http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif 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/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/418036787/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/60-000-diamond-encrusted-ipod-earbud-covers/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/60-000-diamond-encrusted-ipod-earbud-covers/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/audio-video/" rel="tag">Audio/Video</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/2008.10.10_earphones.jpg" alt="" /><br /> <div align="left">Yes, you read that right, <em>covers</em>. As in, $60,000 of diamonds that clip onto a standard issue pair of iPod earphones. If the economic hard times are really hitting you hard, you can also opt for a $4,500 set encrusted with black or white diamonds, or even a set covered with the ever-popular multi-colored <a href="http://www.engadget.com/tag/Swarovski">Swarovski crystals</a> -- a veritable bargain at just $110. [Via <a href="http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/diamond-encrusted-ipod-earphone-covers-cost-60k-176709">musicradar.com</a>]<br /></div> </div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.moodiereport.com/document.php?c_id=34&amp;doc_id=18805>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/60-000-diamond-encrusted-ipod-earbud-covers/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1338571/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/60-000-diamond-encrusted-ipod-earbud-covers/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/418036787" height="1" width="1"/>deosearphone coversEarphoneCoversearphonesipod earphonesIpodEarphonesSat, 11 Oct 2008 16:43:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/60-000-diamond-encrusted-ipod-earbud-covers/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/417986370/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/kota-the-triceratops-ships-from-the-land-before-time-to-your-hom/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/kota-the-triceratops-ships-from-the-land-before-time-to-your-hom/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/10/2008.10.09_trike.jpg" /><br /></div> Playskool's <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/16/kota-the-triceratops-makes-our-childhood-toys-look-like-wooden-b/">Kota the Triceratops</a> is a robot dinosaur that uses 11 sensors to respond to touch and sound by wiggling its horns, wagging its tail and turning its head. It also plays a few "adventure themed songs." Best of all, it can't stampede or impale anyone; like the animatronic Triceratops in '<a target="_blank" href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/jurassic-park/7910/main">Jurassic Park</a>,' Kota can't get up and move around. That won't stop kids from adoring it though. Like <a href="http://www.engadget.com/tag/pleo/">Pleo</a> before it, Kota's cuteness overpowers all. Don't believe us? Shipments have begun, so you can buy the cuddly robot and see for yourself. All you need is 300 bucks. Or you could just check out the video beyond the cut.<p><a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/kota-the-triceratops-ships-from-the-land-before-time-to-your-hom/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Rideable Robotic Triceratops Yours for Only $300</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.robotsrule.com/html/kota-triceratops.php>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/kota-the-triceratops-ships-from-the-land-before-time-to-your-hom/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1337489/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/kota-the-triceratops-ships-from-the-land-before-time-to-your-hom/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/417986370" height="1" width="1"/>animatronicdinosaurfunkidskotakota triceratopskota-the-trceratopsplayskoolrobotshippingtoytriceratopsSat, 11 Oct 2008 15:22:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/kota-the-triceratops-ships-from-the-land-before-time-to-your-hom/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/417920625/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/computer-program-knows-how-to-make-you-more-beautiful/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/computer-program-knows-how-to-make-you-more-beautiful/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/09/fashion/09skin.html?_r=2&amp;oref=slogin&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank"><img hspace="4" border="0" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/faces-screenshot-425.jpg" alt="Software to Rearrange, and Beautify, your Face" /></a><br /></div> Chances are you've looked in the mirror before and spotted <em>something</em> on your face you wouldn't mind tweaking, whether it be a simple blemish or something a little more serious such as an uneven eye or a nose that didn't make it through your youth without getting a little crooked. <br /><br />Such facial issues can be addressed by doctors and surgeons, to some degree (if you've got the money). But if seeing the 'ideal' you in a picture is enough, then a trip to visit some researchers at Tel Aviv University (TAU) might be in the cards. They've developed software able to start with a single picture of a face and automatically re-arrange its parts dynamically to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/09/fashion/09skin.html?_r=2&amp;oref=slogin&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">improve its attractiveness</a>.<br /><br />The researchers trained a computer program to determine those faces considered by humans to be more attractive. Now, when the computer is given a photograph of any person's face (regardless of race or sex), it will manipulate that input face to improve its geometry. The results are occasionally quite noticeable, like the straightening of the eyes in the woman above, which, we figure, makes her more classically attractive. Sometimes, though, the manipulations look rather too artificial and a bit creepy. And isn't beauty in the eye of the beholder, anyway? Hit the read link to see a whole slideshow of automatically retouched celebrities and see for yourself. [From: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/09/fashion/09skin.html?_r=2&amp;oref=slogin&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/09/fashion/09skin.html?_r=2&amp;oref=slogin&amp;oref=slogin>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/computer-program-knows-how-to-make-you-more-beautiful/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1338509/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/computer-program-knows-how-to-make-you-more-beautiful/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/417920625" height="1" width="1"/>artificial intelligenceArtificialIntelligencebeautyfacephotoshopSat, 11 Oct 2008 13:38:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/computer-program-knows-how-to-make-you-more-beautiful/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/417863524/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/alertme-warns-of-energy-vampires-kills-them-remotely/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/alertme-warns-of-energy-vampires-kills-them-remotely/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/green-tech/" rel="tag">Green Tech</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/2008.10.08_alertme.jpg" /><br /></div> In-home power consumption monitors are trendy pieces of kit lately, with a new one popping up <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/15/energyhub-minds-your-electricity-saves-you-cash/">every</a> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/29/manodos-screen-gives-apartment-dwellers-the-411/">few</a> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/18/ewgeco-energy-monitor-aims-to-curb-your-consumption-habits/">months</a>. But, while they're all happy to just kick back and tell you what a wasteful pig you're being, a new service from UK security company AlertMe could actually make you more efficient. Subscribers to the company's monitoring plans, which start at about $260 plus another $17.50/month, will be able to purchase Smart Plugs for $43 each that can communicate wirelessly to an AlertMe Heating Controller. <br /><br />From there subscribers can monitor their energy usage online via computer or phone. That's all standard stuff, but the service also includes keyfobs that will automatically turn down the heat and deactivate devices when you leave, and allows users to manually control the plugs and the thermostat by text message, meaning you'd never be more than a few thumb-presses (and a 20 cent <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/10/senator-opens-inquiry-into-rising-text-messaging-rates/">service charge</a>) away from a warm and inviting home. <br /><br />[Via <a href="http://www.smartplanet.com/news/tech/10001733/alertme-plans-to-automate-your-home-energy.htm">SmartPlanet</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.alertme.com/energy-saving/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/alertme-warns-of-energy-vampires-kills-them-remotely/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1336282/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/alertme-warns-of-energy-vampires-kills-them-remotely/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/417863524" height="1" width="1"/>AlertMealertme smart plugAlertmeSmartPlugconservationecoeco-friendlyelectricityenergy monitoringEnergyMonitoringgreengreen livingGreenLivingoutletssmart plugSmartPlugSat, 11 Oct 2008 12:02:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/alertme-warns-of-energy-vampires-kills-them-remotely/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/417794562/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/best-of-the-web-this-week/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/best-of-the-web-this-week/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a></p><div align="center"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.urlesque.com/media/2008/10/london-busee.jpg" alt="" /><br /></div> <br /> Leaves are falling (well, for some us) but the internet is rising with sheer awesomeness. This week we discovered <a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/10/08/carrots-are-the-most-musical-vegetable/">musical vegetables</a>, <a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/10/07/girls-with-mustaches/">girls with mustaches</a> and a <a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/10/07/tourist-replaces-landmarks-with-knick-knacks/">tourist that replaces landmarks with knick-knacks</a> (see above).<br /><br /> We've worked hard all week, so relax this weekend with some of these Web-a-rriffic links.<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/10/08/literal-a-ha-video-is-todays-rickroll/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.urlesque.com/media/2008/10/take-on-me-literally.jpg" alt="" /></a> <ul> <li>We all LOL'd at <a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/10/08/literal-a-ha-video-is-todays-rickroll/">this cheeky remake of a classic A-Ha song</a>.</li> <li>Marvel at these <a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/10/06/julian-beever-is-no-eccentric-chimney-sweep-but-thats-okay/" target="_blank">amazing 3-D chalk drawings</a>.</li> <li><a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/10/08/people-with-giant-pumpkins/">Giant pumpkins</a> are big on the internet.</li> <li>Parents get revenge by videoing their <a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/10/08/babies-crying-but-not-really/">babies fake crying</a>!</li> <li>Politics are big on the interweb; <a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/10/06/hip-hop-children-predict-outcome-of-election-prepare-white-hous/">hip hop kids are pumped</a>, <a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/10/07/election-blingee-makes-palin-and-obama-sparkle-but-mccain-sizzl/">the candidates love their bling</a>, and yes - <a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/10/08/yes-we-can-be-spooky-and-patriotic/">Barack O'Lanterns</a>.</li> <li>Seen 'Toy Story 2 was okay!' written on a wall somewhere? <a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/10/09/demetri-martin-inspires-amateur-film-critics-and-misdemeanor-cri/">Here's what it means</a>.</li> <li>Painful new trend: <a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/10/10/human-chains-touching-electric-fences-page-1-of-2/" target="_blank">People touching electric fences</a>.</li> <li>Could a cat <a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/10/06/cat-in-uniform-is-japans-stimulus-package/">save us from our financial crisis</a>?</li> </ul><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/best-of-the-web-this-week/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1339098/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/best-of-the-web-this-week/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/417794562" height="1" width="1"/>bestofthewebSat, 11 Oct 2008 10:13:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/11/best-of-the-web-this-week/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/417235643/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/hdtv-listings-for-october-10-2008/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/hdtv-listings-for-october-10-2008/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/audio-video/" rel="tag">Audio/Video</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/tv/" rel="tag">TV</a></p><strong><img vspace="4" hspace="16" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadgethd.com/media/2008/10/debra_messing.jpg" alt="" />What we're watching tonight:</strong><br /> <ul> <li> CW (1080i) lines up '<a target="_blank" href="http://television.aol.com/show/everybody-hates-chris/140065/main">Everybody Hates Chris</a>' at 8 p.m. followed by '<a target="_blank" href="http://television.aol.com/show/the-game/942754/main">The Game</a>'</li> <li> TBS (1080i) has the ALCS with Red Sox/Rays at 8 p.m.</li> <li> MyNetworkTV (1080i) has 'WWE: SmackDown' at 8 p.m.</li> <li> CBS (1080i) brings '<a target="_blank" href="http://television.aol.com/show/ghost-whisperer/217592/main">Ghost Whisperer</a>' at 8 p.m. followed by '<a target="_blank" href="http://television.aol.com/show/the-ex-list/10235898/main">The Ex-List</a>' and '<a target="_blank" href="http://television.aol.com/show/numb3rs/223961/main">Numb3rs</a>'</li> <li> Cartoon Network (1080i) has '<a target="_blank" href="http://television.aol.com/show/star-wars-clone-wars/375670/main">Star Wars: The Clone Wars</a>' at 9 p.m.</li> <li> Sci Fi (1080i) drops in '<a target="_blank" href="http://television.aol.com/show/stargate-atlantis/223984/main">Stargate Atlantis</a>' at 9 p.m. and '<a target="_blank" href="http://television.aol.com/show/sanctuary/10331684/main">Sanctuary</a>' at 10 p.m.</li> <li> USA (1080i) has the season premiere of '<a target="_blank" href="http://television.aol.com/show/the-starter-wife/1342083/main">The Starter Wife</a>' at 9 p.m.</li> <li> TLC (1080i) has '<a target="_blank" href="http://television.aol.com/show/what-not-to-wear/77143/main">What Not to Wear</a>' at 9 p.m. and '<a target="_blank" href="http://television.aol.com/show/say-yes-to-the-dress/10000108/main">Say Yes to the Dress</a>' at 10 p.m.</li> <li> ESPN (720p) has Louisville/Memphis college football at 8 p.m.</li> </ul><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/hdtv-listings-for-october-10-2008/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1339105/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/hdtv-listings-for-october-10-2008/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/417235643" height="1" width="1"/>hdtvlistingsFri, 10 Oct 2008 18:30:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/hdtv-listings-for-october-10-2008/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/417166339/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/gps-could-save-airlines-billions-in-fuel/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/gps-could-save-airlines-billions-in-fuel/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/car-tech/" rel="tag">Car Tech</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/green-tech/" rel="tag">Green Tech</a></p><div align="center"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2007/06/airbus-a380-350.jpg" alt="Airline GPS Could Save Billions in Fuel" /><br /></div> A new <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/gps">GPS</a> system being planned by the FAA, called NextGen, could potentially save airlines 3.3 billion gallons of fuel per year (about $10 billion at todays prices)<br /><br />The GPS system would replace the currently aging system of aerial highways that use use radar and radio beacons to guide planes. The use of GPS would allow <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/airplane">planes</a> to fly the shortest route between two points, shaving time off of flights and saving fuel. <br /><br />Unfortunately, NextGen isn't expected to be ready until at least 2020, but the airlines are expected to provide $15 billion of the estimated $35 billion the project will cost. The airlines will also have to retrofit their planes with a new $200,000 GPS system. Considering their current struggles to stay profitable, carriers are understandably reluctant to layout such a large amount of cash to start equipping aircraft with a system that is still 10+ years from being functional.<br /><br />If the system ever actually gets off the ground, it could keep many carriers from slipping into the red, but as with any massive government-funded program it's unlikely it'll be completed on time or on budget. Expect to see the first NextGen equipped planes to be rolled out around 2130 at a price of $3 bazillion per plane. [From: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2008-10-09-nextgen-gps-airlines_N.htm" target="_blank">USA Today</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2008-10-09-nextgen-gps-airlines_N.htm>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/gps-could-save-airlines-billions-in-fuel/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1338786/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/gps-could-save-airlines-billions-in-fuel/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/417166339" height="1" width="1"/>airlinesairplaneflightfuture techFutureTechgpsnextgenplanetravelFri, 10 Oct 2008 17:05:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/gps-could-save-airlines-billions-in-fuel/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/417115277/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/wowwees-mr-personality-robot-is-now-ready-to-charm-you-out-of/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/wowwees-mr-personality-robot-is-now-ready-to-charm-you-out-of/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a></p><div align="center"><img hspace="4" border="0" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/2008.10.10_wow.jpg" alt="" /><br /> <div align="left">WowWee's Mr. Personality bot made its debut <a style="" href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/05/wowwee-introduces-mr-personality-rovio-and-flytech-bladestar/">way back at CES</a> in January but, like some other <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/19/wowwees-rovio-robotic-sentry-ships-this-month/">WowWee </a><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/15/wowwees-flytech-bladestar-can-govern-your-home-autonomously/">products</a> announced at the show, it's only just now made its way into availability. As you can see above, the bot's a close relative of WowWee's <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/30/wowwees-tri-bot-gets-an-early-review/">Tri-Bot</a>, with it boasting the notable addition of an LCD screen for a face, which promises to "display <span id="ctl00_MainContent_ProductDetail" class="ProductDetail">his personality with animated and synchronized facial features.</span>" The bot also includes an SD card slot than can be used to add additional personalities, plus 64MB of internal memory, a remote control, all the usual sensors and, of course, plenty of fortune and joke-telling features that promise endless hours of fun / annoyance. Just be prepared to shell out for that robot companionship, as Mr. Personality's company will cost you a hefty $300. [From: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.esend.com/WowWee/Products.aspx?Catalog=WowWee&amp;ProductID=8043(Esend)#">esend.com</a> Via <a href="http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/14207/Mr.-Personality-Available-For-Purchase-in-WowWee-Store/">Robo Community</a>]</div> </div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.esend.com/WowWee/Products.aspx?Catalog=WowWee&amp;ProductID=8043(Esend)#>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/wowwees-mr-personality-robot-is-now-ready-to-charm-you-out-of/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1338574/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/wowwees-mr-personality-robot-is-now-ready-to-charm-you-out-of/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/417115277" height="1" width="1"/>mr personalitymr. personalityMr.PersonalityMrPersonalityrobotwowweeFri, 10 Oct 2008 16:01:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/wowwees-mr-personality-robot-is-now-ready-to-charm-you-out-of/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/417081488/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/radio-reporter-misses-live-broadcast-because-of-facebook/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/radio-reporter-misses-live-broadcast-because-of-facebook/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/welcome_3.gif" /><br /><br /></div> It should be clear from <a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/facebook-types-you-can-never-shake/">recent reports regarding Facebook</a> that folks are enchanted with the networking site. College students, for instance, seem <a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/07/many-college-students-prefer-wi-fi-to-beer-study-claims/">more interested in peeping their friends' profiles than in listening to their professors' lectures</a>. According to a story from news.com.au, graduates aren't changing their ways too much once they move into the workplace.<br /><br />This past Sunday, the listeners of Australian radio station 3AW's afternoon news broadcast were puzzled to hear the news segment's theme music followed, not by the news, but by advertisements. The reason for this misstep? According to a station insider, <a href="http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,24474723-5014239,00.html" target="_blank">the designated news reader was, instead of reading the news, obliviously browsing through her Facebook account</a>. <br /><br />There's been plenty of discussion recently on <a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/social-networking-goes-corporate/">whether or not the use of social networking sites can increase workers' productivity</a>. We'd say that this little anecdote is a big old check in the "Nay" column. [From: <a href="http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,24474723-5014239,00.html">News.com.au</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,24474723-5014239,00.