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[Switched's Comprehensive Guide to Video Game Emulators]]>http://www.switched.com/video-game-emulators/switched-ultimate-guide-retro-gaming/http://www.switched.com/video-game-emulators/switched-ultimate-guide-retro-gaming/http://www.switched.com/video-game-emulators/switched-ultimate-guide-retro-gaming/#commentsThe video game emulator -- the bit of software that allows nostalgic button-mashers to mount an NES on their PCs in order to relive halcyon "HADOUKEN!" days -- is one of the most misunderstood elements of modern computing. But we're here to tell you exactly what they are, how they work, and even offer a comprehensive directory of the best ones for your favorite platform. Read on for our indispensable manual for the contemporary gamer looking back to a time when finally figuring out Kitana's "Babality" was a day's work well done.

Continue reading Switched's Comprehensive Guide to Video Game Emulators

SwitchedSwitched's Comprehensive Guide to Video Game Emulators originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 09 Apr 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcade gamingArcadeGamingAtari 2600Atari2600classic+video+gamingclassicvideogamingcommodore 64Commodore64console+emulator+for+linuxconsoleemulatorforlinuxemulationemulation guideEmulationGuideemulatoremulatorsfeaturesgame boyGameBoygamingNESnew+c64+emulatornewc64emulatornintendoNintendo 64Nintendo64PlayStationPSXScummvmsega genesissega master systemSega SaturnSegaGenesisSegaMasterSystemSegaSaturnsonysony playstationSonyPlaystationsuper nintendoSuperNintendotopvideo+game+emulatorvideo+game+emulatorsvideogameemulatorvideogameemulatorsSat, 09 Apr 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A Baker's Dozen Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Mac]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/13-tips-to-speed-up-your-mac/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/13-tips-to-speed-up-your-mac/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/13-tips-to-speed-up-your-mac/#comments Whether you're a recent convert, ambivalent veteran or one of those hardened Apple fanboys, let us remind you: a Mac, like any other computer, needs to be maintained. No, you probably don't need anti-virus software (yet), you may never have to fiddle with registry editing, and you'll likely never need to reinstall the operating system. But you may face a kernel panic, a raft of mysterious app crashes or the dreaded spinning beach ball of death. We've put together thirteen tips for keeping our Macs lean, clean computing machines. Spring has sprung, so, while you dust off your shelves and empty your closets, do some Mac maintenance, too.

Continue reading A Baker's Dozen Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Mac

SwitchedA Baker's Dozen Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Mac originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebackupBeachBallcrashdesktopsfeaturesfontsHardDriveSpaceimaclaptopsmacmacbookOsXSpinningBallSpringCleaningtipstopwhatsizewidgetsThu, 07 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Overdue Reviews: 'Strange Days']]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/overdue-reviews-strange-days/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/overdue-reviews-strange-days/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/overdue-reviews-strange-days/#comments 'strange days'
Overdue Reviews takes a critical look at tech-centric films that are well-loved, well-loathed or eye-rollingly obscure.

When Kathryn Bigelow's 'Strange Days' was released in 1995, it didn't even break $8 million at the box office; with a production budget of $42 million, it was by all accounts a commercial disaster. Even the critically panned 'Johnny Mnemonic' pulled in $19 million, and cinematic abortion 'The Net' snagged over $50 million. (Both were released in the same year.) Unlike those films, however, 'Strange Days' starred two Oscar nominees and one Oscar winner, and boasted a script co-written by James Cameron. What went wrong?

Many observers have noted that the racial violence depicted in the film directly echoed the 1991 Rodney King ordeal, which saw its 20th anniversary last month. Were filmgoers just not ready to deal with depictions hitting so close to home? And why has the film -- a hodgepodge of cyberpunk, action, and psychological-erotic thriller genres -- since gone on to become a cult favorite for sci-fi fans? Is it because it's a film that mirrors our own addiction to images, from the '90s obsession with virtual reality to our current love affair with YouTube?

Continue reading Overdue Reviews: 'Strange Days'

SwitchedOverdue Reviews: 'Strange Days' originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angela bassettAngelaBassettfeaturesjames cameronJamesCameronjuliette lewisJulietteLewiskathryn bigelowKathrynBigelowmoviesoverdue reviewsOverdueReviewsquantum+moviequantummovieralph fiennesRalphFiennesStrange DaysStrangeDaystopvirtual realityVirtualRealityWed, 06 Apr 2011 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Kicks Picks: Memes, Star Wars Dreams and Outer Space Stylus Schemes]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/kicks-picks-memes-star-wars-dreams-and-outer-space-stylus-sche/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/kicks-picks-memes-star-wars-dreams-and-outer-space-stylus-sche/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/kicks-picks-memes-star-wars-dreams-and-outer-space-stylus-sche/#comments kicks picks We've selected our favorite and most promising Kickstarter projects, and spoke with the creators about why they deserve your time (and money). Check them out for yourself, and if these bright young things inspire you, maybe you can help launch their dreams into reality.

Kickstarter doesn't have to be about changing the world -- the simple design of a well-crafted stylus may be groundbreaking enough anyway. But projects that aim to tell stories from all over -- about a visionary artist from a powerful, secretive country or a couple of kids with a 'Star Wars' dream -- is a good way to start.

Continue reading Kicks Picks: Memes, Star Wars Dreams and Outer Space Stylus Schemes

SwitchedKicks Picks: Memes, Star Wars Dreams and Outer Space Stylus Schemes originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ai wei weiai weiweiAiWeiWeialison klaymanAlisonKlaymancosmonautcrowdsourcingempire strikes backEmpireStrikesBackfeaturesinternetiphlykicks picksKicksPickskickstartermemefactorystar wars musicalStarWarsMusicalstylustopwebFri, 01 Apr 2011 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo 3DS: Not a Gaming Revolution, Still Makes Hands Happy]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/nintendo-3ds-hands-on/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/nintendo-3ds-hands-on/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/nintendo-3ds-hands-on/#comments Nintendo 3DS The best way for me to start off my hands-on with the Nintendo 3DS is to be completely honest about my relationship with the Nintendo DS; I love the little split-screened device. I have a white Lite from 2007, and have never found the need to upgrade. That was until the E3 Expo last year, when Nintendo trotted out these little guys to a crowd practically electrified with excitement. But the 3-D hype, unless we are missing something, has failed to move past "hype" to "trend." Even the 3DS's initial promise as being the little device that could (without glasses) has been slapped with health warnings, and is not as cost-friendly as its Lite little bro. So, to be frank, I had high expectations, and the 3DS had quite a task ahead of itself.

Continue reading Nintendo 3DS: Not a Gaming Revolution, Still Makes Hands Happy

SwitchedNintendo 3DS: Not a Gaming Revolution, Still Makes Hands Happy originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsaqua blueAquaBluecosmo blackCosmoBlackfeaturesgaminghands-onhandsonmiinintendonintendo 3dsNintendo3dsNintendogsreviewsvideo gamingvideogamesVideoGamingFri, 25 Mar 2011 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Audiofile: Cut Copy Shows Off Synths and Talks Todd Rundgren]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/audiofile-cut-copy-shows-off-synths-and-talks-todd-rundgren/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/audiofile-cut-copy-shows-off-synths-and-talks-todd-rundgren/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/audiofile-cut-copy-shows-off-synths-and-talks-todd-rundgren/#comments One of the reasons that Aussie dance quartet Cut Copy is constantly on our iPods is because the band, with its electro-pop-meets-arena-rock stylings, is one of the most forward-thinking dance acts around. The boys use the futuristic preoccupations that were pervasive in the '70s and '80s -- think classic synths or dreamy vocals that owe a bit to Boy George or OMD -- to make incredible music that sounds incredibly "now." We got to know them with 'Bright Like Neon Love,' 2004's stellar send-up of New Wave and uplifting house music, and still jam to 2008's groove-filled "Lights and Music," a dance song played with real instruments that could be at home in either 2011 or 1977.

Switched caught up with lead singer Dan Whitford to talk tunes: how he makes them, what he loves, and what equipment he cannot live without. He let us into his studio and allowed us to peruse his iTunes. We weren't surprised by his vast influences, like Windows start-up sound designer Brian Eno or Cut Copy's current labelmate Ariel Pink. Cut Copy proves music isn't "electronic" or "rock-and-roll" anymore. For their new album 'Zonoscope,' music, instruments and technology have an intertwined, symbiotic relationship.

Continue reading Audiofile: Cut Copy Shows Off Synths and Talks Todd Rundgren

SwitchedAudiofile: Cut Copy Shows Off Synths and Talks Todd Rundgren originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiofileaudiofilesCutCopyElectricLightOrchestrafeaturesmusicToddRundgrenvintage synthsVintageSynthsYamahaCs80Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:40:00 EST<![CDATA[March Madness Contest Guide, With a Little Coaching from Bracketologist Brad Wachtel]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/ncaa-march-madness-bracket-guide/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/ncaa-march-madness-bracket-guide/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/ncaa-march-madness-bracket-guide/#commentsMarch Madness serves as the ultimate sports equalizer. The seemingly infinite number of outcomes, and the requisite unforeseen upsets, annually level the bracket playing field. Even the most uncoordinated and uninformed Tournament rookies can -- and frequently do -- conquer the cocky braggarts who spend months poring over trends and statistics. And with myriad options of tracking the tournament online -- from Hooters to ESPN -- anyone with a Web connection suddenly becomes a powerful March Madness maven.

But, ambitious participants with lofty hoop dreams should certainly rely on more than just blind luck. And no one, in terms of accuracy and enduring reliability, provides guidance like the preeminent bracketologist Brad Wachtel. Wachtel joined the Rutgers coaching staff this year, so "a conflict of interest" prevents him from providing his full, round-by-round bracketology breakdown. However, he was generous enough to bestow our readers with his remarkable insight, and -- most graciously -- his essential tips for filling out a competitive, successful bracket on some of the great Web options out there.

Take his advice, and take ours: we've rounded up the ten best free bracket sites, so once you've gotten your Wachtel-approved strategy, you can hit the courts. Digitally, of course.

Continue reading March Madness Contest Guide, With a Little Coaching from Bracketologist Brad Wachtel

SwitchedMarch Madness Contest Guide, With a Little Coaching from Bracketologist Brad Wachtel originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>basketballbest+march+madness+contestsbestmarchmadnesscontestsbracket guideBracketGuidebracketologybracketology+upsetsbracketologyupsetsbracketsbrad wachtelBradWachtelfeatureshooters+march+madness+contesthootersmarchmadnesscontestmarch+madness+bracketology+2011march+madness+contestmarchmadnessbracketology2011marchmadnesscontestncaancaa bracketsncaa brackets 2011NcaaBracketsNcaaBrackets2011sportstopWed, 16 Mar 2011 16:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Sci-Fi Movie Interfaces: Why Transparent Screens Are Miserable to Use]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/sci-fi-movie-interfaces-why-transparent-screens-are-miserable-t/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/sci-fi-movie-interfaces-why-transparent-screens-are-miserable-t/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/sci-fi-movie-interfaces-why-transparent-screens-are-miserable-t/#comments
Yesterday, we sat in on the excellent 'Made it So (Interface Makers in Movies)' panel at SXSW with Chris Noessel, Mike Fink, Mark Coleran and David Lewandowski, some of the designers behind the on-screen interfaces in movies ranging from '80s classics 'Blade Runner' and 'WarGames' to modern day blockbusters 'Avatar' and 'Tron: Legacy.' The panel followed a simple question and answer format, touching on favorite movie interfaces, the elements that shape on-screen graphics and the connections between real-world gadgets and UIs and sci-fi movies.

Continue reading Sci-Fi Movie Interfaces: Why Transparent Screens Are Miserable to Use

SwitchedSci-Fi Movie Interfaces: Why Transparent Screens Are Miserable to Use originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blade runnerBladeRunnerchris noesselChrisNoesseldavid lewandowskiDavidLewandowskidesignfeaturesfilminterface designInterfaceDesignmade it soMadeItSomark coleranMarkColeranmichael finkMichaelFinkminority reportMinorityReportmoviessci fiscience fictionScienceFictionSciFisxswsxsw 2011sxsw-2011Sxsw2011toptransparent+screenstransparentscreensuiWed, 16 Mar 2011 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[4Chan's 'Moot': Zuckerberg's Single Identity Is 'Totally Wrong']]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/13/4chans-moot-zuckerbergs-single-identity-is-totally-wrong/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/13/4chans-moot-zuckerbergs-single-identity-is-totally-wrong/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/13/4chans-moot-zuckerbergs-single-identity-is-totally-wrong/#commentsChristopher 'Moot' Poole, founder of 4chan and Canv.as, spoke at SXSW's Sunday keynote, and explored privacy, creativity and the importance of anonymity online. With persistent identities (often tied to our real names) from sites like Facebook, Twitter and Disqus tracking our actions across the Internet, Poole compared the loss of anonymity online to a loss of youth -- a time for experimentation. He noted, "The cost of failure is really high when you're contributing as yourself," an increasingly common situation as Facebook and commenting accounts tied to your identity spread. HR departments, college admissions and countless other professional organizations dig into your online activities and profiles, and most people are still coming to terms with just what it means to live online. Just take the example of journalist Nils Rosen and the fallout from his insensitive tweets about Lara Logan's sexual assault in Egypt. An offhand comment with few repercussions in the pre-digital era can now become a career-altering disaster in the Twitter age.

But Poole contends that the loss of anonymity isn't just about increasingly living in public and archived for eternity. He found that 4chan's anonymity and lack of archiving actually fuel creativity and experimentation; it's been a consistent force in creating new memes exactly because the system makes it so simple to ignore the failures. Where Zuckerberg contends real identity is the best path to authenticity, Poole argues "anonymity is authenticity."

Continue reading 4Chan's 'Moot': Zuckerberg's Single Identity Is 'Totally Wrong'

Switched4Chan's 'Moot': Zuckerberg's Single Identity Is 'Totally Wrong' originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 13 Mar 2011 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4chanchristopher moot poolechristopher pooleChristopherMootPooleChristopherPoolefacebookfeaturesidentitymootmoot+sxswmootsxswsxswsxsw+mootsxsw-2011sxswmoottoptwitterzuckerbergSun, 13 Mar 2011 18:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Overdue Reviews: 'Minority Report']]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/minority-report-overdue-reviews/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/minority-report-overdue-reviews/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/minority-report-overdue-reviews/#comments Overdue Reviews takes a critical look at tech-centric films that are well-loved, well-loathed or eye-rollingly obscure.

For better or worse, they love Dick in Hollywood: 'Blade Runner,' 'Total Recall,' 'Impostor,' 'A Scanner Darkly,' 'Paycheck' and 'Next' all have roots in the notorious paranoiac Philip K. Dick's fiction. Last week, in fact, saw the release of the latest adaptation, 'The Adjustment Bureau,' based on his short story 'The Adjustment Team.' But while 'Blade Runner' might be the supreme PDK translation (nerd alert!), Steven Spielberg's 2002 film adaptation of 'The Minority Report,' a short story originally published in 1956, has more thoroughly stuck in our collective consciousness. It's a film that depicts a world just on the horizon from our own.

