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[John Mayer Shows Off His New BlackBerry Bold]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/john-mayer-secures-a-blackberry-bold-makes-world-envious/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/john-mayer-secures-a-blackberry-bold-makes-world-envious/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/john-mayer-secures-a-blackberry-bold-makes-world-envious/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


See how easy it is everyone? All that's required to snag a BlackBerry Bold well before its public release is to become a Grammy award-winning artist, sell out shows worldwide, date a smattering of superstars and convince Fender to create and sell your own branded guitar. While you're off working on step one, John Mayer is living it up with his brand new BlackBerry Bold. Granted, he can't claim to be the very first with said handset, but it's likely the first completely legitimate edition let loose. Of course, once you've landed the Curve and MacBook Air before everyone else on the planet, snagging a Bold is just child's play. [Source: Honeyee]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryboldbreaking newsBreakingNewssummernewsFri, 16 May 2008 18:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Ten 'Cool' Things That Actually Make You Look 'Uncool']]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/things-that-you-think-make-you-cool-but-dont/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/things-that-you-think-make-you-cool-but-dont/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/things-that-you-think-make-you-cool-but-dont/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Things That You Think Make You Cool, But Don't

There are plenty of things in this world that you're sure are pretty freakin' cool, and, by extension, make you cool, but, in reality, aren't cool at all (and make you look like a tool). Luckily, Holy Taco put together a list of 10 items that people generally think make them cool, but don't, and some of our favorite pieces of tech made the list, including the iPhone, Bluetooth headsets, 'Guitar Hero,' and "funny" ring-tones. This, of course, got us thinking: What other gadgets are out there that people love, but are actually not cool (or stylish) at all.

Check out the gallery below for our own list of tech and gadgets that some of us may think make us cool, but really don't. [Source: Holy Taco]

Gallery: Gallery of Uncool Gadgets

Portable Gaming SystemsBlinged-out GadgetsJawbone Bluetooth HeadsetOver-sized HeadphonesVertu Luxury Cell Phones

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothbreaking newsBreakingNewsfunnyguitar heroGuitarHerohumorstylesummernewsFri, 16 May 2008 13:17:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry Bold Out In July for $300?]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/blackberry-bold-pricing-and-release-date-leaked/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/blackberry-bold-pricing-and-release-date-leaked/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/blackberry-bold-pricing-and-release-date-leaked/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Those of you dying to get your QWERTY on with RIM's hot new Blackberry Bold can start marking your calendars and stashing cash under the cushions -- release dates and pricing info have hit the tubes this morning. As expected, AT&T will get the Bold first in July for $300, while Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile customers will have to wait until September. Oddly, T-Mo subs will have to cough up an extra $50, which seems a little unfair. Of course, these aren't official dates and prices, so things are likely to change, but we'd say everything seems in the ballpark, wouldn't you?

Update: We got in touch with InfoSync World, where these numbers were published, and they told us that they were making estimates based on pre-release info. So nope, these aren't close to official -- but it's always fun to dream, right?

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boldbreaking newsBreakingNewssummernewsFri, 16 May 2008 12:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Hi-Tech Tombstones Interact With Cell Phones and PCs of Mourners]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/hi-tech-tombstones-interact-with-cell-phones-and-pcs-of-mourners/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/hi-tech-tombstones-interact-with-cell-phones-and-pcs-of-mourners/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/hi-tech-tombstones-interact-with-cell-phones-and-pcs-of-mourners/#commentsFiled under: ,

tombstone1.jpg
Visiting the gravesite of a loved one has always been intensely emotional. It has also, technically speaking, always been a completely one-sided affair. Biology and reality dictate that the mourner do all the talking, and that he or she must subsist on whatever solace the traditional flowers and framed photos provide. Biology and reality, however, are not immune from the influences of technology.

Ishinokoe, a Japanese headstone manufacturing company, has figured out a way to make one's gravesite visit a bit more interactive. Its new tombstones, which resemble a large stone urn, are marked by two out-swinging, lockable doors. Inside the doors is a Q3 code (two-dimensional, super fast barcode) that allows family members and friends to use their cell phones to access a Web site showing movie clips and photos of the deceased. The mourners are able to access the Web site via cell-phone-accessible hyperlinks.

Technology can help and it can hurt. In this instance, it may just help ease the pain. [Source: DVICE]


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First impressions mean everything.

But what if you declare yourself by the cell phone you use? What do these handheld packages of personality say about you? The folks at Forbes.com say the answer is obvious depending on how stylish, functional or simply fun your cell phone is designed to be.

Take, for example, the Nokia N95, a sleek-looking phone designed to capture and upload images and text to Web sites or blogs. If you're carrying one of these capable devices around, chances are you're a "mash creative," a term used by Jonathan Steuer, a vice president at cultural trends researcher Iconoculture, to describe the personality type seemingly compelled to share all daily events with everyone, with constant updates via mobile capture.

What if you use a Blackberry, iPhone or Palm smartphone? Then you're a "pioneer," since you're using your phone to organize your life and more. Pioneers likely utilize every feature on their phones, tapping in to the scheduling, communicating and organizing capabilities to the extreme.

Though it's old news by now, the Motorola Razr still holds some cachet, since it comes in many colors and can be accessorized.

Each type of phone is designed for a different kind of user, whether your interest is fashion, function or simply making a dramatic statement. Take the LG Prada phone for example. This one says you've got money to burn and, let's face it, you've got no time for those of us with regular mobile devices.

Don't hate the player, hate the game. [Source: Forbes, via Textually]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designerfashioniPodLGmobileNokiaphonesPradaThu, 15 May 2008 13:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Bad BlackBerry Manners On the Rise, Survey Says]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/15/bad-blackberry-manners-on-the-rise-survey-says/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/15/bad-blackberry-manners-on-the-rise-survey-says/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/15/bad-blackberry-manners-on-the-rise-survey-says/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Bad Manners Epidemic Among Business ProfessionalsThese days, the sight of a young urban professional hunched over his BlackBerry or other mobile computing device while commuting on the train or bus is a common sight. So, too, unfortunately, is the sight of people answering e-mails in the middle of a romantic dinner, or engaging in calls with colleagues while in the restroom. It's an epidemic, a point proven by a new survey from Yahoo! HotJobs that indicates that a full 18-percent of responders were reprimanded by others for their poor mobile manners.

If one out of five people have been admonished for some transgression, then you know considerably more have irritated others without receiving a comment. But if you're a loud talker in public places, or even a quiet talker in a bathroom stall, then you need to realize that you're part of the problem.

Or, if someone you know has bad manners, for the benefit of all, can you please say something. Be polite, though. A simple "Would you mind not speaking so loudly when you're on the phone?" can save a lot of headaches for others. Chances are the person causing the irritation doesn't even know he or she is being annoying. [Source: AP/Post-Bulletin]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsetiquettemannerssurveysThu, 15 May 2008 07:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Cell Phones More Important Than Wallets, Survey Says]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/cell-phones-more-important-than-wallets-survey-says/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/cell-phones-more-important-than-wallets-survey-says/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/cell-phones-more-important-than-wallets-survey-says/#commentsFiled under:



If you had to leave your house for 24 hours and could take only one thing, what would it be?

More likely than not, these days it would be your cell phone, according to a new survey conducted by IDC that was sponsored by communications equipment maker Nortel.

Of 2,367 people polled, 38 percent said they would take their cell phone over their wallet, keys, laptop or digital music player. In fact, less than 30 percent chose their wallets first.

Nortel's goal with the survey was to find out how many of us out there are "hyperconnected," which means we use at least seven different devices in our work and personal lives -- and also use nine or more applications to send instant messages, text messages or conduct conference calls. (If you're one of these people, maybe you need a little break from all the tech? We suggest some time outdoors.)

The most hyperconnected country is China. The least are Canada and the United Arab Emirates. Around the world, 16 percent of those surveyed are hyperconnected and that group is expected to grow to 40 percent within the next five years.

But what about the rest of us, those not so hard core with the tech? We're no slouches either, apparently, with the survey indicating that 36 percent of respondents are "increasingly connected," which means we use at least four devices and six applications in our daily lives.

What's driving this need to connect? Social networking is becoming a major force in business. Who is behind the curve? The healthcare industry has only nine percent identified as hyperconnected. Its no surprise that the high tech industry has the most, with 25 percent.

We're busy people, no? We agree with Nortel's assessment, that we're a "culture of connectivity." You can see the details of the study here. [Source: Reuters].
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsIDCNortelsocial networkingSocialNetworkingstudiessurveysurveysWed, 14 May 2008 14:07:00 EST<![CDATA[30% of Americans Prefer Cell Phones to Land lines]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/30-of-americans-prefer-cell-phones-to-land-lines/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/30-of-americans-prefer-cell-phones-to-land-lines/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/30-of-americans-prefer-cell-phones-to-land-lines/#commentsFiled under:

30% of Americans Prefer Cell Phones to Land linesLate last year, we reported on news that an amazing 82 percent of Americans owned cell phones, with 250 million of the things in use. Now comes an Associated Press (AP) report that says that three out of 10 Americans either prefer their cell phone or rely on it exclusively.

The numbers come as part of a federal study -- by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), no less -- which also indicated that 16-percent of households have no traditional landline phone and rely exclusively on a mobile phone. Another 13-percent said they have both a landline and a cell phone, but rely almost exclusively on the their mobiles. Unsurprisingly, multi-family residences, with multiple renters living under one roof, were most likely to have no land lines, while nearly a third of all people under 30 rely exclusively on their coveted mobile phones.

The study was conducted, most likely, to help the CDC figure out better ways to help cell people in medical emergencies, since it's becoming increasingly difficult for 911 operators to know where mobile phone users are calling from.

The level of mobile-phone-first users is sure to keep rising in the coming years. Given the and if we were betting men we'd wager phones of the wired variety will be in a minority within the next few years. [Source: AP/AOL News]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsemergencyland linesLandLinesmedicinestudiessurveysWed, 14 May 2008 10:53:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC Diamond Vs. iPhone]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/htc-diamon-vs-iphone/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/htc-diamon-vs-iphone/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/htc-diamon-vs-iphone/#commentsFiled under: ,



Our brethren over at Engadget Chinese had the chance to size-up HTC's new Windows Mobile 6.1 Touch Diamond with Apple's iPhone this morning in Taiwan. We have to admit, HTC's CEO was dead-on when he claimed that the Diamond's "not too big, not too small" after seeing it side-by-side with Microsoft's left-coast nemesis. Hit the read link for bigger pics.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewshtcdiamondTue, 13 May 2008 12:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Buy Real Cookies With Fake Money Earned From Mobile Gaming]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/buy-pretend-things-with-fake-money-from-your-phone/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/buy-pretend-things-with-fake-money-from-your-phone/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/buy-pretend-things-with-fake-money-from-your-phone/#commentsFiled under:

Buy Pretend Things with Fake Money From Your Phone
With government stimulus checks starting to hit the mail, Americans are being encouraged to go buy things. Many will do just that, taking any excuse to run to the mall to buy something extravagant, but these days many will need that money to pay a few bills down. If you're in that latter group, fear not, because a new program from Cellufun will let you go shopping at a virtual mall and buy all you like -- without spending a dime.

Cellufun offers over a dozen free games available for download to mobile phones. Most are simple, like checkers or sudoku, and most have some sort of social aspect to them, enabling gamers to play with friends. By playing certain games, particularly the casino-style ones, gamers already earn Cellupoints, a fake in-game currency, but so far they haven't been able to do much with them. There have been small pretend stores in the system for months, but the company is now formally launching the CelluMall, an in-game shopping center that will eventually be stacked with virtual wares from real companies.

Right now the mall is somewhat underwhelming, with the only "real" store being a bakery from franchise Geoff & Drew's, where you can buy cookies and the like. There are a few other non-branded stores from which you can buy virtual toys, but nothing all that exciting, so it probably won't be too hard to resist spending those hard-earned virtual bucks. But, if things go according to plan, before long there will be a raft of virtual wares to peruse and purchase, all without worrying about the budget. [Source: CelluFun]
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Top 10 Road Trip Essentials


It's almost road trip season, and whether you're going cross country or simply cross town, you'll find a lot of tech out there to make your trip safer, more enjoyable and speeding ticket free. Here are the top 10 road warrior must-haves ... don't leave home without 'em!

Top 10 Road Trip EssentialsTomTom GO 720 GPS

It's time to toss out your archaic AAA maps and join the GPS revolution! The TomTom GO 720, like all GPS devices, uses the magic of satellites to help you easily navigate from Point A to Point B. This new model is slimmer and lighter than previous TomToms (small enough to fit in your shirt pocket) and features an improved menu for locating the closest police station, hospital or repair shop. It's also packed with TomTom's new Map Share technology, which allows its user base of 10 million drivers to instantly improve TomTom maps by adding notes accessible by all users on things such as blocked or unblocked streets, reversed one-way traffic, new street names, etc. We think TomTom's GPS devices are the easiest and most flexible we've found. Alas, the 720 doesn't come out until July, so if you need something right away, we recommend the compact TomTom ONE XL or the multi-featured TomTom GO 910.
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuressummerfeaturesMon, 12 May 2008 19:17:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T to be First US carrier with BlackBerry Bold]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/atandt-to-be-first-us-carrier-with-blackberry-bold/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/atandt-to-be-first-us-carrier-with-blackberry-bold/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/atandt-to-be-first-us-carrier-with-blackberry-bold/#commentsFiled under:


Granted, we haven't heard anything thus far about which carrier would be offering up the recently-made-official BlackBerry Bold, but we can't say we're too shocked to hear that it will indeed be AT&T. In a report highlighting the recent boost in RIM's stock price, it's noted that AT&T will be "the exclusive carrier for the Bold in the US," though we have all ideas the other major US carriers will be following suit shortly, probably with redubbed handsets. We know, you're hungry for a price to mull over, but sadly, it's not meal time just yet. [Source: MSN Moneyl]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attblackberryMon, 12 May 2008 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM's BlackBerry Bold / 9000 Gets Official]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/div-align-center-a-href-http-www-pcmag-com-article2-0-189/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/div-align-center-a-href-http-www-pcmag-com-article2-0-189/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/div-align-center-a-href-http-www-pcmag-com-article2-0-189/#commentsFiled under:


Damn, took 'em long enough! RIM finally announced the BlackBerry Bold / 9000 -- we've got specs, but no price or hard launch date. Here we go:
  • Family will include HSDPA and EV-DO versions (including an AWS-capable 1700MHz version), much as we'd heard
  • 480 x 320 display
  • 625MHz CPU, 1GB internal flash memory
  • 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 (with A2Dp), GPS, MicroSDHC
  • 480 x 320 video recording, photo geotagging
  • 4.5 x 2.6 x 0.55-inches, 4.7 ounces
PC Mag's got the (latest) hands-on, hit the read link. [Source: PC Mag]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberrybreaking newsBreakingNewsMon, 12 May 2008 08:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Cell Phones Affect Brain Waves (But Not That Much)]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/cell-phones-affect-brain-waves-but-not-that-much/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/cell-phones-affect-brain-waves-but-not-that-much/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/cell-phones-affect-brain-waves-but-not-that-much/#commentsFiled under:



Scientific American Online reports on two recent studies, which suggest that the electromagnetic waves that emanate from cell phones may have an effect on basic brain function.

The authors are quick to note the studies don't reveal necessarily damaging results from close and constant contact with a cell phone, but do say it can disrupt sleep in a way that's similar to the effect of a half a cup of coffee. (The experiments apparently included no effort to compare the disruption to sleep patterns caused by vodka and Red Bull, but we digress.)

In short, the experiments revealed that the bioelectric impulses coursing through your noggin are indeed susceptible to the influence of a cell phone, although the scientists involved seem to see this as more of an opportunity to study how low level electrical impulses can be utilized to influence brain wave patterns. [Source: Scientific American via Textually.org.]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsexpire-images2009-5-9healthkiller gadgetsKillerGadgetsmedicinestudiesFri, 09 May 2008 18:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Is Apple Developing a Mobile Gaming Platform?]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/is-apple-developing-a-mobile-game-platform/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/is-apple-developing-a-mobile-game-platform/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/is-apple-developing-a-mobile-game-platform/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Could the iPhone and the iPod Touch be part of the next great mobile gaming platform?

Game developers and Apple fans are licking their chops, awaiting the opportunities to create and play games on the go with these devices. And as Apple has already changed the way people everywhere listen to and collect music, we're sure they're equally excited about making an impact on the mobile gaming marketplace.

According to the Industry Standard "A trademark extension filed last February with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office extends Apple's trademark in regards to:

'Toys, games and playthings, namely, hand-held units for playing electronic games; hand-held units for playing video games; stand alone video game machines; electronic games other than those adapted for use with television receivers only; LCD game machines; electronic educational game machines; toys, namely battery-powered computer games.'"

That's a mouthful, for sure, but it also points to Apple's renewed interest in the gaming arena, which is certainly hot, although competitive as all get out. This isn't Apple's first effort in gaming, but the last time the company tried to find its way with a gaming device was in 1996, during the non-Steve Jobs era. The device console, called the Pippin, was a failure.

Now the iPhone and the iPod Touch are flying high. Could this be the time for Apple to make its mark with yet another way to keep you focused on a tiny LCD screen? [Source: The Industry Standard].
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applehandheld gamingHandheldGamingFri, 09 May 2008 17:44:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry Curve Now Available Through Sprint]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/blackberry-curve-now-available-through-sprint/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/blackberry-curve-now-available-through-sprint/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/blackberry-curve-now-available-through-sprint/#commentsFiled under:


Late's better than never -- usually, anyway -- and a rumored release date finally stuck long enough for the BlackBerry Curve 8330 to make an appearance on Sprint's online store. In fact, as "mid-May" goes, May 9 is actually on the early side of things if you want to get technical about it, so we guess some kudos are actually due here. Sprint's asking $179.99 on contract with rebates for the pleasure of indulging in its latest mobile productivity tool, which you'll ironically be using to respond to emails during meetings that you're supposed to be listening in on. Funny how the world works, isn't it? [Source: Nextel]

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackBerrybreaking newsBreakingNewscurvesprintFri, 09 May 2008 10:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Mother's Day Gift Guide: MOTOROKR T505 In-Car Speakerphone]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/top-12-gadget-gifts-for-mom-9/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/top-12-gadget-gifts-for-mom-9/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/top-12-gadget-gifts-for-mom-9/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Whether driving to soccer practice or to the office, Mom will find the MOTOROKR T505 ($139.99) wireless in-car speaker system to be a great alternative to annoying earpieces (or worse, actual handsets) that are usually used when behind the wheel. The T505 clips easily to the car's visor and uses Bluetooth technology and an FM transmitter to make and receive phone calls through a car's stereo speakers. The T505 also has echo and noise reduction technology to make sure calls are clear, while an Audio CallerID feature lets you hear the number of any incoming caller. As an added bonus, you can also stream music from a compatible cellphone or MP3 player to the T505.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothphoneFri, 09 May 2008 09:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Collect Calls From Prison to Cell Phones Now Possible]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/collect-calls-from-prison-to-cellphones-now-possible-vast-numbe/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/collect-calls-from-prison-to-cellphones-now-possible-vast-numbe/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/collect-calls-from-prison-to-cellphones-now-possible-vast-numbe/#commentsFiled under:



The next time you get popped for a crime you didn't commit and end up in the Big House, you're going to be real glad NCIC Inmate Telephone Services rolled into existence. The greatest dream of felons everywhere has finally come to fruition: You can now make collect calls to cellphones while you're serving your time. And hey, this isn't just some minor advance -- no, this is "lightning in a bottle," arguably on par with the first moon landing, finding a cure for cancer, or hitting that crazy high note at the end of "Happiness Is a Warm Gun." With a 20 percent call-completion rate, you don't have to defer your dreams -- rob a bank today, you'll definitely be able to make pricey collect calls to loved ones from jail! [Source: PRWeb]

[Image courtesy Celebrity Blackberry Sightings]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewscrimeThu, 08 May 2008 16:51:00 EST<![CDATA[More "Leaked" 3G iPhone Shots Hit the Web]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/more-leaked-3g-iphone-shots-hit-the-web/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/more-leaked-3g-iphone-shots-hit-the-web/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/more-leaked-3g-iphone-shots-hit-the-web/#commentsFiled under: ,


For those that need to be in the know about the very latest supposedly-leaked 3G iPhone shots that hit the web this week, we've got you covered -- but we're not convinced, especially of the device on the right. The shots on the left do at least seem to be crafted around those supposed size and shape leaks we saw the other day though, so bonus points there for playing into another current rumor to rack up a small bit of credibility. Still, in our best Rick James voice, Photoshop's a hell of a tool.

Read - Left four shots appear on Chinese phone forum
Read - Shot on the right from AppleInsider
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebreaking newsBreakingNewsiphoneThu, 08 May 2008 12:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Soldier's Cell Phone Calls Parents During Battle in Afghanistan]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/sons-cell-phone-calls-home-during-battle-in-afghanistan/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/sons-cell-phone-calls-home-during-battle-in-afghanistan/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/sons-cell-phone-calls-home-during-battle-in-afghanistan/#commentsFiled under:

If you're not in the habit of locking your keypad before throwing it in your pocket or purse, you've probably had it make a few calls without your knowledge. Accidental dialing is annoying, but usually just results in some long, boring voicemails of background noise, or, in a worst-case scenario, captures your off-key singing along with some Michael Buble song your car stereo.

But a recent unintentional voicemail turns out to be a different story, as it was left by Jeff Nolan, a soldier deployed in Afghanistan whose phone dialed his parents' home on Oregon on its own accord -- in the middle of a gunfight.

