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[Netflix Expanding Out to Other Gaming Platforms?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/14/netflix-expanding-out-to-other-gaming-platforms/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/14/netflix-expanding-out-to-other-gaming-platforms/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/14/netflix-expanding-out-to-other-gaming-platforms/#comments

We've heard whispers of Netflix heading to other, non-Xbox 360 game consoles before, and now adding to the susurrous is a job listing from the company for Engineering Lead - Gaming Platforms. The description calls for someone familiar with the technical hurdles of current-gen consoles for building a small team to "rapidly prototype and iterate on a variety of platforms." Whether or not this means we'll be seeing PlayStation 3 or Wii services in the near (or even distant) future is anyone's guess, but with Microsoft's version so far a streaming success, we wouldn't be surprised if the company took a few steps to increase the probability that 3 billionth delivered flick is digital.

[Via Joystiq]

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Netflix Expanding Out to Other Gaming Platforms? originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> gamesgamingjobjobsnetflixnintendo wiiNintendoWiiplaystationplaystation 3Playstation3sony playstationsony playstation 3SonyPlaystationSonyPlaystation3video gamesVideoGameswii switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:08:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Remote Controlled Lawnmower Steered with a Wii Mote]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/09/remote-controlled-lawnmower-steered-with-a-wii-mote/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/09/remote-controlled-lawnmower-steered-with-a-wii-mote/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/09/remote-controlled-lawnmower-steered-with-a-wii-mote/#comments
Most of the times we see a Wii remote controlling something tangible, it's for something entertaining -- like an airsoft gun or Rovio. The Casmobot lawnmower, however, developed by scientists from the University of Southern Denmark, is actually quite useful if you loathe outdoor chores. You can steer it into grass-cutting action simply by tilting the Wii-mote, which is synced to the mower with Bluetooth. Alternatively, you can take the Casmobot for a lap around the border of the yard and then set it to autopilot in order to mow inside the designated zone. We wouldn't run in front of this thing while it's in motion, though; it's probably not as forgiving of interruption as a Roomba. Researcher Kjeld Jensen also suggested applying the same technology to your grandmother's wheelchair, but we really don't think she'd appreciate that. See it for yourself in the video after the break.

Continue reading Remote Controlled Lawnmower Steered with a Wii Mote

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Remote Controlled Lawnmower Steered with a Wii Mote originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> denmarkkjeld jensenKjeldJensenlawn mowerLawnMowernintendo wiiNintendoWiiuniversity of southern denmarkUniversityOfSouthernDenmarkusdwiiwii motewii remoteWiiMoteWiiRemote switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:47:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[GM and Segway Partner on Crazy P.U.M.A. Vehicle]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segway-partner-on-crazy-p-u-m-a-vehicle/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segway-partner-on-crazy-p-u-m-a-vehicle/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segway-partner-on-crazy-p-u-m-a-vehicle/#comments
GM and Segway's joint venture is probably best described as a rickshaw without all the charm. The self-balancing Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility Project (P.U.M.A.) can reach top speeds of 35 MPH, has a lithium battery that lasts up to 35 miles with a single charge, and features vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication for potentially reducing the number of accidents. No word on when or if this'll actually go into production but it's expected to be priced at just 25-percent that of a regular automobile. Hit up the read link for more pics, including a concept model that's just a teensy bit more reasonable. We'll be at the launch event today to see it for ourselves and make sure it's not all some bizarre dream.

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GM and Segway Partner on Crazy P.U.M.A. Vehicle originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> general motorsGeneralMotorsgmpersonal urban mobility and accessibility projectPersonalUrbanMobilityAndAccessibilityProjectpumasegway switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:46:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Japan Sending Biped Robots to Conquer Moon by 2020]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/06/japan-sending-biped-robots-to-conquer-moon-by-2020/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/06/japan-sending-biped-robots-to-conquer-moon-by-2020/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/06/japan-sending-biped-robots-to-conquer-moon-by-2020/#comments
Remember back in 2006 when we told you about Japan's goal to colonize the moon with robots? Some dreams don't seem to die, and the country's Strategic Headquarters for Space Development said recently that they expect a two-legged droid traversing the satellite's surface by 2020. Should that prove successful, it'll be followed later by a joint mission with humans -- that is, if the robots don't find a way to take over before then and deny the spacemen their planetary visas.

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Japan Sending Biped Robots to Conquer Moon by 2020 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 2020colonizationjapanjapaneserobotrobots switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Ritz Camera Closing 300 Retail Stores, Liquidation Sales Start Saturday]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/04/ritz-camera-closing-300-retail-stores-liquidation-sales-start-s/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/04/ritz-camera-closing-300-retail-stores-liquidation-sales-start-s/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/04/ritz-camera-closing-300-retail-stores-liquidation-sales-start-s/#comments As part of its newfound bankruptcy status, Ritz Camera's gearing up to close more than 300 of its around 700 brick-and-mortar stores across the US, or about 43 percent of its retail presence. Starting April 4th, the affect stores will begin liquidation sales that'll go on until -- in the words of the press release -- "everything is sold to the bare walls." Forget DSLRs, if you were needing any fancy, brick-and-mortal shelving units, now might be your chance! Hit up the read link for a PDF listing all the closing stores.

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Ritz Camera Closing 300 Retail Stores, Liquidation Sales Start Saturday originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bankruptbankruptcybrick and mortarBrickAndMortareconomicsrecessionretailritzritz cameraRitzCamera switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[European Parkinson's Patients Receive Implants to Help Alleviate Symptoms]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/02/european-parkinsons-patients-receive-implants-to-help-alleviate/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/02/european-parkinsons-patients-receive-implants-to-help-alleviate/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/02/european-parkinsons-patients-receive-implants-to-help-alleviate/#comments St. Jude Medical's announced that patients from Austria, Germany, and Greece are among the first to be implanted with Libra Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) devices to alleviate the symptoms of advanced Parkinson's Disease. Specifically, it's able to reduce akinesia, rigidity, tremor, and motor complications associated with taking levodopa.The company's touting Libra and LibraXP as having the longest-lasting battery of any DBS in their class, meaning potentially less surgical procedures needed for for when they gotta be replaced. No word on when they'll be expanding use of the device, but we're sure it's coming.

[Via Medgadget]

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European Parkinson's Patients Receive Implants to Help Alleviate Symptoms originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> dbsdeep brain stimulationDeepBrainStimulationhealthlibralibra dbsLibraDbsmedicalmedicineparkinsonsparkinsons diseaseParkinsonsDiseasesurgical switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:19:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[BlackBerry App World Now Live]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/01/blackberry-app-world-now-live/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/01/blackberry-app-world-now-live/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/01/blackberry-app-world-now-live/#comments
As expected, the BlackBerry App World has launched early this morning for US, Canada and the UK. If your software's updated to 4.2 and you've got a trackball / touch screen and PayPal account, head on over to RIM's Web site to download. Tell us, is it everything you thought it would be?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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BlackBerry App World Now Live originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> app worldAppWorldblack berryBlackBerryblackberry app worldBlackberryAppWorldbreakingnewsctiactia2009rim switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:02:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Skype for iPhone Now Live in US]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/31/skype-for-iphone-now-live-in-us/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/31/skype-for-iphone-now-live-in-us/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/31/skype-for-iphone-now-live-in-us/#comments
It's finally here, and even a few minutes early. Skype for iPhone is now available in the US iTunes store, free of charge. We've heard great thing from the folks in Japan who've been fiddling with it for the last twelve hours, and so far it's sounding pretty good for us, too, with only minor hiccups. Not sure if it's a glitch, but despite what we heard earlier, we seem to be able to dial out while on 3G and not over Wi-Fi (at least running OS 3.0 beta). Hit up the read link for quickest route to the app store page, and let us know what you think. Betcha wish you could ditch that AT&T voice plan now, huh?

Update: We're getting reports the app is crashing for jailbroken iPhones -- and possibly non-jailbroken ones as well. We just got our first denial when dialing out over 3G via a popup notification, but it only happened once and we were back to old habits one call later. We did experience a brief period where no sound was coming through, but that might have something to do with using OS 3.0 and was remedied by restarting the phone.

Update 2: So far, it looks like dialing over 3G's only working for those with OS 3.0 beta, but unfortunately all of us in that situation are now suffering from frequent crashes and loss of audio. Things seem to be going smoothly for those running the latest non-beta firmware, but the calls only work over WiFi. That said, when using the app as intended (non-beta firmware over Wi-Fi), audio quality was surprisingly good, far better than any third party apps we've used.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

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Skype for iPhone Now Live in US originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> applebreakingnewsiphoneitunesskype switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:35:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Tesla Model S Now Official]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/28/tesla-model-s-now-official/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/28/tesla-model-s-now-official/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/28/tesla-model-s-now-official/#comments
After a brief period of unofficial officialness yesterday morning, Tesla has rolled out the Model S to a sea of eager photographers. The company's also revealed specs for the EV: this seven-seater can go from 0 to 60 MPH in 5.6 seconds, boasts a top speed of 120 MPH, features a dashboard display and a 17-inch main touchscreen monitor. It's fully 3G capable, sports HD and satellite radio, uses LED and neon exterior lights, smart-key power, and push button gear selector. While that $49,900 base price will get you a battery that's good for 160 miles per charge, 230-mile and 300-mile range packs will be available. On a 220V outlet, the company says it'll charge in four hours with a 45 minute "QuickCharge" option, and you should be able to swap batteries if necessary in under 8 minutes. Excited? Find a way to control yourself, this baby isn't going into production in Q3 2011. Check out a brief glimpse of the interior after the break.

Continue reading Tesla Model S Now Official

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Tesla Model S Now Official originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 3gbreakingbreakingnewselectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehicleevhd radioHdRadioledmodel sModelSsatellite radioSatelliteRadioteslatesla model sTeslaModelS switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:51:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Windows 7 Coming Next Year, Says Ballmer]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/25/windows-7-coming-next-year-says-ballmer/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/25/windows-7-coming-next-year-says-ballmer/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/25/windows-7-coming-next-year-says-ballmer/#comments
Sure, we're still anticipating -- but not necessarily merrily -- the release of Windows Mobile 6.5, but for those who wish to look even farther into the future, Microsoft head honcho Steve Ballmer said in a conference call this week that WinMo 7 will be out sometime next year. That jibes pretty well with what we've heard from Motorola and ZDNet before, although there's probably a dozen or so known unknowns that could push it well into 2011 or beyond. For now, however, we're willing to take Steve at his word. Hey, at least they're not gearing up for a Windows Mobile 6.75 in the interim... right?

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Windows 7 Coming Next Year, Says Ballmer originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 2010ballmercell phonesCellPhonesmicrosoftmobilesteve ballmerSteveBallmerwindmo 6.5windmo 65Windmo6.5Windmo65windowswindows mobilewindows mobile 6.5windows mobile 65windows mobile 7WindowsMobileWindowsMobile6.5WindowsMobile65WindowsMobile7winmo 7Winmo7 switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:53:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Man Charged $28K to Watch Football Game Via Slingbox]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/24/man-charged-28k-to-watch-football-game-via-slingbox/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/24/man-charged-28k-to-watch-football-game-via-slingbox/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/24/man-charged-28k-to-watch-football-game-via-slingbox/#comments

While waiting for a Caribbean cruise liner to set sail from the Port of Miami last November, a Chicago native with an AT&T wireless card and Slingbox decided to catch the Bears vs. Lions football game on his laptop. The end result? A $28,067.31 bill from for international data charges, despite the ship never leaving the harbor. Apparently the card was picking up a signal it shouldn't have, and while the bill was eventually dropped to $290.65 after a considerable number of calls to customer service, let that be a warning to mobile users traveling on the fringe of international roaming areas -- and in case you were wondering, the Bears ended up winning 27 to 23. [Via The Register]

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Man Charged $28K to Watch Football Game Via Slingbox originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 3gamerican footballAmericanFootballattatt wirelessAttWirelesschicagochicago bearsChicagoBearsdetroit lionsDetroitLionsev-dofootballHSPAinternational roamingInternationalRoamingroamingslingsling boxsling mediaSlingBoxSlingMediaumtswirelesswireless cardWirelessCard switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:04:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Sidekick 2009 Caught in the Wild]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/18/sidekick-2009-caught-in-the-wild/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/18/sidekick-2009-caught-in-the-wild/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/18/sidekick-2009-caught-in-the-wild/#comments
We still don't know whether to call it the Sidekick 2009 or the Sidekick Blade, but either way, T-Mobile's upcoming hiptop has finally been caught on camera, looking just as it did in a survey from last month and later via render. Unfortunately, we can't glean any specs from the image, but the aforementioned questionnaire listed 3G, a 3.2-inch WVGA display, 3.2 megapixel camera, microSD card slot, and GPS with turn-by-turn navigation. Alright, Danger, you've made us believers -- now give us some official press shots to gaze upon lovingly.

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Sidekick 2009 Caught in the Wild originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> dangerdanger incdanger osDangerIncdangerossidekicksidekick 2009sidekick bladesidekick lxsidekick lx 2009Sidekick2009SidekickBladeSidekickLxSidekickLx2009t-mobileupcoming switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:18:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Canon Launches 10 New Cameras]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/18/canon-launches-10-new-cameras/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/18/canon-launches-10-new-cameras/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/18/canon-launches-10-new-cameras/#comments
Not to be outdone by Sony, Samsung, or FujiFilm, Canon has unveiled nearly a dozen digital cameras bound for the US ahead of March's PMA. Of the ten, the big guy is that 10 megapixel SX1 IS we originally heard about last September, which sports 1080p Full HD movie mode and a built-in HDMI connector. Not too far off is the SX200, SD970 and the already-leaked SD960 / SD780, which all record 720p and also feature HDMI ports. The more rugged D10 boasts it's freeze proof down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, shockproof up to four feet, and can withstand depths up to 33 feet deep. As for the rest, well, they've certainly got more appealing price tags. Full rundown of the specs after the break.

Check out a gallery of the new shooters over at Engadget.

Continue reading Canon Launches 10 New Cameras

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Canon Launches 10 New Cameras originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> A1100 ISA1100IsA2100 ISA480canoncanon powershotCanonPowershotd10new productsNewProductspowershotpowershot sd780 ispowershot sd960 isPowershotSd780IsPowershotSd960IsSD1200 ISSd1200Issd780 isSd780Issd960 isSd960Issx1sx1 isSx1Issx200 isSx200Isupcoming switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:56:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Samsung 'Beat DJ' Mobile Phone Lets You Remix Tracks on the Go]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/16/samsung-beat-dj-mobile-phone-lets-you-remix-tracks-on-the-go/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/16/samsung-beat-dj-mobile-phone-lets-you-remix-tracks-on-the-go/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/16/samsung-beat-dj-mobile-phone-lets-you-remix-tracks-on-the-go/#comments As if a giant billboard wasn't enough of an unveiling, Samsung has released some official shots of its M7600 "Beat DJ" touchscreen handset. Like we knew already, the Quadband GSM / HSDPA music phone sports a 2.8-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, GPS, 3 megapixel camera, and Bang & Olufsen amplifier. It's also got codec support for DivX and XviD, microSDHC card slot for up to 16GB, Bluetooth A2DP, FM radio, and a very welcome 3.5mm headphone jack. As for those DJ features, the turntable-inspired "Disc UI" uses a spin wheel for navigation, and the included software lets you both create your own music and sounds as well as remix other songs by adding effects and filters. Unfortunately, mum's the word on pricing or availability.

[Thanks, David]

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Samsung 'Beat DJ' Mobile Phone Lets You Remix Tracks on the Go originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> breaking newsBreakingNewscreativemobileworldcongress2009new productsNewProductssamsungsamsungbeatdjupcoming switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:02:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Samsung's New Blue Earth Cell Phone Is Solar-Powered]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/13/samsung-unveils-blue-earth-a-solar-powered-mobile-phone/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/13/samsung-unveils-blue-earth-a-solar-powered-mobile-phone/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/13/samsung-unveils-blue-earth-a-solar-powered-mobile-phone/#comments

Samsung's Blue Earth handset might just be taking the green thing to a whole new extreme. Made from PCM, a recycled plastic from water bottles, the phone boast an "eco" mode for efficiently adjusting screen brightness, backlight duration and Bluetooth usage, and an "eco walk" app / built-in pedometer to tell you how much CO2 emission you've saved by walking instead of driving. The best part? It's got a giant solar panel on the back that'll apparently charge it enough to make a phone call anytime the sun's peaking out.

Of the form factor, Sammy says it "symbolizes a flat and well rounded shiny pebble" -- which we hope means it can skip puddles with the best of 'em. It'll come in recycled packaging with an energy efficient charger. What we don't know, unfortunately, is what makes this phone tick, neither OS nor hardware specs. Not a word on price yet, but UK environmentalists can look forward to this one second half of this year.

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Samsung's New Blue Earth Cell Phone Is Solar-Powered originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> blue earthBlueEarthcell phoneCellPhoneco2ecoeco modeeco walkEcoModeEcoWalkenvironmentenvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentallyFriendlygreenhandsetpcmsamsungsamsung blue earthSamsungBlueEarth switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Report: Sirius XM Preparing to File for Bankruptcy]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/11/report-sirius-xm-preparing-to-file-for-bankruptcy/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/11/report-sirius-xm-preparing-to-file-for-bankruptcy/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/11/report-sirius-xm-preparing-to-file-for-bankruptcy/#comments Sirius XM is preparing to file for bankruptcy and could do so within days, the New York Times reports. According to the article, the move might be a calculated act to pressure Dish Network and EchoStar owner Charles Ergen into making an offer for acquisition. The Wall Street Journal says he offered to purchase the merged satellite radio group late last year and was then brushed off. Despite previous rejections, he's recently reaffirmed his desire try again. If it wasn't before, the honeymoon is now officially over.

Read - New York Times
Read - Wall Street Journal

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Report: Sirius XM Preparing to File for Bankruptcy originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> businesscharles ergenCharlesErgendish networkDishNetworkechostareconomiccrisisergensiriussirius radiosirius satellite radiosirius xmSiriusRadioSiriusSatelliteRadioSiriusXmxm switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Hello Kitty Xbox 360 Dazzles While You Frag]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/10/hello-kitty-xbox-360-dazzles-while-you-frag/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/10/hello-kitty-xbox-360-dazzles-while-you-frag/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/10/hello-kitty-xbox-360-dazzles-while-you-frag/#comments
You may remember deviantART member Ricepuppet from his days dressing up his Xbox 360 in Domo-kun stylings. He's back, combining our love for console paint jobs with all things Hello Kitty. No matching controller this time, but there's more than enough stars, shades of pink, and cuteness to make up for it. The Sanrio charmer isn't the only new mod he's got, we also spotted consoles adorned with 'Halo Wars,' Sonic the Hedgehog, and Chocobos (of 'Final Fantasy' fame). Now how about we see some of that HK love plastered on a 'Rock Band' drum set?

Read - Hello Kitty mod
Read - Go Go Sonic mod
Read - Halo Wars mod
Read - Chocobo racing mod

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Hello Kitty Xbox 360 Dazzles While You Frag originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> case modsCaseModsconsoleconsole modConsoleModhalohalo warsHaloWarshello kittyHelloKittymicrosoft xbox 360MicrosoftXbox360sonictopxbox 360xbox 360 casexbox 360 case modXbox360Xbox360CaseXbox360CaseMod switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:28:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Google PowerMeter to Let You Track Electricity Usage]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/10/googles-powermeter-to-let-users-track-electricity-usage/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/10/googles-powermeter-to-let-users-track-electricity-usage/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/10/googles-powermeter-to-let-users-track-electricity-usage/#comments

The New York Times is reporting Google will announce a free web service tomorrow called PowerMeter that'll let users track energy consumption in their homes or business, provided there's a means to upload the data. That part of the equation's gonna be up to other companies to create compatible devices, and while no manufacturing partners have been named, we'd suspect strange bedfellow GE will probably jump aboard pretty quickly. The service is expected to roll out in the next few months. Ready to give the boys in Menlo Park even more access to your life?

Update: The official site has launched. According to the FAQ, PowerMeter is currently in closed beta. There's also a video about the program, which you can peep after the break.

Continue reading Google PowerMeter to Let You Track Electricity Usage

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Google PowerMeter to Let You Track Electricity Usage originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> electricityenergyenergy consumptionEnergyConsumptiongooglenew productsNewProductspowerpower meterPowerMetersmart gridSmartGrid switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:42:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Chevy Volt Charging Into San Francisco and DC]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/04/chevy-volt-charging-into-san-francisco-and-dc/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/04/chevy-volt-charging-into-san-francisco-and-dc/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/04/chevy-volt-charging-into-san-francisco-and-dc/#comments
If General Motors has anything to say about it, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. will be the first early adopter markets for its plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt. The company is currently working with the local municipalities to flesh out the details. The goal is to make tax incentives for purchasing electric cars and build an infrastructure that'll support them. San Francisco is already part of the way there since they, along with San Jose and Oakland, have already endorsed Better Place's $1 billion plan to put electric grids in the Bay Area. Of course, GM's deeds aren't exactly selfless -- after all, more markets mean more potential Volt customers -- but if this is what it takes to foster an eerily silent rush hour, we're all for it. [Via Yahoo!]

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Chevy Volt Charging Into San Francisco and DC originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> chevroletchevrolet voltChevroletVoltchevychevy voltChevyVoltdcdistrict of columbiaDistrictOfColumbiageneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmsan franciscoSanFranciscovoltwashington dcWashingtonDc switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:46:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Next-Gen Prius Comes with Solar-Panel]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/01/14/next-gen-prius-comes-with-solar-panel/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/14/next-gen-prius-comes-with-solar-panel/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/14/next-gen-prius-comes-with-solar-panel/#comments
The very shoe-like 2010 Toyota Prius has made its official debut at this week's Detroit Auto Show. The company estimates it'll have a 50 MPG rating -- up from 46 MPG in the previous model -- and there's a bigger, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine for improved highway mileage. In addition to Power and Eco driving modes, EV Drive will let you run on battery alone for about a mile, which if nothing else should provide a little extra push for getting to the gas station when you've held off for too long.

One of the coolest (literally) new features is the optional solar panels in the moonroof that will generate power for circulating air and keeping the interior temperature from going too high. If that's not enough, there's a remote-controlled A/C system that can run on battery alone and lets you set the temperature before you get in.

Check out the read link below for more specs and the full press release.

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Next-Gen Prius Comes with Solar-Panel originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 2010 prius2010Priusdetroit auto showDetroitAutoShowhybridpriusprius hybridPriusHybridsolarsolar panelsSolarPanelstoyota switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:39:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Video: Al Roker 'Gets Jiggy With' Microsoft Surface]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/01/10/video-gettin-jiggy-with-surface-al-roker/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/10/video-gettin-jiggy-with-surface-al-roker/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/10/video-gettin-jiggy-with-surface-al-roker/#comments
What do you get when you cross a music-mixing Microsoft Surface with a sleep-deprived Al Roker? Answer: Pure comedy gold. Video after the break, skip to the 48-second mark to hear DJ A.R. do his thang.

Bonus: check out the last 10 seconds to hear him compare a drunken Ann Coulter to Popeye's Olive Oyl.

Continue reading Video: Al Roker 'Gets Jiggy With' Microsoft Surface

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Video: Al Roker 'Gets Jiggy With' Microsoft Surface originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> al rokerAlRokercesces 2009ces-2009-topCes2009humormicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacemsnbcnbcsurface switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:11:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Netgear Unveils Internet TV Players]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/01/07/netgear-unveils-internet-tv-player/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/07/netgear-unveils-internet-tv-player/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/07/netgear-unveils-internet-tv-player/#comments
We've now got a content provider giving support to Netgear's Digital Entertainer Elite, and that honor goes to CinemaNow. At today's overly-enthusiastic press conference -- seriously, they threw apples, footballs, and a beer can at certain points -- the company showed off the pay-per-view service on both the aforementioned media streamer as well as the new, much smaller Internet TV Player that's coming this summer for $199. It's very lightweight and has an HDMI output alongside two USB 2.0 ports. It's got YouTube support as well as North American, Europe, and Asia Internet TV.

The upscaled video looked good, although nothing that's gonna replace your HDTV anytime soon. One very nice feature is support for torrents that you can trigger remotely for download to the player (presumably on an attached disk drive here, as there's no internal storage from what we can tell). No word on codec support, but if they're touting torrents, we're hoping for at least some DivX / XviD and MKV love. The much larger and heavier granddaddy Elite, whose specs we've already heard care of the FCC, is coming February for $399. A fun little feature touted in the presser allows you to pause a video on one TV and watch it on another -- provided you've got a separate Elite unit connected to each. The bad news? Neither device supports Hulu or Netflix, although a rep told us that they're kinda sorta looking into adding the latter sometime in the future.

Head on over to Engadget for more.

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Netgear Unveils Internet TV Players originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cesces 2009ces 2009 hands-onces-2009-topCes2009Ces2009Hands-oncinema nowCinemaNowdigital-entertainer-elitedivxinternet tvinternet tv playerInternetTvInternetTvPlayermeda streamerMedaStreamermkvnetgearwebxvid switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:49:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Apple Patent Reveals 'iPhone Gloves' for Warmer Hands-on Experience]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/01/04/apple-patent-reveals-iphone-gloves-for-warmer-hands-on-experie/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/04/apple-patent-reveals-iphone-gloves-for-warmer-hands-on-experie/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/04/apple-patent-reveals-iphone-gloves-for-warmer-hands-on-experie/#comments
A new Apple patent has been found that will assuredly warms the hearts (and hands) of many iPhone users currently enduring a cold winter. Originally filed a day before the iPhone's June 28, 2007 launch, it details a glove with a thin, electrically conductive, "anti-sticky" inner layer that is able to function with a capacitive touchscreen. It also suggests the glove could have apertures on the fingertips for opening and closing the more protective outer layer. Of course, the concept is far from new -- just do a quick Google search for "iPhone gloves" to see a wide variety of choices -- and Apple doesn't really dabble in this sort of iPhone / iPod accessory, but if Phil keeps his hands in his pockets for the first half of the Macworld keynote, we're gonna start to get ideas. [Via Apple Insider; thanks, Shawn]

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Apple Patent Reveals 'iPhone Gloves' for Warmer Hands-on Experience originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appleapple patentApplePatentcapacitivecapacitive touch screencapacitive touchscreenCapacitiveTouchscreengloveglovesiphoneipod touchIpodTouchpatentpatentstouch screenTouchScreen switchedtips@gmail.com (Ross Miller) Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:30:00 EST Switched