Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hands On With OnLive: On-Demand Gaming Scores, but Still Clouded With Issues]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/10/hands-on-with-onlive-on-demand-gaming-scores-but-still-clouded/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/10/hands-on-with-onlive-on-demand-gaming-scores-but-still-clouded/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/10/hands-on-with-onlive-on-demand-gaming-scores-but-still-clouded/#commentsFiled under: , ,

OnLive
Although, for a time, the video game industry valiantly staved off the recession while other enterprises suffered, console game sales did eventually stagnate before precipitously dropping. Online gaming currently thrives, though, particularly with enormously popular titles like Zynga's 'FarmVille' and 'Mafia Wars.' Other services like Xbox Live, which reportedly generates billions in revenue, also demonstrate that certain aspects of gaming can experience resounding success while still producing absurd profits.

Given the colossal audience of social networking sites and streaming services like Hulu and Netflix, the adoption of such financially sound models by the video game industry represents a boundless and untapped gold mine. Enter OnLive, a service that seeks to provide video games instantly to users (on an array of devices), while also enabling trash-talking friendly networking. Currently experimenting with an invitation-only, pre-release program, OnLive showcases industry veteran Steve Perlman as CEO, and claims stalwarts like AT&T and Warner Bros. among its supporters.

The cloud-based game service, which also plans to release a MicroConsole in the fall, won't require lengthy, storage-sapping downloads. But will it provide seamless, uninterrupted gaming at a competitive price? That question, as well as numerous others, remains to be conclusively answered.

Continue reading Hands On With OnLive: On-Demand Gaming Scores, but Still Clouded With Issues

SwitchedHands On With OnLive: On-Demand Gaming Scores, but Still Clouded With Issues originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresgaminghandsononliveplaypassreviewstopvideo gamesVideoGamesTue, 10 Aug 2010 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands On With 'StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty']]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/03/hands-on-with-starcraft-2-wings-of-liberty/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/03/hands-on-with-starcraft-2-wings-of-liberty/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/03/hands-on-with-starcraft-2-wings-of-liberty/#commentsFiled under: ,

StarCraft II

After more than 12 years -- a lifetime in video game terms -- the long-awaited 'StarCraft' sequel, 'Wings of Liberty,' has finally arrived. The initial impressions are very good, if not very surprising. What's here is familiar without being mundane, thanks to countless small tweaks, along with an entirely new graphics engine and more spit and polish than those classic cars in the original Karate Kid. It's tough to find fault with the game, and 'Wings of Liberty' is a great entry point for both first-timers and old hats looking for a new digital addiction.

While the multiplayer beta has been available for several months, the 'StarCraft 2' single-player campaign has introduced unlockable upgrades, exclusive units and abilities, and a branching mission structure -- features that have been implemented in other RTS (real-time strategy) titles in recent years, but are new to the 'StarCraft' universe. The campaign's difficulty curve is buttery smooth, and a variety of missions are book-ended by Blizzard's trademark spectacular CG cut scenes. The campaign is devoted entirely to playing as the human Terrans, while other races' campaigns will almost certainly appear in the form of expansion packs.

Gallery: Starcraft 2

Continue reading Hands On With 'StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty'

SwitchedHands On With 'StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty' originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardRealTimeStrategyreviewsrtsstarcraftstarcraft 2Starcraft2Starcraft2WingsOfLibertytopvideo gamesvideogamesTue, 03 Aug 2010 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Swype App Makes Texting on Android Phones a Breeze]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/24/swype-app-makes-texting-on-android-phones-a-breeze/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/24/swype-app-makes-texting-on-android-phones-a-breeze/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/24/swype-app-makes-texting-on-android-phones-a-breeze/#commentsFiled under: ,

Likely inspired by the masses of people obsessed with texting, Cliff Kushler, co-inventor of T9, has one-upped himself with the release of Swype, a text-entry app now available on Android phones. Appropriately named, Swype gives you the power to swipe words into existence instead of frantically pecking at your touchscreen. With only a single instance of finger-to-screen contact, you tap the first letter of the word, then glide over to the next letter and then the next, and release your finger when a word is complete.

The easy part is indeed the swiping, which works as well as advertised. However, adjusting to a new typing system's quirks (and Swype is chock full of them) is tricky. Swiping double letters, for instance, is hardly intuitive. Halting mid-swipe over the letter that needs to be doubled only kills Swype's chances of recognizing the word you are trying to type. Instead, you loop around the letter, informing Swype that you intend it to be doubled.

Continue reading Swype App Makes Texting on Android Phones a Breeze

SwitchedSwype App Makes Texting on Android Phones a Breeze originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAndroidAppfeatureshandsonmobilereviewsmartphoneswypet9textingtopThu, 24 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sweet and Simple: The Best Basic Phones for Our Dearest Dads]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/15/sweet-and-simple-the-best-basic-phones-for-our-dearest-dads/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/15/sweet-and-simple-the-best-basic-phones-for-our-dearest-dads/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/15/sweet-and-simple-the-best-basic-phones-for-our-dearest-dads/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Dad Phones
A reader asks: My father is a businessman who travels a lot internationally, and asked me to find him a bare bones, simple cell phone that works well but also looks good. For the life of me I can't settle on a device. Instead, the market is flooded with smartphones or regular ones with tons of confusing crap stuffed inside. He doesn't text much but needs the capability, and his vision and hearing aren't the best, so font size and volume are biggies, too. I've given up searching so Just Tell Me What To Get!

Dear Reader: We think your father probably represents a vast, under-served market sweet spot: the Boomers who regularly use cell phones and text, but have no need for a tricked-out convergent cell phone. Call them the silenced majority, if you will. It seems with all the smartphone mania of the past few years, cell makers threw the baby out with the bathwater, and have all but abandoned developing quality "feature" phones, as they're now called. They have the same flimsy designs and craptastic OSes they've had for the past five years, with perhaps a token media player, Web browser and camera thrown in. It's a shame. If the marketplace works anywhere as efficiently as economist Adam Smith proposed, some clever phone manufacturer is surely going to read your letter, realize the value of this market, design a spectacularly simple but good phone and make a killing. (We don't mean the Jitterbug, which, while perfect for some people, isn't right in this case.) Please let it be soon.

Until then, though, we do have a few suggestions to help out. Since you didn't say what service provider he uses and we suspect you aren't the only one with this dilemma, we went ahead and found the best "simple" phone for each of the big four U.S. carriers -- ones that are sturdy, stylish and simple, and that can be used internationally (with the exception of Sprint). Oh, and because we've been on the receiving end of plenty of pocket dialers, we only went with flip phones for easy, compact travel for your dad on-the-go.

Continue reading Sweet and Simple: The Best Basic Phones for Our Dearest Dads

SwitchedSweet and Simple: The Best Basic Phones for Our Dearest Dads originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attcellphonesescapadeexpire-images:2011-6-14feature phonesFeaturePhonesfeaturesglobalinternationalinternational phonesInternationalPhonesjusttellmewhattogetnokianokia 3711Nokia3711pantechpantech breeze iiPantechBreezeIiquad-bandsanyosanyo scp 3810SanyoScp3810sprintt-mobiletopverizonverizon wireless escaladeVerizonWirelessEscaladeVisionImpairedTue, 15 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aviary's Free 'Roc' Music Creator Fails to Impress]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/12/aviarys-free-roc-music-creator-fails-to-impress/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/12/aviarys-free-roc-music-creator-fails-to-impress/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/12/aviarys-free-roc-music-creator-fails-to-impress/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Aviary Music Creator
Aviary has made a name for itself by offering creative types free, Web-based tools like image editors and color palette generators. Not long ago, it got into the audio editing game with Myna, a simple but functional tool for recording and tweaking sound. Now the company is expanding its music creation lineup with 'Roc,' a basic sequencing app for creating loops.

'Music Creator,' as it's officially known (although you'll see it called by its codename 'Roc' just as often), is an extremely basic app. It has a selection of pre-programed "instruments" that you can load into the sequencer. Individual sounds from each instrument can be added to the sequencer in any combination you want, but you can't load multiple instruments. This probably wouldn't be too big of an issue if it weren't for the fact that "instruments" in Roc are simply sample packs. This means melodic instruments (like guitar and bass) are limited by the number of samples that can be loaded at once. In this case, it's 12, so you're constrained to a single octave's worth of notes or chords. That limited range means you're not recreating the 'Stairway to Heaven' solo anytime soon.

Gallery: Aviary Music Creator: Roc

Continue reading Aviary's Free 'Roc' Music Creator Fails to Impress

SwitchedAviary's Free 'Roc' Music Creator Fails to Impress originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 12 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appaudioaviaryaviary music creatoraviary rocAviaryMusicCreatorAviaryRoccloud computingCloudComputingcreativitymusicMusicCreationMusicCreatorroctopwebweb appwebappSat, 12 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Switched Cooks: The High-Tech Dinner Party]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/08/switched-cooks-the-high-tech-dinner-party/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/08/switched-cooks-the-high-tech-dinner-party/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/08/switched-cooks-the-high-tech-dinner-party/#commentsFiled under: ,

Switched Cooks food
We're not all about cell phones and iPads here at Switched; we generally enjoy any technology that makes your lives easier, better, smarter and more interesting. We decided to put together a dinner party with some of our editorial team to determine the best electronics for your kitchen. Can technology make food better? Can a pricey gadget transform you from a mediocre microwaver into a nonpareil chef?

We know that technique and know-how will never be replaced by a machine (or, at least, we hope), but we have compiled some of the more innovative (and expensive) kitchen helpers we've recently encountered to see if they could make our food better. Read on and see our first pitiable foray into the world of sous vide cooking, in which we answer those age-old questions: how to make french fries with a paltry spoonful of oil, whether a fancy espresso machine makes you a pretentious yuppie or a smart consumer, and why the hell anyone would spend $300 to make gelato.

SwitchedSwitched Cooks: The High-Tech Dinner Party originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actifrycookingdelonghidelonghi gelato makerDelonghiGelatoMakerdinnerpartyespressofeaturesgelatonespressonespresso citiznespresso citizmilkNespressoCitizNespressoCitizmilksous videsous vide supremeSousVideSousVideSupremeswitched cooksswitchedcookst-falt-fal actifryT-falActifrytopTue, 08 Jun 2010 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Vanity Fail: Why We Hated Condé Nast's New iPad Edition]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/05/12/vanity-fail-why-we-hated-conde-nasts-new-ipad-edition/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/12/vanity-fail-why-we-hated-conde-nasts-new-ipad-edition/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/12/vanity-fail-why-we-hated-conde-nasts-new-ipad-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

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

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

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

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annie leibovitzAnnieLeibovitzconde nastCondeNastdigital magazineDigitalMagazinefeaturesgraydon carterGraydonCarteripadipad appIpadAppmagazinemagazinesprintreviewstopvanity fairVanityFairworld cupWorldCupWed, 12 May 2010 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Bad Men: The Five Worst Tech Ads and Five Who Got It Right]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/05/10/bad-men-the-five-worst-tech-ads-and-five-who-got-it-right/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/10/bad-men-the-five-worst-tech-ads-and-five-who-got-it-right/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/10/bad-men-the-five-worst-tech-ads-and-five-who-got-it-right/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

bad and good tech ads
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While we'd love to think we're immune to the coercive powers of advertising, we're confident that a lie detector test would shame us all. For the companies hoping to sell us their wares, that would seem like great news, but the blade of advertising cuts both ways; a bad commercial or ad campaign can conversely turn out to be a powerful disincentive. In the tech world, biases toward or against a brand are especially important, since many of us attach an emotional response to our gear. Simply put, many of us, consciously or not, feel like we are what we use.

With those thoughts in mind, Switched took a look at the advertising landscape from the perspective of a gadget hound, and found what we think are five of the worst ads we've seen in years. Truly awful stuff. In the spirit of cooperation, we pointed out the errors of their ways, and have offered up five more ads that took the same approach yet came out shining. As a wise man once said, knowing is half the battle.

Continue reading Bad Men: The Five Worst Tech Ads and Five Who Got It Right

SwitchedBad Men: The Five Worst Tech Ads and Five Who Got It Right originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 10 May 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingappleaudiencebrandingcommercialsfeaturefeaturesgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsintelmac vs pcMacVsPcmarketingmicrosoftpalm prePalmPreroad runnerRoadRunnersony braviaSonyBraviatmobiletopxeroxMon, 10 May 2010 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubuntu Reviewed: Hands on With Lucid Lynx]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/05/03/ubuntu-reviewed-hands-on-with-lucid-lynx/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/03/ubuntu-reviewed-hands-on-with-lucid-lynx/http://www.switched.com/2010/05/03/ubuntu-reviewed-hands-on-with-lucid-lynx/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Epic Switched Ubuntu Review
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It seems that every time Ubuntu gets an update there's talk about how the new version will finally usher in the era of user-friendly Linux and turn the open-source operating system (OS) into a serious competitor to OS X and Windows. We've been running the latest version, 10.04 (code-named Lucid Lynx), since it first hit beta in mid-March. While we have a hard time seeing it replace Windows 7 anytime soon, the regular six-month intervals of serious improvements are finally paying off in an arguably consumer-ready OS.

Continue reading Ubuntu Reviewed: Hands on With Lucid Lynx

SwitchedUbuntu Reviewed: Hands on With Lucid Lynx originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 03 May 2010 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresgwibberlinuxLucidLynxme menuMeMenuOpenSourceOperatingSystemOSreviewtopubuntuubuntu lucid lynxubuntu oneUbuntu One Music Storeubuntu10.04Ubuntu10.04LucidLynxUbuntuLucidLynxUbuntuOneUbuntuOneMusicStoreMon, 03 May 2010 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[What's the Best HDTV I Can Get for Under $500?]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/04/05/whats-the-best-hdtv-i-can-get-for-under-500/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/05/whats-the-best-hdtv-i-can-get-for-under-500/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/05/whats-the-best-hdtv-i-can-get-for-under-500/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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A reader asks: I just moved into a new house, have an empty living room, and want the best possible TV I can get to fill the gaping hole -- for under 500 bucks, that is. I know it's a tall order, but I'm broke and need to be sure whatever TV I get is going to impress my suspicious wife and last for the next, oh, 30 years -- until I've finally paid off my mortgage. So please, just tell me what to get!

Dear Reader: Our sincere congratulations on your new home!. (And congrats to your neighbors, too, who surely will benefit from your propping up the ailing real estate market.) With apologies to the Dude, we're firm believers that nothing ties a room together like a swanky new TV, so we're more than happy to do the heavy lifting for you.

Continue reading What's the Best HDTV I Can Get for Under $500?

SwitchedWhat's the Best HDTV I Can Get for Under $500? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080p120hzbudgetfeatureshdtvjusttellmewhattogetpanasonic viera tcle32g1PanasonicVieraTcle32g1sony bravia ex400SonyBraviaEx400toptvMon, 05 Apr 2010 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Rebel, Rebel, How Could We Know? Canon T2i, We Love HD Video So]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/03/29/rebel-rebel-how-could-we-know-canon-t2i-we-love-hd-video-so/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/29/rebel-rebel-how-could-we-know-canon-t2i-we-love-hd-video-so/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/29/rebel-rebel-how-could-we-know-canon-t2i-we-love-hd-video-so/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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Canon's elegantly executed Digital Rebel T2i is one of those rare gadgets that inspire admiration and affection in a way usually reserved for humans. The T2i is a big upgrade from its predecessor, the Rebel T1i, which lost out to Nikon's D5000 when Switched recommended a beginner SLR (single-lens reflex) last summer. The new T2i incorporates a sensor nearly identical to Canon's popular 7D (a favorite camera around the Switched and Engadget offices), which means you're going to get rich colors, accurate exposure, good low-light performance and stunning video.

Continue reading Rebel, Rebel, How Could We Know? Canon T2i, We Love HD Video So

SwitchedRebel, Rebel, How Could We Know? Canon T2i, We Love HD Video So originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camerascanoncanon t2iCanonT2idslrdslr videoDslrVideofeatureshands onHandsOnreviewsslrt2itopMon, 29 Mar 2010 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[What's the Best PC Monitor/TV for Under $350?]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/03/25/the-best-pc-monitor-tv-for-under-350/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/25/the-best-pc-monitor-tv-for-under-350/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/25/the-best-pc-monitor-tv-for-under-350/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A reader asks: One of my college housemates just moved out, which is a good thing, but he took his TV with him. This is a bad thing. So I'm looking for a PC monitor that can do double duty as a TV, too -- something reasonably big, as good quality as possible, fast enough for console games and is around $350 or so. I'm stuck with a laptop 12-inch screen until you reply, so hurry up and just tell me what to get!

Dear Reader: On those gray days when we wake up in the morning and wonder what it all means anyway, it's questions like these that bring us around and get our blood pumping again: We do it for the children!

Sob stories aside, your question is actually a good one, since a dual-purpose monitor is a great solution for a lot of people who don't have the space, cash or inclination to get multiple flat screens. And, while we're under the impression that many college kids already watch TV shows almost exclusively on laptops and monitors, movies and console games are inherently social activities that benefit from a communal screen.

Continue reading What's the Best PC Monitor/TV for Under $350?

SwitchedWhat's the Best PC Monitor/TV for Under $350? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080p24-inch display24-inchDisplayfeatureshdtvjusttellmewhattogetmonitorp2570reviewssamsung syncmaster p2570SamsungSyncmasterP2570topThu, 25 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Best Earbuds That Won't Break the Bank]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/03/15/the-best-earbuds-that-wont-break-the-bank/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/15/the-best-earbuds-that-wont-break-the-bank/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/15/the-best-earbuds-that-wont-break-the-bank/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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A reader asks: The original Apple iPod ear buds I've been using for years have finally crapped out, and I'm looking for a replacement and hopefully an upgrade. My budget is $100 max, and I want the best possible combination of good sound and comfort. I'm not a huge fan of the types you shove in your ear canal. Since you can't try out earphones at any stores I've visited, I have no idea what the best options are, so just tell me what to get!

Dear Reader: We hear you loud and clear. The inability to test out earphones before buying is a tricky affair, like the consumer electronics version of a pot luck dinner; you might stumble upon something really tasty or get screwed with the equivalent of the dreaded green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup and fried onions.

To clarify a bit, the term "earbuds" refers to earphones that sit in the rim of the ear, while "canalphones," or "in-ear monitors," are the variety inserted into the ear canal. The difference between the two is immense. Buds are preferred by many for comfort and also for the ability to hear outside sound in addition to music. However, earbuds can't approach the sonic experience offered by similarly priced canalphones, and often require a higher volume in order to compete with ambient noise. As a result, they can potentially endanger your long-term hearing. Canalphones, on the other hand, can offer incredible sound quality at a much lower volume and typically shut out a majority of ambient sound (although that can be a problem if you're, say, biking in traffic or walking along a busy street). Canalphones aren't for everyone, seeing as they get shoved deep into the ear canal, making for a more "intimate" experience with the intricacies of using an ear wax pick. But we digress...

Continue reading The Best Earbuds That Won't Break the Bank

SwitchedThe Best Earbuds That Won't Break the Bank originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AkgK319canalphonesEarBudEarBudsearphonefeaturesIEMin-ear monitorsIn-earMonitorsjusttellmewhattogetKlipschImageS4ShureSe210topMon, 15 Mar 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[What Underwater Point-and-Shoot Camera Should I Get?]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/03/08/what-underwater-point-and-shoot-camera-should-i-get/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/08/what-underwater-point-and-shoot-camera-should-i-get/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/08/what-underwater-point-and-shoot-camera-should-i-get/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



A reader asks: I'm interested in a waterproof camera for an upcoming trip but can't decide between the various point-and-shoot models. I've read that some leak, or simply don't take great pictures. I know you can buy waterproof camera housings but wonder if I can get away with one camera that just does it all. So, just tell me what to get!

Dear Reader: We totally agree. In our perfect world, every camera would be waterproof, shockproof, scratch-proof, lightweight and be able to snap perfect photos without a fuss. Encouragingly, several camera companies are taking steps in the right direction with moderately priced waterproof/ruggedized models already available from Canon, Fujifilm, Olympus, Pentax and Sony, among others. Less encouraging is that virtually all of them have some hiccup that leaves us wanting.

Gallery: Waterproof Camera

Continue reading What Underwater Point-and-Shoot Camera Should I Get?

SwitchedWhat Underwater Point-and-Shoot Camera Should I Get? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canon powershot d10CanonPowershotD10featuresjusttellmewhattogetpoint and shootpoint-and-shootPointAndShoottopwaterproofwaterproof camerawaterproofcameraMon, 08 Mar 2010 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy National Grammar Day! What Apps Make Grammar Gooder?]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/03/04/happy-national-grammar-day-what-apps-make-grammar-gooder/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/04/happy-national-grammar-day-what-apps-make-grammar-gooder/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/04/happy-national-grammar-day-what-apps-make-grammar-gooder/#commentsFiled under:

National Grammar Day Shootout

Prepare to keep your lays from your lies and make sure everything is well (and not "good"), because today is National Grammar Day. Yes, that is a real thing, and since we don't get a vacation day to celebrate the proper use of semicolons, it's only appropriate to prepare a special feature for the occasion. We know that at least some of you rely entirely on Word's ability to catch your grammatical errors. So, we've cooked up some copy and intentionally laced it with mistakes in order to test several different automated grammar-correcting tools and find out just how effective (or not) they is (or are).

Continue reading Happy National Grammar Day! What Apps Make Grammar Gooder?

SwitchedHappy National Grammar Day! What Apps Make Grammar Gooder? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>after the deadlineAfterTheDeadlinefeaturesfirefoxgrammargrammar checkersGrammarCheckersmicrosoft wordMicrosoftWordnational grammar dayNationalGrammarDayopen officeOpenOfficeSpellChecktopwordword processorWordProcessorThu, 04 Mar 2010 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Toy Fair 2010: Our Favorite Designs for the Young at Heart]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/02/18/toy-fair-2010-our-favorite-designs-for-the-young-at-heart/http://www.switched.com/2010/02/18/toy-fair-2010-our-favorite-designs-for-the-young-at-heart/http://www.switched.com/2010/02/18/toy-fair-2010-our-favorite-designs-for-the-young-at-heart/#commentsFiled under:

There's been some buzz surrounding Toy Fair 2010 (quite literally with this underwhelming Millenium Falcon 'copter), and the New York City event ends today. With an expected 95-percent of the show composed of Madame Alexander dolls and plush playthings for the preschool set, we embarked on a quest to find a handful of unique toys that both kids and parents will love. From robot bugs, to classic LEGOs, to modernist dollhouses, we suddenly wish we were young again.

Continue reading Toy Fair 2010: Our Favorite Designs for the Young at Heart

SwitchedToy Fair 2010: Our Favorite Designs for the Young at Heart originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>architectureareawareartbrinca dadaBrincaDadacubebotdavid weeksDavidWeeksdesignelite gudzEliteGudzemerson houseEmersonHousefeatureshexbuglegostar warsStarWarsthe empire strikes backTheEmpireStrikesBacktoptoy fair 2010toy story 3toyfairToyFair2010toysToyStory3Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Impressive 'Siri' App Makes Your iPhone a Virtual Assistant]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/02/09/impressive-siri-app-makes-your-iphone-a-virtual-assistant/http://www.switched.com/2010/02/09/impressive-siri-app-makes-your-iphone-a-virtual-assistant/http://www.switched.com/2010/02/09/impressive-siri-app-makes-your-iphone-a-virtual-assistant/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Siri is an Impressive

Siri is a new voice search and "virtual assistant" application for the iPhone that takes "natural language" requests and turns them into actionable results. For example, ask Siri "where can I get the best sushi," and it will, using the iPhone's GPS, search Yelp to find recommended sushi restaurants near you.

Using Nuance, the same speech-to-text engine that powers popular tools like Jott and the Dragon, Siri converts your requests to text, parses them to determine your intent, and then pulls appropriate content from its partners such as Yelp, Eventful and Taxi Magic. What makes Siri unique, and particularly useful, is that once you've found a restaurant, or a movie, you can reserve a table or purchase tickets right from the app. Siri can also look up weather forecasts, business locations and concerts, and can even book you a taxi.

Continue reading Impressive 'Siri' App Makes Your iPhone a Virtual Assistant

SwitchedImpressive 'Siri' App Makes Your iPhone a Virtual Assistant originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apprevieweventfulfeaturesgpsiphone appIphoneAppsiritaxi magicTaxiMagictopvirtual assistantVirtualAssistantvoice searchvoice to textVoiceSearchVoiceToTextyelpTue, 09 Feb 2010 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A Glance at 2010's 3-D TVs (No Dumb Glasses Required)]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/01/14/a-glance-at-2010s-3-d-tvs-no-dumb-glasses-required/http://www.switched.com/2010/01/14/a-glance-at-2010s-3-d-tvs-no-dumb-glasses-required/http://www.switched.com/2010/01/14/a-glance-at-2010s-3-d-tvs-no-dumb-glasses-required/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you paid any attention to the news coming out of this year's CES, you heard about, and possibly already condemned, the multitude of 3-D televisions to be released in the coming year. Instead of playing blackjack or pigging out at the buffet, we spent our days in Vegas running from one end of the Convention Center to the other, only stopping to don funny glasses and dodge flying cartoons.

Reviewing those TVs was no simple task. For one, as Engadget explained in depth, the very nature of "3-D" has not yet been determined, nor met any sort of industry consensus. And since there are no definitively "3-D" Blu-ray discs, for instance, it's hard to peg the definitively "3-D" TV. In a word, our experience watching one of those demonstrations hinged as much on the TV as it did the Blu-ray player as it did the Blu-ray disc as it did the movie, itself.

Regardless of what we thought about it, though, 2010 will see 3-D come to the living room (or somebody's living room, anyway). So, relax. Accept it. Take comfort in the fact that we've compiled this detailed list of the major manufacturer's offerings. While we aren't hopping on the bandwagon quite yet, we are optimistic that, over the next year or so, 3-D television will become well worth wearing those silly spectacles.

Continue reading A Glance at 2010's 3-D TVs (No Dumb Glasses Required)

SwitchedA Glance at 2010's 3-D TVs (No Dumb Glasses Required) originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-tv3dtvfeaturestelevisionstopThu, 14 Jan 2010 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[The Great CES Swindle: Five Years of Flaunting and Failing]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/01/10/the-great-ces-swindle-five-years-of-flaunting-and-failing/http://www.switched.com/2010/01/10/the-great-ces-swindle-five-years-of-flaunting-and-failing/http://www.switched.com/2010/01/10/the-great-ces-swindle-five-years-of-flaunting-and-failing/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Since long before Switched was even a twinkle in the Internet's eye, we've been making the annual January pilgrimage to Sin City to pay homage to the tech gods. And every year -- sometimes days, sometimes weeks, or sometimes months after the fact -- we realize that we done got played. We inevitably find that, at some point, amid the hustle and bustle, the lights and music and product pitches, we swallowed a bunch of propaganda about at least one product or trend that was going to "change the world" yet turned out to be a castle made of sand. We'd apologize for these mistakes if we didn't know that they were just part of a venerable, decades-old journalistic tradition. (Hit this link for a mind-blowing CES recap from 1978.) What can we say? We're human, and so sometimes fall prey to wishful thinking.

As recompense for our past sins, we've collected what we think are the past five years' most overly hyped and eventually doomed gadgets and trends. To start, here's our pick for the most over-hyped and probably doomed trend from CES 2010: 3-D TV. Yeah, we said it. Can you picture yourself sitting in your living room with a bunch of friends, wearing pricey goggles, more than once in a blue moon? Like, will you have to buy extra pairs, or will you just tell your guests, "BYOG?" We could go on and on, but we shouldn't have to do so. Proceed for more stories of CES swindles.

SwitchedThe Great CES Swindle: Five Years of Flaunting and Failing originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d tv3dTvblu-rayceshd dvdHdDvdhelixhypeinnonetbookphilipspico projectorPicoProjectortmioviivvistawimaxwmcexstreamhdSun, 10 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Tuper Tario Tros.' Combines 'Tetris,' Mario, and Frustration]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/12/30/tuper-tario-tros-combines-tetris-mario-and-frustration/http://www.switched.com/2009/12/30/tuper-tario-tros-combines-tetris-mario-and-frustration/http://www.switched.com/2009/12/30/tuper-tario-tros-combines-tetris-mario-and-frustration/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We're sure you've stopped and thought to yourself before, "You know, 'Super Mario Bros.' is pretty good, but I sure wish it was more frustrating." No? Well, it doesn't matter. Even if you've never asked for someone to create a hybrid of 'Super Mario Bros.' and 'Tetris,' you're getting it, anyway. And the results are wonderfully, and childishly, called 'Tuper Tario Tros.'

In this Flash game, you play the little Italian plumber we've all come to know and love -- smashing bricks, collecting coins, stomping on Goombas. But there's a twist. Occasionally, you'll have to switch from 'Mario' mode to 'Tetris' mode, and drop those familiarly shaped blocks so that our suspenders-wearing hero can hop on them. And as if the DIY level layouts weren't enough, the screen progresses left to right of its own accord; fail to move swiftly, and the edge of the screen will catch up with Mario, prematurely ending his quest to save the Princess.

Continue reading 'Tuper Tario Tros.' Combines 'Tetris,' Mario, and Frustration

Switched'Tuper Tario Tros.' Combines 'Tetris,' Mario, and Frustration originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flashflash gameflash gamesFlashGameFlashGamesfunmarioSuper Mario BrosSuperMarioBrostetristimewasterstoptuper tario trosTuperTarioTrosWed, 30 Dec 2009 07:30:00 EST