Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet To Support Android Apps]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/blackberry-playbook-tablet-to-support-android-apps/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/blackberry-playbook-tablet-to-support-android-apps/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/blackberry-playbook-tablet-to-support-android-apps/#comments blackberry playbook There's probably never going to be a tablet that unseats the iPad, just as there never was an iPhone killer or a serious iPod competitor. But that doesn't mean that some companies won't make great products and fantastic business decisions. Case in point is RIM, which yesterday announced that the forthcoming BlackBerry PlayBook will support Android apps.

There are some caveats, of course. For one, the tablet only supports Android 2.3, not Android 3.0 Honeycomb apps -- which are the ones optimized for tablets. But despite the limitations, the move will doubtlessly go a long way toward pleasing a customer base that could potentially extend far beyond business users.

SwitchedBlackBerry PlayBook Tablet To Support Android Apps originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappsblackberryblackberry playbookBlackberryPlaybookhoneycombplaybookrimtabletFri, 25 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM Pulls Drunk-Driving BlackBerry Apps, Pleases Democratic Senators]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/rim-pulls-drunk-driving-blackberry-apps-pleases-democratic-sena/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/rim-pulls-drunk-driving-blackberry-apps-pleases-democratic-sena/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/rim-pulls-drunk-driving-blackberry-apps-pleases-democratic-sena/#commentsRIM has decided to pull all BlackBerry apps designed to help drivers avoid sobriety checkpoints, in response to a request filed by four Democratic Senators. Thus far, at least one app has already vanished from the BlackBerry App World, a fact that drew praise from New York Senator Charles Schumer. "RIM's decision to remove these apps from their online store proves that when it comes to drunk driving, there should not be an app for that," Schumer said. Neither Apple nor Google has responded to the Senators' request.

SwitchedRIM Pulls Drunk-Driving BlackBerry Apps, Pleases Democratic Senators originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsBlackBerryCharlesSchumerDrunkDrivinglawpolicepoliticsRIMsafetytopThu, 24 Mar 2011 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Democratic Senators Ask Apple to Remove DUI Checkpoint Apps]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/democratic-senators-ask-apple-to-remove-dui-checkpoint-apps/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/democratic-senators-ask-apple-to-remove-dui-checkpoint-apps/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/democratic-senators-ask-apple-to-remove-dui-checkpoint-apps/#commentsA group of Senators is asking Apple to remove from its App Store all apps designed to help drunk drivers avoid checkpoints -- apps that the politicians consider "harmful to public safety."

In a letter, four Senators -- Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Tom Udall (D-NM) -- argued that apps that help drivers avoid speed traps, sobriety checkpoints and police radar pose serious risks to other motorists. "Giving drunk drivers a free tool to evade checkpoints, putting innocent families and children at risk, is a matter of public concern," the Senators wrote in a letter to Apple, Google and BlackBerry manufacturer Research in Motion. "We hope that you will give our request to remove these applications from your store immediate consideration."

Continue reading Democratic Senators Ask Apple to Remove DUI Checkpoint Apps

SwitchedDemocratic Senators Ask Apple to Remove DUI Checkpoint Apps originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleappsAppStoreBlackBerryDemocratsdrunkDrunkDrivingduigooglelawPhantomAlertpolicepoliticsRIMtopWed, 23 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM: Disable JavaScript on Your BlackBerry for Security]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/rim-disable-javascript-blackberry-security-vulnerability/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/rim-disable-javascript-blackberry-security-vulnerability/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/rim-disable-javascript-blackberry-security-vulnerability/#commentsResearch in Motion is urging BlackBerry users to disable JavaScript on their smartphones after a major vulnerability was exposed at this year's Pwn2Own hacker challenge. According to the company, the security hole could allow a hacker to gain access to the device's data if a user stumbles upon any "maliciously designed" websites.

The vulnerability only exposes data stored on a user's media card and built-in storage (meaning that e-mails and contact information remain secure), and it only affects phones running BlackBerry OS 6. RIM says it hasn't received any reports of hackers exploiting the vulnerability outside of a test environment, but is nonetheless encouraging IT departments to exercise caution until the hole is patched.

SwitchedRIM: Disable JavaScript on Your BlackBerry for Security originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackBerrycellphoneshackeros 6Os6Pwn2OwnRIMsecuritysmartphonestopvulnerabilityThu, 17 Mar 2011 10:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Avoid Tech With the Aid of an App]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/sabbath-manifesto-avoid-tech-with-an-app/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/sabbath-manifesto-avoid-tech-with-an-app/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/sabbath-manifesto-avoid-tech-with-an-app/#comments Sabbath Manifesto Despite being tech bloggers, we're all about unplugging for a while, and setting aside time to be tech-free. Reboot, a Jewish non-profit organization, also wants you to find time to unplug, specifically in honor of the sabbath. The group has created both a mobile app and Web app called 'Sabbath Manifesto,' which helps to remind you to disconnect, and allows you to tell others about your plans to go offline. Though Reboot has its roots in Jewish tradition, the group wants people of all beliefs to join in the second annual National Day of Unplugging, which begins at sundown on March 4th. During the following 25 hours, Reboot encourages users to observe 10 principles, the first and most obvious being "Avoid technology." But the list goes further, encouraging participants to "connect with loved ones," "get outside" and "give back."

Reboot is aware of the strangeness of using an app to help you disconnect. A spokesperson told the New York Times, "[We] fully get the irony of using a high-tech app to announce a low-tech day. But really, what better way to tell your followers that you won't be tweeting on the weekend." Besides having the ability to get reminders and share your intention to unplug through various social networks, you can also use 'Sabbath Manifesto' to draft, well, a manifesto, explaining why you'll be shunning the Web for 24 hours. The app is available for Android and BlackBerry currently, and an iPhone version is awaiting approval from Apple.

SwitchedAvoid Tech With the Aid of an App originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappsblackberryiosjudaismnational day of unpluggingNationalDayOfUnpluggingrebootreligionsabbathsabbath manifestoSabbathManifestoshabbostopThu, 03 Mar 2011 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Hacked and Hijacked! How to Save Data if Your Portable Device Is Stolen]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/do-this-if-cell-phone-laptop-stolen-or-hacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/do-this-if-cell-phone-laptop-stolen-or-hacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/do-this-if-cell-phone-laptop-stolen-or-hacked/#comments

Symptom:

You reach into your pocket or bag, and, well, it's empty!

Diagnosis:

Beyond the understandable distress of losing a pricey smartphone, laptop or tablet PC, the real trauma is the sudden and unfettered access afforded to the slippery-fingered jerk who took it. The cost of a new laptop is meager compared to the personal and even financial havoc that a motivated thief can wreak with the data stored on a typical portable device.

Continue reading Hacked and Hijacked! How to Save Data if Your Portable Device Is Stolen

SwitchedHacked and Hijacked! How to Save Data if Your Portable Device Is Stolen originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappsbitlockerblackberryblackberry protectBlackberryProtectfamily locatorFamilyLocatorfeaturesfilevaultfind my ipadfind my iphoneFindMyIpadFindMyIphoneiosipadlaptoplojack for laptopsLojackForLaptopsmacmobile recoveryMobileRecoverymy phone windows mobileMyPhoneWindowsMobilenotebookpcpreyRemoteWiperoblacksecuritysmartphonestolentabletTheftProtectionTheftRecoverythieftoptrackerTrackLocationweboswheres my droidWheresMyDroidFri, 25 Feb 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerrys, Facebook Have Changed the Face of Prostitution, Sociologist Finds]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/02/blackberry-facebook-changing-prostitution-sudhir-venkatesh-study/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/02/blackberry-facebook-changing-prostitution-sudhir-venkatesh-study/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/02/blackberry-facebook-changing-prostitution-sudhir-venkatesh-study/#commentsToday's high-end prostitutes book their own appointments on BlackBerrys and rely on Facebook, rather than pimps or madams, for self-promotion. That, in a nutshell, is what Columbia sociology professor Sudhir Venkatesh discovered while doing research for a Wired report on New York's sex workers. Venkatesh spent a full year following some 290 sex workers in the city, and made careful observations on how new technology has changed the nature of their work.

Instead of using pimps or escort agencies, many sex workers have launched their own sites, in order to avoid giving big cuts to any middlemen. And, even before Craigslist shut down its adult services section, many ladies of the night had already begun flocking to Facebook, where they can market themselves and attract online clients. In fact, Venkatesh predicts that by the end of 2011, Facebook will have become "the leading on-line recruitment space" for prostitutes and johns, which is certainly cause for celebration. BlackBerrys, meanwhile, are the smartphone of choice for an overwhelming majority (70-percent) of the workers that Venkatesh interviewed, because they look more professional, and, apparently, imply that a woman is disease-free. (Note to self....)

Continue reading BlackBerrys, Facebook Have Changed the Face of Prostitution, Sociologist Finds

SwitchedBlackBerrys, Facebook Have Changed the Face of Prostitution, Sociologist Finds originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdultEntertainmentBlackBerrycellphonescraigslistEscortfacebookpimpprostitutionprostitution+on+facebookprostitutiononfacebooksexSexWorkersSocialNetworkingsociologystudytopWebWed, 02 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM Says It Can't Give India Access to BlackBerry E-Mails]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/28/rim-wont-give-india-blackberry-email-access/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/28/rim-wont-give-india-blackberry-email-access/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/28/rim-wont-give-india-blackberry-email-access/#commentsRIM may have resolved its BlackBerry issues in the Middle East and Indonesia, but the company's negotiations with India seem to have hit a wall. Today, the smartphone manufacturer reiterated that it cannot allow the Indian government to monitor corporate e-mails sent from Blackberry devices because, according to RIM, the technology simply doesn't exist.

"We can't give a solution for enterprise services [corporate email]," said Robert Crow, RIM's VP for industry, government and university relations. "It's not possible to do so, because the keys of that service are with the corporate enterprises and corporate entity that owns the server." Earlier this month, the company gave India access to data sent via its BlackBerry messenger service, but government officials were hoping for more.

Continue reading RIM Says It Can't Give India Access to BlackBerry E-Mails

SwitchedRIM Says It Can't Give India Access to BlackBerry E-Mails originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackBerryBlackBerry MessengerBlackberryMessengercellphonesCorporate emailCorporateEmailemailIndianegotiationspoliticsRIMsecuritysmartphonesurveillanceterrorismtopFri, 28 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Essential BlackBerry Keyboard Shortcuts for Fighting RSI]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/20/essential-blackberry-keyboard-shortcuts-for-fighting-rsi/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/20/essential-blackberry-keyboard-shortcuts-for-fighting-rsi/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/20/essential-blackberry-keyboard-shortcuts-for-fighting-rsi/#commentsYesterday, we showed you how to set up your basic AutoText and predictive text settings, but you can do much more to relieve the dreaded BlackBerry thumb by taking advantage of keyboard shortcuts. Since so many exist, though, you'll want to get started with learning the basics. Some shortcuts work for both e-mail and messaging, but others are exclusive to individual services.

Continue reading Essential BlackBerry Keyboard Shortcuts for Fighting RSI

SwitchedEssential BlackBerry Keyboard Shortcuts for Fighting RSI originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryrimtextingtipstoptypingThu, 20 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Soothe Your BlackBerry's Spell Check, AutoText and Predictive Text Turmoil]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/19/blackberry-auto-text-predictive-text-tips/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/19/blackberry-auto-text-predictive-text-tips/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/19/blackberry-auto-text-predictive-text-tips/#commentsMany BlackBerry owners bemoan -- and remain ignorant of -- their devices' various messaging and keyboard settings. BlackBerry does, however, offer an impressive variety of shortcuts and alternative options, although those features are located within an extensive and disorganized menu arrangement.

When sending messages, typing purists may want to manipulate the AutoText predictive text and spell check features, which -- for some reason -- are all located in different menu categories. For AutoText, simply go to the 'Options' menu (the monkey-wrench icon), and then choose 'SMS Text.' Select the 'Disable AutoText' box, and then save as you go back to the main menu. To address predictive text, which guesses what you are typing as you pound it in, go to 'Options' and then choose 'Language and Text Input.' Click 'Show Text Input Options,' and then customize the individual predictive settings, or uncheck the feature completely.

Continue reading Soothe Your BlackBerry's Spell Check, AutoText and Predictive Text Turmoil

SwitchedSoothe Your BlackBerry's Spell Check, AutoText and Predictive Text Turmoil originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryrimtipsWed, 19 Jan 2011 18:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Netflix Apps for Managing Your Queue on the Go]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/11/best-netflix-apps-queue-management/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/11/best-netflix-apps-queue-management/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/11/best-netflix-apps-queue-management/#commentsWith the number of times that we've had a friend tell us about an incredible flick (only to forget the title later), or that we suddenly remember a favorite film we haven't seen in ages, having mobile access to our Netflix accounts is vital.

The official app has one gigantic leg up over third-party competitors on both iPhone and Windows 7: the ability to stream movies directly to your device. This feature alone sets the original apart from the rest, but, in a baffling move, the official app lacks the ability to manage personal queues.

This strange omission allows third-party apps to pick up plenty of slack -- helping the user to browse films, add them to their queue, and read film reviews. We've rounded up the most prominent third-party Netflix helpers and broken them down by what they do best, so you can pick the one that's right for you.

Continue reading Best Netflix Apps for Managing Your Queue on the Go

SwitchedBest Netflix Apps for Managing Your Queue on the Go originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsflixsterinstant watchInstantWatchinstantwatcheriphlixirentmoviemovelamovieflicknetflixnetqfreephoneflixqueue manqueue managerQueueManQueueManagertechtipsTue, 11 Jan 2011 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM Cedes to Indonesia's Demands, Agrees to Block Porn on BlackBerrys]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/10/rim-block-blackberry-porn-indonesia/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/10/rim-block-blackberry-porn-indonesia/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/10/rim-block-blackberry-porn-indonesia/#commentsRIM has agreed to block porn sites on all BlackBerry devices within Indonesia, as part of the government's ongoing efforts to rid its country of online smut.

In a statement released today, RIM confirmed that it's in negotiations with local service providers to find a "prompt, compliant filtering solution" before the government-imposed deadline of January 21st. If the company does not comply with Indonesia's demands by that date, RIM would face legal consequences. Government spokesman Gatot Dewa Broto told Bloomberg that the majority-Muslim country would consider blocking all Web-browsing capabilities on BlackBerry smartphones in the event that its demands are not met. The government has also asked RIM to build a server in Jakarta, which would allow officials to easily seize data considered important to criminal investigations.

Continue reading RIM Cedes to Indonesia's Demands, Agrees to Block Porn on BlackBerrys

SwitchedRIM Cedes to Indonesia's Demands, Agrees to Block Porn on BlackBerrys originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackBerrycellphonescensorshipfilterindonesiaislamMiddleEastpoliticspornRIMsmartphonetopMon, 10 Jan 2011 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford Announces MyFord Mobile App, Teases Unannounced Electric Car]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/ford-announces-myford-mobile-app-teases-unannounced-electric-ca/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/ford-announces-myford-mobile-app-teases-unannounced-electric-ca/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/07/ford-announces-myford-mobile-app-teases-unannounced-electric-ca/#commentsFord has not officially announced an all-electric vehicle yet, but that hasn't stopped the company from unveiling 'MyFord Mobile,' an app specifically designed to work with a (currently non-existent) battery-powered car. Ford announced Android, iPhone and BlackBerry versions of the app, along with an HTML5-powered Web-app, accessible from a PC and many dumbphones. The app allows a user to do all the things you'd expect, like check the charge level of your mysterious car, locate it using GPS and remotely start the car or unlock the doors. You can also fire up the AC or heat to get your car nice and comfy before heading off on your vehicular adventure.

Ford also mentioned the ability to schedule charging sessions to avoid peak electricity rates, and mobile alerts for when you need to plug in the car. Obviously, Ford is planning to enter the electric vehicle market, and with an impressively connected car, at that. We'd bet good money the announcement will come sooner rather than later.

SwitchedFord Announces MyFord Mobile App, Teases Unannounced Electric Car originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappsblackberrycesfordgreeniosMyfordMobiletoptransportationFri, 07 Jan 2011 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Groupon Unveils BlackBerry App for Mobile Deals]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/28/groupon-blackberry-app/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/28/groupon-blackberry-app/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/28/groupon-blackberry-app/#commentsDaily deal purveyor Groupon recently rolled out an official mobile app for BlackBerry, letting RIM smartphone users get the same cupcake and yoga deals as their iPhone and Android brethren. Users in the U.S. and Canada will get access to Groupon's daily deal, GPS-equipped searches for nearby bargains, and all purchased Groupons for paperless redemption. Grab the free download in BlackBerry App World.

Gallery: Groupon for BlackBerry

SwitchedGroupon Unveils BlackBerry App for Mobile Deals originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsblackberrygroupontopwebTue, 28 Dec 2010 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[G.O.P. House Becomes First to Allow Personal Gadgets on Floor]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/27/g-o-p-house-to-allow-gadgets-on-floor/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/27/g-o-p-house-to-allow-gadgets-on-floor/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/27/g-o-p-house-to-allow-gadgets-on-floor/#comments U.S. Capital BuildingYou'd think that the tech-savvy Dems would've thought of this -- especially after the social networking-powered election of President Obama -- but it actually took the incoming class of Republicans to propose rule changes that now allow electronic devices on the House floor. Until now, cell phones and tablets have been banned from the floors of the House and Senate, although the rules have not been very strictly enforced. The Senate will not be changing its rules, but members of the House are now free to pull out their BlackBerrys, iPhones or sundry other gadgets to send e-mails, text messages or whatever else -- just as long as they're not making voice calls. The rules will bar voice calls on the floor, and require that the devices only be used for official business. Brendan Buck, a Republican spokesman, told the New York Times, "This is not free license to Skype or pay bills online. But we recognize that people consume information electronically these days. It's just silly that the House wouldn't accommodate that." We couldn't agree more.

SwitchedG.O.P. House Becomes First to Allow Personal Gadgets on Floor originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberrycongressgovernmentHouseOfRepresentativesiphonepoliticstopMon, 27 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA['My Blackberry Is Not Working' Skit Puns on Tech's Fruity Gadget Names]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/my-blackberry-is-not-working-skit-puns-on-techs-fruity-gadget/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/my-blackberry-is-not-working-skit-puns-on-techs-fruity-gadget/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/my-blackberry-is-not-working-skit-puns-on-techs-fruity-gadget/#comments Tech-related comedy is usually painfully awkward (e.g., any number of 'I'm a Mac' spoofs), but the BBC's sketch comedy 'The One Ronnie' may have pulled it off in a recent skit. Comedians Harry Enfield and Ronnie Corbet delightfully take on the tech industry's obsession with fruit, and throw in a few dongle, Windows and Microsoft jokes for good measure.

Continue reading 'My Blackberry Is Not Working' Skit Puns on Tech's Fruity Gadget Names

Switched'My Blackberry Is Not Working' Skit Puns on Tech's Fruity Gadget Names originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbccomedyharry enfieldHarryEnfieldrimronnie corbetRonnieCorbetthe one ronnieTheOneRonnietopTue, 21 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry Bestows OS X Users With Seasonal Gift of Sync]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/17/blackberry-desktop-software-2-0-mac-os/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/17/blackberry-desktop-software-2-0-mac-os/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/17/blackberry-desktop-software-2-0-mac-os/#comments RIM apparently feels overwhelmed with the spirit of the season, because a select group of (often neglected) users just received an eagerly awaited software gift. The company just blessed its BlackBerry Desktop Software for Mac OS with significant 2.0 upgrades, and music lovers should definitely reap the awards. The software update provides official Wi-Fi music sync support. According to Engadget, an additional "device switch wizard" also allows users to effectively "import and sync photos and videos with iPhoto and iTunes." So, the BB OS X crew will probably feel compelled to perform a little celebratory dance -- while those syncing celebrants jam with their shiny new presents, of course.

SwitchedBlackBerry Bestows OS X Users With Seasonal Gift of Sync originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsBlackBerry Desktop SoftwareBlackberryDesktopSoftwarecellphonesitunes syncitunes syncingItunesSyncItunesSyncingOSos xOsXFri, 17 Dec 2010 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon MP3 Store Hits BlackBerry, Brings Sharing to BBM]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/amazon-mp3-store-blackberry/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/amazon-mp3-store-blackberry/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/amazon-mp3-store-blackberry/#commentsIt might not be enough to make BlackBerry the must-have smartphone platform, but RIM has scored a major victory by finally bringing the Amazon MP3 store to its devices. Users will be able to buy and download music over Wi-Fi and 3G, and share tracks using BBM. The app is in beta right now, but you can download it here to give it a whirl.

Gallery: Amazon MP3 for BlackBerry

SwitchedAmazon MP3 Store Hits BlackBerry, Brings Sharing to BBM originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonappsblackberrymusicrimtopTue, 14 Dec 2010 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook for BlackBerry Update Finally Adds Search]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/26/facebook-blackberry-update-19-finally-adds-search/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/26/facebook-blackberry-update-19-finally-adds-search/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/26/facebook-blackberry-update-19-finally-adds-search/#commentsFacebook For BlackBerry RIM just announced that the latest version of its Facebook for BlackBerry app (version 1.9) is now available in the BlackBerry Beta Zone. The update brings a number of new features, including a dedicated inbox for Facebook messages (if you prefer to keep them separate from your primary BlackBerry inbox) and the ability to search for users and pages. You'll be able to quickly view mutual friends, enlarge profile photos and send friend requests within the search results. These results are also integrated with BlackBerry's Universal Search tool, so Facebook results will pop up alongside contacts and other data. The app has also received a nice layer of polish in the form of redesigned Friend and Page lists (which now include profile photos) and an overhauled navigation bar.

BlackBerry owners can sign up for the beta here, but there are only a limited number of spots available. Slow Facebook fans will have to wait for the official release.

SwitchedFacebook for BlackBerry Update Finally Adds Search originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsblackberryfacebookrimSocialNetworkingtopTue, 26 Oct 2010 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steve Jobs: 7-Inch Tablets Are Too Small to Compete]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/19/steve-jobs-7-inch-tablets-are-too-small/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/19/steve-jobs-7-inch-tablets-are-too-small/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/19/steve-jobs-7-inch-tablets-are-too-small/#commentsWhat makes the iPad superior to every other tablet on the market? According to Steve Jobs, it boils down to one thing: size.

During yesterday's earnings call, Apple's CEO, as you'd expect, spent a lot of time talking about how Apple's products are way better than anything else mankind has ever known. RIM's business model, according to Jobs, is intrinsically flawed, leading him to conclude that BlackBerry sales won't catch up with the iPhone "in the foreseeable future." And, while he admitted that Android outsold the iPhone during June (when Apple was making the "transition" to the iPhone 4), Jobs took issue with Android's current market share figures, arguing that Apple sells 275,000 iOS devices a day, compared with the estimated 250,000 that Android reportedly moves. The enigmatic CEO also criticized Android's design, which he considers too fragmented to appeal to most consumers. "We believe integrated will trump fragmented every time," he explained. (Hear Jobs' rant in full over at Engadget.)

Continue reading Steve Jobs: 7-Inch Tablets Are Too Small to Compete

SwitchedSteve Jobs: 7-Inch Tablets Are Too Small to Compete originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAppleBlackBerrybusinessbusiness-modelse-readerearningsipadiphoneMacRIMsizesmartphonesteve jobsSteveJobstablettopTue, 19 Oct 2010 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry Announces Style 9670 Flip Phone on Sprint for $99]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/18/blackberry-announces-style-9670-flip-phone-on-sprint-for-99/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/18/blackberry-announces-style-9670-flip-phone-on-sprint-for-99/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/18/blackberry-announces-style-9670-flip-phone-on-sprint-for-99/#commentsBlackBerry Style BlackBerry's long-awaited Style 9670 smartphone will finally hit stores this Halloween, according to an announcement from RIM and Spring issued this morning. The Style, which will be available in either Steel Grey or Royal Purple, offers users what Spring VP of Product Development Fared Adib calls a "compact flip form factor," as well as a full QWERTY keyboard. As Engadget explains, the BlackBerry's first QWERTY-equipped flip smartphone runs the new BlackBerry OS 6, features a 5-megapixel camera, and boasts two high resolution, internal/external displays. The phone also features built-in GPS, Wi-Fi connectivity and an expandable memory slot capable of holding up to 32 GB of extra storage.

If you're interested in taking the Style 9670 out for a spin, you can pre-order one tomorrow from Sprint for $99, after a mail-in rebate. Only the Steel Grey model, however, is available for pre-order. BlackBerry's flashier customers, on the other hand, will have to wait until November to get their hands on the silky Royal Purple Style.

Gallery: BlackBerry Style

SwitchedBlackBerry Announces Style 9670 Flip Phone on Sprint for $99 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackBerryblackberry style 9670BlackberryStyle9670cellphoneflipphonehalloweenqwertyRIMsmartphonesprinttopMon, 18 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Booki.sh: An HTML5-Powered E-Reader for Everybody]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/18/booki-sh-an-html5-powered-e-reader-for-everybody/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/18/booki-sh-an-html5-powered-e-reader-for-everybody/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/18/booki-sh-an-html5-powered-e-reader-for-everybody/#comments The new HTML5-powered 'Booki.sh' e-reading app is entirely Web-based and, unlike Kindle, Nook or even Blio, can be viewed in any modern browser, regardless of platform. This means that PCs, Macs, Linux, Android, iOS and BlackBerry can all view content through Booki.sh. The app takes advantage of HTML5's rarely used offline storage to let you read without a wireless connection. As you can see in the gallery below (we put our iPhone in airplane mode), you simply need to be connected when initially opening the book, and it will be cached for offline reading later.

Publishers and authors can use Booki.sh, based on an open source reader called Monocle, to embed content in their websites, but they can also use it to streamline the process of previewing, purchasing and reading a book. Eventually, an author may be able to embed a book on a site where a reader can read blurbs, reviews and a preview of the first chapter, without having to leave the e-reader's interface. Booki.sh is still relatively young, but it has the potential to be a serious (and seriously interesting) e-book distribution system.

Gallery: Booki.sh

Continue reading Booki.sh: An HTML5-Powered E-Reader for Everybody

SwitchedBooki.sh: An HTML5-Powered E-Reader for Everybody originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappsblackberrye-readersebooksereadershtml5ioslinuxmacpctopwebMon, 18 Oct 2010 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Android Outsells iPhone, BlackBerry Among New Phone Buyers]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/06/android-outsells-iphone-blackberry-among-new-phone-buyers/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/06/android-outsells-iphone-blackberry-among-new-phone-buyers/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/06/android-outsells-iphone-blackberry-among-new-phone-buyers/#commentsAndroid Outsells iPhone, BlackBerry According to new numbers from Nielsen, sales of Android phones outpaced those of both BlackBerrys and the iPhone over the last six months. Android accounted for 32-percent of smartphone sales, with Apple and RIM's BlackBerry making up 25 and 26-percent respectively. At 19-percent total market share, Android still has a way to go to catch the iPhone and BlackBerry, but Google's mobile OS is closing in fast.

View Poll

SwitchedAndroid Outsells iPhone, BlackBerry Among New Phone Buyers originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappleblackberrycellphonesgooglesmartphonetopWed, 06 Oct 2010 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry Births the PlayBook: The First 'Professional-Grade' Tablet]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/27/blackberry-births-the-playbook-the-first-professional-grade-t/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/27/blackberry-births-the-playbook-the-first-professional-grade-t/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/27/blackberry-births-the-playbook-the-first-professional-grade-t/#commentsBlackBerry Playbook It was really a matter of when, not if, RIM would throw its hat into the tablet arena with a BlackBerry branded device. Now the fun and games iPad has an appropriate foil in the all business BlackBerry PlayBook. The 7-inch device runs an "amplified" (to use RIM's marketing speak) version of BlackBerry OS with multi-tasking, a WebOS-like app switcher and a brand new WebKit browser with support for Flash 10.1. The usual mix of media and e-reading apps will be present, as will the ability to edit office documents, connect to screens and projectors via HDMI (and pump out 1080p video!), and of course all the BlackBerry e-mail and messaging goodness you've come to associate with the brand. Under the hood, the BlackBerry PlayBook packs a dual core 1Ghz processor and a full 1GB of RAM, theoretically doubling the power of that other big name tablet.

RIM is billing the PlayBook as the first "professional-grade" tablet, and while Apple (among plenty of others) might take umbrage, other companies don't command the same amount of respect from enterprise customers as RIM. The iPad might have cornered a large market, but a device like the surprisingly sexy PlayBook has a good shot of getting tablets into the boardroom. Sadly, there's no word on price or release date yet. Check out the promo video after the break.

Continue reading BlackBerry Births the PlayBook: The First 'Professional-Grade' Tablet

SwitchedBlackBerry Births the PlayBook: The First 'Professional-Grade' Tablet originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryblackberry playbookBlackberryPlaybookplaybookrimtabletMon, 27 Sep 2010 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Dropbox Updates Apps, Comes to BlackBerry]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/22/dropbox-updates-apps-comes-to-blackberry/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/22/dropbox-updates-apps-comes-to-blackberry/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/22/dropbox-updates-apps-comes-to-blackberry/#commentsDropbox for Blackberry Our favorite cloud-storage service, Dropbox, updated its mobile apps today, and, while improvements to the iOS and Android versions are welcome, the big news is that it's finally showing BlackBerry some love. In addition to launching Dropbox for BlackBerry, the company has also unveiled an app directory, which catalogs the applications that integrate with the service.

SwitchedDropbox Updates Apps, Comes to BlackBerry originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappsblackberrydropboxiosrimtopWed, 22 Sep 2010 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Texting Gives Deaf Cell Phone Users Newfound Autonomy]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/20/texting-gives-deaf-cell-phone-users-newfound-autonomy/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/20/texting-gives-deaf-cell-phone-users-newfound-autonomy/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/20/texting-gives-deaf-cell-phone-users-newfound-autonomy/#commentsIt'd be hard to find a chunk of society more profoundly influenced by mobile technology than the deaf and otherwise hearing impaired. Ever since the dawn of the smartphone era, deaf cell phone users have been able to communicate more easily with the rest of the world -- and, for the first time, have been able to do so on their terms.

Day-to-day life at the Alabama School for the Deaf in Talladega, for example, now revolves around text messages. Nearly every student at the school has at least one mobile texting device, which can be used to communicate freely with other students, or even to order food at the local cafeteria. And, while most deaf students still prefer to communicate via sign language when speaking face-to-face with someone, being able to text has allowed them to seamlessly blend in with the rest of the world's compulsive texters.

Continue reading Texting Gives Deaf Cell Phone Users Newfound Autonomy

SwitchedTexting Gives Deaf Cell Phone Users Newfound Autonomy originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityaslBlackBerrycellphonescommunicationdeafHearingImpairediphoneIphone4SignLanguagesmartphoneTextingMon, 20 Sep 2010 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[MasterCard 'MoneySend' App Launches for BlackBerry]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/10/mastercards-moneysend-app-launches-for-blackberry/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/10/mastercards-moneysend-app-launches-for-blackberry/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/10/mastercards-moneysend-app-launches-for-blackberry/#comments With the rise in mobile payment options, our kids probably won't know how to write a check or whose face appears on a $20 bill. MasterCard recently launched its 'MoneySend' app for BlackBerry devices. The app, which is also available for iPhone, lets users swap money with others, pay for informal products and services, and receive credit or debit card payments -- all for free. For example, you could use the app, rather than crumpled bills, to pay the tech-savvy babysitter or accept a credit card payment for the art you made and sold. MasterCard isn't reinventing the wheel; PayPal implemented the same peer-to-peer payment system long ago and with great success. But MasterCard has taken the system mobile, which means you can text to request a report of money you're owed, or transfer funds between accounts within the app.

The success of this project, and others like it, depends on how secure customers feel using it. Making credit card payments and transferring money via a cell phone is useful, but a security flaw or two could set it back by creating a perception of danger among consumers.

SwitchedMasterCard 'MoneySend' App Launches for BlackBerry originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appappsbankingcellphonescredit cardsCreditCardsmastercardmoneypaypalsmartphonetopFri, 10 Sep 2010 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Banker Undergoes 'BlackBerry Thumb' Surgery After Texting 12 Hours Per Day]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/27/banker-undergoes-blackberry-thumb-surgery-after-texting-12-hou/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/27/banker-undergoes-blackberry-thumb-surgery-after-texting-12-hou/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/27/banker-undergoes-blackberry-thumb-surgery-after-texting-12-hou/#comments We've heard of 'BlackBerry thumb' -- the inflammation and pain reported by heavy, heavy users of the smartphone -- and we've heard about its alleged treatments ($80 massage). But one Philadelphia mortgage banker, after spending 12 hours a day texting clients, has just undergone surgery for extreme 'BlackBerry thumb' (although 'BlackBerry thumb' may be a misnomer in this case, since the banker is an iPhone devotee).

