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[Researcher to Use GPS to Study Asthma Triggers]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/13/researcher-to-use-gps-to-study-asthma-triggers/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/13/researcher-to-use-gps-to-study-asthma-triggers/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/13/researcher-to-use-gps-to-study-asthma-triggers/#comments You wouldn't expect GPS tech to have an impact on asthma research, but the University of Wisconsin-Madison's David Van Sickle says it will -- he's planning on tagging sufferers so he can learn when and where they reach for their inhalers. The data will hopefully make sorting out environmental triggers of the disease much easier -- it took scientists eight years to prove that soybean dust near the Barcelona harbor caused a massive asthma outbreak in the '80s, a timeline that might have been dramatically shorter if location information had been available from the start. The plan's still in the early stages, but would-be participants can sign up already -- let's just hope the tracker is slightly more attractive than Kogan's enormous watch unit.

[Via CNET]

Filed under:

Researcher to Use GPS to Study Asthma Triggers originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> asthmadavid van sickleDavidVanSicklegpsgps trackingGpsTrackinghealthmadisonmedicinescienceuniversity of wisconsinuniversity of wisconsin madisonUniversityOfWisconsinUniversityOfWisconsinMadison Nilay Patel Mon, 13 Apr 2009 09:15:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Nintendo DSi Debuts to iPhone-like Sales in US and Europe]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/10/nintendo-dsi-debuts-to-iphone-like-sales-in-us-and-europe/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/10/nintendo-dsi-debuts-to-iphone-like-sales-in-us-and-europe/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/10/nintendo-dsi-debuts-to-iphone-like-sales-in-us-and-europe/#comments It wasn't the most hyped launch ever, but Nintendo's DSi had itself a fine little opening weekend, with 300,000 units moving in the US and Europe each. Not bad at all, considering that the first DS only sold 500,000 units in its first entire week in the US -- we're guessing the DSi will manage to meet that mark when the final numbers all come in. So, anyone out there pick one up?

Filed under:

Nintendo DSi Debuts to iPhone-like Sales in US and Europe originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> businessdsdsihandheld gamingHandheldGaminglaunchnintendorecessionretailsales numbersSalesNumbers Nilay Patel Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:18:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Amazon Now Selling Xbox Live Arcade Games]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/10/amazon-now-selling-xbox-live-arcade-games/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/10/amazon-now-selling-xbox-live-arcade-games/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/10/amazon-now-selling-xbox-live-arcade-games/#comments
Amazon.com might still make most of its money by shipping physical items to your door, but it's clear that the online retail giant knows the future of media is digital -- not only is it pushing the Kindle and services like Amazon Video On Demand, it's expanding its downloadable video game catalog to include Xbox Live Arcade games today. The process seems a little clunky at the moment -- you buy a code from Amazon that you have enter into your Xbox -- and it's not exactly easy to compare prices, since Amazon charges you real money instead of Xbox Live points, but we're not going to complain too much about anything that increases gamer choice. (Using real money actually seems like a benefit to us -- we've never really loved the idea of points.) The service is live now, anyone going to do a little shopping?

[Via Joystiq]

Continue reading Amazon Now Selling Xbox Live Arcade Games

Filed under:

Amazon Now Selling Xbox Live Arcade Games originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> amazonmicrosoftxboxxbox 360xbox livexbox live arcadeXbox360XboxLiveXboxLiveArcade Nilay Patel Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:58:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Proposed Bill Would Create National Cybersecurity Advisor]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/06/proposed-bill-would-create-national-cybersecurity-advisor/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/06/proposed-bill-would-create-national-cybersecurity-advisor/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/06/proposed-bill-would-create-national-cybersecurity-advisor/#comments It hasn't gotten a lot of traction yet, but Senators Jay Rockefeller and Olympia Snow have jointly introduced a bill that would create an Office of the National Cybersecurity Advisor, a new White House position designed to beef up the nation's information security policies. The new office goes hand-in-hand with the Cybersecurity Act of 2009, another proposed bill that would create an entire panel of security experts brought in from the government, private sector, and universities.

All together, the two pieces of legislation would require that government networks and software meet a set of security standards and vulnerability tests -- and, more controversially, that private networks deemed "critical infrastructure" by the President meet these standards as well.

What's more, El Presidente can order the disconnection of those networks during a "cybersecurity emergency" or national security emergency if needed, and security professionals will need to be licensed by the government to work on them.

Yeah, it's a long way from BlackBerrys loaded with presidential campaign information being sold at yard sales, but we'd bet some of these ideas get tamer as the bill moves through the process -- we'll see how it goes.

Filed under:

Proposed Bill Would Create National Cybersecurity Advisor originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> cybersecuritycybersecurity act of 2009CybersecurityActOf2009governmentnational cybersecurity advisorNationalCybersecurityAdvisoroffice of the national cybersecurity advisorOfficeOfTheNationalCybersecurityAdvisorsecurity Nilay Patel Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:21:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[New Flat-Speaker Tech Could Make Public Places Even Louder]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/05/new-flat-speaker-tech-could-make-public-places-even-louder/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/05/new-flat-speaker-tech-could-make-public-places-even-louder/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/05/new-flat-speaker-tech-could-make-public-places-even-louder/#comments
Flat-panel speakers are nothing new, but a new version of the tech could one day replace boomy public address systems with hidden speakers that produce easier-to-hear audio in large spaces. Under development at the University of Warwick, FFL ("flat flexible loudspeaker") speakers are actually a thin laminate made of layers of conducting and insulating material that resonate when electricity is passed through them -- the crisper, clearer audio is a result of the entire surface creating sound in phase at once, which allows it to produce highly directional audio. Since they're so thin and flexible, FFL speakers can be hidden nearly anywhere -- behind signage, in the ceiling, or even painted and hung directly on the wall.

Of course, this'll all come to nothing if the sound quality isn't up to snuff, but we'll find out more when the first commercial FFL product goes on sale later this year.

[Via PhysOrg]

Filed under:

New Flat-Speaker Tech Could Make Public Places Even Louder originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> fflflat flexible loudspeakerflat flexible loudspeakersflat panel speakersflat speakersFlatFlexibleLoudspeakerFlatFlexibleLoudspeakersFlatPanelSpeakersFlatSpeakersspeakerspeakers Nilay Patel Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:47:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Apple and Stanford Offering iPhone App-Making Classes Online]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/04/apple-and-stanford-to-offer-free-iphone-development-courses-onli/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/04/apple-and-stanford-to-offer-free-iphone-development-courses-onli/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/04/apple-and-stanford-to-offer-free-iphone-development-courses-onli/#comments Would-be iPhone developers struggling to make their apps do more than fart and crash take note: Apple and Stanford have partnered to offer videos and course materials from Stanford's undergraduate iPhone app development course through iTunes. The course is being taught by two Apple engineers, and it sounds like videos will go up regularly -- the first is scheduled to post on Friday. Alright, let's all practice together: "Yeah, I took a class at Stanford." Sounds good, doesn't it?

[Via Wired]

Filed under:

Apple and Stanford Offering iPhone App-Making Classes Online originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> appleiphoneiphone developmentiphone osiphone os 3.0IphoneDevelopmentIphoneOsIphoneOs3.0itunes uItunesUstanford Nilay Patel Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Apple Adds HD Video Purchases to the iTunes Store]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/20/apple-adds-hd-video-purchases-to-the-itunes-store/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/20/apple-adds-hd-video-purchases-to-the-itunes-store/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/20/apple-adds-hd-video-purchases-to-the-itunes-store/#comments
Apple's flood of announcements this month continues apace today with the addition of high-def movie purchases to the iTunes Store. Although HD TV shows were previously available to buy, HD movies were rental-only until now. HD flicks will cost you $19.99, and we're guessing they're the same H.264 compressed 720p quality as usual, so videophiles will probably want to stick to Blu-ray. Purchases will come with both an HD file and an iPod / iPhone-ready SD file, which is a nice touch, and Apple's also promising that HD rentals will now be on the store within 30 days of retail release -- better, but not perfect. It's all going live today with exclusive pre-orders of 'Quantum of Solace' and 'Twilight,' but honestly, we're still wondering when Apple will implement subscription video and really take it to Netflix.

Filed under: ,

Apple Adds HD Video Purchases to the iTunes Store originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> appleapple tvAppleTvhdhd movieshd videoHdMoviesHdVideoitunesitunes storeItunesStore Nilay Patel Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:16:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Hands-On with the World's Cheapest Laptops]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/hands-on-with-the-worlds-cheapest-laptops/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/hands-on-with-the-worlds-cheapest-laptops/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/hands-on-with-the-worlds-cheapest-laptops/#comments
We were ready to fall in love with the Impulse NPX-9000 as soon as we heard the words "World's Cheapest Laptop," but now that we've got a review sample in our hands, the bloom might be off this rose -- especially since the $199 wholesale price isn't even as cheap as the Dell Mini 9 on sale.

On the other hand, there's something just delightfully janky about our Windows XP-powered unit, now labeled the TNX-9500 -- it beeped continuously for several minutes when we first turned it on, the 1GHz no-name processor seems less willing to run Internet Explorer than Richard Stallman on a bad day, and it took us several minutes to figure out that a loud howling sound was being produced by the always-on microphone feeding back through the speakers. Yet for some reason we were all smiles the whole time -- what can we say, we're suckers for cheap.

Hopefully Impulse will stake a bolder claim to the title of "world's cheapest laptop" when production ramps up, since prices are expected to fall, but this particular unit actually can't get any cheaper for you -- we'll be giving it away soon. Check some shots in the gallery at Engadget!

Filed under: , ,

Hands-On with the World's Cheapest Laptops originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> carapellifeaturedimpulsenetbooknpx 900npx-9000Npx900tnx 9500tnx-9500Tnx9500worlds cheapest laptopWorldsCheapestLaptop Nilay Patel Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:21:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[New iPod shuffle Only Usable with Apple-Authorized Headphones]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/new-ipod-shuffle-only-usable-with-apple-authorized-headphones/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/new-ipod-shuffle-only-usable-with-apple-authorized-headphones/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/new-ipod-shuffle-only-usable-with-apple-authorized-headphones/#comments
Sigh, it looks like Apple's habit of squeezing iPod accessory manufacturers for license fees has now extended to freaking headphones -- iLounge is reporting that the new iPod shuffle can only be controlled by headphones with a special hardware authentication chip. That means that third parties will have to pay Apple for the privilege of making shuffle-compatible accessories, and you can bet they'll just pass that cost right on to consumers -- we wouldn't expect any cheap headphone adapters or inexpensive replacement headphones for the littlest iPod. iLounge calls this a "nightmare scenario" for iPod fans, and we're inclined to agree -- it's one thing for Apple to require the Made For iPod certification for accessories that interface with the dock connector, but trying to lock down headphones is a sad new low, and it makes the lack of physical controls on the shuffle seem even more ridiculous. Anyone still planning on buying this thing?

Filed under:

New iPod shuffle Only Usable with Apple-Authorized Headphones originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 07:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> appleheadphonesipodipod shuffleipod shuffle headphonesIpodShuffleIpodShuffleHeadphonesshuffle Nilay Patel Tue, 17 Mar 2009 07:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Will the Next iPhone Software Update Include Copy and Paste?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/will-the-next-iphone-software-update-include-copy-and-paste/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/will-the-next-iphone-software-update-include-copy-and-paste/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/will-the-next-iphone-software-update-include-copy-and-paste/#comments
Digg's Kevin Rose has a solid (but far from perfect) track record when it comes to Apple rumors, and he just drove the nerds of SXSWi crazy with his latest gaze into the crystal ball: he says the iPhone 3.0 will have copy and paste. Kev says that the interface is much like the magnifying glass -- you use two fingers to select the text you want, and then you can cut or copy. Sure, that's great, but we think the bigger news is that Rose says 3.0 won't have support for background apps -- which makes his claim that that 3.0 will bring the iPhone "up to speed with the Palm Pre" a little suspect. We'll find out what's what in just a few days, but in the meantime check the video of Rose after the break.

Continue reading Will the Next iPhone Software Update Include Copy and Paste?

Filed under:

Will the Next iPhone Software Update Include Copy and Paste? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> appleiphoneiphone 3.0Iphone3.0kevin roseKevinRoserumorrumors Nilay Patel Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:35:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[New Philips LED Light Bulb Lasts for 45,000 hours]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/10/new-philips-led-light-bulb-lasts-for-45-000-hours/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/10/new-philips-led-light-bulb-lasts-for-45-000-hours/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/10/new-philips-led-light-bulb-lasts-for-45-000-hours/#comments
Philips has been hitting us with some out-there lighting concepts lately, but the company's Master LED light bulb is actually already on sale in Europe and is set to brighten up Stateside lives around July. The 40W-equivalent bulbs should run between $50 and $70, and expected lifetime is set at 45,000 hours -- just slightly more than a CFL's 10,000 or a standard bulb's 750 hours. The Master is certainly a damn sight nicer looking than the other mutant LED bulbs we've seen, but we'll see if consumers are ready to jump on another more-expensive-upfront lighting tech so soon after CFLs have hit the mainstream. [Via Core77]

Filed under:

New Philips LED Light Bulb Lasts for 45,000 hours originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> e27ledled lightled light bulbLedLightLedLightBulblightlight bulbLightBulblightsmastermaster ledmaster led e27MasterLedMasterLedE27philips Nilay Patel Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:22:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Amazon Launches on Roku Player]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/03/amazon-launches-on-roku-player/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/03/amazon-launches-on-roku-player/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/03/amazon-launches-on-roku-player/#comments
Amazon Video on Demand has been in private beta on the Roku Video Player for about a month now, but now everyone can stream rentals and purchases to their TVs. The free Roku update enabling the service will roll out this week, and once it's installed, you'll be able to browse, rent, and purchase any of Amazon's 40,000 movies and TV shows. The interface is an extension of the familiar Netflix interface, slightly re-jiggered for selecting content directly from the box instead of the web, and payments are authorized with a five-digit PIN so the kids can't go on crazy buying sprees. Not a bad little bump for the $99 box, but until Amazon gets HD and surround audio we don't know if it'll be enough to take on the competition. Full release after the break.

Continue reading Amazon Launches on Roku Player

Filed under: , ,

Amazon Launches on Roku Player originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> amazonmedia streamerMediaStreamerrokuvideo on demandVideoOnDemandvod Nilay Patel Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[A $41,916 E-book?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/26/a-41-916-e-book/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/26/a-41-916-e-book/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/26/a-41-916-e-book/#comments
Either Amazon's $41,916 list price is a mistake or Malcolm Barnes is finally about to buy that BMW. At $137 a page, we'd recommend you read and re-read the sample for Practical Variable Speed Drives and Power Electronics a few times before pulling the trigger, Sparky.

Filed under:

A $41,916 E-book? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> amazone-bookebookkindlekindle 2Kindle2malcolm barnesMalcolmBarnesPractical Variable Speed Drives and Power ElectronicsPracticalVariableSpeedDrivesAndPowerElectronics Nilay Patel Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:24:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Apple Working on 15-Inch MacBook Air?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/01/20/apple-working-on-15-inch-macbook-air/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/20/apple-working-on-15-inch-macbook-air/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/20/apple-working-on-15-inch-macbook-air/#comments

Sketchy rumor Sunday, people -- Chinese site Apple.pro is saying there's a 15-inch MacBook Air in the works. That would certainly be an interesting compromise between portability and screen real estate, especially since the Air's new NVIDIA-based internals are actually somewhat capable, but we wouldn't bank on big brother making an appearance just yet. Although Apple.pro was right on the money with leaked unibody MacBook pictures, it's also been way off in the past. Anyone else mildly intrigued by the idea of a thin'n'light with big screen? Comments await. [From: AppleInsider]

Filed under: , ,

Apple Working on 15-Inch MacBook Air? originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 15-inch laptops15-inchLaptopsapplemacbook airMacbookAirultraportablesupcoming Nilay Patel Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Mac Mini Update Rumors Flare as Apple Sales Dip]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/16/mac-mini-update-rumors-flare-as-apple-sales-dip/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/16/mac-mini-update-rumors-flare-as-apple-sales-dip/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/16/mac-mini-update-rumors-flare-as-apple-sales-dip/#comments Although Apple just posted some ridiculous quarterly numbers, it doesn't seem like it's going to escape the current economic conditions in the US unscathed -- like pretty much everyone else, monthly sales are down in Cupertino, according to the NPD Group. The drop is only one percent total, but it's against a two percent rise in overall PC sales, which could indicate that Apple's premium pricing is hurting it as shoppers turn to netbooks and other bargain machines. That dovetails nicely with chatter we're hearing today about updated Mac minis making a debut at Macworld -- although Steve famously proclaimed that Apple doesn't "know how to make a $500 machine that's not a piece of junk" during the last earnings call, it sure sounds like he's going to try, with a $499 2.0GHz mini in a new MacBook-esque unibody enclosure rumored to arrive onstage in January. If you believe Wired, it'll be accompanied by a $700 2.3GHz version with NVIDIA graphics, and both models will feature mini DisplayPorts -- nothing shocking there. We'll see when we see -- we've been waiting for the mini to be updated forever, and while Apple did just uncharacteristically slam rumors of a new model, times like these could lead to drastic measures.

Read - Mac mini rumors
Read - Apple monthly sales drop

Filed under:

Mac Mini Update Rumors Flare as Apple Sales Dip originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> applemac miniMacMinimacworldmacworld 08Macworld08monthly salesMonthlySalesnpd groupNpdGrouprumors Nilay Patel Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:35:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Secret iPhone Video-out Features Hacked, Used for Video Games]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/06/secret-iphone-video-out-features-hacked-used-for-video-games/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/06/secret-iphone-video-out-features-hacked-used-for-video-games/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/06/secret-iphone-video-out-features-hacked-used-for-video-games/#comments

Hey, just because using secret undocumented iPhone SDK calls might get you booted from the App Store doesn't mean it's not a good time -- Ars Technica commissioned Freeverse to mod its Moto Chaser game to use the hidden video-out features in iPhone 2.2, and we have to say the results turned out pretty decent. It's not perfect -- it looks like it only works in landscape mode, and rendering to TV resolutions strains the processor and slows framerates down on all but the faster 2G iPod touch -- but it works, and it's a taste of where iPhone app development could go if Apple ever opens up the gates. Or you could just be Google and do whatever you want, we suppose. Video after the break.

Continue reading Secret iPhone Video-out Features Hacked, Used for Video Games

Filed under: , ,

Secret iPhone Video-out Features Hacked, Used for Video Games originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> applefreeversehackiphoneiphone 2.2iphone sdkIphone2.2IphoneSdkmoto chaserMotoChaservideo outvideo-outVideoOut Nilay Patel Sat, 06 Dec 2008 10:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Orb 2.0 Streams Live TV to Your iPhone]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/20/orb-2-0-streams-live-tv-to-your-iphone/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/20/orb-2-0-streams-live-tv-to-your-iphone/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/20/orb-2-0-streams-live-tv-to-your-iphone/#comments
We knew Orb was working on an iPhone port of its media-streaming app, and it looks like Orb 2.0 just stealthily went live in the App Store. The $10 app lets TV junkies watch live TV from a tuner connected to a Windows PC, as well as stream music, videos, and photos from their libraries. Even cooler, Orb allows you to monitor a Webcam, so you can finally nail those Diet Coke thieves from the comfort of your cube (or keep an eye on your infant, whatever.) Sadly there's no date for the Mac and Linux versions, but Orb says they're on the way. Alright Sling, looks like the ball's in your court.

[Via jkOnTheRun]

Filed under: , ,

Orb 2.0 Streams Live TV to Your iPhone originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> iphoneiphone appiphone appsIphoneAppIphoneAppsmedia streamingMediaStreamingmobile appsMobileAppsorborb liveOrbLiveplace shiftingPlaceShiftingstreaming Nilay Patel Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:52:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Headphones Can Interfere With Pacemakers, Study Finds]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/10/headphones-can-interfere-with-pacemakers-study-finds/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/10/headphones-can-interfere-with-pacemakers-study-finds/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/10/headphones-can-interfere-with-pacemakers-study-finds/#comments Headphone makers love to brag about the fancy magnets they use to drive their buds, but it turns out that hanging tiny focused magnetic fields around your neck can have unintended consequences -- a new study by Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center says that headphones can interfere with heart devices like pacemakers and defibrillators when held within an inch of the device.

The interference can be be so disruptive that a defibrillator can fail to fire live-saving electric charges, so we'd say that anyone counting on technology to keep their ticker ticking should be extra-careful with where they stow their 'phones -- and although researchers didn't find any interference from cell phones, it probably can't hurt to keep those out of your shirt pockets as well. [From: AP]

Filed under:

Headphones Can Interfere With Pacemakers, Study Finds originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> defibrillatorheadphoneshealthheartkiller gadgetsKillerGadgetsmedicinepacemakersafety Nilay Patel Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:46:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Neil Young Starts Linc Volt Electric Car Conversion Company]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/04/neil-young-starts-linc-volt-electric-car-conversion-company/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/04/neil-young-starts-linc-volt-electric-car-conversion-company/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/04/neil-young-starts-linc-volt-electric-car-conversion-company/#comments
Sure, you've got a couple Neil Young CDs and maybe a battered Farm-Aid T-shirt, but if you're really into ol' Shakey, you'll pick up one of his hotrod electric Lincoln conversions. Yep, Neil's started a company called Linc Volt to develop electric car technologies, and he's already converted his own personal '59 Lincoln in an attempt to win the Automotive X-Prize -- a process that's the subject of an upcoming documentary. Young says he's mostly focused on developing the tech -- Linc Volt will provide instructions as well as performing the actual converisons. Sure, we're into it -- just make sure it's got one of those rumbling speaker systems and we'll take two.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

Filed under: ,

Neil Young Starts Linc Volt Electric Car Conversion Company originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> electric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehicleevlinc voltlinc-voltLincVoltneil youngNeilYoung Nilay Patel Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Haunted House Run Using Home Automation Gear]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/10/31/haunted-house-run-using-home-automation-gear/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/31/haunted-house-run-using-home-automation-gear/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/31/haunted-house-run-using-home-automation-gear/#comments
We've always thought our basement full of old Newtons and Amiga machines was pretty spooky, but we'd admit that we've been one-upped by Pennsylvania's Halloween Park, which built an entire haunted mansion using off-the-shelf HAI home automation equipment. Designed by Digital Panacea, the system is "run by typical motion detectors, contacts, resets, and timers," which trigger spooky sound effects and mechanical effects, including a leaping ghost nicknamed Dead Fred. That's way more interesting than the usual home-automation setup, we'd say -- any of you planning on re-rigging your systems at home before the kiddies come by?

Filed under: ,

Haunted House Run Using Home Automation Gear originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> digital panaceaDigitalPanaceahaihalloweenhalloween parkHalloweenParkhaunted houseHauntedHousehome automationHomeAutomation Nilay Patel Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:12:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Dell Launches the Inspiron Mini 12]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/10/27/dell-launches-the-inspiron-mini-12/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/27/dell-launches-the-inspiron-mini-12/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/27/dell-launches-the-inspiron-mini-12/#comments

We knew more Inspiron Minis were in the works, and Dell's just officially announced the next member of the family, the Inspiron Mini 12. Yep, the same machine we first spotted all the way back in June, and nothing much has changed in the meantime -- you're looking at either a 1.3GHz Atom Z520 or 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor (a step up from the usual 1.6GHz Atom N270), up to an 80GB drive, 1GB of RAM, Bluetooth / Wi-Fi, and that 12-inch, 1280 x 800 display, all in a 2.72-pound package less than one inch thick.

The bad news? It's Japan-only for now, but it'll hit the States late next month with a starting price under $600. That's a pretty hot price / performance ratio on paper -- if this thing performs like it should, it could potentially take away sales from more full-featured ultraportables like the Envy 133 and the MacBook Air. We'll see how it goes -- the netbook market suddenly got interesting again, eh?

Update: It's worth pointing out that this netbook runs Vista Home Edition, albeit sluggishly according to APC (XP and Ubuntu variants by end of year). It also ships standard with a 3-hour 3 cell battery or optional $79 6-cell battery for up to 6-hours of power.

Read - Dell announcement
Read - Laptop hands-on
Read - APC hands-on
Read - Dell Q+A

Filed under: , ,

Dell Launches the Inspiron Mini 12 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> breaking newsBreakingNewsdellinspironinspiron miniinspiron mini 12InspironMiniInspironMini12mini 12Mini12netbooksnew productsNewProducts Nilay Patel Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:49:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[New iPhone Software to Include Google Street View, Mass-Transit Directions]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/10/27/new-iphone-software-to-include-google-street-view-mass-transit/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/27/new-iphone-software-to-include-google-street-view-mass-transit/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/27/new-iphone-software-to-include-google-street-view-mass-transit/#comments
The T-Mobile G1's Google Maps Street View implementation is one of the slickest features of the first Android phone, but it looks like Apple's going to keep feature parity -- the latest builds of iPhone OS 2.2 seeded to developers have Street View, as well as the ability to give mass transit directions. That's pretty useful for cityfolk like us -- and we're also stoked that line-in audio is now supported in the SDK, giving devs the ability to create voice recorders and other interesting audio apps. Of course, there's no word on when 2.2 will actually arrive, but until then we suppose we'll live with regular, non-data-augmented streets. Lots of screenshots of the new features at the read link.

[Via MacRumors]

Filed under:

New iPhone Software to Include Google Street View, Mass-Transit Directions originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 2.23g iphone3gIphoneapplefirmware 2.2Firmware2.2google mapsgoogle maps street viewgoogle street viewGoogleMapsGoogleMapsStreetViewGoogleStreetViewiphoneiphone 2.2iphone 3giphone firmware 2.2Iphone2.2Iphone3gIphoneFirmware2.2street viewStreetView Nilay Patel Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Next Generation Prius Pictures Leak Out]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/10/20/next-generation-prius-pictures-leaks-out/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/20/next-generation-prius-pictures-leaks-out/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/20/next-generation-prius-pictures-leaks-out/#comments
We thought we had a handle on what the next-gen Prius was going to look like when we spotted those renders back in July, and Toyota's just confirmed that some press shots that leaked out last week are the real deal, not just photos of a super-high-tech sneaker. The company isn't providing any more information until the official debut at January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but we're hoping we'll get some more details about those plug-in fleet tests, as well as those solar plans. Check a few more shots at links below.

[Thanks, Miko34]

Read - 2010 Prius photos on Prius Chat
Read - Toyota corporate blog

Filed under: ,

Next Generation Prius Pictures Leak Out originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 2010 prius2010Priusbreakingnewsfuture techFutureTechhybridpriustoyotaupcoming Nilay Patel Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Next Version of Windows to Be Named 'Windows 7']]> http://www.switched.com/2008/10/14/next-version-of-windows-to-be-named-windows-7/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/14/next-version-of-windows-to-be-named-windows-7/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/14/next-version-of-windows-to-be-named-windows-7/#comments
Microsoft is expected to be handing out pre-betas of Windows 7 to devs at WinHEC and PDC soon, and it looks like it's settled on an official name for its next-gen OS -- ahem, Windows 7. Yep, the code name is the real name, which is a first for Windows. According to Mike Nash on the Vista blog, the company went with Windows 7 because it "just makes sense" as the seventh release of Windows, and MS doesn't want to come up with a new "aspirational" name like Vista -- it "doesn't do justice" to the goal of staying "firmly rooted" in the ideas of Vista. Which probably explains why it looks so much the same. Sure, call it whatever you like, just get it out the door on time, okay?

Filed under:

Next Version of Windows to Be Named 'Windows 7' originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 7breaking newsBreakingNewsmicrosoftpdcpdc 2008Pdc2008windowswindows 7Windows7winhecwinhec 2008Winhec2008 Nilay Patel Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:33:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Nintendo Unveils Dual Camera DSi Portable]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-announces-the-dsi/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-announces-the-dsi/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-announces-the-dsi/#comments

As expected, Nintendo has announced the new DSi at its Fall presentation in Japan. The device features a dual touchscreen layout almost identical to the DS Lite, though the company is calling it a "third platform," which means it's complementing the existing system, not necessarily replacing it. Looks-wise there's not much different happening, but it's some 12 percent thinner -- partly because it omits the GBA cartridge slot. The displays are slightly larger, at 3.25 inches apiece, and there's an external three megapixel camera as well as a front-facing camera located on the inside hinge.

The DSi has an SD slot and internal storage -- we're not sure how much at the moment -- but photos can be taken directly to the Wii Photo Channel on the card. Nintendo's also launching an online "DSi Shop," which will sell content directly over WiFi, including a free browser app and "DS Ware" game -- and the company will offer free wireless connectivity at "Nintendo Zone" hotspots located in Japanese McDonalds. The shop will take the newly-renamed Nintendo Points (formerly Wii Points), 1000 of which will come free with the handheld until March 2010, and content will be priced in 200 / 500 / 800 point brackets. The DSi will come in white or black finishes, and will cost ¥18,900 ($178) when it launches in Japan on November 1st -- the rest of us will have to wait until next year.

Update: We've added the official Japanese DSi site link, check it out!

Update 2: We've also added a gallery (as you can see below).

Update 3: Our brothers at Joystiq have done a comprehensive spec-check of the DSi compared to the PSP-3000 and iPhone / iPod touch. Be sure and take a gander.

Update 4: You can now watch Nintendo's DSi demo video after the break, and trust us, it rules.

Update 5: Engadget Japanese tells us that only one display is touch-screen.

For more DSi goodies, check out the gallery at Engadget.

Continue reading Nintendo Unveils Dual Camera DSi Portable

Filed under:

Nintendo Unveils Dual Camera DSi Portable originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> breaking newsBreakingNewsdsdsinintendotop Nilay Patel Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[TiVO Now Available On Your PC]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/09/29/tivo-now-available-on-your-pc/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/29/tivo-now-available-on-your-pc/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/29/tivo-now-available-on-your-pc/#comments
Rejoice, HTPC (home theater PC) fans -- that partnership between Nero and TiVo has finally borne fruit in the form of Nero's new LiquidTV / TiVo PC DVR package, which brings the TiVo interface and featureset to Windows. The $199 package comes with a year of TiVo service, a Hauppage USB ATSC tuner, an IR receiver, and a Nero-branded TiVo remote, and does exactly as you'd expect -- it's TiVo on your PC.

There are some interesting PC-specific features bolted on the usual kit -- you can navigate using the keyboard and mouse (there are even some nifty contextual menus) and you can export directly to iPod and PSP-compatible .mp4 from within the interface -- but for the most part it's the same TiVo experience you're used to, including streaming shows to and from other TiVos and TiVo PCs.

If you're already running an HTPC setup, you can get the TiVo PC software and a year of service for $99, but your Media Center remote might be a little wonky without a remap, and Nero reps didn't make any promises about CableCARD compatibility apart from "it should work if Windows recognizes it." Obviously we'd like to see that firmed up a bit -- and maybe get some tru2way support in the deal -- but it's definitely a start. Should be available now.

Filed under: , ,

TiVO Now Available On Your PC originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> dvrhtpcliquid tvliquid tv tivo pcLiquidTvLiquidTvTivoPcnerotivotivo pcTivoPc Nilay Patel Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:41:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Chevy Volt Hits the Road, Video Style]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/09/22/chevy-volt-hits-the-road-video-style/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/22/chevy-volt-hits-the-road-video-style/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/22/chevy-volt-hits-the-road-video-style/#comments
The Chevy Volt had its big debut last week, and although the official pictures were far cooler than those leaked dudes-in-suits shots we saw a while ago, there's something about this slow-motion video of the all-electric-drive car in motion accompanied by some soaring Coldplay that pulls at our jaded heartstrings -- now if Chevy would just add in one of those fake engine sounds audio systems, we'd be in heaven. [From: AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading Chevy Volt Hits the Road, Video Style

Filed under: ,

Chevy Volt Hits the Road, Video Style originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> chevychevy voltChevyVoltelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehicleevvideovolt Nilay Patel Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:36:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[G1 'Google Phone' Appears on T-Mobile's Site]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/09/19/g1-google-phone-appears-on-t-mobiles-site/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/19/g1-google-phone-appears-on-t-mobiles-site/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/19/g1-google-phone-appears-on-t-mobiles-site/#comments
Snap -- looks like the Android-powered T-Mobile G1 is peeking out a little early in the form of a non-working pre-registration link on the my.t-mobile.com customer portal. No specs or info, but if you had any doubt this thing was coming on Tuesday we'd say it just got cleared up. Get ready for the Googlephone, kids.

[Thanks, RionSTL and Mike]

Filed under: ,

G1 'Google Phone' Appears on T-Mobile's Site originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> androidbreaking newsBreakingNewsdreamg1googlehtchtc dreamHtcDreamt mobilet-mobileTMobileupcoming Nilay Patel Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[John McCain, Inventor of the BlackBerry?]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/09/16/john-mccain-inventor-of-the-blackberry/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/16/john-mccain-inventor-of-the-blackberry/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/16/john-mccain-inventor-of-the-blackberry/#comments

Politics aside, we're totally cracking up that McCain policy adviser Douglas Holtz-Eaken told reporters today that his BlackBerry was "the miracle that John McCain helped create" -- dude, BlackBerrys are Canadian.

[Via Wonkette, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: , ,

John McCain, Inventor of the BlackBerry? originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> blackberryelectionsjohn mccainJohnMccainmccainpoliticsrim Nilay Patel Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:02:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Auto-Downloading Slacker G2 Audio Player Gets Reviewed]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/09/16/auto-downloading-slacker-g2-audio-player-gets-reviewed/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/16/auto-downloading-slacker-g2-audio-player-gets-reviewed/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/16/auto-downloading-slacker-g2-audio-player-gets-reviewed/#comments
Slacker must have figured our jetsetter friends at Gadling needed some more tunes for their travels, because it hooked them up with an early review unit of the new Slacker G2 Wi-Fi radio. Nothing much has changed about the Slacker service, which basically auto-downloads your choice of pre-programmed channels to the 4 or 8GB or internal storage over Wi-Fi (you can get on Wayport and AT&T hotspots using Devicescape), but the G2 hardware is significantly revised, with a new slimmer, curvaceous shape with relocated controls, glossy front, and premium headphones. We're up in the air over whether the $90/year or $10/mo service fees are worth it, especially now that Zune 3.0 also does pre-programmed Channels with the $15 Zune Pass, but if you're interested hit up the read link for the full-on review.

Filed under:

Auto-Downloading Slacker G2 Audio Player Gets Reviewed originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> btsnewsg2musiconline music servicesOnlineMusicServicesslackerslacker g2SlackerG2 Nilay Patel Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Screen Grabs: Microsoft Surface Plots Out the Election on MSNBC]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/09/14/screen-grabs-microsoft-surface-plots-out-the-election-on-msnbc/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/14/screen-grabs-microsoft-surface-plots-out-the-election-on-msnbc/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/14/screen-grabs-microsoft-surface-plots-out-the-election-on-msnbc/#comments
CNN's John King might have that sick multitouch electoral map, but MSNBC's not going down without a fight -- as dozens of you noticed, the network started using a Surface table yesterday as part of its election coverage. NBC News political director Chuck Todd will be the main handsman, using it to map out electoral votes and battleground states at first, but there are some other apps in the pipeline, according to Microsoft. Looks like the multitouch news wars have begun in full swing -- anyone taking bets on when the green screen gets totally replaced in the weather center? Video of Surface in action after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Screen Grabs: Microsoft Surface Plots Out the Election on MSNBC

Filed under:

Screen Grabs: Microsoft Surface Plots Out the Election on MSNBC originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> microsoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacemsnbcscreen grabsScreenGrabssurface Nilay Patel Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:54:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Microsoft BlueTrack Mice to Work on Wider Range of Surfaces]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/09/11/microsoft-bluetrack-mice-to-work-on-wider-range-of-surfaces/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/11/microsoft-bluetrack-mice-to-work-on-wider-range-of-surfaces/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/11/microsoft-bluetrack-mice-to-work-on-wider-range-of-surfaces/#comments
Yeah, so we might have forced Microsoft's hand into announcing the fall Zune lineup a day early, but nothing can upstage the pure excitement of the Say Goodbye to Laser campaign -- awww yeah, the BlueTrack mice are official today. The new tracking tech uses a (surprise!) blue beam and wide-angle "specular optics architecture" to work on a wider range of surfaces than traditional optical or laser mice, including granite, marble, and even carpet. The new tech will debut in two new mice: a revised wireless Microsoft Explorer Mouse and that Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse that we'd already spotted. Both will be available at Best Buy in November for $99 and $79, respectively.

Filed under:

Microsoft BlueTrack Mice to Work on Wider Range of Surfaces originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> blue trackBlueTrackbreaking newsBreakingNewsExplorer MouseExplorerMousemicrosoftMicrosoft Explorer Mini MouseMicrosoft Explorer MouseMicrosoftExplorerMiniMouseMicrosoftExplorerMousemouse Nilay Patel Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:15:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[New Zunes With More Memory, Wi-Fi Music Store, Out September 16]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/09/09/new-zunes-with-more-memory-wi-fi-music-store-out-september-16/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/09/new-zunes-with-more-memory-wi-fi-music-store-out-september-16/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/09/new-zunes-with-more-memory-wi-fi-music-store-out-september-16/#comments
So much for that ta-da event tomorrow -- Microsoft just confirmed the fall Zune lineup a little earlier than planned, and it's almost exactly as leaked: capacity bumps to 120GB and 16GB, new WiFi music store, Zune 3.0 software with recommendations and pre-programmed theme channels, and two new games, Hexic and Texas Hold 'Em.

Oh, and that snappy blue flash Zune we just spotted. Pricing is similarly unsurprising, seeing as we've had it for a week: the 120GB Zune is $250, while the 16GB flash model is $199 and the 8 gigger is $149. Oh well, at least we still have those new mice and webcams to look forward to today, right? Certainly nothing else is going on.

New Zunes With More Memory, Wi-Fi Music Store, Out September 16 originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 120gb zune120gbZune16gb zune16gbZune8gb zune8gbZuneblue flash zuneblue zuneBlueFlashZuneBlueZunebreaking newsBreakingNewsmicrosoftzunezune 3.0Zune3.0 Nilay Patel Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:02:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[New Home Door Locks Can Be Controlled Via the Web]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/09/06/new-home-door-locks-can-be-controlled-via-the-web/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/06/new-home-door-locks-can-be-controlled-via-the-web/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/06/new-home-door-locks-can-be-controlled-via-the-web/#comments We first spotted Schlage's Web-controlled Z-Wave door locks back in May, but Schlage was still working out details on everything from the name to pricing, and it looks like ditching that key for online access will be pretty pricey: a LiNK lock "starter kit" will run $299 for a lock and Z-Wave Ethernet bridge that enables network control, with additional locks going for $199.

On top of that, you'll be charged $12.99 a month for access to the LiNK portal and mobile apps, including 100MB of video storage if you add a video camera to the system. Good luck with that, Schlage -- turns out regular keys don't charge a monthly fee to keep doors locked. [From: PC World]

Filed under:

New Home Door Locks Can Be Controlled Via the Web originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> door lockDoorLockhouseholdlinklocklocksschlagez wavez-waveZWave Nilay Patel Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:15:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Doctors Use Laser to Destroy Brain Tumor in Conscious Patient]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/09/02/french-doctors-use-laser-to-destroy-brain-tumor-in-conscious-pat/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/02/french-doctors-use-laser-to-destroy-brain-tumor-in-conscious-pat/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/02/french-doctors-use-laser-to-destroy-brain-tumor-in-conscious-pat/#comments Neurosurgery with robotic assistance is getting pretty old hat nowadays, so it looks like scientists are trying to up the difficulty factor by keeping their patients awake -- a team of French doctors just completed the first successful removal of malignant brain tumor from a still-conscious patient, using a computerized laser and an MRI scanner to guide the probe.

The fiber-optic laser was fed into the brain through a 3mm (.12 inch) hole in the patient's skull and guided via MRI to the tumor, where it fired for two minutes and completely destroyed the cancerous tissue. Once the tumor cells were dead, the cable was removed and the patient was allowed to return home -- all within a single day.

That's pretty impressive, and it comes on the heels of 15 similar trials where five out six patients who underwent the total removal procedure were cancer-free nine months after surgery. The team says further research will cost an additional two million euros to progress, but if this technique works as well as they claim after peer review, we'd guess that money won't be hard to come by. [From: Telegraph via Fark]

Doctors Use Laser to Destroy Brain Tumor in Conscious Patient originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> cancerhealthlaserlaser neurosurgeryLaserNeurosurgerymedicinemrineurosurgerysciencesurgerytumor Nilay Patel Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:12:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[First Plug-In Priuses to Hit Fleets Next Year]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/09/02/first-plug-in-priuses-to-hit-fleets-next-year/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/02/first-plug-in-priuses-to-hit-fleets-next-year/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/02/first-plug-in-priuses-to-hit-fleets-next-year/#comments
Toyota hasn't made a huge secret of its plans to develop and sell a plug-in version of the Prius, and it sounds like the wheels are turning a little faster than we've heard -- fleet testing of plug-in models has been pushed up to early 2009, with the goal of having "several hundred" on the road by the end of the year. Still no timetable for actual retail sales, so you'll have to be a wheelman for a government or commercial fleet to get your hands on one -- good thing all those modders have the rest of us covered.

[From: Toyota via Autoblog Green]

Filed under:

First Plug-In Priuses to Hit Fleets Next Year originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> hybridhybrid vehiclesHybridVehiclesplug in hybridplug in priusplug-in hybridplug-in priusPlug-inHybridPlug-inPriusPlugInHybridPlugInPriuspriustoyotaupcoming Nilay Patel Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:44:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Apple Patent Filing Details Touchscreen Tablet]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/09/01/apple-patent-filings-detail-touchscreen-tablet/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/01/apple-patent-filings-detail-touchscreen-tablet/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/01/apple-patent-filings-detail-touchscreen-tablet/#comments
Trying to divine what Apple's up to from patent applications is never easy, but every now and again the diagrams actually make it obvious -- and it looks like Steve and his elves are hard at work on large-format touch interfaces, possibly for a tablet Mac of some kind. The latest touch-related filing is some 52 pages long and details everything from working with multiple finger inputs to onscreen keyboards how window controls would work, but we're mostly transfixed by the claw-like demon-hands that seem to be operating all this kit -- apparently Apple engineers have the same nightmares as the rest of us. If we had to bet, we'd say that a tablet Mac is still a long ways off, but we've been wrong before -- and there's always a chance Steve's got something wild in store for next month. [Via AppleInsider]

Filed under:

Apple Patent Filing Details Touchscreen Tablet originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> applemac tabletMacTabletmultitouchpatenttablettablet macTabletMactouch Nilay Patel Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:04:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Amazon Denies Kindle 2.0 Rumors]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/08/30/amazon-denies-kindle-2-0-rumors/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/30/amazon-denies-kindle-2-0-rumors/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/30/amazon-denies-kindle-2-0-rumors/#comments Well, so much for those rumors of a thinner, cheaper, less 80s-hot Kindle coming soon -- Amazon spokesman Craig Berman told the New York Times today that there's nothing in store for this year, and that a new version won't happen before "sometime next year at the earliest." So much for that, unless there's some huge surprise in store -- looks like all you college kids are going to end up killing some trees this year after all.

Amazon Denies Kindle 2.0 Rumors originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> amazone booke readere-booke-readerEBookEReaderkindlekindle 2.0Kindle2.0 Nilay Patel Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:08:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[FAA Computer Glitches Causing Significant Flight Delays]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/08/26/faa-computer-glitches-causing-significant-flight-delays/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/26/faa-computer-glitches-causing-significant-flight-delays/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/26/faa-computer-glitches-causing-significant-flight-delays/#comments
It's not clear what the exact problem is, but every major airport in the country is currently experiencing flight delays because of an FAA computer problem at a facility south of Atlanta. All that's being said is that the system that processes flight plans is having troubles, but that all flights currently in the air are fine and should land safely. Given that a single FAA computer failure has caused over 17,000 passengers to be stranded in the past, we're not too optimistic that these delays won't get worse and worse -- but then, nothing about air travel really inspires optimism lately, does it? [From: CNN]

Filed under:

FAA Computer Glitches Causing Significant Flight Delays originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> air travelAirTravelfaafederal aviation administrationFederalAviationAdministration Nilay Patel Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:38:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Goodbye Power Cords: Intel Testing Wireless Power]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/08/22/intel-demos-a-wireless-power-broadcasting-system-villagers-terr/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/22/intel-demos-a-wireless-power-broadcasting-system-villagers-terr/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/22/intel-demos-a-wireless-power-broadcasting-system-villagers-terr/#comments
We've seen a number of wireless power systems come and go, but for all the hype-filled bombast and occasional working demo, the tech just hasn't gone anywhere -- but even with that background, Intel's demo of a wireless power system that can broadcast 60 watts of power up to three feet at IDF with 75 percent efficiency has us giddy with excitement. The system works using essentially the same magnetic induction principle as all the others, but Intel's seems the furthest along, and the company hopes to one day be able to charge laptops with it. Yeah, we'll take three.

Read - NYT article
Read - Pictures from the presentation

Filed under:

Goodbye Power Cords: Intel Testing Wireless Power originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> httpwww.nytimes.com20080821technology21intel.html_r3ridfidf 2008Idf2008intelwireless chargingwireless powerWirelessChargingWirelessPower Nilay Patel Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:12:00 EST Switched