Switched

Top 11 E-Mail Scams

Joshua Fruhlinger — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:10:00 EST

Filed under: Computers, Back to School Guide 2008

You've heard about them, you've seen them, perhaps you've been had by one: e-mail scams. Millions of people are cheated over e-mail every year. In 2005 alone, consumers lost nearly $14 million dollars to Internet scams. Sadly, that number is on the rise as crooks come up with new methods to get at your money and information. We capture eleven of the worst on the following pages.

Usually, scammers attempt to trick you into filling out forms on rogue sites. Rogue sites usually look legitimate (some are even replicas of legitimate sites you trust), but they are set up to spread a virus, collect names for spammers or grab your personal information. Other scams try to get you to reply to e-mails requesting your personal data like passwords and bank account numbers. Once you've given up the info, criminals can siphon your cash, make purchases and get out before you even have a chance to track them down.

We talked to some experts, including Carol McKay of the National Consumers League, to get some advice, which we've included here, on handling some of the bigger scams. She offers up some tips you literally can't afford to miss, and we've come up with a few of our own that should keep you safe from persistent online scammers. Read on, and stay safe....

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Best iPod Docks for Your Dorm Room

Evan Shamoon — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Editor's Picks, iPod, iPhone, Home Audio, Portable Audio, Reviews, Back to School Guide 2008

With the possible exceptions of ramen and the occasional sixer of Natty Ice, there's nothing quite as essential for the scholarly life as music. And with all your music on your iPod, a quality dock can be just the thing to give your dorm room the moodiness it so desperately needs. Check out this handful of winners.

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Switched Download: TuneUp iTunes Plug-In

Terrence O'Brien — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, iPod, Windows Software, Reviews, Downloads

What it is:

Got a messy, disorganized iTunes library? Here's a solution: Launched last week, TuneUp is a free iTunes plug-in that is supposed to help you reign in your unwieldy music collection by cleaning up tags, like misspelled song titles and unnumbered tracks, as well as add missing album art. If that wasn't enough, it also tracks down YouTube videos related to artists you're listening to and looks for upcoming concerts in your area.

How it works:

The reasonably small 12-megabyte (MB) download adds a side bar to your iTunes with tabs for "cleaning up" your music, adding missing album art, a "now playing" tab with related videos, and a tab of upcoming concerts in your area.

What we like:

We're a bunch of lazy bastards. Anything that will correct all of our (legally?) downloaded music's tags without us spending 20 minutes selecting and typing is welcome addition to our computer toolbox. We also enjoy how much more effective TuneUp is at finding album art than the album art finder built into iTunes, which works 20 percent of the time on a good day.

What we don't:

We realize it's brand new and subject to quirks, but this thing is buggier than a South Bronx housing project. We managed to bring iTunes to a grinding halt (which is admitedly not hard to do) about half a dozen times in our first half hour with TuneUp. TuneUp works great as long as you don't do things like add new music to your library, which can take the plug-in out of service for up to 10 minutes.

The concert tab and album art tab could use some organizing or a search feature. The cover art tab lists every album's missing artwork, which can get overwhelming on larger music collections. And the concert tab lists every upcoming event in your area, which is quite a lot if you live a major metropolitan area like New York City. Neither tab offers any way of browsing them outside of scrolling through the lengthy lists.

Also, despite being designed for iTunes, TuneUp is currently Windows only....odd.

Verdict:
Despite its shortcomings, TuneUp would be worth keeping an eye on as it matures if it weren't for one thing - the price. The free version is limited to cleaning 500 tracks and finding the album art for 50 albums, which is fine for smaller collections, or well-kept large music libraries with just a few missing pieces. However, we can't see shelling out $11.95 a year or $19.95 for a life time of the service until it runs more smoothly and gets some design and navigation updates.There's no doubt that music-library organizing apps are much needed by music collectors, so despite the price, we'll be keeping an eye on this one and keep you posted.

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Five Worst Game-to-Movie Translations

Evan Shamoon — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:39:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Video Games, Celebrities, Top Lists, Slideshows

Let's face it: Despite many half-hearted attempts, there still hasn't really been a good video-game-turned-movie ... ever. Here are some of the worst moments in an entire genre of worst moments.

'DOOM' (2005)

This was just a bad idea from the get-go. As a game, 'DOOM' really had no story to begin with -- shooting demonic monsters does not a narrative make -- and trying to turn it into a full-length movie was pretty much a hopeless endeavor. Unsurprisingly, it goes for the shlocky, brainless shoot-em-up thing, but just sorta falls flat (despite a decent cast including The Rock, Karl Urban, and Rosamund Pike). There is a moment worth watching, however: Towards the end of the film, the camera takes on the classic first person perspective of the game, and hurls you through its extended action sequence climax. So you can pretty much just fast-forward to that part.

Gallery: Bad Game Movies

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Are Movies and TV Shows Upstaging Video Games?

Evan Shamoon — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Video Games, TV, Back to School Guide 2008

Oddly enough, one might argue that the biggest news of this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) had less to do with video games, and more to do with other forms of digital media -- namely, movies and television. Essentially, the long-promised set-top box that does everything in addition to playing games, is well on its way into existence, with Microsoft, Sony, and even third-party publishers, getting in on the "downloadable media" thing,

While Nintendo has stayed out of the "console as media player" race with thus far (due, at least partially, to the Wii's lack of a hard drive -- required for storing and streaming movies), both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (PS3) will be getting quite a bit of downloadable content. On 360, Microsoft announced that Netflix's on-demand programming will be available on the console later this year. What does this mean? Xbox Live subscribers that already have Netflix memberships can enjoy Netflix on their 360 at no additional cost (note: this is not the entire Netflix library, but only the movies that are available for download on PC).

Sony, meanwhile, used its press conference as an opportunity to announce that it will be carrying (or are at least willing to carry) all movie studios' video content on its PlayStaiton Network (PSN) video delivery service. As of Tuesday night, movies and TV shows are available for both sale and rental, and are even portable as well -- you can actually buy somehting on your PS3, download it to your PSP, and have it live on both devices at the same time. Prices will be $2.99 for an SD rental, and $5.99 for an HD download, while it'll cost you $14.99 to purchase SD movies, and HD content will be available for purchase at an as-yet-unspecified price. The service goes live tonight.

And that's not all. There's even more, like Sony's inclusion of free and paid "gearhead" video content in 'Gran Turismo 5: Prologue' (essentially, car-related videos that you download directly into the game's front-end), and persisting rumors that Activision will be launching its own iTunes-Store-like music download shop for Guitar Hero.

Stay tuned -- the new media frontier seems to be changing by the minute. How about you, do you use your video game console to watch TV and/or movies?

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Hands-on With 'Rock Band 2'

Joshua Fruhlinger — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: Video Games

If you're jonesing to get your Rock Band 2 on like we are, you'll be all over these new shots of the game's upcoming controllers that we got all grubby on today at E3.

First, the new guitars not only look better, but they will include some welcome hardware tweaks. The new axe includes an optical sensor that will make syncing the game to your display a breeze. Rather than go through that annoying tap..tap...tap synchronization scheme, all you'll need to do is hold up your controller to your display and it will figure things out with you based on your screen's refresh rate.

In addition, the new guitars have been updated with slicker fret controls that make it easier to slide from one to the other. Meanwhile, the strum bar has been tightened up a bit. No clicking, though -- the guys at Harmonix say no one "dreams of playing a metronome" anyway. A dig at 'Guitar Hero?' Perhaps, but if you're looking for some click feedback from your controller, look elsewhere.

Don't miss the image gallery over at Engadget.

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Worst E-mail Scams Right Now

Joshua Fruhlinger — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:11:00 EST

Usually, scammers attempt to trick you into filling out forms on rogue sites. Rogue sites usually look legitimate (some are even replicas of legitimate sites you trust), but they are set up to spread a virus, collect names for spammers or grab your personal information. Other scams try to get you to reply to e-mails requesting your personal data like passwords and bank account numbers. Once you've given up the info, criminals can siphon your cash, make purchases and get out before you even have a chance to track them down.

We talked to Carol McKay of the National Consumers League to get some advice, which we've included here, on handling some of the bigger scams. She offers up some tips you literally can't afford to miss, and we've come up with a few of our own that should keep you safe from persistent online scammers. Read on, and stay safe....

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Top 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies

Evan Shamoon — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST

Filed under: School Supplies

It's not here quite yet, but it's coming. You know, the time when you (or someone you birthed) heads back into the somber fray of study, working tirelessly to make ample use of the thousands invested in his or her education. Here are a few ways to make the learning process a bit more enjoyable (depending on whether you're the spender or the spendee).

Apple MacBook/Gateway P Series

Picking the right laptop is difficult, particularly on the PC side (on the Mac side, a MacBook is usually powerful enough for anything, except video work, for which a MacBook Pro is much better suited.) On the PC side, our pick is Gateway's P-Series notebooks. They can handle gaming, movies and media (and "word processing"), and really any reasonable task you throw at them (including video and graphics work).

Though a bit bulkier, the full-sized keyboards on the 17-inch screen makes writing papers a bit more comfortable. If you're a young Luddite or don't play many games, then go with a Mac; if you're a gamer and online-app head, then your only choice is a PC.

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Top 10 Most Stubborn People in Tech

Dan Reilly — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Computers, Celebrities

Inspiration for a good business idea can strike anytime, but only a lucky few will ever see their brainchild become a smashing success. Even fewer have the guts to hold on to their idea in the face of skepticism and adversity while resisting change from outside forces. We took a closer look at some of the most successful tech businesses, and the figures behind them, that have stayed true to their original goals or persevered when it looked like they would fail. You'll either be motivated to pursue your own ideas or curse these guys for making it seem so easy.

Steve Jobs

For a while, it seemed that Microsoft would always be the top dog in technology. Nowadays, Apple is the hip brand that consumers flock to, mainly due to founder and CEO Steve Jobs' determination to come up with innovative and attractive products while Microsoft keeps churning out new versions of Windows. When Jobs took over Apple again in 1996, the company had suffered great financial losses but things began to turn around with the debut of the first iMac in 1998. Since then, the realm of online music has been particularly good for Jobs - when it seemed nobody would pay for songs again, iTunes succeeded, and the iPod crushed Microsoft's Zune. In addition to the jabs from the Mac versus PC ads, Jobs' quest for domination is evident in children's movies.

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Mo Rocca Invades the National Text-Messaging Championships (Video)

Ben Chertoff — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Cell Phones, Interviews, Switched Video, Summer Fun

Digital dexterity is no match for ring-side reporter Mo Rocca. Thumbs fly, collars pop and hearts break in our exclusive, behind-the-scenes coverage of the 2008 LG National Texting Championships. Pro-texter Morgan Pozgar walked out with a cool $25,000 after beating out the competition at last year's tournament, and she returns this year to defend the much-coveted title.

For 2008, the stakes have been upped to 50 large, and the competition again brings together the world's fastest text message typers. Over the course of several rounds of competition, the slow and sloppy are weeded out. Does last year's champ Morgan Pozgar hold on to her title, or can newcomer Nathan Schwartz prevail in the world's premier texting battle? On the edge of your seat? Check out the video below for full coverage. ROFLMAO, OMG.

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Five Things to Consider Before Buying a Digital Camera

Evan Shamoon — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:17:00 EST

Filed under: Cameras, Advice, Summer Fun, Back to School Guide 2008

Like most purchases that require forking over a bunch of hard-earned cash for a long-term piece of electronics that you're going to use all the time, figuring out which digital camera to buy isn't easy. There are so many options out there at this point that it can be overwhelming -- and other than "taking pictures," the uses and options for the various models and styles of camera are incredibly varied. So we've put together this handy guide to help you though the big decision. Take our hand and look us in the eye: It's gonna be okay. There's a camera out there just right for you.

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Robin Williams' Daughter Zelda Is Cooler Than Her Dad

Christine Whitney — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:41:00 EST

Filed under: Celebrities, iPhone

When other 14-year-olds were playing with D-I-Y hair coloring and making prank phone calls, Zelda Williams was busily working on David Duchovny's movie 'House of D' opposite her Pops Robin. Now babygirl's all grown up, and has just finished working on her second feature, the indy gaystravaganza 'Were the World Mine,' a musical in the tradition of 'Hedwig' that was recently featured in New York's LGBT film festival NewFest. The 18-year-old video game legend/movie actress chatted with Switched about her Xbox addiction, her cool playlist, and how much she hearts her iPhone. Thanks Zelda! We heart YOU!

What gadgets do you always bring with you to the set (for down-time?)

In an ideal world I'd bring my Xbox 360, steal someone's Wi-Fi and play Halo 3 or Katamari Damacy all day, but then I'd never get work done. As it is, my laptop and my Bose headphones are usually enough.

What cell phone do you have right now and what do you love/hate about it?

I'm an iPhone convert. I'd been previously addicted to the keyboard on the Sidekick 3, but I've since been miraculously cured. Sure, there're a couple things that could be improved upon (I would LOVE a better motion stabilizer in the camera), and I certainly miss touch-texting, but mostly, I heart it. I heart it hardcore.

Who's the last person you sent a text message to and what was it about?

I texted my friend Tarina about the N.E.R.D. concert I went to yesterday. I'm still mostly deaf, and more than a little sore from dancing.

Where do you go (site or service) pretty much every time you get online?

Notcot.org, Geekologie.com, Wikipedia, NY Times, Dlisted.com. I also like to play Text Twist a lot, and I occasionally guiltily peak in on Perezhilton.com

What annoys you most about your iPod, cell phone, or laptop (or any other gadget)?

I gotta say, my Mac does occasionally like to play games with me, such as 'Hide the Dock', or 'Haha, random application quit'. However, I have dropped it a number of times. It could just be exacting its revenge.

Name one thing you wish your cellphone could do that it doesn't do now?

Cook, clean, pimp itself out to pay for it's own bills... However, if I'm being realistic (which I'm obviously not), I'd love a phone that had a laptop's memory capabilities. I have nearly 6,000 songs and I'm the digital equivalent of a pack rat. There's just never enough room for it all.

What upcoming gadget can you not wait to get your hands on?

I feel like I'm cheating on my iPhone already, but the new HTC touch pro looks might fine, though it's application icon design could use a little spiffing up. Otherwise, the next new game or console. I'm a videogame junkie. What'd you expect from a kid named after one?

You're stranded on a desert island: What gadget do you bring?

My laptop. At least I'd have music and movies for a while, and when it runs out of juice, it'd still make a mighty fine weapon.

What's the most-played song or artist on your iPod?

Tough call. I did make a playlist for a friend a couple days back with some of my favorites, current and everlasting:

Cry Me a River - Ella Fitzgerald
Glory Box - Portishead
ThickFreakness - The Black Keys
Set Me Free - The Heavy
Sinnerman (Felix Da Housecat's Heavenly House Mix) - Nina Simone
I against I - Jedi Mind Tricks
Just - Mark Ronson and Phantom Planet
Everyone Nose (All the Girls Standing In the Line for the Bathroom) - N.E.R.D.
This is the Thing - Fink
Bum Like You (alt. Version) - Robyn
Waiting for a War - The Morning Benders
Die Alone - Ingrid Michaelson
Romantic Rights - Death From Above 1979
The Birth and Death of a Day - Explosions in the Sky

BlackBerry, Sidekick, or Treo?

I never kiss and tell...especially not with my iphone within earshot!

Do you have an iPhone? Are you getting the new iPhone 3G?

Already have... though I may have to get the new one after people report back about it.

What's the longest time you've ever spent playing a video game in one sitting and what game was it?

God, I've easily spent 8 hours or more on Halo or Call of Duty in one sitting before (with breaks for food of course). Time well spent you ask me, though my ass may disagree.

Mac or PC?

Mac 17-inch Laptop. It's user friendly, has nifty applications, and a beautiful design. It's a handsome machine, I must say.

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How To Impress Kids at the July 4 Barbeque

Switched Staff — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:07:00 EST

Filed under: Summer Fun

It's barbecue time. Time for fireworks, friends, beer, hot dogs, and your teenage cousins to make fun of you. Instead of trying to convince them that Winona Ryder really was the cool chick in the 80s, why not ask him or her about sites? You'll sound like the coolest, in-the-know tech-savvy uncle (aunt, grandma, etc.) at the party.

Facebook and MySpace

Let's get these out of the way. They may be obvious, but just a simple mention of MySpace or Facebook could turn your teenage friend white with fear that you've seen his or her page. Instead, mention that you know of some pretty cool template sites that can make his or her MySpace page really groovy (don't use that word).

The conversation will surely lead to the teen saying that MySpace really isn't very cool anymore. Don't fret or sound too enthusiastic about any of your Web 2.0 knowledge -- play along and mention that you've heard Facebook, while infinitely more usable than MySpace, has probably jumped the shark.The site has become one of the world's most popular social networking sites, and its moment of cool may have passed. Still looking for a little cred-booster? Name-drop social-networking sites like Virb, Pownce, and Flickr and see how the kids react.

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The 10 Most Stubborn People in Tech

Dan Reilly — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:47:00 EST

Filed under: Editor's Picks, Celebrities, Top Lists, iPod, Slideshows, iPhone, Visionaries

Steve Jobs

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How To Impress The Kids at the July 4 Barbeque 3

Thomas Houston — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Summer Fun

Muxtape / The Hype Machine

Feeling totally lost in the musical world of iPods, angst-ridden emo bands, and music sharing? Muxtape might be more your style. The idiot-proof site lets you share and explore music in a quick-and-easy playlist form without the trouble of online friending or the inanity of poking, just like the cassette-based mixtape of years past. If you have the Web skills to navigate an upload form, you'll have a shareable playlist of your favorite tracks in no time.

As music genres continue to splinter and grow in new and exciting ways -- you have heard dubstep, IDM and freak folk right? -- the old record charts are increasingly worthless as a guide to finding anything outside the mainstream. If you're in need of an influx of hip, head on over to The Hype Machine, which plugs into the power of the burgeoning world of music bloggers, and listen to the latest and greatest in underground and indie music. While we can't promise you'll be able to keep up with today's name-dropping, genre-hopping kids, you should still check the site any time during the day and you'll be able to see and hear what the current hottest tracks on the Web are, whether it's an obscure new Radiohead live recording or an underground dance hit from Sweden. The kids are going to be really psyched that you know The Killers from The Knife.

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Top Beach Day Gadget Picks

Dan Reilly — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 12:36:00 EST

Filed under: Top Lists, Summer Fun

It used to be that the most expensive gadget you brought to the beach was an FM radio that got questionable reception. But times have changed, and thanks to advances in modern technology, you can take your day of sun and fun to the next level -- or, at the very least, make it a tad more convenient.

The Rolling Cooler/Audio System

Get all your party needs, minus tomorrow morning's I.V. injection of Red Bull and Excedrin, with this $150 gadget from Hammacher. The outside has an AM/FM radio with two 3-watt speakers that fit into a removable nylon sleeve. The Igloo cooler holds up to 58 tall boy cans and the wheels mean your fun is easily portable.

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Use Your Phone to Save Time and Money

Ian Rowan — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:50:00 EST

Filed under: Cell Phones, Summer Fun, Back to School Guide 2008

While few of us have actually received a cell phone bill as large as this poor fellow, we've all been privy to the occasional shockingly huge cell phone bill. It's no surprise, considering the ways in which carriers can hit us with hidden fees, exorbitant rates for going over our monthly minutes, or extra charges for seemingly innocuous extra feature such as call waiting. Fool us once, shame on us; fool us twice, and we find a way to cut those costs. So, take a look at our five top tips for lowering your phone bill.

1. Choose The Right Plan

The easiest solution to high cell phone bills is as simple as switching your plan. If you're not using all your monthly minutes, then downgrade to a cheaper plan with less talk time. If you're going over your minutes, then it's upgrade time. But there are other options: Whether or not you have a family, you should still consider a Family Plan, which lets you get extra cell phones and bulk minutes at reduced rates, and the best thing is that any calls to other phones on the plan don't use up any of your minutes. If you're a heavy caller, texter, and e-mailer, then consider one of the new unlimited plans, which let you do all of the above for around $99-$150 per month (again, it' s a savings if you're a power user). There are also alternatives to being stuck with a plan. Most carriers now offer a pay-as-you-go alternatives that allow you to pay for the calls you make, which is useful for those who rarely use their cell phones at all.

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Losing Face on Facebook - 5 True Stories

Colin McDonald — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Computers, MySpace

Even the charmed lives of beauty queens can be dragged through the mud by Facebook photos taken far away from the pageant stage. Miss New Jersey Amy Polumbo discovered this firsthand over the summer when she was the target of a strange "blackmail plot" centered on profile images of her partying and carrying on in a less than royal fashion. She ended up releasing the photos herself, and soon everyone was wondering what the fuss was all about -- from venture capitalists to gossip reporters, Facebook has a tendency to get people riled up.

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Fix It or Toss It?

Dan Reilly — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Advice, Summer Fun

As any electronics owner knows, things break, sometimes for no reason at all. Now comes the hard part -- making the decision whether to get your gadget fixed or throw it out in favor or a brand new model. Since we're all about helping our readers, we've put together some tips to help you make the right decision about when it's time to save what you've got and when you should say goodbye. The only thing we can't do is hold your hand while you choose.

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Ex-Eagle Don Felder Hearts Treos, Computers, and His Girl's Face

Christine Whitney — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Editor's Picks, Interviews, Celebrities, Summer Fun

Remember that one kid in your class who wore the Hawaiian shirts and played 'Hotel California' on his guitar at each and every school talent show, 'cuz he just loved The Eagles that much? Well, he's super excited about onetime lead guitar Eagle Don Felder's new memoir Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001). Here, The Eagles' secrets will be revealed -- tensions will run high, hotel rooms will be ravaged, and fans will swoon.

Homeboy will be crazy jealous when he finds out that Felder talked to the kids at Switched about his tech secrets, and his fiancée. You heard it here first. Drop down and get your Eagle on.

What gadgets do you always bring with you to the set (for down-time?

MacBook Pro, Canon camera, Treo 680, iPod, Bose noise cancelling headphones, 100 GB mini external drive, MOTU Ultralite, Guitar and cables.

What cell phone do you have right now and what do you love/hate about it?

I have a Treo 680. I love the PDA features including texting, email, contacts, web browsing, phone reception clarity and hot sync ease.

Who's the last person you sent a text message to and what was it about?

My fiancée telling her I love her face.

Where do you go (site or service) pretty much every time you get online?

MySpace, AOL, Facebook, eBay, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Sharenow.com and donfelder.com. I have lots of friends and emails to attend to daily as well as keeping up with the election results and world news.

What annoys you most about your iPod, cell phone, or laptop?

DROPPED CALLS. Maybe one day they'll figure out a way to make these things work.

Name one thing you wish your iPod/cellphone/laptop could do that it doesn't do now?

I wish it could do voice texting/email so I would stop nearly killing myself while driving.

What upcoming gadget can you not wait to get your hands on?

Flying car so I don't have to be stuck in LA traffic anymore.

You're stranded on a desert island: What gadget do you bring?

A satellite cell phone with a built in GPS so I can call for help....DUH

What's the most-played song or artist on your iPod?

Alicia Keys & John Mayer. I respect artists that can sing, write and play.

Blackberry, Sidekick, or Treo?

Treo 680 - love it!!!

Do you have an iPhone?

I'm waiting for the new version to come out and for my friends to let me know if it's any better with the texting and battery problems than the first model. I'd love to have one but need the texting and e-mail features most of all. That seems to be the weakest part of the iPhone. I wish it had a keyboard.

What's the longest time you've ever spent playing a video game in one sitting and what game was it?

I don't play video games. I'm totally spastic when it comes to doing something with my thumbs. My kids beat me every time I try. It becomes far too frustrating.

Mac or PC

Both, I have 12 computers. Here are how they are used:

2 Mac Book Pros for use on the road and in my stage show.
4 PCs - 3 in my studio for running sound applications like Gigasampler and 1 in my office for business
4 Mac G5's in my studio for Pro Tools, Digital Performer, Logic, Illustrator, Photoshop and Go Live web design.
1 Mac in my home running iTunes for my house sound system
1 Mac G5 in my graphics art studio for all graphics programs.

Yes, I'm a computer NERD.

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Gone Phishing? Collaborative Site Roots Out E-Mail Scams

Will Safer — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:12:00 EST

Filed under: Computers

It's time to assemble your pole, bait the line and drop a hook into the wild waters of the Internet. Yes, Switched fans, we're looking to get the catch of the day, PhishTank style.

The folks at PhishTank, part of OpenDNS, have tapped the social-linking-collaborative environment of Web 2.0 to assemble what could be the master list of all phishing scams out there on the Web today.

A phishing scam is an attempt by some ne'er-do-well to to steal your personal information, usually with an e-mail entreaty to start. These e-mail messages look like they come from a reputable and trusted source, like a bank or eBay, but they ask for lots of important personal information, such as a credit card number, Social Security number, account number or password. It may seem like common sense to ignore such a request by e-mail, but plenty of people -- perhaps in a rush to be cooperative -- give away all these details, and then it's open season on their accounts by the criminals.

Continue reading Gone Phishing? Collaborative Site Roots Out E-Mail Scams

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Five Handy Gadgets for Your Next Trip

Ben Chertoff — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:25:00 EST

Filed under: Advice, Editor's Picks, Green Tech, Switched Video, Summer Fun

Going on a trip soon? Whether you need to stay in touch with home while traveling internationally or just need some power for your cell phone while you're out on a long hike, you'll find the gadgets highlighted in the above video to be quite handy. We should know, since we used 'em all on our recent vacation before making our final picks. Take a look.

Click Here for a Look at the Best Road Trip Gadgets

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Top 16 Ways the Web Can Save You Money

Dan Reilly — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Computers, Advice, Editor's Picks

Aside from canceling your online gambling account, there are tons of ways to save money on the Internet. You can find free stuff, cheaper options for your current expenses, and deals you never thought possible. To help you in these uncertain economic times, we put together 15 Web sites and services that will help keep the dollars in your pocket. Check them out, and hopefully you'll find some useful ways to spend that government tax rebate.

Groceries

With the cost of food going up around the world, it's a great time to save money online when buying your groceries. Coupon sites like MommySavers.com and Couponmom.com are excellent resources, the latter of which compiles coupons from the Internet and newspaper circulars as well as in-store deals. To compare the special prices in your area, MyGroceryDeals.com allows you to enter your zip code and see what the local stores are offering. If you have a discount card for your local store, Shortcuts.com allows you to apply coupons to the card that will automatically be redeemed at checkout. Finally, you can surf online food stores, like Amazon Grocery and Peapod.com, which offer great savings and save you the time and gas money on driving to the store.

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Best Gadget Gifts for Dad

Switched Staff — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Father's Day

Summer's almost here, and with it comes Father's Day. We here at Switched think it's pretty safe to say that the vast majority of Dads are into gadgets of one sort or another, which is why we always have so much fun compiling our annual list of hot gadget gifts for Father's Day. This year, we've got a mix of high and low, state-of-the-art and newbie-friendly items that will appeal to dads both young and old. Take a look.

Sonicare FlexCare

Is your dad serious about his teeth? (Well, at his age, he should be!) Philips's newest electric toothbrush, the Sonicare FlexCare, is the latest and greatest in tooth-brushing tech. Both the handle and the brush head are smaller, which is more than just a nice aesthetic tough -- it actually helps brushers get deep down in there. And there's even an optional UV sanitizer for the brush heads, just in case dad's germaphobe. If he's a glutton for oral punishment, the new "massage" mode delivers a series of pulses to the teeth and gums (actually, it feels pretty good). Overall, this state-of-the-art electric toothbrush is a bit pricey, but remember: he may not have those teeth much longer. Might as well enjoy brushing them.

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iPhone 3G: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know (But Were Afraid to Ask)

Ryan Block — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Cell Phones, Advice

If you're anything like us, just about everyone in your family has called you up this week to ask if you think they should get the iPhone 3G; it really doesn't help matters that there's just an absurd amount of (mis)information floating around about it right now, too. So this one's for you and your fam -- we're dishing out the straight dope on iPhone 3G, a to z, so feel free to pass it on. Hit the read link for the straight dope on everything we know so far.

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Top 10 Portable Games for Long Trips

Evan Shamoon — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Video Games, Top Lists, Summer Fun

Summer is a time to escape -- to the beach, to the countryside, to the other side of the world. And for those of us who just love our down time, there's plenty of it (mostly spent on flying on planes, riding in cars, and laying on beach chairs). So we've compiled a list of the best portable games for Sony PSP and Nintendo DS to pack in your bag this summer; whether you're looking to hit the baseball diamond or the bustling streets of Tokyo, we've got just the digital escape. Oh, and here's a little tip: if your PSP is your handheld of choice, you might want to invest in the PSP Extended Life Battery -- especially, for owners of the new model PSP, for whom it will nearly double your battery life (old PSP owners only get a 20% jump).

Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 (PSP)

For years -- since the original PlayStation days, in fact -- Sony's cartoonish 'Hot Shots' series has been one of the best golf games around. Open Tee 2 continues the tradition, with 24 playable characters, 12 courses, and more than 300 different options for clothing, hairstyles, clubs, and more. There's a 16-player online mode, clothing/item boosts, and, most importantly of all, an impressively realistic golf experience. The number of unlockable items is bananas, and the load times are much better than those in the original Open Tee. There's something slightly obsessive about playing a virtual golf game on your way to play golf, but we won't tell anyone if you won't.

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Best Gear for Road Trips (Video)

Switched Staff — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: Car Tech, Switched Video, Father's Day

Considering the sky-high prices of gas these days, it's even more important that you get to your summer road trip destinations on time and without getting lost, which is why you should take the excellent GPS navi system we recommend in the above video (a follow-up to our previous round-up of car trip doodads). We also recommend some other gizmos that'll get you where your going in one piece, or at least keep your passengers busy and prevent them from asking if you're 'there yet.' All that said, we were so seduced by the hot Maserati we borrowed to test out all these gadgets that we pretty much forgot about high gas prices -- and our passengers.

Click Here For Even More Great Gifts for Father's Day

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American Idol's Blake Lewis Wants His iPod to Do Unspeakable Things

Christine Whitney — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Columns, Editor's Picks, Interviews, Celebrities, iPod, Summer Fun

Hey, remember Season 6 of 'American Idol'? Remember that guy, what's-his-name, the hot one that did beatboxing and almost won but then didn't? Well, he didn't need your deciding votes! Runner-up Blake Lewis is doing just fine, thank you - after being ranked 21st-hottest on AOL's 21 sexiest single men list last July (aw, that's kinda sad actually), he cut an album with Arista records, and Lupe Fiasco was on it!

May 13th marked the release of his latest endeavor, a remix EP for the hit single "How Many Words." Even though he's rolling with big name producers and DJs like BT, DJ Dan, and Britney collaborator Dave Aude, he still found time to tell Switched about his sex, um, we mean, tech life. Read on to find out more, but Blake, you're a winner in our book!

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

Computer, Phone, Camera.

What cell phone do you have right now and what do you love/hate about it?

iPhone. Love it all except for text messaging...

Who's the last person you sent a text message to and what was it about?

The artist and my friend BT - it was about my shoes

Where do you go (site or service) pretty much every time you get online?

MySpace because I run and operate [my profile page] cuz I like talking to my fans. I also go to beatport.com and deviantart.com

What annoys you most about your iPod, cell phone, or laptop (or any other gadget)?

Dropped calls on the phone

Name one thing you wish your iPod/cellphone/laptop (any gadget) could do that it doesn't do now?

Make me breakfast in the morning, give me a massage when I am stressed, give me a reach around... just kidding

What upcoming gadget can you not wait to get your hands on?

An updated version of the iPhone

You're stranded on a desert island: What gadget do you bring?

Hopefully a gadget that can get me off the desert island... :)

What's the most-played song or artist on your iPod?

Edit - 'Certified Air Raid Material'

BlackBerry, Sidekick, or Treo?

Neither, iPhone

What's the longest time you've ever spent playing a video game in one sitting and what game was it?

Eight hours of 'Gran Turismo' on PlayStation

Mac or PC?

Mac, I am a musician baby....

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How to Take Better Snapshots (Video)

Ben Chertoff — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:10:00 EST

Filed under: Cameras, Advice, Switched Video, Summer Fun

Summer's here and that means you'll be using that fancy new digicam you just bought. But if you're like many of us, you just set your camera to "Auto" and hope that the pictures you take turn out okay. If that's the case, you may want to tune in to our latest How-To video, in which we get expert tips from photographer Rachel Been, who shoots many of the rock stars that swing by AOL studios for interviews. With just a few small tweaks to your camera's settings, or slightly different positioning when shooting subjects, you'll be on your way to taking expert snapshots this summer.

Also, make sure to check out our tips on "How to Look Better In Photos," in which we tell you how to make you or your subjects look thinner, taller, and younger in snapshots.

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Top Noise-Canceling Headphones

Evan Shamoon — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Audio/Video, Editor's Picks, Slideshows, Reviews, Portable Audio, Father's Day

As anyone who has used noise-canceling headphones on a plane can doubtlessly confirm, they make the experience of flying a whole lot less unpleasant. While these sound-blockers can't do much to combat the shrieking baby in the seat next to you (or its shrieking parents, for that matter), they all but remove the low roar of the engines, the hum of the fans, and various (and usually) incessant noises coming from the other electronic devices in use around you as you fly the noisy skies. It sounds like magic, but it's actually pretty simple audio science: Basically, microphones in the headphones monitor the sound around you, and create sound waves which essentially cancel out the noise they pick up. On some flights, in business and first class, they now actually hand them out.

Most of us are economy-class-types, though, so we did our research accordingly and came up with a few options for airborne peace of mind. To boot, all of our picks cost less than the two or more months salary required to fly business class.

BOSE QUIETCOMFORT 2

You see these headphones everywhere - open up any in-flight magazine and you're guaranteed an ad. But Bose does its sound quality thing well. These cans do a great job canceling ambient noises, and music sounds extremely warm and full of bass. Movie dialogue was consistently crisp and clear, and overall sound is very consistent. Unfortunately, there's one major flaw: Unlike the other models featured here, the QuietComfort 2s don't let you listen to music without the noise-canceling tech turned on. When your batteries die, well, so do your headphones. Which is kind of a bummer...especially on planes, where they don't sell replacements. Price: $299.99

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Switched Download: AVG Free Anti-Virus

Terrence O'Brien — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:17:00 EST

Filed under: Computers, Advice, Editor's Picks, Windows Software, Downloads

AVG Free Anti-Virus

What it does:

The newly updated AVG Free is an Anti-Virus program that performs all the basic tasks you'd expect, without the slow downs associated with Norton and McAfee, or any of the exorbitant subscription fees. The new AVG version 8 also adds a host of new features, making it a much less bare-bones affair than the previous iteration.

What we like about it:

AVG provides not just on-demand scanning for virus, but also live protection, scanning files as they're downloaded via the Web or e-mail. Version 8 also adds spy-ware protection and a browser add-on that works with both Internet Explorer and Firefox and tells you whether or not a search result is safe to click on by branding it with a bright green check mark. Version 8 also updated AVG's interface, making it easier to use, and much more pleasing to look at.

Our favorite feature of AVG, though, has been present even in prior versions, and that is its ability to scan and protect your computer without bringing the whole system to a halt. When cleaning up an aging PC, one of the first things we do is remove the bloated, feature-happy McAfee or Norton and install separate lightweight components like AVG and Comodo Firewall.

What we don't like:

AVG's Free offering lacks features often packed into security suites by its more expensive competitors such as spam blocking, root-kit protection, and a firewall. But most users won't miss these terribly, since Web-mail services and desktop clients like Thunderbird and Outlook generally have some form of spam filtering already, and Windows XP and Vista come with built in firewalls.More customizable third-party programs, such as the aforementioned Comodo, can also be downloaded for free.

Bottom line:

AVG offers top notch virus protection, and you can't beat the price (free). Best of all, it won't bring your PC to a crawl like Norton or McAfee, even if it's a little past its prime.

Download AVG Free

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