Switched http://www.switched.com Switched. http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com prods@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Producers) support@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Web Support) en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. View our terms of service here: http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/ Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[MoSoSo 101: Checking in With Foursquare, Yelp and Location-Based Apps]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/04/19/mososo-101-checking-in-with-foursquare-yelp-and-location-bas-3/ http://www.switched.com/2010/04/19/mososo-101-checking-in-with-foursquare-yelp-and-location-bas-3/ http://www.switched.com/2010/04/19/mososo-101-checking-in-with-foursquare-yelp-and-location-bas-3/#comments
What About Privacy?
MoSoSos can be as revealing or discrete as you choose, but, by default, most of them report nothing. If your phone has GPS, any of the apps will find your location from a list created by users, or will allow you to register a new spot in the system (for example, your apartment). In most cases, you have to manually "check in" by pressing a button to broadcast your location. Loopt does have the ability to run in the background, constantly tracking your location and sending updates to friends, although you can choose to disable that feature. Once Apple launches iPhone OS 4.0 this summer, and thus enables apps to run in the background (already possible on Android phones), it will be easier for MoSoSo apps to constantly track users.

If you pick the right settings, you can be a member of a MoSoSo network for months yet remain invisible by never checking in, or you can update friends every time you walk down the street. Likewise, you can decide who gets updates. Even if you link a MoSoSo to Facebook or Twitter, you'll be asked at each check-in whether or not you want to push that update to other networks. And you can decide whether updates go to everyone on the MoSoSo network (even people you don't know), or just to your friends.

But there is one big loophole; MoSoSos, especially Foursquare, took some heat recently from a now-defunct site called "Please Rob Me," which drew attention to how easy it is to see when someone isn't home by perusing his or her profile. That happens specifically with MoSoSo accounts linked to Twitter, where, by default, someone doesn't have to be an approved "friend" to follow updates. Mix that with location data, and the whole world can know when you're away.

Please Rob Me, developed by a company called Forthehack, displayed these results under the cheeky headline "Recent Empty Homes: New Opportunities." Despite the name, however, Forthehack wasn't doing any hacking. It was simply running a search for Foursquare on Twitter using the term "4sq -@foursquare."

If this gives you the willies, disable the link from your MoSoSo to Twitter. Then, for good measure, never tweet anything about where you are, and be sure to disable Twitter's own ability to track your location.

How Big Is This Thing?
Although Foursquare is its poster child, mobile social media is much bigger than that. MoSoSo, itself, is becoming bigger than all of its social networking predecessors. Location is becoming an integral part of online interaction.

Twitter can be set to automatically broadcast your location from a GPS-equipped device, and Web browsers - even on laptop or desktop computers - can estimate your location based on the IP address assigned by the Internet service provider. Google now leverages that technology with cell phone GPS data, providing local results when you run a search.

Dozens of programs or Web services now tap location data to deliver better information -- and better-targeted advertising. And, remarkably, in most cases, the feature is more helpful than annoying or creepy.

Gallery: MoSoSo

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MoSoSo 101: Checking in With Foursquare, Yelp and Location-Based Apps originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Sean Captain Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[MoSoSo 101: Checking in With Foursquare, Yelp and Location-Based Apps]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/04/19/mososo-101-checking-in-with-foursquare-yelp-and-location-bas-2/ http://www.switched.com/2010/04/19/mososo-101-checking-in-with-foursquare-yelp-and-location-bas-2/ http://www.switched.com/2010/04/19/mososo-101-checking-in-with-foursquare-yelp-and-location-bas-2/#comments What's it good for?
Like most new technologies, MoSoSo seems silly and unnecessary... until you and a bunch of your friends start using it. If you already status update or tweet your social life, many MoSoSo apps make it easier by both pushing updates to other networks and tagging the location. Of course, you can also see if friends are nearby, and maybe have some serendipitous meet-ups.

But it's often more interesting when the people you know are not nearby. Here's a true-life example. A pal reports on the app Foursquare: "...Ordering a Blackberry Cosmo. They're really good here. (@ Happy Ending)." Translated: If you love blackberries (the fruit), and find yourself near the bar Happy Ending in Manhattan's Lower East Side, stop in for a cosmo. By tying location to user's notes, Foursquare lets users be in-the-know without being in the neighborhood. Such serendipity isn't limited to dedicated MoSoSo apps, either. Older review services are also implementing the ability to check-in at a location, and broadcast the news to your friends. Yelp, for example, now lets you "friend" users, and follow feeds of their activities as well as reviews of restaurants and other local businesses.

MoSoSo users don't have to be friends with one another to provide helpful advice, either. Because the services know your location, they can help you find comments or reviews that anyone has posted in your vicinity. For example, food shopping in much of New York City is generally limited to overpriced, so-so grocery stores. But recently a guy on Foursquare named "Aaron M" wrote, "...on weekends there is a small farmers [sic] market near the Food Emporium selling some good stuff."

MoSoSo is also becoming a great way to find freebies and discounts, and some businesses are using the tech to lure customers with rewards. At last count, nearly 1,000 local businesses around the world - from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Chonburi, Thailand - are offering Foursquare users special discounts, such as a free appetizer to anyone who checks in at The Drawing Room restaurant in Chicago or endless free drinks for the "Mayor" (the most-frequent visitor) of the Lush Bar in Beijing.

Other businesses are trying to steal customers from their neighbors. For example, when a coffee fan checks into a café, an alert from a bar nearby might pop up flaunting happy hour specials. It's a sneaky but effective trick.

How does it work?
Unlike with Twitter, there is no single MoSoSo company to choose. Still, Foursquare seems to be the leader these days.

In a way, Foursquare is the oldest MoSoSo. Its co-founder, Dennis Crowley, came upon a similar idea back in 2000, when he and Alex Rainert started a service (largely for dating hookups) called Dodgeball. Users would text the name of their location to Dodgeball, which looked up the address and sent a text to any friends they'd listed on the Dodgeball Web site. The dark ages before GPS and high-speed Internet connections on cellphones required that users set up the service on a PC, and then use SMS to access it. Google bought Dodgeball in 2005, let it languish, and finally shut it down in 2009. That same year, Crowley and partners founded Foursquare, and plugged in all the benefits of modern mobile tech.

Foursquare works best on a smartphone with GPS. The company currently makes apps for the iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and Palm devices, while other phones with Internet access can visit a basic Web site. The app situation is similar for Foursquare's main competitors -- Brightkite, Gowalla, Loopt and Whrrl -- all of which can be found on the iPhone. Brightkite, Gowalla and Loopt also provide Android and BlackBerry apps, while Brightkite and Gowalla offer Palm programs. Brightkite also has a Nokia app. But the winner for compatibility is Loopt, which claims support for about 100 non-smartphones, ranging form the LG Voyager to Motorola's RAZR (although downloading and installing is an arduous, counter-intuitive process).

None of these MoSoSos make you start a new social network from scratch. Instead, they let you find friends already on the services, or invite friends to join them by mining from some combination of your phone's address book, Facebook friends list, Twitter followers or Gmail contacts. (The particular combination depends on the app.) You can also link the MoSoSo apps to other networks - typically Facebook and Twitter - so that posts automatically go to all of them.

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MoSoSo 101: Checking in With Foursquare, Yelp and Location-Based Apps originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Sean Captain Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[MoSoSo 101: Checking in With Foursquare, Yelp and Location-Based Apps]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/04/19/mososo-101-checking-in-with-foursquare-yelp-and-location-bas/ http://www.switched.com/2010/04/19/mososo-101-checking-in-with-foursquare-yelp-and-location-bas/ http://www.switched.com/2010/04/19/mososo-101-checking-in-with-foursquare-yelp-and-location-bas/#comments

The social media fast lane is heating up with real-time location updates. Apps now tap into your cell phone's GPS to track where you and your friends are, and, more importantly, what's happening nearby. Now that the world can finally say "tweet" with a straight face, there's a new term to learn: MoSoSo, or mobile social software. Read on to find out what it is, how it works and how to setup your privacy settings.

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MoSoSo 101: Checking in With Foursquare, Yelp and Location-Based Apps originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> dodgeballfeaturesfoursquaregowallagpslocationmosososocialnetworkingtopweb Sean Captain Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Rebel, Rebel, How Could We Know? Canon T2i, We Love HD Video So]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/03/29/rebel-rebel-how-could-we-know-canon-t2i-we-love-hd-video-so/ http://www.switched.com/2010/03/29/rebel-rebel-how-could-we-know-canon-t2i-we-love-hd-video-so/ http://www.switched.com/2010/03/29/rebel-rebel-how-could-we-know-canon-t2i-we-love-hd-video-so/#comments
Canon's elegantly executed Digital Rebel T2i is one of those rare gadgets that inspire admiration and affection in a way usually reserved for humans. The T2i is a big upgrade from its predecessor, the Rebel T1i, which lost out to Nikon's D5000 when Switched recommended a beginner SLR (single-lens reflex) last summer. The new T2i incorporates a sensor nearly identical to Canon's popular 7D (a favorite camera around the Switched and Engadget offices), which means you're going to get rich colors, accurate exposure, good low-light performance and stunning video.

Continue reading Rebel, Rebel, How Could We Know? Canon T2i, We Love HD Video So

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Rebel, Rebel, How Could We Know? Canon T2i, We Love HD Video So originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> camerascanoncanon t2iCanonT2idslrdslr videoDslrVideofeatureshands onHandsOnreviewsslrt2itop Sean Captain Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[What's the Best Android Phone on Each Carrier?]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/02/05/whats-the-best-android-phone-on-each-carrier/ http://www.switched.com/2010/02/05/whats-the-best-android-phone-on-each-carrier/ http://www.switched.com/2010/02/05/whats-the-best-android-phone-on-each-carrier/#comments
A reader writes: These Android smartphones look pretty hot. It seems they can do everything the iPhone does, but they come in more flavors, from more companies. So what's the best one to get?

Dear Reader: The Android operating system may be the first serious competitor to the iPhone platform -- with a slick interface and tons of cool applications. Unlike Apple's tightly policed Apps Store, Google's Android Market lets you download any program written by any developer.

Continue reading What's the Best Android Phone on Each Carrier?

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What's the Best Android Phone on Each Carrier? originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> androiddroid erisDroidErisfeaturesjusttellmewhattogetmotomotorolamotorola droidMotorolaDroidsamsung momentSamsungMomentsprintt-mobiletopverizon Sean Captain Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[What's the Best Digital SLR Camera for Beginners?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/08/07/whats-the-best-digital-slr-camera-for-beginners/ http://www.switched.com/2009/08/07/whats-the-best-digital-slr-camera-for-beginners/ http://www.switched.com/2009/08/07/whats-the-best-digital-slr-camera-for-beginners/#comments Question: I see more and more people carrying digital SLRs these days. And when I look at the great photos, I understand why. I'd like to upgrade from my point-and-shoot, but the choices are overwhelming. What's a good beginner SLR that can also grow with me if I want to get more serious?

Advice: Our current favorite among beginner models is the Nikon D5000. It's not the cheapest -- even from Nikon -- but it has great room to grow. The D5000 is very similar to the company's pricier D90 camera and comes with one significant upgrade: An articulating, 2.7-inch LCD screen allows you to frame the photo while holding the camera above your head, down at your waist, or even facing towards you for a self-portrait. That gives it a leg up on Canon's Digital Rebel line of entry-level SLRs.

The LCD is especially handy when using the D5000's video-capture feature, since you don't have to hold the camera right up to your nose while shooting. The 720p HD movies it takes don't match the crisp images you can get with a dedicated high-def camcorder, but they make a fun supplement to the excellent 12-megapixel still photos.

Continue reading What's the Best Digital SLR Camera for Beginners?

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What's the Best Digital SLR Camera for Beginners? originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> d5000featuresjusttellmewhattogetnikonnikon d5000NikonD5000top Sean Captain Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:49:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Sony Brings New Low-Light Tech to Cyber-shot Pocket Cams]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/08/06/sony-brings-new-low-light-tech-to-cyber-shot-pocket-cams/ http://www.switched.com/2009/08/06/sony-brings-new-low-light-tech-to-cyber-shot-pocket-cams/ http://www.switched.com/2009/08/06/sony-brings-new-low-light-tech-to-cyber-shot-pocket-cams/#comments
"After Midnight...We're gonna give an exhibition," promised Eric Clapton in his famous goodtime-party song. But if you bring your digital camera, you probably won't get any good pictures of shows that take place in backstage lairs, smokey clubs, or other dark, dusky hep-cat hangouts.

Until now, promises Sony, thanks to its new WX1 and TX1 Cyber-shot models with a new, 10.2-megapixel sensor that's billed to be twice as sensitive to light. The tech, called "back-illuminated CMOS" basically takes a bunch of wires that used to partially obscure the pixels and moves them to the back of the sensor. Sounds like a no-brainer, but Sony spent years figuring out how to do it.

Continue reading Sony Brings New Low-Light Tech to Cyber-shot Pocket Cams

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Sony Brings New Low-Light Tech to Cyber-shot Pocket Cams originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> featuressonytop Sean Captain Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[14 Facebook Ills (and How to Cure Most of Them)]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/07/30/14-facebook-ills-and-how-to-cure-most-of-them/ http://www.switched.com/2009/07/30/14-facebook-ills-and-how-to-cure-most-of-them/ http://www.switched.com/2009/07/30/14-facebook-ills-and-how-to-cure-most-of-them/#comments
From tracking the Jonas Brothers to organizing the Iranian democracy movement, Facebook is the most powerful network -- at the moment -- for linking people up around town or around the world. Love it or hate it, you really can't avoid it.

Which is what makes the site's various bugs, glitches, and buried features so painful. They are intimidating and off-putting to newbies, and continuing irritants even to obsessive fans. We polled both types, using our network on -- what else? -- Facebook, to find out what irks our "Friends" the most. We also trolled the Web for top complaints. Then we sat down with Facebook to see if they had a fix -- or at least an explanation -- for each gripe.

At least the social network is aware of its foibles. "A lot of things are not as intuitive as we'd hope," our contact at Facebook, Kathleen, told us. "But there's actually a lot of functionality there that a lot of people just don't find." In most cases, they were able to show us some workaround, or they said that a fix was in the works. Only in a few cases were the ills incurable. Read on for our list of common Facebook pains -- as told to us by users -- and the best pain relievers.

Continue reading 14 Facebook Ills (and How to Cure Most of Them)

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14 Facebook Ills (and How to Cure Most of Them) originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> facebookfeaturessocialnetworkingtopweb Sean Captain Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:31:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Do You Play RPGs? (We Asked These Fantasy Fans)]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/06/18/do-you-play-rpgs-we-asked-these-fantasy-fans/ http://www.switched.com/2009/06/18/do-you-play-rpgs-we-asked-these-fantasy-fans/ http://www.switched.com/2009/06/18/do-you-play-rpgs-we-asked-these-fantasy-fans/#comments
Don't get us wrong. If you make the trek out to E3, the mecca of video game conventions, you're already a hardcore gamer. But, no matter how seriously you take your 'Halo 3,' there's still a class of gamer that takes it all to a whole other level: the role-playing gamers. We asked these über-players about their favorite titles, strategy, beefing up before combat, and the insatiable desire to kill! kill! kill!

Continue reading Do You Play RPGs? (We Asked These Fantasy Fans)

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Do You Play RPGs? (We Asked These Fantasy Fans) originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> e3e32009switchedvideotop Sean Captain Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:51:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Switched Splurge: McIntosh 60th Anniversary Audio System]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/06/17/switched-splurge-mcintosh-60th-anniversary-audio-system/ http://www.switched.com/2009/06/17/switched-splurge-mcintosh-60th-anniversary-audio-system/ http://www.switched.com/2009/06/17/switched-splurge-mcintosh-60th-anniversary-audio-system/#comments
At the risk of sounding like a crabby old man, let's just say that you kids -- with your little white iPod headphones and cheapie home theater systems -- have no idea what you're missing. And as for MP3s, oh, don't even get us started mister (or missie).

Okay, you can find top-notch audio gear with some amazing new capabilities these days. Yet even over forty years ago, audio engineers had already figured out how to make premium sound -- albeit with tubes instead of chips -- that is as impressive today as it was then. High-end audio maker McIntosh revived one of those classic systems with a limited re-issue of its C22 Tube Preamplifier and MC75 Power Amplifier. Yes, you needed three pieces of gear to do what a little receiver does now, and that's just for stereo. They are bundled together into what the company calls its 60th Anniversary System -- though that's the anniversary of the company, not the gear.

Continue reading Switched Splurge: McIntosh 60th Anniversary Audio System

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Switched Splurge: McIntosh 60th Anniversary Audio System originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> featuresswitchedsplurgetop Sean Captain Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:15:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Is the Casio EX-S12 Camera With 'Dynamic Photo' Worth the Hype?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/06/09/is-the-casio-ex-s12-camera-with-dynamic-photo-worth-the-hype/ http://www.switched.com/2009/06/09/is-the-casio-ex-s12-camera-with-dynamic-photo-worth-the-hype/ http://www.switched.com/2009/06/09/is-the-casio-ex-s12-camera-with-dynamic-photo-worth-the-hype/#comments Most point-and-shoot camera makers are marching in lock step -- all introducing features such as fancier face detection, higher light sensitivity, and larger LCD screens. Casio is playing along, but it's also adding more-powerful image processing -- allowing its cameras to capture photos in high-speed bursts, shoot slow-motion video, or track fast-moving subjects.

What it is: Casio's EX-S12 (and a sister models, the EX-Z400 and EX-Z270) use this extra processing power for a new function called Dynamic Photo that lets you cut a still subject, or even a stop-motion video clip, from one shot and insert it into another.

Why it's different: Cameras have been adding editing capabilities, such as removing red-eye but Casio is the first to put compositing -- making a new image with portions of other photos -- into a point-and-shoot.

Does it live up to the hype? Absolutely not. The prescribed process for creating these images with the EX-S12 is arduous, with a low success rate. And even when the tech works, the results are laughable.

Continue reading Is the Casio EX-S12 Camera With 'Dynamic Photo' Worth the Hype?

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Is the Casio EX-S12 Camera With 'Dynamic Photo' Worth the Hype? originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cameracasiocasio ex-s12CasioEx-s12featureshype checkHypeChecktop Sean Captain Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:08:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Switched Download: Hulu Desktop Eases Up PC TV-Watching Experience]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/06/02/hulu-desktop/ http://www.switched.com/2009/06/02/hulu-desktop/ http://www.switched.com/2009/06/02/hulu-desktop/#comments
What it is: Hulu Desktop is a free, Flash-based application for Mac and Windows that plays video from the Hulu Web site, including full episodes and clips from ABC, Fox, and NBC television shows, plus a smattering of movies.

What we like about it: Hulu desktop brings a high level of polish to what was already a fantastic video site. Once you get the hang of the left-to-right organization, the interface is very easy and intuitive to navigate. You start by searching for a series, selecting from the most popular videos, or hitting up a cue of programs you've already built in this app or on Hulu's Web site. Then you click to the right to select an individual episode to watch.

The process if far more straightforward than scrolling around the Hulu.com site. And you don't even need to use the mouse. You can also navigate by simple keyboard shortcuts (directional arrows to move around menus, the space bar to pause, etc); or you can wield remote controls for the Apple Front Row or Windows Media Center applications. There are plenty of options during playback, such as fast-forwarding or rewinding the video by sliding along a timeline that pops up at the bottom of the screen. And multitaskers can reduce the currently playing video to a preview window while searching for new videos to play or add to the cue.

Continue reading Switched Download: Hulu Desktop Eases Up PC TV-Watching Experience

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Switched Download: Hulu Desktop Eases Up PC TV-Watching Experience originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> downloadsfeatureshuluonlinetvstreaming videoStreamingVideoswitcheddownloadtop Sean Captain Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:57:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Best of the Week: Spam, Polaroid 'Instant' Film Are Back]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/31/best-of-the-week/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/31/best-of-the-week/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/31/best-of-the-week/#comments
Even in our ever-accelerating, technologically turbulent world, we can count on some things to remain the same. Baby boomers, the generation that virtually invented short-lived trends, experienced another one with Facebook. After joining in droves last year, they started dropping from it like flies this spring. At the other end of the generational spectrum, teenagers continue to do really dumb things that get them in trouble. This time it was a texting teen who crashed her car into a cop -- on a day when she was playing hooky, no less. And, after a brief lull following the take-down of digital junkmailer McColo Corporation, spam volume has swelled back to 90 percent of all e-mail traffic. In other news...

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Best of the Week: Spam, Polaroid 'Instant' Film Are Back originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 31 May 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bestoftheweekcellphonechatfacebookfilmgardeninggpspolaroidspamtextingtopwarranty Sean Captain Sun, 31 May 2009 13:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Morning Xtra: Highrise Escapes, Reviving Old TVs, Zombie Flicks]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/29/morning-xtra-highrise-escapes-reviving-old-tvs-zombie-flicks/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/29/morning-xtra-highrise-escapes-reviving-old-tvs-zombie-flicks/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/29/morning-xtra-highrise-escapes-reviving-old-tvs-zombie-flicks/#comments

Using a fishing reel to escape from buildings
Watching the tragic loss of life at the World Trade Center inspired San Francisco inventor Kevin Stone to come up with a simple rescue tool to evacuate people from high-rises. His creation, called the Rescue Reel, is inspired by a fishing reel and allows people to descend safely from a 100-story building in about a minute. [From: Popular Science]

Fingerprint-erasing cancer medication
U.S. immigration officials detained a Singaporean man for four hours at an airport last December because they couldn't take his fingerprints. Far from being a terrorist employing some super-secret spy tech, the poor fellow was just a cancer patient suffering the side effects of chemotherapy. His medication, called capecitabine, causes inflammation and peeling on the hands and feet, which wiped out his fingerprints. [From: Yahoo! News]

Pre-Vista versions of Windows vulnerable to attack
Microsoft yesterday issued a warning that earlier versions of Windows are vulnerable to attack just by visiting certain malicious Web sites. A component of the operating system, called DirectShow, could allow a specially crafted QuickTime video file to take control of a computer. Like most threat alerts, this is a theoretical danger. But as Microsoft hasn't come up with a fix yet, that's one more reason not to click on mysterious Web links. [From: betanews]


Continue reading Morning Xtra: Highrise Escapes, Reviving Old TVs, Zombie Flicks

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Morning Xtra: Highrise Escapes, Reviving Old TVs, Zombie Flicks originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 29 May 2009 12:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> breakingnewsmorningxtratop Sean Captain Fri, 29 May 2009 12:11:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[The 5 Greatest Planet-Exploring Robots]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/29/the-5-greatest-planet-exploring-robots/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/29/the-5-greatest-planet-exploring-robots/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/29/the-5-greatest-planet-exploring-robots/#comments

If its mission succeeds in 2012, NASA's latest Mars rover, the newly christened Curiosity will join an elite group of robots that have managed to touch down safely on an alien world. Click through to see Curiosity's five greatest forbearers.



Continue reading The 5 Greatest Planet-Exploring Robots

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The 5 Greatest Planet-Exploring Robots originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 29 May 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> robotsspacetop Sean Captain Fri, 29 May 2009 08:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Which Warranties Should You Get?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-9/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-9/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-9/#comments


8. Save up for repairs.

Instead of putting insurance money in the bank account of a manufacturer or retailer, why not put it in your own? Consumer Reports suggests setting up a "repair fund" for your tech items. That way, you don't lose your money when a warranty term runs out, and you can use it to cover any kind of mishap without having to worry about fine-print restrictions. Sure, the out-of-pocket repair on any one product might be more than the cost of an extended warranty, but, unless all the uninsured products break down, you'll probably come out ahead. Now, are you really going to create a special trust fund for your gadgets? Maybe not. But, when you do get stuck with a repair or replacement bill, don't just look at it as pure loss. It's potentially less than you would have spent on all those warranties.

Which Warranties Should You Get? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Sean Captain Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Which Warranties Should You Get?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-10/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-10/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-10/#comments


9. Fight for fixes or replacements.

Even without warranty coverage, you may have some leverage with vendors who make lemons -- especially if they make a whole bucket of lemons and the word gets out. "A lot of people, with the Internet these days, are very vocal about the problems they have," says David Carnoy of c|net. "Manufacturers look at that stuff, and it concerns them." The best recent example is a widespread hardware failure on the Xbox 360 called the "Red Ring of Death." With so many customers falling victim, Microsoft had to extend the warranty coverage to contain the public relations disaster. But there are also less-extreme examples. Carnoy points out the easily breakable screens on the Amazon Kindle ebook reader as one of them. While Amazon didn't necessarily acknowledge the problem, he says that it did at least sell replacements to customers at reduced rates. Headphone maker Shure does something similar, according to Carnoy, by offering replacements for out-of-warranty headphones at sizable discounts. "If you report it to Shure, they'll cut you a deal," he says.

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]]> Sean Captain Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Which Warranties Should You Get?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-11/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-11/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-11/#comments


10. Purchase carefully, if you must.

So, you're not a techie who likes to fix things, you hate haggling, and you tend to be a worrier. Okay, maybe an extended warranty is worth it then, if only to keep you calm. "A lot of times what they'll argue is that you're buying peace of mind," says Jim Wilcox, a Senior Editor for electronics at Consumer Reports, of the case that extended warranty providers make. Though Wilcox and his magazine don't advocate extended warranties, he understands the appeal for some people.

But you should do some research before you buy. Tales from Office Depot notwithstanding, you shouldn't be forced to buy additional coverage on the spot. Generally, you can opt for an extended warranty anytime during the manufacturer's standard coverage period. Take that time to investigate the terms of the insurance offered by both the manufacturer and the retailer. Some things you'll want to look at:
  • Will you have to pay a deductible for repairs?
  • What's the turnaround time for service?
  • Do the service techs come to you, or do you have to ship a product to them? If the latter is the case, do you have to pay for shipping?
And remember that retailers generally contract out for service, so you'll have to look at the contractor's track record with sources such as the Better Business Bureau or reader-rating sites like Epinions. When you check on the BBB site, it might be helpful to know where the company is headquartered. You can get many providers' info from their trade association, the Service Contract Industry Council.

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]]> Sean Captain Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Which Warranties Should You Get?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-2/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-2/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-2/#comments

1. Before you buy any extended warranty, see what your credit company might offer if you charge the purchase.

You should think twice before buying an extended warranty, but it's fine if someone else buys it for you. Several major credit cards will extend your warranty up to an additional year, gratis, if you charge the purchase. American Express includes the service on even its entry-level plastic. Visa and Master Card provide it for higher-end card holders.

If you'd rather pay cash, you can still get a free warranty upgrade on a TV or a computer by shopping at Costco. That big-box temple of thrift automatically extends coverage for customers.

Which Warranties Should You Get? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> expire-images:2010-5-28 Sean Captain Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Which Warranties Should You Get?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-3/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-3/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-3/#comments


2. Hire tech support for newbies

Sometimes the problem isn't a product that dies, but the user who kills it. Computers are perhaps the most frustrating gadgets, especially for non-geeks who take no joy in learning about the registry or system preferences. It's not surprising, then, that Apple, which attracts many tech freshmen, sells so many of them the AppleCare program, which extends support from three months to three years. That kind of service upgrade is worthwhile not only for n00bs, but also for the nerds who love them, and would otherwise get stuck providing the tech support themselves.

