Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Poison's Bret Michaels Not Really a 'Guitar Hero']]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/bret-michaels-not-really-a-guitar-hero/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/bret-michaels-not-really-a-guitar-hero/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/bret-michaels-not-really-a-guitar-hero/#commentsFiled under: ,



Hard-rocking Bret Michaels hit it big back in the '80s as lead singer for the wild hair-metal band Poison. The band stormed the Top 40 Charts and conquered the radio waves with hits like "Every Rose Has It's Thorn" and "Talk Dirty to Me," and it's still selling out concerts today. Aside from the band, Michaels has worked with other artists like Stevie Nicks and Kenny Chesney, and he's even branched out to producing, directing and acting in films. Bret's new solo album, 'Rock My World,' lands this summer (June 3), and he filled us in on his favorite gadgets. Though he might not be the most skilled 'Guitar Hero' player out there, Michaels stays in touch by keeping a classic old school pager by his side.


What gadgets do you always bring with you to the set?

My iPod Touch, Its great, I have my music and my movies all on one device, I can watch or listen on a bus or a plane or where ever.


What cell phone do you have right now and what do you love/hate about it?

I still have a pager, I plan on keeping it till they eventually just go out of business. I haven't got a page or a bill for it in 6 months so maybe they already did.


Who's the last person you sent a text message to and what was it about?

I don't really text, I get texts and utilize the technology to get information, but Im not good at texting back.


Where do you go (site or service) pretty much every time you get online?

I pry around Myspace, go to several sports sites and of course the AOL channels. My kids and my solo band really have forced me to be part of the cyber age, without them I wouldn't know where to go


What annoys you most about your iPod, cell phone, or laptop?

I still use a cell phone, not a PDA type of device so I get overly annoyed by having to hit the number keys over and over to try to text, which takes me back to my previous answer about texting.


Name one thing you wish your iPod/cellphone/laptop could do that it doesn't do now?

I wish there was a way to record directly into the I pod, so if I had an idea for a song I could just hit a button and sing into it. I know there is an add on gadget that you can get, but I wish it was built in.


What upcoming gadget can you not wait to get your hands on?

Ya know, I don't really look into whats coming out, I usually see someone with something then get interested in it. So I'm not sure really, but I'm interested in getting one of the handheld HD cams that record directly onto hard drives instead of tape.


You're stranded on a desert island: What gadget do you bring?

My iPod Touch with a solar powered battery charger, loaded with 'The Simpsons' and 'Dave Chapelle.'


What's the most-played song or artist on your iPod?

I really just keep it on shuffle, but Thin Lizzy, Kenny Chesney, Nickelback and Foo Fighters pop up often.


BlackBerry, Sidekick, or Treo?

Motorola Pager, but my staff all has blackberry's that I pay for so i guess that makes them mine and makes my answer Blackberry.


Do you have an iPhone?

No, my guitar player has one and his cheek always hits the key pad and hangs up on me.


What's the longest time you've ever spent playing a video game in one sitting and what game was it?

Im not really a video game guy at all, but my daughter and me have played 'Guitar Hero' a few hours at a time, its embarrassing that two of my songs are on the game and I cant play it very well.


Mac or PC?

Both, For business and e mail I use a pc, but my studio and all creative work run on a Mac
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsguitar heroGuitarHeromusicswitchedquestionnaireWed, 14 May 2008 11:49:00 EST<![CDATA[How to Deface Web Sites Without Getting In Trouble]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/how-to-deface-web-sites-without-getting-in-trouble/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/how-to-deface-web-sites-without-getting-in-trouble/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/how-to-deface-web-sites-without-getting-in-trouble/#commentsFiled under: ,


We're sure many of you have dreamed of becoming accomplished graffiti artists. However, the sad truth is that you're a little scared about the whole law-breaking thing and can probably barely draw a stick figure.

But emo-hip hop crew Atmosphere, as part of a promotion for its new album -- of course -- are letting average-Joes deface property on the Internet. The Web-based (no download necessary) tool gives you virtual markers, spray cans, and stencils to help you create your masterpiece.

Sure, the Tag the Web tool won't suddenly make you as cool as Banksy, but it's fun to use, and once you're done you can share your creation with others on the Internet. Don't miss the the 'Tag the Web gallery,' where you'll find some truly impressive renditions of Web pages augmented with virtual spray-paint and stencils. [Source: Paint That Sh*t Gold, Via: URLesque]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atmospherebreaking newsBreakingNewsgraffitiweb appsWebAppsTue, 13 May 2008 18:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Scarlett Johansson's Debut Album Released Online for Free]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/scarlett-johanssons-anywhere-i-lay-my-head-released-early-an/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/scarlett-johanssons-anywhere-i-lay-my-head-released-early-an/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/scarlett-johanssons-anywhere-i-lay-my-head-released-early-an/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Technically, Scarlett Johanson's album of Tom Waits covers doesn't come out for another week, but you can hear it for free, in its entirety, on Imeem starting today. In case you're not familiar with it, Imeem is a media sharing service where you can stream songs and videos from other users' collections, and is the service used by Pitchfork Media for its Forkcast.

Johansson's album, 'Anywhere I Lay My Head,' doesn't just co-opt the hipster delivery method of choice; it also snags one of the scene's favorite noise makers David Sitek, who produced albums for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and is one of the founding members of TV on the Radio. Sitek lends his frothy production style to the album and brings along a couple of pals for guest spots -- Yeah Yeah Yeahs ax slinger Nick Zinner, and the Thin White Duke himself, David Bowie.

You'll need an Imeem account to hear the album (or you can just stream it above), but handing over your e-mail address to yet another Web site is a small price to pay for free music.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsdavid bowiedavid sitekDavidBowieDavidSitekexpire-images2009-5-13freeimeemmusicscarlett johanssonScarlettJohanssontom waitsTomWaitsTue, 13 May 2008 17:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Obama Hoax E-Mails Still Fooling Some Folks]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/anti-obama-hoax-e-mails-still-fooling-some-folks/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/anti-obama-hoax-e-mails-still-fooling-some-folks/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/anti-obama-hoax-e-mails-still-fooling-some-folks/#commentsFiled under: ,

Stupid White Men Still Believe Obama Hoax E-Mails
You may remember a poll a few years ago that showed 70 percent of Americans believed that Saddam Hussein was responsible for 9/11 (as recently as June of 2007 40 percent still do), or the Swift Boat campaign against John Kerry in 2004. Who believes these outlandish things? Stupid people who don't seem to be able to pick up a newspaper.

This election cycle has its own crazed bits of propaganda similar to the Swift Boat campaign, or the push polling about McCain's out-of-wedlock African-American child. The bizarre attacks, primarily being tossed around by Fox News, this time surround Barack Obama, and the only people who seem to be swallowing the Kool-Aid are some pretty uninformed voters, most recently in Indiana, according to a report in the New York Daily News.

Take a look at a couple of the responses the Daily News got on the ground in Indiana leading up to the primary earlier this week:
  • "I'm kind of still up in the air between McCain and Hillary... I'll be honest with you. Barack scares the hell out of me... He swore on the Koran."
  • "I can't stand him... He's a Muslim. He's not even pro-American as far as I'm concerned."

Hoax e-mails long ago debunked and -- we thought -- forgotten are still informing the decisions of some folks in the suburban and rural midwest, according to the Daily News. The e-mails that have been circulating claim alternately that he's a Muslim, that he's a radical racist Christian, that he's unpatriotic, that he refuses to say the pledge of allegiance, or that he's a communist. How can all of these things be true? They can't, but that doesn't stop some lazy people from believing anything they read in an e-mail.

So how do one stop oneself from becoming part of the problem? Double check "facts" from e-mails with reputable news sources like the Associated Press (AP) or Reuters. Or follow some basic guidelines for skepticism laid out by FactCheck.org. And the next time you get a poorly spelled e-mail from Kofi Annan claiming that Barack Obama ate a cheese burger with Osama Bin Laden in front of a village of starving children, listen to that little voice in the back of your head that says "that can't be true." [Source: NY Daily News, via: Wired]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barack obamaBarackObamabreaking newsBreakingNewspoliticsFri, 09 May 2008 07:12:00 EST<![CDATA[The Web's Nine Most Obnoxious People]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/nine-most-obnoxious-people-on-the-internet/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/nine-most-obnoxious-people-on-the-internet/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/nine-most-obnoxious-people-on-the-internet/#commentsFiled under:

Last month, Radar published its list of the Web's 10 most hated people, listing a variety of celebrities and newsmakers that the Internet masses despise. We loved the article so much that we decided to add some of our own entries, because there are so many people who really get under our collective skin. So, whether you agree or not, we present our list of people that have made the Web's blood boil, or at least just consistently annoyed a good portion of 'Net surfers.


1. Tila Tequila

Another Internet phenomenon, Tila Tequila rose to fame after some modeling and limited TV appearances made her the most popular "artist" on MySpace. She parlayed that success into a star turn on two seasons of the MTV dating show 'A Shot At Love with Tila Tequila.' She's inspired hate songs and even her own "fans" didn't support her music, as only 13,000 copies of her debut single were sold in its first week. Even Page Six got in on the hate, calling her a "skank" and claiming her bisexuality was a ratings ploy.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresTue, 06 May 2008 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Former Rocketboom Host Amanda Congdon Launching New Web Show]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/former-rocketboom-host-amanda-congdon-launching-new-web-show/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/former-rocketboom-host-amanda-congdon-launching-new-web-show/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/former-rocketboom-host-amanda-congdon-launching-new-web-show/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Introducing Sometimesdaily from Sometimesdaily on Vimeo.

The former host of Web news show 'Rocketboom,' and Web video pioneer, Amanda Congdon is returning to her roots after a couple of years in the media wilderness. Amanda spent a year at ABC News, and runs her own video blog, which hasn't been updated in about six months.

But fear not, fans of the geek lust icon and comedienne, Congdon is returning to the Web with a comedy show called 'Sometimes Daily' that promises more-frequent, if irregular, updates than her current Web video efforts. Keep checking SometimesDaily.com as the show is set to launch soon. [Source: NewTeeVee]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amanda congdonAmandaCongdonbreaking newsBreakingNewsrocketboomsometimes dailySometimesDailyweb videoWebVideoTue, 06 May 2008 10:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Phishing Tactics Used to Suppress Vote In North Carolina]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/phishing-tactics-used-to-suppress-vote-in-north-carolina/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/phishing-tactics-used-to-suppress-vote-in-north-carolina/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/phishing-tactics-used-to-suppress-vote-in-north-carolina/#commentsFiled under:

Phishing Tactics Used to Suppress Vote in North Carolina
The race for the Democratic nomination for the president just gets uglier everyday. And in case you needed more proof that Obama and Hillary will never end up on the same ticket, here is a story about voter suppression that seems to be taking cues from phishing and identity theft scams.

A group called Women's Voices, Women's Vote has been cold calling voters in primarily African-American areas of North Carolina and implying that they had not properly registered to vote. The automated message from someone identifying themselves as Lamont Williams says, "In the next few days, you will receive a voter-registration packet in the mail. All you need to do is sign it, date it and return your application. Then you will be able to vote and make your voice heard. Please return the voter-registration form when it arrives. Thank you."

At no point does the call identify the group who is calling, address a specific recipient, or even mention that the person receiving the call may already be registered to vote properly.

Women's Voices, Women's Vote has acknowledged making the calls, but has denied the accusations of voter suppression. While the group has not officially endorsed a candidate, the donating habits of the president of the organization, Page Gardner, betray her loyalties. Gardner donated $2,500 to Clinton's HILLPAC in 2006, and in 2005 she donated $4,200 to the Clinton campaign . She has not donated any money to the Obama camp. Gardner is not alone, many at the organization have connections to the Clintons whether through donations, or as members of Bill's administration.

Following North Carolina State Attorney General Roy Cooper's recent demand to halt the calls -- illegal under state law because political calls must identify a sponsor -- Women's Voices, Women's Vote has stopped the practice. [Source: Wired]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electionspoliticsTue, 06 May 2008 07:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Tom Cruise Buys Adwords to Control Search Results On His Name]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/tom-cruise-buys-adwords-to-control-search-results-on-his-name/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/tom-cruise-buys-adwords-to-control-search-results-on-his-name/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/tom-cruise-buys-adwords-to-control-search-results-on-his-name/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tom Cruise Buys Google Adwords

Over the weekend it was noted that Tom Cruise, or some of his Scientology peeps, had purchased a raft of Google Adwords advertising indicating a new, re-launched personal site at TomCruise.com. Adwords is Google's text-based advertising program, allowing anyone to buy their way into the top of a search page for a certain term. The sponsored link to TomCruise.com was, naturally, appearing whenever anyone searched for "Tom Cruise," a seeming attempt to try to subvert his name's usual top search results: Tom's IMDB page, his Wikipedia entry, and, our personal favorite, TomCruiseIsNuts.com.

Tom's site currently displays only a counter that is ticking its way down to noon EST. What exactly is launching is anyone's guess, but we wouldn't be surprised if it was somehow connected to last week's launch of Scientology's YouTube channel. [Source: Hollywood Newsroom]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsscientologysearchtom cruiseTomCruiseMon, 05 May 2008 14:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Alicia Keys Using MySpace to Find Backup Singers]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/alicia-keys-using-myspace-to-find-backup-singers/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/alicia-keys-using-myspace-to-find-backup-singers/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/alicia-keys-using-myspace-to-find-backup-singers/#commentsFiled under: ,

Alicia Keys Using MySpace to Find Backup SingersMySpace isn't just a place for booty calls and sexual predators -- pop stars also use it as a recruiting tool for their international touring bands. Okay,sp usually they don't, but Alicia Keys must be really stuck for backup singers.

Alicia Keys wants aspiring R&B and soul singers to send 30-second videos of themselves singing, a cappella, to Keys's MySpace account. The winner will then join Keys' tour as it hops around the globe. The requirements are pretty basic: Be a 21-to-30-year-old woman with a valid passport, have some experience singing R&B and/or soul, and make sure you're physically fit enough to dance.

If you meet those minimum qualifications, then head on over and send in your video resume. We're pretty sure MySpace has fixed that whole virus problem by now. [Source: MySpace, Via: Reuters]
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Radiohead has certainly been making waves lately, first by releasing its latest album 'In Rainbows' for free, then inviting fans to make its next music video, and, finally, releasing the individual elements of the song 'Nude,' inviting fans to stitch them back together however they see fit. After all was said and done -- the submission process ended last night -- the band received 2,254 remixed submissions, which are all now posted and waiting for you to pick your favorite.

While submission is now closed, voting has been extended through June 1 -- even though the band still hasn't said exactly what the winners will receive (if anything). You can view the list and vote for your favs at radioheadremix.com. The current leader, a remix from Spor, is included in a custom player above. Give it a spin and head on over to see what everyone else has submitted. And, while you can't submit your own any longer, you can still download the track and make a mix for you're own pleasure, if you're so inclined. [Source: RadioheadRemix, via Wired]
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We'd recommend taking this one with a healthy dose of salt, but word on the street has it that Tony Hawk -- being the unashamed Sidekick lover that he is -- is gearing up to receive his very own limited edition LX. Oh, and his adoring fans can snap one up too if they're quick. Details about the unit itself are scant, but it will obviously be Tony Hawk-branded and able to do a 900 on command. We are hearing, however, that it's slated to land on July 16th -- just in time for the T-Mobile sponsored Boom Boom HuckJam, too. [Source TmoNews via Hiptop3, image courtesy of AOL]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewssidekicktmobileFri, 02 May 2008 11:31:00 EST<![CDATA[No More Free Albums, Says Radiohead]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/radiohead-wont-be-giving-away-next-album-for-free/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/radiohead-wont-be-giving-away-next-album-for-free/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/radiohead-wont-be-giving-away-next-album-for-free/#commentsFiled under: ,



British band Radiohead announced that it won't be modeling future album launches after its name-your-own-price release of last year's 'In Rainbows.' In October of 2007, Radiohead bypassed releasing the album through a record label and allowed fans to set their own price -- yes, even $0.00 -- for the10-track set.

"It was one of those things where we were in the position of everyone asking us what we were going to do," lead singer Thom Yorke told the Hollywood Reporter, "I don't think it would have the same significance now anyway, if we chose to give something away again. It was a moment in time."

With Radiohead moving away from offering free music, we're wondering how the industry will respond now that Prince, Nine Inch Nails and Coldplay have all gotten in on the act of releasing albums for free in the past few months. [Source: AOL News]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsexpire-images2009-5-1freemusicradioheadThu, 01 May 2008 08:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Live Madonna Concert Streamed Online for Free Tonight]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/live-madonna-concert-streamed-online-for-free-tonight/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/live-madonna-concert-streamed-online-for-free-tonight/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/live-madonna-concert-streamed-online-for-free-tonight/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Madonna's free concert

Couldn't get tickets to see the Madonna concert at NYC's Roseland Ballroom tonight? Well, now you don't even have to be in New York for one of the biggest concerts of the year, since MSN.com is streaming the entire show live tonight on its "MSN in Concert" Web site. Unfortunately, the show will only be available live for the Material Girl's U.S. fans, so the rest of the planet has to wait for a free on-demand version coming May 15th. So what will they be missing? In addition to the entire live performance and the debut of her single "Four Minutes", the show will include rehearsal footage, and a pre-recorded interview with Madge.

The show will be filmed by Control Room, the company that filmed the Live Earth concert series. If you're worried about quality, rest assured because 8-10 HD(1080p) cameras will be filming the show and the sound will be Dolby 5.1 surround.

So, if you messed up and forgot to get your significant other tickets, or you just want to watch the concert for free, tonight's your chance. Order some takeout, hook the laptop up to the TV, and make sure you're parked on the couch with that special someone tonight at 10 PM EST.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsexpire-images2009-4-30freemadonnamusicWed, 30 Apr 2008 20:09:00 EST<![CDATA['CSI' Shows Off Microsoft's Cool Photo Synth Technology]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/csi-shows-off-microsofts-cool-photo-synth-techology/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/csi-shows-off-microsofts-cool-photo-synth-techology/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/csi-shows-off-microsofts-cool-photo-synth-techology/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

CSI Shows Off Microsoft's Photo Synth

Watching 'CSI' is enough to make any tech enthusiast jealous, but have you ever wondered where they get all their wonderful toys? Well, much of it comes from a partnership with Microsoft. Some of the show's sets have been outfitted with modified Surface computers, and the stars will soon start carrying tablet PCs and UMPCs instead of notepads.

On Wednesday's episode, the star is Photosynth, a product from Microsoft's labs that lets the forensic scientists recreate the scene of a murder from hundreds of thumbnail photos taken at a dance in a school gymnasium. The wider image can then be manipulated to get close up shots of the gym from any angle.

Photosynth analyzes images for similarities and then pieces them together into a 3-D recreation of the original setting. You can get a preview of Photosynth here, and the technology will be available to consumers at the end of the year. [Source: USA Today]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewscsimicrosoftphotosynthWed, 30 Apr 2008 18:09:00 EST<![CDATA[What Will the Presidential Candidates Look Like in Four Years?]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/what-will-the-candidates-look-like-in-4-years/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/what-will-the-candidates-look-like-in-4-years/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/what-will-the-candidates-look-like-in-4-years/#commentsFiled under: ,

What Will the Candidates Look Like in 4 Years

Being president of the United States certainly takes its toll on the body -- just look at the before and after photos of our current president. In 2000, George Bush was a young, energetic looking CEO type, with more pepper than salt in his hair, whereas now he just looks tired and haggard.

PopPhoto took it upon itself to find out what four years of the presidency would do to the top three competitors for the office. Adobe's PhotoShop was used to add gray hair (or, in the case of McCain, removed hair), deepen wrinkles, and add age spots.

The photo wizards at PopPhoto have done an amazing, if heavy handed, job rendering the candidates. Check the read link to see a haggard Hillary, and a seasoned Obama, or just stare at the image of McCain above as a member of the army of the un-dead. Or, you can just see how bad these three contenders look in HDTV now. [Source: PopPhoto, Via: Machinist]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewselectionselections2008photoshoppoliticsWed, 30 Apr 2008 15:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Debunking the Science On ABC's 'Lost']]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/28/debunking-the-science-on-abcs-lost/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/28/debunking-the-science-on-abcs-lost/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/28/debunking-the-science-on-abcs-lost/#commentsFiled under: ,




If you're a living, breathing human being, it's safe to say you watch 'Lost.' But do you ever wonder just how "scientific" their science is? Popular Mechanics did, and spoke with its creators about it.

Apparently, show runners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse "agonize over the real-life science behind the sci-fi drama as much as they do over six-year plot arcs and love triangles."

Of course, it's not all hard science, but before the crew in Hawaii gets going, eight writers in Los Angeles dissect each episode like a polar bear cadaver. Script coordinator Greg Nations tracks down specific research, while the rest of the writer's room relies on their own knowledge and decades of engineering know-how passed down by Cuse's father.

Interestingly, though, Michio Kaku, author of Physics of the Impossible, thinks the 'Lost' creators are "using cutting-edge science to lay the groundwork for a transversible wormhole to another point in space and time" - specifically the Orchid station, which Lindelhof and Cuse have promised would be a key to the next few episodes. "They're amping up the energy to the point where space and time begin to tear, and the fabric begins to rip," says Kaku. "When the fabric of space and time begin to rip, things that we consider impossible become possible again."

Continue the geekout at PopMech. [Source: Popular Mechanics]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:11:00 EST<![CDATA[GetBack.com Leads Visitors Back In Time]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/24/getback-com-leads-visitors-back-in-time/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/24/getback-com-leads-visitors-back-in-time/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/24/getback-com-leads-visitors-back-in-time/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Do you have a nostalgia addiction? Are your best moments those spent singing Def Leppard and Twisted Sister karaoke at the top of your lungs? Do you scour eBay for signed photos of The Fonz, and cry tears of joy when you inevitably win? Do you actively miss high school?

Well, have we got the site for you. Getback.com is a destination for all things retro: essentially a multimedia social networking site (think: MySpace), it attempts to chronicle the most memorable pop-culture events of the '60s, '70s, and '80s ... and allow you to chat longingly about them with your friends. There are separate channels (Music, Movies, Games, Life & Style), each packed with various audio/visual content.

"We set out to create a social media experience that will resonate with pop culture enthusiasts of all ages. We are creating a feel good experience for our users: listening to music, looking at album art, remembering their favorite films, playing games," states Chris Dominguez, President, of GetBack Media. "We developed GetBack to connect users to a digital reincarnation of year's past in an emotional and impactful way."

Our tour of the site included precisely one listen to Harold Faltermeyer's Axel F, one This Day in 1972 (including John Lennon's attempt to form his own country, Newtopia), and a joyride through a chunk of the 1980's Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) library. You can even browse by year: click on 1986, for example, and you'll find blurbs about The Kids in the Hall, the price of jeans, and Boy George guest starring on an episode of the A-Team.

The site has some major backers -- Getty Images, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, All Media Guide, and Intellivision (to name a few) -- so there's no dearth of content.