To the source material!

Continue reading Overdue Reviews: 'Minority Report'

SwitchedOverdue Reviews: 'Minority Report' originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresminority reportMinorityReportmoviesoverdue reviewsoverduereviewsPhilip K. DickPhilipK.Dicksteven spielbergStevenSpielbergtopThu, 10 Mar 2011 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Zite's 'Smart' Personalized iPad Magazine Lags on Launch]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/09/zites-smart-personalized-magazine-lags-on-launch/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/09/zites-smart-personalized-magazine-lags-on-launch/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/09/zites-smart-personalized-magazine-lags-on-launch/#comments With SXSW less than a week away, everyone's racing to push out new apps and updates -- and inexplicably road tripping on a StartupBus -- to beat the rush in Austin. Today's unavoidable app is Zite, a personalized magazine that's being touted as a 'Flipboard-killer' because of its learning capabilities. Unlike iPad publications like The Daily or Sir Richard Branson's 'Project,' Zite mixes the links from your friends' Twitter accounts and your Google Reader subscriptions with the voting and customization ideas from services like Pandora.

Apps like Reeder, Flipboard and Pulse require that you bring in your own subscriptions in the form of Tweets, RSS feeds or Facebook friends. Zite claims that its recommendation system, developed by the University of British Columbia's Laboratory for Computational Intelligence, is even smarter. Zite starts with your basic preferences and then customizes to your interests (long-form journalism, celebrity news, cats) by analyzing how you read and rate articles. Let's dig in to see how it fares.

Gallery: Zite

Continue reading Zite's 'Smart' Personalized iPad Magazine Lags on Launch

SwitchedZite's 'Smart' Personalized iPad Magazine Lags on Launch originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsfeaturesipadnewsnews appsNewsAppszitezite.comWed, 09 Mar 2011 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Your Guide to Private Browsing]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/how-to-browse-privately-chrome-safari-firefox-ie/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/how-to-browse-privately-chrome-safari-firefox-ie/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/how-to-browse-privately-chrome-safari-firefox-ie/#comments surprised man on computer InPrivate, Incognito, Private Browsing -- whatever they want to brand it -- all modern browsers offer a special mode designed to keep what you do online a secret from prying eyes. Despite different names and origins at different companies, they all work in basically similar ways: A new browser session is created that operates separately from your existing one, with its own history and cookies that are erased when the window is closed. And though it can keep a snoop from seeing what sites you've visited by going through your history, it doesn't make you anonymous on the Web. Advertisers and law enforcement will still be able to track you.

Continue reading Your Guide to Private Browsing

SwitchedYour Guide to Private Browsing originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebenefits+of+private+browsing+safaribenefitsofprivatebrowsingsafaribrowsingchromefeaturesfirefoxgoogleIEIncognitoInPrivateinternet explorerInternetExplorermicrosoftmozillaoperaporn modePornModeprivacyprivate browsingPrivateBrowsingsafaritipstopwebTue, 08 Mar 2011 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Travelteq Trip Sound: We Take a Seat on the Scooting, Suitcase Soundsystem]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/travelteq-trip-sound-review/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/travelteq-trip-sound-review/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/travelteq-trip-sound-review/#comments

What it is:

A multi-purpose rolling bag that also serves as a portable seat and a take-along boombox.

Why it's different:

The Trip Sound is a bag, chair and boombox all at once, which makes it pretty unique. It's designed for travelers who find themselves restless in airports, with no free seat to relax upon, and no decent sound system to crank in their hotel rooms. If there's ever been a bag that would let you live out of it, this may be the one.

Gallery: Travelteq Trip Sound

Continue reading Travelteq Trip Sound: We Take a Seat on the Scooting, Suitcase Soundsystem

SwitchedTravelteq Trip Sound: We Take a Seat on the Scooting, Suitcase Soundsystem originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresHypeCheckTheTriptoptraveltravelteqtravelteq+trip+soundTravelteqTripSoundTripSoundMon, 07 Mar 2011 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Kicks Picks: The Best of Kickstarter Features Minecraft, Marbles and Movies]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/kicks-picks-best-of-kickstarter-minecraft-marbles-more/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/kicks-picks-best-of-kickstarter-minecraft-marbles-more/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/kicks-picks-best-of-kickstarter-minecraft-marbles-more/#comments kickstarter projects Crowd-sourcing is not just a hot buzzword. When done right, turning to the Internet and its many voices can raise money, awareness and the profile for a project, putting a really great idea into practice. Kickstarter, the site that allows anyone with an e-mail account to invest in whatever great proposals they find (with some perks, of course), is a great example of the collective power of the 'Net.

We're thrilled to introduce our newest feature: Kicks Picks. We've selected our favorite and most promising Kickstarter projects, and spoke with the creators about why they deserve your time (and money). Check them out for yourself, and if these bright young things inspire you, maybe you can help launch their dreams into reality.

Continue reading Kicks Picks: The Best of Kickstarter Features Minecraft, Marbles and Movies

SwitchedKicks Picks: The Best of Kickstarter Features Minecraft, Marbles and Movies originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookfeaturesjoystickerskickspickskickstarterKickstarter.commarble trackMarbleTrackminecraftminecraft movieMinecraftMovieopensourceproteithe future of facebookTheFutureOfFacebooktopworlds longest marble trackWorldsLongestMarbleTrackFri, 04 Mar 2011 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Complexity Is Killing Us: A Security State of the Union With Eugene Spafford of CERIAS]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/state-of-the-union-security-eugene-spafford/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/state-of-the-union-security-eugene-spafford/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/state-of-the-union-security-eugene-spafford/#commentsFor our second annual spotlight on cyber-security, Switched turned to a renowned expert in the field: Eugene H. Spafford, Professor of Computer Science at Purdue University. Among his many professional associations and corporate and governmental advisory roles, Spafford is the Executive Director of the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS), which supports research in information, security and communication infrastructures. A legend among those who were around for the early days of the Internet, Spaf (as he's known) is credited as one of the major contributors to the system for organizing Usenet, and analyzed one of the first known computer worms. When asked what OS he'd recommend over any others, Spaf refused to be pigeon-holed, which became understandable when he explained that he maintains seven computers of his own, with a cornucopia of OSes installed among them. He did admit, however, that since 1987 his main machine has always been a Mac -- although his current one is stuffed to the gills running OS X, Windows, Linux and BSD Unix.

Continue reading Complexity Is Killing Us: A Security State of the Union With Eugene Spafford of CERIAS

SwitchedComplexity Is Killing Us: A Security State of the Union With Eugene Spafford of CERIAS originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceriascyber+warcyberwareugene h spaffordEugeneH.SpaffordEugeneHSpaffordfeaturesInternetinterviewsprivacyPurduePurdueUniversitysecurityThu, 03 Mar 2011 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Prey Turns Laptop and Phone Thieves Into the Hunted, For Free]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/02/prey-turns-laptop-and-phone-thieves-into-the-hunted-for-free/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/02/prey-turns-laptop-and-phone-thieves-into-the-hunted-for-free/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/02/prey-turns-laptop-and-phone-thieves-into-the-hunted-for-free/#comments Prey It may not be top-secret or espionage-worthy, but the information we keep on laptops and smartphones is still something we all would like protected. Saved passwords, addresses, bank balances, friends' contact info -- all sorts of information could have potentially devastating effects in the hands of a crook. Large companies have long had the technology to remotely lock-down and wipe mobile devices, and now that capability is finally making its way into the hands of average consumers. Prey, a cunning program with cross-platform prowess, is one of our favorite solutions. Free and open-source, this must-have app lets you track and interact with your missing laptop or Android phone the minute it disappears from your loving grasp.

Continue reading Prey Turns Laptop and Phone Thieves Into the Hunted, For Free

SwitchedPrey Turns Laptop and Phone Thieves Into the Hunted, For Free originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidfeaturesioslinuxpreysecurityStolenComputersswitcheddownloadtheftTheftProtectionTheftRecoverytopTrackingDevicesubuntuwindowsWed, 02 Mar 2011 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Hacked and Hijacked! What to Do if Your Identity Gets Stolen]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/what-to-do-identity-stolen-hacked-and-hijacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/what-to-do-identity-stolen-hacked-and-hijacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/what-to-do-identity-stolen-hacked-and-hijacked/#comments Identity Swiped

Symptoms:

Imagine the pit in your stomach: finding charges on your credit cards or bank statements for items you didn't buy; applying for credit or a mortgage and being denied due to delinquencies on accounts you didn't open. The amounts for the previous year's reported income on your annual Social Security statement is incorrect, and for more than you earned. Or you get a letter or call from the IRS attempting to collect on back taxes for income you never made. Or you've stopped receiving credit card statements in the mail -- even when you have a balance due. Even more frightening, you may also have recently had issues with your PC, or been unable to log into online financial accounts. Maybe you've found that your e-mail or social networking accounts have been compromised.

Continue reading Hacked and Hijacked! What to Do if Your Identity Gets Stolen

SwitchedHacked and Hijacked! What to Do if Your Identity Gets Stolen originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicefeatureshowtoidentityIdentityTheftprivacysecurityTue, 01 Mar 2011 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Hacked and Hijacked! What's Next When Your Facebook/Twitter Is Hacked]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/what-to-do-facebook-twitter-account-hacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/what-to-do-facebook-twitter-account-hacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/what-to-do-facebook-twitter-account-hacked/#comments

Symptom:

Maybe your Twitter or Facebook friends have gotten viciously spammed with fake offers for a free iPad, or a link to a fake app -- from your profile. Or, maybe you've discover posts on your profile that you never wrote, often with links leading to websites, apps or coupons. You may discover personal messages sent to friends that you didn't write, perhaps asking them to wire money. Or, worst case, you may be unable to log into your account.

Diagnosis:

Social networking sites have become immensely popular stops online, and thus the destinations du jour for criminals and black-hat hackers looking to make a buck the easy way. After all, a user's Facebook account is an incredible storehouse of personal and private information, and its very structure, expressly built for rapidly and broadly disseminating data through a complex web of connections, couldn't be better designed for quick-hit schemers. Typical users are happy to click on a link, visit a site or try out an app that they think has been vetted by a trusted friend. In a certain sense, Facebook may be the most successful virus disseminator ever created.

Continue reading Hacked and Hijacked! What's Next When Your Facebook/Twitter Is Hacked

SwitchedHacked and Hijacked! What's Next When Your Facebook/Twitter Is Hacked originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicecompromisedCompromised-Accountfacebookfacebook connectfacebook+loginFacebookConnectfacebookloginfeatureshackedhacked-accounthowtophishingsecuritysocialnetworkingtoptwitterMon, 28 Feb 2011 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Following the Academy Awards Online: Our Favorite Voices Chime in on Oscar Night]]>http://www.switched.com/oscars-2011/best-liveblogs-and-twitter-accounts-to-follow/http://www.switched.com/oscars-2011/best-liveblogs-and-twitter-accounts-to-follow/http://www.switched.com/oscars-2011/best-liveblogs-and-twitter-accounts-to-follow/#comments What's the point of watching The Oscars if you can't have the entire Internet screaming in your eyes at the same time? The pomp, the glitz, the gladhanding and the empty ceremony of the biggest awards show of the year all demand collective commentary. For the Academy Awards, we like to grab a cheap bottle of cava, don our finest sweatpants, and hop on the Web for an evening of glamour that never leaves the couch. (Hell, you don't even need to get out of bed! The Oscars are being livestreamed this year.) Below are our favorite resources for Oscar commentary online.

Continue reading Following the Academy Awards Online: Our Favorite Voices Chime in on Oscar Night

SwitchedFollowing the Academy Awards Online: Our Favorite Voices Chime in on Oscar Night originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academy+awardsacademy+awards+onlineAcademyAwardsacademyawardsonlinebest+website+to+follow+oscarsbestwebsitetofollowoscarsfeaturesfollow+academy+awards+onlinefollowacademyawardsonlineLiveBloglivebloggingoscar+awards+onlineoscarawardsonlineoscarsOscars2011socialnetworkingtoptwitterSun, 27 Feb 2011 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Hacked and Hijacked! How to Save Data if Your Portable Device Is Stolen]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/do-this-if-cell-phone-laptop-stolen-or-hacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/do-this-if-cell-phone-laptop-stolen-or-hacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/do-this-if-cell-phone-laptop-stolen-or-hacked/#comments

Symptom:

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

Diagnosis:

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

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

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappsbitlockerblackberryblackberry protectBlackberryProtectfamily locatorFamilyLocatorfeaturesfilevaultfind my ipadfind my iphoneFindMyIpadFindMyIphoneiosipadlaptoplojack for laptopsLojackForLaptopsmacmobile recoveryMobileRecoverymy phone windows mobileMyPhoneWindowsMobilenotebookpcpreyRemoteWiperoblacksecuritysmartphonestolentabletTheftProtectionTheftRecoverythieftoptrackerTrackLocationweboswheres my droidWheresMyDroidFri, 25 Feb 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Hacked and Hijacked: What to Do if Your E-mail Account Gets Compromised]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/what-to-do-email-account-hacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/what-to-do-email-account-hacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/what-to-do-email-account-hacked/#comments

Symptoms:

People listed in your e-mail contacts report being flooded with spam messages sent from your account. Or, you start receiving a bevy of "bounced" e-mails from random addresses you don't know. You aren't able to log into your account or change its settings, or you've discovered the settings have been altered. You attempt to use e-mail, and find it has been blocked by your provider.

Diagnosis:

Start with the obvious: If your password no longer works for your e-mail account (and it's definitely the correct password), you can be almost certain that someone else has taken control of it. And if your e-mail provider has blocked you completely, it's probably because your account was spewing out spam by the millions, forcing your provider to shut it down until you regain control. This is a good thing, and you'll get it back. Likewise, learning from friends that your account has let loose a firehose of spam (which sometimes can be verified by checking the Sent messages folder in your account) pretty much confirms that some scumbag has figured out your password. Losing control of your mail and password combo can be especially calamitous if, like far too many people, you use the same ones for all the online sites and services you use, such as social networking, banking and PayPal. Even the dumbest hacker will do a quick e-mail search in your account to scrape for login info on other sites, and, in no time, will assemble a pretty good portfolio on you. Depending on the ambition and skill set of the hacker, on the time between when your account was compromised and when you discovered it, and on how secure your various online accounts are, your level of pain may fall anywhere between minor annoyance to personal and financial meltdown. Time is of the essence, and don't underestimate how deep this thing can go.

Continue reading Hacked and Hijacked: What to Do if Your E-mail Account Gets Compromised

SwitchedHacked and Hijacked: What to Do if Your E-mail Account Gets Compromised originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emailEmailAccountemailsfeaturesHackedEmailhackerhowtomalwarephishingsecurityspoofingspywareThu, 24 Feb 2011 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Hacked and Hijacked: What to Do if Your PC Gets Compromised]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/what-to-do-if-your-pc-gets-hacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/what-to-do-if-your-pc-gets-hacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/what-to-do-if-your-pc-gets-hacked/#comments

Symptoms:

There are a range of telltale signs that your PC has been infiltrated by a binary ne'er-do-well, but, counterintuitively, the worst case scenario is when there are no obvious symptoms at all. For starters, you may have an infection if your PC or Internet throughput has become consistently sluggish, and a restart doesn't cure it. Frequent, random pop-up windows with ads or system warnings are almost always clues to an infection. And, if you've discovered that your login credentials for any website have been hijacked -- whether for e-mail, banking or Facebook -- there's a possibility that malware is on your PC.

Diagnosis:

You're doubtless familiar with at least a few of the ever-multiplying terms for the nasties that can frustrate and even destroy your PC, such as viruses, Trojans, worms, malware, adware, spyware and rootkits. Depending on what bug your computer has caught, the ailment may just be an annoying hindrance, like those viruses that reset your browser home page or spew Viagra pop-up ads. Some varieties, however, are legitimately dangerous. Some can suck up all of the personal info from your PC and send it off to a remote hacker. Others can record your keystrokes in order to steal the password to any site. Still others can take complete control of your PC -- using it to send out spam e-mails by the millions, to host porn or illegal software, or even to attack corporations and governments. Botnets -- networks of thousands or even millions of hacked PCs that have been turned into "zombie" armies under the control of an individual or group -- are actively used by organized crime these days. It's serious stuff.

Continue reading Hacked and Hijacked: What to Do if Your PC Gets Compromised

SwitchedHacked and Hijacked: What to Do if Your PC Gets Compromised originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Anti-virusCompromised-accountCureWindowsfeaturesHackedPcLinuxMacMalwarePCsecuritytopwindows+7+securityWindows7windows7securityWindowsXpWed, 23 Feb 2011 15:10:00 EST<![CDATA[FyreTV: A Streaming Pornucopia, For a Lonely Valentine's Night In]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/14/fyretv-fyreboxxx-streaming-pornucopia-lonely-valentines-night/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/14/fyretv-fyreboxxx-streaming-pornucopia-lonely-valentines-night/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/14/fyretv-fyreboxxx-streaming-pornucopia-lonely-valentines-night/#commentsfyretv screenshot There's another streaming media box on the market, but you won't be able to find the 'Scooby-Doo' movie on it. Oh, wait -- yes, you can. That is, if you're looking for the version that features Shaggy and Fred double-teaming Velma inside Old Man Withers' haunted dildo factory. Those meddling kids!

But seriously, the FyreTV streaming porno box (NSFW link, obviously) is perhaps the best gift that a lonely and hormonal geek could give to himself this Valentine's Day. It's also one of the most dangerous devices available for single and largely heterosexual men, because it will probably cause them to sprout hair on their palms, develop embarrassing welts, go blind, etc. There's no other device like this out there -- with the exception of your laptop, of course. But that raises the question: Why would anyone buy a porn-only box when they have the vast, sticky wilds of the Internet at hand? While some people think that paying for porn in this age is about as archaic as paying to see, you know, regular movies, there is a case to be made for a pornographic unitasker.

Continue reading FyreTV: A Streaming Pornucopia, For a Lonely Valentine's Night In

SwitchedFyreTV: A Streaming Pornucopia, For a Lonely Valentine's Night In originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appltvboxeefeaturesfyretvmedianetflixpornporno+valentines+daypornography for womenPornographyForWomenpornovalentinesdayreviewsrokusexstreamingstreaming media boxStreamingMediaBoxtopvalentines dayValentinesDayMon, 14 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The World's Most Beautiful Vibrator: Jimmyjane Fuses Design and Sex]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/14/jimmyjane-fuses-sex-design-most-beautiful-vibrator/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/14/jimmyjane-fuses-sex-design-most-beautiful-vibrator/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/14/jimmyjane-fuses-sex-design-most-beautiful-vibrator/#comments
Sex objects don't look like themselves anymore. While the industry of personal sexual satisfaction is still dominated by glittery phalli and plastic rabbits, a handful of companies that challenge the anatomical form factor have started to emerge. And San Francisco-based Jimmyjane has been one of the driving forces behind this new design of delight.

Launched in 2004, the company first gained attention from the design world when founder and ex-industrial engineer Ethan Imboden teamed up with the renowned Yves Béhar (whose firm fuseproject designed the OLPC, among other things). The pair's first collaboration was the Form 6, the first of the FORM series. (The most recent is the FORM 3, following the FORM 2 -- confusing, we know.) Then Jimmyjane went on to collaborate with artists such as Jamie Hewlett of Gorillaz and The Eurythmics' Dave Stewart on special editions, picking up design accolades like the IDEO and I.D. awards along the way. The company has almost singlehandedly paved the way for a new sex toy paradigm -- high design that's sexy, utilitarian, and accessible to the mass market.

We caught up with Mr. Imboden to ask him about his process and working with Yves Béhar. Oh, and he's got a treat for our readers, too.

Continue reading The World's Most Beautiful Vibrator: Jimmyjane Fuses Design and Sex

SwitchedThe World's Most Beautiful Vibrator: Jimmyjane Fuses Design and Sex originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designethan imbodenEthanImbodenfeaturesformform 6Form6frog+designfrogdesigninterviewsjimmyjanesexsex toysSexToystopvibratoryves beharYvesBeharMon, 14 Feb 2011 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[You Suck at Gift-Giving: Your Valentine's Day Gift-Buying Survival Guide]]>http://www.switched.com/valentines-day/you-suck-at-gift-giving-buying-survival-guide/http://www.switched.com/valentines-day/you-suck-at-gift-giving-buying-survival-guide/http://www.switched.com/valentines-day/you-suck-at-gift-giving-buying-survival-guide/#commentsbad gifts Listen. If you're looking for Valentine's Day gift ideas for your significant other on this site, you're certifiably effing clueless. We're a tech blog! But we know it's hard to find Google, so get comfy and stay a while. Let us tell you exactly what not to get that girl or guy you managed to drag home without the help of Rohypnol, and perhaps you'll even cement yourself as their last-ditch chance at happiness. Lesley Gore said it best when she sweetly crooned "I Don't Want to Be a Loser (In Love)." Well, Lesley, good thing your suitor didn't have 'Star Trek'-themed pizza cutters back in your day, because a bad gift will make you a loser. Remember the guy who was planning on giving a vibrator bomb to his ex-girlfriend? That, reader, is a loser gift.

Other examples of loser Valentine's Day gifts: Ed Hardy anything, heart-shaped anything, body chocolate. There are exceptions to these rules, of course -- except for the Ed Hardy one -- but we wouldn't expect you to know them. Read on for our V-Day gift survival guide, telling you exactly what not to buy, and giving you a few suggestions for good presents along the way.

Continue reading You Suck at Gift-Giving: Your Valentine's Day Gift-Buying Survival Guide

SwitchedYou Suck at Gift-Giving: Your Valentine's Day Gift-Buying Survival Guide originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 13 Feb 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bad giftsBadGiftsfeaturesfluenzfreecom driveFreecomDrivegift guideGiftGuidegiftsgriffin ipod nano watchGriffinIpodNanoWatchholidaysiker ortizIkerOrtizkarim rashidKarimRashidsang jin leeSangJinLeeSlyvain WillenzSlyvainWillenzstar walkstar walk appStarWalkStarWalkAppsun jarSunJartobias wongTobiasWongtom tomTomTomtoptumblrvalentinesvalentines dayvalentines+day+gift+ideasvalentines+day+gift+ideas+for+girlfriendvalentines+giftsValentinesDayvalentinesdaygiftideasvalentinesdaygiftideasforgirlfriendvalentinesgiftsSun, 13 Feb 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Overdue Reviews: 'Johnny Mnemonic']]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/11/overdue-reviews-johnny-mnemonic/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/11/overdue-reviews-johnny-mnemonic/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/11/overdue-reviews-johnny-mnemonic/#comments Overdue Reviews takes a critical look at tech-centric films that are well-loved, well-loathed or eye-rollingly obscure.

'Johnny Mnemonic' is frequently considered one of the worst sci-fi films of the modern era. It is not! In fact, it stands up exceptionally well after 16 years -- especially if you're drunk. (Seriously, alcohol really helps.)

To refresh your overloaded memory (storyline joke!): Keanu Reeves plays a futuristic courier who's dumped his childhood memories in order to jam a hard drive into his skull. One night, he downloads too much "product," which turns out to be the cure to a worldwide epidemic called Nerve Attenuation Syndrome (NAS). Johnny then gets embroiled with a series of bizarro villains -- like Dolph Lundgren as a cyborg Jesus -- before saving the world with the help of Ice-T and a dolphin.

Roger Ebert said this movie "doesn't deserve one nanosecond of serious analysis but has a kind of idiotic grandeur that makes you almost forgive it." I'm willing to forgive 'Johnny Mnemonic,' not because it oozes camp, but because the movie really meant to be better. The problem is, we've all been watching this movie the wrong way.

Continue reading Overdue Reviews: 'Johnny Mnemonic'

SwitchedOverdue Reviews: 'Johnny Mnemonic' originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dolph+lundgrendolphlundgrenfeaturesjohnny mnemonicJohnnyMnemonickeanu+reeveskeanureevesmoviesoverdue reviewsoverduereviewsrobert longoRobertLongotopwilliam gibsonWilliamGibsonFri, 11 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Backups! How to Save Your Digital World From Doom]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/07/best-computer-backup-tools-sites-save-digital-world/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/07/best-computer-backup-tools-sites-save-digital-world/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/07/best-computer-backup-tools-sites-save-digital-world/#comments It's a fact of life that too many of us learn the excruciatingly painful way: hard drives, like humans, have an unpredictable lifespan. Sometimes they last a long time, but sometimes, well, they die suddenly. Now think of all the physical goods we used to store in shoeboxes and drawers that in today's world exist only in digital form on our PCs: photos, music, home movies, Hollywood movies and TV shows, term papers, work projects, love letters, bank account data and financial forms. They were always perishable -- but, barring floods and natural disasters, most of those things could last a lifetime or more without worry. Not so in the digital age. While many of us have been fortunate enough to have hard drives that last years with nary a hiccup, there's simply no escaping fate. Your hard drive will die, and, if you haven't backed up your precious data, it's gone forever.

That, of course, leaves us all stuck on an eternal treadmill, having to regularly and thoroughly make digital copies of all of our stuff, over and over and over again, lest it disappear. The best we can hope for, then, is finding a system that makes the process as easy and reliable as possible. Thankfully, solutions have appeared in the past several years with a range of services and products to simplify the process. Today, beating the grim reaper before your next backup is far less painful than the days of dragging and dropping individual files, or burning stacks of DVDs or CDs of photo and music archives.

Continue reading Backups! How to Save Your Digital World From Doom

SwitchedBackups! How to Save Your Digital World From Doom originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altaroappsbackupbox.netdata+storagedatastoragedropboxfeaturesGenieTimelinehow+to+backup+applicationshowtobackupapplicationsmozyNASOnlineStorageOopsBackupsugarsyncMon, 07 Feb 2011 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Bowl Sunday's A-Comin', And Here Are Your Game-Day Apps]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/best-iphone-apps-super-bowl-sunday/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/best-iphone-apps-super-bowl-sunday/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/best-iphone-apps-super-bowl-sunday/#commentsSuper Bowl iPhone Apps The Super Bowl, as you might have heard, is Sunday. The NFL playoffs have nearly run their course, the league's pretenders have gradually fallen by the wayside, and, this Sunday, all of America will watch in heightened (and inebriated) anticipation as the Green Bay Packers take on the Pittsburgh Steelers for the right to wear special baseball caps and participate in a parade at Disney World.

But the Super Bowl is so much more than just a "game." It's like Christmas 2 -- an oasis of light amidst a desert of midwinter darkness, a time for everyone across the country to come together around three things that make America great: food, drink, and televised violence. And, as with any other national holiday, Super Bowl Sunday can be super stressful. Whether you're planning a party, placing bets, or simply trying to stay on top of the NFL news cycle, you'll probably need some extra help before, during and after the big game. That's where your iPhone, and these 13 touchdown-worthy apps come into play.

Continue reading Super Bowl Sunday's A-Comin', And Here Are Your Game-Day Apps

SwitchedSuper Bowl Sunday's A-Comin', And Here Are Your Game-Day Apps originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A+ superbowl commercialsA+SuperbowlCommercialsair hornAirHornamerican football - understanding the gameAmericanFootball-UnderstandingTheGameappsbest+iphone+appsbestiphoneappsdirecttvdrink counterDrinkCounterfeaturesfootballgreen bay packersGreenBayPackersiosiphonemadden nfl 2011MaddenNfl2011nfl pro tweetsNflProTweetspackers appPackersApppittsburgh steelersPittsburghSteelerspizza hutPizzaHutpro football liveProFootballLivesteelers gameday plusSteelersGamedayPlussuper bowlsuper bowl xlvsuper+bowl+sundaysuper+bowl+sunday+2011SuperBowlSuperBowlAdssuperbowlsundaysuperbowlsunday2011SuperBowlXlvvuvuzelawebers on the grillWebersOnTheGrillFri, 04 Feb 2011 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Bowl XLV on Twitter: Who to Follow]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/03/super-bowl-xlv-twitter-who-to-follow/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/03/super-bowl-xlv-twitter-who-to-follow/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/03/super-bowl-xlv-twitter-who-to-follow/#commentsSuper Bowl Twitter Accounts Super Bowl XLV presents a particularly intriguing juxtaposition of established tradition and revolutionary technology. The Steelers and Packers represent perhaps the two most storied franchises in NFL history, with each carrying a lunch-pail reputation as a blue-collar, working-class organization. Now, 21st-century tech is allowing unprecedented Super Bowl access to those timeless teams' players, fans and reporters -- putting the everyman player online.

Twitter, in particular, allows observers to instantly follow and discuss every aspect of the NFL's championship game, including the players' preparation, the exhaustive media coverage, the celebrity spectacle and the onslaught of creative commercials. The NFL recently constructed an incredible and exhaustive Twitter aggregation page that "displays a real-time visualization of trending Super Bowl related topics" based on size and "number of mentions." Twitter also features a cornucopia of individualized commentary for each of those Super Bowl scenes, and the tweeting action should undoubtedly kick-off (since there is, you know, an actual game being played) with the players the fans love -- and love to hate.

Continue reading Super Bowl XLV on Twitter: Who to Follow

SwitchedSuper Bowl XLV on Twitter: Who to Follow originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresgreen bay packersGreenBayPackersNFLpittsburgh steelersPittsburghSteelerssportssuper bowlsuper bowl adssuper bowl on twittersuper bowl xlvSuperBowlSuperBowlAdsSuperBowlOnTwitterSuperBowlXlvtoptwittertwitter feedTwitterFeedwho to followWhoToFollowThu, 03 Feb 2011 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[The Magic of OKCupid: Algorithms and Sex Appeal Attract the Hipsters]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/02/okcupid-has-got-the-magic-touch/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/02/okcupid-has-got-the-magic-touch/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/02/okcupid-has-got-the-magic-touch/#commentsokcupid For all intents and purposes, Evan (name changed) is what would be called, in present-day Brooklyn, a catch. He is handsome, fit, quick to smile and incredibly polite. He also plays several instruments and runs a gallery, making art in his free time. In the time that I've known him, Evan has never been short on dates. Over coffee recently, I asked how he met his new girlfriend -- who actually wasn't so new, as they were nearing their six-month anniversary. "OKCupid," he told me, not hiding his shame. I was shocked. He's way too cool to be resorting to match-making services. "Not only did I meet my girlfriend there, but my roommate did the same."

Evan and his roommate Skip, who is as fashionable as he is artistic, were not the type of people I imagined dipping into the digital dating pool. I thought of basement dwellers -- people who'd given up, or were incapable of finding dates in the real world. But in asking a few of my New York friends, I've discovered that almost everyone I knew was on OKCupid. OKCupid had become a home to hip young things looking for dates in New York City, and it appeared that everyone knew this but me.

Continue reading The Magic of OKCupid: Algorithms and Sex Appeal Attract the Hipsters

SwitchedThe Magic of OKCupid: Algorithms and Sex Appeal Attract the Hipsters originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>datingfeaturesholidayok+cupidokcupidokcupid+hipstersokcupid+matchokcupidhipstersokcupidmatchOnlineDatingromanceSamYagantopvalentinesValentinesDaywebWed, 02 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[4G Decoded: WiMAX, LTE and the Next Generation Cell Phone Networks]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/01/4g-explained-wimax-lte-hspa-cell-phone-networks/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/01/4g-explained-wimax-lte-hspa-cell-phone-networks/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/01/4g-explained-wimax-lte-hspa-cell-phone-networks/#comments4G Decoded Part of being a smart consumer is understanding how technology works, why we use it the way we do, and what that barrage of acronyms and PR jargon means. We're here to help you make sense of it all, and to give you a better appreciation of how those transistors, pixels, and antennae come together to deliver the conveniences of the modern world to you.

If you thought our guide to 3G tech was confusing, the 4G scene is about as convoluted as 'Jersey Shore' sleeping arrangements. As was the case with 3G, there are different technologies competing to become king of the mobile data heap. But there is a more troublesome question that makes the whole thing problematic: what exactly is 4G? As it turns out, the answer isn't the clear-cut, faster-than-3G solution mobile providers hope you believe.

Continue reading 4G Decoded: WiMAX, LTE and the Next Generation Cell Phone Networks

Switched4G Decoded: WiMAX, LTE and the Next Generation Cell Phone Networks originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3g4gATTcellphonesfeaturesinternetLTEsprintT-MobileTMobiletopverizonwebwimaxWimax2wirelessTue, 01 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How to Score Your Dream LCD TV on the Cheap for the Super Bowl]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/31/best-affordable-lcd-hdtv-for-super-bowl/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/31/best-affordable-lcd-hdtv-for-super-bowl/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/31/best-affordable-lcd-hdtv-for-super-bowl/#comments hdtv HDTVs have been around for a decade now, and, if you have the lucky pleasure of hosting this year's Super Bowl party and are without an HDTV, we assure you that now is the time to take the plunge. We've got the HDTV that'll score as high as your preferred team, and won't bust your bank account, either. HDTVs are a mature enough technology today that even average ones perform rather well, and all of them have the requisite connections and built-in technologies to last for a good long time. Unless, of course, this whole 3-D thing takes off... but we aren't holding our breath.

Super Bowl week happens to be a great time to buy an HDTV at a reasonable price, as long as you don't mind buying a slightly dated model. That's because CES, where everyone announced all their new models for the coming year, was a few weeks ago, and now much of the selection in stores is older stock. Before you go and spend the cash that is burning a hole in your pocket on the cheapest set you can find, we'd offer a few tips for getting the best bang for your buck, and which sale models are steals at three price points.

Continue reading How to Score Your Dream LCD TV on the Cheap for the Super Bowl

SwitchedHow to Score Your Dream LCD TV on the Cheap for the Super Bowl originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>120hz240hz3DtvfeaturesHDTVpanasonic TC-L42U25PanasonicTc-l42u25Samsung UN46C7000SamsungUn46c7000super bowlSuperBowlSuperBowlPartyVizio XVT423SVVizioXvt423svMon, 31 Jan 2011 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Anonymous and Tunisia: A New Cyber Warfare?]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/29/anonymous-and-tunisia-a-new-cyber-warfare/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/29/anonymous-and-tunisia-a-new-cyber-warfare/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/29/anonymous-and-tunisia-a-new-cyber-warfare/#commentsanonymousTunisia's 'Jasmine Revolution' ignited on December 17th, when a street vendor named Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in front of a local police station. The demonstration struck a chord within millions of Tunisians -- many of whom, like Bouazizi, had fallen on hard times, due to the country's stagnant labor market, skyrocketing food prices and high-level political corruption. Within days, protesters had flooded the streets of Sidi Bouzid, an economically downtrodden region of the country. Within weeks, they had forced President Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali to flee the country, after 23 years of autocratic rule.
As the upheaval unfolded, it soon became clear that the Jasmine Revolution was not a typical uprising. Tunisians spread their revolutionary fervor to the digital sphere, where Ben Ali's regime had previously enjoyed unchallenged sovereignty. As scores of protesters clashed with police and demanded economic and social reform, an equally impassioned, if comparatively less tangible war was being waged online -- one involving not tear gas and demonstrators, but malware and rogue hackers.

Continue reading Anonymous and Tunisia: A New Cyber Warfare?

SwitchedAnonymous and Tunisia: A New Cyber Warfare? originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anonymousfacebookfeatureshacktivismhactivistsjasmine revolutionJasmineRevolutionoperation tunisiaOperationTunisiaoptunisiaPresident Zine Al Abidine Ben AliPresidentZineAlAbidineBenAlisocialnetworkingtwitterwikileaksSat, 29 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bandcamp Decoded: An Indie Musician's Best (and Most Profitable) Friend]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/24/bandcamp-review-music-publishing-sharing-site/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/24/bandcamp-review-music-publishing-sharing-site/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/24/bandcamp-review-music-publishing-sharing-site/#commentsbandcamp For starving musicians and champagne-sipping mega-stars alike, a strong digital presence is essential. The ways in which artists can present and sell their work online are constantly expanding, changing the face of the music industry in the process. The need for intermediaries between artist and audience, such as record labels and publicists, is a thing of the past.

Enter Bandcamp, a service that allows musicians to price and sell their work as they see fit, in whatever digital format they choose. This user-defined pricing scheme puts a great deal of control in the hands of artists, albeit at the cost of a profit percentage that goes to the site. In essence, a user's sales fund the service's operations, which in turn aim to help market and sell the musician better. It's a trade-off that has proven to be a powerful tool for accomplished musicians such as Sufjan Stevens and Amanda Palmer. But Bandcamp can benefit the less established as well -- as long as they're willing to accept the compromise. Read on to see if Bandcamp's innovative business model is your key to freedom from the shackles of iTunes' uniform pricing, or just another shady tactic from the record industry.

Continue reading Bandcamp Decoded: An Indie Musician's Best (and Most Profitable) Friend

SwitchedBandcamp Decoded: An Indie Musician's Best (and Most Profitable) Friend originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandcampfeaturesindieIndieMusicmusicMusicIndustrymyspaceplayroomsocialnetworkingstreamingStreamingMusictopwebMon, 24 Jan 2011 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[These Designs Are Really Sexy: The Best Sex Tech in Vegas]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/11/best-design-vibrators-2011-aee/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/11/best-design-vibrators-2011-aee/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/11/best-design-vibrators-2011-aee/#comments From the Consumer Electronics Show to the Adult Entertainment Expo, we looked at the forward-thinking objects meant to bring (and create) pleasure. At Switched, we are big proponents of rethinking the way women (and men) can use technology for pleasure, and the days of anatomical, phallic sex objects -- for us at least -- are over. These gorgeously designed devices are intuitive and feminine, demonstrating that innovation, and sexuality, can be beautiful.

Continue reading These Designs Are Really Sexy: The Best Sex Tech in Vegas

SwitchedThese Designs Are Really Sexy: The Best Sex Tech in Vegas originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adult entertainmentadult entertainment expoAdultEntertainmentAdultEntertainmentExpoaeedesignfeatureslaidleloonosexsex toysSexToystoptrojanultrazoneTue, 11 Jan 2011 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[3-D TV at CES: Going Small and Cheap, Whether You Want It or Not]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/10/3d-tvs-2011-ces-smaller-cheaper-more-content/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/10/3d-tvs-2011-ces-smaller-cheaper-more-content/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/10/3d-tvs-2011-ces-smaller-cheaper-more-content/#commentsAs we wandered the halls of CES 2011, one thing became abundantly clear: that this 3-D thing just isn't going away. We'd previously written off 3-D TV and movies as gimmicky and prone to producing headaches, but the industry is clearly taking it very seriously. Last year, all the major TV manufacturers were pushing 3-D sets, and all were back this year with upgraded displays, new glasses and improved tech. But more surprising was the number of smaller brands jumping on the bandwagon, and the extent to which the larger companies were banking the trend. Samsung even announced that more than half of its TV lineup in 2011 would be 3-D. So, will 2011 be the year that 3-D hits critical mass and becomes an accepted form of content? We still doubt it. While 3-D capable sets may find a foothold in the living room, there still seems to be a lack of compelling content and enthusiasm from consumers. That being said, 2011 kicked off with a mega market push, falling costs and wider variety, suggesting that your 3-D options are just beginning to unfold. Join us to see what's coming in the world of 3-D displays in 2011 and beyond.

Continue reading 3-D TV at CES: Going Small and Cheap, Whether You Want It or Not

Switched3-D TV at CES: Going Small and Cheap, Whether You Want It or Not originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-D3D3dTv3netcescobydisplaysespn 3dEspn3dfeatureshaierhbolgmoviessamsungsonytoptoshibavizioMon, 10 Jan 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Switched Weighs In: Gadgets, Apps and Tech That Made Our 2010]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/31/switched-weighs-in-gadgets-apps-and-tech-that-made-our-2010/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/31/switched-weighs-in-gadgets-apps-and-tech-that-made-our-2010/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/31/switched-weighs-in-gadgets-apps-and-tech-that-made-our-2010/#comments 2010 has been a pretty packed year for tech. Streaming video came into its own with radically improved content choices and affordable living room hardware devices, Android and Apple's iOS dominated the cell phone market, the mobile app markets show no sign of slowing down and the iPad revealed a huge demand for tablets. We here at Switched have taken a look back over the past 12 months and each picked our favorite new device, app or technology. Share your can't-live-without tech from 2010 in the comments.

Continue reading Switched Weighs In: Gadgets, Apps and Tech That Made Our 2010

SwitchedSwitched Weighs In: Gadgets, Apps and Tech That Made Our 2010 originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidEverNotefeaturesgorillazhgghulukanye westKanyeWestmusic industryMusicIndustryNoteTakingproductivityrobynstreamingstreaming videoStreamingVideoyearinreviewFri, 31 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Privacy, Pervs and 'Pads: The Tech Moments of 2010 We Won't (and Can't) Forget]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/31/2010-top-tech-moments-ipad-privacy-pervs/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/31/2010-top-tech-moments-ipad-privacy-pervs/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/31/2010-top-tech-moments-ipad-privacy-pervs/#comments Is it just us, or did 2010 seem like an abnormally long year? Of course, it was no longer than any other year in history. But, from a tech perspective, at least, this year saw more seismic changes and game-altering developments than any other in recent memory. From Android to Zuckerberg, 'FarmVille' to Foursquare, iPad to iPhone 4, 2010 certainly wasn't short on memorable moments. Here are 15 events and trends that we'll never forget.

Continue reading Privacy, Pervs and 'Pads: The Tech Moments of 2010 We Won't (and Can't) Forget

SwitchedPrivacy, Pervs and 'Pads: The Tech Moments of 2010 We Won't (and Can't) Forget originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-d3d3dtvandroidchatroulettefacebookfarmvillefeaturesfoursquaregooglegowallahggipadIphone4JamesCameronkinkinectlocationmark zuckerbergMarkZuckerbergmicrosoft kinMicrosoftKinmotion gamingMotionGamingnet neutralitynetflixNetNeutralitysecuritystreamingstuxnettopxbox kinectXboxKinectyearinreviewzyngaFri, 31 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Best Tech Writing of 2010]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/30/best-technology-writing-of-2010/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/30/best-technology-writing-of-2010/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/30/best-technology-writing-of-2010/#comments Writing, whether it appeared in print or on a blog, was dissected, critiqued, relinked and shared faster than ever in 2010. Just take a look at the recent arguments on the Lamo/Manning Wikileaks chat logs between Salon's Glenn Greenwald and Wired's Kevin Poulsen that have spilled out from traditional columns to Twitter and back again. A New Yorker article from Malcolm Gladwell kicked off an Internet-wide debate on the efficacy of social activism through social networking, and discussion of the Internet's attack on our and ever-dwindling attention spans raged all year long. We took a look back at this year's most notable, controversial and challenging tech articles, picked some of our favorites and broke down the rest by privacy, entertainment, life and the Web, Web culture, people, business and gadgets. Fire up Instapaper or your favorite reading app and enjoy!

Continue reading The Best Tech Writing of 2010

SwitchedThe Best Tech Writing of 2010 originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best tech writingBestTechWritingfeaturesjournalismmediatech writingTechWritingThu, 30 Dec 2010 17:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Nintendo DS and DSi Games of 2010, From Alice to Ace]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/29/best-nintendo-ds-dsi-games-2010/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/29/best-nintendo-ds-dsi-games-2010/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/29/best-nintendo-ds-dsi-games-2010/#commentsBest DS Games A monumental year for console gamers, 2010 brought such brilliant efforts as 'Red Dead Redemption,' 'Mass Effect 2,' 'Alan Wake' and 'God of War 3.' With such an abundance of riches to be had on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, it can be easy to overlook the diminutive Nintendo DS. This would be a huge mistake; 2010 ushered in a plethora of games for the system that rivaled many console blockbusters. With the 3DS due out next year, 2010 may prove to be the DS's swan song. While the year may not have been exactly explosive, it still had enough hits to help the system go out with a bang. For those who've cast aside their DS, or have missed out on some incredible gems, here is our list of the top ten DS games of 2010.

Continue reading Best Nintendo DS and DSi Games of 2010, From Alice to Ace

SwitchedBest Nintendo DS and DSi Games of 2010, From Alice to Ace originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ace Attorney Investigations-Miles-EdgeworthAceAttorneyInvestigations-miles-edgeworthalice in wonderlandAliceInWonderlanddragon quest ixDragonQuestIxfeaturesgaminginfinite spaceInfiniteSpacemight and magic clash of heroesMightAndMagicClashOfHeroesnine hours nine persons nine doorsNineHoursNinePersonsNineDoorsnintendonintendo dsNintendoDspicross 3dPicross3dprofessor layton and the unwound futureProfessorLaytonAndTheUnwoundFutureShin Megami TenseiShinMegamiTenseisonic colorsSonicColorsyearinreviewWed, 29 Dec 2010 10:10:00 EST