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[Kidrobot Founder Talks Butts, Bunnies, and His Empire of Vinyl Art]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/kidrobot-founder-talks-butts-bunnies-and-his-empire-of-vinyl-a/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/kidrobot-founder-talks-butts-bunnies-and-his-empire-of-vinyl-a/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/kidrobot-founder-talks-butts-bunnies-and-his-empire-of-vinyl-a/#commentsFiled under:


Paul Budnitz has amazingly sent young adults scrambling after collectible vinyl figures as if they were children after toys. And toys, in essence, those figures are, but not in the child-friendly sense of the word. (In fact, Budnitz points out that his company's products often come armed with cigarettes and machine guns.) Kidrobot, which Budnitz conceived while collecting figurines during a stay in China, is famous for its small and affordable art pieces designed by underground and mainstream artists, graffiti writers, and musicians.

What started as a pastime has become an international phenomenon; collectors camp out to get limited-edition Kidrobot figures, and people like Karl Lagerfeld and Matt Groening have gotten in on the design action. Kidrobot crosses cultures, claiming a strong following among comic book readers, alternative rock fans, hip-hop stars, and even us gadget nerds (who have the colorful creations brightening up our cubicles). And that's precisely what Budnitz set out to do: to give young (but not too young) individuals a way of "collecting art" without breaking the bank, and to brighten their lives with beautiful, hilarious, or just outright interesting art objects.

Continue reading Kidrobot Founder Talks Butts, Bunnies, and His Empire of Vinyl Art

SwitchedKidrobot Founder Talks Butts, Bunnies, and His Empire of Vinyl Art originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featureskidrobottopvideoFri, 20 Nov 2009 12:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Love for Our Tweeps: People Answer 'What Is Twitter?']]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/14/love-for-our-tweeps-people-answer-what-is-twitter/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/14/love-for-our-tweeps-people-answer-what-is-twitter/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/14/love-for-our-tweeps-people-answer-what-is-twitter/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Last week, we took our cameras to the streets and inadvertently stumped roughly half the people when we asked, "What is Flickr?" This time, we decided to try our luck by inquiring about Twitter, and, for the most part, everyone had an inkling as to the micro-blogging powerhouse's raison d'être.

Since people are now apparently tweeting 27 million times a day, this should come as no surprise. Not only do we chronicle our outrage over a contentious election via tweets, the Twiteratti have even taken to academic discourse. A zeitgeist has been ignited by 140-character streams of culture.

So what answer most aptly captured the Twitter Experience? "Like, if someone's going to the bathroom, you can know that...I guess that's when they tweet." Precisely.

SwitchedLove for Our Tweeps: People Answer 'What Is Twitter?' originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featurestwittervox popVoxPopSat, 14 Nov 2009 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA['What Is Flickr?' Question Flummoxes Folks on the Street]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/06/what-is-flickr-question-flummoxes-folks-on-the-street/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/06/what-is-flickr-question-flummoxes-folks-on-the-street/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/06/what-is-flickr-question-flummoxes-folks-on-the-street/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We'll admit that, as tech journalists, we live in a bit of a self-imposed bubble when it comes to Internet goings-on. ("What do you mean, 'You've never heard of a meme?' ") So we decided to take our cameras to the streets of New York and descend upon the less compulsively-geeky masses to ask, "What is Flickr?"

Though the image-sharing behemoth Flickr -- now millions of users strong -- celebrated its 4 billionth photo upload last month, we apparently confused a fair-sized cross-section of people walking through Times Square. But all was not lost: despite the fact that some couldn't tell us "what the Flickr is," we mercifully found some of our own ilk, from teens to more mature passerbys, to legitimize our inherently techy career focus. (Mom, Dad, we're doing powerful important work, here.)


Switched'What Is Flickr?' Question Flummoxes Folks on the Street originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresflickrtopvox popVoxPopFri, 06 Nov 2009 14:39:00 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[Nooka Founder Matthew Waldman Talks Watch Design]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/14/nooka-founder-matthew-waldman-talks-watch-design/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/14/nooka-founder-matthew-waldman-talks-watch-design/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/14/nooka-founder-matthew-waldman-talks-watch-design/#commentsFiled under: ,

Back in the late '90s, when brand designer and specialist Matthew Waldman waited for a client, he passed his time like anyone, looking at the clock. Waldman, who has always been fascinated by object meaning and form, was struck by the strangeness of the dial. The clock make-up didn't seem natural; minute and hour hands wouldn't make sense to anyone who didn't know how to tell conventional time.

So taking his talent for branding and design, Waldman in 1997 sketched a square clockface, which used fractions and bars to indicate time in, what he dubs, "an intuitive interface to tell time." First he took his idea, along with the retro and sci-fi imbued approach, to Seiko, which licensed his designs. There, he named his project 'Nooka', an ambiguously ethnic name that has Waldman's modus operandi ("new") within the word itself. Setting out on his own, Waldman founded Nooka in 2005, which in just four years has became known as a manufacturer of futuristic, mostly digital, rubberized and mesh alternatives to traditional watches.

Today, Nooka's Manhattan offices are bustling, filled with collaborations that teamed the brand up with everyone from graffiti artists and fashion labels to musicians and Sponge Bob, and Waldman himself has branched out with high design wallets, toys, and even a fragrance. The location is like a toyshop from the future, with colorful vinyl figures and taped, cutout collages on the wall as inspiration. Sitting down to discuss his projects with Switched, Waldman emphasized that infusing technology with design is a great way to rethink anything mundane, not just watches, but the digital devices lent themselves to his forward-thinking tinkering. And to that, we say, it's about time. nooka.com

SwitchedNooka Founder Matthew Waldman Talks Watch Design originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesfashionfeaturesnookastyletopwatchesWed, 14 Oct 2009 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Finger Piano Share: Play Real Pianos From Your iPhone, Remotely]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/11/finger-piano-share-remotely-play-real-pianos-from-your-iphone/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/11/finger-piano-share-remotely-play-real-pianos-from-your-iphone/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/11/finger-piano-share-remotely-play-real-pianos-from-your-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The iPhone increasing lets you do many things, but playing a real piano in real time so far hasn't been one of them -- at least until this past week at CEATEC, the annual consumer electronics show held in Tokyo, Japan, which we were fortunate enough to attend. On display at the Yamaha booth was one of the more impressive iPhone apps we've seen to date: Called Finger Piano Share, since it lets up to 10 people remotely play a real piano from their iPhones via Wi-Fi (the piano must be of the MIDI-enabled Disklavier variety, of course).

You'll see a bit of what the app looks like in the above video. You tap a virtual key on your iPhone screen, and the real key plays on the piano. Finger Piano Share lets you play music of your own creation, improvise along with other folks simultaneously for some kind of abstract jam session, or play pre-programmed tunes by following onscreen prompts, a la 'Rock Band.'

Continue reading Finger Piano Share: Play Real Pianos From Your iPhone, Remotely

SwitchedFinger Piano Share: Play Real Pianos From Your iPhone, Remotely originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appstoreaugmented realityaugmentedrealityceatecceatec2009disklavierfeaturesfingerpianoshareiphoneappsjapanmobileappsmusicpianotopyamahaSun, 11 Oct 2009 23:18:00 EST<![CDATA[What's Big in Japan? Eyeball iPhone Remotes, 3-D TVs and Smart Cams]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/09/whats-big-in-japan-eyeball-iphone-remotes-3-d-tvs-and-smart-c/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/09/whats-big-in-japan-eyeball-iphone-remotes-3-d-tvs-and-smart-c/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/09/whats-big-in-japan-eyeball-iphone-remotes-3-d-tvs-and-smart-c/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We've spent the past week here in Tokyo taking a look at some of the latest gadgets on display at CEATEC, the annual Japanese Consumer Electronics Show. It's a great place to see everything from cutting-edge TV technologies that'll end up stateside next year to stylish mobile phones that'll (sadly) never find their way out of Japan.

And then there's the oddball stuff that probably shouldn't be let out of the convention center, like the iPhone you control with your eyeball, which you'll see in the above video. Yes, it's weird, but it's one of the reasons we keep coming back every year, even braving killer typhoons to get to the convention center. Check out the clip to see what else blew us away this year.


Related links:

SwitchedWhat's Big in Japan? Eyeball iPhone Remotes, 3-D TVs and Smart Cams originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biginjapanceatecceatec2009eventsfeaturesjapantopFri, 09 Oct 2009 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[If the Nintendo DS and a Laptop Had a Kid, It Would Look Like This...]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/08/if-the-nintendo-ds-and-a-laptop-had-a-kid-it-would-look-like-th/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/08/if-the-nintendo-ds-and-a-laptop-had-a-kid-it-would-look-like-th/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/08/if-the-nintendo-ds-and-a-laptop-had-a-kid-it-would-look-like-th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If the Nintendo DS and a random laptop hooked up, the Sharp Mebius would be their love child. The unique-looking netbook features two different LCD screens, the main one being 10.1-inches, and the second being 4-inches and doubling as a visually-enabled trackpad-cum-touchscreen. The 'trackpad' screen is the world's first optical sensor LCD, which essentially means it stays bright and can handle more than two fingers to perform functions (take that, iPhone!). This sensor-enabled trackpad can be used to control the laptop (zoom in on docs, for example), edit photos, play music, crunch numbers (with a touch-sensitive calculator), flip through e-books, and more.

The Mebius came out back in May in Japan, but we were so impressed with it in person here at Tokyo's annual CEATEC consumer electronics show that we had to take a closer look, which you'll see in the above video. By the way, the Mebius is available at Japanese import site Dynamism for $999, complete with English-language Windows (and free tech support).

SwitchedIf the Nintendo DS and a Laptop Had a Kid, It Would Look Like This... originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biginjapanceatecceatec2009eventsfeaturesjapanmebiusnetbooknetbookssharptopThu, 08 Oct 2009 22:31:00 EST<![CDATA[What Comes After iPhone? Mobiles Made of Wood and Stormtroopers.]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/07/what-comes-after-iphone-mobiles-made-of-wood-and-stormtroopers/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/07/what-comes-after-iphone-mobiles-made-of-wood-and-stormtroopers/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/07/what-comes-after-iphone-mobiles-made-of-wood-and-stormtroopers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The iPhone may be a failure in Japan, but the country sure loves its clamshell-style, flip phones, among other non-smartphone-styles, which is why the annual CEATEC show in Tokyo is often a treasure trove of innovative, stylish, and sometimes just plain way-out mobiles. Some are finished products that have just come to market, while others remain concepts that will eventually turn into a finished product.

Unfortunately, most of these distinctive handsets will never get to the U.S. -- they're just too quirky for the mass production needed in the world's largest domestic market -- but take a look at some of our favorites from this year's show anyway. From the Star-Wars-meets-Space-1999 'Prismoid' by renowned designer Naoto Fukasawa (whose donut-like plusminuszero humidifier is in the Museum of Modern Art), or the 'Touch Wood' concept made of surplus cypress wood (a joint project between NTT Docomo, Olympus, and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto's 'more trees' reforestation initiative), phones like these will make you long for the days before touchscreen iPhones became the norm (and maybe hope for a dumb-but-sexy-phone future). Take a look at the above video for a closer look.

Related links:

SwitchedWhat Comes After iPhone? Mobiles Made of Wood and Stormtroopers. originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec2009designfeaturesfuturetechnaotofukasawaprismoidstyletoptouchwoodweirdwoodWed, 07 Oct 2009 21:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Why Robots Make Better Prostate Surgeons (Video)]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/09/23/why-robots-make-better-prostate-surgeons-video/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/23/why-robots-make-better-prostate-surgeons-video/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/23/why-robots-make-better-prostate-surgeons-video/#commentsFiled under:

Dr. David Samadi may look like he's playing a video game when he's at work, but he's actually performing robotic prostate surgery. The Chief of the Division of Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery at New York's Mt. Sinai Medical Center is one of only a half-dozen or so United States surgeons who can perform robotic laparoscopic surgery, which uses a special 3-D control system to operate the remote machinery that does the operation. Because it's super precise, robotic surgery is a godsend for folks who are getting prostate surgery, for example, since the only five incisions and mini-cameras that go inside a patient's abdomen during the operation minimize lengthy hospital stays, not to mention side effects like impotence and incontinence that come with traditional prostate surgery. To highlight Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (September), we visited Dr. Samadi at Mt. Sinai and filmed him in action. Check it out -- and while you're at it, get your prostate checked out (by your doctor, of course), especially if you're a male over the age of 50. It could save your life!

SwitchedWhy Robots Make Better Prostate Surgeons (Video) originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancerfeatureshealthmedicineprostatecancerroboticsurgeonroboticsurgeryrobotssamadisciencesurgerytopWed, 23 Sep 2009 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rob Zombie Hates Your Cell Phone]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/09/03/rob-zombie-hates-your-cell-phone/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/03/rob-zombie-hates-your-cell-phone/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/03/rob-zombie-hates-your-cell-phone/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Perhaps it should come as no surprise that Rob Zombie--rock star, screenwriter, film director, gore-fetishist--has little free time for messing around with all the electronic goodies the rest of us take for granted. But we get it. After all, his latest film, a remake of the classic slasher flick 'Halloween II,' only began filming in late February and yet barely six months later is already in theaters. Clearly he's a busy guy. Still, after a recent conversation with Mr. Zombie, we were taken aback at how vehemently anti-technology he is. Seriously, this guy has some major-league beef with gadgets and the people who love them. Check out the video to experience his alienation, and hold tight as you get torn a new one.

SwitchedRob Zombie Hates Your Cell Phone originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresludditemoviesrobzombieswitchedquestionnaireswitchedquestionnairevideotopThu, 03 Sep 2009 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Temptu Airbrush Gives You a High-Def Makeover]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/08/25/temptu-airbrush-gives-you-a-high-def-makeover/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/25/temptu-airbrush-gives-you-a-high-def-makeover/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/25/temptu-airbrush-gives-you-a-high-def-makeover/#commentsFiled under:


Discovering ways that technology infiltrates every aspect of modern life is one of the things that keeps our jobs here at Switched exciting. Tech obviously affects music, communication, and portability, but the way we look is also changed by our increasingly digitized existence. Snap a picture under a harsh light at a concert, and moments later it ends up on Facebook, in all its gruesome detail. On high-def televisions, bad makeup jobs show up with brutal accuracy.

So, when Temptu told us about its handheld airbrush makeup system (based on a car spray-paint kit, no less), our inner divas were piqued. The tiny system, which has evolved from a huge, non-portable machine that was popular on movie sets years ago, promised flawless results under the harshest technological conditions. On one of the hottest days of the summer, Temptu president Michael Benjamin invited our own Leila Brillson down for a digital touch up with the consumer-ready airbrush console. As you'll see from the video above, the makeover was slick and quick (and high-def ready, though you might not be able to tell from our SD-quality video), showing us how even New York grit and heat can be combated with a little tech-y know how. Right now, the system is available on Sephora's Web site, but will be hitting brick-and-mortar stores in September.

SwitchedTemptu Airbrush Gives You a High-Def Makeover originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beautyfeaturesmakeovermakeuptemptutopTue, 25 Aug 2009 12:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Australian Rock Band Jet Collaborates Online, Loves YouTube]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/08/24/australian-rockers-jet-collaborate-online-love-youtube/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/24/australian-rockers-jet-collaborate-online-love-youtube/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/24/australian-rockers-jet-collaborate-online-love-youtube/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Recently, Aussie garage band Jet answered some of our questions about texting, YouTubing, and touring. When brothers Nic and Chris Chester, along with bandmates Cameron Muncey and Mark Wilson aren't on the road, they are either listening to Hall & Oates (so are we!) on their iPods at 5 o'clock in the morning or cracking up to old videos of a toasted Orson Welles. The boys, clad in leather jackets, sporting shaggy hair, and getting ready to release their fourth album this week (August 25), answered our most burning question: Does your phone ever go off on stage?

SwitchedAustralian Rock Band Jet Collaborates Online, Loves YouTube originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresjetmusicswitchedquestionnairetopMon, 24 Aug 2009 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford's 'Smart' MyKey Keeps Those Kids From Driving Like Maniacs]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/08/21/fords-smart-mykey-keeps-those-kids-from-driving-like-maniacs/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/21/fords-smart-mykey-keeps-those-kids-from-driving-like-maniacs/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/21/fords-smart-mykey-keeps-those-kids-from-driving-like-maniacs/#commentsFiled under: ,

Our parents started getting really uptight as the days between us and that most liberating of birthdays (16) ticked away. The pestering never ended: "You'd better put that seat belt on, first thing when you get in." "Yes, ma'am." Disciplinary threats, filled with images of being driven to senior prom in the station wagon, terrified us.

Of course, upon receiving the keys, we jumped through the open window Duke boys-style, fired her up, ignored the seat belt, tore off at bewilderingly stupid speeds (blasting Zeppelin), and thus proclaimed our presence to the highway system.

Apparently, Ford has heard a few stories like ours. Its new MyKey system promises to keep them from coming to fruition. Triggered by a programmable car key, a compatible vehicle's computer requires that the driver's seat belt be buckled before the stereo is operated, institutes an 80-mph governor on the engine, and issues speed warnings via the dashboard for 45-, 55-, and 65-mph. Ford's Jim Buczkowski, director of electrical and electronics systems engineering, told us the MyKey system restricts young dummies from driving like young dummies. Now, if only Ford would come up with the YourKey to keep older dummies from doing the same thing.

SwitchedFord's 'Smart' MyKey Keeps Those Kids From Driving Like Maniacs originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresfordtopFri, 21 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Greg Grunberg's Secret HDTV Viewing Habits (and New iPhone App)]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/08/04/greg-grunbergs-secret-hdtv-viewing-habits-and-new-iphone-app/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/04/greg-grunbergs-secret-hdtv-viewing-habits-and-new-iphone-app/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/04/greg-grunbergs-secret-hdtv-viewing-habits-and-new-iphone-app/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Like Heather Locklear of 'Dynasty,' 'TJ Hooker,' 'Melrose Place' and 'Spin City' fame, Greg Grunberg is one of those actors fortunate to have starred in three back-to-back hit series. His first big roles came in the J.J.-Abrams-produced 'Felicity' and 'Alias,' but now he is best known for the NBC show 'Heroes,' in which he plays Matt Parkman, a policeman who can hear what other people are thinking. When Grunberg isn't busy being a successful actor, he's clipping coupons, which is what led him to create Yowza!!, a new online e-coupon clipping app for the iPhone. Grunberg discusses his new app in the video below; but first, take a look at the Switched Questionnaire above, in which Grunberg dishes on his video game sessions with 'the J man' (J.J. Abrams) and his guilty HDTV pleasures (they don't include 'Heroes.').

Continue reading Greg Grunberg's Secret HDTV Viewing Habits (and New iPhone App)

SwitchedGreg Grunberg's Secret HDTV Viewing Habits (and New iPhone App) originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>couponsecouponsfeaturesgreggrunbergheroesiphoneappsmobileappsmobilephoneappsnbcshoppingswitchedquestionnairetopTue, 04 Aug 2009 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[When Not Holding a Mic, 'Idol' Brooke White Holds a Wii-Mote]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/07/31/when-not-holding-a-mic-idol-brooke-white-holds-a-wii-mote/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/31/when-not-holding-a-mic-idol-brooke-white-holds-a-wii-mote/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/31/when-not-holding-a-mic-idol-brooke-white-holds-a-wii-mote/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

'American Idol' finalist (Season 7) Brooke White may take her inspiration from the past -- sweeping national audiences (and Simon and Randy) off their feet with her knock-out renditions of Beatles and Carly Simon tunes on TV last season -- but she's firmly in the present when it comes to technology. White tweets, texts, and plays Wii, among many other gadget-oriented activities. Just a week after the release of her debut album -- 'High Hopes and Heartbreak' -- the Phoenix-native and on-the-rise-artist shares some of her funniest experiences with technology in our latest Switched Questionnaire. Take a look!

SwitchedWhen Not Holding a Mic, 'Idol' Brooke White Holds a Wii-Mote originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americanidolbrookesimmonsfeaturesmusicswitchedquestionnairetopFri, 31 Jul 2009 12:26:00 EST<![CDATA[15 New Songs on 'The Beatles: Rock Band' (Video)]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/07/21/exclusive-interview-harmonix-talks-the-beatles-rock-band/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/21/exclusive-interview-harmonix-talks-the-beatles-rock-band/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/21/exclusive-interview-harmonix-talks-the-beatles-rock-band/#commentsFiled under: , ,

With the release date of 'The Beatles: Rock Band' quickly approaching (9/9/09), MTV Games thought it appropriate to let loose and reveal another 15 songs that will be featured in the Fab Four branded rhythm game.

'The Beatles: Rock Band' will feature a total of 45 songs from arguably the greatest band of all time taken directly from the master tapes. So far, MTV Games has revealed 25 of the tracks, including 'Revolution,' 'Paperback Writer,' 'Back in the U.S.S.R.,' and 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.'

It was also revealed that, in addition to having instruments styled after The Beatles iconic wares, this version of Rock Band will also support three part vocal harmonies, meaning that there are up to seven different playable tracks for each song. We took a moment to catch up with Harmonix's very own John Drake, who schooled us in how the game came to be, how involved the surviving Beatles were in developing it, and how Harmonix wants everyone -- including your mom -- to be able to jump into the game. Check out our interview above, for more exclusive tidbits.

Switched15 New Songs on 'The Beatles: Rock Band' (Video) originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beatlesjohn drakeJohnDrakerock bandRockBandtopTue, 21 Jul 2009 14:34:00 EST<![CDATA['King of Queens' Actor Gary Valentine on Filming for the Web]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/07/20/king-of-queens-actor-gary-valentine-on-filming-for-the-web/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/20/king-of-queens-actor-gary-valentine-on-filming-for-the-web/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/20/king-of-queens-actor-gary-valentine-on-filming-for-the-web/#commentsFiled under:


In case you didn't catch his special on 'Comedy Central Presents,' you might know Gary Valentine from TV's 'King of Queens,' or from his slew of appearances on the big screen, including 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop' and 'Stuck on You.' Now, the older brother of Kevin James is taking his comedy to the Web with a new series on Crackle called 'Dusty Peacock.' We recently caught up with the actor and comedian to chat about his new show, and to discuss the ups and downs of filming for the Web. Ever the gadget hounds, we also took the opportunity to find out just which devices Gary can't live without on set -- and to hear a little bit about his wishes for an iPhone cuddle app. Check out the video above for our sit down with the New York-born funny man.

Switched'King of Queens' Actor Gary Valentine on Filming for the Web originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresgary valentineGaryValentineswitchedquestionnairetopMon, 20 Jul 2009 12:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Affordable MakerBot 'Prints' 3-D Objects (Even Designers Approve)]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/07/10/affordable-makerbot-prints-out-3-d-objects-even-designers-app/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/10/affordable-makerbot-prints-out-3-d-objects-even-designers-app/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/10/affordable-makerbot-prints-out-3-d-objects-even-designers-app/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If Bre Pettis had it his way, the next thing you bought online wouldn't be shipped to you -- it would materialize itself on your desk via your very own 3-D printer. Enter the MakerBot. Developed by the circuit-bent minds of Brooklyn, NY hacker club NYC Resistor, the MakerBot "Cupcake CNC" is an open-source, build-it-yourself robotic factory for your tabletop that makes your computer designs into actual 3-D objects -- and at $750, it's a fraction of the cost of a standard, pro-grade 3-D printer like the $15,000 one Jay Leno recently tried out for Popular Mechanics.

Given its hacker-y pedigree, the robotic printer is already being put to "alternative" uses. Last month, MakerBot was shown off on 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,' boasting its robotic prowess by frosting desserts, using icing instead of plastic (a digital design of frosting on a cupcake enabled it to go through the cupcake-decorating motions).

Confections are one thing, but how does this 'build it yourself' machine handle traditional 3-D designs? To find out, we asked Brooklynites Kegan Fisher and Liz Kinmark, the creatives and heads of up-and-coming, indie design-firm Design Glut, to design an object of our choosing on their computer in one day, and then take it to the MakerBot to 'print' out a working prototype. The girls used their very real, very official 3-D rendering skills to create a usable object, in this case, a salt-and-pepper shaker (hey, we needed something for our July 4th cookout). Take a look!

SwitchedAffordable MakerBot 'Prints' 3-D Objects (Even Designers Approve) originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designglutfeaturesmakerbotnycresistortopFri, 10 Jul 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[MC Hammer Talks iPhones, Twitter, and Web-Induced Unrest in Iran]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/06/23/mc-hammer-talks-iphones-twitter-and-web-induced-unrest-in-iran/http://www.switched.com/2009/06/23/mc-hammer-talks-iphones-twitter-and-web-induced-unrest-in-iran/http://www.switched.com/2009/06/23/mc-hammer-talks-iphones-twitter-and-web-induced-unrest-in-iran/#commentsFiled under: ,


Early this month, a huge group of dancers wearing Hammer Pants stormed a trendy store in Los Angeles and grooved their way to viral video stardom. In one flashmob, MC Hammer was back -- in a big way (although in our eyes, he never left). The '90s rapper and dancer now has his own TV show ('Hammertime,' Sundays at 10 PM EST on A&E) and is well on the way to Internet mogul-status, thanks to his dance video site Dancejam.com. We were fortunate enough to have a little Hammertime of our own recently when the MC stopped by our studio to talk a little tech.

A true gadget lover, Hammer somehow managed to sneak a second iPhone into the interview (despite the best efforts of our hardcore sound guy to confiscate all interference-causing cell phones before hitting the 'record button'). Check out the video above, where the man himself riffs about Twitter, his absolutely favorite gadget, and the democratic power of the realtime Web as witnessed by the unrest in Iran -- that's right, Hammer's deep like that.

SwitchedMC Hammer Talks iPhones, Twitter, and Web-Induced Unrest in Iran originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresmusicswitchedquestionnairetopTue, 23 Jun 2009 12:22:00 EST