Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Apple Updates iPod Shuffle]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/02/19/apple-updates-ipod-shuffle/http://www.switched.com/2008/02/19/apple-updates-ipod-shuffle/http://www.switched.com/2008/02/19/apple-updates-ipod-shuffle/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


We were excited when the online Apple Store went down this morning because MacBook Pro and Cinema Display updates seem imminent and rumors have been flying about new iPhone developments. The store came back up announcing updates to the...

iPod Shuffle line.

Apple dropped the price of the 1-gigabyte model to $49, and debuted a brand new 2-gigabyte Shuffle for $69. The 1-gigabyte is available now, and the new 2-gigabyte model will be available later this month. Apple doubled the storage space of the Shuffle, and now offers the choice of pastel colors--silver, blue, green, purple and (PRODUCT) RED.

Will this barrage of sudden new Apple announcements ever cease? We hope not.

From The Unofficial Apple Weblog

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SwitchedApple Updates iPod Shuffle originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleipodshuffleTue, 19 Feb 2008 12:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Robot Dog Listens to Your iPod, Dances, and Seeks Attention]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/21/robot-dog-listens-to-your-ipod-dances-seeks-attention/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/21/robot-dog-listens-to-your-ipod-dances-seeks-attention/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/21/robot-dog-listens-to-your-ipod-dances-seeks-attention/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,



Finally, a gift for the child who wants a puppy, a stereo and a robot for Christmas: The iDog Amp'd, quite possibly the strangest iPod accessory we've seen since the iCan't-keep-making-i-jokes-anymore.

SwitchedRobot Dog Listens to Your iPod, Dances, and Seeks Attention originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HolidashHoliday Gift GuideHolidayGiftGuideiPod AccessoriesIpodAccessoriesFri, 21 Dec 2007 20:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Eco-Friendly, Solar-Powered Christmas Lights]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/21/eco-friendly-solar-powered-christmas-lights/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/21/eco-friendly-solar-powered-christmas-lights/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/21/eco-friendly-solar-powered-christmas-lights/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Eco-Friendly Solar-Powered LED Lights
Looking for a way to spread a little holiday cheer without expanding your carbon footprint? Many are switching over to LED lights this season to save electricity, even NYC's Rockefeller Center. But, you can go even further. Check out these solar-powered, LED Christmas lights, which will light up your holiday season -- even if you're living completely off the grid.

The $30 set from Hammacher Schlemmer includes 50 lights and a rechargeable base station. The base holds two rechargeable AA batteries, which it juices up during the day. At night the lights will glow for upwards of eight hours -- assuming of course the thing didn't get buried in the snow the day before. They're the perfect way to show your true holiday color: green (even though the lights themselves are blueish white).

From Shiny Shiny

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SwitchedEco-Friendly, Solar-Powered Christmas Lights originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LEDSolarFri, 21 Dec 2007 13:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily Deals for Last-Minute Gadget Gifts]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/18/daily-deals-for-last-minute-gadget-gifts/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/18/daily-deals-for-last-minute-gadget-gifts/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/18/daily-deals-for-last-minute-gadget-gifts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Do we have a deal or three for you!

This week it was easy to find a few good prices on product the big box electronics retailers are trying to move off their Web sites. Some small items, some big. All still in time for you to be the Santa of everyone's dreams. (We couldn't find a good deal on coal, so we hope there are no naughty boys or girls on your lists.)

Find your way to BestBuy.com for a deal on an HP M632 Photosmart 7.2 megapixel digital still camera. It's only $79, which is a decent price. It qualifies for free shipping but in-store pick-up may suit you better just to be sure it's under the tree in time.

Amazon.com has the 8 gigabyte iPod Touch waiting for you at $369 and its free super-saver shipping should still get the package to you by Friday if you order right away. The Touch is the iPod that looks like the iPhone. No, it's not a phone but the display is cool enough to make you cool enough, which is part of the allure, right?

And while we're on the topic of iPhones and the iPod Touch, J&R Computer World has a little deal going on some "open box" protective screens for these devices. We know, we know -- "open box" makes you nervous but when it comes to products with no moving parts or plugs, a good deal is a good deal. Take a look.

Only one week to go before the big day. Snap to it! You don't want to disappoint.

SwitchedDaily Deals for Last-Minute Gadget Gifts originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HolidashHoliday Gift GuideHolidayGiftGuideTue, 18 Dec 2007 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Tech Toys for Tots]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-11/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-11/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-11/#commentsFiled under: ,

Brightlings Exploration Station

Brightlings Exploration Station

Give your toddler a world of discovery with Leapfrog's $29.99 Brightlings Exploration Station. Promising to teach music, numbers, shapes and words (in five languages, to better confuse you), this little toy will make sure your kids never run out of ways to play. Twenty sing-a-long songs are also included in both Spanish and English and little Brightlings play pals add another level of fun.


SwitchedTop Tech Toys for Tots originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brightlings exploration kids kids child language leapfrog play mBrightlingsExplorationKidsKidsChildLanguageLeapfrogPlayMusicHolidashHoliday Gift GuideHolidayGiftGuideKids TechKidsTechTech Toys for TotsTechToysForTotsTot TechTotTechMon, 17 Dec 2007 11:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Tech Toys for Tots]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-8/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-8/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-8/#commentsFiled under: ,

Magic Music Maker

Ready Set Learn! Magic Music Maker

There's no doubt that music soothes the wild beast. And if your preschooler tends to grow fangs at times, consider the Ready Set Learn! Magic Music Maker (Discovery, $25), which lets your child to make, record and playback his or her own musical creations. The pint-sized keyboard has 25 electronic keys, eight instrument sounds, an LCD screen and even a jamming scratch pad for mixing effects. Stereo speakers and a flashing light display add to the drama, and the pop-up microphone lets kids sing-along to pre-programmed songs.


SwitchedTop Tech Toys for Tots originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HolidashHoliday Gift GuideHolidayGiftGuidekids magic music discovery child gameKids TechKidsMagicMusicDiscoveryChildGameKidsTechTot TechTotTechMon, 17 Dec 2007 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Tech Toys for Tots]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-6/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-6/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-6/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lullaby Light Show

Lullaby Light Show

Give baby a little techno magic with the Lullaby Light Show (Tomy Toys, $27). The revolving musical night light projects baby animals and different figures on the ceiling, while playing a soothing lullaby by Brahms to rock your beloved to sleep. All you need is three D batteries and your baby's ready to rest.


SwitchedTop Tech Toys for Tots originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baby child Lullaby musicalBabyChildLullabyMusicalHolidashHoliday GIft GuideHolidayGiftGuideKids TechKidsTechTech Toys for TotsTechToysForTotsTot TechTotTechMon, 17 Dec 2007 11:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Tech Toys for Tots]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-4/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-4/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-4/#commentsFiled under: ,

Rubiks RevolutionRubik's Revolution

Since most kids think the 1980s are akin to the Dark Ages, it's no surprise the folks who gave us the Rubik's Cube decided to come out with something new. Rubik's Revolution (Techno Source, $19.99) is a digital version of the addictive box puzzle and features six ways to play -- all based on speed, strategy or a combination of both. Games include Light Speed, Rapid Recharge, Pattern Panic, Cube Catcher, Code Cracker and Multiplayer Madness, and come with light and sound effects. Unlock a level and you'll automatically be pushed up to the next. Though it's the same size and form factor as the original, this sure isn't your mom's gadget.


SwitchedTop Tech Toys for Tots originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kids TechKidsTechRubiks Cube Revolution ToyRubiksCubeRevolutionToyMon, 17 Dec 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Tech Toys for Tots]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-3/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-3/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

American Idol

American Idol Talent Challenge

Not old enough (or brave enough) to hit the 'American Idol' auditions? This holiday season, your kids can sing their hearts out with real American Idol performers with American Idol Talent Challenge (Tech2Go, $49.99), a small piece of hardware that hooks up to your DVD player and uses a microphone and mixer to make little dreams come true. Also included: a DVD featuring 12 songs -- with or without original vocals -- so you can practice for a while before you make your solo appearance. The karaoke-style screen lets the whole family sing along and makes sure nobody forgets the words. We leave it to your discretion to play the parts of Simon, Randy and Paula. Just don't judge too harshly. Remember, these are your children.


SwitchedTop Tech Toys for Tots originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>American-Idol DVD karaoke TVAmerican-idolDvdKaraokeTvKids TechKidsTechTech ToysTechToysToysMon, 17 Dec 2007 11:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Tech Toys for Tots]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-2/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-2/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/17/top-tech-toys-for-tots-2/#commentsFiled under: ,

TMX Elmo

TMX Elmo

If your child is like most, he or she probably has Elmo is at the top of the holiday wish list this year. And to make things just a little more interesting, Fisher-Price has introduced its TMX Elmo (Fisher-Price, $40), an interactive tickle toy that knows just where its funny bone is. Kicking, sitting, slapping his thigh, this Elmo is like none you've ever seen. And, of course, he speaks as well, with nuggets of wisdom such as, "Again, again," and "Give Elmo a break!" TMX Elmo is perfect for children 18 months or over, but don't be surprised if some of the younger kids take a while to get used to its crazy (and loud) physical and verbal shenanigans.


SwitchedTop Tech Toys for Tots originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:24:00 EST<![CDATA['I Am 8-Bit' Guitar Straps for 'Rock Band' or 'Guitar Hero']]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/12/i-am-8-bit-guitar-straps-for-rock-band-or-guitar-hero/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/12/i-am-8-bit-guitar-straps-for-rock-band-or-guitar-hero/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/12/i-am-8-bit-guitar-straps-for-rock-band-or-guitar-hero/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,




The 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 Couch


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Switched'I Am 8-Bit' Guitar Straps for 'Rock Band' or 'Guitar Hero' originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Gaming AccessoriesGaming PeripheralsGamingAccessoriesGamingPeripheralsGuitar HeroGuitar Hero IIIGuitarHeroGuitarHeroIiiHolidashHoliday Gift GuideHolidayGiftGuideMusic GamesMusicGamesRock BandRockBandWed, 12 Dec 2007 12:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 T-Shirts For the Geek in Your Life]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/06/top-10-t-shirts-for-the-geek-in-your-life/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/06/top-10-t-shirts-for-the-geek-in-your-life/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/06/top-10-t-shirts-for-the-geek-in-your-life/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



According to none other than Wired magazine, T-shirts have come into their own as a form of media, one that uniquely documents messages and stories, not to mention emergent technologies and companies changing the way we use the Internet. Here at Switched, we write a lot about these next-gen, "Web 2.0" companies and technologies, which include everyone from MySpace and Facebook to Twitter and even Google.

Given that we're partial to t-shirts with nerdy, tech-infused jokes and terminology, we figured it was high time to find the best geek t-shirts specifically related to Web 2.0 speak (like the "Your Podcast is Lame" t-shirt, flickr user ericskiff, pictured above). So here, dear readers is our humble survey of the wild, cotton-meets-code world of Web 2.0 t-shirts. If anything, it'll give you something cool to talk about during your podcast.




SwitchedTop 10 T-Shirts For the Geek in Your Life originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Slash Talks Guitar Hero III, 'Slash' (the Book), and Gadget Gifts]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/05/slash-talks-guitar-hero-iii-slash-the-book-and-gadget-gift/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/05/slash-talks-guitar-hero-iii-slash-the-book-and-gadget-gift/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/05/slash-talks-guitar-hero-iii-slash-the-book-and-gadget-gift/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Slash Talks 'Guitar Hero' and Technophobia

Slash is a busy guy. In fact, we're not sure he's had any down time since recording what may be the greatest debut album in the history of Rock 'n' Roll, the Guns n' Roses classic 'Appetite for Destruction.' After the disintegration of the band and the hijacking of the name by a corn-rowed Axl Rose and a band of impostors ( whose next album 'Chinese Democracy' should be out some time before Armageddon), Slash went on to form Slash's Snake Pit and play guitar on tracks for dozens of artists from Michael Jackson to Insane Clown Posse. And he just keeps adding to his repertoire. In addition to being the lead guitarist for Velvet Revolver, the top-hat-wearing axe slinger just co-authored a book (with Anthony Bozza) entitled 'Slash' and appeared as a boss character in 'Guitar Hero III.' The rock legend was kind enough to sit and talk with us a bit about the book, Guitar Hero, and of course whether he prefers PC or Mac.

Switched: So what made you decide to write a book now?

Slash: I put the book out to sort of set the record straight on a lot of the story having to do with why I quit Guns 'n' Roses, and the band reuniting, and a lot of other subjects having to do with that band. Basically that's what influenced my decision to write a book. Prior to that I had no interest in writing a book, even though people keep asking me. But after seeing all the attention that Guns 'n' Roses has garnered of late, all the misinformation that's available to people, and all of the other, you know, falsehoods that are going on about a lot of different things, I just figured probably the only way I'd be able to do myself and the story any justice is to write it myself.


'Slash' by SlashSo it was less a thing of nostalgia and more, almost cathartic?

Well, you know, cathartic in a way. I don't know how cathartic it was really, for myself, personally, but I think it'll put some people's minds at rest, especially people who are huge Guns 'n' Roses fans or who are fascinated by the phenomena that is Guns 'n' Roses.

It's coming out just on the heels of the release of 'Guitar Hero III,' which you star in. Is the timing accidental?

(Laughs) It's all accidental. I was working on the Velvet Revolver 'Libertad' record, when both these things... well, I started writing the book during the making of the record, and actually did the Guitar Hero thing a little bit prior to that. But they were all sort of done at the same time and they're all coming out at the same time.

So how did you get involved with 'Guitar Hero III?'

Activision [the game's publisher] came up with the idea to have somebody in the rock world represent the game and they chose me to be their rock legend guy, which I thought was really flattering. And I was really overwhelmed and excited about the prospect of doing it because I'm a huge fan of the game. So I met with them and we shot some ideas back and forth and we rolled with it and it came out great. I got to write some music for it, I put some guitar solos on it, and I got a caricature of myself in the game. It's way left-field for what I normally do, but at the same time it's very relevant, and I'm really honored to be on the box, so to speak.

That sort of answers our next question, which is how much involvement was there really in making the game? It sounds as though it was more than just "walk in to the studio, get some pictures taken for the model, and go home."

No, there were plenty t of hours spent outside my comfort zone to get this done properly. But, you know, it was an experience and it was fun as well.

Obviously, you've played the game, you said you enjoyed it. Did you find it tough to transition from playing the real guitar to playing Guitar Hero?

I'm not very good at it. I played it a little while ago this afternoon. And I played 'Guitar Hero 2' and I had a lot of time to sit with it and learn how to do it and I got pretty good at it until I beat the game. But I didn't beat it on expert -- I beat it on hard. And that took a lot of work. I think there's something innately awkward about being a guitar player trying to playing 'Guitar Hero.' I think you play it by ear more than you do so by sight, which is the way that normal people play it. There really is that correlation between your fingers and what you're looking at on screen, and I think for guitar players the way that you relate to it is really by ear and feel, which somehow doesn't make your fingers land at the right place at the right time.

So what are you planning on getting the wife and kids for the holidays, gadget- or tech-wise this year?

I've been so busy, and everybody on my side of the fence has been so busy, what with touring and all the other stuff that's going on right now. We haven't really gotten into Christmas. We just escaped Halloween with me traveling all over the place and what not. So we haven't really focused on Christmas yet.

Don't even bring that up, you're scaring the shit out of me.

(Laughs)

Is there any gadget that's got you excited that you really want to get your hands on?

I'm not a huge gadget guy. I just got a new BlackBerry, you know, and I'm happy with that. And I just got a new Xbox 360 not too long ago and we were looking at some new games the other day just to see what's out there. I got my new 'Guitar Hero' finally... I can't think of anything off the top of my head, outside of some recording gear that I'm really looking out for getting.

Does the aversion to technology and gadgets extend to the music? Are you a Pro Tools guy?

NO, no, I'm really simple, and I don't... I'm one of those people that if it's something you don't need, I can pretty much stay away from it. But as far as just toying around with technology for toying around's sake, I'm not like that. I'm basically all about the simplest approach possible. The fewer manuals I have to read, the better and if it ain't broke, don't fix it. So I use a lot of pretty much old gear and what not. The only thing I do need for recording is something simple that's efficient, sounds good, can be taken on the road -- that's what I'm starting to shop for at this point. And something small that I can carry.

Is there anything that you carry with you, on tour or every day, like a BlackBerry or an iPod, that's just attached to you 24/7?

Well the BlackBerry, as much as I hate to admit it, is an appendage for sure. And as far as the iPod goes... you know...I have an iPod and its got 1000 some-odd, if not more, songs on it. But I find that I like to just have, like, a handful of good CDs and use those. I haven't really graduated to the iPod school of thinking (laughs). I think it's too much of a song selection for me to figure out what I want to listen to.


We often find that's true. You spend 15 minutes trying to decide what to listen to, and only five actually listening to anything.

Exactly... that's my take on that.


One last simple question. Mac or PC?

Um.. I have both.

I feel comfortable with both, I carry my Mac around and have a PC at home.

OK, so Mac Book? Mac Pro?

Mac Pro.... Oh wait, wait, wait. No, you know what, I take that back. It's a Mac Book. I almost got a Mac Pro, but I knew I wasn't gonna use it to its full potential. so...

Related Links:

SwitchedSlash Talks Guitar Hero III, 'Slash' (the Book), and Gadget Gifts originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bookcelebrityguitarguitar heroGuitarHeroguns n rosesGunsNRosesHolidashinterviewmusicslashThe Switched InterviewTheSwitchedInterviewWed, 05 Dec 2007 18:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Heat-Sensitive Coffee Mug Tells You When It's Safe to Drink]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/05/heat-sensitive-coffee-mug/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/05/heat-sensitive-coffee-mug/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/05/heat-sensitive-coffee-mug/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Proving yet again that we haven't run out of good ideas (as a species), the folks at Charles and Marie (we'll call them "Charles and Marie") have released one of the most logical items we've seen in some time. Like Sunday mornings, it's easy: The mug turns from off to on when filled with hot liquid, and then goes back to off when your beverage is drinkable again.

25 bucks is a bit on the pricey side for a coffee mug, but for the perpetual tongue burners among you (you know who you are), it's easily worth the investment in your taste buds.

Assuming it works.

From BoingBoing

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SwitchedHeat-Sensitive Coffee Mug Tells You When It's Safe to Drink originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Coffee TechCoffeeTechFood TechFoodTechKitchen TechKitchenTechWeirdWed, 05 Dec 2007 09:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Decorate Your Desk With the USB Christmas Tree]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/03/decorate-your-desk-with-the-usb-christmas-tree/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/03/decorate-your-desk-with-the-usb-christmas-tree/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/03/decorate-your-desk-with-the-usb-christmas-tree/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Decorate your Desk with the USB Christmas Tree
Even 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 Popgadget

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SwitchedDecorate Your Desk With the USB Christmas Tree originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmascubicle gadgetsCubicleGadgetsholidaynoveltyoffice gadgetsOfficeGadgetstreeusbMon, 03 Dec 2007 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Cable Turtles]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/12/01/cable-turtles/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/01/cable-turtles/http://www.switched.com/2007/12/01/cable-turtles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Anybody with a lot of gadgets has a lot of cables, which can get tangled and unsightly without too much effort. The clutter-averse gadget head or neat-freak in your life will find the ingeniously-designed Cable Turtles to be useful. The doughnut-shaped rubber Cable Turtles flip inside out to reveal a central pole that is used to wrap your power cord around. When you're done wrapping, you just flip the cover back over and presto, the cable is safely tucked away for storage, or significantly shortened, if you just want less cord clutter. Since they start at $9 (for the smallest model), Cable Turtles are an excellent stocking stuffer.

From Cable Turtles

SwitchedCable Turtles originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Gadget Hound, Under $10GadgetHound,Under$10HolidashHoliday Gift GuideHolidayGiftGuideSat, 01 Dec 2007 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Little Rubber Ducky Computer Mouse]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/11/28/rubber-ducky-youre-the-one-you-make-computer-time-so-much-fun/http://www.switched.com/2007/11/28/rubber-ducky-youre-the-one-you-make-computer-time-so-much-fun/http://www.switched.com/2007/11/28/rubber-ducky-youre-the-one-you-make-computer-time-so-much-fun/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Rubber Ducky You're the One, You Make Computer Time So Much Fun
When we think about our mice (not the breathing kind, but the computer kind), we all agree on one missing element -- a little floating rubber duck. This novelty peripheral from the folks at Uncommon Goods is pretty much your standard optical mouse: It has two buttons, a scroll wheel, and a design that makes it frustratingly difficult to find a comfortable position to hold it, but then there's the issue of the small yellow ducky, which floats and shifts around in some liquid at the bottom of the mouse every time you point and click. It's an adorably entertaining and differentiating feature that made us want to give this thing to everyone we know. Just try not to get too distracted by the little guy and accidentally click on that add for penis enlarging supplements. Little rubber ducky, you're the one, you make computer time so much fun!

From Popgadget

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SwitchedLittle Rubber Ducky Computer Mouse originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gadgetsHolidashHoliday Gift GuideHolidayGiftGuidemousenoveltytoysWed, 28 Nov 2007 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Tooth Tunes Music-Playing Toothbrush]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/11/23/gift-guide-tooth-tunes-music-playing-toothbrush/http://www.switched.com/2007/11/23/gift-guide-tooth-tunes-music-playing-toothbrush/http://www.switched.com/2007/11/23/gift-guide-tooth-tunes-music-playing-toothbrush/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Though it's aimed at kids, we think anybody who loves a tune or just hates brushing their teeth will get a kick (and a sparkling smile), out of Tooth Tunes, which plays music while you brush your teeth (for the full two-minutes recommended by dentists, no less). When you take the brush off of your teeth, Tooth Tunes stops playing music and picks up where it left off as soon as you start brushing again. This helps brushers make sure they clean their teeth for the full (though not necessarily consecutive) two minutes. Each $9.99 Tooth Tunes plays just one song, ranging from the Hannah Montana's kid-friendly 'Pumpin' Up the Party' to KISS's 'Rock and Roll All Night,' which should appeal to an older crowd.

From Hasbro

SwitchedTooth Tunes Music-Playing Toothbrush originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 06:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dental techDentalTechmusicTooth TechToothTechFri, 23 Nov 2007 06:53:00 EST<![CDATA[MoPods]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/11/22/mopods/http://www.switched.com/2007/11/22/mopods/http://www.switched.com/2007/11/22/mopods/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



There are those who prefer their holiday gifts small and cute (either giving or receiving), and for those people, MoPods make a great choice. The idea is to wear your MoPod on your bag, belt, clothing, key rings, then just go about your business and wait for them to spin and flash to alert you when your phone is ringing There's something for every cute fetish: panda, devil, kitten, puppy, and penguin, to name a few. It should be noted that they'll only work on GSM networks (that includes most T-Mobile and AT&T phones, including the iPhone), and not 3G networks (or any Sprint or Verizon Wireless phone). They're cheap, they're (sorta) practical, and they're big in Japan. What more could you ask for? (Hint: it rhymes with "iPhone".)


From MoPods

SwitchedMoPods originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>$50 and under$50AndUnderBig in JapanBigInJapanHolidashHoliday Gift GuideHolidayGiftGuideMan/Woman Who Has EverythingMan/womanWhoHasEverythingOnly in JapanOnlyInJapanThu, 22 Nov 2007 09:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Podera Luxe USB Hub and Reader]]>http://www.switched.com/2007/11/21/podera-luxe-usb-hub-and-reader/http://www.switched.com/2007/11/21/podera-luxe-usb-hub-and-reader/http://www.switched.com/2007/11/21/podera-luxe-usb-hub-and-reader/#commentsFiled under: , , ,





For aesthetes who like their desktops to look as fresh and clean as everything else in their Japanese-influenced, eco-friendly homes, Podera has some relevant USB hotness. Its Luxe Hub and Luxe USB 2.0 Hub and Luxe USB 2.0 card reader, both priced at $16.95, are absolutely gorgeous pieces of design. They perform simple tasks, but with grace: The former splits a single USB port into four, while a large base keeps it standing upright. The latter looks like something out of Tron, and allows for access to Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick HG, MMC, SD, SDHC formats.



From Ryder Products

SwitchedPodera Luxe USB Hub and Reader originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HolidashHoliday Gift GuideHolidayGiftGuidePoderaPretty ThingsPrettyThingsStyle MavenStyleMavenunder $50Under$50USBUSB gadgetsUsbGadgetsWed, 21 Nov 2007 17:33:00 EST