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[GM Proposes Standardized Plug for Electric Vehicles]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/17/gm-proposes-standardized-plug-for-electric-vehicles/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/17/gm-proposes-standardized-plug-for-electric-vehicles/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/17/gm-proposes-standardized-plug-for-electric-vehicles/#comments Say what you will about General Motors (okay, so maybe you should say it under your breath), but there's no denying the brilliance of this idea. On the company's FastLane blog, one Gery Kissel explains that engineers and suits will be meeting up next week to discuss the standardization of common components that will hopefully be installed in forthcoming electric vehicles. Notably, the SAE J1772 Task Force will be responsible for designing a plug that links each plug-in vehicle to an "ecosystem," ensuring that drivers can pull into any charging station from Key West to Neah Bay and see a socket that fits their ride. Specifically, the group is being charged with defining a "common electric vehicle conductive charging system architecture for all major automakers in North America," but it remains to be seen if said standard can be hammered out before the Volt's not-to-be-missed 2010 introduction.

Filed under:

GM Proposes Standardized Plug for Electric Vehicles originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> carchevroletchevrolet voltChevroletVoltchevychevy voltChevyVolteco-friendlyelectricelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehiclegeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmgreenJ1772plug inplug in vehiclesplug-inPlugInPlugInVehiclesprotocolSAESAE J1772SaeJ1772standardvehiclevolt switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[AT&T Purportedly Looking to Push iPhone Exclusivity to 2011]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/16/atandt-purportedly-looking-to-push-iphone-exclusivity-to-2011/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/16/atandt-purportedly-looking-to-push-iphone-exclusivity-to-2011/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/16/atandt-purportedly-looking-to-push-iphone-exclusivity-to-2011/#comments
It's a little silly just how hush-hush this whole iPhone-AT&T exclusivity agreement has been, but now it sounds like it just might be next century before any of you CDMA loyalists are able to indulge in the App Store. According to a fresh report in The Wall Street Journal, people "familiar with the matter" have suggested that AT&T is feverishly working to extend its exclusive agreement to carry the iPhone in America until 2011. Last we heard, the deal was stretched out through 2010, and considering just how many new subscribers are flocking over solely for this phone, can you really blame the guy for wanting another dozen months of bliss? Not surprisingly, an Apple spokeswoman had more to say about her personal life than on these rumors, but if you were really banking on snapping up a Verizon-branded iPhone at the end of next year, you should probably ask someone to blast you with a giant fire hose of reality.

[Via HotHardware]

Filed under: ,

AT&T Purportedly Looking to Push iPhone Exclusivity to 2011 originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> ATTdealexclusiveiphoneiphone 3gIphone3gpartnerpartnershipRandall StephensonRandallStephenson switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:11:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[America's First 'Solar City' Coming to Florida]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/13/americas-first-solar-city-coming-to-florida/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/13/americas-first-solar-city-coming-to-florida/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/13/americas-first-solar-city-coming-to-florida/#comments

Given that Florida has accurately been coined The Sunshine State, it's not at all shocking to hear that America's first "solar city" will be built in the state's southwest corner. Or, at least that's the plan. According to a new report, West Palm Beach-based Kitson & Partners is currently developing a new city near Charlotte County, which will get juiced by a massive 75-megawatt solar plant. Said plant will cost around $300 million to build and will be installed by Florida Power & Light; if all goes well, homes will begin construction on a sizable plot of land dubbed Babcock Ranch by 2011. If things don't go so well, we're told that the actual power plant will still be erected and fed into the larger grid. In other words, Florida's gettin' some solar power, with or without this newfangled concrete jungle.

[Via: Fark]

Filed under:

America's First 'Solar City' Coming to Florida originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> eco-friendlyelectricityenergyfloridagreenpowerpower plantPowerPlantsolarsolar citysolar plantsolar-powersolar-poweredSolarCitySolarPlantsun switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:46:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Limited Edition, Prince-Themed iPod Touch -- Only $2,100]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/13/limited-edition-prince-themed-ipod-touch-only-2-100/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/13/limited-edition-prince-themed-ipod-touch-only-2-100/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/13/limited-edition-prince-themed-ipod-touch-only-2-100/#comments
While certainly not the most expensive iPod we've ever seen, the limited edition Prince Opus iPod touch is definitely amongst the priciest. Sold only as part of an ultra rare kit that includes a luxurious book of Prince photographs from Kraken Opus, this touch (of unknown capacity) comes preloaded with 40 minutes of "exclusive" footage along with a live soundtrack from 'Indigo Nights.' Of course, it's also doused in purple and splashed with Prince's symbol 'round back, but even with only 950 kits available, we still say the $2,100 price tag is far too lofty. Hate to break it to ya, Opus, but those hedge funds are no longer partying like it's 1999.

[Via All Things Digital]

Filed under: , ,

Limited Edition, Prince-Themed iPod Touch -- Only $2,100 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> appleexpensiveipodipod touchipod touch 2gIpodTouchIpodTouch2glimited editionLimitedEditionluxurymusicopusprinceprince opusPrinceOpusrareupcoming switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:15:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[National Broadband Plan Starts Rolling Out]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/11/national-broadband-plan-starts-rolling-out/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/11/national-broadband-plan-starts-rolling-out/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/11/national-broadband-plan-starts-rolling-out/#comments
Hey, what do you know? All those meetings over the proposed National Broadband Plan has amounted to something: a "yeah, we should probably hit this up." Today, the FCC has kicked off an immensely ambitious project to bring "high-speed internet access to every corner of the United States." $7.2 billion of the economic stimulus package has already been allocated for the task, but it'll be ages before anything becomes of this. For starters, the FCC is asking for input from consumers, businesses, etc, yet it doesn't require a response until February of 2010. Meanwhile, nations like South Korea, Japan and Australia are all looking to implement similar rollouts, albeit with much higher speeds. You see, the FCC currently defines "broadband" as 786Kpbs, which obviously isn't anywhere near median rates in some of the aforementioned countries. Pardon our skepticism in this becoming a reality, but at least we'll be extra elated if our rock-bottom expectations are met.

National Broadband Plan Starts Rolling Out originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> americabarack obamaBarackObamabroadbandFCCgovernmenthigh-speed internetHigh-speedInternetinternetnational broadbandnational broadband planNationalBroadbandNationalBroadbandPlanobamapresidentususa switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Sat, 11 Apr 2009 10:11:00 EST Switched <![CDATA['Personal Trainer: Walking' Bringing Pedometers to Nintendo DSi]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/08/personal-trainer-walking-bringing-pedometers-to-nintendo-dsi/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/08/personal-trainer-walking-bringing-pedometers-to-nintendo-dsi/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/08/personal-trainer-walking-bringing-pedometers-to-nintendo-dsi/#comments
Nintendo's DSi may have just launched, but if you figured your wallet would be safe from buying any other related hardware in the near future, you clearly aren't in tune with the rabid peripheral market. Our best buds over at Joystiq sat down with David Young, the assistant PR manager for Nintendo of America, in order to talk shop and get a glimpse into the DSi's future. Of note, Mr. Young stated that DSi interaction with the Wii was "certainly a possibility," but he failed to elaborate much beyond that. What he did confess, however, was that the DSi will soon be interacting with a pair of pedometers (or "activity meters"), which will ship with the 'Personal Trainer: Walking' title. We're told that the devices will connect wirelessly with the console, and the game itself will be the first where you can import a Mii character from the Wii. Heck, users can even affix one of the meters to their dog in order to log Fido's exercise habits. Consider us (and our pets) highly intrigued.

Filed under:

'Personal Trainer: Walking' Bringing Pedometers to Nintendo DSi originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> DSDSiexercisefitnesshandheldnintendopedometerperipheralPersonal Trainer: WalkingPersonalTrainer:Walking switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:56:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[SimMan 3G Patient Simulator Will Undoubtedly Creep You Out]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/06/simman-3g-patient-simulator-will-undoubtedly-creep-you-out/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/06/simman-3g-patient-simulator-will-undoubtedly-creep-you-out/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/06/simman-3g-patient-simulator-will-undoubtedly-creep-you-out/#comments
Look, we want the next generation of robot doctors to be as competent as possible; after all, it's them that'll likely be taking care of us when our fingers lock up and our cranium-housed SSDs finally fail. That said, we can't help but be freaked completely out by Laerdal's latest and greatest patient simulator, the SimMan 3G. This almost-human can be programmed with various practice scenarios for to-be doctors to hone their skills on, and as any sophisticated mannequin should, this one is also wireless, self-contained and able to withstand four hours of surgery before conking out. We have no clue how many thousands this thing will set HOSA clubs around the nation back, but anything that bleeds, winks, and secretes shouldn't be something you "buy," anyway.

Filed under:

SimMan 3G Patient Simulator Will Undoubtedly Creep You Out originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> healthLaerdalmedicalmedicinepatient simulatorPatientSimulatorsimmansimman 3gSimman3gsimulationsimulator switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Sony Debuts $1,000 GPS-Packin' 1080p Handycam]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/03/sony-debuts-1-000-gps-packin-1080p-handycam/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/03/sony-debuts-1-000-gps-packin-1080p-handycam/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/03/sony-debuts-1-000-gps-packin-1080p-handycam/#comments
Think your "high-def" camcorder is hot stuff? Think again, vaquero. Sony's swerving around the low-end and waving jovially as it laps the mid-range with the HDR-TG5V Handycam, a decidedly upscale pocket camcorder that's capable of logging full 1080p clips and holding 16GB of data. Moreover, the HD camcorder includes an embedded GPS module, minimal buttons and a new intuitive user interface for the touch-panel LCD -- something we harshed on in our review of the TG3E last year. The built-in GPS antenna and NAVTEQ maps enable photos and videos to be geotagged, and you should be able to scope things out pretty good on the 2.7-inch LCD. If holding six hours of footage isn't enough, you can pop in a Memory Stick PRO Duo card for even more capacity, and there's also a 10x optical zoom for getting all up close and personal. Look for it to ship this May for a solid grand, and if you're up for spending another $100, a wide angle conversion lens (Sony VCL-HGE07TB) can definitely help you there.

Filed under: ,

Sony Debuts $1,000 GPS-Packin' 1080p Handycam originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 07:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 1080pBIONZcamcorderCarl ZeissCarlZeissexmorgeotaggeotaggingGPSHandycamhd camcorderHdCamcorderHDR-TG5VHDR-TG5V HandycamHdr-tg5vHandycamNAVTEQsony switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Fri, 03 Apr 2009 07:07:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Time Warner to Charge Fees for Internet Based On 'Consumption']]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/02/twc-moves-consumption-based-internet-billing-to-more-markets/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/02/twc-moves-consumption-based-internet-billing-to-more-markets/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/02/twc-moves-consumption-based-internet-billing-to-more-markets/#comments No, folks -- this is no prank. Time Warner Cable really is throwing caution (and public opinion) to the wind and moving forward with its evil consumption-based internet billing. If you'll recall, we heard that the operator was trialing the method -- which imposes premium rates on big broadband users -- back in early 2008, but now it seems it's quietly hoping to roll it out into more major markets. Starting this month, TWC will start gathering information on its customers' internet use in Austin, TX, San Antonio, TX, Rochester, NY and Greensboro, NC; if all goes "well," consumption billing will hit those markets this summer or sooner. We'll point you to the read link if you're interested in just how outrageous these capped plans look (particularly for internet TV viewers), but we'd be remiss of our duties if we didn't share this gem of a quote from TWC CEO Glenn Britt: "We made a mistake early on by not defining our business based on the consumption dimension." Thanks for clarifying, Glenn-o.

[Thanks Kevin, image courtesy of Corbis]

Filed under:

Time Warner to Charge Fees for Internet Based On 'Consumption' originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> bandwidthbillingbroadbandconsumptionconsumption billingConsumptionBillingdigital downloadsDigitalDownloadshigh-speed internetHigh-speedInternetinternetncnew yorkNewYorknorth carolinaNorthCarolinapricingthrottletime warner cableTimeWarnerTimeWarnerCabletwcusage switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[American Airlines Bringing In-Flight Wi-Fi to Over 300 Planes]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/01/american-airlines-bringing-in-flight-wi-fi-to-over-300-planes/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/01/american-airlines-bringing-in-flight-wi-fi-to-over-300-planes/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/01/american-airlines-bringing-in-flight-wi-fi-to-over-300-planes/#comments
All hail the laggard! With pretty much every other US-based legacy carrier already on board, we were beginning to wonder if American Airlines even got the memo that in-flight Wi-Fi was in serious demand. At long last, the company has made clear that it plans to equip more than 300 MD-80 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft used primarily in the United States with high-speed Wi-Fi capability (over the next two years). If you'll recall, American announced early on that it was game for trialing the tech, but until yesterday, it had yet to make a commitment large enough to make you consider signing up for its credit card and bankrolling those frequent flyer miles. We're expecting more details to emerge soon, but feel free to start pestering its agents with the whos, whats, wheres and whens.

Filed under:

American Airlines Bringing In-Flight Wi-Fi to Over 300 Planes originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> airlineairplaneamericanamerican airlinesAmericanAirlinesflyingin-flight wifiIn-flightWifiwifi switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:26:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Track Plant Growth with the Timelapse Garden Video Camera]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/30/track-plant-growth-with-the-timelapse-garden-video-camera/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/30/track-plant-growth-with-the-timelapse-garden-video-camera/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/30/track-plant-growth-with-the-timelapse-garden-video-camera/#comments
For those of you looking to prove just how green your thumb really is, have a gander at the Timelapse Garden Video Camera. Offered up at the always intriguing Hammacher Schlemmer, this weatherproof garden tool engages in the tedious task of taking snapshots of your flora in customizable intervals and then weaving them together into a single 1,280 x 1,024 AVI video. The lens can focus as close as 20-inches away, and with the bundled 2GB USB flash drive, upwards of 18,000 photos can be stored at a time. Amazingly, we're told that it can operate for up to four months using four AA cells, and it even turns itself off at night and back on in the morning in order to not waste capture space and battery life. It's shipping now to hedgers, groundkeepers and everyday plantsmen for $159.95. [Via OhGizmo]

Filed under:

Track Plant Growth with the Timelapse Garden Video Camera originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> cameragardengarden cameraGardenCameragardeninghammacher schlemmerHammacherSchlemmerplantplantstimelapseTimelapse Garden Video CameraTimelapseGardenVideoCamera switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Number of Folks Unready for DTV Transition Falls to 4 Million]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/28/number-of-folks-unready-for-dtv-transition-falls-to-4-million/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/28/number-of-folks-unready-for-dtv-transition-falls-to-4-million/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/28/number-of-folks-unready-for-dtv-transition-falls-to-4-million/#comments
Just days ago, we heard that the DTV voucher waitlist was completely gone, and now that those have started to flow again, the amount of Americans still unready for the switchover sits at 4.1 million. Compared to right around two months ago, that's definitely a marked improvement from 6.5 million still in the dark, and we fully anticipate that number to continually shrink as we inch closer to June 12th. Of course, there's going to come a time when the figure simply won't fall any lower, as a sliver of those still not ready will, frankly, remain that way. More power to 'em we say -- just keep the booze and bullets locked up and everything will be okay.

Filed under: ,

Number of Folks Unready for DTV Transition Falls to 4 Million originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 2009Backlogconverter boxConverterBoxcouponcutoverdigital tvDigitalTvdtvdtv couponDtvCouponNTIAswitchovervoucher switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:53:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Warner Bros. 'Archive' Brings Obscure Films to DVD On-demand]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/27/warner-bros-archive-brings-obscure-films-to-dvd-on-demand/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/27/warner-bros-archive-brings-obscure-films-to-dvd-on-demand/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/27/warner-bros-archive-brings-obscure-films-to-dvd-on-demand/#comments
Being the digital aficionados that we are, we still prefer Criterion's Online Cinematheque over this approach, but those not quite ready to give up physical media will absolutely (and understandably) disagree. At any rate, the studio has just fired up its Warner Archive, a nice little web portal where film fanatics can surf over and locate niche titles to be placed on a DVD and shipped out. Most of the flicks are priced at $19.95, but that's still far cheaper than scouring eBay for hours in hopes of finding the original reel, having it converted and then watching it. Head on over to see if there's anything you like, but don't be shocked if you leave a few Benjamins poorer.

Filed under:

Warner Bros. 'Archive' Brings Obscure Films to DVD On-demand originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> dvddvd-on-demandon demandOnDemandstudiovodwarner broswarner bros.Warner BrothersWarnerBrosWarnerBros.WarnerBrothers switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:58:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Skype for iPhone Coming Soon?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/27/skype-for-iphone-coming-soon/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/27/skype-for-iphone-coming-soon/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/27/skype-for-iphone-coming-soon/#comments We're still filing this away in the rumor folder for now, but we'll be honest -- this is totally believable. GigaOM has it on authority that a bona fide Skype for iPhone client will be launched as early as next week, and with CTIA kicking off on April 1st, we'd say the timing is just about ideal. Of course, we've already seen a variety of alternatives for bringing Skype and other VoIP apps to Apple's darling, but by and large, they've been supremely unimpressive. There's no word on pricing (we're crossing our fingers for free) or any other tasty tidbits, but you can bet we'll be keeping an ear to the ground for more.

Filed under: , , ,

Skype for iPhone Coming Soon? originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> appapp storeappleapplicationAppStorectiactia 2009Ctia2009internet callingInternetCallingiphoneiphone 3gIphone3gskypeSkype for iPhoneSkypeForIphonesoftwarevoip switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:53:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Odor-Free Underwear Coming Soon to a Retailer Near You]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/26/odor-free-underwear-coming-soon-to-a-retailer-near-you/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/26/odor-free-underwear-coming-soon-to-a-retailer-near-you/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/26/odor-free-underwear-coming-soon-to-a-retailer-near-you/#comments
Truthfully, there's just not enough work being done in the area of advanced underpants, so we're absolutely elated to hear that textile experts at Japan Women's University in Tokyo are picking up the slack and moving forward with an amazing development. Koichi Wakata, the first Japanese astronaut to live on the International Space Station, is current testing the "odor-free" clothing, and it's said that he can rock the same drawls without any pungent smells for a solid week. The garb is designed to "kill bacteria, absorb water, insulate the body and dry quickly," and as if that wasn't awesome enough, they're also flame-resistant and anti-static. The best news? There are already talks of bringing this stuff to the commercial realm. Don't deny it -- you're already thinking of how stellar it'd be to wash clothes just once per month.

Odor-Free Underwear Coming Soon to a Retailer Near You originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 2newsmainastronautclothesclothinggarbGoldwinInternational Space StationInternationalSpaceStationISSJ-warejapannasaodorsmellspacestinktokyoToray IndustriesTorayIndustriesunderpantsunderwear switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:51:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Norwegian Ski Billboard Gets Snowy When Texted]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/25/norwegian-ski-billboard-gets-snowy-when-texted/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/25/norwegian-ski-billboard-gets-snowy-when-texted/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/25/norwegian-ski-billboard-gets-snowy-when-texted/#comments We've certainly seen mobile-activated bus stop ads before, but the cool factor on this one was just too impressive to overlook. Tryvann Winter Park, a ski resort that sits just 15 minutes away from downtown Oslo, was searching high and low for ways to better market itself to residents of the bustling Norweigian city. In order to do so, it turned to JCDecaux, which conjured up the brilliant idea you see to the right.

Essentially, this advertisement packs a few internal fans and a bucketful of faux snow; whenever it starts snowing up at the ski resort, someone sends a text to the billboard and the flurries start to fly. This way, residents and workers in Oslo can easily see when conditions are good some 500 meters up.

We're told that Tryvann "loved" the campaign and the resulting crowds that came, though there's no mention of whether it'll be implemented next season or elsewhere in the world.

[Via textually, thanks Charles]

Filed under:

Norwegian Ski Billboard Gets Snowy When Texted originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> adadvertisementadvertisingmarketingmobile adsmobile advertisingMobileAdsMobileAdvertisingnorwayoslopromotionskiskiingsnowsnowing switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:19:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Car Stereo Thieves Looking Elsewhere to Make Those Ends]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/25/car-stereo-thieves-looking-elsewhere-to-make-those-ends/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/25/car-stereo-thieves-looking-elsewhere-to-make-those-ends/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/25/car-stereo-thieves-looking-elsewhere-to-make-those-ends/#comments
At least one in five Engadget staffers can attest: Car stereo crime was all the rage in the 1990s, and needless to say, we were all on the losing end of the deal. These days, however, larceny cases involving in-dash head units has dropped dramatically, and we've generally got no one but the auto makers to thank. Back in the day, factory stereos were downright laughable, and considering that most 1- and 2-DIN aftermarket decks could be installed in almost any car, the street value for those puppies was pretty high. Now, it's tough to find a vehicle without a marginally decent player already in it, which has led to a 50 percent decline in reported car stereo thefts over the past 15 years. If we had a gun to our head, we'd guess these folks have all moved on to swiping iPods. [Via Fark, image courtesy of Notla]

Filed under:

Car Stereo Thieves Looking Elsewhere to Make Those Ends originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> audioin-carin-car audioin-car entertainmentIn-carAudioIn-carEntertainmentlarcenystealingstolentheftthiefthieves switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:47:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[New: Share Your Netflix Ratings on Facebook]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/24/netflix-lets-you-share-your-movie-ratings-on-facebook/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/24/netflix-lets-you-share-your-movie-ratings-on-facebook/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/24/netflix-lets-you-share-your-movie-ratings-on-facebook/#comments
Clearly, having access to your Netflix queue on your iPhone just isn't intimate enough, and now the company is expanding its reach once more by announcing Facebook Connect integration. Officially, the integration "seamlessly links a Netflix member's account with his or her Facebook account," though with Facebook changing its layout every three month, you probably won't be able to find the Netflix bit by the time summer draws to a close. At any rate, Facebook Connect will extend members' movie ratings from the Netflix community to Facebook, and of course, Netflix subscribers can decide whether or not they want to take advantage. The idea here is for Facebook friends to yap online over ratings and such, and generally keep Netflix on the tip of their tongue at all times. Hit up the full release past the break for all the appropriate setup information.

Continue reading New: Share Your Netflix Ratings on Facebook

Filed under: ,

New: Share Your Netflix Ratings on Facebook originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> facebookFACEBOOK CONNECTFacebookConnectNetflixnewonline rentalsOnlineRentalsrentingsocial networkingSocialNetworkingstreaming switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:52:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[World's Cheapest Car Coming to India]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/23/worlds-cheapest-car-coming-to-india/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/23/worlds-cheapest-car-coming-to-india/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/23/worlds-cheapest-car-coming-to-india/#comments
After getting official over a year ago, missing its original production plan and eventually hitting a wall with respect to production, Tata's long-awaited Nano vehicle is all set to take to the streets this July. According to a fresh report over at Reuters, the world's cheapest car (100,000 rupee, or $1,980) is expected to be the hottest thing around when it ships in India in a matter of months. In fact, there are so many orders waiting to be filled, initial owners will be "randomly selected from bookings made between April 9 and 25." We're also told that a European variant will be launched by 2011, and while a US model is still a possibility, no firm launch date has been given there. Good luck getting your rear into one, and be sure and shoot us a few hands-on shots if you do.

Filed under:

World's Cheapest Car Coming to India originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> cheap carCheapCareco-friendlygreenindialow-cost carLow-costCarNanoTataTata NanoTataNano switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:23:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Bang & Olufsen's 103-inch $130,000 BeoVision Plasma]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/21/bang-and-olufsens-103-inch-130-000-beovision-plasma/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/21/bang-and-olufsens-103-inch-130-000-beovision-plasma/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/21/bang-and-olufsens-103-inch-130-000-beovision-plasma/#comments
Plasma's dying, huh? Go and tell that to Bang & Olufsen. Just in case the 50- and 65-inch versions of the BeoVision 4 HDTV weren't expansive enough, the high-end home cinema outfitter has just pushed out news of an all new addition: the 103-inch BeoVision 4-103. If that number immediately rings a bell, here's a cookie. The 103-inch Panasonic TH-103PF9 panel is indeed the exact one used here, but B&O has obviously spruced up the design, added an automatic rising stand and incorporated the BeoSystem 3 and the VisionClear technology that automatically adjusts colors and brightness. Oh, and it tossed in a B&O logo, which is darn near priceless. Speaking of stickers, the set should be available this July for around €100,000 ($136,220) pre-VAT. Check the demonstration vid after the break and the gallery over at Engadget.

[Thanks, John]

Continue reading Bang & Olufsen's 103-inch $130,000 BeoVision Plasma

Filed under: , ,

Bang & Olufsen's 103-inch $130,000 BeoVision Plasma originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 103-inchBang OlufsenBangOlufsenBeoVisionBeoVision 4BeoVision 4-103Beovision4Beovision4-103hdtvhigh-endluxurypanasonicpdpplasmaTH-103PF9 switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Sat, 21 Mar 2009 12:43:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Another 158 Analog TV Stations Flipping Early to Digital Only]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/20/another-158-analog-tv-stations-flipping-to-digital-only/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/20/another-158-analog-tv-stations-flipping-to-digital-only/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/20/another-158-analog-tv-stations-flipping-to-digital-only/#comments Another one (hundred and fifty-eight) bites the dust, as they say. With the newly established June 12th cutover date looming, another 158 TV stations across America have decided that enough is enough. In a new list that was sent over the FCC this week, we're told that another swath of stations intend to shut off their analog signals prior to the mandatory June 12th cutover date. For what it's worth, the majority of the 158 are in smaller markets and don't broadcast any of the four major commercial networks, but we wouldn't be shocked to hear of more of this as more and more stations grow tired of waiting around.

Filed under: ,

Another 158 Analog TV Stations Flipping Early to Digital Only originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 2009analogcutoverdigital tvdigital tv transitionDigitalTvDigitalTvTransitiondtv transitionDtvTransitionswitchover switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Best Buy to Watch Wal-Mart's HDTV Prices While Sprucing Stores Up]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/best-buy-to-watch-wal-marts-hdtv-prices-while-sprucing-stores-u/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/best-buy-to-watch-wal-marts-hdtv-prices-while-sprucing-stores-u/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/best-buy-to-watch-wal-marts-hdtv-prices-while-sprucing-stores-u/#comments If you thought the death of Circuit City would lead to even higher prices at Best Buy, you're obviously not considering the Bentonville powerhouse in your calculations. Since the downfall of one of America's most well-known electronics retailers, Best Buy has now refocused on rivaling Wal-Mart, who has done quite a lot over the past year or so to become a serious venue for buying new HDTVs. Granted, most of Wal-Mart's offerings boast labels like VIZIO and Emerson, but that's beginning to change. In a new piece from the Wall Street Journal, incoming CEO Brian Dunn asserts that he's planning to "match" Wally World's famously low prices while making Best Buy stores more of an "experience." How exactly it plans to lower TV margins while sprucing up retail space is beyond us, but maybe it's looking to those $150 Monster-branded HDMI cables to pick up the slack.

Filed under: ,

Best Buy to Watch Wal-Mart's HDTV Prices While Sprucing Stores Up originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> best buyBestBuybusinessgrowthindustryretailshoppingstorewal-mart switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Australian Continues to Hone DIY $300,000 Flight Simulator]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/australian-continues-to-hone-diy-300-000-flight-simulator/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/australian-continues-to-hone-diy-300-000-flight-simulator/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/australian-continues-to-hone-diy-300-000-flight-simulator/#comments
Ha, and you thought your HotSeat Chassis was the next best thing to paying way too much to carry an appropriate amount of luggage on your next jaunt to paradise. Australia's own Matthew Sheil has been tinkering on his own personal flight simulator for over a decade now, but the latest iteration is just too good to ignore. Aside from setting a Guinness world record for his efforts, the man has poured over $300,000 into recreating the flying experience of a 747-400, which is dirt cheap compared to the $60 million that professional simulators generally run. Sheil flies virtually with legions of other enthusiasts around the world, and each year he hosts 15 folks as they rotate on an around-the-world flight that Qantas sponsors and where donation money is funneled to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Hit up the read link to get a real gist of what this thing is capable of, and feel free to go in with stupid high expectations.

Filed under:

Australian Continues to Hone DIY $300,000 Flight Simulator originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 06:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> airplaneaustraliaaustralianflightflight simulatorFlightSimulatorplanesimulationsimulator switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Tue, 17 Mar 2009 06:04:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Scientists Shoot Down Malaria-Carrying Mosquitoes with Frickin' Lasers]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/scientists-shoot-down-malaria-carrying-mosquitoes-with-frickin/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/scientists-shoot-down-malaria-carrying-mosquitoes-with-frickin/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/scientists-shoot-down-malaria-carrying-mosquitoes-with-frickin/#comments Seriously, is there anything a laser can't do? A team of mad scientists in Washington have concocted a system that could essentially eliminate malaria-carrying mosquitoes with lasers, and the whole thing can be built from parts sourced on eBay. The so-called mosquito laser is credited to an idea from Lowell Wood, an astrophysicist who worked with Edward Teller, the "architect of the original plan to use lasers to shield America from the rain of Soviet nuclear arms." In theory, at least, the technology could one day be used to draw a laser barrier of sorts around a village. Of course, the trick is to make the lasers powerful enough to smoke the bugs without harming humans -- any of you Earthlings up for a clinical trial or two? [Via eHow]

Filed under:

Scientists Shoot Down Malaria-Carrying Mosquitoes with Frickin' Lasers originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> diseasehealthlaserlasersmalariaMosquitoesrocket scienceRocketSciencescienceweapon switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Sirius XM Developing iPhone / iPod touch Streaming Radio App]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/13/sirius-xm-developing-iphone-ipod-touch-streaming-radio-app/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/13/sirius-xm-developing-iphone-ipod-touch-streaming-radio-app/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/13/sirius-xm-developing-iphone-ipod-touch-streaming-radio-app/#comments
My, my -- now isn't this something? Shortly after narrowly avoiding a dastardly collision with bankruptcy, Sirius XM is looking to connect itself with profitable enterprises in an attempt to build market share and regain interest from budget-conscience consumers. Just weeks after hearing that the sat radio company could be preparing a few Sirius / DirecTV bundles, CFO David Frear has now confirmed on a recent earnings call that the outfit is indeed developing an iPhone / iPod touch app. It's interesting to think that a satellite radio firm could be warming to delivering more content via the internet, but it's the apparent diversion from being a standalone offering that has us even more intrigued. It should be interesting to see how the pricing model works with this forthcoming app -- will users be able to get an iPhone subscription only? Will it be tossed in gratis with traditional subscriptions? So many questions, not enough patience. [Image courtesy of SiriusBuzz]

Filed under: , ,

Sirius XM Developing iPhone / iPod touch Streaming Radio App originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> appapp storeappleAppStoreinternet radioInternetRadioiphoneiphone appIphoneAppipodipod touchIpodTouchSiriusSirius XMSiriusXmstreamstreamingwifi radioWifiRadio switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Kids Prefer the Tinny Sound of MP3s, Survey Shows ]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/10/survey-shows-youngsters-prefer-the-tinny-sound-of-mp3s/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/10/survey-shows-youngsters-prefer-the-tinny-sound-of-mp3s/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/10/survey-shows-youngsters-prefer-the-tinny-sound-of-mp3s/#comments
We can already envision the flame fest on this one, so we'll just cut to the chase. Jonathan Berger, professor of music at Stanford, has been conducting some pretty interesting tests on incoming students, and he's been recording results that'll surely make audiophiles cringe. He has been asking his students to listen to tracks in MP3 format as well as in formats of much higher quality, all while asking them to select the one they like best; increasingly, youngsters have been choosing the sizzling, tinny sounds of MP3 over more pure representations. The reasoning may have more to do with psychology that audiology, as many conclude that generations simply prefer what they're used to. Ever known someone to swear that vinyl sounds best, pops and all? So yeah, what we've really learned is that MP3 is more of an "acquired taste," but those still attempting to build their SACD collection should be genuinely afraid of the future. [Via techdirt, image courtesy of iasos]

Filed under:

Kids Prefer the Tinny Sound of MP3s, Survey Shows originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 06:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> audioaudiophilemp3musicqualityrecordresearchsoundsurveyvinyl switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Tue, 10 Mar 2009 06:06:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Compact Disc Turns 30]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/09/compact-disc-turns-30/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/09/compact-disc-turns-30/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/09/compact-disc-turns-30/#comments
We're not quite sure how much related celebrating went on this past weekend, but the iconic Compact Disc managed to hit the big three-oh. The IEEE was credited with presenting its prestigious IEEE Milestone Award to Royal Philips Electronics for its contribution to the development of the CD, and as the story goes, the award coincides with the 30th anniversary of the "historic demonstration of the first CD prototype codenamed 'Pinkeltje' on March 8th, 1979." While many would argue that the CD is on its way out in favor of smaller, highly portable MP3 files, the disc has definitely left a lasting mark on the industry. To date, over 3.5 billion audio CD players have been sold alongside 240 billion discs. Oh, and not to be a Debbie Downer or anything, but what are the chances that we won't be throwing an "over the hill" party for this here format?

[Thanks, Sylva]

Filed under:

Compact Disc Turns 30 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> audiobirthdayCDcompact discCompactDiscIEEEmilestonemusicphilipsPinkeltjesound switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:28:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[IKEA starts selling totally hip SOLIG solar lighting devices]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/08/ikea-starts-selling-totally-hip-solig-solar-lighting-devices/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/08/ikea-starts-selling-totally-hip-solig-solar-lighting-devices/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/08/ikea-starts-selling-totally-hip-solig-solar-lighting-devices/#comments
We've heard the excuse a gazillion times: "Yo, I want to go solar, but like, where do you even buy this stuff? Oh snap, 0 percent financing on a Hummer H2!" Finally, you can have a solid answer to that very quip (the first part, at least), as household megastore IKEA has begun stocking (in store; online is coming soon) a new series of solar-powered lighting supplies. The SOLIG series contains a handful of solar light sticks, orbs, garden lights, chain globes and even posts, all of which will surely brighten your outdoor patio, flower bed or Earth-friendly RV. Now, if only it were simple to relocate your life to southern Arizona in order to enjoy these more effectively... [Via Inhabitat]

Filed under:

IKEA starts selling totally hip SOLIG solar lighting devices originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> eco-friendlygreenikealightlightingsolarsolar lightsolar powersolar poweredsolar-powersolar-poweredSolarLightSolarPowerSolarPoweredSOLIG switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Sun, 08 Mar 2009 10:04:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[UK College Begins Begins Testing Facial Recognition Attendance System]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/07/uk-college-begins-begins-testing-facial-recognition-attendance-s/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/07/uk-college-begins-begins-testing-facial-recognition-attendance-s/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/07/uk-college-begins-begins-testing-facial-recognition-attendance-s/#comments
It's something we never really appreciated when waltzing into class way back when, but the ability to show up at your leisure without having to "clock in" and "clock out" was awesome. If you agree, you'll probably want to shred that application for City of Ely Community College in the UK, which has become one of the first UK schools to trial a new facial recognition technology from Aurora. Officials suggest that knowing who is on campus at any given time helps them in case of emergency, as they can easily see if they've collected everyone into a safe area; being the Big Brother haters that we are, we tend to see things a bit differently. And besides, who really wants to show up two minutes early to class to have some machine look at your groggy, tattered up face? Have a look in the read link for a quick video of what you are (or are not, we suppose) missing. [Via Slashdot]

Filed under: ,

UK College Begins Begins Testing Facial Recognition Attendance System originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> Aurorabig brotherBigBrothercollegefacial recognitionFacialRecognitionsurveillanceUK switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:41:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[DTV Coupons Begin Flowing Once More]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/06/dtv-coupons-begin-flowing-once-more/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/06/dtv-coupons-begin-flowing-once-more/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/06/dtv-coupons-begin-flowing-once-more/#comments
For all of you still waiting for a little governmental assistance in buying that DTV converter box that you should've purchased months ago (we kid... a little), we've excellent news. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is overseeing the program, has announced that it has finally begun to ship $40 vouchers towards the purchase of these very boxes once more. The waitlist has grown some 4.1 million deep since the subsidy program ran dry back in January, but the agency is hoping to have that cleared within three weeks. Of course, you better not procrastinate on your second chance -- who knows how quickly the $650 million it has left will last.

[Image courtesy of BreakItDownBlog]

Filed under: ,

DTV Coupons Begin Flowing Once More originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 2009barack obamaBarackObamacouponcutoverdigital tvdigital tv transitionDigitalTvDigitalTvTransitiondtvdtv cutoverdtv transitionDtvCutoverDtvTransitionFCCgovernementNTIAobamavoucher switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[All Circuit City Stores Closing Permanently on March 8th]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/06/all-circuit-city-stores-closing-permanently-on-march-8th/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/06/all-circuit-city-stores-closing-permanently-on-march-8th/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/06/all-circuit-city-stores-closing-permanently-on-march-8th/#comments
To an icon in the consumer electronics retail space, we wave goodbye. And for the hordes of employees already / soon to be looking for new uniforms elsewhere, we empathize. Circuit City has just announced that on March 8th, all of its stores will lock up for the last time. Granted, some locations have already shut their doors in permanent fashion due to stock depletion, but regardless of leftover wares, March 8th is the end of the line for the laggards. We'd say you might want to stop by your local outlet to catch any last-last-minute sales, but even at a penny, you're not going to want that open-box 4MB SD card.

[Via HotHardware, image courtesy of wbeebe]

Filed under:

All Circuit City Stores Closing Permanently on March 8th originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> businesscircuit cityCircuitCityclosedclosingdeadeconomykillkilledrecessionretailshopping switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[UN Report: 6 in 10 People Worldwide Use Cell Phones]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/03/un-report-6-in-10-people-worldwide-use-cell-phones/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/03/un-report-6-in-10-people-worldwide-use-cell-phones/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/03/un-report-6-in-10-people-worldwide-use-cell-phones/#comments
Outfits like Nokia have been just rolling in profits from selling oodles of low margin handsets in developing nations across the globe, so it's no shock at all to hear that those very countries have propelled the worldwide usage tally well above the 50 percent mark. According to a wide-ranging United Nations report, around six in ten people across the globe now use mobile phones, and as expected, fixed line subscriptions have increased at a much slower pace. If you're wondering just how significant this figure really is, chew on this: in 2002, just under 15 percent of the global population used a cellie. Impressive, eh?

[Via TG Daily]

Filed under:

UN Report: 6 in 10 People Worldwide Use Cell Phones originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> accountscellphone userscellphonesCellphoneUsersculturemilestonepeoplephone linesPhoneLinesstatisticssubscriptionsworldworld recordWorldRecordworldwide switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:03:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Cell Phone Survives a Week in a Fish's Belly, Still Works]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/02/cell-phone-survives-a-week-in-a-fishs-belly-still-works/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/02/cell-phone-survives-a-week-in-a-fishs-belly-still-works/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/02/cell-phone-survives-a-week-in-a-fishs-belly-still-works/#comments
First off, it's rather amazing that someone in a developed nation is still using the Nokia 1600 as their primary handset. Secondly, it's even more astounding that said handset lasted a week in the belly of a cod and could still make calls after it was rescued. In a just-barely-believable story hosted up at The Sun, a businessman was both shocked and confused when his presumably sunk cellphone began ringing his lady friend around five days after he dropped it at sea. As the tale goes, a 25 pound cod managed to swallow the thing, and a pair of fishermen discovered it upon gutting their catch. The best part? The bloke who it was returned to is still using it, despite the fact that it literally reeks of rotten fish. Who knows -- maybe he suffers from ichthyomania. [Via Nokia Conversations]

Filed under:

Cell Phone Survives a Week in a Fish's Belly, Still Works originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 1600comedyfishermanfishingfunnynokianokia 1600Nokia1600weird switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:17:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Hearst to Launch Wireless e-Reader]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/02/hearst-to-launch-wireless-e-reader/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/02/hearst-to-launch-wireless-e-reader/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/02/hearst-to-launch-wireless-e-reader/#comments
Hot on the heels of Amazon's highly anticipated Kindle 2 launch comes this: news that Hearst Corporation -- which publishes iconic magazines including Cosmopolitan and Esquire along with the San Francisco Chronicle -- will be launching its own wireless e-reader. While many may be quick to label this forthcoming device as a Kindle competitor, the concept behind this is far more elaborate than simply knocking Amazon from its perch. In an effort to "preserve the business model that has sustained newspapers and magazines" while moving forward with technology, Hearst is planning to ship a larger-than-usual reader (around the size of a standard sheet of paper), giving publishers (and advertisers, by extension) about the same amount of space as they're used to when pushing out e-articles.

Reports suggest that the device -- which will do the monochrome thing until a color version debuts later -- could land as early as this year, with Hearst & Friends planning to sell them to publishers and "take a cut of the revenue derived from selling magazines and newspapers on these devices." No exaggeration here -- this may be the biggest news we've heard for print media in years, not to mention the promise of an all-new e-reader for gadget nerds to swoon over.

Filed under:

Hearst to Launch Wireless e-Reader originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> breaking newsBreakingNewsE Inke-booke-inke-readerEInkHearstkindleupcomingwirelesswireless e-readerWirelessE-reader switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:48:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Panasonic's Giant Plasma TV Repurposed as Multitouch Air Hockey Table]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/21/panasonics-giant-plasma-tv-repurposed-as-multitouch-air-hockey/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/21/panasonics-giant-plasma-tv-repurposed-as-multitouch-air-hockey/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/21/panasonics-giant-plasma-tv-repurposed-as-multitouch-air-hockey/#comments
With VIZIO and Pioneer jumping out of the plasma game, we can totally foresee sales of Panasonic's 103-inch PDP skyrocketing. All kidding aside, a startup arcade would be ludicrous to not shove one of these into the center of the action. What you're looking at above is a mutltitouch air hockey table, made possible by Panny's ginormous plasma and a U-Touch overlay from uicentric. The table was on display over in Amsterdam at ISE 2009, and quite frankly, we're intensely envious of the attendees who were able to blow off some steam by grabbing a game on this. Obligatory video is just past the break.

Continue reading Panasonic's Giant Plasma TV Repurposed as Multitouch Air Hockey Table

Filed under: ,

Panasonic's Giant Plasma TV Repurposed as Multitouch Air Hockey Table originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 103-inchair hockeyAirHockeyMulti-TouchmultitouchpanasonicpdpplasmaU-Touchvideo switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Sat, 21 Feb 2009 10:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Tattoo-like Nanosensor Could Monitor Glucose Levels]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/18/tattoo-like-nanosensor-could-monitor-glucose-levels/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/18/tattoo-like-nanosensor-could-monitor-glucose-levels/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/18/tattoo-like-nanosensor-could-monitor-glucose-levels/#comments Make no mistake, there are quite a few sophisticated ways to monitor one's glucose levels, but we're pretty certain we've never seen an approach as simple and as bodacious as this. Massachusetts-based Draper Laboratories has stumbled upon a new embeddable nanosensor that could, at least in theory, eliminate those painful pricks endured today by so many diabetics.

The so-called "injectable nanotech ink" could be inserted under the skin much like a tattoo, though Draper's Heather Clark notes that it "doesn't have to be a large, over-the-shoulder kind of tattoo." In fact, it can be as small as a few millimeters in size, though if it were us, we'd use it as the perfect excuse in order to plaster our backs with 'Ice Climbers.' Testing of the new approach is expected to begin very soon, though that usually means it won't be ready for humans until at least a few years later. Ah well, plenty of time to dream up the perfect design, right? [Via medGadget]

Filed under:

Tattoo-like Nanosensor Could Monitor Glucose Levels originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> DiabetesdiseaseDraper LaboratoriesDraperLaboratoriesglucosehealthinkmedicalnanotechnanotechnologysciencetattoo switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:26:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Liberty Media Rescues Sirius XM from Bankruptcy]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/17/liberty-media-rescues-sirius-xm-from-bankruptcy/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/17/liberty-media-rescues-sirius-xm-from-bankruptcy/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/17/liberty-media-rescues-sirius-xm-from-bankruptcy/#comments
We guess those bailout talks with DirecTV weren't so futile after all, huh? The satcaster's parent company, Liberty Media, has just stepped in to rescue Sirius XM from the clutches of bankruptcy, providing a $530 million life raft that it will use to pay off looming debt payments and keep operations humming. Liberty will write a $280 million check immediately, of which $171 million will go straight to debtors. Another round of funding (to the tune of $250 million) will be available to Sirius XM in order to "help it pay its debts and ward off a potential takeover of Sirius by Charlie Ergen's DISH Network."

In return for this mighty appreciated favor, Liberty Media will own 12.5 million shares of preferred stock in Sirius XM, which it can convert into common stock should it so choose. Also of note, founder John Malone and Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei are likely to join Sirius XM's board of directors. Is that a collective sign of relief we just heard, or what? [Via Denver Business Journal, thanks Michael]

Filed under: ,

Liberty Media Rescues Sirius XM from Bankruptcy originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> BankruptBankruptcybreaking newsBreakingNewsbusinessliberty mediaLibertyMediasatsat radiosatellite radioSatelliteRadioSatRadiosiriussirius xmSiriusXmxmxm radioXmRadio switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:53:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[T-Mobile to Release 8-Megapixel Memoir Cameraphone on February 24]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/16/t-mobile-to-release-8-megapixel-memoir-cameraphone-on-february-2/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/16/t-mobile-to-release-8-megapixel-memoir-cameraphone-on-february-2/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/16/t-mobile-to-release-8-megapixel-memoir-cameraphone-on-february-2/#comments

At this point, it's tough to say the Memoir wasn't official with a straight face, but Samsung and T-Mobile have jointly disclosed all (er, most) of the remaining details that were so sorely missing here at Mobile World Congress. The 8 megapixel handset will boast a Xenon flash, CMOS auto focus and 16x digital zoom, not to mention a full touchscreen and a sophisticated camera menu that enables users to adjust the brightness and flash, change the default destination of images, select a timer and zoom in or out. Moreover, the video recording and TV-out features should provide even more joy in the lives of multimedia lovers, and the blink detection, face detection, anti-shake and geotagging inclusions should shake off any remaining pundits who say there's not a "real camera" in here. As anticipated, the phone will launch exclusively on T-Mobile USA in just ten days (February 25, if you're too excited for math), though there's still no mention of a price. Procrastinate much?

Update: Boom, pricing -- $249.99 on a two-year contract with a $50 mail-in rebate. Not the cheapest thing we've ever seen, but you get what you pay for, yeah?

Filed under: , , ,

T-Mobile to Release 8-Megapixel Memoir Cameraphone on February 24 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 8-megapixelcameraphonesmobileworldcongress2009new productsNewProductssamsungsamsung memoirSamsungMemoirt-mobileupcoming switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:16:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Geolocator-equipped Backpacks to Track Bird Migrations]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/15/geolocator-equipped-backpacks-to-track-bird-migrations/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/15/geolocator-equipped-backpacks-to-track-bird-migrations/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/15/geolocator-equipped-backpacks-to-track-bird-migrations/#comments
We've seen birds tasked with carrying around sensors in order to provide data about external happenings, but up until now, tracking birds' migration patterns from start to finish has been a tedious, if not impossible task. Gurus from York University in Toronto have apparently figured out the solution, and it all sounds much simpler than you might imagine. By equipping birds with minuscule "backpacks" -- which weigh less than a dime and use geolocators to collect all sorts of information about flight times, patterns, stopovers and speed -- scientists can get an accurate look at where the animals were and when they were there. In a recent test involving 34 birds, researchers were able to retrieve the packs from 7, and while that may not be a majority, biologist J. M. Stutchbury noted that this "was 7 more than anybody else." Right you are, Doc. [Via New York Times, image courtesy of PaulNoll]

Filed under:

Geolocator-equipped Backpacks to Track Bird Migrations originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 15 Feb 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> animalanimalsbirdbirdsflightgeolocatorgeolocatorssciencetracktrackinguniversity switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Sun, 15 Feb 2009 10:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Scientists Track Thoughts With Infrared Technology]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/13/scientists-track-thoughts-with-infrared-technology/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/13/scientists-track-thoughts-with-infrared-technology/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/13/scientists-track-thoughts-with-infrared-technology/#comments
Hate to break it to you, but that clairvoyant you've been paying daily to read you fortune cookies while blindfolded actually isn't some sort of medium. Tough to swallow, we know. That said, researchers at Canada's largest children's rehabilitation hospital are getting closer to equipping entrepreneurial individuals with the tools they need to read minds. By measuring the intensity of near-infrared light absorbed in brain tissue, scientists were able to decode a person's preference for one of two drinks with 80 percent accuracy, all without a single minute of training on the human's behalf. This research gives promise to finding out true feelings of those who can't speak or move due to physical limitations, though there's no word on how close it is to becoming viable outside of a lab. As an aside, we hear Professor X is pretty perturbed.

Filed under:

Scientists Track Thoughts With Infrared Technology originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> BCIbrain-computer interfaceBrain-computerInterfacecanadaCanadianinfraredIRmind readingMindReadingread mindsReadMindsresearchscience switchedtips@gmail.com (Darren Murph) Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:51:00 EST Switched