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[Automatic Channel-Changer Signals Apex of Humankind's Sloth]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/14/automatic-channel-changer-signals-apex-of-humankinds-sloth/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/14/automatic-channel-changer-signals-apex-of-humankinds-sloth/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/14/automatic-channel-changer-signals-apex-of-humankinds-sloth/#commentsFiled under:

Automatic Channel Changer

Well, folks, it's official. Humankind has hit the nadir of sloth. It's not because somebody designed this mechanical, hands-free channel-changer. We're pretty sure it's a joke that you can witness after the jump. No, the reason we have lost faith in humanity is that we want the mechanical, hands-free channel-changer. Hook us up with this thing, a snuggie and a KFC bowl of sadness, and we'll be ready to quietly (and wheezingly) wait for the end of civilization. [From: Make]

Continue reading Automatic Channel-Changer Signals Apex of Humankind's Sloth

SwitchedAutomatic Channel-Changer Signals Apex of Humankind's Sloth originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diyfunnylazyremotecontroltelevisiontoptvSat, 14 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Johnny Carson's 'Tonight Show' Archives Hit the Web]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/johnny-carson-tonight-show-archives-hit-the-web/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/johnny-carson-tonight-show-archives-hit-the-web/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/12/johnny-carson-tonight-show-archives-hit-the-web/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Johnny Carson archives
The undisputed 'King of Late Night' is making a comeback -- this time, on the Internet. According to The New York Times, more than 3,500 hours of footage from Johnny Carson's tenure as host of 'The Tonight Show' has been preserved digitally and archived on the Web for fans to enjoy. It took about 2,000 people to complete this two-phase project, which mostly spans the years between 1973 and 1992 (as much of the pre-1973 footage was destroyed long ago). Phase one was the launch of johnnycarson.com, which features between 40 and 60 clips of Carson yukking it up with different celebrity guests. Phase two was launching the password-protected site licensing.johnnycarson.com, which is a more extensive archive of Carson's years on 'The Tonight Show,' largely intended for companies who are interested in licensing Carson's material. However, Carson Entertainment president Jeff Sotzing told the Times that he hopes to make more of this site's footage available to the public soon, so we'll keep our fingers crossed. Unfortunately, videos from the main site aren't embeddable, which will severely limit the ability of any of these clips to go viral.

Let's just hope nobody ever archives Jay Leno's years on 'The Tonight Show' on the web. It's bad enough hearing him recycle the same jokes every night without knowing he's immortalized on the Internet, too. [From: The New York Times]

SwitchedJohnny Carson's 'Tonight Show' Archives Hit the Web originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archivecarsonJohnnyCarsonthe tonight showthetonightshowtoptvvideowebThu, 12 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple TV to Become iTV, Get Apps]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/apple-tv-to-become-itv-get-apps/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/apple-tv-to-become-itv-get-apps/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/apple-tv-to-become-itv-get-apps/#commentsFiled under: ,

iPhone + Apple TV
The rumblings started as far back as 2007 -- that the seemingly doomed-from-the-start Apple TV would get a makeover into a screenless iPod touch with an HDMI port. Those rumors started making the rounds again around the launch of the iPad, but an iOS-based Apple TV was still nowhere to be seen. Now, our friends at Engadget claim to have an exclusive scoop on the new Apple TV, which will get new hardware, a new OS and a new name -- the iTV. According to an anonymous source, the Intel innards will be replaced with the an A4 processor like that found in the iPhone 4 and iPad. The new device will run iOS, like the rest of the iDevice lineup, and will have more apps, although it's not clear if it will run iPhone and iPad apps or be restricted to iTV-exclusive code.

All the news is not good, though. The new iTV apparently won't be able to playback high def 1080p or 1080i content. Instead, it will be limited to 720p. Major bummer. [From: Engadget]

SwitchedApple TV to Become iTV, Get Apps originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleAppleItvAppleTvitvrumorstreamingtoptvWed, 11 Aug 2010 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Netflix and Epix Deal Brings MGM and Paramount Movies to Instant Streaming]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/10/netflix-and-epix-deal-brings-mgm-and-paramount-movies-to-instant/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/10/netflix-and-epix-deal-brings-mgm-and-paramount-movies-to-instant/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/10/netflix-and-epix-deal-brings-mgm-and-paramount-movies-to-instant/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

EPIX + Netflix

Thanks to a deal with Epix, Netflix's Watch Instantly catalog will soon see a windfall of new online content, consisting of both new movies and classic franchises, such as 'Star Trek' and 'James Bond.' Epix, a joint Paramount-MGM-Lionsgate network for video content, will also eventually grant access to box office winners like 'Iron Man 2' and 'Dinner for Schmucks.' Under the five-year agreement, films will hit Netflix 90 days after they debut on premium subscription services, which means newer movies won't be available anywhere near their DVD release date. We've never really been wowed with the Epix selection of streaming content (as last we checked the site was still heavily promoting 'Cloverfield'), but anything that boosts the size of available content on Netflix is a welcome development. [From: Engadget]

Continue reading Netflix and Epix Deal Brings MGM and Paramount Movies to Instant Streaming

SwitchedNetflix and Epix Deal Brings MGM and Paramount Movies to Instant Streaming originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EPIXEpixHdmoviesNetflixStreamingVideotopWatchInstantlyTue, 10 Aug 2010 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[ESPN Announces Opening 3-D Slate of NCAA Football]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/31/espn-announces-opening-3-d-slate-of-ncaa-football/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/31/espn-announces-opening-3-d-slate-of-ncaa-football/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/31/espn-announces-opening-3-d-slate-of-ncaa-football/#commentsFiled under: ,

virginia tech in 3-dESPN immediately embraced the arrival of 3-D TV, and the network's compatible catalog continues to expand. With the 16th edition of the Summer X Games already kicking off on ESPN 3D, the network has also revealed the first three college football battles to air on the specialized channel. In total, 13 games will receive the 3-D treatment, with the remainder of the telecasts to be revealed "as the season progresses." The 3-D gridiron programming culminates with the January 10th BCS National Championship game.

The season's first selections all provide serious inter-conference drama, with a heavy dose of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). In the inaugural 3-D match-up, Virginia Tech from the ACC battles Western Athletic Conference member Boise State on Monday, September 6th. The following Saturday, the Big 12's Ten's Ohio State welcomes the ACC's Miami Hurricanes to the Horseshoe. The third contest, to be played September 18th, pits the Southeastern Conference's Auburn Tigers against their Clemson copycats from the ACC. We'll go out on a limb and say the Tigers with orange school colors win this one. [From: ESPN, via: Engadget]

SwitchedESPN Announces Opening 3-D Slate of NCAA Football originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Redbox Logo
We're sure you're familiar with Redbox's kiosks, which offer DVD rentals for $1, and can often be found on your way out the door of your local mega-mart. Now the company is updating its services to offer high-def Blu-ray rentals. Of course, the HD discs will set you back slightly more than the $1 DVDs, but, at $1.50, the price bump is hardly a deal breaker. Roughly half of the company's 26,000 kiosks are now offering the Blu-ray rentals, and the remaining machines are scheduled to be upgraded by the fall.

Even though discs are going the way of MySpace -- as streaming services from Netflix, Blockbuster and even Hulu are replacing traditional rentals and DVD purchases -- plenty still get their video fix from a disc. While we're sure Redbox customers appreciate the HD option, renters had better not get too cozy; the company hopes to rapidly shift to streaming video in order to be a competitor, and not a relic of a bygone, disc-laden era. [From: Engadget]

SwitchedRedbox Taking $1.50 Blu-ray Rentals Nationwide originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-rayhdhigh definitionHighDefinitionmoviesNetflixredboxStreamingVideotopFri, 30 Jul 2010 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg to Make 'Simpsons' Cameo This Fall]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/22/facebooks-mark-zuckerberg-to-make-simpsons-cameo-this-fall/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/22/facebooks-mark-zuckerberg-to-make-simpsons-cameo-this-fall/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/22/facebooks-mark-zuckerberg-to-make-simpsons-cameo-this-fall/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Simpsons
It can be argued that the true measure of celebrity is whether or not a person has made a cameo on 'The Simpsons.' After all, just look at a few of the names who've appeared on the show during its 21-year-run on Fox.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has more than 500 million "friends," a movie based on his life coming out this fall and, according to New York Magazine, a featured role in an episode of 'The Simpsons' that will air in October. In the episode, titled 'Loan-a-Lisa,' Lisa Simpson and school bully Nelson Muntz become young entrepreneurs when they start a bike company together. The duo attends a convention to meet investors, and bump into none other than The Zuck, who reminds them that many young billionaires (cough, cough) dropped out of school. Don't expect the bookish Lisa to follow his advice, although we bet Nelson will be all for it. While 'The Simpsons' ain't the comedy powerhouse it once was, the show is still good for a laugh or two each week, especially when a topic -- like Zuckerberg's social networking empire -- is so ripe for the picking. [From: New York Magazine, via: All Things Digital]

SwitchedFacebook's Mark Zuckerberg to Make 'Simpsons' Cameo This Fall originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>entrepreneurfacebookfoxLisaSimpsonMarkZuckerbergSocialNetworkingtelevisionTheSimpsonstoptvThu, 22 Jul 2010 15:35:00 EST<![CDATA['Are You Watching This?!' Tells Sports Fans When to Turn on the TV]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/22/are-you-watching-this-tells-sports-fans-when-to-turn-on-the/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/22/are-you-watching-this-tells-sports-fans-when-to-turn-on-the/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/22/are-you-watching-this-tells-sports-fans-when-to-turn-on-the/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Are You Watching This?!

Even if you're a hardcore sports fan, it's impossible to watch every game being broadcast. But you can rest easy, because there's a new site that will watch them for you and give a heads-up when there's an instant classic in progress. According to Lifehacker, Are You Watching This?! monitors each day's games, which (depending on the time of the year) can number more than 100, and uses an algorithm -- based on factors like in-game situations, historical data, highlight-reel plays and others -- to determine whether or not it's worth your time to watch. The service then sends you an e-mail or text message to alert you to turn on your TV or get online to watch. If you still miss a game for some reason (or just want to catch up on water cooler talk), you can check out reviews of old games on the website, too.

Are You Watching This?! is a handy tool for serious fans who don't want to miss a second of action and for casual ones who might like high drama but don't follow any particular team. Finally, we don't have to watch 'SportsCenter' on repeat to keep track of what's happening. [From: Lifehacker and Are You Watching This?!]

Switched'Are You Watching This?!' Tells Sports Fans When to Turn on the TV originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>areyouwatchingthisemailInstantReplaysportssportscentertelevisiontoptvWebWidgetsThu, 22 Jul 2010 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation 3 Gets 3-D Blu-ray and YouTube Support in September]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/07/13/playstation-3-gets-3d-blu-ray-and-youtube-support-in-september/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/13/playstation-3-gets-3d-blu-ray-and-youtube-support-in-september/http://www.switched.com/2010/07/13/playstation-3-gets-3d-blu-ray-and-youtube-support-in-september/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bluray and Youtube on PS3
Last month, Sony released the first 3-D games for its Playstation 3 console. Now, according to Joystiq, a firmware update to be released in September will allow the PS3 to play 3-D Blu-ray movies. It should be stated, though, that for now the only 3-D Blu-ray title on the market is the kids' film 'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,' and gamers probably won't be snatching those up. But, as more 3-D TVs become available (and James Cameron's 3-D extravaganza 'Avatar' gets released), it's only natural that the 3-D Blu-ray market will ramp up production.

The September PS3 firmware update also bring The ability to view 3-D videos on YouTube is also coming soon. Wrapping up the 3-D blowout, PS3 owners will be able to store and view their own 3-D photos and videos on the console, as well -- whenever that technology becomes accessible, whether we want it or not. [From: Joystiq]

SwitchedPlayStation 3 Gets 3-D Blu-ray and YouTube Support in September originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baseball in 3-D
If you're the type who thinks baseball is boring, just you wait for this weekend's match-ups (July 10th and 11th) between the Yankees and the Mariners on DirecTV. The games will be carried, by YES in the Northeast and FSN in the Northwest, in brilliant, magical, life-altering 3-D! Of course, you'll need one of those expensive 3-D TVs, and enough 3-D glasses to pass around to the entire family, and live in one of the nine states that are (partially) covered by those stations' broadcasts.

DirecTV will be able claim that it's airing the first 3-D baseball game, but let's be honest here: unless Robinson Cano hits a home run directly at one of the cameras, 3-D isn't going to make baseball too much more exciting to those who think of it as nap time, anyway. Then again, if you're like a good chunk of the Switched staff, 3-D TV just gives you a headache anyway. We're lucky, then, that the games will still be broadcast in good ol' fashioned HD, as well, for us 3-D hating Yankee lovers. [From: Business Wire, via: CrunchGear]

SwitchedBaseball Joins the 3-D TV Ranks This Weekend originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Too much time playing video games leads to attention problems in school.The latest study on the way technology affects our youth claims that too much time in front of a screen translates into trouble focusing in the classroom. According to the Des Moines Register, an Iowa State University team studied the academic performance of elementary and college students, and found that kids who sat in front of a screen for more than two hours each day were twice as likely to display attention problems in the classroom. (Note: The national average is six hours.) The 13-month study involved 1,300 elementary school kids and 200 college students. Consistently, more time spent in front of a glowing screen meant more problems focusing in class. However, nobody can say exactly why this occurs. Researchers suggest it's likely that the brain grows accustomed to a ton of stimuli, like loud noises and flashing lights, and that it has a hard time focusing when they are absent.

