Switched http://www.switched.com Switched. http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com prods@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Producers) support@weblogsinc.com (Weblogs, Inc. Web Support) en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. View our terms of service here: http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/ Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Farmers, Commodity Traders Find Common Soil on Twitter]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/farmers-commodity-traders-find-common-soil-on-twitter/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/farmers-commodity-traders-find-common-soil-on-twitter/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/farmers-commodity-traders-find-common-soil-on-twitter/#comments Twitter on the Farm A lot of people go to Facebook to harvest fake crops on fictitious farms. If you're interested in real farming, however, you're probably better off heading to Twitter, where both farmers and Wall Streeters alike are exchanging valuable, first-hand information about farming conditions across the globe. As Forbes reports, some farmers originally began using the social network as a way to advance their own political agenda. Over time, however, commodity traders began taking a greater interest in what the farming Twitter community had to say, as they soon realized that a 140-character missive could make the difference between profit and loss.

Trader Thomas Grisafi follows about 50 farmers on Twitter, along with a collection of weather forecasters, agricultural companies, and any other user who might be able to provide some insight into the crop commodity market. According to Grisafi, he's usually able to find breaking news or inside scoops on Twitter more quickly than he can on more traditional business news sites. And, more often than not, tweets straight from the farm can offer the kind of in situ insight that's hard to find elsewhere. Last week, for example, Grisafi received a flurry of tweets from European farmers, who claimed that the weather had been drier than most reports had indicated. The trader had previously assumed that the market price of wheat would fall, but, after reading the tweets, he quickly changed his position, and avoided a loss as prices rose.

Continue reading Farmers, Commodity Traders Find Common Soil on Twitter

Farmers, Commodity Traders Find Common Soil on Twitter originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> agriculturecommoditiesfarmersfarmingsocial mediasocial networksocial networkingsocialnetworkingtoptweettwitter Amar Toor Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:04:00 EST Switched <![CDATA['Freeciv': Sid Meier's Civilization Gets a Revamp in This New School Homage]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/freeciv-sid-meier-gets-a-revamp-in-this-new-school-homage/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/freeciv-sid-meier-gets-a-revamp-in-this-new-school-homage/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/freeciv-sid-meier-gets-a-revamp-in-this-new-school-homage/#comments Freeciv As much as we love new gaming experiences, sometimes we hanker for the classic games of our distant youth. Luckily, many of these can be revisited in browser-based iterations. This week, we'll take a look at timeless classics -- like Monday's 'Pac-Man', Tuesday's 'Lemmings' or yesterday's 'Duke Nukem' -- that are always worth wasted productivity. If you haven't played these in a few years, or if (heaven forbid) you've never undertaken them, then what are you waiting for?
Based on 'Civilization,' designer Sid Meier's classic PC strategy game of empire building, 'Freeciv.net' is a complex game with a simple goal: to conquer the world. In 'Freeciv.net,' players direct the expansion of their kingdom over a series of turns, much like an incredibly detailed game of 'Risk.' Technology can be researched, wars fought, cities founded, revolutions started, and much, much more. Most impressive about 'Freeciv.net' is its built-in online multi-player functionality. (Loners can opt to challenge AI.) While it takes a little while to get maneuvering (as the tricky controls and often overwhelming options necessitate reading the FAQ), the payoff is a deep, fun and challenging experience.

Continue reading 'Freeciv': Sid Meier's Civilization Gets a Revamp in This New School Homage

'Freeciv': Sid Meier's Civilization Gets a Revamp in This New School Homage originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> civilizationfreeciv.netgamesonthegogamingretrosid meierSidMeierTimeWastertimewasterstopvideogames Ben Deitz Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:14:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[A Net Neutrality Cheat Sheet: What It Is, and Why You Should Care]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/a-net-neutrality-cheat-sheet-what-it-is-and-why-you-should-car/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/a-net-neutrality-cheat-sheet-what-it-is-and-why-you-should-car/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/a-net-neutrality-cheat-sheet-what-it-is-and-why-you-should-car/#comments Net Neutrality

What is Net neutrality?

Net neutrality is a principle for managing the Internet, or more specifically, not managing it. At its logical extreme, the ideology would forbid any restriction or regulation of the content, devices or protocols used on the Web. In practice, it suggests that users paying for a particular level of service should be guaranteed the same quality of access to all content, unencumbered by artificial restrictions. (Translation: All of our websites deliver the same speeds, be it Hulu or FurniturePorn.com, without the cable providers interfering or giving preference to certain sites.) This is, more or less, the way things operate currently. Outside a few highly publicized incidents, we essentially operate under a system of Net neutrality by default.

What's the issue with the current system?

Proponents of net neutrality worry that, because the principles are not enshrined in law, service providers may decide to give priority to certain content (or traffic) based on corporate preferences or fees. For example, if Comcast is allowed to absorb NBC, it could give favorable treatment to that network's site and videos, while limiting the available bandwidth to video content from, say, Fox. This is particularly worrisome for consumer advocates, because in many areas of the nation there are few options for broadband Internet access, making it difficult (if not impossible) for consumers to "vote with their wallets" against a provider that blocks or throttles data based on type, origin or content.

Continue reading A Net Neutrality Cheat Sheet: What It Is, and Why You Should Care

A Net Neutrality Cheat Sheet: What It Is, and Why You Should Care originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> fccfeaturesinanutshellnet neutralityNetNeutralitytopweb Terrence O'Brien Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:24:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Sensor-Controlled Tower 'Breathes' to Save Energy, Eliminate Office Tornadoes]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/sensor-controlled-tower-breathes-to-save-energy-eliminate-off/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/sensor-controlled-tower-breathes-to-save-energy-eliminate-off/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/sensor-controlled-tower-breathes-to-save-energy-eliminate-off/#comments kwf bankengruppe bullding A new skyscraper in Frankfurt, Germany has been outfitted with a "pressure ring" façade that, quite literally, allows the building to breathe. Unlike other German towers, which are mandated by law to include windows that open, the KfW Bankengruppe office building doesn't suffer from rip-roaring winds when a casement gets thrown open -- and neither does it endure the energy loss of older edifices.

The KfW tower, designed by architecture firm Sauerbruch Hutton, is expected to consume only a third of the energy consumed by a typical U.S. office building. A "pressure ring" composed of 180 vertical ventilators outside the inner façade responds to changes in air temperature, wind direction and speed throughout the day. A radius of carefully controlled air pressure, which prevents higher-altitude winds from entering, surrounds the building before being "exhausted into the building's core," according to FastCoDesign. An LED panel will suggest optimal times for workers to open the windows, although it's ultimately their own decision. But let's just hope that the computerized tower doesn't go haywire like the one that tried to kill Paul Reiser.

Sensor-Controlled Tower 'Breathes' to Save Energy, Eliminate Office Tornadoes originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> architecturefrankfurtgermanygreenKfW BankengruppeKfwBankengruppeoffice buildingOfficeBuildingpressure ringPressureRingSauerbruch HuttonSauerbruchHuttonSkyscrapertop Matthew Zuras Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:34:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Manor, Texas: Government Evolution or Fad Solutions in the QR Code-Connected Town]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/manor-texas-government-evolution-or-fad-solutions-in-the-qr-co/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/manor-texas-government-evolution-or-fad-solutions-in-the-qr-co/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/manor-texas-government-evolution-or-fad-solutions-in-the-qr-co/#comments google streetview image of jennie lane smartpark qr code Ponder, for a moment, this photo of a field in Manor, Texas. Outside Jennie Lane SmartPark, which is also the home to the town's farmers' market, hangs a large QR code that directs both residents and curious passersby to this website, which gives a brief history of the land and its re-dedication from "park" to "SmartPark." The SmartPark now boasts free Wi-Fi and "technology training classes," all a part of Manor's government tech upgrade that began back in 2008.

With an estimated population of 5,468, Manor is still a small town. But its upgrade -- including services like a redesigned city website, a Web app for reporting street and water issues called SeeClickFix, and a crowd-sourcing website for new ideas called Manor Labs -- has made news as representing the evolution of local government into the Internet age. Manor will be hosting a two-day tech conference later this month called manor.govfresh, where city officials will meet with other municipal governments about its programs, and will even give another town -- De Leon, Texas -- a "Gov City 2.0 Makeover."

Continue reading Manor, Texas: Government Evolution or Fad Solutions in the QR Code-Connected Town

Manor, Texas: Government Evolution or Fad Solutions in the QR Code-Connected Town originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> barcodesde leonDeLeonlocal governmentLocalGovernmentmanormanor labsmanor.govfreshManorLabsQR codeQrCoderecessionseeclickfixtexastop Matthew Zuras Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:43:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[iFixit Disembowels the Atari 2600]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/ifixit-disembowels-the-atari-2600/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/ifixit-disembowels-the-atari-2600/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/ifixit-disembowels-the-atari-2600/#comments Atari 2600 Disected iFixit is popular for its teardowns of the latest gadgets, exposing their chips and circuits to the world. This week, though, the site has gone retro, ripping open the RCA Studio II and the Magnavox Odyssey 100. Yesterday, the site spread the innards of the granddaddy of gaming consoles, the Atari 2600, across a table for all to see.

iFixit Disembowels the Atari 2600 originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> AtariAtari 2600Atari2600teardowntopvideogames Terrence O'Brien Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Double Rainbow Guy Shills for Microsoft]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/double-rainbow-guy-shills-for-microsoft/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/double-rainbow-guy-shills-for-microsoft/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/double-rainbow-guy-shills-for-microsoft/#comments Double Rainbow Guy After Paul "Bear" Vasquez went viral with his rather enthusiastic response to seeing a "double rainbow all the way across the sky," we thought he would quietly fade back into obscurity. Even after The Gregory Brothers autotuned Bear's wonderment within an inch of its life to create one minute and 30 seconds of accidental pop brilliance, there was no reason to expect that, two months later, we'd still be talking about him. But the team at Windows Live Photo Gallery thought the former cage fighter was a perfect match for a video to promote its panorama stitch feature. Check out the video after the jump in which Bear, with significantly less enthusiasm, marvels at yet another double rainbow, then snaps three pictures of the refracted light and combines them to create a single panoramic image that captures the entire rainbow. While we might not be free of the nature lover's ramblings just yet, this video does make one thing clear: Bear won't be making the leap to acting anytime soon.

Continue reading Double Rainbow Guy Shills for Microsoft

Double Rainbow Guy Shills for Microsoft originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> double rainbowDoubleRainbowmicrosofttopwindowswindows livewindows live photo galleryWindowsLiveWindowsLivePhotoGallery Terrence O'Brien Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:06:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[College Kids in Colorado Crash NASA Satellite]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/college-kids-in-colorado-crash-nasa-satellite/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/college-kids-in-colorado-crash-nasa-satellite/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/college-kids-in-colorado-crash-nasa-satellite/#comments As part of what must be the coolest undergraduate class ever, a group of students from the University of Colorado at Boulder recently crashed a NASA satellite into the ocean -- on purpose. As PopSci explains, undergrads and professors at UC-Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) spent a full seven years monitoring NASA's Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) as it collected data on polar ice, ice sheets and sea ice dynamics, as well.

Eventually, though, the satellite ran out of fuel, and it was time to put her to bed. So, after conducting calculations and simulating re-entry scenarios for seven days, the team finally decided to crash ICESat into the Barents Sea, just north of Norway and Russia, where collateral damage would be minimized. They then set the satellite on an appropriate trajectory, and watched with glee as it re-entered the atmosphere, burned up and met its watery death.

Continue reading College Kids in Colorado Crash NASA Satellite

College Kids in Colorado Crash NASA Satellite originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> LaboratoryForAerospaceAndPhysicslaspNASAsatellitesciencespacetopundergradundergraduateUniversityOfColoradoUniversityOfColoradoAtBoulder Amar Toor Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:16:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[BeamAtic Headlights Remedy the Blight of Blinding High Beams]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/beamatic-headlights-remedy-the-blight-of-blinding-high-beams/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/beamatic-headlights-remedy-the-blight-of-blinding-high-beams/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/beamatic-headlights-remedy-the-blight-of-blinding-high-beams/#comments BeamAtic Blinding high beams, the ignorance of turn signals and creepers in the passing lane rank among -- and perhaps as -- the most annoying nuisances on the road. Enviable Japanese drivers may soon forget about one of those infuriating tendencies, though, with the arrival of new BeamAtic Premium headlights.

France's Valeo SA developed the technology, which reportedly relies on an on-board camera and image processing software to identify approaching vehicles. The system then utilizes the headlights' "moveable dousers" to shift the light away from the eyes of oncoming drivers. Blinding brights, then, (which could actually be left on all the time) no longer appear quite so blinding or bright. Ichiko Industries plans to release the luminous lifesavers in Japan next month, and hopes that the devices will soon become factory standards for various manufacturers. An array of other pavement plagues still clog the streets, but -- until that awesome laser-guided navigation system finally arrives -- this should at least help quell some of the rage.

BeamAtic Headlights Remedy the Blight of Blinding High Beams originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> automobilesbeamaticbright lightsBrightLightsheadlightstopValeoSa Warren Riddle Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:26:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[iTunes 10 Finally Out for Download, 'Angry Birds' Dive-Bombing to Android]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/itunes-10-finally-out-for-download-angry-birds-dive-bombing-t/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/itunes-10-finally-out-for-download-angry-birds-dive-bombing-t/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/itunes-10-finally-out-for-download-angry-birds-dive-bombing-t/#comments iTunes 10
 Highlights from this morning's big tech headlines
  • The Ping social network-infused iTunes 10 finally landed last night, and it's available for download. [From: Apple]
  • The ever popular 'Angry Birds' game has been confirmed as being released to Android phones this Friday. [From: TalkAndroid]
  • Also late last night, Twitter launched its official free app for iPad, bringing multiple account logins and some really unique gestures and actions to your daily flood of 140 characters. [From: Twitter]
  • Starting today, BlackBerry users can finally pay for their Starbucks venti macchiatos with their smartphones. [From: Mashable]
  • Samsung's Android-powered Galaxy Tab finally gets official, and our friends at Engadget go hands-on with the 7-inch tablet. [From: Engadget]

iTunes 10 Finally Out for Download, 'Angry Birds' Dive-Bombing to Android originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appleblackberrygalaxy tabGalaxyTabitunesitunes 10Itunes10morningxtrapingsamsungsamsung galaxy tabSamsungGalaxyTabstarbuckstoptwitter Thomas Houston Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:36:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Peter Bentley's iStethoscope iPhone App Takes Off]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/iphone-stethoscope-app-takes-off/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/iphone-stethoscope-app-takes-off/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/iphone-stethoscope-app-takes-off/#comments iPhone Stethoscope App When Peter Bentley wrote the 'iStethoscope' app for the iPhone, it was meant, we think, to be entertainment. The $0.99 app has some surprisingly powerful features for recording and measuring heart beats, but the tiny iPhone microphone makes it quite difficult to use and a tad unreliable. In the U.S., the app hasn't seen much success, but, overseas, it's gained traction since Bentley introduced a free version last week.

With over 500 downloads per day, 'iStethoscope' has clearly piqued some people's interest. The question is, are any of them doctors? The iPhone's potential in the healthcare field is no secret, but thus far such uses have been confined to the likes of blood sugar meters and non-smoking apps. Is it possible for a medical professional to simply place her phone against your chest, and listen to and record your heart? Will doctors use their iPhones to perform ultrasounds, or to perform on-the-spot blood analysis? Maybe, but we won't lie: If our doctor came to the examination room and started pressing his beat-up 3G against our chest, he'd only hear a heart attack.

Continue reading Peter Bentley's iStethoscope iPhone App Takes Off

Peter Bentley's iStethoscope iPhone App Takes Off originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> healthhealthcareistethoscopemedicalmedicinestethoscopetop Terrence O'Brien Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Chinese Cell Phone Buyers Now Required to Show ID, Passports]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/chinese-cell-phone-buyers-now-required-to-show-id-passports/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/chinese-cell-phone-buyers-now-required-to-show-id-passports/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/chinese-cell-phone-buyers-now-required-to-show-id-passports/#comments man standing in front of chinese cell phone ad As part of a cracked-out crackdown on mobile privacy, China now requires all of its citizens to register their personal information before buying cell phones. As Reuters reports, the country's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will now require anyone buying a cell phone to show ID cards, with foreign purchasers having to show their passports. According to the China Daily newspaper, the decision, which goes into effect today, is part of "the latest campaign by the government to curb the global scourge of spam, pornographic messages and fraud on cellular phones." In China, text message spam is apparently something of a major problem. Some, however, have criticized the move as yet another infringement on citizen privacy.

Critics have expressed concern that, for example, the government could easily use the registered information to monitor Chinese mobile users. Others have pointed out that the data could be sold to corrupt companies or spammers. "Now that the system of authenticating names for mobile phones is being enforced, the related measures for protecting citizens' privacy cannot be delayed," reads a critique in the China Economic Times. It'd certainly be nice to see China implement such protective measures, but, at this point, it seems like wishful thinking.

Chinese Cell Phone Buyers Now Required to Show ID, Passports originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cell phonecell phonesCellPhoneCellPhoneschinachinesechinese governmentChineseGovernmentgovernmentmobilemobile phoneMobilePhonemonitorprivacyPrivacy PolicyPrivacyIssuesPrivacyPolicytop Amar Toor Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Textees: Thumb Cozies for Imprecise Texters]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/textees-thumb-cozies-for-imprecise-texters/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/textees-thumb-cozies-for-imprecise-texters/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/textees-thumb-cozies-for-imprecise-texters/#comments screenshot of textees commercial You, dear reader, need a pair of Textees! They look like tiny Crocs for your thumbs, and, if this promo video's correct, they'll save you from sending the wrong text to the three girls you're playing at once. Textees could also be great for senior citizens who like to sext but have poor dexterity, and who enjoy canned gangsta rap with their cable commercials.

Continue reading Textees: Thumb Cozies for Imprecise Texters

Textees: Thumb Cozies for Imprecise Texters originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> cellphonessextingtexteestextingtop Matthew Zuras Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:15:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Google Maps Adds Sponsored Icons, Puts Logos on Your Searches]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/google-maps-adds-sponsored-icons-puts-logos-on-your-searches/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/google-maps-adds-sponsored-icons-puts-logos-on-your-searches/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/02/google-maps-adds-sponsored-icons-puts-logos-on-your-searches/#comments HSBC Logo on Google Maps Starting today, you might notice something different about your searches in Google Maps: company logos. After a trial period in Australia and New Zealand, Google is expanding its sponsored map icons program to the States. Bank of America, Target, Public Storage and HSBC will now have their logos, as opposed to generic business icons, displayed in Google Maps to indicate their locations. The program is only in beta at the moment, but it's expected to eventually include all companies that wish to pay to have their logos displayed. The sponsored icons will become visible in the next few weeks on mobile phones, as well, where they'll likely be much more useful. Businesses paying to have their icons in Google Maps will benefit by having more visible locations in searches and increasing brand awareness, while consumers will be happy to navigate the map with added ease.

The common worry is that, if enough companies buy into the program, our Maps may become buried in a sea of logos. But, Google says it will decide which logos to display based on the search context to prevent customers from being overwhelmed. If you search for a restaurant, Google may display logos for banks (in case you need to hit an ATM), whereas you probably won't see Public Storage locations.

Google Maps Adds Sponsored Icons, Puts Logos on Your Searches originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> advertisinggoogle mapsGoogleMapslogostop Terrence O'Brien Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Tech on the 'Mad Men' Set, iPhones and iPads to Remote Control Apple TV]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/tech-on-the-mad-men-set-iphones-and-ipads-to-remote-control-a/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/tech-on-the-mad-men-set-iphones-and-ipads-to-remote-control-a/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/tech-on-the-mad-men-set-iphones-and-ipads-to-remote-control-a/#comments There's a load of great tech news happening out there every day, and, unfortunately, we just can't cover it all. Here are a few of the other noteworthy things we saw today on our never-ending journey through the wild, wild Web.
  • Core77 picks some delightful snaps of modern tech on the '60s era set of 'Mad Men.' [From: Core77]
  • Steve Jobs may have skipped over it during today's Apple event, but every touch-based iDevice will be able to act as an Apple TV remote control. [From: Wired]
  • Chewie, Han and R2-D2 get illustrated as if they were part of 'Winnie the Pooh.' [From: BoingBoing]
  • Red Letter Media, known for its 'Star Wars' prequel reviews, takes on the latest 'Star Trek' film. The surprisingly positive review examines the evolution of the classic characters in J.J. Abrams' hyper-charged relaunch of the series. As usual, it's not particularly safe for work. [From: Red Letter Media]
Got a tip? In need of more choice links like these? Drop us a line on Twitter and check out our Tumblr blog.

Tech on the 'Mad Men' Set, iPhones and iPads to Remote Control Apple TV originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appleapple tvAppleTvbestoftherestipad remoteIpadRemotemad menMadMenred letter mediaRedLetterMediastar trekstar warsStarTrekStarWarssteve jobsSteveJobstop Thomas Houston Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Google Launches Foursquare-like Badge Game for Energy Consumption]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/google-launches-foursquare-like-badge-game-for-energy-consumptio/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/google-launches-foursquare-like-badge-game-for-energy-consumptio/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/google-launches-foursquare-like-badge-game-for-energy-consumptio/#comments google powermeter Google already offers a free power-consumption meter, called Google Powermeter, that allows users to check their energy-usage levels from their phones or remote computers. Taking a page from Foursquare's location-based book, the company has now added a badge-oriented game for competitive energy consumers to play.

The game, which you can find under 'Take Action' on your Powermeter page, offers a personalized recommendation service for players, and awards players with badges based on their energy conservation. "Collecting badges is a fun way of keeping track of your accomplishments to reduce energy waste and save money," exclaims a post on Google's blog. "And you might even strike up some friendly competition among family and friends to see who can collect the most badges the fastest!"

Continue reading Google Launches Foursquare-like Badge Game for Energy Consumption

Google Launches Foursquare-like Badge Game for Energy Consumption originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> badgebadgeselectricityelectricity billsElectricityBillsEnergyFourSquaregoogleGoogle power metergoogle powermeterGooglePowermetergreenPowerMetertop Amar Toor Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA['Duke Nukem' Redone: Re-Experience This Classic on Your Browser]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/duke-nukem-redone-re-experience-this-classic-on-your-browser/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/duke-nukem-redone-re-experience-this-classic-on-your-browser/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/duke-nukem-redone-re-experience-this-classic-on-your-browser/#comments As much as we love new gaming experiences, sometimes we hanker for the classic games of our distant youth. Luckily, many of these can be revisited in browser-based iterations. This week, we'll take a look at timeless classics -- like Monday's 'Pac-Man' or yesterday's 'Lemmings' -- that are always worth wasted productivity. If you haven't played these in a few years, or if (heaven forbid) you've never undertaken them, then what are you waiting for?

While eponymous main character Duke may be better known for his classic first-person shooter 'Duke Nukem 3D,' or for its vaporware sequel 'Duke Nukem Forever', he began his career in this entertaining side-scroller for PC. The game's expansive levels are well designed for its era, giving players a large playing field in which to blast robotic enemies, collect power-ups, and, most importantly, amass massive amounts of points. The controls are simple, the arrow keys dictating movement, the 'Ctrl' key jumping, and the 'Alt' key blasting Duke's laser gun. 'Duke Nukem' is fun and addictive, but we recommend that players turn down the volume on this one, as the game's screeching sound effects drove us to the brink of teeth-gnashing insanity.

Gallery: Duke Nukem

Continue reading 'Duke Nukem' Redone: Re-Experience This Classic on Your Browser

'Duke Nukem' Redone: Re-Experience This Classic on Your Browser originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> duke nukem 3-ddukenukemDukeNukem3-dfeaturesgamesonthegoretrotop Ben Deitz Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:02:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[The Best iPhone Fitness Apps for Getting Back in Shape]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/the-best-iphone-fitness-apps-for-getting-back-in-shape/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/the-best-iphone-fitness-apps-for-getting-back-in-shape/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/the-best-iphone-fitness-apps-for-getting-back-in-shape/#comments Far be it from us to preach to you about the virtues of a rigorous physical regimen. The only time we ever walked into a gym was when we urgently needed to break a $50 bill before Shake Shack closed. Don't get us wrong -- your writer is very much aware that getting off the couch and spending time on a treadmill can do wonders for bodies and minds. It's just that he's addicted to the Internet, and all of the sedentary, digital confectioneries it has to offer. Recently, though, we discovered a way to combine our unabashedly unhealthy geekiness with an exercise regimen -- namely, in the iPhone.

At first, we were flabbergasted. The iPhone, after all, has traditionally been something of a side-pocket flask to our inner alcoholic. It's always there to provide online refuge whenever we find ourselves in foreign (read: "social") situations, and has never failed us when we needed to play 'Plants vs. Zombies' during a rare and invariably awkward date. As it turns out, though, more than a few people use their iPhones for productive things. (Absurd, we know.) How productive? Think "getting in shape" productive. We decided to look into this decidedly counterintuitive phenomenon, and, much to our surprise, we discovered countless iPhone apps designed expressly to pump us up. Here are a few of our favorites:

Continue reading The Best iPhone Fitness Apps for Getting Back in Shape

The Best iPhone Fitness Apps for Getting Back in Shape originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> featuresgymgoalabchundred pushupsHundredPushupsifitnessimapmyrunmens health workoutsMensHealthWorkoutsnavy seal fitnessNavySealFitnessnikenikewomen training clubNikewomenTrainingCluboakleyrunmatetop Amar Toor Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:15:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Students Attempt Fastest Canada Crossing in Electric VW Beetle]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/students-attempt-fastest-canada-crossing-in-electric-vw-beetle/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/students-attempt-fastest-canada-crossing-in-electric-vw-beetle/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/students-attempt-fastest-canada-crossing-in-electric-vw-beetle/#comments screenshot of electric vw beetle For people of a certain age, the mention of cross-country road trips instantly evokes the memories of youthful hedonism, the fragrances of patchouli and the stench of an old, gas-guzzling Volkswagen van. A group of college students in Canada, however, recently went through the rite of VW road trip passage in a decidedly more eco-friendly way. As Techi reports, members of the Electric Car Club at the University of British Columbia have embarked on a quest to set the record for the fastest cross-country Canadian road trip in an electric car. Their ride of choice? A souped-up 1972 Volkwagen Beetle EV.

To render the car eco-friendly, the team combined a three-phase AC induction motor with a lithium ion phosphate battery, allowing the beast to run for about 185 miles at a speed of 60 mph, or over 340 miles at 30 mph (see it in action here). So far, the eco-explorers have completed about a third of their 4,000-mile long odyssey, and have been documenting ever second of the trip on their blog. The record may be far from sealed, but the UBC team is already looking forward to entering their retro-lectric creation in the Zero Race, an 80-day, round-the-world race for electric vehicles. Even if they don't win the event, they'll certainly win plenty of style points.

Continue reading Students Attempt Fastest Canada Crossing in Electric VW Beetle

Students Attempt Fastest Canada Crossing in Electric VW Beetle originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> beetlecanadacarcarscross countrycross country tripcross country tripsCrossCountryCrossCountryTripCrossCountryTripsElectric carElectricCarElectricCarsElectricVehicleenvironmentenvironmentalenvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentallyFriendlyracerace zeroracesRaceZerotopvolkswagenVolkswagen BeetleVolkswagenBeetlevw Amar Toor Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[iOS 4.1, iTunes 10, Apple TV and New iPods: Apple Fall Event Roundup]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/ios-4-1-itunes-10-apple-tv-and-new-ipods-apple-fall-event-rou/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/ios-4-1-itunes-10-apple-tv-and-new-ipods-apple-fall-event-rou/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/ios-4-1-itunes-10-apple-tv-and-new-ipods-apple-fall-event-rou/#comments In case you missed Apple's announcement today, Steve Jobs unveiled a new series of iPods, iTunes 10, a smaller Apple TV and an update to the mobile iOS software. Head after the break for a quick breakdown of everything you need to know.

Continue reading iOS 4.1, iTunes 10, Apple TV and New iPods: Apple Fall Event Roundup

iOS 4.1, iTunes 10, Apple TV and New iPods: Apple Fall Event Roundup originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Apple TVAppleTvios 4.1ios 4.2Ios4.1Ios4.2ipod nanoipod nano 5giPod shuffleipod touchIpodNanoIpodNano5gIpodShuffleIpodTouchitunes 10Itunes10netflix streamingNetflixStreamingtop Switched Staff Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:55:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Apple's 2010 iPod Lineup Shuns the Classic, Gives Nano Multitouch]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/apples-2010-ipod-lineup-shuns-the-classic-gives-nano-multitouc/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/apples-2010-ipod-lineup-shuns-the-classic-gives-nano-multitouc/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/apples-2010-ipod-lineup-shuns-the-classic-gives-nano-multitouc/#comments iPod It's September, which means it's new iPod time, and Apple didn't disappoint. The iPod shuffle, nano and touch all received serious redesigns today. Not shockingly, the iPod classic was left out of the mix, with some speculating that it could be the last hurrah for the device that truly kicked off the digital audio revolution. (Engadget confirms that, while it didn't get an update, the iPod classic isn't going anywhere just yet.)

The shuffle is heading back to its roots and bringing back buttons, likely a welcome change for most users who never got used to shouting at their player to skip a track. The new version regains the old control circle, bumps the battery life to 15 hours, and shaves $10 off the price. The new 2GB model will be available next week for $49 in a variety of colors.

Continue reading Apple's 2010 iPod Lineup Shuns the Classic, Gives Nano Multitouch

Apple's 2010 iPod Lineup Shuns the Classic, Gives Nano Multitouch originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> applefacetimeipodipod nanoipod shuffleipod touchipod upgradeIpodNanoIpodShuffleIpodTouchIpodUpgradetop Terrence O'Brien Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Apple TV Gets Tiny, Gets Netflix, Gets Useful]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/apple-tv-gets-tiny-gets-netflix-gets-useful/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/apple-tv-gets-tiny-gets-netflix-gets-useful/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/apple-tv-gets-tiny-gets-netflix-gets-useful/#comments Apple TV The Apple TV has been something of a joke since it was first introduced as a "hobby" way back in 2007. Essentially, an underpowered and hobbled Mac Mini with an oversimplified UI, it found some fans in the small demographic of tinkerers and Apple fanboys. But now, after years of speculation, Steve Jobs is finally putting down the Apple TV, and, in its place, picking up, well, a new Apple TV.

The new Apple TV will be able to pump out HD video, although there's no word on whether it'll handle 1080p or be limited to 720p. It sports a completely new look, one that is slightly less reminiscent of the Mac Mini. It's seriously small (tiny enough for Steve to fit in the palm of his hand) and matte black. Around back are the expected HDMI and power connectors, as well as an Ethernet port. But, for those without a long enough cable, Apple has included Wi-Fi N, so you can streaming your HD content.

Continue reading Apple TV Gets Tiny, Gets Netflix, Gets Useful

Apple TV Gets Tiny, Gets Netflix, Gets Useful originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appleapple tvAppleTvnetflixnetflix streamingNetflixStreamingstreamingstreaming videoStreamingVideotoptvvideo Terrence O'Brien Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:35:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[iTunes 10 Debuts, Adds 'Ping' Social Networking]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/itunes-10-debuts-adds-ping-social-networking/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/itunes-10-debuts-adds-ping-social-networking/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/itunes-10-debuts-adds-ping-social-networking/#comments iTunes 10 Among other news from Apple's annual "music event" today, Jobs and company, in light of launching version 10, have finally decided to update the iTunes logo from the anachronistic CD that has lived on desktops for nearly a decade. Apple is also introducing a new music-based social networking feature called Ping that will run through iTunes 10. Jobs described Ping as "Facebook and Twitter meet iTunes." The service will allow users to follow friends and even music artists in order to see what they're listening to or downloading through iTunes. Last.fm is not going to be happy!

With Ping's database of over 17,000 concerts, users will also be able to find, and list themselves as attending, live shows. Jobs, for the record, is going to see Tegan and Sara.

iTunes 10 will be available today on Apple's official site.

Continue reading iTunes 10 Debuts, Adds 'Ping' Social Networking

iTunes 10 Debuts, Adds 'Ping' Social Networking originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appleitunespingtop Switched Staff Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:12:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[iOS 4.1 Landing Next Week, Jobs Teases iOS 4.2]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/ios-4-1-landing-next-week-jobs-teases-ios-4-2/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/ios-4-1-landing-next-week-jobs-teases-ios-4-2/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/ios-4-1-landing-next-week-jobs-teases-ios-4-2/#comments iOS 4 has garnered more attention than just about any iPhone OS upgrade before it, thanks primarily to the debut of multitasking. But the upgraded iOS has also irritated many due to the well-documented bugs involving its proximity sensor and Bluetooth radio. And that's not to mention the almost unusable state in which it leaves the poor iPhone 3G. iOS 4.1 is set to hit next week, and addresses many of those issues. No significant iOS release would be complete without new features, and 4.1 brings a few nice enhancements:
  • HDR Photos -- A new HDR mode for the camera takes three snapshots: an underexposed one, an overexposed one, and another in the middle. It then combines the images to eliminate shadows and washed-out areas.
  • HD Video Uploads -- iOS will now support HD video uploads over Wi-Fi.
  • TV Show Rentals -- You'll now have the option to rent, not just buy, TV shows through iTunes right from the device.
  • Game Center -- The much-discussed Game Center will finally make its debut with 4.1. The Game Center app connects players with friends and strangers to allow multi-player games. It also has a global leader board, where high scores and achievements will be posted.

Continue reading iOS 4.1 Landing Next Week, Jobs Teases iOS 4.2

iOS 4.1 Landing Next Week, Jobs Teases iOS 4.2 originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> top Terrence O'Brien Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA['Love Plus +' Resort Lures Gamers With Augmented Reality Girls]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/love-plus-resort-lures-gamers-with-augmented-reality-girls/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/love-plus-resort-lures-gamers-with-augmented-reality-girls/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/love-plus-resort-lures-gamers-with-augmented-reality-girls/#comments Love Plus + iPhone app Japanese gamers, specifically male ones, are downright obsessed with 'Love Plus.' In case you've never heard of it, 'Love Plus' is a dating simulator in which players get a virtual pet girl to chat up and (hopefully) kiss. The DS title is getting the sequel treatment, 'Love Plus +,' and, to promote the new installment, Konami created an augmented reality iPhone app. The app allows users to interact and take photos with their digital love interests at 13 "romantic" spots around the resort town of Atami.

Scattered around the town, and even in the rooms of the Ohnoya hotel, are small black and white squares telling the app to render the virtual teenage girls. Since the promotion began in July, over 2,000 players have come to visit and take snapshots with their digital sweethearts. Over 200 even rented rooms at Ohnoya just to interact with one of the characters as she lounged on a love seat. Check out the trailer for the game after the break, and be prepared for major culture shock.

Continue reading 'Love Plus +' Resort Lures Gamers With Augmented Reality Girls

'Love Plus +' Resort Lures Gamers With Augmented Reality Girls originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> araugmented realityAugmentedRealityjapankonamilove plusLovePlusOnly In JapanOnlyInJapantop Terrence O'Brien Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:27:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Dave Mustaine Pens New Megadeth Jam for 'Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock']]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/dave-mustaine-pens-new-megadeth-jam-for-guitar-hero-warriors-o/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/dave-mustaine-pens-new-megadeth-jam-for-guitar-hero-warriors-o/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/dave-mustaine-pens-new-megadeth-jam-for-guitar-hero-warriors-o/#comments Dave Mustaine While we'd never claim that Megadeth's classic catalog holds a candle to Metallica's, Dave Mustaine has always out-shredded his former bandmates, and has only sharpened his metal edge -- even when Hetfield & Co. cut their hair and softened their riffage. Befitting that legacy, Megadeth has released a new song expressly for 'Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.' Its title is "Sudden Death," and its goal is "a severe ass-kicking."

Continue reading Dave Mustaine Pens New Megadeth Jam for 'Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock'

Dave Mustaine Pens New Megadeth Jam for 'Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock' originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> davemustaineguitar heroguitarheroGuitarHeroWarriorsOfRockmegadethmetalmusictopvideogames Lee Bains Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:40:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Are You Ready for Some Faceball? EA Launches 'Madden NFL' for Facebook]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/are-you-ready-for-some-faceball-ea-launches-madden-nfl-for-fa/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/are-you-ready-for-some-faceball-ea-launches-madden-nfl-for-fa/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/are-you-ready-for-some-faceball-ea-launches-madden-nfl-for-fa/#comments On the heels of its wildly popular, Facebook soccer game 'FIFA Superstars,' EA has now decided to bring everyone's favorite video game to the world's most popular social network. As USA Today reports, the game maker recently launched a new Facebook version of its famed NFL game, entitled 'Madden NFL Superstars.' Much like 'FIFA Superstars,' which EA launched before the World Cup, the company's free-to-play, Facebook-ified Madden game allows players to create their own teams, and play against their friends and real NFL lineups.

"The truth is there are 60-some million NFL fans out there and we don't sell Madden NFL (on console video game systems) to all of them," says Mike Taramykin, vice president of EA Sports. "The goal is really to expand the franchise to new platforms in hopes of reaching football fans and NFL fans wherever they may want to be entertained as opposed to where we happen to be entertaining people at the moment."

Continue reading Are You Ready for Some Faceball? EA Launches 'Madden NFL' for Facebook

Are You Ready for Some Faceball? EA Launches 'Madden NFL' for Facebook originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appseaea sportsEaSportsfacebookfacebook appsFacebookAppsgamingmaddenmadden nfl superstarsmadden-nfl-11MaddenNflSuperstarssocialnetworkingtopweb Amar Toor Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:50:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Zuckerberg Crowned 'New Caesar' by Vanity Fair, Tops List of 100 Most Influential]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/zuckerberg-crowned-new-caesar-by-vanity-fair-tops-list-of-100/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/zuckerberg-crowned-new-caesar-by-vanity-fair-tops-list-of-100/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/zuckerberg-crowned-new-caesar-by-vanity-fair-tops-list-of-100/#comments Vanity Fair will bow to Silicon Valley in its October issue, which will see the magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Lo and behold, Mark Zuckerberg takes the number one spot: "This year Vanity Fair anoints Zuck as our new Caesar. He rules from the imperial capital of Palo Alto, California, the Rome of our nascent millennium."

Although VF kind of glosses over all of the privacy issues and lawsuits facing the new Caesar (a comparison which, we must point out, is full of back-stabby inference), we have to admit that Facebook's reach does extend even beyond Apple's. And that's probably why Steve Jobs gets the dubious honor of being ranked number two on VF's list, behind the 26-year-old enfant terrible whom he probably served to inspire. But Zuckerberg did one-up Jobs in Hollywood, at least, getting his own contentious biopic that wasn't just made for TV.

Continue reading Zuckerberg Crowned 'New Caesar' by Vanity Fair, Tops List of 100 Most Influential

Zuckerberg Crowned 'New Caesar' by Vanity Fair, Tops List of 100 Most Influential originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> amazonapplebiz stoneBizStonecaesareric schmidtEricSchmidtevan williamsEvanWilliamsgooglejeff bezosJeffBezoslarry ellisonlarry pageLarryEllisonLarryPagemark zuckerbergMarkZuckerbergoraclesergey brinSergeyBrinsteve jobsSteveJobstoptop 100Top 100 ListsTop100Top100Liststwittervanity fairVanityFair Matthew Zuras Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[U.S. State Department Uses Twitter to Get North Korea's Attention]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/u-s-state-department-uses-twitter-to-get-north-koreas-attentio/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/u-s-state-department-uses-twitter-to-get-north-koreas-attentio/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/u-s-state-department-uses-twitter-to-get-north-koreas-attentio/#comments screenshot of p.j. crowley's tweet to north korea While most other American officials struggle to substantially advance diplomatic relations with North Korea, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley has decided to take a slightly different approach to cracking the North Korean nut: Twitter. As the New York Times reports, Crowley recently posted a series of pointed tweets about the eternally enigmatic Pyongyang regime, which only recently discovered the wonders that social networking has to offer. Whether or not the spokesman's words ever reach North Korean soil, however, is another matter altogether.

Crowley's tweets began hospitably enough ("We use Twitter to connect, to inform, and to debate. We welcome North #Korea to Twitter and the networked world."), but soon took a turn for the diplomatically critical. "The North Korean government has joined Twitter, but is it prepared to allow its citizens to be connected as well? #Korea," reads one of Crowley's tweets. Another, more philosophical missive asks, "North #Korea has joined #Facebook, but will it allow its citizens to belong? What is Facebook without friends?" Crowley also wrote, "Americans should heed our #travel warning and avoid North Korea. We only have a handful of former presidents," followed by a link to the Department of State's page on North Korean travel dangers.

Continue reading U.S. State Department Uses Twitter to Get North Korea's Attention

U.S. State Department Uses Twitter to Get North Korea's Attention originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> diplomacygovernmentkim jong ilKimJongIlkoreanNorthKoreaSocialNetworkingSouthKoreaStateDepartmenttoptwitter Amar Toor Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Vail's EpicMix App Lets Skiers Catalog and Claim Mountain Conquests]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/vails-epicmix-app-lets-skiers-catalog-and-claim-mountain-conque/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/vails-epicmix-app-lets-skiers-catalog-and-claim-mountain-conque/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/vails-epicmix-app-lets-skiers-catalog-and-claim-mountain-conque/#comments Vail EpicMix Vail, Colorado's reputation as a premiere global ski destination has been earned from almost 50 trailblazing years of excellent service, sprawling terrain and unrivaled entertainment for families and casual riders. Vail and Summit County now hope to further the evolution of U.S. mountain sports with a new app that intertwines up-to-the-minute snow and trail reports, various aspects of social networking services like Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare, and the award systems of the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live.

This upcoming season (premiering November 5th at Keystone Resort), the PEAKS lift ticket along with Vail's Epic, Summit, Heavenly and Colorado season passes will come equipped with wireless Radio-Frequency (RF) transmitters. The RF chips already enable instant lift access (without having to cumbersomely handle paper tickets), and will now allow skiers and boarders to comprehensively "capture, connect and share" their mountain conquests.

Continue reading Vail's EpicMix App Lets Skiers Catalog and Claim Mountain Conquests

Vail's EpicMix App Lets Skiers Catalog and Claim Mountain Conquests originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> appsepicmixRFIDRFID tagsskiingsportsummit countySummitCountytopvailVail ResortsVailColoradoVailResorts Warren Riddle Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Apple to Stream Event Live, Is Amazon Developing a Netflix Competitor?]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/apple-to-stream-event-live-amazon-developing-netflix-competitor/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/apple-to-stream-event-live-amazon-developing-netflix-competitor/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/apple-to-stream-event-live-amazon-developing-netflix-competitor/#comments Apple Event Highlights from this morning's big tech headlines
  • New Apple TV? A revised iPod touch? iPod Guitars? Today's Apple Event, where a new online video announcement is expected to take place, will be streamed live (for Mac users only). Expect productivity and Web speeds to dip around 1 p.m. EST when the event kicks off. [From: Apple and Engadget]
  • Regardless of whether or not Apple unveils the 'iTV,' the market for getting Web video to your living room is getting crowded. The Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon is developing a Netflix-esque video streaming model. [From: Wall Street Journal]
  • Plus, the Financial Times is reporting that Sony may be getting in on this whole video and music streaming thing, too. [From: Engadget]
  • Target will begin selling Facebook credits, great for buying more virtual cows and farmland, in its real-world stores starting this Sunday. [From: USA Today]
  • Sony announced three brand new, touch-equipped e-readers this morning, starting at $179 and topping out at $229. [From: Reuters]
  • Yale's unmanned flying 'Aerial Manipulator' features a robotic hand on the underside of its fuselage for, apparently, picking up delicate cans of Guinness beer. [From: Technology Review]

Apple to Stream Event Live, Is Amazon Developing a Netflix Competitor? originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> aerial manipulatorAerialManipulatorappleapple analystApple TVAppleAnalystAppleTvfacebookitvmorningxtrasonytargettopyaleyale universityYaleUniversity Thomas Houston Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[U.K. Gang Busted Thanks to Ill-Advised YouTube Videos]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/u-k-gang-busted-thanks-to-ill-advised-youtube-videos/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/u-k-gang-busted-thanks-to-ill-advised-youtube-videos/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/u-k-gang-busted-thanks-to-ill-advised-youtube-videos/#comments B515 Gang on YouTube Criminals and thugs have still not learned that, if you want to get away with misdeeds, the last thing you should do is brag about them online. A gang, known as B515, has been terrorizing Birmingham, England for some time: vandalizing police cars, dealing drugs and intimidating residents. But the roughly 40-member strong group of hoodlums made the mistake of posting videos to YouTube in which they brag about about their crimes, including carrying firearms. Thanks to the hard work of the police and residents, four of the higher profile members of the group have been identified. Anthony Sargeant, Luke Jones, Joel Henry and Kirt Travers were issued an injunction for "antisocial" behavior. The injunction bars the quartet from the area, under threat of arrest and fines. After giving the ringleaders the boot, the police issued warnings to 20 other identified members of the gang, and increased patrols to dissuade them from continuing their criminal acts.

We're not sure whether we should be depressed that we have to keep telling people to stop posting incriminating things online, or whether we should be thankful that the bad guys seem particularly incapable of learning this lesson.

U.K. Gang Busted Thanks to Ill-Advised YouTube Videos originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> B515crimedumbcriminalgangsGangViolencetopuk Terrence O'Brien Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Aphex Twin Uses Face-Mapping Tech to Swap Out Your Head, Eat Your Soul]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/aphex-twin-uses-face-mapping-tech-to-swap-out-your-head-eat-you/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/aphex-twin-uses-face-mapping-tech-to-swap-out-your-head-eat-you/ http://www.switched.com/2010/09/01/aphex-twin-uses-face-mapping-tech-to-swap-out-your-head-eat-you/#comments screenshot of aphex twin performance at london electronic dance festival Fans of Aphex Twin know that solo-frontman Richard D. James loves to plaster his visage all over other people's bodies. So, it comes as no surprise that James, performing this past weekend at the London Electronic Dance Festival, used face-mapping tech to replace fans' heads with his own, while projecting them onto the stage's screen. Watch the fun, freaky and inordinately loud video after the break.

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Aphex Twin Uses Face-Mapping Tech to Swap Out Your Head, Eat Your Soul originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> Aphex TwinAphexTwinelectronicaface mappingFaceMappingidmled festivalLedFestivallive face mappingLiveFaceMappinglondon electronic dance festivalLondonElectronicDanceFestivalmotion capturemotion-captureMotionCapturerichard d jamesrichard d. jamesRichardD.JamesRichardDJames Matthew Zuras Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Portable Sewing Machines For Sweatshop Workers, Foursquare 'Checks In' STD Free]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/a-portable-sewing-machine-for-sweatshop-workers-foursquare-user/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/a-portable-sewing-machine-for-sweatshop-workers-foursquare-user/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/a-portable-sewing-machine-for-sweatshop-workers-foursquare-user/#comments screenshot from the onion video about smart stitch 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.
  • The knee-slappers over at The Onion have another spoof newscast this week, featuring an imaginary, portable sewing machine called the Smart Stitch that "lets sweatshop employees work on the go." We wouldn't be the least bit surprised, however, to see that thing actually go into production IRL. [From: The Onion]
  • In a good-hearted but poorly thought-out move by MTV and Foursquare, users of the game-like social network will now be able to "check in" at their local free clinic and get a badge for coming away STD-free. Luckily, users won't be faced with a 'Chlamydia' badge, but rather one that reads 'GYT' -- the acronym for the initiative Get Yourself Tested. [From: Huffington Post]
  • If you're using Chrome and have eagerly clicked over to your Gmail to check out the new 'Priority Inbox' feature, you may have noticed a ceaseless stream of ragtime music emanating from your speakers. It's just a bug that can be ironically surpassed by employing a non-Google browser for your Gmail instead. [From: Valleywag]
  • Whether you're a part of the 4chan army or just a casual glutton for /b/tard punishment, you've probably seen the Awesome Smiley from time to time. But, unlike LOLcats and Jessi Slaughter, the Smiley didn't actually emerge from 4chan; it sprang from the mind of video game designer Chris Ainsworth, who gives a history of this meme-tastic icon to Geekosystem. [From: Geekosystem]
Got a tip? In need of more choice links like these? Drop us a line on Twitter and check out our Tumblr blog.

Portable Sewing Machines For Sweatshop Workers, Foursquare 'Checks In' STD Free originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> 4chanawesome smileyAwesomeSmileybestoftherestchris ainsworthChrisAinsworthfoursquareget yourself testedGetYourselfTestedgmailgooglegoogle chromeGoogleChromemtvpriority inboxPriorityInboxsewing machineSewingMachinethe onionthe onion news networkTheOnionTheOnionNewsNetworktop Matthew Zuras Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:10:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Redfish's Bike Computer Concept Classes Up Counting the Miles]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/redfishs-bike-computer-concept-classes-up-counting-the-miles/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/redfishs-bike-computer-concept-classes-up-counting-the-miles/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/redfishs-bike-computer-concept-classes-up-counting-the-miles/#comments Redfish Creative Bike Computer Bike computers are a must-have accessory for avid cyclists. But, sadly, for many of the hipsters here in New York who ride around on vintage fixies, their in-board gadgets seem to be made of cheap plastic and aren't aesthetically appealing. This concept from Redfish Creative ditches the plastic and digital watch-quality LCD display for leather, brushed metal and a retro dial gauge. The main gauge shows current speed and time on an analog clock, while an arm extending from the main body displays either trip distance or total area traveled. Pulling on the arm rings the "bell" -- which is unfortunately just a digital recording. The data is read from a wireless magnetic sensor mounted on the fork, just as is the case with any other wireless bike computer.

Whether or not this stylish device makes the leap from concept to product remains to be seen, but we see plenty of potential for a bike computer aimed at casual riders and commuters. Most devices out there are distinctly sports-focused, more complex than the average rider needs, and nowhere near as pretty.

Redfish's Bike Computer Concept Classes Up Counting the Miles originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bicyclebike computerBikeComputerconceptredfishredfish creaticeRedfishCreaticetop Terrence O'Brien Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:20:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[New Xbox 360 Controller Adds a Transforming D-Pad]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/new-xbox-360-controller-adds-a-transforming-d-pad/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/new-xbox-360-controller-adds-a-transforming-d-pad/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/new-xbox-360-controller-adds-a-transforming-d-pad/#comments New Xbox 360 Controller On November 9th, gamers will be able to get their hands on (literally) a redesigned Xbox 360 controller for $64.99. While the X, Y, A and B buttons have lost their colors in favor of varying shades of gray, the big news is the redesigned D-Pad. You can now rotate the much maligned pad to raise the cross for easier control. Pew pew!

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New Xbox 360 Controller Adds a Transforming D-Pad originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> topxbox controllerXboxController Terrence O'Brien Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Washington Post Suspends Mike Wise for Roethlisberger Twitter 'Hoax']]> http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/washington-post-suspends-mike-wise-for-roethlisberger-twitter-h/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/washington-post-suspends-mike-wise-for-roethlisberger-twitter-h/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/washington-post-suspends-mike-wise-for-roethlisberger-twitter-h/#comments Washington Post columnist tweets fake news story. By now, everybody knows that news is often broken on social networking sites like Twitter. But Mike Wise, a Washington Post columnist, tried to reinforce this point and teach careless journalists a lesson in an ethically irresponsible way: fabricating a story and posting it on his Twitter account. According to Fanhouse, Wise tweeted that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger would be suspended by the NFL for five games this season. While it's true that Roethlisberger faces a suspension for an off-season incident, nobody knows yet just how long it will last. Since Wise is (supposedly) a respected journalist, other newspapers and websites reported this "breaking news" and attributed it to the source -- Wise. A few hours later, Wise confessed to the hoax, and called himself "an idiot" in a tweet. Judging by a post on The Washington Post's sports blog, Wise's peers in the media didn't think his prank was funny, and it appears that Wise has been suspended by The Washington Post for a month. (This also comes from Wise's radio show, so who knows if it's true.) Though Wise was right about his theory that journalists can be lazy in source-checking, his ill-conceived prank made not so much of a statement as it made a fool out of a once-respected journalist.

Washington Post Suspends Mike Wise for Roethlisberger Twitter 'Hoax' originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> ben roethlisbergerBenRoethlisbergerHoaxjournalismmikewisepittsburgh steelersPittsburghSteelerssportsThe Washington PostTheWashingtonPosttoptwitter Caleb Johnson Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:45:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Old School 'Lemmings' Make Us Want to Jump to Our Death (With Glee!)]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/old-school-lemmings-make-us-want-to-jump-to-our-death-with-gl/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/old-school-lemmings-make-us-want-to-jump-to-our-death-with-gl/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/old-school-lemmings-make-us-want-to-jump-to-our-death-with-gl/#comments Lemmings As much as we love new gaming experiences, sometimes we hanker for the classic games of our distant youth. Luckily, many of these can be revisited in browser-based iterations. This week, we'll take a look at timeless classics -- like yesterday's 'Pac-Man' -- that are always worth wasted productivity. If you haven't played these in a few years, or if (heaven forbid) you've never undertaken them, then what are you waiting for?

Classic PC puzzle game 'Lemmings' has contributed to an abundance of bleary-eyed gamers blinking at the sun and wondering how they ended up playing until the wee hours of the morning. In 'Lemmings,' players must guide a mindlessly suicidal group of creatures safely to each level's exit. This is done by assigning Lemmings specific jobs, such as digging holes, using umbrellas to float down perilous pitfalls, and blocking and redirecting the flow of the masses. The game features four difficulty levels, from "fun" to "mayhem," depending on the amount of feverish mouse clicking and micromanagement players are willing to undertake.

Gallery: Lemmings

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Old School 'Lemmings' Make Us Want to Jump to Our Death (With Glee!) originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> featuregamesonthegogaminglemmingsretrotopvideogames Ben Deitz Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Exmobaby Jammies Let You Monitor Your Baby From Your Cell Phone]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/exmobaby-jammies-let-you-monitor-your-baby-from-your-cell-phone/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/exmobaby-jammies-let-you-monitor-your-baby-from-your-cell-phone/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/exmobaby-jammies-let-you-monitor-your-baby-from-your-cell-phone/#comments New parents may be a notoriously finicky bunch, but their paranoia is usually well founded. With all the horror stories of babies dying from SIDS, sleep apnea, and negligent babysitters, it's no wonder that so many mamas and papas treat their infants like fabergé eggs. Soon, though, the hyper vigilant parents of the world may be able to sleep a little easier, thanks to a new set of pajamas that can monitor a baby's physical and emotional condition around the clock.

Produced by Virginia-based biomedical engineering firm Exmovere, the Exmobaby sleepsuit uses biosensor textiles to monitor a child's heart rate, activity level, and emotional well-being. As Medgadget explains, the high-tech onesie comes with a rechargeable wireless transceiver that snaps into the suit's pouch, and allows doting parents to track their kids' vital signs from their cell phones or computers at all times.

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Exmobaby Jammies Let You Monitor Your Baby From Your Cell Phone originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> babiesbabyBaby clothesBabyClothesemotionsexmobabyexmovereinfantinfantsmonitoringmoodpajamasparentingparentstopvital signsVitalSigns Amar Toor Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:25:00 EST Switched <![CDATA[Sci-Nonfi: The 10 Best Science Shows to Watch Online]]> http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/sci-nonfi-the-10-best-science-shows-to-watch-online/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/sci-nonfi-the-10-best-science-shows-to-watch-online/ http://www.switched.com/2010/08/31/sci-nonfi-the-10-best-science-shows-to-watch-online/#comments Best Science Shows to Watch Online Back-to-school season leaves us feeling bittersweet. Sure, we're psyched that we'll never have to cram for another final or tweak the margins of a term paper, but a part of us actually misses the atmosphere of academia. We don't think we're alone in saying that, after a few years out of school, we actually miss the relatively hassle-free life of learning for learning's sake. Since we aren't heading back anytime soon though, we did the next best thing, and pulled together the greatest science and technology-centric TV programs ever made. All of them have at least a few clips, if not full episodes or entire series, available online, and most are available on DVD, as well. When your brain says it's hungry, feed it.

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Sci-Nonfi: The 10 Best Science Shows to Watch Online originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]> bill nyeBillNyeconnectionsengineeringfeatureshorizonmr wizardmr wizards worldMrWizardMrWizardsWorldnovasciencethe ascent of manTheAscentOfMantoptvshows Jon Chase Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:40:00 EST Switched