Latest Posts from Switched

London Police Launch Text-Messaging Service to Call for Help

by Sean Cooper on February 9, 2009 at 01:19 PM

The London City Police -- or Bobbies, cuz that's infinitely cuter -- has launched a new service whereby the citizenry can drop an SMS (text message) to the law in an emergency instead of calling it in. The new SMS service is replacing the typetalk and textphone systems for people with speech and hearing difficulties.

Of course, the service is open to all city residents by just SMSing 07940 500 500, leaving details of who you are, what's happening, and where. The SMS system will send out a reply as soon as the Police get your message. We think this could actually prove handy if your situation requires stealth, or you're hiding in a dumpster after being chased, or something.

[Via Textually.org]

E.T. Phone Lunch: Subway Introduces Text-Message Ordering

by Sean Cooper on January 30, 2009 at 02:02 PM

If you've a hankering for one of Subway's finest come noon-time and find yourself in the 212 or 646 area (New York City) it's only a text away. All you need to do to get started is set yourself up at the Subway Now site with a shop near you, your credit card details, set up a list of numbered favorite sandwiches, and get your hunger ready. Ordering is done by simply texting "menu" to Subway's shortcode and then your favorite list will be returned, reply with your chosen item and you'll get confirmation and a pickup time. Where's the benefit in all this texting you ask? When you arrive at your chosen locale, you can skip the line, the wait, and even having to fork out any cash as it gets charged right to your card. [Via IntoMobile]

Google Maps for Mobile Gets Street View and Walking Directions

by Sean Cooper on September 19, 2008 at 08:52 AM

Google Maps for mobile just stepped up in the feature department with Google's inclusion of Street View in its newest version. In case you've been hiding under a rock -- or live in almost any other country aside from the US -- Street View offers up a storefront take on your world rather than the traditional top down look you see with common maps. The new version also includes walking directions which will ignore pesky one-way streets and the like. While the list of supported handsets is missing, we do see BlackBerry listed and Java-enabled phones, too, so do us a kindness, grab it and let us know if it works on yours.

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HTC Touch Diamond Unboxed, Packaging Worthy of the Phone

by Sean Cooper on May 18, 2008 at 10:01 AM

Nothing new to report on the Touch Diamond's tech here, but wow, look how fun the box is! Of course, we know you're all waiting to see what they stuffed in the wedge-shaped package, and the answer is a charger, headset, USB cable, a manual or two, and the software. The charger appears to be a universal job with a swappable plug for travel, and the headset a typical example of an HTC pack-in -- albeit with a dash of fun and angular design. Hit the link for the pics. [Source: ePrice]

[Thanks, SlashPhone]