Switched - Gadgets, Gizmos, Reviews and Downloads

Cell Phone Evolution, Say Farewell to Voicemail

by Thomas Houston on April 7, 2011 at 06:20 PM

Here are a few of the other noteworthy things we saw today on our never-ending journey through the wild, wild Web. Read: Voicemail, an Obituary Do not leave me a voicemail. I will not listen to it. I'm going to press the corresponding number to delete your message as soon as the automated voice recording concludes. I'm going to press it with conviction, like a little boy who just won ... Read more »

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Surreal Gaming in 'Machinarium' Creator's Latest, 'Osada'

by Ben Deitz on April 7, 2011 at 05:35 PM

This week we're showing love to the latest games from some of our favorite designers. These are creators that we've come to expect the best from -- and this week's picks certainly live up our expectations. If you've played either of Amanita Design's previous works -- the 'Samorost' series or 'Machinarium' -- you know to expect a visually thrilling spectacle. Amanita's latest game, 'Osada,' ... Read more »

source: 'Osada'

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Tony Montana Would Not Approve of a 'Scarface'-Motivated Killing

by Leila Brillson on April 7, 2011 at 04:50 PM

Well, this is the world that we live in now: 22-year-old Texan Alejandro Garcia pleaded guilty to shooting his then-17-year-old cousin over who would get the next turn to play 'Scarface: The World Is Yours.' The world certainly doesn't belong to either cousin now; Garcia has a sentence of 30 years, and his cousin was killed in the tragic event. Life imitates art, which sucks when the "art" is ... Read more »

source: Kotaku, The Caller

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Geminoids Meet Their Meaty Doppelgangers

by Terrence O'Brien on April 7, 2011 at 04:00 PM

Which ones are the humans and which are the robots? We're not even sure the participants in this terrifying photo op know the answer to that question. Three nightmarish Geminoids were brought together with the flesh bags they were modeled after, presumably so the 'bots could learn a bit more about their human counterparts before murdering them and taking their place in life. ... Read more »

source: Engadget, Gemenoid DK (YouTube)

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Turn Your Friends Into Stock With Empire Avenue's Social Game

by Leila Brillson on April 7, 2011 at 03:10 PM

Social networking is a numbers game. Not only do you try to get the "right" amount of friends on Facebook and a good follower/followed ratio on Twitter, but it's all about wielding some social currency: who knows whom, where you get invited, if you'll get the scoop on the latest celeb death. Nowadays, social networking is quantifying the power of your friendships. But talking analytics will ... Read more »

via: Social Times
source: Empire Avenue

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GameStop Unveils New Facebook Store

by Amar Toor on April 7, 2011 at 02:20 PM

GameStop opened a new store today on Facebook. The shop, accessible via GameStop's Facebook page, allows users to purchase games online, read product reviews, watch trailers and find nearby GameStop outlets. Fans of the retailer can also "like" and share specific games on Facebook, and earn points via GameStop's customer loyalty program. Today's launch is just the latest in a series of ... Read more »

source: TechCrunch

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U.S. Might Use Facebook, Twitter to Broadcast Terrorism Alerts

by Amar Toor on April 7, 2011 at 01:40 PM

The U.S. government is considering using Facebook and Twitter to issue terrorism warnings, as part of its revamped terror alert system. According to a draft of a Homeland Security plan obtained by the AP, the government would broadcast the warnings via Facebook and Twitter "when appropriate," and only after federal, state and local officials have already been alerted. But these warnings won't ... Read more »

source: AP/CBSNews

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A Baker's Dozen Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Mac

by Jon Chase on April 7, 2011 at 01:00 PM

Whether you're a recent convert, ambivalent veteran or one of those hardened Apple fanboys, let us remind you: a Mac, like any other computer, needs to be maintained. No, you probably don't need anti-virus software (yet), you may never have to fiddle with registry editing, and you'll likely never need to reinstall the operating system. But you may face a kernel panic, a raft of mysterious app ... Read more »

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Chicago Catholic Church Warns Parents About Facebook

by Lee Bains on April 7, 2011 at 12:10 PM

While some outlets may bash Chicago's St. John Cantius Roman Catholic church for warning its parishioners of Facebook's moral dangers, we won't. After all, the church's clergy didn't forbid Facebook; they just declared that it facilitates vanity and dishonesty (specifically in children), allowing them to concoct their own identities and social realities with less risk of real-world consequence. ... Read more »

source: Chicago Tribune

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Future of Online Customer Support Looks Like 'Minority Report'

by Amar Toor on April 7, 2011 at 11:25 AM

Online shopping can be a pretty solitary endeavor, unless you're shopping at B Reel's 3Live Shop. On the 3Live Shop, shoppers are invited to start video calls with sales reps, who can guide them through their purchases, using touchscreens to drag different products into the frame. According to B Reel, it's a "simple and personal" approach to online shopping -- assuming you're not averse to ... Read more »

via: Jezebel
source: AdWeek

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Google Adding 'Channels' to YouTube, Looking to Compete With TV

by Amar Toor on April 7, 2011 at 10:40 AM

Google is looking to make some major changes to YouTube in an attempt to keep up with the expansion in services that allow users to stream content directly to their TVs. Sources close to the matter told the Wall Street Journal that YouTube is planning to introduce new channels on the site, featuring both professionally produced, original content, as well as content that already exists on the ... Read more »

source: WSJ

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New Dating Site Blurs the Line Between Capitalism and Prostitution

by Amar Toor on April 7, 2011 at 08:39 AM

Somewhere near the intersection of online dating and unabashed prostitution is where you can find WhatsYourPrice.com -- a new dating site where cash trumps compatibility. Site founder Brandon Wade compares WhatsYourPrice.com to eBay. "When you see a hot single you want to date, just make an offer and buy the first date," Wade explains, in a press release. But that's where the similarities ... Read more »

source: Gawker

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Girl Rides a Roomba, iPhone 'Tilt' Easter Egg

by Thomas Houston on April 6, 2011 at 06:05 PM

Here are a few of the other noteworthy things we saw today on our never-ending journey through the wild, wild Web. Read: Tumblr's Mark Coatney Tired of Sites that Disrespect Commenters If you look at most websites the commenting page is down way at the bottom after all the links to other stories and the ads and other stuff. Down way at the bottom is this little tiny box with a tiny ... Read more »

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Old School Meets New School in Locomalito's 'Viriax'

by Ben Deitz on April 6, 2011 at 05:15 PM

This week we're showing love to the latest games from some of our favorite designers. These are creators that we've come to expect the best from - and this week's picks certainly live up our expectations. Designer Locomalito can always be trusted to deliver the goods when it comes to games that are as retro as they are forward-thinking. His latest, 'Viriax,' is a great example of this, ... Read more »

source: 'Viriax'

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Elderly Woman Takes Out Armenian Internet, Faces Jail Time

by Terrence O'Brien on April 6, 2011 at 04:25 PM

A 75-year-old woman in the Democratic Republic of Georgia is facing criminal charges after she damaged a fiber-optic cable responsible for providing Internet service to neighboring Armenia. The elderly woman was scavenging for copper on March 28th when she managed to cut the connection for the entire country. All three of Armenia's major providers were unable to connect citizens to the Web for ... Read more »