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[Swedish File Sharers Get Religious About Stealing]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/missionary-church-kopimism-takes-file-sharing-religious/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/missionary-church-kopimism-takes-file-sharing-religious/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/missionary-church-kopimism-takes-file-sharing-religious/#comments Missionary Church of Kopimism Swedish philosophy student Isaac Gerson thinks that file sharing is sacred. The 19-year-old leader of the Missionary Church of Kopimism believes that stealing and sharing are signs of appreciation, and has compared closed-source software to slavery. Last year, Sweden rejected the church's application to be recognized as a religion, but Gerson isn't giving up so easily. He'll be reapplying after meeting with government officials.

Swedish File Sharers Get Religious About Stealing originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> file sharingFileSharingIsaac GersonIsaacGersonMissionary Church of KopimismMissionaryChurchOfKopimismpiracytopweb Terrence O'Brien Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:15:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[As Expected, Smartphones and Social Networks Targeted by Malware]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/smartphones-social-networks-targeted-by-malware/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/smartphones-social-networks-targeted-by-malware/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/smartphones-social-networks-targeted-by-malware/#comments Facebook App As security firms have been warning for some time, malware attacks are now more frequently focused on social networks and mobile devices. In Symantec's latest Internet Security Threat Report, the company noted that the number of malware attacks delivered through the Web practically doubled from 2009, with 65-percent of malicious links on Facebook arriving in the form of shortened URLs. The company also took special care to highlight the growing field of smartphone-based attacks, in particular those targeting Android. Many of the pieces of Facebook and Android malware rely on the laziness of users. Apps must specifically request permissions, but many people simply click through the notifications without reading them carefully. And as time passes, the attacks will only become more sophisticated.

For now, attacks seem focused on harvesting personal data from profiles and sending text messages to premium services, which earn a commission for the scammer. But as users start turning to their cell phones for mobile banking and shopping more frequently, they're likely to become a much bigger target for digital crooks.

As Expected, Smartphones and Social Networks Targeted by Malware originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cellphonesscamsecuritySocialNetworkingsymantectop Terrence O'Brien Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[West Bank Settlers Spread Propaganda Using Violent Video Games]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/west-bank-settlers-spread-propaganda-using-violent-video-games/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/west-bank-settlers-spread-propaganda-using-violent-video-games/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/west-bank-settlers-spread-propaganda-using-violent-video-games/#comments Israeli Propaganda Games Using video games as propaganda is nothing new. The U.S. has been doing it with 'America's Army' for some time, while Hezbollah has employed 'Special Force' to spread its message. But those games might seem quaint and diplomatic in the face of a series of games from Residents' Councils of Samaria and Binyamin, an advocacy group for Jewish settlers in the West Bank. The organization has released a trio of violent shoot-'em-ups with Biblical roots and a pro-Israeli bent. The first, 'Judah Maccabee,' puts players in the role of a Maccabee soldier (a rebel army that took control of Judea from the Greeks around 167 B.C.) as he infiltrates a Greek camp. The second, 'Ahab in Samaria,' has players defending Israel from invading soldiers. 'Ammunition Hill,' the most recent game, puts players in the boots of a soldier during the invasion of East Jerusalem during the Six-Day War.

The games are rough-looking by American standards, with simplistic play reminiscent of 'Doom.' They were developed by Virtual 3D, a company that primarily traffics in archaeological software, using Shockwave (a relative of Flash). The games aren't going to win any converts to the settlers' cause, and will probably further put off those who are already unsympathetic. But propaganda will always have its place, and in the digital age that place is online games.

West Bank Settlers Spread Propaganda Using Violent Video Games originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> AhabInSamariaAmmunitionHillgamingisraelJudahMaccabeepoliticspropagandatopVideoGamesvirtual 3dVirtual3d Terrence O'Brien Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Switched's Comprehensive Guide to Video Game Emulators]]> http://www.switched.com/video-game-emulators/switched-ultimate-guide-retro-gaming/ http://www.switched.com/video-game-emulators/switched-ultimate-guide-retro-gaming/ http://www.switched.com/video-game-emulators/switched-ultimate-guide-retro-gaming/#comments The video game emulator -- the bit of software that allows nostalgic button-mashers to mount an NES on their PCs in order to relive halcyon "HADOUKEN!" days -- is one of the most misunderstood elements of modern computing. But we're here to tell you exactly what they are, how they work, and even offer a comprehensive directory of the best ones for your favorite platform. Read on for our indispensable manual for the contemporary gamer looking back to a time when finally figuring out Kitana's "Babality" was a day's work well done.

Continue reading Switched's Comprehensive Guide to Video Game Emulators

Switched's Comprehensive Guide to Video Game Emulators originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 09 Apr 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> arcade gamingArcadeGamingAtari 2600Atari2600classic+video+gamingclassicvideogamingcommodore 64Commodore64console+emulator+for+linuxconsoleemulatorforlinuxemulationemulation guideEmulationGuideemulatoremulatorsfeaturesgame boyGameBoygamingNESnew+c64+emulatornewc64emulatornintendoNintendo 64Nintendo64PlayStationPSXScummvmsega genesissega master systemSega SaturnSegaGenesisSegaMasterSystemSegaSaturnsonysony playstationSonyPlaystationsuper nintendoSuperNintendotopvideo+game+emulatorvideo+game+emulatorsvideogameemulatorvideogameemulators Terrence O'Brien Sat, 09 Apr 2011 10:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Ghana's Email Scammers Work Hard, Pray Harder]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/ghana-email-scammers-sakawa/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/ghana-email-scammers-sakawa/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/ghana-email-scammers-sakawa/#comments

Here's a fascinating look at the world of Sakawa, a unique blend of e-mail fraud and African religious tradition that has become a cultural force in Ghana. The young and unemployed people who use scavenged computers and Juju priests for their scams also drive a thriving music and movie scene centered on the lives of e-mail conmen. The video above is 20-minutes long, so if you're working, wait until later.

