Switched

New CNN Site Brings Video, Oprah, and Facebook to News Junkies

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:43:00 EST

Since it first launched in 1995, CNN's Web site has always delivered a broad variety of news to a broad audience. The site's design -- generally jam-packed with dozens of headlines that might be catnip to news junkies, but can be overwhelming to more casual browsers -- has generally reflected that content stream. On Monday, however, CNN.com will launch a new design (its first since 2007) that incorporates a roomier, less crowded look with a bigger emphasis on pictures, video, citizen journalism, social networking, entertainment, and pop culture. Last night, CNN general manager KC Estenson gave reporters an early look at the new site.

The biggest change is the overall look of the site. CNN.com's current home page features a main story with a big picture and then a bunch of different sections with text-based story links (some videos offer thumbnail pictures to break up all that text, but not much). The new design places a big playable video right at the top and a second big picture to the left that links to a citizen-journalist 'iReport.' Below that is a set of clickable pictures and videos leading to stories underneath. Yes, there are still plenty of headlines, but the revamped site generally offers a greater balance between images and text than the current one, making for a pleasing browsing experience.

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Filed under: Web

New CNN Site Brings Video, Oprah, and Facebook to News Junkies originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW Launches 2010 GTI Exclusively Via Mobile Phone Game

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:39:00 EST

In an atmosphere of disappearing print magazines, increased TV viewing on the Web, and a tough market for both car buyers and dealers, one of the few successful car companies alive today needs to change the game a bit. So with the introduction of a niche-y hot hatch that isn't even that cheap, Volkswagen hits hard with quick and dirty campaign on everyone's favorite toy -- the iPhone. This morning, Volkswagen became the first auto manufacturer to launch (by launch, we mean advertise) a car solely on the Apple phone. No, it's not an app, but rather, an exclusive, playable, and independent level of iPhone racing game Firement Real Racing, which has already received 70-million downloads since launching back in June.

Available on the iTunes App Store for free, the 'Real Racing GTI' level lets you choose from six different 2010 GTIs and race them on a track laden with VW logos. Unfortunately, it doesn't integrate with the rest of the game, but it does have one killer feature: Players can compete to win one of six limited-edition black GTI MkVI cars, which have special stitching on the floor mats and head rests, carbon-fiber finishes on the doors and mirrors, red calipers on the wheels, and special logos on the front and on the steering wheel (see close-ups of the cars in the slideshow below). In addition, the 2010 GTI's sound system has been upgraded to include full iPod integration (so you can access your full music library on the car's dashboard versus a simple auxiliary connection).

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Filed under: Cell Phones, iPhone, Mobile Software, Downloads, Mobile Phones

VW Launches 2010 GTI Exclusively Via Mobile Phone Game originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Up Close With New 'Nook' E-Reader From Barnes & Noble

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:56:00 EST

Suddenly, here in the second half of 2009, it seems as though e-readers -- those portable digital devices that can hold thousands of books and use easy-on-the-eyes E-ink -- are finally going mainstream. Yesterday, Barnes & Noble threw its own hat into the ring by unveiling the Nook. This 6-inch digital reader boasts: a built-in, full-color, navigational touchscreen at the bottom; 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless, straight-to-device book downloading; and innovative ability to share entire books with other cell-phone-, computer-, or e-reader-wielding friends. The Nook joins the iRex DR 800SG and the Plastic Logic Que -- two other Barnes & Noble-compatible e-readers that will launch before the end of the year. (For a list of other new e-readers that have either recently or are soon to hit the market, check out this roundup.)

So what's different about the Nook? Well, mainly, it's that little LCD touchscreen at the bottom. As you can see from the pictures below, it lets you scroll through book covers and menu commands. In addition, it transforms into a touchscreen keyboard, perfect for book and author searches. The little color screen certainly looks cool and makes for a different kind of navigation, but we're wondering just what the power-sucking LCD technology is going to do to the Nook's battery life. In its product spec sheet, Barnes & Noble says the battery will last for "up to" 10 days with the wireless off. For our part, we're guessing that's a big "up to," seeing as our up-to-14-days-with-wireless-off Amazon Kindle only lasts about half that long. Also, though it looks cool from a distance, the recessed LCD seems to be clamped onto the bottom, afterthought-style, giving it a cheesy, gratuitous look, in our opinion. The proof will be in the pudding, however. In other words, just how smoothly and quickly will this touchscreen work? Will it offer as seamless an experience as the iPhone's?

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Filed under: Computers

Up Close With New 'Nook' E-Reader From Barnes & Noble originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia Gets Into the Computer Business With the Booklet 3G Netbook

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:45:00 EST

Well, yesterday Dyson broke out of its vacuum cleaner shell by releasing its first fan, and today Nokia is doing the same thing by releasing its first laptop. Coming out in November for $299 (with a two-year AT&T contract and $60 per month data plan), the Nokia Booklet 3G is actually a Windows 7-enabled netbook that incorporates some of the cell phone giant's mobile know-how into its feature set.

The Booklet 3G resembles many another netbook in its use of a budget-mobile-optimized Intel Atom1.6 GHz processor and in its pint-sized dimensions and weight (less than 2.76 pounds). However, it adds a few extra features more often seen on mobile phones than on computers. These extras include 12-hour battery life (presumably offline rather than continuously online, though we couldn't get a clear answer from Nokia), built-in A-GPS (with Nokia maps software), 3G mobile broadband capability, and no fan (so it's quiet). It also has three USB ports, an HDMI port (for playing HD video on a bigger screen), and one port that serves as both a headphone and mic jack. Windows 7 (out October 22nd) is quick to start up, making it a perfect fit for this device, which is meant to be an always-on, always-connected kind of a laptop -- much like an enlarged smartphone.

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Filed under: Cell Phones, Computers, Laptops

Nokia Gets Into the Computer Business With the Booklet 3G Netbook originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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James Dyson Explains How New Bladeless 'Air Multiplier' Fan Works

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:01:00 EST

A fan with no blades? Sounds impossible, but when coming from the innovating mind of James Dyson (of the nifty, newfangled vacuum cleaners and hand dryers), maybe it's not so impossible. Then again, maybe that's why Dyson is calling his newest creation the Dyson Air Multiplier instead of the Dyson fan.

Well, there is a fan of sorts in the base of the unit, but it's off limits to users because it's totally enclosed.

"There's a motor in the bottom that powers a turbo-charged impeller," Dyson told Switched, when asked to explain how his latest creation works. "It's essentially a 3-D fan that gives a good combination of flow and pressure." According to Dyson, the air this powerful little fan creates is pushed up into that round thing at the top -- also known as the 'loop amplifier' -- which splits the flow in two and pushes it through the loop and out a 1.3 millimeter (about .05 inches) slit, or annulus, all along the back (don't worry, we had to look annulus up, too). This process creates a jet stream that sucks in air from the back and sides, creating a very powerful and smooth flow of air to cool kids, dogs and rooms alike, with no danger of injury.

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Filed under: Editor's Picks, Interviews

James Dyson Explains How New Bladeless 'Air Multiplier' Fan Works originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Finger Piano Share: Play Real Pianos From Your iPhone, Remotely

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:18:00 EST

The iPhone increasing lets you do many things, but playing a real piano in real time so far hasn't been one of them -- at least until this past week at CEATEC, the annual consumer electronics show held in Tokyo, Japan, which we were fortunate enough to attend. On display at the Yamaha booth was one of the more impressive iPhone apps we've seen to date: Called Finger Piano Share, since it lets up to 10 people remotely play a real piano from their iPhones via Wi-Fi (the piano must be of the MIDI-enabled Disklavier variety, of course).

You'll see a bit of what the app looks like in the above video. You tap a virtual key on your iPhone screen, and the real key plays on the piano. Finger Piano Share lets you play music of your own creation, improvise along with other folks simultaneously for some kind of abstract jam session, or play pre-programmed tunes by following onscreen prompts, a la 'Rock Band.'

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Filed under: Audio/Video, Cell Phones, iPhone, Switched Video, Mobile Software, Home Audio, Mobile Phones

Finger Piano Share: Play Real Pianos From Your iPhone, Remotely originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What's Big in Japan? Eyeball iPhone Remotes, 3-D TVs and Smart Cams

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:15:00 EST

We've spent the past week here in Tokyo taking a look at some of the latest gadgets on display at CEATEC, the annual Japanese Consumer Electronics Show. It's a great place to see everything from cutting-edge TV technologies that'll end up stateside next year to stylish mobile phones that'll (sadly) never find their way out of Japan.

And then there's the oddball stuff that probably shouldn't be let out of the convention center, like the iPhone you control with your eyeball, which you'll see in the above video. Yes, it's weird, but it's one of the reasons we keep coming back every year, even braving killer typhoons to get to the convention center. Check out the clip to see what else blew us away this year.

Related links:

Filed under: Audio/Video, Editor's Picks, TV, Switched Video, Televisions

What's Big in Japan? Eyeball iPhone Remotes, 3-D TVs and Smart Cams originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If the Nintendo DS and a Laptop Had a Kid, It Would Look Like This...

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:31:00 EST

If the Nintendo DS and a random laptop hooked up, the Sharp Mebius would be their love child. The unique-looking netbook features two different LCD screens, the main one being 10.1-inches, and the second being 4-inches and doubling as a visually-enabled trackpad-cum-touchscreen. The 'trackpad' screen is the world's first optical sensor LCD, which essentially means it stays bright and can handle more than two fingers to perform functions (take that, iPhone!). This sensor-enabled trackpad can be used to control the laptop (zoom in on docs, for example), edit photos, play music, crunch numbers (with a touch-sensitive calculator), flip through e-books, and more.

The Mebius came out back in May in Japan, but we were so impressed with it in person here at Tokyo's annual CEATEC consumer electronics show that we had to take a closer look, which you'll see in the above video. By the way, the Mebius is available at Japanese import site Dynamism for $999, complete with English-language Windows (and free tech support).

Filed under: Computers, Editor's Picks, Switched Video, Laptops, Back to School

If the Nintendo DS and a Laptop Had a Kid, It Would Look Like This... originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What Comes After iPhone? Mobiles Made of Wood and Stormtroopers.

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:02:00 EST

The iPhone may be a failure in Japan, but the country sure loves its clamshell-style, flip phones, among other non-smartphone-styles, which is why the annual CEATEC show in Tokyo is often a treasure trove of innovative, stylish, and sometimes just plain way-out mobiles. Some are finished products that have just come to market, while others remain concepts that will eventually turn into a finished product.

Unfortunately, most of these distinctive handsets will never get to the U.S. -- they're just too quirky for the mass production needed in the world's largest domestic market -- but take a look at some of our favorites from this year's show anyway. From the Star-Wars-meets-Space-1999 'Prismoid' by renowned designer Naoto Fukasawa (whose donut-like plusminuszero humidifier is in the Museum of Modern Art), or the 'Touch Wood' concept made of surplus cypress wood (a joint project between NTT Docomo, Olympus, and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto's 'more trees' reforestation initiative), phones like these will make you long for the days before touchscreen iPhones became the norm (and maybe hope for a dumb-but-sexy-phone future). Take a look at the above video for a closer look.

Related links:

Filed under: Cell Phones, Editor's Picks, Green Tech, Switched Video, Mobile Phones

What Comes After iPhone? Mobiles Made of Wood and Stormtroopers. originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan iPhone App Helps You Win the Grand Prix -- of Eco-Driving

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:06:00 EST

The iPhone may not be as big in Japan as it is in the States, but that hasn't stopped Nissan from developing an app that shows the residents of Yokohama City, Japan how to drive better.

The new program is part of a trial service called E1 Grand Prix. Here's how it works: The app connects to your car's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD), and extracts information in real-time to determine how efficiently you're driving (you know, from a saving fuel perspective). Step on the gas and then break too much, and you'll get a low score; accelerate just enough to coast to the corner before the light turns red, and you'll get high marks. The app connects to your OBD via in-car mobile Wi-Fi, and then spits back your results on your iPhone screen and via e-mail. The results are also uploaded to an online site, where you essentially compete with other folks to be the most 'eco-efficient' driver -- hence the 'Grand Prix' name).

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Filed under: Car Tech, Green Tech, iPhone, Mobile Software

Nissan iPhone App Helps You Win the Grand Prix -- of Eco-Driving originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why Your Next TV May Be in 3-D

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:05:00 EST

Call us crazy, but we think increasing hype around 3-D movies and TV is ill-deserved -- didn't this goofy technology that requires users to put on special glasses die out in the 1950s? Sure, today's version is much improved -- and in HD, no less -- but it still reeks of gimmickry since you still have to put on those glasses to get the full effect.

Well, whether you like it or not, 3-D HDTV is just about the biggest new thing that television manufacturers will try to sell you next year, if the multiple models and prototypes on display at this year's CEATEC show are any indication. The annual Japanese consumer electronics show, which Switched is attending again this year, is a showcase for pie-in-the-sky, science-fair-type technologies, but it's also a decent predictor of what will end up at the January Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, and, eventually, at Best Buy.

As we mentioned, we've been seeing a whole lotta 3-D HD at CEATEC this year. Samsung already has a 3-D DLP TV out on the market, but the new crop from Panasonic, Sony, and its ilk is due out next year and comes in flat-panel LCD or plasma form. Here's what we've found so far:

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Filed under: Audio/Video, Editor's Picks, Televisions

Why Your Next TV May Be in 3-D originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Classic Computer Keyboards Revisited

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST

Okay, this is our last post from that Vintage Computer Festival, we promise, but we thought there was something kind of beautiful about all those retro keyboards we saw, especially after seeing them through the lens of Matthew McMullen Smith's camera. Take a look at the gallery below and let us know if you agree. (We call first dibs on the all-turquoise and PET computer keyboards!)

Gallery: Vintage Keyboards

Filed under: Computers, Editor's Picks, Slideshows, Peripherals, desktops

Classic Computer Keyboards Revisited originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Retro Logos From the Early Days of Computing

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:19:00 EST

Last week, we showed you the biggest exhibitions we saw at the Vintage Computer Festival East 2009. Still, we also became mildly obsessed with all the logos we saw on those retro PCs. So, we asked our photographer, Matthew McMullen Smith, to shoot some close-ups of as many retro logos (and vintage fonts) as he could find on the various restored computers that were on display.

If you're a retro PC or design enthusiast, or are just feeling nostalgic, then take a look at these bygone beauties -- from the '60s to the early '80s.

Gallery: Retro Computer Logos

Filed under: Computers, Editor's Picks, Slideshows, Laptops, desktops

Retro Logos From the Early Days of Computing originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vintage Computers Get the 'Classic Car' Treatment at VCF East 6.0

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:45:00 EST

We trekked down to the New Jersey shore a couple of weeks ago to attend the Vintage Computer Festival East 6.0, an annual gathering of serious computer enthusiasts who prepare and exhibit working, restored computers from '50s, '60s, '70s and very early '80s ("essentially nothing later than a 186," says festival organizer Evan Koblentz). The festival is run by the Mid-Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists (MARCH) and took place at the InfoAge Science Center, a former secret military wireless radio and radar research center in Wall Township, New Jersey. Nowadays, the site houses many museums, including the MARCH Computer Museum, which is open every Sunday from 1-4pm.

As for the festival itself, it was a friendly cross between a classic cars festival and a science fair, with amateur computer restorers blowing our minds with working examples from computing history's hall of fame. Check out our slide show below with some of our favorite highlights, and be sure to check back for a couple of other slide shows featuring these same computers, from slightly different angles -- there was just so much to see!

Gallery: Vintage Computer Festival

Filed under: Computers, Editor's Picks, Slideshows, Laptops, desktops

Vintage Computers Get the 'Classic Car' Treatment at VCF East 6.0 originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why Robots Make Better Prostate Surgeons (Video)

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:45:00 EST

Dr. David Samadi may look like he's playing a video game when he's at work, but he's actually performing robotic prostate surgery. The Chief of the Division of Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery at New York's Mt. Sinai Medical Center is one of only a half-dozen or so United States surgeons who can perform robotic laparoscopic surgery, which uses a special 3-D control system to operate the remote machinery that does the operation. Because it's super precise, robotic surgery is a godsend for folks who are getting prostate surgery, for example, since the only five incisions and mini-cameras that go inside a patient's abdomen during the operation minimize lengthy hospital stays, not to mention side effects like impotence and incontinence that come with traditional prostate surgery. To highlight Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (September), we visited Dr. Samadi at Mt. Sinai and filmed him in action. Check it out -- and while you're at it, get your prostate checked out (by your doctor, of course), especially if you're a male over the age of 50. It could save your life!

Filed under: Switched Video

Why Robots Make Better Prostate Surgeons (Video) originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kim Wayans Writes Children's Books, Reads Amazon Kindle

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:37:00 EST

It's hard to forget Kim Wayans's hilarious impersonations of everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Whitney Houston and Tracy Chapman, and her original characters like Bonita Butrell and Reesie Mayweather. With those characters, Wayans became one of the brightest stars on the hilarious early-'90s sketch comedy show 'In Living Color' along with other members of her famous comedy-showbiz family. (That's Keenan, Damon, Marlon, Dwayne, Nadia, and Shawn, if you're counting.) When she's not appearing in her brothers' projects (the recent 'Dance Flick,' out on DVD earlier this month), Wayans is writing the 'Amy Hodgepodge' series of children's books with her husband, Kevin Knotts. She also has a nice assortment of gadgets, as you'll discover from our latest Switched Questionnaire.

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Filed under: Editor's Picks, Interviews, Celebrities, TV

Kim Wayans Writes Children's Books, Reads Amazon Kindle originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MoGo Talk Headset Fits Into the Back of Your iPhone, BlackBerry

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:38:00 EST

Wireless Bluetooth headsets are such a dilemma -- they're so handy to have in order to keep from Texting While Driving (TWD), yet so difficult to keep in a handy place while you're on the go (they're just so dang small). Until now, at least, thanks to Newton Peripherals, the folks who brought us the wafer-thin MoGo Mouse that stores neatly in your laptop's PC card.

Announced back in June, but finally available starting today, the Mogo Talk for iPhone ($129) is a nifty little Bluetooth headset that snaps into a storage compartment on the back of a black plastic iPhone case. That's right, you won't have to worry about where you stuffed your headset because this one will be attached to the back of your iPhone (3G or 3GS models only). The case includes a built-in USB charger that plugs into your laptop, and the headset itself is a tiny little (5mm, or just under 2-inches) one-piece that fits snugly in your ear thanks to an included earbud fit kit, without any of those annoying hooks typical of many headsets that are such a pain to get around your ear.

Continue reading MoGo Talk Headset Fits Into the Back of Your iPhone, BlackBerry

Filed under: Cell Phones, BlackBerry, Mobile Phones

MoGo Talk Headset Fits Into the Back of Your iPhone, BlackBerry originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:01:00 EST

Get Rid of Your Cable DVR

Tired of paying that extra $10 a month to your cable company for its glitchy DVR (or $129 a year for Tivo)? The good news is, you don't have to worry any more about making sure you recorded the latest episode of your favorite show (or making sure it doesn't get automatically erased). Now you can watch almost any show you want online now for free.

All the major networks (broadcast and cable), as well as video hubs such as Hulu, Joost, YouTube, and all the major portals (including our parent company AOL) offer high-quality streams of classic and current shows right on your desktop. We haven't watched an episode of '90210, 'The Hills,' and 'Lost' on TV for months!

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Filed under: Green Tech

How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:01:00 EST

Send text messages from your favorite instant message (IM) program.

Why use up your monthly text-messaging allowance (or pay for a text-message package at all) when you can send and receive text messages on your favorite instant messenger program. Most major IM programs, including AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, and Windows Live Messenger, allow you to send and receive text-messages to and from cell phones. In other words, you can send and receive text messages on your computer (using, say, the desktop version of AIM), or send and receive text messages on your phone (using the mobile version of, say, AIM).

Typically, this means setting your instant-message program to forward any IMs automatically to any number you designate any time you're offline (or, just keeping your instant messaging program open 24/7 on your phone). Skype also lets you send text messages to phones, but unfortunately you can't receive responses.

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Filed under: Green Tech

How to Lower Your Monthly Tech Bills originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Greg Grunberg's Secret HDTV Viewing Habits (and New iPhone App)

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:45:00 EST

Like Heather Locklear of 'Dynasty,' 'TJ Hooker,' 'Melrose Place' and 'Spin City' fame, Greg Grunberg is one of those actors fortunate to have starred in three back-to-back hit series. His first big roles came in the J.J.-Abrams-produced 'Felicity' and 'Alias,' but now he is best known for the NBC show 'Heroes,' in which he plays Matt Parkman, a policeman who can hear what other people are thinking. When Grunberg isn't busy being a successful actor, he's clipping coupons, which is what led him to create Yowza!!, a new online e-coupon clipping app for the iPhone. Grunberg discusses his new app in the video below; but first, take a look at the Switched Questionnaire above, in which Grunberg dishes on his video game sessions with 'the J man' (J.J. Abrams) and his guilty HDTV pleasures (they don't include 'Heroes.').

Continue reading Greg Grunberg's Secret HDTV Viewing Habits (and New iPhone App)

Filed under: Editor's Picks, Interviews, Celebrities, TV, iPhone, Switched Video, Mobile Software

Greg Grunberg's Secret HDTV Viewing Habits (and New iPhone App) originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Not Holding a Mic, 'Idol' Brooke White Holds a Wii-Mote

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:26:00 EST

'American Idol' finalist (Season 7) Brooke White may take her inspiration from the past -- sweeping national audiences (and Simon and Randy) off their feet with her knock-out renditions of Beatles and Carly Simon tunes on TV last season -- but she's firmly in the present when it comes to technology. White tweets, texts, and plays Wii, among many other gadget-oriented activities. Just a week after the release of her debut album -- 'High Hopes and Heartbreak' -- the Phoenix-native and on-the-rise-artist shares some of her funniest experiences with technology in our latest Switched Questionnaire. Take a look!

Filed under: Editor's Picks, Interviews, Celebrities, Switched Video

When Not Holding a Mic, 'Idol' Brooke White Holds a Wii-Mote originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Ian Black Has Some Gadget Issues

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:58:00 EST

Comedian Michael Ian Black is perhaps best known for his work on 'The State,' the early '90s MTV sketch comedy show that also launched the careers of director David Wain ('Role Models'), comedian Ken Marino ('Party Down'), and Michael Showalter ('Stella'). Fans of that show are rejoicing, because 'The State' just came out on DVD -- good timing considering Black this month debuted a new comedy show 'Michael and Michael Have Issues' (Comedy Central, Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m.), which also stars Showalter. The new series is a 'show-within-a-show' concept that mixes funny sketches with an ongoing plot starring the two Michaels as competitive comedy writers. When not busy being on TV, Black is an avid twitterer and Facebook member, and also stars in the 'Klondike Man Cave' Web series. Not surprisingly, he's also opinionated on his gadgets, though, thankfully, we can't exactly take all of his answers seriously -- as you'll see in our latest Switched Questionnaire.

Continue reading Michael Ian Black Has Some Gadget Issues

Filed under: Editor's Picks, Interviews, Celebrities

Michael Ian Black Has Some Gadget Issues originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is the BlackBerry Curve 8900 Worth the Hype?

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:01:00 EST

BlackBerry Curve 8900

What it is: The 8900 is the next-generation version of the popular, easy-to-use, and versatile Curve line.

What's different about it? The original Curve 8300 was our favorite BlackBerry when it first came out because it was as full-featured as the more business-oriented BlackBerrys (like the 8800 series), but still had everything you needed to have fun with your phone (still camera, media player). The 8900 has that same satisfying combination, only in a more powerful, slimmer (2.36-inches) package - namely, a 3.2-megapixel camera, the new BlackBerry OS (which includes an improved browser that delivers fuller versions Web sites), a normal headset jack (so you can use your favorite headphones), and a camcorder.

What we like: Besides the souped-up features in a more affordable package, the Curve still has all the great specs that made the original Curve 8300 a winner - built-in Wi-Fi capability that enables seamless switchover to UMA Internet phone calls (on T-Mobile models) any time you hit a wireless hotspot, an easy to use media player, expandable memory, and the ability to read and edit office documents easily. It has has an even more spacious QWERTY keyboard than before, which is good enough to write lengthy business memos, documents (and articles!), not to mention read and respond to your e-mail regardless of whether you've got a mobile phone signal or not (while you're on an airplane, for example). Bonus: It'll work in most countries around the world since it runs on the globally popular GSM network (used by AT&T and T-Mobile).

Continue reading Is the BlackBerry Curve 8900 Worth the Hype?

Filed under: Cell Phones, Editor's Picks, BlackBerry, Reviews, Mobile Phones, BlackBerry 101

Is the BlackBerry Curve 8900 Worth the Hype? originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phone Booths of the World, Past and Present

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:35:00 EST

In this era of mobile phones, super-light netbooks, Twitter, and Skype, the reliable old phone booth has really gone the way of the dodo (or at least seems as though it's about to). When was the last time you actually used (or found) a working public phone, for example? Well, some of us have been around long enough to remember the days when we all really did rely on public phones to make our away-from-home calls.

As with the many national airlines that once existed, public phone booths were once a source of pride for a lot of countries. As a result, every country's (once) state-run national phone company created distinctive designs for its particular brand of phone booth.

Some of those designs remains today, but maybe not for long, which is why we've compiled the "Phone Booths of the World" slideshow below. Take a look, because many of these relics may not be around much longer.

Gallery: Public Phones and Phone Booths of the World

Filed under: Editor's Picks, Slideshows

Phone Booths of the World, Past and Present originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best iPod-Enabled Alarm Clock Radio: Cambridge Soundworks i765

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:19:00 EST

A reader writes: I want a decent-sounding audiophile table radio that can not only handle my iPod, but also wake me up in the morning! The Bose Wave radio II looks nice, but I'm not sure I want to spend more than $300 on this. Just tell me what to get!

Sure, Bose's Wave radio II sounds great, but do you really want to shell out $350 for a high-end clock radio that doesn't interface directly with your iPod? Likewise, Tivoli Audio's $400 iYiYi looks and sounds as nice as it gets it gets for a table radio/alarm clock, but just don't count on it waking you up (its snooze button is hard to find when you're half asleep). And the other options - from companies such as Griffin, iHome, and iLuv - may look nice, but they don't stack up sound-quality-wise. So, which hi-fi table radio to pick? To us, the choice is clear: Cambridge Soundworks i765 'High Performance HD iPod/DVD Entertainment System' is every bit as feature-packed and aurally-satisfying as its pricier rivals, and yet can be purchase for as little as $200 (with the right rebates/mark-downs).

Essentially an iPod-video-enabled version of the company's line of high-performance table/clock radios, the i765 has all the features you'd expect from the category, including two speakers and a built-in subwoofer that can handle stereo or wide/surround-sound-like configurations (as well as precise and deep bass, even at high volume levels). Output and input jacks let you play music from non-iPod devices (like your cell phone or computer) and plug in additional speakers, respectively.

Continue reading Best iPod-Enabled Alarm Clock Radio: Cambridge Soundworks i765

Filed under: Audio/Video, Advice, Editor's Picks, iPod, iPhone, Home Audio, Portable Audio, Reviews

Best iPod-Enabled Alarm Clock Radio: Cambridge Soundworks i765 originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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White House CTO Aneesh Chopra Gives Speech, Tries Out Palm Pre

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 06:15:00 EST

President Obama may have ushered in the era of the BlackBerry at the White House, but plenty of folks who work for him use iPhones on the side. "The White House is officially BlackBerry, though many folks also own iPhones," said Aneesh Chopra, the first-ever Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Director for Technology in the White House Office of Science and Technology (yes, that's his official title).

Just two weeks into the job, Chopra made a public appearance as the keynote speaker at this week's CEA Line Shows and Digital Downtown conference, a sort of mini-CES held earlier this week (on Thursday) just around the corner from the Empire State Building in New York City. In his speech, Chopra outlined "four pillars," which essentially boiled down to using innovative technology to create jobs, carry-out Obama's initiatives on health care and education, create a national broadband network that's safe and secure, and facilitate a more open government (for more info on that go to www.whitehouse.gov/open).

Continue reading White House CTO Aneesh Chopra Gives Speech, Tries Out Palm Pre

Filed under: Cell Phones, iPhone

White House CTO Aneesh Chopra Gives Speech, Tries Out Palm Pre originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 06:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What's Your Biggest Video Game Win? (We Asked These Pro Players.)

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:23:00 EST

Just as there's plenty of video-game-induced damage, there are also plenty of glorious wins. We know it's not the point, but then again, when it comes to video games, winning is kind of all the matters, right? Especially when professional gamers (as in, folks who work in the electronic entertainment industry) are involved. Last week's 'Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles was the perfect place to ask professional gamers about biggest wins. Take a peek at the above video for some exhilarating, and hilarious, victory tales.

Filed under: Video Games, Editor's Picks, Interviews, Switched Video

What's Your Biggest Video Game Win? (We Asked These Pro Players.) originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stuff We Broke During Video-Game-Induced Rage (More True Stories)

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:45:00 EST

Yes, video games are both exhilarating and frustrating. And what with all that violence, it's no wonder that actual stuff breaks when we jump for joy after winning or throw our controllers at the wall after getting fragged to death, again. Injuries, and actual broken stuff often ensues, which is why we thought last week's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles would be the perfect place to ask professional gamers about their worst "real-world" gaming damage. Take a peek at the above video for some hilarious, and shocking, true stories.

Continue reading Stuff We Broke During Video-Game-Induced Rage (More True Stories)

Filed under: Video Games, Editor's Picks, Interviews, Switched Video

Stuff We Broke During Video-Game-Induced Rage (More True Stories) originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HDTV Listings for Wednesday, May 20, 2009

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:35:00 EST

What we're watching tonight:

NBC (1080i) has the season finales of My Name is Earl at 8 p.m., Parks & Recreation at 8:30 p.m., The Office at 9 p.m., 30 Rock at 9:30 p.m, then a regular episode of Southland at 10 p.m.
Fox (720p) airs the season finale of Bones at 8 p.m.
CW (1080i) has the season finales of Smallville at 8 p.m. and Supernatural at 9 p.m.
CBS (1080i) has Survivor at 8 p.m., season finale of CSI at 9 p.m. and season finale of CSI: NY at 10 p.m.
ABC (720p) has Ugly Betty at 8 p.m. and the season finale of Grey's Anatomy at 9 p.m.
TLC (1080i) brings American Chopper at 9 p.m. and the season premiere of Street Customs at 10 p.m.
History (720p) has the season finale of Warriors at 10 p.m.
Spike (1080i) has TNA: Impact! at 9 p.m.
ESPN (720p) has NBA Playoffs action with Celtics/Magic at 7 p.m. and Lakers/Rockets at 9:30 p.m.
Versus (1080i) has NHL Playoffs game 7 of Anaheim/Detroit at 7 p.m.

Filed under: TV

HDTV Listings for Wednesday, May 20, 2009 originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 20 May 2009 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Twitter's Most Obnoxious Tweets Lampooned at TweetingTooHard.com

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Wed, 20 May 2009 06:03:00 EST

It's been said, by experts and such, that Facebook and Twitter members who update their statuses and tweet too frequently are essentially narcissists. This may be true, but we'd be willing to bet that the narcissists on social networks are far outnumbered by the pompous jackasses.

Yes, there are plenty of useful ways to "Twitter," but the vast majority of tweets are either boring or boastful, which is why we're digging TweetingTooHard, a new site that lets you submit (and gawk over) offensive, annoying, or particularly self-important tweets.

Continue reading Twitter's Most Obnoxious Tweets Lampooned at TweetingTooHard.com

Filed under: Web, Social Networking

Twitter's Most Obnoxious Tweets Lampooned at TweetingTooHard.com originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 20 May 2009 06:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Our Daily Deal: Viliv S5 UMPC With Free Accessories (First 400 Buyers)

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:51:00 EST

You usually have to pay for the privilege of owning a sought-after new gadget within a month of its release, but the Viliv S5 UMPC (Ultra-Mobile PC) -- a white-hot handheld Windows XP computer that sold out in less than a day when it debuted in Korea last month -- is being offered for pre-sale at Dynamism.com for just $599, starting at 1pm today.

The real deal is this, though: If you're one of the first 400 buyers, you'll get a free second battery, leather case, and car kit thrown in.

Continue reading Our Daily Deal: Viliv S5 UMPC With Free Accessories (First 400 Buyers)

Filed under: Computers, Laptops

Our Daily Deal: Viliv S5 UMPC With Free Accessories (First 400 Buyers) originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 14 May 2009 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Our Daily Deal: 9-Inch MSI Netbook for $194.99

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:10:00 EST

Every day, the folks over at TechDealDigger are letting us know about some of the best gadget deals they can find, so we're going to pass that information on to you. After all, in these tough economic times, every little bit counts. We may not be buying Swarovski-covered iPods any time soon, but everyone needs essentials like a computer. So, take a look at what the online deals site sent us today.

In case you haven't notice, laptops are getting really inexpensive. And netbooks, those li'l mini laptops that are fine for most basic computer tasks (Web surfing, e-mailing, photo organizing, music and the like), are the most affordable of them all. But even we were surprised to see this deal -- a 9-inch MSI Wind U90 netbook for just $194.99 (including free shipping). It runs Linux, which is actually faster on these laptops than Windows XP or Vista, and includes a built-in Webcam, built-in Wi-Fi, and an 80-gigabyte (GB) hard drive.

Watch this space for new tech deals. [From: TechDealDigger]

Our Daily Deal: 9-Inch MSI Netbook for $194.99 originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 12 May 2009 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook Removes Two Holocaust Denial Groups

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:57:00 EST

Facing increasing bad publicity and pressure from members and Web denizens, Facebook yesterday confirmed the removal of two Holocaust denial groups from the social networking service. The groups -- "Based on the facts...there was no Holocaust" and "Holocaust is a Holohoax" -- were aimed at folks who for some inexplicable reason seem to think the Holocaust never happened.

According to an e-mail Facebook spokesperson Barry Schnitt sent to CNET's Technically Incorrect, the two groups were removed earlier his week, but three Holocaust denial groups -- "Holocaust: A Series of Lies", "Holohoax," and "Holocaust is a Myth" -- are still active (and remain that way as of the writing of this post). Facebook has been reluctant to remove these kinds of groups in the past, citing its commitment to free speech.

Continue reading Facebook Removes Two Holocaust Denial Groups

Filed under: Web, Social Networking

Facebook Removes Two Holocaust Denial Groups originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 12 May 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 'Green' Gadgets We Like

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:08:00 EST

Well, it's Earth Day again today and the whole globe seems to be a little more eco-conscious this year. (We think it might have something to do with last year's spike in energy prices, so let's hope it lasts.) Of course, the gadget world is well aware of its dependence on electricity (and the sometimes toxic materials that end up at the dump when this stuff gets tossed), which is why the stream of eco-friendly gadgets just keeps growing. We picked ten of our current favorites, from whimsical solar lights for your garden and energy monitors for your home to laptops that use up less energy. For pictures and details, take a look at the gallery below.

Bill Gates at Microsoft -- a Look Back

Posing for Teen Beat Magazine Back in 1983

Getty Images

At the launch of Windows 95

Getty Images

Introducing Windows 98 in 1998

Getty Images

Pie in the face in 1998

Getty Images

Unveiling Windows XP in 2001

Getty Images

At the World Economic Forum in 2008

Getty Images

Next >> '8 Earth-Friendly Tech Tips'

Filed under: Editor's Picks, Green Tech, Slideshows

10 'Green' Gadgets We Like originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Welcome to the New Switched!

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:27:00 EST

As you may have noticed this morning, Switched has just unveiled a major new redesign, and we're loving it. Yes, we cover plenty of news from the world of technology every day, which, as always, is front and center on our site, but we also have so much other content

Yes, we've redesigned our site! If you're a regular reader of Switched, then you'll know it's a major new redesign, one which we hope will make it easier for you to find the kinds of stories and information you want, whether it's the latest news on that pesky Conficker virus, a roundup of our favorite 'netbooks,' or tips on Twittering (okay, tweeting -- whatever).

You'll notice we're making a bigger deal out of our top news stories and features, which you'll find highlighted at the top of our front page. We've also moved some of our recurring sections (Hype Check, Switched Questionnaire, Just Tell Me What to Get) up to the top, so you can more easily access our reviews and interviews, among other stories. (By the way, if you'd rather just have the latest news stories served to you straight-up, without the extra pictures and headlines, then just click "close" to the right of 'Top Stories.')

Continue reading Welcome to the New Switched!

Filed under: Editor's Picks

Welcome to the New Switched! originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Morning Xtra: Amazon Blames Gay Book De-Ranking on Glitch, Bay Tweets

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:47:00 EST

Amazon Blames Removes Gay and Lesbian Titles from Rankings, Blames 'Glitch'
Thousands of gay-and-lesbian-themed titles were removed from the online bookseller's influential sales rankings over the past few days. Amazon blamed the accidental classification of these books (everything from classic mainstream novels to self-help books) as 'adult' on a glitch. Regardless, thousands of online activists flooded Amazon's e-mail inboxes over the weekend, and the controversy doesn't look like it's slowing down, according to paid content.org. [From: Paid Content]

'Transformers 2' Director Michael Bay Shows Up on Twitter
Fans of the action-movie director's movies will rejoice in the exclusive tidbits -- pictures from the set of 'TF2,' for example -- available on 'Mike's' tweet feed. Latest update: "Big news is coming down the pipeline, can't say what or when but be excited." Consider us v. excited! [From: Twitter]

Continue reading Morning Xtra: Amazon Blames Gay Book De-Ranking on Glitch, Bay Tweets

Morning Xtra: Amazon Blames Gay Book De-Ranking on Glitch, Bay Tweets originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Morning Xtra: D&D Creator Dies, 'Mad Scientists' on Google StreetView

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:59:00 EST

'Dungeons & Dragons' Co-Creator Dies at 61
Widely credited for helping develop the role-playing game (RPG) format that's so popular in video games these days, 'Dungeons-&-Dragons'-co-creator David Arneson died, of cancer, on Tuesday evening, according to a letter from his family. His partner on the game, co-creator Gary Gygax, died last year. Ameson will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on as 'D&D' remains as popular as ever. [From: Joystiq]

'Mad Scientists' Captured on Google StreetView
The latest example of the wacky goings on that happen on Main Street, Earth can be witnessed in this goofy/cute scene, which shows up on Google's picture-map program when you start clicking around Pittsburgh, PA. What is it ...a musical? An indie sci-fi movie? Wacky residents of Pittsburgh's Sampsonia Way, please let us know what you were up to that day when the Googlemobile passed by.... [From: Google StreetView , via BuzzFeed ]

88-Year-Old Woman's 66-Year-Old Bike Nabbed by Thieves
Even old technology is hot, at least up in still-wintry Lewiston, Maine, where a disrespectful thief stole the 1943 Huffy bicycle of little old lady Ruth Slovenksi, the AP reports. The (unlocked, it turns out) bike was snatched just outside of a nursing home, too! Now, back, when Slovenski was a teen (and that bike was new and shiny), it was probably okay to leave stuff unlocked, but we're living in recession-era 2009 now. The thief is still at large, as is the Huffy, so don't forget to lock those bikes up, folks! [From: AP/AOL News]

Continue reading Morning Xtra: D&D Creator Dies, 'Mad Scientists' on Google StreetView

Morning Xtra: D&D Creator Dies, 'Mad Scientists' on Google StreetView originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Morning Xtra: Sims Creator Wright Leaves EA, Latest Google Scam, Life.com

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:58:00 EST

'Sims' Creator Will Wright to Leave EA
Citing creative differences, legendary game developer Will Wright ('Sim City,' 'The Sims,' 'Spore') announced yesterday that he is leaving Electronic Arts (EA), where he has spent the past 12 years. Wright will focus full time on Stupid Fun Club, a company he founded back in 2001, where he will help create titles for devices beyond the video game console (TVs, cell phones, and home appliances). It's considered a big loss for EA, which could still be mad at not making much money on Wright's innovative but super-late, super-expensive ($50 million to make), and confusing-to-the-masses 'Spore.' [From: Wall St Journal]

Watch Out for This Latest Google Scam
If you use Google, then you've no doubt seen a mysterious pop-up window featuring 'ScottsMoneyBlog.com,' which promises to save you from debt and make you money with the handy 'Google Cash Kit,' which costs a mere $1.97, charged to your credit card. Unfortunately, the 'Google Cash Kit' is in no way affiliated with Google. According to Walletpop, folks who signed up for it are reporting repeated monthly deductions from their credit cards and no sign of a 'Cash Kit' in the mail. Check out Jane Tuv's story for a thorough explanation of the scam, along with solid tips on protecting yourself (such as using a prepaid Amex Gift Card instead of your real credit card, if you simply cannot say no to the promise of money for nothing). [From: Walletpop]

Leonard Nimoy Surprises Trekkies With First Public Screening of New 'Star Trek' Movie
Fans were already psyched to see Nimoy, who played Spock on the original 'Star Trek' series, introduce what they thought was to be a screening of 1982's 'Wrath of Khan.' Instead, they were treated to the first public screening of the 11th 'Star Trek' movie, which isn't slated to hit theaters until May 8. Excited viewers couldn't wait to share the good news on, where else, Twitter. Some started crying, while another said it "melted my pants." Okay, settle down, folks. [From: BBC]

Continue reading Morning Xtra: Sims Creator Wright Leaves EA, Latest Google Scam, Life.com

Morning Xtra: Sims Creator Wright Leaves EA, Latest Google Scam, Life.com originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Morning Xtra: Match.com iPhone App, CBGB Virtual Tour, CTO Goes Nuts

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:54:00 EST

Match.com Launches iPhone App
As with 'Hot or Not' and other cell phone versions of dating services, Match.com's new iPhone app uses GPS to let you search for potential dates that are literally in your area. You can also, of course, search all 15 million-plus of the service's members. You can send messages, 'wink,' peruse pictures, and update your profile right from your iPhone. [From: Textually]

CBGB Online Offers Virtual Tour of Famed NYC Rock Club
Another casualty of the recent real estate bubble, the underground punk club that once was home to everyone from the Ramones and the Misfits to Patti Smith, Blondie, and the Talking Heads closed down in 2006. There is good news, though, as CBGB-OMFUG's Web site has launched a 360-degree virtual tour of the graffiti-laden club (pictured). Only thing missing? The stale cigarette and beer smells. And, of course, the music. [From: CBGB Online]

Cisco CTO Makes Death Threat to Over $4,000 Bike
Alas, the current backlash against greedy executives hasn't done much to quell the pricey-gadget-lust of yuppie-scum executives from Silicon Valley, as evidenced by a post on Gawker concerning Cisco CTO Joe Burton. Apparently, upon learning that his $4,000 custom-built Cervelo bike would be a day late, he went ballistic on the bike shop's owner, saying, among other things, "I hope you die." Burton reluctantly offered an apology after other customers who witnessed his outburst in the bike shop said they'd be willing to testify to the authorities. [From: Gawker]

Continue reading Morning Xtra: Match.com iPhone App, CBGB Virtual Tour, CTO Goes Nuts

Morning Xtra: Match.com iPhone App, CBGB Virtual Tour, CTO Goes Nuts originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Morning Xtra: Stern Picks BBerry Over Pre, Lohan Breaks Up via Twitter

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tom Samiljan) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:56:00 EST

Howard Stern Picks BlackBerry Bold Over Palm Pre
Stern stated he was finally ready to update his Treo phone, so Palm brought him a Pre in order to see if the Sirius shock jock would bite and then talk about the device on his satellite radio show. Unfortunately, according to ZDNet, it looks as though Stern picked the BlackBerry Bold over the Pre, saying it's because the former works with Lotus Notes and the latter doesn't. We're not sure if Stern got any extended hands-on with the Pre -- no one else has, so far -- but it probably would have helped sell him on the device. It's easy to pick a BlackBerry Bold since it's a finished, working product. So, Palm, if the Pre actually makes it into Oprah's hands, consider letting her really get to play with it. [From: ZDNet]

Lohan Dumps Ronson Via Twitter
If anyone needed a dialing-or-texting-under-the-influence blocker, it's Lindsay Lohan, who once again seems to be airing her dirty laundry out in public via Twitter, this time over a breakup with DJ Samantha Ronson. "I'm doing this publicly because u&ur friends call People mag" is just one of the TMI-tinged tidbits, of which you can find more at HollyScoop. Well, at least it's not corny! [From: HollyScoop, via Gawker]

Continue reading Morning Xtra: Stern Picks BBerry Over Pre, Lohan Breaks Up via Twitter

Morning Xtra: Stern Picks BBerry Over Pre, Lohan Breaks Up via Twitter originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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