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]]> Sean Captain Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Which Warranties Should You Get?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-4/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-4/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-4/#comments


3. Consider the risk. How likely is it that your gadget will break?

Some things break more often than others. In a survey of 168,000 readers last year, Consumer Reports found that only 3-percent of LCD and plasma TVs required repairs. But about 10-percent of rear-projection sets needed a fix -- mainly because the bulbs inside them burn out. So the magazine, which generally lambastes extended warranties, advised readers to consider extensions on projection sets, if they didn't cost more than a bulb itself.

In an earlier article from 2006, Consumer Reports listed the failure rates for 25 other product types, and also estimated how much average repairs cost. Compare those costs to the price of a particular warranty before you make the call.

Also helpful, PC World surveyed 44,000 readers a few months ago in order to rank the reliability of individual companies in seven product categories. (PC World also rated the quality of each manufacturer's tech support, the other feature you get if you buy an extended warranty.)

Which Warranties Should You Get? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Sean Captain Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Which Warranties Should You Get?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-5/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-5/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-5/#comments


4. Insure handheld gadgets -- maybe.

It's no wonder that products like flat-panel TVs rarely break; they sit securely in the same spot and have no moving parts. That's not the case for mobile phones, however, which are constantly on the move. Manufacturer warranties don't handle wear and tear, but extended coverage from your wireless carrier may cover drops, spills and theft. These plans aren't cheap, though. AT&T, for example, charges $5 per month, plus a $50-to-$125 deductible (depending on the model). AT&T offers no insurance for the iPhone, but you can sign up for the two-year AppleCare Protection Plan in case something breaks down. A $50 or $100 phone isn't worth the extra few bucks per month, but a $400 smartphone may be -- if you have a solid track record as a klutz.

Which Warranties Should You Get? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Sean Captain Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Which Warranties Should You Get?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-6/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-6/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-6/#comments


5. Worried about theft? In that case, you may want a warranty.

Cell phones aren't the only gadgets that may need special protection. Other portable gizmos like laptops and MP3 players, as well as some stay-at-home products like stereos, are also at risk. And your standard homeowner's or renter's insurance probably doesn't protect them adequately. (Policies often limit coverage to $2,500 -- about the cost of one nice PC or TV.) An extended warranty may not help you in these situations, but extra insurance may. Ask your current provider about additional coverage, and also check out the prices from electronics insurer Safeware.

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]]> Sean Captain Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Which Warranties Should You Get?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-7/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-7/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-7/#comments


6. Be your own insurance/warranty.

Both desktop and laptop computers are surprisingly cheap and easy to repair. "If you're not afraid to take a screwdriver and do it, you can be your own insurance," says Avram Piltch, Laptop Magazine's online editorial director. According to Piltch, the items that are most likely to break -- such as the hard drive, the screen or the keyboard -- are also the easiest (and least expensive) to replace. For example, a 320-gigabyte (GB) laptop hard disk (with a five-year manufacturer warranty) sells for a mere $80. And such a replacement not only fixes your PC, but it can also provide a performance boost that may let you put off buying a new model. Desktop and laptop components are available from dozens of vendors, including NewEgg, Buy.com, and Tiger Direct. Piltch also recommends a few specialty dealers for laptop parts: ScreenTek, Impact, and Machina Electronics.

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]]> Sean Captain Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Which Warranties Should You Get?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-8/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-8/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/which-warranties-should-you-get-8/#comments


7. Get extra coverage for business computers.

There's one case in which even techie people probably shouldn't handle their own PC repairs: when it keeps them from doing their day jobs. If you own a small business, or you are a small business (i.e. a freelancer), the downtime from a lame PC can cost a fortune, and delays may sour relationships with customers. "You want to pay extra not necessarily to extend the life of the warranty," says Avram Piltch from Laptop Magazine. "But you really want to have 24-hour priority service, onsite, or you'll lose money."

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]]> Sean Captain Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Should You Get an Extended Warranty? (10 Things to Consider)]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/should-you-get-an-extended-warranty-10-things-to-consider/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/should-you-get-an-extended-warranty-10-things-to-consider/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/28/should-you-get-an-extended-warranty-10-things-to-consider/#comments


Burning question: Should I pay extra for an extended warranty?

The short answer: No.

The much-longer answer: Probably not, though it depends on what you buy, what the plan covers, and how techie you are.

We do recommend warranties for theft-and-loss-prone handheld devices like cell phones, but it's likely that your laptop, TV or cell phone won't bite the dust in that narrow span of time between the end of the manufacturer's coverage and the end of the extended warranty. In fact, tech products don't break as often as we fear they will. And when things fall apart, they do so promptly. "If you get a lemon, things tend to go wrong in the first year when the product's under warranty," says David Carnoy, the executive editor of c|net.

But service plans or other insurance policies might be worthwhile if they offer something beyond the standard warranty, such as better tech support or protection against theft and accidents.

Read on for our 10 tips on protecting both your gadgets and your bank account.



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Should You Get an Extended Warranty? (10 Things to Consider) originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> customer servicecustomerservicefeaturestopwarrantieswarranty Sean Captain Thu, 28 May 2009 14:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[America Has More High-Speed Citizens Than Any Other Country]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/21/america-has-more-high-speed-citizens-than-any-other-country/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/21/america-has-more-high-speed-citizens-than-any-other-country/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/21/america-has-more-high-speed-citizens-than-any-other-country/#comments The US is the most wired country in the world, according to a new study of industrialized counties that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. With 80,071,074 people connected to DSL, cable, or fiber (as of December 2008), America has nearly as many high-speed surfers as the next four countries combined (Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and France).

But tech patriotism may fade a bit when you consider the plight of average Americans. On a per-capita basis, the U.S. ranks a dismal 15th -- behind Canada and most of northern Europe -- with just 27-percent of its population hooked up to fast pipes. Surprisingly, that still puts the U.S. ahead of cyber-fantasyland Japan, which has a 24-percent connection rate, as well as other wealthy counties, including Australia, Austria, Spain and Italy.

The whole mix may change radically in the next few years, however. In the U.S. the FCC is currently developing a plan to foster universal broadband access for all Americans, backed up by $7.2 billion in funding from the Stimulus Plan legislation. (The FCC will deliver its plans to Congress in February 2010.) And Australia recently announced a $30.6 billion plan to wire the entire continent. [From: The Guardian]

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America Has More High-Speed Citizens Than Any Other Country originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 21 May 2009 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> congressethernetfccstudiesstudytop Sean Captain Thu, 21 May 2009 08:02:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Video Game Art, Optimum Online Ultra Reviewed]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/20/best-of-the-rest-video-game-paintings-optimum-online-ultra-rev/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/20/best-of-the-rest-video-game-paintings-optimum-online-ultra-rev/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/20/best-of-the-rest-video-game-paintings-optimum-online-ultra-rev/#comments There's a load of great tech news happening out there every day, and, unfortunately, we just can't cover it all. Here are a few of the other noteworthy things we saw today on our never-ending journey through the wild, wild Web.
  • A review of Cablevision's Optimum Online Ultra, the fastest Internet service in the US. [CrunchGear]
  • Art imitating (digital) art: Orioto's paintings inspired by videogame worlds. [Joystiq]
  • Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg explains how his social network differs from rivals MySpace and Twitter. [Reuters]
  • Intel hints that a wave of cheap, ultra-thin laptops will crest next month, thanks in part to its new low-voltage processors. [New York Times]
  • The logical destiny for Amazon's Kindle: Growth to giant, plasma-screen proportions. [Mashable]
Got a tip? Want to talk to us? In need of more choice links like these? Drop us a line on Twitter and check out our new Tumblr blog.

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Best of the Rest: Video Game Art, Optimum Online Ultra Reviewed originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 20 May 2009 20:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bestoftheresttop Sean Captain Wed, 20 May 2009 20:42:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Morning Xtra: Photo Fun With Currency, Netflix on Media Center]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/20/morning-xtra-photo-fun-with-currency-netflix-on-windows-media/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/20/morning-xtra-photo-fun-with-currency-netflix-on-windows-media/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/20/morning-xtra-photo-fun-with-currency-netflix-on-windows-media/#comments

You're So Money
Think that only dead people get their faces on currency? Think again. Akademi Fantasia has a delightful collection of photos showing how images on bills match up with real-live faces. There are no examples with greenbacks, though, so maybe dead white men do still rule the U.S. [From: Akademi Fantasia]

Au Revoir Internet Freedoms
The French government has just proposed new legislation, dubbed "Loppsi 2," that allows it to keep close tabs on Internet users. Provisions include the right to install keylogging programs on suspects' computers and requiring ISPs to aid in censoring child pornography. [From: Ars Technica]

Netflix comes to Windows Media Center
Microsoft's forgotten triumph, the brilliant Windows Media Center application got a bit more sparkle today with the addition of access to Netflix's online library of streaming videos (currently encompassing more than 12,000 movie and TV shows). Netflix access is already built into the Xbox 360 game console and several Blu-ray disc players. [From: Venture Beat]

Continue reading Morning Xtra: Photo Fun With Currency, Netflix on Media Center

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Morning Xtra: Photo Fun With Currency, Netflix on Media Center originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 20 May 2009 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> breaking newsbreakingnewsmorningxtratop Sean Captain Wed, 20 May 2009 12:03:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Pentax K-7 -- a Pro SLR, at a Semi-Pro Price]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/20/hands-on-with-the-pentax-k-7/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/20/hands-on-with-the-pentax-k-7/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/20/hands-on-with-the-pentax-k-7/#comments

In a pro photography world virtually owned by Canon and Nikon, Pentax's scrappy determination is admirable. Although it rarely grabs the headlines, this company consistently turns out well-built cameras at good prices.

We're hoping that applies to the company's latest SLR, the Pentax K-7, which we got a hands-on look at earlier this month. Priced at $1300, it's priced against semi-pro cameras such as the Canon 50D, but has many professional features that match far-pricier models. For one, the magnesium-alloy case is completely sealed against dust and water and certified to keep the camera working all the way down to a frigid 14 degrees Fahrenheit. You don't get that kind of battle-ready performance from the big boys until you step up to pro models like Nikon's $5000 D3 camera. Just like its price, the K-7's weight is also way lower: at 27 ounces, it's about two-thirds the weight of Nikon's D3.

Continue reading Pentax K-7 -- a Pro SLR, at a Semi-Pro Price

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Pentax K-7 -- a Pro SLR, at a Semi-Pro Price originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 20 May 2009 10:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> newproductspentaxphotographyslrslrstoptraveltreknologyupcoming Sean Captain Wed, 20 May 2009 10:09:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[14 Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/14-gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/14-gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/14-gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms/#comments


This Mother's Day, you could try to pick out a scarf, purse or pair of shoes that your mother would love. But Mom doesn't really need help with that. She already knows what she likes. As her nerdy child, you can best help by steering her to the tech products she doesn't know about that will make her life easier or more fun. Here are 14 gizmos that treat mothers right.

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]]> featuresgift guidesGiftGuidesgiftsmothersdaytop Sean Captain Fri, 08 May 2009 20:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 15]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-15/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-15/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-15/#comments


14) Dell Wasabi mini printer

Mom remembers the film days and the tactile satisfaction of holding a paper photo in her hands-as well as the instant gratification of Polaroid prints. While that company went the way of analog, a bunch of its engineers built a pocket-sized digital printer that Dell sells as the Wasabi PZ310. One battery charge kicks out up to 20 two-by-three-inch photos that come out in seconds. No need to refill ink; its contained in the special photo paper. To print, just plug in a camera using USB or stream over Bluetooth from a cell phone. The Wasabi is available in black, pink and blue-but curiously, not green. $79 (with rebate), plus $12 for pack of 24 photo sheets; dell.com

Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 15 originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Sean Captain Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 14]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-14/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-14/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-14/#comments


13) Skype

We haven't met a mom who doesn't like to talk on the phone. And talk, and talk. You can cut the cost of family calls by getting your mom a Skype account. Just $2.95/month gets her unlimited calling to PCs, landlines and cell phones in the US and Canada. And if a friend or family member lives in another country, she can make unlimited calls to their landline for $5.95/month. Plus, Skype offers free video calling to other computers anywhere in the world. If mom has a newish Mac, it probably already had a webcam. If her PC lacks one, pick up the Logitech QuickCam(R) Communicate MP for half a bill.

Skype: from $2.95/month, skype.com
Web cam: $50; logitech.com

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]]> Sean Captain Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 13]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-13/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-13/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-13/#comments


12) Peek Pronto

If mom isn't already rocking a smartphone, you may overwhelm her with that gift of an Android, BlackBerry or iPhone. But if she's chatty like our moms, she'll enjoy being able to send emails and texts from anywhere-as long as it's easy. Mom can keep the old flip phone she's still fond of for phone calls but also get unlimited mobile emailing and texting by carrying along the cellular-connected Peek Pronto.

$80, plus $20/month service; getpeek.com

Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 13 originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Sean Captain Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 12]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-12/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-12/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-12/#comments


11) Asus Eee PC 1000HE

If mom doesn't already have a kickin' PC, she's probably not a power user. But she wants to email, shop and read gossip online like the rest of us. A small, lightweight netbook is perfect for that. And Asus, which invented the product category, is still on top. The 3.2-pound 1000HE is small enough to squeeze into a big purse, and mom won't need to pack the charger. This little lappie runs for an astounding seven hours per charge. It's also accessorizing friendly, with a choice of four colors: pearl white, black, blue and gold.

$400; eeepc.asus.com

Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 12 originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Sean Captain Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 11]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-11/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-11/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-11/#comments


10) Clickfree automatic backup drive

With all those photos, songs and videos mom will be getting with her new gear, she'll need a data backup plan to keep them safe. Data backup programs (especially on a PC) can be nightmarishly complex. Clickfree makes it simple by putting automated software right on the hard drive. Just plug it into the USB port on a PC or Mac, and the drive automatically backs up all crucial files or updates old backups with all recent changes.

$90-$220 (depending on capacity); goclickfree.com

Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 11 originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Sean Captain Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 2]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-2/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-2/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-2/#comments


1) Plant Sense Easy Bloom

Give mom flowers, and she'll have them for a week. Help her to grow flowers-or ferns or tomatoes-and she'll have them forever. Easy Bloom does just that. All mom has to do is stick it into the garden plot or plant pot and give it a day to sample the temperature, light level, humidity and soil moisture of the location. Then she plugs Easy Bloom into the USB port on a PC or Mac, and it uploads the readings to the Plant Sense database, which recommends either what types of plants will do best in that spot or how to help the plants that are already there.

$60; plantsense.com

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]]> Sean Captain Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 3]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-3/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-3/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-3/#comments


2) Kodak Easyshare W1020 digital frame

Mom's love pictures of their babies (and yes, you'll always be one to her), as well as their babies' babies. A digital picture frame lets her see not just one, but hundreds of photos that cycle through a slideshow. Kodak takes that to the next level. Not only can you load photos from memory cards, you can also stream them wirelessly from a PC with the included Windows software (sorry, no Mac support). Or you can set the frame to connect directly to the Internet and pull down pictures from photo sites such as Flickr or Kodak's own EasyShare Gallery. So she will automatically see new photos that you upload. Take the time to set this up for mom, and she'll have a virtually endless stream of eye candy.

$230; kodak.com

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]]> Sean Captain Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 4]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-4/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-4/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-4/#comments


3) Flip UltraHD camcorder

Along with photos, moms go gaga for family video (especially of grandkids). Flip's petite, budget camcorders might not be ideal for shooting Sundance-bound indie movies, but their dead-simple controls make them perfect for taking miles of candid video footage. The UltraHD shoots in 720p high-def and includes built-in software for editing, organizing or uploading movies. Just plug it into the USB port on a PC or Mac and the program launches. It also has an HDMI port for plugging right into a TV.

$200; theflip.com

Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 4 originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Sean Captain Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 5]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-5/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-5/ http://www.switched.com/2009/05/08/gadgets-we-want-to-give-our-moms-5/#comments


4) Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth headset

Mom's drive, cook and do lots of other things while talking on the phone. So she'll appreciate the free hands and freedom from phone-cradling shoulder cramps that a wireless headset provides. But nothing sees "geek man" more than most Bluetooth earpieces. Luckily, Plantronics finally put a little feminine style in wireless with its slim 925 series, available in five colors.

$150; plantronics.com

Gadgets We Want to Give Our Moms 5 originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Sean Captain Fri, 08 May 2009 16:01:00 EST Switched