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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. View our terms of service here: http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/ Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[A Baker's Dozen Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Mac]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/13-tips-to-speed-up-your-mac/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/13-tips-to-speed-up-your-mac/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/13-tips-to-speed-up-your-mac/#comments Whether you're a recent convert, ambivalent veteran or one of those hardened Apple fanboys, let us remind you: a Mac, like any other computer, needs to be maintained. No, you probably don't need anti-virus software (yet), you may never have to fiddle with registry editing, and you'll likely never need to reinstall the operating system. But you may face a kernel panic, a raft of mysterious app crashes or the dreaded spinning beach ball of death. We've put together thirteen tips for keeping our Macs lean, clean computing machines. Spring has sprung, so, while you dust off your shelves and empty your closets, do some Mac maintenance, too.

Continue reading A Baker's Dozen Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Mac

A Baker's Dozen Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Mac originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> applebackupBeachBallcrashdesktopsfeaturesfontsHardDriveSpaceimaclaptopsmacmacbookOsXSpinningBallSpringCleaningtipstopwhatsizewidgets Jon Chase Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Complexity Is Killing Us: A Security State of the Union With Eugene Spafford of CERIAS]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/state-of-the-union-security-eugene-spafford/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/state-of-the-union-security-eugene-spafford/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/state-of-the-union-security-eugene-spafford/#comments For our second annual spotlight on cyber-security, Switched turned to a renowned expert in the field: Eugene H. Spafford, Professor of Computer Science at Purdue University. Among his many professional associations and corporate and governmental advisory roles, Spafford is the Executive Director of the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS), which supports research in information, security and communication infrastructures. A legend among those who were around for the early days of the Internet, Spaf (as he's known) is credited as one of the major contributors to the system for organizing Usenet, and analyzed one of the first known computer worms. When asked what OS he'd recommend over any others, Spaf refused to be pigeon-holed, which became understandable when he explained that he maintains seven computers of his own, with a cornucopia of OSes installed among them. He did admit, however, that since 1987 his main machine has always been a Mac -- although his current one is stuffed to the gills running OS X, Windows, Linux and BSD Unix.

Continue reading Complexity Is Killing Us: A Security State of the Union With Eugene Spafford of CERIAS

Complexity Is Killing Us: A Security State of the Union With Eugene Spafford of CERIAS originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> ceriascyber+warcyberwareugene h spaffordEugeneH.SpaffordEugeneHSpaffordfeaturesInternetinterviewsprivacyPurduePurdueUniversitysecurity Jon Chase Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:55:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Hacked and Hijacked! What to Do if Your Identity Gets Stolen]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/what-to-do-identity-stolen-hacked-and-hijacked/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/what-to-do-identity-stolen-hacked-and-hijacked/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/what-to-do-identity-stolen-hacked-and-hijacked/#comments Identity Swiped

Symptoms:

Imagine the pit in your stomach: finding charges on your credit cards or bank statements for items you didn't buy; applying for credit or a mortgage and being denied due to delinquencies on accounts you didn't open. The amounts for the previous year's reported income on your annual Social Security statement is incorrect, and for more than you earned. Or you get a letter or call from the IRS attempting to collect on back taxes for income you never made. Or you've stopped receiving credit card statements in the mail -- even when you have a balance due. Even more frightening, you may also have recently had issues with your PC, or been unable to log into online financial accounts. Maybe you've found that your e-mail or social networking accounts have been compromised.

Continue reading Hacked and Hijacked! What to Do if Your Identity Gets Stolen

Hacked and Hijacked! What to Do if Your Identity Gets Stolen originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> advicefeatureshowtoidentityIdentityTheftprivacysecurity Jon Chase Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Hacked and Hijacked! What's Next When Your Facebook/Twitter Is Hacked]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/what-to-do-facebook-twitter-account-hacked/ http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/what-to-do-facebook-twitter-account-hacked/ http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/what-to-do-facebook-twitter-account-hacked/#comments

Symptom:

Maybe your Twitter or Facebook friends have gotten viciously spammed with fake offers for a free iPad, or a link to a fake app -- from your profile. Or, maybe you've discover posts on your profile that you never wrote, often with links leading to websites, apps or coupons. You may discover personal messages sent to friends that you didn't write, perhaps asking them to wire money. Or, worst case, you may be unable to log into your account.

Diagnosis:

Social networking sites have become immensely popular stops online, and thus the destinations du jour for criminals and black-hat hackers looking to make a buck the easy way. After all, a user's Facebook account is an incredible storehouse of personal and private information, and its very structure, expressly built for rapidly and broadly disseminating data through a complex web of connections, couldn't be better designed for quick-hit schemers. Typical users are happy to click on a link, visit a site or try out an app that they think has been vetted by a trusted friend. In a certain sense, Facebook may be the most successful virus disseminator ever created.

Continue reading Hacked and Hijacked! What's Next When Your Facebook/Twitter Is Hacked

Hacked and Hijacked! What's Next When Your Facebook/Twitter Is Hacked originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> advicecompromisedCompromised-Accountfacebookfacebook connectfacebook+loginFacebookConnectfacebookloginfeatureshackedhacked-accounthowtophishingsecuritysocialnetworkingtoptwitter Jon Chase Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Hacked and Hijacked! How to Save Data if Your Portable Device Is Stolen]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/do-this-if-cell-phone-laptop-stolen-or-hacked/ http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/do-this-if-cell-phone-laptop-stolen-or-hacked/ http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/do-this-if-cell-phone-laptop-stolen-or-hacked/#comments

Symptom:

You reach into your pocket or bag, and, well, it's empty!

Diagnosis:

Beyond the understandable distress of losing a pricey smartphone, laptop or tablet PC, the real trauma is the sudden and unfettered access afforded to the slippery-fingered jerk who took it. The cost of a new laptop is meager compared to the personal and even financial havoc that a motivated thief can wreak with the data stored on a typical portable device.

Continue reading Hacked and Hijacked! How to Save Data if Your Portable Device Is Stolen

Hacked and Hijacked! How to Save Data if Your Portable Device Is Stolen originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> androidappsbitlockerblackberryblackberry protectBlackberryProtectfamily locatorFamilyLocatorfeaturesfilevaultfind my ipadfind my iphoneFindMyIpadFindMyIphoneiosipadlaptoplojack for laptopsLojackForLaptopsmacmobile recoveryMobileRecoverymy phone windows mobileMyPhoneWindowsMobilenotebookpcpreyRemoteWiperoblacksecuritysmartphonestolentabletTheftProtectionTheftRecoverythieftoptrackerTrackLocationweboswheres my droidWheresMyDroid Jon Chase Fri, 25 Feb 2011 13:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Hacked and Hijacked: What to Do if Your E-mail Account Gets Compromised]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/what-to-do-email-account-hacked/ http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/what-to-do-email-account-hacked/ http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/what-to-do-email-account-hacked/#comments

Symptoms:

People listed in your e-mail contacts report being flooded with spam messages sent from your account. Or, you start receiving a bevy of "bounced" e-mails from random addresses you don't know. You aren't able to log into your account or change its settings, or you've discovered the settings have been altered. You attempt to use e-mail, and find it has been blocked by your provider.

Diagnosis:

Start with the obvious: If your password no longer works for your e-mail account (and it's definitely the correct password), you can be almost certain that someone else has taken control of it. And if your e-mail provider has blocked you completely, it's probably because your account was spewing out spam by the millions, forcing your provider to shut it down until you regain control. This is a good thing, and you'll get it back. Likewise, learning from friends that your account has let loose a firehose of spam (which sometimes can be verified by checking the Sent messages folder in your account) pretty much confirms that some scumbag has figured out your password. Losing control of your mail and password combo can be especially calamitous if, like far too many people, you use the same ones for all the online sites and services you use, such as social networking, banking and PayPal. Even the dumbest hacker will do a quick e-mail search in your account to scrape for login info on other sites, and, in no time, will assemble a pretty good portfolio on you. Depending on the ambition and skill set of the hacker, on the time between when your account was compromised and when you discovered it, and on how secure your various online accounts are, your level of pain may fall anywhere between minor annoyance to personal and financial meltdown. Time is of the essence, and don't underestimate how deep this thing can go.

Continue reading Hacked and Hijacked: What to Do if Your E-mail Account Gets Compromised

Hacked and Hijacked: What to Do if Your E-mail Account Gets Compromised originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> emailEmailAccountemailsfeaturesHackedEmailhackerhowtomalwarephishingsecurityspoofingspyware Jon Chase Thu, 24 Feb 2011 13:05:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Hacked and Hijacked: What to Do if Your PC Gets Compromised]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/what-to-do-if-your-pc-gets-hacked/ http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/what-to-do-if-your-pc-gets-hacked/ http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/what-to-do-if-your-pc-gets-hacked/#comments

Symptoms:

There are a range of telltale signs that your PC has been infiltrated by a binary ne'er-do-well, but, counterintuitively, the worst case scenario is when there are no obvious symptoms at all. For starters, you may have an infection if your PC or Internet throughput has become consistently sluggish, and a restart doesn't cure it. Frequent, random pop-up windows with ads or system warnings are almost always clues to an infection. And, if you've discovered that your login credentials for any website have been hijacked -- whether for e-mail, banking or Facebook -- there's a possibility that malware is on your PC.

Diagnosis:

You're doubtless familiar with at least a few of the ever-multiplying terms for the nasties that can frustrate and even destroy your PC, such as viruses, Trojans, worms, malware, adware, spyware and rootkits. Depending on what bug your computer has caught, the ailment may just be an annoying hindrance, like those viruses that reset your browser home page or spew Viagra pop-up ads. Some varieties, however, are legitimately dangerous. Some can suck up all of the personal info from your PC and send it off to a remote hacker. Others can record your keystrokes in order to steal the password to any site. Still others can take complete control of your PC -- using it to send out spam e-mails by the millions, to host porn or illegal software, or even to attack corporations and governments. Botnets -- networks of thousands or even millions of hacked PCs that have been turned into "zombie" armies under the control of an individual or group -- are actively used by organized crime these days. It's serious stuff.

Continue reading Hacked and Hijacked: What to Do if Your PC Gets Compromised

Hacked and Hijacked: What to Do if Your PC Gets Compromised originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Anti-virusCompromised-accountCureWindowsfeaturesHackedPcLinuxMacMalwarePCsecuritytopwindows+7+securityWindows7windows7securityWindowsXp Jon Chase Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Backups! How to Save Your Digital World From Doom]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/02/07/best-computer-backup-tools-sites-save-digital-world/ http://www.switched.com/2011/02/07/best-computer-backup-tools-sites-save-digital-world/ http://www.switched.com/2011/02/07/best-computer-backup-tools-sites-save-digital-world/#comments It's a fact of life that too many of us learn the excruciatingly painful way: hard drives, like humans, have an unpredictable lifespan. Sometimes they last a long time, but sometimes, well, they die suddenly. Now think of all the physical goods we used to store in shoeboxes and drawers that in today's world exist only in digital form on our PCs: photos, music, home movies, Hollywood movies and TV shows, term papers, work projects, love letters, bank account data and financial forms. They were always perishable -- but, barring floods and natural disasters, most of those things could last a lifetime or more without worry. Not so in the digital age. While many of us have been fortunate enough to have hard drives that last years with nary a hiccup, there's simply no escaping fate. Your hard drive will die, and, if you haven't backed up your precious data, it's gone forever.

That, of course, leaves us all stuck on an eternal treadmill, having to regularly and thoroughly make digital copies of all of our stuff, over and over and over again, lest it disappear. The best we can hope for, then, is finding a system that makes the process as easy and reliable as possible. Thankfully, solutions have appeared in the past several years with a range of services and products to simplify the process. Today, beating the grim reaper before your next backup is far less painful than the days of dragging and dropping individual files, or burning stacks of DVDs or CDs of photo and music archives.

Continue reading Backups! How to Save Your Digital World From Doom

Backups! How to Save Your Digital World From Doom originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> altaroappsbackupbox.netdata+storagedatastoragedropboxfeaturesGenieTimelinehow+to+backup+applicationshowtobackupapplicationsmozyNASOnlineStorageOopsBackupsugarsync Jon Chase Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:05:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[How to Score Your Dream LCD TV on the Cheap for the Super Bowl]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/01/31/best-affordable-lcd-hdtv-for-super-bowl/ http://www.switched.com/2011/01/31/best-affordable-lcd-hdtv-for-super-bowl/ http://www.switched.com/2011/01/31/best-affordable-lcd-hdtv-for-super-bowl/#comments hdtv HDTVs have been around for a decade now, and, if you have the lucky pleasure of hosting this year's Super Bowl party and are without an HDTV, we assure you that now is the time to take the plunge. We've got the HDTV that'll score as high as your preferred team, and won't bust your bank account, either. HDTVs are a mature enough technology today that even average ones perform rather well, and all of them have the requisite connections and built-in technologies to last for a good long time. Unless, of course, this whole 3-D thing takes off... but we aren't holding our breath.

Super Bowl week happens to be a great time to buy an HDTV at a reasonable price, as long as you don't mind buying a slightly dated model. That's because CES, where everyone announced all their new models for the coming year, was a few weeks ago, and now much of the selection in stores is older stock. Before you go and spend the cash that is burning a hole in your pocket on the cheapest set you can find, we'd offer a few tips for getting the best bang for your buck, and which sale models are steals at three price points.

Continue reading How to Score Your Dream LCD TV on the Cheap for the Super Bowl

How to Score Your Dream LCD TV on the Cheap for the Super Bowl originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 120hz240hz3DtvfeaturesHDTVpanasonic TC-L42U25PanasonicTc-l42u25Samsung UN46C7000SamsungUn46c7000super bowlSuperBowlSuperBowlPartyVizio XVT423SVVizioXvt423sv Jon Chase Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Best Tablets of CES: Xoom, VIA, Tab and PlayBook Lead the Way]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/01/09/best-tablets-ces-xoom-tab-playbook-via/ http://www.switched.com/2011/01/09/best-tablets-ces-xoom-tab-playbook-via/ http://www.switched.com/2011/01/09/best-tablets-ces-xoom-tab-playbook-via/#comments We're quickly coming up on a year since the iPad was released, and while opinions may have been divided early on, there's simply no questioning now that Apple's take on the tablet PC singlehandedly made that long-failing device category suddenly viable. Apple didn't invent the tablet; it was simply the first to craft one that was compelling enough to finally win over consumers. Along the way, it has sold in the millions and become the undisputed champ, utterly crushing the few uninspired and hamfisted pretenders to the throne.

As you may have heard, this year's CES has been blandly dubbed "The Year of the Tablet" in recognition of the piles of tablets that will be crowding store shelves this year from virtually every big name company you've heard of, and many you haven't. Yet, the early word from pundits has almost resoundingly been one of mocking resignation, with the assumption that the iPad, and its presumed successor this spring, are an unstoppable juggernaut. There is some logic and appeal to that argument -- it's easy to vote for the frontrunner -- but, as Grandpa used to say, we think that's a bunch of absolute horsepucky.

Continue reading Best Tablets of CES: Xoom, VIA, Tab and PlayBook Lead the Way

Best Tablets of CES: Xoom, VIA, Tab and PlayBook Lead the Way originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> blackberryBlackberry playbookBlackberryPlaybookces 2011Ces2011motorolamotorola mobility xoomMotorolaMobilityXoomplaybookSamsung galaxy tabSamsungGalaxyTabslatetablettopviaviziovizio via tabletVizioViaTabletxoom Jon Chase Sun, 09 Jan 2011 06:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Better, Stronger, Faster: The World's Most Powerful Phones, Coming Soon]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/01/08/best-new-phones-android-ces-2011/ http://www.switched.com/2011/01/08/best-new-phones-android-ces-2011/ http://www.switched.com/2011/01/08/best-new-phones-android-ces-2011/#comments Though it's accepted wisdom that 2011 is "The Year of the Tablet" (we're pretty sure it falls between the year of the Hare and the Dragon), apparently someone forgot to tell smartphone manufacturers. Tablets were as common as rollie suitcases and bad skin at CES, but what's really crushed our craniums has been the bevy of ultra-powerful cellphones. We've seen several models that will take advantage of the speedy 4G data networks that are being lit up as we speak, a bunch with high-quality cameras that rival some point-and-shooters, some amazingly crisp and bright screens, and a select few with dual-core processors that are essentially palm-sized laptops. In short, if your current phone contract is up, and your wallet full, you're going to be very happy, very soon.

The biggest breakthrough is the advent of dual-core processors in cellphones (read about them below). All of that processing muscle allows for graphics performance far beyond what you'd find in all but the highest-end netbooks and even many laptops. So while playing games and video -- including true HD, Flash and streaming -- are perfectly smooth and jitter free, there's also the ability to multitask between apps. Many of these phones are also able to capture 720 and even 1080p video and play it back via HDMI to an HDTV. Coupled with next-gen bright and big Super AMOLED or qHD screens, hardware-wise these phones are a quantum leap forward, and truly refine what we all know as smartphones.

Continue reading Better, Stronger, Faster: The World's Most Powerful Phones, Coming Soon

Better, Stronger, Faster: The World's Most Powerful Phones, Coming Soon originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cesces 2011Ces2011droid bionicDroidBionichtc thunderboltHtcThunderboltlglg revolutionLgRevolutionmotorolamotorola atrix 4gmotorola droid bionicMotorolaAtrix4gMotorolaDroidBionicoptimus 2xOptimus2x Jon Chase Sat, 08 Jan 2011 14:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[DLNA: The Secret Sauce Behind the Best of CES]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/dlna-the-secret-sauce-behind-the-best-of-ces/ http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/dlna-the-secret-sauce-behind-the-best-of-ces/ http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/dlna-the-secret-sauce-behind-the-best-of-ces/#comments Chief among the handful of dazzling revelations at this year's CES have been the scores of devices that can be interconnected seamlessly, finally delivering on the years-old promise of the fully connected home. So, now you can, say, hook your home network up to your TV, your gaming system, your home stereo, your laptop and desktop PCs, your Blu-ray players and DVR, as well as your audio receiver and remote speakers, and have them instantly communicate with each other, pumping glorious audio, video, Web content and other data back and forth to each other. And we're talking products from competing companies. This is no mean feat, and, for the vast majority of these devices, we have a single, mostly mysterious acronym to thank for all of this long-awaited funderfulness: DLNA.

Continue reading DLNA: The Secret Sauce Behind the Best of CES

DLNA: The Secret Sauce Behind the Best of CES originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> CES 2011Ces2011Digital Living Network AllianceDigitalLivingNetworkAllianceDLNAiomega tv with boxeeIomegaTvWithBoxeemotorola atrixMotorolaAtrixsamsung smart tvSamsungSmartTvupnp Jon Chase Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Cutting the (Other) Cord: The Best Wireless Internet Options]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/12/29/best-wireless-internet-mobile-hotspot-options/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/29/best-wireless-internet-mobile-hotspot-options/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/29/best-wireless-internet-mobile-hotspot-options/#comments Mifi

A reader asks: I'm intrigued by the idea of getting rid of my DSL Internet service, and switching to one of these 4G wireless services I've seen advertised. My question is whether it's actually viable at this point. I have a desktop and a couple laptops, and two phones we use on our home Wi-Fi network, and wonder if these services can handle all that. I have no idea how to research this, so just tell me what to get!

Dear Reader: Like jetpacks and 'Minority Report'-style computer interfaces, totally wireless high-speed Internet access is one of those tech fantasies that just can't get here soon enough. That's not to say versions of this wireless wonderland don't already exist. All of the major cell phone providers, along with a few third-party players, sell devices that nominally fill this particular bill. It's just that they don't quite do it as well as they seem to promise, and, in some cases, service is woefully lacking.

Consumers have long been able to purchase or rent USB antennas that plug into laptops to grant mobile Internet access, and recent years have seen relatively zippy 3G speeds (or at least speeds on par with low-end DSL home service). Most work rather well, but the data plans can be pricey. And, since only one device is able to go online at a given time, antennas aren't a viable alternative to a home network, which allows multiple gadgets to surf the 'Net simultaneously.

Continue reading Cutting the (Other) Cord: The Best Wireless Internet Options

Cutting the (Other) Cord: The Best Wireless Internet Options originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 3G4gattcellphonesClearClear4gjusttellmewhattogetMifi2200MobileHotspotSierraWirelesssprintT-MobileverizonVirginMobileUsawireless internetWirelessInternet Jon Chase Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: All-in-One iHome iB970B Charging Station for Under $100]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/ihome-ib970b-charging-station-under-100/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/ihome-ib970b-charging-station-under-100/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/ihome-ib970b-charging-station-under-100/#comments We're willing to bet that you have at least one special electrical outlet that plays host to an overtaxed and exhausted power strip -- you know, the one swarmed by chargers for your cell phone, iPod, PSP or Nintendo DS, and perhaps an iPad or e-reader for good measure. (That's not even counting your roommate or significant other's contributions.) For overwhelmed sockets, we'd recommend the satisfying iHome iB970B, a universal charging dock that can handle up to four devices at a time. One of the three dedicated Apple docks can even host an iPad with the included stand, and a padded rest will hold whatever USB device you want to connect. Incredibly, the station includes cables and adapters for a host of common Nintendo and Sony devices. One will even hook the charger directly to your computer, so that one of your iDevices can sync to iTunes while it's sipping sweet power. Consider it the one charger to rule them all.

Price: $60
www.ihomeaudio.com

Gift Guide: All-in-One iHome iB970B Charging Station for Under $100 originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> chargechargerchargingChargingStationhggideviceIhomeIb970bipadiphoneipodnintendoperipheralsSonyPsptop Jon Chase Tue, 21 Dec 2010 07:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: Creative Live! Cam Socialize HD 1080 Webcam for Under $100]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/12/20/creative-live-cam-socialize-hd-1080-webcam/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/20/creative-live-cam-socialize-hd-1080-webcam/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/20/creative-live-cam-socialize-hd-1080-webcam/#comments Creative Live If you weren't able to divine what exactly this product is from its ridiculously wonky title, we totally understand. But the awkwardly named Creative Live! Cam Socialize HD 1080 (CLCSHD1080, for short) is a webcam that captures high-definition 1080p video at 30fps, and can stream video chats at 720p (as long as your upstream Internet service provides 1 mbps or higher). Within the webcam world -- which is cluttered with cheapo, low-res models that never quite work like they're advertised -- the CLCSHD1080 is in a class of its own. It also has a 25-percent wider-angle glass lens (not true wide angle, which would distort your image when you sit close), and dual stereo microphones. We're on the fence about the benefits of its business card-scanning feature, whereby you pop a card into its scanning frame and it snaps a shot, processing the info into your choice of contact formats. But, it's still a value-add for the corporate types, at least. Skype fiends and video-chat aficionados won't find a better webcam anywhere near its fantastically affordable price.

www.creative.com
Price: From $64

Gift Guide: Creative Live! Cam Socialize HD 1080 Webcam for Under $100 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 1080p720pcamerasCreativeLiveCamSocializeHd1080hggtopvideochatwebcam Jon Chase Mon, 20 Dec 2010 18:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: ZVOX ZBase550 HDTV Speaker Bar for Under $500]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/12/20/zvox-zbase550-hdtv-speaker-bar-under-500/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/20/zvox-zbase550-hdtv-speaker-bar-under-500/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/20/zvox-zbase550-hdtv-speaker-bar-under-500/#comments As a holiday gift for all you film lovers out there, we officially absolve you from having to deal with stringing pesky wires all over your den to get the surround-sound feel. Among a certain circle, ZVOX is renowned for its high-quality but convenient synthetic surround-sound bars that pump out fantastic home-theater audio with nary a complication. For the mid-level ZBase500, setup goes like this: place the 550 on your TV cabinet; put your HDTV on top of it; plug your audio-out cables from your TV into the 550; plug it in the wall; and turn it on. Done. You will now experience truly room-filling sound, and never have to think twice about switching receiver inputs or how to keep from tripping over the damn wires running to your rear-channel speakers. If you're rockin' an all-digital TV and Blu-ray, an extra $50 will get you the 550HSD, which has optical audio inputs. (You're welcome.)

Price: $350
www.zvoxaudio.com

Continue reading Gift Guide: ZVOX ZBase550 HDTV Speaker Bar for Under $500

Gift Guide: ZVOX ZBase550 HDTV Speaker Bar for Under $500 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> hggSpeakerBarSurroundSoundtopzboxZvoxZbase550 Jon Chase Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: Lumix GF1 Brings DSLR Quality in Small Package for Under $500]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/12/19/panasonic-lumix-gf1-dslr-quality-small-package/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/19/panasonic-lumix-gf1-dslr-quality-small-package/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/19/panasonic-lumix-gf1-dslr-quality-small-package/#comments Lumix GF1 We have every digit on our body crossed in hopes that a reputedly elderly, generous, affable and morbidly-obese elf looks our way and pops a Lumix GF1 in our stocking. Which is kind of the point: the GF1 is, to-date, the best overall mirrorless camera (one of the newfangled micro four-thirds models you've likely heard of) on the market, offering quality on par with some DSLR cameras in a body that's perfectly stocking sized. And pardon the pun, but that's no small feat -- we're talking small enough for a coat pocket when the wide-angle pancake lens is attached. Like a DSLR, the GF1 has full manual controls, interchangeable lenses and a hotshoe for flash or a viewfinder; in particular. It's is the fastest gun in the category in terms of focus speed and shutter lag. There are a few hitches though. The price we found is especially low, for the body only, and lenses start around $200 and up, but since the GF2 is due out soon we don't see prices rising any (and if anything, should continue to drop). Also you'll undoubtedly want to throw-down for the detachable viewfinder (about $135 online) instead of using the LCD. Still with package deals and a little haggling you may come away with one of the best cameras of the year for a steal -- just don't let Santa know.

Price: from $370
www.panasonic.com

Gift Guide: Lumix GF1 Brings DSLR Quality in Small Package for Under $500 originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 19 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> camerasDMC-GF1dslrgf1hgglumixmicro four thirdsMicroFourThirdspanasonic lumix gf1PanasonicLumixGf1pansonic Jon Chase Sun, 19 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: Data Hogs Want the Pioneer BDR-206 Blu-ray Writer for Under $300]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/12/19/pioneer-bdr-206-blu-ray-writer-under-300/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/19/pioneer-bdr-206-blu-ray-writer-under-300/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/19/pioneer-bdr-206-blu-ray-writer-under-300/#comments pioneer bdr-206 blu-ray writer One of the sneaky reservations in our near-universal adoption of glorious high-definition video is what the heck to do with all the footage we've shot. If you own an HD camcorder you know of what we speak: Upload a few hours of reasonably high-quality HD video to your laptop and you'll have filled the hard drive in no time. And then your backup drive. And your RAID array. And whatever else you can scrounge up. Unless you plan to have a personal data center of hard drives that you constantly swap or a Lilliputian library of SD cards, HD video will create a storage crisis. Thus the need of a Blu-ray burner, such as Pioneer's BDR-206, which burns CDs, DVDs and 25- or 50- gigabyte Blu-ray discs (the soon-to-arrive 206-MBK will also do the new breed of BDXL Quad Layer discs that hold a whopping 128 gigs, though we haven't seen media for sale yet). For now it's a Windows-only purchase as Apple hasn't come around to the idea of supporting Blu-ray, but feel free to add that to your Christmas list too, while you're at it (we already have).

Price: $150
www.pioneerelectronics.com

Gift Guide: Data Hogs Want the Pioneer BDR-206 Blu-ray Writer for Under $300 originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 19 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> blu-ray burnerBlu-rayBurnerdisc burnerDiscBurnerhgghigh definitionhigh definition videoHighDefinitionHighDefinitionVideopioneer BDR-206MBKPioneerBdr-206PioneerBdr-206mbk Jon Chase Sun, 19 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Super-Charge Your Wi-Fi: Upgrading to N]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/12/15/faster-wi-fi-network-upgrade-to-80211n/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/15/faster-wi-fi-network-upgrade-to-80211n/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/15/faster-wi-fi-network-upgrade-to-80211n/#comments Upgrading to N A reader asks: I recently got a new laptop that supposedly has super-fast Wi-Fi, but I honestly don't see any difference from before, which is a disappointment. I've been googling around and discovered that maybe I need to upgrade the device thingie that my DSL service provides. I honestly don't understand all this, but I really feel the need for speed, so Just Tell Me What To Get!


Dear Reader: You aren't the first person to contact us befuddled by the intricacies (and pitfalls) of Wi-Fi. Despite the leaps and bounds that engineers have made in simplifying things for consumers, setting up a Wi-Fi home network can quickly get technical and frustrating. But, with a little background info and a few recommendations, you won't need to become a network IT guy or HAM radio enthusiast to get a handle on these wireless wonders.

At the risk of presuming some of our readers are complete newbies, we'll start at the very beginning. (We've heard it's the best place to start.) So, if you're already a networking wizard, feel free to skip ahead for our specific recommendations.

Continue reading Super-Charge Your Wi-Fi: Upgrading to N

Super-Charge Your Wi-Fi: Upgrading to N originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 802.11naccess pointAccessPointapple airport extremeAppleAirportExtremebase stationBaseStationcisco connectcisco linksys e3000 wireless-n routerCiscoConnectCiscoLinksysE3000Wireless-nRouterfeaturesjtmwtgjusttellmewhattogetnetworkingwi-fi routerWi-fiRouterwireless-n Jon Chase Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Electric Slide: Bring Your Photo Collection Into the Digital Age]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/best-photo-slide-negative-scanning-services/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/best-photo-slide-negative-scanning-services/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/best-photo-slide-negative-scanning-services/#comments Electric Slide A reader asks: Well, it finally happened. My parents sold their house, and have ordered me to trash everything in their basement, including a couple boxes worth of slides spanning half a century. I would love to digitize them, but having tried to do it myself, I've realized it would take me forever. I know there are pricey bulk scanners you can buy (which scare me), and then also online services (which just bewilder me). My plate is full, so make a tough decision for me, and Just Tell Me What To Get!

Dear Reader: We happen to be awaiting the onslaught of that particular tidal wave of unwanted responsibility ourselves, and so you have our pity and sympathy. Situations like these are a potent reminder of how difficult the transition from analog to digital can be, and of how many media formats many of us still have lurking around, yet to be addressed.

Your particular conundrum is, we believe, universal, and, thankfully, the market and technology have progressed enough in recent years to offer a palatable, if not ideal, solution.

Continue reading Electric Slide: Bring Your Photo Collection Into the Digital Age

Electric Slide: Bring Your Photo Collection Into the Digital Age originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> analogcamerasDigitalConversionfeaturesjusttellmewhattogetNegativeScanningphotographyPhotoScanningScanningServiceSlideScannertop Jon Chase Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: Wireless Mini-Keyboard and Mouse Remote Controller for Under $100]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/12/07/magic-pro-wireless-keyboard-mouse-remote-69-99/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/07/magic-pro-wireless-keyboard-mouse-remote-69-99/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/07/magic-pro-wireless-keyboard-mouse-remote-69-99/#comments We have an irrational love for the Magic Pro Wireless Keyboard. Slightly larger than a big remote control, the Magic Pro is a fully-functioning backlit keyboard with a touch mousepad that works with any PC (Windows, Linux or Mac). If there were any justice in this world, the Magic Pro would become the new standard of remote controls. If you're rocking a home theater PC or an Internet video box like Google TV or WD TV Live, you'll know how welcome this thing is, letting you finally leave behind the days of hunting and pecking for letters one at a time. (It may work with PS3 and/or Xbox 360 as well, but it's not guaranteed.) It also has a built-in laser pointer for use during presentations; that's not our forte, but we're confident our cat will be loving this thing soon enough, too.

pyramidistribution.com
Price: $69.99

Gift Guide: Wireless Mini-Keyboard and Mouse Remote Controller for Under $100 originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> hggmagic pro wireless keyboardMagicProWirelessKeyboardtopTouchPadwireless keyboardWirelessKeyboard Jon Chase Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: Airlink101 High Speed Wireless N USB Adapter for Under $50]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/12/06/airlink101-awll6075-wireless-n-usb-adapter-15-99/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/06/airlink101-awll6075-wireless-n-usb-adapter-15-99/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/06/airlink101-awll6075-wireless-n-usb-adapter-15-99/#comments If your home network of computers is anything like ours, it's a comically mixed bag of laptops and desktops of vintages spanning almost a decade. Without going into too much tech talk, this means that our busted ol' laptop rocking an 802.11B Wi-Fi card prevents our potentially rocket-fast 802.11n-equipped laptop from ever reaching those wireless speeds. (That's just how Wi-Fi routers work -- catering to the lowest common denominator.) Airlink101's AWLL6075 is a penny-sized USB adapter that works with most any Windows PC or Intel Mac, and enables your hoopty machines to get in the fast lane, making everyone on your whole network benefit as well. It purportedly gets up to 300 Mbps download, 150 upload -- faster than a lot of cheapo adapters out there (though that may be limited by other factors on your network). We can't think of a more potently useful bit of tech anywhere near this price.

Airlink101.com
Price: $15.99

Gift Guide: Airlink101 High Speed Wireless N USB Adapter for Under $50 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 802.11g802.11nairlinkhggtopWirelessNUsbAdapter Jon Chase Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:05:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: Pro-Ject Debut III Turntable for Under $500]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/12/06/pro-ject-debut-iii-best-turntable-under-500/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/06/pro-ject-debut-iii-best-turntable-under-500/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/06/pro-ject-debut-iii-best-turntable-under-500/#comments One of the happier developments in recent years has been the resurgence of vinyl, having inspired many of us to fall in love with our record collections all over again. As we recently advised a Switched reader, if you're going to dive back into vinyl, you owe it to your ears and your records to do it right with a solid turntable like the Pro-Ject Debut III. A solid all-around performer right out of the box, the Debut III comes standard with a great Ortofon OM5E cartridge, and should be a breeze to set up even for newbies. Granted, you'll want to make sure you have a receiver with a phono preamp and a nice pair of speakers too. But, word has it, a jolly little elf from up North has a fondness for high-fidelity audio -- so here's hoping you were good this year.

www.project-audio.com
Price: $399

Gift Guide: Pro-Ject Debut III Turntable for Under $500 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> hggPro-jectDebutIiiRecordPlayertopturntable Jon Chase Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: Flip UltraHD, High Def Video Camera for Under $300]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/12/05/flip-ultrahd-high-definition-video-199/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/05/flip-ultrahd-high-definition-video-199/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/05/flip-ultrahd-high-definition-video-199/#comments Flip UltraHD The videotape camcorder is dead -- long live the pocket digital video recorder! Flip's award-winning series of mini high-definition camcorders are that magic hybrid of quality and simplicity we adore, and have become the iPod of its genre. The UltraHD is Flip's top-shelf offering, a lightweight, well-built and shirt pocket-ready HD video shooter that captures up to 2 hours of crisp 720p video at 60 frames per second (which means no motion blur) on its built-in 8 gigabytes of solid state storage. Blessedly this updated model was given much needed image stabilization, so your videos won't look like they're shot by grandpa's less than stable hands. Flip has also standardized an accessories port (much like Apple's dock connector) for use with forthcoming "Designed for Flip" add-on products like high quality microphones and the like. We especially like that if and when the included battery pack dies at an inconvenient moment, the UltraHD can be powered by AAA lithium batteries -- an option we wish all of our gadgets offered.

theflip.com
Price: $199

Gift Guide: Flip UltraHD, High Def Video Camera for Under $300 originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> camcordercamerasdigital camcorderDigitalCamcorderflipflip ultra hdFlip UltraHDFlipUltrahdhggtoputrahd Jon Chase Sun, 05 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: Asus Eee PC 1215N Is Our Laptop Pick for Under $500]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/12/05/asus-eee-pc-1215n-best-laptop-under-500/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/05/asus-eee-pc-1215n-best-laptop-under-500/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/05/asus-eee-pc-1215n-best-laptop-under-500/#comments Asus Eee PC 1215NAsus has done well by its line of low-cost Eee PCs, but the 1215N distinguishes itself from the rest of the netbook crowd by being fully-capable and ultraportable, rather than a cheaply made, crippled, underpowered toy like most baby laptops we've experienced. The 1215N has a bright, high-resolution (and widescreen dimension) 12-inch display, a dual-core 1.8GHz Intel Atom processor, 2 gigabytes of RAM, a giganto 250 gigabyte drive and best of all, switchable Nvidia Ion graphics. In real world terms, we can't believe how much muscle this thing packs for the price. HD video and even 3-D gaming function perfectly, and with typical use you'll still get up to 7 hours of battery life. That puts the 1215N firmly in best of breed range for us, and home-run territory for whoever opts to make one a gift.
www.asus.com
Price: $499

Continue reading Gift Guide: Asus Eee PC 1215N Is Our Laptop Pick for Under $500

Gift Guide: Asus Eee PC 1215N Is Our Laptop Pick for Under $500 originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 1215nasusASUS Eee PC 1215NAsusEeePc1215neeepceeepc 1215nEeepc1215nhgglaptopsnetbooktopultraportable Jon Chase Sun, 05 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Best Boxes for Streaming Internet Video (And More) to Your TV]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/12/02/best-internet-tv-boxes-apple-tv-roku-xds-tv-live-hub/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/02/best-internet-tv-boxes-apple-tv-roku-xds-tv-live-hub/ http://www.switched.com/2010/12/02/best-internet-tv-boxes-apple-tv-roku-xds-tv-live-hub/#comments Best Streaming Boxes As a tech blogger, you know things are getting tricky when you can't even figure out what to call the devices you're writing about. Digital Media Streamers, or Media Extenders? Internet TV Adapters, or Digital Media Renderers? Thus, we witness just one example of the confusion surrounding all these newfangled, mostly black, little boxes that are intended to hook up to your TV and Internet, and bring the glory of streaming video to your living room. We aim to clean up that confusion, and even suggest which ones deserve a place in your home. (And, to make things easier, we'll just call these things Network Enabled Replay Devices, or NERD, until the industry comes up with something better.)

The concept of centralizing all your digital delights isn't new; companies have been struggling for more than a decade to make this convergence dream a reality. The general paradigm until now has been to slap a media-centric operating system onto a fully-functioning, shrunken PC that ultimately gets squeezed into your home theater setup. The fact that you likely don't own such a device speaks to their common failings. They were either clunky in design, missing critical features, unreliable, or required a degree in advanced computing to set up and use.

Continue reading Best Boxes for Streaming Internet Video (And More) to Your TV

Best Boxes for Streaming Internet Video (And More) to Your TV originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> amazon on demandAmazonOnDemandApple TVAppleTvGoogle TVGoogleTvhgginternet videoInternetVideojusttellmewhattogetlogitech revueLogitechRevuenetflixroku xdsRokuXdswd tv live hubWdTvLiveHubwestern digitalWesternDigital Jon Chase Thu, 02 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: Aquapac Waterproof Camera Bag Is the Clear Choice for Under $50]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/11/28/aquapac-waterproof-camera-bag-clear-choice-under-50/ http://www.switched.com/2010/11/28/aquapac-waterproof-camera-bag-clear-choice-under-50/ http://www.switched.com/2010/11/28/aquapac-waterproof-camera-bag-clear-choice-under-50/#comments Occam's Razor: The obvious solution turns out to be the right one, too. Aquapac's line of waterproof camera bags are, in essence, stupidly obvious; they're essentially industrial-strength Ziploc bags with a patented seal. But, hey, we aren't hatin'. They get the job done, and allow low-budget mortals like us to go where only professionals have dared venture, deep into the drink with our precious point-and-shooters.

Using them is as straightforward as you'd guess. Just pop the locks on the seal, chuck in your camera, and seal it back up. You can now head into the water down to 15 feet or so. And, should you accidentally drop the camera, it'll float to the surface for easy retrieval. Depending on the size and type of your shooter (or camcorder), there are different bags available from as low as $30. For higher-performance gear like DSLR cameras, there are models with built-in, hard-plastic lenses, which facilitate much sharper images and video. To be fair, Aquapacs can't compete with the custom waterproof camera housings that the pros use, so you shouldn't expect high-def, flawless results. Still, we love not having to worry about getting our camera (or phone, or iPod, or camcorder) doused. And, hell, to be honest, we just wish we'd thought of making these first.

Gallery: Aquapac

Gift Guide: Aquapac Waterproof Camera Bag Is the Clear Choice for Under $50 originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 28 Nov 2010 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> aquapaccamerashggtopUnder50waterproof Jon Chase Sun, 28 Nov 2010 09:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 Waterproof Camera for Under $300]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/11/27/panasonic-lumix-dmc-ts2-waterproof-camera-for-under-300/ http://www.switched.com/2010/11/27/panasonic-lumix-dmc-ts2-waterproof-camera-for-under-300/ http://www.switched.com/2010/11/27/panasonic-lumix-dmc-ts2-waterproof-camera-for-under-300/#comments Lumix DMC-TS2 Waterproof Camera We are a proudly, deeply thrifty lot, no doubt about it. We're just as devoted to bargains as we are to selecting gear that offers maximum flexibility. Thus, we love Panasonic's Lumix DSM-TS2, a ruggedized, waterproof compact that is the camera equivalent of a room full of yoga masters.

The TS2 is a solid 14-megapixel point-and-shooter, making crisp shots and video a breeze even for amateurs, thanks to its Intelligent Auto mode. (And its pocket-ready dimension make it all the handier.) It happens to be a serious roughneck, as well, able to withstand being dropped, crushed, frozen and submerged (down to an amazing 30 feet) -- all without missing a beat, or a shot. That supplies you with peace of mind, of course, but also with the ability to snag images from your various adventures -- on land, air or sea -- that you'd never dare attempt with an unprotected camera. We look forward to the day when all of our gadgets are in such good shape.

Gift Guide: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 Waterproof Camera for Under $300 originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 27 Nov 2010 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> hgglumix TS2LumixTs2panasonictopwaterproof cameraWaterproofCamera Jon Chase Sat, 27 Nov 2010 12:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: Kindle 3 Is Our e-Reader Pick for Under $300]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/11/26/amazon-kindle-3-e-reader-pick-under-300/ http://www.switched.com/2010/11/26/amazon-kindle-3-e-reader-pick-under-300/ http://www.switched.com/2010/11/26/amazon-kindle-3-e-reader-pick-under-300/#comments Ah, the difference a year makes. Last holiday season, we struggled to find nice things to say about many members of the first e-reader generation. Fast-forward to this August, when we revisited the topic, and we were blown away by how things had (and in some cases hadn't) changed. New models have appeared since, but, for us, Amazon's most recent Kindle continues to be our hands-down pick.

That's not to say we don't have a few niggling reservations. (Click here to read our review.) Still, for now, the Kindle (in either the $139 Wi-Fi or $189 3G versions) offers by far the most potent combination of quality, simplicity and value. The device itself is well-made and lightweight, and it has a stupendous E-Ink screen, a ridiculously long battery life (a month with the wireless turned off) and a truly pleasurable interface. And, as the saying goes, it just works. Navigation and purchasing are all completely intuitive for even the most technophobic Luddite. We're sure some young upstart will eventually appear and kick Kindle to the curb, but you can't currently find a more perfectly crafted and full-featured e-reader for the price.

Gallery: Kindle DX

Gift Guide: Kindle 3 Is Our e-Reader Pick for Under $300 originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> amazonAmazonKindlee-readerhggkindleKindle3top Jon Chase Fri, 26 Nov 2010 08:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: Audioengine 2 (A2) Powered Desktop Speakers for Under $300]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/11/25/audioengine-2-a2-powered-desktop-speakers-for-unde/ http://www.switched.com/2010/11/25/audioengine-2-a2-powered-desktop-speakers-for-unde/ http://www.switched.com/2010/11/25/audioengine-2-a2-powered-desktop-speakers-for-unde/#comments Audioengine a2 Thanks in no small part to the runaway success of the iPod, we have become a nation of lo-fi listeners. We listen to our low-quality MP3s on cheapo earbud headphones, or on disposable mono-speaker docks, or -- worst of all -- on the ancient, craptastic, plastic computer speakers that turn our already tortured tunes into muddled, tinny shadows of their former glory. You deserve better. You deserve Audioengine A2s.

Think of these as powerful, old-school, floor-standing speakers that have been magically miniaturized for desktop use via Calvin's transmogrifier. (Man, we still want one of those.) The A2s are solid (made of MDF fiberboard instead of plastic), offer a heavy yet clear bass thump, and make your iTunes playlists sound the way they're supposed to -- like actual music! You might think $200 is a lot to pay for desktop speakers, but, if you consider that the computer is the de facto stereo for most people these days, suddenly the A2s are a life-changing, ear-pleasing bargain.

Gallery: Audioengine A2

Gift Guide: Audioengine 2 (A2) Powered Desktop Speakers for Under $300 originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 25 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> audioengineAudioengine2A2ComputerSpeakershggHolidayGiftGuide2010speakerstop Jon Chase Thu, 25 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gift Guide: HP Envy 14, a Sleek Laptop for Under $1000]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/11/25/hp-envy-14-for-under-1000/ http://www.switched.com/2010/11/25/hp-envy-14-for-under-1000/ http://www.switched.com/2010/11/25/hp-envy-14-for-under-1000/#comments Sure, all the hubbub these days seems to be over tablet PCs and touchscreens, but let's not forget about the real workhorses, which upon we depend when we really need to get stuff done: laptops. This past summer, we fell for HP's crafty little 13-incher, the Envy 13. It was a lot of laptop to squeeze into such a small, pretty package. Still, we had a few minor misgivings, and apparently (and thankfully) someone at HP was listening. Thus, our feelings have turned into an unabashed techno-crush on the newer, slightly bigger, and way smarter brother, the Envy 14.

For starters, the Envy 14 is spec'd out generously for the price, and, when put to the test, performs like a champ. (Read a full review from our friends at Engadget.) And, even though it's solidly built, the new Envy is relatively lightweight and thin. Even better, it's easy on the eyes, making it the PC equivalent to that other darling of laptop land, the MacBook Pro (while still leaving a nice chunk of change to spare).

Gallery: HP Envy 14

Gift Guide: HP Envy 14, a Sleek Laptop for Under $1000 originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> hgghphp envy 14HpEnvy14laptoplaptopstop Jon Chase Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[The Best Humidifiers to Soothe Our Dried-Out Schnozzes]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/11/01/best-humidifiers-soothe-our-dried-out-noses/ http://www.switched.com/2010/11/01/best-humidifiers-soothe-our-dried-out-noses/ http://www.switched.com/2010/11/01/best-humidifiers-soothe-our-dried-out-noses/#comments Best Humidifiers
 A reader asks: With winter coming, my girlfriend has tasked me with buying a humidifier so her skin and sinuses don't dry out when she stays over. I went to the electronics store, and there were at least 40 models churning out mist with all sorts of options, buttons and assorted craziness. I know two things: I have no idea what I'm shopping for, and that I better pick a winner, or else. So, save my hide (and my girl's nasal passages) and Just Tell Me What to Get!

Dear Reader: Ah, autumn -- when our eyes delight in falling golden leaves, the air turns crisp, and our noses become cracked, dried up bloody messes. As apartment dwellers who have no control over the thermostat and suffer through nights of Saharan dryness, we feel your good lady's pain. We also have a rescue plan for you.

Continue reading The Best Humidifiers to Soothe Our Dried-Out Schnozzes

The Best Humidifiers to Soothe Our Dried-Out Schnozzes originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> air-o-swiss aos-7144Air-o-swissAos-7144crane cool mist humidifierCraneCoolMistHumidifierfeatureshomedics ultrasonic humidifier cm-50HomedicsUltrasonicHumidifierCm-50humidifierJustTellMeWhatToGettop Jon Chase Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[The End is Nigh: Proof That Our Robotic Overlords Are Coming]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/10/28/robot-apocalypse-12-steps-overlords/ http://www.switched.com/2010/10/28/robot-apocalypse-12-steps-overlords/ http://www.switched.com/2010/10/28/robot-apocalypse-12-steps-overlords/#comments
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Since time immemorial, Halloween has been a celebration of all the creepy creatures that haunt our collective nightmares: witches, vampires, zombies, the cast of 'Jersey Shore.' This year, however, we at Switched have discovered real life monsters that are more terrifying than any make-believe spooks. We're speaking, of course, about the robots, and their single-minded plan to take over our planet and enslave us all.

A Switched investigation has revealed that their invasion has already begun, and so in the hopes of recruiting our readers to help prevent robot armageddon, we are tracking the metal ones' devilish 12-step plan for world domination. During this year's haunted holiday, while others go door-to-door begging for candy, we urge you to instead be on the lookout for mechanical monstrosities. And remember: the next time you hear something go bump in the night, it may not be a werewolf, but it could be your vacuum cleaner... plotting your demise.

Continue reading The End is Nigh: Proof That Our Robotic Overlords Are Coming

The End is Nigh: Proof That Our Robotic Overlords Are Coming originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> BattlestarGalacticacyborgsEndOfTheWorldfeaturesrobotrobotapocalypseroboticsrobotstoptransformers Jon Chase Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Into Vinyl? The Best Turntables Under $400]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/10/25/the-best-turntables-under-400-vinyl/ http://www.switched.com/2010/10/25/the-best-turntables-under-400-vinyl/ http://www.switched.com/2010/10/25/the-best-turntables-under-400-vinyl/#comments Top Turntables A reader writes: "I recently helped my parents clean out their house, and, lo and behold, stumbled upon my beloved record collection, which I had assumed was long gone. So, now I need a record player. I'm not planning on becoming a wedding DJ anytime soon, but I want my Emerson, Lake and Palmer to really bump, so help make this reunion work and just tell me what to get!"

Dear Reader: You, sir, have asked us to step into a snake pit. Other than the OS wars, no topic inspires such passion, enmity and grief than vinyl, especially when it comes to advocating for the appropriate devices needed to properly enjoy it. But we are duty bound, and soldier on we will.

If you've spent more than a couple seconds cruising online for an opinion on a solid turntable, you are undoubtedly overwhelmed by the incredible array of options -- despite the supposed demise of vinyl three decades ago! (The correct term, by the way, if you want to fit in, is "turntable" and not "record player." Those are for kids.) The fact that vinyl didn't go extinct is a good thing, of course, as we ourselves love records and turntables. The complexity in buying then comes from the fact that turntables, despite being seemingly simple mechanical devices, are comprised of a handful of discrete mechanisms and components that are incredibly varied as you go from brand to brand and price range to price range. So, when you're in the market for a turntable, the sophisticated buyer will want to consider the elements that make up the whole. To name a few, there are the following: the drive system (belted or direct drive); the tonearm (straight or curved, hollow or solid); the cartridge type (ceramic, moving magnet, or moving coil); the platter (wood, metal, glass); and the plinth (i.e., the base of the player, made of metal, plastic, wood fiber or glass). And then there are the assorted electronics that go into it. Still with us?

Continue reading Into Vinyl? The Best Turntables Under $400

Into Vinyl? The Best Turntables Under $400 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> audacityaudio technica at-lp60AudioTechnicaAt-lp60featuresjtmwtgJustTellMeWhatToGetPro-Ject Debut IIIPro-jectDebutIiirecord playerRecordPlayerstanton t.92 usbStantonT.92Usbtopturntableturntables Jon Chase Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Denon AVR-591: Best Budget Home Theater Receiver]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/10/19/denon-avr-591-amped-up-for-a-low-cost-home-theater-receiver/ http://www.switched.com/2010/10/19/denon-avr-591-amped-up-for-a-low-cost-home-theater-receiver/ http://www.switched.com/2010/10/19/denon-avr-591-amped-up-for-a-low-cost-home-theater-receiver/#comments Denon A reader writes: My trusty Sony receiver finally fizzled out after nearly 15 years, and sadly I'm looking for a home theater version that will incorporate all the digital and high def devices I've accumulated since I bought it: a game console, DVD player, DVR and sometimes my laptop for Netflix. I've obviously been out of the game for a while and don't even know what goes into a good A/V receiver these days, especially since prices go from $200 to $2,000. So help a brother whose bank balance is on the low end and Just Tell Me What To Get!

Dear Reader: For those tuning in for the first time, this is not a Very Special '80s Flashback edition of JTMWTG. Receivers were once a ubiquitous item in U.S. households. They were the centerpiece of home audio systems, the device that everything else plugs into, and acted like a switcher, an amplifier and in most cases a radio tuner. Once everyone started plugging video devices into them as well, they became A/V or home theater receivers, but still basically do the same thing: they are the middleman to your audio and video sources, the cockpit to your airplane, the CIC to your Battlestar, communicating with your speakers.

The fantastic news is that with A/V receivers these days, even the relatively low-end models, still offer incredible features and quality. That's not to say there aren't lemons out there -- oh, there are always lemons lurking -- but we've found a model we think you'll love, which will accommodate all your digital effects and should last you at least as long as your beloved Sony.

Continue reading Denon AVR-591: Best Budget Home Theater Receiver

Denon AVR-591: Best Budget Home Theater Receiver originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> ampav receiverAvReceiverdenon avr-391denon avr-591DenonAvr-391DenonAvr-591featureshdmihome theater receiverHomeTheaterReceiverjusttellmewhattogetsurround soundSurroundSound Jon Chase Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:15:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Beautiful Failures: The Best-Designed Tech That Flopped]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/10/18/beautiful-failures-the-best-designed-tech-that-flopped/ http://www.switched.com/2010/10/18/beautiful-failures-the-best-designed-tech-that-flopped/ http://www.switched.com/2010/10/18/beautiful-failures-the-best-designed-tech-that-flopped/#comments Beautiful Failures
Ask any experienced manufacturer to name the key component to a winning product, and they'll undoubtedly reel off a string of theories, personal maxims and anecdotes. Then, if they're even remotely honest, they'll confess that they have no idea what they're talking about. Some ugly and even poorly made objects go on to wild success (cough, Bluetooth headsets, cough), while beautifully designed ones that any objective analysis would deem winners mysteriously suffer an early demise and are exiled to the island of misfit tech. Switched took a long, lingering look back at the best designed tech, and found what we consider to be the most beautiful objects to have been cruelly, senselessly shunned by consumers. Hit up the comments section for ones you'd nominate.

Continue reading Beautiful Failures: The Best-Designed Tech That Flopped

Beautiful Failures: The Best-Designed Tech That Flopped originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> airplaneapplebicycleconcordedelta 7 sports arantixDelta7SportsArantixdesignfeaturesg4 cubeG4Cubegizmondomicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacemini-discpersonal computersPersonalComputersphilcopredictasegwaytouchscreentuckerumpcvaio uxVaioUx Jon Chase Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Format Wars: A History of What-Could-Have-Been, From Betamax to Dvorak]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/24/format-wars-a-history-of-what-could-have-been-from-betamax-to/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/24/format-wars-a-history-of-what-could-have-been-from-betamax-to/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/24/format-wars-a-history-of-what-could-have-been-from-betamax-to/#comments various formats Other than the frenzied anticipation for the coming breed of tablet PCs, the one topic that dominates the mindspace of the technorati these days is the world of e-readers. More specifically, a great debate is brewing; each of the e-readers and their associated online book stores favor differing standards and file formats, and we may have another good ole fashioned format war on our hands. (Nothing gets a techie's blood pressure going more than watching as competing technologies duke it out.) Format wars are to the tech world what elections are to politics, or what playoffs are to sports: a chance for competing candidates to go big or go home -- based on the preferences of the masses. The most cited example is the great Betamax vs. VHS war of the early '80s (in which the objectively better standard got trounced), but, in truth, battles over standards have been with us since the first wheel was chipped from stone. Switched took a gander through time, and pulled together some of the greatest (and most interesting) format wars, most of which affect us today. Hit up the comments for battles that you think deserve inclusion in our hall of forgotten, or outmatched, tech.

Continue reading Format Wars: A History of What-Could-Have-Been, From Betamax to Dvorak

Format Wars: A History of What-Could-Have-Been, From Betamax to Dvorak originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> acam radioAmRadioBlu-RayBluRaycdmadcDRMdrm freeDRM-freeDrmFreeDVD AudioDvdAudiodvorakfeaturesfmfm radioFmRadioformat warsformatsFormatWarsgsmhd dvdHdDvdinteroperabilityLTEMetricmetric systemMetricSystemmp3mp3 playerMp3Playerqwertysacdtopwimax Jon Chase Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Best Bookshelf Speakers With Big Sound for Few Bucks]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/20/best-bookshelf-speakers-with-big-sound-for-few-bucks/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/20/best-bookshelf-speakers-with-big-sound-for-few-bucks/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/20/best-bookshelf-speakers-with-big-sound-for-few-bucks/#comments Best Bookshelf Speakers A reader asks: I just moved in with roommates to my first dorm room and realized we need speakers. (Three dudes listening to headphones in the same room is just creepy.) We don't have a ton of space, so a 5.1 system is out of the question, and a booming subwoofer would probably get us written up anyway. High-quality audio matters to me, though, and all the computer speakers I've seen sound crappy or are too pricey. Do a shallow-pocketed student a favor, and Just Tell Me What To Get!

Dear Reader: It's always heartening to hear when some young go-getter -- presumably raised on low-quality MP3s and even lower-quality earbuds -- stands up for audio fidelity. We salute you, sir! (Of course, you're also expecting top quality on the cheap, but we'll forgive your sense of entitlement and chalk it up to youthful exuberance.)

Anyway, we've done the stroll down desktop speaker row ourselves, and have found that the selection generally isn't to our liking. While certainly there are plenty of great 5.1 and 7.1 surround systems, and even 2.1 systems that provide pretty good boom for the buck, when you get into the self-powered computer speaker realm, the pickings get slimmer; cheap plastic bodies and alternately tinny or flat sounds saturate the market. But, as you might guess, we do have a winner for you, and, in case you have a severely limited budget, we've included a cheaper runner-up (as well as a top-shelf pick, should your roommates step up and chip in).

Continue reading Best Bookshelf Speakers With Big Sound for Few Bucks

Best Bookshelf Speakers With Big Sound for Few Bucks originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> audioAudioengine2A2ComputerSpeakersfeaturesjusttellmewhattogetLogitchZ320M-audioAv30speakerstop Jon Chase Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Femtocells Can Help You Get a Better Cell Phone Signal at Home]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/08/femtocells-can-help-you-get-a-better-cell-phone-signal-at-home/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/08/femtocells-can-help-you-get-a-better-cell-phone-signal-at-home/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/08/femtocells-can-help-you-get-a-better-cell-phone-signal-at-home/#comments Femtocells

A reader asks:

I recently moved apartments, and was startled to discover that I get little to no cell phone signal in my new pad, which obviously sucks. Calls drop or don't come through, and my phone chews through the battery. To make a call I have to go on my roof or across the street. Short of switching to a new service provider, which I don't want to do, I've read there are gadgets that may help, but I have no idea if they work. I don't know what to do, so just tell me what to get!

Dear Reader:

Pardon the pun, but your complaint about a lack of wireless signal seems to be in the air these days -- a Harris Interactive survey found that 67-percent of U.S. mobile owners complain they have reception problems at home. In the early days of cell phones, this lapse of coverage may have been more forgivable since service plans cost less and most of us primarily used landline phones for calls from home. That has obviously changed, and the good news is that service providers are belatedly and cautiously owning up to the failings by offering a solution: femtocells!

Continue reading Femtocells Can Help You Get a Better Cell Phone Signal at Home

Femtocells Can Help You Get a Better Cell Phone Signal at Home originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cellphonescolumnsfeaturesfemtocellfemtocellsjusttellmewhattogetnetwork extenderNetworkExtendersignal boosterSignalBooster Jon Chase Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Sci-Nonfi: The 10 Best Science Shows to Watch Online]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/sci-nonfi-the-10-best-science-shows-to-watch-online/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/sci-nonfi-the-10-best-science-shows-to-watch-online/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/sci-nonfi-the-10-best-science-shows-to-watch-online/#comments Best Science Shows to Watch Online Back-to-school season leaves us feeling bittersweet. Sure, we're psyched that we'll never have to cram for another final or tweak the margins of a term paper, but a part of us actually misses the atmosphere of academia. We don't think we're alone in saying that, after a few years out of school, we actually miss the relatively hassle-free life of learning for learning's sake. Since we aren't heading back anytime soon though, we did the next best thing, and pulled together the greatest science and technology-centric TV programs ever made. All of them have at least a few clips, if not full episodes or entire series, available online, and most are available on DVD, as well. When your brain says it's hungry, feed it.

Continue reading Sci-Nonfi: The 10 Best Science Shows to Watch Online

Sci-Nonfi: The 10 Best Science Shows to Watch Online originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bill nyeBillNyeconnectionsengineeringfeatureshorizonmr wizardmr wizards worldMrWizardMrWizardsWorldnovasciencethe ascent of manTheAscentOfMantoptvshows Jon Chase Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:40:00 EST Switched