This brand-new ultra compact from Samsung L210 boasts a 2.5 inch LCD display, as well as a 10.2-megapixel sensor with 3x optical zoom. It uses two forms of image stabilization -- both optical and digital -- meaning it's great for those moms who always end up with blurry photos (you know who you are...mom). It also incorporates face recognition technology: This detects the subject's face, automatically adjusting auto focus and auto exposure to ensure better composition and image quality in portraits. All of this is included with 10-megabytes (MB) of internal flash memory, and the ability to record MPEG-4 movies. Oh, and it comes in a variety of mom-friendly colors, including red, black, pink, and silver.

Aside from buying a ring, asking her father's permission, and stressing over her answer, one of the hardest parts of a marriage proposal for a man is coming up with a unique way to do it. Luckily, technology offers up a slew of options and -- starting below -- we recount the tales of eight creatively geeky guys who found new ways to pop the question. If you're the sentimental type, now's the time to break out the Kleenex.


So There Are Rewards for Playing Video Games

Knowing your girlfriend's favorite hobbies is a great start for planning a proposal. For Bernie Peng, that meant using the game 'Bejeweled' to ask Tammy Li to marry him. Peng, a financial software programmer, spent a month tweaking the game so when Li reached a certain score, a ring and the proposal popped up on the screen. We know what you're thinking, and so does Peng – "I thought it was pretty cool, in a nerdy way," he said. Fortunately for him, she said yes.

We already knew that people love uploading pictures of their pets online, but we had no idea how many gadgets and toys are available for our animal friends. From the bizarre to the practical, there's tons of tech out there that's designed to benefit owners and the pets themselves. Check out our list of some of the best gadgets available for pets, because it's time to stop spoiling ourselves with shiny new toys and treat our little companions instead.

GoDogGo! Automatic Fetch Machine

Busy. Tired. Neglectful. Whatever you are, sometimes you just can't play fetch with your dog. Unless, of course, you pick up the automated fetch machine, GoDogGo! Take this gadget, load it up with tennis balls -- six of which are included -- and start firing away. You can manually fire the balls or set them to launch automatically every 7 or 15 seconds between 15 and 30 feet. Set it up in your yard with the included AC adapter or run it at the park with six D batteries, and you'll have an easy, lazy solution to playing with your "best friend."

We already knew that people love uploading pictures of their pets online, but we had no idea how many gadgets and toys are available for our animal friends. From the bizarre to the practical, there's tons of tech out there that's designed to benefit owners and the pets themselves. Check out our list of some of the best gadgets available for pets, because it's time to stop spoiling ourselves with shiny new toys and treat our little companions instead.

GoDogGo! Automatic Fetch Machine

Busy. Tired. Neglectful. Whatever you are, sometimes you just can't play fetch with your dog. Unless, of course, you pick up the automated fetch machine, GoDogGo! Take this gadget, load it up with tennis balls -- six of which are included -- and start firing away. You can manually fire the balls or set them to launch automatically every 7 or 15 seconds between 15 and 30 feet. Set it up in your yard with the included AC adapter or run it at the park with six D batteries, and you'll have an easy, lazy solution to playing with your "best friend."

This silhouette wins the award for coolest thing we've seen all day -- and it's not just because the tiny dancer above is in the buff. This is a little test that will tell you whether the left or right hemisphere of your brain is more dominant.

Instead of concentrating on her chest, concentrate on the woman's movement. If you see her spinning clockwise, that means you're using the right side, or more creative side of your brain. If she appears to be moving counter-clockwise, then that means the left side, or more logical side of your think muscle is superior.

At the Switched office, some of us see her going clockwise, others see her spinning counter-clockwise. At least one of us claims to see both, while another one of us opened this animation in Adobe ImageReady in order to isolate the frames to see if there's any direction-changing funny business going on. There isn't.

Take the test for yourself. Then, if you have time for a 50-question survey, compare these instant results to a more thorough diagnosis.

From Gizmo Watch

But wait! We have more optical illusions for you!

1. Lolcats
Lolcats are funny pictures of cats doing dumb things with broken, misspelled English captions placed over them. The result is often hilarious, such as a cat jumping out of a toilet with the following caption: "I'M IN UR TOILET USIN' UR FACILITIES." The central hub for all things lolcat, icanhascheezburger.com, is currently enjoying a resurgence of popularity after a few months of hype-trend-overload. The site has been online for two years and now includes a constellation of sites for lolcats, loldogs and political lolz -- the same thing, but for dogs and politicians. If you're wondering how to make your own Lolcat, which is as simple as taking a goofy picture of your cat, adding a caption, and uploading it here, then check out the site's "wiki" tutorial designed to help people learn lolspeak, the broken English used on the site. The site also has a "lolz builder," which allows you to create your own lol-based-image with minimal effort and no software (they even supply pictures for you to caption). This means that there are new lolz posted all the time, which makes Lolcats the ultimate place to go for hilarious cat humor.

Most of the time, our gadgets are our friends. But occasionally, due to manufacturer screw-ups, faulty parts, or user incompetence, they can turn on us in events that can be scary, tragic, and, at times, hilarious. Here, Switched presents a list of gadgets and how their evil ways are wreaking havoc on unsuspecting victims.



iPods kick out the jams -- and the flames!

Obviously one of the most popular gadgets around, the iPod was due for some problems. A string of incidents occurred with the nano's battery catching fire, including an airport worker whose pants caught on fire. This malfunction most likely occurs because of the lithium-ion battery in the first-generation devices, and now the Japanese government is ordering Apple to investigate the problem. More recently, Engadget received blurry photos showing two iPod Touch players that allegedly caught on fire. We're still not sure what's up, but if your iPod feels hot, be careful.

Economic slowdowns or a crappy run at the race track doesn't mean that you can't own some of the best technology out there. Lots of people are caught between dreams of upgrading their cameras and TVs and the reality that their pockets just aren't deep enough to purchase top of the line products. With that in mind, we're here to offer you a selection of gadgets that give you the best return on your dollar in terms of quality and performance. Now you can go forth with the knowledge that you're spending your money wisely and buy yourself a shiny new toy.

Best Budget Smart Phone:

BlackBerry Curve

If your career is growing too fast for your old phone to keep up with, but your bosses aren't springing for an upgrade, it's time to move up to the BlackBerry Curve. This phone has everything you'll need to manage your life. Now you can e-mail, IM, and browse the 'Net anywhere while keeping your appointments straight with the built-in organizer. For fun, snap pictures on the 2.0 megapixel camera and listen to tunes or watch videos with the media player. If you're really on the go, BlackBerry Maps gives you directions and maps for your destinations. Depending on your service plan, you can get a great deal (sometimes as little as $99) on a full-featured, all-in-one phone that'll leave you with the tools and the time to make more money.

Need a last minute gift idea for that special someone this Valentine's Day? Switched offers you a variety of gadget gifts that won't wilt like roses or pack on calories like chocolates. But remember – they'll only get you so far. The rest of the romance is up to you.


Pink iPod Nano

If your lady's in need of a new digital music player, why not go for an iPod nano in this brand new color? With 8-gigs of space, this non will let you load up plenty of her favorite tunes and maybe even some romantic playlists, if you feel like going the extra mile. Or, load her favorite shows to watch on the nano's 2-inch screen. Best of all, if you think she can wait a little longer for her gift, you can order it from apple.com and have it engraved at no extra charge.

$199

Pink BlackBerry Pearl 8130

Does your girlfriend's world seem to revolve around her cell phone? If you upgrade her to a Pink Pearl, it might just revolve around you, however briefly. The full QWERTY keyboard lets her text and email away and the Pearl's battery life gives her almost four hours of talk time. Then, if you want to add a personal touch, throw on her favorite ring tone or a cute home screen, and if you're feeling confident, put your number as the first entry in speed dial. Or, if you're smarter, put yourself behind her best friends, her mom, her cousin, etc....

BlackBerry Pearl 8130

Are you properly equipped to watch the Super Bowl this Sunday?

You've got the food menu set. The drinks are on ice. But what about your TV?

Well, it's not too late to get that TV -- in fact, plenty of retailers offer deals just for the Super Bowl. Take a look at Switched.com's suggested list of Super Bowl-ready high definition TVs to get the most out of the game -- and we've taken budget into account, so there's sure to be something in here for you. But first, some advice and definitions.

What is the best size high definition TV for watching the Super Bowl? Is it a 32-inch set? 50-inch? 65-inch? That really depends on the size of your room and how far away you'll be from the TV set. The folks at CNET have a great guide to choosing the right size widescreen TV for your viewing space.

Next, LCD TVs are sometimes knocked for not being able to show fast moving images very well, so sports action could look a little blurry. Most LCDs have a refresh rate of 60hz but many being introduced to the market now clock in at 120hz. For watching a fast-moving game like the Super Bowl you may want to consider spending a little more for a TV that can handle all the action. Still, most people won't be able to tell the difference between the two. (Plasma and DLP TVs don't have this problem at all.)

Let's not forget about sound. More than most people think, the audio experience is vital to enjoying the game. Do you rely on the sound from the TV's speakers or go with something more? For a quick fix that you can implement between now and game time, we recommend a home-theater-in-a-box system (or HTIB), such as the Panasonic SC-PT950 Wireless Home Theater.

Finally, do you actually have an HD feed? It's important to remember that even if you have a high definition TV display, you don't automatically get an HD signal. Very often people get an HDTV set home and don't realize their cable box doesn't deliver the proper signal. If you don't already know what kind of service you have, it's time to call your cable company. An easy way to get started is by going to 1-800-OK-Cable or calling that number. If you get your TV signal via satellite you'll want to contact Dish Network (with HD plans starting at $42.99 per month) or DirecTV (which lets you add HD channels with a $9.99 per month upgrade) to check on your service. And if you get your TV signal the old fashioned way (over the air) then you just need to be sure you can properly receive the HD signal. The Consumer Electronics Association has a good site to help you with this.

Now, on the TVs:

If you're thinking small: The 32-inch Sharp LC-32GP1U high definition LCD TV will set you back about $1,100, but delivers a good picture. While it does have 1080p resolution this doesn't have a big impact at 32 inches because at that screen size 720p resolution is sufficient. This unit also does a good job displaying standard definition video -- and since lots of TV programming still isn't high def, this unit's upscaling capability will be an important consideration for you.

Every day, the gadgets we use become smaller, more portable, and more valuable. Unfortunately, this increase in convenience also raises the appeal of these devices to potential thieves. Here, Switched presents tips to avoid becoming a theft victim for the five common gadgets, as well potential ways to recover your property if it's stolen. And no, we're not recommending using a taser for any of them.



iPods

Since iPods and other audio players are valuable, don't require subscriptions to use, and lack built-in theft deterrents, they're very popular for thieves. Major cities have begun cautioning commuters, like New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority, which released a poster reminding subway riders that "Earphones are a giveaway. Protect your device." In San Francisco, iPod robberies on the Bay Area Rapid Transit system accounted for 23% of the increase in citywide robbery from 2004 to 2006.

How to prevent theft (or minimize the consequences of theft):

• Switch out the headphones. The standard white iPod buds make you an obvious target for anyone who specifically wants the generally-more-coveted iPod or iPhone, so go for something less expensive looking.
• Conceal it. Avoid clipping your audio player onto your belt, which not only looks dorky, but also makes it much easier for robbers to grab than if it were hidden inside your clothing. As an alternative, go for an armband or something that secures it to your body.
• Be careful where you take it. Schools and subways are common areas for these kinds of thefts.
• Install tracking software, such as GadgetTrak. When connected to a computer, the software on your stolen device sends all the robber's computer information, including username, ISP, network address and more back to the company, which can very well lead to recovery.
• Never leave it unattended, anywhere. Duh.

Roseanne Barr

We have some vague recollection of Roseanne confessing that she has multiple personalities on her long-buried talk show a number of years back. We think she was on to something, as this blog could be the key evidence to any plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. Raging posts supporting Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential candidacy (with friends like this...) are interspersed with quotables about some Goddess "lifting the veil" (Huh? is right.) and a random nude painting she refers to as "Fat Butt." That being the case, we're willing to bet that two of her personalities are Madam Mix-A-Lot and Rush Limbaugh's liberal doppelganger.

The bathroom is a very private place. To some, it's a relaxing getaway. To others, it's a necessary evil. No matter how you look at the bathroom, here are some gadgets that can make your experience more productive, entertaining, or even less stinky.


Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide
Get ready for your toothbrush to wear the pants in your oral hygene relationship. The Triumph with SmartGuide, Oral-B's latest in toothy technology, monitors how you're cleaning your teeth: time, area, and pressure are all observed by the smartbrush, which then sends the information back to its base station for further review. Said base station, generally stuck to your bathroom mirror, then tells you where and for how long you should be brushing in order to maximize the pearliness of your pearly whites.