Switched

Switched's Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza: Win a Zune HD!

switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Houston) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

While we plan on being as far away from a computer as possible on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, the site is going to be working hard giving away ten Zune HDs. After reading the rules and fine print (we have robot lawyers tracking you), check back this Thursday and Friday for 10 chances to win.

Switched's Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza: Win a Zune HD! originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Real or Fake? Neglected Girlfriend Destroys Xbox

switchedtips@gmail.com (Warren Riddle) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:40:00 EST

Analysts have been torn when investigating the addictive properties of video games, but at least one lonely girlfriend believes the debatable affliction is indeed very real. Apparently, she also decided that the only remedy for her Xbox-distracted boyfriend was staging an abusive, hysterical, and repugnant intervention.

The jilted woman actually filmed her violent ultimate solution, and, if the act is real, it just might be the most disturbing hate crime ever perpetrated against a defenseless console. Prior to the documented graphic meltdown (check out the video after the break), she also delivered a vitriolic diatribe against her mate's daily Xbox activities, claiming that, "I b*tch and I b*tch and still his routine remains constant." Maybe, just maybe, that incessant nagging had something to do with his daily escapes into virtual worlds.

She had so many other options (Take it away, hide its controllers, or actually try playing with him?!) but perhaps the two wayward lovebirds were actually able to compromise and reconcile. If so, there are a few certainties about the future of their relationship. There definitely won't be any cute, geeky video game proposals or wedding invitations. [From: Gawker]

Continue reading Real or Fake? Neglected Girlfriend Destroys Xbox

Filed under: Video Games

Real or Fake? Neglected Girlfriend Destroys Xbox originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Switched Asks, 'What is an SMS?' Save My Soul? Send Me Something!

switchedtips@gmail.com (Switched Staff) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:35:00 EST

In our quest to discover just how nerdy we are, we continue to head to New York's Times Square to ask the crowd to define the terms we use at Switched every day. Most flunked on Flickr but many could talk about Twitter, so we kept the faith that, just because we knew what a "tweet" was doesn't make us hopeless nerds.

Our next question tested our subjects' attention to detail. Most of the people we spoke with guessed that SMS messaging is colloquially known as texting. Yet, when asked to explain the acronym, the answers ranged from educated guesses (we would have thought "standard" was in there, too) to slightly perverted (sir, we believe that's "S and M" you are thinking of), to downright funny. The answer, for the record, is a "short message service," but we think we'd also prefer "Save the Mothership" more.

Continue reading Switched Asks, 'What is an SMS?' Save My Soul? Send Me Something!

Filed under: Cell Phones, Web

Switched Asks, 'What is an SMS?' Save My Soul? Send Me Something! originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New York Times Releases BlackBerry App, USA Today Allies With Fark

switchedtips@gmail.com (Warren Riddle) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST

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

The New York Times has steadily adapted to the journalistic shifts of the Digital Age, providing a model for how to survive in the face of dwindling subscription numbers. The news outlet's latest technological development is its free BlackBerry app (for select models), which aims to provide "a faster, more dynamic and more personalized experience." [From: Editor and Publisher]
The nation's most generic newspaper is apparently teaming up with what is quite possibly the most random and arbitrary source of news on the Web. USA Today has reportedly drafted Fark.com to help sponsor its Geek page. [From: The New York Times]
DVD sales took a major hit in 2008, a trend many insiders attribute to the rising popularity of live video streaming. The streaming phenomenon may also be adversely affecting the TV industry, as TiVo lost over 300,000 subscribers during just the last quarter. [From: TV By the Numbers]
The next time you're home alone enjoying 'Gigli' on TiVo, comforted in the belief that you're safe from judgmental eyes, remember that Google may actually be monitoring you. The site is reportedly going to track TiVo "viewing data" to help determine what, if any, advertisements the service's subscribers are actually watching. [From: CNET]
eBay is unrolling some mobile upgrades today, as well as an entirely new app known as 'Deals.' The site has already produced some staggering numbers with its previous mobile services. To that end, eBay claims that every month it attracts 750,000 unique mobile viewers, who, it believes, will spend more than $500 million on goods this year. [From: Tech Crunch]

New York Times Releases BlackBerry App, USA Today Allies With Fark originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kindle Software Updates, Microsoft Opens PC Lounge at Saks Fifth Avenue

switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Houston) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:38:00 EST

Microsoft is attempting to dazzle visitors to the Big Apple with its new PC Lounge, open now in Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship New York City store.
Amazon just released a software update for Kindle 2 and DX users. (Sorry, gen 1 Kindlers, no update for you.) The chosen e-readers get an advertised 85-percent increase in battery life as well as PDF support.
The new, more powerful Core i7 iMacs have started shipping, but many users are reporting that the machines are arriving with cracked screens or the inability to boot.
While we've never met anyone in that apparently real consumer group that desires gadgets encrusted with Swarovski crystals, the gem-studded gadget market shows no signs of slowing. This time, Olympus' Pen E-P1 micro four-thirds camera get bedazzled.

Kindle Software Updates, Microsoft Opens PC Lounge at Saks Fifth Avenue originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pet Rock USB Provides Companionship for Lonely Computers

switchedtips@gmail.com (Warren Riddle) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:40:00 EST

The success of the Pet Rock has mystified consumers and would-be inventors for decades, and has become synonymous with the get-rich-quick scam. The ridiculous trinket has also inspired countless knock-offs and similarly inane, googly-eyed contraptions, with which harebrained hucksters attempt to make their own millions.

ThinkGeek is apparently putting a 21st century spin on that old Pet Rock by integrating it with another device famous for its absurd marketplace niche: the USB. Even though it really doesn't do anything, each unique USB Pet Rock costs $9.99 and plugs directly into a USB port. In the immortal words of P.T. Barnum, "there's a sucker born every minute," so someone will undoubtedly buy the useless thing. It may be time for us to reevaluate the 'World's Dumbest USB Gadgets.' [From: Oh Gizmo]

Filed under: Computers

Pet Rock USB Provides Companionship for Lonely Computers originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

'Textminator' Brings Texting Excitement to the Arcade

switchedtips@gmail.com (Terrence O'Brien) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:43:00 EST

We are but one site, with a relatively small staff (albeit one of dedicated Web addicts), so every once in a while something slips past that makes us give ourselves a collective kick in the ass. 'Textminator' managed to avoid our radar when it was announced in August, but this arcade machine from LAI Games has piqued our interest enough to go back and cover it anyway.

With proper, full-sized skee-ball machines disappearing from arcades across the country, new games have had to step in and fill our ticket-earning needs (How else are we going to get our hands on that switch-blade-comb?). One such ticket-dispensing machine is 'Textminator,' a stand-up arcade game that tests players' text messaging skills. The game has two alphanumeric keypads and asks competitors to type out words in a race against the clock, or against a human opponent. In fact, up to four cabinets can be linked together for an eight-way texting showdown. And in case you were worried that standing at an arcade machine, thumbs flying, was too strenuous, a deluxe version with a raised platform and "sit-bar" is available.

We haven't seen one of these rear its head in our local arcade, but as the annual texting championships become the Super Bowl and World Series of the constantly connected teen, we could see 'Textminator' becoming a crucial practice platform. [From: Arcade Heroes]

Filed under: Cell Phones, Video Games

'Textminator' Brings Texting Excitement to the Arcade originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Robotic LadyBugBot Crawls on Your Fridge, Creeps You Out

switchedtips@gmail.com (Matthew Zuras) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:47:00 EST

Who wouldn't want a giant robotic insect crawling along their fridge door? Vadim Ryazanov (a.k.a. "Isotope"), of the DIY droid site Let's Make Robots, was inspired, as he went for a beer, by a small ladybug magnet clinging to his refrigerator. He then decided to recreate the diminutive insect -- but as an intelligent robot with an atomic-experiment-gone-wrong massiveness.

Ryazanov posted a tutorial for the ladybug in the event that you want to frighten the bejeezus out of your roommate with your own rendition. He constructed the shell out of papier-mâché and repurposed an old CD as a base for the electronics. All in all, it cost him less than $30 and fewer than 16 hours. Ryazanov also included a bumper switch/cavity sensor that prevents LadyBugBot from crawling off the edge of the door. In addition, LadyBugBot sometimes "stops for 10 seconds and produces a creepy sound." Check out the video after the break to see it in action.

Continue reading Robotic LadyBugBot Crawls on Your Fridge, Creeps You Out

Filed under: Web

Robotic LadyBugBot Crawls on Your Fridge, Creeps You Out originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Make Free iPhone Ringtones Using iTunes

switchedtips@gmail.com (Jon Chase) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:50:00 EST

While Apple would prefer that you buy ringtone versions of music you've already purchased, you can still make ringtones for your iPhone using only iTunes and songs that don't have DRM (such as the ones you've ripped from your old CDs). Here's how:

Open iTunes, right click (or Control + click) on a song, and select 'Get Info.'
Under 'Options,' check the boxes beside 'Start Time' and 'Stop Time,' and under 'Stop Time,' change the duration to 0:30 (or less). Hit 'OK.'
Right-click on the song again and select 'Create AAC version.' (If a format other than AAC comes up, go into 'iTunes Preferences/General/Import Settings.' Under 'Import Using,' select 'AAC.')
Once the AAC version is created, drag it to your desktop, delete it from iTunes, and then change the file extension from .M4a to .M4r. Drag this file back into iTunes and you'll find it automatically placed in the 'Ringtones' section of your library. Delete the desktop version.
Note: Don't forget to go back to the original song file and uncheck the 'Start' and 'Stop' times.

Filed under: Tech Tips

Make Free iPhone Ringtones Using iTunes originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

World's Largest Gadgets, 'Objectified' Documentary Airs on PBS

switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Houston) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST

There's a load of great tech news happening out there every day, and, unfortunately, we just can't cover it all. Here are a few of the other noteworthy things we saw today on our never-ending journey through the wild, wild Web.

Before the days of the Web, we had to get our giant technology fixes by watching hourlong cable shows that promised the "next big thing" right after the break. Fortunately, Wired's Gadget Lab is here -- don't miss the giant Antonov AN-255 and Boeing 747 Large Cargo Freighter planes. [From: Gadget Lab]
'Objectified,' the latest film from the makers of typeface documentary 'Helvetica,' hits the airwaves tonight on PBS. [From: PBS.org]
With online shopping peaking during the holiday season, it's more important than ever to have a secure password. Slate offers tips for getting your shoddy password in shape in under five minutes. [From: Slate]
Firefox could be making laptops overheat by overusing your computer's CPU. DownloadSquad investigates and offers some solutions. [From: DownloadSquad]

Got a tip? Want to talk to us? In need of more choice links like these? Drop us a line on Twitter and check out our Tumblr blog.

World's Largest Gadgets, 'Objectified' Documentary Airs on PBS originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

HDTV Listings for November 24, 2009

switchedtips@gmail.com (Switched Staff) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:54:00 EST

What we're watching tonight:

ABC (720p) has 'V' at 8 p.m. and the season finale of 'Dancing with the Stars' at 9 p.m.
CW (1080i) airs '90210' at 8 p.m. and 'Melrose Place' at 9 p.m.
CBS (1080i) has 'NCIS' at 8 p.m. 'NCIS: LA' at 9 p.m. and 'The Good Wife' at 10 p.m.
Discovery (1080i) has 'Dirty Jobs' at 9 p.m. and 'Ghost Lab' at 10 p.m.
FX (720p) has 'Sons of Anarchy' at 10 p.m.
DirecTV (1080i) has 'Eyes' at 10 p.m.
TLC (1080i) has 'Table for 12' at 8 & 8:30 p.m., '18 Kids & Counting' at 9 p.m. and 'The Little Couple' at 10 p.m.
ESPN (720p) has college basketball with Maryland/Cincinnati at 7 p.m. and Gonzaga/Wisconsin at 9:30 p.m.
ESPN2 (720p) has Ball State/Western Michigan college football at 7 p.m. and Texas/Pittsburgh college basketball at 10 p.m.

HDTV Listings for November 24, 2009 originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Auto-Tune Your Facebook Status With Sony, Justin Timberlake

switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

We should've seen this one coming a mile away. The hottest trend in the music business, Auto-Tune, has arrived on the hottest social-networking site on the Web, Facebook. Thanks to a new Facebook app from Sony, you can now Auto-Tune your status update. According to Mashable, after installing the app, you simply type your status (maybe something about being on a boat), choose a voice and a beat, and your very own robotic update will be posted on your Wall for all your friends to see. (We're not sure if that's a good thing or not.) You can thank the 'Auto-Tune the News' Web series creators, who recently signed a promotional deal with Sony, for piling on even more of the Auto-Tune content (check out the video after the break).

The time has come to ask: is Auto-Tune played out? The iPhone has the 'I Am T-Pain' app, you can Auto-Tune your vocals in GarageBand, and even those adorable Kidz Bop kids use the skeezy software program. Sounds like over-saturation to us. But we fear there's no stopping this trend. If Jay-Z couldn't kill it, who can? [From: Mashable and Tubefilter News]

Continue reading Auto-Tune Your Facebook Status With Sony, Justin Timberlake

Filed under: Web, Social Networking

Auto-Tune Your Facebook Status With Sony, Justin Timberlake originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

'World of Warcraft' Turns Five

switchedtips@gmail.com (Terrence O'Brien) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:01:00 EST

Monday marked the fifth birthday of the most successful, massively multi-player online game in history -- 'World of Warcraft.' 'WoW,' as it's otherwise known, is an expansion of the popular 'Warcraft' franchise, and has become far more successful than publisher Blizzard could have possibly imagined.

With more than 12 million subscribers worldwide, 'WoW' is a phenomenon and pop culture icon. It's been referenced and mocked by 'The Simpsons' and 'South Park,' has inspired restaurants, and has legions of celebrity fans, including Ozzy Osborne, William Shatner, and Mr. T. Thanks to its notoriously addictive game play, it's even been cited in divorce proceedings and has almost driven one teen to commit suicide.

Continue reading 'World of Warcraft' Turns Five

Filed under: Video Games

'World of Warcraft' Turns Five originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

StreetView: 'Move Over, Robert Frank!' as Artist Finds Google's Oeuvre

switchedtips@gmail.com (Amar Toor) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

It wasn't too long ago that Google Maps took to the streets with its army of camera-equipped cars as it embarked on its quest to photograph every avenue in the world. As they archived all these random images of daily life and human existence, they captured more than their fair share of comedic, and often downright embarrassing moments. One artist, though, recently trolled through that entire stockpile, and has uncovered some surprisingly beautiful -- and often powerful -- imagery.

Jon Rafman, an artist based out of Montreal, took it upon himself to find Google's artistic side, and has assembled a fascinating collection, NPR reports. The photos run the gamut from the complacently pensive (a barebacked woman staring at the Sea in Italy), to the humorous (the dilapidated facade of a Rod Stewart fan club in Scotland), to the downright harrowing (a series of curbside homeless).

Continue reading StreetView: 'Move Over, Robert Frank!' as Artist Finds Google's Oeuvre

Filed under: Cameras, Google, Web

StreetView: 'Move Over, Robert Frank!' as Artist Finds Google's Oeuvre originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Football Coaches Who Tweet (and Those Who Should)

switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST

Sports teams have a dubious relationship with Twitter. The LPGA loves the darn service, while the NBA penalizes on-court micro-bloggers. The NFL and college football are still feeling out their roles in the Twitterverse, and coaches are leading the way. For some, the service is tougher to figure out than the spread offense, while others excel in the limelight, like Tom Brady in a Manhattan bistro. Here, we've compiled a list of five coaches you should follow on Twitter and five who's wit we'd love to see in 140-character missives. After a grueling search (like, 1983-Chicago-Bears grueling), we have our exhaustive list. Now, are you ready for some football?

Continue reading Football Coaches Who Tweet (and Those Who Should)

Filed under: Web, Social Networking

Football Coaches Who Tweet (and Those Who Should) originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New York Jets' David Clowney's Twitter Account Hacked

switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:06:00 EST

After he heard the latest news about one of his players and Twitter, we're sure that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, from his towering New York office building, gave out a great barbaric yawp: "I told you so!" According to Mashable, New York Jets wide receiver David Clowney has had his Twitter account hacked within the past 24 hours. Unlike when hackers took over a number of high-profile celebrity accounts earlier this year, the tweets sent from Clowney's account aren't funny. They're downright mean and vulgar. Although Clowney has apparently regained control of his account and has issued an apology to his fans, the damage is done. The hacker directed a number of expletive-filled tweets at some of Clowney's 6,700 followers.

Aside from the tweet above, Clowney hasn't yet commented on the attack. According to an Associated Press report on ESPN, the Jets confirmed Monday that his account was hacked, but team officials didn't comment further. Seeing as he was benched earlier in the year for complaining about his playing time via Twitter, we'd suggest that Clowney just cut his losses and give up on the service, altogether. [From: Mashable and ESPN]

Filed under: Web, Social Networking

New York Jets' David Clowney's Twitter Account Hacked originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Facebook Bikini Worm Hits Spreads via Scantily Clad Woman

switchedtips@gmail.com (Terrence O'Brien) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:07:00 EST

Good rule of thumb when browsing the Internet: If it looks lurid, promises nudity, or displays scantily clad women, don't click on it.

For some reason or another, many out there haven't yet figured this out and have helped to spread around Facebook a nasty worm that tells users to "Click Da' Button" if they "Wanna C Somthin' HOT." Of course, some men, being the hapless idiots that so many of us are, clicked on the button that sat next to the beautiful, thong-clad woman. As a result, a link to the same infectious page was instantly posted on their Walls, continuing the cycle of misdirection.

Continue reading Facebook Bikini Worm Hits Spreads via Scantily Clad Woman

Filed under: Web, Social Networking

Facebook Bikini Worm Hits Spreads via Scantily Clad Woman originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Google Apologizes for Offensive First Lady Image, Twitter Could Go Public

switchedtips@gmail.com (Warren Riddle) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:10:00 EST

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

Our beloved freedom of speech obviously entitles people to criticize government officials without fear of reprisal, but it also entitles people to be racist morons. Google has posted an apology over such behavior -- specifically for an offensive and juvenile photograph of the First Lady that wound up in the site's image search results. [From: Search Engine Land]
Twitter's monetary worth was recently valued at an astounding $1 billion, so it seems that it's probably time for the three-year-old site to actually start making some money. Co-founder Biz Stone says that while he has no plans to sell the site, going public is certainly an option. [From: The New York Times]
Roger Avary, the screenwriter behind 'Pulp Fiction' and numerous other hits, is currently serving time in prison on vehicular manslaughter charges. He also seems to be tweeting about his stay. Although impostors abound on Twitter, Wikipedia says it really is him, so it must be true. [From: The Los Angeles Times]
The unofficial rules of the Internet already exist, but the U.N. is apparently investigating the implementation of the Net Ten Commandments. The organization is currently laboring on the intense and grueling project from Sharm el Sheik, one of the most beautiful resort towns on the Red Sea. Must be nice. [From: Ars Technica]
Wikipedia claims to be the "free encyclopedia that anyone can edit." The site, though, has reportedly trimmed 50,000 editors from its ranks, leading to a flood of complaints about the editing process. Apparently, the remaining editors are also, by and large, white males. Someone needs to give Howard Zinn a call. [From: Gawker]
The University of Stirling in Scotland recently conducted a survey which found that adults are fooled by optical illusions more often than kids. This, the researchers think, is because kids don't recognize visual context to the same degree as adults. If you'd like to experiment with your own susceptibility, you can check out these trippy illusions. [From: Wired]
Automotive services like OnStar and SYNC have been around for years, but the technology is steadily and significantly evolving. The Economist recently profiled that evolution, highlighting one particularly impressive instance of a thwarted car-jacking. [From: The Economist]

Google Apologizes for Offensive First Lady Image, Twitter Could Go Public originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Man Crashes Into FBI Building to Destroy 'Mind-Reading' Device

switchedtips@gmail.com (Amar Toor) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:25:00 EST

It seems James Kromer had it all figured out. He was gonna do it, once and for all. The FBI had been controlling his brain with a mind-reading device for far too long. Kromer had to put an end to it. And he almost did -- until he messed up the address.

The 36-year-old Minnesotan crashed his car through what he believed to be the FBI building in Minneapolis. As it turns out, it was just the University of Minnesota Public Health building, which incurred $20,000 worth of damages from the incident. The entire case of mistaken location can be traced back to an extra zero that Kromer tacked on to the building number. (We're not sure whether it was GPS, or Google Maps, or what.) The real FBI building is at 111 Washington Ave. S in Minneapolis. The Public Health building, on the other hand, is at 1110 Washington Ave. S. Oops.

Continue reading Man Crashes Into FBI Building to Destroy 'Mind-Reading' Device

Filed under: Car Tech, Computers

Man Crashes Into FBI Building to Destroy 'Mind-Reading' Device originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Daily Engadget: Older Androids Get Google Nav, Apple Strikes Back

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tim Stevens) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:25:00 EST

Our friends over at Engadget obsessively cover everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics, which is why we compile this daily roundup of their top stuff (or, at least, what we think is tops). For more details on any of these stories, click on the Engadget links in each story below.

Google Brings Navigation to Android 1.6
Just a few weeks after the impulsive members of the Android community ran to their closest Verizon Store to get a Motorola Droid and its navigation capabilities, leaving behind them a wake of discarded myTouches and reason, Google has given Android's first early adopters something to smile about: Google Navigation for older Android 1.6 handsets.

Apple Hits Back at Verizon
Verizon seems to have shaken a hornet's nest with its iPhone attack ads, and has been met with legal and advertising retaliation from AT&T. Now, Apple's getting into the game, too, with its own anti-Verizon ads.

Continue reading The Daily Engadget: Older Androids Get Google Nav, Apple Strikes Back

The Daily Engadget: Older Androids Get Google Nav, Apple Strikes Back originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Extreme Gear for 'Star Trek' Home Makeovers

switchedtips@gmail.com (Warren Riddle) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST

So, you just shelled out 2,700 big ones to relax in a replica of Captain's Kirk's space throne, but, as you bask in your geeky glory, you abruptly realize that the rest of the apartment is unacceptably barren of other 'Star Trek' accoutrements. Making your own paraphernalia is always an option, but in order to stand out from the hordes of amateur fans, hardcore Trekkies will seek out more realistic and authentic pieces.

To make that expedition a little easier, CNET UK has compiled an encyclopedia of 'Star Trek' gadgets and gizmos so fantastic that they would make Gene Rodenberry envious. Some of the offerings are pitiful, if playful, attempts to capitalize on the devoted fan base (e.g., the cologne and morbid urn), but even the most frugal die-hards would have difficulty dismissing the $1 million 'StarCave' holodeck. The list features a wide assortment of both inexpensive and luxurious devices, so pay attention and you'll no longer have to embarrass yourself, your family, or your pets with those cheap and shameful imitations. [From: CNET UK]

Filed under: Web

Extreme Gear for 'Star Trek' Home Makeovers originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Facebook and 'South Park' Blamed for Anti-Redhead Assault

switchedtips@gmail.com (Terrence O'Brien) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:28:00 EST

Police in Calabasas, California are investigating the assault of a 12-year-old boy that, they believe, may have been inspired by a Facebook post declaring this past Friday, November 20th "Kick a Ginger Day." "Kick a Ginger Day" began in 2008, borne out of a 'South Park' episode that satirically featured pale, redheaded, freckled children, or "gingers," as being singled out for abuse.

While the first, clearly tongue-in-cheek "Kick a Ginger Day" drew some criticism, it went largely unnoticed, due to a lack of any serious violence. This year's "celebration" was unfortunately not so uneventful, as a student at A.E. Wright Middle School found himself on the receiving end of punches and kicks from as many as 14 classmates, according to the Associated Press.

Continue reading Facebook and 'South Park' Blamed for Anti-Redhead Assault

Filed under: TV, Web, Social Networking

Facebook and 'South Park' Blamed for Anti-Redhead Assault originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

How to Really, Truly Uninstall Old Programs

switchedtips@gmail.com (Jon Chase) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:35:00 EST

You'd think uninstalling applications, games, and the rest would be as simple as dumping the icon into the recycling bin, but the truth is that computer programs distribute their files all over your PC. While that may not seem like a big deal, after a while those bits and pieces add up and cause conflicts, errors, and registry issues. Check out Revo Uninstaller -- a free, easy-to-use utility that lets you fully delete whatever apps you want, as well as search out the fragments of old apps you thought you'd already deleted.

Filed under: Tech Tips

How to Really, Truly Uninstall Old Programs originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Best of the Rest: Gadgets of the Decade, Carl Sagan Auto-Tuned v.3

switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Houston) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST

Net memes and mashups rarely get us excited, but the series of Carl Sagan Auto-Tune videos is a special type of genius. The latest, featuring Richard Dawkins, just debuted. [From: Symphony of Science, via: YouTube]
With both the end of the year and the end of the decade rapidly approaching, prepare yourself for a flood of lists. Kicking off the decade side of things, here's Paste's look at the 20 best gadgets of the decade, including the Xlerator Hand Dryer and the USB flash drive. Might want to reconsider that Dyson Air Multiplier, though, Paste... [From: Paste Magazine]
Speaking of popular Internet videos, the skateboarding dog captures the essence of mindless viral videos. Of course, Tillman the bulldog is back, this time playing Tony Hawk's new 'Ride' game. [From: Neatorama]

Got a tip? Want to talk to us? In need of more choice links like these? Drop us a line on Twitter and check out our Tumblr blog.

Best of the Rest: Gadgets of the Decade, Carl Sagan Auto-Tuned v.3 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

HDTV Listings for November 23, 2009

switchedtips@gmail.com (Switched Staff) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:58:00 EST

What we're watching tonight:

CBS (1080i) has 'How I Met Your Mother' at 8 p.m., 'Accidentally On Purpose' at 8:30 p.m., 'Two and a Half Men' at 9 p.m., 'The Big Bang Theory' at 9:30 p.m. and 'CSI: Miami' at 10 p.m.
ABC (720p) has 'Dancing with the Stars' at 8 p.m. and 'Castle' at 10:01 p.m.
Fox (720p) has 'House' at 8 p.m. and 'Lie to Me' at 9 p.m.
NBC (1080i) brings 'Heroes' at 8 p.m. and 'Trauma' at 9 p.m.
CW (1080i) has 'One Tree Hill' at 8 p.m. and 'Gossip Girl' at 9 p.m.
USA (1080i) has 'WWE: Raw' at 8 p.m.
TLC (1080i) has the series finale of 'Jon & Kate Plus 8' at 9 p.m. and 'Cake Boss' at 10 & 10:30 p.m.
ESPN (720p) has Titans/Texans Monday Night Football at 8:30 p.m.
ESPN2 (720p) has Texas/Iowa college basketball at 10 p.m.

HDTV Listings for November 23, 2009 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Revolutionizing Solar Energy by Taking It Underground

switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:25:00 EST

Want greener energy without having to install large, gaudy solar panels on your house? Join the club. But what was once wishful thinking might soon be reality. According to ABC Science, scientists have created a way to harness sunlight and convert it into electricity by connecting a photovoltaic cell to fiber-optic wiring that's barely wider than a human hair. (Note that it doesn't actually use human hair, like these guys.) The wires, which are coated with zinc oxide (the stuff lifeguards plaster on their noses), could be installed on a roof or, best of all, underneath a house or inside its walls -- as long as the tip of the wire is exposed to the sun.

Here's how it works. Light is absorbed at the tip of the wire, and zips down its length and back, letting the zinc oxide convert it into electricity along the way. How effective is this process? Dr. Zhong Wang, who led the team of researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, says the wires only convert about 3.3-percent of the light that passes through. He hopes, though, that the number will soon jump to 8-percent.

Continue reading Revolutionizing Solar Energy by Taking It Underground

Filed under: Green Tech

Revolutionizing Solar Energy by Taking It Underground originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

'Shazam' App Doubles As Lip-Synch Detector

switchedtips@gmail.com (Terrence O'Brien) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:19:00 EST

The New York Times Gadgetwise blog has found an interesting use for Shazam's iPhone app -- detecting lip-synchers. It turns out that true live performances will turn up as unrecognizable when you attempt to identify them with 'Shazam.'

The app takes the snippets of a song that you record, digitizes them, and creates a type of numerical signature based on the rhythm and melody. In a true live performance, a drummer won't hit the snare on the same millisecond he did while recording, and the vocalist will miss that high note by at least a few cents. These differences might be completely unnoticeable to the human ear, but a computer will catch even the tiniest variation.

Continue reading 'Shazam' App Doubles As Lip-Synch Detector

Filed under: Audio/Video, Cell Phones, iPhone

'Shazam' App Doubles As Lip-Synch Detector originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

'Cable Drawings' Take Cords Center Stage

switchedtips@gmail.com (Matthew Zuras) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:23:00 EST

While most of us organize excess lengths of cable by hiding them from view, an artist named Maisie Maud Broadhead has decided to expose the detritus of modern technological life and put it to decorative use. Her 'Cable Drawings' are wonderfully simple in both concept and material, but it's really that Rococo panel-molding design that does it for us.

Broadhead calls the cable arrangement an "installation," but we see it as more of a design concept. We're immediately going down to the hardware store for more cable fixings, so we can fancy up our walls with those gnarly heaps of ethernet cords piled under our desks. [From: Maisie Maud Broadhead, via 1 Design Per Day]

Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers

'Cable Drawings' Take Cords Center Stage originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Readability Bookmarklet Simplifies Your Web Reading, Saves Your Eyes

switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Houston) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:31:00 EST

Much of our Web perusal can be broken down into two distinct types: scanning and in-depth reading. Longer-form articles tend to be easier to read on a single, scrollable page, so the print/one-page option (if available) and some ninja-fast text-resizing can sometimes improve a piece's readability. Unfortunately, many sites no longer offer print-ready versions of articles.

Readability, a tool from arc90 labs, will take an article and reformat it for easier reading at the click of a mouse. Simply set up your reading settings on the Readability site (display style, text size, margin width), and add the bookmarklet to your browser bookmark bar. If you're reading an article for Thanksgiving, just click the new bookmarklet, and watch in wonder as ads, site navigation tools, and other extraneous information disappear.

Continue reading Readability Bookmarklet Simplifies Your Web Reading, Saves Your Eyes

Filed under: Web

Readability Bookmarklet Simplifies Your Web Reading, Saves Your Eyes originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Boy Calls 911 to Question Legality of Xbox Punishment

switchedtips@gmail.com (Caleb Johnson) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:41:00 EST

When we were kids, it was the worst punishment imaginable. How could our parents, the heartless tyrants that they were, take away our video game consoles? There was nothing we could do about it, except huddle up in our rooms and stare at those lonely, desolate, blank screens. At least, that's what we thought.

But a 15-year-old from Buffalo Grove, Illinois, decided he wouldn't take his punishment lying down. According to the Chicago Tribune, the unnamed boy dialed 911 Sunday because he wanted to know if his parents were within the law when they took away his Xbox. He hung up the phone before asking the question, but police still came to his house and backed up the parents' decision, telling the boy he should respect his elders.

Apparently, people abuse the emergency call service quite often -- calling to complain about fast food service or to prank authorities. But this kid should know better. Even that guy whose dog spent all his Xbox Live money didn't call the cops. [From: Chicago Tribune, via Kotaku]

Filed under: Video Games

Boy Calls 911 to Question Legality of Xbox Punishment originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Your Friends' Tweets Could Actually Be Ads

switchedtips@gmail.com (Amar Toor) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:50:00 EST

As part of the latest trend in online advertising, ad companies are paying normal people to pimp companies or products to their online friends or followers. According to the New York Times, companies think that consumers will be more likely to trust the opinions of their Facebook friends than they are a faceless commercial -- even if those "opinions" are formed with the promise of financial incentive. Ad agencies are willing to pay staggeringly high sums to not only celebrities, but to targeted civilian bloggers and tweeters, as well. One everyday guy interviewed for the article said he made $3,000 in October -- just from clicking a button on behalf of an agency. Amazon.com has also announced that it'll start paying customers who refer their friends to the site via Twitter.

The trend, not surprisingly, has been met with controversy. Technology blogger Robert Scoble told the Times that "[it] interferes with your relationship with your friends and your audience," and claims that he unfriends people who send him ads. Joey Caroni, co-founder of the Peer2, a division of a major Hollywood ad agency, insists that he and his peers aren't trying to "create an army of spammers" (although that's sort of what it seems like to us).

Continue reading Your Friends' Tweets Could Actually Be Ads

Filed under: Web, Social Networking

Your Friends' Tweets Could Actually Be Ads originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Google Bans Scammy Ads, Radiation Leak at Three-Mile Island

switchedtips@gmail.com (Warren Riddle) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:57:00 EST

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

Google is taking a heavy-handed stance on scams, as it has declared an outright ban on advertisers that attempt to entice people with false promises. The folks at Facebook, which is currently being sued for allowing such duplicitous ads, must be kicking themselves right now. [From: The Consumerist]
The 1979 partial nuclear meltdown at Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island terrified the entire nation. The plant experienced another frightening incident over the weekend, when a radiation leak forced the evacuation of 150 employees. Authorities claim the leak was isolated to the plant, and did not pose a threat to the public. [From: CNN, via: Gawker]
AOL (Ed. note: We're part of the AOL network) is set to split from Time Warner next month, and the company plans to mark the occasion by officially unveiling a new logo. The new, punctuated logo, which will replace the circle enclosed by a triangle, will represent "confidence, completeness." [From: Huffington Post and The Guardian]
Apple claims that its computers are impervious to viruses, but the company can't make the same statement about its consoles and cigarette smoke. The company reportedly refused to perform maintenance on computers for two customers because the consoles were located in smoking households. [From: TUAW]
It might be time for Microsoft and Google to finally throw down the gauntlet and engage in a sanctioned 'Gangs of New York'-style search engine brouhaha. Following News Corp.'s lead, Microsoft, which is trying to gain support for its search engine Bing, has reportedly been stealthily approaching various publishers and sites about removing their content from Google. [From: CNN]
Geeks famously celebrate brainy inside jokes through mysterious T-shirts, but folks don't typically expect such shenanigans from Christian groups. Cafe Press, though, is removing a shirt that says, "Pray for Obama: Psalm 109:8," basically imploring people to pray for God to smite down the President of the United States. Whatever happened to that Golden Rule thing and those pesky Ten Commandments? [From: Gawker]

Google Bans Scammy Ads, Radiation Leak at Three-Mile Island originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

How Do You Say 'Twitter' in French?

switchedtips@gmail.com (Amar Toor) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:10:00 EST

The mellifluous, oh-so-romantic French language may be dying a slow death throughout much of the world, but on Twitter, at least, it's as vivant as ever.

Just a few weeks after the site unveiled its new Spanish version, Twitter has now made itself available in French, as well. The site commemorated the latest achievement in its ongoing translation project with a French post on its blog. (You can find the English translation here.) If you don't live in a Francophone country, that doesn't mean you can't tweet in French. All you have to do is change your settings, and voila.

Continue reading How Do You Say 'Twitter' in French?

Filed under: Web

How Do You Say 'Twitter' in French? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Woman Uses Facebook to Track Down Attacker

switchedtips@gmail.com (Amar Toor) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:24:00 EST

When regular old police forces can't hunt down an evildoer, Facebook, like Batman, is there.

The social networking site swept into crime-fighting action recently when the victim of a brutal attack used it to track down her assailant. The Telegraph reports that, on the night of March 20th, 20-year-old Jennifer Wilson, of Hertfordshire, England, was at a nightclub when another woman, Ashleigh Holliman, slammed a pint glass into her face for no apparent reason. Police who arrived at the scene found much of the evidence to have been cleared away by the club's staff members, and weren't able to sufficiently identify Holliman in security tapes. The club's bouncers had been unable to apprehend Holliman, who wasted no time in getting out of Dodge. Wilson, who got an inch-long scar from the incident, decided to take matters into her own hands -- with the help of Facebook.

Continue reading Woman Uses Facebook to Track Down Attacker

Filed under: Web, Social Networking

Woman Uses Facebook to Track Down Attacker originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Daily Engadget: Worm Hits iPhones, Windows 8 in 2012?

switchedtips@gmail.com (Tim Stevens) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:34:00 EST

Our friends over at Engadget obsessively cover everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics, which is why we compile this daily roundup of their top stuff (or, at least, what we think is tops). For more details on any of these stories, click on the Engadget links in each story below.

Second Worm Hits Jailbroken iPhones
Not too long ago, a million iPhone users gasped when they learned that some of their handsets were vulnerable to a virus. Unfortunately, that first worm was a pussycat compared to this one. Thankfully, this newest evildoer only affects hacked phones.

Windows 8 Coming in 2012
If you believe your conspiracy theorist uncle, 2012 is the year the world will end. It's also apparently the year that the next major installment of Windows will ship. Coincidence?

Continue reading The Daily Engadget: Worm Hits iPhones, Windows 8 in 2012?

The Daily Engadget: Worm Hits iPhones, Windows 8 in 2012? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mussolini's Brain for Sale on eBay?

switchedtips@gmail.com (Amar Toor) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:37:00 EST

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

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

Continue reading Mussolini's Brain for Sale on eBay?

Filed under: Web

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

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Steering Wheel-Mounted Desk Guaranteed to Make You a Worse Driver

switchedtips@gmail.com (Amar Toor) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:29:00 EST

Lets face it, driving safely can be kinda... boring. Paying attention to the road, having no distractions, not running into telephone
poles? Yawn.

So to spice things up, and give your hands something to do while you're doin' 70 on the freeway, the geniuses at Mobile Office have created the Laptop Steering Desk. That's right. A desk that attaches to your steering wheel. Really, it's just like one of those fold down trays on commercial airplanes... except that you're behind a two-ton killing machine, not a baby crying its way through the on-flight screening of 'Mean Girls' (psh, details).

Yeah, it's theoretically designed for use with parked cars. But seriously, who are we kidding? The most good this laptop desk can do is to help cops more legibly write citations... for drivers who total their cars while trying to do Sudoku on their laptop desks. [From: DVICE]

Filed under: Car Tech

Steering Wheel-Mounted Desk Guaranteed to Make You a Worse Driver originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Get HD for Free

switchedtips@gmail.com (Jon Chase) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:34:00 EST

All of the major TV networks currently broadcast HD video over the air and in better quality than what you likely receive from your cable/satellite company. And despite any techno-babble you may read, you can receive HD television signals over the air using a regular old TV antenna (as long as your HDTV has a built-in tuner, which most do). To figure out what channels are available in your area, and in what direction your antenna should be pointing, consult antennaweb.org. Hit up hdtvantennalabs.com for reviews of antennas, how-to guides, and helpful forums.

Filed under: Tech Tips

Get HD for Free originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gift Guide: 27-inch Apple iMac

switchedtips@gmail.com (Jon Chase) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:39:00 EST

27-inch Apple iMac (Creative, Under $2500)

We generally agree that Mac users get hit with the legendary Apple Tax for some models, but the recently updated iMacs have us buzzing about bargains. Overall the 27-inchers are very respectably spec-ed out for starting at $1700, with a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (or 2.66Ghz quad-core Intel Core i5), 4 gigabytes of memory, a 1 terabyte hard drive and a standard dual-layer CD/DVD drive, along with a wireless keyboard and mouse and Apple's iLife software -- a rock-solid setup for any student. But the 27-inch 16:9 LED-backlit screen is the killer app for us, as it's big enough to serve as a perfect HDTV for a dorm room or even a small living room. (The iMac also accepts video input from other sources that have a mini DisplayPort but, despite rumors it won't work with any current adapters on the market so for now that's basically reserved for other Macs.) Coupled with an Elgato EyeTV or a simple Netflix WatchNow account, your student has access to all the (legally purchased) media they'll need. You've done your job -- the grades are up to them.

Filed under: Holiday Gift Guide

Gift Guide: 27-inch Apple iMac originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Switched's Holiday Gift Guide 2009

switchedtips@gmail.com (Thomas Houston) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:01:00 EST

Those well-worn holiday tunes are filling the radio waves and stores again, even though Thanksgiving isn't even here yet. Get a jump on your holiday shopping (and retaining your sanity) with our handy Holiday Gift Guide for 2009. We've got you covered whether you're looking for an affordable gift for the creative in your family or have an unlimited budget for the gadget head in your close group of friends.

We know the frustration of finding the perfect gift, so we built this year's guide around types of people and several price ranges (ranging from Under $50 to unlimited budget). Select the type of person you're looking for, click an appropriate price, and the guide will reveal everything that fits.

Pour yourself some eggnog, boot up the guide and your favorite online retailer, and knock out your gift-giving in no time!

Filed under: Editor's Picks

Switched's Holiday Gift Guide 2009 originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments