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[Pro Tip: Don't Sell Military Spy Drones on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/raven-spy-drone-sale-gets-henson-chua-jailtime/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/raven-spy-drone-sale-gets-henson-chua-jailtime/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/raven-spy-drone-sale-gets-henson-chua-jailtime/#comments Raven Drone Being Launched The Raven, a U.S.-built spy drone, is little more than a glorified model airplane with a camera. It has a range of just over six miles, has to be launched by hand (i.e., firing up the engine and throwing it into the air), and has no capacity to carry weapons of any kind. Still, it's military equipment, and thus subject to the Arms Export Control Act. A Philippine man named Henson Chua discovered that violating that act can result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years after he sold his spare Raven on eBay for $13,000. The buyer: undercover Homeland Security agents who tracked Chua after making the purchase, and apprehended him when he traveled to Los Angeles last month.

After being indicted on March 10th by a grand jury, Chua is facing significant jail time for selling something a crafty hobbyist probably could have built in his back yard. Let this be a lesson: if you're going to get arrested for selling a military drone, at least make sure it's one capable of firing off a few Hellfire Missiles.

SwitchedPro Tip: Don't Sell Military Spy Drones on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>droneebayhenson chuaHensonChuamilitaryravenRavenDronerobotstopTue, 29 Mar 2011 16:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Designer Derek Lam Crowd-Sources Summer Collection on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/17/derek-lam-ebay-crowdsources-summer-collection/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/17/derek-lam-ebay-crowdsources-summer-collection/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/17/derek-lam-ebay-crowdsources-summer-collection/#commentsderek lam + ebay Derek Lam's Fashion Week shows are always attended by the style elite. This season, Anna Wintour sat front row, near Joe Zee and Derek Blasberg, and, last season, Leighton Meester and Rachel Zoe watched the presentation. Throughout the years, Lam has become a hallowed part of New York fashion, like Donna Karan or Ralph Lauren. But for a part of his Spring '11 collection, Lam has decided to opt for crowd-sourcing, not star-spotting.

As Alber Elbaz (of Lanvin) did with H&M or Rodarte did with Target, Mr. Lam is doing a diffusion line. Instead of offering shoddily made versions of garments that vaguely echo runway themes, though, he's heading online. By teaming up with eBay, Lam has produced 16 pieces for a lower-priced ($125 to $295) market. (Granted, they aren't the $25 to $50 price tags that Target collaborations can bring consumers, but Lam uses lower-end luxe materials, like poplin cotton or silk georgette -- meaning they might last more than one season.) eBay users can go online and vote for their favorite looks (countless times, it appears), and the top five will be produced, and then sold, through the auction site.

Continue reading Designer Derek Lam Crowd-Sources Summer Collection on eBay

SwitchedDesigner Derek Lam Crowd-Sources Summer Collection on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdsourcingDerekLamDerekLamForEbayDiffusionLinesebayfashionLanvinForHmNewYorkFashionWeekRodarteForTargettopwebThu, 17 Feb 2011 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[7-Year-Old Almost Buys Harrier Jet on eBay for $113K]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/7-year-old-almost-buys-harrier-jet-on-ebay-for-113k/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/7-year-old-almost-buys-harrier-jet-on-ebay-for-113k/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/7-year-old-almost-buys-harrier-jet-on-ebay-for-113k/#commentsHarrier Jet
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A 7-year-old boy from London almost had himself a real life Harrier Jet after clicking 'Buy it Now' on an eBay listing. The British-built jet capable of vertical take-offs was restored and being sold by Jet Art Aviation not as an auction, but as an instant purchase for £69,999 (around $113,000). Thankfully, the boy's father quickly caught the error and called the sellers to apologize -- gratuitously, we'd imagine -- and explain that his small son would not be able to afford the plane on his allowance.

The sellers were understanding and the Harrier was put back up on eBay, this time as an auction, to prevent excitable children from quickly (and accidentally) claiming ownership. It appears the plane has since been sold and is no longer appearing on eBay. The jet was not quite fully functional at the time of sale but Chris Wilson, the former Royal Air Force mechanic who runs Jet Art Aviation, told Fox News the craft could be made air-worthy again, but only at significant cost to the purchaser.

Switched7-Year-Old Almost Buys Harrier Jet on eBay for $113K originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayharrierlolztoptransportationwebWed, 09 Feb 2011 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Web's Biggest Scams: From 419 to the Hitman]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/20/webs-biggest-scams-from-419-to-the-hitman/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/20/webs-biggest-scams-from-419-to-the-hitman/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/20/webs-biggest-scams-from-419-to-the-hitman/#commentsweb's biggest scams
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The Web is awash with bad seeds who want your money, your data and your sweet, sweet identity. We don't want to scare you -- since these people are the exception, not the rule -- but they are out there. Crafty buggers who prey on trust and carelessness, scammers are not only persistent social engineers, but also skilled hackers who take over Facebook accounts, break into bank databases and spread malware. Using their skills (and sometimes brute force), these crooks have made themselves millions (and potentially billions) of dollars by turning people into their own worst enemies. While we could sit here and spit out a diatribe about avoiding suspicious e-mail attachments or being wary of strange requests from friends, we thought it might be more effective to simply show how some of the biggest (and most successful) scams work their malicious magic, and just how rich the perpetrators got off of careless users.

Keep reading after the break for ten scams that have made the Web a more dangerous (and admittedly more interesting) place. Take our guide, use the lingo, proceed with caution -- and maybe gain some wisdom from the mistakes of others. Trust us, you don't want to get caught up in these ruses.

Continue reading The Web's Biggest Scams: From 419 to the Hitman

SwitchedThe Web's Biggest Scams: From 419 to the Hitman originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>419ScamcraigslistebayfacebookphishingprivacyscamScamssecurityspamtopwebThu, 20 Jan 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Craigslist Removes Ads for Caffeinated Booze Four Loko]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/19/craigslist-removes-four-loko-ads/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/19/craigslist-removes-four-loko-ads/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/19/craigslist-removes-four-loko-ads/#commentsCraigslist and Four Loko Here in New York, Four Loko has become a hot commodity. The highly caffeinated and alcoholic malt beverage has been the target of nationwide concern, but, in New York, the sale of the drink has been banned by the state Liquor Authority. With Four Loko recently banished from store shelves, some enterprising individuals took to Craigslist to sell the booze-laden energy drink on the black market. Shortly after State Senator Jeff Klein contacted the classified ad site, though, all listings for Four Loko have been removed. As it turns out, selling alcohol on Craigslist is against the site's terms of service, and is very likely illegal. (Shocker!) Klein also reached out to eBay to pull similar listings, and, although the site has yet to officially reply to the state senator, a spokesperson told the Daily News that selling caffeinated alcoholic beverages on the site is not permitted. In fact, sale of alcohol on eBay is prohibited in the U.S. with only a few exceptions.

So, sorry folks; you'll have to go somewhere other than eBay and Craigslist for your Four Loko fix. But, trust us, you really don't want to drink the stuff anyway; it tastes like medicine, will give you heart palpitations and leave you with the worst hangover you've ever experienced. Just trust us on this one.

SwitchedCraigslist Removes Ads for Caffeinated Booze Four Loko originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcoholblackmarketcraigslistdrinkingebayFourLokolawtopwebWed, 19 Jan 2011 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Palin-Signed Xbox Will Sell for $1.1M on eBay, Confused Canadian Hopes]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/14/palin-signed-xbox-ebay-david-morrill/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/14/palin-signed-xbox-ebay-david-morrill/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/14/palin-signed-xbox-ebay-david-morrill/#comments We Americans are labeled with several stereotypes. Such confused foreigners interchangeably think that we are are all extravagantly wealthy, Tea Party supporters, or incredibly dumb. But rarely does a citizen of the world believe as fully in all of those things as does David Morrill, who hopes to sell a Sarah Palin-autographed Xbox 360 for $1.1 million on eBay. Sure, he hasn't found a buyer in two years, but we admire this Albertan's persistence. It is the American way.

SwitchedPalin-Signed Xbox Will Sell for $1.1M on eBay, Confused Canadian Hopes originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eBayEbayAuctionebaywtflolzpoliticsSarahPalintopvideogamesweirdXbox-360Fri, 14 Jan 2011 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Introduces Group Gift-Buying Service on Eve of Redesign]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/01/ebay-redesign-groupgifts-gift-buying/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/01/ebay-redesign-groupgifts-gift-buying/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/01/ebay-redesign-groupgifts-gift-buying/#commentsIn an effort to capitalize on the all-important holiday shopping season, eBay is rolling out a full slate of new features -- including a social networking-based buying option -- to its online marketplace.

As the Wall Street Journal reports, a freshly redesigned eBay home page will soon offer recommendations to users based on their previous searches, as well as a new list of hot items currently on the market. Over the past few weeks, the site has introduced unique pages for DVDs, MP3 players and GPS devices, where users can easily find all available models of a given product, the best deals being highlighted at the top of each product page. The site's first redesign in four years comes right in time for the holiday season, during which eBay traditionally sells 30-percent of its yearly merchandise.

Continue reading eBay Introduces Group Gift-Buying Service on Eve of Redesign

SwitchedeBay Introduces Group Gift-Buying Service on Eve of Redesign originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commerceeBayEbayGroupsgiftsGroupGiftsgroupsmerchandiseMobilePaymentsproductsredesignretailSocialNetworkingtopMon, 01 Nov 2010 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay 'Instant Sale' Helps You Ditch Your Gadgets for Cash]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/25/ebay-instant-sale-helps-you-ditch-your-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/25/ebay-instant-sale-helps-you-ditch-your-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/25/ebay-instant-sale-helps-you-ditch-your-gadgets/#commentseBay Instant Sales As befits the tech-blogger lifestyle, we have piles of aging gadgets lying around. And, while many of them could potentially net us a few bucks on eBay, we're usually too lazy to put together a listing, post photos, and actually ship the small mountain of junk to the people willing to pay for it. But eBay doesn't want you to let your tech castaways gather dust, so the auction site has just launched a streamlined process called Instant Sale. The premise is simple: you search the database for the product you want to ditch, eBay offers you a price, and, if you accept, the company will send you a free label for shipping it to a buyer or recycling facility. (Don't expect to earn a fortune, though; our friends at Engadget were offered $23 for their aging Dell Inspiron 8200, and $57 for a Palm Pixi in good condition.)

Perhaps eBay's having a little launch day trouble, because we couldn't get the site to work at all. Even though Instant Sale suggested that we employ "keywords like the product name (e.g.: iPhone)," our "iphone" search came up empty. Once all the kinks are ironed out, though, Instant Sale could be a perfectly viable way to recycle all of your old gadgets, and maybe make a buck or two.

SwitchedeBay 'Instant Sale' Helps You Ditch Your Gadgets for Cash originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebaygadgetsgreenInstantSalerecyclingtopwebMon, 25 Oct 2010 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Meg Whitman Campaign Learns Lesson on Importance of Proofreading]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/20/meg-whitman-campaign-learns-lesson-on-importance-of-proofreading/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/20/meg-whitman-campaign-learns-lesson-on-importance-of-proofreading/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/20/meg-whitman-campaign-learns-lesson-on-importance-of-proofreading/#commentsCross Dressing Bass Player Meg Whitman's campaign spokesperson, Sarah Pompei, sent out a tweet Monday evening announcing that the San Diego Deputy Sheriff's association was endorsing her candidacy. Included was a link intended to lead to a blog post about the endorsement, but Pompei left an "r" off the end, sending followers instead to this bass-playing cross-dresser (video after the break). This is why proofreading is important.

Continue reading Meg Whitman Campaign Learns Lesson on Importance of Proofreading

SwitchedMeg Whitman Campaign Learns Lesson on Importance of Proofreading originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lolzmeg whitmanMegWhitmanpoliticsSocialNetworkingtoptwitterwebWed, 20 Oct 2010 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[I-ELLA Combines eBay, Gilt Groupe and a Bazaar Into Charitable Shopping]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/01/i-ella-combines-ebay-gilt-groupe-and-a-bazaar-into-charitable-s/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/01/i-ella-combines-ebay-gilt-groupe-and-a-bazaar-into-charitable-s/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/01/i-ella-combines-ebay-gilt-groupe-and-a-bazaar-into-charitable-s/#commentsi-ella Discount stores, invite-only sites, Etsy and eBay: there is hardly a reason to head to a department store anymore. Unless, of course, you still appreciate the social aspect of shopping -- getting a friend's opinion, promising to let her borrow your item, or using her to help narrow down your selections. So Ella Gorlga, a young entrepreneur based in New York, caught this discrepancy between IRL and e-retail. Sure, gals want the ease of shopping from home, but they also like the curated, refined selection that comes with the assistance of a trusted friend. What she created was not a shopper's social network -- though she says that Twitter and Facebook integration constitute a part of her site -- but instead a space for fashionistas to post their closet, and do what the modern shopper does: buy, sell, lend or swap. "I-ELLA combines three core elements," Gorgla explains. "My love for fashion. It's really a love and a passion, something that drives me, because my background is in engineering with a focus on business. Secondly, I wanted to reshape the shopping landscape, come up with innovative ways to present retail and shopping. And lastly, and this is really important, do some work that impacts the world and non-profits, giving people a chance to get involved that is non-invasive."

Continue reading I-ELLA Combines eBay, Gilt Groupe and a Bazaar Into Charitable Shopping

SwitchedI-ELLA Combines eBay, Gilt Groupe and a Bazaar Into Charitable Shopping originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayfashionfeaturesgiltgilt groupeGiltGroupei-ellainvite-only shoppingInvite-onlyShoppingshoppingsocialnetworkingtopwebFri, 01 Oct 2010 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[After 8 Years, eBay Vigilance Reunites Man and His Missing Guitar]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/21/after-8-years-ebay-vigilance-reunites-man-and-his-missing-guita/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/21/after-8-years-ebay-vigilance-reunites-man-and-his-missing-guita/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/21/after-8-years-ebay-vigilance-reunites-man-and-his-missing-guita/#commentsgibson les paul special Stolen items routinely appear on online auction sites, and, occasionally, watchful victims will even discover their own missing goods. One burglary victim recently discovered the benefits of such eBay vigilance, although eight years had elapsed since his belongings were actually taken. When Minnesotan Doug Duncan's house was originally burgled, a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Special guitar was among the pilfered property.

Several years later, a hopeful Duncan registered to receive messages from eBay whenever similar models appeared on the site, and last month the coveted, longed-for email finally appeared in his inbox. According to Boston.com, Duncan identified the guitar's serial number as well as a patch of duct tape still on the axe's case, and subsequently notified authorities. Somehow, the missing Les Paul had traveled approximately 2,000 miles to California, where it had wound up in the hands of an apparently unwitting collector.

Continue reading After 8 Years, eBay Vigilance Reunites Man and His Missing Guitar

SwitchedAfter 8 Years, eBay Vigilance Reunites Man and His Missing Guitar originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimeeBayEbayStolenGoodsgibsonGibsonLesPaulguitarLesPaulmusicstolenthiefTue, 21 Sep 2010 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay's Half.com App Scans Bar Codes for Best Textbook Deals]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/18/ebays-half-com-app-scans-bar-codes-for-best-textbook-deals/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/18/ebays-half-com-app-scans-bar-codes-for-best-textbook-deals/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/18/ebays-half-com-app-scans-bar-codes-for-best-textbook-deals/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

eBay launches free Half.com app that scans bar codes.

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With the fall semester around the corner, eBay has launched a mobile app for its discount site Half.com, which scans barcodes to locate the best deals on textbooks and other back-to-school products. According to CNET News, users snap a picture of a barcode (say, that expensive Biology 101 textbook), and the free iPhone app scans it using RedLaser technology, then trolling Half.com's inventory for the best prices on new and used items. If you find a better price on the site than at your college bookstore (and you likely will), you can even purchase the product within the app, and share the deal with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

It's no mistake that this app was launched right as kids are headed back-to-school, since Half.com sells truckloads of textbooks. eBay clearly knows how important mobile shopping is to the future of its business, too. According to Tech Crunch, the company is on pace to sell about $1.5 billion worth of goods via mobile phones this year alone. Looks like the future is, uh, bright. [From: CNET News and Tech Crunch]

Continue reading eBay's Half.com App Scans Bar Codes for Best Textbook Deals

SwitchedeBay's Half.com App Scans Bar Codes for Best Textbook Deals originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appapp storeAppleappsAppStorebarcodecellphoneseBayhalfhalf.comiphoneRedLaserscannershoppingtextbookstopWebWed, 18 Aug 2010 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook Criticizes Google and Verizon's Net Neutrality Plans]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/facebook-criticizes-google-and-verizons-net-neutrality-plans/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/facebook-criticizes-google-and-verizons-net-neutrality-plans/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/facebook-criticizes-google-and-verizons-net-neutrality-plans/#commentsFiled under: ,

facebook logo with net neutrality insigniaGoogle and Verizon have already taken plenty of heat for their recently unveiled joint-proposal on how to apply Net neutrality ideology to regulatory policy. Now, Facebook has joined the chorus of boos by formally announcing its opposition to the plan. As the New York Times reports, the social network is raising concerns about any plan that would exempt wireless carriers from Net neutrality rules, as suggested by Google and Verizon. "Facebook continues to support principles of Net neutrality for both landline and wireless networks," the company said in a statement issued yesterday. "Preserving an open Internet that is accessible to innovators -- regardless of their size or wealth -- will promote a vibrant and competitive marketplace where consumers have ultimate control over the content and services delivered through their Internet connections."

Other online heavyweights have also spoken out against the proposal, although few have been as forthright as Facebook. eBay, for example, acknowledged that the policy could "stifle ground-up innovation," but said it was willing to review Google and Verizon's suggestions. Paul Misener, Amazon's vice president of global policy, was similarly diplomatic when explaining his company's concerns "that this proposal appears to condone services that could harm consumer Internet access." Google, for its part, insists that its proposal doesn't violate the pillars of Net neutrality philosophy, and claims that it's still committed to maintaining an open Internet, where innovation can thrive. As chief executive Eric Schmidt says, "The next two people in a garage really do need an open Internet." [From: New York Times]

SwitchedFacebook Criticizes Google and Verizon's Net Neutrality Plans originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon.comeBayEricSchmidtfacebookgoogleNetNeutralityNetNeutralityDebatepolicytopVerizonVerizonWirelesswirelessThu, 12 Aug 2010 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Safari Update Adds Extensions Gallery, Twitter and Bing Support]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/28/safari-update-adds-extensions-gallery-twitter-and-bing-support/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/28/safari-update-adds-extensions-gallery-twitter-and-bing-support/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/28/safari-update-adds-extensions-gallery-twitter-and-bing-support/#commentsFiled under:

Safari Extensions Gallery
This morning, Apple unveiled the latest version of its Safari 5 browser, replete with revamped extensions support and a sparkling new extensions gallery. The new browser allows users to download extensions directly from a third-party developer's site, or from the new gallery, which Engadget describes as "the App Store for browser add-ons." So far, the gallery includes extensions from heavy hitters like Amazon, eBay, MLB.com, the New York Times and Twitter. And, given the relative ease with which extensions can be constructed with HTML5, JavaScript or CSS, users should expect to see more additions to the extensions gallery in the near future. It's great that Safari is finally getting Extensions, but, let's be honest, it's a little late to the browser add-ons party. Google Chrome and Firefox have let users customize the browsing experience for years now. Grab the new Safari 5.0.1 here, and customize away. [From: Engadget]

SwitchedSafari Update Adds Extensions Gallery, Twitter and Bing Support originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonappleBingbrowsereBayExtensionsGalleryMLBNewYorkTimessafariSafari5toptwitterupdateWebBrowserWed, 28 Jul 2010 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Priest Auctions Confessional on eBay as 'a Small Bar,' Archdiocese Not Amused]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/21/priest-auctions-confessional-on-ebay-as-a-small-bar-archdioce/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/21/priest-auctions-confessional-on-ebay-as-a-small-bar-archdioce/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/21/priest-auctions-confessional-on-ebay-as-a-small-bar-archdioce/#commentsFiled under: ,

a confessionalThe Catholic Church has lately dived into the digital revolution with an uninhibited enthusiasm, exploring new ways to reach parishioners and potential converts alike. This may be attributable to Pope Benedict XVI, whose digital-ecumenical efforts have included championing the Internet as a way for Catholics to share their faith, establishing the Vatican's YouTube channel and even asking followers to text their concerns about recent scandals. But with the Church's headlong leap into tech, one can expect some missteps. For example: the Austrian priest who tried to sell a confessional on eBay for use as a "one-person sauna, a small bar or a children's playhouse."

The Vienna archdiocese was not amused. Spokesperson Erich Leitenberger told the Salzburger Nachrichten that the resale of "objects that were used for dispensing the sacraments is not acceptable." Otto Weber, the Hirschstetten-based priest who posted the auction on eBay, was just trying to raise money for renovating his church. But, to compound the blunders in Weber's good intentions, the archdiocese finally pulled the plug on the post when it reached 40 bids, at a total of 666.66 euros. eBay: The Devil's Marketplace. [From: AP, via: Gawker]

Continue reading Priest Auctions Confessional on eBay as 'a Small Bar,' Archdiocese Not Amused

SwitchedPriest Auctions Confessional on eBay as 'a Small Bar,' Archdiocese Not Amused originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionaustriaCatholicCatholicChurchConfessionalebayOnlineAuctionsOttoWeberPopeBenedictXvireligiontopvaticanwebWed, 21 Jul 2010 12:36:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay User Sells Original NES for $50k, but Buyer Reneges (Seller Drops to $35k)]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/19/ebay-user-sells-original-nes-for-50k-but-buyer-reneges-seller/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/19/ebay-user-sells-original-nes-for-50k-but-buyer-reneges-seller/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/19/ebay-user-sells-original-nes-for-50k-but-buyer-reneges-seller/#commentsFiled under: ,

$50,000 NES on eBay
As far we understand it, an object goes through five rough stages in its lengthy lifetime. First, it's shiny and new, sitting on a store shelf. Then, it's just junk. A little later, it's vintage, then antique, and -- finally -- an invaluable link to another time. Typically, it seems, it takes quite a while to get from Stage 1 to Stage 5. (We're hoping that rusted-out '83 Mustang in our yard will be fondly remembered any day now.) After hearing about an original NES fetching a cool 50 grand on eBay, though, we had to reconsider that timeline; apparently where gamers are concerned, it's quite a bit shorter. Actually, a lot dang shorter.