Now, make with the reliving your glory years. [Source Getback.com]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewslaunchsocial networkingSocialNetworkingThu, 24 Apr 2008 17:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Obama's Web Site Hacked, Takes You to Clinton's Page]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/24/obamas-website-hacked-takes-you-to-clintons-page/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/24/obamas-website-hacked-takes-you-to-clintons-page/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/24/obamas-website-hacked-takes-you-to-clintons-page/#commentsFiled under: ,


Barack Obama's Web site was hacked sometime just before the Pennsylvania primaries, showing that even a presidential candidate's Web site isn't safe from those looking to have a little digital fun.

The attack redirected certain links on the Obama Web site to the Hillary Clinton campaign site. The "cross-site scripting" code, which automatically sends users from one Web site to another, was inserted through a vulnerability in the "community blogs" section.

The links have been fixed, and the security hole has been reportedly closed, but we're sure to see more of these as the presidential race drags on... and on... and on. [Source: Newsvine]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barack obamaBarackObamabreaking newsBreakingNewselectionsexpire-images2009-4-23obamapoliticssecurityThu, 24 Apr 2008 13:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Elise Neal Wants Her Curve!]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/23/elise-neal-loves-her-blackberry/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/23/elise-neal-loves-her-blackberry/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/23/elise-neal-loves-her-blackberry/#commentsFiled under: ,




A former high-school homecoming queen, Elise Neal displays her talents in acting, dancing and singing. She's best known for her roles in 'Scream 2,' Spike Lee's 'Malcom X' and her recent performance in the critically acclaimed 'Hustle and Flow.' She's also danced and performed in videos with Aretha Franklin, 50 Cent and Vanessa Williams. In our latest Switched Questionnaire, Elise raves about that gadget-fave-of-celebs, the BlackBerry.


What gadgets do you always bring with you to the set?

The gadget I am never without is my BlackBerry. Or as we like to call it, the "crackberry" because it's so addictive.


What cell phone do you have right now and what do you love/hate about it?

I love my BlackBerry


Who's the last person you sent a text message to and what was it about?

The last person I sent a message to was my assistant. I'm on the road with a play and the gadget is really helpful


Where do you go pretty much every time you get online?

I'm a clothes junky! So I'm usually online with a clothing companies site! The last one was gucci.com. Checking out resort wear


What annoys you most about your iPod, cell phone, or laptop?

Keeping up with latest updates and new additions can be annoying but not enough to not make me want to keep up


Name one thing you wish your iPod/cellphone/laptop could do that it doesn't do now?

I wish I could get more music on the handset I have.


What's the most-played song or artist on your iPod?

Alicia Keys' latest CD, and, of course, my own group's music, Elise and Assorted Flavors, will be the heaviest rotations


Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>switched questionnaireSwitchedQuestionnaireWed, 23 Apr 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Three Gadgets Gavin Rossdale Never Leaves Home Without]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/21/gavin-rossdale/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/21/gavin-rossdale/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/21/gavin-rossdale/#commentsFiled under: , ,



London-born Gavin Rossdale first achieved mainstream success in the mid 90s as lead singer of the grunge rock band Bush. Though the group didn't catch on in England, Bush found success stateside with big radio hits 'Glycerine,' 'Swallowed' and 'Machinehead.' Gavin married Gwen Stefani in the early 00s. Not content to work only in music, Gavin has acted in Hollywood with parts in movies like 'Constantine' and 'Little Black Book.'

Gavin's first solo album 'Wanderlust' is due out in June, and he took time to answer our Switched Questionnaire. Though Gavin isn't a big gamer, he always keeps connected with his BlackBerry, iPod and laptop.


What gadgets do you always bring with you for down time?

The BlackBerry
Roasted brown rice tea
iPod
Laptop


What cell phone do you have right now and what do you love/hate about it?

My Curve. Love the BlackBerry Messenger. Photos could be better but I like it a lot. My son Kingston threw my iPhone away in Australia. I was enjoying it...


Who's the last person you sent a text message to and what was it about?

I just texted my friend Mark in London who's cycling in the dark without a light. I was trying to tell him to get a light.


Where do you go pretty much every time you get online?

The Guardian newspaper's site


What annoys you most about your iPod, cell phone, or laptop?

Losing them.


Name one thing you wish your iPod/cellphone/laptop could do that it doesn't do now?

It should stop me doing something when I'm pissed off.


What upcoming gadget can you not wait to get your hands on?

My new baby.


You're stranded on a desert island: What gadget do you bring?

Well my laptop has a lot of potential. Millions of empty pages to write on. And can I get online? That'd be perfect -- stranded no more...


What's the most-played song or artist on your iPod?

Recently, Burial. And before that, probably Radiohead.


Blackberry, Sidekick, or Treo?

Curve


Would you ever get an iPhone?

Digging the Curve right now -- online all the time. The iPhone sure is pretty.


What's the longest time you've ever spent playing a video game in one sitting and what game was it?

3 days solid with no sleep -- game called "life."


Mac or PC?

Mac all the way. PCs are a different universe to me. Double dutch w/ cream on.
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresmusicswitchedquestionnaireMon, 21 Apr 2008 15:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Richard Branson to Officiate First Wedding In Space]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/21/richard-branson-may-conduct-first-wedding-in-space/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/21/richard-branson-may-conduct-first-wedding-in-space/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/21/richard-branson-may-conduct-first-wedding-in-space/#commentsFiled under: ,

Branson May Conduct First Galactic Wedding

If you were ponying up $100,000-per-seat for you and someone special to take a ride on Richard Branson's SpaceShipTwo into the outer atmosphere, chances are it'd be a moment that you'd have a hard time forgetting. That said, some couples are taking things a bit further to make that journey a memorable one. One as-yet-identified couple has plans to get married while out there, and it looks like Branson might just be the man for the job.

Virgin Galactic C.E.O. Branson, who is ordained, has already conducted a wedding while in mid-flight on a Virgin airplane (which was appropriately en-route to Las Vegas). The set of intergalactic nuptials to be exchanged on the upcoming SpaceShipTwo flight will be the first extra-atmospheric wedding. In addition to the nuptial couple, Virgin Galactic advister George Whitesides and his new wife, Loretta Hidalgo will be getting the first honeymoon in space.

So, if you thought your bride-to-be would be impressed with that trip to Acapulco, better think again! [Source: Daily Mail]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bransonbreaking newsBreakingNewsMarriagespaceSpaceShipTwoVirgin GalacticVirginGalacticMon, 21 Apr 2008 13:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Adult Film Stars Reveal Their Gadget Faves]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/20/adult-film-stars-reveal-their-gadget-faves/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/20/adult-film-stars-reveal-their-gadget-faves/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/20/adult-film-stars-reveal-their-gadget-faves/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Earlier this year in Las Vegas, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was forced to share the stage with another major exhibition of consumer products, bigwigs and dealmakers. At the Sands Expo convention center, the annual Adult Video News (AVN) Adult Entertainment Expo -- a trade show in its tenth year showcasing adult talent and exhibitors -- was also in full swing. Since the event attracts over 30,000 international buyers and fans of adult entertainment, it seemed like the perfect place for at least some of the Switched team to interview the top female stars in adult entertainment about -- what else -- the role of gadgets, gizmos and technology in their busy off-set lives.

We had seven different stars answer our Switched Questionnaire and you'll want to know what they had to say. We also sent out a separate videographer to film gadget-related interviews with 22 other adult stars, the results of which are highlighted in the above exclusive Switched video. To find out more, watch the video. Then, for even more saucy gadget talk, take a look at the interviews we've got lined up in ing pages.

And if words or video simply aren't doing the trick, we've also got a stunning gallery waiting for you at the end.

(Video and posts are safe for work, but some content may not be appropriate for younger viewers.)

Next >>



Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresPornSwitchedQuestionnaireSun, 20 Apr 2008 12:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Diane Sawyer and the 'Good Morning America' Crew Ski On the Wii]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/18/diane-sawyer-and-the-good-morning-america-crew-ski-on-the-wii/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/18/diane-sawyer-and-the-good-morning-america-crew-ski-on-the-wii/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/18/diane-sawyer-and-the-good-morning-america-crew-ski-on-the-wii/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Diane Sawyer and her companions on 'Good Morning America' got their hands (well, feet) on the hotly anticipated Wii Fit, due out May 19. The $90 package comes with a balance board used to track your weight and play a number of physically involved mini-games that test your balance, coordination, and get your heart rate up... in theory.

Despite reports of people testing the Wii Fit and losing weight with it, Diane Sawyer's performance on the balance board isn't convincing us that this is the answer to America's obesity problem. No one in this video is breaking a sweat, unless it's from the discomfort of looking like an idiot on national television. [Source: GeekSugar]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsdiane sawyerDianeSawyergood morning americaGoodMorningAmericanintendowiiwii fitWiiFitFri, 18 Apr 2008 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[How to Watch the Pope 24/7 -- Online]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/18/watchthepope-com-best-web-site-ever/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/18/watchthepope-com-best-web-site-ever/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/18/watchthepope-com-best-web-site-ever/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Well Pope Benedict XIV (he'll always be Ratzinger to us) is here (as in, the United States), and, more specifically, in New York City. Now, some of you might be wondering... how can I get my Pope fix 24/7 while the supreme pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church is here in the Big Apple? Luckily, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn's Prayer Channel has you covered with its WatchThePope.com Web site.

Oh yes, this site offers 24-hours of unfettered, obsessive Pope-stalking. While you can't watch the Pope sleep, you can watch documentaries and special features on the Pope if you decide to pop by at 3am. Or, if you feel like doing a little role-playing, then check out the set of printable "fold your own mitre" instructions (warning PDF).

But if nothing else, WatchThePope.com's lasting legacy on this Earth will be its marvelous marketing campaign. Check out the severe yet hilarious print ads in the gallery below (our personal favorite: "See the Pray-by-Pray), and the wonderful, almost Python-esque TV spot above with the URL sung by a stereotyped sounding Italian monk. [Source: WatchThePope.com, via: Urlesque]

Gallery: Pope Ads

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewspopereligionFri, 18 Apr 2008 13:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Obama, Hillary, and Tom Selleck Make List of Top Wii Mii Faces]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/18/the-top-14-wii-mii-faces/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/18/the-top-14-wii-mii-faces/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/18/the-top-14-wii-mii-faces/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



With its relatively simple, intuitive tools, the Nintendo Wii's create-an-avatar feature has been a hit, spawning countless spoofs and homages, including our personal favorite, The Mii Lebowski.

Now the fine slobs over at Slobs of Gaming have compiled a Mii "Best of" list, which includes Nintendo-fied renditions of such celebrities as Tom Selleck, one of the 'Star Wars' Storm Troopers, and Jesus H. Christ.

They're all pretty spot-on, except for Barack Obama, who looks more like Bryant Gumbel.

Welcome to 2008, where the Mii face is the new O face. [Source: Slobs of Gaming]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewselectionmiipoliticswiiFri, 18 Apr 2008 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Divorce, YouTube-Style]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/16/divorce-you-tube-style/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/16/divorce-you-tube-style/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/16/divorce-you-tube-style/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Former playwright and actress Tricia Walsh-Smith is taking a lesson from todays you folks, who have repeatedly used YouTube as a tool for revenge and justice. Her husband Philip Smith is the president of the Shubert Organization, the largest theater owner on Broadway. Philip is currently seeking a divorce from Tricia and is trying to boot her from the couple's New York apartment, and Tricia is fighting back, via YouTube.

Tricia, powerless due to a prenuptial agreement she signed, pleads her case to the camera, swinging widely from self pity, "I am the biggest F'ing idiot in the world," to defiance, "I'm fighting back," to petty mud slinging, "...oh, another thing, we never had sex."

The video is hysterical, sad, and terrifying. As interesting as it is that such a prominent socialite would use YouTube to fire such a blistering salvo in her divorce proceedings, a judge probably isn't going to look too kindly on her desperate, wild eyed ramblings. [Source: CNN]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsyoutubeWed, 16 Apr 2008 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Peter Gabriel Backs The Filter, a New Media Recommendation Site]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/15/peter-gabriel-backing-media-recommendation-site-the-filter/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/15/peter-gabriel-backing-media-recommendation-site-the-filter/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/15/peter-gabriel-backing-media-recommendation-site-the-filter/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Peter Gabriel Backing Media Recommendation Site The Filter

Genesis founder and all around pop-music genius, Peter Gabriel, is staking some of his fortune to a recommendation and search engine called The Filter. Until fairly recently, the Filter has operated primarily as a music discovery service, but it is now getting ready to re-launch as a one stop shop for suggested Internet viewing.

The Tom Waits referencing homepage for the Filter is sparse on details, but the screen shots suggest an iGoogle- or Netvibes-like interface featuring customizable lists of suggested content including Web sites, YouTube videos, movies, and music based upon your stated tastes, previous searches, and existing music collection.

Gabriel believes the using personal taste as a navigation tool is what is going to give The Filter a leg up on traditional search engines like Google.

From News.com
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mediamusicpeter gabrielPeterGabrielTue, 15 Apr 2008 17:53:00 EST<![CDATA['Oprah Winfrey Show' Going HD]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/15/oprah-going-hd/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/15/oprah-going-hd/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/15/oprah-going-hd/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Oprah Winfrey ShowDon't feel bad, we're not saying you missed out on a Kuro/XEL-1/what-have-you giveaway, gadget mavens.

One thing is for sure, though -- Oprah understands that HD is about more than just sports and nature. Since rolling out her "OWN" network in conjunction with Discovery Health, the one-woman media empire has decided that she can't be outdone by the likes of Big Bird and is bringing her namesake 'Oprah Winfrey Show' to HD beginning this Fall.

We're not sure that the picture quality will make the content more appealing to us personally, but we won't be able to give it the "how good can it be, if it's not in HD?" brush-off anymore!

From Broadcasting & Cable
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewshdtvoprahTue, 15 Apr 2008 16:52:00 EST<![CDATA[In the Race for Online Eyes, Obama Crushing Clinton]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/14/in-the-race-for-online-eyes-obama-crushing-clinton/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/14/in-the-race-for-online-eyes-obama-crushing-clinton/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/14/in-the-race-for-online-eyes-obama-crushing-clinton/#commentsFiled under: ,

In the Race for Online Eyes Obama Crushing Clinton
We've discussed the presidential candidates and their different Web strategies, and came to the conclusion that -- at least on the Democratic side of the race -- Barack Obama had a leg up on his opponents. Well, if you questioned our judgment, then here is numerical proof.

Compete, a Web analytics firm, posted an article to its blog today revealing that when it comes to online voter share, Obama is crushing Hillary Clinton. Just look at the chart above: In overall Face Time (a composite measure of online interactions with a candidate, including MySpace page views, visits to campaign sites, YouTube views, etc.), Obama has Clinton beat by a 4:1 margin. Based on the strength of his speech on race relations, Obama's dominance on YouTube was particularly striking, racking up 539,000 hours of viewing time, roughly ten times as much as Hillary's 53,100 hours.

Unfortunately for Obama, votes aren't cast by the Web savvy alone, and, as we've learned, Ms. Clinton doesn't seem to care about things like mathematical impossibilities.

From Machinist
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barack obamaBarackObamaelectionhillary clintonHillaryClintonpoliticsyoutubeMon, 14 Apr 2008 14:14:00 EST<![CDATA[What Makes Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester Tick (and Type)?]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/14/what-makes-gossip-girls-leighton-meester-tick-and-type/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/14/what-makes-gossip-girls-leighton-meester-tick-and-type/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/14/what-makes-gossip-girls-leighton-meester-tick-and-type/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,




Leighton Meester is beautiful, successful, and, like all celebrities with an ounce of ambition, inseparable from her BlackBerry. These days, Meester can be seen personifying teen angst in the popular show 'Gossip Girl' where she plays Blair Waldorf, a young socialite with a healthy appetite for the spotlight.

Though primarily known for her aforementioned role, Meester has been around for years, having appeared in everything from 'CSI Miami' to last year's indie flick 'Flourish' and the just-releasted 'Remember the Daze,' in which she plays a -- surprise, surprise -- a high-school student. When she isn't on set or closing deals, she is recording music. Golly do we feel inadequate.

Okay, we get it, she is multi-talented and destined for greatness. There are, however, topics of extreme importance that must be discussed to realize the true depths of Leighton Meester. We tracked her down to find out what really makes her tick. And type.




What gadgets do you always bring with you to the set for down-time?

I bring my iPod and my BlackBerry. I listen to my iPod in my trailer while I'm getting my hair and makeup done.


What cell phone do you have right now and what do you love/hate about it?

I have a BlackBerry. I love it because I can get business done anywhere and anytime.


Who's the last person you sent a text message to and what was it about?

The last message I sent was to my friend, Jess about answering these questions!


Where do you go pretty much every time you get online?

I go to CNN.com....Boring!


What annoys you most about your iPod, cell phone, or laptop (or any other gadget)?

My cell phone doesn't get great service on both coasts, which is hard because I am constantly traveling back and forth from Los Angeles to New York.


Name one thing you wish your iPod/cellphone/laptop could do that it doesn't do now?

I wish my phone had a button on it that could unlock my car door, because I usually have it in my hand then anyway.


What upcoming gadget can you not wait to get your hands on?

A cell phone that gets great service on both coasts.


You're stranded on a desert island: What gadget do you bring?

If I were stranded on a desert island I would probably want a ham radio so that I could be rescued!


What's the most-played song or artist on your iPod?

Technically, the most played song is 'Girl from the North Country' by Bob Dylan.


BlackBerry, Sidekick, or Treo?

BlackBerry


Do you have or are you planning to get an iPhone?

No


What's the longest time you've ever spent playing a video game in one sitting and what game was it?

Recently, I have spent some long nights playing rock band.


Mac or PC?

Mac. Why not?
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresswitched questionnaireSwitchedQuestionnaireMon, 14 Apr 2008 12:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Tracey Ullman As Arianna Huffington Spoofs Blog World]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/12/tracey-ullman-as-arianna-huffington-spoofs-blog-world/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/12/tracey-ullman-as-arianna-huffington-spoofs-blog-world/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/12/tracey-ullman-as-arianna-huffington-spoofs-blog-world/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Tracy Ullman has been making people laugh for a very, very long time. Her ability to stay current, and utterly hilarious, is impressive by anyone's standards. Her new show, 'State of the Union,' is fertile ground for her unorthodox humor and, man, does she capitalize on her most recent renaissance.

One of the most priceless examples of Ullman's comic genius is an impersonation of Arianna Huffington, veteran pundit, uber blogger and founder of the Huffington Post. Portraying a very Zsa-Zsa-Gabor-like Huffington, Ullman accepts a Web award for best female blogger and quickly lets fly with a tech savvy, Ann Coulter-frying speech. You truly owe it to yourself to watch the entire clip, but here are a few excerpts to wet your appetite.

On her fellow nominee Ann Coulter:

"I know I said in my Tuesday blog that you are blond bitch who should have her Youtubes tied, but seriously I meant it."

On the merits of her IT guy:

"You never 'Force Quit' on me, even when I repeatedly say that you have performed an illegal operation."

You get the idea. Now go enjoy.

From GeekSugar

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresfunnySat, 12 Apr 2008 17:48:00 EST<![CDATA[All the Presidential Candidates Look Bad On HDTV]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/11/all-the-presidential-candidates-look-bad-on-hdtv/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/11/all-the-presidential-candidates-look-bad-on-hdtv/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/11/all-the-presidential-candidates-look-bad-on-hdtv/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We recently wrote about stars who look bad on HDTV, but we forgot to mention that it's not just Hollywood luminaries whose blemishes, wrinkles, and other physical characteristics are more noticeable under the increased resolution of high-def cameras. Yes, we're referring to the current crop of presidential candidates, thanks to the increased prevalence of HD in news broadcasts. (CNN, for example, is now using CNNHD for its presidential debates.) To find out how the candidates looks fare onscreen, we spoke to Philip Swann, Philip Swann, editor of TVPredictions, which regularly compiles stories on stars in HD.

For Hillary Clinton, HD makes her look much older. "She has a lot of wrinkles, more than you realize," "When you see her in analog television, you don't think 60-year-old but in HD, it's like "oh yeah, 60-year-old."

John McCain's previous bouts with skin cancer also show up in more detail. "It's scary," says Swann. "But some can argue that it makes him more sympathetic because you realize all the scars, literally and figuratively, that he's gone through over the years."

Finally, Barack Obama is the one who really benefits, mostly. "You can see why people love him as far as charisma," says Swann. "Although, he has these veins that pop out of his forehead when he gets worked up, so I wonder if he has some blood pressure issues."

You might scoff, but a few years ago, Swann first noticed spots on President Bush's forehead during an HD broadcast of the State of the Union and wondered if they were an issue. A few months later, Bush was in the news for getting them removed.
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electionfeatureshdtvpoliticsFri, 11 Apr 2008 22:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Minnie Driver Can't Decide How to Hold Her iPhone]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/10/minnie-driver-cant-decide-how-to-hold-her-iphone/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/10/minnie-driver-cant-decide-how-to-hold-her-iphone/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/10/minnie-driver-cant-decide-how-to-hold-her-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Screen grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com.



Dahlia Malloy (played by Minnie Driver on FX's 'The Riches') certainly has plenty of issues on her mind -- she's living a false life as Cherien Rich, she's married to a compulsive liar and con man played by Eddie Izzard, and she's this close to going back to jail -- but that still doesn't explain why she didn't notice her phone was upside down on last night's episode of 'The Riches '.

Making matters worse, she was talking on it the right way up earlier in the show, which means we're betting Minnie Driver did this on purpose to get our attention. That's got to be it, right? Second grab after the break -- check out that reaction to browsing at EDGE speeds.

[Thanks, Gadgnormous]

From Engadget
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>screen grabsScreenGrabsThu, 10 Apr 2008 11:03:00 EST<![CDATA[ Blinged-Out Gas Masks]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/10/blinged-out-gas-masks/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/10/blinged-out-gas-masks/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/10/blinged-out-gas-masks/#commentsFiled under:




Do you look to SWAT teams for fashion advice? Are you worried about how you're gonna look when we find ourselves on the slippery, apocalyptic downward slope that's sure to begin shortly after we hit peak oil?

Well, have we got the gas mask for you.

Artist Diddo Velema, along with Gucci and Louis Vuitton, showed a series of very expensive gas masks at the Luxury Show 2008 in Bucharest.

Says Velema:

"We are in a state of perpetual war -- with ourselves and with the eco-system that sustains us. Perpetual war breeds perpetual fear. In the present context, this fear stems from our extreme desire for authenticity and manifests itself in our collectively insatiable culture of consumption. Deep down, we are afraid we may never be satisfied. An expanding archive of branded myths and icons feeds this fear. Designer Gas Masks is an attempt to visualize this state of mind. Because it is only by first acknowledging and then challenging fear that we will all be able to breathe a little easier."

Ahem.

FYI, the matching diamond-encrusted Hazmat suit is gonna cost you extra.

From Crave


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