Textees: Thumb Cozies For Imprecise Texters
You, dear reader, need a pair of Textees! They look like tiny Crocs for your thumbs and, if this promo video's correct, they'll save you from sending the wrong text to the three girls you're playing at once. Textees could also be great for senior citizens who like to sext but have poor dexterity, and who enjoy canned gangsta rap with their cable commercials.
Continue reading Textees: Thumb Cozies For Imprecise Texters
Textees: Thumb Cozies For Imprecise Texters originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Google Maps Adds Sponsored Icons, Puts Logos on Your Searches
Starting today, you might notice something different about your searches in Google Maps: company logos. After a trial period in Australia and New Zealand, Google is expanding its sponsored map icons program to the States. Bank of America, Target, Public Storage and HSBC will now have their logos, as opposed to generic business icons, displayed in Google Maps to indicate their locations. The program is only in beta at the moment, but it's eventually expected to be opened up to all companies that wish to pay to have their logos displayed. The sponsored icons will become visible in the next few weeks on mobile phones, as well, where they'll likely be much more useful. Businesses paying to have their icons in Google Maps will benefit by having their locations more visible in searches and increasing brand awareness, while consumers will be happy to navigate map with added ease.
The common worry is that if enough companies buy into the program, our Maps may become buried in a sea of logos, but Google says it will decide which logos to display based on the search context to prevent customers from being overwhelmed. If you search for a restaurant, Google may display logos for banks (in case you need to hit an ATM), whereas you probably won't see Public Storage locations.
Google Maps Adds Sponsored Icons, Puts Logos on Your Searches originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Students Attempt Fastest Canada Crossing in Electric VW Beetle
For people of a certain age, the mention of cross-country road trips instantly evokes the memories of youthful hedonism, the fragrances of patchouli and the stench of an old, gas-guzzling Volkswagen van. A group of college students in Canada, however, recently went through the rite of VW road trip passage in a decidedly more eco-friendly way. As Techi reports, members of the Electric Car Club at the University of British Columbia have embarked on a quest to set the record for the fastest cross-country Canadian road trip in an electric car. Their ride of choice? A souped-up 1972 Volkwagen Beetle EV.
To render the car eco-friendly, the team combined a three-phase AC induction motor with a lithium ion phosphate battery, allowing the beast to run for about 185 miles at a speed of 60 mph, or over 340 miles at 30 mph (see it in action here). So far, the eco-explorers have completed about a third of their 4,000-mile long odyssey, and have been documenting ever second of the trip on their blog. The record may be far from sealed, but the UBC team is already looking forward to entering their retro-lectric creation in the Zero Race, an 80-day, round-the-world race for electric vehicles. Even if they don't win the event, they'll certainly win plenty of style points.
Continue reading Students Attempt Fastest Canada Crossing in Electric VW Beetle
Students Attempt Fastest Canada Crossing in Electric VW Beetle originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Apple TV Gets Tiny, Gets Netflix, Gets Useful
The Apple TV has been something of a joke since it was first introduced as a "hobby" way back in 2007. Essentially, an underpowered and hobbled Mac Mini with an oversimplified UI, it found some fans in the small demographic of tinkerers and Apple fanboys. But now, after years of speculation, Steve Jobs is finally putting down the Apple TV, and, in its place, picking up, well, a new Apple TV.
The new Apple TV will be able to pump out HD video, although there's no word on whether it'll handle 1080p or be limited to 720p. It sports a completely new look, one that is slightly less reminiscent of the Mac Mini. It's seriously small (tiny enough for Steve to fit in the palm of his hand) and matte black. Around back are the expected HDMI and power connectors, as well as an Ethernet port. But, for those without a long enough cable, Apple has included Wi-Fi N, so you can streaming your HD content.
Continue reading Apple TV Gets Tiny, Gets Netflix, Gets Useful
Apple TV Gets Tiny, Gets Netflix, Gets Useful originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
iTunes 10 Debuts, Adds ‘Ping’ Social Networking
Among other news from Apple's annual "music event" today, Jobs and company, in light of launching version 10, have finally decided to update the iTunes logo from the anachronistic CD that has lived on desktops for nearly a decade. Apple is also introducing a new music-based social networking feature called Ping that will run through iTunes 10. Jobs described Ping as "Facebook and Twitter meet iTunes." The service will allow users to follow friends and even music artists in order to see what they're listening to or downloading through iTunes. Last.fm is not going to be happy!
With Ping's database of over 17,000 concerts, users will also be able to find, and list themselves as attending, live shows. Jobs, for the record, is going to see Tegan and Sara.
iTunes 10 will be available today on Apple's official site.
Continue reading iTunes 10 Debuts, Adds 'Ping' Social Networking
iTunes 10 Debuts, Adds 'Ping' Social Networking originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
iTunes 10 Debuts, Adds ‘Ping’ Social Networking
Among other news from Apple's annual "music event" today, Jobs and company, in light of launching version 10, have finally decided to update the iTunes logo from the anachronistic CD that has lived on desktops for nearly a decade. Apple is also introducing a new music-based social networking feature called Ping that will run through iTunes 10. Jobs described Ping as "Facebook and Twitter meet iTunes." The service will allow users to follow friends and even music artists in order to see what they're listening to or downloading through iTunes. Last.fm is not going to be happy!
With Ping's database of over 17,000 concerts, users will also be able to find, and list themselves as attending, live shows. Jobs, for the record, is going to see Tegan and Sara.
iTunes 10 will be available today on Apple's official site.
Continue reading iTunes 10 Debuts, Adds 'Ping' Social Networking
iTunes 10 Debuts, Adds 'Ping' Social Networking originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
iOS 4.1 Landing Next Week, Jobs Teases iOS 4.2
iOS 4 has garnered more attention than just about any iPhone OS upgrade before it, thanks primarily to the debut of multitasking. But the upgraded iOS has also irritated many due to the well-documented bugs involving its proximity sensor and Bluetooth radio. And that's not to mention the almost unusable state in which it leaves the poor iPhone 3G. iOS 4.1 is set to hit next week, and addresses many of those issues. No significant iOS release would be complete without new features, and 4.1 brings a few nice enhancements:
- HDR Photos -- A new HDR mode for the camera takes three snapshots: an underexposed one, an overexposed one, and another in the middle. It then combines the images to eliminate shadows and washed-out areas.
- HD Video Uploads -- iOS will now support HD video uploads over Wi-Fi.
- TV Show Rentals -- You'll now have the option to rent, not just buy, TV shows through iTunes right from the device.
- Game Center -- The much-discussed Game Center will finally make its debut with 4.1. The Game Center app connects players with friends and strangers to allow multi-player games. It also has a global leader board, where high scores and achievements will be posted.
Continue reading iOS 4.1 Landing Next Week, Jobs Teases iOS 4.2
iOS 4.1 Landing Next Week, Jobs Teases iOS 4.2 originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
‘Love Plus +’ Resort Lures Gamers With Augmented Reality Girls
Japanese gamers, specifically male ones, are downright obsessed with 'Love Plus.' In case you've never heard of it, 'Love Plus' is a dating simulator in which players get a virtual pet girl to chat up and (hopefully) kiss. The DS title is getting the sequel treatment, 'Love Plus +,' and, to promote the new installment, Konami created an augmented reality iPhone app. The app allows users to interact and take photos with their digital love interests at 13 "romantic" spots around the resort town of Atami.
Scattered around the town, and even in the rooms of the Ohnoya hotel, are small black and white squares telling the app to render the virtual teenage girls. Since the promotion began in July, over 2,000 players have come to visit and take snapshots with their digital sweethearts. Over 200 even rented rooms at Ohnoya just to interact with one of the characters as she lounged on a love seat. Check out the trailer for the game after the break, and be prepared for major culture shock.
Continue reading 'Love Plus +' Resort Lures Gamers With Augmented Reality Girls
'Love Plus +' Resort Lures Gamers With Augmented Reality Girls originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
‘Love Plus +’ Resort Lures Gamers With Augmented Reality Girls
Japanese gamers, specifically male ones, are downright obsessed with 'Love Plus.' In case you've never heard of it, 'Love Plus' is a dating simulator in which players get a virtual pet girl to chat up and (hopefully) kiss. The DS title is getting the sequel treatment, 'Love Plus +,' and, to promote the new installment, Konami created an augmented reality iPhone app. The app allows users to interact and take photos with their digital love interests at 13 "romantic" spots around the resort town of Atami.
Scattered around the town, and even in the rooms of the Ohnoya hotel, are small black and white squares telling the app to render the virtual teenage girls. Since the promotion began in July, over 2,000 players have come to visit and take snapshots with their digital sweethearts. Over 200 even rented rooms at Ohnoya just to interact with one of the characters as she lounged on a love seat. Check out the trailer for the game after the break, and be prepared for major culture shock.
Continue reading 'Love Plus +' Resort Lures Gamers With Augmented Reality Girls
'Love Plus +' Resort Lures Gamers With Augmented Reality Girls originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Dave Mustaine Pens New Megadeth Jam for ‘Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock’
While we'd never claim that Megadeth's classic catalog holds a candle to Metallica's, Dave Mustaine has always out-shredded his former bandmates, and has only sharpened his metal edge -- even when Hetfield & Co. cut their hair and softened their riffage. Befitting that legacy, Megadeth has released a new song expressly for 'Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.' Its title is "Sudden Death," and its goal is "a severe ass-kicking."
Continue reading Dave Mustaine Pens New Megadeth Jam for 'Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock'
Dave Mustaine Pens New Megadeth Jam for 'Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock' originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.