Ghana's Email Scammers Work Hard, Pray Harder originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> emailfraudghanasakawascamtopweb Terrence O'Brien Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Latest Scam Claims Facebook is Deleting Accounts]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/facebook-scam-claims-site-is-deleting-accounts/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/facebook-scam-claims-site-is-deleting-accounts/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/facebook-scam-claims-site-is-deleting-accounts/#comments Facebook Closing Account Scam
Haven't you ever heard the old adage, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is"? Well it doesn't just apply to things that are "good" -- it works for just about anything that sounds a bit unbelievable, like that Facebook is going to close all user accounts. It's not gonna happen. That hasn't stopped a new scam from spreading via a rogue app that posts the following message to your wall:
Facebook is closing all accounts today. They can't handle so many accounts. Most of the old accounts are not active, so they are deleting everything. If you want your account alive please confirm your activity. This is the final notice!
At the end of the wall post is a link that asks you to install an app called 'Confirm your activity - Official Application' with the Facebook logo as its icon. If you grant it permission to access your information and post to your wall (which you obviously shouldn't do), it will immediately begin posting links to itself on your wall while distracting you with a scam survey that earns a commission for the conmen (or conwomen) behind it.

Continue reading Latest Scam Claims Facebook is Deleting Accounts

Latest Scam Claims Facebook is Deleting Accounts originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsfacebookfacebook scamFacebookScamsecuritysocial networkingSocialNetworkingtop Terrence O'Brien Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Upper Deck Evolution 'Cards' Use LCD Screens to Play Highlight Reels]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/upper-deck-lcd-screen-evolution-cards/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/upper-deck-lcd-screen-evolution-cards/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/upper-deck-lcd-screen-evolution-cards/#comments

We thought collecting baseball cards went out with grunge, but apparently we were wrong. Upper Deck (one of the card companies that isn't Topps) is still clinging to life and pushing the envelope of what can legitimately be called a "card." The half-inch thick Evolution Series holds a battery and a small LCD, which loops a 60-second highlight real of one of four NFL players. Check out the video above.

Upper Deck Evolution 'Cards' Use LCD Screens to Play Highlight Reels originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> BaseballCardsdisplaysEvolutionSeriessportstopTradingCardsUpperDeckUpperDeckEvolutionSeries Terrence O'Brien Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Pandora Provides Detailed Data, Including GPS Coordinates, to Advertisers]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/pandora-provides-detailed-data-including-gps-coordinates-to-ad/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/pandora-provides-detailed-data-including-gps-coordinates-to-ad/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/pandora-provides-detailed-data-including-gps-coordinates-to-ad/#comments After it was revealed earlier this week that several smartphone app makers, including Pandora, were being targeted by a federal grand jury in New Jersey for illegally gathering and distributing user information, security firm Veracode decided to do its own analysis.

It took a look at the Android version of Pandora's streaming music app, and found that it was feeding data to five different advertising platforms: AdMarvel, AdMob, comScore, Google.Ads, and Medialets. It appears the Pandora is feeding GPS coordinates, as well as the user's birthday, gender, postal code and Android ID, to AdMob. The other ad networks received similar data -- with comScore pulling in Android IDs, and Medialets receiving very detailed GPS data, including bearing and altitude, as well as information about model and version of Android.

Continue reading Pandora Provides Detailed Data, Including GPS Coordinates, to Advertisers

Pandora Provides Detailed Data, Including GPS Coordinates, to Advertisers originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsgpsLocationDatapandoraprivacytopweb Terrence O'Brien Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[With Schools Turning to the Web for K-12 Education, Quality is a Concern]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/schools-turning-to-the-web-for-k-12-education/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/schools-turning-to-the-web-for-k-12-education/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/schools-turning-to-the-web-for-k-12-education/#comments Children Learning Online Online courses have become an accepted fact of college life. But more and more school districts are turning to Web-based learning for lower grade levels, especially as a way for struggling high school students to make up courses they've failed or missed. The online classes aren't only for those who have fallen behind, though. Due to budget constraints, some schools are using them to offer advanced placement classes and expand elective offerings. For example, Reza Namin, the superintendent of schools in Westbrook, Maine, told the New York Times that, while she couldn't justify paying a Chinese language instructor in the face of a $6.5 million budget deficit, she was able to continue offering the course by turning to the online, non-profit Virtual High School Global Consortium.

The increasing reliance on digital education programs has drawn criticism from teachers and unions who claim the shift towards online learning is purely budgetary and an effort to pay fewer teachers' salaries. The argument could gain particular traction in Idaho, where a recent bill raided a fund used to pay educators to purchase laptops for every student in the state. The U.S. Department of Education has also expressed skepticism, saying there is little "scientific evidence of the effectiveness" of online classes for K-12 students.

Continue reading With Schools Turning to the Web for K-12 Education, Quality is a Concern

With Schools Turning to the Web for K-12 Education, Quality is a Concern originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> educationOnlineClassesschooltopweb Terrence O'Brien Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Geminoids Meet Their Meaty Doppelgangers]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/geminoids-meet-their-meaty-doppelgangers/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/geminoids-meet-their-meaty-doppelgangers/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/geminoids-meet-their-meaty-doppelgangers/#comments

Which ones are the humans and which are the robots? We're not even sure the participants in this terrifying photo op know the answer to that question. Three nightmarish Geminoids were brought together with the flesh bags they were modeled after, presumably so the 'bots could learn a bit more about their human counterparts before murdering them and taking their place in life.

Geminoids Meet Their Meaty Doppelgangers originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> creepygemenoid robotsGemenoidRobotsgemenoidsrobotstop Terrence O'Brien Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Elderly Woman Takes Out Armenian Internet, Faces Jail Time]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/elderly-woman-takes-out-armenian-internet-faces-jail-time/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/elderly-woman-takes-out-armenian-internet-faces-jail-time/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/elderly-woman-takes-out-armenian-internet-faces-jail-time/#comments A 75-year-old woman in the Democratic Republic of Georgia is facing criminal charges after she damaged a fiber-optic cable responsible for providing Internet service to neighboring Armenia. The elderly woman was scavenging for copper on March 28th when she managed to cut the connection for the entire country. All three of Armenia's major providers were unable to connect citizens to the Web for several hours, though service was eventually restored shortly after midnight. The woman admitted to damaging the cable, and faces up to three years in prison if convicted. Authorities have released the woman for now, considering her advanced age. But at the end of the investigation and pending a trial, this retiree could spend a significant portion of her golden years behind bars.

Elderly Woman Takes Out Armenian Internet, Faces Jail Time originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> armeniacrimegeorgiageorgian womanGeorgianWomaninternettopweb Terrence O'Brien Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Anonymous' Latest Target: Itself]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/anonymous-latest-target-itself/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/anonymous-latest-target-itself/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/anonymous-latest-target-itself/#comments AnonSoft It appears that the hacktivists at Anonymous are struggling to cope with the group's expansion. The list of organizations, companies and individuals targeted by the collective has started to grow out of control. That's mainly due to its decentralized nature, allowing any member to pick a target so long as they can rally the troops to the cause. This has not only led to the group's efforts being increasingly scattered and less effective, but it has caused a rift between members, as well.

Many members of Anonymous simply do it for the "lulz," while others act out of moral and political imperatives (the latter often called "moralfags"). Some of those who focus on using the power of digital activism to defend freedom of speech, human rights, democracy and transparency broke off to form Magnanimous, a splinter group that focuses purely on social and political causes. Other members of Anonymous did not take kindly to this division of efforts -- subsequently attacking the Magnanimous blog, and hijacking the Twitter account of its leader, AntiVigilante.

Continue reading Anonymous' Latest Target: Itself

Anonymous' Latest Target: Itself originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> angel softAngelSoftanonymoushacktivistskoch brothersKochBrothersmagnanimoustopweb Terrence O'Brien Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Twitter's New Homepage Signals a Maturing Service]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/twitters-new-homepage-signals-a-maturing-service/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/twitters-new-homepage-signals-a-maturing-service/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/twitters-new-homepage-signals-a-maturing-service/#comments New Twitter Homepage Twitter is rolling out a new homepage, which suggests a subtle shift in focus for the service. The new landing page asks you to "follow your interests," with a strip of suggested accounts that lean heavily toward news services and "industry experts." Overall, the design is cleaner and more mature, making it clear that Twitter wants to see itself as a serious destination for information.

Twitter's New Homepage Signals a Maturing Service originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> social networkingSocialNetworkingtoptwittertwitter homepageTwitterHomepageweb Terrence O'Brien Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:22:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[David Bowie's 'Golden Years' to be Rereleased as Remixable iOS App]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/david-bowies-golden-years-to-be-rereleased-as-remixable-ios-a/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/david-bowies-golden-years-to-be-rereleased-as-remixable-ios-a/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/david-bowies-golden-years-to-be-rereleased-as-remixable-ios-a/#comments

David Bowie's 'Golden Years,' from his classic album 'Station to Station,' is coming to the Apple App Store on June 6th. You'll have the ability to remix the song by manipulating eight of the original instrument tracks, including vocals, guitar and percussion. Users will even be able to export their mixes as MP3s and share them with friends. Bowie released a similar edition of 'Space Oddity' in 2009 for $2.

David Bowie's 'Golden Years' to be Rereleased as Remixable iOS App originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsdavid bowieDavidBowiegolden yearsGoldenYearsiosmusictop Terrence O'Brien Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Gucci IT Employee Faces Serious Jail Time for Hacking Former Employer]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/gucci-it-employee-faces-serious-jail-time-for-hacking-former-emp/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/gucci-it-employee-faces-serious-jail-time-for-hacking-former-emp/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/gucci-it-employee-faces-serious-jail-time-for-hacking-former-emp/#comments A former Gucci IT worker is facing a 50 count indictment and a wide range of charges (including computer tampering, identity theft, falsifying business records, computer trespass and unauthorized use of a computer) after he broke into the company's systems and wreaked havoc.