Apparently, though, whoever had decided to shell out the $50,000 in order to grab the Nintendo bundle (and to alleviate user ronald3868's financial problems) couldn't cash the check his or her mouth had written. Accordingly, Ronald has re-listed the bundle -- which includes a console, four controllers, 42 games, 'Game Genie,' a gun controller, and more -- for a mere $35,000. While that's bad news for Ronald, it's good news for us; we feel significantly less crazy. [From: Geekosystem and eBay - ronald3868]

SwitchedeBay User Sells Original NES for $50k, but Buyer Reneges (Seller Drops to $35k) originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayebayauctionmoneynesnintendotopvideogamesweirdMon, 19 Jul 2010 12:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Brooklyn's Mark Suppes Builds Nuclear Reactors When He's Not Working for Gucci]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/24/brooklyns-mark-suppes-builds-nuclear-reactors-when-hes-not-wor/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/24/brooklyns-mark-suppes-builds-nuclear-reactors-when-hes-not-wor/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/24/brooklyns-mark-suppes-builds-nuclear-reactors-when-hes-not-wor/#commentsFiled under: ,

screenshot of mark suppes
We've gone on a wild goose chase in Iraq, we've spent countless hours worrying about Iran and North Korea, and, all this time, a rogue nuclear genius has been lurking in our own Brooklyn backyard.

Mark Suppes, a 32-year-old New Yorker and Web developer for Gucci, recently became the 38th amateur physicist to build a reactor capable of conducting nuclear fusion. According to the Daily News, Suppes began constructing his reactor two years ago "with $35,000 worth of parts he purchased on eBay" and an extra $4,000 worth of parts he bought with money he'd raised on an inventors' website. Fortunately, Suppes has good intentions at heart, as he is part of a growing legion of so-called 'fusioneers' -- amateur scientists working to solve the world's looming energy crisis. Watch him describe his process in a video by the BBC.

Continue reading Brooklyn's Mark Suppes Builds Nuclear Reactors When He's Not Working for Gucci

SwitchedBrooklyn's Mark Suppes Builds Nuclear Reactors When He's Not Working for Gucci originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brooklynebayEnergyfusionfusioneersgreentechgucciMarkSuppesnuclearNuclearEnergypowersciencetopThu, 24 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Female Tech All-Stars Terminate Opponents in California Primaries]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/10/female-tech-all-stars-terminate-opponents-in-california-primarie/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/10/female-tech-all-stars-terminate-opponents-in-california-primarie/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/10/female-tech-all-stars-terminate-opponents-in-california-primarie/#commentsMeg Whitman Film icons and legendary crooners once dominated the political landscape in California, but the Golden(less) State currently bears a crippling $20 billion deficit and an agonizing 13-percent unemployment rate. Last fall, an onslaught of tech moguls supplanted the celebrity grandstanders in Cali's political limelight, and all audaciously promised to capitalize on their successful corporate e-careers by both curtailing frivolous government spending and creating jobs.

Those messages obviously resonated with frustrated and concerned voters, because two candidates in particular claimed overwhelming primary victories. Meg Whitman, the former chief of eBay and current Governor hopeful, dominated her closest Republican opponent Steve Poizner by an astounding 40-percent margin. Poizner's own successful tech history apparently just wasn't as impressive as Whitman's billionaire background (and campaign wallet).

Continue reading Female Tech All-Stars Terminate Opponents in California Primaries

SwitchedFemale Tech All-Stars Terminate Opponents in California Primaries originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>californiaCarlyFiorinaebayhewlett-packardMegWhitmanpoliticsprimariesStevePoiznertopThu, 10 Jun 2010 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Sprint Evo 4G Lands on June 4th, RIAA Crushes Limewire in Copyright Case]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/05/13/sprint-evo-4g-lands-on-june-4th-riaa-crushes-limewire-in-copyri/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/13/sprint-evo-4g-lands-on-june-4th-riaa-crushes-limewire-in-copyri/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/13/sprint-evo-4g-lands-on-june-4th-riaa-crushes-limewire-in-copyri/#commentshtc evo

Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....

  • HTC's's much-hyped Evo 4G for Sprint officially arrives June 4th, with a $199 post-rebate price. Yesterday, Sprint revealed the model's default specs, which include a 1-gigahertz processor, an 8-megapixel camera, video chat capabilities and an 8-gigabyte SD card. The phone also awesomely lets users link up to eight other devices via its Wi-Fi signal.
  • In what could be a devastating case for peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks, a U.S. District Judge has ruled for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in its legal dispute with Limewire. Judge Kimba M. Wood determined that the P2P service has not actively combated the "substantial amount of copyright infringement" that takes place on the site. Following suit with its other exorbitant (and ridiculous) demands, the RIAA wants up to $150,000 per infringement as recompense. [From: Wired]
  • Despite waning support from the over-34 crowd, Facebook still experienced tremendous growth -- in terms of user activity -- during 2010. According to the stat wizards at Nielsen, usage of the site climbed by 69-percent. Twitter experienced a gain of 45-percent, while MySpace continued its descent into social networking oblivion as activity declined for at least the third year in a row. [From: Nielsen Wire]
  • Facebook hosted another significant increase during the first quarter of 2010, as the site reportedly ranked number one among all websites in terms of displayed advertisements. The site subjected its users to 176.3 billion ad banners during the period, with Yahoo!'s distant 131.6 billion ranking second. Facebook still needs to translate those annoyances into revenue, though, as Yahoo! earned $6.5 billion from its sponsors, compared to the relatively paltry estimated total of $1 billion for Facebook. [From: All Facebook]
  • The Boxee media center provides a "compelling" and seamless method for users to combine social networking, music listening and video streaming. The company just announced that it is also implementing a payment system so that users will be able to purchase "premium content" not only from their desktops, but also from their mobile gadgets. [From: Engadget]
  • According to Kaspersky (the folks who gave us Jackie Chan kicking virus-butt from a Segway), Facebook is not only the most popular social networking site, but also the most popular in terms of phishing attacks. The site came in fourth overall, with PayPal and eBay claiming the top two spam spots. [From: Kaspersky]

SwitchedSprint Evo 4G Lands on June 4th, RIAA Crushes Limewire in Copyright Case originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 13 May 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boxeeebayevo 4gEvo4gfacebookhtc evohtc evo 4gHtcEvoHtcEvo4gkasperskylimewiremorningxtranielsenpaypalriaasprinttopwebThu, 13 May 2010 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[YouTube Nerds Microwave iPad, Sell Melty Remains on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/05/05/youtube-nerds-microwave-ipad-sell-melty-remains-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/05/youtube-nerds-microwave-ipad-sell-melty-remains-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/05/youtube-nerds-microwave-ipad-sell-melty-remains-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

microwaved ipad
Apple just dropped its iPad 3G April 30th, so -- of course -- some nimrod on YouTube just had to be the first person to demonstrate the gadget's flammability. The dOvetastic Microwave Theatre has uploaded a torturous, 11-minute video featuring the $800, 64-gigabyte device and its incendiary demise inside a ridiculous microwave robot structure.

Since the video is painfully boring (aside from a few brief moments), and particularly because the voiceover guy may be the most annoying, over-inflective human being on earth [Edit. Note: This is not hyperbole], we'll go ahead and list the seminal moments and times. You're welcome. The first noticeable effects begin to appear at the 3:45 mark, smoke starts billowing around 5:00, the device ignites at 6:28 and then, finally, a slo-mo worthy moment appreciatively arrives at 7:10.

Continue reading YouTube Nerds Microwave iPad, Sell Melty Remains on eBay

SwitchedYouTube Nerds Microwave iPad, Sell Melty Remains on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Appledovetastic microwave theatreDovetasticMicrowaveTheatreebayebayauctionfunnyipadIpad3gmicrowavetopviralvideoWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Man Busted for Selling Fake Vintage Horror Posters on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/04/29/man-busted-for-selling-fake-vintage-horror-posters-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/29/man-busted-for-selling-fake-vintage-horror-posters-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/29/man-busted-for-selling-fake-vintage-horror-posters-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under: ,

Preying on the devotion of horror-movie loyalists, a Georgia man has been selling fake movie posters on eBay for years. According to The New York Times, Kerry Haggard was finally arrested Wednesday on mail fraud charges for using high-tech inkjet printers, housed at a New York printing company, to create reproductions of vintage horror movie posters to sell. Haggard sold posters ranging in price from $500 to $5,000 to about 25 eBay customers. The scam worked, too, until customers started trying to consign the fake works, which included 'Frankenstein,' 'Son of Frankenstein' and 'The Mummy's Hand,' at auction houses, and began consulting restoration experts.

Preet Bharara, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, told the Times that Haggard's scam was a "real-life horror show for his victims, who are allegedly out of pocket more than $1 million." For that, Haggard could serve up to 20 years in prison, and face $250,000 in fines. Somewhere, we hope Bela Lugosi is grinning creepily at justice being served. [From: The New York Times]

SwitchedMan Busted for Selling Fake Vintage Horror Posters on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimeeBayebayauctionfraudmoviesscamtopwebThu, 29 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Pulls Kevorkian 'Death Van' Listing]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/04/28/ebay-pulls-kevorkian-death-van-listing/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/28/ebay-pulls-kevorkian-death-van-listing/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/28/ebay-pulls-kevorkian-death-van-listing/#commentsFiled under: ,

eBay Pulls Kevorkian
It's been said there is nothing you can't find online. That point was driven home by Jack Finn, a retired used auto parts dealer who somehow came to posses the 1968 Volkswagon van used by Dr. Jack Kevorkian during his run of performing assisted suicides in the '90s. Finn, in an effort to clear out room in his warehouse, has put the infamous van up for auction on eBay.

By Monday afternoon, when the listing finally came to the attention of the online auction site, bidding had reached $3,400 for the severely deteriorated vehicle. Citing its policy against so-called "murderabilia," eBay removed the listing. The company sent Finn an e-mail explaining that it "does not allow the sale of items closely associated with notorious murderers within the last 100 years."

Continue reading eBay Pulls Kevorkian 'Death Van' Listing

SwitchedeBay Pulls Kevorkian 'Death Van' Listing originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionDr.JackKevorkianebayebayauctionJackKevorkianmurderabiliatopwebweirdWed, 28 Apr 2010 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Teensy, Tiny Town Sells on eBay For $360K]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/04/20/teensy-tiny-town-sells-on-ebay-for-360k/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/20/teensy-tiny-town-sells-on-ebay-for-360k/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/20/teensy-tiny-town-sells-on-ebay-for-360k/#commentsFiled under: ,

Want to own your own town? Well, you're too late to buy this Washington state hamlet, but there will always be more. The tiny township of Wauconda went for sale on eBay last month, and finally found some new masters. If you're wondering just what it takes to buy your own town, Wauconda ended fetching a price tag equivalent to Diddy's recent birthday present to his son, Justin Dior Combs.

This isn't the first town -- nor, we expect, the last -- to sell on eBay's digital auction block. In 2003, the 82-acre California town of Bridgeville (population: 25) sold for $1.78 million; the 13-acre, one-person town of Albert, Texas sold in 2007 to a bidder from Italy for $3.8 million. And there are others -- mostly tiny, unincorporated townships.

Continue reading Teensy, Tiny Town Sells on eBay For $360K

SwitchedTeensy, Tiny Town Sells on eBay For $360K originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daphne fletcherDaphneFletcherebaymaddie loveMaddieLoveneal loveNealLovereal estateRealEstatetopwashingtonwaucondawebTue, 20 Apr 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Negative eBay Feedback Leads to $15,000 Lawsuit]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/04/12/negative-ebay-feedback-leads-to-15-000-lawsuit/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/12/negative-ebay-feedback-leads-to-15-000-lawsuit/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/12/negative-ebay-feedback-leads-to-15-000-lawsuit/#commentsFiled under: ,

Negative eBay Feedback Leads to $15,000 Lawsuit
When you take to eBay for your shopping needs, you know you're taking a certain amount of risk. You have faith in the description of the goods for sale, digital photos, and, more importantly, the seller's morals. Apparently, another risk you might be taking, if you react negatively to being burned by a seller, is that of being sued. Michael Steadman, a business owner in Florida, discovered this danger the hard way after leaving a negative comment for a seller that resulted in a $15,000 defamation suit.

Steadman won an auction for a time clock from Elliot Miller, a lawyer from the Miami Beach area. Miller was offering what he described as a "sturdy time clock with all the fixings" that had been tested and confirmed to print on employee time cards. But as Steadman told Florida Today, the item that arrived did not match the description on eBay. The clock in question was actually pieces of three different models that didn't fit together, was not capable of being mounted on a wall and the printer didn't work. Even the key included didn't fit in the clock's lock.

Continue reading Negative eBay Feedback Leads to $15,000 Lawsuit

SwitchedNegative eBay Feedback Leads to $15,000 Lawsuit originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctiondefamationebaylawsuitmichael steadmanMichaelSteadmannegative feedbackNegativeFeedbackpaypaltopwebMon, 12 Apr 2010 17:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple Sells 300K iPads, Follow Discovery's ISS Mission on Twitter]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/04/05/apple-sells-300k-ipads-follow-discoverys-iss-mission-on-twitte/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/05/apple-sells-300k-ipads-follow-discoverys-iss-mission-on-twitte/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/05/apple-sells-300k-ipads-follow-discoverys-iss-mission-on-twitte/#comments
 Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....
  • Apple has released the initial iPad sales numbers, and -- while certainly impressive -- the stats still fall short of some of the early and exaggerated expectations. According to the company, consumers purchased 300,000 iPads on Saturday, downloaded over 1 million apps, and checked out over 250,000 iBooks from the brand new iBookstore. [From: Business Insider]
  • The Discovery space shuttle was successfully launched this morning, and the vessel is now en route to the International Space Station. Land lubbers can follow the action live through the official Twitter accounts of NASA and various members of the Discovery's seven-person crew. [From: Information Week]
  • Tiffany & Co. sued eBay in 2004, claiming that 70-percent of the alleged Tiffany products listed with the online retailer were fake. A federal appeals court has sided with eBay, determining that the site had adhered to the proper protocol for preventing counterfeit sales as outlined by trademark laws. Representatives for Tiffany do believe that the ruling may enable it to pursue false advertising claims, though. [From: Blogging Stocks]
  • The iPad may have just officially launched on Saturday, but it has already been jailbroken. Exploiting an iPhone 3.1.2 vulnerability, which also apparently plagues the new tablet, the Apple scourge known as MuscleNerd was able to become the first reported iPad hacker. [From: OS News]
  • Spirit, the NASA rover that has been deployed on Mars for six years, has apparently grown sick of its meddling, intrusive parents at NASA, and is reportedly ignoring commands to call home. The vehicle may have entered into a hibernation mode in order to save power, though, so scientists are hoping that it will rouse itself from its lazy slumber. [From: Daily Tech]
  • According to officials with Mozilla, almost one-third of the world's Internet users access the Web through its Firefox browser, and that number amazingly climbs to 80-percent for the U.S. market. The company has released a breakdown of the statistics, which includes an impressive glimpse at usage patterns across the United States. [From: Network World]

SwitchedApple Sells 300K iPads, Follow Discovery's ISS Mission on Twitter originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleebayfirefoxhackibookInternationalSpaceStationipadmarsrovermorningxtramozillanasaSpaceShuttleDiscoveryspiritSpiritRovertiffanytiffanyandcotopMon, 05 Apr 2010 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[The Greenest Mag Uses No Paper At All, Geeks to Get Hitched on Twitter]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/04/01/the-greenest-mag-uses-no-paper-at-all-geeks-to-get-hitched-on-t/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/01/the-greenest-mag-uses-no-paper-at-all-geeks-to-get-hitched-on-t/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/01/the-greenest-mag-uses-no-paper-at-all-geeks-to-get-hitched-on-t/#comments
There's a load of great tech news happening out there every day, and, unfortunately, we just can't cover it all. Here are a few of the other noteworthy things we saw today on our never-ending journey through the wild, wild Web.
  • Print is dead! Long live the... slide projector? Rotary Magazine is a boutique publication that appropriates old transparencies found on eBay and presents them as a slide-show. Co-creator Jack Maxwell writes on his site that the premier issue "gave an alternative browsing experience, allowing many people to view at the same time and at their own pace." And nary a tree was made to fall. [From: NOTCOT]
  • With the iPad hitting stores on Saturday, we're sure to see just as many, if not more, ridiculous peripherals than we still find with the iPhone. But we have to say that the Macally Viewstand looks like it might be a perfectly reasonable first accessory (behind the keyboard dock, of course). It's simple, elegant and can prop your new 'Pad in one of three convenient configurations. Now we just need a killer stylus. [From: Ubergizmo]
  • Adobe marketing rep and web design expert Greg Rewis proposed to Stephanie Sullivan two years ago via Twitter. Now, after authoring two CSS manuals together, the geek couple have announced that they will be live-tweeting their nuptials, as well. At 6:00 PM next Thursday, Rewis and Sullivan will tie the knot in front of the entire Internet, plus ten real guests, by churning out 140-character blocks of their vows. We don't have any response to this. [From: Wired]
Got a tip? Want to talk to us? In need of more choice links like these? Drop us a line on Twitter and check out our Tumblr blog.

SwitchedThe Greenest Mag Uses No Paper At All, Geeks to Get Hitched on Twitter originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BestOfTheRestebaygeek weddingGeekWeddinggreg rewisGregRewisipadmacallyprojectorrotary magazineRotaryMagazineslideshowstephanie sullivanStephanieSullivantoptwitterviewstandweddingThu, 01 Apr 2010 18:32:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Takes on Craigslist With Revamped Classifieds Site and Mobile Apps]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/03/30/ebay-takes-on-craigslist-with-revamped-classifieds-site-and-mobi/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/30/ebay-takes-on-craigslist-with-revamped-classifieds-site-and-mobi/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/30/ebay-takes-on-craigslist-with-revamped-classifieds-site-and-mobi/#commentsFiled under: ,


In hopes of competing with Craigslist, eBay unveiled today a revamped classifieds site called eBay Classifieds. It will replace the company's old site, Kijiji, which just couldn't keep up with Craigslist in the U.S.

According to The New York Times, Craigslist tallied about 4.5 million visitors in February, while Kijiji had about 2 million visitors. However, Kijiji will remain the same for users in other parts of the globe, where it's more popular. Along with a face lift, which will make it easier to browse, the site has been revamped to better filter ads and seller profiles. It's certainly better looking than the bare bones design of Craigslist -- then again, Craig Newmark's site continues to grow with a look and feel straight out of the '90s. Along with this new site, eBay also plans on releasing two new mobile applications: one app will allow sellers to quickly upload pictures of items to eBay with their mobile devices, and the other is a classifieds app that lets users browse, post and reply to ads on the new site.

Continue reading eBay Takes on Craigslist With Revamped Classifieds Site and Mobile Apps

SwitchedeBay Takes on Craigslist With Revamped Classifieds Site and Mobile Apps originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ApplicationauctionclassifiedscraigslisteBayebay classifiedsEbayClassifiedsiphonekijijitopWebTue, 30 Mar 2010 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[FOX News Alienates Apple, eBay offering Fashion 'Flash Sale' Today]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/03/29/fox-news-alienates-apple-ebay-offering-fashion-flash-sale-tod/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/29/fox-news-alienates-apple-ebay-offering-fashion-flash-sale-tod/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/29/fox-news-alienates-apple-ebay-offering-fashion-flash-sale-tod/#comments
Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....
  • Glenn Beck's increasingly inflammatory methods of inspiring viewer hysteria are taking a serious toll on the show's advertising possibilities. According to the Washington Post, more than 200 prominent companies are boycotting Beck's rhetoric, and Apple is actually avoiding FOX News as a whole. But, maybe that's what happens when college dropouts try to comport themselves as serious journalists and political pundits. [From: The Hollywood Reporter]
  • eBay's quest to diversify its online retail business is taking a major leap today, with a "flash sale" of goods from the French Connection Group. (No, it's not a Turkish drug cartel.) The Monday event (set to begin at 11 a.m., EST) will offer various "buy it now" items marked down by as much as 50-percent. [From: The Business Journal]
  • This coming Saturday, consumers will finally be able to experience the Apple iPad -- aside from those unlucky shoppers who decided to utilize the so-called "pre-order" option over the weekend. People who pre-ordered the device after March 27th will actually be forced to wait till a week after the official April 3rd release date because of an ambiguous shipping delay. [From: Apple and USA Today]
  • Wireless firms have been bombarding consumers with various campaigns touting the benefits and capabilities of their 3G and 4G networks. To help inform the public on what, exactly, those networks provide, Ars Technica is providing an incredibly detailed rundown, including specific reasons why 4G is not just about quality (speed), but also about quantity (capacity). [From: Ars Technica]
  • Topeka, Kansas recently changed its name to Google, Kansas in an effort to become a pioneering member of Google's developmental fiber-optic network. More than 1,000 other communities have also come up with wacky campaigns to become a Googleton community, and -- according to a new map pinpointing the various locations -- the Atlantic Seaboard is hosting some serious Googlemania. [From: Engadget]

SwitchedFOX News Alienates Apple, eBay offering Fashion 'Flash Sale' Today originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3g4gappleebayfoxnewsfrench connectionFrenchConnectionglennbeckgooglegooglefiberipadmorningxtratoptopekaMon, 29 Mar 2010 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Bidding on Your Attention in Real-Time May Streamline Web Ads]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/03/13/bidding-on-your-attention-in-real-time-may-streamline-web-ads/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/13/bidding-on-your-attention-in-real-time-may-streamline-web-ads/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/13/bidding-on-your-attention-in-real-time-may-streamline-web-ads/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's an accepted fact of life in the Internet age that companies like Google will collect (supposedly) anonymous information about your browsing habits and serve up targeted ads relevant to your interests. Though, there is a problem with this model (beyond the privacy concerns): What good does showing you 50 ads for laptops in 30 minutes do?

Newer systems are coming into favor that let advertisers buy ads as their target audience is loading a specific page, instead of buying blocks of advertising from a network. eBay has been testing such a system from a company called AppNexus that uses not just browsing history, but leverages eBay's knowledge of location, searches and purchases. The whole process takes just milliseconds as eBay identifies and offers ad space to its clients, and advertisers must then decide whether or not to bid on the space in order to customize it to that particular visitor.