The tendons in the woman's thumb became so inflamed that they had to be removed, and she is now beginning a recovery process that could take up to two months. We'd be tempted to make a joke here, if the busy banker's work-facilitated texting addiction hadn't resulted in the surgical removal of part of her hand. (We're hoping she's on worker's comp.) But lady, did you even think of using a keyboard instead?

SwitchedBanker Undergoes 'BlackBerry Thumb' Surgery After Texting 12 Hours Per Day originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackberryThumbhealthMortgageBankerphiladelphiasmssurgerytendonstextingtopFri, 27 Aug 2010 10:05:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry App World 2.0 Launches, Adds Cheaper Apps]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/20/blackberry-app-world-2-0-launches-adds-cheaper-apps/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/20/blackberry-app-world-2-0-launches-adds-cheaper-apps/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/20/blackberry-app-world-2-0-launches-adds-cheaper-apps/#commentsBlackBerry App World BlackBerry's App World is finally leaving beta status. Now live and available for everyone, the App World 2.0 shift features a variety of beneficial (and overdue) upgrades and services for app shoppers. The alterations include the institution of a more flexible pricing scheme, the welcome arrival of wireless and credit card billing options, and the introduction of 'Top 25' app lists, which users can arrange by theme, release date or update status.

The overhaul also includes two new policies, both of which are already inherent in Android and iPhone devices, and one of which is unlikely to be celebrated. On the positive side, the App World enables QR capabilities with version 2.0, so that BlackBerry owners can now "discover new apps by scanning barcodes at events, online, in print or even on your friend's BlackBerry smartphone." The other, unwelcome for some, iPhone-Android equalizer concerns RIM's revenue-sharing percentages. BlackBerry app developers once enjoyed an unrivaled 80/20 percentage split, but RIM is selling out following the lead of its smartphone competitors by implementing a 70/30 plan. Hey, someone has to pay for all those renovations.

SwitchedBlackBerry App World 2.0 Launches, Adds Cheaper Apps originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app world 2.0AppWorld2.0BlackBerryblackberry app worldblackberry appsBlackberryAppsBlackberryAppWorldrimRIM BlackberryRimBlackberryFri, 20 Aug 2010 15:57:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry Torch Sparks Apathy, Grooveshark Pulled From the App Store]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/17/blackberry-torch-sparks-apathy-grooveshark-pulled-from-the-app/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/17/blackberry-torch-sparks-apathy-grooveshark-pulled-from-the-app/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/17/blackberry-torch-sparks-apathy-grooveshark-pulled-from-the-app/#commentsBlackBerry Torch
Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....
  • Based on Goldman Sachs' assessment of "underwhelming" initial sales, the new BlackBerry Torch probably won't help RIM reverse the recent, astronomical ascent of Android. [From: Business Insider]
  • A licensing dispute with Universal Music Group UK has forced the removal of Grooveshark from Apple's App Store, although previously downloaded versions of the music-streaming service will remain functional. [From: Download Squad]
  • Microsoft recently announced various features of the Windows Phone 7 mobile Xbox Live gaming platform (whew! That's a mouthful), and the preliminary list of titles will include classic franchises like 'Castlevania,' 'Halo,' 'Star Wars' and 'Guitar Hero.' [From: Engadget]
  • Four Democrats in the House Energy and Commerce Committee have implored FCC chairman Julius Genachowski to actively fight the Google-Verizon Net neutrality plan, saying "formal FCC action is needed" to "preserve an open and free Internet." [From: Reuters]
  • According to comScore, Facebook was the Web's third most popular destination for video viewing during July, trailing only Google (YouTube) and Yahoo! sites in terms of total viewers. [From: Yahoo! News]
  • The North Korean digital propaganda campaign has spread from YouTube to Twitter, although, if you can't read Korean, the tweets probably won't be too enlightening -- or laughable. [From: The New York Times]

SwitchedBlackBerry Torch Sparks Apathy, Grooveshark Pulled From the App Store originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appapp storeAppleStoreAppStoreBlackBerryBlackBerry OSBlackBerry TorchBlackberryOsBlackberryTorchfacebookFCCfederal communications commissionFederalCommunicationsCommissionGoogle-Verizon net neutralityGoogle-verizonNetNeutralityGroovesharkJulius GenachowskiJuliusGenachowskimorningxtranorth koreaNorthKoreatopuniversal music groupuniversal music group UKUniversalMusicGroupUniversalMusicGroupUkTue, 17 Aug 2010 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Protest Groups Converge on Google, Microsoft Sets IE9 Beta Release Date]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/13/protest-groups-converge-on-google-microsoft-sets-ie9-beta-relea/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/13/protest-groups-converge-on-google-microsoft-sets-ie9-beta-relea/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/13/protest-groups-converge-on-google-microsoft-sets-ie9-beta-relea/#commentsGoogle Protest
Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....
  • Free Press plans to lead an army of allied organizations, including MoveOn.org, Civic Action, ColorofChange.org, Credo Action and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, in a Net neutrality protest today at Google's Mission View, California headquarters. If you just heard a strange sound in Lower Manhattan, that was a huge Verizon sigh of relief. [From: CNET]
  • Microsoft previewed Internet Explorer 9 nine months ago, and the company finally announced that a beta version will be available beginning September 15th. [From: Engadget]
  • The astronomical ascent of Android phones, particularly the Droid Incredible, helped to propel HTC into 8th place among the world's top cell phone manufacturers during the second quarter. Nokia and Samsung maintained their respective grips on the top two slots. [From: Information Week]
  • In a reported attempt to provide "preparedness and disaster info front-and-center for the public," FEMA unveiled a significant new site design this week. [From: Tech President]
  • India intends to enforce its proposed BlackBerry ban starting August 31st if RIM does not acquiesce to various Messenger security demands. [From: Boston.com]

SwitchedProtest Groups Converge on Google, Microsoft Sets IE9 Beta Release Date originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidblackberryfemagooglehtcie9indiaInternetExplorer9microsoftMicrosoftInternetExplorermorningxtraprotestrimtopFri, 13 Aug 2010 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[MySpace Preps for 'Full Relaunch,' PlayStation Android Device Coming Soon?]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/myspace-preps-for-full-relaunch-playstation-android-device-co/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/myspace-preps-for-full-relaunch-playstation-android-device-co/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/myspace-preps-for-full-relaunch-playstation-android-device-co/#commentsMySpace Relaunch
Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....
  • MySpace continues to roll out site alterations in preparation for its "full relaunch" this fall, and the latest upgrades include a streamlined home screen and a more pronounced user stream. But will all this be far too late? [From: Boston.com]
  • Sony Ericsson may drop the essential mobile for gamers this fall -- in the body of an Android 3.0 gaming phone that will reportedly feature controls instead of a keyboard, a large screen and PlayStation content. [From: Engadget]
  • The BlackBerry Podcasts service officially launches for almost all models today, finally allowing BlackBerry owners -- via the App World -- to download and view content through their (previously not-so) smartphones. [From: Electronista]
  • Microsoft experienced a dubious milestone this week, as Patch Tuesday witnessed the release of a record-breaking 14 security patches for 34 vulnerabilities, including 14 "critical" ones. [From: Digital Trends]
  • Despite the nation's unimpressive broadband rankings, most U.S. consumers reportedly think that a federally endorsed broadband plan is "not too important," or that it shouldn't be pursued at all. [From: Reuters]
  • Joining the Smoking Gun and MySpace, Craigslist has become the latest (prehistoric) site to implement alterations in order to create a more navigable and aesthetic user experience. [From: TechCrunch]

SwitchedMySpace Preps for 'Full Relaunch,' PlayStation Android Device Coming Soon? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple security updateAppleSecurityUpdateblackberrycraigslistgamingmicrosoftmorningxtramyspacenationalbroadbandplanplaystationsocialnetworkingSonyEricssontopThu, 12 Aug 2010 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone Users Have More Sex Partners, OKCupid Survey Finds]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/iphone-users-have-more-sex-partners-okcupid-survey-finds/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/iphone-users-have-more-sex-partners-okcupid-survey-finds/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/iphone-users-have-more-sex-partners-okcupid-survey-finds/#commentsFiled under: , ,

OKCupid Smartphone Graph
We all know that iPhone users struggle to place or receive calls on their smartphones -- except, apparently, when said calls are of the 'booty' variety. According to a recent survey from OKCupid, iPhone owners, on average, have more sex partners than either Android or BlackBerry owners. In a survey of 9,785 smartphone users, OKCupid's team of statisticians found that the typical male iPhone keeper has bedded ten unique people by the age of 30, while your everyday iFemale claims to have conquered 12.3 different Justin Long look-alikes. Male BlackBerry users, by comparison, say they've slept with an average of 8.1 different people by the age of 30, with female BB-ers laying claim to laying 8.8. Last and, well, least, are Android users, who report having done the deed with roughly six unique individuals (6.0 for males, 6.1 for females -- curiously Android-genous).

Of course, these sex-tistics only apply to 30-year-old users, so you could reasonably speculate that older BlackBerry patrons would see a spike once they cash in on those swanky stock options, or that iPhone clients may experience a lag once their trust funds run dry. (We kid.) OKCupid, though, managed to piece together stats from users ranging in age from 18 to 40, and the same sexual discrepancies seem to persist across the full sample.

Continue reading iPhone Users Have More Sex Partners, OKCupid Survey Finds

SwitchediPhone Users Have More Sex Partners, OKCupid Survey Finds originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidBlackBerrydatingDatingSitesiphoneIphone4okcupidpromiscuityPromiscuoussexSexPartnerssexualsmartphonetopWed, 11 Aug 2010 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Dish Network to Stream Live TV to Its Free Mobile Apps in September]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/08/dish-network-streams-live-to-its-free-mobile-app-this-fall/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/08/dish-network-streams-live-to-its-free-mobile-app-this-fall/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/08/dish-network-streams-live-to-its-free-mobile-app-this-fall/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Dish Network AppIn an effort to combat other satellite companies and cable providers, Dish Network Corp. will begin streaming live content to subscribers' smartphones and mobile devices next month, without extra charge. Currently, Dish's mobile apps only allow a subscriber to browse shows, set them to record and use their cellular device as a remote control. With the new app installed, however, a subscriber will be able to remotely change channels and watch live TV, as well as view whatever content is stored on their DVR. Fortunately, if you already subscribe to Dish, you likely have a Slingbox or HD DVR, so you'll only have to download the free app available on the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and BlackBerry once it becomes available in September (Android phones will get the app in October). [From: AP, via: Yahoo! News and Engadget]

SwitchedDish Network to Stream Live TV to Its Free Mobile Apps in September originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 08 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappblackberrydishdishnetworkdvripadiphoneipodtouchmoviesremoteslingboxsmartphonestreamingstreamingvideotoptvSun, 08 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Saudi Arabia to Enact BlackBerry Ban, The Smoking Gun Redesigns]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/06/saudi-arabia-enacts-blackberry-ban-smoking-gun-redesigns/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/06/saudi-arabia-enacts-blackberry-ban-smoking-gun-redesigns/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/06/saudi-arabia-enacts-blackberry-ban-smoking-gun-redesigns/#commentsBlackBerry Ban
Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....
  • Saudi Arabia has apparently executed its planned boycott of BlackBerry messaging services, prompting both U.S. and Canadian governments to intervene. With Turkey, India and the United Arab Emirates all considering similar bans, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reportedly hopes to broker a resolution because residents have "a legitimate right of free use and access." [From: Businessweek and Engadget]
  • The Smoking Gun maintains an established presence on the Web, and -- after 13 years -- the site is finally reflecting its venerable reputation with an impressive site redesign. [From: The Smoking Gun]
  • According to Google's calculations, the world houses 129,864,880 books, but those numbers are somewhat padded by co(mputer)-dependent "writers" like this guy. [From: Gawker]
  • After yet another appearance of its accursed fail whale, Twitter's status blog is beginning to resemble a voluminous documentation of futility. [From: The Huffington Post]
  • Foreign plugs and sockets frequently inspire tired jokes and ridicule from U.S. travelers, but, in an exasperating reversal, enviable European consumers will receive universal, "one-size-fits-all" cell phone chargers next year. [From: Wired]

SwitchedSaudi Arabia to Enact BlackBerry Ban, The Smoking Gun Redesigns originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryblackberrybancellphonecensorshipgooglegooglebooksgovernmentindiamorningxtraphonechargersaudiarabiathesmokingguntopturkeytwitteruaeFri, 06 Aug 2010 11:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple to Release iPhone 4 PDF Patch, Online Video Stats Reveal U.S. Slacking]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/05/apple-to-release-iphone-4-pdf-patch-online-video-stats-reveal-u/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/05/apple-to-release-iphone-4-pdf-patch-online-video-stats-reveal-u/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/05/apple-to-release-iphone-4-pdf-patch-online-video-stats-reveal-u/#commentsiPhone 4 PDF Patch

Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....
  • Apple claims to have created a fix for the iPhone 4's PDF vulnerabilities (sparked by JailbreakMe), saying its patch "will be available to customers in an upcoming software update." [From: Engadget]
  • According to a new Nielsen survey, the U.S. surprisingly ranks 36th in the world's online video usage, but that could be part of a sinister plot to decimate rival nations' work productivity. In certain areas, including the Asia-Pacific market and parts of the Middle East, online video usage in the workplace is twice as high as it is in the States. [From: The Next Web]
  • The penny-pinching U.K. government is officially sticking with the oft-decried Internet Explorer 6, because maintaining the status quo "is more cost effective" than making the move to IE8. [From: Ars Technica]
  • The Android invasion is complete. According to NPD, Android actually supplanted RIM at the top of the U.S. smartphone sales charts last quarter. It was the first time since 2007 that RIM's BlackBerry had not reigned supreme. [From: Engadget]
  • Intel has brokered a treaty with the Federal Trade Commission, and -- as part of an antitrust settlement -- the company has reportedly promised to play fair and quit bullying its competitors. [From: The Associated Press]

SwitchedApple to Release iPhone 4 PDF Patch, Online Video Stats Reveal U.S. Slacking originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappleftcieie6ie8intelInternetExploreriphone4jailbreakjailbreakmemorningxtranielsenRIMstudytopukThu, 05 Aug 2010 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Saudi Arabia Announces Immediate Suspension of BlackBerry Data Services]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/saudi-arabia-announces-immediate-suspension-of-blackberry-data-s/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/saudi-arabia-announces-immediate-suspension-of-blackberry-data-s/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/saudi-arabia-announces-immediate-suspension-of-blackberry-data-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,

a blackberry crossed outOn Sunday, telecom regulators from the United Arab Emirates announced their plans to suspend e-mail, instant messaging and Web-browsing services for BlackBerry users, due to manufacturer RIM's refusal to allow the government to monitor the data sent across its network. Now, another major Middle East country has instituted a similar ban that, unlike the UAE's, will go into effect very soon.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia's Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) formally asked Saudi Telecom, Mobily and Zain Saudi Arabia to suspend services to BlackBerry users, beginning this Friday. As the Saudi news agency SPA told Al Jazeera, telecom regulators decided to implement the ban because RIM's BlackBerry data service "in its present state does not meet regulatory requirements." According to CNET, some 700,000 Saudi Arabian users are expected to be affected by the latest suspension.

Continue reading Saudi Arabia Announces Immediate Suspension of BlackBerry Data Services

SwitchedSaudi Arabia Announces Immediate Suspension of BlackBerry Data Services originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlackBerrydataemailgovernmentmonitorprivacyResearchInMotionRIMSaudiArabiaSaudiArabianBantopuaeUnitedArabEmiratesWed, 04 Aug 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Poor RIM. Study Finds Less Than Half of BlackBerry Users Loyal to Their Phones]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/poor-rim-study-finds-less-than-half-of-blackberry-users-loyal-t/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/poor-rim-study-finds-less-than-half-of-blackberry-users-loyal-t/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/04/poor-rim-study-finds-less-than-half-of-blackberry-users-loyal-t/#commentsFiled under: , ,

buying an iphone on a blackberryOur smartphones are, to a certain extent, like our children. We keep them by our sides at all times, curse at them when they do something wrong, and, on occasion, lose them at bars. One thing we don't normally do with kids, though, is robotically trade them in for a smarter, better-looking model. And, according to a new study from Nielsen, that's exactly what most heartless BlackBerry owners are planning to do in the near future.

As All Things Digital reports, Nielsen's survey shows that only 42-percent of current BlackBerry owners say they're loyal to their RIM smartphones. A full 29-percent say their next phone will be an iPhone, and 21-percent say they'll be switching to an Android. Among the three major brands, Apple seems to inspire the most loyalty among its consumers, with 89-percent of respondents saying their next phone will stay within the Jobs family. Meanwhile, 71-percent of Android users promise to stay true to their smartphones. On the other side of the coin, only 2-percent of iPhone users and 3-percent of Android devotees say they'll be switching to a BlackBerry.

Continue reading Poor RIM. Study Finds Less Than Half of BlackBerry Users Loyal to Their Phones

SwitchedPoor RIM. Study Finds Less Than Half of BlackBerry Users Loyal to Their Phones originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAppleBlackBerryBlackberry9800BlackberryOsBlackberryOs6BlackberryOs6.0CustomerSatisfactiongoogleiphonemarketMarketNewsMarketShareRIMsmartphonetopWed, 04 Aug 2010 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands On With the BlackBerry Torch]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/03/hands-on-with-the-blackberry-torch/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/03/hands-on-with-the-blackberry-torch/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/03/hands-on-with-the-blackberry-torch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

BlackBerry Torch
We got a few minutes with BlackBerry's newest phone at today's Torch/BlackBerry OS 6 launch event. Offering a middle ground between the touch-based Storm and full-keyboard smartphones, RIM's Torch opts for both a touch interface and full slider, QWERTY keyboard. Loaded with a new UI and much-needed WebKit Web browser, BlackBerry OS 6 is a big step forward for the company, so keep reading to get our first impressions.

Gallery: BlackBerry Torch

Continue reading Hands On With the BlackBerry Torch

SwitchedHands On With the BlackBerry Torch originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryBlackberryOs6BlackberryOs6.0BlackberryTorchcellphonesfeaturesrimtopTue, 03 Aug 2010 16:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Android Overtakes iPhone, Lucasfilm Ends Lightsaber Wars]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/03/android-overtakes-iphone-lucasfilm-ends-lightsaber-wars/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/03/android-overtakes-iphone-lucasfilm-ends-lightsaber-wars/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/03/android-overtakes-iphone-lucasfilm-ends-lightsaber-wars/#comments Android

Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....
  • With a remarkable 886-percent worldwide growth rate, Android phone sales have apparently surpassed those of the iPhone for the first time. However, according to Nielsen, customer loyalty still remains significantly higher for the iPhone. [From: GigaOM]
  • Satisfied by "clarifying public comments," Lucasfilm Ltd. will reportedly no longer pursue legal action over Wicked Lasers' Spyder 3, a terrifying "laser scalpel" that closely resembles a 'Star Wars' lightsaber. [From: CNN]
  • RIM, which is reportedly engaged in confidential discussions with the Indian government, is disputing claims that the talks involve a government-sponsored (and RIM-approved) plan to monitor BlackBerry devices. [From: Engadget]
  • Just as Sprint promised, the Froyo update is steadily appearing on Evo 4G devices today, although some lucky owners began receiving their 2.2 upgrade last night. [From: Engadget]
  • CBS CEO Les Moonves has reportedly indicated that, because of the allure of Hulu's paid 'Plus' subscription model, his network may finally investigate forging a partnership with the video site. [From: Engadget]
  • Well, it appears that only five signs of the apocalypse remain. Following a similar assessment from Prince, Wired magazine's next cover story reportedly features a requiem for the apparently deceased Web. [From: Gawker]

SwitchedAndroid Overtakes iPhone, Lucasfilm Ends Lightsaber Wars originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidblackberrybusinesscbsfroyofroyo2.2huluhuluplusindiaiphonelucasfilmmorningxtraprinceRIMsprintstarwarstoptvwebwiredTue, 03 Aug 2010 11:50:00 EST