While an employee at Gucci, Sam Chihlung Yin created an account with a remote-access security token for a fictional worker, so that he would be able to sign back into the Gucci servers if he were to leave the company. When he was fired last May, Yin allegedly decided to exact revenge by activating the security key fob for his fictional employee, signing into the Gucci servers and deleting everything he found by using administrator passwords he knew from his time with the company. Yin erased virtual servers and e-mail inboxes, and took out large swaths of storage.

Continue reading Gucci IT Employee Faces Serious Jail Time for Hacking Former Employer

Gucci IT Employee Faces Serious Jail Time for Hacking Former Employer originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> crimeguccigucci itGucciIthackerhackingSam Chihlung YinSamChihlungYinsecuritytop Terrence O'Brien Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Is Apple Ditching the Physical Home Button on the iPod Touch?]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/leaked-ipod-touch-photo-fifth-gen/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/leaked-ipod-touch-photo-fifth-gen/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/leaked-ipod-touch-photo-fifth-gen/#comments leaked ipod As any owner of an aging iOS device can tell you, the iconic Home button does not stand up well to long-term abuse. A leaked photo, purportedly of a fifth generation iPod Touch, suggests that Apple may finally be joining the rest of the gadget industry and switching to capacitive touch buttons. The blurry cam shot, if it's to be believed, also indicates that the iPod prototype packs 128GB of storage, double that of the current model.

Is Apple Ditching the Physical Home Button on the iPod Touch? originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appleipodipod touchIpodTouchpavrumorrumorstop Terrence O'Brien Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Court Dismisses Challenges to Net Neutrality Rules, Leaves Door Open for Future Suits]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/court-dismisses-challenges-to-net-neutrality-rules-leaves-door/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/court-dismisses-challenges-to-net-neutrality-rules-leaves-door/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/court-dismisses-challenges-to-net-neutrality-rules-leaves-door/#comments Challenges to the FCC's new Net neutrality rules filed by Verizon and MetroPCS have been dismissed by a federal appeals court judge. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia tossed out the cases on a technicality. Since the rules had not yet been published in the federal register, it was too early to file challenges to them. The decision does not prevent either company from filing suit again after the new regulations are published however, and, according to Forbes, Verizon is planning to refile. The FCC is already under fire from congressional Republicans who voted in February to overturn the rules. For its part, Verizon likes its chances, having filed suit in the same court that came down on the side of Comcast in April of 2010 after the FCC rebuked the company for blocking P2P traffic.

How the battle will play out is anyone's guess. Though the U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. has sided with ISPs over Net neutrality before, that doesn't guarantee that it will find in Verizon's favor this time around. And any efforts to repeal the rules will likely be met with stiff opposition by the Obama administration and Senate Democrats. Still, House Republicans are not above playing politics, having inserted language barring the FCC from using federal funds to implement the rules into a broad spending bill, which Congress is under intense pressure to pass.

Court Dismisses Challenges to Net Neutrality Rules, Leaves Door Open for Future Suits originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> courtfccmetropcsNetNeutralitypoliticstopverizon Terrence O'Brien Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Teacher Adapts 'Minecraft' for the Classroom]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/jeol-levin-adapts-minecraft-for-classrooms/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/jeol-levin-adapts-minecraft-for-classrooms/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/jeol-levin-adapts-minecraft-for-classrooms/#comments Minecraft Classroom The cult hit 'Minecraft' stands out from the current crop of video games as perhaps the most malleable, and its latest adaptation is as a classroom aid. Computer teacher Joel Levin at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School has adapted the game to teach an entire unit to his first and second grade students. Lessons start with Levin explaining the day's goals, but quickly move into the world of 'Minecraft,' in which students must work together and explore the vastness of its open-ended landscape.

Tasks range from building structures with limited resources to exploring areas modeled on real-life landmarks like the Pyramids. The nature of 'Minecraft' allows students an incredible amount of freedom in how to approach the problems of the day. That sense of liberation is what helps keep the students engaged. The simpler games and tools that Levin has previously used didn't have the same power to engage students; the free-form approach of 'Minecraft' means that every adventure into its universe can be a completely unique experience.

Continue reading Teacher Adapts 'Minecraft' for the Classroom

Teacher Adapts 'Minecraft' for the Classroom originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> educationgamingJoelLevinminecraftschoolteachingtopvideo gamesVideoGames Terrence O'Brien Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Anonymous Takes Down Playstation.com in Response to Suit]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/anonymous-takes-sony-playstation-over-george-holtz/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/anonymous-takes-sony-playstation-over-george-holtz/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/anonymous-takes-sony-playstation-over-george-holtz/#comments Anonymous Attacks Sony The hacktivists at Anonymous have lately set their sights on Sony. The collective's latest action is in response to the company's lawsuit against hacker George Holtz, also known as GeoHot. Holtz previously published the code necessary to jailbreak the PS3, enabling users to run homebrew software on their consoles. The group's ongoing denial of service attack has taken down Playstation.com for the last couple of hours.

Anonymous Takes Down Playstation.com in Response to Suit originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> anonymousdenial of serviceDenialOfServicegeohotgeorge holtzGeorgeHoltzsonytopweb Terrence O'Brien Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:15:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Facebook Photoshop Scam Spreading Like Wildfire]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/facebook-photoshop-scam-spreading-like-wildfire/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/facebook-photoshop-scam-spreading-like-wildfire/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/facebook-photoshop-scam-spreading-like-wildfire/#comments Facebook Photoshop Scam Clicking on Facebook links is dangerous business. At least a few of aren't aware of this sad fact; otherwise, the latest scam Facebook app wouldn't be spreading at the alarming rate of almost 90,000 clicks per hour.

