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[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[Best Phones For Long Battery Life]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/01/28/best-phones-for-long-battery-life-2/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/28/best-phones-for-long-battery-life-2/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/28/best-phones-for-long-battery-life-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Some days, we all just like to talk on the phone a lot. We also sometimes forget to charge our phones before we leave the house. And let's face it, carrying our cell-phone-charger around with us all day (or overnight) is often impractical. So what phones are ideal for the sort of person that often finds themselves in charger-less jams? Take a look at our roundup, in which we picked ten standard phones (i.e., non-smart-phones) that have impressive battery life, both for talk and standby modes.



The latest version of the Motorola V195s has now been updated by T-Mobile to include Yahoo! and AIM messaging, Bluetooth connectivity, and longer-lasting battery life. T-Mobile also includes the convenient My Faves free frequent calling program, so you can use the eight hours of talk time wisely. The phone also has up to 17.5 days of standby time.





Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery lifeBatteryLifeexpire-images2009-1-27Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[1.1 Billion Cell Phones Sold Worldwide In 2007, Says Study]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/01/25/1-1-billion-cell-phones-sold-worldwide-in-2007-says-study/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/25/1-1-billion-cell-phones-sold-worldwide-in-2007-says-study/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/25/1-1-billion-cell-phones-sold-worldwide-in-2007-says-study/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



A recent study concludes that about 1.1 billion cell phones were sold in 2007. Strategy Analytics, a market research firm, says that the number of units sold marks a ten percent increase from the previous year. It also forecasts a ten percent increase in cell phone purchases this year, with regions such as Africa and the Middle East picking up the slack for saturated Western markets.

Finland's Nokia took the top sales spot with a market share of about 39%, or 437 million units sold. The study also noted that Apple's iPhone took about a 0.6 percent market share, which translates to about 2.3 million phones sold. Those numbers are slightly disappointing, says Strategy Analytics, pointing to the reluctance of European consumers to pay for the relatively expensive iPhone with the same fervor as the frenzied American public did last summer. Interestingly, Apple CEO Steve Jobs recently offered a more flattering figure, saying that the number of iPhones sent out numbered closer to 4 million. Somehow, we just don't see the pricey iPhone being a smashing success in economically-troubled Africa this year...

From AFP Via Textually.org

Related Links:
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cell phonesCellPhonescellular phonesCellularPhonesiPhoneNokiaStrategy AnalyticsStrategyAnalyticsFri, 25 Jan 2008 14:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Police Can Search Through Cell Phone Contents]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/01/24/police-allowed-to-search-through-cell-phone-contents/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/24/police-allowed-to-search-through-cell-phone-contents/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/24/police-allowed-to-search-through-cell-phone-contents/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Unsettling Thought of the Day: The law allows police to search through cell phone contents of people who have been stopped for arrestable traffic offenses. Gizmodo reports that a recent academic article by South Texas Assistant Professor Adam Gershowitz explains that many traffic violations merit a search for contraband like drugs, and search parameters extend to hand-held devices. The law considers cell phones and iPods to be closed containers that police are permitted to "open," even if they contain your private text messages, photos, call history, browsing history and e-mails.

The thirty page article includes a 2007 case that went to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals - the United States v. Finley - in which police arrested a man following a drug sales sting and looked through the cell phone that was on his person. They found text messages that appeared to be connected to drug dealing, evidence which was used to convict Finley. In the end, the appeals court supported the legality of the search.

Truth be told, this news gives us goosebumps. Not because we plan on going 90 mph in a school safety zone, but because the larger issue of privacy seems to be at stake. It would be easy just write this one off as a proof that The Man is indeed a Fascist out to take away all of our liberties, but we just think it's a case in which the law has to catch up with technology. The writers of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights could not have foreseen this kind of scenario, and it should be the responsibility of the US Congress to take up the issue as we become more and more enmeshed in a gray legal area that hasn't kept up with technological developments. Do you think police are justified in looking through your cell phone during a legal search?

From Gizmodo

Related Links:
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking+newscell phone searchCellPhoneSearchpolicepolice searchPoliceSearchtopU.S. v. FinleyU.s.V.FinleyThu, 24 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Robots You'll Want to Buy In 2008]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/01/14/robots-youll-want-to-buy-in-2008/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/14/robots-youll-want-to-buy-in-2008/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/14/robots-youll-want-to-buy-in-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Robots are everywhere. Especially at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show last week. But here's the good news -- you'll be able to buy many of the robots you'll see talking, posing, and rolling around in the above exclusive Switched video. Check it out.
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESroboticsRobotswebcamsWowweeMon, 14 Jan 2008 12:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Gates Asks Slash to Help Him Usher In the Next 'Digital Decade']]>http://www.switched.com/2008/01/07/bill-gates-asks-slash-to-help-him-usher-in-the-next-digital-dec/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/07/bill-gates-asks-slash-to-help-him-usher-in-the-next-digital-dec/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/07/bill-gates-asks-slash-to-help-him-usher-in-the-next-digital-dec/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Waiting for Microsoft founder Bill Gates to arrive at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas for his final CES keynote address last night was like expecting a rock star Mr. Rogers to parachute in from the sky to greet us mere mortals. Members of the press and electronics industry insiders began lining up in droves hours before the event's appointed start time, creating snaking lines of readers, thinkers, dozers, gabbers and moaners from the assemblage. A palpable sense of anxious expectation permeated the air, carrying the persistent thought, "What is he going to say?" from person to person via emotional osmosis. Or maybe that thought was actually more like, "This is nuts. The presidential candidates only dream of this kind of attention, and here we are," as if we wanted to tell ourselves, "You have no power over me, you have no power over me," like Jennifer Connelly did in the fantastic movie 'Labyrinth.'

We, the technology tsar's press corps, were finally herded into the Venetian's enormous ballroom, where we... waited. For an hour. When the moment of truth eventually came, there were no lions or fireworks, just good old William starting off his talk with a hilarious video of his last day at work - one which he begins by absentmindedly leaving his briefcase on top of the car (Bill Gates drives a Ford Focus?!) and ends in the same fashion, nothing left of his legacy except a box of spilt office supplies strewn across the Microsoft campus and Bill none the wiser. During his last full day of "work," he looks toward the future, begging various celebrities like Bono from U2 and the Daily Show's Jon Stewart for a role in their respective gigs.

Of course, Mr. Gates touched on Microsoft's achievements, the success of Windows Live and the popularity of Vista (no... seriously). He disclosed the big news of the night, the various deals Microsoft has secured for delivering more SD and HD content over the Internet on Xbox Live from media giants such as ABC, Disney, Showtime, and MGM, and a partnership to deliver 3,000 hours of internet-accessible footage from the 2008 Olympics with NBC Universal's MSN. What this means essentially is the Bill Gates is okay with HD-DVD's inevitable demise and is gearing up for the eventual decline of Blu-ray, since Microsoft wants to be at the head of the eventual HD downloading revolution.

The discussion of future Microsoft technologies, however, kept everyone's inner circus lover at the most attention. Interconnecting and personalizing applications was a big theme, as well as developing natural user interface with touch, gesture and voice commands. He illustrated his vision by showing us (again) innovations like Microsoft Surface - essentially a PC with camera software and touch screen technology to change forever mundane activities like shopping and design.

The Zune was not lost in the shuffle, as the new music social networking application called (what else?) Zune Social made an appearance. Gates even rolled out a true prototype from the lab, a visual recognition device eventually meant for cellular phones that recognizes people and places, and uses the information to integrate things like internet purchases, restaurant reservations and GPS technology options into one platform.

Ever the showman, Bill Gates had to end the night with laughs. Although he and the President of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division, Robbie Bach, strapped on Xbox guitars to settle a debt by way of a 'Guitar Hero' matchup, it was just pretend, it turns out. Instead, ex-Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash and a hot gaming champion faced off on stage, sparing everyone the embarrassment of watching Gates try to play. While Gates had supposedly owed Bach money before the bet, Slash ensured that Gates walked away into the night $20 richer.

If you want more details, you can read over the Engadget live blog here, watch the full video of the Gates keynote here. Or, check out our very own Switched slide gallery from the keynote below.

Gallery: Fun Times at the Bill Gates 2008 CES Keynote Address

Related Links:

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill GatesBillGatesGates KeynoteGatesKeynoteMicrosoftMon, 07 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Live NCAA Games On Your Cell Phone]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/19/live-ncaa-games-on-your-cell-phone/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/19/live-ncaa-games-on-your-cell-phone/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/19/live-ncaa-games-on-your-cell-phone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



In a move destined to give gadget heads with gridiron proclivities a reason to rejoice, Verizon has announced that its V Cast customers will have access to live, full-length NCAA college football bowl games on their cellular phones this season. While the major BCS championship bowls will not be offered, subscribers with V Cast-outfitted phones will be able to view 24 of the less-heralded contests, starting with the Poinsettia Bowl on December 20, which pits Utah versus Navy. BetaNews and the Silicon Alley Insider report that ESPN Mobile TV, CBS Mobile and Fox Mobile will provide live coverage of the games through Qualcomm's MediaFLO mobile broadcast service.

An indication that competition among service providers is in the streaming video sphere, the announcement is also another example of companies trying to outdo each other by offering exclusive, premium content. We also see it as a sign of the times, as consumers clamor for their cell phones to be do-it-all computers rather than relatively simple communication devices. But, alas, that notion is the stuff of a different post, as we leave you with a question: Will you be streaming the Auburn/Clemson Chic-fil-A Bowl or the Georgia Tech versus Fresno State Roady's Humanitarian Bowl?

From Verizon (via BetaNews and Silicon Alley Insider)


Related Links:
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bowl gamesBowlGamesfootballMobiel AppsMobielAppsMobile TVMobileTvNCAASports TechSportsTechV CastVCastvideoWed, 19 Dec 2007 14:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Four Cell Phones Under $100 That We Love]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/14/four-cell-phones-under-100-that-we-love/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/14/four-cell-phones-under-100-that-we-love/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/14/four-cell-phones-under-100-that-we-love/#commentsFiled under: , ,


This is the story of four cell phones that have two things in common: Each costs under $100, and each doesn't suck. Josh "Kung" Fruhlinger reports.

Related Links:
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fri, 14 Dec 2007 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Hackers Will Go After iPhone in 2008, Says Network Security Firm]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/13/hackers-will-go-after-iphone-in-2008-says-network-security-firm/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/13/hackers-will-go-after-iphone-in-2008-says-network-security-firm/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/13/hackers-will-go-after-iphone-in-2008-says-network-security-firm/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



A report issued by network security firm Arbor Networks foreshadows what may be a year of increasing hacker attacks on the iPhone. According to the Arbor Network Security and Engineering Response Team (ASERT), hackers will focus their efforts in the form of drive by attacks against the new platform in 2008. These attacks are made up of malware -- corrupting programs -- that is embedded into data, images or other media and appeasr non-threatening, but in reality performs harmful actions when activated on the iPhone's Web browser. The ASERT team speculates that hackers will turn their attention to the iPhone in order to claim bragging rights by 'be[ing] the first' to hack a new platform.

This latest news adds to the open debate between Mac and PC makers over the level of security their products provide. Apple suggests that its programs are relatively virus free, especially when compared to the constantly-attacked PC-based Windows operating system. Windows/PC proponents argue that this imbalance in hacker assaults does not reflect the quality of security offered, but instead is indicative of marketplace disparity between the two computing options. That is, the majority (about 90 percent)of computers bought and used are of the PC variety, so hackers have gone after the product that offered the most notoriety to corrupt -- security through obscurity.

It seems, however, that one development in 2008 may clarify the whole matter. Next year, Apple will open up the iPhone to third party applications. Until now the iPhone has employed a closed system, which gave the impression of better security. When third party applications are given the go-ahead in the coming months, it will be easier to understand the level of security vulnerability in the iPhone, and by extension, other Apple products. Until now, the only way to install third-party software onto the iPhone was to do it illegally, with all of hacking's accompanying problems.

It seems to us that in 2008 and beyond, iPhone lovers will have to treat their do-it-all device like their computer at home, with the same security precautions against downloading dubious programs and opening e-mails from suspicious sources. Whether Apple/Mac security is as good as advertised remains to be seen.

From Newsvine Via iTnews

Related Links:
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hackeriPhonemobile securityMobileSecurityThu, 13 Dec 2007 09:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Four Phones Under $100 That We Love]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/12/video-four-phones-for-under-100/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/12/video-four-phones-for-under-100/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/12/video-four-phones-for-under-100/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


This is the story of four cell phones that have two things in common: Each costs under $100, and each doesn't suck. Josh "Kung" Fruhlinger reports.

Related Links:
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Digital Piracy = Death Penalty (and More in the New Switched Podcast)]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/10/penalty-for-digital-piracy-death-and-more-in-our-podcast/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/10/penalty-for-digital-piracy-death-and-more-in-our-podcast/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/10/penalty-for-digital-piracy-death-and-more-in-our-podcast/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Switched Show Podcast

Want to know where software piracy will get you a death sentence? Listen to our new audio podcast and plan your next vacation accordingly.

Plus: E-nups, Wi-Fi in the sky, gadget threesomes, and all the top stories on Switched.com as discussed by the staff -- it's the Switched Show audio podcast. Plus, you can take it with you. On your iPod. Or your Zune. On your Juke. On your laptop. On your ... whatever.

You can listen to the show here (mp3) or, even better, you can SUBSCRIBE to our podcasts in iTunes (or via the direct feed, here).

Related Links:
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking+newstopMon, 10 Dec 2007 10:46:00 EST