Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com prods@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Producers) support@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Web Support) en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. View our terms of service here: http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/ Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[World's First 3-D HDTV Remote Surgery System Allows Fantastic Precision]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/09/worlds-first-3-d-hdtv-remote-surgery-system-allows-fantastic-pr/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/09/worlds-first-3-d-hdtv-remote-surgery-system-allows-fantastic-pr/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/09/worlds-first-3-d-hdtv-remote-surgery-system-allows-fantastic-pr/#comments
Oh boy, from the looks of that picture, the only perquisites for using the updated da Vinci Si surgical system are video game skills, a preference for interacting with the physical world on a high-def display, and an abnormal interest in robots. Sound like anyone you know? Intuitive Surgical's latest robotic system features two separate HD optical channels that the manufacturer claims will give "highly accurate depth perception" when merged. The surgeon console features touchpad control of the video, audio, and system settings while providing "precise, dexterous control" over an extensive array of surgical tools held by the robotic flanges. Perfect for all your minimally invasive, WebMD-inspired home surgery needs, when not performing transplants at County. Check the video after the break; 'amazing' is an understatement.

[Via MedGadget]

Continue reading World's First 3-D HDTV Remote Surgery System Allows Fantastic Precision

Filed under:

World's First 3-D HDTV Remote Surgery System Allows Fantastic Precision originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> da vincida vinci siDaVinciDaVinciSihealthintuitive surgicalIntuitiveSurgicalinvasiveminimally invasiveMinimallyInvasiverobotrobotic surveryRoboticSurverysurgery switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:15:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[iTunes Store Now Infected with Variable Pricing, Amazon Still $0.99]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/07/itunes-store-now-infected-with-variable-pricing-amazon-still-0/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/07/itunes-store-now-infected-with-variable-pricing-amazon-still-0/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/07/itunes-store-now-infected-with-variable-pricing-amazon-still-0/#comments
As promised, variable pricing has now been implemented at the iTunes music store. Already, we're seeing most of top 10 singles and 33 of the top 100 hitting the top price-point of $1.29 (encoded as DRM-free 256kbps AAC). Interesting as Amazon's uncomfortably similar top 10 list has all these tracks priced at $0.99 (encoded as DRM-free 256kbps VBR MP3). A handful of tracks (nine in the top 100) do hit the higher $1.29 price further down Amazon's list. Now, if you believe Steve (someone who originally postured against this price structure), then it appears that the music labels are charging Apple more for the rights to sell its music than Amazon based on this quote attributed to Jobs in the Apple press release from January:
in April, based on what the music labels charge Apple, songs on iTunes will be available at one of three price points-69 cents, 99 cents and $1.29-with many more songs priced at 69 cents than $1.29.
Regardless, we know where we'll be purchasing our Miley Cyrus from now on.

[Thanks, Jesse]

Read -- January "Changes Coming to the iTunes Store" press release
Read -- iTunes top songs [Warning: iTunes App link]
Read -- Amazon top songs

Filed under:

iTunes Store Now Infected with Variable Pricing, Amazon Still $0.99 originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> aacamazon mp3AmazonMp3applebreaking newsBreakingNewsdownloaddrmdrm-freeitunesitunes storeItunesStoremp3pricing switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:34:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Angry British Villagers Block Google Street View Car, Incident Caught on CCTV]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/03/angry-british-villagers-block-google-street-view-car-incident-c/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/03/angry-british-villagers-block-google-street-view-car-incident-c/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/03/angry-british-villagers-block-google-street-view-car-incident-c/#comments
Look we understand demands for privacy. We just find it ironic that citizens of Broughton (pronunciation: bak-wərd), a small village in a nation where CCTV cameras look, evaluate behavior, and sometimes speak at virtually every intersection, would block a Google Street View car on grounds of invasion of privacy. Seems to us that they've given up on that right a long, long time ago. Though the police were called, the villagers eventually let Google's contractor pass peacefully -- presumably after assurances were given that cameras can not, in fact, steal your soul.

Angry British Villagers Block Google Street View Car, Incident Caught on CCTV originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> englandgooglegreat britainGreatBritainprivacystreet viewStreetViewuk switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Honda Robot ASIMO Controlled By Thought]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/04/01/honda-robot-asimo-controlled-by-thought/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/01/honda-robot-asimo-controlled-by-thought/ http://www.switched.com/2009/04/01/honda-robot-asimo-controlled-by-thought/#comments
Sorry, that's not actually Dark Helmet, it's a researcher demonstrating the latest Brain Machine Interface (BMI) cooked up for robotics. While it's not looking too portable, it's a far nimbler setup than the original MRI Scanner first concocted by Honda to control robots in near real-time back in 2006. This time, Honda Research Institute in coordination with Advanced Telecommunications Research (ATR) and Shimadzu Corporation have achieved robotic thought control using a sensor cap to measure electrical potential on the scalp and cerebral blood flow. While we've seen much of this BMI tech applied to video games in the past, Honda claims its technology achieves the world's highest accuracy at 90-percent without special training. Impressive, even though it's clearly R&D work for now. Check the video after the break.

[Via Akihabara News]

Continue reading Honda Robot ASIMO Controlled By Thought

Filed under:

Honda Robot ASIMO Controlled By Thought originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> asimoatrbmibrainbrain controlbrain machine interfaceBrainControlBrainMachineInterfacemrirobotshimadzuthought controlThoughtControl switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Sony PlayStation 2 Just $99.99 Starting Tomorrow]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/31/sony-playstation-2-just-99-99-starting-tomorrow/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/31/sony-playstation-2-just-99-99-starting-tomorrow/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/31/sony-playstation-2-just-99-99-starting-tomorrow/#comments
We're really hoping that this isn't Sony's global announcement. Nevertheless, starting tomorrow April 1st, the PlayStation 2 will be available for less than $100 (down from $129.99), exactly as rumored. Hoozah?