M86 Security labs reported the latest link hoax, which spreads quickly via Facebook Chat. It starts with a message from a friend that reads, "hey, I just made a photoshop of you, check it out :p" with a link attached. Clicking the link brings up a prompt, which asks you to install a Facebook app that requests access to Chat. Of course, it then immediately begins spamming your friends with the same message. It keeps you distracted by redirecting you to a blog featuring "45 Strange and Funny Photoshop Manipulations" such as a person's face on a dog. Needless to say, none of them feature your face.

Continue reading Facebook Photoshop Scam Spreading Like Wildfire

Facebook Photoshop Scam Spreading Like Wildfire originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsfacebookfacebook photoshop scamfacebook+photoshop+scamfacebookphotoshopscamphotoshopscamscamssecuritytopweb Terrence O'Brien Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Conservative Group Turns to Wikis to Take on Obama]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/crossroads-gps-wikiaccountability-takes-on-obama/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/crossroads-gps-wikiaccountability-takes-on-obama/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/crossroads-gps-wikiaccountability-takes-on-obama/#comments Wikiaccountability Conservative group Crossroads GPS is turning to the wiki model of crowdsourcing information for its latest project, called Wikiaccountability. The site targets the actions of the Obama administration, encouraging participants to file Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and post the information to the site. Users don't just post raw data, though; they also analyze what is posted and craft articles detailing ways in which the group feels the administration has violated its own stated transparency goals.

Unlike Wikipedia, though, Wikiacountability is not 100-percent publicly editable. Because of its partisan nature, the possibility for vandalism is much higher, so editors must be approved before they can make any changes to the site. The site is only a few days old and it's clearly too early to judge. So far, all posts and edits have been made by only two people, but the site's success rests on being able to attract a small army of contributors. But even if the site itself fails to take off, it may succeed in educating people about FOIA, and can at least claim a moral victory. Steven J. Law, the president of the group, told the New York Times, "People automatically assume only journalists can file FOIA requests." Much of the site so far is focused on educating potential contributors about how that law works.

Conservative Group Turns to Wikis to Take on Obama originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> crossroads gpsCrossroadsGpsFreedom of Information ActFreedomOfInformationActpoliticstopwebwikiwikiaccountability Terrence O'Brien Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[For Chinese Festival, Even Paper iPad 2s are in Short Supply]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/qingming-chinese-festival-paper-ipad-2-short-supply/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/qingming-chinese-festival-paper-ipad-2-short-supply/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/qingming-chinese-festival-paper-ipad-2-short-supply/#comments
During the Qingming festival (also known as Ancestor Day or Tomb-Sweeping Day), Chinese communities burn effigies of money and luxury items to honor their ancestors. This year, iPad 2 replicas are among the popular items that people are purchasing to offer to their deceased relatives. But, like its real-life counterpart, paper iPad 2s are in short supply. Reuters spoke to Jeffrey Te, a shopkeeper on the outskirts Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who ordered 300 iPad 2 replicas from a manufacturer in China. All 300 of the paper iPad 2s (boasting a capacity of 888 gigabytes, a lucky number in Chinese culture) sold quickly, leaving only first-gen iPad replicas and Galaxy Tabs sitting on his shelves.

For Chinese Festival, Even Paper iPad 2s are in Short Supply originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> chinachineseipadipad 2Ipad2paper ipadPaperIpadqingmingQingming festivalQingmingFestivaltop Terrence O'Brien Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:24:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Thunderbolt Outselling iPhone 4 in Verizon Stores?]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/03/thunderbolt-outselling-iphone-4-in-verizon-stores/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/03/thunderbolt-outselling-iphone-4-in-verizon-stores/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/03/thunderbolt-outselling-iphone-4-in-verizon-stores/#comments There were some who speculated that the arrival of the iPhone 4 on the Verizon network would spell not just certain death for AT&T, but put an end to Android's reign atop the smartphone heap at Big Red. So far, though, neither of those predictions has come to pass. AT&T has not suffered a mass exodus and, according to at least one analyst, the HTC Thunderbolt (Verizon's first LTE phone) is outselling the iPhone 4 in Verizon stores. The claim, however, is based primarily on anecdotal reporting from randomly selected Verizon retail locations, and doesn't take into account sales from Apple or third-party outlets like Best Buy. Still, the report from BTIG Research could indicate that the shift to 4G and the rising popularity of big-screen phones may in fact be working against the current crop of Apple handsets.

Thunderbolt Outselling iPhone 4 in Verizon Stores? originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> androidapplecellphoneshtc thunderboltHtcThunderboltiphonethunderbolttopverizon Terrence O'Brien Sun, 03 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Tech Could Be Key in Fight Against Rape in Haiti]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/02/tech-could-be-key-in-fight-against-rape-in-haiti/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/02/tech-could-be-key-in-fight-against-rape-in-haiti/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/02/tech-could-be-key-in-fight-against-rape-in-haiti/#comments Digital Democracy in Haiti Documenting and counting all of the rapes and sexual assaults occurring in Haiti is difficult, if not impossible. The U.N. has estimated that as many as 50-percent of the women living in the country's shantytowns have been subject to assault -- although some critics (including the Telegraph's Brendan O'Neill) have claimed that figure is a vast overstatement. The trouble is though, the crimes are woefully under-reported and many of the records of rape crisis and victim advocacy group KOFAVIV were destroyed by the massive earthquake in 2010. The group is now working with Digital Democracy to modernize its record-keeping and reporting methods.

Beyond simply creating a digital database for KOFAVIV, the two groups are hoping to create an open source platform that can easily be adopted by other rape crisis centers and international groups. The groups will also be releasing a monthly report on sexual violence in the country and working with women in the country to get them online, blogging and posting photographs. The goal, ultimately, is to change the culture in Haiti that currently allows men to roam many of the refugee camps in search of victims and without fear of punishment.

Tech Could Be Key in Fight Against Rape in Haiti originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> digital democracyDigitalDemocracyhaitiKOFAVIVpoliticsrapeThe Commission of Women Victims for VictimsTheCommissionOfWomenVictimsForVictimstop Terrence O'Brien Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:02:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[James Franco Mercifully Abandons Twitter]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/james-franco-quits-twitter/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/james-franco-quits-twitter/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/james-franco-quits-twitter/#comments James Franco We pray to whatever higher power there might be that this is not some April Fool's prank: James Franco has deleted his Twitter account. No more feuding with Bruce Vilanch or bravely taking on a college newspaper via TwitPic. Franco will now have to go back to his 13 day jobs, four degree programs and motorized bong.

James Franco Mercifully Abandons Twitter originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> celebritiesjames francoJamesFrancotoptwitter Terrence O'Brien Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:16:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[More Fox Shows Coming to Netflix, Including 'The Wonder Years']]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/netflix-gets-fox-shows-wonder-years-ally-mcbeal-glee/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/netflix-gets-fox-shows-wonder-years-ally-mcbeal-glee/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/netflix-gets-fox-shows-wonder-years-ally-mcbeal-glee/#comments Wonder Years on Netflix The Netflix library just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Today the company announced that it struck a deal with Fox to bring older shows like 'The Wonder Years' (huzzah!) and 'Ally McBeal' (meh) to the streaming media service, as well as more recent titles like 'Glee' and the FX series 'Sons of Anarchy.' Fox will also be bringing "library" movies to Netflix after their pay-TV licenses expire.

More Fox Shows Coming to Netflix, Including 'The Wonder Years' originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> foxmoviesnetflixtoptv Terrence O'Brien Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Get a Free Month of Hulu Plus Just for Using IE9]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/free-hulu-plus-just-use-internet-explorer-9/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/free-hulu-plus-just-use-internet-explorer-9/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/free-hulu-plus-just-use-internet-explorer-9/#comments Microsoft and Hulu are offering a pretty sweet deal: Visit Hulu.com/Plus with Internet Explorer 9, and you'll be offered a free, one-month trial of Hulu Plus simply for pinning the site to your taskbar. It's a significant improvement over the normal one-week trial, and all you have to do is stare at an extra icon for a little while.

Get a Free Month of Hulu Plus Just for Using IE9 originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> huluhulu plusHuluPlusIEIE9internet explorerinternet explorer 9InternetExplorerInternetExplorer9microsofttopweb Terrence O'Brien Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Mother Murders 3-Year-Old Daughter for Tossing Game Console]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/yui-tanaka-arrested-for-murdering-daughter/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/yui-tanaka-arrested-for-murdering-daughter/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/yui-tanaka-arrested-for-murdering-daughter/#comments Sadly, this is not an April Fool's joke. 26-year-old Yui Tanaka and her live-in boyfriend are in police custody in Osaka, Japan after the two murdered Tanaka's 3-year-old daughter Shizuku for interrupting their gaming session. According to Nikkei, the mother told investigators that the girl was being "fussy" and "noisy" while the two were trying to play a game and even threw the couple's game console in the trash. "Even when we scolded her, she didn't listen, so we put her in a bag," she said. Tanaka and her boyfriend bound Shizuku's hands and feet with tape, put her in a garbage bag and tied it shut. The child then suffocated to death.

The couple claim they didn't intend to kill Shizuku, which if true, proves the two are not just insane, but insanely stupid. It doesn't help Yui's case that reports are now circulating that she posted a message online that read, "even if this kid died, I wouldn't cry." What a sweetheart.

Mother Murders 3-Year-Old Daughter for Tossing Game Console originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> crimegamingjapanmurderosakatopyui tanakaYuiTanaka Terrence O'Brien Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[April Fools' Day: The Most Horrible Time of the Year]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/april-fools-day-the-most-horrible-time-of-the-year/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/april-fools-day-the-most-horrible-time-of-the-year/ http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/april-fools-day-the-most-horrible-time-of-the-year/#comments Google Motion Sadly, April Fools' Day has arrived. Every year on this day, tech companies across the country and the globe spend countless man hours and millions of dollars playing pranks on hapless consumers and frustrated tech journalists. In the past, we've been treated to such delightful jokes as Gmail Paper and every link on YouTube leading to a rickroll. Even NASA got in on the action by announcing it had found water on Mars in 2005, posting a Photoshopped image of a glass of water on the Red Planet. And today the Internet rolled out the prank parade again, trying to outdo last year's shenanigans. Here's a few from around the Web, including a torrent of tomfoolery from Google.

Continue reading April Fools' Day: The Most Horrible Time of the Year

April Fools' Day: The Most Horrible Time of the Year originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> april foolsApril Fools DayAprilFoolsAprilFoolsDaygooglehululolzthinkgeektopwebyoutube Terrence O'Brien Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[World Backup Day Urges You To Save Yourself from Data Disaster]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/world-backup-day-urges-you-to-save-yourself-from-data-disaster/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/world-backup-day-urges-you-to-save-yourself-from-data-disaster/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/world-backup-day-urges-you-to-save-yourself-from-data-disaster/#comments World Backup Day Today is World Backup Day, another awareness-raising holiday that urges you to do something you should already be doing. Tonight, backup your data before something terrible happens (e.g., flood, fire, Rapture) and it's lost forever. Use Dropbox, Time Machine, or an external hard drive -- doesn't matter. Just do it now. After all, tomorrow is April Fool's Day and someone might think it's hilarious to trash your PC.

World Backup Day Urges You To Save Yourself from Data Disaster originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> backupsecuritytopworld backup dayWorldBackupDay Terrence O'Brien Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:15:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Can the iPad 2 Double as a Hot Plate?]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/ipad-2-burns-hector-camacho/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/ipad-2-burns-hector-camacho/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/ipad-2-burns-hector-camacho/#comments
The iPad has not yet become another Apple-built IED. But, according to one El Paso, Texas man, the tablet has a serious overheating problem. Former firefighter Hector Camacho (not the boxer) claims he was severely burned by his iPad 2 while trying to unplug it from its charger. We don't know... sounds like a built-in feature to us. Browse the Web and keep your coffee hot!

Can the iPad 2 Double as a Hot Plate? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appleHectorCamachoipadipad+2Ipad2IpadBurnoverheatingtop Terrence O'Brien Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[No, Samsung Isn't Installing Keyloggers on Laptops]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/samsung-keylogger-was-false-positive/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/samsung-keylogger-was-false-positive/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/samsung-keylogger-was-false-positive/#comments You might have heard yesterday that Samsung was installing keyloggers on its laptops, triggering a massive outcry from the blogosphere. Turns out it's not true. The software used to detect the keylogger was fooled by a language-support folder related to Microsoft's Live apps. The detector, VIPRE, was triggered by an empty folder folder called "SL" in the Windows directory. We think the Internet owes Samsung an apology.

No, Samsung Isn't Installing Keyloggers on Laptops originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> keyloggerlaptopssamsungsecuritytop Terrence O'Brien Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:05:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Laser Implants May One Day Restore Hearing to the Deaf]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/lasers-implants-may-one-day-restore-hearing-to-the-deaf/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/lasers-implants-may-one-day-restore-hearing-to-the-deaf/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/lasers-implants-may-one-day-restore-hearing-to-the-deaf/#comments Richard Rabbit Scientists at the University of Utah led by researcher Richard Rabbitt, have found a way to stimulate inner ear cells with infrared laser light. Using low-powered optical signals, the researchers triggered the inner ear hair cells of an oyster toadfish to send signals to its brain, raising the possibility of using the technology to restore hearing to the deaf. Rabbitt believes the cells released neurotransmitters because the mitochondria they contain are sensitive to infrared wavelengths. Current hearing implants rely on electrodes that use electrical simulation, but only deliver a limited range of frequencies (usually eight). By contrast, the human ear is capable of hearing over 3,000 frequencies, and Rabbitt believes that optical stimulation, which can be focused on narrow sets of cells and tuned to different wavelengths, could restore the full range of hearing to patients.

Rabbitt said the research is at least five to ten years away from implementation in a viable optical cochlear implant. To be practical, the size of the power supply and light source would have to be dramatically reduced, and power consumption would also have to be minimized to run on tiny batteries similar to those used in hearing aids. The research also has potential for treating vision impairment, balance problems and movement disorders like Parkinson's. The team also developed an infrared laser-based pacemaker, but current electrical pacemakers work well enough that no one is clamoring for a laser-powered replacement.

Laser Implants May One Day Restore Hearing to the Deaf originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> deaflaserlasersmedicinerichard rabbittRichardRabbittsciencetopUniversityOfUtah Terrence O'Brien Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[BP Loses Laptop and 13,000 Claimants' Personal Data]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/bp-loses-laptop-and-13-000-claimants-personal-data/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/bp-loses-laptop-and-13-000-claimants-personal-data/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/bp-loses-laptop-and-13-000-claimants-personal-data/#comments BP is now involved in a spill of a different kind -- a massive leak of personal data. The company confirmed to the AP that an employee lost a laptop containing information on some 13,000 claimants filing for compensation from the Gulf oil spill. It does not appear the data has been used for any malicious purposes yet. Hopefully, BP's laptops are just as prone to exploding as its drilling platforms are.

BP Loses Laptop and 13,000 Claimants' Personal Data originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> BPIdentityTheftPersonalDataprivacytop Terrence O'Brien Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Kansas City Scores High-Speed Google Network]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/kansas-city-scores-high-speed-google-network/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/kansas-city-scores-high-speed-google-network/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/kansas-city-scores-high-speed-google-network/#comments kansas city fiberWe had almost forgotten that Google promised to bring an experimental, super high-speed fiber optic network to one lucky American city way back in February of 2010. Along with its +1 recommendation service, Google also announced today the winner of its gigabit-per-second second network: Kansas City, Kansas. With this city of only 145,000 people, Google is starting small. When the service launches in 2012, we hope that other ISPs will have caught up.

Kansas City Scores High-Speed Google Network originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> googleGoogleFiberForCommunitieskansas cityKansasCitynetworkingtop Terrence O'Brien Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[America Develops Cell Phone Panic Button for Pro-Democracy Activists]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/america-cellphone-panic-button-for-pro-democracy-activists/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/america-cellphone-panic-button-for-pro-democracy-activists/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/america-cellphone-panic-button-for-pro-democracy-activists/#comments One of America's newest tools in the war against tyranny could be a cell phone "panic" button. According to Reuters, the U.S. State Department wants to equip pro-democracy activists in the Middle East with technology that could wipe phones of sensitive data in the event that they are arrested or their cell phones are confiscated. Initiating the panic sequence would erase the phone book, call history and messages, while also broadcasting an alert to other protesters.

The technology therefore would make it easier to spread word about an arrest, and to keep that arrest from creating a domino effect (by which any person found in the contacts of a protester's cell phone could be incarcerated). We're sure there are plenty of people in Libya, Yemen and Syria who wish they'd had this technology weeks ago.

America Develops Cell Phone Panic Button for Pro-Democracy Activists originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsgovernmentPanicButtonpoliticsprivacytop Terrence O'Brien Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Google Talk Guru Takes Us Back to 2001, Resurrects Chat Bots]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/google-talk-guru-takes-us-back-to-2001-resurrects-chat-bots/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/google-talk-guru-takes-us-back-to-2001-resurrects-chat-bots/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/google-talk-guru-takes-us-back-to-2001-resurrects-chat-bots/#comments Google Labs is attempting to resurrect chat bots with Google Talk Guru. The Guru is an automated IM service that can define words, perform basic calculations, translate text, pull in sports scores, perform Google searches, and tell you whether you should be glad or upset that you're stuck in front of a computer. Just send an invite to the Guru to chat with you, and ask away.

Google Talk Guru Takes Us Back to 2001, Resurrects Chat Bots originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> ChatBotgoogleGoogleTalkGoogleTalkGurutopweb Terrence O'Brien Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:15:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Condition ONE Makes War Footage Immersive and Interactive]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/condition-one-makes-war-footage-immersive-and-interactive/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/condition-one-makes-war-footage-immersive-and-interactive/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/condition-one-makes-war-footage-immersive-and-interactive/#comments Condition One iPad App Despite unceasing conflict around the globe, war journalism has fallen on hard times. In the words of award-winning war correspondent Danfung Dennis, the art of photojournalism is "dying." Dennis has created a new system, called Condition ONE, which he hopes will breathe new life into wartime videography by creating an immersive and interactive experience.

There are several parts to the Condition ONE system, the first of which is an extreme wide-angle lens that Dennis says recreates the human field of vision -- partly by distorting the edge of the frame to mimic peripheral vision. The second and perhaps more interesting part is the media cockpit, which projects the image onto a large domed screen that envelops the viewer, allowing him or her to gaze around the unfolding scene. There is also an iPad app in which you can "look" around -- either by using your finger to scan the landscape, or by holding the iPad in front of you and looking around, just as you would with many augmented reality apps.

Continue reading Condition ONE Makes War Footage Immersive and Interactive

Condition ONE Makes War Footage Immersive and Interactive originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsConditionOneDanfungDennisiosipadjournalismmediaphotojournalismtopvideography Terrence O'Brien Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Pro Tip: Don't Sell Military Spy Drones on eBay]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/raven-spy-drone-sale-gets-henson-chua-jailtime/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/raven-spy-drone-sale-gets-henson-chua-jailtime/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/raven-spy-drone-sale-gets-henson-chua-jailtime/#comments Raven Drone Being Launched The Raven, a U.S.-built spy drone, is little more than a glorified model airplane with a camera. It has a range of just over six miles, has to be launched by hand (i.e., firing up the engine and throwing it into the air), and has no capacity to carry weapons of any kind. Still, it's military equipment, and thus subject to the Arms Export Control Act. A Philippine man named Henson Chua discovered that violating that act can result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years after he sold his spare Raven on eBay for $13,000. The buyer: undercover Homeland Security agents who tracked Chua after making the purchase, and apprehended him when he traveled to Los Angeles last month.

After being indicted on March 10th by a grand jury, Chua is facing significant jail time for selling something a crafty hobbyist probably could have built in his back yard. Let this be a lesson: if you're going to get arrested for selling a military drone, at least make sure it's one capable of firing off a few Hellfire Missiles.

Pro Tip: Don't Sell Military Spy Drones on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> droneebayhenson chuaHensonChuamilitaryravenRavenDronerobotstop Terrence O'Brien Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA['90s Kids Threatened by Unpredictable Web and Word Pervs]]> http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/90s-kids-threatened-by-unpredictable-web-and-word-pervs/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/90s-kids-threatened-by-unpredictable-web-and-word-pervs/ http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/90s-kids-threatened-by-unpredictable-web-and-word-pervs/#comments
Have you ever been sitting on your computer, doing what you're "supposed" to do, when something came up on your screen that "made you feel bad or uncomfortable"? No? Us neither. Usually the Web doesn't surprise us with pop-up porn or snuff films. Nor do we chat with people using what appears to be Microsoft Word. The Internet was a strange place in the late '90s.

'90s Kids Threatened by Unpredictable Web and Word Pervs originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> lolzPSAPublicServiceAnnouncementtopweb Terrence O'Brien Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:20:00 EST Switched