Filed under: Advice, Editor's Picks, Top Lists, Holiday Gift Guide Who doesn't love gadgets? We here at Switched pretty much think everyone does, though we're sure there are a few stragglers out there who haven't hopped on the gizmo bus yet. Regardless, as far as we're concerned, gadgets are the perfect gift for the holidays, which is why we've scoured the piles and piles of cool items we've had a chance to check out hands-on over the past few months and compiled a list of 60 plus perfect presents for various different types of people. From gadget heads and video-gamers to homebodies and style mavens, no gift recipient on your holiday list will be disappointed with the suggestions we've gathered for you.To make it easy, we've divided the initial set of 60 plus recommendations into ten different gift recipient types and six different price ranges. Just click on "Find by Price" or "Find by Recipient" at the top of any Holiday Gift Guide page to find the perfect present. Wherever possible, we've also linked our gift picks to online retailers that carry them.Be sure to check back daily, as we'll be adding breaking news on the latest sales and deals and just-released products, as well as even more gift roundups, shopping tips, how-tos (so you can set up those new gadgets), and other features. All new additions to the gift guide will also show up in a special holiday blog, which you can access by clicking on the Holiday Gift Guide link here or on the Switched main page.Happy browsing and shopping!Visit the 2007 Switched Holiday Gift Guide. From whether you've got to get holiday gifts for early-adopting, video-game-playing gadget heads or for aesthetically-minded style mavens that couldn't give two cents for some ugly-but-powerful new doodad,  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: ComputersSome Web sites has as many lives as cats. One of the Web sites that helped launch the blogging craze, Live Journal, has been sold by its American owners Six Apart to Russian business partner SUP. The one-time haven for teenage emo girls has declined in popularity over the last few years, and been replaced by MySpace, Google Blogger, and Yahoo 360, which are at the top of the list of most popular blogging hosts.But even though its popularity here in the States has waned, Live Journal has gradually become the blogging outlet of choice for Russian intellectuals, who are increasingly looking for ways to break through their government's increased crackdowns on media and free speech. So, naturally, SUP was eager to step in and take this blogging pioneer to its next chapter.Under its new owners, Live Journal will continue to operate as normal, and will be established as a separate company from SUP.From ReutersRelated Links:'Stupid Filter' Blocks Dumb Comments Online95 Year-Old Granny Blogger Reminisces for All to SeeTexas School District Sues Blogger Mom Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Computers, MySpaceOver the past few years online social networks -- sites like MySpace and Facebook -- have grown exponentially to the point that that they've caught the eyes of the more "traditional" media types. MySpace was purchased by Fox who launched MySpace TV to bring bit-sized entertainment to its users. Now, Nokia is predicting that within five years social networks like MySpace will out-pace even traditional television networks and record labels, something the company calls "Circular Entertainment."Nokia says that people will become more interested in sharing entertainment created by their friends for their friends including videos or music that will get passed around social networks and continually refined within small groups. That's an intriguing concept, but we can't help but think the folks at Nokia and the Future Laboratory, who ran the study that came up with these findings, have far more talented friends than we do. We like independent programming as much as the next person, but regardless of how stale Saturday Night Live has become, we'd much rather sit down and watch that than vids of any of our friends acting goofy before a camera.At least for now.From Tech DigestRelated Links: MySpace TV: A Better YouTube Competitor? Study Shows Racial Divisions on Social Networks MySpace to Get a Facelift  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Car TechSome people will go to any length to avoid sitting helplessly in traffic, even if it means breaking the law by pretending to be Johnny Law. The News Tribune reports that a 25 year-old man was taken into custody last week after using flashing lights on his car to impersonate the police and bypass heavy traffic. Driving a late-model Ford Mustang with flashing blue lights affixed to the front grill and around the rear bumper, the man was arrested by the Washington State Patrol after witnesses called the police to report the suspicious vehicle. Highway patrolmen finallycaught up to the impersonator (who was first spotted weaving through traffic on Interstate 5) on Highway 512 in Tacoma, where he told troopers the lights were "just for show."Police proceeded to check the vehicle, where they found a switch near the driver's leg that triggered the lights, flashing them in arbitrary patterns. They also uncovered what they termed a "control head" between the driver's seat and center console that set off a siren-like tone emitter linked to a speaker near the front of the car. Apparently this wasn't the first time that the man had pulled the trick, as records indicate a November 19th 911 call to police reporting a car with flashing blue lights. The moral of the story is don't put your fake police lights on your bumper, put them on top of your car. Just kidding -- we'd rather have you stuck in traffic than be in the slammer for what the wise men call stupid smart people tricks. From The News TribuneRelated Links:Cell Phone Valet Finds Lost Cars at Mall of AmericaGM Prepping Electric Car for 2010This 17,000 Watt Car Stereo Turns Car Into Jell-O Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Computers, Gadget Head, Man / Woman Who Has Everything, $50 and Under, Gift News, Holiday Gift GuideEven though listening to the Backstreet Boys version of 'Christmas Time' every hour on the hour -- at least while we're out shopping -- makes us want to seal our eyes and ears with a caulking gun, we still like to get into the holiday spirit... we just want to do it on our own terms.So, for those of us who want to spruce up our cubicles for the holidays and would rather skip those lame snow flake cut outs that are the province of elementary school teachers, we suggest a USB Christmas Tree from Vat 19.Made of six inches of clear plastic, this 'tree' is lit up from within by LEDs that shift from blue to red to green. The six -foot USB cord ensures you wont the tree crowding your desktop mousing space. And, at only $9.95, the USB Christmas tree is much cheaper than a real tree.From PopgadgetRelated Links:Little Rubber Ducky Computer MouseUSB Humping Dog Does Exactly What You Think It Does (to Your Computer)World's Dumbest USB Gadgets Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, CamerasScientists in North Dakota have dug up the 67 million-year-old remains of one of the best-preserved dinosaur carcases ever. The fossil includes large sections of preserved skin and tendons, which are allowing scientists to recreate the musculature in ways that previously proved difficult.The fossil of this Hadrosaur was discovered by a 17 year-old high school sophomore named Tyler Lyson near his home in Marmarth, ND -- five years ago. Recently, Lyson returned to the site where he found the first three unearthed vertebrae to continue digging up the dinosaur. This time, however, he showed up with a team after studying Paleontology in college. In 2006, Lyson assisted the expedition led by Phil Manning, a paleontologist at the University of Manchester in England, that finally finished excavating the remains.From USA TodayRelated links:10 Most Bizarre Science ExperimentsWoman Finds Accidental Success Selling Tumbleweeds Online Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, ComputersDRM is hated by those who legitimately purchase music, and now Wal-Mart is jumping on the bandwagon. They have asked record labels that sell music through its online store to ditch the stuff.An abbreviation for Digital Rights Management, DRM is software created to restrict what you can do with music and movie downloads. It's the stuff that keeps you from copying music and movies from one computer to the next while limiting burning to CD or loading to a portable music player. If you legitimately paid for the content, DRM is nothing but annoying.EMI started the DRM-free trend among the major labels this past spring, offering its restriction-free tracks for download through a number of sources. Individual artists like Radiohead and Paul McCartney have ditched DRM, but many major labels like Warner Music Group and Sony BMG have held out, requiring that their music sold online be protected. They are the ones being called out by Wal-Mart, who has asked them to make protection-free tracks available in 2008 "or else".The "or else" part is undefined at this point, but when a retailer with the clout of Wal-Mart asks for something, it tends to get what it wants. We'll be keeping an eye on this going forward and hoping for the best.From Boing BoingRelated Links: One Million DRM-Free Tracks from EMI Name Your Own Price For New Radiohead Paul McCartney Says Sayonara to DRM  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Celebrities, TVMTV Networks, the company behind MTV (obviously), VH1, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, CMT, Spike, and The N, has announced plans to offer every episode of 'South Park', ever, online, for free. Are you done dancing for joy yet? We'll wait. So here's the deal. SouthParkStudios.com, which currently hosts a small video clip collection as well as some downloadable extras, will include every clip of 'South Park' since its inception.Just a couple of months ago, 'The Daily Show' went digital with over 13,000 video clips at TheDailyShow.com. That test of the digital waters was very successful. It turned out that hosting the videos online didn't hurt the show's TV ratings. It also turns out that hosting episodes online actually helps shows increase viewership. Who would have guessed?Is MTV going to take this strategy to the rest of their stable of shows? Let's hope so, as there are many great shows sitting the company's vault ('The Maxx' anyone?).From Tech DigestRelated links:New 'Daily Show' Site Offers 13,000 Free VideosWatch Fox Repeats Free on iTunesNBC Will Offer TV Shows on Amazon Instead of iTunes Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video Not for the risk averse comes the Eye Power, a self-administered ultrasonic sight-correction device for those who are near-sighted or slightly myopic. As you can see in the picture, you place the device up to your eye for ten minute sessions and the ultrasonic waves re-teach your eyes the proper distance for focusing at supposedly 20/20 vision. You will need to be able to read the instruction booklet in Japanese, but if you're a risk-taker anyway, who needs instructions? Those of you who aren't completely terrified yet can order Eye Power for 88,000 yen, or $800 from Rakuten.From DviceRelated Links:Scientists Learn to Grow New Eyeballs in LabRobo-Moth Gives Hope to AmputeesThe 10 Most Bizarre Science Experiments Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Gift NewsIf you planned to get your hands on one of Amazon's hot little eBook readers before Christmas, we're hoping you've already ordered. Amazon's Kindle reader dropped a few weeks ago and has already taken the world by storm -- despite being little more advanced than Sony's Reader. The Kindle is now so popular that Amazon can't keep up with demand, indicating that any new orders won't be delivered before Christmas.Amazon's product page now warns: "Because we ship Kindles on a first-come, first-served basis, please ORDER NOW to reserve your place in line. Your Kindle will not arrive by December 25th." We all know what that means: it's time for eBay Kindle craziness. A quick search this morning showed auctions for new Kindles closing for well over $800, twice what Amazon is asking.From The Raw Feed%Gallery-11156%Related Links: Amazon's New Kindle Displays eBooks and Newspapers Is the Amazon Kindle Really the iPod of Books? Verizon Wireless To Let You Use Any Phone On Its Network  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Video GamesFor years now, Electronic Arts has been the global powerhouse in the video game industry thanks to multi-million dollar franchises like 'Madden' and 'The Sims.' Now, though, it's about to be relegated to second place thanks to a new, multi-billion dollar deal that would merge two powerhouse game publishers: Activision and Vivendi Games, creating the largest publisher of video games in the world. Activision got its start in the Atari days, its first notable title being the classic 'Pitfall!'. Today, after decades of growth and acquisition, it owns major franchises like 'Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock' and 'Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.' Vivendi, on the other hand, got its start as a mid-nineteenth-century firm that only recently got into the media game, but quickly gained publishing rights to massively popular games from Blizzard such as 'World of Warcraft' and the 'Starcraft' series. However, while Activision has been steadily growing, Vivendi's media group nearly folded just a few years ago until they sold off assets to stay afloat. In this deal, it will spend $1.7 billion and contribute its Sierra and Blizzard companies in exchange for taking a 52-percent stake in the resulting company, called Activision Blizzard. So, lots of cash changing hands, but what does this mean to gamers? Probably not much. It'll be at least six months before the merger is complete, and a lot longer than that before we start seeing anyone from World of Warcraft showing as an unlockable character in 'Guitar Hero IV.'From LATimes.comRelated Links: William Shatner and Mr. T Team Up for World of Warcraft 10 Video Games That Should Be Movies More American 'World of Warcraft' Players Than Farmers, Stats Say  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Video GamesFor the first time ever, Sony's PlayStation 3 outsold the Nintendo Wii over a four-week period in Japan. Fanboys, start your engines, because in November the PS3 sold 183,217 units, topping the Wii's 159,193.The PS3 has struggled since its launch to make a significant dent in the home console market. After being a market leader with the PlayStation and PlayStation 2, Sony has taken a somewhat distant third behind the Wii and Xbox 360 this generation.A new influx of games, a hefty price drop, and the introduction of a new midrange model with a 40 Gigabyte hard drive have finally brought some life to the Sony system. Only time will tell if this is a fluke or if the trend is sustainable. The real test will be this holiday season. If Sony can post comparable numbers to the Wii and Xbox Sony, execs will likely declare a victory and we're pretty sure you'll be hearing about it.From ReutersRelated links:PlayStation 3's DualShock 3 UnboxingChurch Forgives Sony Over Violent PS3 Game$399 PS3 Coming, But it Won't Play Old Games Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Advice, Reviews, Editor's Picks, Top Lists, Slideshows, Holiday Gift Guide After nine months of pregnancy and a baby shower, you've probably acquired a lot of stuff. Now that the baby's here, what do you really need and what can you stuff back in the closet or sell on eBay? Based on our own experiences with our own young babies, here are a few things we've think you won't want to live without. (And if you've got a Mom -- or a new baby -- on your gift list this holiday, read on).Prince Lionheart Slumber BearSleep -- talk to any new mother and the subject is bound to come up. How is the baby sleeping? How are you sleeping? And most importantly, how do you get the baby to actually go to sleep? With this age-old question comes a reliable answer in the form of the $27 Prince Lionheart Slumber Bear. Though it looks like a typical stuffed bear swaddled in pink, blue or beige pajamas, the Prince Lionheart Slumber Bear is stuffed with an audio box that plays actual recordings of intra-uterine womb sounds. Just fasten the bear onto the crib bars with the included hook and straps, and the baby will recognize these ambient white-noise-like sounds and be immediately lulled to sleep. With a five-minute shut-off timer to save batteries, as well as motion and sound sensors to reactivate the recording when your little one wakes up, this bear is a must-have for frustrated mommies who could use more time to themselves. The audio box is removeable, and can also attach to a stroller or car seat, for example.Next >> Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Advice, Editor's Picks, Slideshows, Features, Holiday Gift Guide Milton from 'Office Space' had his coveted red stapler. Dwight Schrute from 'The Office' has his Dwight Schrute bobble-head doll. What have you pimped your cube with -- one of those horrible inspirational posters that reads something soul-crushing like, 'Excellence,' 'Success' or 'Opportunity'? Lucky for you, we've compiled a list of the 10 ultimate cubicle gadgets no worker should toil away without. And now's the perfect time to give these useful and sometimes amusing doodads as gifts, given that December is upon us and the "Secret Snowflake" office party frenzy is only just beginning. The gadgets on the following pages are guaranteed to either make you or your co-workers more productive, or make the day go by faster. And away we go!Personal Air ConditionerThe only boss who spends money during the summer is George Steinbrenner. When yours switches off the A/C early to cut costs, be ready with your own $25 handheld climate controller. Just two D batteries stand between you relaxing, and you sweating like Britney's custody lawyer.Next >> Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments