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[Not Only Do They Have Youth, But Young Gamers Have Skills, Too]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/02/10/not-only-do-they-have-youth-but-young-gamers-have-skills-too/ http://www.switched.com/2010/02/10/not-only-do-they-have-youth-but-young-gamers-have-skills-too/ http://www.switched.com/2010/02/10/not-only-do-they-have-youth-but-young-gamers-have-skills-too/#comments If you grew up playing 'Pac-Man,' 'Space Invaders,' and 'Pole Position,' you'd think that, with all those years of gameplay under your belt, you'd have a leg up on younger gamers. That is, until you get your ass shredded in 'Modern Warfare 2' by the mortar fire of a pipsqueak young enough to be your son.

According to Wired, there's a reason for that. "The younger guys have much more refined motor skills, [having grown up] with more-advanced systems," David Walsh told the mag. At the ripe old age of 25, Walsh is the oldest member of Major League Gaming, and does bring up a valid point. While some of us grew up playing simplistic games like 'Pong,' kids these days are routinely exposed to games with intricate 3-D graphics, complex physics, and gameplay that requires sharp reflexes and multiple key or button presses. The result is that the current crop of kids develop better gaming skills at a younger age. Of course, it also doesn't hurt that they have more spare time than the older set.

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Not Only Do They Have Youth, But Young Gamers Have Skills, Too originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> agegamingmodern-warfare-2motor skillsMotorSkillspac-mantopVideoGamesyouth JP Mangalindan Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Your Big Screen Super Bowl Party May Be Illegal]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/02/05/your-big-screen-super-bowl-party-may-be-illegal/ http://www.switched.com/2010/02/05/your-big-screen-super-bowl-party-may-be-illegal/ http://www.switched.com/2010/02/05/your-big-screen-super-bowl-party-may-be-illegal/#comments Everyone and their mama's mama will be tuning in this Sunday for the big game, and to that end, you might be planning a get-together with some buddies involving a few six-packs, snacks and of course, the TV. But is that Super Bowl shindig infringing upon copyright law?
That's what one Ars Technica writer wondered aloud after a friend mentioned he couldn't watch the Super Bowl on a TV 55-inches or larger without committing a federal offense. Turns out, to some extent, the friend was right. TV broadcasts and movies can only be displayed if "no such audiovisual device has a diagonal screen size greater than 55 inches, and any audio portion of the performance or display is communicated by means of a total of not more than 6 loudspeakers."

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Your Big Screen Super Bowl Party May Be Illegal originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> copyrightcopyright infringementCopyrightInfringementlegalsportssuper bowlSuperBowltop JP Mangalindan Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Android Gets Ridiculously Cute Figurines]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/02/05/android-gets-ridiculously-cute-figurines/ http://www.switched.com/2010/02/05/android-gets-ridiculously-cute-figurines/ http://www.switched.com/2010/02/05/android-gets-ridiculously-cute-figurines/#comments
Because we're fans of all things Google and its Android platform (and designer toys, too), we'll put this in the stack of things so freakishly adorable we've got to get them all.

Artist Andrew Bell and Google have partnered up to release a limited run of 12 standard Android figurines, with super-rare editions to follow. Each stands 3-inches tall and features articulating head and arms. The catch? These little bots will be blind-boxed, so you'll have no idea which design you're getting until you've actually opened it, unless you pony up for the case of 16. There's no price yet, but they start dropping the 10th of this month, so start saving, Google-philes. [From: Dyzplastic, via: dvice]

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Android Gets Ridiculously Cute Figurines originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> androidcollectiblesdesigner toyDesignerToygoogletoptoys JP Mangalindan Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Dad Kills 9-Month-Old Son and Self, Leaves Suicide Note on Facebook]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/02/04/dad-kills-9-month-old-son-leaves-suicide-note-on-facebook/ http://www.switched.com/2010/02/04/dad-kills-9-month-old-son-leaves-suicide-note-on-facebook/ http://www.switched.com/2010/02/04/dad-kills-9-month-old-son-leaves-suicide-note-on-facebook/#comments While it's becoming increasingly common for people to leave suicide notes on their Facebook pages, the circumstances surrounding Stephen Garcia's death in particular still gives us the creeps.

Distraught over the separation from his ex-girlfriend, the 25-year-old California native was apparently on a court-ordered visit with their 9-month-old son Wyatt when he drove to an isolated dirt trail in the San Bernardino Mountains and then killed the boy before killing himself in an undisclosed fashion.

Eight hours later, a suicide note, last will and testament, along with a photo collage of Garcia and his son, appeared on his Facebook profile.

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Dad Kills 9-Month-Old Son and Self, Leaves Suicide Note on Facebook originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> facebookmurderstephen garciaStephenGarciasuicidetoptragedy JP Mangalindan Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:35:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Cell Phone Driving Bans Have No Effect, Study Finds]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/31/cell-phone-driving-bans-have-no-effect-study-finds/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/31/cell-phone-driving-bans-have-no-effect-study-finds/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/31/cell-phone-driving-bans-have-no-effect-study-finds/#comments Given all the fuss over the need for laws banning cell phone use while driving, the latest study from the Highway Loss Data Institute will probably be as much of a shocker to you as it has been to experts. Despite the fact that researchers have found talking on cell phones has the same effect on drivers as alcohol, such laws have apparently had no effect on the number of accidents in New York, Connecticut, California, and D.C. where cell phone driving bans are in effect.

While the Highway Loss Data Institute is currently exploring its findings further to figure out why this is the case, they do offer up one theory: drivers in these regulated areas may instead be using hands-free devices, which have identical accident rates as their hand-held counterparts.

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Cell Phone Driving Bans Have No Effect, Study Finds originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> car accidentCarAccidentcell phonecell phone driversCellPhoneCellPhoneDriversdriving while textingDrivingWhileTextingdwthighway loss data instituteHighwayLossDataInstitutetop JP Mangalindan Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[CollegeHumor Renames 'Modern Warfare,' 'HOW DID YOU KNOW I WAS THERE?!?']]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/31/collegehumor-renames-modern-warfare-how-did-you-know-i-was-t/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/31/collegehumor-renames-modern-warfare-how-did-you-know-i-was-t/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/31/collegehumor-renames-modern-warfare-how-did-you-know-i-was-t/#comments If games were named after the phrases that gamers often say while playing, would you still recognize them? Cumbersome as the new monikers would sound, you probably would. CollegeHumor.com user and Boston College student Tommy (no last name given) took a stab at re-branding five big games: 'Modern Warfare 2' (shown above); 'FIFA 2010'; 'Rockband Beatles'; 'Madden 2010'; and 'Grand Theft Auto IV.'

While 'Little Darling... Mmmm Da Da Da Da Lonely Winter' certainly won't win any awards, but 'Shoot the Hookers,' might be on, er, target. Perhaps Rockstar Games should rethink that next 'Grand Theft Auto' title. See the rest of Tommy's rejiggered masterpieces after the jump. [From: College Humor]

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CollegeHumor Renames 'Modern Warfare,' 'HOW DID YOU KNOW I WAS THERE?!?' originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> college humorCollegeHumorfifa-10Grand Theft Autogrand theft auto IVGrandTheftAutoGrandTheftAutoIvmadden-10modern warfare 2ModernWarfare2RockBandtopvideo gamesVideoGames JP Mangalindan Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Dad Stabbed After Offering Son 'FIFA 2009' Tips]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/27/dad-stabbed-after-offering-son-fifa-2009-tips/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/27/dad-stabbed-after-offering-son-fifa-2009-tips/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/27/dad-stabbed-after-offering-son-fifa-2009-tips/#comments It's one thing to vent your frustration with a video game by hurling a controller against the wall. Heck, even we've done that. But it's another thing entirely to do so by performing an act of violence.

According to Reuters, Italian father Fabrizio R. (no last name given) became the target of such an act last weekend after he'd offered his 16-year-old son Mario advice on how to improve his 'FIFA 2009' skills. When Mario didn't take the constructive criticism well, dad turned the TV off. Mario responded by stabbing him in the neck with a 15-inch kitchen knife. He then washed it clean in the kitchen sink, and isolated himself in his room. He didn't struggle when cops came to arrest him.

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Dad Stabbed After Offering Son 'FIFA 2009' Tips originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> FIFAfifa-09topvideogamesviolence JP Mangalindan Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Creators Behind MP3 Launch MusicDNA, a New Music Format]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/25/creators-behind-mp3-launch-musicdna-a-new-music-format/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/25/creators-behind-mp3-launch-musicdna-a-new-music-format/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/25/creators-behind-mp3-launch-musicdna-a-new-music-format/#comments Yesterday, the team behind the original MP3 file revealed a new digital music format, claiming that it will both outclass current digital music standards and encourage users to download their music legally.

In theory, MusicDNA has a lot going for it. Users who download songs in the new format will get -- in addition to the music itself -- bits like lyrics, album artwork, music videos, recent live performances, tour details, and any blogs or tweets posted by the artist. There's no word yet on pricing, but it's expected that downloads will cost up to twice as much as their MP3 equivalents when launched this spring.

The new digital music format comes a few months after the introduction of the iTunes LP, which offers interactive album artwork and other multimedia features. If it gains enough traction, it's possible that MusicDNA could become a powerful weapon in the arsenals of competitors like Amazon.

That's a big "if," though. While some independent labels, like Beggars Group, the label behind the Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead, are onboard, the major labels are still MIA. And while we like the idea of all those extras features coming with songs, we're not sure they'll be enough to convince users to pony up more money, or in a lot of cases, any money at all. After all, it's hard to argue with a zero-dollar price tag.

Still, any development that could keep our favorite musicians employed and doing what they do best is a welcome one. [From: BBCNews and The Guardian]

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Creators Behind MP3 Launch MusicDNA, a New Music Format originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appledigital musicDigitalMusicmp3musicmusicdnatop JP Mangalindan Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Augmented Reality 'Paper Rock Scissors' Takes Classic Game Virtual]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/24/augmented-reality-paper-rock-scissors-takes-classic-game-virtu/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/24/augmented-reality-paper-rock-scissors-takes-classic-game-virtu/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/24/augmented-reality-paper-rock-scissors-takes-classic-game-virtu/#comments Think of 2009 as the year all this augmented reality business really hit its stride. There are the Adidas sneaks that let wearers wander around a virtual world, the 'District 9' military training sim, and even that John Mayer music video that let people make cameos.

This time, the latest AR effort comes from the Swedish mag T-post. On its site you can play a form of rock paper scissors all by your lonesome -- provided you don a special T-shirt (our preferred method), or print out the necessary PDF onto a piece of paper. Once everything is set up, users will see an animated hand extending from the center of the T-shirt, or piece of paper -- as shown in the demo video below. We're not too keen on the idea of Long-Hair Bjorgson playing the game on the toilet, but hey, the other "player" can't complain, right? [From: ubergizmo]

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Augmented Reality 'Paper Rock Scissors' Takes Classic Game Virtual originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> augmented realityAugmentedRealityrock paper scissorsRockPaperScissorst-posttop JP Mangalindan Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Do Good Video Gamers Have Bigger Brains?]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/22/researchers-link-brain-area-to-gaming-aptitude/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/22/researchers-link-brain-area-to-gaming-aptitude/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/22/researchers-link-brain-area-to-gaming-aptitude/#comments We've known for a while now that video games can make players sharper, but only recently have scientists reached a better understanding of what specific parts of the brain actually affect our gaming aptitude.

In a recent study, researchers at the University of Illinois focused on an area of the brain called the striatum, which had been shown in past research with animals to serve as a "learning machine" during habit formation and skill acquisition. To test whether or not the striatum is involved in playing video games, researchers mapped out the brains of 39 human subjects, aged 18 to 28, via MRI, and gave each subject 20 hours of training with an 'Asteroids'-inspired arcade game designed specifically for the study. During gameplay, some players were instructed to focus solely on getting a high score, while others juggled several goals.

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Do Good Video Gamers Have Bigger Brains? originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> biologybraingamingsciencestudytopvideo gamesVideoGames JP Mangalindan Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:23:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Ninjas Unbox Google's Nexus One in Viral YouTube Vid]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/19/ninjas-unbox-googles-nexus-one-in-viral-youtube-vid/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/19/ninjas-unbox-googles-nexus-one-in-viral-youtube-vid/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/19/ninjas-unbox-googles-nexus-one-in-viral-youtube-vid/#comments Google clearly has a thing for ninjas. On the heels of its shinobi-focused Gmail theme and the helpful tip sheet "Become a Gmail ninja" comes an unboxing video that handily beats all efforts we've seen -- largely due to its stop-action-animated mini-ninjas slashing their way to a Nexus One. Made by YouTube director Patrick Bolvin, this Google-sponsored homage is clearly aimed at Android aficionados who savor the process of opening their gadgets as much as they do the gadgets themselves.

Check out the video in HD after the jump. [From: YouTube]

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Ninjas Unbox Google's Nexus One in Viral YouTube Vid originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> googlenexus oneNexusOneninjatopunboxingvideo JP Mangalindan Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Joke Bomb Threat Tweet Gets Man Arrested]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/18/joke-bomb-threat-tweet-gets-man-arrested/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/18/joke-bomb-threat-tweet-gets-man-arrested/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/18/joke-bomb-threat-tweet-gets-man-arrested/#comments Only a fool in this era of high-level security would fake a bomb threat, let alone Tweet about it, but that's pretty much what Paul Chambers did last week via Twitter.

The Inquirer reports that the 26-year-old UK native was set to the fly to Ireland from the Robin Hood airport in Finningley, South Yorkshire until he realized the airport was closed because of snow. Obviously frustrated -- and maybe just a tad nuts -- Chambers tweeted, "You've got a week and a bit to get your shit together, otherwise I'm blowing the airport sky high!!"

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Joke Bomb Threat Tweet Gets Man Arrested originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> airportairport securityAirportSecuritybombbomb threatBombThreatdumbtoptwitter JP Mangalindan Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Fastest Texters Crowned at First LG Mobile World Cup]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/15/fastest-texters-crowned-at-first-lg-mobile-world-cup/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/15/fastest-texters-crowned-at-first-lg-mobile-world-cup/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/15/fastest-texters-crowned-at-first-lg-mobile-world-cup/#comments Now that most of us text at a decent rate (phone permitting, natch), it was inevitable that someone would go and make a competition out of it.

Yesterday, LG did just that with the first ever Mobile World Cup Championship in New York City (video after the jump). The culmination of an eight-month competition started back in May 2009, first-prize winners Young-Ho Bae and Mok-Min Ha of Korea, walked away with a cool $100,000, while runners-up Morgan Dynda and Kate Moore, from the U.S., got $20,000. The four beat out 22 other participants, divided into teams of two, from 11 other countries including Canada, Russia, South Africa, Mexico, Spain, and Australia, after playing through five games that tested their texting skills in their native languages. The key to winning of course, was consistently texting the fastest with no abbreviations or typos.

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Fastest Texters Crowned at First LG Mobile World Cup originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> guinness book of world recordsGuinnessBookOfWorldRecordslgmobile world cupMobileWorldCuptexttext messagingTextingTextMessagingtopworlds fastest texterWorldsFastestTexter JP Mangalindan Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Ricky Gervais Quits Twitter, Calling it 'Undignified']]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/15/ricky-gervais-quits-twitter-calling-it-undignified/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/15/ricky-gervais-quits-twitter-calling-it-undignified/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/15/ricky-gervais-quits-twitter-calling-it-undignified/#comments
Ricky Gervais has admitted on his blog that he's part of the 60-percent of Twitter members who quit within a month of signing up. The 'Extras' funny guy opened an account in December to appease his bosses during the Golden Globes, who were hoping he'd Tweet while hosting the awards this Sunday. But after a few weeks of inane banter, he stopped, deciding that Twitter was "pointless."

"I just don't get it, I'm afraid. I'm sure it's fun as a networking device for teenagers, but there's something a bit undignified about adults using it, particularly celebrities who seem to be showing off by talking to each other in public," he wrote.

Celebs like Ashton Kutcher and Perez Hilton might want to take Gervais's advice. While we're all for transparency, reading about what you had for breakfast just isn't that interesting, no matter how famous you are. [From: Cemetery Junction, via: The Daily Telegraph]

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Ricky Gervais Quits Twitter, Calling it 'Undignified' originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> celebritiesextrasricky gervaisRickyGervaissocial networkingSocialNetworkingthe officeTheOfficetoptwitter JP Mangalindan Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:02:00 EST Switched <![CDATA['First Person Tetris' May Be Fun, But Hazardous to Your Health]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/14/first-person-tetris-may-be-fun-but-hazardous-to-your-health/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/14/first-person-tetris-may-be-fun-but-hazardous-to-your-health/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/14/first-person-tetris-may-be-fun-but-hazardous-to-your-health/#comments Ever since Alexey Pajitnov first assembled the game code back in the 1984, there have been countless versions of 'Tetris' introduced to countless game consoles. With each iteration, developers tried different takes on the original: 'The Next Tetris' included multiple piece previews; 'Tetris: The Grand Master' first allowed you to rotate pieces before they actually showed up on the main screen, and 'Tetris DS' offered a 'Metroid'-themed "Catch Mode," where you rotated entire stacks in lieu of individual pieces.

The new free Web game 'First-Person Tetris' gets high marks for its sheer simplicity. Instead of rotating a piece, the tap of a key rotates your perspective (thus, the 'first-person'). There's only one background (a late '80s-style living room) and four music selections, but the gameplay remains intact. And if you somehow manage to make it longer than 15 minutes without getting a serious case of vertigo, try your hand at the nigh impossible "Night Mode," which presents the pieces against a completely black screen and offers no warning of when they'll hit the bottom. If that doesn't have you dusting off the ol' Game Boy in the back of your closet, we don't know what will. [From: First-Person Tetris via The Daily What]

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'First Person Tetris' May Be Fun, But Hazardous to Your Health originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> online gamingOnlineGamingtetrisTetris DSTetrisDstimewasterstopvideogames JP Mangalindan Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Android Backup App Helps Catch Narcissistic Thief]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/13/android-backup-app-helps-catch-narcissistic-thief/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/13/android-backup-app-helps-catch-narcissistic-thief/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/13/android-backup-app-helps-catch-narcissistic-thief/#comments We have no sympathy for criminals who slip up because of sheer stupidity (like the guy who took a time-out mid-burglary to play around on a little girl's Nintendo DS). But, in the case of one 15-year-old thief in Wilsonville, Oregon, it was a backup security app that led to his eventual arrest.
Shortly after the suspect broke into a couple's home and stole two Motorola Android phones, he used one of them to snap a few photos of himself, presumably with someone's help. What the guy didn't expect was the presence of a free Android download called Lookout, which automatically backs up data, including photos, to a remote server at midnight. Once the photos were uploaded, the owners found them easily enough and turned them over to local authorities, leading to the guy's capture. Police are still on the lookout for the accomplice. [From: Wilsonville Spokesman, via: Engadget]

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Android Backup App Helps Catch Narcissistic Thief originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> androidburglarycellphonedumbcriminalthieftop JP Mangalindan Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[TrueCompanion Debuts World's First Sex Robot]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/11/truecompanion-debuts-worlds-first-sex-robot/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/11/truecompanion-debuts-worlds-first-sex-robot/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/11/truecompanion-debuts-worlds-first-sex-robot/#comments
While we salivated over the latest, greatest products at CES, TrueCompanion unleashed a little bomb of its own over at the Adult Entertainment Expo (across the way from the gadget expo in Vegas) with the announcement of the world's first sex robot.

Depending on your kinky quotient, the Roxxxy TrueCompanion marks an exciting revolution for sex toys or a despicable new low for society. Either way, give credit where it's due. With development costs amounting to a cool $1 million, the fully customizable doll comes with five pre-set "girlfriend personalities," like "Frigid Farrah," "Wild Wendy," and "Mature Martha," each responding differently to touch. Cradle Mature Martha's hand, for instance, and she'll say, "I love holding hands." Try to cop a feel on Frigid Farrah, and you might get, "What are you going to do with that hand?" And because sharing is caring, users can also build custom profiles online and send them to friends.

The Roxxxy TrueCompanon will be available next week for $7,000 to $9,000. At that price, you might want to think about investing in an online dating service and an all-new wardrobe instead. [From: Gearlog and Voxy]

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TrueCompanion Debuts World's First Sex Robot originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> adult entertainmentadult entertainment expoAdultEntertainmentAdultEntertainmentExposexsex toysSexToystoptruecompanionTrueCompanionLlc JP Mangalindan Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[EverTune Bridge Claims to Keep Guitar Tuned Forever]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/09/evertune-bridge-claims-to-keep-guitar-tuned-forever/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/09/evertune-bridge-claims-to-keep-guitar-tuned-forever/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/09/evertune-bridge-claims-to-keep-guitar-tuned-forever/#comments Tired of keeping that guitar tuned? Then consider EverTune's bridge a godsend. Unlike Gibson's steeply priced Robot Guitar, which tunes itself, EverTune's latest effort is affordable, compatible with existing guitars, and acts more like a maintenance tool. According to DVICE's review, once you tune the guitar, the bridge will keep it locked in perfect pitch indefinitely.

According to EverTune, the bridge relies on "simple mechanical principles." As each string or tuner post loosens, the springs in the bridge compensate, maintaining the exact amount of tension you set the first time you tuned the guitar, no matter how hard or how often you play. That all sounds good, but we have to wonder: does it sound good? A guitar's tone largely depends on how freely, and for how long, its strings resonate. The age-old problem with fancy, locking bridge designs is that, frequently, a guitar will be forced to sacrifice its sustain and tonal richness. Since we haven't played the thing, we can't comment on the EverTune, but we will say this: would you sacrifice the muscle in your '71 Charger for better gas mileage?

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EverTune Bridge Claims to Keep Guitar Tuned Forever originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cesaudioevertuneguitarmusictop JP Mangalindan Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:35:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Using Tech to Fight the Battle of the Bulge, the War of the Waistline]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/08/using-tech-to-fight-the-battle-of-the-bulge/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/08/using-tech-to-fight-the-battle-of-the-bulge/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/08/using-tech-to-fight-the-battle-of-the-bulge/#comments
Although devices like Nike+ already exist, a new generation of "fat tech" aims to do more -- not only tracking how many minutes you work out or how much food you consume, but your location, too. Sneaking a Big Mac when you should be in the gym? Scientists will know. Getting too lazy for your own good? You'll get a text message saying as much.

In a federally funded pilot project by the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana, a test subject uses a BlackBerry Curve to take photos of their meals and leftovers, and wears a quarter-sized device on their shoe to track how many steps they take. The data is then transmitted to counselors, who examine it and offer customized advice to the person.

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Using Tech to Fight the Battle of the Bulge, the War of the Waistline originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> blackberry curveBlackberryCurvefathealthpennington biomedical research centerPenningtonBiomedicalResearchCentertopweight lossWeightLoss JP Mangalindan Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[BlackBerry PowerPoint 'Presenter' Lets You Lose the Laptop]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/06/blackberry-powerpoint-presenter-lets-you-lose-the-laptop/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/06/blackberry-powerpoint-presenter-lets-you-lose-the-laptop/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/06/blackberry-powerpoint-presenter-lets-you-lose-the-laptop/#comments
If you're a business professional, you probably look at your BlackBerry as a necessity of sheer convenience, and for that, we don't blame you. Thus, RIM wants to take a load off your shoulders (literally) with the Presenter, available online this month and in stores next for $199. The little module measures a mere 86 x 60 x 23 millimeters, and allows most BlackBerry owners (sorry, Pearl 8200 and Curve 8300 users) to display PowerPoint presentations in full glory. Just hook up to a projector or monitor via VGA or S-Video, and select 'Present' from the phone's wizard. It's ideal for those workdays when you feel like losing the laptop or just showing off a little. [From: RIM, via: Engadget]

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BlackBerry PowerPoint 'Presenter' Lets You Lose the Laptop originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> BlackBerryRIMsmartphonetop JP Mangalindan Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Lenovo Unleashes Super-thin Skylight Smartbook]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/06/lenovo-unleashes-super-thin-skylight-smartbook/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/06/lenovo-unleashes-super-thin-skylight-smartbook/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/06/lenovo-unleashes-super-thin-skylight-smartbook/#comments With the massive success of netbooks, companies like Lenovo discovered a lot of consumers aren't so much interested in cutting-edge notebooks anymore as they are convenience. So it set out to create an extremely portable device with enough power to fill the niche between smartphones and netbooks: the smartbook.

For the most part, the 10.-inch Skylight accomplishes that goal. The sub-two-pounder uses Qualcomm's 1 GHz Snapdragon processor along with 20 gigabytes of internal storage, a 1.3 megapixel camera, integrated USB flash drive, AT&T WWAN support, 10-hour battery, and a full-sized keyboard. At $499, this smartbook retails for a bit more than most netbooks (and even many regular laptops), so users will have to think hard about whether they want to sacrifice the extra cash for added portability. [From: Engadget]

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Lenovo Unleashes Super-thin Skylight Smartbook originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> ceslaptopsLenovoNetBookQualcommsmartbooksnapdragontop JP Mangalindan Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA['World of Warcraft' Aids Police Hunt for Fugitive]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/06/world-of-warcraft-aids-police-hunt-for-fugitive/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/06/world-of-warcraft-aids-police-hunt-for-fugitive/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/06/world-of-warcraft-aids-police-hunt-for-fugitive/#comments These days, the long arm of the law stretches farther than ever, thanks in no small part to the Internet (like the burglar who checked his Facebook account mid-robbery). In fact, if it weren't for 'World of Warcraft,' Howard County Sheriff's Department deputy Matt Robertson might never have found his man.

After speaking with several sources, Robertson learned the fugitive he'd been tracking for the past two years, Alfred Hightower, played the massively popular online multi-player game. So, on the off chance he might be able to finagle a lead from the game's developer, Robertson sent them a politely worded subpoena, not expecting a response. Three months later, though, he got one. Blizzard Entertainment provided the guy's IP address, account information and history, billing address, and even online screen name and preferences. (His in-game character is shown to the right.)

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'World of Warcraft' Aids Police Hunt for Fugitive originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> crimegaminggoogle earthGoogleEarthpolicetopvideo gamesVideoGamesWorld of WarcraftWorldOfWarcraftwow JP Mangalindan Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Chrome Knocks Out Safari, Internet Explorer Still Losing Users]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/05/chrome-knocks-out-safari-internet-explorer-still-losing-users/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/05/chrome-knocks-out-safari-internet-explorer-still-losing-users/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/05/chrome-knocks-out-safari-internet-explorer-still-losing-users/#comments While Internet Explorer continues its rapid descent into obscurity, Chrome inched forward, passing Safari as the third most-used Web browser this past December.

According to Net Applications, more users now use Chrome for everyday browsing than Safari -- 4.63 to 4.46 percent, to be exact -- an impressive development given Google launched its infant browser just 16 months ago. Chalk it up to Google's increasing popularity with Gmail and its Android platform paired with beta releases of the browser for Mac and Linux more than three weeks ago. Ultimately though, Chrome's streamlined, speedy design is quickly winning over loyal users.

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Chrome Knocks Out Safari, Internet Explorer Still Losing Users originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> browserchromefirefoxgoogle chromeGoogleChromeinternet explorerInternetExplorermarket shareMarketSharenetscape navigatorNetscapeNavigatorsafaritop JP Mangalindan Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Solar-Powered Eye Implant Could Restore Vision]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/03/solar-powered-eye-implant-could-restore-vision/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/03/solar-powered-eye-implant-could-restore-vision/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/03/solar-powered-eye-implant-could-restore-vision/#comments We've discussed eye implants that could eventually restore partial vision to people suffering from hereditary diseases like retinitis pigmentation, but for many others, a practical, medical solution for their near-to-total blindness remains painfully elusive.

Stanford University researchers may be well on their way to solving that problem. One of the biggest obstacles that they've had to address is getting power and images to their proprietary eye implant, which is usually placed in the back of the eye. A research group from University of Southern California has tried "beaming" power and data into the implant, while an MIT-Harvard team has toyed with the idea of using external light to power the implant. Stanford took the latter approach one step further, though, using light entering the eye to transfer both elements.

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Solar-Powered Eye Implant Could Restore Vision originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> eyeHarvardhealthlcdMITrsearchsciencesightsolarstanfordtopvision JP Mangalindan Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:22:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Choose Your Own Adventure Gaming Coming to YouTube?]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/01/02/choose-your-own-adventure-gaming-coming-to-youtube/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/02/choose-your-own-adventure-gaming-coming-to-youtube/ http://www.switched.com/2010/01/02/choose-your-own-adventure-gaming-coming-to-youtube/#comments YouTube filed a patent application back in February that only recently surfaced, giving us an intriguing glimpse at what might be in store for users. Possibly inspired by Facebook's own recent success with social networking games like 'Bejeweled,' it seems the online video streaming giant is planning YouTube-based games of their own, employing video annotation and time marker features already available to users.
According to the patent filing, YouTube will develop the annotations and time markers features further, allowing pauses in playback, displayed text at certain locations and during certain times, or displayed links during certain portions of a video leading to another portion of that video, or an entirely different clip altogether. "Such annotations can be used to construct interactive games... such as a game in which clicking on different portions of a video leads to different outcomes," the patent states.

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Choose Your Own Adventure Gaming Coming to YouTube? originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bejeweledchoose your own adventureChooseYourOwnAdventurefacebooktopvideogamesyoutube JP Mangalindan Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Nokia Ups the Unboxing Ante With Hackable Packaging]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/29/nokia-ups-the-unboxing-ante-with-hackable-packaging/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/29/nokia-ups-the-unboxing-ante-with-hackable-packaging/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/29/nokia-ups-the-unboxing-ante-with-hackable-packaging/#comments

When designers put as much thought into the packaging as they do the product inside, every day can feel like Christmas.

Thanks to companies like Apple, which paved the way with thoughtful packaging for Macs, unboxing is now a phenomenon unto itself. The latest, and unequivocally best, unboxing experience comes our way via two UK tech bloggers, Tracy and Matt, who recently received Nokia's N900 cell phone in promotional packaging.

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Nokia Ups the Unboxing Ante With Hackable Packaging originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> applenokianokia n900NokiaN900topunboxing JP Mangalindan Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Xbox 360 Kid Gives 'Joy of Christmas' New Meaning]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/28/xbox-360-kid-gives-joy-of-christmas-new-meaning/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/28/xbox-360-kid-gives-joy-of-christmas-new-meaning/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/28/xbox-360-kid-gives-joy-of-christmas-new-meaning/#comments
Every year, parents pray that, when it comes time to watch their brood open the Chrismukahh gifts, they'll get the right reaction: that look of joy and wonder as it slowly dawns on the tykes that they've gotten what they pined for all year. When that happens, the result is a Kodak moment.

When it happens in the extreme, the result can be a viral video, like those featuring the brother and sister who flipped over a Nintendo 64, or the boy who wasn't expecting a Nintendo Wii. Still, those children don't come close to this kid, who goes bonkers over a new Xbox 360 with piercing screams and bouts of dry-humping that should have unnerved his parents as much as they did us. (Um, we guess boys will be boys, right?)

Video of the unwrapping after the jump, but obviously, it isn't for the faint of heart. [From: Gizmodo, via: Kotaku]

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Xbox 360 Kid Gives 'Joy of Christmas' New Meaning originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> christmasfunnyhggholidaynintendo 64Nintendo64topvideovideogamesviralviralvideoxbox 360Xbox360 JP Mangalindan Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Tesla 'Tree' Lights Up With 500,000 Volts of Technicolor]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/23/tesla-tree-lights-up-with-500-000-volts-of-technicolor/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/23/tesla-tree-lights-up-with-500-000-volts-of-technicolor/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/23/tesla-tree-lights-up-with-500-000-volts-of-technicolor/#comments When Christmas comes around, most people pick up a fir tree, add a few choice ornaments, top it off with a string of lights, and call it a day.

But Peter Terrent clearly isn't most people. The 53-year-old Bunbury, Australia native and father of three has experimented with electricity, or what he calls "electrickery," for more than a decade. By sending around 500,000 volts of electricity through Tesla coils, which convert electricity into light ribbons, and by taking photos of them with different color filters, Terrent is able to create intricate light shows like the 29-foot "Tesla Christmas Tree 2009," shown here in his driveway.

"Stand next to a small Tesla coil and try not to be impressed," Terrent explained of his unorthodox hobby to The Sun. "Then, stand next to a large one and try not to be incontinent."

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Tesla 'Tree' Lights Up With 500,000 Volts of Technicolor originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> artchristmashggholidaysTeslaweird JP Mangalindan Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Firefox 3.5 Becomes World's Most Popular Browser]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/22/firefox-3-5-becomes-worlds-most-popular-browser/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/22/firefox-3-5-becomes-worlds-most-popular-browser/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/22/firefox-3-5-becomes-worlds-most-popular-browser/#comments Although Microsoft's Internet Explorer usually places a sad, distant last behind more efficient browsers like Safari, Chrome, and even Opera in terms of performance, it has always led the pack when it comes to the all-important market share. Until recently, that is, when Mozilla's Firefox finally nudged IE out of the way and into second place.

According to StatCounter, Firefox 3.5 now outranks Internet Explorer 7 and 8 as the world's most used browser, with 21.93-percent of the global market, compared with 21.2-percent and 20.33-percent respectively. That's no small feat when you take into account that Internet Explorer comes pre-packaged with Windows. (A devious, but smart move, Microsoft.) Of note: although Firefox ranks number one on a version-by-version comparison, the Internet Explorer brand as a whole remains tops. [From: GIGAOM and The Next Web]

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Firefox 3.5 Becomes World's Most Popular Browser originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> browserfirefoxinternetinternet explorerInternetExplorertop JP Mangalindan Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:37:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Alleged Cell Phone Robber Gives Caller Name and Address]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/21/alleged-cell-phone-robber-gives-caller-name-and-address/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/21/alleged-cell-phone-robber-gives-caller-name-and-address/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/21/alleged-cell-phone-robber-gives-caller-name-and-address/#comments If petty criminals suffer from one glaring flaw, it's usually an overinflated ego.

That was certainly the case with 24-year-old Peter Gamblin, who now faces prison time in England for allegedly stealing Jonathan Franke's phone, wallet, necklace, and watch. Joe Dale, a friend of Franke's, was on the line when the robbery started and overheard someone demanding money before the line went dead. When Dale re-dialed his friend, Gamblin allegedly answered instead, staying on the line for 42 minutes and even going so far as to give his name and address.

"My name's Gambo. Peter Gambo," recounted prosecutor David Outterside to the Telegraph. "Come and see me at 153 Boultham Park Road." Needless to say, cops arrested Gamblin, who now denies any wrongdoing, and charged him with theft soon thereafter. [From: The Telegraph and The Lincolnshire Echo]

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Alleged Cell Phone Robber Gives Caller Name and Address originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cellphonecrimedumbdumbcriminaltop JP Mangalindan Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:28:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Capcom Readies Retro-themed 'Mega Man' Sequel]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/20/capcom-readies-retro-themed-mega-man-sequel/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/20/capcom-readies-retro-themed-mega-man-sequel/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/20/capcom-readies-retro-themed-mega-man-sequel/#comments While 'Final Fantasy XIII' just can't come soon enough, we still get nostalgic for the simple trappings of old school gaming: power ups aplenty, nigh-impossible end-of-stage bosses, and the occasional cheap death. With the 2-D action platformer 'Mega Man 10', due out next year for Xbox LIVE, Wii Ware, and PlayStation Store, the Capcom developers promise those features and touts the classic 8-bit Nintendo-style look and sound that brought gamers to the arcades during the '80s and robbed them of all that hard-earned change.

In what may be a first for the series, a new Easy Mode doesn't just dumb down the difficulty by making the enemies easier to beat but actually simplifies the stage design so it's easier to navigate. Check out the trailer for yourself after the jump. [From: Joystiq]

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Capcom Readies Retro-themed 'Mega Man' Sequel originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> hggmega manMegaManretrotop JP Mangalindan Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:35:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Can Your Netflix Queue Reveal Sexual Orientation?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/19/can-your-netflix-queue-reveal-sexual-orientation/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/19/can-your-netflix-queue-reveal-sexual-orientation/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/19/can-your-netflix-queue-reveal-sexual-orientation/#comments One feature Netflix users have always taken for granted, privacy, might be in danger if they're one of the 480,000 members whose information was shared as part of a contest to improve the company's popular movie recommendation system. According to Wired, a closeted lesbian mother going by the pseudonym "Jane Doe" filed a lawsuit yesterday against the rental giant, claiming it had, among other things, broken a federal privacy law protecting citizens' video rental information. According to the complaint filing, "were her sexual orientation public knowledge, it would negatively affect her ability to pursue her livelihood and support her family and would hinder her and her children's ability to live peaceful lives."

The backstory: Netflix started a contest back in September 2006 that gave 50,000 contestants vying for $1 million two sets of data. The first included 100 million movie ratings, the date of the rating, subscriber IDs, and movie info culled from some 480,000 customers. The goal? Create a movie recommendation algorithm at least 10-percent more accurate than Netflix's own.

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Can Your Netflix Queue Reveal Sexual Orientation? originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> dvdgayimdblawsuitmovesnetflixpreferencessexual orientationSexualOrientationtopvideos JP Mangalindan Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Study Tries to Debunk 'Wii Fit's' Exercise Effectiveness]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/17/study-tries-to-debunk-wii-fits-exercise-effectiveness/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/17/study-tries-to-debunk-wii-fits-exercise-effectiveness/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/17/study-tries-to-debunk-wii-fits-exercise-effectiveness/#comments In the crushing quest to shed all that unwanted weight picked up over the years -- or just the holiday season -- some might go the traditional route by signing up for a gym membership. Others jonesing for a more creative, entertaining outlet, however, will probably give the popular 'Wii Fit' a shot.
But is Nintendo's collection of stretches and aerobic activities an effective antidote to love handles? Scott Owens, associate professor of health and exercise science at University of Mississippi, doesn't think so. Owens conducted a study for six months, starting in fall 2008, on eight families in Oxford, Mississippi with 'Wii Fit.' The study spanned the three months before they started playing the game to monitor health and habits, and three months after the introduction to the game, studying any changes in fitness, balance, and body composition.

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Study Tries to Debunk 'Wii Fit's' Exercise Effectiveness originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> nintendoobesityobesity epidemicObesityEpidemictopwiiwii fitWiiFit JP Mangalindan Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:15:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Foul-Mouthed Tweets Aren't Welcome on New Zune HD Twitter App]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/17/foul-mouthed-tweets-arent-welcome-on-new-zune-hd-twitter-app/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/17/foul-mouthed-tweets-arent-welcome-on-new-zune-hd-twitter-app/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/17/foul-mouthed-tweets-arent-welcome-on-new-zune-hd-twitter-app/#comments We were pretty peeved when Twitter allegedly took down several obscene trending topics this past June, and Apple rejected Tweetie 1.3 back in May for letting users view foul language in topic searches, but the latest example of Twitter censorship may just be the most brazen instance yet.

Thanks to Microsoft, Zune HD users who download the Twitter app, available today, will not only find the app full of annoying bugs, but to add insult to injury, obscenities in tweets will also be censored. Case in point: dropping the F-bomb automatically gets changed to "f***" when published.

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Foul-Mouthed Tweets Aren't Welcome on New Zune HD Twitter App originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> censorshipmicrosofttoptwitterzune JP Mangalindan Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Dad Delivers Baby Thanks to a Google How-To]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/16/dad-delivers-baby-thanks-to-a-google-how-to/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/16/dad-delivers-baby-thanks-to-a-google-how-to/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/16/dad-delivers-baby-thanks-to-a-google-how-to/#comments While this isn't the first time a frantic father has brought new life into the world with the Web's help, a baby is always cause for celebration, especially from the benevolent hands of Google.

Leroy Smith, from Leytonstone, East London, was at his wit's end when wife Emma started experiencing contractions after their midwife left for the day. Since they wanted a home birth, the 29-year-old security guard did what any clueless dad with a smartphone might do: Google for step-by-step instructions on how to deliver a baby at home, which he eventually found on wikiHow.

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Dad Delivers Baby Thanks to a Google How-To originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> babybirthblackberrydeliverygooglesmartphonetopwikihow JP Mangalindan Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Hybrid Bikes Make Easy Riding With the Kinetic Copenhagen Wheel]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/16/hybrid-bikes-are-easy-riding-with-the-kinetic-copenhagen-wheel/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/16/hybrid-bikes-are-easy-riding-with-the-kinetic-copenhagen-wheel/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/16/hybrid-bikes-are-easy-riding-with-the-kinetic-copenhagen-wheel/#comments Usually, you have to hop on a plane for Japan -- or at the very least, find a savvy importer -- to get your hands on the best new gadgets around, but to land a Copenhagen Wheel, you won't have to go quite as far.

Unveiled yesterday by a team of MIT students at the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, the aptly named Copenhagen Wheel is aimed at city cyclists who want to cover longer distances and improve the overall cycling experience. The smart-looking wheel can be swapped into an existing bike frame, effectively transforming it into a hybrid: kinetic energy incurred from cycling and braking is stored in batteries to give riders a little boost when needed, and onboard sensors will send real-time feedback to users' smartphones about distance traveled, local traffic congestion, and even, say, pollution levels. (Video of how it all works after the jump.)

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Hybrid Bikes Make Easy Riding With the Kinetic Copenhagen Wheel originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bicyclebicycle commutingBicycleCommutingbikingcopenhagendenmarkgreengreen livingGreenLivingmittopurban livingUrbanLiving JP Mangalindan Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[A Final Nail in Masculinity's Coffin: Square Enix Launching 'Final Fantasy' Perfume]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/16/a-final-nail-in-masculinitys-coffin-square-enix-to-launch-fina/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/16/a-final-nail-in-masculinitys-coffin-square-enix-to-launch-fina/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/16/a-final-nail-in-masculinitys-coffin-square-enix-to-launch-fina/#comments When we think about game-licensed merchandise, perfumes aren't the first (or even second) thing that spring to mind. But leave it to the folks over at Square Enix to think well outside the box. The romantically-inclined 'Final Fantasy XIII' developers plan on releasing a 50 ml bottle inspired by game heroine Lightning in January, a month after the inevitable blockbuster hits store shelves in Japan. Lightning Eau de Toilette is said to have notes of peach, rose, aqua green leaf, and uh, "feminine musk" -- whatever that is -- and will retail for a suggested 7,140 yen ($83). [From: siliconera, Play-Asia, and popgadget]

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A Final Nail in Masculinity's Coffin: Square Enix Launching 'Final Fantasy' Perfume originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> final fantasyfinal fantasy xiiiFinalFantasyFinalFantasyXiiiperfumesquare-enixtopweird JP Mangalindan Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:38:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Pneumatic Snap-Action Mouse Trap Takes Rodent Hunting to Next Level]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/16/pneumatic-snap-action-mouse-trap-takes-rodent-hunting-to-next-le/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/16/pneumatic-snap-action-mouse-trap-takes-rodent-hunting-to-next-le/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/16/pneumatic-snap-action-mouse-trap-takes-rodent-hunting-to-next-le/#comments While some would probably prefer to bring the very wrath of God down upon unsuspecting rodents (see Victor's Multi-Kill Electronic Mouse Trap), others might prefer a more purist method to offing them -- with a high-powered twist.
Jack Easton, managing editor of Telovation.com, tinkered with the concept of the classic mousetrap, which is how his pneumatic version came to be. "Many people have been trying to develop a 'better mousetrap' for years," Easton told Telovation. "So we decided to build one in the literal sense."

Easton's take on the spring-loaded "Little Nipper," originally invented by James Atkinson in 1897, is a 5.5-pound shoebox-sized block of polished aluminum, which uses the tried-and-true BYOB (Bring Your Own Bait) method to lure mice to their doom. Once they're close enough to trigger the motion sensors, an aluminum bar powered by compressed air (which makes it pneumatic) swiftly comes down with a lethal striking force of 40 psi, or 102 pounds. (Check out the demo after the jump to see it in action.)

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Pneumatic Snap-Action Mouse Trap Takes Rodent Hunting to Next Level originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cesaudiogadgetshouseholdinventionmouse trapmousetraprodenttopweird JP Mangalindan Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:55:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Star Wars Fans, Brace Yourselves For Millennium Falcon-Inspired Kicks]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/15/star-wars-fans-brace-yourselves-for-falcon-inspired-kicks/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/15/star-wars-fans-brace-yourselves-for-falcon-inspired-kicks/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/15/star-wars-fans-brace-yourselves-for-falcon-inspired-kicks/#comments
With Star Wars licensing having resulted in adorable apparel like R2-D2 backpacks and even slick-looking Marc Ecko hoodies, it should come as no surprise that in January, you'll be able to pick up Adidas sneakers inspired by the popular sci-fi franchise.

For the first Spring/Summer 2010 collaboration, Adidas Originals and Lucasfilm Ltd. worked together to design high tops and sneakers reinterpreted to include character graphics on the shoe tongue and individualized colorways that pay homage to popular characters and costumes. So soon enough, options will include self-explanatory styles like 'Death Star,' 'Yoda,' 'Storm Trooper,' and 'Luke Skywalker,' among others.

Continue reading Star Wars Fans, Brace Yourselves For Millennium Falcon-Inspired Kicks

Star Wars Fans, Brace Yourselves For Millennium Falcon-Inspired Kicks originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> apparelgeek chicGeekChichggmoviespop culturePopCultureReturnOfTheJedishoessneakersstar warsStarWarstop JP Mangalindan Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Teen Racks Up $21,917 Cell Phone Bill, Dad Flabbergasted]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/12/14/teen-racks-up-21-917-cell-phone-bill-dad-flabbergasted/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/14/teen-racks-up-21-917-cell-phone-bill-dad-flabbergasted/ http://www.switched.com/2009/12/14/teen-racks-up-21-917-cell-phone-bill-dad-flabbergasted/#comments Ted Estarija's Verizon cell phone bill last month might not reach the astronomical heft of the $85,000 charge we reported about a while back, but $21,917 isn't anything to scoff at, especially in these lean times.

According to CBS News, the Hayward, California resident was surprised with a bill for more than 20 grand after he added his son to their mobile plan. He thought it would cost a mere $50 more a month, and just in case, he also had the phone company restrict his son's calls and texts.

Continue reading Teen Racks Up $21,917 Cell Phone Bill, Dad Flabbergasted

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Teen Racks Up $21,917 Cell Phone Bill, Dad Flabbergasted originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cell phone billCellPhoneBillteenstopverizon JP Mangalindan Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:50:00 EST Switched