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[Royal Wedding Won't Be Filmed in 3-D, We Cry Lifelike Tears of Sorrow]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/royal-wedding-wont-be-filmed-in-3-d-we-cry-lifelike-tears-of-s/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/royal-wedding-wont-be-filmed-in-3-d-we-cry-lifelike-tears-of-s/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/royal-wedding-wont-be-filmed-in-3-d-we-cry-lifelike-tears-of-s/#commentsThe royal wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William is swelling to an unceasing, deafening and overexposed roar. We Yanks have been barraged with imitation wedding rings, iTunes soundtracks of the event and commemorative plates galore (SO. MANY. COMMEMORATIVE. PLATES.) But one sensory assault we won't have to endure is the hyperreal 3-D experience, despite the fact that the Queen Mother is totally down with the technology.

The Facebook updates, live Twitter feeds and other real-time media covering the wedding will still swarm us, but the third dimension is officially out. A royal spokesperson writes: "I know you have all become increasingly enthusiastic about 3-D and I'm sorry that this will come as a disappointment." Apparently, says the New York Times, the size of the 3-D equipment is simply too large for the lobby to handle. Nuts.

SwitchedRoyal Wedding Won't Be Filmed in 3-D, We Cry Lifelike Tears of Sorrow originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-D3DcelebritiesKateMiddletonmediaPrinceWilliamRoyalWeddingtopTue, 05 Apr 2011 11:35:00 EST<![CDATA[James Franco Mercifully Abandons Twitter]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/james-franco-quits-twitter/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/james-franco-quits-twitter/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/james-franco-quits-twitter/#comments James Franco We pray to whatever higher power there might be that this is not some April Fool's prank: James Franco has deleted his Twitter account. No more feuding with Bruce Vilanch or bravely taking on a college newspaper via TwitPic. Franco will now have to go back to his 13 day jobs, four degree programs and motorized bong.

SwitchedJames Franco Mercifully Abandons Twitter originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesjames francoJamesFrancotoptwitterFri, 01 Apr 2011 15:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Bronx Zoo Cobra Allegedly Caught, But We're Not Buying It]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/bronx-zoo-cobra-allegedly-caught-but-were-not-buying-it/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/bronx-zoo-cobra-allegedly-caught-but-were-not-buying-it/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/bronx-zoo-cobra-allegedly-caught-but-were-not-buying-it/#commentsThe "real" Bronx Zoo cobra has apparently been found. Zoo officials claim that he "never left the House of Reptiles," but his Twitter account begs to differ. Seeing that he's been turned into a 200,000-follower-strong online celeb -- having lately been tweeted by Mayor Bloomberg, Ellen Degeneres and Jon Favreau -- we figure that the actual cobra is slurping mouse blood Mai Tais under a heat lamp at the Gramercy Park Hotel, already optioning his famous tweets.

SwitchedBronx Zoo Cobra Allegedly Caught, But We're Not Buying It originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bronx zoo cobraBronxZooCobracelebritiestoptwitterThu, 31 Mar 2011 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Zynga and Gaga Form Not-So-Terrible Alliance]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/zynga-and-lady-gaga-form-not-so-terrible-alliance/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/zynga-and-lady-gaga-form-not-so-terrible-alliance/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/zynga-and-lady-gaga-form-not-so-terrible-alliance/#comments zynga earthquake drive
You have to hand it to Lady Gaga; she's pretty tapped into tech. Her latest venture is a partnership with Zynga, in which she's donating $1.5 million for earthquake relief via its in-game funding drives.

The partnership is not particularly surprising on either end. Gaga has been making the tech rounds recently, and Zynga has long been savvy about using its games as a platform for fundraising. These types of actions may not have the high profile of, say, charity supergroups, but they're highly effective at harnessing the power of hundreds of millions of users. To wit: Zynga has raised over $10 million since starting its Zynga.org program in October 2009. Not too shabby an undertaking for a bunch of mafiosi and farmers.

SwitchedZynga and Gaga Form Not-So-Terrible Alliance originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesearthquakeFarmVilleJapanJapanTsunamiLadyGagaMafiaWarsrelieftoptsunamiZyngaTue, 29 Mar 2011 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Time's Ever-Relevant 140 Best Twitter Feeds]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/time-140-best-twitter-feeds/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/time-140-best-twitter-feeds/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/time-140-best-twitter-feeds/#comments tweet from margaret atwood Time Magazine, master of the almighty listicle, has put together a list (two years too late) of the 140 best Twitter feeds. No-brainers like Lady Gaga and Ashton Kutcher obviously make the cut; suspiciously missing is the newly anointed warlock Charlie Sheen, or the acerbic insight of The Awl co-founder Choire Sicha. In their place lies the banal: the giggly ramblings of Taylor Swift, the ever-relevant Alyssa Milano (who tweets in quantity, not quality) and Margaret Atwood, who we love but just isn't fun to follow. RSS feeds and self-promotion does not a good Twitterer make, Time.

SwitchedTime's Ever-Relevant 140 Best Twitter Feeds originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alyssa milanoAlyssaMilanobest twitter feedBestTwitterFeedcelebritiescharlie sheenCharlieSheenchoire sichaChoireSichamargaret atwoodMargaretAtwoodsocialnetworkingtaylor swiftTaylorSwifttoptwitterMon, 28 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA['ICorrect' Helps Celebrities Debunk Myths, Refute Rumors]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/icorrect-helps-celebrities-debunk-myths-refute-rumors/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/icorrect-helps-celebrities-debunk-myths-refute-rumors/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/icorrect-helps-celebrities-debunk-myths-refute-rumors/#comments icorrect Are you a celebrity? Has your name been smeared by unfounded rumors, half-truths or an inaccurate Wikipedia entry? A new site called ICorrect can help you set the record straight.

For the small annual fee of $1,000, celebs and other public figures can use ICorrect to post rebuttals to any rumors or lies that have spread across the Web. Sir David Tang, the website's founder, says ICorrect is designed to help famous people refute "obvious misinterpretations, misinformation and what some might call total lies." Once a celeb has posted a response to the site, his or her answer can be viewed by everyone else at no charge.

Continue reading 'ICorrect' Helps Celebrities Debunk Myths, Refute Rumors

Switched'ICorrect' Helps Celebrities Debunk Myths, Refute Rumors originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesDavidTangfamousgossipicorrectrebuttalrumorSirDavidTangStephenFrytopWebwikipediaMon, 28 Mar 2011 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The Biebs's 'Baby' Dominates YouTube With 500 Million Views]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/justin-bieber-baby-youtube-hits-500-million-views/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/justin-bieber-baby-youtube-hits-500-million-views/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/justin-bieber-baby-youtube-hits-500-million-views/#comments
Oh, Justin Bieber. How did the Internet even cope before you were around? His music video for 'Baby' just surpassed 500 million views, making it the most viewed video in YouTube history. But with 1.1 million "dislikes," the video also, and ever so slightly, edges out Rebecca Black's 'Friday' for the distinction of most hated. Basically, Bieber's stuff is the most watched, most disliked, and most debate-inspiring. How on Earth did Internet denizens occupy themselves pre-Bieber?

Or, as one of the video's 4.3 million commenters (oh, we forgot to mention that part) put it: "half billion OMG." We know, we know; you're not part of that very special sub-section of humanity. But half a billion?! OMG. You know you're going to give in sooner or later.

SwitchedThe Biebs's 'Baby' Dominates YouTube With 500 Million Views originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>500+million+views500millionviewsBieberFevercelebritiesdislikejustin+bieberjustin+bieber+2011justin+bieber+youtubeJustinBieberjustinbieber2011JustinBieberBabyjustinbieberyoutubemost+viewed+youtube+videomostviewedyoutubevideomusicMusicVideostopvideoyoutubeMon, 28 Mar 2011 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter Gets Some Gaga Love, Too]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/lady-gaga-visits-twitter/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/lady-gaga-visits-twitter/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/lady-gaga-visits-twitter/#commentsLady Gaga at TwitterWe wonder if Lady Gaga's got Internet domination in the pipeline. On Tuesday, the always-delightful singer dropped by Google HQ; yesterday, she paid her respects to Twitter. She charmed the engineers, was interviewed by Evan Williams, and by all accounts highly ingratiated herself. Just this morning, Gaga announced she'll be dropping a song tomorrow via Twitter. So maybe it wasn't all fun and games up in the Bay Area.

SwitchedTwitter Gets Some Gaga Love, Too originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesEvanWilliamsGooglegoogleplexLadyGagamusicmusiciansSanFranciscotoptwitterThu, 24 Mar 2011 10:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Goes Gaga When the Lady Drops by Mountain View]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/lady-gaga-drops-by-google/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/lady-gaga-drops-by-google/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/lady-gaga-drops-by-google/#comments
If the Google facility were suddenly transported to another dimension, most of the more influential individuals in the Western world would disappear. And, in many ways, The Googleplex was transported the other day -- by the weird and wonderful Lady Gaga, who stopped by for a marathon interview with Google's Marissa Mayer (using fan-voted questions). She talked bullying, her next single and playing Cole Porter. Props to her for volleying the semi-awkward and over-rehearsed geekiness of Mayer. We like Mayer, but would've preferred it if she had not pulled out her own Lady Gaga Halloween photos.

SwitchedGoogle Goes Gaga When the Lady Drops by Mountain View originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesgooglegoogle+gagagoogle+goes+gagagoogle+lady+gagagooglegagagooglegoesgagagoogleladygagagoogleplexlady+gagaLadyGagaMarissaMayermusicmusicianstopyoutubeWed, 23 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Haters Gonna Hate, But Rebecca Black Still Makes Stacks of Cash]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/rebecca-black-cashing-in-on-friday-video/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/rebecca-black-cashing-in-on-friday-video/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/rebecca-black-cashing-in-on-friday-video/#comments Rebecca Black Rebecca Black, the 13-year old from California that scored a viral hit with her song and video 'Friday,' has endured quite a bit of abuse at the hands of YouTube commenters and 4Chan. But she shouldn't take the hate to heart, because, while the /b/tards are sitting in their parents' basements and wondering what it would be like to see a naked girl in real life, Black is raking in the cash. How much the teen has earned from 'Friday' is anyone's guess, with estimates ranging from around $25,000 per week and up to $1 million in total. Even at the lowest end, that's quite a return on the original investment Black and her mother made in hiring ARK Music Factory; the company wrote and and recorded two songs, and shot a video for $2,000. At this point, the video for 'Friday' has been viewed almost 35 million times, which puts it in the same league as the latest from Lady Gaga, and far ahead of recent singles from Katy Perry and Rihanna. And the song continues to chart in iTunes top 50 songs.

So, as cringe-inducing as the track may be (and it is truly horrible), just remember: this 13-year-old is actually doing something, putting herself out there, and earning cash (hand over fist!) while doing it.

SwitchedHaters Gonna Hate, But Rebecca Black Still Makes Stacks of Cash originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiescelebrityfridayfriday+rebecca+blackfriday+videofridayrebeccablackfridayvideomusicrebecca blackrebecca black fridayRebeccaBlackRebeccaBlackFridaytopwho+is+rebecca+blackwhoisrebeccablackWed, 23 Mar 2011 10:05:00 EST<![CDATA[James Franco Attacks Bruce Vilanch on Twitter]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/james-franco-attacks-bruce-vilanch-on-twitter/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/james-franco-attacks-bruce-vilanch-on-twitter/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/james-franco-attacks-bruce-vilanch-on-twitter/#commentsLook, we understand that it takes a certain amount of self-importance to become a celebrity of note. It probably takes a lack of self-awareness, too. But, if James Franco is under the impression that his performance at this year's Academy Awards was anything less than dreadful, he might be the least self-aware person on Earth. The actor/author/college instructor/multimedia "artist" took to Twitter to lambaste comedian Bruce Vilanch, who had a less than positive take on Franco's performance.

The comedy writer, who has been a staple of award shows for years, told New York Magazine in an interview that he felt Franco was simply trying to do too much at once. (Between hosting the Oscars, he was also attending Yale and filming a movie.) He also said that, contrary to popular belief, Franco was not intoxicated during the ceremony. Apparently Franco, who has already shown a propensity for lashing out with childish pictures posted to Twitter, took offense to what sounds like a reasonable critique of the performance. He tweeted an image of himself and Vilanch, overlaid with the caption: "James fucked up the Oscars. Trust me, I know comedy. I mean, come on, I write for Bette Midler!"

Continue reading James Franco Attacks Bruce Vilanch on Twitter

SwitchedJames Franco Attacks Bruce Vilanch on Twitter originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BruceVilanchcelebritiescelebrityJamesFrancooscarsOscars2011SocialNetworkingtoptwitterTue, 22 Mar 2011 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[FBI Investigating Hacking Ring Responsible for Swiping Nude Celeb Pics]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/19/fbi-investigates-celebrity-nude-pics-hacking-ring/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/19/fbi-investigates-celebrity-nude-pics-hacking-ring/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/19/fbi-investigates-celebrity-nude-pics-hacking-ring/#comments jessica alba, selena gomez and scarlett johansson It ain't a nice time to be a female star. The FBI is investigating a hacking ring it believes is responsible for swiping "sensitive" material from the e-mail accounts and phones of dozens of stars. According to TMZ, 50 celebrities (including Selena Gomez, Jessica Alba and Scarlett Johansson) have been targeted, with nude photos and embarrassing videos allegedly stolen. Supposedly, all the attacks can be traced to a single ringleader who is motivated by the sheer thrill of the chase. (Sure, why not? Do your job for the love of the work, man.)

This is hardly the first time hackers have targeted celebrities. In 2008, a 19-year-old hacker made headlines for leaking racy images of Miley Cyrus, which were stolen from her e-mail account. But if this is indeed the work of a single entity, it would certainly be the biggest attack. And, it's worth adding that, whatever the intention, the focus on only female celebrities -- some of them not out of their teens -- just adds an extra layer of insidiousness.

SwitchedFBI Investigating Hacking Ring Responsible for Swiping Nude Celeb Pics originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 19 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebrityfbihackhackinginternetjessica albaJessicaAlbaJosh HollyJoshHollyMiley CyrusMileyCyrusprivacyscarlett johanssonScarlettJohanssonsecurityselena gomezSelenaGomeztmztoptrainreqwebSat, 19 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lady Gaga to Answer 'WHY RU SO WIERD' And Other Fan Questions for Google]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/lady-gaga-google-fan-questions/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/lady-gaga-google-fan-questions/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/lady-gaga-google-fan-questions/#comments
Want to know Lady Gaga's favorite color, or if she likes a boy? Get ready to grill, because the Lady's taking fangirl and fanboy-submitted questions for Google. Squee!

Submit a video or text question on Gaga's YouTube page, or tweet it with the hashtag #GoogleGoesGaga, until midnight on March 18th. She'll then respond to a selection of them in a YouTube video, probably while wearing a Jeremy Scott-designed burlap sack and holding a jar of dead centipedes. Google dumbly suggests questions like, "Was the meat dress really made of meat?" Uh, no doy, Google. We thought you were good at searches and stuff. The only question we'd ask is: "'Born This Way'? WHY?" (Also, "Can we have some video glasses? XOXO")

SwitchedLady Gaga to Answer 'WHY RU SO WIERD' And Other Fan Questions for Google originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesgagagoogleLady Gagalady+gaga+newsLadyGagaladygaganewsquestions+for+lady+gagaquestionsforladygagatopyoutubeWed, 16 Mar 2011 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Bon Jovi Blames Steve Jobs For Ruining Music]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/bon-jovi-steve-jobs-responsible-killing-music-business/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/bon-jovi-steve-jobs-responsible-killing-music-business/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/bon-jovi-steve-jobs-responsible-killing-music-business/#commentsWas it rampant pirating that killed the music industry? The ease of sharing digital files? DRM limitations? If you thought it was any of those, you are clearly a mere mortal. Superstar Jon Bon Jovi has been mulling this over, and finally came to the conclusion that Steve Jobs is "personally responsible for killing the music business." Bon Jovi's bizarre comment is from an interview with Britain's Sunday Times, in which he cries over the loss of vinyl or something. Meanwhile, we weren't even aware that the music business is dead.

SwitchedBon Jovi Blames Steve Jobs For Ruining Music originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bon joviBonJovicelebritiesiTunesmusicsteve jobsSteveJobstopTue, 15 Mar 2011 13:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Gilbert Gottfried Loses Aflac Duck Gig After Tsunami Joke Tweets]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/gilbert-gottfried-loses-aflac-duck-gig-after-tsunami-joke-tweets/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/gilbert-gottfried-loses-aflac-duck-gig-after-tsunami-joke-tweets/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/gilbert-gottfried-loses-aflac-duck-gig-after-tsunami-joke-tweets/#commentsGilbert Gottfried, the comedian best known for being irritating, has lost his job as the voice of the Aflac duck after posting a series of offensive tweets about the recent disaster in Japan. Never one to squander a chance to ridicule tragedy, Gottfried took direct aim at Japan's tsunami victims with a slew of jokes that seem to have been sculpted with a sledgehammer. The comedian deleted the tweets and issued a (semi-)apology, but it wasn't enough to save his career as a talking duck.

SwitchedGilbert Gottfried Loses Aflac Duck Gig After Tsunami Joke Tweets originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aflacaflac+jokeaflacjokecelebritiescelebrities+and+controversycomediangilbert gottfriedgilbert+gottfried+tweetsGilbertGottfriedgilbertgottfriedtweetsjapan earthquakejapan tsunamiJapanEarthquakeJapanTsunamioffensiveSocialNetworkingtoptwitterTue, 15 Mar 2011 11:46:00 EST<![CDATA[No, Charlie Sheen Isn't Dead. It's Just a Facebook Scam.]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/11/charlie-sheen-is-dead-facebook-scam/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/11/charlie-sheen-is-dead-facebook-scam/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/11/charlie-sheen-is-dead-facebook-scam/#comments charlie sheen scam His acting career may be on life support, but Charlie Sheen, believe it or not, is still not dead. And any Facebook post that says otherwise is just a silly virus. The scam is spreading through posts that begin with attention-grabbing headlines like, "Exclusive Video," "RIP!" or "Breaking News," followed by "Charlie Sheen found Dead at his House!", or something equally sensational. Accompanying the post is a link which, if clicked, will only lead to a fake YouTube page. If you attempt to play the video, you'll be prompted to fill out a survey, which earns money for the spammers, and you'll also infect your computer with malware. That's definitely not "winning."

SwitchedNo, Charlie Sheen Isn't Dead. It's Just a Facebook Scam. originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiescharlie sheencharlie+sheen+deadcharlie+sheen+found+deadCharlieSheencharliesheendeadcharliesheenfounddeaddeathlikejackingmalwarescamsecuritySocialNetworkingtopvirusWebyoutube+charlie+sheenyoutubecharliesheenFri, 11 Mar 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Big Boi and Foursquare Offer 'Golden Tickets' to SXSW Attendees]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/09/big-boi-foursquare-golden-tickets-sxsw-concert/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/09/big-boi-foursquare-golden-tickets-sxsw-concert/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/09/big-boi-foursquare-golden-tickets-sxsw-concert/#comments Foursquare Foursquare fanatics at SXSW may want to start following Big Boi before heading out on the town and checking in from absolutely everywhere. The less-eccentric half of Outkast is running a promotion with the location-based social network, and handing out "golden tickets" to his Austin show. It appears the ticket-winning badges will be awarded randomly to Big Boi followers in Austin -- but only 2,000 of them.

SwitchedBig Boi and Foursquare Offer 'Golden Tickets' to SXSW Attendees originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big boiBigBoicelebritiesfoursquaremusicoutkastsocial networkingSocialNetworkingsxswsxsw-2011sxsw2011topWed, 09 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Tinted Sheen' Lets You Surf The Web Without #Winning]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/tinted-sheen-lets-you-surf-the-web-without-winning/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/tinted-sheen-lets-you-surf-the-web-without-winning/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/tinted-sheen-lets-you-surf-the-web-without-winning/#comments Sheen Blocker Are you tired of going online for the latest LOLcat news, only to have your line of sight violated by Charlie Sheen? You're not alone. If you've OD'd on tiger blood, there is now a cure. Tinted Sheen is a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox that removes all instances of "Charlie Sheen" and "Sheen" (but not "Carlos Esteves") from websites, and even blocks images of his leathery mug. The extension was created by fffff.at and Greg Leuch, a man obviously deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize. Install the extension here.

Switched'Tinted Sheen' Lets You Surf The Web Without #Winning originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiescharlie sheenCharlieSheenlolztinted sheenTintedSheentopwebTue, 08 Mar 2011 16:50:00 EST<![CDATA['Sheen's-Korner' Takes on Trolls With Truth Torpedoes]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/charlie-sheens-korner-takes-on-trolls-with-truth-torpedoes/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/charlie-sheens-korner-takes-on-trolls-with-truth-torpedoes/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/charlie-sheens-korner-takes-on-trolls-with-truth-torpedoes/#comments Sheen's-Korner Charlie Sheen, for whatever reason, simply refuses to shut up and go away. Instead, he took his lawyers' advice to "stop talking with the press" to mean that it's fine to rant and rave via streaming video, as long as there is no interviewer present. And thus was born 'Sheen's-Korner,' a 50-minute live USTREAM show with the tag line, "You're either in Sheen's-Korner or you're with the trolls." The show allows him to deliver "truth torpedoes" to the masses and satiate their morbid curiosity with nuggets of wisdom and knowledge. (E.g. "It is what it is. What a dumb expression! It is what it is? Yeah, and you are how you are. Clearly. Leave. Boring! Goodbye. Execute!")

Episode one apparently failed to meet Sheen's exacting standards for #winning, and has disappeared from USTREAM. The second episode features a rambling Sheen staring down into a webcam as he discusses 'Sheen's-Korner' on his phone, "a piece of plastic covered in lights and buttons," which was apparently designed by "trolls." If you can't get enough of the 'Major League' star's public meltdown, check out the second episode of 'Sheen's-Korner' after the break.

Continue reading 'Sheen's-Korner' Takes on Trolls With Truth Torpedoes

Switched'Sheen's-Korner' Takes on Trolls With Truth Torpedoes originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiescharlie sheencharlie+sheen+march+7charlie+sheen+trollsCharlieSheencharliesheenmarch7charliesheentrollssheens kornersheens-kornerSheensKornerstreamingtoptorpedoes+of+truthtorpedoesoftruthustreamwebMon, 07 Mar 2011 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Roger Ebert Calls the Web a 'Life-Saver' at TED Talks]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/roger-ebert-calls-the-web-a-life-saver-at-ted-talks/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/roger-ebert-calls-the-web-a-life-saver-at-ted-talks/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/roger-ebert-calls-the-web-a-life-saver-at-ted-talks/#comments Ebert at TED It's no secret that Team Switched is a big fan of Roger Ebert: his witty Tweets, on-point reviews and fascinating blog posts are both entertaining and thoughtful (even if he once bemoaned the idea of art in video games). And, as a Chicagoan, your author was often lulled to sleep by late-night airings of 'At the Movies,' during which Ebert's know-it-all voice often overpowered the measured calm of Gene Siskel. Last year, however, the critic received attention not for his opinions, but for his newfound silence, when Esquire wrote a heart-wrenching article about his bout with thyroid cancer, after which Ebert lost both his jaw and ability to speak.

Eventually, Ebert took to Twitter and blogs, constantly retweeting and posting his thoughts, ideas and reviews as normal. He continues his post as the resident critic at the Sun-Times (though he did lose his show on PBS), and he is one of the most read tweeters on the micro-blogging site, boasting a strong following of almost 373,000.

Continue reading Roger Ebert Calls the Web a 'Life-Saver' at TED Talks

SwitchedRoger Ebert Calls the Web a 'Life-Saver' at TED Talks originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloggingcelebritiesmovie criticsMovieCriticsmoviesRoger EbertRogerEbertSocialNetworkingtedted talksTedTalkstoptwitterWebMon, 07 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steven Tyler's New App Will Take You on an 'Intimate Journey']]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/steven-tyler-appsolewdly-iphone-app/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/steven-tyler-appsolewdly-iphone-app/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/steven-tyler-appsolewdly-iphone-app/#comments'American Idol' judge Steven Tyler has just released his very own iPhone/iPad app, designed exclusively for the seven people who want more Steven Tyler in their lives. Titled 'AppSoLewdly,' Tyler's application reportedly offers "exclusive, unpredictable, and uncensored content including self-made videos, never before seen photos and other noises from his head." All that can be yours for just $2.99.

Gallery: Steven Tyler's Appsolewdly App

SwitchedSteven Tyler's New App Will Take You on an 'Intimate Journey' originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerosmithAmericanIdolappscelebritiesipadiphoneiTunesmusicStevenTylertopFri, 04 Mar 2011 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Courtney Love Settles Twitter Defamation Lawsuit for $430,000]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/courtney-love-settles-twitter-defamation-lawsuit-for-430-000/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/courtney-love-settles-twitter-defamation-lawsuit-for-430-000/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/courtney-love-settles-twitter-defamation-lawsuit-for-430-000/#commentsCourtney Love has agreed to pay about $430,000 to settle a defamation lawsuit filed against her by fashion designer Dawn Simorangkir.

The dispute began in 2009, after the designer claimed that Love owed her $4,000 for services specified in a contract. Love disagreed, and posted a series of profanity-laced comments to her Twitter account, calling Simorangkir a "nasty lying hosebag thief," among other things. Simorangkir, in turn, filed a lawsuit against the singer, alleging that Love's defamatory tweets damaged her business.

Continue reading Courtney Love Settles Twitter Defamation Lawsuit for $430,000

SwitchedCourtney Love Settles Twitter Defamation Lawsuit for $430,000 originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 08:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesCourtneyLoveDawnSimorangkirdefamationlawsuitsettlementsocialnetworkingtoptwitterWebFri, 04 Mar 2011 08:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Yale Daily News Writer Draws Vulgar Tweets From James Franco]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/james-franco-twitter-vulgarity-against-cokey-cohen/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/james-franco-twitter-vulgarity-against-cokey-cohen/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/james-franco-twitter-vulgarity-against-cokey-cohen/#comments james franco's response to the yale daily news James Franco, who we prefer to remember as the stoner love interest of Lindsay Weir on 'Freaks and Geeks,' joined Twitter just a few weeks ago to help promote the Oscars. His feed has been primarily stuffed with random links and photos [Ed. note: excellent cat photos] and virtually no commentary. And, while his performance hosting the 83rd Annual Academy Awards has been roundly panned, it was criticism of his Twitter persona that sparked the star's ire.

Cokey Cohen, a writer for the Yale Daily News, penned a rather blunt editorial about the actor's feed, saying, "James Franco, your Twitter sort of sucks." His fellow student (as Franco is going for his Ph.D. in English at Yale) called on the star to insert more "pithy statements" into his feed, and to become the "insane (and insanely follow-able) celebrity" she knows he can be. Franco took umbrage to being schooled on how to use Twitter, and posted a photo of himself with words "FUCK THE YALE DAILY NEWS" scrawled in giant, red, capital letters.

Continue reading Yale Daily News Writer Draws Vulgar Tweets From James Franco

SwitchedYale Daily News Writer Draws Vulgar Tweets From James Franco originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiescokey cohenCokeyCohenjames francoJamesFrancoSocialNetworkingtoptwitterwebYaleDailyNewsThu, 03 Mar 2011 17:35:00 EST<![CDATA[@CharlieSheen Sets Guinness World Record, Makes TwitPic Over $10,000]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/charlie-sheen-sets-guinness-world-record-makes-twitpic-over-10/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/charlie-sheen-sets-guinness-world-record-makes-twitpic-over-10/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/charlie-sheen-sets-guinness-world-record-makes-twitpic-over-10/#comments Charlie Sheen TwitPic
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Charlie Sheen has, to put it politely, gone off the rails. And, as tabloid-loving Americans, we can't turn away from this train wreck, who seems to be taking every opportunity put himself in the spotlight. After several recent, soon-to-be infamous radio and television interviews, Sheen took his quest to never shut up to the next logical venue: Twitter. His debut on the microblogging service was an epic success, if success is a measured by how many followers one accrues. Guinness thought so, as the star of the now-canceled 'Two and a Half Men' set a new world record by amassing one million followers in 25 hours and 17 minutes.

Sheen's stunning popularity may also be a boon for third-party Twitter services like TwitPic. Thanks to America's morbid curiosity, images posted from the @CharlieSheen account have racked up a staggering amount of views. For instance, the photo above of Sheen posing with a bottle of chocolate milk and a porn star is swiftly approaching 1.5 million views. (The iconic image of Flight 1549 floating in the Hudson River has managed just under 700,000 views in its significantly longer time online.) Sheen's six TwitPic postings are estimated to have made just under $10,000 for the service, or about $1,600 per image. (That number could be significantly higher or lower, based on how many ads the company sold and how much they were sold for.) Sheen's public meltdown probably won't earn TwitPic founder Noah Everett enough to immediately retire, but it's certainly helping the company towards its goal of $3 million to $4 million in revenue.

Gallery: @charliesheen twitpics

Switched@CharlieSheen Sets Guinness World Record, Makes TwitPic Over $10,000 originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiescharlie sheencharlie+sheen+imagescharlie+sheen+twitpiccharlie+sheen+twittercharlie+sheen+twitter+accountCharlieSheencharliesheenimagescharliesheentwitpiccharliesheentwittercharliesheentwitteraccountsocial networkingSocialNetworkingtoptwitpictwitterThu, 03 Mar 2011 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The Twit Tweets: Charlie Sheen Gets 700,000 Twitter Followers in No Time]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/02/charlie-sheen-joins-twitter-700000-followers/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/02/charlie-sheen-joins-twitter-700000-followers/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/02/charlie-sheen-joins-twitter-700000-followers/#comments charlie sheen tweet Not content wasting away in private, Charlie Sheen has certainly made the rounds the past couple weeks. But where is he supposed to spew egomaniacal jibberish and pitiful self-aggrandizements when he's not on TV or being chased by paparazzi? The same place everybody else does: Twitter. Since joining last night, he's gained over 750,000 followers, and made plans to hang out with P. Diddy. What have you done today?

SwitchedThe Twit Tweets: Charlie Sheen Gets 700,000 Twitter Followers in No Time originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiescharlie sheencharlie sheen twittercharlie+sheen+tweetscharlie+sheen+twitter+nameCharlieSheencharliesheentweetsCharlieSheenTwittercharliesheentwitternameSocialNetworkingtoptwitterwebWed, 02 Mar 2011 09:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Napoleon Dynamite Star Turns to Kickstarter to Finance Film]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/jon-heder-turns-to-kickstarter-to-finance-film/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/jon-heder-turns-to-kickstarter-to-finance-film/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/jon-heder-turns-to-kickstarter-to-finance-film/#comments jon heder Jon Heder, of 'Napoleon Dynamite' fame, is working on a new project with writer and director Nick Peterson. The short film, tentatively titled 'Drained,' will combine live actors and stop-motion animation, and sounds like it's about how men are dirty, rotten bastards. (That, or it's about sewage.) What's interesting here, though, is that Heder and Peterson have turned to the Internet to help fund the film. The duo took their pitch to Kickstarter -- a place for people to post the ideas and projects they just don't have the money to complete, and beg for donations. Anyone can contribute as little as $1 to 'Drained,' but donating more earns you certain perks. For example, at $10 you get your name in the credits, and $250 gets you an associate producer credit. Cough up $5,000 and you get a full producer credit and a private screening of the film in L.A. with Heder and Peterson.

That Heder could probably afford to finance the $27,000 project out of pocket is beside the point. The stunt is a big vote of confidence in crowdsourcing and in the Kickstarter community in general. Take a gander at the video pitch after the break.

Continue reading Napoleon Dynamite Star Turns to Kickstarter to Finance Film

SwitchedNapoleon Dynamite Star Turns to Kickstarter to Finance Film originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiescrowdsourcingdrainedjon hederJonHederkickstartermoviestopwebMon, 28 Feb 2011 17:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Feel-Good Beats Out Facebook at the Oscars, but 'The Social Network' Takes Three]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/social-network-wins-three-oscars/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/social-network-wins-three-oscars/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/social-network-wins-three-oscars/#commentsIn case you missed it, 'The King's Speech' took home top honors at the Academy Awards last night, beating out 'The Social Network,' 'Black Swan' and good taste to win the award for Best Picture. Colin Firth's ability to stutter and be British earned him the Best Actor award he should've won for 'A Single Man,' while 'King's Speech' director Tom Hooper (inexplicably) won the award for Best Director, leaving David Fincher empty-handed.

But the night wasn't a complete disappointment for Fincher and the Facebook gang. The 'Social Network' accumulated three awards by the end of the evening, all of which were well deserved. Trent Reznor won Best Original Score, Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter earned Best Film Editing honors, and 'West Wing' creator Aaron Sorkin took home the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Continue reading Feel-Good Beats Out Facebook at the Oscars, but 'The Social Network' Takes Three

SwitchedFeel-Good Beats Out Facebook at the Oscars, but 'The Social Network' Takes Three originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AaronSorkinAcademyAwardscelebritiesDavidFincherfacebookJesseEisenbergMarkZuckerbergmoviesoscarsSocialNetworkingTheSocialNetworktopMon, 28 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kanye's 'All of the Lights' Video Can Trigger Seizures, Epilepsy Group Says]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/kanyes-all-of-the-lights-video-can-trigger-seizures-epilepsy/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/kanyes-all-of-the-lights-video-can-trigger-seizures-epilepsy/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/kanyes-all-of-the-lights-video-can-trigger-seizures-epilepsy/#comments
Kanye West's new video for 'All of the Lights' features, well, a lot of lights -- so many, in fact, that it could cause some people to have seizures. Epilepsy Action, a U.K.-based awareness organization, has reportedly urged YouTube to pull the video, claiming that the strobe light-intensive clip had already elicited seizures in viewers with certain epileptic conditions. YouTube duly removed the video, before re-posting it with the following disclaimer: "WARNING: This video has been identified by Epilepsy Action to potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised." Watch with caution.

SwitchedKanye's 'All of the Lights' Video Can Trigger Seizures, Epilepsy Group Says originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AllOfTheLightscelebritiesepilepsykanye+all+of+the+lightskanyeallofthelightsKanyeWestmusicMusicVideoseizuretopvideowarningWebyoutubeFri, 25 Feb 2011 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Snoop Dogg(gg), Warren G Star in Smooth New Samsung Commercial]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/snoop-dogg-gg-warren-g-star-in-bizarre-new-samsung-commercial/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/snoop-dogg-gg-warren-g-star-in-bizarre-new-samsung-commercial/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/snoop-dogg-gg-warren-g-star-in-bizarre-new-samsung-commercial/#comments
Samsung's new commercial for the Galaxy Indulge smartphone isn't just a commercial. It's a bona fide work of art, built around Snoop Dogg (in various iterations), Warren G, and a dating show from a bygone era. There's an overt emphasis on all the G's, a clever 'Regulate' reference, and narration from Ted Williams -- the formerly homeless man with the Golden Voice. Unfortunately, the spot ends before the contestant chooses her lucky date, but it's pretty clear that Bachelor Number Two is in pole position.

SwitchedSnoop Dogg(gg), Warren G Star in Smooth New Samsung Commercial originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisementbachelorcelebritiescellphonescommercialmemessamsungSnoopDoggTedWilliamstopWarrenGThu, 24 Feb 2011 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Has Sarah Palin's Secret Facebook Page Been Uncovered?]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/22/sarah-palin-facebook-page-uncovered/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/22/sarah-palin-facebook-page-uncovered/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/22/sarah-palin-facebook-page-uncovered/#comments Sarah Palin's Facebook? Wonkette believes that it may have uncovered the private Facebook page of Sarah Palin. While reading through a leaked copy of a memoir by a Palin staffer, the D.C. gossip blog noticed that a personal e-mail address of the former Alaskan governor had accidentally been left unredacted. They punched the address into Facebook and voilà: an account for one Lou Sarah ("Lou" maybe being short for "Louise," Palin's middle name). There's been no confirmation that the Lou Sarah account is in fact operated by Palin or anyone in her circle, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest it is. The account has a grand total of 12 "friends," almost all of which reside in Palin's hometown of Wasilla, and the account makes a habit of "liking" posts from the official Sarah Palin page. Whoever posts under the name has taken plenty of time to leave lots of encouraging remarks on Bristol Palin's page, too, including this nugget regarding her appearance on 'Dancing with the Stars':
Congratulations! Dance with PASSION, dance for TRIPP! Have a blast this week, we can't wait for Monday night when your light can shine! Dance for everyone who struggles and faces challenges. Dance for us. We love you.
Whether or not the account is run by Palin, or someone close to her, doesn't really matter. The former governor has every right to a private social networking account. We'll admit, though, to being slightly unnerved by the fact that one of Lou Sarah's carefully selected friends is a member of a Facebook group titled "Restore Fear of YAHWEH/GOD and YESHUA/CHRIST as Ruler of our Countries." It might be time for Ms. Palin to consider deleting this account and creating a new one.

SwitchedHas Sarah Palin's Secret Facebook Page Been Uncovered? originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesfacebookpalinpoliticssarah palinSarahPalinsocial networkingSocialNetworkingtopTue, 22 Feb 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PlentyOfFish.com Pays Britney, Gaga For Plenty of Play]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/19/plentyoffish-com-pays-britney-gaga-for-plenty-of-play/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/19/plentyoffish-com-pays-britney-gaga-for-plenty-of-play/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/19/plentyoffish-com-pays-britney-gaga-for-plenty-of-play/#commentsPlenty of Fish PlentyOfFish.com is the new dating site du jour, or so it is for Britney Spears, who used the site to browse for dates in her most recent video. Along with the site's random (and not very attractive) appearance in Lady Gaga's 'Telephone' video, the site arrived again in Britney's 'Hold It Against Me' premiere last night. (The song, we believe, is based on a pick-up line often flung by sexually precocious eighth graders. Or Ms. Spears' audience.) Along with other product placement, PlentyOfFish.com was heavily featured as the place to which B. Spears looked for a date -- suggesting, as the site's agency tells the New York Times (and most of the wired world realized in 2003, when PlentyofFish launched), "Online dating is the future."

Not only does the appearance suggests the continuing upward climb of online romance, it also hints at the changing face of the struggling music industry, which will soon have to shill for cash. Also, both PlentyOfFish.com appearances occurred in Jonas Akerlund-directed videos, once again proving, if we will, Lady Gaga beat Britney to the punch. No matter, it still isn't as cool as OKCupid.

Continue reading PlentyOfFish.com Pays Britney, Gaga For Plenty of Play

SwitchedPlentyOfFish.com Pays Britney, Gaga For Plenty of Play originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britney spearsBritneySpearscelebritiesdatingdating sitesDatingSiteshold it against meHoldItAgainstMejonas akerlundJonasAkerlundLady GagaLadyGagaonline datingOnlineDatingplentyoffishtelephonetopwebSat, 19 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lil Wayne Competes With Oreo for Facebook 'Likes' Record, Apocalypse Looms]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/16/lil-wayne-vs-oreo-facebook-likes-record/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/16/lil-wayne-vs-oreo-facebook-likes-record/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/16/lil-wayne-vs-oreo-facebook-likes-record/#commentslil wayne and oreo updates Just a few hours after Oreo announced that it was pursuing a world record for the most Facebook "likes" in 24 hours, Lil Wayne decided to crash the party, and blew the cookie company out of the water. As of right now, Weezy has already garnered more than 480,000 likes on his status, while Oreo's status has attracted a little over 110,000. Wayne's digital manager, Mazy Kazerooni, says the rapper's record should stand as a testament to his immense popularity in the social mediasphere. "I want people to think 'Bieber, Gaga and Lil Wayne,'" Kazerooni told Mashable. "The traffic we do is ridiculous and no one really knows."

SwitchedLil Wayne Competes With Oreo for Facebook 'Likes' Record, Apocalypse Looms originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesfacebookGuinessBookOfWorldRecordslikeLilWaynemusicoreosSocialNetworkingtopWebWorldRecordWed, 16 Feb 2011 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Glenn Beck Says Google is a Front for the U.S. Government]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/15/glenn-beck-says-google-is-a-front-for-the-u-s-government/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/15/glenn-beck-says-google-is-a-front-for-the-u-s-government/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/15/glenn-beck-says-google-is-a-front-for-the-u-s-government/#commentsOn Monday, Tea Party darling Glenn Beck accused Google of being "in bed" with the U.S. government. The self-styled revealer of history's secrets went even further, insinuating that the company doesn't just cooperate with our oppressive socialist regime, but that it acts as a front for The Government, promoting American interests overseas. Beck warned viewers not to rely on Google searches for their information, asking them instead, "Are you comfortable with the government partnering covertly with media organizations, search engines, social networking, so they can bring change that the Washington elites have design?"

There's no denying that Google and the U.S. share some goals in common. Google is a firm believer in freedom of information, democracy and a vocal proponent of human rights. The two might even work together from time to time in an attempt to achieve these goals. But to suggest that Google is lying to you via search results and that it's part of a "propaganda" arm of the government is patently ridiculous. Check out the video below.

Continue reading Glenn Beck Says Google is a Front for the U.S. Government

SwitchedGlenn Beck Says Google is a Front for the U.S. Government originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesconspiracyglenn beckglenn+beck+googleGlennBeckglennbeckgooglegooglegovernmentmediapoliticstopTue, 15 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bieber Fans Make Esperanza Spalding's Wikipedia 'Pay' for Grammy Upset]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/14/bieber-fans-hack-esperanza-spalding-wikipedia-page/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/14/bieber-fans-hack-esperanza-spalding-wikipedia-page/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/14/bieber-fans-hack-esperanza-spalding-wikipedia-page/#comments A hormonally charged group of Justin Bieber acolytes stormed the Internet last night, high on puberty and out for blood. The victim? Grammy upset Esperanza Spalding, who surprised exactly everyone when she won the award for Best New Artist last night, "stealing" the win from the Canadian heartthrob. The Beliebers set upon Spalding's Wikipedia page, adding racist remarks and insults. We'd like to point out: the award was for best new artist, not seriously overplayed, overexposed teen idol.

SwitchedBieber Fans Make Esperanza Spalding's Wikipedia 'Pay' for Grammy Upset originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>esperanza+spalding+wikipediaEsperanzaSpaldingesperanzaspaldingwikipediagrammysgrammys2011JustinBiebertopwebwikipediaWikipediaEntryMon, 14 Feb 2011 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Read This: Conan's Twitter Conversion]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/12/read-this-conans-twitter-conversion/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/12/read-this-conans-twitter-conversion/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/12/read-this-conans-twitter-conversion/#comments
O'Brien shakes his head at the memory. "Aaron's saying, 'You're up to 250,000' or something, and I would say, 'I don't know what that means.' " It meant that O'Brien was setting the single-day record for gathering followers on Twitter. Just as quickly, O'Brien's team began to hear that NBC was far from happy. "The network isn't crazy about you tweeting. They're not sure that's cool," O'Brien recalls being told. His response was simple: "Tell them I would be thrilled if they shut down my Twitter account. I'd love it if that got out. You think PR's been bad up till now? Wait till you take away my Twitter account."
Fortune digs into Conan's digital rebirth after getting kicked off the 'Tonight Show.'

SwitchedRead This: Conan's Twitter Conversion originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 12 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiesconanconan obrienConanObriensocialnetworkingthe tonight showTheTonightShowtoptwitterwebSat, 12 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Neil Gaiman: Piracy Leads to More Book Sales]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/11/neil-gaiman-piracy-leads-to-more-book-sales/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/11/neil-gaiman-piracy-leads-to-more-book-sales/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/11/neil-gaiman-piracy-leads-to-more-book-sales/#comments

Neil Gaiman, author of the 'Sandman' graphic novels and best-seller 'American Gods,' talked about the pirating of his titles to OpenRight Group. Apparently, sales went up in Russia as his books were being pirated. As an experiment, he convinced his publisher to give away 'American Gods' for free, and Gaiman saw his sales increase. The reason? "It's people lending books. You can't look at that as a lost sale. No one that wouldn't have bought your book is not buying it... what you are doing is advertising." We've said it before, but artists who evolve with copyright are those who will continue to reach audiences (and make some money doing it, too).

SwitchedNeil Gaiman: Piracy Leads to More Book Sales originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american godsAmericanGodsbookscelebritiesneil gaimanNeilGaimanpiracytopwebFri, 11 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Academy Award 'Mominees' Invited to Live-Tweet Oscar Insight]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/academy-award-mominees-invited-to-live-tweet-oscar-insight/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/academy-award-mominees-invited-to-live-tweet-oscar-insight/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/academy-award-mominees-invited-to-live-tweet-oscar-insight/#commentsThe producers of this year's Academy Awards have initiated a "You're Invited" campaign, in hopes of sparking increased fan interest and interaction. As part of that campaign, the producers have asked the mothers of Oscar nominees (or "mominees") to share memories and insight live on Twitter. The producers have also implemented other methods to foster a feel-good, fan-friendly Oscar atmosphere, so the awards should definitely be heavy on sappy nostalgia and celebrity backslapping. Yech. Is is too late to replace co-hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco with Ricky Gervais?

SwitchedAcademy Award 'Mominees' Invited to Live-Tweet Oscar Insight originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Academy AwardsAcademyAwardscelebritiesmomineesmoviesoscarstoptweettweetingtwitterWed, 09 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Eyed Peas Halftime Show Suffers From Wireless Malfunction (Among Other Things)]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/07/will-i-am-black-eyed-peas-tweet-superbowl-halftime-show/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/07/will-i-am-black-eyed-peas-tweet-superbowl-halftime-show/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/07/will-i-am-black-eyed-peas-tweet-superbowl-halftime-show/#comments
black eyed peas at the super bowl
Yesterday, before the big game, Black Eyed Peas figurehead Will.i.am promised USA Today that he would totally tweet during the halftime show! Well, he didn't. Here was his explanation, as taken from his Twitter feed, decidedly post-game: "Att crashed...ahhhh!!!! The worse." He then added, "At&t??? Wow...no service during halftime...unbelievable." It really is a shame he didn't get a chance to tweet in front of everybody. That would've proven to the world that Will.i.am can do something a toddler could do, while making music a toddler could make.

Continue reading Black Eyed Peas Halftime Show Suffers From Wireless Malfunction (Among Other Things)

SwitchedBlack Eyed Peas Halftime Show Suffers From Wireless Malfunction (Among Other Things) originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attblack eyed peasblack+eyed+peas+halftime+showBlackEyedPeasblackeyedpeashalftimeshowcelebritiescellphonehalftime+showhalftimeshowmusicsportsSuperBowlsuperbowl+halftime+showsuperbowlhalftimeshowtoptwitterwill.i.amMon, 07 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NBC Sacks Dude Who Posted 'What Is Internet Anyway' Viral Vid]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/nbc-fires-man-leaked-what-is-internet-viral-video/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/nbc-fires-man-leaked-what-is-internet-viral-video/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/nbc-fires-man-leaked-what-is-internet-viral-video/#commentsWhat is the Internet anyway? By now, you've probably seen the chuckle-inducing video of Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel on the Today Show in 1994, trying to figure out just what "the Internet" is. (If you haven't, check it out after the break.) The video was a quaint reminder of just how far we've come in the past decade and a half, but apparently someone at NBC didn't think it was so cute, even after the Today Show crew laughed about it on air (video after the break). It turns out that the guy who posted the video was an NBC employee, and the higher-ups at the network were so unamused that they sacked the poor schmuck. In an official statement, NBC wrote "The individual in question violated the company's standards of conduct by repeatedly copying and distributing a variety of materials without permission." So while the show's hosts apparently have a sense of humor about how befuddling the Web seemed not all that long ago, the company's executives appear to be quite thin-skinned.

Continue reading NBC Sacks Dude Who Posted 'What Is Internet Anyway' Viral Vid

SwitchedNBC Sacks Dude Who Posted 'What Is Internet Anyway' Viral Vid originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1994+what+is+the+internet1994whatistheinternetbryant gumbelBryantGumbelcelebritieskatie couricKatieCouriclolzmedianbc+what+is+the+internetnbcwhatistheinternettoday showTodayShowwebwhat+is+the+internet+anywaywhatistheinternetanywayFri, 04 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[MC Hammer to Release New Song on Flipboard, For Some Reason]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/mc-hammer-flipboard-on-oprah/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/mc-hammer-flipboard-on-oprah/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/mc-hammer-flipboard-on-oprah/#commentsMost people use the Flipboard iPad app to read and share things on Twitter or Facebook. Visionaries like MC Hammer? They use it to peddle new music. Today, at 3 p.m. PST, Hammer will announce his new single 'See Her Face' on Oprah. At the same time, the song will go live on Flipboard, where users will be able to stream it. A downloadable version will reportedly be available at a later date.

It's certainly a strange platform of choice, but what's even stranger is how the project came about. Turns out, Hammer spends his (presumably bountiful) free time hobnobbing with venture capitalist Ron Conway. "MC Hammer has been involved in Internet projects for years and via our mutual friend Ron Conway he found out about Flipboard," a Flipboard spokesperson told Mashable."He was excited about how Flipboard brought his Twitter stream to life. He saw the potential of what a social magazine could mean for musicians and wanted to work with us on this project."

Continue reading MC Hammer to Release New Song on Flipboard, For Some Reason

SwitchedMC Hammer to Release New Song on Flipboard, For Some Reason originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appscelebritiesflipboardipadMcHammermusicNewSongoprahOprahWinfreysocialnetworkingsongsstreamingtopFri, 04 Feb 2011 11:50:00 EST