Switched

Best of the Rest: Skateboarding Dog Tries 'Tony Hawk,' Muji Meets Lego

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:14:00 EST

There's a load of great tech news happening out there every day, and, unfortunately, we just can't cover it all. Here are a few of the other noteworthy things we saw today on our never-ending journey through the wild, wild Web.

Tillman the Skateboarding Dog is a skating celeb, so it makes sense that he (or one of his bulldog buds) gets to try out the new Tony Hawk game, which comes with a digi-skateboard. Trust us, it's as cute as it sounds. [From: Urlesque]
Nothing goes as well with Japanese minimalism than Lego, which is why this block set from Muji is amazingly cool. [From: High Snobiety]
The debate is a bit more than seeing an ex pop up constantly on Facebook. Professor Viktor Mayer-Schonberger talks about how new media makes it difficult to forget, which is an important part of the human experience, (though one commenter points out the other side of the spectrum). [From: Reuters]
Wired's list of '10 Geeky Things To Be Thankful For" really are geeky (terabytes? really?), but we admit, we are glad there is good sci-fi on TV, too. [From: Wired.com]

Filed under: Editor's Picks

Best of the Rest: Skateboarding Dog Tries 'Tony Hawk,' Muji Meets Lego originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kidrobot Founder Talks Butts, Bunnies, and His Empire of Vinyl Art

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:38:00 EST

Paul Budnitz has amazingly sent young adults scrambling after collectible vinyl figures as if they were children after toys. And toys, in essence, those figures are, but not in the child-friendly sense of the word. (In fact, Budnitz points out that his company's products often come armed with cigarettes and machine guns.) Kidrobot, which Budnitz conceived while collecting figurines during a stay in China, is famous for its small and affordable art pieces designed by underground and mainstream artists, graffiti writers, and musicians.

What started as a pastime has become an international phenomenon; collectors camp out to get limited-edition Kidrobot figures, and people like Karl Lagerfeld and Matt Groening have gotten in on the design action. Kidrobot crosses cultures, claiming a strong following among comic book readers, alternative rock fans, hip-hop stars, and even us gadget nerds (who have the colorful creations brightening up our cubicles). And that's precisely what Budnitz set out to do: to give young (but not too young) individuals a way of "collecting art" without breaking the bank, and to brighten their lives with beautiful, hilarious, or just outright interesting art objects.

Continue reading Kidrobot Founder Talks Butts, Bunnies, and His Empire of Vinyl Art

Filed under: Switched Video

Kidrobot Founder Talks Butts, Bunnies, and His Empire of Vinyl Art originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Street Style for Sale: Like.com and Weardrobe Sell Blogger's Looks

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:20:00 EST

A quiet revolution is taking place in the world's blogs. Munjal Shah, CEO of shopping network Like.com, explains, "Fashion used to be about a monarchy. Then it was about the elite, but today, the action is much more grassroots and the street style culture is on the front line." Street style, for those who aren't a part of the community, rejects glossy mag aesthetics and expensive, top-brand fetishism for the idea that the coolest and most fashionable individuals are on the street. Photographers and bloggers snap smart-looking passersby, then write about what they like about their respective looks. Some, like Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist or pre-teen prodigy Tavi Williams' of Style Rookie, have made a lucrative career out of it.

So when Like.com, a visual search engine that has generated over $100 million in sales, wanted to transform itself into a more organic, user-friendly community, Shah went right to the source. Today, Like.com announced its acquisition of Weardrobe, a street-style community that connects novice and popular bloggers, allowing burgeoning fashionistas to post and comment on each others' looks. Now, thanks to the partnership, Like.com's search capability (titled 'Likesense,' a la Google's AdSense) aesthetically identifies items in street images, and then offers browsers the opportunity to buy online.

Continue reading Street Style for Sale: Like.com and Weardrobe Sell Blogger's Looks

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Street Style for Sale: Like.com and Weardrobe Sell Blogger's Looks originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kitty Brain Simulated By IBM, but Not Just for Adorable-ness

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:50:00 EST

Maru goes in the box. Maru goes out of the box. Maru goes back into the box, again. Not exactly genius (adorable, but not genius), though apparently scientists say there is something about the feline brain that may help advance the "thinking computer." A machine that can replicate basic human cognition -- abstract concepts, emotional data -- is still pretty distant, but IBM researchers in Portland, Oregon have scaled it down a bit. Using a kitty cortex as a model, these neuro-computer scientists have claimed to have replicated a cat's thinking pattern.

This doesn't mean that Maru, or Mittens, or any other kitten, is dumb: the computer operates using 147,456 processors (while the average computer uses just a handful) and 144 terabytes of memory, and it is still 100 times slower than the way a cat thinks. The senior author of the findings, Dharmendra Modha, suggests that by creating a program based on the way a brain works, the emphasis is moved from "structured" data (say, adding numbers) and is placed on weighing different factors (like identifying an image, even if its blurry). So even though it is slow, the Portland supercomputer is apparently a breakthrough in cognitive computing.

Continue reading Kitty Brain Simulated By IBM, but Not Just for Adorable-ness

Filed under: Computers

Kitty Brain Simulated By IBM, but Not Just for Adorable-ness originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Switched Asks: Do Personal E-Shoppers Get It Right?

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:50:00 EST

Netflix figures out what movies you might like to see, Pandora offers up new tunes you might like to rock, and Facebook even senses who you might like to know. That being the case, it shouldn't be a feat of sartorial strength for a matrix to suggest a nice outfit to wear. So, when we got an invite to sample the e-shopper service on Covet, being the member on the Switched team most picky about what goes on my person, I volunteered to give it a try. (Also, I'm the only girl on staff, and while boys will soon be invited, this is currently a ladies-only club.)

After I signed up, Covet gave me a series of questions asking me to select which of two celebrities' styles I most liked: Rachel Bilson vs. Kelly Osbourne; Vanessa Hudgens vs., well, anyone not Vanessa Hudgens. After a while, Covet presented my style profile: Edgy Modern/Edgy Boho. While I despise the term "Boho," and would only classify a triangle as edgy, the examples they gave were actually pretty appropriate. I do like edgier clothing, but with a soft, cosmopolitan touch.

Continue reading Switched Asks: Do Personal E-Shoppers Get It Right?

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Switched Asks: Do Personal E-Shoppers Get It Right? originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Russia Bans 'Modern Warfare 2,' Microsoft Co-Founder Has Cancer

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:59:00 EST

Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....

In communist Russia, video games play you -- by being a source of discord and controversy. In the new 'Modern Warfare 2,' much ado has been made over a level in which a group of Russian terrorists massacre an entire airport of civilians, and over general Russian antagonism. Despite the fact that producer Infinity Ward offers a non-playable patch for the level, the ~~government still recalled all copies and banned the sale of the game until further notice~~. [From: Destructoid] [Ed. note: According to recent reports, Activision denies that Russia has banned the game. The company removed the controversial "No Russian" scene from the game. From: The Escapist and Joystiq]
Microsoft co-founder (and Seahawks/Trailblazers owner) Paul Allen has announced that he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer affecting the immune system. The 56-year-old multi-billionaire battled Hodgkin's lymphoma over 20 years ago with success, and hopefully will be victorious this time around, too. [From: Huffington Post]
There's big news in the world of Adobe. The maker of Flash will roll out a beta version of Flash 10.1, offering bug fixes and multi-touch support across all platforms. Windows users, however, will get an additional boost with HD acceleration for Web video (just in time for the YouTube revamp). That seems strange, seeing as Adobe has always been in Apple's back pocket. [From: Lifehacker]
In its quest for more professionally produced content (which lures advertisers way better than teenagers hyperventilating over 'Modern Warfare'), YouTube has acquired the rights to Univision, America's most-watched Spanish language TV channel. [From: NYTimes.com]
Language lovers might have noticed a change in Google Translator, which has updated its look with more streamlined, easy-to-read content. For those translating into English, audio pronunciation is now available, as is phonetic spelling for non-Roman words. The multi-language-ization of the Net is almost complete. [From: Download Squad]

Russia Bans 'Modern Warfare 2,' Microsoft Co-Founder Has Cancer originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Rest: French-Flavored iPhone Cases, Nasty, Naughty PCs

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST

To celebrate the opening of France's first Apple retail store, Incase (and art-plus-Mac group Arkitip) asked French street artist André to design a couple of sleeves for iPhones and MacBooks. The result? C'est bonne. [From: Incase]
Oh, you nasty, dirty PCs, you. How dare you expose yourself and your filthy, depraved insides? Don't make us come over there with some compressed air and show you what's what. [From: Telegraph.co.uk]
Take all dignity away from Fluffy and Fido with this roundup of pet gadgets, including the ever-humiliating Pet Emergency Evacuation Jacket. [From: Crave.cnet.co.uk]
With 24,000 LED lights, the wearer of Cute Circuit's 'Galaxy Dress' won't just be the belle of the ball; she'll stand in for the disco, as well. [From: Engadget]
We broke our leg on Friday the 13th once (true story), so that puts us in company with Henry Ford and President Roosevelt for thinking the day may be a bad omen. [From: Discovery]

Got a tip? Want to talk to us? In need of more choice links like these? Drop us a line on Twitter and check out our Tumblr blog.

Best of the Rest: French-Flavored iPhone Cases, Nasty, Naughty PCs originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Search Suggestions Show Popular, Moronic Queries

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:24:00 EST

The Brits are great, some of our favorite people. Well-dressed, polite, fabulous musicians, but perhaps a bit too hard on the average individual. In a recent investigation on the nature of humanity, CNET.co.uk decided to see what popular searches Google offered when prompted by simple questions, and the findings were bleak. Using 'Google Suggest,' the auto-fill feature that predicts text as it's being input into the search query, suggested that most Googlers looking for answers are, in fact, stupid. The phrases entered were examples like "Am I going..." and the Google-prompted response would be, "Into Labour?" (See, British spelling). CNET's snide answer: "Is there a brand-new human poking out of your lower body? If yes, then congratulations, you're going into labour. More accurately, you're already in it."

Fair enough; people who use the Internet can be quite daft. But that's the joy on the Web, having immediate answers to questions you might feel to, er...stupid to ask. A lost soul could type in an absurd question, like "Am I having a heart attack?" and quickly get a plethora of responses. Sure, typing in "Why can't I..." reveals the silly-sounding "Own a Canadian," but actually hearkens back to a Dr. Laura radio program. Typing, "Why would a..." in the UK Google box is finished by "...married man cheat?" but on the regular .com, we see "...a change in ph cause a protein to denature" as the top result, followed by "...a cat stop using a litter box?" Honestly, both are questions that should be answered immediately. (Note: Search results are based in popularity, so perhaps there has been a spike in pH changes recently.)

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Google Search Suggestions Show Popular, Moronic Queries originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Week: Evil Baguettes, Mickey Mouse, and Baby Monitors

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:09:00 EST

Like pet-of-the-week Pinky the Cat, even the most adorable and innocent of critters can turn into vicious terrors when hiding behind the anonymous wall of technology. Once peaceful people can suddenly turn violent when sheltered by the Net, a cell phone, or even a large, exo-suit cargo loader. Imagine, if you will, happy-go-lucky Mickey Mouse suddenly taking a turn for the rogue thanks to a new video game. Fancy a mild-mannered, 14-year-old boy leading a Facebook revolution, or a regular ol' baby monitor suddenly going all Big Brother on its users. The seemingly harmless are transformed into corrupt, avian balls of fury, hurling baked goods into multi-million-dollar, potentially world-disrupting equipment. The danger is clear. A sheep in tech-infested, super-soluble, implanted silicone clothing is just as terrifying as the wolf, itself. Some other things to be wary of:

Overreacting in its most dangerous form: a misfired text leads to a deadly shooting.
In New York, we have to put up with annoying subway "improvements" in our commute, but that's so we don't have to deal with outdated computers crippling the area and sending traffic into chaos.
Sitting at a cafe, enjoying your coffee, minding your own un-phished existence? That public Wi-Fi might not be as secure as you think.
Since a 12-year-old has no real concept of posting bail, or using a license as a bond, when he does something bad, it's the video games he misses the most.

Filed under: Editor's Picks

Best of the Week: Evil Baguettes, Mickey Mouse, and Baby Monitors originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Baby and Me' Uses Wiimote to Create a Burping, Crying Baby

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:10:00 EST

The Wii's motion-based gameplay is wonderful, having opened the door to imaginative uses never before possible in video games. While the Wiimote is rugged, that doesn't mean it can handle the sheer abuse of being tossed around, pitched at pets, and rolled haphazardly. Maybe, then, it's fitting that the controller is now being turned into a baby.

The special edition of 'Baby and Me' comes with a doll attachment, meaning that the Wiimote will churn out baby noises while little girls and boys (we hope they're little... ) interact with the toy tot's onscreen counterpart. The fun includes feeding the baby, rocking the baby to sleep, and compatibility with the balance board, which allows, well, rocking the baby to sleep.

Continue reading 'Baby and Me' Uses Wiimote to Create a Burping, Crying Baby

Filed under: Video Games

'Baby and Me' Uses Wiimote to Create a Burping, Crying Baby originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gift Guide: Samsung GO Netbook

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST

Samsung Go N310 Netbook (Style-o-phile, Under $500)

A secret about good design: Beveled edges are always a win. But weighing under three pounds, coming in four rubberized colors, and boasting a battery life of about nine hours helps as well. We took this little guy to NY's Fashion Week, and the fast start-up time, large pebble keyboard, and crisp, LED background display made onlookers a little jealous. With 160-gigabytes (GB) of storage and three USB ports, Samsung's Go N310 netbook ($480) acts like more of a mini-laptop than a 'portable-only' device. It's perfect for anyone who travels, but needs to check in with the office using more than just Web mail. Designed by Naoto Fukasawa, the Go is legitimately stylish, and slides easily into a shopper or hobo bag with nary a fuss.

Filed under: Holiday Gift Guide

Gift Guide: Samsung GO Netbook originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gift Guide: Freehands Texting Gloves

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:50:00 EST

Freehands Texting Gloves (Earth Lover, Under $50)

Smoking gloves are so passé, not to mention, environmentally-unfriendly. Texting gloves, on the other hand (pun intended), are like the 2009 version of the foldback-mittens (the simple, removable finger piece, above, means you can keep on texting regardless of the weather). Keeping digits toasty while shooting off a text is actually pretty crucial, especially when hiking, cross-country skiing, or just driving in an unheated (presumably hybrid) car. Available in fleece, tech liner and real leather (for both men and women), Freehands gloves ($18-$24) keep outdoorsy texting addicts flexible and warm all winter long. That is, as long as their (presumably eco-friendly) cells gets reception on Mount Anywhere....

Continue reading Gift Guide: Freehands Texting Gloves

Filed under: Holiday Gift Guide

Gift Guide: Freehands Texting Gloves originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ropid, the Dancing Humanoid Robot: Creepy or Cute?

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:45:00 EST

Yesterday, our pals over at Engadget reported on Ropid, the humanoid robot that proudly parades around, runs in place, and hops a quarter of its own height (video above). Today, more videos emerged of the little guy, and some of the Switched staff was torn. Some of us were horrified, especially after seeing earlier in the week the Army-produced, disembodied pair of legs that can run in place and clearly points to a robot (r)evolution. Others saw the big eyes and rotating torso (which help with balance), and became charmed by the pint-sized, enthusiastically accommodating bot. We took an office poll, but be sure to chime in with your own comments. Ropid: Adorable droid or creepy computerized terror?

Thomas H: "Creepy. Imagine waking up with that standing next to you, dancing a horrible jig."
Terrence: "Creepy. It's subservience makes me uncomfortable. I know it's only a robot, but when someone asks you to jump you don't just nod and do it."
Leila: "Adorable. Look at those big eyes. It's like Pinocchio, but without the lying."
Lee: "Good Lord. Consider this my notice. If you need me, I'll be in my heavily fortified lean-to, deep in the woods." Guess that's creepy, right, Lee?
Warren: "Adorable for a few seconds... until it starts goose stepping."
Matt Z.: "Creepy. Behind those saucer-sized eyes is a droid waiting to jump adorably on your corpse."
Josh F. (Executive Producer): "Totally cute."

Continue reading Ropid, the Dancing Humanoid Robot: Creepy or Cute?

Filed under: Computers

Ropid, the Dancing Humanoid Robot: Creepy or Cute? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Rest: Swedes Re-Enact Memes, Horrifying Wedding iCakes

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:29:00 EST

Nothing is more international than memes without borders, so Swedish ISP celebrates its ten-year anniversary by having a quirky middle-aged lady with a beehive 'do re-enact some of the best. [From: YouTube]
Let everyone know your retro roots on your sleeve with these ringtones made from old school synthesizer decks, including the Minimoog and Roland SH-1000. [From: RCPTones via: DVICE]
Look, the iPhone is great, and even a "game changer," but making a giant iCake for a wedding seems a little odd. [From: TUAW]
Forget white ear buds and bring back the old school ear-muff style for headphones, especially when these creative and colorful ones from Nixon look (and sound) so much better. [From: Nixon]

Got a tip? Want to talk to us? In need of more choice links like these? Drop us a line on Twitter and check out our Tumblr blog.

Filed under: Editor's Picks

Best of the Rest: Swedes Re-Enact Memes, Horrifying Wedding iCakes originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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David Hasselhoff iPhone App Gives Bad Advice

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:15:00 EST

For the promotion of his new British-only TV show 'Meet the Hasselhoffs' (Maybe VH1 is all reality-showed out.), ex-'Baywatch' and -'Knight Rider' hunk (or, maybe 'Baywatch' and 'Knight Rider' ex-hunk) David Hasselhoff has put out his own iPhone app. "Ask the Hoff" is a bit like a Magic Eight-ball, but instead of mystically revealed, one-word answers in blue goo, Hoff's mug stares back at you to give snide answers. Typically, they're of the 'Yes' or 'No' variety, although we did get these gems: "If I told you, I'd have to kill you," and "That is a disgusting question. What are you, a pervert?" Not very helpful advice, say, for aspiring lifeguards.

The Big D has always been known for his feeble stabs at legitimacy -- so much so that he's now a parody of himself. Still, we can't help but root for him. The Switched Team pooled together the $0.99 fee and downloaded "Ask The Hoff" to see if his sunburned brain could answer a couple of questions. We queried: "Did you get the alcohol?" He responded: "Of course, the answer was yes." We didn't really have doubts, Hoff-man. [From: Textually]

Filed under: Celebrities, iPhone

David Hasselhoff iPhone App Gives Bad Advice originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Rest: Geeky Pet Costumes, 'Don't Cry For Me, Cupertino!'

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:31:00 EST

Part the-cutest-thing-ever and part terrifying, check out these nerdy Halloween costumes for Fido, including the USS Enterprise dog from earlier this summer. [Dvice]
David Pogue, the beloved New York Times technology writer, sings a musical tribute this past weekend about Steve Jobs's return to Apple in the 90s, with his Evita-themed 'Don't Cry For Me Cupertino.' [Mashable]
There's a great emergence in The Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in joy and were suddenly released into the galaxy. In other news, the 'Star Wars: Uncut' trailer is finally making the rounds. [Geekologie]
While Nikola Tesla wasn't exactly the most well-adjusted of scientists, even he was freaked out by the noises created by his spooky spirit radio. So use it to scare your friends out this Halloween, obviously. [Instructables, via Gizmodo]

Got a tip? Want to talk to us? In need of more choice links like these? Drop us a line on Twitter and check out our new Tumblr blog.

Filed under: Editor's Picks

Best of the Rest: Geeky Pet Costumes, 'Don't Cry For Me, Cupertino!' originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Week: Windows 7, Mac, Nook Debuts, Horrible Wii Mishaps

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:45:00 EST

Ah, yes. The Internet. Giving the keyboard playing super cat within us a moment to shine, allowing every innocent-seeming, TV-shattering faux pas circulate the Net worldwide because one little camera caught your moronic Wiimote slip up.Or having your good, Dolce and Gabbana name smeared all over the Web tabloids simply because you decided to check your exes voicemail a couple (hundred) times. Not every virtual moment is filled with messy TV hosts or jilted lovers -- sometimes the accessibility of the Web means those voices that are disenfranchised can finally have a moment to shine. Finally, there is a space for the oft-over looked emo kids making out or the always-forgotten love between a turtle and its boot.

For those hungry for their fifteen minutes of page-count fame, try literally appearing in a megastar's video. John Mayer thinks its ok if any old schlub hops into his. A word to the wise, however. Be careful about what absurd heights are attempted try to secure your own Internet stardom, because, on the Net, the past seems to emerge in the most mysterious ways. Other stories in the meta-spotlight this week:

Apple rocked the tech world by debuting a freshly revamped MacBook, desktop, and a multi-touch 'Magic Mouse,' giving an update to the teardrop-shaped mouse of yore.
Not to be shown up, Windows 7 debuted with much fanfare, announcing its arrival with parties, burgers, TV cameos, and sending CEO Steve Ballmer to the Engadget Show.
Barnes & Noble's alleged Kindle-killer, the Nook, showed up this week, and we get up close and cuddly with it.
All of this Net stuff isn't for everyone, as apparently 33-percent of broadband capable Americans have opted not to get into the fast lane of the information super highway. Sometimes info overload can be a bit much for us, too.

Filed under: Editor's Picks

Best of the Week: Windows 7, Mac, Nook Debuts, Horrible Wii Mishaps originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Types of YouTube Videos That Shouldn't Exist

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:16:00 EST

So apparently Cracked.com has hopped on the blog-as-TV train and is turning its amazing lists into quick, montage-laden rundowns meant for our viewing pleasure. Watch (video after the break) as your glib host Michael Swain counts down the types of YouTube videos that take up far too much server space. The turtle romancing a boot has turned into a popular video, but now, thanks to Swain, viewers have learned that turtle love (especially turtle-on-inanimate object love) is a large part of the YouTube-video makeup. Other vids that we now know about, but wish we didn't: emo boys (?) making out, and adorable, but definitely illegal, videos of small dogs behind the wheel.

Let us add to Swain's list, if you will, a couple types that we ourselves have stumbled upon, much to our own chagrin. The masochistically large selection of children losing teeth via doorknobs, for instance, makes 'David at the Dentist' look like a walk in the park. Also, the number of 'Final Fantasy' tributes is absurd. Just pick a style of music, and there's a tribute video set to it. Johnny Cash? Here it is. Bon Jovi? Check. Enya? Got it covered. [From: Cracked.com]

Continue reading Types of YouTube Videos That Shouldn't Exist

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Types of YouTube Videos That Shouldn't Exist originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HSN Salesman Breaks TV With Wiimote: Real or Fake?

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:43:00 EST

Wiimote accidents are easily preventable. The slippery sucker comes with both a strap and an optional sleeve, hoping to soften whatever damage a klutz might do to his dog or girlfriend. But most importantly, not letting go of the controller requires simple common sense. That's why it continues to be entertaining when hapless gamers fling the things at their screens.

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When a man helplessly calls for his 'mama' after shattering his flat screen, it's oddly sad. But when a Home Shopping Network host launches a Wii Tennis racket at the screen (jump to 5:05 in the above video), cracks the TV, and continues to plow right through his pitch without missing a beat (with no help from his hysterical co-worker), we laugh at him, and then with him. Hey, he didn't break a sweat, and the savvy production team flawlessly cut to a different shot instead of letting the poor guy suffer. It's almost too good to be true, but we agree with Gizmodo here. A very real screwup that fortunately (for us) was caught on live TV. However, if anyone is going to buy into a bunch of plastic, poorly affixed sports accessories, then it serves them right. [From: Gizmodo and Joystiq]

Continue reading HSN Salesman Breaks TV With Wiimote: Real or Fake?

Filed under: Video Games

HSN Salesman Breaks TV With Wiimote: Real or Fake? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Rest: Unseen Video Game Victims, NYTimes Loves 'Epic Fail'

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:45:00 EST

For every goomba you stomp, auto you 'Grand Theft,' and building you 'Rampage,' thousands of digital, imaginary lives are ruined. Cracked.com measures the collateral damage that video games never show. [Cracked.com]
Abe gets a face-lift with geeky, pop-cultured inspired doodlings on the dollar bill. Who knew John Adams could look so good in drag? [Geekologie]
We're sorry Dave, but we're afraid you can't throw paper in with plastic. A sentient city, complete with a bench that tips the user if he or she sits too long and energy aware plants, is definitely anxiety-inducing. [BBC.co.uk]
Oh, Gawker, making fun of all the media we love to hate. The gossip blog pointed out that The New York Times itself has taken to using "epic fail," showing even the most literary can be L33t. [Gawker]

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Filed under: Editor's Picks

Best of the Rest: Unseen Video Game Victims, NYTimes Loves 'Epic Fail' originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nooka Founder Matthew Waldman Talks Watch Design

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:31:00 EST

Back in the late '90s, when brand designer and specialist Matthew Waldman waited for a client, he passed his time like anyone, looking at the clock. Waldman, who has always been fascinated by object meaning and form, was struck by the strangeness of the dial. The clock make-up didn't seem natural; minute and hour hands wouldn't make sense to anyone who didn't know how to tell conventional time.

So taking his talent for branding and design, Waldman in 1997 sketched a square clockface, which used fractions and bars to indicate time in, what he dubs, "an intuitive interface to tell time." First he took his idea, along with the retro and sci-fi imbued approach, to Seiko, which licensed his designs. There, he named his project 'Nooka', an ambiguously ethnic name that has Waldman's modus operandi ("new") within the word itself. Setting out on his own, Waldman founded Nooka in 2005, which in just four years has became known as a manufacturer of futuristic, mostly digital, rubberized and mesh alternatives to traditional watches.

Today, Nooka's Manhattan offices are bustling, filled with collaborations that teamed the brand up with everyone from graffiti artists and fashion labels to musicians and Sponge Bob, and Waldman himself has branched out with high design wallets, toys, and even a fragrance. The location is like a toyshop from the future, with colorful vinyl figures and taped, cutout collages on the wall as inspiration. Sitting down to discuss his projects with Switched, Waldman emphasized that infusing technology with design is a great way to rethink anything mundane, not just watches, but the digital devices lent themselves to his forward-thinking tinkering. And to that, we say, it's about time. nooka.com

Filed under: Editor's Picks, Switched Video

Nooka Founder Matthew Waldman Talks Watch Design originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How the French Language Struggles in the Technology Age

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:31:00 EST

Take this from someone who went to college in a French-speaking country: no one takes la langue more seriously than the francophone. Heritage, cultural pride, and a sense of protection keep the government involved in the purity of francais, so much so that other languages have suffered in many francophone countries, most particularly France, itself. (Just ask the English-speaking Montrealers who were around in the 70's). In fact, linguistic delegation started in 1593, and 'La délégation générale à la langue française et aux langues de France,' or the committee that delegates the languages of France, ensures that signs, contracts, and advertisements all feature French prominently.

Yet, with the rise of the Internet and rapidly developing buzzwords, the French are getting un petit perdu. The Wall Street Journal chronicles the long 18 months it took for a 17-member French assembly to suggest an adequate signifier for "cloud computing." Their nominee (informatique en nuage) apparently feels too confusing in French, and has been sent back for a review. Other terms that have been attacked by the specially designed Commission of Terminology and Neology are "emoticon" (frimousse, or literally 'show off), "Trojan horse" (cheval de Troie, or 'horse of Troy') and "World Wide Web" (toile d'araignée mondiale, or 'global spider web'), all terms that Louis VIII certainly never had to tackle.

Continue reading How the French Language Struggles in the Technology Age

Filed under: Web

How the French Language Struggles in the Technology Age originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shakespeare Had Collaborators, Says Computer Program

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:25:00 EST

Thank goodness our e-mail addresses have changed since the days of Shakespeare 101, or we'd be getting big, fat "I told you so's" from our college professors. For as many years as he's been studied, scholars have raged about whether or not Shakespeare had collaborators (or snatched some language from playwrights of his day). However, Sir Brian Vickers at the University of London says he can now prove that Shakespeare got a hand, by using modern-day plagiarism technology.

Vickers took 'Pl@giarism,' a program meant to detect whether or not students have been cheating, and took phrases from 'Edward III,' a play attributed to Shakespeare, and matched them against other dramatic pieces. According to Vickers, 60-percent of the play's phrases are reminiscent of Shakespearean contemporary Thomas Kyd, while only 40-percent suit the Bard himself, leading the professor to conclude that 'Eddy Three' is mostly a work of Kyd's.

Continue reading Shakespeare Had Collaborators, Says Computer Program

Filed under: Computers

Shakespeare Had Collaborators, Says Computer Program originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Make Time Fly With Hyper-Color Pop Watches

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:25:00 EST

As more and more handheld gadgets come equipped with time-telling capability, watches seem almost pointless these days -- except for when they're hyper-colored, super-digital, electrifying art for the wrist. The sun may have set on summer, but the dark days of fall and winter ahead means we'll want to keep things bright, so check out our selection of 12 day-glo, pop watches (six for men, followed by six for women).

Continue reading Make Time Fly With Hyper-Color Pop Watches

Make Time Fly With Hyper-Color Pop Watches originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rechargeable, Winter-Ready Gear Keeps Wearer Warm, Defies Nature

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:25:00 EST

No matter how many gadgets and products humanity develops, there are two forces of nature that technology cannot stop: age and weather. Efforts to prevent aging have changed dramatically in the last century, but our approach to weather has stayed pretty much consistent -- less clothing when it's hot, more when it's cold -- that is, until recently. While nothing can really be done to change the climate, at least forward-thinking clothiers are trying to make it more bearable.

Two self-heating garments have hit the market, each with a particular body part and function to keep wearers toasty as winter approaches. Water-proof and rechargeable, Columbia's Bugathermo hiking boots keep toes toasty as the wearer traverses heavy terrain. Three settings focus on three locations (the lowest just warms the pads of the feat, while the highest delivers heat all over). And the black-and-orange style, along with the LED battery display, are as fashion-conscious as hiking boots are gonna get.

Continue reading Rechargeable, Winter-Ready Gear Keeps Wearer Warm, Defies Nature

Rechargeable, Winter-Ready Gear Keeps Wearer Warm, Defies Nature originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Week: Bad, Bad Net Blunders, Pervy iPod Users

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:34:00 EST

This week, it was as if the world was trying to demonstrate how not to behave on the Internet. Sure, sometimes it can be a communication, text-based, streaming video free-for-all, but it's more than obvious that trying to sell your grandma is definitely not okay. No one, no matter the forum, looks too kindly on impersonation, racism, or slander (especially not all three), and it certainly doesn't take a genius to figure out that polling Facebook to ask whether the President of the United States should be assassinated is probably not a good idea. (Hey, we're all about free speech. Dumb, inflammatory speech isn't covered by law.) Maybe not all bad Internet actions involve such a heinous lapse in judgment, but some holy, sacred things should just be done in person. The Net is an extension of the real world, so like anything else, it's best to think twice before you open your big mouth. Other stories of note:

Stupid computer mistakes aren't just confined to online. One English prison decided to let a convicted hacker have control of the institution's computer systems. Guess what happened? No, seriously, just guess.
Microsoft's Security Essentials anti-virus tool is out of beta, and free for download, garnering a load of enthusiastic reviews.
With the new iPod Nano with video, the only limit is the imagination... and child pornography and harassment laws, set to prohibit a peeping tom from filming up a girl's skirt.
As computers and defense programs get better, so do hackers. Now, a vicious virus funnels money from a bank account, and sneakily covers up its tracks, keeping the balance at a normal number until money has been drained.

Filed under: Editor's Picks

Best of the Week: Bad, Bad Net Blunders, Pervy iPod Users originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Spore' Movie Helmed By 'Ice Age' Director

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 07:35:00 EST

Thanks to video games, franchises, reboots, and TV shows, Hollywood executives never need to have an original idea again. So take an extremely original idea from the creator of 'Sims' and turn it into a movie with cute, super star-voiced characters and attach a big director and, bam, easy Hollywood bucks. Will Wrights' 'Spore', an evolution, RPG-type game where decisions made as an amoeba affect gameplay down the road during your creature's space age, is about as unique as it gets, and despite its heaping dose of anti-Intelligent Design bias, it has been optioned to go big screen.

Apparently, signed-on director Chris Wedge has some experience dealing with evolution stories. He kicked off the delightful 'Ice Age' original (Thankfully not the sequels. For the sequels, well... see the first sentence.) and works on those adorable Scrat flicks about the downtrodden squirrel, so maybe he'll add quirk and heart to a 'Spore' movie. And hopefully some John Leguizamo, as well. [From: Fidgit]

Filed under: Video Games

'Spore' Movie Helmed By 'Ice Age' Director originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 07:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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25 Years Of Horrible, Hilarious Microsoft Ads

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:05:00 EST

[Disclaimer: The writer of this post is a pure-bred Mac addict, and will probably continue to be so for the rest of her life.] Regardless of whether PCs or Apples are your thing, it's hard to argue against the fact that Microsoft has aired some truly bizarre, awkward, and downright bad advertisements over the past few decades. Sure, the PC vs. Mac commercials have gotten tedious, but Apple has historically leaned towards pop-inspired, music-and-dance promos while Bill Gates & Co. are admittedly, well... weird.

Continue reading 25 Years Of Horrible, Hilarious Microsoft Ads

Filed under: Computers, Web

25 Years Of Horrible, Hilarious Microsoft Ads originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Broadway: Wolverine and James Bond Vs. Cell Phones

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:54:00 EST

James Bond (played recently by Daniel Craig) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) are tough guys, but apparently not intimidating enough to silence a cell phone. In a recent production of Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig's 'A Steady Rain' on Broadway, an audience member's phone began ringing, prompting Jackman (without missing a beat or dropping character), to ask the interrupter if they'd like to pick up (video embedded above). As it continued ringing, Jackman even invited the person on stage "if they want to get up and tell their story." Later, another call occurred, and this time Craig retorted.

Despite the rude interjection, it should be noted that both Craig and Jackman -- a Brit and an Aussie, respectively -- kept their accents, and tempers, in check. Also, word to the wise: for the price of a ticket to a sold-out, critically acclaimed show (like 'A Steady Rain'), it's not just the actors that will be annoyed by the cell phone faux pas, but the audience, as well. At least it wasn't a duck. [From: Huffington Post and TMZ]

Filed under: Cell Phones, Celebrities

On Broadway: Wolverine and James Bond Vs. Cell Phones originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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J.K. Rowling's Anti-Twitter Tweets, Apple App Store Hits 2 Billion

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:34:00 EST

Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....

J.K. Rowling, the author behind 'Harry Potter,' has joined Twitter at last (largely to prevent the proliferation of Rowling impostors). Don't get too excited, though, because she immediately tweeted: "I'm afraid you won't be hearing from me very often... as pen and paper is my priority at the moment." That'd be great news, if there were another Potter edition in the pipeline, but alas... [From: Newsvine.com]
Comedians on the Net aren't anything new, but apparently sites like Break.com, ComedyCentral.com, and Wimp.com have reported a 27-percent increase in visitors from this time last year. Either the mainstream craves its fix of dancing babies, or Americans really just need a laugh. [From: SFGate.com]
This morning, Apple announced that its App Store, which contains over 85,000 applications, has surpassed two billion downloads. That's pretty impressive, considering it was at 1.5 billion just two months ago. [From: Reuters.com]
The headaches and fatigue associated with cell phones may actually be psychosomatic. A study conducted by European scientists has stated there is no definite link between cell usage and brain cancer. However, it also points out that prevalent mobile-to-ear contact has only been around for ten years or less. [From: CTV.com, via Textually]
According to a phone survey conducted by AAA, one in five drivers has admitted to texting behind the wheel (although almost all drivers think it's a bad idea). Simple solution: if it's a bad idea, don't do it. [From: Reuters.com]

Filed under: Editor's Picks

J.K. Rowling's Anti-Twitter Tweets, Apple App Store Hits 2 Billion originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Week: The Weird World Wide Web, Avoid Virtual Ethics Slips

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:41:00 EST

Weird, super bizarre, uncanny things have been happening since the dawn of time, but with the advent of hyper connectivity, the world witnesses strange happenings faster than ever. And, as with anything, the deeper you dig, the stranger things get. Sure, a Jedi hanging out in a supermarket is a little odd, but not as creepy as, say, a vampiric lamp from hell. And with a couple simple Google searches, it's even possible to discover that robots make better proctologists than doctors (imagine that one while falling asleep at night). Our universe is indeed wacky, and only gets curiouser the more exposed we become (and we are indeed exposed, with background-checking iPhone apps running amuck). So instead of ending this week with the most absurd story we could find, we're just going to close out by saying at least our technology isn't as erratic as that found in Hollywood horr films. Some other stranger-than-fiction news that you may have missed:

The Net brings out the bad in everyone, so head to this handy guide for staying on the straight and narrow during the daily Internet dig.
A Brooklyn-based blogger takes descriptions from Craigslist's 'Missed Connections' and illustrates them, adding a bit of fancy to everyday scenarios.
Paparazzi won't get a glimpse of Russian billionaire Roman Abromovich's exclusive yacht, thanks to his camera-busting lasers.
Add Clampi to the list of viruses to watch out for, as the malware infects both fake sites and the real deal, hoping to snatch bank and credit card information.

Filed under: Editor's Picks

Best of the Week: The Weird World Wide Web, Avoid Virtual Ethics Slips originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Engadget: New iMacs Coming? Motorola CLIQ Apps Impress

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:36:00 EST

Our friends over at Engadget obsessively cover everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics, which is why we compile this daily roundup of their top stuff (or, at least, what we think is tops). For more details on any of these stories, click on the Engadget links in each story below.

Motorola Shows Off Impressive List of Pre-Loaded Apps on the CLIQ
While the Engadget Show did poke fun at Motorola's penchant for purposeful misspellings, the app line-up on Moto's newest device, CLIQ, looks pretty impressive. Most eye-popping are popular offerings like MTV, Digg, LastFM, and Google features galore. It won't erase the memory of the RAZR, but it'll help.

New Line of iMacs Coming Soon?
Yes, the holidays are rapidly approaching (if you're quiet, you can hear them... ), so that means big retail pushes and price slashes from manufacturers flood the stores like kids on Santa. One possibility is a rumored skinnier, faster, and cheaper iMac, speculated to be released before the year is out.

Continue reading The Daily Engadget: New iMacs Coming? Motorola CLIQ Apps Impress

Filed under: Editor's Picks

The Daily Engadget: New iMacs Coming? Motorola CLIQ Apps Impress originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Artist Illustrates Craigslist 'Missed Connections'

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:35:00 EST

Part urban poetry, part pure comedy, there is something touching about Sophie Blackall's "Missed Connections NY" drawings. Like most of us urban dwellers, Sophie occasionally drops in on the Craigslist 'Missed Connections' section, which hopes that some lovelorn individual has a moment of reciprocation with a complete stranger. Sophie draws those moments, simply, in colored pencil, and describes the scenarios, which usually all start and end the same way: two people on the train, sharing a brief moment (maybe?), and neither getting up the nerve to say anything. Blackall's whimsical drawings capture both the romance and the awkwardness.

We all scroll through the M.C.s, from time to time, looking through our respective train routes, half-hoping to see a description of ourselves. Mostly, the posts are funny, like "Are you scared of birds or something? Well, whatever the case...it was cute," but some are outright charming, like "I bought you that milkshake...you just didn't realize it." If anyone sees a description like, "Lost-looking blogger-type covered in coffee stains, most likely late for work. Too involved in her DS to pay attention, but was alluring underneath the un-brushed hair," send us a tip. Could lead to something interesting. [From: Missed Connections via: Apartment Therapy]

Filed under: Web

Artist Illustrates Craigslist 'Missed Connections' originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini-Video for Micro-Blogs, 'Flight of the Conchords' Meets 'Rock Band'

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:25:00 EST

Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....

For all those Kiwi fans out there, TV stars/folk duo Flight of the Conchords will get three songs on the new 'Rock Band.' Well, we think. It's hard to tell whether those guys are kidding or not. [From: Kotaku]
Robo.to lets users record three-second videos of themselves, via cell-camera or Web cam, and then post them to profiles on Facebook, Flickr, and Twitter. [From: NYTimes.com]
YouTube has shared a graph indicating that the majority of video streamers cast their votes at five stars, suggesting that, for the most part, viewers vote only when they see something they love. YouTube project manager Shiva Rajaraman wonders if it might be better to move to a "thumbs up/down" rating. [From: YouTube]
If this blogger only had an iPhone, she would be ecstatic about the two new official Starbucks apps. The first has nutritional and amenity-related info, and the second (still being tested) actually produces a barcode so that caffeine fiends can pay with their iPhones. Genius. [From: WSJ.com]
Usually pretty good about their top ads, Google has accidentally let a malicious masquerader through the gates. Googling "Firefox" suggests that users click on "Mozilla.com/Firefox," which is indeed the right URL, but will actually transport surfers to another site promising Firefox "customer care" for $2.50. [From: TechCrunch]
Harvard has announced the "Espresso Book Machine," a service provided by On Demand Books. Perfect for those eleventh-hour term papers, the machine -- in mere minutes -- prints books that have been digitized by Google. Quick question though: Wouldn't it be more ecological to just use a non-paper-wasting e-reader? [From: FoxNews.com]

Filed under: Editor's Picks

Mini-Video for Micro-Blogs, 'Flight of the Conchords' Meets 'Rock Band' originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Billionaire's Yacht Blasts Lasers at Spying Paparazzi

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:34:00 EST

The world's largest, costliest, and most private yacht, owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, has two heli-pads, a missile defense system, two swimming pools (one doubling as a dance floor), and six-foot wide cinema screens in all 26 of the guest bedrooms. Oh, and to keep out prying eyes, Abramovich has also installed a paparazzi-sensing, picture-ruining laser system.

Infrared devices locate nearby electronic camera sensors, and then fire a direct beam at the intruding camera, ruining any picture an interloper might hope to snap. This isn't the first time light refraction has been used to deter hungry shutterbugs (Remember the hard-to-photograph clutch bag that premiered in July?), but it's certainly the most original use of the anti-paparazzi technology.

Now, if only all that money could buy success for the Russian national football team and the Chelsea football club, which has strong support from the sports-loving Abramovich... [From: TimesOnline.co.uk, via Dvice]

Filed under: Cameras, Celebrities

Billionaire's Yacht Blasts Lasers at Spying Paparazzi originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft Stores Poaching Apple Workers? Twitter Helping NYTimes

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:35:00 EST

Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....

Since Microsoft is making its foray into brick-and-mortar locations, a la Apple, who is better to lead the Windows retail spots than poached Apple Store employees? [From: Loop In Sight]
Facebook has partnered with Nielsen to assess what Facebookers watch or are interested in seeing, hoping to package that info to advertisers. Of course, this assumes the paid-for Zombieland polls, which inquire whether we'd date a zombie, are totally accurate sources of data, right? [From: WallStreeJournal.com
The New York Times hearts Twitter, as the micro-blogging site is one of the top 10 sites to drive traffic to the Grey Lady, according to an official Times spokeswoman. Not bad for Twitter, which, until a year ago, most Americans thought was simply a bird noise. [From: All Things D]
Sony seems to be getting the musical message, as it has begun offering its albums via music download service Amie Street (which starts all songs off as being free, and then gradually raises prices as more people buy). Granted, Sony's $.69, $.99, and $1.29 gradations aren't $0.00, but it's a step in the right direction. [From: TechCrunch]
Dell, despite sagging sales during the downturn, has announced its intention to acquire Perot Systems. That's a smart move for Dell, as Perot is known for its medical record-keeping services, and the government is making a push to help doctors and hospitals digitize records. [From: NYTimes.com]
Ditching its for-pay Windows Live One-Care, Microsoft mentioned on Sunday that it will release a final, free version of its anti-virus software, codenamed 'Morro.' [From: Cnet]

Filed under: Editor's Picks

Microsoft Stores Poaching Apple Workers? Twitter Helping NYTimes originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Obama's Healthcare Facebook App, BlackBerry and Mac Together at Last?

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST

Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....

President Obama's administration, a team known for its Net savvy, has published a 'Reality Check' Facebook quiz, letting participants know how his planned health care reform will affect them. The app's comment section has already gotten ugly, with some supporting the plan and others somehow dubbing it both "socialist" and "fascist." (They are polar opposites, people.) [From: ReadWriteWeb]
As evidenced by many of us at Switched, Mac users don't always use the iPhone. BlackBerry users with Apple computers will likely get BlackBerry Desktop Manager for their Macs come September 25th. The app will improve contacts, media, calendar and other data syncing. [From: Boy Genius Report, via TUAW]
In an effort to rebrand itself, Yahoo! is launching a massive new campaign with the slogan "It's You!" (in the Yahoo! font) to promote its newly customizable search options. Too bad. We were gunning for "Yahoo! Yippee!" as the new catchphrase... [From: WallStreetJournal.com]
Facebook Beacon, the cross-platform advertising program put forth by the social networking giant, is officially dead. Good riddance. Facebook Connect is much more useful, anyway. [From: Cnet, via Download Squad]

Filed under: Editor's Picks, BlackBerry, BlackBerry 101

Obama's Healthcare Facebook App, BlackBerry and Mac Together at Last? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daily E-Mails Keep Dudes Cool (and Spending)

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:45:00 EST

Anyone who has ever shopped with a man before (or is a man) knows that the male species' natural tendency is to find something that works, and buy it. No digging, no squabbling, no hitting the sale racks and checking behind clothes bins for fallen gems. Shopping, needless to say, does not bring out the hunting-gathering instinct in males. Instead, it's more of a what-is-in-my-face-works attitude.

Such is the notion behind dude-geared daily e-mail services, a sector of reporting that is growing quickly. Not quite publications, these bite-sized 'newsletters' grace subscribers' inboxes once a day, offering reports of the best and newest restaurants, styles, and activities. Services like Thrillist and UrbanDaddy hit man-friendly topics like hilarious new Web sites or vintage-inspired T-shirts, with sections dedicated to sports, tech, and entertainment. Basically, these newsletters do what a Web site does, but in a more tailored, casual (and man-friendly) format.

Continue reading Daily E-Mails Keep Dudes Cool (and Spending)

Filed under: Web

Daily E-Mails Keep Dudes Cool (and Spending) originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Week: Kanye Finally Lets Us Finish, Terrifying Leaping Bots

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:25:00 EST

Yo, last week, you were good and all, and I'm gonna let you finish, but this week was the best week ever. Things happened this week. Big things. The last seven days have brought a flurry of activity, like Kanye West interrupting poor Taylor Swift at the VMAs inspiring a hugely popular Kanye meme. Or the epic battle between a man, his beloved garlic, and an ISP as a metaphor for rural society rejecting technology. And while this may not be news to some, the opening of a 'Harry Potter' theme park made our personal front pages. While the rest of the world was off reading legitimate news sources (and possibly getting infected with viruses because of it), we diligently monitored the lines and discovered that Warren Buffet's inability to check voice mail may have caused the recession. No need to thank us, we are just doing our jobs. Other things to thank us for:

Not everyone is a rocket scientist, but a home burglar that gets busted by signing into his Facebook account from his victim's laptop is a special kind of stupid.
Two feuding families, a shotgun, and a whole lot of manure are a recipe for a good-old fashioned tasering, but one reader summed it all up nicely.
An inarguable truth: If something is intimidating and threatening, and then it is endowed with the ability to leap tall heights, it becomes the most terrifying thing ever, like this bounding-over-fences bot that the government is crazy enough to bring into existence. Supposedly, they will be used to 'explore,' but all that means is that the apocalypse will come quicker.
Speaking of the end of days, here is a crucial guide to what you need in order to survive it, with handy little illustrations.
Despite slowing down our flash gaming, Internet Explorer 8 is the best at something, and you'd never guess what.

Filed under: Editor's Picks

Best of the Week: Kanye Finally Lets Us Finish, Terrifying Leaping Bots originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Twitter Gets a Flashier Avatar, Microsoft Goes After 'Malvertisers'

switchedtips@gmail.com (Leila Brillson) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:58:00 EST

Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....

That creepy blue and brown, eyes-like symbol that signified a default avatar on Twitter is officially (and thankfully) retired, replaced with a much cheerier Twitter bird. Though, anything would be an improvement over the old "o_O" (which actually looks better typed than it does aqua blue on chocolate brown). [From: Mashable]
Microsoft filed five lawsuits yesterday against unnamed 'malvertisers.' This type of malicious advertiser embeds viruses into otherwise legitimate ads, as evidenced in the malicious ads plaguing the New York Times. [From: CNET]
The NYTimes ad that infected users with malware earlier this week is actually the tip of a much larger, crazier iceberg, writes Forbes. The botnet-infested ad sent users to a router (traced to the Bahamas), and asked them to download 'anti-virus software.' [From: Forbes]
In a progressive move, CBSSports.com will begin streaming SEC games (which, Caleb Johnson has informed this writer, means "South Eastern Conference") live on the Web this Saturday, using Flash. [From: NewTeeVee]
Publishers and songwriters are criticizing iTunes over its download policy, saying that even 30-second song samples and streaming TV should generate revenue for composers. [From: CNET]

Filed under: Editor's Picks

Twitter Gets a Flashier Avatar, Microsoft Goes After 'Malvertisers' originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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