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/radio-reporter-misses-live-broadcast-because-of-facebook/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1338599/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/radio-reporter-misses-live-broadcast-because-of-facebook/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/417081488" height="1" width="1"/>dumbfacebooksocial-networkingwebFri, 10 Oct 2008 15:04:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/radio-reporter-misses-live-broadcast-because-of-facebook/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/417027029/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/kevlar-handkerchief-protects-your-chest-face-and-blows-your-nose/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/kevlar-handkerchief-protects-your-chest-face-and-blows-your-nose/#comments<div align="center"><a href="http://www.srulirecht.com/index.php/projects/DAMDUR-THE-DAMNED.html"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/10/10-9-08-kevlar-handkerchief.jpg" /></a><br /></div> We find it hard to believe that we won't see one of these being used somewhere in the <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/04/latest-bond-to-feature-titanium-sony-ericsson-c902-q-would-ha/">upcoming 007 film</a>, but even if not, you can definitely put one to use in your everyday life -- if you can get ahold of one of the ten being made, that is. Srulirecht's D&AElig;mdur is a Kevlar-based handkerchief which can keep your schnoz squeaky clean and (in theory, at least) keep your chest free from bullets. Granted, even the manufacturer makes clear that it takes no responsibility for "schmucks and wooden-heads who feel compelled to test the endurance or resistance of the textile in any way," but it sure beats those cotton ones you buy ten to a pack.<br /><br />[Via <a href="http://www.ohgizmo.com/2008/10/09/kevlar-handkerchief-is-a-gentlemans-bulletproof-vest/">OhGizmo</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.srulirecht.com/index.php/projects/DAMDUR-THE-DAMNED.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/kevlar-handkerchief-protects-your-chest-face-and-blows-your-nose/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1338572/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/kevlar-handkerchief-protects-your-chest-face-and-blows-your-nose/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/417027029" height="1" width="1"/>bulletproofdefenseHandkerchiefKevlarmilitary-gradeprotectionsafetysecuritySrulirechtFri, 10 Oct 2008 14:06:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/kevlar-handkerchief-protects-your-chest-face-and-blows-your-nose/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416986142/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/impending-digital-tv-upgrade-will-leave-portable-sets-dark/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/impending-digital-tv-upgrade-will-leave-portable-sets-dark/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/tv/" rel="tag">TV</a></p><div align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-10-08-portable-TV_N.htm"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="Impending Digital TV Upgrade Will Leave Portable Sets Dark" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2007/12/television-with-antenna.jpg" /></a><br /></div> Surely, by now, you know that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/17/t-minus-one-year-till-the-us-analog-shutoff-are-you-ready/">analog TV is going offline very soon</a> (February 17th, 2009), right? Hopefully, you've received your <a target="_blank" href="http://www.switched.com/2008/01/14/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-digital-tv-coupons/">coupon</a>, hooked up your converter, or just gone ahead and used this as a good excuse to join the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.switched.com/tag/hdtv">HDTV</a> era. But, do you have one of those portable TVs that you bring along to the tailgate or switch on whenever the power goes out during big storms? If so, you're not alone, and many are just now realizing that those sets will <a target="_blank" href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-10-08-portable-TV_N.htm">soon be useless</a>.<br /><br />Portable sets rely on analog signals captured through their rabbit ears, and with many having no inputs on the back there's absolutely no way to make them functional again. This is causing concern among many who use portable sets to get updates during times of emergency, and while there are portable digital TV converters available, not all sets can use them. <br /><br />The solution? Well, for now, it's simply to get a portable radio and rely on that -- and maybe recycle that soon-to-be obsolete antique of the analog era. [From: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-10-08-portable-TV_N.htm">USA Today</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-10-08-portable-TV_N.htm>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/impending-digital-tv-upgrade-will-leave-portable-sets-dark/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1338516/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/impending-digital-tv-upgrade-will-leave-portable-sets-dark/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416986142" height="1" width="1"/>analogdigital televisiondigital tvdigitalswitchoverDigitalTelevisiondigitaltransitionDigitalTvdtvportable tvPortableTvFri, 10 Oct 2008 13:19:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/impending-digital-tv-upgrade-will-leave-portable-sets-dark/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416941963/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/economy-driving-users-to-finance-news-sites-in-record-numbers/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/economy-driving-users-to-finance-news-sites-in-record-numbers/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/google/" rel="tag">Google</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="Ecomogeddon Drive Traffic to Financially Themed Web Sites" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/financegraph.jpg" /><br /></div> The <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/financialcrisis">financial crisis</a> is actually proving to be a boon, for some. Finance-themed Web sites have seen huge increases in traffic, and even the little guys are noticing massive numbers of new visitors.<br /><br />Understandably, major online financial outlets like the <a href="http://www.wsj.com" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://money.aol.com/">AOL Money and Finance</a>, and <a href="http://yahoo.finance.com" target="_blank">Yahoo! Finance</a> have seen record levels of daily traffic, but it's what has been happening at the smaller sites that has been truly amazing. comScore, an Internet tracking company, has reported that <a href="http://www.gasbuddy.com" target="_blank">GasBuddy.com</a> (a site that directs visitors to the cheapest gas stations in their neighborhood) has seen its traffic jump by 30-percent. <a href="http://www.savingadvice.com" target="_blank">SavingAdvice.com</a>, a site offers coupons and information of shopping deals, has said its daily traffic has increased dramatically. <br /><br />The best barometer for what is driving Web traffic is usually Google searches, and in September, queries for 'stocks' nearly tripled.<br /><br />Other companies may also see bright days to come thanks to the encroaching ecomageddon. <a href="http://www.findhow.com" target="_blank">FindHow.com</a>, a site that specializes in Do-It-Yourself instructions for building and fixing things, expects to see growing demand in the coming months not just for its site, but for the <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/diy">DIY</a> movement on a whole. [From: <a href="http://tech.yahoo.com/news/afp/20081009/tc_afp/financebankingusinternetmedia" target="_blank">Yahoo! Tech</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://tech.yahoo.com/news/afp/20081009/tc_afp/financebankingusinternetmedia>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/economy-driving-users-to-finance-news-sites-in-record-numbers/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1338618/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/economy-driving-users-to-finance-news-sites-in-record-numbers/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416941963" height="1" width="1"/>credit crunchCreditCruncheconomicseconomyfinancialfinancial crisisFinancialCrisisinternetsavingstockswebFri, 10 Oct 2008 12:30:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/economy-driving-users-to-finance-news-sites-in-record-numbers/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416901724/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/members-of-congress-at-last-allowed-to-post-on-youtube/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/members-of-congress-at-last-allowed-to-post-on-youtube/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/audio-video/" rel="tag">Audio/Video</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/yt-congress.jpg" alt="" /><br /></div> <br />We've seen <a target="_blank" href="http://www.switched.com/2008/06/29/our-twittering-politicians/">twittering and vlogging</a> from from Capitol Hill, and all sorts of other uses (and exploits) of technology for <a target="_blank" href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/04/obama-campaign-hops-on-the-iphone-bandwagon/">political use</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/07/sarah-palin-a-gold-mine-for-internet-humor/">misuse</a>, and... <a target="_blank" href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/russian-prime-minister-vladimir-putin-releases-judo-dvd/">intimidation</a>? So far, however, official support for the use of the Internet outside of the .gov domain by members of Congress has been off-limits. That changed yesterday with a new rule change that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2008/10/09/rule-change-lets-members-congress-post-youtube">opens up the wilds of the 'Net</a> for Congressional gain.<br /><br />The new rule enables members of Congress to post official content anywhere on the Internet -- so, for example, they can now post videos and advertisements on YouTube. Members can also now link to non-government sites (what a concept!) and even embed content, like those videos, into their official .gov sites. <br /><br />Frankly, we're shocked this was all officially off-limits before, as these are features and services we've all come to depend on. With these new rights, we're expecting an explosion of blogging and vlogging congressmen and women in the very near future, which, presumably, will allow us to communicate better with our politicans. [From: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/06/AR2008100602663.html?hpid=moreheadlines">Washington Post</a>, via <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2008/10/09/rule-change-lets-members-congress-post-youtube">digitalmediawire</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2008/10/09/rule-change-lets-members-congress-post-youtube>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/members-of-congress-at-last-allowed-to-post-on-youtube/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1338575/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/members-of-congress-at-last-allowed-to-post-on-youtube/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416901724" height="1" width="1"/>congressinternetpoliticswebyoutubeFri, 10 Oct 2008 11:32:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/members-of-congress-at-last-allowed-to-post-on-youtube/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416860942/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/text-a-question-to-palin-watch-it-streaming-online/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/text-a-question-to-palin-watch-it-streaming-online/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/cell-phones/" rel="tag">Cell Phones</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a></p><div align="center"><object id="utv_o_87420" height="320" width="400" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"><param value="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/live/257911" name="movie" /><param value="true" name="allowFullScreen" /><param value="always" name="allowScriptAccess" /><param value="transparent" name="wmode" /><param value="viewcount=false&amp;autoplay=false&amp;brand=embed&amp;" name="flashvars" /><embed name="utv_e_777222" id="utv_e_485002" flashvars="viewcount=false&amp;autoplay=false&amp;brand=embed&amp;" height="320" width="400" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="transparent" src="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/live/257911" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" /></object></div> Whether you're impressed by Sarah Palin's folksiness or disturbed by her evasiveness, there's a good chance you might want to ask her a question. Now is your chance. The California Democratic Party has <a target="_blank" href="http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2008/10/021395.htm">rented a digital billboard </a>across from an upcoming rally for the Veep candidate in Los Angeles. Anyone can send a text message to 69866 containing a question (160 characters or less) and the keyword "ASK." The question will be shown not only on the billboard, but also on the Internet, where it is streaming live in the above video.<br /><br />Obviously, many of the questions seem to be somewhat less than pleased with the Governor's previous statements, but despite that we haven't seen anything that's overtly offensive, which makes us think there's someone somewhere approving these before they get published. That's a good thing. [From: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2008/10/021395.htm">textually.org</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2008/10/021395.htm>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/text-a-question-to-palin-watch-it-streaming-online/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1336271/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/text-a-question-to-palin-watch-it-streaming-online/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416860942" height="1" width="1"/>2008 election2008Electionbillboardcell phonesCellPhoneselectionssarah palinSarahPalinstreamingtextingFri, 10 Oct 2008 10:48:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/text-a-question-to-palin-watch-it-streaming-online/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416807546/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/google-worker-getting-babys-name-from-internet-poll/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/google-worker-getting-babys-name-from-internet-poll/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/google/" rel="tag">Google</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/google-baby-names-copy.jpg" /><br /></div> <br />Google programmer Jason Morrison needs your help in naming his baby, which is due November 16th 2008. Using the Google Docs poll-creation tool, the Ohio-based programmer has created a survey in which anyone can <a href="http://www.jasonmorrison.net/content/2008/hey-internet-help-us-name-our-child/">vote on one of 17 different names</a>. <em>Olivia</em> and <em>Dylan</em> are currently the front runners, but the poll is still open and participants are encouraged to offer their own suggestions. In an interview with the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3159515/Google-man-asks-Internet-to-name-his-baby.html" target="_blank">Daily Telegraph</a>, Jason and his wife Ann say they reserve the right to ignore the polls. After all, who knows what kind of feedback you'll get when a personal and traditionally private matter is opened to the general public?<br /><br />Has anyone, beside your closest relative or significant other, ever asked you for input on a name for the baby? It's highly personal thing, right? As a product marketing tactic, Jason has succeeded brilliantly in promoting one of his employer's newest offerings. As a baby-naming method, however, it'll give the kid a nice story for the playground, especially if someone suggests (and everyone votes for) <a href="http://www.switched.com/2007/08/16/chinese-couple-tries-to-name-baby-symbol/">this baby name</a>. [From <a target="_blank" href="http://www.jasonmorrison.net/content/2008/hey-internet-help-us-name-our-child/">JasonMorrison.net</a> via <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3159515/Google-man-asks-Internet-to-name-his-baby.html" target="_blank">Daily Telegraph</a>]<br /><br /><br /><a target="_blank" __removedlink__125701636__href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3159515/Google-man-asks-Internet-to-name-his-baby.html"></a><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.jasonmorrison.net/content/2008/hey-internet-help-us-name-our-child/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/google-worker-getting-babys-name-from-internet-poll/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1337775/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/google-worker-getting-babys-name-from-internet-poll/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416807546" height="1" width="1"/>baby namesBabyNamesparentingwebweirdFri, 10 Oct 2008 09:50:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/google-worker-getting-babys-name-from-internet-poll/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416785126/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/facebook-types-you-can-never-shake/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/facebook-types-you-can-never-shake/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/top-lists/" rel="tag">Top Lists</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/traveller.jpg" alt="People Who Will Haunt You on Facebook" /><br /></div> The folks at <a href="http://www.cracked.com" target="_blank">Cracked.com,</a> one of the Web's premier comedy sites, are at it again, compiling a list of some people from your past that will use <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/facebook">Facebook</a> to haunt you. <br /><br />We've all got at least a few of these in our friends lists. The ex. The world traveler. The breeder. People who track you down on <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/socialnetworking">social-networking</a> sites simply to message you and remind themselves (and you, of course) how much better than you they are.<br /><br />Old best friends, and high-school reunion organizers, all there just to make themselves feel better. Check out the rest of the list for a good laugh, and do yourself a favor -- ignore these people if they send you a friend request. [From: <a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_16670_people-from-your-past-who-will-haunt-you-on-facebook.html" target="_blank">Cracked</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.cracked.com/article_16670_people-from-your-past-who-will-haunt-you-on-facebook.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/facebook-types-you-can-never-shake/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1335259/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/facebook-types-you-can-never-shake/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416785126" height="1" width="1"/>facebookhumorwebFri, 10 Oct 2008 09:12:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/facebook-types-you-can-never-shake/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416752423/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/spammers-prefer-obama-for-spam-e-mails/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/spammers-prefer-obama-for-spam-e-mails/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="Obama and Palin More Popular with Spammers than McCain and Biden" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/bidenpalin.resized.jpg" /><br /></div> <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/politics">Politics</a> is one of the most popular topics for <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/spam">spam</a>. Don't believe us? Go check your spam folder. We bet that you'll find e-mails about how <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/obama">Obama</a> is a secret Muslim and Sarah <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/palin">Palin</a> hunts moose from a helicopter in between offers for cheap Viagra and penis enlargement systems . <br /><br />According to a report from Secure Computing, it appears that spammers prefer Obama over McCain and Palin over Biden when it comes to whipping up new spam e-mails. According to the report, Obama is mentioned in spam six times more often than <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/mccain">McCain</a>, and Palin gets five mentions for every four spam messages mentioning Democratic VP nominee Joe Biden.<br /><br />The credit crisis and banking collapses in the U.S. are also <a target="_blank" href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/as-economy-falters-phishing-and-spam-e-mail-scams-surge/">fueling piles of spam messages</a>. Of all the financial institutions involved, Chase tops the list, accounting for 25-percent of the banking inspired spam messages. Wachovia, Bank of America, and Colonial are generating plenty of spam in their own right, too. <br /><br />We're not sure what these things say about the spammers, but as always, we urge you to exercise caution when opening any banking-related mail and continue to be vigilant for <a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/07/23/top-11-e-mail-scams/">phishing scams</a>. [From: <a target="_blank" href="http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081008-spammers-prefer-obama-to-mccain-palin-over-biden.html">Ars Technica</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081008-spammers-prefer-obama-to-mccain-palin-over-biden.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/spammers-prefer-obama-for-spam-e-mails/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1337759/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/spammers-prefer-obama-for-spam-e-mails/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416752423" height="1" width="1"/>barack obamaBarackObamabidenelectionsjoe bidenJoeBidenjohn mccainJohnMccainmccainobamapalinpoliticssarah palinSarahPalinspamFri, 10 Oct 2008 08:25:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/spammers-prefer-obama-for-spam-e-mails/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416728047/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/new-xbox-360-experience-goes-live-november-19/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/new-xbox-360-experience-goes-live-november-19/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/video-games/" rel="tag">Video Games</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/new-xbox-experience-coming-nov-19/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/08/8-25-08xboxdash.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div> <br />Been wondering when you were finally going to get your eyes on that fancy new <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/14/microsoft-giving-the-xbox-360-a-totally-new-dashboard/">Xbox 360 experience</a>? Well the secret is out -- come November 19th, your dashboard will never be the same. The good folks at Joystiq have delivered this wonderful news live-and-direct from the Tokyo Game Show, where they're blogging the Microsoft press briefing while undoubtedly enjoying the finest cowboy rolls known to man and hob-nobbing with other glorious gamers. Feel free to check into their live coverage via the link below, and start prepping for serious avatar creation. [From <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/new-xbox-experience/" target="_blank">Joystiq</a>]<br /><br />PS.- Check out our earlier gallery of the new dash <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/15/xbox-360s-overhauled-dashboard-the-gallery/">here</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/new-xbox-experience-coming-nov-19/">Read</a> - New Xbox Experience coming Nov. 19<br /><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/joystiq-live-from-microsofts-tgs-2008-press-conference/">Read</a> - Joystiq live from Microsoft's TGS 2008 press conference<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.joystiq.com/tag/new-xbox-experience/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/new-xbox-360-experience-goes-live-november-19/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1338501/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/new-xbox-360-experience-goes-live-november-19/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416728047" height="1" width="1"/>tokyogameshow2008upcomingupdatesxbox360Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:45:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/new-xbox-360-experience-goes-live-november-19/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416697652/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/teens-not-sleeping-enough-blame-the-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/teens-not-sleeping-enough-blame-the-gadgets/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/cell-phones/" rel="tag">Cell Phones</a></p><div align="center"><a rel="external" href="http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=download&amp;id=1063555" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="220808 - Model shoot 88.jpg" src="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/l/la/larar/1063555_220808_-_model_shoot_88_jpg.jpg" /></a></div> <br />A new Australian study has found that up to 50-percent of high school juniors and seniors are not sleeping enough. What's to blame this time? Their obsession with gadgets, of course.<br /><br />For boys in that age range, video games are the main culprit. For girls, cell phones are the most prevalent cause of sleep deprivation. Though the topic of gadget over-use isn't a new one, the high percentage is a major concern. <br /><br />Lack of sleep affects memory and academic performance, and we all know how crucial the last two years of high school are. Kids...Get some sleep. Parents...Keep the TV in the living room. <br /><br />Now, if you don't mind, we have a text message about our favorite video game that needs to be sent out before we jump back online... [From: <a href="http://www.geeksugar.com/2273264" target="_blank">geeksugar</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.geeksugar.com/2273264>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/teens-not-sleeping-enough-blame-the-gadgets/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1337583/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/teens-not-sleeping-enough-blame-the-gadgets/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416697652" height="1" width="1"/>obsessionresearchstudiesstudyteensFri, 10 Oct 2008 07:03:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/10/teens-not-sleeping-enough-blame-the-gadgets/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416213522/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/aussie-worker-hacks-government-computers-to-protest-bad-desk-spo/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/aussie-worker-hacks-government-computers-to-protest-bad-desk-spo/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2007/09/sleeping-it.jpg" alt="" newbie="" hacks="" system="" because="" he="" doesn="" t="" like="" desk="" /><br /></div> There is a line to be drawn when it comes to taking revenge in <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/office">office</a> politics. If you don't like the placement of your office, or being made to feel like a "newbie," then crashing multiple servers and erasing the employee records of over 10,000 people is probably not the best way to get better seating arrangements.<br /><br />David Anthony McIntosh, a computer engineer for the Australian government, was upset with his boss. McIntosh says his boss punished him for being a "newbie" by giving him a desk far away from his coworkers, which made him feel isolated on the job.<br /><br />In response to his poor desk location, McIntosh used a coworker's password and logged into the government's systems. He then crashed several servers, including some belonging to the Australia's supreme court. He went on to delete the records of 10,475 public employees.<br /><br />McIntosh is now waiting to stand trial. We suggest that he just quit or make off with some pens the next time he doesn't like how he's being treated at work. [From: <a href="http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,24473229-5014239,00.html" target="_blank">News.com.au</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,24473229-5014239,00.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/aussie-worker-hacks-government-computers-to-protest-bad-desk-spo/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1337615/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/aussie-worker-hacks-government-computers-to-protest-bad-desk-spo/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416213522" height="1" width="1"/>crimehackerhackinghumornewbieofficesecurityworkworkplaceThu, 09 Oct 2008 19:03:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/aussie-worker-hacks-government-computers-to-protest-bad-desk-spo/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416204218/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/hdtv-listings-for-october-9-2008/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/hdtv-listings-for-october-9-2008/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/audio-video/" rel="tag">Audio/Video</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/tv/" rel="tag">TV</a></p><strong><img vspace="4" hspace="16" border="0" align="right" alt="Life On Mars" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadgethd.com/media/2008/10/lifeonmars_100908.jpg" />What we're watching tonight:</strong><br /> <ul> <li> Fox (720p) starts the MLB NLCS with Dodgers/Phillies at 8 p.m.</li> <li> CBS (1080i) has '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/survivor-china/1316705/main" target="_blank">Survivor</a>'at 8 p.m., followed by the season premiere of '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/csi-crime-scene-investigation/132763/main" target="_blank">CSI</a>' at 9 p.m. and series premiere of '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/eleventh-hour/10235897/main" target="_blank">Eleventh Hour</a>' at 10 p.m.</li> <li> NBC (1080i) has '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/my-name-is-earl/165651/main" target="_blank">My Name is Earl</a>' at 8 p.m., the series premiere of '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/kath-and-kim/10202898/main" target="_blank">Kath &amp; Kim</a>' at 8:30 p.m., '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/the-office/152542/main" target="_blank">The Office</a>' at 9 p.m., 'SNL Weekend Update Thursday 'at 9:30 p.m. and '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/er/49782/main" target="_blank">E.R.</a>' at 10 p.m.</li> <li> ABC (720p) has '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/ugly-betty/762061/main" target="_blank">Ugly Betty</a>' at 8 p.m. followed by '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/greys-anatomy/426427/main" target="_blank">Grey's Anatomy</a>' and the series premiere of '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/life-on-mars/10235891/main" target="_blank">Life on Mars</a>'</li> <li> CW (1080i) brings '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/smallville/75304/main" target="_blank">Smallville</a>' at 8 p.m. and ''<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/supernatural/422501/main" target="_blank">Supernatural</a> at 9 p.m.</li> <li> TLC (1080i) has '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/american-chopper/319355/main" target="_blank">American Chopper</a>' at 9 p.m. and the season premiere of '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/la-ink/1320611/main" target="_blank">L.A. Ink</a>'</li> <li> Discovery (1080i) drops in '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/destroyed-in-seconds/10293497/main" target="_blank">Destroyed in Seconds</a>' at 9 p.m.</li> <li> Showtime (1080i) has '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/comics-without-borders/10309057/main" target="_blank">Comics Without Borders</a>' at 10 p.m.</li> <li> FX (720p) has '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia/589897/main" target="_blank">It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia</a>' at 10 p.m. and the series premiere of '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/testees/10335778/main" target="_blank">Testees</a>' at 10:30 p.m.</li> <li> A&amp;E (720p) has '<a href="http://television.aol.com/show/jacked-auto-theft-task-force/10293509/main" target="_blank">Jacked: Auto Theft Task Force</a>' at 10 p.m.</li> <li> Versus (1080i) has NHL action with Maple Leafs/Red Wings at 7 p.m. and Bruins/Avalanche at 10 p.m.</li> <li> ESPN (720p) presents Clemson/Wake Forest college football at 7:30 p.m.</li> <li> ESPNU (720p) has Winston-Salem/Florida A&amp;M college football at 7:30 p.m.</li> <li> ESPN2 (720p) has an MLS tilt with New york/Real Salt Lake at 10 p.m.</li> </ul><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/hdtv-listings-for-october-9-2008/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1338060/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/hdtv-listings-for-october-9-2008/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416204218" height="1" width="1"/>hdtvlistingsThu, 09 Oct 2008 18:43:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/hdtv-listings-for-october-9-2008/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416183507/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/mccain-remark-annoys-ebay-founder/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/mccain-remark-annoys-ebay-founder/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/celebrities/" rel="tag">Celebrities</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/ebay/" rel="tag">eBay</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="eBay Founder Fact Checks McCain" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/pierretwitter.jpg" /><br /></div> <br /><a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/johnmccain">John McCain</a> may have just made himself a powerful enemy. During Tuesday night's debate, when asked about whom he would choose for treasury secretary, McCain made mention of Meg Whitman, the former CEO of <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/ebay">eBay</a>. "Meg Whitman was CEO of a company which started with 12 people," McCain said, which caused Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay, to balk via <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/twitter">Twitter</a>.<br /><br />"<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/pierre/statuses/950469824">Ahem. Started with 12 people?,</a>" Omidyar wrote, a clear reference to the fact that he started eBay by himself in 1995. Whitman joined in 1998 when eBay already had 30 employees. <br /><br />We won't hold it against the presidential candidate -- the man is 72. Our grandma is 72, and she can't even remember our name. [From: <a target="_blank" href="http://valleywag.com/5060675/ebay-founder-factchecks-john-mccain">ValleyWag</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://valleywag.com/5060675/ebay-founder-factchecks-john-mccain>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/mccain-remark-annoys-ebay-founder/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1337503/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/mccain-remark-annoys-ebay-founder/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416183507" height="1" width="1"/>electionsjohn mccainJohnMccainmccainpoliticstwitterThu, 09 Oct 2008 18:12:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/mccain-remark-annoys-ebay-founder/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416162299/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/apple-announces-notebook-event-on-october-14th/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/apple-announces-notebook-event-on-october-14th/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/2008.10.09_nbook.jpg" /><br /> <div align="left"><span style="float: right; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 4px;"><script> digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Apple_to_announce_new_laptops_next_Tuesday'; </script><script src="http://digg.com/api/diggthis.js"></script></span><br />The rumors were true folks. Apple is staging an invitation-only Town Hall event in Cupertino next Tuesday, October 14th at 10AM PST. It's absolutely safe to say they'll be showing off new laptops... and you <em>know</em> we'll be there live! Will this be an unveiling of a <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/09/more-pics-of-apples-supposed-new-laptops-surface/">whole new</a> form factor? Will this "<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/05/apple-introducing-new-manufacturing-process-macbook-brick/">Brick</a>" mystery be put to bed? Will they come in <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/09/official-ipod-nano-reaches-4g-looks-tall-for-its-age/">rainbow colors</a>? Tune in to find out.<br /></div> </div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/apple-announces-notebook-event-on-october-14th/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1337928/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/apple-announces-notebook-event-on-october-14th/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416162299" height="1" width="1"/>applebreaking newsBreakingNewseventmacbookmacbook proMacbookProOctober 14thOctober 14th 2008October14thOctober14th2008san franciscoSanFranciscoThu, 09 Oct 2008 17:41:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/apple-announces-notebook-event-on-october-14th/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416140586/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/scientists-putting-gas-masks-on-sheep-to-determine-eco-footprint/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/scientists-putting-gas-masks-on-sheep-to-determine-eco-footprint/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/green-tech/" rel="tag">Green Tech</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/09/article-1074749-02F2954800000578-464_233x365_popup.jpg" rel="" class="lightboxPopupLink" onclick="return false"><img width="233" height="365" border="0" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/09/article-1074749-02F2954800000578-464_233x365.jpg" alt="sheep in gas mask" class="blkBorder" /></a></div> <br />Between the dogs and the shears, sheep have always had it pretty rough. Now, Australian sheep are being forced to wear gas masks. All we have to say is...What have sheep ever done to deserve this!?<br /><br />Actually, the wool-producers produce methane gas, and the masks are being used by scientists to measure the environmental impact of the more than 90 million sheep in Australia. Selected sheep will have a mask placed over their mouth and nose for approximately one minute. From this, scientists should be able to calculate the greenhouse gas footprint of the livestock. <br /><br />Don't worry little sheep, you won't feel pain much longer... The holidays are upon us. <br /><br />Sorry, but its true. [From: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1074749/A-baaa-d-idea-Aussie-sheep-wear-gas-masks-scientists-breath-affect-climate.html?ITO=1490">DailyMail</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1074749/A-baaa-d-idea-Aussie-sheep-wear-gas-masks-scientists-breath-affect-climate.html?ITO=1490>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/scientists-putting-gas-masks-on-sheep-to-determine-eco-footprint/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1337557/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/scientists-putting-gas-masks-on-sheep-to-determine-eco-footprint/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416140586" height="1" width="1"/>footprintsciencesheepstudiesweirdThu, 09 Oct 2008 16:58:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/scientists-putting-gas-masks-on-sheep-to-determine-eco-footprint/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416059601/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/russian-prime-minister-vladimir-putin-releases-judo-dvd/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/russian-prime-minister-vladimir-putin-releases-judo-dvd/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/audio-video/" rel="tag">Audio/Video</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/celebrities/" rel="tag">Celebrities</a></p><div align="center"><embed width="425" height="360" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" swliveconnect="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" seamlesstabbing="false" name="flashObj" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" flashvars="videoId=1840844537&amp;playerId=1137883380&amp;viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&amp;servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&amp;cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&amp;domain=embed&amp;autoStart=false&amp;" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" src="http://services.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1137883380"></embed></div> <br /><a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/russia">Russian</a> Prime Minister Vladimir Putin apparently has something to prove -- we suspect he's trying to compensate for something we won't identify. In celebration of his 56th birthday, the former KGB agent has released a DVD that stars himself, alongside Japanese and Russian specialists, demonstrating Judo techniques. 'Let's Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin' (seriously, that's the title) features Putin displaying a surprising level of strength and speed while taking down opponents with ease and executing difficult grappling techniques. <br /><br />As if the slightly bizarre notion of a politician releasing a martial arts instructional video weren't enough, Putin also released a series of photos of himself bare-chested running through the woods, as well as white water rafting and horseback riding in fatigues.<br /><br />This is the same man who last year released photos of himself shooting a tiger with a tranquilizer dart to save journalists, and who also took members of the press on a fishing trip where he slept under a thin blanket, rather than in a sleeping bag (despite temperatures that dipped below freezing during the night).<br /><br />These sort of testosterone-fueled shenanigans make President <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/georgebush">Bush</a>'s photo ops (like brush-clearing adventures on the ranch) seem downright wussy by comparison. [From: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3152529/Vladimir-Putin-launches-judo-DVD.html" target="_blank">Telegraph</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3152529/Vladimir-Putin-launches-judo-DVD.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/russian-prime-minister-vladimir-putin-releases-judo-dvd/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1336488/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/russian-prime-minister-vladimir-putin-releases-judo-dvd/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416059601" height="1" width="1"/>judopoliticsputinrussiavladimir putinVladimirPutinweirdThu, 09 Oct 2008 15:24:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/russian-prime-minister-vladimir-putin-releases-judo-dvd/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416026143/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/youtube-share-videos-and-shop/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/youtube-share-videos-and-shop/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/video-games/" rel="tag">Video Games</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/ipod/" rel="tag">iPod</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/google/" rel="tag">Google</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/youtube.jpg" alt="" /><br /></div> The term '<a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/youtube" target="_blank"><span class="misspell" suggestions="You Tube,You-Tube,Tube,Yoruba,Tobe">YouTube</span>'</a> has reached such pop culture saturation that even our grandparents know that it's a video site. But if the <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/google" target="_blank">Google</a>-owned video behemoth has its way, everyone and their mother (and father, sister, and brother) will soon spend as much time shopping on the site as they do watching videos.<br /><br />In a partnership starting with Apple's <span class="misspell" suggestions="tunes,attunes,atones,tines,tune's"><a href="http://www.apple.com/itunes/overview/">iTunes</a></span> Store and online retailer <a href="http://www.amazon.com">Amazon</a>, <span class="misspell" suggestions="You Tube,You-Tube,Tube,Yoruba,Tobe"><a href="http://www.youtube.com">YouTube</a></span> will place conveniently located buttons to purchase, say, the song or <span class="misspell" suggestions="video game,video-game,Vietnam,dogma,dodgem">videogame</span> used in the music video or <span class="misspell" suggestions="game play,game-play,gamely,Kampala,amply">gameplay</span> clip, respectively, that you are watching. The generated revenue will then be shared with the applicable retailer. It's unclear how <span class="misspell" id="bad_word" suggestions="You Tube,You-Tube,Tube,Yoruba,Tobe">YouTube</span> will split the revenue-sharing with folks who post user-created content that utilizes said music, game, or other product in their videos, but given a possible three-way split between YouTube, the retailer, and the user, expect some pretty low margins.<br /><br />We'll have to see how unobtrusive the actual implementation is, but given the amount of music videos and <span class="misspell" suggestions="video game,video-game,Vietnam,dogma,dodgem">videogame</span> clips found on <span class="misspell" suggestions="You Tube,You-Tube,Tube,Yoruba,Tobe">YouTube</span>, <span class="misspell" suggestions="tunes,attunes,atones,tines,tune's">iTunes</span> and Amazon are probably the two best retailers to partner with. A "Buy Now" button isn't too different from a standard Google ad besides being a bit more targeted, but hey, at least they're trying. What really has us concerned, though, is when and if companies start hiring shills to give glowing video "user reviews" of their products on the site (Yes, it will happen). [From: <a href="http://mashable.com/2008/10/07/youtube-click-to-buy/">Mashable</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://uk.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idUKN0748166220081007>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/youtube-share-videos-and-shop/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1336950/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/youtube-share-videos-and-shop/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416026143" height="1" width="1"/>amazonitunesshoppingyoutubeThu, 09 Oct 2008 14:42:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/youtube-share-videos-and-shop/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/416000247/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/12-sneakiest-computer-viruses/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/12-sneakiest-computer-viruses/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/advice/" rel="tag">Advice</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/top-lists/" rel="tag">Top Lists</a></p><style type="text/css"> <!--.aolBtn { -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; cursor:hand; font:bold 1.5em Tahoma, Arial,sans-serif; border:solid 1px black; color:white; background-color:#FF7F04; } a.aolBtn { display:inline-block; text-decoration:none; padding:2px 14px 4px; margin:0 4px; } .aolBtn:hover,.aolBtnHov { background-color:white; color:#FF7F04 } --> </style> <div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/2008.10.09vir2.jpg" alt="" /><br /></div> <br />As more computer users become wise to viruses, the criminals behind them are often a few steps ahead. Some malware infects your computer without you ever realizing it and then can truly mess up your life. Others arrive as a result of user mistakes, then do their dirty work undetected. We've got the scoop on 12 of the most devious and crafty viruses currently out there, including information on how they can harm you and tips on how to protect yourself against them. Click on below to find out more....<br /> <div style="padding: 10px;"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a class="aolBtn" href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/12-sneakiest-computer-viruses-2/">Next &gt;&gt;</a><br /></div> <br /> </div><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/12-sneakiest-computer-viruses/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1336659/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/12-sneakiest-computer-viruses/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/416000247" height="1" width="1"/>featuressafetysecurityvirusvirusesThu, 09 Oct 2008 14:00:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/12-sneakiest-computer-viruses/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/415912580/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/worlds-largest-led-screen-coming-to-dubai/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/worlds-largest-led-screen-coming-to-dubai/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/audio-video/" rel="tag">Audio/Video</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/tv/" rel="tag">TV</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.gulfnews.com/business/Real_Estate_Property/10250190.html"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/10/10-8-08-tameer_podium.jpg" /></a><br /></div> <br />By this point, you should fully understand that "<a href="http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/17/aloft-bringing-luxurious-hotel-to-abu-dhabi/">Dubai</a>" and "<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/19/dubais-time-residences-tower-worlds-largest-gadget/">world's largest</a>" go <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/25/carbon-neutral-ziggurat-pyramid-could-house-1-1-million-in-dubai/">hand-in-hand</a>, so it's quite fitting that said city is receiving the planet's most humongous LED screen. Designed by UAE development company Tameer Holding, the 33-story high display will reportedly be "embedded on an intended commercial tower in the Majan district of Dubailand," where it will stand tall and blast out advertisements to onlookers some 1.5-kilometers away. <br /><br />Dubbed Podium, the building will also house 33 levels of "premium commercial office space, two floors dedicated to retail and four floors for parking." There's no word on when the project will be completed, but we don't suspect Tameer will be dragging its feet in getting this up.<br /><br />[Via <a href="http://www.coolbuzz.org/entry/uae-to-get-33-storey-high-led-screen-soon/">Coolbuzz</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.gulfnews.com/business/Real_Estate_Property/10250190.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/worlds-largest-led-screen-coming-to-dubai/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1337480/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/worlds-largest-led-screen-coming-to-dubai/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/415912580" height="1" width="1"/>DactronicsdubaiLEDmiddle eastMiddleEastOLEDPodiumTameerUAEworld recordWorldRecordworlds largestWorldsLargestThu, 09 Oct 2008 12:19:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/worlds-largest-led-screen-coming-to-dubai/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/415886501/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/as-economy-falters-phishing-and-spam-e-mail-scams-surge/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/as-economy-falters-phishing-and-spam-e-mail-scams-surge/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/infotheft/2008-10-08-banks-scams-phising-washington-mutual_N.htm" target="_blank"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2007/10/junkmail2.jpg" alt="As Economy Falters, Phishing and Spam Scams Surge" /></a><br /></div> These are scary times for those with retirement savings tied to the markets. As things plunge faster and further than they have in years, many are crying recession and worse, while some others are seeing a boom. Many of those in the latter group are scammers, preying on people looking for answers to make a quick buck. <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/infotheft/2008-10-08-banks-scams-phising-washington-mutual_N.htm" target="_blank">Phishing attacks are surging</a> now as people are being a little more emotional in their online banking habits, and a little less careful.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/phishing" target="_blank">Phishing attacks</a> -- essentially fake e-mails from familiar banks and other institutions masquerading as the real thing -- are on the rise, preying on people's panic about potential bank failures to get them to click through and enter their log-in details. Recent scam e-mails purporting to come from banks such as Chase and Washington Mutual are currently making the rounds.<br /><br />Modern browsers like <a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/06/18/firefox-3-0-released-sets-download-record/" target="_blank">Firefox 3.0</a> and <a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/08/29/internet-explorer-8-beta-2-released-to-public-hands-on" target="_blank">Internet Explorer 8</a> will warn you when you hit such bogus sites, but you can never be too careful. As always: Be wary of where you click, and if you're unsure that a given site is legit type in the URL to your bank by hand and log in from there. Think twice before reacting to some provocative e-mail subject line that's somehow related to protecting your financial assets, since those are precisely the sorts of phrases that are being used as bait by evildoing phishers. It's all too easy to fall prey to these tricks, so better to be safe than sorry. [From: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/infotheft/2008-10-08-banks-scams-phising-washington-mutual_N.htm" target="_blank">USA Today</a>]<br /><br /><strong>Related Link:</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/09/24/the-12-most-dangerous-e-mails/">12 Most Dangerous E-Mails</a><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/infotheft/2008-10-08-banks-scams-phising-washington-mutual_N.htm>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/as-economy-falters-phishing-and-spam-e-mail-scams-surge/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1337444/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/as-economy-falters-phishing-and-spam-e-mail-scams-surge/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/415886501" height="1" width="1"/>e-mail scamsE-mailScamsfraudonline bankingOnlineBankingphishingsafetyscamsecurityThu, 09 Oct 2008 11:35:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/as-economy-falters-phishing-and-spam-e-mail-scams-surge/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/415847668/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/3d-holographic-tvs-could-turn-your-living-room-into-a-movie-set/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/3d-holographic-tvs-could-turn-your-living-room-into-a-movie-set/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/audio-video/" rel="tag">Audio/Video</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/tv/" rel="tag">TV</a></p><div align="center"><img width="385" vspace="4" hspace="4" height="282" border="0" alt="3D Holographic TVs Could Turn Your Living Room into a Movie Set" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/holographictv_01.jpg" /><br /></div> <br />We've seen a myriad of display technologies come and go: <a target="_blank" href="http://switched.com.com/4520-6029_7-6040403-1.html?tag=txt">CRT</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://switched.com.com/4520-6029_7-6041351-1.html?tag=txt">LCD</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://switched.com.com/4520-6029_7-6405205-1.html?tag=txt">SED</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://switched.com.com/4520-6029_7-6308333-1.html?tag=txt">OLED</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://switched.com.com/4520-6029_7-6040178-1.html?tag=txt">Plasma</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.switched.com/2008/01/11/laser-tv-from-mitsubishi-is-unreal/">Laser</a>, and more. They've all had their respective day in the sun, even if they never really came to have an impact on the consumer market. Trying to figure out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/03/7-cool-tvs-from-the-future/">the next big thing</a> is always a bit of a crap shoot, but Japanese researchers are expecting that by 2020 we could see <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/hologram">holographic</a> displays that could turn your living room into a movie set.<br /><br />The technology has been around since the 1990s, but only recently have scientists made advances that could potentially bring these visions to life. Displays are now possible that create the immersive environments promised, but they take several minutes to refresh and display the next image. The 3D holographic projectors must refresh at least 24 times a second to create a seamless moving image. <br /><br />The displays are currently still relegated to the world of science fiction, but it sounds like it's not too far off before watching a movie could turn your couch into a bunker that you take cover in next to the film's star during a battle sequence. [From: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sonyinsider.com/2008/10/06/3d-holographic-tvs-very-possible-and-will-happen-by-2020/">Sony Insider</a>]<br /><br /><strong>Related Links:<br /><br /></strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/03/7-cool-tvs-from-the-future/">7 Cool TVs From the Future</a><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.sonyinsider.com/2008/10/06/3d-holographic-tvs-very-possible-and-will-happen-by-2020/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/3d-holographic-tvs-could-turn-your-living-room-into-a-movie-set/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1336871/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/3d-holographic-tvs-could-turn-your-living-room-into-a-movie-set/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/415847668" height="1" width="1"/>3d3d display3dDisplayfuturefuture techFutureTechhologramholographicsci-fisciencetelevisionThu, 09 Oct 2008 10:56:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/3d-holographic-tvs-could-turn-your-living-room-into-a-movie-set/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/415810926/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/social-networking-goes-corporate/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/social-networking-goes-corporate/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a></p><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-10-07-social-network-work_N.htm" target="_blank"><img vspace="14" hspace="4" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/linkedin-logo.jpg" alt="Social Networking Goes Corporate" /></a>If you though it was a bit strange that the FBI was setting up a sort of internal <a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/09/08/shh-myspace-for-spies-launches-this-month/">MySpace</a> for spies, think again. According to an article in USA Today, corporate social networks are <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-10-07-social-network-work_N.htm" target="_blank">all the rage right now</a>, as companies are attempting to bridge the gaps between geographically distributed employees by creating new avenues of communication that won't result in even more cluttered inboxes, or so the theory goes.<br /><br />According to several of the folks interviewed in the article, social networks actually boost productivity, by facilitating everything from more collaboration between colleagues to cutting back on unecessary inter-office e-mails and instant messages (we're not so sure about that last one).<br /><br />Some companies are even building their own internal networks, where co-workers can locate each other and create forums on a variety of work-related topics (leading to more of the aforementioned productivity). Others are turning to <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/linkedin" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>, the already business-minded site that now offers a service called Company Groups. It delivers the same functionality; a private network within LinkedIn's massive network of 28 million users. <br /><br />No, you shouldn't expect to see thousands of <a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/09/26/myspace-partners-with-amazon-to-stream-free-music/" target="_blank">free songs streaming</a> or the fluff you'll find on other social networks, but you might just be able to find out which of your coworkers stole your red <a href="http://www.switched.com/2007/12/01/10-ultimate-cubicle-gadgets/" target="_blank">Swingline stapler</a>. [From: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-10-07-social-network-work_N.htm" target="_blank">USA Today</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-10-07-social-network-work_N.htm>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/social-networking-goes-corporate/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1336194/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/social-networking-goes-corporate/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/415810926" height="1" width="1"/>corporate social networkingCorporateSocialNetworkinglinkedinmyspacesocial networkingSocialNetworkingtrendsThu, 09 Oct 2008 10:09:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/social-networking-goes-corporate/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/415788333/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/sega-releases-plant-that-nods-to-your-voice/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/sega-releases-plant-that-nods-to-your-voice/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/audio-video/" rel="tag">Audio/Video</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/2008.10.09_plantnod.jpg" /><br /></div> <br />Move over <a href="http://maybe/">Aibo</a>, take a seat, <a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/07/another-creepy-humanoid-robot-from-japan/">creepy humanoid robot doll</a>, Pekoppa has arrived! Sega's eagerly anticipated nodding robotic plant is finally here, at least in Japan, though we expect that it will soon be turning up in children's bedrooms and on the window sills of retirement homes stateside, delighting the immature and the elderly with its fantastic capacity to acknowledge that it is listening/ Garden-variety sound sensors, presumably, enable the doodad to move its leaves as you sing or speak to it.<br /><br />Only in the high pressure society of Japan, where <a href="http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080517f2.html" target="_blank">1 in 5 people have considered suicide</a>, would a robotic plant that nods be billed as a good listener (we're basing this claim on a <a href="http://www.strapya-world.com/categories/2331_4582.html" target="_blank">translation of the promo song in this video</a>). In fact, we'd like to say that if you're talking to a robotic plant because that's the only thing that will listen to your problems, you might need to seek more professional help. [From <a href="http://www.ohgizmo.com/2008/10/07/at-least-you-wont-have-to-water-it/" target="_blank">OhGizmo!</a>]<br /><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.ohgizmo.com/2008/10/07/at-least-you-wont-have-to-water-it/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/sega-releases-plant-that-nods-to-your-voice/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1337050/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/sega-releases-plant-that-nods-to-your-voice/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/415788333" height="1" width="1"/>big in japanBigInJapanfunjapankidsplantrobotsegatoyweirdThu, 09 Oct 2008 09:30:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/sega-releases-plant-that-nods-to-your-voice/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/415754194/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/oxford-and-cambridge-universities-to-offer-ipod-lectures/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/oxford-and-cambridge-universities-to-offer-ipod-lectures/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/computers/" rel="tag">Computers</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/ipod/" rel="tag">iPod</a></p><div align="center"><img width="402" vspace="4" hspace="4" height="249" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/small_oxford.jpg" /><br /></div> <br /><br />In what is sure to be seen as yet another argument for college students not to attend class (or college, for that matter), England's venerable <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ox.ac.uk/">Oxford</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cam.ac.uk/">Cambridge</a> universities launched a service earlier this week that allows lectures, videos and podcasts to be downloaded from the iTunes store. The goal is to make the elite institutions more accessible to people across the world (particularly those who have iPods/iPhones).<br /><br />Cambridge will make available more than 300 lectures, short films and interviews with academics (some of which are Nobel Prize winners, it should be noted). Oxford, on the other hand, will offer more than 150 hours of audio and video podcasts, including interviews with experts in genomics and the economics of climate change. <br /><br />Students hoping to apply to the universities can also find helpful videos to help them through the process. Sadly, none of these appear to be a guide on how to change the grades on your high school report cards. [From: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1070869/Oxbridge-offers-iTunes-lectures-bid-open-universities-people-world.html?ITO=1490 ">DailyMail</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1070869/Oxbridge-offers-iTunes-lectures-bid-open-universities-people-world.html?ITO=1490>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/oxford-and-cambridge-universities-to-offer-ipod-lectures/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1337004/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/oxford-and-cambridge-universities-to-offer-ipod-lectures/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/415754194" height="1" width="1"/>collegeeducationlearningpodcastsThu, 09 Oct 2008 08:47:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/oxford-and-cambridge-universities-to-offer-ipod-lectures/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/415693054/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/pedestrians-with-ipods-are-traffic-danger-says-insurance-compan/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/pedestrians-with-ipods-are-traffic-danger-says-insurance-compan/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/ipod/" rel="tag">iPod</a></p><div align="center"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/switchedipod.jpg" /><br /></div> <br />An unnamed insurance company recently stated that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1072130/Podestrians-pedestrians-iPods-trigger-rise-traffic-accidents-failing-hear-cars.html?ITO=1490">one in ten minor accidents are caused by headphone-wearing pedestrians</a>, the Daily Mail reports. <br /><br />Since headphones and earbuds have become louder and increasingly capable of blocking out external noise (especially those new-fangled in-ear buds), the folks who don them on the streets are frequently unable to hear traffic noise. This can result in a listener stepping into a crosswalk, oblivious to the oncoming truck forced to slam on its brakes. Not surprisingly, collisions are on the rise.<br /><br />Although we haven't heard any such reports yet, we're confident that sometime soon, some iPod-listening jaywalker is going to be <a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/03/25/cell-phone-car-crash-5-2-million-settlement/">taken to the bank</a>. [From: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1072130/Podestrians-pedestrians-iPods-trigger-rise-traffic-accidents-failing-hear-cars.html?ITO=1490">Daily Mail</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1072130/Podestrians-pedestrians-iPods-trigger-rise-traffic-accidents-failing-hear-cars.html?ITO=1490>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/pedestrians-with-ipods-are-traffic-danger-says-insurance-compan/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/forward/1336290/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/pedestrians-with-ipods-are-traffic-danger-says-insurance-compan/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~4/415693054" height="1" width="1"/>headphoneskiller gadgetsKillerGadgetssafetystudiessurveysThu, 09 Oct 2008 07:06:00 ESThttp://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/pedestrians-with-ipods-are-traffic-danger-says-insurance-compan/http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Switched/~3/415216002/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/08/tetris-like-game-pulled-from-app-store/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/08/tetris-like-game-pulled-from-app-store/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/cell-phones/" rel="tag">Cell Phones</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/video-games/" rel="tag">Video Games</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/iphone/" rel="tag">iPhone</a>, <a href="http://www.switched.com/category/mobile-software/" rel="tag">Mobile Software</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.switched.com/media/2008/10/shakerbyebye.png" /><br /></div> <p>Another day, another independent developer gets shafted on the iTunes App Store. Today's casualty? Developer <a href="http://www.phunkware.com/default.htm">Phunkware </a>and its Tetris-inspired game, Shaker. </p> <p>According to <a href="http://www.tuaw.com">TUAW</a>, the Tetris Company and Tetris Holdings LLC found the game to be <em>too</em> inspired by its titular cash cow, despite the somewhat intoxicating visual themes, inclusion of martini recipes, and unique "shaker" feature that rotated the blocks based on the iPhone's <a href="http://www.switched.com/tag/accelerometer">accelerometer </a>orientation. We'll admit, the core gameplay is similar to Tetris, but honestly, the same could be said for any number of games and the classics they draw from.</p> <p>In the current wave of App Store rejections and removals, it's sad to see another application go the way of the Dodo -- particularly one that has genuinely unique features to offer. And with so many apps being virtual clones of each other -- games or not -- the only real question left to ask is, "Who's next on the chopping block?" [From <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/08/apple-yanks-iphone-game-for-being-too-much-like-tetris/">TUAW</a>]<br /></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/08/apple-yanks-iphone-game-for-being-too-much-like-tetris/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.switched.com/2008/10/08/tetris-like-game-pulled-from-app-store/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permal