Posts by Thomas Ricker at Switched

Polaroid Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Again

by Thomas Ricker, posted Dec 19th 2008 at 6:54PM

Polaroid may have defeated Kodak in the instant camera business, but it can't beat a sagging economy. Polaroid (or Polaroid Corp to be precise) just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in 7 years. Of course, the new Polaroid Corporation is really just a holding company for the Polaroid name -- a brand that has been thoroughly diluted by its application to sub-standard TVs, vile portable DVD players, and gimmicky PoGo digital cameras. Polaroid says, "We expect to continue our operations as normal during the reorganization and are planning for new product launches in 2009." That a threat?

[Thanks JideOsan, image courtesy of Jerkwithacamera]

Samsung Launching Google Phone in 2009

by Thomas Ricker, posted Dec 19th 2008 at 11:48AM

Without a doubt, 2009 is destined to be the year of The Android. Samsung earlier this week announced its ticket to the party with a Q2 launch of its Android phones on both Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile in the US. Apparently, the touch-screen device will be an adaptation of the Omnia (Korea's 800 x 480 pixel version please) and Instinct. In other words, a rectangle with a full-screen display and minimal set of buttons just like every other touchscreen device out there. In case you missed it, this game is no longer about the hardware. [Via ModMyGphone, thanks Neerhaj]

RIAA Says It Will Stop Suing Consumers for Illegal Downloading

by Thomas Ricker, posted Dec 19th 2008 at 9:05AM

When you retard fair use with pointless DRM and then sue anonymous children for illegally downloading music while ignoring those of the execs at the top of the music industry, well, you're asking for a public relations nightmare. Now, with more than 35,000 lawsuits to its credit, the RIAA says it will finally end the legal assault against consumers that began back in 2003. The Recording Industry Association of America will instead, focus its anti-piracy efforts with ISPs. Under the new plan, the RIAA will contact ISPs when illegal uploading is detected. The ISP will then contact the customer with a notice that would ultimately be followed by a reduction or cessation of service. As you'd expect, the RIAA is not commenting on which ISPs they are in cahoots with. The RIAA also says that it won't require ISPs to reveal the identities of individuals but could, of course, go after individuals who are heavy uploaders or repeat offenders. For the moment though, it appears that single-mothers are in the clear.

Wal-Mart iPhone on Sale the 28th for a Lot More than $99

by Thomas Ricker, posted Dec 17th 2008 at 3:48PM

At this point, it's clear that the $99 iPhone 3G rumor was just that: rumor. We have a letter that we believe to be authentic from a source within Wal-mart that says the iPhone will launch in the house that Sam built at 9am December 28th. At launch, only the 8GB ($197) and 16GB ($297) iPhone 3Gs will be available with a required signature on a 2-year AT&T contract. An internal pilot program kicks off today at 488 stores across the nation. The iPhone 3G and a sack of garden manure all under the same roof... heaven.

PlayStation Home Launching Worldwide on December 11th

by Thomas Ricker, posted Dec 10th 2008 at 11:24AM

We knew it was coming this month, now we have the day: tomorrow. Yup, PlayStation Home will launch globally on December 11th. The 3D virtual on-line community is like 'Second Life,' only with the risk of rootkit. Hot. All kidding aside, the new service gives PS3 owners a customizable place to chat (voice or text) and play games with other PlayStation Home users through personalized avatars. Just like real life except without acne and all your social shortcomings. Home will be available to download and "experience basic features" for free -- some services (like creating a "club") will require cash though, so be prepared.

Update: Added video of Red Bull's PlayStation Home Air Race game after the break. It's also worth noting that the US is positioning this as an "open beta" whereas the Japanese announcement seems to position this as full production launch.

Check out Engadget for a gallery of PlayStation Home.

Continue reading PlayStation Home Launching Worldwide on December 11th

Vertu's New Luxury Phone Is Made From Solid Gold

by Thomas Ricker, posted Dec 10th 2008 at 10:14AM

You know how you can tell that this is a "luxury" phone? It looks like it was shaped by an overly taut sphincter. The Vertu Boucheron 150 is made from "solid gold" and is meant to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Boucheron jewelry house in Paris. According to the designer, it took 1,000 hours to cut into shape, 700 hours to hand polish, and more than 500 hours to build. Funny, it only took us a split-second to wretch. Do the Japanese really prefer these Vertu designs from Nokia over the E71? No price or any real detail announced, just a picture of the enormous packing box after the break.

[Via Unwired View, thanks Robin of L.]

Continue reading Vertu's New Luxury Phone Is Made From Solid Gold

BlackBerry Storm Gets Stabbed With a Knife (Video)

by Thomas Ricker, posted Dec 4th 2008 at 11:35AM

Some things are best tested by others. Say, for example, the guy who first drank from a cow's mammary organ or the equally daring person who took the point from the knife above to the display of his new BlackBerry Storm. In either case, the results are tasty. See for yourself in the video after the break.

[Thanks, Mike]

Continue reading BlackBerry Storm Gets Stabbed With a Knife (Video)

'The Simpsons' Mocks Apple

by Thomas Ricker, posted Dec 1st 2008 at 12:39PM

Few have been spared the satire of Matt Groening's long running animated sitcom. Last night, 'The Simpsons' took on Apple, or uh, Mapple for a full 6 minutes of lampoonery -- a pretty harsh ride at a two-joke per minute pace.

It all starts when the Springfield mall gets its very own Mapple store, "it's so sterile," gasps Lisa upon entering. Perhaps the best exchange comes from Bart's dubbing of a Steve Mobs' product announcement in front of a crowd of gaping nerds, "You think you're cool because you buy a $500 phone with a picture of a fruit on it. Well guess what? They cost 8 bucks to make and I pee on every one!" A Mapple store employee then angrily responds, "Who dares question the boss we fired 10 years ago and then brought back!" Yuk yuk.

Videos after the break for as long as it takes for the copyrighters to wake up. [Thanks, holycow]

Continue reading 'The Simpsons' Mocks Apple

Limited Edition 'Wall-E' Roomba

by Thomas Ricker, posted Dec 1st 2008 at 7:01AM

It's 2008 and we've finally achieved the ultimate goal of modern robotics. No, not singularity... better: a cross-promotional marketing deal between the world's leading robots. Meet the Wall-E edition of iRobot's Roomba 530. The special edition Roomba is just like the original 530 only with the addition of that magnificent sticker for a extra ¥5,000 (about $50) premium. 400 units of the limited run vacuumbots went on sale in Japan for ¥,84,500 (tax inclusive) on November 20th. Tsk tsk, what's Eve going to say?

Urine Recycling Equipment Passes Tests, But No One Takes First Sip

by Thomas Ricker, posted Nov 26th 2008 at 4:16PM

Thank heavens -- the $154 million water recycling system, which is designed to convert sweat, moisture and urine into an ingestible fluid, um, works. According to NASA, the Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) managed to get through three rigorous testing sessions, and apparently that was good enough for officials to leave it in orbit. So yeah, theoretically we now have a way to keep long-term space cadets hydrated for months, but is anyone really going to volunteer to pinch their nostrils and toss back the first shot? Our sources point to "no."

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