Continue reading Bidding on Your Attention in Real-Time May Streamline Web Ads

SwitchedBidding on Your Attention in Real-Time May Streamline Web Ads originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingappnexusebaygooglemicrosoftprivacytargeted advertisingTargetedAdvertisingtopyahooSat, 13 Mar 2010 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaga Loves Synergy, News Station for Sale on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/03/12/gaga-loves-synergy-news-station-for-sale-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/12/gaga-loves-synergy-news-station-for-sale-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/12/gaga-loves-synergy-news-station-for-sale-on-ebay/#comments There's a load of great tech news happening out there every day, and, unfortunately, we just can't cover it all. Here are a few of the other noteworthy things we saw today on our never-ending journey through the wild, wild Web.
  • Lady Gaga's hotly anticipated 'Telephone' video with Beyoncé has, in the words of Jason Kottke, "more brands in it than Logorama." The Lady's last video was product-heavy, too -- but this time she's brought along tech giants Virgin Mobile and Polaroid (where she's now serving as creative director) to join her in this sapphic charade. Warholian pop or synergistic mishmash? Either way, entertaining. [From: Buzzfeed]
  • In another amazing video, director Sam O'Hare created this brilliant, literally little movie showing Manhattan in time-lapse. His tilt-shift techniques make the city look merely pocket-sized. If a decent chunk of the Switched editorial team didn't already live here, we'd want to move with a quickness. New York never looked so adorable. [From: Kottke.org]
  • The Economist's sister organization Economist Intelligence Unit has ranked the most expensive cities in a lovely infographic, with a handy comparison to the cost of living in New York. Apparently financial hard times have not hit Tokyo or Frankfurt, while Oslo was knocked down a peg from last year. In Paris they must be saying, "Quelle récession?" [From: The Economist]
  • If you so happen to be one of our flush Parisian readers [Or our writer, Amar], perhaps you'd be interested in owning a small-time, middle-American television station? Owner Bud Kelley put a Muskegon, Michigan-based station up for sale on eBay for the bargain-basement price of only $700,000. Think of all the left-wing, pro-universal health care, baguette-munching propaganda you could spread! [From: Business Insider]
Got a tip? Want to talk to us? In need of more choice links like these? Drop us a line on Twitter and check out our Tumblr blog.

SwitchedGaga Loves Synergy, News Station for Sale on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bestoftherestbeyoncecost of livingCostOfLivingebaylady gagaLadyGagamuskegonsam ohareSamOharetelephone music videoTelephoneMusicVideothe economistTheEconomisttiltshifttopFri, 12 Mar 2010 18:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Illustrating with Google Maps, iPad Pre-Sale Starts Tomorrow]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/03/11/illustrating-with-google-maps-ipad-pre-sale-starts-tomorrow/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/11/illustrating-with-google-maps-ipad-pre-sale-starts-tomorrow/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/11/illustrating-with-google-maps-ipad-pre-sale-starts-tomorrow/#comments
There's a load of great tech news happening out there every day, and, unfortunately, we just can't cover it all. Here are a few of the other noteworthy things we saw today on our never-ending journey through the wild, wild Web.

  • Illustrator Christopher Niemann, uses imagery from Google Maps as a medium to illustrate life lessons, the stock market, and Casablanca. [NYTimes, via: Urlesque]
  • Growing up blowing on our old NES cartridges, we're surprised this didn't happen earlier: NES Harmonicas are up on eBay. [From: Engadget]
  • Set your alarms: iPad pre-orders are confirmed to begin on 8:30 a.m. ET tomorrow morning. [From: TUAW]
  • Although Philip K. Dick died before the release of Ridley Scott's 'Blade Runner,' Dick glimpsed several moments of the film on a TV segment before his death. Don't miss this letter revealing his impressions of the groundbreaking sci-fi classic. [From: Philip K. Dick, via: Kottke]
Got a tip? Want to talk to us? In need of more choice links like these? Drop us a line on Twitter and check out our Tumblr blog.

SwitchedIllustrating with Google Maps, iPad Pre-Sale Starts Tomorrow originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebestoftherestchristopher niemannChristopherNiemannebaygoogle mapsGoogleMapsipadnesphilip k dickPhilipKDicktopThu, 11 Mar 2010 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Cold War Bunker Goes for $31K on eBay, Resembles Post-Apocalyptic Hell]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/03/09/cold-war-bunker-goes-for-31k-on-ebay-resembles-post-apocalypti/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/09/cold-war-bunker-goes-for-31k-on-ebay-resembles-post-apocalypti/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/09/cold-war-bunker-goes-for-31k-on-ebay-resembles-post-apocalypti/#commentsFiled under: ,

When we think about a country retreat in England, we picture a small cottage surrounded by beautiful gardens and a moss-covered stone wall. But apparently, that's too idealistic and the real housing market is much more underground -- literally.

According to an Associated Press report posted on CBS News, an unnamed person bought a rural nuclear bunker Monday that was built during the Cold War. This shelter, located about 160 miles northwest of London, sold for $31,000 to an unidentified bidder, clearly hoping for the apocalypse so their investment doesn't go to pot. Built in 1959 by the Royal Observer Corps, it has two bedrooms, a telephone, a chemical toilet, and several air shafts that lead 15-feet up to the surface. Sounds cozy, right? We're assuming there's also plenty of shelf space for your favorite canned foods, which should help you survive until it's safe to return topside.

Continue reading Cold War Bunker Goes for $31K on eBay, Resembles Post-Apocalyptic Hell

SwitchedCold War Bunker Goes for $31K on eBay, Resembles Post-Apocalyptic Hell originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionbunkercoldwarebayhomenuclearnuclear weaponstopwebweirdTue, 09 Mar 2010 08:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Old NES Game Found in Basement Sells For $41,300 on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/03/01/old-nes-game-found-in-basement-sells-for-41-300-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/01/old-nes-game-found-in-basement-sells-for-41-300-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/01/old-nes-game-found-in-basement-sells-for-41-300-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under: ,


After reading about the $13K goldmine a mother found while cleaning the basement, a man known only as Dave from Kansas embarked upon his own 8-bit treasure hunt. According to Yahoo! Games, Dave found what he was looking for: 'Stadium Events,' a simple track-and-field game from Bandai that Nintendo recalled in 1988. Collectors suspect only about 20 copies remain today, and Dave posted his copy of the game on eBay, fetching a cool $41,300.

Dave scoured the family's collection of 180-plus NES games, that were slated to be dumped to Goodwill in a month. Among the collection, he found the game in its original shrink-wrapping and with its original price tag of $29.99. Dave never opened the game because the floor-mat controller that went along with it wasn't available the day he bought it. "We never got around to returning the game... lucky us!," he told Y! Games.

Lucky is discovering there's another slice of pizza left in the box or finding $5 in your pocket while doing laundry. Stumbling upon a video game that's worth more than many make in a year weeks before it's slated to be donated to charity; that's more like divine intervention. [From: Yahoo! Games, via: CNET News]

Continue reading Old NES Game Found in Basement Sells For $41,300 on eBay

SwitchedOld NES Game Found in Basement Sells For $41,300 on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Gary "What You Talkin' 'Bout" Coleman pawned his Nintendo Gamecube gear on eBay, many folks expressed dismay when someone actually purchased the pile of obsolescence for the shocking price of $510. That sum pales in comparison, though, to a recent bid that will undoubtedly send 30-somethings scrambling to their attics and basements in search of forgotten gaming loot.

According to Boing Boing, an unnamed mother listed a classic NES with five original games on eBay, because, as she stated in the product description, "it's time to get rid of things that are no longer being used." Apparently unbeknownst to the woman, one of the games amounts to the Holy Grail of NES collectibles and inspired one huge Nintendo nerd to bid $13,000 for the assortment. The game, 'Stadium Events,' was originally marketed for the Family Fun Fitness pad (the precursor to the Nintendo Power Pad), and was only temporarily available in the United States.

Continue reading Mom Cleans Out Closet on eBay, Stumbles Upon $13k Gaming Goldmine

SwitchedMom Cleans Out Closet on eBay, Stumbles Upon $13k Gaming Goldmine originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 13 Feb 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Changes Pricing Schemes for AuctionseBay has revealed a new pricing scheme for U.S. auctioneers that claims different listing fees from frequent and occasional sellers.

"eBay Every Day" does away with upfront listing fees (for auctions only, not Buy It Now), and instead charges 9-percent of the final sale price, up to $50. The plan is limited to those sellers who post 100 or fewer listings per month. However, power sellers will instead want to opt for the new 'eBay Stores' subscription plan, which, according to eBay, can save sellers who list 250 items a month as much as $80 on listing fees.