The nearly three-minute voicemail captures the sound of extended automatic gunfire, a bit of muffled profanity, and ends with a disturbing yell: "Incoming RPG!" Not exactly what you would want to hear coming from your son's phone! Thankfully, Jeff survived the battle, and his family has since posted the voicemail on YouTube for all to hear. [Source: KPTV, via Textually.org]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidental dialingAccidentalDialingafghanistanbreaking newsBreakingNewsmilitaryweirdThu, 08 May 2008 09:27:00 EST<![CDATA["Comes With Music" Plan Expected to Cost Nokia a Bundle]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/nokia-about-to-get-its-clock-cleaned-on-comes-with-music/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/nokia-about-to-get-its-clock-cleaned-on-comes-with-music/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/nokia-about-to-get-its-clock-cleaned-on-comes-with-music/#commentsFiled under:

The latest round of rumors regarding the goings-on behind the scenes of Nokia's lofty Comes with Music paint a bleak picture for profitability -- but even scarier, they suggest that the company could be simply blown out if the initiative takes off. The Comes With Music plans to offer a year's worth of free music tracks to anyone who buys certain Nokia phones.

The problem stems from the claim that Nokia's deals with labels represent a huge gamble: The deals assume that buyers of Comes with Music-compatible phones won't download more than a certain number of songs, believed to be 35. Above that, Nokia is no longer covered by a flat fee and has to pay the wholesale per-song rate for each downloaded song above 35 for each consumer.

Clearly, either the rumor's wrong or Nokia seems to be betting against its own success here -- but the recent departure of a key exec involved with Comes with Music lends some credence to the latter. Maybe we don't speak for everyone here, but if we're paying a premium on our phone to earn a full year of all-you-can-eat tracks, you'd best believe we're taking full advantage. [Source: The Register via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nokiaWed, 07 May 2008 14:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Drug Dealing College Students Used Text Messages to Promote Sales]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/drug-dealing-college-students-used-text-messages-to-promote-sale/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/drug-dealing-college-students-used-text-messages-to-promote-sale/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/drug-dealing-college-students-used-text-messages-to-promote-sale/#commentsFiled under:

students arrested for dealing drugs via text messages

A group of drug dealers at San Diego State University was rounded up by authorities Tuesday after the conclusion of a successful sting operation that included monitoring text messages advertising drug sales and price drops to "faithful customers."

One of the captured text messages was sent to an undercover drug enforcement agent. It said the drug dealing students were having a price special since they'd be going out of town on a trip to Las Vegas. (How's that for customer service?)

Many of those swept up by the year-long sting were members of a fraternity, Theta Chi, and some were even criminal justice and homeland security majors. The net result of the sting arrests and drug seizures? Two kilograms of cocaine, 350 Ecstasy pills, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, hash oil, methamphetamine, illicit prescription drugs, several guns and at least $60,000 in cash. Of the 96 people arrested, 75 were students. Five other fraternities besides Theta Chi are also implicated.

Whatever happened to good old fashioned fraternity traditions like hazing and alcohol poisoning? The sting itself was launched after the fatal cocaine overdose of a student last May.

Here at Switched, we applaud small business people and entrepreneurs everywhere for using technology - such as text messaging - to improve customer service. Is there a group of college students out there who have put this kind of mobile tech to good use - or is this ring of drug dealers the only one that has tapped into the tech? [Source: MSNBC via Textually.org]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewscrimetext messagingTextMessagingWed, 07 May 2008 12:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Pope Sending Text Messages to Australians]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/the-pope-is-texting-myspacing/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/the-pope-is-texting-myspacing/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/the-pope-is-texting-myspacing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Pope is Texting, MySpacingWhen the Pope arrived on our shores last month, much of the nation was subject to the pomp and fanfare that surrounded his every move. Now the Pope is making a trip Down Under for Sydney's World Youth Day next month, and those who can't watch him live (or online) will be able to follow the Pontiff via SMS.

The Pope (or one of his lackeys) will be sending "daily messages of inspiration" to the phones of thousands of Catholics during the event, which despite being called "World Youth Day," actually covers an entire week.

The Catholic church will also be setting up a social networking site similar to MySpace or Facebook, enabling believers to hook up -- and pray, of course. [Source: I4U/Reuters, via Textually.org]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsfacebookpopesmstext messagingTextMessagingWed, 07 May 2008 09:37:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry 9000 Gets a Very Early Review]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/blackberry-9000-gets-a-very-early-review/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/blackberry-9000-gets-a-very-early-review/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/blackberry-9000-gets-a-very-early-review/#commentsFiled under:


We're all about reviews of products before they're released, but reviewing something before it's even been officially confirmed by a company is its own special brand of magnificent. Granted, these are more like the hands-on impressions of a self-confessed BlackBerry addict, who was willing to fork over $828 US on the off chance that the eBay auction the other day was actually legit. A week later Kevin of CrackBerry.com has the BlackBerry 9000 in hand and seems to be loving every minute of it.

Apparently the keyboard is better than the 8800 series, the OS4.6 is smooth, fast and pretty, and the 480 x 320 LCD is "awesome." And don't get Kevin started on 3G: the logo alone brought a tear to his eye -- we're clearly dealing with a bona fide fanboy here. That said, it's an encouraging sign to see all those leaked shots weren't just for show, there's a real-live performer behind the legend. Kevin's major caveat is the size and weight of the phone, compared to his Curve, but we're sure the $828 hole in his checking account will have him coming to terms with that drawback in the near future. He'll be posting more details and impressions as he goes. [Source: CrackBerry]

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryWed, 07 May 2008 07:32:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC Unveils New Touch Diamond Phone, "Not Too Big, Not Too Small"]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/htc-unveils-new-htc-touch-diamond-not-too-big-not-too-small/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/htc-unveils-new-htc-touch-diamond-not-too-big-not-too-small/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/htc-unveils-new-htc-touch-diamond-not-too-big-not-too-small/#commentsFiled under:


Here we are in London at the Soho Hotel with HTC, and we are among the first to see their new Diamond handset. While we thought we may see three new products in three different form factors, HTC Prez and CEO Peter Chou led-off the event by mentioning that they would be launching just one product today. He peppered his intro by talking about the Touch, so we were prepared to see an update on that product utilizing their TouchFLO tech.

The device has some pretty nice interface tech that they're calling TouchFLO 3D that heavily emphasizes one-touch browsing and single-finger dialing. They emphasized web accessibility, zoom-in navigation with "just one hand" and not too many fingers. As expected, the device is loaded with Windows Mobile 6.1, a VGA screen and HSDPA 7.2, among other nice specs.

Updates, specs, and pics after the break!

Expanded Coverage at Engadget:

Continue reading HTC Unveils New Touch Diamond Phone, "Not Too Big, Not Too Small"

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewshtcTue, 06 May 2008 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Cell Carriers Can Volunteer Your Location, Warrant-Free]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/cell-carriers-can-volunteer-your-location-warrant-free/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/cell-carriers-can-volunteer-your-location-warrant-free/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/cell-carriers-can-volunteer-your-location-warrant-free/#commentsFiled under:

Cell Carriers Volunteer Your Location, Warrant-Free
These days, every cell phone sold through a U.S. carrier contains within it a locator that enables emergency services to find you should you dial 911. Even if you have an older phone that lacks this feature, your cell phone carrier can still determine your location relatively accurately based on which cell towers your handset is hitting. During an emergency, that knowledge is comforting, but what if you just want to get away for awhile? That's the question on many minds as it's been revealed that providers are sharing that location info with police sans warrant.

It seems that so long as police indicate there is some sort of "exigent circumstance," in other words the risk of physical harm, then cell providers will give up the location of any of their customers to the police without a warning. All they need is some sort of written statement of those exigent circumstances and that's it, whether they be a mother who can't find her kid or a husband whose wife never returned home from work. The situation is different if that customer is involved in a criminal investigation, however. In that case, the police do indeed need a warrant, even if those circumstances still apply.

So, what do you think? Should the police be able to determine your location without any sort of legal proceedings, possibly saving your life if you were ever stranded on the side of the road? Or, should they need a warrant, leaving you on your own to find your way home? [Source: seattlepi, via fark]
Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsemergencygpsTue, 06 May 2008 08:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Sprint "Seriously Considering" Spinning Off Nextel]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/sprint-seriously-considering-spinning-off-nextel/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/sprint-seriously-considering-spinning-off-nextel/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/sprint-seriously-considering-spinning-off-nextel/#commentsFiled under:


We'd take this with half a tablespoon of salt for now, but The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Sprint-Nextel Corp. is "seriously considering spinning off or selling its ailing Nextel unit." That's according to undisclosed people "familiar with the situation," though Sprint did decline to comment on whether it actually was considering a sale of Nextel. Also of note, Cyren Call is reportedly attempting to "assemble a consortium of investors to acquire Nextel as part of its plans to create a nationwide wireless network for public safety communications," and while it can't be confirmed, we are hearing that Sprint is "contemplating other possible buyers such as private equity firms."

Still, these same sources made clear that "no deal was imminent and that Sprint was preoccupied for the moment with other matters." It's no secret that the firm would be way more attractive to suitors (read: Deutsche Telekom) if the flagging Nextel division was detached from the deal, but we guess we'll have to wait and see how it all plays out. [Source: Wall Street Journal - Warning: read link requires subscription]

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in, image courtesy of Flickr]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nextelsprintMon, 05 May 2008 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Solar-Powered Emergency Gadgets]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/top-solar-powered-emergency-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/top-solar-powered-emergency-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/top-solar-powered-emergency-gadgets/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Are you ready for an emergency? Have you got your "go" bag packed with all the items you need for a few days after a disaster, natural or otherwise?

We're not all doom and gloom here at Switched, but we do like being prepared, so when we saw a great round-up of emergency products that generate their own power, we couldn't resist a closer look. The folks at Unplggd have put together a list of top-notch solar powered gadgets that could keep you going when you're on the, um, go.

Here are some of our favorites from the list:

The Crank It Up! Dynamo Solar Radio has both a hand crank (old fashioned style) and solar power, so you can tune in to news when you need it, even without batteries or a power outlet.

Ignore the contradiction in the name of the Solar Flashlight, which drinks up power during the day so you can use the device to light your way at night. It also has a compass.

We were also intrigued by Innergy Power's Emergency Solar Power Kit, which stores power so you can plug in a cell phone, laptop or other device. [Source: Unplggd]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>newsmainportablesolarsurvival techSurvivalTechMon, 05 May 2008 16:14:00 EST<![CDATA[German Companies Developing Scented Text Messages]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/german-companies-developing-scented-text-messages/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/german-companies-developing-scented-text-messages/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/german-companies-developing-scented-text-messages/#commentsFiled under:

Virtually every smell-based tech that's come through the pipe has fizzled out in one way or another, but that checkered past isn't stopping Germany's ConVisual from partnering with the Institute of Sensory Analysis and Marketing to develop scent-delivery chips for cell phones.

The partnership has been running for eight years and just received a patent on the tech, and the goal now is to start building the chips into phones within the next two years. Initially, the chip is supposed to have 100 different smells on it, and ConVisual says bad smells are a possibility as users will be able to reject certain messages. That's certainly interesting, but we've got to say, we're not all that keen on the idea of people having even more ways to emit odors -- we'll stick with the non-smelly cellys, thanks much. [Source: The Local via EE TImes]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewscell phoneCellPhoneMon, 05 May 2008 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC Touch Diamond Shots and Specs: This Week's Big Announcement?]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/htc-touch-diamond-shots-and-specs-this-weeks-big-announcement/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/htc-touch-diamond-shots-and-specs-this-weeks-big-announcement/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/05/htc-touch-diamond-shots-and-specs-this-weeks-big-announcement/#commentsFiled under:


We know HTC's got a big announcement coming this Tuesday, and while we can't say for sure it's going to the Touch Diamond, if today's leaked images and specs are at all accurate we think they might have something big on their hands. Check it out:
  • 2.8-inch VGA display
  • WinMo 6.1 Pro
  • WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0
  • eGPS, FM tuner
  • Quad-band HSDPA 7.2
  • 4GB internal flash, microSD slot
  • 528MHz CPU
  • 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus
  • 10.7mm (0.47-inches) thick
  • Supposedly also features an orientation sensor / accelerometer
Whether it's got a QWERTY keyboard could still be up for grabs, especially since that configuration might belong to the CDMA-based Raphael. Still, the it makes sense HTC wouldn't want the XPERIA X1 they made for Sony Ericsson to be their best engineered device on the market for long. We'll be watching this one closely. [Source: NewsMobile]

[Thanks, Kevin]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewstouchMon, 05 May 2008 09:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Best iPhone Accessories]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/04/best-iphone-accessories/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/04/best-iphone-accessories/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/04/best-iphone-accessories/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chances are, you treat your iPhone better than you treat your children. You lavish it with attention, show it off to friends, and rub its underside when its battery is low. It sleeps next to you, and turning it on is your first order of business in the morning. So why not make it happy with some top-notch accessories? We've compiled a list of the best in every category -- and make your iPhone love you as much as you love it. Freak.



Best Case:

incase Slider

We've put quite a few cases on our iPhones, and there's a clear winner: incase's Slider ($34.99). It's ultra slim and made of quality, hardshell plastic -- something not the case with most of its competition (no pun intended), which quite drastically change the silhouette of the phone. On the inside are rubber guardrails, which provide shock absorption, and the bottom cover is removable, making it fit easily in most docks (the device is actually thin enough that it fit in all of our docks as-is). And then, of course, there are the looks: It's shiny, black or white Storm Trooper plastic that just looks awesome. It sounds crazy, but we like the way our iPhone looks more with the case on than without it. (And incase just released a black matte version if a more understated, non-Storm-Trooper look is more up your alley.)

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresiphonesummerfeaturesSun, 04 May 2008 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Survey Finds 37% of Gen Y-ers Text While Driving]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/03/survey-finds-37-of-gen-y-ers-text-while-driving/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/03/survey-finds-37-of-gen-y-ers-text-while-driving/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/03/survey-finds-37-of-gen-y-ers-text-while-driving/#commentsFiled under:


Oh sure, Americans are adamantly against texting while driving (in theory), but that's not stopping those mischievous Gen Y-ers from getting their SMS on while behind the wheel. According to a new survey of 1,200 people conducted by Nationwide Mutual Insurance (we know, we know), a third of the Gen Y-ers admitted to "always multitasking while driving," and while the "always" bit does indeed frighten us a tad, the real juice was in the next statistic: 37-percent said they sent text messages while driving. Before you start belaboring the imprudent youth, think long and hard about your own in-car cellphone usage -- remember that time you just had to reply "y w pep plz" in order to salvage your friend's pizza order? Tsk tsk. [Source: BusinessWIre via About]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>smsSat, 03 May 2008 15:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Limited Edition Tony Hawk Sidekick LX On the Way?]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/02/limited-edition-tony-hawk-sidekick-lx-on-the-way/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/02/limited-edition-tony-hawk-sidekick-lx-on-the-way/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/02/limited-edition-tony-hawk-sidekick-lx-on-the-way/#commentsFiled under: ,


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[Top Six iPhone Accessories]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/top-six-iphone-accessories/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/top-six-iphone-accessories/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/top-six-iphone-accessories/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chances are, you treat your iPhone better than you treat your children. You lavish it with attention, show it off to friends, and rub its underside when its battery is low. It sleeps next to you, and turning it on is your first order of business in the morning. So why not make it happy with some top-notch accessories? We've compiled a list of the best in every category -- and make your iPhone love you as much as you love it. Freak.



Best Case:

incase Slider

We've put quite a few cases on our iPhones, and there's a clear winner: incase's Slider ($34.99). It's ultra slim and made of quality, hardshell plastic -- something not the case with most of its competition (no pun intended), which quite drastically change the silhouette of the phone. On the inside are rubber guardrails, which provide shock absorption, and the bottom cover is removable, making it fit easily in most docks (the device is actually thin enough that it fit in all of our docks as-is). And then, of course, there are the looks: It's shiny, black or white Storm Trooper plastic that just looks awesome. It sounds crazy, but we like the way our iPhone looks more with the case on than without it. (And incase just released a black matte version if a more understated, non-Storm-Trooper look is more up your alley.)

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresiphoneThu, 01 May 2008 14:17:00 EST<![CDATA[First Ever BlackBerry Clamshell Phone Unmasked, Dubbed the 'Kickstart']]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/first-ever-blackberry-clamshell-phone-unmasked-dubbed-the-kick/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/first-ever-blackberry-clamshell-phone-unmasked-dubbed-the-kick/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/first-ever-blackberry-clamshell-phone-unmasked-dubbed-the-kick/#commentsFiled under:


Ready to have your brain blown out through the top of your head? Look above -- you're staring at the heretofore unseen BlackBerry clamshell, the Kickstart. The Boy Genius snagged a handful of photos of the device (which apparently he's known about for "a while"), and has decided to share his good fortune with the rest of the world. The phone sports a Pearl-esque keyboard, typical trackball navigation, and apparently utilizes both an internal and external LCD screen. No word on specs, carriers, or a release date, but BGR is saying this puppy is due before the end of the year. You'll know more when we know more! [Source: The BoyGenius Report]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackBerryBreaking NewsBreakingNewsKickstartThu, 01 May 2008 13:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Vodafone Recommends "More Discreet" Communication Methods in Public]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/vodafone-recommends-more-discreet-communication-methods-in-pub/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/vodafone-recommends-more-discreet-communication-methods-in-pub/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/vodafone-recommends-more-discreet-communication-methods-in-pub/#commentsFiled under:


Although it should be painfully obvious, we can't deny that chatting about sensitive information in public takes place practically everywhere. To that end, a new study commissioned by Vodafone UK found that over 70-percent of all workers "talk business on their mobile phones in public, with one-in-five talking about business-critical subjects such as sales leads." Worse still, 15-percent admitted to "openly discussing confidential new products or services whilst traveling," while 26-percent admitted that they have actually followed up on a lead in which they received via listening in to another's public call.

Not surprisingly, the company recommends that individuals utilize more discreet methods of communicating in public, suggesting texting and emailing in particular. Of course, it's a good bit more difficult to tell a story through those two methods, but it's a lot better than having your most promising client snatched out from under you, yeah?

[Source: Search By Headlines via textually, image courtesy of Miloh]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphoneThu, 01 May 2008 07:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Six Ways to Break Up Over Your Computer or Cell Phone]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/six-ways-to-break-up-over-your-computer-or-cell-phone-1/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/six-ways-to-break-up-over-your-computer-or-cell-phone-1/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/six-ways-to-break-up-over-your-computer-or-cell-phone-1/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Before technology allowed people to communicate so effortlessly, the act of breaking up over the phone was considered too impersonal. Compared to the ways that people end their relationships now, a call almost seems polite. Whether it's because of a desire to make things public or just to cop out to avoid an awkward meeting, lovers young and old are using technology to break the news. Here at Switched, we dug up some of the harshest ways that tech-enabled breakups have been executed. Read on and you'll laugh, cringe and hope this never happens to you.



1. Rant and rave on YouTube

Few divorces are ever settled amicably, but even fewer have been detailed on YouTube for the world to witness by an angry wife. Such is the reason that the videos by Tricia Walsh-Smith created an Internet buzz covered by both blogs and mainstream media. Within the last few weeks, Walsh-Smith, 54, published two clips discussing her split with hubby Philip Smith, 77. The videos contained intimate details about their marriage and split. Unfortunately for her, she'll have to find a new place to film - a judge ruled that she can no longer make her videos in the apartment she shared with her soon-to-be ex.


Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresrelationshipstech breakupsTechBreakupsWed, 30 Apr 2008 12:07:00 EST<![CDATA[3G iPhone to Be Discounted to $199 by AT&T?]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/3g-iphone-to-be-discounted-to-199-by-atandt/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/3g-iphone-to-be-discounted-to-199-by-atandt/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/3g-iphone-to-be-discounted-to-199-by-atandt/#commentsFiled under: ,


According to Fortune, AT&T will subsidize the cost of the new, 3G iPhone by as much as $200, bringing the price within the $199 range. Apparently, a "person familiar with the strategy" claims that the provider will create this bargain bonanza for customers signing new, two-year contracts. Of course, the author of the story also says that the new phones will be available in "8-gigabit-memory and... 16-gigabit-memory" versions (for $399 and $499, respectively), so take that as you like.

In addition to these discounts, the source says the new iPhone will be 2.5mm thinner than the previous iteration, although we understand that right after telling Fortune this information, the "person" burst into a cloud of rainbow-colored sparkles and went flying off into the night sky. [Source: Fortune]

[Thanks, Penny]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleattbreaking newsBreakingNewsiphoneWed, 30 Apr 2008 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone Finally Coming to Canada]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/29/iphone-finally-coming-to-canada/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/29/iphone-finally-coming-to-canada/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/29/iphone-finally-coming-to-canada/#commentsFiled under:


It seemed like it would never happen, but the impossible has occurred: Apple's iPhone is coming to Canada. The news was quietly slipped into telecom giant Rogers' latest earnings report, with the simple statement that the company was "thrilled to announce" a "deal with Apple to bring the iPhone to Canada later this year." Apparently, lips are sealed on all other details, but we'll keep you posted as news gets our way. [Source: PR Newswire]

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleiphoneTue, 29 Apr 2008 11:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia's "Beautiful To Use" 6600 Slide, Fold and 3600 Slide]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/29/nokias-beautiful-to-use-6600-slide-fold-and-3600-slide/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/29/nokias-beautiful-to-use-6600-slide-fold-and-3600-slide/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/29/nokias-beautiful-to-use-6600-slide-fold-and-3600-slide/#commentsFiled under:


Nokia just announced a trio of "Beautiful to use" Nokia handsets with its Nokia 6600 slide, 6600 fold, and 3600 slide. The €250 6600 fold is said to smoothly arc open with the press of a button to reveal a 2.13-inch OLED display sporting 16 million colors. It also features tap commands. When off, a double-tap of the monolithic cover reveals the time, messages and missed calls. A double-tap also snoozes alerts and silences or rejects incoming phone calls.

The €275 6600 slide (pictured left) features the same tap technology but bumps the digital camera up from 2 to 3.2 megapixels with a 2.2-inch QVGA display based on LCD tech, presumably. The 3600 slide offers the same camera with built-in background noise cancellation -- a first for a Nokia handset -- for a respectable €175. All three ship in Q3.

Gallery: Nokia's "Beautiful to use" 6600 slide, fold and 3600 slide



Read -- Press Release
Read -- Prom