Latest Posts from Switched

BBC Boxes Up Blu-ray 'Earth Collection' in Time for the Holidays

by Steven Kim on November 15, 2008 at 09:01 AM

If you're planning on buying into a new HD set and/or a Blu-ray player this holiday season, the BBC is packaging up a six-disc Blu-ray set that you'll want to check out. 'The BBC Earth Collection' combines the 'Planet Earth: The Complete Series' and 'Earth: The Biography' like so much peanut butter and chocolate -- if you're getting a whole new TV and Blu-ray player setup, it's a great way to show off your new gear; if you're just getting a Blu-ray player for your current set, the visuals will make your TV feel new again. There's nothing new added to either title, but expect to see this box show up with an MSRP of $130. If it seems pricey, remember that new gear isn't any good without content!

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Netflix Opens 'Watch Instantly' to Mac Owners Who Opt-In

by Steven Kim on November 3, 2008 at 01:15 PM

Mac owners who have been waiting for Netflix to open up the 'Watch Instantly' option just got a little something to light up their day -- the service is now available to the public; or at least members of the public who opt in via a Web form. It's all based on Microsoft's Silverlight, so you'll need to download and install the plugin for your Web browser, but please mind the six device limit if you've got a small cadre of 'Watch Instantly' devices in use.

So if you can live with the fact that Microsoft tech is the lynchpin to your Mac streaming enjoyment, then hustle on over and sign yourselves up for that non-HD, but ample selection of streaming content.

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Researchers Create Tongue-Based Communication Method

by Steven Kim on August 26, 2008 at 04:22 PM

It turns out that the tongue isn't tied to the spinal cord (had we paid better attention in Bio101, we'd have known that), which goes a long way towards keeping it unimpared in the event of spinal cord injury. A team at Georgia Tech is developing a tongue-based apparatus for disabled people that, which not as elegantly packaged as the GRAViTONUS device we've seen earlier, fashions a pointing device from a small tongue-mounted magnet and sensors near the cheeks. The team has promised interactivity way beyond what can be done with "sip and puff" input methods; think "mouth replaces mouse" and you've got the idea. Hopefully Mavis Beacon tongue-typing and the incorporation of haptic feedback won't be far behind. [From: Hack A Day]

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Yamaha Goes Small With Its TSS-20 HTIB

by Steven Kim on April 21, 2008 at 02:35 PM

Just in case you can't find a HTIB (home theater in a box) system from Yamaha's CES salvo of four systems, the company has rolled out the TSS-20 at the "really small" end of the scale. The receiver of Yamaha's other HTIB systems has been replaced by a small module that pumps out 6-Watts to the five Bose-esque satellites, and the bass unit (we wouldn't call it a subwoofer) packs 18-Watts of oomph. This setup looks an awful lot like an acoustimass rig, but we're hoping it sounds better. No pricing announced, but it should ship in late May (at least in Japan). [Source: CyberTheater]

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Cue the Violins, Lifetime Television HD Coming Soon

by Steven Kim on April 19, 2008 at 05:25 PM

Always a favorite around the offices of Engadget HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD has a new best-friend-forever in the form of Lifetime Television HD, which has now launched. The sister (heh) channel has already lined up deals with U-Verse TV and FiOS TV. All kidding aside, the new channel has some serious market research to back it up, with almost half of women in the age range of 18 - 54 wanting to add either Lifetime or Lifetime Movie offerings to their HD menu.

Even if the programming isn't your cup o' tea, take it as an encouraging sign that HD is mainstream enough to break out of the boys-only club. And let's face it -- men, women and children alike -- are going to watch whatever content they want to, so we welcome the addition of HD-choice to the table. [Source: HDTV Magazine]

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