eight men were indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday for their alleged roles in a massive ATM hacking scheme. While similar heists have been pulled before, this one is impressive not only because of the large chunk of cash, but because of the sheer scope of the crime, as well.

According to Threat Post, hackers discovered a way to bypass RBS WorldPay's payroll debit card encryption system sometime last November. After doing so, they created 44 debit cards and increased the limit on each one. Within 12 hours, they had withdrawn $9 million from 2,100 ATMs in 280 different cities. Now, that's some day of work! The alleged hackers -- most of whom are from Eastern Europe -- were busted when, prosecutors say, they failed to cover their tracks on the card-processing network. RBS WorldPay noticed suspicious activity and reported it to authorities. According to a statement from the Justice Department, each of these men faces what amounts to a lifetime sentence for various counts of fraud and identity theft. Some could be given heavy fines, too.

They might not be totally dumb criminals (They did beat the encryption system.), but didn't they consider spacing out the withdrawals? Even if it is worldwide, that's a lot of money for a mere 12-hour period. [From: Threat Post and U.S. Justice Department]

Hackers Charged for Stealing Over $9M From ATMs originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> atmcriminaldumbcriminalhackmoneysecuritytop switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Avoid The Doctor: Cough Into Your Phone For a Diagnosis]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/11/avoid-the-doctor-cough-into-your-phone-for-a-diagnosis/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/11/avoid-the-doctor-cough-into-your-phone-for-a-diagnosis/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/11/avoid-the-doctor-cough-into-your-phone-for-a-diagnosis/#comments What does that cough say about you? Well, a lot. After all, each one is unique (wet or dry, productive or non-productive). Instead of waiting hours at a doctor's office to find out what this common symptom means, a group of researchers want to use the cell phone to get a quicker diagnosis.

According to Discovery News, a new mobile technology could allow people to forgo a visit to the doctor's office by simply coughing into a cell phone. The new technology, which is being developed by STAR Analytical Services, would allow doctors to listen, measure, and analyze a patient's cough. Just by doing that, a doctor might be able to diagnose any disease from the common cold to the flu. But these scientists want to do more than just scratch the surface of the cough. They're compiling sound data on thousands of different types of coughs and analyzing the distinct sounds which occur at the end of each.

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Avoid The Doctor: Cough Into Your Phone For a Diagnosis originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appbreakingnewscellphonecoughdiagnosisdiseasedoctorhealthhggresearchsciencetop switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Teens Create Pop Song With Help of YouTube Community]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/10/teens-create-pop-song-with-help-of-youtube-community/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/10/teens-create-pop-song-with-help-of-youtube-community/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/10/teens-create-pop-song-with-help-of-youtube-community/#comments As the de facto spokes-band of the U.K. once suggested, "Get by with a little help from your friends," a notion four British teenagers took to heart, becoming a YouTube sensation in the process.

Charlie McDonnell and his buddies don't fancy themselves musicians, songwriters or producers, but the boys know the power of online communities. According to Mashable, these teens created a song that was completely crowdsourced by people on YouTube. Entitled "I've Got Nothing" (video after the break), it's the boys' shot at BBC's ChartJackers competition, which encourages participants to crack the U.K. music charts without using traditional means. YouTube users sent in comments, which were compiled and tweaked into the song's lyrics by another user. The lyrics were made public, and users wrote melodies and sent those to McDonnell and Co. Then, the boys auditioned a band, found a producer, and somebody to shoot a video (featuring the YouTube nation, of course) all using the site.

Continue reading Teens Create Pop Song With Help of YouTube Community

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Teens Create Pop Song With Help of YouTube Community originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> crowdsourcingmusictopviral videoViralVideoyoutube switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Students Create 'Pro-Rape' Facebook Group]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/10/students-create-pro-rape-facebook-group/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/10/students-create-pro-rape-facebook-group/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/10/students-create-pro-rape-facebook-group/#comments You can learn a lot in college. Apparently, though, courses in common sense and decency aren't offered at the all-male St. Paul's College at the University of Sydney in Australia. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, authorities and experts are in an uproar over a highly offensive Facebook group called "Define Statutory," which was created by a number of current and former students. The group's members described themselves as "anti-consent" and "pro-rape" on the page, which was listed under the sports and recreation category.

Although the page was taken down at the end of October, many people are still upset about the group. Linda Burney, New South Wales's minister for women, says it made her sick. "The idea that a group of young men that are going to become leaders within our community, leaders in the law, leaders in medicine, leaders in business, studying at an elite college, at an elite university, think it's okay to post information like this encouraging rape on a Web site is absolutely abhorrent," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The university's vice-chancellor Michael Spence even spoke out to the Herald. "I am appalled by the reported behavior and apparent attitudes of some students," he said. But despite this uproar, the creators of the public group haven't been punished by the university.

Continue reading Students Create 'Pro-Rape' Facebook Group

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Students Create 'Pro-Rape' Facebook Group originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> collegecrimefacebookrapesexual harassmentSexualHarassmentsocialnetworkingtopviolenceweb switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Girl Plays 'Rock Band' With a Flute]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/09/girl-plays-rock-band-with-a-flute/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/09/girl-plays-rock-band-with-a-flute/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/09/girl-plays-rock-band-with-a-flute/#comments Move over, Jethro Tull. There's a new master of the flute. A girl known only as MsFrizzyHair found a way to play her flute along with songs on her brother's copy of 'Rock Band 2.' Bored with regular flute practice, this clever gal discovered she could play her flute into the video game's microphone in lieu of singing lead vocals. She's pretty good at it, too. In the posted video, she plays along with Avenged Sevenfold's "Afterlife" on expert difficulty. The result? She scored a 98-percent with a 22-phrase streak and four gold stars, which is significantly better than we'd score attempting to sing the tune.

What can we learn from this? Other than the fact that this girl has some serious flute skills, Harmonix probably shouldn't invest in a woodwind version of its best-selling franchise. This young lady stumbled on a neat parlor trick, not a new idea for a video game. Then again, 'Flute Hero' or 'Rock Band: Xylophone' might just be the sleeper video game hit of 2010. [From: YouTube, via Neatorama]

Continue reading Girl Plays 'Rock Band' With a Flute

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Girl Plays 'Rock Band' With a Flute originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> funnyharmonixmusicrockbandtopvideogamesyoutube switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:54:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Rupert Murdoch Wants News Corp. Sites Off Google]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/09/rupert-murdoch-wants-news-corp-sites-off-google/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/09/rupert-murdoch-wants-news-corp-sites-off-google/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/09/rupert-murdoch-wants-news-corp-sites-off-google/#comments Much like the cranky little guy who takes his basketball and storms home, Rupert Murdoch wants any and all stories published by his media outlets to be removed from the index of search engines. According to the Guardian, Murdoch recently told the Australian press (video after the break) that stories from News Corp. outlets (e.g., The Wall Street Journal, the Sun) would be pulled from sites like Google once the company's content becomes strictly pay-to-read. The chairman stopped short of saying exactly when all News Corp. content would become subscriber-based, and thus removed from such sites.

Still, this proclamation comes as no surprise. Last month, Murdoch called out Google -- referring to the site as "content kleptomaniacs." But if you ask us, Murdoch is fighting a losing battle. You can't expect people to start paying for content they're accustomed to getting for free. Despite supposed subscription walls on News Corp. sites, people have had a relatively easy time reading without paying -- and that's on the company's own sites. Before "taking his ball and going home," Murdoch might do well to consider this: Just as the people on the court will find another ball, people on the Web will find other ways to get their news. The game will continue. [From: Guardian and Newsweek]

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Rupert Murdoch Wants News Corp. Sites Off Google originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> expire-images:2010-11-9googlejournalismmedianewsnewscorprupert murdochRupertMurdochsearchtopweb switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Parents Can Read Bedtime Stories From Abroad With New Site]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/05/bedtime-stories-go-online-with-new-webcam-equipped-site/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/05/bedtime-stories-go-online-with-new-webcam-equipped-site/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/05/bedtime-stories-go-online-with-new-webcam-equipped-site/#comments Growing up, there was no better way to ease into a good night of sleep than with Mom or Dad reading a bedtime story. But in today's fast-paced, mobile world, parents aren't always home to read to their children. According to Tech Flash, a new online service hopes to revitalize bedtime stories -- no matter how many miles might separate parents and kids.

For a fee of $6.99, 'A Story Before Bed' allows parents to record a video of themselves reading a story from the site's extensive library (from 'The Itsy Bitsy Spider' to 'Hansel and Gretel'), and then syncs the video with a digital version of the book onscreen. All you need is a computer, a webcam, and a copy of Adobe's Flash Player. Then, the child (presumably with help from an adult) can log on to the site and have a story read to him or her. It's the perfect way for that grandmother who lives on the West Coast or that dad who's overseas on business to stay in touch with the youngsters. Don't worry that you're too old to figure this out, either. The site's developers, Jackson Fish Market, even offer technical support between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. Pacific Time.

It's not as good as reading 'Where The Wild Things Are' while sitting on the edge of your child's bed, but it's a lot better than the alternative for traveling parents. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some reading to do. [From: Tech Flash, via Kotkke, via A Story Before Bed]

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Parents Can Read Bedtime Stories From Abroad With New Site originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bedtimestoriesbooksinternetkidsparentsreadingtopvideowebcam switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:28:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[South Korea Judge Allows Cabbies to Watch TV While Driving]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/04/south-korea-judge-allows-cabbies-to-watch-tv-while-driving/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/04/south-korea-judge-allows-cabbies-to-watch-tv-while-driving/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/04/south-korea-judge-allows-cabbies-to-watch-tv-while-driving/#comments If you're planning a trip to South Korea, it might be a good idea to pack a comfortable pair of shoes. Why? Because you'll want to avoid the country's taxis. According to BBC News, a South Korean judge ruled that it's legal for taxi drivers to continue having televisions mounted on the dashboards of their cabs. This news comes despite police reports that cab drivers who were watching TV caused 200 accidents last year, claiming the lives of three people and injuring 351 in the process.

The ruling came as a result of one Seoul driver's challenge of a $507 fine he'd been given for watching TV while driving. Seoul is notorious for its congested streets -- the reason cab drivers installed the screens in the first place. When the government first launched a broadcasting system that beamed to mobile screens in 2005, TV-watching cabbies turned into a phenomenon.

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South Korea Judge Allows Cabbies to Watch TV While Driving originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> carcourtexpire-images:2010-11-4mobilesouthkoreataxitelevisiontopweird switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:21:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Woman to Stream Her Child's Birth Live on the Web]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/woman-to-broadcast-her-childs-birth-live-on-the-web/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/woman-to-broadcast-her-childs-birth-live-on-the-web/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/woman-to-broadcast-her-childs-birth-live-on-the-web/#comments
For some women, giving birth is an intimate experience. But for a 23-year-old Minneapolis mom-to-be, it's a chance to teach and share with the world -- live on the Internet. According to Boston.com, a woman named Lynsee was approached by Moms Like Me, a site that lets women blog about their pregnancies, and asked about filming the birth of her first child and streaming it on the Web. After conferring with her husband, Lynsee, who is a family and consumer science teacher, decided the project would not only be a chance to share her experience with moms all over the world, but also that the footage would make a fine keepsake for her kid. (In case you're wondering, the camera crew has been instructed to keep things clean and tasteful).

If you're interested in watching this "magical" experience, Lynsee's due date is November 19th. The streaming video is available to anybody who visits the Moms Like Me site, but only registered members will be able to post comments and chat during the birth. As the day nears, Lynsee says she isn't having any regrets. "It's the one big moment and the special part and it's what I'm looking forward to sharing with everyone the most," she told Boston.com.

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Woman to Stream Her Child's Birth Live on the Web originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> birthhealthhospitalinternetkidsliveparentspregnancystreamingtopvideoweb switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:26:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Preview Your Plastic Surgery With iSurgeon]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/preview-your-plastic-surgery-with-isurgeon/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/preview-your-plastic-surgery-with-isurgeon/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/preview-your-plastic-surgery-with-isurgeon/#comments Thinking about a nip here, or a tuck there? If you're not certain that a face lift or lipo is right for you, you might want to test the waters with an iPhone application. According to Reuters, two plastic surgery apps, both aiming to inform surgical candidates about different procedures, have been released in the past month.

The first, the Shafer Plastic Surgery App, was launched in October. It hosts a database of more than 1,000 questions and answers that people interested in surgery might ask. If you choose to pay $2.99 for the full version, you can also send the creator, Dr. David Shafer, direct questions about procedures. The second, iSurgeon, is a little creepier. This app, free to download this month, alters photos according to the plastic surgery procedure you select. For example, if you'd like to know what that breast enhancement would look like, simply snap a pic of yourself, select that procedure on the app, and bam. The digital version appears right before your eyes. Creepily easy, sure, but if just one less person ends up looking like Michael Jackson, these apps are successes in our minds. [From: Reuters, via DVICE]

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Preview Your Plastic Surgery With iSurgeon originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> app storeapplicationAppStorebeautybodycellphoneiphoneiphone appIphoneAppplastic surgeryPlasticSurgerytop switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Taser Fired From Grenade Launcher Electrifies Safety Debate]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/long-range-hemi-taser-stirs-safety-debate/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/long-range-hemi-taser-stirs-safety-debate/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/long-range-hemi-taser-stirs-safety-debate/#comments Despite its wares being billed as "non-lethal," we'd rather not find ourselves on the business end of a product from Taser International, which designs weapons that use a strong dose of electricity to incapacitate people. After learning about the company's latest venture, we don't think we'll change our minds any time soon, either.

According to New Scientist, Taser is set to deliver prototypes of a new weapon -- the Human Electro-Muscular Incapacitation (HEMI) -- to the Pentagon early next year. The weapon can hit a target that's more than 60 meters away when fired from a standard 40-millimeter grenade launcher. Once the cartridge makes contact with the target, it delivers a powerful electric shock for as long as three minutes or until someone removes it -- which could be quite a while depending on the distance between shooter and target.

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Taser Fired From Grenade Launcher Electrifies Safety Debate originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> department of defenseDepartmentOfDefenseelectricitygunslawenforcementpentagonpoliceselfdefensetasertopweapons switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:57:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Kooky, 'Green' Japanese Electric Bikes Were Ahead of Their Time]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/kooky-green-japanese-electric-bikes-were-ahead-of-their-time/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/kooky-green-japanese-electric-bikes-were-ahead-of-their-time/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/kooky-green-japanese-electric-bikes-were-ahead-of-their-time/#comments These days, everybody's looking for "greener" ways to get around town. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise us to discover that our mom had ditched her SUV for a bicycle. This wasn't the case until fairly recently in the U.S., but the Japanese, ever the technology mavericks, were green when green wasn't cool. Need evidence?

Just check out these bike models from Shukuno Rintendo that Today and Tomorrow found. Yes, it's awesome that one, the Fire Trick Bob (pictured above), is powered by a tiny turbine that'll produce 4.4 horsepower of raw cycling energy. Another, the Aqua Trick Bob, uses a series of tanks filled with water and air that'll propel the bike 50 meters -- also awesome in our books. But it's even more awesome that this series of bikes was manufactured between 1996 and 1998. Back then, our bicycles were still gathering dust in the garage.

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Kooky, 'Green' Japanese Electric Bikes Were Ahead of Their Time originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bicyclebikegreeninventionjapantoptransportationturbine switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:28:00 EST Switched <![CDATA['Electronic Fog' From Wireless Devices Might Block Study of Space]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/electronic-fog-from-wireless-devices-could-impede-study-of-spa/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/electronic-fog-from-wireless-devices-could-impede-study-of-spa/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/electronic-fog-from-wireless-devices-could-impede-study-of-spa/#comments As our world becomes increasingly wireless, scientists must grapple with the effects of millions of people using devices like cell phones and laptops. After all, there's only so much space on the electromagnetic spectrum. You might not consider it while Googling or browsing Facebook, but that signal you're transmitting could be making it tougher for some scientists to do their jobs.

That's why the U.S. National Research Center (NRC), in a report released today, is calling for tougher regulations on the emissions of wireless signals. According to LiveScience, man-made signals have created an "electronic fog" that often blocks natural signals from the Earth or outer space. Scientists monitor these signals to keep an eye on temperature and water level changes in the atmosphere, to determine weather patterns, and even to learn about the origins of the universe.

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'Electronic Fog' From Wireless Devices Might Block Study of Space originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cellphoneelectromagneticelectronicsemissionsfccsatellitesciencetopwireless switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Music Pirates Spend More on Tunes Than Non-Pirates, Finds Poll]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/music-pirates-also-buy-more-tunes-than-others-poll-finds/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/music-pirates-also-buy-more-tunes-than-others-poll-finds/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/music-pirates-also-buy-more-tunes-than-others-poll-finds/#comments In their never-ending game of finger pointing, music executives have blamed everyone and everything under the sun for the industry's woes. But after learning about a new study from the U.K., the suits might have one less scapegoat, and a little more cause for concern.

According to the Independent, a new poll commissioned by Demos, a U.K. think tank, found that people who admit to illegally downloading music on the Internet (10-percent of respondents) actually spend more money on music than their non-pirating counterparts. On average, one of these pirates spends about $126 a year on music, while the average respondent who said they don't pirate only spends around $54.

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Music Pirates Spend More on Tunes Than Non-Pirates, Finds Poll originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> businessdownloadfilesharinggovernmentillegalinternetmusicpiracyriaatopweb switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:28:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Man's Criticism of Actor Stephen Fry Draws the Wrath of Tweeters]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/02/mans-criticism-of-stephen-fry-draws-the-wrath-of-tweeters/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/02/mans-criticism-of-stephen-fry-draws-the-wrath-of-tweeters/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/02/mans-criticism-of-stephen-fry-draws-the-wrath-of-tweeters/#comments These days, more verbal smackdowns take place on Twitter than do at junior high schools. Of course, these might go unnoticed if the people involved weren't, in many cases, celebrities. Some of these "Twitter Wars" are funny, but some feuds get downright nasty. But it's not just celebrity-on-celebrity disputes that are taking place in the Twitterverse. The beauty of the site is the ability for an average Joe to directly communicate with famous folks -- for better or worse.

For example, a man from Birmingham, England named Richard (who tweets as brumplum) recently posted what he thought was an innocuous tweet about Brit writer and actor Stephen Fry, only to see it result in a social-networking firestorm. According to The New York Times, it read, "Much as I admire and adore the chap, they are a bit ... boring," in reference to Fry's musings. Not only did many of Fry's 934,000 followers respond to Richard's tweet (Celebrity Alan Davies called Richard a "moron."), but Fry even posted a tweet about possibly quitting the micro-blogging service because of the remark. In the end, both men apologized. Fry still tweets, and Richard has more followers than ever.

All is well that ends well, we guess. But what does this spat prove? Twitter isn't a place for the faint of heart. Our advice for sensitive celebs: if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. [From: The New York Times]

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Man's Criticism of Actor Stephen Fry Draws the Wrath of Tweeters originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> celebritysocialnetworkingstephenfrytoptwitterwebwriter switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Texting Bus Driver Caught Red-Thumbed by Passenger's Phone Pic]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/02/texting-nyc-bus-driver-caught-red-thumbed-by-passengers-phone-p/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/02/texting-nyc-bus-driver-caught-red-thumbed-by-passengers-phone-p/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/02/texting-nyc-bus-driver-caught-red-thumbed-by-passengers-phone-p/#comments The debate about driving while texting (DWT) is about to hit a fever pitch. If you think people were up in arms about this dangerous habit before, just wait till you hear the latest alarming story. According to the New York Post, a New York City bus driver is being investigated after a passenger snapped a picture of him texting while steering the bus through thick traffic Thursday. Allegedly, the unnamed driver sent three messages during his route from Manhattan to Staten Island. Transit spokesman Charles Seaton told the Post that drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone while in the driver's seat.

While this story is a black eye on the city, it's also ill-timed news for the entire state, which saw a new ban on texting go into effect today. There's a positive side, though. More people might be waking up to the dangers of texting on the road. Yet another new poll by The New York Times and CBS News found that 97-percent of those polled support a ban on driving while texting. Even more resounding, 50-percent said the practice should be treated like drunk driving. With such overwhelming support, it wouldn't be a surprise to see stateside crackdowns similar to the one in England (where texting now results in serious jail time.)

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Texting Bus Driver Caught Red-Thumbed by Passenger's Phone Pic originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cellphonecontroversydangerdrivingnewyorkcitytextingtexting while drivingTextingWhileDrivingtoptransportation switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[ABCs of Computing: From Apple to Zip]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/11/01/abcs-of-computing-from-apple-to-zip/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/01/abcs-of-computing-from-apple-to-zip/ http://www.switched.com/2009/11/01/abcs-of-computing-from-apple-to-zip/#comments
While the computer's history might not stretch back too far, the ride has been anything but mundane. In fact, so much happened and changed with the computer in such a short span that it's not always easy to keep track. Organizing alphabetically is a good start, which is exactly what Neatorama did in a recent post.

The "Alphabet of Computing" breaks down the good, the bad, and the ugly of the machines we love so much -- from A is for Apple to Z is for ZIP files, and everything in between. There are things we'd rather forget (like D is for the Dell Dude), and things we'll never forget (like N is for noob). Trust us, learning this alphabet is much more fun than the one we had to recite in grade school, although this one's too cumbersome to rhyme quite like we wish. But hey, who wouldn't like to know when the first tweet was sent (2006), or watch the first video ever uploaded on Youtube?

Now, we hope you were taking notes because we hear there'll be an oral exam on this next week. Just remember this rule: I(nternet) before E(-COM), except after C(isco System). Wait, that's something else... [From: Neatorama]

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ABCs of Computing: From Apple to Zip originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> alphabetapplecomputerdellfunnylisttop switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:27:00 EST Switched