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[Luke Wilson Joins the AT&T and Verizon Ad Fray]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/19/atandt-fights-back-at-verizons-ad-campaign-with-actor-luke-wilson/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/19/atandt-fights-back-at-verizons-ad-campaign-with-actor-luke-wilson/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/19/atandt-fights-back-at-verizons-ad-campaign-with-actor-luke-wilson/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In case you haven't noticed, the two major cell phone service providers have spent the past few weeks trying to prove their mettle in a 3G network-wagging contest. It started with Verizon's "There's a Map For That" commercial, which debuted in October and was a direct dig at the iPhone (which just so happens to be carried exclusively by AT&T). The latter company filed a lawsuit against Verizon Wireless, claiming that the commercial led consumers to believe AT&T doesn't offer any wireless service outside a 3G network.

After losing a request for an injunction this week, AT&T decided to fire back with an advertisement of its own. According to Engadget, AT&T's new 30-second spot, which features actor Luke Wilson, makes the Great Smartphone War official (video after the break). In the commercial, Wilson places magnets on a board according to which company offers a certain feature. To no surprise, Wilson and his magnets claim that AT&T kicks Verizon's butt when it comes to the fastest 3G network, and that it has the most popular smartphones as well.

Let's assume that AT&T thought some star power would make people forget about Verizon's witty spot. Well, it didn't. This is an epic fail, folks. If AT&T had to go this route, couldn't it at least have snagged the funny Wilson brother? [From: Engadget]

Continue reading Luke Wilson Joins the AT&T and Verizon Ad Fray

SwitchedLuke Wilson Joins the AT&T and Verizon Ad Fray originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3gadvertisingattcellphonedroidfailfeudiphonelawsuitluke wilsonLukeWilsonsmartphonetopverizonThu, 19 Nov 2009 14:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Sarah Palin: Not a 'Maverick' When It Comes to E-Politicking]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/16/sarah-palin-not-a-maverick-when-it-comes-to-e-politicking/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/16/sarah-palin-not-a-maverick-when-it-comes-to-e-politicking/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/16/sarah-palin-not-a-maverick-when-it-comes-to-e-politicking/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Matthew Continetti, associate editor of the conservative political rag the Weekly Standard, has an interesting editorial on CNN.com, in which he argues that Sarah Palin is "a pioneer in the political use of new social media." He claims that Palin is leading a quiet revolution based on Facebook and that she hasn't received any credit for it.

Party affiliation aside, there are gaping holes in Continetti's argument that Palin is quietly remaking the face of tech-enhanced politics. His main point is that Palin is using Facebook and Twitter to speak directly to her supporters across the country, resuscitating her political career after the presidential campaign -- during which she painted herself as a bumbling idiot during disastrous interviews with Katie Couric and Barbara Walters.

Continue reading Sarah Palin: Not a 'Maverick' When It Comes to E-Politicking

SwitchedSarah Palin: Not a 'Maverick' When It Comes to E-Politicking originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expire-images:2010-11-16palinpoliticssarah palinSarahPalinsocialnetworkingtopMon, 16 Nov 2009 17:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Bidding for Tour of Bill Gates's Home Begins at $35,000]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/14/bidding-for-tour-of-bill-gatess-mansion-begins-at-35-000/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/14/bidding-for-tour-of-bill-gatess-mansion-begins-at-35-000/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/14/bidding-for-tour-of-bill-gatess-mansion-begins-at-35-000/#commentsFiled under:


Have you ever wanted a personal tour of a celebrity home? We're talking full-blown, 'MTV Cribs' style. Well, if you're a Microsoft employee with a fat wallet, that dream can become a reality. According to Tech Flash, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates is auctioning off a personal tour of his gigantic house on Lake Washington as part of a yearly charity campaign within the company. Just how much would this VIP tour set you back? Well, the current high bid is $35,000. To put that in perspective, the same tour, which includes appetizers at the end, sold for just $8,600 last year. Looks like the recession might be over... at least for the people in the Pacific Northwest.

Since not everybody works for Microsoft (or can drop that much cash), US News & World Report will take you on a virtual tour of the Gates household. You can click on different parts of the house and read interesting facts. But it must pale in comparison to the real thing. After all, you can't peek inside the Gates medicine cabinet on a virtual tour.

Alas, the closest we'll get to this house is a view from an airplane or boat. Seriously, you're more likely to have a beer with President Obama than you are to get an audience with the notoriously private Gates. [From: Tech Flash and US News & World Report]

SwitchedBidding for Tour of Bill Gates's Home Begins at $35,000 originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionbill gatesBillGatescelebritycharityhomehousemicrosoftSat, 14 Nov 2009 12:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Knockoff Michael Jackson Cell Phone Redefines Gaudy]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/08/knockoff-michael-jackson-cell-phone-redefines-gaudy/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/08/knockoff-michael-jackson-cell-phone-redefines-gaudy/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/08/knockoff-michael-jackson-cell-phone-redefines-gaudy/#commentsFiled under: ,

When King of Pop Michael Jackson passed away earlier this year, we knew the line of people waiting to profit from his death would be a long one. These bling-tastic exploitations, though, took us by surprise.

The Michael Jackson phone, manufactured by a Chinese imitation goods company, is in the very poorest of spectacularly poor taste. It boasts enough faux gold and jewels to make a Liberace impersonator cringe, and it has the audacity to come packaged with a Michael Jackson DVD. (We can only assume that the manufacturer and distributor of this shiny P.O.S. made sure the accompanying DVD was a bootleg of the highest order.)

This phone is garish, disgusting, and exploitative. That being said, at least the phone gaudily admits the fact that it's exploitative. It's honest, in a way. And that's a lot more than we can say for that streaming biopic from last month. [From: Mashable]

SwitchedKnockoff Michael Jackson Cell Phone Redefines Gaudy originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yesteryear's teen ska sensations No Doubt have filed suit against Activision Blizzard, Inc. over a depiction of frontwoman Gwen Stefani in the new game 'Band Hero.' Although No Doubt signed a contract allowing Activision to use the band's music and likenesses, the lawsuit maintains that the contract did not give Activision clearance to feature Stefani's avatar lip-synching to the Rolling Stones' 'Honky Tonk Women,' as the company has apparently done. This lawsuit follows a similar one threatened by Courtney Love in September. The widow of Kurt Cobain, Love claims that she did not expressly authorize the company to defile use her departed husband's likeness in a 'Guitar Hero 5' rendition of a Bon Jovi tune.

According to Reuters, the band objects, in the lawsuit, to the idea of "the Stefani avatar in a male voice boasting about having sex with prostitutes." Why, No Doubt? Because the Stones write songs that have some kind of substance or grit to them? Because Stefani is a woman? Because to do so would be totally f'in punk rock? Listen, Gwen, we've seen Sleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker sing the hell out of Danzig's immortally gross words: "Father, gonna take your daughter out tonight/Gonna show her my world ... If you wanna find Hell with me/I can show you what it's like/Till your bleeding," and it was nothing short of rock'n'roll genius. We recommend you familiarize yourself, via this video, and start taking notes. [From: Reuters, via Pocket Link]

SwitchedNo Doubt Sues Activision Over Stefani's 'Band Hero' Avatar originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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These days, more verbal smackdowns take place on Twitter than do at junior high schools. Of course, these might go unnoticed if the people involved weren't, in many cases, celebrities. Some of these "Twitter Wars" are funny, but some feuds get downright nasty. But it's not just celebrity-on-celebrity disputes that are taking place in the Twitterverse. The beauty of the site is the ability for an average Joe to directly communicate with famous folks -- for better or worse.

For example, a man from Birmingham, England named Richard (who tweets as brumplum) recently posted what he thought was an innocuous tweet about Brit writer and actor Stephen Fry, only to see it result in a social-networking firestorm. According to The New York Times, it read, "Much as I admire and adore the chap, they are a bit ... boring," in reference to Fry's musings. Not only did many of Fry's 934,000 followers respond to Richard's tweet (Celebrity Alan Davies called Richard a "moron."), but Fry even posted a tweet about possibly quitting the micro-blogging service because of the remark. In the end, both men apologized. Fry still tweets, and Richard has more followers than ever.

All is well that ends well, we guess. But what does this spat prove? Twitter isn't a place for the faint of heart. Our advice for sensitive celebs: if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. [From: The New York Times]

SwitchedMan's Criticism of Actor Stephen Fry Draws the Wrath of Tweeters originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritysocialnetworkingstephenfrytoptwitterwebwriterMon, 02 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Adult Care Bear and Balloon Boy Among Popular Costume Searches]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/30/adult-care-bear-and-balloon-boy-among-popular-costume-searches/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/30/adult-care-bear-and-balloon-boy-among-popular-costume-searches/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/30/adult-care-bear-and-balloon-boy-among-popular-costume-searches/#commentsFiled under: ,


If you've ever dressed up for Halloween, you've probably bumped into someone at a party or bar who's wearing the same costume as you. From experience, we can say it's a deflating feeling. While the holiday is practically upon us, you might want to quickly scan this list of popular costume searches before you head out into the night.

What costumes are in this year? Well, CNET News reports dead celebrities, anything sexy, and cartoon characters are among October's more popular Web search terms -- with Michael Jackson and Balloon Boy taking the top honors. Judging from that list, you'll see plenty of people Saturday night who are wearing single gloves and fedoras, skimpy sailor uniforms, and sexy Care Bear suits. Now, that's truly scary! In case those costumes don't strike your fancy, there are geekier options out there, too.

Continue reading Adult Care Bear and Balloon Boy Among Popular Costume Searches

SwitchedAdult Care Bear and Balloon Boy Among Popular Costume Searches originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cartooncelebritycostumehalloweenholidaymichaeljacksonpopularscarysearchtopFri, 30 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[David Hasselhoff iPhone App Gives Bad Advice]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/28/david-hasselhoff-gives-bad-advice-with-iphone-app/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/28/david-hasselhoff-gives-bad-advice-with-iphone-app/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/28/david-hasselhoff-gives-bad-advice-with-iphone-app/#commentsFiled under: ,

For the promotion of his new British-only TV show 'Meet the Hasselhoffs' (Maybe VH1 is all reality-showed out.), ex-'Baywatch' and -'Knight Rider' hunk (or, maybe 'Baywatch' and 'Knight Rider' ex-hunk) David Hasselhoff has put out his own iPhone app. "Ask the Hoff" is a bit like a Magic Eight-ball, but instead of mystically revealed, one-word answers in blue goo, Hoff's mug stares back at you to give snide answers. Typically, they're of the 'Yes' or 'No' variety, although we did get these gems: "If I told you, I'd have to kill you," and "That is a disgusting question. What are you, a pervert?" Not very helpful advice, say, for aspiring lifeguards.

The Big D has always been known for his feeble stabs at legitimacy -- so much so that he's now a parody of himself. Still, we can't help but root for him. The Switched Team pooled together the $0.99 fee and downloaded "Ask The Hoff" to see if his sunburned brain could answer a couple of questions. We queried: "Did you get the alcohol?" He responded: "Of course, the answer was yes." We didn't really have doubts, Hoff-man. [From: Textually]

SwitchedDavid Hasselhoff iPhone App Gives Bad Advice originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeAppStoredavid hasselhoffDavidHasselhoffiphoneiphone appIphoneApptopweirdWed, 28 Oct 2009 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[David Spade Cashes in on Chris Farley's Memory With DirecTV Ads]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/27/david-spade-cashes-on-chris-farleys-memory-with-directv-ads/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/27/david-spade-cashes-on-chris-farleys-memory-with-directv-ads/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/27/david-spade-cashes-on-chris-farleys-memory-with-directv-ads/#commentsFiled under: ,

Back in the '90s, Chris Farley and David Spade ruled the comedy landscape. But when Farley tragically overdosed, it was clear that Spade was just riding the big guy's coattails. In light of a recently debuted DirecTV commercial (video after the break), it appears that Spade doesn't intend to stop, either.

If you've turned on the television lately, you've probably seen the satellite provider's advertising spot that places an older Spade into the classic "fat guy in a little coat" scene from 'Tommy Boy.' Instead of making us laugh, the commercial makes our stomachs turn. While Farley does his bit (Trust us, it's still funny), Spade laments being stuck in a hotel with his buddy and basic cable when he could be at home watching DirecTV. Frankly, it's just unsettling to watch. What makes it worse is that this isn't the first time the company has used a dead star in a commercial.

Continue reading David Spade Cashes in on Chris Farley's Memory With DirecTV Ads

SwitchedDavid Spade Cashes in on Chris Farley's Memory With DirecTV Ads originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingchrisfarleycomedycommercialdavidspadedirectvmoviessatellitetelevisiontopTue, 27 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Comedian Frank Caliendo Does 'Street Fighter' Impressions]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/23/comedian-frank-caliendo-does-street-fighter-impressions/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/23/comedian-frank-caliendo-does-street-fighter-impressions/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/23/comedian-frank-caliendo-does-street-fighter-impressions/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You may know him primarily for his work as John Madden, Andy Rooney, or one of a hundred other well-known celebrities, but master impressionist and comedian Frank Caliendo recently shed those facades for a rare moment of (somewhat) serious gadget and video games talk. The man of infinite voices told us (in more than one voice, including those of 'Street Fighter' characters) that he juggles his gadgets and games as easily as he does his multiple personalities. In an ironic iTunes twist, he tells us that even he is not immune to being duped by impostors -- well, imposter downloads, at least. Caliendo will be performing his live show in Las Vegas through December 1, but if you happen to see the act and run into him afterward, you might want to think twice before asking him to leave you a funny outgoing voicemail message. We had to learn the hard way.

SwitchedComedian Frank Caliendo Does 'Street Fighter' Impressions originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comedyfeaturesfunnyswitchedquestionnairetopFri, 23 Oct 2009 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Hacking Voicemails Lands Jealous PR Guru in Court]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/22/hacking-voicemails-lands-jealous-pr-guru-in-court/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/22/hacking-voicemails-lands-jealous-pr-guru-in-court/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/22/hacking-voicemails-lands-jealous-pr-guru-in-court/#commentsFiled under: ,

Whether they were stalking us on MySpace from a secret account, drunkenly crashing our birthday parties, or just texting and calling 200 times a day for three months straight, we've all got our share of crazy exes. But those stories would pale in comparison to the tales that the exes of Ali Wise would tell.

A former Dolce & Gabbana PR Director, Wise has been met with allegations that she hacked into the voicemail systems of the subsequent lovers of her ex-boyfriends. The story broke back in July when Page Six of the New York Post reported she'd been arrested on suspicion of breaking into the voicemail of Nina Freudenberger. An interior designer, Freudenberger shared an ex with Wise in Downtown Records founder and CEO, Josh Deutsch. Wise reportedly used an application called 'SpoofCard' to gain access to Freudenberger's voice mail 337 times, listening to and erasing messages at will. (We assume Wise used 'SpoofCard' to make her calls appear to come from Freudenberger's own phone, bypassing any security measures the voicemail system may have had.)

Continue reading Hacking Voicemails Lands Jealous PR Guru in Court

SwitchedHacking Voicemails Lands Jealous PR Guru in Court originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ali wiseAliWisecrazyexpire-images:2010-10-21hackingSpoofCardtopVoiceMailThu, 22 Oct 2009 15:39:00 EST<![CDATA[New John Mayer Video Features You via Webcam]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/20/new-john-mayer-video-features-you-via-webcam/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/20/new-john-mayer-video-features-you-via-webcam/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/20/new-john-mayer-video-features-you-via-webcam/#commentsFiled under: ,

In between his hectic schedule of making beautiful women swoon with his trademark dulcet tones, and making sure that his eyes are never more than 50-percent open, John Mayer, amazingly, has found time to revolutionize online music videos.

His latest single, "Heartbreak Warfare," from the album 'Battle Studies,' introduces what's being called the world's first "augmented reality music video," allowing fans to have cameos in the video as themselves. The true Mayer Maniac can log on to the singer-songwriter's Web site, turn on her webcam, and hold up a specific icon in front of the camera to activate the video. If the icon is aligned correctly, the video will play with the (probably shrieking) fan as an extra in the background. Getting into Mayer's virtual universe is easy; all you need is a webcam and the special augmented reality marker, which is downloadable from the site. Mashable reports that there are still a few kinks in the system, and that it can be tricky to align the marker exactly as needed. But then again, it's a pretty complex operation, as this Wired interview with Mayer (video also after the break) clearly demonstrates.

Continue reading New John Mayer Video Features You via Webcam

SwitchedNew John Mayer Video Features You via Webcam originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augmented realityAugmentedRealityjohn mayerJohnMayermusicmusic videoMusicVideotopwebcamTue, 20 Oct 2009 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Hollywood Cracking Down on Celebs on Twitter]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/19/hollywood-cracking-down-on-celebs-on-twitter/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/19/hollywood-cracking-down-on-celebs-on-twitter/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/19/hollywood-cracking-down-on-celebs-on-twitter/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The latest to implement institutional or industry-wide crackdowns on Twitter, movie industry heavyweights are trying to plug the news leaks that often spring from Twitter, Facebook, and other social networking sites.

The Hollywood Reporter (THR) writes that studios like Disney and Dreamworks are now adding to contracts clauses that would prohibit new hires from leaking news stories before the media companies have had a chance to officially release them in their own carefully calibrated format. Though many contracts already include privacy clauses aimed at mitigating this exact issue, given the recent proliferation of big stories being broken via Twitter, executives felt a need to regulate the social networking universe in particular. Social networking often renders middlemen impotent, and, as THR points out, "enables an actor to broadcast to millions in an instant."

Continue reading Hollywood Cracking Down on Celebs on Twitter

SwitchedHollywood Cracking Down on Celebs on Twitter originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneydreamworkshollywoodmoviessocial networkingSocialNetworkingtoptwittertwitter banTwitterBanMon, 19 Oct 2009 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[The Fray's Dave Welsh Is a Mac Man All the Way]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/15/the-frays-dave-welsh-is-a-mac-man-all-the-way/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/15/the-frays-dave-welsh-is-a-mac-man-all-the-way/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/15/the-frays-dave-welsh-is-a-mac-man-all-the-way/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you've glanced at the Billboard charts, Rolling Stone magazine, or your little sister's iPod over the past few years, you're bound to have seen the name: The Fray. Fronted by the piano-caressing crooner Isaac Slade, this Denver, Colorado four-piece has brought the mellow sounds of Coldplay and U2 back across the pond to great popular acclaim; since its debut in February, the band's most recent and eponymous album has already reached Billboard's number one spot and been certified gold. Unsurprisingly for a band whose songs are so indebted to effect-heavy soundscapes, the boys of The Fray are as hooked on gadgets as they are guitar pedals. Here, in our latest Switched Questionnaire, Fray guitarist Dave Welsh tells us about his (and the band's) techno-lust.

Continue reading The Fray's Dave Welsh Is a Mac Man All the Way

SwitchedThe Fray's Dave Welsh Is a Mac Man All the Way originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresmusicswitchedquestionnaireThe FrayTheFraytopThu, 15 Oct 2009 13:23:00 EST<![CDATA[The Governator's Wife Caught Driving With Phone]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/14/the-governators-wife-caught-driving-with-phone/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/14/the-governators-wife-caught-driving-with-phone/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/14/the-governators-wife-caught-driving-with-phone/#commentsFiled under: ,


The State of California enacted a cell-phone ban for teenage drivers in 2007, and a hands-free-only policy for everybody else in 2008. Since the latter date, the Highway Patrol has cited over 150,000 drivers for talking on their cells. The TMZ celebrity stalkers, ensuring that famous people be held to the same standards as the plebeians, have repeatedly caught one member of the California ruling class red-handed, and on film, no less.

In response to that citizen's blatant, and highly publicized, disregard for state laws, Governor Arnie has promised "swift action," which will be fun to watch since the mobile blabber happens to be his wife Maria Shriver. Hopefully, Arnold will remember the comments he made about what would happen if his daughter were to break the law. ("She'll be taking the bus.") So, come on Governor. Deal out some retribution and do it with extreme prejudice. Take Maria's license and make her the Running (and Bussing) Woman. [From: TMZ via The Huffington Post]

SwitchedThe Governator's Wife Caught Driving With Phone originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arnold schwarzeneggerArnoldSchwarzeneggercaliforniacell phonecell phone banCellPhoneCellPhoneBandwtexpire-images:2010-10-13funnygovernmentlawmaria shriverMariaShriverWed, 14 Oct 2009 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA['Tweance' Lets You Talk to Dead Celebrities on Twitter!]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/14/tweance-lets-you-talk-to-dead-celebrities-on-twitter/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/14/tweance-lets-you-talk-to-dead-celebrities-on-twitter/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/14/tweance-lets-you-talk-to-dead-celebrities-on-twitter/#commentsFiled under: , ,



This has been a tough year to be famous. The wildfire rash of celebrity deaths in 2009 left many fans too disillusioned, despondent, and depressed to consider a future without Michael Jackson or Billy Mays. This Halloween, though, we can all lay off the Prozac or barbituate cocktails for one night and huddle around the warm fire of Twitter, where a psychic will pretend to make contact with our deceased demi-gods.

On October 30th, in what The Sun has dubbed the world's first (but hopefully not the last) "online séance," world-renowned psychic Jayne Wallace will perch on Twitter and speak with four dead celebrities, the identities of whom are to be selected by the Twittering public. During this "Tweance," Wallace, who claims to have possessed clairvoyant powers since the tender age of seven, will live-tweet her interviews with the chosen stars between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Halloween Eve. (The Tweance account, by total coincidence, is also promoting a Halloween costume store in the U.K. Spooky.)

Continue reading 'Tweance' Lets You Talk to Dead Celebrities on Twitter!

Switched'Tweance' Lets You Talk to Dead Celebrities on Twitter! originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritycelebrity deathsCelebrityDeathsdeadpsychicseancetoptweancetwitterWed, 14 Oct 2009 07:25:00 EST<![CDATA['Brady Bunch' Star Launches Tech Support Hotline for Baby Boomers]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/13/brady-bunch-star-launches-tech-support-hotline-for-baby-boomer/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/13/brady-bunch-star-launches-tech-support-hotline-for-baby-boomer/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/13/brady-bunch-star-launches-tech-support-hotline-for-baby-boomer/#commentsFiled under: , ,


In her role as the gentle matriarch of 'The Brady Bunch,' Florence Henderson served as a model for parents in the Baby Boomer generation, the first in American history to deal extensively with divorce, remarriage, and stepchildren. Bringing old-fashioned values to bear on the changing social landscape of the '70s, Henderson did a lot more as Carol Brady than to simply provide corny jokes and re-run fodder. Now, according to the New York Times, she's aiming to bring that same generation into the 21st century with her FloH Club.

"I didn't grow up with technology," Henderson explained to the Times. "It's like learning a new language." And learned a new language she has; Ms. Brady is now an active user of text messaging, Facebook, and Skype. Knowing firsthand the hurdles standing between the Baby Boom and the Tech Boom, she decided to start the FloH Club -- a tech support service aimed squarely at adults. "It's like roadside assistance for computers," she further explains. Staffed by professionals who are screened for their patience and ability to speak plain English, the FloH Club's telephone hotline is up and running seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Eastern time. For $25 a month, or $250 a year, members can get guidance on anything from HDMI cables to HTML code.

Continue reading 'Brady Bunch' Star Launches Tech Support Hotline for Baby Boomers

Switched'Brady Bunch' Star Launches Tech Support Hotline for Baby Boomers originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For a recent episode of 'The Tonight Show,' hilarious troublemaker Conan O'Brien sat down with Intel's Ajay Bhatt, the co-inventor of the USB port (video after the break). As befits the man who indirectly brought us data-storing neckties and heated mousepads, the ensuing interview was -- in a word -- ridiculous. Watch as O'Brien asks Bhatt the tough questions. Does he hate the inventor of Firewire? Would he bring up the USB in general conversation in order to score chicks?

We do find it somewhat ironic that this interview -- with somebody not in the entertainment biz -- is far more entertaining than most of Conan's interviews with those who are. Might we be so bold to propose a regular segment called: 'Get to Know Your Middle-School Science Teacher.' [From: Engadget]

Continue reading Conan Asks USB Co-Inventor What He Has Against Firewire

SwitchedConan Asks USB Co-Inventor What He Has Against Firewire originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ajay bhattAjayBhattconan obrienConanObrienfunnyinteltonight showTonightShowtvusbusb driveUsbDriveMon, 12 Oct 2009 20:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Lil' Wayne's Xbox Is Much Cooler Than Yours]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/12/lil-waynes-xbox-is-much-cooler-than-yours/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/12/lil-waynes-xbox-is-much-cooler-than-yours/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/12/lil-waynes-xbox-is-much-cooler-than-yours/#commentsFiled under: ,


Despite the spectacular bling, the hardcore tats, and the intimidating, unflinching glares, hip-hop stars can geek out just like the rest of us. In its most recent focus on 'Celebrity Nerds,' Engadget discovered that Lil' Wayne, in an interview with Gamertag Radio, revealed a little tidbit that will make him the envy of Xbox owners everywhere.

During the gathering, the star admitted to owning a tricked-out Xbox that has movies, every game from "A to Z," and -- amazingly -- porn (Show us the way, Lil' Wayne!). One of the guys in the room, right on cue, chimed in with, "That's a real 'X' box." You got that right; it's probably perfect for Wayne's tour bus. Now, that rigged-up NES, duct-taped to a black and white TV in our creepy band van, just seems even more incredibly lame. [From: Gamertag Radio, via Engadget]

SwitchedLil' Wayne's Xbox Is Much Cooler Than Yours originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What separates Twitter from other social networking sites has always been its trademark brevity. Restricted to 140 characters, users are forced to be concise and truncate their thoughts, opinions, or news. As is often the case, though, pithiness comes at the expense of nuance, subtlety or sarcastic intonation, leaving tweets open to wide and varied interpretation. When the tweeter has some particularly strong opinions to get off his or her chest, feelings get hurt and, in some high-profile instances, lawsuits (and confusion) unfurl.

Courtney Love, for one, was recently sued by designer Dawn Simorangkir over a series of especially caustic tweets the singer posted. After having argued with Simorangkir over the price of vintage costumes, Love went on her own "Tweet Offensive," calling the fashionista a liar and a thief. Simorangkir sued Love for libel in March, according to the New York Times.

Continue reading Controversial Tweets Testing Limits of Free Speech

SwitchedControversial Tweets Testing Limits of Free Speech originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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