Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Calibre Is an All-Purpose, E-Book Swiss Army Knife]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/20/calibre-is-an-all-purpose-e-book-swiss-army-knife/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/20/calibre-is-an-all-purpose-e-book-swiss-army-knife/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/20/calibre-is-an-all-purpose-e-book-swiss-army-knife/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Calibre
When it comes to managing your e-book collection, there aren't a whole lot of options out there. If you want to organize a large library of e-books, especially ones that you're not buying or downloading directly from your e-reader's manufacturer, then there's really only one viable choice: Calibre. Not only does it organize your collection and load it onto your e-reader, but it will do so regardless of whether you run Windows, OS X or Linux. And the list of compatible readers is truly impressive, covering all the major models and quite a few you've probably never heard of.

Before we go any further, let's get this out of the way: if you own a Kindle and have no intentions of ever purchasing anything from anywhere other than the Kindle store, then you have no need for the Calibre app. (Though, you can use both concurrently.) As for the rest of you, stick around to find out how to get the most out of your e-book collection and e-reader.

Gallery: Calibre

Continue reading Calibre Is an All-Purpose, E-Book Swiss Army Knife

SwitchedCalibre Is an All-Purpose, E-Book Swiss Army Knife originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>calibree-booke-readerElectronic-Artsfeatureskindlenookswitched downloadSwitchedDownloadtopFri, 20 Aug 2010 14:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Games on the Go: Zombies, Aliens and Monsters... Oh My!]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/19/games-on-the-go-zombies-aliens-and-monsters-oh-my/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/19/games-on-the-go-zombies-aliens-and-monsters-oh-my/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/19/games-on-the-go-zombies-aliens-and-monsters-oh-my/#commentsFiled under: ,

Games On The Go: Zombies, Aliens and other Monstrosities
It may not be Halloween yet, but that doesn't mean we can't spend some time haunting and hunting amongst the monsters and the freaks. This week, we'll find out why sandworms are the new zombies (and why zombies aren't quite played out yet), we'll try to survive on desert islands (without the aid of any soccer ball companions), we'll turn slack-jawed yokels into canned food, and we'll delve into gaming madness with the Panopea generosa (i.e., the King Clam, one of the strangest game protagonists we've ever encountered). All for free, and all at your desk. You're welcome.

Continue reading Games on the Go: Zombies, Aliens and Monsters... Oh My!

SwitchedGames on the Go: Zombies, Aliens and Monsters... Oh My! originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abductionbrowser-basedbrowser-gameCastawaycolumnseffing wormsEffingWormsflash gamesFlashGamesgamesonthegogeoduckgraveyard shiftGraveyardShiftmonstermonstersTimeWastertimewasterstopvideogamesThu, 19 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Week in Design: A Dumb Car and a Smart TV]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/13/the-week-in-design-a-dumb-car-and-a-smart-tv/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/13/the-week-in-design-a-dumb-car-and-a-smart-tv/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/13/the-week-in-design-a-dumb-car-and-a-smart-tv/#commentsFiled under:

our picks for this week in design concepts
The Web is teeming with the unrealized ideas of both students and established designers who set out to produce astonishing renderings and prototypes for unusual products. Unfortunately, due to the lack of time, money, or technology, many of those products never progress from the planning stages to the mass market. But that doesn't mean we can't salivate over them, nevertheless.

We saw a lot of designs hit the Web this week, and many of them weren't pretty. In fact, we had a tough time deciding which concepts would merit our picks for worst of the week, but we managed to restrain our ire just long enough to settle on a donut-shaped car and a needless light-up mug. We also were delighted to find some diamonds in the rough, like software that transforms TV watching into a two-way interaction, and a modular phone that flips back to front, and top to bottom. Click through to be both titillated and terrified.

Continue reading The Week in Design: A Dumb Car and a Smart TV

SwitchedThe Week in Design: A Dumb Car and a Smart TV originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appcarcardboardclamshellCoffeeMugconceptConceptCarconceptsDavidGrahamdesignDesignConceptsDuJunfeaturesflipphonegreenHearteaId+imDesignLabipadJamesDysonAwardLEDmetamirrormove-itnotionSangminBaesoftwareSonyEricssonSonyEricssonFhtelevisionTheRollingStonetoptvvehicleVitalyKononovFri, 13 Aug 2010 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Games on the Go: Final Fantasies for Flash]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/games-on-the-go-final-fantasies-for-flash/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/games-on-the-go-final-fantasies-for-flash/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/games-on-the-go-final-fantasies-for-flash/#commentsFiled under: ,

Games On The Go
The fantasy genre has always held particular sway over various corners of geek culture. (In fact, some might say that J.R.R. Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy gave birth to what we consider fandom today.) Ancient lands populated by fearsome beasts, wizards, warriors and mystical objects have provided fertile landscapes of escapism for countless books, movies, and, of course, video games. Fantasy has set the stage for some of the most popular gaming franchises around today, from the 'Dungeons & Dragons' inspired origins of 'Final Fantasy' and 'Dragon Quest,' to the orcs and elves of 'World of Warcraft' and the 'Elder Scrolls' series. Today, we'll delve into dank dungeons, climb gargantuan beasts, and slay countless enemy hordes in a quest to quench our thirst for fantasy gaming.

Continue reading Games on the Go: Final Fantasies for Flash

SwitchedGames on the Go: Final Fantasies for Flash originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eposfantasyflash gamesFlashGamesgamesonthegogreat dungeon in the skyGreatDungeonInTheSkyheironslaughtRPGssynopsis quest deluxeSynopsisQuestDeluxetopvideogamesThu, 12 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How to Make Ice Cream Without a Machine]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/how-to-make-ice-cream-without-a-machine/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/how-to-make-ice-cream-without-a-machine/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/how-to-make-ice-cream-without-a-machine/#commentsFiled under: ,

Making Ice Cream Without a Machine
Who, besides vegans and the lactose intolerant, doesn't love ice cream? Nobody. (Even the dairy-averse have found alternatives for this universally adored frozen treat.) Although precursors to what we know as ice cream have existed for ages, Harold McGee -- food science master and author of the must-have 'On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen' -- notes in his book that "the English term 'ice cream' first appears in a 1672 document from the court of Charles II, and the first printed recipes for frozen creams appear in France and Naples in the 1680s and 1690s." The custard-based recipe that most of us know as premium, New York or French-style ice cream began, naturally, in France, which also developed the heart-attack-inducing glace au beurre ("ice butter") with 20 egg yolks per pint of cream.

The main roadblock cited by home cooks who've made their own ice cream is the need for an ice cream machine. But stirring -- which, along with facilitating subfreezing temperatures -- is the main function of an ice cream maker and a relatively new process in the history of the dessert.

With all that in mind, we decided to cull DIY, no-machine-necessary methods of ice cream creation for all you cash-strapped and/or curious readers. With some basic science in hand, who needs a fancy ice cream maker?

SwitchedHow to Make Ice Cream Without a Machine originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cookingdave arnoldDaveArnolddiydondurmafoodFrench Culinary InstituteFrenchCulinaryInstituteguar gumGuarGumharold mcgeeHaroldMcgeeice creamice cream machineice cream makerIceCreamIceCreamMachineIceCreamMakerkulfisalepSwitchedCookstopWed, 11 Aug 2010 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[How E Ink Makes E-Reading a Pleasurable Experience]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/09/how-e-ink-makes-e-reading-a-pleasurable-experience/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/09/how-e-ink-makes-e-reading-a-pleasurable-experience/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/09/how-e-ink-makes-e-reading-a-pleasurable-experience/#commentsFiled under: ,

What is E Ink?

"E Ink," although often used to refer to any low-power, high-contrast display like that found on e-readers, is actually a specific brand of displays. The question you should be asking is: "What is e-paper?"

Alright then, what is e-paper? Jerk.

E-paper is a type of display designed to mimic the appearance of ink on paper. While there are exceptions to these rules, most e-paper displays are black and white, lack a backlight and require electricity only to update the image on the display. This makes e-paper ideal for low-power gadgets, and situations where neither color nor full motion (like in videos) are necessary.

Continue reading How E Ink Makes E-Reading a Pleasurable Experience

SwitchedHow E Ink Makes E-Reading a Pleasurable Experience originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e-bookse-inke-readereinkfeaturesinanutshelltopMon, 09 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Week in Design: ECG Toasters and Disposable Printers]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/06/the-week-in-design-ecg-toasters-and-disposable-printers/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/06/the-week-in-design-ecg-toasters-and-disposable-printers/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/06/the-week-in-design-ecg-toasters-and-disposable-printers/#commentsFiled under:

a selection of this week's designs
The Web is teeming with the unrealized ideas of both students and established designers who set out to produce astonishing renderings and prototypes for unusual products. Unfortunately, due to the lack of time, money, or technology, many of those products never progress from the planning stages to the mass market. But that doesn't mean we can't salivate over them, nevertheless.

This week we were intrigued by plays on classic objects, from pared-down lights equipped with LEDs to cheeky toasters that remind you to get your cholesterol tested. We were unswayed by less thoughtful designs, like the disposable printer cartridges that seek to be green but would end up cramming landfills all their own. Click through to see the best and worst designs of the week.

Continue reading The Week in Design: ECG Toasters and Disposable Printers

SwitchedThe Week in Design: ECG Toasters and Disposable Printers originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dPrinterByeByeBulbconceptconceptsDanielMicheldesignDesignConceptsDisposablefeaturesFloraRemoteFluidVaseGestureInputgreenInstantCartridgePrinterKhatijaAslamKwokPanFungledlightingMotionTrackingmutewatchPhotoPrinterremoteShayCarmontoastertopwatchFri, 06 Aug 2010 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Games on the Go: Jump Up and Get Down With Platformers]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/05/games-on-the-go-jump-up-and-get-down-with-platformers/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/05/games-on-the-go-jump-up-and-get-down-with-platformers/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/05/games-on-the-go-jump-up-and-get-down-with-platformers/#commentsFiled under: ,

Games on the Go: Platformers
For many, the original 'Super Mario Bros.' is the quintessential video game. Not only did it help the NES to usher in a new era of home consoles, but it also popularized a genre that would come to dominate gaming for decades: the platformer. Platformers arguably originated with 'Donkey Kong,' which also starred the plumber-protagonist Mario, and challenged gamers to leap over hazards, climb ladders and traverse perilous platforms suspended in mid-air. 'Super Mario Bros.' was released five years after 'Donkey Kong,' and cemented the core mechanics of the genre: daring leaps across gaps and onto ledges and platforms, precariously placed in a horizontally scrolling landscape. The genre soon came to define 8- and 16-bit gaming with such classics as 'Castlevania,' 'Metroid' and 'Sonic the Hedgehog.' While platformers evolved into the realm of 3-D with 'Super Mario 64', its traditional, two-dimensional form still holds a fond place in the hearts of many gamers. Thankfully, indie and flash game development has led to a smorgasbord of incredible new platformers to satiate any aficionado. Today we'll present our picks of some of the best.

Continue reading Games on the Go: Jump Up and Get Down With Platformers

SwitchedGames on the Go: Jump Up and Get Down With Platformers originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action 52Action52fault lineFaultLinefinal ninjaFinalNinjaflashgamesgamesonthegomoneyseizeplatform gameplatformerPlatformGamestreemerzsuper mario bros.SuperMarioBros.tiny castleTinyCastlevideogamesThu, 05 Aug 2010 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Screen Capture Apps for OS X, Windows and Linux]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/02/best-screen-capture-apps-for-os-x-windows-and-linux/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/02/best-screen-capture-apps-for-os-x-windows-and-linux/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/02/best-screen-capture-apps-for-os-x-windows-and-linux/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screen Capture Apps
There are a number of tools that we simply can't live without. For instance, we'd be lost without the ability to quickly take, manipulate and share screenshots with each other. A good screen capture app is essential for adding images to blog posts, sharing ideas and mocking the occasional typo. But you don't need to be a blogger to make good use of such a tool; they're great for capturing images of websites, showing less tech-savvy friends where to find things, quick annotations and, of course, sharing cat photos. Sadly, there's no single cross-platform solution for quickly capturing images of websites or your other computational doings, so here are our top screen cap (short for capture) tool picks for Windows, OS X and Linux.

Continue reading Best Screen Capture Apps for OS X, Windows and Linux

SwitchedBest Screen Capture Apps for OS X, Windows and Linux originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsfeatureslinuxos xOsXScreenCapturescreenpressoscreenshotsshutterskitchSwitchedDownloadtopwindowsMon, 02 Aug 2010 12:46:00 EST<![CDATA[The Week in Design: Paper-Shredding Coffee Tables and Bacteria-Spreading Soap]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/30/the-week-in-design-paper-shredding-coffee-tables-and-bacteria-s/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/30/the-week-in-design-paper-shredding-coffee-tables-and-bacteria-s/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/30/the-week-in-design-paper-shredding-coffee-tables-and-bacteria-s/#commentsFiled under:


The Web is teeming with the unrealized ideas of both students and established designers who set out to produce astonishing renderings and prototypes for unusual products. Unfortunately, due to the lack of time, money, or technology, many of those products never progress from the planning stages to the mass market. But that doesn't mean we can't salivate over them, nevertheless.

The simplest designs are frequently the best designs; it takes far more skill and ingenuity to update the function of a time-tested object than to simply give it a face-lift. This week's list features some of the least thought-out designs we've ever come across, from a pretty toaster that couldn't possibly ever work, to a soap-recycling device with good intentions but terrible execution. We also found designs concerned with waste, energy and economy, though, such as beautiful little cups made from delicately flavored algae. You can give your eco-conscience a breather, and just toss them into the garden after a healthy quaff. Check out our picks for the best and worst designs of the week after the break.

Continue reading The Week in Design: Paper-Shredding Coffee Tables and Bacteria-Spreading Soap

SwitchedThe Week in Design: Paper-Shredding Coffee Tables and Bacteria-Spreading Soap originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerogeneratorAerogeneratorXagar agarAgarAgarAtılKızılbayırbacteriaCoffeeTabledesignconceptsDisposabledumbeco-friendlyfeaturesgreenGrimshawAndArupjellowareKitchenApplianceskitchenettemoolEdgemoshioffshorepapervorePigeontaleDesignRe-bubbleSoapDispenserRolandoHernándezGarcilazoshredderTheWayWeSeeTheWorldtoastertopWindPowerWindTurbineFri, 30 Jul 2010 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Games On the Go: Flash Titles for the Musically Inclined (or Inspired)]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/29/games-on-the-go-flash-titles-for-the-musically-inclined-or-ins/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/29/games-on-the-go-flash-titles-for-the-musically-inclined-or-ins/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/29/games-on-the-go-flash-titles-for-the-musically-inclined-or-ins/#commentsFiled under: ,

Games On the Go: Musicaly Inspired
Music is all around us. It drifts in and out of our lives, piped into elevators, blasted through the stereo systems of passing cars, and idly played on our MP3 players as we go about our day. But how engaged are we with it? For something as remarkable as music, it can easily become another part of the auditory static of the everyday. While some people may take for granted the music in video games, the two mediums have always shared a keen relationship, from the classic 8-bit melodies that have inspired entire genres of music to the explosion of rhythm- and music-based games including 'Rock Band' and 'Guitar Hero.' Today, we'll look at some music-centric games that will make your ears stand at attention.

Continue reading Games On the Go: Flash Titles for the Musically Inclined (or Inspired)

SwitchedGames On the Go: Flash Titles for the Musically Inclined (or Inspired) originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AuditoriumBeatBoostbeckchiptunesDeathCabForCutiegamesonthegogorillazmusicMusicCatch2MusicGamesRecordTrippingsequencerSynthesizertone matrixToneMatrixtopvideogamesThu, 29 Jul 2010 15:35:00 EST<![CDATA[This Week in Design: Pared-Down Flashlights and Zany Umbrella Dryers]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/23/this-week-in-design-pared-down-flashlights-and-zany-umbrella-dr/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/23/this-week-in-design-pared-down-flashlights-and-zany-umbrella-dr/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/23/this-week-in-design-pared-down-flashlights-and-zany-umbrella-dr/#commentsFiled under:


The Web is teeming with the unrealized ideas of both students and established designers who set out to produce astonishing renderings and prototypes for unusual products. Unfortunately, due to the lack of time, money, or technology, many of those products never progress from the planning stages to the mass market. But that doesn't mean we can't salivate over them, nevertheless.

We've decided to change direction in our design concepts posts. While we will still look for trends, we want to let you know what's happening right now in the intersection between technology and design. This week, some great concepts and prototypes hit the Web, such as one simple hack of a 9-volt battery resulting in high design. There were, too, though, lazier ideas that could have used some more thought, like a device that dries your umbrella for you. So, without further ado, here are our picks for the best (and worst) designs of the week.

Continue reading This Week in Design: Pared-Down Flashlights and Zany Umbrella Dryers

SwitchedThis Week in Design: Pared-Down Flashlights and Zany Umbrella Dryers originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdaptiveFacadeCellPhoneconceptsdesigndesignconceptsDismountWasherfeaturesHironaoTsuboiJeremyInnes-hopkinsDesignLichenGuoLightPoolMarilenaSkavaraNohSeonMinokiaNokiaKineticOscarDiazStandardFlashlightSwanUmbrellaDryerTakagiMasakatsutopWashingMachineFri, 23 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Games on the Go: Text-Based Adventures, Past and Present]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/22/games-on-the-go-text-based-adventures-past-and-present/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/22/games-on-the-go-text-based-adventures-past-and-present/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/22/games-on-the-go-text-based-adventures-past-and-present/#commentsFiled under: ,

text adventures
Built around the tenets of storytelling and puzzle-solving, the adventure-game genre has evolved quite a bit over time. Beginning with its origins in text-based, graphic-less interactive fiction, adventure games soon became a dominant force in PC gaming during the '80s and '90s. At the time, the games had the unique ability to convey stories in more detailed and expressive ways than other genres. The genre eventually declined in popularity, but has achieved a recent resurgence with 'Monkey Island 2: Special Edition', Telltale Games' episodic offerings and a variety of well-done adventure games available on the Nintendo DS. For those interested in exploring the genre's origins, today's feature acts as a guided tour through adventure gaming, both past and present.

Continue reading Games on the Go: Text-Based Adventures, Past and Present

SwitchedGames on the Go: Text-Based Adventures, Past and Present originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdventureGamescomputergamesfeaturesflashgamesgamesgamesonthegoinfocomInteractiveFictionKingsQuestLeisureSuitLarrymachinariumSamorost1sierraSpaceQuestTextAdventureCreationKittopvideogamesZorkThu, 22 Jul 2010 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Games on the Go: Even More Pixelated Goodness]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/16/games-on-the-go-even-more-pixelated-goodness/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/16/games-on-the-go-even-more-pixelated-goodness/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/16/games-on-the-go-even-more-pixelated-goodness/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pixelated Games
One 'Games on the Go' column was hardly enough to express our love for the pixel. Luckily for us, there's a bonanza of blockiness currently happening in gaming. United by a nostalgic affection for the simple (yet, oh so expressive) graphics of a bygone era, game developers have been producing a heap of gems that recall the video games of old. For those who painfully remember the clumsy controls and insanely punishing difficulty inherent in games of decades past, today's selections will be a breath of pixelated fresh air. Follow us on yet another exploration into the best games that combine great pixel graphics and modern gameplay mechanics.

Continue reading Games on the Go: Even More Pixelated Goodness

SwitchedGames on the Go: Even More Pixelated Goodness originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>60 seconds to save the queen60SecondsToSaveTheQueenflashgamesgamesgamesonthegogo to hellGoToHellinfectonator world dominatorInfectonatorWorldDominatorone button bobOneButtonBobtopvideogameswhere we remainWhereWeRemainFri, 16 Jul 2010 13:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Design Concepts: Advances in Textiles, From Bacteria Dresses to Acoustic Threads]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/15/design-concepts-advances-in-textiles/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/15/design-concepts-advances-in-textiles/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/15/design-concepts-advances-in-textiles/#commentsFiled under:

fiber optic tapestry in production
The Web is teeming with the unrealized ideas of both students and established designers who set out to produce astonishing renderings and prototypes for unusual products. Unfortunately, due to the lack of time, money, or technology, many of those products never progress from the planning stages to the mass market. But that doesn't mean we can't salivate over them, nevertheless.

In 1855, Swiss chemist George Audemars developed the first artificial fiber by dipping a needle into mulberry bark pulp and gummy rubber, producing something like a poor simulacrum of silk. The result was later refined, and eventually came to be known as rayon. With this development came polyester, which ultimately changed how clothing was worn and made. We're still experimenting with new textiles, from natural sources like wood and bacteria (see below) to upcycled soda bottles and electronic fibers. New products and designs are all well and good, but they require interesting materials to come to life; without advancements in textiles, we'd all still be wearing wool swimsuits to the beach. (This is not the summer to even entertain that thought.) So, check out some of our favorite experimental textiles after the break.

Continue reading Design Concepts: Advances in Textiles, From Bacteria Dresses to Acoustic Threads

SwitchedDesign Concepts: Advances in Textiles, From Bacteria Dresses to Acoustic Threads originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acoustic fibersAcousticFibersbacteriabiocoutureconceptdesignDesignConceptsfashionfeaturesfiberfiber opticfiber optic tapestryFiberOpticFiberOpticTapestryglow in the darkGlowInTheDarkHermes Auto FeetHermesAutoFeetkathy schickerKathySchickerLigoranoReesematerialsmitOmer SagivOmerSagivshoessuzanne leeSuzanneLeetextilestopweavingWoven LightWovenLightyeastYoel FinkYoelFinkThu, 15 Jul 2010 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Games on the Go: Shoot-em-Up!]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/09/games-on-the-go-shoot-em-up/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/09/games-on-the-go-shoot-em-up/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/09/games-on-the-go-shoot-em-up/#commentsFiled under: ,

Games On The Go: Shoot-em-Up
If we distill 99-percent of games to their core, we're left with one crucial imperative: shoot stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. The shoot-em-up genre (lovingly shortened to 'SHMUP' by aficionados) traces its roots all the way back to 1962, with the creation of 'Spacewar!,' an outer-space combat game for the PDP-1 computer. Following those humble origins, the genre exploded with the advent of arcades in the late '70s and early '80s. Games like 'Space Invaders', 'Galaxian' and 'Asteroids' were not just integral to the genre's development, but central to video gaming as a medium. As technology progressed, however, and games became more complex (e.g., the first-person shooter), the genre began to fade away, relegated to the domain of hardcore purists. In a gaming culture dominated by a desperate need to mimic the thrills of Hollywood (although sometimes it works the other way around), it can be incredibly refreshing to just blast away at something without having to worry about the trappings of modern gaming. If you're in the mood for some simple, visceral thrills (and modern updates on a classic formula), allow us to offer our picks of the best SHMUPs around.

If you, anyone you know, or a game you love is a great candidate for our independent Flash games round-up, email the author at bend@switched.com.

Continue reading Games on the Go: Shoot-em-Up!

SwitchedGames on the Go: Shoot-em-Up! originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flashgamesfridayflashgamesgames on the goGamesOnTheGohydorahredshiftShmupshmupstopupgrade completeUpgradeCompletevideogamesFri, 09 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Design Concepts: New Explorations in 3-D]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/08/design-concepts-new-explorations-in-3-d/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/08/design-concepts-new-explorations-in-3-d/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/08/design-concepts-new-explorations-in-3-d/#commentsFiled under:

Design Concepts: 3-D
The Web is teeming with the unrealized ideas of both students and established designers who set out to produce astonishing renderings and prototypes for unusual products. Unfortunately, due to the lack of time, money, or technology, many of those products never progress from the planning stages to the mass market. But that doesn't mean we can't salivate over them, nevertheless.

We've talked a great deal about 3-D printing and its potential uses in creating new kinds of objects with essentially unheard-of materials. But more and more designs have hit the Web lately, and we'd be remiss not to share them. As a concept, 3-D printing makes possible objects and structures that are more complicated than a simple vase or icy beer stein. We've pulled together some of the most forward-thinking applications of 3-D technology, from robot trash compactor/builders to startling art installations that invoke the bleak romanticism of the memento mori. Check out our finds below.

Continue reading Design Concepts: New Explorations in 3-D

SwitchedDesign Concepts: New Explorations in 3-D originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Image of HP Envy 13
Dear Switched: Help an Apple-hater out. I've searched everywhere for the PC equivalent of a MacBook Air: super slim, light, with a good-sized display, a full-powered processor and good battery life at a similar price. But amazingly, I haven't found any to equal it. I can't stand the thought of giving Steve Jobs my loyalty, much less my cash, so help a hater out and JTMWTG!

Dear Hater: We don't think it'll surprise you that, as professional know-it-alls, we sometimes find ourselves stifling a chuckle at the naive queries we receive. And yet here we are, coming to you with a tail between our legs, as we admit we've found ourselves as stymied by this dilemma as you are. But that isn't to say we don't have a recommendation.

It is true that, to date, there really is no exact counterpoint to the MacBook Air in terms of profile, power and price, as compared to the slew of PC laptops on the market which are just cookie-cutter clones of each other, minus a spec here and there. But we're thinking that maybe there's a good reason. After all, there's much to recommend about the Air, but we've found it's an especially niche product because of its pronounced shortcomings: the lack of an optical drive, memory card slot, Ethernet port and standard graphics port (it has Mini DisplayPort) and just a single USB port. That might explain why PC makers took a look at the apparently lukewarm sales of the Air and decided an exact knock-off simply wasn't a prudent business decision.

Yet, this doesn't mean that PC makers haven't ventured into the ultra-thin, ultralight laptop market on their own with a different paradigm in mind. We took a long, hard look at the offerings from every reputable PC maker out there and came up with a short list of recommendations. Though none precisely fill every spec on your wish list, we're confident you'll be pleased.

To answer your frustrated queries and have us JUST TELL YOU WHAT TO GET, email Switched at tips@switched.com

Continue reading Help for a Hater: A PC to Blow Away Apple's MacBook Air

SwitchedHelp for a Hater: A PC to Blow Away Apple's MacBook Air originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computersdell adamo xpsDellAdamoXpsfeatureshp envy 13HpEnvy13laptopslenovo x201LenovoX201macbook airMacbookAirsony vaio z11SonyVaioZ11topultraportableultrathinTue, 06 Jul 2010 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Design Concepts: Making the iPhone Work for Us]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/01/design-concepts-making-the-iphone-work-for-us/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/01/design-concepts-making-the-iphone-work-for-us/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/01/design-concepts-making-the-iphone-work-for-us/#commentsFiled under:

Design Concepts for the iPhone
The Web is teeming with the unrealized ideas of both students and established designers who set out to produce astonishing renderings and prototypes for unusual products. Unfortunately, due to the lack of time, money, or technology, many of those products never progress from the planning stages to the mass market. But that doesn't mean we can't salivate over them, nevertheless.

We thought that this week we would focus on concepts for cell phones. We've seen plenty in the past, but, as we were scouring the Interwebs for student work, we realized that there's a veritable dearth of innovative mobile phone designs out there. On the one hand, this should come as no surprise; real-life cell phones are designed by committee nowadays, and the iPhone has so dominated the market (or at least the minds of designers) that no one is really putting forth ideas to challenge its stranglehold. If we've submitted to the idea that the iPhone is not simply a phone but an entirely new digital medium, then designers can start to modify and streamline the device (within the draconian constraints that Apple has in place, of course). So, farewell to alternative phone designs, as we embrace creative monopoly with these updates for the ubiquitous hand-held Apple gadget.

Continue reading Design Concepts: Making the iPhone Work for Us

SwitchedDesign Concepts: Making the iPhone Work for Us originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appappleappliancescarbon design groupCarbonDesignGroupchun-chieh yangChun-chiehYangconceptsdesignDesignConceptsfeaturesflexible speakerFlexibleSpeakerimpact designImpactDesigniphoneiphone keyboardiphone killerIphoneKeyboardIphoneKillermatt bradyMattBradyrfidronen kadushinRonenKadushintoptouchThu, 01 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Design Concepts: Cities of Tomorrow]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/24/design-concepts-cities-of-tomorrow/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/24/design-concepts-cities-of-tomorrow/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/24/design-concepts-cities-of-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under:


The Web is teeming with the unrealized ideas of both students and established designers who set out to produce astonishing renderings and prototypes for unusual products. Unfortunately, due to the lack of time, money, or technology, many of those products never progress from the planning stages to the mass market. But that doesn't mean we can't salivate over them, nevertheless.

Barring a nuclear holocaust (which, if you're interested, we've got concepts regarding, too), the world's massive cities aren't going to disappear anytime soon. And while we wax optimistic about colonizing the Moon within our lifetimes, Earth's population continues to grow unabated. Metropolises are expanding outward instead of upward to accommodate the rise in residents, and we (along with some of the architects highlighted below) think that's just plain silly. We're going to run out of ground sooner or later, so how else can we fit our bursting populations into buildings that are ecological, sustainable and forward-thinking? Check out some of our favorite recent concepts that set out to scrape the sky.

Continue reading Design Concepts: Cities of Tomorrow

SwitchedDesign Concepts: Cities of Tomorrow originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Agnieszka NowakAgnieszkaNowakagricultureAl Jadida AgropolisAlJadidaAgropolisarchitecturecapturetheraincitiesconceptsdesigndesignconceptsDWP ArchitectsDwpArchitectseco-friendlyecomobiegyptEverrich 2 ApartmentsEverrich2ApartmentsfeaturesgreenHo Chi Minh CityHoChiMinhCitymarjan colletiMarjanColletimobius architectsMobiusArchitectsoverpopulationpodiumprefabresidentialRichie GellesRichieGellesRyszard RychlickiRyszardRychlickiskyscrapertopurban planningUrbanPlanningvietnamViktor RamosViktorRamoswater conservationWaterConservationThu, 24 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST