Filed under: Audio/Video, Cell Phones, Computers, Advice, Interviews, Switched Video, Reviews, DownloadsIs your iTunes library illegal? The RIAA says so; as far as we can understand, the Recording Industry Association of America now thinks merely ripping a CD to your hard drive (a CD you legally purchased and own) is, in itself, illegal. We peel away the motives behind this latest salvo in the digital content wars. Plus: w00t. WHAT? That's a word? In a dictionary? Share our confusion in the latest Switched Show Podcast, online for direct download here or, even better, for iTunes subscription. Related Links:Death for Online PiracyFour Cell Phones (we love) for Under $100How to Watch TV Online for Free Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Not all video games are bad for you. In fact, most video games actually engage different parts of your brain to help develop logic, decision-making, mental speed, and even creativity. Now, a new trend in gaming called "brain games" aims at actually training your noodle to help you improve your mental facilities. Problem is, many of these games require some sort of site subscirption fee or even a Nintendo DS to play "Brain Age".Fear not, dear Switched reader. We scoured the net to find 11 of the best brain games -- and even better, they're all free.1. WordCrunchWordCrunch is your basic word-search game, but it changes themes on a daily basis. This one is easy to learn but tough to master. This is the ultimate test of your vocabulary, mental speed, and visual acuity. Next >> Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Computers, Gift News, Holiday Gift GuideMacBooks have always had a clean, sophisticated look to them. Even so, some style mavens might call the somewhat limited color selection (anything you like so long as it's black or white) a little ... muted? If you're one of those aesthetes looking for something a little more visually appealing, you may be interested in hearing some of the talk of a mysteriously hued MacBook spotted near Apple's headquarters in California. The finish is described to be dark and metallic, a sort of gunmetal, but more interestingly they're said to be quite a bit more thin than your standard 13-inch. Beyond these scant details, though, more specifics on the rumored new MacBooks remain a bit of a mystery. Surely, though, there must be a new model MacBook that Apple is putting through the final testing stages, and if that's the case, it should be showing up in a brightly-lit, wood-paneled Mac Store near you -- maybe even in January?Should these rumors be true, you may want to hold off buying any Macbooks until the middle of January 2008.From AppleInsiderRelated Links: MacBook Design Flaw Can Lead to Permanent Data Loss New Ultra Portable MacBook Out in January? Apple Boosts MacBook Pro Line  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Who doesn't remember Hot or Not, that bastion of Web 1.0 semi-sleaze and lost productivity? The simple hotness rating site hit almost two million page views in its first week in 2000 and spawned countless spinoffs, but the recently launched site CommandShift3 puts a distinct slant on the concept, geeky though it may be. By pitting two Web site screenshots against one another, the site allows you to channel your inner (or outer) design snob and choose a winner. And then you can do it again. And again. It may not reach mainstream 'meat market' appeal, but enough people have been subjected to horrible-looking Web sites by now that we think it could put its own dent in the productive hours of judgmental humanity. And isn't that what it's all about?via Lee Semel Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, TVMonster Cable makes some great looking cables. In the world of connectors, the cable manufacturer's color schemes and aesthetics are unmatched. But do they actually make your television signal look better and your stereo signal sound better?This claim (by Monster itself) been a point of contention that many have attempted to prove, but a little scam found at a certain unnamed electronics retailer shows that some are being a little dishonest in attempting to show that supposed difference. The above picture from CrunchGear shows a setup where people are asked to see whether they can see the difference between high-priced Monster Cables and the lower-priced alternatives you can buy online at places like monoprice.com and bluejeanscable.com. However, this is far from a fair test. Where the "Monster" image is run through one of the company's HDMI cables, offering a high-definition digital picture, the other image is run through a set of low-definition composite cables. It's a cheap trick, definitely. Don't fall for it yourself. In general, the cheapo cables are just fine for typical home theater setups -- any place where you're running less than six-feet worth of cable. It's only when you're running long lengths of cable, the sort you might install in your walls, that you may just want to think about upgrading. And if you're a serious high-end sound buff, you already knew all this and have your own favorite silver-lined, oxygen free cables anyway, right?From CrunchGearRelated Links: Low-End Vs. High-End HDMI Throwdown Best Buy Employee Caught Perving Out Best Buy Caught Faking Low Nintendo Wii Supplies  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Cell Phones, iPhoneIf you thought absurdly high and encyclopedia-sized iPhone bills were the only game in town when it comes to ridiculous cell phone charges, you were sadly mistaken. In fact those 300 page, $3,000 and $4,000 iPhone bills have nothing on what some poor Canadian oil field worker was charged by Bell Mobility.After picking up a new phone that he could tether to his laptop and a $10 unlimited data plan, Piotr Staniaszek decided he wanted to do some downloading -- everything from HD movies to applications to watch and install on his PC. What happened next would have put most of us at the Switched offices in a body bag following a heart attack. Piotr got slapped with a $60,000 bill! Confused, he call Bell Mobility's customer service department, which informed him that it had made a mistake... his bill was actually $85,000!!How Piotr wasn't immediately moved to violence we'll never know, but he was probably using more exclamation points than we are right now.It turns out that he was being charged on a per-kilobyte basis because his unlimited browsing plan didn't cover using the phone as a modem. As a "goodwill" gesture, Bell Mobility has dropped the bill to measly $3,243. Staniaszek plans to fight the bill saying he was never informed about the restrictions on his wireless plan. That said, he's coming off rather lucky, considering many U.S. wireless carriers strictly forbid downloading of movies and other high-bandwidth items over wireless broadband networks. Do you think it's fair that this poor Canadian man was charged even $3,243, or should he have read the fine print?From The RegisterRelated links:Man Gets $4,190.76 iPhone Bill Girl Videotapes 300 Page iPhone Bill  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Cell Phones, Top Lists, iPhoneSince the iPhone's release, IT departments across the nation have been pestered by Apple users who want to replace their Blackberry or company-issued mobile phone with an iPhone. And of course IT departments across the nation have replied with a hearty 'no.'Why? Well it's actually pretty straightforward, and Fortune has taken the time to explain the top 10 reasons in some pretty basic terms. But we're going to boil it down even further for you. The number one reason is that the iPhone doesn't support synchronization with Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes. Sure, there are some workarounds, but your IT department isn't going to specially configure its mail and calendar servers just so a few early adopters can get their multi-touch on.Number two: no real security. No encrypting data. No way to remotely lock or wipe the phone. For any business that relies on proprietary data, that's a deal-killer.And number three: no customization. How can a bank remove the YouTube gadget? How can an insurance company install its mobile claims submission software? Oh right -- they cant. They can't even replace the battery if it keels over on you in the middle of an important business trip.Fortune has seven more, but those three reasons alone are more than enough to doom the iPhone in an enterprise environment. So unless Apple changes the iPhone, we wouldn't hold our breath on an Apple handset making it into your corporate office anytime soon.From FortuneRelated links:New iPhones and Apple TV Coming?Hackers Will Go After iPhone in 2008, Says Network Security FirmGoogle Releases iPhone Friendly Versions of its Pages and Services Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Gadget Head, Man / Woman Who Has Everything, $100 and Under, $250 and Under, $1000 and Under, Gift News, Holiday Gift GuideHi friends.In the mood for a good deal on a gift? We did a little poking around this morning to find some worthy stocking stuffers you might consider -- especially since the price tag is nice.Amazon today is offering deals on SanDisk Sansa MP3 players, including a 68 percent off the list price for a 4 gigabyte Sansa e260, which will now only set you back $79.eCost is wasting no time moving a small collection of JVC Everio High-Definition Camcorders. This is an excellent device that we've used personally and while a little on the bulky side compared to other consumer models the large hard drive and HD capability make for a fine experience. Normally priced at $1,700, eCost is willing to give it to you for $779. Move fast, though, not many are left. Don't underestimate what a truly capable universal remote control can do you for you. Buy.com has a deal going on the Harmony Advanced Universal Remote, normally listed at $249 but right now going for $166.93 and you get free shipping.We'll keep our eyes and ears open to help you out with your last minute shopping. We know you're just like us, waiting until the last possible moment... Related Links:The Keychain That Does It AllAmazon MP3 Store Takes Aim at iTunesWorld's Smallest HD Camcorder from Panasonic  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, TVAccording a new report (PDF file) from the Government Accountability Office, or GAO, the U.S. government is not prepared for the February 17, 2009 deadline for the switch to digital television signals. The GAO says that, "Despite efforts by the public and private sectors and ongoing coordination, we found that no comprehensive plan for the transition exists."Till now the government relied very strongly on initiatives from the private sector to spread the word about the switch from analog to digital. When the switch is finalized, citizens' analog television sets will cease to function with over the air (OTA) broadcasts. Owners who don't purchase a digital television will be forced to get a cable or satellite TV system or a digital/analog converter box. The government has put in place a program to lightenthe load on the consumer by subsidizing the purchase of a new digital TV or converter box by offering $40 coupons for the purchases.Kevin Martin, chairman of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the arm of the Commerce Department overseeing the transition, responded by offering 99 pages of "comprehensive plans, goals and achievements" drawn up by the FCC.While you might not be able to rely on the government to tell you what to do and when, we can do our part and remind you to have your new TV in place by February 2009 (the earlier the better) so that you don't miss a single episode of the the 11th season of 'America's Next Top Model.'For more information regarding the switch from analog to digital television check out the following links:DTV.govFCC 'All-Digital Television is Coming'PBS 'Digital TV: A Cringley Crash Course'How Stuff Works: Digital TelevisionFrom ReutersRelated links:How to Watch TV Online - For FreeSync TV Offers Pay-Per-Channel SubscriptionsGoogle Bidding to Enter the Wireless Business Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, Video Games, Gamer, $250 and Under, Gift News, holiday gift, Holiday Gift GuideToday, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime announced that due to massive demand for the Nintendo Wii, the company will offer a rain check program for those who can't get the console. The program, announced by Fils-Aime on a conference call with Switched.com and others in the gaming press, will be offered via Gamestop retailers on December 20 and 21. If the store is out of stock, you can buy a "rain check" for a Nintendo Wii that you are guaranteed to get in the month of January. You will have to pay for the rain check in full at $249 and pick up the Wii by January 29.So, even if you can't get the actual Wii on Christmas, maybe you'll get a little piece of paper that says you'll get one some time in January.Also, Fils-Aime promised that "six major retailers" willhave Wiis this weekend, so... good luck! Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Green Tech, Domestic God / Goddess, Creative TypeA company that sells glow-in-the-dark-paint has invented another way to combat the forces of darkness. MPK Company, while not in league with Harry Potter or Luke Skywalker, has conjured up a new light source called Litroenergy. These self-luminous, tiny particles, called Litrospheres, have a remarkable half-life of about 12 years and are encased in a microsphere container. In addition, they are non-toxic and do not require a source of electricity to operate, which means the technology is extremely cheap! Litrospheres are also said to be unaffected by temperature and up to 5,000 pounds crush resistant. The Litrospheres, which can be injection molded or used in paint, release no ultraviolet rays.Litroenergy works by emitting electrons from a radioactive gas that is contained by the durable microsphere capsules. Able to transmit continuous light in virtually any color, the Litrosphere light seems to have one major drawback: It is not nearly as bright as light powered by electricity. The Litrosphere glow translates to about 20 watts in an electric light source. The makers at MPK envision Litroenergy being used for safety purposes, such as lining life rafts or safety markings. In the future, the company sees uses extending to bicycles, sporting/camping equipment, toys and other novelty items. Consumers should rejoice at this cheap, safe, durable and long-lasting font of illumination. Imagine putting Litrospheres in the creepy dark parts of the house, like the attic, or in alleyways that give you the willies. Which gets us thinking about its Halloween applications... From PESWiki Via TreeHugger Related Links:Greenpeace Trying to Clean Up the Gaming IndustryScientists Clone Fluorescent Cats Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Cell Phones, Cellphone, ReviewsThis is the story of four cell phones that have two things in common: Each costs under $100, and each doesn't suck. Josh "Kung" Fruhlinger reports. Related Links:How to Send Text Messages for FreeHow to Watch TV Online for FreeSubscribe to our Podcast! Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, Cell Phones, Computers, Celebrities, TVBill Gates himself was published today on the BBC site, with a brief essay called, 'The Skills You Need to Succeed.' What startling revelations does the founder of Microsoft have to share with us? What insights does one of the patriarchs of the modern computer industry have that can deepen our understanding of what the modern job market is looking for in an employee?"In almost every job now, people use software and work with information to enable their organization to operate more effectively.""A solid working knowledge of productivity software... has become a basic foundation for success in virtually any career.""Communication skills and the ability to work well with different types of people are very important too.""I also place a high value on having a passion for ongoing learning."Oh. Dear. God. Bill Gates has turned into our high school guidance counselor. We really don't want to pick on Bill Gates too much here but, excuse us -- what was the point of this little article? Now, to be fair, Mr. Gates' meditation on the obvious isn't the only example of a supposed business genius babbling like a freshly thawed caveman. Martha Stewart recently felt it necessary to explain, in her typical condescending tone, that the typical young person "accesses their information in many different ways... The world has changed." Are cell phones and the Internet still that fascinating, Martha? Apparently, yes, since she seems to favor those over her own magazines such as Blueprint, which she shut down this week.Oh brother. Perhaps Bill and Martha should take Bill's own advice and get some of that "ongoing learning." This modern world can be a scary place.From BBC and ValleyWag (via Geeksugar)Related links:50 Cent Says it's Okay for Kids to Steal MusicAction Movies Teach Kids Bad PhysicsDvorak Says we Should Send Rice, Not Laptops, To Children Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Cell PhonesWe've posted again and again about the dangers of driving while texting and chatting on a cell phone. And some states have placed outright bans on the use of cell phones for teens when behind the wheel.According to some studies as much as 80 percent of teenagers report talking on the phone while driving and over 40 percent admit to texting while behind the wheel. The question is: How do you train your teenager (or anyone else for that matter) to put the phone down while going from point A to point B? A company called CellCoach thinks they have the answer.CellCoach is a small device that mounts under the dashboard of a car and uses the standard electrical connectors found there. What does CellCoach do? When it detects an incoming or outgoing call or text message inside the car, it emits a high pitched and quite annoying tone that doesn't end until the cell activity subsides.We do have reservations about actively annoying a person in control of a couple of tons of steel traveling over 30 miles-per-hour. The other downside of this device is the price tag. At $199 it is cheaper than installing a video camera and monitoring your child's every move, but that's still a bit steep for something that detects radio waves and emits a skull-piercing shriek. The adventurous do-it-yourself-er could probably build a similar device for about $50. From Textually.orgRelated links:Texting and Driving Equated to Drunk DrivingTeen Imprisoned for Texting While DrivingText Messaging to Blame in Teens Car Wreck?States Want to Ban Texting While Driving Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments