Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com prods@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Producers) support@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Web Support) en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. View our terms of service here: http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/ Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Engadget's Wild Ride in the P.U.M.A.]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/08/engadgets-wild-ride-in-the-p-u-m-a/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/08/engadgets-wild-ride-in-the-p-u-m-a/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/08/engadgets-wild-ride-in-the-p-u-m-a/#comments
Against all odds, GM and Segway let us inside their precious P.U.M.A. prototype, and we went for a quick jaunt down 18th St. We couldn't drive it, unfortunately, but there was plenty of action to be had from the passenger side. Starting from a rest on four wheels -- the main powered wheels and the front two "safety" wheels; we never touched the back two to the ground -- the contraption shoves itself up onto two wheels quite gracefully, with the passenger compartment moving slightly independently from the wheelbase and floor. It was a bit odd, but not at all unpleasant, and we were soon zipping down the road. Since the P.U.M.A. is self-balancing, we felt way less force when accelerating and decelerating than we would in a car, since our body was being "leaned" into it instead of pulled along. Turning on a dime is quite fun as well, and we could see this thing making itself quite at home on city streets. While it remains to be seen if GM and Segway can commercialize this in time, and for the right price, we're fairly enamored -- at least it's something different, and it's already twice as interesting as Segway ever managed to be.

Camera work and moral support courtesy of Autoblog Green's Sebastian Blanco.

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Engadget's Wild Ride in the P.U.M.A. originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> engadgetvideogmgm segway pumaGmSegwayPumahands-onpumasegway switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA['Rock Band' Ticks Off 40 Million Tracks Sold, $1 Billion in Revenue]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/28/rock-band-ticks-off-40-million-tracks-sold-1-billion-in-reve/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/28/rock-band-ticks-off-40-million-tracks-sold-1-billion-in-reve/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/28/rock-band-ticks-off-40-million-tracks-sold-1-billion-in-reve/#comments
That's a lot of dollars. Also? A lot of Mötley Crüe. Seriously, people, calm down. As of right now 'Rock Band' has 614 songs on offer, 269 different artists, 11 full albums, more revenue than any other game in 2008, $1 billion total in North American retail sales, 40 million tracks sold, and unhindered wallet access to countless deluded human beings who think they're rock stars.

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'Rock Band' Ticks Off 40 Million Tracks Sold, $1 Billion in Revenue originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> businessmusicrock bandrock band 2RockBandRockBand2 switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:31:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[iPhone 3G Finally Available Contract-Free]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/27/iphone-3g-finally-available-contract-free/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/27/iphone-3g-finally-available-contract-free/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/27/iphone-3g-finally-available-contract-free/#comments At long last folks with a contract phobia or just a general penchant for lawlessness can pay exorbitant amounts of money to get an iPhone 3G contract-free. As promised, 8GB models for $599 and 16GB ones for $699 are now available from AT&T and Apple stores, with AT&T requiring buyers to be existing AT&T customers, limited at one per, while Apple stores will sell the handsets to anyone wandering in off the street -- rebellious demeanor preferred.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

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iPhone 3G Finally Available Contract-Free originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appleapple storesAppleStoresattiphoneiphone 3gIphone3gretailshoppingwireless contractsWirelessContracts switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:31:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Netflix Headed for the Wii?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/23/netflix-headed-for-the-wii/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/23/netflix-headed-for-the-wii/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/23/netflix-headed-for-the-wii/#comments
There's a new survey from Netflix making the rounds, asking customers if they'd like to watch Netflix on the Wii. The service would apparently require a $9.99 "Netflix Instant Streaming Disc," which users could pop into the system when they wanted to watch -- far be it from Nintendo to offer a firmware update. While many of the folks we know are already getting Netflix on their Xboxen, the Wii would obviously let Netflix hit a lot more households with those Instant Watch goodies, if this ever comes to pass. As for Sony, it's still denying any plans for Netflix on the PS3, but perhaps this would help change its mind (and won't involve another $10 DVD -- we only have so many Hamiltons to go around).

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Netflix Headed for the Wii? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> movie streamingMovieStreamingnetflixnetflix instant streaming discNetflixInstantStreamingDiscnintendostreamingwii switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Acer's Predator PCs Recalled Over Fire Concerns]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/20/acers-predator-pcs-recalled-over-fire-concerns/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/20/acers-predator-pcs-recalled-over-fire-concerns/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/20/acers-predator-pcs-recalled-over-fire-concerns/#comments
Those aesthetics aren't the only "dangerous" aspect to Acer's Predator gaming desktops. Apparently the insulation on some of the computer's internal wiring can become stripped, and has proceeded to short-circuit and melt internal components and the external casing in two separate reported incidents. Acer is recalling the ASG7200 and ASG7700 machines sold between May and December of last year, and customers can contact Acer for a free repair. Number of boxes affected? About 215. Not exactly raining fire in the streets, but we suppose those 213 remaining folks would like to know their Very Important Session of 'The Witcher' is about to be interrupted.

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Acer's Predator PCs Recalled Over Fire Concerns originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> acerasg7200asg7700firefire hazardFireHazardgaming desktopGamingDesktoppredatorrecall switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:24:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Fujitsu Shows Off FLEPia, the First Color e-book]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/18/fujitsu-shows-off-flepia-the-first-color-e-book/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/18/fujitsu-shows-off-flepia-the-first-color-e-book/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/18/fujitsu-shows-off-flepia-the-first-color-e-book/#comments
After years of teasing -- FLEPia was first announced in April of 2007, and first proven in 2006 -- Fujitsu has at last released its color e-book (or e-paper mobile terminal, as they'd like you to call it) to the masses. Featuring an 8-inch XGA screen capable of displaying 260,000 colors, along with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and up to 4GB of storage via SD card, and measuring less than half an inch thick, FLEPia's not just getting by on color alone. Fujitsu promises 40 hours of continuos use, and the unit can be operated by its touchscreen or the assortment of function buttons. Naturally you can do the regular e-book thing, but the Japanese version of the device also includes full-on Windows CE 5.0, which would probably be a bit of a chore to use with the relatively slow screen refresh times of e-ink (1.8 seconds for a single wipe), but undeniably retrofuturistic. FLEPia ships on April 20th in Japan for 99,750 Yen (about $1,010 US).

[Via Engadget Japanese]

Read - English press release
Read - Videos of FLEPia in action

Fujitsu Shows Off FLEPia, the First Color e-book originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> colorcolor e-bookColorE-booke-booke-bookse-inke-readerflepiafujitsu switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:37:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Brush & Rinse Magical Toothbrush Coming Soon for $1.18]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/12/brush-and-rinse-magical-toothbrush-coming-soon-for-1-18/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/12/brush-and-rinse-magical-toothbrush-coming-soon-for-1-18/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/12/brush-and-rinse-magical-toothbrush-coming-soon-for-1-18/#comments
It's a insanely simple idea, but Amron Experimental really captured a lot of hearts, minds and minty-fresh mouths with its Brush & Rinse toothbrush concept. Sporting the same boring bristles and molded plastic of every other toothbrush produced this century, the Brush & Rinse has a slightly indented back, which lets you redirect water and... well, brush and rinse. Unfortunately, the last time the thing was in the news, it was a prototype selling for $1,750, so we're happy to see it down to the much more reasonable pre-order price of $1.18 a pop -- though they need to presell 50,000 units before they can go into production. Regular people will be able to pick one up for $5 once they get that minimum out of the way. Exciting action video is after the break.
[Via Gadget Lab]

Continue reading Brush & Rinse Magical Toothbrush Coming Soon for $1.18

Brush & Rinse Magical Toothbrush Coming Soon for $1.18 originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> amron experimentalAmronExperimentalbrush and rinsebrush rinseBrushAndRinseBrushRinsedesignhealthrinsetoothbrush switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:27:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Man Files $1M Lawsuit Against US Airways for Lost Xbox]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/11/man-files-1m-lawsuit-against-us-airways-for-lost-xbox/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/11/man-files-1m-lawsuit-against-us-airways-for-lost-xbox/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/11/man-files-1m-lawsuit-against-us-airways-for-lost-xbox/#comments
A Yale student is suing US Airways for $1 million in compensation for his lost Xbox 360 and the emotional toll of attempting to recover it. He claims he had an Xbox 360 with a "specialized hard drive" and other fancy components worth more than $1,000 (is that the kind with the really, really loud drive noise?) in his checked luggage, and when he went to pick up his luggage it was considerably lighter than before, with the Xbox 360 and components found as the only thing missing.

Sounds like no-fun-at-all, and the "run-around" he got with speaking to five different airline employees sounds equally painful, but we're not sure how that all adds up to $1,000,000 -- the maximum allowable by law in his state. US Airways says that not only does the federal limit of liability for lost luggage top out at $3,300, but that electronics checked in luggage are specifically excluded from liability. How kind. [Via Joystiq]

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Man Files $1M Lawsuit Against US Airways for Lost Xbox originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> airlineslawsuitsluggagemissing luggageMissingLuggagetravelus airwaysUsAirwaysxbox 360Xbox360 switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Melinda Gates Secretly Pines for an iPhone]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/03/melinda-gates-secretly-pines-for-an-iphone/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/03/melinda-gates-secretly-pines-for-an-iphone/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/03/melinda-gates-secretly-pines-for-an-iphone/#comments
In a recent Vogue interview, Melinda Gates confided that she's battled some iPhone envy in her day: "Every now and then I look at my friends and say 'Ooh, I wouldn't mind having that iPhone'." It's just too bad for her that Apple is forbidden fruit in the Gates household. "There are very few things that are on the banned list in our household. But iPods and iPhones are two things we don't get for our kids," said Melinda. Stay strong, Mrs. Gates, we're hearing good things about Windows Mobile 7. Oh, and we made up that part about Africa.

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Continue reading Melinda Gates Secretly Pines for an iPhone

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Melinda Gates Secretly Pines for an iPhone originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> applebill gatesBillGatesgatesiphoneiphone 3gIphone3gmelinda gatesMelindaGatesmicrosofttopwindows mobileWindowsMobile switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Tue, 03 Mar 2009 09:24:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[The BlackBerry Storm Ad That Might Have Been]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/27/the-blackberry-storm-ad-that-might-have-been/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/27/the-blackberry-storm-ad-that-might-have-been/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/27/the-blackberry-storm-ad-that-might-have-been/#comments
This, shall we say, confrontational BlackBerry Storm ad by NY ad agency Guava has been making the rounds today, depicting a blackberry "bullet" taking a violent path through a familiar-seeming piece of fruit. An anonymous source told us that RIM considered it but eventually got cold feet -- and we can understand why. Nonetheless, it's an awesome bit of smack, so hit up the break and check it out for yourself.

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[Thanks, Michael]

Continue reading The BlackBerry Storm Ad That Might Have Been

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The BlackBerry Storm Ad That Might Have Been originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> adappleblackberryblackberry stormBlackberryStormcommercialrim switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:46:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Jeff Bezos Chats Up the Kindle 2 with Jon Stewart]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/25/jeff-bezos-chats-up-the-kindle-2-with-jon-stewart/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/25/jeff-bezos-chats-up-the-kindle-2-with-jon-stewart/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/25/jeff-bezos-chats-up-the-kindle-2-with-jon-stewart/#comments
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos showed up at Jon Stewart's pad the other day to discuss the Kindle 2, and Jon seemed fairly unimpressed. They were just finally getting into a groove when Bezos dropped the price bomb, and then their fleeting segment was over. It's embedded after the break. Amazon VP Ian Freed has also been chatting up the device, but in a more technical nature. On designing the Kindle he reiterates the "invisibility" design ethic surrounding the device, about making it "disappear" for the user. They also improved the cellular modem for improved reception, and also fended off features like a color screen that would shorten battery life, up the price and cause the device to generate more heat and make its presence known. As far as text to speech goes, he thinks it's good for short stretches of reading, and notes that it covers the vast majority of titles that aren't available in an audio format, but didn't speak specifically to the possible infringement of author rights.

Read - Jeff Bezos on The Daily Show
Read - Designing the Kindle 2

Continue reading Jeff Bezos Chats Up the Kindle 2 with Jon Stewart

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Jeff Bezos Chats Up the Kindle 2 with Jon Stewart originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> amazonamazon kindleAmazonKindledaily showDailyShowjeff bezosJeffBezosjon stewartJonStewartkindlekindle 2Kindle2 switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:27:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Second Google Phone, the HTC Magic, Debuts]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/17/second-google-phone-the-htc-magic-debuts/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/17/second-google-phone-the-htc-magic-debuts/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/17/second-google-phone-the-htc-magic-debuts/#comments
Vodafone just scooped planet Earth with the first touchscreen-only Android phone: HTC's Magic. All the specs look to line up with what was rumored, with a 3.2-inch QVGA screen front and center (that resolution might be a typo, HVGA seems more likely), HDSPA, GPS, 3.2 megapixel camera (no flash), and a G1-style trackball. Details on pricing and availability will be unveiled for local Vodafone markets as they see fit, but pricing in Spain will be from 99 to 199 Euro, depending on contract.

Initial markets to nab the phone will be UK (due in April), Spain, Germany, France and Italy, with more countries to follow, and the phone will be a timed exclusive with Vodafone. Crazily enough, the phone has a proprietary headphone jack, proving once and for all that HTC doesn't like you, but at least this one will ship with a touchscreen keyboard out of the gate.

Update: We have confirmation that the device is indeed HVGA like the G1 before it, that's a typo on the original press release. More detailed specifications after the break.

Continue reading Second Google Phone, the HTC Magic, Debuts

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Second Google Phone, the HTC Magic, Debuts originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> androidbreaking newsBreakingNewshtchtc magicHtcMagicmagicmobileworldcongress2009mwcmwc09vodafone switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:12:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Palm Ending Development of PalmOS]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/12/palm-ending-development-of-palmos/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/12/palm-ending-development-of-palmos/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/12/palm-ending-development-of-palmos/#comments
In a talk with investors Palm CEO Ed Colligan dropped a whole ton of previously undisclosed facts about Palm and the Pre. First off, he mentioned that other than the Centro making its way to other carriers, there will be no more PalmOS devices from Palm; they're concentrating completely on webOS and Windows Mobile. They also clarified that they have partnerships with carriers in Canada, Latin America and Europe for the Pre, and that they plan on expanding in the US to carriers outside of Sprint in 2010. As far as patents go, Palm doesn't sound too worried, citing 15 years of patents in the bank, a desire to respect intellectual property, and the fact that no action has taken place between Palm and Apple in that department.

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Palm Ending Development of PalmOS originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> breaking newsBreakingNewsed colliganEdColliganospalmpalmospdaprewebos switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[More Specifis on India's $20 Laptop, the Sakshat]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/03/more-specifis-on-indias-20-laptop-the-sakshat/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/03/more-specifis-on-indias-20-laptop-the-sakshat/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/03/more-specifis-on-indias-20-laptop-the-sakshat/#comments
As expected, India's government unveiled the jointly-developed "$10 laptop" today, now priced at $20. Unfortunately dubbed Sakshat, which ironically translates as "before your eyes," the laptop is slated to ship in six months, with specs in line with what we've heard already: 2GB of storage, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and 2 watts of power consumption. In fact, there really isn't much "unveiling" going on at all, since there's still no published image of the thing, or information about the screen size, RAM or processor.

Some folks are also still skeptical as to whether a laptop can really be produced at such a low cost, since most LCDs alone would put it over budget, but we suppose we'll find out this summer. The laptop itself won't be subsidized, but the government will shoulder 25-percent of the cost of broadband for colleges, and there will be free e-learning textbooks available to students online.

Related Links:

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More Specifis on India's $20 Laptop, the Sakshat originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 10 dollar laptop10DollarLaptopbudgetindialaptopnetbooksakshat switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:33:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Sony Unveils New Touchscreen Walkman With OLED Screen]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/01/07/sony-unveils-new-touchscreen-walkman-with-oled-screen/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/07/sony-unveils-new-touchscreen-walkman-with-oled-screen/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/07/sony-unveils-new-touchscreen-walkman-with-oled-screen/#comments
Just as rumored, Sony's indeed showing up at this year's CES with a touchscreen Walkman, the NWZ-X1000. Front and center is a beautiful 3-inch touchscreen OLED display, which means lower power consumption and a wider color gamut than a traditional LCD, and Sony also worked in Wi-Fi and headphone-independent noise cancellation. The player will come in 16GB and 32GB flavors. Details are otherwise scant at this moment -- we're particularly interested in the software specific and price, which we're guessing Sony will be announcing at its press conference this evening -- but let's just say that faux granite shell is a definite mark in the "please, yes" category. [Via OLED-Display]

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Sony Unveils New Touchscreen Walkman With OLED Screen originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> breaking newsBreakingNewscesces-2009-topces2009ces2009breakingnwz-x1000walkman switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:49:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Apple Unveils All-New 17-inch MacBook Pro]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/01/06/apple-unveils-all-new-17-inch-macbook-pro/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/06/apple-unveils-all-new-17-inch-macbook-pro/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/06/apple-unveils-all-new-17-inch-macbook-pro/#comments

Apple just confirmed the totally expected yet eagerly anticipated unibody 17-inch MacBook Pro. They're calling it the world's thinnest and lightest 17-inch laptop. It features a 1900 x 1200 LED backlit display, with a 700:1 contrast ratio, wider color gamut and a glorious $50 matte option. Most of the specs are otherwise quite similar to the 15-inch MacBook Pro, but unfortunately Apple went with a MBA-style non-removable battery, claiming that the lack of removable mechanism allowed for more battery -- they're speccing it at 8 hours of lithium polymer juice on integrated graphics, 7 hours on discrete, and it's rated at 1000 recharges. There will also be an exchange program, like with the iPod. The base model hits at $2799, spec breakdown and more shots after the break.

Continue reading Apple Unveils All-New 17-inch MacBook Pro

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Apple Unveils All-New 17-inch MacBook Pro originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> applebreaking newsBreakingNewsces-2009-slideshowsces-2009-slideshows-topmacbook proMacbookPromacworld switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:34:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[iTunes Goes DRM Free, Adds 3G Downloads]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/01/06/itunes-goes-drm-free-adds-3g-downloads/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/06/itunes-goes-drm-free-adds-3g-downloads/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/06/itunes-goes-drm-free-adds-3g-downloads/#comments
While Phil hasn't mentioned it in the keynote just yet, it looks like iTunes might be getting a big catalog overhaul, with most major labels finally offering up DRM free tunes. Our tipster mentioned DRM free goodies from Virgin, Sony BMG, American Recording and more (iTunes Plus has mainly been limited to EMI and some independents so far), and that most previously purchased songs are now upgradable for the same old price of $0.30 a song. We're still digging around on the iTunes Store trying to figure this out -- it's offering to upgrade our library, but the transaction won't go through yet -- and we'll obviously know more if it gets a keynote mention. Let us know if you have any luck picking up those non-EMI MP3s on your end.

[Thanks, Greg]

Update: As you've you probably noticed in the Engadget liveblog, Apple just made this very much official, and announced that some 8 million songs from all the major labels will indeed be DRM free, with a full ten million planned by the end of the quarter. As if that wasn't enough, it's also announced a new pricing structure for tracks, including a new $0.69 tier and a $1.29 one, which music companies will apparently be able to use at their own discretion. And, to keep things really spicy, the company has also announced that music store downloads are now finally available over 3G, and at the same price and the same quality.

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iTunes Goes DRM Free, Adds 3G Downloads originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> applebreaking newsBreakingNewsitunesitunes plusitunes storeItunesPlusItunesStore switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:31:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Steve Jobs Discusses His Health in Open Letter]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/01/05/steve-jobs-discusses-his-health-in-open-letter/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/05/steve-jobs-discusses-his-health-in-open-letter/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/05/steve-jobs-discusses-his-health-in-open-letter/#comments
A mere day before the big shindig at the Moscone, Steve Jobs has come clean about his much-discussed weight loss in a open letter to the Apple community, saying that a hormone imbalance is to blame. "The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I've already begun treatment," says Steve. Doctors expect it to take him until late Spring to regain the weight and body mass, and Steve will stay on as CEO during his recovery. Oh, and if you hadn't guessed, Steve isn't so big on the personal stuff: "So now I've said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this."

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Steve Jobs Discusses His Health in Open Letter originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> applesteve jobsSteveJobstop switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:26:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Girl Gets Tattoo of Google's Android Logo]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/01/05/girl-gets-android-tattoo/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/05/girl-gets-android-tattoo/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/05/girl-gets-android-tattoo/#comments
Natalie "Kommodore" Thompson just joined the rarified ranks of Zune Guy and the BlackBerry Storm Cankle Man with her very own Android tattoo. While obviously a fan of the brand new mobile OS, she says she did it mostly to show her support of open source in general, and ol' Tux lost out to the more-adorable little green bot (known affectionately around the Engadget HQ as "Marvin"). Add in that shutter shades t-shirt -- for a 100x multiplier -- and we're likely dealing with our very first fit-for-society tattoo nerd. Too bad she only dates robots.

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Girl Gets Tattoo of Google's Android Logo originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> androidandroid tattooandroid tattoo girlAndroidTattooAndroidTattooGirlgirllinuxtattoo girlTattooGirl switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:54:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[LG Brings 'Dick Tracy' Watch to Real Life]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/30/lgs-touchscreen-watch-phone-enables-wrist-based-videoconferenci/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/30/lgs-touchscreen-watch-phone-enables-wrist-based-videoconferenci/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/30/lgs-touchscreen-watch-phone-enables-wrist-based-videoconferenci/#comments
It was deliciously inevitable that a watch phone would eventually show up that could actually "pack it all in," and it looks like LG has actually accomplished that feat in its LG-GD910 model. Of note, the phone packs a touchscreen LCD, 3G data, and a built-in camera for videoconferencing and being a general badass. Sure, browsing to your favorite gadget blog might be a tad bit difficult on that 1.43-inch screen, and there's always the question of fashion, but those are minor quibbles -- the real question is where can we get one, and for how much. LG should be showing this off at CES next month (it showed off a predecessor this January), and plans to release it in Japan and Europe, but we've got a couple of cereal box-delivered 2-way wrist radios crossed behind our backs in hopes for a US berth. [Via Electronista]

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LG Brings 'Dick Tracy' Watch to Real Life originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> gd910lglg-gd910phone watchPhoneWatchwatch phoneWatchPhonewrist phoneWristPhone switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[iPhone Nano Revealed by Silicone Case Mockup?]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/15/iphone-nano-revealed-by-silicone-case-mockup/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/15/iphone-nano-revealed-by-silicone-case-mockup/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/15/iphone-nano-revealed-by-silicone-case-mockup/#comments
There's something just a little skeezy about basing predictions for Important New Apple Products upon nasty renders of protective case mockups from China. Still, they've panned out astonishingly nicely before, so we'll just have to suck it up. iDealsChina is reporting that XSKN is not-so-secretly working on a silicone skin for the upcoming "Nano iPhone" (or, more likely, iPhone nano) a shorter, chubbier version of the iPhone 3G.

According to iDealsChina sources, the phone will apparently sport EDGE data, but otherwise seems unsurprisingly identical in specs to its forebears, other than the obviously smaller screen. They're also saying Apple plans to sell these at high volumes for low prices at hip spots like Wal-Mart, that the company will (naturally) be unveiling the new handset in January at Macworld, and even go so far as to say that leaked photos of the device should be surfacing in the next couple of days -- we'll be keeping our eyes peeled. Check out another couple of tantalizing case renders after the break. [Via PMP Today]

Continue reading iPhone Nano Revealed by Silicone Case Mockup?

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iPhone Nano Revealed by Silicone Case Mockup? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> applecaseiphoneiphone nanoIphoneNanonano iphoneNanoIphonerumorsilicon caseSiliconCasexskn switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:54:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Is this Sony's New Touchscreen Walkman?]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/13/is-this-sonys-new-touchscreen-walkman/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/13/is-this-sonys-new-touchscreen-walkman/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/13/is-this-sonys-new-touchscreen-walkman/#comments
Sony's Walkman series of media players has done its best to keep stride, stuffing in new features and design refinements over the years, but touchscreen-dominated players are clearly in vogue, and it looks like the company is finally ready to break down and get touchable. According to the Sony stalkers over at Sony Insider, there will be 16 and 32GB touchscreen Walkman players at CES 2009 this coming January.

The literal and figurative centerpiece is to be a 3-inch OLED display (possibly that 3.3-inch panel making the rounds, or something more Sony specific), running a touch interface with many similarities to the current Walkman players. Also slated for inclusion is WiFi, enabling a YouTube app, over the air podcast downloads, built-in access to Amazon's MP3 store and an unspecified web browser. The shots of the player above are obviously mockups, and the real hardware is supposed to have physical music control buttons -- and hopefully hold to some sort of reality-based conception of scale. All this info is exclusive to the Sony Insider ninjas, so we can't vouch for its veracity, but it's an obvious and welcome move from Sony, so we won't look a gift rumor in the mouth.

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Is this Sony's New Touchscreen Walkman? originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cesoledrumorsonytouchscreenwalkman switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:36:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Wal-Mart to Sell $99 4GB iPhone?]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/04/apple-wal-mart-to-sell-99-4gb-iphone/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/04/apple-wal-mart-to-sell-99-4gb-iphone/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/04/apple-wal-mart-to-sell-99-4gb-iphone/#comments

Look, we know you've been holding out for the iPhone to hit Wal-Mart before you pick it up, sandwiched between the fishing gear and row upon row of exercise videos -- and we don't blame you. You'll ride your shopping cart down the wide aisles like a chariot, and when you get home with the phone you'll dial up all your friends and let them know how much cheaper your iPhone was than theirs.

What was that? Yeah, the new word on the street is that Wal-Mart is getting a 4GB iPhone 3G for a mere $99, according to Boy Genius Report, and while BGR was previously reporting a November 15th launch date at Wal-Mart, and can't vouch for the accuracy of this new report, Wal-Mart training materials (pictured above) have been seen in the wild, so there's a grain of truth to this madness somewhere. Plus, a $99 iPhone just sounds so Wal-Mart-ey, doesn't it? [Via Mac Rumors]

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Wal-Mart to Sell $99 4GB iPhone? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 4gb4gb iphone4gbIphoneapplebreaking newsBreakingNewshgg100hggnewsiphoneiphone 3gIphone3gtopwal-martwalmart switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:32:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[MINI E 'Unboxed' in LA to the Delight of Car Nerds, Your Mom]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/19/mini-e-unboxed-in-la-to-the-delight-of-car-nerds-your-mom/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/19/mini-e-unboxed-in-la-to-the-delight-of-car-nerds-your-mom/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/19/mini-e-unboxed-in-la-to-the-delight-of-car-nerds-your-mom/#comments
That's not really a "your mom" joke, more of a statement that your mom is pretty neat and has good taste in electric cars -- like this here MINI E. BMW just unveiled the first production MINI E to roll out of its magical electricity-imbuing factory, the first in a limited series of 500 for lease in California and metro New York to people way better looking than you. The bad news is that the all-electric MINI is part of what BMW is calling "Project I," a test of sorts to see how well electrics hold up to real world abuse and to figure out usage patterns of real-life photogenic people -- there's little indication that the car in its current incarnation will be distributed any more widely than this 500 car run. Check out a plethora of sexy unveiling pictures at the read link to help offset the pain.

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MINI E 'Unboxed' in LA to the Delight of Car Nerds, Your Mom originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> all electricAllElectricbmwelectric carElectricCarminimini eMiniEunboxingunveiled switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:22:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Microsoft Debuts Microsoft Store in Apparent Attempt to Sell Stuff]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/14/microsoft-debuts-microsoft-store-in-apparent-attempt-to-sell-stu/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/14/microsoft-debuts-microsoft-store-in-apparent-attempt-to-sell-stu/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/14/microsoft-debuts-microsoft-store-in-apparent-attempt-to-sell-stu/#comments
Hard to believe that a company the size and stature of Microsoft hasn't had an online store to call its home -- not even a quirky collection of "Bill Gates is my homeboy" CafePress t-shirts and mousepads. The newly launched Microsoft Store solves that, however, with its many store-like properties. Therein you can find all sorts of Microsoft products, like software, peripherals, games and professionally-printed "Bill Gates is my homeboy" t-shirts.*

What's particularly notable is that Microsoft is jumping into electronic software distribution here, meaning in addition to traditional physical purchases you can buy a bit of software and download it right there on the spot. Downloaded software can be re-downloaded for as long as Microsoft provides mainstream support -- about 5 years in most cases. We'd prefer forever and always, but we suppose that will have to do. The store is live now, and we'd suggest you head on over before we make some drastically ill-advised enterprise software impulse buys.

*This isn't true.

[Via ZDnet]

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Microsoft Debuts Microsoft Store in Apparent Attempt to Sell Stuff originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> breaking newsBreakingNewsgift guideGiftGuidehgg2008hggnewsmicrosoftmicrosoft storeMicrosoftStoreonline storeOnlineStoreshoppingstore switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Man Gets BlackBerry Storm Tattooed on His Ankle]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/11/man-gets-blackberry-storm-tattooed-on-his-ankle/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/11/man-gets-blackberry-storm-tattooed-on-his-ankle/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/11/man-gets-blackberry-storm-tattooed-on-his-ankle/#comments
There are three primary rules to tattoos that we're aware of:
  • 1. "I love my mom" tattoos are really cool.
  • 2. "I love my short-term-girlfriend" tattoos are questionable at best.
  • 3. "I love this gadget" tattoos have greater built-in obsolescence than sliced apples and pretty much clench the fact that nobody will ever go out with you. Also, they're really awesome.
CrackBerry.com reader T.J. fell hard for rule number three and got a life-size tattoo of the BlackBerry Storm on his large, hairy calf to prove his undying devotion and win a free Storm. He even got some video of the happening (peep it below the fold), most likely to be shown in middle schools in the coming years as a huffing deterrence. We're looking forward to a Bumfight-like battle between T.J. and Zune Tattoo Guy before long, or perhaps a support group to get through this awkward, humiliating stage of life together. We'd prefer the Bumfight.

Continue reading Man Gets BlackBerry Storm Tattooed on His Ankle

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Man Gets BlackBerry Storm Tattooed on His Ankle originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> blackberryblackberry stormBlackberryStormstormstorm tattooStormTattootattootopweird switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:38:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Toys 'R' Us Now Selling iPods and Eee PCs]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/10/28/toys-r-us-now-selling-ipods-and-eee-pcs/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/28/toys-r-us-now-selling-ipods-and-eee-pcs/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/28/toys-r-us-now-selling-ipods-and-eee-pcs/#comments
Toys 'R' Us, the primary provisioner of joy and happiness to children in the world, is branching out into iPods and Eee PCs. Though never a stranger to consumer electronics, Toys 'R' Us has traditionally shied away from strict gadgetry -- with a notable exception being Zune sales starting last year. Now the retailer will be offering iPods in a little "iPod boutique," with various shuffles, nanos, touches and related accessories to help you fill those stockings and bolster Geoffrey's bottom line. The Eee PC will be offered in black and white, with low-end 7-inch Linux and XP versions available for $269 and $299, respectively.

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Toys 'R' Us Now Selling iPods and Eee PCs originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> asuseee pcEeePcipodtoysrus switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:18:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Subway Sleeping Mask Lets Other Passengers Know When to Wake You]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/10/21/subway-sleeping-mask-lets-other-passengers-know-when-to-wake-you/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/21/subway-sleeping-mask-lets-other-passengers-know-when-to-wake-you/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/21/subway-sleeping-mask-lets-other-passengers-know-when-to-wake-you/#comments

We've accomplished many an hour of restful, mugger-prone napping on the subway, but there's always the danger of missing your stop -- a problem we're usually too drowsy to consider at 2am in the morning. Not clever hacker Pyocotan, however. This resourceful fellow has built the Noriko-san sleeping mask for fashion-forward commuters, which broadcasts your destination to fellow passengers on a garish LED display, while you're busy getting some shut-eye underneath the mask -- in the hope that they'll be kind enough to wake you up at the right stop after they've rid you of your iPod and wallet.

With a cost of $200 in parts, and considerable impracticality to boot, this device isn't quite ready for the commercial sphere, but that's of little concern to Pyocotan -- he's just busy being awesome. Video is after the break. [Via Make]

Continue reading Subway Sleeping Mask Lets Other Passengers Know When to Wake You

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Subway Sleeping Mask Lets Other Passengers Know When to Wake You originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> noriko-sanpyocotansleeping maskSleepingMasksubway switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:02:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Focus Design's Unicycle Balances Itself Segway-Style]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/10/21/focus-designs-unicycle-balances-itself-segway-style/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/21/focus-designs-unicycle-balances-itself-segway-style/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/21/focus-designs-unicycle-balances-itself-segway-style/#comments The world of personal transportation, with few exceptions, has littered the earth with embarrassing paraphernalia. In-line skates, pogo sticks, the recumbent bike -- all disasters to personal style. Mix in electricity and you get the Segway, or alternatively, Focus Design's SBU electric self-balancing unicycle. The SBU can be steered by leaning left to right (like a regular unicycle) and uses Segway-style gyroscopes to power your lazy ass forwards and backwards. Not a new idea by any stretch, but Focus Design is actually crazy enough to be working on bringing this thing to market. Focus hopes to do a limited run of ten SBUs next month, at $1,500 a month. Peep the video after break to see if you can handle the shame. [Via Hack a Day]

Continue reading Focus Design's Unicycle Balances Itself Segway-Style

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Focus Design's Unicycle Balances Itself Segway-Style originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> electric unicycleElectricUnicyclefocus designFocusDesignsbuunicycle switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:44:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Researchers 'Eavesdropping' on Computers Via Keyboard Emissions]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/10/21/researchers-eavesdropping-on-computers-via-keyboard-emissions/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/21/researchers-eavesdropping-on-computers-via-keyboard-emissions/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/21/researchers-eavesdropping-on-computers-via-keyboard-emissions/#comments

We always knew those electromagnetic emanations would amount to no good, and now here they go ruining any shred of privacy we once thought to possess. Some folks from the Security and Cryptography Lab at Switzerland's EPFL have managed to eavesdrop on the electromagnetic radiation shot off by shoddy wired keyboards with every keystroke. They've found four different ways to listen in, including one previously-published general vulnerability, on eleven keyboard models ranging from 2001 to 2008, with PS/2, USB and laptop keyboards all falling to at least one of the four attacks. The attack works through walls, as far as 65 feet away, and analyzes a wide swath of electromagnetic spectrum to get its results.

With wireless keyboards already feeling the sting of hackers, it's probably fair to say that no one is safe, and that cave bunkers far, far away from civilization are pretty much our only hope now. Videos of the attacks are after the break.

[Thanks, Dave]

Continue reading Researchers 'Eavesdropping' on Computers Via Keyboard Emissions

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Researchers 'Eavesdropping' on Computers Via Keyboard Emissions originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> eavesdroppingelectromagneticelectromagnetic emanationsElectromagneticEmanationshackkeyboardkeyboard hackKeyboardHackkeyloggersafetyspyspyingwired keyboardWiredKeyboard switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Tue, 21 Oct 2008 07:02:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Bandai Blogging 'Bot Renders Human Writers Obsolete]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/10/15/bandai-blogging-bot-renders-human-writers-obsolete/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/15/bandai-blogging-bot-renders-human-writers-obsolete/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/15/bandai-blogging-bot-renders-human-writers-obsolete/#comments
We always figured this day would come, but so soon? We're obsolete, ladies and gentlemen. It's been a great ride, and we're glad we got to do just one more Stevenote with y'all before we fade into the night, but the robots have arrived, and they're going to blog harder, better, faster and stronger. We cannot compete.

Bandai just announced the Net Tansor Web, a Wi-Fi-equipped robot with a built-in camera for snapping his soon-to-be-award-winning exposés and posting them to the Web at regular intervals alongside witty commentary. The bot can react to reader comments like "a little to the right," or "you suck" and adjust accordingly. Net Tansor also can handle live video, reads RSS feeds out loud and knows no fatigue. Bandai's going to be selling this for 50,000 Yen (about $490 US) whenever it's ready.

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Bandai Blogging 'Bot Renders Human Writers Obsolete originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bandaibloggingnet tansor webNetTansorWebrobo bloggerRoboBloggerrobotrobot bloggerRobotBloggerweb switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:34:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[PlayStation 3 and PSP Updates Available Now]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/10/15/playstation-3-and-psp-updates-available-now/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/15/playstation-3-and-psp-updates-available-now/ http://www.switched.com/2008/10/15/playstation-3-and-psp-updates-available-now/#comments
Good news, friends, you won't have to wait until later to get at that new Flash 9 support offered up by the PS3 2.50 update: the firmware is available now. Sony tossed in a few other assorted updates like power-saving options and voice chat enhancements, but we're sure you'll be too busy watching 'Doogie Howser, M.D.' on Hulu to notice. Happy downloading!

Update: PSP 5.00 is available now too.

[Thanks, Tony]

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PlayStation 3 and PSP Updates Available Now originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 2.50breaking newsBreakingNewsfirmware updateFirmwareUpdateps3ps3 2.50ps3 firmwarePs32.50Ps3Firmwareupdate switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Microsoft's New 'I'm a PC' Ad Gently Alights Upon the Airwaves]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/09/19/microsofts-new-im-a-pc-ad-gently-alights-upon-the-airwaves/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/19/microsofts-new-im-a-pc-ad-gently-alights-upon-the-airwaves/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/19/microsofts-new-im-a-pc-ad-gently-alights-upon-the-airwaves/#comments
Microsoft started airing its new "I'm a PC" advertisements on TV last night, giving Mr. Seinfeld a bit of a rest while it faces Apple's campaign head-on. It's very touching "we are the world" kind of stuff: smug-free, heart-string-tugging and so forth, but basically it boils down to 100 points for zero Justin Long, minus 100 points for zero John Hodgman. The ad is embedded after the break.

Update: YouTube version added for the Silverlight-averse. Also, is it just us, or does Microsoft's Hodgman-clone kind of look like Paul Dano? Just something to think about.

Continue reading Microsoft's New 'I'm a PC' Ad Gently Alights Upon the Airwaves

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Microsoft's New 'I'm a PC' Ad Gently Alights Upon the Airwaves originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> adadsadvertisingbreaking newsBreakingNewsim a pcImAPcmicrosoft switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:48:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Seinfeld and Gates Pair Up for New Microsoft Ads]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/09/05/seinfeld-and-gates-pair-up-for-new-microsoft-ads/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/05/seinfeld-and-gates-pair-up-for-new-microsoft-ads/ http://www.switched.com/2008/09/05/seinfeld-and-gates-pair-up-for-new-microsoft-ads/#comments
As promised, Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld made their television pair-up debut last night, in an advertisement for something or other. We were sad to see Seinfeld sans-bee suit, and Gates is lacking in Costanza-isms, but we might just be looking at a beautiful friendship here. Video is after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Seinfeld and Gates Pair Up for New Microsoft Ads

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Seinfeld and Gates Pair Up for New Microsoft Ads originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> adadvertisingbill gatesBillGatesbreaking newsBreakingNewsgatesjerry seinfeldJerrySeinfeldmicrosoftseinfeld switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:56:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Nikon D90 Is First SLR to Shoot Video (and HD Video, at That)]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/08/27/nikon-d90-is-first-slr-to-shoot-video-and-hd-video-at-that/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/27/nikon-d90-is-first-slr-to-shoot-video-and-hd-video-at-that/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/27/nikon-d90-is-first-slr-to-shoot-video-and-hd-video-at-that/#comments
So, Nikon finally fessed up to its new D90 prosumer DSLR, which means all that's left for us is to do is to pick through the spec sheets, drool on the product shots and imagine ourselves taking the film industry by storm with that D90-shot indie flick we're plotting.
INT. SUBURBAN HOME - DAY

BLOGGER sits at his computer typing. He looks inspired, witty, unkempt. The camera's short depth of field captures the writer in his element.
Oh, right, the tech specs:
  • New 12.3 megapixel Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor with Integrated Dust Reduction System.
  • Low-noise from ISO 200 to 3200, ISO 6400 available.
  • D-Movie mode records in 320 x 216, 640 x 424 or 1,280 x 720 in AVI format.
  • Scene Recognition System based on 420 pixel RGB sensor for improved autofocus, autofocus and auto white balance, in addition to Face Detection.
  • Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus with 11 AF points.
  • 3-inch, VGA Live View LCD.
  • 4.5 fps continuous shooting, 0.15 second startup, 65ms shutter release lag.
  • SD / SDHC storage.
  • HDMI output
  • 5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0-inches.
  • 1 pound 6 ounces without battery.
  • $1,299 kit price.

Read - Nikon D90
Read - D90's "D-Movie" samples
Read - D90 tested out by Chase Jarvis

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Nikon D90 Is First SLR to Shoot Video (and HD Video, at That) originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> breaking newsBreakingNewsnew productsNewProductsnikonslrssummernewsupcoming switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:56:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Art Lebedev's Folderix USB Flash Drives]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/08/26/art-lebedevs-folderix-usb-flash-drives/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/26/art-lebedevs-folderix-usb-flash-drives/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/26/art-lebedevs-folderix-usb-flash-drives/#comments
Lebedev's design crew never seems to be short on surprisingly obvious and yet entirely fresh takes on every day objects, and the new Folderix flash drives are taking that ethic to entirely new and conveniently functional heights. The 4GB drives come in a myriad of colors, are available today and will run you a fairly steep $55. Literal folder design? Priceless.

[Via Electronista]

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Art Lebedev's Folderix USB Flash Drives originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> art lebedevArtLebedevflash driveFlashDrivefolderix switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:51:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Solar Plane Smashes Flight Endurance Record]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/08/25/qinetiqs-zephyr-sets-another-unmanned-solar-plane-flight-record/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/25/qinetiqs-zephyr-sets-another-unmanned-solar-plane-flight-record/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/25/qinetiqs-zephyr-sets-another-unmanned-solar-plane-flight-record/#comments
QinetiQ just (unofficially) smashed the record for an unmanned flight by a solar airplane, sending its Zephyr craft into the air for a staggering 83 hours and 37 minutes, more than double the official record by "Global Hawk" in 2001, and a good margin more than its last flight. The plane was guided by autopilot and satellites to a height of 60,000 feet, and powers off the sun during the day, prepping its rechargeable lithium-sulphur batteries for the night. Zephyr is being built for reconnaissance, communications and unofficially setting really bad-ass flight records. [From: QinetiQ via USA TODAY]

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Solar Plane Smashes Flight Endurance Record originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> QinetiQrecordsolaruavzephyr switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:16:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Bose Updates Popular SoundDock: Series II Coming in September]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/08/22/bose-sounddock-series-ii-heading-to-a-den-near-you-this-septembe/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/22/bose-sounddock-series-ii-heading-to-a-den-near-you-this-septembe/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/22/bose-sounddock-series-ii-heading-to-a-den-near-you-this-septembe/#comments
Say what you will about Bose's price to performance ratio, that company knows how to move iPod docks. The Bose SoundDock and SoundDock Portable have an astounding hold on the premium end of the iPod accessory market, and the SoundDock Series II followup likely won't be breaking that streak.

The new Series II dock has a slightly refined look, more akin to the SoundDock Portable than the original, includes an aux-in jack (at last), and can charge the iPhone 3G -- a sore point for folks who've been charging their iPods and iPhones just fine on the original SoundDock for years, only to have the legacy-free iPhone 3G do them in. The Series II dock also includes the Portable's more advance remote for browsing playlists and such. Price is $299, it should ship starting in September. [From: Macworld]

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Bose Updates Popular SoundDock: Series II Coming in September originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> boseseries iiSeriesIisounddocksounddock series iiSounddockSeriesIi switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:31:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[New Rainbow Schemed iPods Coming Soon?]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/08/21/apples-next-gen-ipods-just-around-the-corner-full-of-rainbows/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/21/apples-next-gen-ipods-just-around-the-corner-full-of-rainbows/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/21/apples-next-gen-ipods-just-around-the-corner-full-of-rainbows/#comments
Sure, you could dismiss this round of iPod rumors -- so carefully culled by the fine folks at 9 to 5 Mac and AppleInsider -- as baseless speculation, but we'll have none of your dowdy skepticism. We're talking about rainbows here, people. AppleInsider claims that retailers are seeing current iPod models being switched to "discontinued" in inventory systems, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster says to expect iPod refreshes across the board, including a slightly redesigned $200 iPod touch, and meanwhile 9 to 5 Mac has it from an unnamed source that the new iPod nanos will have enhanced features, double the storage and rainbow color schemes.

It's almost like somebody in Cupertino is reading our mind! We'll know for sure when new iPods arrive mid-September filled to the brim with "Run's House" episodes and bedecked in rainbow-hued gummy bears. It's going to rock.

[Thanks, Kiwi616]

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New Rainbow Schemed iPods Coming Soon? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appleipodipod nanoipod touchIpodNanoIpodTouchrainbowsrumor switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Touchscreen Microsoft Surface Table Checks Into Sheraton Hotels]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/08/13/touchscreen-microsoft-surface-table-checks-into-sheraton-hotels/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/13/touchscreen-microsoft-surface-table-checks-into-sheraton-hotels/ http://www.switched.com/2008/08/13/touchscreen-microsoft-surface-table-checks-into-sheraton-hotels/#comments
Alright, Microsoft: we take it all back. It was wrong, just wrong of us to impugn your promotional filmmaking skills. That Bruce Springsteen parody? Spot on. Awkward Vegas flirtations? True pathos. And now, to promote the launch of your latest version of the Surface table for Sheraton Hotels, you've crafted the touching story of a curious kid, a smug photo-twirler, her tardy date and a loving asian family. We don't want to spoil anything, but complications ensue, folks, and this is one nail-biter worthy of a sequel. Do they all end up going to dinner together? Or are they destined to troll Craigslist that evening, seeking their missed connection...
You: Cute family.
Me: Sultry Surface spokeswoman.
My date was a disaster, and now I'm all alone for the weekend, let me teach you how to pair your phones with the table over Bluetooth, and then we can all go get ice cream together!
Heartbreaking, simply heartbreaking. Video is after the break.

Continue reading Touchscreen Microsoft Surface Table Checks Into Sheraton Hotels

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Touchscreen Microsoft Surface Table Checks Into Sheraton Hotels originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> microsoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacesheratonsurface switchedtips@gmail.com (Paul Miller) Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:15:00 EST Switched