Continue reading eBay Changes Pricing Schemes for Auctions, Struggling to Regain Edge

SwitchedeBay Changes Pricing Schemes for Auctions, Struggling to Regain Edge originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonauctionscraigslistebaylisting feesListingFeespricestopWed, 27 Jan 2010 12:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Man Discovers His Stolen Appliances on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/12/29/man-discovers-his-stolen-appliances-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/12/29/man-discovers-his-stolen-appliances-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/12/29/man-discovers-his-stolen-appliances-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under: ,


We'll never figure out why thieves think eBay is a good place to sell stolen goods. On the online auction site, these dumb criminals not only have to watch out for the cops, but also for the angry victims trolling the Web for their stuff.

According to the Telegraph, a British man whose house was ransacked and relieved of goods valued at $13,000, tracked down the perpetrator when he noticed his fridge listed on eBay. Tristan Brooks posed as a buyer of the kitchen appliance, which was being held just 30 miles from his home. He asked the seller if he could drive over and measure the fridge to make sure it would fit in his house. After checking the serial numbers, Brooks stepped outside and called the police. They arrested the unnamed man and discovered the rest of Brooks's stuff stashed inside -- an electric oven, some cordless phones, a toaster, a showerhead, a trash can, and a tool case.

Continue reading Man Discovers His Stolen Appliances on eBay

SwitchedMan Discovers His Stolen Appliances on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimecriminaldumbcriminalebayhomekitchenrobberytopwebTue, 29 Dec 2009 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Brits Applaud 'Avatar,' Playboy Debuts in the App Store]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/12/11/brits-applaud-avatar-playboy-debuts-in-the-app-store/http://www.switched.com/2009/12/11/brits-applaud-avatar-playboy-debuts-in-the-app-store/http://www.switched.com/2009/12/11/brits-applaud-avatar-playboy-debuts-in-the-app-store/#comments
Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....
  • At first glance, 'Avatar' seems like it could either be an awe-inspiring F/X masterpiece or just a laughably ridiculous sci-fi punch line. Yesterday, a London audience indicated that the film could indeed be the former, as the closing credits were met with rare applause. [From: Newsvine]
  • The App store's highly publicized puritan stance on nudity hasn't stopped various companies from attempting to capitalize on images of scantily clad women. Playboy appears to be the latest entry into iPhone salaciousness with its new app that features monthly written content from the magazine, as well as images of "non-nude" models. [From: Krapps]
  • Though budding scientists and nerds have been producing small solar powered contraptions, like model cars, for school science fairs for decades, that technology hasn't really translated into commercially available and affordable kits for homeowners, until now. Twenty-one California Lowe's stores have reportedly stocked Akeena Solar packages (purchasers may qualify for various tax credits), which include panels, wiring, and racking systems. [From: Bloomberg]
  • Sexually curious kids used to resort to huddling around well-worn copies of books like 'Tropic of Cancer' at the public library. The Internet has obviously and dramatically altered that practice, and, after performing a study commissioned by Congress, the FTC has concluded that it is alarmingly easy for kids to register for, and gain access to, adult-themed social networking sites. Big surprise. [From: Reuters]
  • Eli Roth, the director behind horror films like 'Hostel' and 'Cabin Fever,' recently revealed that in the early '90s, he was at the forefront of a budding Web enterprise that would eventually explode into an incredibly successful worldwide industry. He claims that in 1991, he and two roommates were employed as "women" operators in sexual chatrooms. [From: BBC]
  • eBay and Craigslist are currently embroiled in a courtroom battle in Delaware over negotiations that occurred between the sites during 2004. During testimony, Craigslist founder Craig Newmark asserted that Meg Whitman, the CEO of eBay at the time, betrayed him by gaining his trust while simultaneously developing eBay's own classified site, Kijiji. [From: Reuters]
  • Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently raised eyebrows when he basically claimed that the only people worried about Internet privacy issues are the people who have something to hide (like Schmidt's extramarital affair). The repercussions have been felt almost immediately, as one Mozilla employee has publicly endorsed rival search engine Bing over Google because of privacy policies. [From: CNET]

SwitchedBrits Applaud 'Avatar,' Playboy Debuts in the App Store originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatarcraigslistebayeli rothEliRothmorningxtraplayboysolar panelsSolarPanelstopFri, 11 Dec 2009 11:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Mussolini's Brain for Sale on eBay?]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/23/mussolinis-brain-for-sale-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/23/mussolinis-brain-for-sale-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/23/mussolinis-brain-for-sale-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under:

Because the world will never be able to get enough of Benito Mussolini, some compassionate individual has done all of humanity a favor and put the Italian dictator's brain for auction on eBay.

The Telegraph reports that Alessandra Mussolini, the granddaughter of the man who led Italy into World War II, is furious about reports that her grandfather's brain had been stolen and put up for auction, along with vials of his blood. The asking price was originally 15,000 Euros (about $22,000), but eBay, which outlaws the selling of body parts, took down the post before anyone could place a bid. Ms. Mussolini, herself a right-wing politician in Italy (and former showgirl), is not satisfied, claiming that "This is very serious, these are the kinds of things we have to guard against." The Policlinico Hospital, however, which housed Mussolini's remains after his assassination, maintains that all samples were destroyed over 60 years ago.

Continue reading Mussolini's Brain for Sale on eBay?

SwitchedMussolini's Brain for Sale on eBay? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebaytopMon, 23 Nov 2009 08:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Sarah Palin-Signed Xbox 360 Hits eBay for $1.1M]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/07/sarah-palin-signed-xbox-360-hits-ebay-for-1-1m/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/07/sarah-palin-signed-xbox-360-hits-ebay-for-1-1m/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/07/sarah-palin-signed-xbox-360-hits-ebay-for-1-1m/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You love Xbox. You adore Sarah Palin. You've always wondered how to bring them into euphoric harmony. And now, for a little more than $1 million, your life can finally be complete.

According to the Huffington Post, an Xbox 360 purportedly autographed by the former Republican Vice Presidential candidate and ex-governor of Alaska was recently re-posted for auction on eBay, at a starting price of $1.1 million. As of Wednesday morning, there were no bids on the item, but fear not, gaming millionaires, you still have about eight days before bidding closes. The proud owner of the system reportedly, and understandably, had difficulty parting with it, and faced several problems listing it, as well. There are also some questions about the legitimacy of the signature itself. The description, as posted by the lister, is as follows:

Continue reading Sarah Palin-Signed Xbox 360 Hits eBay for $1.1M

SwitchedSarah Palin-Signed Xbox 360 Hits eBay for $1.1M originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayebay auctionsebay wtfEbayAuctionsEbayWtfgovernmentpoliticssarah palinSarahPalintopxbox360Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[10-Year-Old Girl Tries to Sell 'Moaning' Grandma on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/09/30/10-year-old-girl-tries-to-sell-moaning-grandma-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/30/10-year-old-girl-tries-to-sell-moaning-grandma-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/30/10-year-old-girl-tries-to-sell-moaning-grandma-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under: ,



A 10-year-old English girl apparently never learned the familiar lesson of respecting one's elders. According to the Daily Mail, the unappreciative Zoe Pemberton, who had grown perturbed because her "rare and annoying" grandmother Marion Goodall, was "moaning a lot," and decided to list her noisy 61-year-old Nana on eBay.

Pemberton wasn't completely disrespectful, though, as she tried to spice up the sale by declaring that Goodall was "very cuddly and loves word searches." Even though 27 people bid, some over $3,000, on the sweet sexagenarian, eBay removed the listing because, according to spokesperson Jenny Thomas, the site "does not allow the listing of any human being."

Continue reading 10-Year-Old Girl Tries to Sell 'Moaning' Grandma on eBay

Switched10-Year-Old Girl Tries to Sell 'Moaning' Grandma on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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