Filed under: Computers, Video GamesPostings on the job boards for Blizzard, the company behind 'Warcraft' and 'Diablo,' have given away a little secret. The boys at Blizzard are working on a next-generation Massively Multiplayer Online game (MMO). Blizzard did confirm that it was working on an unannounced MMO, but would not divulge any further details. Of course, this leaves all of us to speculate what the game will be. Message board posts all assume the game will be based on preexisting universes. Will it be 'Diablo', 'Starcraft'?, or lesser-known titles like 'Blackthorne' and 'Lost Vikings'?Our take -- it'll either be 'Diablo' or, even more likely an update of 'World of Warcraft' which has been a gargantuan money-maker for the developer. 'Starcraft' isn't likely since 'Starcraft 2' is already under development. We figure 'WoW' is about due for an update as it is beginning to show its age at 3 years (an eternity in the gaming world). But Blizzard surely doesn't want to see the incredibly successful 'Diablo' franchise fade into the history books. What do you expect to see? A 'Diablo' online game? A new 'WoW'? Or perhaps something completely different.From Evil AvatarRelated links:Boy Saves Sister from Moose Attack with Skills Learned in Warcraft Video GameWilliam Shatner and Mr. T Team up for World of WarcraftActivision, Vivendi Announce Biggest Game Publishing Merger in History Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, iPodYoung people attempting to convince the parental units to buy them the latest iPod now have a compelling argument in their arsenal. And adults who would rather buy items with educational value for their children may be pleasantly surprised. It turns out that in addition to playing music and video clips, the iPod may be used to recast and display lectures and visuals from the classroom. The New York Times reports that at least two companies now offer software that aligns recorded auditory information with digital images. In practice, a professor's words and her PowerPoint slides are linked and then placed on a server from which students may download the lecture.One advantage of the new software is the ease with which students may search for particular parts of the lecture to review, rather than having to sit through the whole presentation all over again. Every word that appears on the lecture's accompanying digital images is indexed so that students can search for key words and open the lecture at any juncture. This technology is already in full swing at schools like the University of Central Florida, while others such as Purdue University are testing it out. We're guessing that the children might be winning a few bouts with the parents after this news gets out... From The New York Times (via geeksugar)Related Links:'Free iPod' Advertiser Fined $650,000iPod Classic 160-Gigabyte Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Video Games, Style Maven, Gamer, Music Hound, $50 and Under, Gift News, Holiday Gift GuideThe folks at I Am 8-Bit (you may remember them from such art shows as this one) and a design company called Couch (great name, eh?) have put their collective pixels together to create some nice Space Invader-inspired guitar straps, particularly for those of you with 'Rock Band' and/or 'Guitar Hero' gee-tars.The vinyl strap comes in either blue or black, and will set you back $33, or approximately six tickets to see Tesla on its forthcoming reunion tour. From CouchRelated Links:Slash talks Guitar Hero 3 Biggest game publishing merger in history  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: CamerasTraffic cameras, like the one in the southbound lane of 41st Avenue at the corner of Clares street in Capitola, California, are supposed to make police officers' jobs easier. Instead, this rogue camera has become a bit of a problem child.The culprit is an overly sensitive motion detector that has the camera snapping pictures of people making right turns on red or slowly rolling forward before a light turns green, all of which are completely legal maneuvers. "It's going nuts," said Capitola Police Chief Richard Ehle on Monday. Officers have been forced to comb through video footage of the intersection to make sure each photographed "offender" was actually breaking the law. According to Ehle, 50 to 60 percent of the photos are of innocent people. Ehle said the department is working hard at fixing the camera, but in the meantime, it seems the little camera has made a difference. Collisions at the intersection are down 60 percent and the number of red-light violations has dropped from 100 a month to around 25.From Santa Cruz SentinelRelated links:Public Audio Surveillance Hits LondonSurveillance Cameras Don't Reduce Crime, Study SaysGoogle Gets Woman Out of $600 Tow Fee Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Cell PhonesNew Zealand is a long, long distance away from Switched H.Q., but this story sure sounds like something that could have happened right here in the good ol' U.S. of A. In the city of Wellington, N.Z., a man received a text message offering him an early Christmas present that would be, erm, "presented" by two very friendly ladies. They gave him their address, told him to hurry up, and added that if he really wanted to save time, he should just show up naked.You can probably see where this is heading.The man dutifully arrived, stripped naked, threw his clothes through an open window, and then discovered that the place was indeed not home to two lusty girls, but was instead occupied by a very shocked kiwi, who promptly called the police. The naked man was caught and arrested for being unlawfully on someone else's property. There is justice in N.Z., though, as the girl who sent the misleading text message was also charged with the crime of "misusing a phone." Both went un-prosecuted, however, in the end. So, if you want to get away with breaking into someone's house without any clothes on, you should probably go to New Zealand to do it.From ReutersRelated Links: How to Send SMS Text Messages for Free Teacher Uses Cell Phone to Show Porn to High School Students Shy Londoners Flirt Via Cell Phone at Bars with New Service  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Video GamesIn a happening that can only be described as some sort of bizarro throwback to the holiday season last year, hundreds of shoppers in NYC have lined up outside of Nintendo's flagship Nintendo World store in Rockefeller Center. Over two hundred were queued as of last night, all hoping to score themselves one of the company's hot Wii consoles this morning.If you haven't already bought your special someone (or yourself) a Wii for this holiday season, you have one of two options: get your lazy butt in line like the poor souls standing in the cold in NY, or go pay up on eBay like everybody else. We warned last month of this continued shortage, and back then eBay prices were around $350 -- about $100 over retail. Now Wii systems are fetching in the $400-$450 range, an amazing premium for a year-old system.From wcbs880.comRelated Links: Want a Wii for Christmas? Get in Line. Nintendo Wii Adopted By Physical Therapists for Patients Nintendo Targets Women & Grandparents  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: ComputersIf you had to pick a single notable word that stands out in your mind from 2007, what would be it? It's okay, take your time. This probably isn't the sort of question you ponder on a daily basis -- or perhaps ever. But, among dictionary-types, it's a (mildly) prestigious honor to be nominated word of this year, and this year that honor has been granted to a string of four characters that many would not even consider a word in the first place. That thing is 'w00t,' spelled w-zero-zero-t and pronounced "whoot." It's an exclamation of joy that originated in the various realms of offline role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, where it originally meant "Wow, loot!" It has since gained use in online RPGs (role-playing games) like 'World of Warcraft,' and from there has gone on to conquer the world -- at least according to Merriam-Webster, which handled the nomination. The zeros were added in to make it cooler for the kiddies who like numbers that look like letters. Other, perhaps more stuffy, literary types believe that the nomination is just as bogus as the word itself, but last year's Colbert-inspired word of the year, "truthiness," isn't exactly grammatically correct either. Whether it's a real word or not we don't care, but we can't help but appreciate the amazing rise of a little word that grew from basement D&D play all the way up to common parlance.The other tech-related term on Merriam-Webster "word of the year" list is "Facebook," as a verb.What do you think? Are these kinds of made-up words worthy of word-of-the-year lists by such venerable English-language institutions such as Merriam-Webster?From wbsctv.com and AOL NewsRelated Links: Is the Amazon Kindle Really the iPod of Books? Text Messaging Stunts Writing Skills 13 Year-Old Crowned Texting Champ  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, iPodJust as it seemed as though the record industry was starting to figure this whole thing out, here it goes and does something that makes us at the Switched offices shake our heads. The RIAA has filed a brief in an Arizona U.S. District Court against Jeffrey and Pamela Howell, an average Joe and Jane couple who have ripped their CD collection to MP3s for easy sharing throughout their home and -- presumably -- iPods. The brief claims that ripping CDs to MP3s is a violation of copyright laws and the fair use doctrine. The audacity of the RIAA's claim wouldn't be too surprising, given its penchant for overzealous attacks of digital media, if it weren't in direct contradiction of arguments made by RIAA lawyers in a case filed in 2005. In the case, MGM Vs. Grokster, representation from the RIAA explicitly said that making digital copies of music for personal use was protected.Atlantic Vs. Howell is scheduled to have its first hearing on January 24. Here's hoping that this case gets tossed out, because if the courts find in favor of Atlantic, it will place all of us with digital audio devices on the RIAA's hit list.[Addendum: Looks like the RIAA has also included language about the fact that the Howells put their files on file sharing networks, which could give the RIAA a leg to stand on here. That said, this case remains interesting due to the language the RIAA is including regarding one's rights to rip his own CDs.]From Boing BoingRelated links:Nokia Readying Unlimited Music Download ServiceMost People Downloading Radiohead's New Album for FreeArtists Ditching Record Labels, Offering Music for Free OnlineTrent Reznor Tells Fans to Steal Music Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Computers, Domestic God / Goddess, $5000 and Under, Features, Reviews, Holiday Gift Guide, desktops"Give in to the power of the tea," the male model, Hansel, whispered as he seduced the overcome reporter in the epic comedy, Zoolander. That's what we thought of as we entered Armani/Casa, an ultra-hip interior design locale in SoHo where fashionistas shop for their postmodern couches and Eastern-influenced coffee tables. It wasn't a home makeover mission that brought us to Never Neverland, however, as we were there to preview Dell's XPS One, the newest all-in-one home computer, which came out on November 19th and is the latest entry in the growing area of stylish, all-in-one computers.Picking our way through the hotly attired models and Dell executives that dotted the sleek Armani/Casa homescape, we began to understand the nature of this particular computing beast... Home computing is undergoing a transformation in character, style or that je ne sais quoi these days, and the XPS One is Dell's attempt to get sexy. And make no mistake, the folks at Dell will sell their stock to Apple before letting the competition's Gateway One and the Sony Vaio L Series overshadow their own product's libido.All black, the machine is comprised of a 20-inch, high-definition widescreen monitor that houses the computer itself, with just one cable to plug in. The only other components are a wireless mouse and an old-school infrared wireless keyboard that triumphs over the inconsistent Bluetooth keyboards from former XPS models. In addition, the XPS boasts a built-in TV tuner, whereas most PC models of this size and type, including the Gateway One, have an external tuner or none at all, like the Sony Vaio L Series. A couple of things that we really liked were the motion sensors that, when triggered, light up the media keys and a half-circle of blue light that illuminates the slot-loading drive on the lower, right hand corner of the monitor. We also dug the great speakers that come stock with every XPS as well as the option to include a Blu-ray drive (as long as you're willing to pay more). While the cheapest XPS One goes for $1,499, the version with all of the bells and whistles maxes out at $2,399.Overall, this computer seems to have the it sexy factor that Dell wanted to develop. Whether you're an artiste whose closet includes clothing in black or black, or just a regular consumer looking for a home computer that looks smokin' and futuristic while doing it all without the complications, this is the all-in-one product for you. The only downside is that the models we saw at Armani/Casa are not offered with the XPS at this time. %Gallery-11655%Related Links:The Gateway One -- Is This the Sexiest Computer Ever?Sony iMac Competitor Boasts HDTV, Blu-ray Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Gadget Head, Domestic God / Goddess, Man / Woman Who Has Everything, Gift News, Holiday Gift GuideEven Santa gets cold feet sometimes, and we're not talking about when he married Mrs. Claus. Japanese gadget trove Thanko has introduced a pair of USB Santa Boots, a gadgetized way to keep the feet warm during the frigid winter months. These slippers, which look suspiciously like footwear belonging to a certain white-bearded, rotund Christmas hero, are heated by a USB connection from the slipper to your computer. We're a little torn -- as nice as toasty toes are when it's cold no matter how many pairs of socks you're wearing, there's something just not right about slippers and USB connections in the same sentence. Are they dumb, funny, or cute? You be the judge.From 7 Gadgets Via geeksugarRelated Links:10 Dumbest And/Or Funniest USB Gadget GiftsDecorate Your Desk With USB Christmas TreeChristmas Tree Powered By Electric Eel Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Video Games, Top ListsWe're not sure how much of an authority on gaming Time magazine is, but given that it's a respected news outlet, we think it carries a certain amount of weight when it says that 'Halo 3' is the best game of the year."In one of the greatest years video gaming has ever seen, 'Halo 3' is the very best of the bunch," says Time's Lev Grossman, who thought the latest installment of the third-person shooter was so good that it beat out other media and fan favorites -- including 'BioShock,' 'Rockband,' and 'Super Mario Galaxy' -- for the top slot on the list.From PC WorldRelated Links:'Bioshock' May be the Best Game Ever'Super Mario Galaxy' is Heavenly, According to ReviewsiPhone Named Time's Invention of the Year Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, TVBack in October, Sony wowed us with delicious pictures of a ridiculously thin television, the XEL-1 OLED TV. Its screen enclosure was just three millimeters (about .1-inches!) thick -- or thin rather. Okay, so it's only 11-inches across, meaning you wouldn't want to make one the focal-piece of your home theater system. But it's hard to resist, given its lithe design. It was supposed to be Japan-only, but now Sony's saying we can have one. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until some undisclosed time next year before the TV gets its U.S. release.The sets, which dropped in Japan for about $1,700, use a newer type of display called Organic LED, or OLED. The technology isn't altogether dissimilar to that of your typical LCD television, but where an LCD display requires backlights to illuminate the picture from behind, an OLED panel illuminates itself. Without the backlight, the bezel can be made smaller, resulting in the thin set seen here. OLED also can offer brilliant brightness and contrast compared to a traditional LCD, but its biggest problem is degradation. Where an LCD will last you pretty much forever (if you replace the backlights), OLEDs eventually fade and die. The XEL-1 suffers from this problem, rated to deliver about 30,000 hours worth of viewing before having to be retired. That's less than half youraverage plasma set, and at the extreme price for the size, the XEL-1 is more a design and technical exercise than anything. We saw it on the show floor at CEATEC a couple of months ago and loved the look of it. We're glad to see Sony will be bringing it to the U.S. ... even if we can't necessarily afford one.From EngadgetRelated Links: Gateway 30-Inch LCD XHD3000 High-Definition Monitor How to Choose a Home Theater This Holiday Panasonic 50-inch 1080P PlasmaThe World's Thinnest TVs Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Computers, MySpaceLinkedIn -- the social-networking site for professionals -- has announced the debut of its redesigned home page, which features a simpler overall design compared to its now old home, yet allows users to add more personalized information and feeds via movable and editable page elements called "modules."LinkedIn strives to provide more business-oriented information and networking opportunities than other social network sites, such as Facebook or MySpace, which tend to cater more to younger crowds looking for online diversions and building groups of friends with similar interests.Facebook has benefited from an open programming environment that lets innovative users create small applications that actually behave like regular Web pages within the Facebook Web site environment. Now, in a related announcement from LinkedIn, programmers will be able to create applications that members can utilize within the site and also bring parts of LinkedIn to their own Web sites and applications.To this point, LinkedIn has benefited from its reputation as a networking Web site for professionals. While the new home page -- with its multiple options for news feeds and contact updates -- and the new application capability may appeal to many users, it remains to be seen if this makes the site seem only more like its competitors or keeps its target group of core members referring their business associates to sign up themselves. Related Links:Girl Dumps Boyfriend Via Facebook Status MessageStudy Shows Racial Divisions on Social NetworksNew U2 Song Exclusively On Facebook, Not MySpace  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, iPod, TV, iPhonePoor Apple TV, so simply styled and sophisticated, yet already being called a failure by many. The thing just hasn't sold, and with its limited support for HDTV, it isn't likely to get any better. But in a recent interview with USA Today, Apple head honcho Steve Jobs indicates that he still wants Apple TV to succeed, and he has plenty to say about just how the company can make that happen. One suggestion seems quite fascinating to us: Turn the iPhone and iPod Touch into fancy remote controls.No, this isn't an announcement of intent from Apple, but think about it: Logitech's programmable Harmony remotes make wading through the settings of your home entertainment center easy. One button to turn everything on to watch a movie, another one to turn on the Xbox 360 and play a game, etc. etc. No more fumbling with 15 remote controls. However, Harmony remotes are expensive one-trick ponies and somewhat painful to configure. If Apple could bring its patented user experience to the universal remote game, it could certainly have a winner on their hands.However, there's one big catch: Neither the iPhone nor the iPod Touch have infrared emitters, so on their own they can't control much of anything. But connect the devices to an Apple TV via Wi-Fi, give the Apple TV 2.0 a built-in IR emitter, and you could stream content directly to your iPhone or iPod Touch and turn them into colorful, multi-touch universal remotes.Maybe we're dreaming here, but we'd be interested. From DiggRelated Links: Is There Hope for the Apple TV? Video Rentals Rumored for Apple TV YouTube Coming to Apple TV  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments