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[Disney's 'Epic Mickey' Goes Back to Mischievous Side of Iconic Mascot]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/30/disneys-epic-mickey-goes-back-to-mischevious-side-of-iconic-m/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/30/disneys-epic-mickey-goes-back-to-mischevious-side-of-iconic-m/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/30/disneys-epic-mickey-goes-back-to-mischevious-side-of-iconic-m/#comments Mickey Mouse is returning to the video game world in a big way. Disney has officially announced 'Epic Mickey,' a new Nintendo Wii game that's aimed at taking the world's most famous mouse back to his roots.

Due in late 2010, the in-game Mickey will be a far cry from the character many people are used to. Instead of the happy-go-lucky mascot, this Mickey will be more akin to the one Walt Disney introduced in the 1920s -- mischievous, and not afraid to get in a fight.

"One of our creative problems [at Disney Interactive] was Mickey Mouse," says Graham Hopper, president of Disney Interactive Studios. "He was one of the most popular characters in the world, but he had never reached his full potential in video games."

Continue reading Disney's 'Epic Mickey' Goes Back to Mischievous Side of Iconic Mascot

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Disney's 'Epic Mickey' Goes Back to Mischievous Side of Iconic Mascot originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> disneyfeaturesgamestopupcomingwii switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:34:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Who Needs a Prepaid Phone?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-10/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-10/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-10/#comments 9. If you're a homebody...
Typical subscription plan providers offer networks that extend over the majority of the country, but some prepaid plans focus their coverage on select areas. If yours is one of those areas -- and you don't travel much (or ever) -- it's worth considering going prepaid, especially if you already have a landline. Call quality might be a concern, but doing a little homework can save you a lot.

Who Needs a Prepaid Phone? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> prepaid switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:57:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Who Needs a Prepaid Phone?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-9/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-9/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-9/#comments 8. If you're a protective parent (or the child of a protective parent)...
You want to be able to reach your kids at any time -- or have them call you in an emergency, but you don't want them running up a big bill. With prepaid phones, you can have cellular security with minimal expense. $20 per month for Virgin Mobile's 'pay as you go' plan is a better cost for security than $40 and up with Verizon.

Who Needs a Prepaid Phone? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> prepaid switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:55:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Who Needs a Prepaid Phone?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-8/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-8/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-8/#comments 7. If you travel internationally...
While traditional prepaid phones don't work overseas, you can buy a Go-Sim prepaid SIM card for international trips. (They cost $48 at GoSim.com.) It doesn't work in all countries, but when it does function in your destination, it's a great way to stay in touch with family and costs a lot less than roaming with a US-based subscription plan.

Alternatively, you can buy a local SIM in your country of choice and insert it into your any unlocked GSM phone -- even a high-end one like the HTC Touch Pro 2, for example. Local SIMs can usually be bought at local carrier shops at the airport as soon as you arrive, and usually cost as little as $15 with just a few minutes of calling time (and you can just add more time in $10 or $20 increments).

Who Needs a Prepaid Phone? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> prepaid switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:55:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Who Needs a Prepaid Phone?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-3/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-3/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-3/#comments

2. If you are a cellular hater...
...but still want a phone available when you need it, pre-paid plans are a perfect option, since you can literally pay as you go, rather than add another expense to your monthly bills. If you're a really infrequent user, Boost Mobile offers a pay-as-you go plan that charges just 10 cents per minute for calls.

Who Needs a Prepaid Phone? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> prepaid switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:54:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Who Needs a Prepaid Phone?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-6/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-6/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-6/#comments

5. If you have bad (or no) credit...
Since there is no contract and no credit check with most prepaid plans, they're perfect solutions for people with bad credit scores who still need cell phones. And if, say, you can't afford a month of coverage? Well, with a prepaid plan, it won't show up as an unpaid bill to negatively affecting your credit score.

Who Needs a Prepaid Phone? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> prepaid switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:53:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Who Needs a Prepaid Phone?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-5/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-5/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-5/#comments

4. If you talk too much....
On the other hand, if you live on your cell, prepaid might still be worth investigating. Prepaid customers average nearly 2,000 voice minutes per month -- twice as much as those on traditional plans. And they pay less for the unlimited calling, all-inclusive programs, which range from $30-$60, depending on your feature needs. Boost's $50/month plan, for example, offers unlimited talk time (local and long distance), walkie-talkie, text messaging (including picture, audio and video), wireless Web, call waiting, voicemail and international texts are free to receive. That's a pretty sweet deal.

Who Needs a Prepaid Phone? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> prepaid switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:53:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Who Needs a Prepaid Phone?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-4/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-4/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-4/#comments
3. If you don't talk much...

If you have a lot of leftover minutes each month on your current subscription plan and they don't roll over, you could be wasting money -- sometimes a lot of it. For example, Verizon offers a basic plan for $40 per month, giving subscribers 450 minutes -- or 7.5 hours -- of paid talk time per month. If you only use your cell phone for an hour or so each month, you can do better For as little as, say, $6 a month, as on Boost, prepaid plans can save you several hundred dollars per year. And here's the best part: Unused minutes usually rollover to the next month with prepaid plans.

Who Needs a Prepaid Phone? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> prepaid switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:53:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Who Needs a Prepaid Phone?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-7/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-7/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-7/#comments 6. If you're just not into technology and don't care about iPhones...
Plenty of you don't care about the iPhone or other hot smart phones, which means prepaid is a definite option for you. Why? Because none of those hot handsets you don't care about are available with prepaid carriers (without the two-year contract, carriers are reluctant to subsidize the price of these high-end handsets). So, generic 'dumb' phones are the affordable flavor of the day with prepaid plans. Cricket, for instance, offers a $30 refurbished phone with a basic low-resolution camera and the capability to send and receive texts.

That said, prepaid carriers offer some higher end products as well. If you're willing to spend $279, Cricket will sell you a Motorola Evoke QA4, with a touchscreen, 2-megapixel (MP) camera, microSD slot for music playback, Bluetooth and more. (You'll have to pay an extra $15 per month for Web surfing via high-speed 3G as well.)

Who Needs a Prepaid Phone? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> prepaid switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:52:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Who Needs a Prepaid Phone?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-2/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-2/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-2/#comments 1. If you're on a budget...

It's hard to argue with the numbers -- a prepaid cell phone will run you less than a traditional plan almost every time. For example, unlimited text and minutes with MetroPCS costs just $40 per month. A similar two-year contract service on Sprint (albeit with a few additional features like GPS, global roaming, and more) will run you $100. Coverage areas generally aren't as good with prepaid plans, though, so if being able to talk anywhere is critical, think twice.

If you want extra features on a prepaid phone, the price begins to creep up. Global text messaging, IM capability and GPS functionality will add $5 per month to your bill. International calling bumps it up another $10. Call forwarding, unlimited directory assistance and ringtone bundles cost extra as well.

Who Needs a Prepaid Phone? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> prepaid switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Who Needs a Prepaid Phone?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-11/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-11/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone-11/#comments
10. If you're an infrequent business travelers...
Prepaid's benefits extend beyond voice calls and text messaging as well. A mobile broadband service is an incredibly helpful tool for corporate road warriors, but if you don't travel often, it can be a money waster. Cricket's prepaid mobile broadband costs $20 per month less than a comparable one from Verizon Wireless -- but make sure the coverage is sufficient for your needs (especially internationally).

Who Needs a Prepaid Phone? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> prepaid switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:48:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Who Needs a Prepaid Phone?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/29/who-needs-a-prepaid-phone/#comments
It's hard to keep up with the cell phone market these days. New models hit store shelves seemingly every week, and carriers roll out new contract plans nearly as frequently. Maybe that's why the prepaid cell phone market is growing so rapidly.

Consumers are flocking toward no-contract, unlimited services. At least two prepaid carriers have seen their subscription rates double over the past year -- and now the big companies are rolling out their own prepaid options to retain their existing customers.

You generally won't have to have a credit card or leave deposits with these services, but you will have to buy your own phone, which can run anywhere from $30 to over $300, depending on the service you use and how many bells and whistles you want. In addition, most plans come with activation fees ranging anywhere from $15 to $35.

Prepaid's not for everyone, though. So how do you determine if it's a good fit? To help you figure it out, we've put together a list of the 10 types of situations where prepaid phones make sense. Click on 'Next' below to find out more.

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Who Needs a Prepaid Phone? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> featuresprepaidprepaid phonesPrepaidPhonestop switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:02:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[10 Ways to Spot an E-Mail Scam]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/26/10-ways-to-spot-an-e-mail-scam/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/26/10-ways-to-spot-an-e-mail-scam/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/26/10-ways-to-spot-an-e-mail-scam/#comments
The increasing flood of e-mail hitting your inbox can lower the guard of even the most cautious person. In the rush to keep up with important notes, it's easier than ever to fall prey to the scam artists and identity thieves who lurk online.

E-mail scams and phishing attempts evolve constantly, hoping to take advantage of the latest trends and current events. Although the e-mails change, the people behind them inadvertently send up the same warning signs again and again. We dug through mountains of spam to find the most prevailing trends. We've collected some actual scam e-mails and highlighted the warning signs to help you spot a hustle the next time one lands in your inbox.

Continue reading 10 Ways to Spot an E-Mail Scam

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10 Ways to Spot an E-Mail Scam originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> e-maile-mailscamsfeaturesphishingscamssecuritytopweb switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:24:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[10 'Black Friday' Deals to Watch For]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/21/10-black-friday-deals-to-watch-for/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/21/10-black-friday-deals-to-watch-for/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/21/10-black-friday-deals-to-watch-for/#comments
Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated with Christmas trees and holiday ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are over a month away.

Traditionally, Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving for the uninitiated) is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can shave hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off their holiday bills. We checked with a few elves, who gave us a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.

Continue reading 10 'Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

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10 'Black Friday' Deals to Watch For originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> blackfridaydealsfeatureshggsalesshoppingtop switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:23:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[10 Tips for Dealing With Family on Facebook]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/10/12/10-rules-for-dealing-with-family-on-facebook/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/12/10-rules-for-dealing-with-family-on-facebook/ http://www.switched.com/2009/10/12/10-rules-for-dealing-with-family-on-facebook/#comments
It's probably the scariest friend request you'll ever get: Your mom (or dad... or, God forbid, grandparent) has joined Facebook - and they want to connect. Sure, you love them - and you're happy they're embracing the digital age - but do you really want to keep them that informed about what you're up to?

Denying the request is usually out of the question, so how do you avoid those awkward moments, when your family invades your public privacy? Switched.com did some research and talked to a few people about their own experiences with parental units, and how they dealt with them. We're keeping to just their first names, to protect them -- you know, just in case their parents are reading this article. Without further ado, here are some tips on dealing with family on Facebook.

Continue reading 10 Tips for Dealing With Family on Facebook

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10 Tips for Dealing With Family on Facebook originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> etiquettefacebookfamilyfeatureskidsparentingteenstop switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:35:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Atari and Chuck E. Cheese's Founder Writing Sci-Fi Book]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/09/17/atari-and-chuck-e-cheese-founder-writing-sci-fi-book/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/17/atari-and-chuck-e-cheese-founder-writing-sci-fi-book/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/17/atari-and-chuck-e-cheese-founder-writing-sci-fi-book/#comments

Nolan Bushnell has always been a man slightly ahead of his time. After co-founding Atari in 1972 -- and some might say the video game industry as a whole -- he was forced from the company just before it became a multi-billion dollar business. He followed that up by launching the Chuck E. Cheese's restaurant chain, but again left the company in the mid-'80s over a disagreement with management. (There are more than 500 locations now.) Bushnell's latest venture takes him into uncharted territory on a smaller scale but is nonetheless bold: He's going to the future.

Continue reading Atari and Chuck E. Cheese's Founder Writing Sci-Fi Book

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Atari and Chuck E. Cheese's Founder Writing Sci-Fi Book originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> atarifeaturesinterviewnolanbushnellswitchedinterviewtop switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:28:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[12 Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/12-earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/12-earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/12-earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home/#comments


Home appliances generally haven't been at the forefront of the green movement. While the Energy Star rating on some household gadgets has helped eco-warriors reduce their carbon footprint (and saved homeowners some money), it doesn't hold a candle to the devices that are designed to be green from the get-go. Switched.com decided to dig a little deeper - and found a dozen products that are truly earth-friendly.

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12 Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appliancesecofeatureshouseholdtop switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:33:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-13/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-13/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-13/#comments


12. Methane-powered golf cart
Live in a gated community and don't want to use your gas guzzler to get around? How about driving with poo-power? This methane vehicle (methane comes from cow-dung) is, sadly, still experimental though, so you'll have to wait a bit longer.

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Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-2/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-2/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-2/#comments


1. Xeros washing machine
Though still a prototype, this new washer promises to clean clothes with just one cup of water and thousands of nylon beads that absorb dirt and stains, with a carbon footprint that's 40-percent less than the current most efficient washing machine. Initially, Xeros will only be available commercially, but the home market will follow soon after.

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]]> household switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-3/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-3/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-3/#comments


2. Equator 375 Refrigerator
This refrigerator/freezer only uses $50 of electricity per year. It's also quieter, since the components are sealed in. The downside is you'll have to manually defrost the freezer and -- at about six feet tall two feet wide -- it's a bit smaller than your average Frigidaire.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-4/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-4/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-4/#comments


3. Aeromatic oven
It won't make dinner for four (well, not quickly), but this high-efficiency standalone oven will grill, broil, bake, fry, toast, steam and roast your smaller meals in about as much time as it would take to cook 'em in a microwave (but using about 80-percent less energy).

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-5/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-5/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-5/#comments


4. Bosch Evolution 800 Plus
Dishwashers are big energy hogs, but this Bosch model is 160-percent more efficient than traditional models -- with two eco-friendly modes and the capacity for 15 place settings. Be warned, though: Efficiency comes with a hefty $1,650-plus price tag.


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Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-6/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-6/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-6/#comments


5. Tankless Hot Water Heater
Ditch the old-fashioned water heater! Tankless systems can lower your costs and help you save time, as delivery of hot water is instantaneous. Up-front costs are high, though -- so it will be a while before you recoup the investment.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-7/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-7/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-7/#comments


6. AO Smith Vertex 100
If you already have a tank water heater setup, the Vertex 100 is the way to go. It boasts a 90-percent efficiency rating, better than anything else on the market. That means a 30-percent savings on your utility bill.


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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-8/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-8/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-8/#comments

7. Motion sensor lights
Parents! No longer will you have to yell at your children for leaving the lights on when they leave the room. The Levion Decora 150 switch senses when the room is empty and kills the lights, saving you money in the process.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-9/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-9/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-9/#comments


8. Toilet Lid Sink
Wash your hands -- with toilet water? Well, technically, yes, but it's hygienic. As you flush, clean water from the tank is first sent through the spigot to dispense for hand-washing, then it heads down to finish its original mission. It may sound silly, but give this innovation a chance, especially considering that most of us flush our waste with pristine and clean fresh water, only to send it off to the sewer.

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Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-10/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-10/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-10/#comments


9. Santerra Green Composting Toilets
Poo and pee is 90-percent water. This toilet/composter evaporates your, um, 'business' then turns what's left into compost. It promises to be odorless and save water, which is nice -- but the required periodic maintenance and emptying gives us pause.

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Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-11/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-11/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-11/#comments


10. Cool 'n Save
There's no such thing as a true eco-friendly air conditioner, but this device will help you lower your bills by sucking the heat out of the nearby air. This cooler air circulates through the house, decreasing the time that the condenser unit runs.


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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-12/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-12/ http://www.switched.com/2009/09/11/earth-friendly-appliances-for-your-home-12/#comments


11. ShowerStart
It's morning. You turn on the shower, then wander over to brush your teeth (and maybe shave). That wastes hot water. The ShowerStart slows hot water to a trickle once it hits 95 degrees, then lets you turn it back on when you're ready.

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Earth-Friendly Appliances for Your Home originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[10 LCD Monitors That Think Outside the Bezel]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/08/31/10-lcd-monitors-that-think-outside-the-bezel/ http://www.switched.com/2009/08/31/10-lcd-monitors-that-think-outside-the-bezel/ http://www.switched.com/2009/08/31/10-lcd-monitors-that-think-outside-the-bezel/#comments

Odds are your computer's monitor looks a lot like everyone else's. Well, we here at Switched like to break out of the status quo, and we've found 10 screens that do the same.

Continue reading 10 LCD Monitors That Think Outside the Bezel

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10 LCD Monitors That Think Outside the Bezel originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> accessoriesbacktoschoolbtscomputermonitorsfeaturesLCDmonitorstop switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:32:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[12 Gadgets Every Student Needs]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/08/27/12-gadgets-every-student-needs/ http://www.switched.com/2009/08/27/12-gadgets-every-student-needs/ http://www.switched.com/2009/08/27/12-gadgets-every-student-needs/#comments
Going back to school may not be fun, but it's a great excuse to buy new gear. Whether it's college or high school that calls you back, rest assured that the dozen gizmos the Switched.com crew has found will make your weekdays less painful.

Continue reading 12 Gadgets Every Student Needs

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12 Gadgets Every Student Needs originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> backtoschoolbtsfeaturescollegefeaturesschoolstudentstop switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:29:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[10 Tech Whizzes Under 20]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/07/23/10-tech-whizzes-under-20/ http://www.switched.com/2009/07/23/10-tech-whizzes-under-20/ http://www.switched.com/2009/07/23/10-tech-whizzes-under-20/#comments The tech world is filled with young superstars in their 20s, but there's another generation on the way up. All of these wunderkinds are making a big splash, even though many haven't even finished high school. Some are already millionaires. Others have venture capital firms supporting them. They've all established strong reputations at a very young age. Sure beats cutting lawns during the summer for extra cash.


10 Tech Whizzes Under 20

    The tech world is filled with young superstars in their 20s, but there's another generation on the way up. All of these wunderkinds are making a big splash, even though many haven't even finished high school. Some are already millionaires. Others have venture capital firms supporting them. They've all established strong reputations at a very young age. Sure beats cutting lawns during the summer for extra cash.

    Ashley Qualls (19)
    At age 14, the founder of Whateverlife.com began creating MySpace layouts for other teens, supported only by advertising. Two years later, she rejected a $1.5 million takeover offer. Today, with a net worth of $4 million, she owns her own home and counts mom as an employee.

    Ben Gulak (19)
    This MIT student invented the Uno, an electric motorcycle that seems more like a Segway than a Harley. Popular Science chose it as one of the top 10 inventions of 2008. Also last year, Gulak was awarded $1,250,000 of venture capital while appearing on a Canadian TV show. Not bad for what started out as a science fair project.

    -- Chris Morris

    Catherine and David Cook (19, 20)
    Unhappy with their high school yearbook, this brother sister team began brainstorming their ideal creation, then took it online. Today Myyearbook.com has over 5 million members and adds 20,000 per day. Meanwhile, these siblings have a net worth of $10 million.

    Arjun Mehta (14)
    How many 12-year-olds can raise $6.5 million in venture capital? Mehta did so two years ago with PlaySpan, giving game publishers the ability to set up micropayment systems. Dad Karl runs the day to day operations, but Arjun still contributes.

    Michael van Poppel (19)
    The founder of BNO News has managed to beat major news outlets on several stories by staying lean. He has 800,000 Twitter followers, several international employees and a new iPhone app that charges a monthly fee - for other people's headlines!

    Anshul Samar (15)
    Science textbooks can be boring, so Samar created Elementeo, a role-playing game that combines chemistry with battling bad guys. A half-dozen venture capitalists reached out to him, but he wanted to work at his own pace. Today, he's selling plenty of copies.

    Jake Jarvis (17)
    This coding wizard has launched several successful applications on Facebook, including one for Last.fm that tracks what you listen to online and displays it in your profile, and Courses, allowing students to connect with others taking the same classes.

    Andrew Sutherland (19)
    It was a French test that inspired the founder of Quizlet to create an online study application (and, eventually, Web site). Today, that tool has been used more than 12 million times - and the topics are a lot more diverse.

    Daniel Brusilovsky (16)
    Kids often find themselves booted from new media outlets because of their age. Not at TeensinTech.com, Brusilovsky's social network for high schoolers. He's also helping set up events and conferences for influential tech blog TechCrunch.





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10 Tech Whizzes Under 20 originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> featurestop switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Best Gadgets for Summer]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/07/17/best-gadgets-for-summer/ http://www.switched.com/2009/07/17/best-gadgets-for-summer/ http://www.switched.com/2009/07/17/best-gadgets-for-summer/#comments

Ah, the dog days of summer. It's the perfect time of year - for gadget hounds! Just because you're enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer doesn't mean you can't pep it up with a little technological help. To make it easier, we've assembled 10 gadgets that will enhance your summer days.

Continue reading Best Gadgets for Summer

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Best Gadgets for Summer originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> featuressummertop switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[12 Essential Parenting Gadgets]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/07/14/12-essential-parenting-gadgets/ http://www.switched.com/2009/07/14/12-essential-parenting-gadgets/ http://www.switched.com/2009/07/14/12-essential-parenting-gadgets/#comments

Let's face it. Parenting is a decidedly low-tech job. But that doesn't mean you can't enlist some high-tech help to get you through that exhaustion and nervousness. To cut through the clutter, we've put together a list of gadgets to help parents survive the rough patches and better enjoy the precious moments.

Continue reading 12 Essential Parenting Gadgets

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12 Essential Parenting Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> babybabytechfeatureskidsparentingtop switchedtips@gmail.com (Chris Morris) Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:38:00 EST Switched