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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Sony Announces New, Super-Powered PlayStation Portable]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/27/sony-ngp-psp2-launches/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/27/sony-ngp-psp2-launches/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/27/sony-ngp-psp2-launches/#commentsNGP Let's be honest. The PSP Go was a bit of a letdown as a follow-up to the original PSP. And, while most of the attention has been focused on the upcoming "PlayStation" phone (which has yet to appear with any PlayStation branding on it), Sony has been quietly working on a proper sequel to the PlayStation Portable. Codenamed NGP, the next-gen PSP packs an impressive array of hardware that would make any other portable device hang its head in shame. A quad-core ARM processor and a quad-core graphics processor will be found inside (and we're still giddy about upcoming phones packing dual-core). And that's not to mention the Wi-Fi, 3G, GPS, accelerometer and gyroscope for motion gaming, compass, and both front-facing and rear-facing cameras. The 3DS and your smartphone are probably looking a little underpowered at the moment.

There is also no shortage of control options. The NGP sports dual analog sticks (which should make current PSP owners very happy), as well as a traditional directional pad, a five-inch OLED touch screen with an impressive 960 x 544 resolution, and a touchpad on the back of the device, similar to what you would find on the Motorola Backflip.

Gallery: PSP NGP

Continue reading Sony Announces New, Super-Powered PlayStation Portable

SwitchedSony Announces New, Super-Powered PlayStation Portable originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gaminghandheldsngpplaystationpsppsp2PspNgpsonySonyNgptopvideogamesThu, 27 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung at CES: Smart TVs, Sliding Tablets and Tweeting Fridges]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/samsung-at-ces-smart-tvs-sliding-tablets-and-tweeting-fridges/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/samsung-at-ces-smart-tvs-sliding-tablets-and-tweeting-fridges/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/05/samsung-at-ces-smart-tvs-sliding-tablets-and-tweeting-fridges/#commentsSamsung Event
 By Terrence O'Brien and Leila Brillson

What Samsung got right is exciting: thin, beautifully designed bodies and bright, vibrant screens. The new Notebook 9 Series weighs in at under three pounds and is a half-inch deep, and the CES audience gasped when Tim Baxter, president of Samsung America, removed the black frame from around his "smart TVs", the D8000 and D7000. The Galaxy player, Samsung's (and Android's) first foray into the world of MP3s, looks exciting, evoking the Epic 4G in its form factor and embracing it's "Androidness" instead of mimicking the iPod. Even the Infuse 4G was lovely and sleek, with a front and rear facing camera and a massive 4.5-inch screen. The audience oohed and photos were snapped. The room was impressed.

Yet, for all of Samsung's attempts at innovation, the tech giant still clung to catch phrases and fads, talking about how connected its TVs were and proudly touting a tweeting, typing refrigerator. It debuted its ultralight 3-D glasses, which look more like something Jack Nicholson would wear in the Academy front row than anything we'd want to don while laying around the house. And, of course, President Baxter came out strongly condemning 3-D naysayers, touting numbers and explaining that 3-D TVs have passed nearly one million in sales (and Samsung has at least 70-percent of that market share). Yet, no one gasped at their 3-D revelations, and journos didn't snap furiously. The 3-D trend, as we've said myriad times, is just that: a trend. High-def is here to stay, but until 3-D is perfected, we're going to need more than Baxter's figures to convince us it's worth mentioning.

A couple of announcements seemed to rock the crowd, and here is what Samsung has to offer in the following year.

Continue reading Samsung at CES: Smart TVs, Sliding Tablets and Tweeting Fridges

SwitchedSamsung at CES: Smart TVs, Sliding Tablets and Tweeting Fridges originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d tv3dTvcesces 2011Ces2011galaxy playergalaxy tabGalaxyPlayerGalaxyTabinfuse 4gInfuse4gsamsungsamsung 8000samsung 9000 seriessamsung infuse 4gsamsung notebook 9Samsung Sliding PC 7 SeriesSamsung8000Samsung9000SeriesSamsungInfuse4gSamsungNotebook9SamsungSlidingPc7SeriestabletsWed, 05 Jan 2011 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Tech Traveling Tips: Avoid Roaming While Roaming Freely]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/18/tech-travel-tips-avoid-roaming-while-roaming-freely/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/18/tech-travel-tips-avoid-roaming-while-roaming-freely/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/18/tech-travel-tips-avoid-roaming-while-roaming-freely/#commentsLearn to Adapt Networks, bandwidth and capabilities are varied enough within any given country (as will be confirmed by anyone who's tried to get an iPhone on Verizon), but they're an entirely new mess when you start crossing borders. So, if you plan on staying connected without bankrupting yourself, you might want to see if your phone can handle the trip -- and make sure you aren't signing away your first-born simply by turning it on.

Will My Phone Work?
First, we have a couple quick rules. if your phone is from Verizon or Sprint, there is a small likelihood of it being internationally compatible. Both use CDMA technology for their 3G networks, instead of the more widely supported GSM. (If you're concerned about globe-hopping, look for phones billed as "global ready" or "international." Unless your phone is labeled as such, you're probably out of luck.) T-Mobile and AT&T use GSM, and are more likely to get basic calling and texting while traveling abroad (unless you are going to Canada, which is pretty U.S.-friendly.) Double-checking by looking at your service provider's website is a great bet. Another option, if you would rather have your phone on a more regular basis, is to purchase a prepaid SIM card within the country in which you've landed. You won't keep your number, but you won't rack up roaming charges, either. In the worst-case scenario, a disposable cell phone works as well, and is much more "accepted" overseas than it is in the U.S. (probably due to the influx of travelers).

Continue reading Tech Traveling Tips: Avoid Roaming While Roaming Freely

SwitchedTech Traveling Tips: Avoid Roaming While Roaming Freely originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adapterchargertechtiptechtipstipstoptravelVoltageThu, 18 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tech Travel Tips: How to Keep Your Power Pumping]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/16/tech-travel-tips-converter/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/16/tech-travel-tips-converter/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/16/tech-travel-tips-converter/#commentsPower Pumping Once you're across the seas, you'll start snapping photos, turning up your MP3 player, and blogging your adventures -- that is, until you run out of juice. Buying converters in the airport is always über-expensive, and being stuck without one when you need it is hair-pulling. Not sure if you should make the investment? Remember that voltage varies in different continents, and, if you have an electronic made for America (i.e., 110 volts), the 220-volt sockets found abroad could deliver quite a shock to your device. A converter makes sure that no excess electricity comes through.

Those wacky symbols you see on the wall in Deutschland? They aren't native markings; that's what the locals call a "socket." Plugs vary from country to country, and, to make sure you can insert your cord in the right way, you'll want an adapter. Adapter/converter packages, like the Travel Smart by Conair, are usually ideal. For a helpful, all-in-one guide, bookmark Current Solutions. Shocking, isn't it? (Hehe. Electricity puns.)

SwitchedTech Travel Tips: How to Keep Your Power Pumping originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargertechtiptechtipstipstoptravelTravel Adaptertravel-techTravelAdapterVoltageTue, 16 Nov 2010 17:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Traveling Abroad? Make Sure Your Gadgets Are Ready for Take Off]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/15/travel-tips-charge-your-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/15/travel-tips-charge-your-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/15/travel-tips-charge-your-gadgets/#commentsTravel Tips Your tickets are booked. Your bags are packed. Your passport's been dusted off. It's finally time to take off for that exotic vacation you so sorely deserve, and to totally disconnect from the rest of the world... sort of.

Sure, you probably won't want to spend too much time trolling through e-mails instead of strolling across the Île Saint-Louis. If you're like us, though, you'll still probably toss a couple of gadgets into your suitcase -- if only to flood your friends' feeds with tweets, photos and Facebook posts from the other side of the world. But, before you start haphazardly dumping your smartphone, laptop and e-reader into your Samsonite, you should remember to take care of some very forgettable things.

Continue reading Traveling Abroad? Make Sure Your Gadgets Are Ready for Take Off

SwitchedTraveling Abroad? Make Sure Your Gadgets Are Ready for Take Off originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adapterbattery chargerBatteryChargerflyinginternational travelinternational travel tipsInternationalTravelInternationalTravelTipsphone chargerphone chargersPhoneChargerPhoneChargerstechtiptechtipstoptravelMon, 15 Nov 2010 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Panasonic's 'Jungle' Handheld Aims for Mobile Online Gaming]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/06/panasonics-jungle-handheld-aims-for-mobile-online-gaming/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/06/panasonics-jungle-handheld-aims-for-mobile-online-gaming/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/06/panasonics-jungle-handheld-aims-for-mobile-online-gaming/#comments Video game insiders continue to anoint online, mobile gaming as the future of the industry. Carving a niche in the increasingly crowded handheld marketplace, though, presents a formidable challenge for manufacturers. Nintendo's enormously popular DS continues to outsell home consoles (while having a 3-D model on the way), and Sony's PSP remains a highly profitable item.

While major manufacturers typically dismiss the rumors of mobile gaming platforms and devoted video game phones, Panasonic apparently intends to challenge the established mobile gaming linchpins. The company recently embarked on an advertising campaign for its new "Jungle" gaming platform (with 'Battlestar Galactica' as the premiere, marquee game), and the promotional tour included a recent appearance on MTV's 'Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory.' Panasonic has apparently equipped the flip-top device with a directional pad, multiple buttons, a headphone jack, a micro-USB port and a mini-HDMI port.

Continue reading Panasonic's 'Jungle' Handheld Aims for Mobile Online Gaming

SwitchedPanasonic's 'Jungle' Handheld Aims for Mobile Online Gaming originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gaminghandheldgaminghandheldsjungleMobileGamingpanasonicpanasonicjungletopvideogamesWed, 06 Oct 2010 08:10:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry Births the PlayBook: The First 'Professional-Grade' Tablet]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/27/blackberry-births-the-playbook-the-first-professional-grade-t/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/27/blackberry-births-the-playbook-the-first-professional-grade-t/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/27/blackberry-births-the-playbook-the-first-professional-grade-t/#commentsBlackBerry Playbook It was really a matter of when, not if, RIM would throw its hat into the tablet arena with a BlackBerry branded device. Now the fun and games iPad has an appropriate foil in the all business BlackBerry PlayBook. The 7-inch device runs an "amplified" (to use RIM's marketing speak) version of BlackBerry OS with multi-tasking, a WebOS-like app switcher and a brand new WebKit browser with support for Flash 10.1. The usual mix of media and e-reading apps will be present, as will the ability to edit office documents, connect to screens and projectors via HDMI (and pump out 1080p video!), and of course all the BlackBerry e-mail and messaging goodness you've come to associate with the brand. Under the hood, the BlackBerry PlayBook packs a dual core 1Ghz processor and a full 1GB of RAM, theoretically doubling the power of that other big name tablet.

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

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

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryblackberry playbookBlackberryPlaybookplaybookrimtabletMon, 27 Sep 2010 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Fanvision Handheld Enhances NFL Fans' Live Game Experience]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/23/fanvision-handheld-enhances-nfl-fans-live-game-experience/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/23/fanvision-handheld-enhances-nfl-fans-live-game-experience/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/23/fanvision-handheld-enhances-nfl-fans-live-game-experience/#commentsFanvision If you've ever sat in nosebleed seats at an NFL game, you'll agree that the view from your living room -- which probably includes HDTV and cheap snacks -- is much better. But Fanvision, a new handheld device offered at 12 NFL stadiums and one college, could enhance live football games by using the same technology that keeps some folks at home. The handheld, which only works inside the stadium, allows fans to view instant replays from multiple angles, watch out-of-town games, browse live stats, view red-zone plays from around the league, receive fantasy football updates, watch on-demand video from their team, check out cheerleaders via a special camera, and watch highlight reels plus the network broadcast of the game they're attending.

Stephen Ross, who owns the Miami Dolphins and Kangaroo TV, created Fanvision, even paying to wire the stadiums for the technology. With the product essentially in beta testing, Ross provided about 5,000 devices to each team that signed up. The New York Jets gave their allotment to club seat holders, and other teams are expected to sell the handhelds at stores or kiosks for about $200 each.

Continue reading Fanvision Handheld Enhances NFL Fans' Live Game Experience

SwitchedFanvision Handheld Enhances NFL Fans' Live Game Experience originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>entertainmentfootballhandheldNFLsportstoptvvideoThu, 23 Sep 2010 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kindle App for Your iPhone and iPad Gets Dictionary, Search]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/30/kindle-app-for-your-iphone-and-ipad-gets-dictionary-search/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/30/kindle-app-for-your-iphone-and-ipad-gets-dictionary-search/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/30/kindle-app-for-your-iphone-and-ipad-gets-dictionary-search/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

new kindle dictionaryEarlier this week, we reported that Amazon was upping its game with even cheaper versions of the Kindle, but it has also updated the Kindle app on the iPad/iPhone/iPod touch, adding a couple of unremarkable yet needed features.

The Kindle app now has a search function, which was inexplicably absent before. It's also able to look up words and phrases through Wikipedia and Google, but not within the app itself. (It just moves into Safari, but with fast-app-switching celerity.) We very much enjoy the included 250,000-word dictionary, which takes a minute to download, and runs within the software, so that readers don't have to lose their places. That's great news for us, since we still have not grown accustomed to the Kindle app's bizarre line/page numbering system. [From: iTunes, via: Wired]

SwitchedKindle App for Your iPhone and iPad Gets Dictionary, Search originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonAmazonKindledictionaryipadiphoneIpodTouchkindleKindleAppKindleForIphonetopFri, 30 Jul 2010 13:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Survey Finds the E-Book Makes for a Slower Read, We Tend to Disagree]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/06/survey-finds-the-e-book-make-for-a-slower-read-we-tend-to-disag/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/06/survey-finds-the-e-book-make-for-a-slower-read-we-tend-to-disag/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/06/survey-finds-the-e-book-make-for-a-slower-read-we-tend-to-disag/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ibooks on ipadDo people read e-books more slowly than printed ones? A small survey by Nielsen Norman Group alleges that we may process digital words at a lazier pace than we do those on the page, but, when further analyzed, the results of the survey raise questions about the participants themselves.

A group of 24 volunteers "who like reading and frequently read books" were asked to read Hemingway short stories on a Kindle 2, iPad, computer and printed page. While participants clocked an average reading speed of 17 minutes and 20 seconds across the formats, Nielsen Norman Group found that participants read 6.2-percent more slowly on the iPad, and 10.7-percent more slowly on the Kindle, than they did in print. The computer failed miserably, as it reminded the group of working.

Continue reading Survey Finds the E-Book Makes for a Slower Read, We Tend to Disagree

SwitchedSurvey Finds the E-Book Makes for a Slower Read, We Tend to Disagree originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>booksdigital literacyDigitalLiteracye-booke-readerereaderereadersibooksipadkindlekindle 2Kindle2NielsenNormanGroupreadingsurveytopTue, 06 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vanity Fail: Why We Hated Condé Nast's New iPad Edition]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/05/12/vanity-fail-why-we-hated-conde-nasts-new-ipad-edition/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/12/vanity-fail-why-we-hated-conde-nasts-new-ipad-edition/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/12/vanity-fail-why-we-hated-conde-nasts-new-ipad-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

vanity fair ipad appReaders, we should've been prepared for disappointment. After expectations for the iPad had run so high that there was veritable anger from the tech world when the limitations of the device were announced, we should've known that we ought to lower the bar for Condé Nast's digital editions. The iPad version of Vanity Fair just debuted, and we spent a little hands-on time with the app, trying to figure out its esoteric formatting and inscrutable interface. We can say, at this minute, if this is the future of magazines, we'll stick to printed books.

Let us dig a little deeper into what exactly we hated about digital Vanity Fair. But first, some things that we liked:

Continue reading Vanity Fail: Why We Hated Condé Nast's New iPad Edition

SwitchedVanity Fail: Why We Hated Condé Nast's New iPad Edition originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 12 May 2010 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annie leibovitzAnnieLeibovitzconde nastCondeNastdigital magazineDigitalMagazinefeaturesgraydon carterGraydonCarteripadipad appIpadAppmagazinemagazinesprintreviewstopvanity fairVanityFairworld cupWorldCupWed, 12 May 2010 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[The Future of Art? David Hockney <3s the iPad]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/05/11/the-future-of-art-david-hockney-3s-the-ipad/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/11/the-future-of-art-david-hockney-3s-the-ipad/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/11/the-future-of-art-david-hockney-3s-the-ipad/#commentsFiled under:

david hockney drawing on the ipadWhat President Obama calls a "distraction," British artist David Hockney considers his new canvas. Those unfamiliar with Hockney's work may know that he was an early, vocal supporter of the iPhone, simply for the reason that he could use the touchscreen interface to make drawings on the go. (Hockney is no stranger to computer-generated art, as he has been creating larger works with drawing programs over the past several years.) But now Hockney has fully embraced the iPad, and its potential for initiating a renaissance of hand-drawn art.

Hockney told The Standard, "The iPad is far more subtle, in fact it really is like a drawing pad. They will sell by the million. It will change the way we look at everything from reading newspapers to the drawing pad... It can be anything you want it to be. This is the nearest we have got to seeing what I would call a universal machine."

Continue reading The Future of Art? David Hockney <3s the iPad

SwitchedThe Future of Art? David Hockney <3s the iPad originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 11 May 2010 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleartautodeskAutodeskSketchbookProdavid hockneyDavidHockneyDigitalArtillustratoripadphotoshoptopTue, 11 May 2010 15:47:00 EST<![CDATA[FDA Eyes Medical Apps, and the Way Doctors Use the iPhone]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/04/13/fda-eyes-medical-apps-and-the-way-doctors-use-the-iphone/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/13/fda-eyes-medical-apps-and-the-way-doctors-use-the-iphone/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/13/fda-eyes-medical-apps-and-the-way-doctors-use-the-iphone/#commentsFiled under: ,

We've seen a slew of medical apps hit the mobile market lately, and the proliferation of those apps has raised concerns among some that there is not enough oversight with this newly available tech. There are over 1,500 apps available for health care professionals; Manhattan Research estimates that, by 2012, 81-percent of doctors will have smartphones, potentially with medical apps installed. As with the Web and its haystack of misinformation mixed imperceptibly with fact, there is plenty of cause to mistrust such programs -- and the potential for hypochondriac consumer abuse. But should these apps, largely used by doctors with no small amount of schooling, be regulated by the FDA?

According to Scientific American, the FDA is "considering" oversight of the medical app market, as those apps are technically designated as medical devices and thus subject to regulation. But there needs to be a clear distinction between diagnostic apps and reference material, we imagine. Though, classifying medical apps as either one or the other may be difficult when they all appear on the same device.

Continue reading FDA Eyes Medical Apps, and the Way Doctors Use the iPhone

SwitchedFDA Eyes Medical Apps, and the Way Doctors Use the iPhone originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appappsdoctorFDAfood and drug administrationFoodAndDrugAdministrationhealthiphonemedicalmedical appsMedicalAppsmedicinesmartphonetopTue, 13 Apr 2010 08:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Epicurious for iPad: Now We Totally Understand This '3rd Device' Rhetoric]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/04/06/epicurious-for-ipad-now-we-totally-understand-this-3rd-device/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/06/epicurious-for-ipad-now-we-totally-understand-this-3rd-device/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/06/epicurious-for-ipad-now-we-totally-understand-this-3rd-device/#commentsFiled under: ,

Readers, we have a confession to make. This past weekend, we went out, like the giant nerds that we are, and got ourselves an iPad. And, after spending some time with it, we had a chance to write down both our good words and gripes with the device. But we're starting to rethink the way we ought to critique this "magical and revolutionary" product. Yes, we've had netbooks and tablet PCs and e-readers around for awhile, and, yes, many of them can do more than the iPad, but the iPad is really a media-consumption device, especially suitable for print.

And we submit to you the Epicurious app (iTunes link) as evidence for our argument that the iPad is an entirely new kind of gadget. We're not shilling for Epicurious, or anything. We're simply bloggers who love food. (And we also love tech! Which is why you're here in the first place.) While some of us are better cooks than others, we can all stand to learn a thing or two from this gorgeous piece of software, which suggests a future where cookbooks are interactive and help us to get from meal planning to shopping to cooking. Read on, and we will give you four reasons that the Epicurious app is tops.

Continue reading Epicurious for iPad: Now We Totally Understand This '3rd Device' Rhetoric

SwitchedEpicurious for iPad: Now We Totally Understand This '3rd Device' Rhetoric originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cookingepicuriousfeaturesipad appipad-launchIpadAppkitchenkitchen gadgetsKitchenGadgetsreviewsswitched cooksSwitchedCookstopTue, 06 Apr 2010 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Plastic Logic's Que Prepares to Take on the Kindle]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/19/plastic-logics-que-prepares-to-take-on-the-kindle/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/19/plastic-logics-que-prepares-to-take-on-the-kindle/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/19/plastic-logics-que-prepares-to-take-on-the-kindle/#commentsFiled under:

With Google's recent announcement that it will be hopping into the e-book market, the door's been flung wide open for e-readers that might not have otherwise had a chance against Amazon's dominant Kindle. Among those contenders is a forthcoming device developed by Plastic Logic.

Set to debut at January's CES, the Que was briefly detailed in a statement released today by Plastic Logic. Aimed squarely at the business community, the Que builds on Plastic Logic's eReader model by supporting such biz-related files as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents, as well as PDFs. The Que's stylishly black, lightweight, 8.5-by-11-by-0.33-inch frame sure looks cool in the press photos, but we'll have to wait till January to see what it can really do. [From: All Things Digital, via Engadget]

SwitchedPlastic Logic's Que Prepares to Take on the Kindle originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e-booke-readerplastic logicPlasticLogicquetopMon, 19 Oct 2009 14:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Earbuds Under $100?]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/07/21/best-earbuds-under-100/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/21/best-earbuds-under-100/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/21/best-earbuds-under-100/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


A reader asks: I travel and commute a lot, and I need a set of headphones for my iPod and laptop. Those white earbuds just don't cut it on a plane or subway - especially for blocking out noise. I like to watch action movies, so they need to have good bass for those Hollywood explosions. But I'm also a jazz fan.

Hey Reader: We're not crazy about stock earbuds, either, and we've tried just about every alternative on the market. While in-ear models from Etymotic and Shure are popular for their excellent noise blocking and über-clear sound, they are expensive and uncomfortable on long trips. Instead, we recommend an affordable set from Ultimate Ears, the MetroFi 220. For $79, you get full, crisp bass without sacrificing clarity in the middle and upper ranges -- making the headphones versatile enough for all kinds of movies and music.

The extremely compact earbuds look pretty snazzy, with shiny, titanium-colored accents and a red-tinted ring clearly marking the right-ear bud. You get three sizes of smooth silicon tips. That way, you can select the ones that go just far enough into your ear canals to stay put and block noise -- without tickling your cochlea. Their black, hard-plastic carrying case fits easily in your pocket. For an extra $10, Ultimate Ears also makes an iPhone-compatible version, the MetroFi 220vi, which features an inline mic and a call-answer button.

SwitchedBest Earbuds Under $100? originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioearbudsfeaturesheadphonesipodaccessoriesjusttellmewhattogettopTue, 21 Jul 2009 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Is the Viliv S5 UMPC Worth the Hype?]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/05/18/is-the-viliv-s5-umpc-worth-the-hype/http://www.switched.com/2009/05/18/is-the-viliv-s5-umpc-worth-the-hype/http://www.switched.com/2009/05/18/is-the-viliv-s5-umpc-worth-the-hype/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Welcome to another edition of Hype Check, where we give much-anticipated new gadgets or services a test drive and tell you whether or not they live up to the hype. Today, we set our critical eyes on the Viliv S5.

What it is: The Viliv S5 is a handheld UMPC -- ultra mobile PC -- that runs Windows XP and has specs comparable to that of most current netbooks, but also includes a touch screen and GPS.

Why it's different: UMPCs have been around for a few years now, but almost all of them have failed to capture mainstream success due to high prices, sluggish performance, and/or wretched battery life. The Viliv S5, on the other hand, costs $599, runs XP like a champ, and has six hours of battery life (200 hours on standby) -- all in a sleek black chassis that fits comfortably in the hand.

Continue reading Is the Viliv S5 UMPC Worth the Hype?

SwitchedIs the Viliv S5 UMPC Worth the Hype? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 18 May 2009 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featureshypechecktopMon, 18 May 2009 10:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Peek Pronto: Push E-mail, Exchange Support, Multiple Accounts]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/24/peek-pronto-push-e-mail-exchange-support-multiple-accounts/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/24/peek-pronto-push-e-mail-exchange-support-multiple-accounts/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/24/peek-pronto-push-e-mail-exchange-support-multiple-accounts/#commentsFiled under: ,


Boy, Peek wasn't kidding when it called its new device Pronto. With nary a press announcement to froth up the minds of mobile e-mailers the device has rushed straight to availability for $79.95, sadly in just one color. What does the $30 premium over the earlier Peek get you? Push e-mail, Exchange support, and the device now allows for up to five accounts (the previous maxed out at two). The Pronto also supports PDF and Word attachments and (so the company claims) has overall faster performance (by 50 percent says the PR). Peek is also advertising unlimited text messaging, and while we're not yet sure if that's any different than the limited support the last model had, the Pronto should help you keep in touch with your daughter and your mother in one device. Service is still just $19.95, shipping now to the eager hands of complexity-averse messaging addicts everywhere.

Update: According to the PR, the Pronto is available exclusively at Amazon.com from March 24th until
March 31st, then will begin selling at getpeek.com April 1st, and in stores at Radio Shack come April 8th. Also, it's worth noting that the company has retooled the keyboards on the new devices, making the previously stiff keys a bit easier on the thumbs.

[Thanks, Mike H.]

SwitchedPeek Pronto: Push E-mail, Exchange Support, Multiple Accounts originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emailemail deviceEmailDevicepeekpeek prontoPeekProntoupcomingTue, 24 Mar 2009 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone 3.0 Update Brings Much Needed New Features ]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/iphone-3-0-update-brings-much-needed-new-features/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/iphone-3-0-update-brings-much-needed-new-features/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/iphone-3-0-update-brings-much-needed-new-features/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

iPhone 3.0 Update Brings Much Needed New Features

The wait is over! Well, the wait to know what we're waiting for is over.

The iPhone 3.0 update is coming, and honestly, it's not coming soon enough. We'll have to wait until this June, when the iPhone will get a major software update that will bring boatloads of new features to everyone's favorite multi-touch cell phone. Of course, many of these features, such as support for Multi-Media-Messaging (MMS), have been on other smart phones for years. Check out the bullet list after the break for what to expect, and hit up Engadget for more in-depth coverage.

Continue reading iPhone 3.0 Update Brings Much Needed New Features

SwitchediPhone 3.0 Update Brings Much Needed New Features originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeappleAppStorebluetoothbreaking newsBreakingNewscopy and pasteCopyAndPastegpsiphone 3.0Iphone3.0mmspushpush notificationPushNotificationtopupcomingupdatesTue, 17 Mar 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple's New iPod Shuffle Talks to You]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/11/apples-new-ipod-shuffle-talks-to-you/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/11/apples-new-ipod-shuffle-talks-to-you/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/11/apples-new-ipod-shuffle-talks-to-you/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Bam, another Apple rumor vindicated. Apple just doubled the capacity of its iPod shuffle to 4GB while ditching the control wheel entirely. The new design keeps the clip and adds VoiceOver -- a new feature that gets around the lack of display by telling you which song is playing and who performs it at the touch of a button on the earbud cable. It'll also call out your playlists and let you navigate to others. No word on which languages are supported. Available in black or silver for $80 and your claim to what Apple calls the "world's smallest music player."

Head to Engadget for a gallery and more specs.

Update: VoiceOver in English, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.

SwitchedApple's New iPod Shuffle Talks to You originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebreaking newsBreakingNewsipodipod shuffleIpodShufflemusicnew productsNewProductsWed, 11 Mar 2009 09:51:00 EST<![CDATA[GPS Leads Truck to Impassable Road for 5 Days]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/02/27/gps-leads-truck-to-impassable-road-for-5-days/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/27/gps-leads-truck-to-impassable-road-for-5-days/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/27/gps-leads-truck-to-impassable-road-for-5-days/#commentsFiled under: ,

Truck Blocks Road for Five Days Thanks to GPS
If you have a GPS, you've surely noticed that, from time to time, it gives directions that are a little bit... wrong. Maybe it got the name of an exit incorrect, or told you to turn down the wrong way onto a one-way street, or maybe even told you to turn onto a road that didn't exist. You're certainly not alone in these findings, but we hope your wayward directions were less of an inconvenience than those suffered by an unnamed truck driver in the village of Cotswold, England. His GPS directed him down a tiny road that was too small for his rig and, when he tried to back out, he got stuck, completely blocking the road for five days while his company struggled to extract it!

View Poll



This is an increasing problem in England, with its many small, country lanes that are completely unsuitable for large vehicles. Most GPS devices don't know the difference, and will route cars, trucks, and everything else down these narrow roads, leading to fun times like this.

Continue reading GPS Leads Truck to Impassable Road for 5 Days

SwitchedGPS Leads Truck to Impassable Road for 5 Days originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentdumbenglandgpskiller gadgetsKillerGadgetsroadtruckFri, 27 Feb 2009 12:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Meet the 9-Year-Old iPhone App Designer]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/02/05/meet-the-9-year-old-iphone-app-designer/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/05/meet-the-9-year-old-iphone-app-designer/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/05/meet-the-9-year-old-iphone-app-designer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,




At the age most of us began to play video games, nine-year-old Lim Ding Wen has begun to design them, reports the Daily Mail.

Since introducing his first iPhone application to the iTunes store two weeks ago, the Singaporean youngster has already sold over 4,000 downloads of his 'Doodle Kids' game. Inspired by his younger sisters' penchants for drawing, Lim set out to design the illustration app, which allows users to "draw" lines or adjust various geometric shapes with their fingers. Such a feat is not all that surprising for a child who began working with computers at two, started programming at seven, and presently works in six different programming languages.

Apparently, Lim's next project will be called 'Invader Wars.' Let's just hope that's the name of another iPhone app, and not the description of a space-age war that the world's genius-babies plan to wage on the rest of us. [From: Daily Mail]

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SwitchedMeet the 9-Year-Old iPhone App Designer originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeAppStoreiphoneiphone appiphone appsIphoneAppIphoneAppskid inventorKidInventorkidsweirdThu, 05 Feb 2009 12:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Oprah-Approved Content Oddly Lacking on the Oprah-Approved Kindle]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/01/23/oprah-approved-content-oddly-lacking-on-the-kindle/http://www.switched.com/2009/01/23/oprah-approved-content-oddly-lacking-on-the-kindle/http://www.switched.com/2009/01/23/oprah-approved-content-oddly-lacking-on-the-kindle/#commentsFiled under: ,

Oprah May Not Love Kindle Enough
That Oprah, she's a wily one. She's constantly selling something or giving something away in an effort to tighten her grip on the throat of the world. Which is why we're a little confused that when she decided to endorse the Kindle, she neglected to make sure she had any content to sell on it.

After the TV talk show queen threw her hefty cultural weight behind her "new favorite gadget" last year, legions of fans ran out and bought the hideous-looking (but admittedly useful) Kindle, only to find that less than half of the books in the Oprah Book Club were available for download on the device. Oddly enough, neither of Oprah's magazines ('O' and 'O at Home') were available for the eReader. It turns out that this is still the case.

We're a little surprised at such a lack of planning from someone clearly trying to take over the world. On the plus side, it may mean we'll be able to find a lot of low-priced, slightly used Kindles on eBay from disgruntled Oprah fans. [From: The Register]


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SwitchedOprah-Approved Content Oddly Lacking on the Oprah-Approved Kindle originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazon kindleAmazonKindlee-booke-bookskindleoprahoprah winfreyOprahWinfreytopFri, 23 Jan 2009 10:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Grenade MP3 Player Looks a Bit Too Realistic for Most]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/01/22/grenade-mp3-player-looks-a-bit-too-realistic-for-most/http://www.switched.com/2009/01/22/grenade-mp3-player-looks-a-bit-too-realistic-for-most/http://www.switched.com/2009/01/22/grenade-mp3-player-looks-a-bit-too-realistic-for-most/#commentsFiled under: ,

Grenade MP3 Player Looks a Bit Too Realistic for Most
If you're tired of boring MP3 players that look like ... well ... MP3 players, check out this custom
model made by a man who goes by the moniker openfly. It's a 1GB Sansa Clip stuffed into the casing of a mock grenade that, if not for the three protruding buttons, switch, and headphone cable, would be more or less indistinguishable from the real thing. openfly cut open the casing, stuffed the player inside (pictured after the break) re-wired the inputs and outputs, and the above package is the result. Sadly, 1GB of music won't get you too far these days, but grenades were always more about impact than range. [From: OhGizmo!]

Continue reading Grenade MP3 Player Looks a Bit Too Realistic for Most

SwitchedGrenade MP3 Player Looks a Bit Too Realistic for Most originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grenademp3mp3 playerMp3Playersansasansa clipSansaClipThu, 22 Jan 2009 15:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Oprah Calls Kindle Her "New Favorite Thing," Gives Everyone $50 Off]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/10/27/oprah-calls-kindle-her-new-favorite-thing-gives-everyone-50/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/27/oprah-calls-kindle-her-new-favorite-thing-gives-everyone-50/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/27/oprah-calls-kindle-her-new-favorite-thing-gives-everyone-50/#commentsFiled under: ,



Been waiting patiently for the next-generation Kindle(s) to hit the market? Growing increasingly frustrated with the wait? Thanks to the Amazon e-reader becoming Oprah Winfrey's "new favorite, favorite thing in the world (can't you see the jubilation on her face?)," you might just have to finally pull the trigger on the existing iteration. As a special offer for 'Oprah Show' viewers (and by extension, everyone who reads this post), Amazon.com is now offering $50 off of the Kindle's $359 price tag by simply entering the code OPRAHWINFREY at checkout and envisioning Tom Cruise leaping on your computer desk. Better act fast, though -- the offer's only good through November 1st, and yes, that Tom Cruise bit is required.

[Thanks, Chad]

SwitchedOprah Calls Kindle Her "New Favorite Thing," Gives Everyone $50 Off originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazon kindleAmazonKindlediscountse-book readersE-bookReaderse-readerskindleoprahMon, 27 Oct 2008 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mother's Day: Nintendo DS and Konami Let's Yoga]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/top-12-gadget-gifts-for-mom-12/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/top-12-gadget-gifts-for-mom-12/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/top-12-gadget-gifts-for-mom-12/#commentsFiled under: ,



If you thought handheld game consoles were just for kids, then you've got it all wrong. They were made for moms, too. The Nintendo DS is small, with a clamshell design and two LCD screens -- one of which is a touchscreen. With a built-in microphone and Wi-Fi, this little gadget is perfect entertainment for the mom who wants to be at least as cool as her teenage or twentysomething daughters. Add some groovy games -- like Konami's Let's Yoga! and Let's Pilates!, which provide simple instructions for exercises and positions -- and it becomes a portable workout center. Also perfect for her is the Crosswords DS game, which includes more than a thousand crossword puzzles, Wordsearch and Anagrams. The Nintendo DS goes for $130 and the games retail for $30.

SwitchedMother's Day: Nintendo DS and Konami Let's Yoga originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 09 May 2008 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fri, 09 May 2008 10:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Strange But True Cell Phone Stories]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/24/strange-but-true-cell-phone-stories-1/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/24/strange-but-true-cell-phone-stories-1/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/24/strange-but-true-cell-phone-stories-1/#commentsFiled under: ,

In this day and age, owning a cell phone is about as special as using your tooth brush every night before bed. For some people, however, these gadget must-haves cause more trouble than they're worth. For others, they are literally a life-saver. Either way, they often make life just a bit more odd. To celebrate the weird world cell phones have created, we present to you Strange But True Cell Phone Stories.


The one with the guy who gets text messages from his late wife...

In Ghost, a 1990 romantic tearjerker, Patrick Swayze's character needed Oda Mae Brown to contact his beloved wife from beyond the grave. These days, it seems as though the deceased can stay in contact without a middleman. Well, sort of. Englander Frank Jones claims that his wife, Sadie, has been sending him text messages from the afterlife, leaving no return number behind. Turns out the family buried Sadie with her prized cell phone, and now Jones believes his wife's spirit has a hankering to reach out and touch someone. Here's hoping Oda Mae finds a new line of work...

SwitchedStrange But True Cell Phone Stories originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresprepaidweirdThu, 24 Apr 2008 12:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Strange But True Cell Phone Stories]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/21/strange-but-true-cell-phone-stories-5/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/21/strange-but-true-cell-phone-stories-5/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/21/strange-but-true-cell-phone-stories-5/#commentsFiled under: ,



The one with the $22,000 downloads of 'Friends' episodes....

Whoever said Friends don't cost a thing? A man from the United Kingdom received a bill for £11,000 (about $22,000) after his wife downloaded four episodes of the popular TV show from his cell phone. Apparently, she began downloading shortly before the man left for business in Germany, where roaming charges made the bill skyrocket as the downloads continued. The good news is that one of the episodes the couple downloaded was the one where - eh, never mind.


SwitchedStrange But True Cell Phone Stories originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 06:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expire-images2009-4-21oddstrangestrange but trueStrangeButTrueweirdMon, 21 Apr 2008 06:43:00 EST<![CDATA[US Troops to Receive Handheld Lie Detector Tests]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/us-troops-to-receive-handheld-lie-detector-tests/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/us-troops-to-receive-handheld-lie-detector-tests/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/us-troops-to-receive-handheld-lie-detector-tests/#commentsFiled under:



In a move sure to bring the polygraph haters out of the woodwork, the US Army is issuing a handheld lie detector to select soldiers in Afghanistan in order to "root out potential terrorists" and help "narrow the list of suspects after a roadside bombing." The Department of Defense isn't asserting that the device is perfect, but it's hoping the detection capabilities are accurate enough to save American lives and sniff out allegiances that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

Hailed as PCASS (Preliminary Credibility Assessment Screening System), the underlying unit is a TDS Ranger (a rugged PDA) that relies on three sensors and integrated software that displays Green to signify truth, Yellow if it can't decide and Red if it recognizes a filthy liar on the other end.

We're certain Lafayette Instrument Company is stoked about the deal -- you know, considering that the Army has already purchased 94 of 'em at $7,500 apiece.

[Thanks, ladderless]

From MSNBC (via Engadget)

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SwitchedUS Troops to Receive Handheld Lie Detector Tests originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsbreakingnewsenghandheldsmilitary techMilitaryTechnewsnewsmainWed, 09 Apr 2008 22:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Nikki Sixx: A Motley Interview, Care of Switched]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/02/01/nikki-sixx-a-motley-interview-care-of-switched/http://www.switched.com/2008/02/01/nikki-sixx-a-motley-interview-care-of-switched/http://www.switched.com/2008/02/01/nikki-sixx-a-motley-interview-care-of-switched/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Bassist and songwriter Nikki Sixx met fame in the 1980s as a member of the rock/heavy metal band Motley Crue. Sixx cemented a reputation as a hard-charging force on the music scene through his frequent drug binges and over-the-top theatrical performances on stage. In 2006, he joined the members of Motley Crue on a reunion tour, this time gratefully sober. Now the bassist in Sixx: A.M. and one-third of the creative force behind The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack, Nikki found time to sat down to answer our Switched Questionnaire and tell us about the role of gadgets in his life, including the love/hate relationship he has with his iPhone...

What gadgets do you always bring with you to the set?
iPhone.

What cell phone do you have right now and what do you love/hate about it?
iPhone. I wish it had copy paste in the email apps.

Who's the last person you sent a text message to and what was it about?
My daughter -- telling me I'm weird

Where do you go pretty much every time you get online?
A good reason to go to Starbucks.

What annoys you most about your iPod, cell phone, or laptop (or any other gadget)?
I hate that I'm addicted to it, but it's hard to imagine life without it.

Name one thing you wish your iPod/cellphone/laptop could do that it doesn't do now?
Wish my iPhone had true video messaging -instead of voice mail it would face mail. Hello, Mr. Jobs?

What upcoming gadget can you not wait to get your hands on?
I can't wait to check into the iHotel. DJ told me it should be ready in 2011.

You're stranded on a desert island: What gadget do you bring?
Suntan oil and a blonde (or a brunette or both), unless the iGirl is ready.

What's the most-played song or artist on your iPod?
A.M. right now, but usually everything from metal to country.

Blackberry, Sidekick, or Treo?
None. Why bring old technology to the party? How many times have I said iPhone in this interview?

What's the longest time you've ever spent playing a video game in one sitting and what game was it?
Don't play video games. Just can't seem to get interested.

Do you use/have a Mac or PC? Why?
Mac. Is there any other kind?

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SwitchedNikki Sixx: A Motley Interview, Care of Switched originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking+newsexpire-images:2009-1-31MusicNikki SixxNikkiSixxSwitched QuestionnaireSwitchedQuestionnaireThe Switched QuestionnaireTheSwitchedQuestionnairetopFri, 01 Feb 2008 12:17:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone Popularity On the Wane?]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/01/25/iphone-popularity-on-the-wane/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/25/iphone-popularity-on-the-wane/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/25/iphone-popularity-on-the-wane/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Apple recently said that it has sold about 3.7 million units of the iPhone, but phone service giant (and iPhone carrier) AT&T claims it only has approximately 2 million iPhone service subscribers. CNET News.com reports that the "missing" 1.7 million units may be accounted in several ways: For one, about 400,000 units have been sold in Europe. Another 250,000 that were sold, but not activated, are thought to have been purchased by consumers wanting to hack and unlock the phone, an endeavor that became much harder with the release of Apple's 1.1.2 firmware. The rest are apparently in-store inventory, waiting to be bought up by customers.

It is possible that hesitant consumers are waiting for a lower-priced iPhone, or that the superstitious are reluctant about buying brand new products that may still have kinks for the next version to work out. Apple nevertheless projects 2008 sales to number about 10 million units. CNET News suggests that launches in Asia and other European countries, soon-to-be-released new applications, and the release of the iPhone software developer's kit (which will lead to all kinds of cool third-party programs for the device) might all back up Apple's claim.

Or maybe people are just sick of the iPhone. It stopped being a novelty as soon as the iPod Touch came out last Fall, which gave all those users who didn't want to switch carriers the benefits of the iPhone's big, responsive touchscreen and slim form factor.

Besides, aren't we all waiting for the hot, new high-speed 3G iPhone to come out some time this year? Let's hope it really happens.

From CNET News.com

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SwitchediPhone Popularity On the Wane? originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applebreaking+newsiPhonetopFri, 25 Jan 2008 18:03:00 EST<![CDATA[1.1 Billion Cell Phones Sold Worldwide In 2007, Says Study]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/01/25/1-1-billion-cell-phones-sold-worldwide-in-2007-says-study/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/25/1-1-billion-cell-phones-sold-worldwide-in-2007-says-study/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/25/1-1-billion-cell-phones-sold-worldwide-in-2007-says-study/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A recent study concludes that about 1.1 billion cell phones were sold in 2007. Strategy Analytics, a market research firm, says that the number of units sold marks a ten percent increase from the previous year. It also forecasts a ten percent increase in cell phone purchases this year, with regions such as Africa and the Middle East picking up the slack for saturated Western markets.

Finland's Nokia took the top sales spot with a market share of about 39%, or 437 million units sold. The study also noted that Apple's iPhone took about a 0.6 percent market share, which translates to about 2.3 million phones sold. Those numbers are slightly disappointing, says Strategy Analytics, pointing to the reluctance of European consumers to pay for the relatively expensive iPhone with the same fervor as the frenzied American public did last summer. Interestingly, Apple CEO Steve Jobs recently offered a more flattering figure, saying that the number of iPhones sent out numbered closer to 4 million. Somehow, we just don't see the pricey iPhone being a smashing success in economically-troubled Africa this year...

From AFP Via Textually.org

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Switched1.1 Billion Cell Phones Sold Worldwide In 2007, Says Study originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cell phonesCellPhonescellular phonesCellularPhonesexpire-images:2009-1-24iPhoneNokiaStrategy AnalyticsStrategyAnalyticsFri, 25 Jan 2008 14:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Police Can Search Through Cell Phone Contents]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/01/24/police-allowed-to-search-through-cell-phone-contents/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/24/police-allowed-to-search-through-cell-phone-contents/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/24/police-allowed-to-search-through-cell-phone-contents/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Unsettling Thought of the Day: The law allows police to search through cell phone contents of people who have been stopped for arrestable traffic offenses. Gizmodo reports that a recent academic article by South Texas Assistant Professor Adam Gershowitz explains that many traffic violations merit a search for contraband like drugs, and search parameters extend to hand-held devices. The law considers cell phones and iPods to be closed containers that police are permitted to "open," even if they contain your private text messages, photos, call history, browsing history and e-mails.

The thirty page article includes a 2007 case that went to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals - the United States v. Finley - in which police arrested a man following a drug sales sting and looked through the cell phone that was on his person. They found text messages that appeared to be connected to drug dealing, evidence which was used to convict Finley. In the end, the appeals court supported the legality of the search.

Truth be told, this news gives us goosebumps. Not because we plan on going 90 mph in a school safety zone, but because the larger issue of privacy seems to be at stake. It would be easy just write this one off as a proof that The Man is indeed a Fascist out to take away all of our liberties, but we just think it's a case in which the law has to catch up with technology. The writers of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights could not have foreseen this kind of scenario, and it should be the responsibility of the US Congress to take up the issue as we become more and more enmeshed in a gray legal area that hasn't kept up with technological developments. Do you think police are justified in looking through your cell phone during a legal search?

From Gizmodo

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SwitchedPolice Can Search Through Cell Phone Contents originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking+newscell phone searchCellPhoneSearchexpire-images:2009-1-23policepolice searchPoliceSearchtopU.S. v. FinleyU.s.V.FinleyThu, 24 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[T-Mobile Debuts New Samsung SGH-t819 Cellular Phone]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/01/21/t-mobile-debuts-new-samsung-sgh-t819-cellular-phone/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/21/t-mobile-debuts-new-samsung-sgh-t819-cellular-phone/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/21/t-mobile-debuts-new-samsung-sgh-t819-cellular-phone/#commentsFiled under: ,



Today, the Tech Wizard of Oz lifted the curtain to unveil the new T-Mobile Samsung t819 cellular phone. Equipped with wireless, stereo Bluetooth technology, the t819 sings its own praises with features like a 1.3 megapixel camera with video capture capability, an MP3 player and a micro SD slot for a maximum of 2-gigabytes (GB) of removable memory.

A slider phone that weighs in just shy of 3.5 ounces, the latest T-Mobile device has numerous messaging options, including AOL, SMS, MMS, ICQ, Windows Live and Yahoo. Furthermore, it is compatible with T-Mobile Address Book and offers the T-Mobile myFaves calling plan.

The cellular phone's full moniker is the Samsung SGH-t819. It is available in a two-toned brown hue, with a frame that measures approximately 4"x 2" x .5", which makes it one of the smaller slider-phones out there. The phone should be available over the next few days and weeks at T-Mobile retail stores, as well as online at t-mobile.com. Check out the gallery below for images.

Gallery: The New T-Mobile Samsung SGH-t819



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SwitchedT-Mobile Debuts New Samsung SGH-t819 Cellular Phone originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cell phoneCellPhonecellular phoneCellularPhoneexpire-images:2009-1-20newnew productsNewProductsSamsungSamsung SGH-t819SamsungSgh-t819slider phonesSliderPhonesT-MobileMon, 21 Jan 2008 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Wireless Portable PlanOn Printer Holds Paper, Too]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/01/08/wireless-portable-printer-asks-you-not-to-carry-around-paper/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/08/wireless-portable-printer-asks-you-not-to-carry-around-paper/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/08/wireless-portable-printer-asks-you-not-to-carry-around-paper/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Yesterday, PlanOn, the company that brought you the DocuPen scanner writing utensil, released for retail a one-of-a-kind portable printer, called the PrintStik. The tiny, mobile device, oblong and light, is a Bluetooth-enabled development that allows users to print e-mails and images from a smart phone, laptop or PDA. The technology is particularly useful for those of you who get annoyed with wires running wild when you're on the go, or for the professional who hates having to suffer in line behind Larry the Molasses Executive at those business centers just to print out a couple of pages.

The PrintStik is a self-contained unit, meaning you don't have to lug the 20 sheets of paper that fit inside. It prints at a leisurely three pages per minute, with the only other drawback being that you are not going to get a sheet of paper that might have come out of the printer at home. Instead, you will get thin, ticker-type sheets set with ink that looks like it came out of a random cash register.

Obviously, this product is not meant to turn out the annual report while you're driving to work. Instead, it is best suited for printing out things like directions or an E-mail from your handheld device.

We know, we know -- where and when, right? Expect to pay $299 for the PrintStik when you visit planon.com.

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SwitchedWireless Portable PlanOn Printer Holds Paper, Too originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mobile printerMobilePrinterNew ProductsNewProductsPrinterWireless printerWirelessPrinterTue, 08 Jan 2008 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill Gates Asks Slash to Help Him Usher In the Next 'Digital Decade']]>http://www.switched.com/2008/01/07/bill-gates-asks-slash-to-help-him-usher-in-the-next-digital-dec/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/07/bill-gates-asks-slash-to-help-him-usher-in-the-next-digital-dec/http://www.switched.com/2008/01/07/bill-gates-asks-slash-to-help-him-usher-in-the-next-digital-dec/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Waiting for Microsoft founder Bill Gates to arrive at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas for his final CES keynote address last night was like expecting a rock star Mr. Rogers to parachute in from the sky to greet us mere mortals. Members of the press and electronics industry insiders began lining up in droves hours before the event's appointed start time, creating snaking lines of readers, thinkers, dozers, gabbers and moaners from the assemblage. A palpable sense of anxious expectation permeated the air, carrying the persistent thought, "What is he going to say?" from person to person via emotional osmosis. Or maybe that thought was actually more like, "This is nuts. The presidential candidates only dream of this kind of attention, and here we are," as if we wanted to tell ourselves, "You have no power over me, you have no power over me," like Jennifer Connelly did in the fantastic movie 'Labyrinth.'

We, the technology tsar's press corps, were finally herded into the Venetian's enormous ballroom, where we... waited. For an hour. When the moment of truth eventually came, there were no lions or fireworks, just good old William starting off his talk with a hilarious video of his last day at work - one which he begins by absentmindedly leaving his briefcase on top of the car (Bill Gates drives a Ford Focus?!) and ends in the same fashion, nothing left of his legacy except a box of spilt office supplies strewn across the Microsoft campus and Bill none the wiser. During his last full day of "work," he looks toward the future, begging various celebrities like Bono from U2 and the Daily Show's Jon Stewart for a role in their respective gigs.

Of course, Mr. Gates touched on Microsoft's achievements, the success of Windows Live and the popularity of Vista (no... seriously). He disclosed the big news of the night, the various deals Microsoft has secured for delivering more SD and HD content over the Internet on Xbox Live from media giants such as ABC, Disney, Showtime, and MGM, and a partnership to deliver 3,000 hours of internet-accessible footage from the 2008 Olympics with NBC Universal's MSN. What this means essentially is the Bill Gates is okay with HD-DVD's inevitable demise and is gearing up for the eventual decline of Blu-ray, since Microsoft wants to be at the head of the eventual HD downloading revolution.

The discussion of future Microsoft technologies, however, kept everyone's inner circus lover at the most attention. Interconnecting and personalizing applications was a big theme, as well as developing natural user interface with touch, gesture and voice commands. He illustrated his vision by showing us (again) innovations like Microsoft Surface - essentially a PC with camera software and touch screen technology to change forever mundane activities like shopping and design.

The Zune was not lost in the shuffle, as the new music social networking application called (what else?) Zune Social made an appearance. Gates even rolled out a true prototype from the lab, a visual recognition device eventually meant for cellular phones that recognizes people and places, and uses the information to integrate things like internet purchases, restaurant reservations and GPS technology options into one platform.

Ever the showman, Bill Gates had to end the night with laughs. Although he and the President of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division, Robbie Bach, strapped on Xbox guitars to settle a debt by way of a 'Guitar Hero' matchup, it was just pretend, it turns out. Instead, ex-Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash and a hot gaming champion faced off on stage, sparing everyone the embarrassment of watching Gates try to play. While Gates had supposedly owed Bach money before the bet, Slash ensured that Gates walked away into the night $20 richer.

If you want more details, you can read over the Engadget live blog here, watch the full video of the Gates keynote here. Or, check out our very own Switched slide gallery from the keynote below.

Gallery: Fun Times at the Bill Gates 2008 CES Keynote Address

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SwitchedBill Gates Asks Slash to Help Him Usher In the Next 'Digital Decade' originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill GatesBillGatesGates KeynoteGatesKeynoteMicrosoftMon, 07 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA['Napoleon Dynamite' Video Game is Portable, Sweet, but Tart]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/27/napoleon-dynamite-game-is-portably-sweet-and-tart/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/27/napoleon-dynamite-game-is-portably-sweet-and-tart/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/27/napoleon-dynamite-game-is-portably-sweet-and-tart/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Napoleon Dynamite Game is Portably Sweet, And TartAt this past summers Electronics Entertainment Expo, we took a quick look at a video game based on the film 'Napoleon Dynamite,' the oddball hit that showed how even outcasts in snow boots can bust some moves. That game is out, so now you, too, can bust some moves on either your Nintendo DS or Sony PSP. But, while the movie is consistently good from beginning to end, this game doesn't quite match that consistency.

'Napoleon Dynamite' is a bag full of mini-games -- some good, some bad. The mini-games ask you to do all sorts of tasks from the movie. You'll be flinging lasagna at Tina the (fat lard) laama while dodging the spit she shoots at you. You'll get into a football throwing contest with Uncle Rico, then drag an action figure by a string behind your school bus and try to avoid it getting caught by dogs. And, of course, there's a 'Dance Dance Revolution'-style game where you get to bust a move on the stage and impress your friends.

There are 20 games on the DS version and 30 on the PSP, but sadly less than half of those are worth your time. It's a constant up and down ride from good game to bad, all the while unlocking silly little prizes like costumes for Napoleon to wear. Graphically the game is solid, with each character depicted as paper-doll cutouts with giant, oversized heads, and each menu and loading screen is covered with sketches of "ligers" and such.

So, it definitely looks and feels like the film, and fans of that film will have fun with this one. Plus, at $20 for the PSP version, it's certainly priced right. But, with so many of the mini-games feeling like a chore more than a gas, it's hard to recommend to anyone but those who are still wearing a VOTE FOR PEDRO shirt.

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Switched'Napoleon Dynamite' Video Game is Portable, Sweet, but Tart originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Napoleon DynamiteNapoleonDynamiteThu, 27 Dec 2007 10:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Live NCAA Games On Your Cell Phone]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/19/live-ncaa-games-on-your-cell-phone/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/19/live-ncaa-games-on-your-cell-phone/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/19/live-ncaa-games-on-your-cell-phone/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



In a move destined to give gadget heads with gridiron proclivities a reason to rejoice, Verizon has announced that its V Cast customers will have access to live, full-length NCAA college football bowl games on their cellular phones this season. While the major BCS championship bowls will not be offered, subscribers with V Cast-outfitted phones will be able to view 24 of the less-heralded contests, starting with the Poinsettia Bowl on December 20, which pits Utah versus Navy. BetaNews and the Silicon Alley Insider report that ESPN Mobile TV, CBS Mobile and Fox Mobile will provide live coverage of the games through Qualcomm's MediaFLO mobile broadcast service.

An indication that competition among service providers is in the streaming video sphere, the announcement is also another example of companies trying to outdo each other by offering exclusive, premium content. We also see it as a sign of the times, as consumers clamor for their cell phones to be do-it-all computers rather than relatively simple communication devices. But, alas, that notion is the stuff of a different post, as we leave you with a question: Will you be streaming the Auburn/Clemson Chic-fil-A Bowl or the Georgia Tech versus Fresno State Roady's Humanitarian Bowl?

From Verizon (via BetaNews and Silicon Alley Insider)


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SwitchedLive NCAA Games On Your Cell Phone originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bowl gamesBowlGamesexpire-images:2008-12-18footballMobiel AppsMobielAppsMobile TVMobileTvNCAASports TechSportsTechV CastVCastvideoWed, 19 Dec 2007 14:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Hackers Will Go After iPhone in 2008, Says Network Security Firm]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/13/hackers-will-go-after-iphone-in-2008-says-network-security-firm/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/13/hackers-will-go-after-iphone-in-2008-says-network-security-firm/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/13/hackers-will-go-after-iphone-in-2008-says-network-security-firm/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



A report issued by network security firm Arbor Networks foreshadows what may be a year of increasing hacker attacks on the iPhone. According to the Arbor Network Security and Engineering Response Team (ASERT), hackers will focus their efforts in the form of drive by attacks against the new platform in 2008. These attacks are made up of malware -- corrupting programs -- that is embedded into data, images or other media and appeasr non-threatening, but in reality performs harmful actions when activated on the iPhone's Web browser. The ASERT team speculates that hackers will turn their attention to the iPhone in order to claim bragging rights by 'be[ing] the first' to hack a new platform.

This latest news adds to the open debate between Mac and PC makers over the level of security their products provide. Apple suggests that its programs are relatively virus free, especially when compared to the constantly-attacked PC-based Windows operating system. Windows/PC proponents argue that this imbalance in hacker assaults does not reflect the quality of security offered, but instead is indicative of marketplace disparity between the two computing options. That is, the majority (about 90 percent)of computers bought and used are of the PC variety, so hackers have gone after the product that offered the most notoriety to corrupt -- security through obscurity.

It seems, however, that one development in 2008 may clarify the whole matter. Next year, Apple will open up the iPhone to third party applications. Until now the iPhone has employed a closed system, which gave the impression of better security. When third party applications are given the go-ahead in the coming months, it will be easier to understand the level of security vulnerability in the iPhone, and by extension, other Apple products. Until now, the only way to install third-party software onto the iPhone was to do it illegally, with all of hacking's accompanying problems.

It seems to us that in 2008 and beyond, iPhone lovers will have to treat their do-it-all device like their computer at home, with the same security precautions against downloading dubious programs and opening e-mails from suspicious sources. Whether Apple/Mac security is as good as advertised remains to be seen.

From Newsvine Via iTnews

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SwitchedHackers Will Go After iPhone in 2008, Says Network Security Firm originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expire-images:2008-12-12hackeriPhonemobile securityMobileSecurityThu, 13 Dec 2007 09:47:00 EST