[Thanks, Ris]

Filed under:

Sony PlayStation 2 Just $99.99 Starting Tomorrow originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 100breaking newsBreakingNewsplaystation 2Playstation2ps2sony switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Skype App Coming to iPhone on Tuesday, BlackBerry in May]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/30/skype-app-coming-to-iphone-on-tuesday-blackberry-in-may/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/30/skype-app-coming-to-iphone-on-tuesday-blackberry-in-may/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/30/skype-app-coming-to-iphone-on-tuesday-blackberry-in-may/#comments
It's legit; Skype is coming to the iPhone on Tuesday, BlackBerry devices in May. While we've seen plenty of Skype-capable apps on the iPhone, the poor, often echo-infected calls should be easily bested by the official Skype App that doesn't need the extra audio transcoding workaround required by the existing crop of unofficial apps. The Skype app works over Wi-Fi only (not over EDGE or 3G data) and supports calls to SkypeOut contacts in addition to many of the other features you've used from the desktop client. iPod touch owners will require earphones with an embedded mic to talk. CNET has a hands-on preview of the App just as long as you can muster the energy required to hit the read link below.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: , ,

Skype App Coming to iPhone on Tuesday, BlackBerry in May originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> blackberryiphoneipod touchIpodTouchskypevoip switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:41:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Most Heinous Custom Netbook, Ever]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/25/most-heinous-custom-netbook-ever/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/25/most-heinous-custom-netbook-ever/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/25/most-heinous-custom-netbook-ever/#comments
If the Acer Aspire One netbook above makes you feel uncomfortable, even angry, then you're probably not a Japanese school-girl. Hell, even if you are we hope you have the good sense not to paste stuffed animals, taffeta, and frills to your Atom-based netbook. That's what UMPCs are for.

Filed under: ,

Most Heinous Custom Netbook, Ever originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> aceraspire oneAspireOnecustomfashiongirlsjapannetbooknetbookspinkrosesteddy bearTeddyBearugly switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:23:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Japanese Institute Unveils 'Fashion Model Robot']]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/japans-hrp-4c-fashion-model-robot-unveiled-already-harassed/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/japans-hrp-4c-fashion-model-robot-unveiled-already-harassed/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/japans-hrp-4c-fashion-model-robot-unveiled-already-harassed/#comments While that perv in the back is busy shooting HRP-4C's firm buttocks shaped from a glossy Stormtrooper alloy, the rest of us can marvel at the fact that Japan has produced a walking, talking fashion robot. Standing at just over 5-feet tall and 95-pounds, HRP-4C, developed by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, will make its catwalk debut next week at the Tokyo fashion show.

The she-bot features 30 motors spread throughout its body with an additional eight motors in its face for expressing general boredom and disgust with the help. Its main purpose is entertainment and to attract crowds much like its fleshy counterparts -- so don't expect home cooked meals and laundry service should you take the $200,000 robot home. Unfortunately, HRP-4C didn't function as planned today. Reports say that the robot, "kept looking surprised, opening its mouth and eyes in a stunned expression, when the demonstrator had asked it to smile or look angry." Hmm, sounds like a fully functional model-slash-actress to us. [Via Straits Times]

Continue reading Japanese Institute Unveils 'Fashion Model Robot'

Filed under:

Japanese Institute Unveils 'Fashion Model Robot' originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> fashion modelFashionModelhrp-4cjapanmodelNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and TechnologyNationalInstituteOfAdvancedIndustrialScienceAndTechnologyniaistrobot switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:06:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Apple's New iPod Shuffle Talks to You]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/11/apples-new-ipod-shuffle-talks-to-you/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/11/apples-new-ipod-shuffle-talks-to-you/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/11/apples-new-ipod-shuffle-talks-to-you/#comments

Bam, another Apple rumor vindicated. Apple just doubled the capacity of its iPod shuffle to 4GB while ditching the control wheel entirely. The new design keeps the clip and adds VoiceOver -- a new feature that gets around the lack of display by telling you which song is playing and who performs it at the touch of a button on the earbud cable. It'll also call out your playlists and let you navigate to others. No word on which languages are supported. Available in black or silver for $80 and your claim to what Apple calls the "world's smallest music player."

Head to Engadget for a gallery and more specs.

Update: VoiceOver in English, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.

Filed under: , , ,

Apple's New iPod Shuffle Talks to You originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> applebreaking newsBreakingNewsipodipod shuffleIpodShufflemusicnew productsNewProducts switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:51:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Apple Co-Founder Dances: "Like Watching a Teletubby Going Mad"]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/10/woz-dances-like-watching-a-teletubby-going-mad/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/10/woz-dances-like-watching-a-teletubby-going-mad/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/10/woz-dances-like-watching-a-teletubby-going-mad/#comments He did it. Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple and nerd superhero, just made his debut on Dancing with the Stars. As you'd expect, the surprisingly nimble Woz enjoyed himself without concern of mockery. But as one judge put it, "overall it was a disaster." Hey Woz, you're still a nerd hero to all of us.

Filed under: ,

Apple Co-Founder Dances: "Like Watching a Teletubby Going Mad" originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> businessdancing with the starsDancingWithTheStarsfunnysteve wozniakSteveWozniakthe wozTheWozwoz switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Topps Launches Webcam-Enhanced 3-D Baseball Cards]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/03/09/topps-launches-webcam-enhanced-3-d-baseball-cards/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/09/topps-launches-webcam-enhanced-3-d-baseball-cards/ http://www.switched.com/2009/03/09/topps-launches-webcam-enhanced-3-d-baseball-cards/#comments
Put aside those Pokeman or Bakugan cards kids, Topps is back with a vengeance in an attempt to woo Internet bred sophisti-tots back into collecting baseball cards. Right, Topps, the company that pre-dates Human Growth Hormone abuse and packs a nostalgic smack of dusty pink sticks of chewing gum is back in the game, this time with some help from former Disney exec Michael Eisner. Just hold the special 3D Live card in front of a Webcam and watch a three-dimensional avatar spring to life -- rotate the card and the figure rotates in full perspective. The technology provided by Total Immersion also allows collectors to drop the player into simple pitching, batting and catching games using the computer keyboard. Series 1 cards will cost $2 for a pack while a buck snags a fistful of five. The 3D Live series will eventually feature video. Click through for a video demonstration -- trust us, you'll be amazed at what they've done.

Continue reading Topps Launches Webcam-Enhanced 3-D Baseball Cards

Filed under: ,

Topps Launches Webcam-Enhanced 3-D Baseball Cards originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 3-D3d3d live3dLivebaseballbaseball cardsBaseballCardscollectingcollectorssportstoppstotal immersionTotalImmersionvideo switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:16:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[DIY Paintball Turret Unleashes 34 Rounds per Second]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/27/diy-paintball-turret-unleashes-34-rounds-per-second/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/27/diy-paintball-turret-unleashes-34-rounds-per-second/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/27/diy-paintball-turret-unleashes-34-rounds-per-second/#comments
The appeal of the Paintball Turret can pretty much be summed up in its inventor's own words: "It shoots things." What grabbed our attention, though, is just how sophisticated the contraption appears to be. Two years in development, Jared Bouck's turret fires 34 balls per second (per second!) and is designed to be carried as a backpack for rapid deployment. Invent Geek also claims that it can be controlled via heads-up display from up to half a mile away. Full plans and a material list are promised as is a video demonstration. Until then, you'll have to make due with the detailed assembly history just beyond the read link. This could change paint warfare and the tactics used by curmudgeonly neighbors to protect their lawns, forever.

Filed under:

DIY Paintball Turret Unleashes 34 Rounds per Second originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> funinvent geekInventGeekjarek bouckJarekBouckpaintballpaintball turretPaintballTurretturret switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:14:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[US and Russian Satellites Collide In 'Unprecedented' Accident]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/12/us-and-russian-satellites-collide-in-unprecedented-accident/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/12/us-and-russian-satellites-collide-in-unprecedented-accident/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/12/us-and-russian-satellites-collide-in-unprecedented-accident/#comments
A US Iridium satellite has hit a defunct Russian satellite in an unprecedented space collision. The crash occurred some 790km (491 miles) over Siberia on Tuesday, according to NASA, and produced a "massive" cloud of debris. About 600 pieces are being tracked from the debris field in hopes of understanding the risk they present to other satellites and the international space station. The Russian craft was identified as the 950kg (2,094 pound) Cosmos 2251, a communications relay station launched in 1993 and believed to have been non-operational for the last 10 years or so. The Iridium telecommunications satellite was estimated to weigh about 560kg (1,234 pounds). Unsurprisingly, its loss is expected to have "minimal impact on Iridium's service," according to a statement made by the company. When asked who was at fault, NASA responded dryly:
"They ran into each other. Nothing has the right of way up there. We don't have an air traffic controller in space. There is no universal way of knowing what's coming in your direction."
Gulp.

Filed under:

US and Russian Satellites Collide In 'Unprecedented' Accident originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> breaking newsBreakingNewscollisioncosmos 2251Cosmos2251crashiridiumnasarussiasatellitespaceus switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:14:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[New Dell Laptop Has 11 Hours of Battery Life]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/11/new-dell-laptop-has-11-hours-of-battery-life/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/11/new-dell-laptop-has-11-hours-of-battery-life/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/11/new-dell-laptop-has-11-hours-of-battery-life/#comments The machine translation is pretty weak, but Dell's 12.1-inch (1,280 x 800 pixel) Latitude XT2 looks to have just made its first tentative steps in a global launch. The video posted after the break comes courtesy of Korean site, AVING, where the convertible tablet was apparently just released. Pinch to zoom and two-fingers swipes... yup, it's in there. 11-hours of battery (6-cell plus battery slice) and DDR3 memory (max of 5GB!) too in a chassis just 2.5-cm (0.98-inches) thick. Click through for the video while we track down the official specifications that already seem to be aligning with the unofficial specs leaked earlier.

Continue reading New Dell Laptop Has 11 Hours of Battery Life

Filed under: ,

New Dell Laptop Has 11 Hours of Battery Life originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> battery lifeBatteryLifebreaking newsBreakingNewsddr3delllatitudelatitude xt2LatitudeXt2superlativestabletxt2 switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:27:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Immaculate Prosthetic Arm Makes Prosthetics... Sexy?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/10/immaculate-prosthetic-arm-makes-prosthetics-sexy/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/10/immaculate-prosthetic-arm-makes-prosthetics-sexy/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/10/immaculate-prosthetic-arm-makes-prosthetics-sexy/#comments
We never thought it would it come to this, but damn if that image above doesn't make the idea of having a prosthetic limb attractive. A pang first felt at the sight of Oscar Pistorius' Cheetah prosthetics is now fully engorged with visions of reckless play around farm equipment. The concept "immaculate" from Hans Alexander Huseklepp explores the idea of turning a handicap into a high-performance, cybernetic fashion statement. The neurological prosthetic is clad in technology-packed corian plates with dome-joints that offer a larger degree of freedom than that motherly-issued arm of yours. So enough with the flesh-colored plastics already, this is the biomechatronic future of the proud naturoid we'd like to see. Hell, we have to do something now that tattoos and piercings have gone mainstream.

Continue reading Immaculate Prosthetic Arm Makes Prosthetics... Sexy?

Immaculate Prosthetic Arm Makes Prosthetics... Sexy? originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> armconceptcorianhealthimmaculateprosthetic switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:33:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[$10 Laptop Coming Februrary 3rd...to India]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/02/01/indias-10-laptop-coming-february-3rd-take-that-negroponte/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/01/indias-10-laptop-coming-february-3rd-take-that-negroponte/ http://www.switched.com/2009/02/01/indias-10-laptop-coming-february-3rd-take-that-negroponte/#comments


Get ready, India's $10 laptop is set for its first unveiling on February 3rd. Ok, so it's not quite $10... $20 actually, but that's far better than the $100 some were estimating. It's also much better than the $200 per OLPC XO deal that Negroponte wanted to reportedly charge the Indian government more than two years ago -- an offer rejected by officials with a promise to young Indians to do it better and for less. According to some reports (we can't find anything official), the laptop will feature 2GB of memory, Wi-Fi, fixed Ethernet, expandable memory, and consume just 2 watts of power. The Devil's in the details, they say, but with any luck, India will be swimming in cheap silicon within the next 6 months if the project can keep to schedule... that's a big IF. The laptop is aimed at Indian students, for now, but there's no word on whether it will be available any time soon to the wider public, either in India, or anywhere else.

Gallery: Budget PCs We Like

Acer Aspire OneAsus Eee PCOLPC XOZonbu NotebookHP Mini 1000


[Via TechTicker, image courtesy of FMCKids]

Read -- Unofficial specs
Read -- February 3rd unveiling

Filed under:

$10 Laptop Coming Februrary 3rd...to India originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 10 dollar laptop10 laptop10DollarLaptop10Laptopindianegropontenick negroponteNickNegroponteolpc switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:02:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Dell to Make Cell Phones?]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/01/30/dell-to-make-cell-phones/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/30/dell-to-make-cell-phones/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/30/dell-to-make-cell-phones/#comments You know who's blabbing again? That reclusive set of business people who always seem to be "familiar with the matter," that's who. This time, they've got the Wall Street Journal in a twist over renewed rumors that Dell is "preparing a move into cellphones as early as next month."

Next month, is of course the big cellphone coming out party known as Mobile World Congress in Barcelona -- an event Dell has flat-out denied any intention to attend. Still, the evidence presented by the WSJ is pretty overwhelming. First, sources say that a variety of smartphone prototypes, including one with a QWERTY-less touchscreen and another with a sliding keyboard, have already been built running Android and Windows Mobile. Second, Dell's smartphone team "spent much of last year" meeting with suppliers, carriers, and Asian phone manufacturers. Dell's team includes the former head of Motorola's phone division (Ron Garriques) and another Moto employee (John Thode) who heads up Dell's netbook group. The latter being of interest since the iPhone and BlackBerry Storm are considered netbooks by their makers. Oh, and Dell still hasn't made good on its purchase of Zing and its plans to build an all encompassing media ecosystem to manage your audio and video files across PCs and mobile devices.

Sources do contend that plans have not been finalized and Dell may still abandon the effort. But with Acer making the jump into Smartphones next month and other non-traditional players having great success in the space at the expense of the former cellphone powerhouses, one thing is clear: PC guys "will just walk in" and figure this out. Right Ed?

Filed under: ,

Dell to Make Cell Phones? originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> dellJohn ThodeJohnThodemobile world congressMobileWorldCongressmwcmwc 2009Mwc2009Ron GarriquesRonGarriquesrumorsmartphonewall street journalWallStreetJournalwsjzing switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:39:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[New iPod touch Application Improves Your Sniper Rifle Accuracy]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/01/21/new-ipod-touch-application-improves-your-sniper-rifle-accuracy/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/21/new-ipod-touch-application-improves-your-sniper-rifle-accuracy/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/21/new-ipod-touch-application-improves-your-sniper-rifle-accuracy/#comments
We're trying... we're trying real hard to cling to our pacifist ways. But damn if the fusion of this US Army M110 Sniper Rifle and mounted iPod touch running the BulletFlight external ballistics calculator (available via the App Store) doesn't make us want to kill. Tap in the variables such as weather conditions, ammunition type, distance to target, and wind speed before exhaling and gently squeezing back on your second amendment right. God bless America.

[Via The Firearm Blog]

Read -- M110 sniper rifle with iPod touch mount
Read -- BulletFlight App [warning: iTunes link]

Filed under:

New iPod touch Application Improves Your Sniper Rifle Accuracy originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> armybulletflightcult of macCultOfMacgunipod touchIpodTouchkacknights armamentKnightsArmamentm110riflesnipertopweapon switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Palm Pre to Be Sold at Best Buy Exclusively ]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/01/15/palm-pre-to-be-sold-at-best-buy-exclusively/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/15/palm-pre-to-be-sold-at-best-buy-exclusively/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/15/palm-pre-to-be-sold-at-best-buy-exclusively/#comments
You know Palm's on to something when reputable sites start to splinter around its newly announced OS and handset. PhoneArena's fledgling sister site, WebOS Arena, has it from a "credible source" that Best Buy will be the exclusive retailer for the Palm Pre. That means that Best Buy will be the only place other than Sprint where you'll find the Pre for purchase on US soil for the first 60 days after launch (whenever that might be). Assuming the rumor is true of course. [Via PhoneArena]

Filed under: , ,

Palm Pre to Be Sold at Best Buy Exclusively originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> best buyBestBuyces-2009-toppalmpalm prePalmPreprerumor switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:55:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Bizarre Japanese Robot Does Pushups]]> http://www.switched.com/2009/01/15/bizarre-japanese-robot-does-pushups/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/15/bizarre-japanese-robot-does-pushups/ http://www.switched.com/2009/01/15/bizarre-japanese-robot-does-pushups/#comments
Oh, we get it alright; Kintore-Z is a robot designed to compete in Japan's Baca RoboCup (baka means "fooolish" or "stupid" in Japanese). But that doesn't explain why the child is absently holding a toothbrush now does it? Click through for one of the strangest, most bizarre videos you'll ever see.

Continue reading Bizarre Japanese Robot Does Pushups

Filed under:

Bizarre Japanese Robot Does Pushups originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> baca robocupBacaRobocupbiginjapanjapankintore-zrobotvideoweird switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:59:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Polaroid Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Again]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/19/polaroid-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-again/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/19/polaroid-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-again/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/19/polaroid-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-again/#comments
Polaroid may have defeated Kodak in the instant camera business, but it can't beat a sagging economy. Polaroid (or Polaroid Corp to be precise) just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in 7 years. Of course, the new Polaroid Corporation is really just a holding company for the Polaroid name -- a brand that has been thoroughly diluted by its application to sub-standard TVs, vile portable DVD players, and gimmicky PoGo digital cameras. Polaroid says, "We expect to continue our operations as normal during the reorganization and are planning for new product launches in 2009." That a threat?

[Thanks JideOsan, image courtesy of Jerkwithacamera]

Filed under:

Polaroid Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Again originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> bankruptcychapter 11Chapter11polaroid switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:54:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Samsung Launching Google Phone in 2009]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/19/samsung-launching-google-phone-in-2009/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/19/samsung-launching-google-phone-in-2009/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/19/samsung-launching-google-phone-in-2009/#comments
Without a doubt, 2009 is destined to be the year of The Android. Samsung earlier this week announced its ticket to the party with a Q2 launch of its Android phones on both Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile in the US. Apparently, the touch-screen device will be an adaptation of the Omnia (Korea's 800 x 480 pixel version please) and Instinct. In other words, a rectangle with a full-screen display and minimal set of buttons just like every other touchscreen device out there. In case you missed it, this game is no longer about the hardware. [Via ModMyGphone, thanks Neerhaj]

Filed under:

Samsung Launching Google Phone in 2009 originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> androidgooglegoogle phoneGooglePhoneinstinctomniasamsungsprintt-mobile switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:48:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[RIAA Says It Will Stop Suing Consumers for Illegal Downloading]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/19/riaa-says-it-will-stop-suing-consumers-for-illegal-downloading/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/19/riaa-says-it-will-stop-suing-consumers-for-illegal-downloading/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/19/riaa-says-it-will-stop-suing-consumers-for-illegal-downloading/#comments
When you retard fair use with pointless DRM and then sue anonymous children for illegally downloading music while ignoring those of the execs at the top of the music industry, well, you're asking for a public relations nightmare. Now, with more than 35,000 lawsuits to its credit, the RIAA says it will finally end the legal assault against consumers that began back in 2003. The Recording Industry Association of America will instead, focus its anti-piracy efforts with ISPs. Under the new plan, the RIAA will contact ISPs when illegal uploading is detected. The ISP will then contact the customer with a notice that would ultimately be followed by a reduction or cessation of service. As you'd expect, the RIAA is not commenting on which ISPs they are in cahoots with. The RIAA also says that it won't require ISPs to reveal the identities of individuals but could, of course, go after individuals who are heavy uploaders or repeat offenders. For the moment though, it appears that single-mothers are in the clear.

Filed under: , , ,

RIAA Says It Will Stop Suing Consumers for Illegal Downloading originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> breaking newsBreakingNewscrimedownloadinglawlawsuitsmusic switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:05:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Wal-Mart iPhone on Sale the 28th for a Lot More than $99]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/17/wal-mart-iphone-on-sale-the-28th-for-a-lot-more-than-99/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/17/wal-mart-iphone-on-sale-the-28th-for-a-lot-more-than-99/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/17/wal-mart-iphone-on-sale-the-28th-for-a-lot-more-than-99/#comments

At this point, it's clear that the $99 iPhone 3G rumor was just that: rumor. We have a letter that we believe to be authentic from a source within Wal-mart that says the iPhone will launch in the house that Sam built at 9am December 28th. At launch, only the 8GB ($197) and 16GB ($297) iPhone 3Gs will be available with a required signature on a 2-year AT&T contract. An internal pilot program kicks off today at 488 stores across the nation. The iPhone 3G and a sack of garden manure all under the same roof... heaven.

Filed under: ,

Wal-Mart iPhone on Sale the 28th for a Lot More than $99 originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 99applehggnewsiphoneiphone 3gIphone3grumorwalmart switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:48:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[PlayStation Home Launching Worldwide on December 11th]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/10/playstation-home-launching-worldwide-on-december-11th/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/10/playstation-home-launching-worldwide-on-december-11th/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/10/playstation-home-launching-worldwide-on-december-11th/#comments We knew it was coming this month, now we have the day: tomorrow. Yup, PlayStation Home will launch globally on December 11th. The 3D virtual on-line community is like 'Second Life,' only with the risk of rootkit. Hot. All kidding aside, the new service gives PS3 owners a customizable place to chat (voice or text) and play games with other PlayStation Home users through personalized avatars. Just like real life except without acne and all your social shortcomings. Home will be available to download and "experience basic features" for free -- some services (like creating a "club") will require cash though, so be prepared.

Update: Added video of Red Bull's PlayStation Home Air Race game after the break. It's also worth noting that the US is positioning this as an "open beta" whereas the Japanese announcement seems to position this as full production launch.

Check out Engadget for a gallery of PlayStation Home.

Continue reading PlayStation Home Launching Worldwide on December 11th

Filed under:

PlayStation Home Launching Worldwide on December 11th originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> breaking newsBreakingNewshomeplaystation 3playstation homePlaystation3PlaystationHomeps3sonyupcoming switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:24:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Vertu's New Luxury Phone Is Made From Solid Gold]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/10/vertus-new-luxury-phone-is-made-from-solid-gold/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/10/vertus-new-luxury-phone-is-made-from-solid-gold/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/10/vertus-new-luxury-phone-is-made-from-solid-gold/#comments
You know how you can tell that this is a "luxury" phone? It looks like it was shaped by an overly taut sphincter. The Vertu Boucheron 150 is made from "solid gold" and is meant to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Boucheron jewelry house in Paris. According to the designer, it took 1,000 hours to cut into shape, 700 hours to hand polish, and more than 500 hours to build. Funny, it only took us a split-second to wretch. Do the Japanese really prefer these Vertu designs from Nokia over the E71? No price or any real detail announced, just a picture of the enormous packing box after the break.

[Via Unwired View, thanks Robin of L.]

Continue reading Vertu's New Luxury Phone Is Made From Solid Gold

Filed under:

Vertu's New Luxury Phone Is Made From Solid Gold originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> boucheronboucheron 150Boucheron150luxurynokiavertu switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:14:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[BlackBerry Storm Gets Stabbed With a Knife (Video)]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/04/blackberry-storm-vs-knife-blade-fight/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/04/blackberry-storm-vs-knife-blade-fight/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/04/blackberry-storm-vs-knife-blade-fight/#comments
Some things are best tested by others. Say, for example, the guy who first drank from a cow's mammary organ or the equally daring person who took the point from the knife above to the display of his new BlackBerry Storm. In either case, the results are tasty. See for yourself in the video after the break.

[Thanks, Mike]

Continue reading BlackBerry Storm Gets Stabbed With a Knife (Video)

Filed under: ,

BlackBerry Storm Gets Stabbed With a Knife (Video) originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> blackberryfunnykniferimscratchstormvideoweb videoWebVideoweird switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:35:00 EST Switched <![CDATA['The Simpsons' Mocks Apple]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/01/the-simpsons-mocks-apple/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/01/the-simpsons-mocks-apple/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/01/the-simpsons-mocks-apple/#comments
Few have been spared the satire of Matt Groening's long running animated sitcom. Last night, 'The Simpsons' took on Apple, or uh, Mapple for a full 6 minutes of lampoonery -- a pretty harsh ride at a two-joke per minute pace.

It all starts when the Springfield mall gets its very own Mapple store, "it's so sterile," gasps Lisa upon entering. Perhaps the best exchange comes from Bart's dubbing of a Steve Mobs' product announcement in front of a crowd of gaping nerds, "You think you're cool because you buy a $500 phone with a picture of a fruit on it. Well guess what? They cost 8 bucks to make and I pee on every one!" A Mapple store employee then angrily responds, "Who dares question the boss we fired 10 years ago and then brought back!" Yuk yuk.

Videos after the break for as long as it takes for the copyrighters to wake up. [Thanks, holycow]

Continue reading 'The Simpsons' Mocks Apple

Filed under: ,

'The Simpsons' Mocks Apple originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> applefunnymapplesimpsonsthe simpsonsTheSimpsons switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:39:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Limited Edition 'Wall-E' Roomba]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/12/01/limited-edition-wall-e-roomba-coming-out/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/01/limited-edition-wall-e-roomba-coming-out/ http://www.switched.com/2008/12/01/limited-edition-wall-e-roomba-coming-out/#comments
It's 2008 and we've finally achieved the ultimate goal of modern robotics. No, not singularity... better: a cross-promotional marketing deal between the world's leading robots. Meet the Wall-E edition of iRobot's Roomba 530. The special edition Roomba is just like the original 530 only with the addition of that magnificent sticker for a extra ¥5,000 (about $50) premium. 400 units of the limited run vacuumbots went on sale in Japan for ¥,84,500 (tax inclusive) on November 20th. Tsk tsk, what's Eve going to say?

Filed under:

Limited Edition 'Wall-E' Roomba originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> 530big in japanBigInJapandisneyirobotjapanpixarroombaroomba 530Roomba530wall-e switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Urine Recycling Equipment Passes Tests, But No One Takes First Sip]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/26/urine-recycling-equipment-passes-tests-but-no-one-takes-first-s/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/26/urine-recycling-equipment-passes-tests-but-no-one-takes-first-s/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/26/urine-recycling-equipment-passes-tests-but-no-one-takes-first-s/#comments

Thank heavens -- the $154 million water recycling system, which is designed to convert sweat, moisture and urine into an ingestible fluid, um, works. According to NASA, the Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) managed to get through three rigorous testing sessions, and apparently that was good enough for officials to leave it in orbit. So yeah, theoretically we now have a way to keep long-term space cadets hydrated for months, but is anyone really going to volunteer to pinch their nostrils and toss back the first shot? Our sources point to "no."

Filed under:

Urine Recycling Equipment Passes Tests, But No One Takes First Sip originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> bathroomfuture techFutureTechprototypesrecycling switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:16:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Still No Beatles on iTunes, Says McCartney]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/25/still-no-beatles-on-itunes-says-mccartney/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/25/still-no-beatles-on-itunes-says-mccartney/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/25/still-no-beatles-on-itunes-says-mccartney/#comments

In a new twist to the wearisome saga of the Beatles digitizing their music catalog for iTunes (or any digital service, for that matter), Paul McCartney says that the negotiations have "stalled." McCartney said, "It's between EMI and the Beatles, I think," before adding, "I really hope it will happen because I think it should." While an EMI spokeswoman sounded hopeful about the matter getting resolved, we'll just assume this is all Yoko's fault in keeping with tradition.

Related Links:

Filed under: , , , ,

Still No Beatles on iTunes, Says McCartney originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> beatlesitunesludditesmusicpaul mccartneyPaulMccartney switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:48:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Honda Debuts Futuristic FC Sport Fuel-Cell Hybrid Concept]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/22/honda-debuts-its-futuristic-fc-sport-fuel-cell-hybrid-concept/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/22/honda-debuts-its-futuristic-fc-sport-fuel-cell-hybrid-concept/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/22/honda-debuts-its-futuristic-fc-sport-fuel-cell-hybrid-concept/#comments
If the Tesla Roadster has proven anything other than the disruptive effects of a hyper-inflated ego, it's that well designed eco-vehicles will sell... at any price. Yet the general design theme amongst hybrid builders appears to be your grandfather's loafer. Honda too, just look at the FCX Clarity. So we're pretty stoked to see Honda roll out its FC Sport concept three-seater (driver front-and-center) at the LA Auto Show using the same V-Flow fuel cell stack and electric drivetrain found in the FCX Clarity. Only thing is, it's a non-functional concept with little hope of hitting the market anytime soon if history serves. Good news for GM but bad news for consumers. As a wise man of consumer electronics once said:
"You know how you see a show car, and it's really cool, and then four years later you see the production car, and it sucks? And you go, What happened? They had it! They had it in the palm of their hands! They grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory! What happened was, the designers came up with this really great idea. Then they take it to the engineers, and the engineers go, 'Nah, we can't do that. That's impossible.' And so it gets a lot worse. Then they take it to the manufacturing people, and they go, 'We can't build that!' And it gets a lot worse."
Or to paraphrase: It's like asking for a Big Mac and getting a fish sandwich.

Read -- Parable of the Concept Car
Read -- FC Sport

Filed under: ,

Honda Debuts Futuristic FC Sport Fuel-Cell Hybrid Concept originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> carconcept carConceptCarfc sportFcSportfcx clarityFcxClarityfuel cellFuelCellhondahybridla auto showLaAutoShowv-flow switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:57:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Creative Introduces 'Moo'-sic Player]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/22/creative-introduces-moo-sic-player/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/22/creative-introduces-moo-sic-player/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/22/creative-introduces-moo-sic-player/#comments
We've seen plenty of cheap plastic MP3 land-fillers in our day. But those usually originate from deep-down within the fetid bowels of some no-name manufacturing house in southeast Asia, not the once illustrious Creative. The Zen Moo (yes, Moo) appears to be be a Zen Stone with extra bits of plastic and paint added to achieve Cow. Like the Stone, you get a small OLED, 2GB of memory, 20 hours of playback, and FM tuner to the delight of kids across China (where the Zen Moo was announced) -- hey, it's never too early to destroy a child's hearing. Gift-wrapped product waifs holding the accompanying speaker accessory after the break.

Update: Seems the Zen Moo is a tribute to the 2009 Chinese New Year, year of the plastic cow.

[Via EpiZENTer, thanks Oscar M.]

Continue reading Creative Introduces 'Moo'-sic Player

Filed under:

Creative Introduces 'Moo'-sic Player originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> cowcreativemoozenzen mooZenMoo switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:02:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[iPhone Update Brings Google Street View and Podcast Downloads]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/21/iphone-update-brings-google-street-view-and-podcast-downloads/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/21/iphone-update-brings-google-street-view-and-podcast-downloads/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/21/iphone-update-brings-google-street-view-and-podcast-downloads/#comments
It's here. Google Street View and over the air Podcast downloads from iTunes. Yup, public transit and walking directions too and the ability to share your location via email. Bug fixes, Safari enhancements, the ability to toggle auto-text correction, and plenty more... just like we heard in the pre-rumor run-up. Now get outta here, your iTunes update awaits.

Update: Added some screenshots of the most notable new features after the break. The Street View implementation seems solid though we miss the compass feature found on T-Mobile's G1. Also, the real-estate saved by moving the Google search field next to the URL field in Mobile Safari is a welcome and obvious change. As to auto-correction, well, that's personal taste. Tipster Vizcaya also noticed that Apple added a new option to rate an App when you delete it from your phone. You can also view multiple screenshots of applications available in the App Store.

Update 2: The other big update, Podcast downloads, works just as you'd hope and should further promote the spontaneous isolation we all crave. A few shots of that added after the break.

[Thanks Gustavo and badburro]

Continue reading iPhone Update Brings Google Street View and Podcast Downloads

Filed under: ,

iPhone Update Brings Google Street View and Podcast Downloads originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> applebreaking newsBreakingNewsfirmwaregoogleiphoneiphone 3gIphone3gitunes storeItunesStoremapssoftware updateSoftwareUpdatestreet viewStreetView switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[NASA Successfully Tests Interplanetary Internet]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/19/nasa-successfully-tests-interplanetary-internet/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/19/nasa-successfully-tests-interplanetary-internet/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/19/nasa-successfully-tests-interplanetary-internet/#comments
NASA is reporting the first successful tests of its Deep Space Network modeled after Earth's own Internet. Instead of using TCP/IP, however, the interplanetary communication network relies upon DTN (Disruption-Tolerant Networking) co-developed by none other than Google's Vinton Cerf. As such, NASA's network does not assume a continuous end-to-end connection -- if a link is lost due to solar storms or a planetary eclipse, the communication node will store the information until the connection is re-established. So, what's the big deal you rightly ask, after all, we've been (purposely) transmitting data to and from space for a half-century. As Leigh Torgerson, manager of NASA's DTN Experiment Operations Center explains it:
"In space today, an operations team must manually schedule each link and generate all the commands to specify which data to send, when to send it, and where to send it. With standardized DTN, this can all be done automatically."
Testing of the Deep Space Network began in October with twice-weekly communications between NASA's Epoxi spacecraft (on a mission to rendezvous with Comet Hartley 2) and nine ground-based nodes meant to simulate Mars landers, orbiters, and operation centers. The International Space Station is scheduled to join the testing next summer. Although the nature of the data transmitted wasn't specified, we can only presume that it was laced with Google ads for Mr. Lee's Greater Hong Kong.

Filed under:

NASA Successfully Tests Interplanetary Internet originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> deep space networkDeepSpaceNetworkdtnepoxiinternational space stationInternationalSpaceStationinternetnasaspacevint cerfVintCerfweb switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:01:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[New Xbox Experience Now Available, Netflix HD Streams, Too]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/18/xbox-experience-now-available-netflix-hd-streams-too/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/18/xbox-experience-now-available-netflix-hd-streams-too/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/18/xbox-experience-now-available-netflix-hd-streams-too/#comments
Microsoft's new Xbox Experience dashboard doesn't officially launch until Wednesday the 19th. But if you signed up for the preview (and who didn't?) with a valid console ID then it's available now according to Major Nelson. What's more, Netflix has confirmed its Xbox 360 launch details: more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes and 300 streaming HD titles. Remember, streaming is free for Netflix members who are also Xbox Live Gold members. The HD video streams will be limited to SD audio, however -- multi-channel audio is in the works as are additional HD titles. Now get outta here kid, NXE awaits.

[Via Joystiq]

Read -- Major Nelson
Read -- Netflix

Filed under: ,

New Xbox Experience Now Available, Netflix HD Streams, Too originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> breaking newsBreakingNewsdashboardmajor nelsonMajorNelsonmicrosoftnetflixnxexbox 360xbox experienceXbox360XboxExperience switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:14:00 EST Switched <![CDATA['Escape Key' Clock is One Giant Snooze Button]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/17/escape-key-clock-is-one-giant-snooze-button/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/17/escape-key-clock-is-one-giant-snooze-button/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/17/escape-key-clock-is-one-giant-snooze-button/#comments
Simple in design, perfect in execution, we bring you Santiago Cantera's Escape Clock. No tiny snooze buttons to fumble with here dozy Joe, just one big key that shuts off the alarm when meeting the business end of a morning beef hammer. Set it on edge and you've switched from alarm clock mode to an in-room stereo. The worst part? It's just a concept... for now.

[Via Design Launches]

Filed under:

'Escape Key' Clock is One Giant Snooze Button originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> alarm clockalarm clocksAlarmClockAlarmClocksclockclocksconceptescescapehousehold switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:28:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[$100 Laptop to Be Sold in Europe]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/15/europe-also-getting-a-taste-of-olpc-sugar-on-monday/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/15/europe-also-getting-a-taste-of-olpc-sugar-on-monday/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/15/europe-also-getting-a-taste-of-olpc-sugar-on-monday/#comments
The OLPC, Give One Get One program is heading to Europe on November 17th -- the same day the deal kicks off in the US. Thanks to the Amazon hook-up, 27 EU nations as well as Switzerland, Russia, and Turkey can grab an XO laptop at a cost of about £268 / €313. That's one XO running Sugar (not XP) for you and one for a child in a developing nation... other than your own.

Filed under:

$100 Laptop to Be Sold in Europe originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> amazong1g1olpcsugarxo switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:12:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Pure Digital Debuts Flip Mino HD]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/12/flip-mino-goes-h-to-the-d-with-a-wsj-review/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/12/flip-mino-goes-h-to-the-d-with-a-wsj-review/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/12/flip-mino-goes-h-to-the-d-with-a-wsj-review/#comments
Pure Digital's Flip Mino just broke free from the confines of the VGA kiddie-pool to find itself tip-toeing gingerly into the shallow end of sacred high-definition waters. But with a retail price of $230, it's best to temper your expectations of the new Flip Mino HD. For that price you get about an hour's worth of fixed zoom, 720p, MPEG-4 video recorded to 4GB of built-in flash memory. Plug the USB cam into your PC or Mac to launch the built-in FlipShare editing software for fine-tuning your videos before sharing (compressed down to 480x270) to MySpace, YouTube or direct over email -- HD sharing via an unnamed partner is coming early next year according to Pure.

Walt's buddy, Katie Boehret, over at the Wall Street Journal already put hands to gear and came away duly impressed by the video and improved sound quality. The she-Walt also found the FlipShare software to be much improved over the Flip's previous bundled wares while the camera remained dead-simple to use. All in all, well worth the $50 premium over the previous Flip Mino. Sample video posted after the break.

Continue reading Pure Digital Debuts Flip Mino HD

Filed under: ,

Pure Digital Debuts Flip Mino HD originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> camcorderflipflip mino hdFlipMinoHdhdpure digitalPureDigital switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:56:00 EST Switched <![CDATA['The Onion' Pits Snow Leopard Against Windows 7, Everyone Wins]]> http://www.switched.com/2008/11/10/the-onion-pits-snow-leopard-against-windows-7-everyone-wins/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/10/the-onion-pits-snow-leopard-against-windows-7-everyone-wins/ http://www.switched.com/2008/11/10/the-onion-pits-snow-leopard-against-windows-7-everyone-wins/#comments
After that earlier piece on global e-waste, we thought you might want something to lighten the mood. Fortunately, The Onion is ready with a sardonic, blood-shot eye turned to the respective OS releases on the way from Cupertino and Redmond. Click on through for the full comparison while we pack up things from this lame, euro coffee shop.

[Via Daring Fireball]

Filed under:

'The Onion' Pits Snow Leopard Against Windows 7, Everyone Wins originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]> applefunnyhumormicrosoftsnow leopardSnowLeopardthe onionTheOnionwindows 7Windows7 switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Ricker) Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:35:00 EST Switched