Before you yank the power from your TVs and consoles, there were variables for which this study didn't account -- like different types of games, or environmental factors. For instance, we'd think that being absorbed in a first-person shooter conquest would cause more attention problems in a calculus class than, say, regularly playing 'Pong.' And kids who watch sitcoms are probably less easily distracted than those who plunk down in front of, say, 'Battling Seizure Robots.' If your youngster is starting to resemble a zombie (dark circles around the eyes, pale complexion, only communicates in grunts and moans), it probably isn't a bad idea to cap their screen time. [From: Des Moines Register]

SwitchedToo Much Screen Time Causes Attention Problems in Class, Study Says originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Futurama Mocks Apple
[Disclaimer: The author of this article has the same name as the one-eyed, purple-haired alien in 'Futurama,' and, therefore, everything the show does is sacred to her.]

The best thing about pre-cancellation 'Futurama' was that it was delightfully dated, with jokes about pop-up ads, AOL and pre-iPod Apple -- all of which were especially funny because the show takes place in the future. However, now that there's been a reboot of the show, the writers at Planet Express can pan relevant gadgets (that may already feel dated... but, whatever). In last night's episode, Bender and Fry race to see who can get a million followers on Twitcher, where people twit to one another. Mother, the go-to bad guy of the series, is using the 'Twit Worm' to infiltrate Bender and Fry's accounts, and to turn their followers into mind-numbed, zombified purchasers of the Mom Co.'s eyePhone.

Continue reading 'Futurama' Mocks Apple by Telling Company to 'Shut Up and Take My Money!'

Switched'Futurama' Mocks Apple by Telling Company to 'Shut Up and Take My Money!' originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hulu Plus
It was always a matter of when, not if, but the latest rumors were right on the money. Today, Hulu announced that it would be launching a subscription-based service called Hulu Plus. Pretty much everything you've heard is true; it will cost $9.99 a month, offer access to deeper archives of content, and be available on multiple (and mobile) platforms. Basic Hulu service will continue to be free and ad-supported, offering access to the most recently aired episodes of shows. Plus subscribers will have access to the current full season of programs, as well as access to the entire back catalog of certain shows, including '30 Rock' and 'The X-Files.'

The other major bonus given to subscribers is the ability to watch Hulu on many devices, not just a PC. As rumored, the service will be available on the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, but it will also be available on some Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players from Sony, Samsung and Vizio. The real excitement, though, surrounds the mobile app -- initially available only on the iPhone 4, iPad, iPhone 3GS and third-generation iPod touches that run iOS 4 -- but it's safe to assume that other mobile platforms, like Android, will gain access in the near future. You'll even be able to watch Hulu over 3G (although that might not be a very attractive option with AT&T's new data caps).

Continue reading Hulu Plus Gets Official on iPhone, iPad and TV for $9.99 a Month

SwitchedHulu Plus Gets Official on iPhone, iPad and TV for $9.99 a Month originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3-D TV Purchases
We're still wavering on whether or not to invest in the 3-D TV revolution. But according to some recently released data from market research group NPD, many consumers aren't taking a wait-and-see approach. From an NPD press release, Engadget reports that U.S. consumers spent $55 million on 3-D TVs and Blu-ray players during the first three months the technology hit shelves. That may sound like a lot, but, in reality, it's only a drop in the bucket of what consumers spend on TVs across the board. NPD executive director of industry analysis Ross Rubin expects that 3-D technology will comprise only a small part of the total TV and Blu-ray player sales through the end of the year, too.

So what's keeping consumers from totally buying into the 3-D home craze? After all, you can play 3-D video games on the PlayStation3 now, and even watch MLB games in all their stereoscopic glory. NPD surveyed consumers, and discovered that people were mostly concerned with not having enough 3-D glasses for their friends and family. While just 10-percent of those surveyed were worried about looking funny, nearly 41-percent cited the previous concern, which is -- of course -- directly related to cost. It appears most U.S. consumers are waiting for prices to drop before spending wads of cash to equip their home entertainment systems with a technology that may be no more than a flash in the pan. Remember LaserDisc? [From: Engadget]

SwitchedU.S. Consumers Drop $55M on 3-D Tech in Three Months originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-d3D3dtvBlu-RaybusinessshoppingstudytoptrendstvSun, 27 Jun 2010 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Hulu Plus Subscription Service Coming Soon for a Lucky Few]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/25/hulu-plus-subscription-service-coming-soon-for-a-lucky-few/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/25/hulu-plus-subscription-service-coming-soon-for-a-lucky-few/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/25/hulu-plus-subscription-service-coming-soon-for-a-lucky-few/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hulu Plus
We've been reporting that Hulu was planning to move to a subscription-based model since at least June of last year. In April, rumors were that a service called Hulu Plus would be launching before the end of May. Now, June is coming to a close, and there is still no official word from the most popular Web-TV destination, but All Things Digital is reporting that a beta launch of the service could land next week.

Hulu Plus is expected to offer access to a broader and older pool of shows than Hulu offers for free, and to allow subscribers to watch its content on devices like the iPad, the iPhone and Android smartphones. There is also some speculation that the service will be expanded to the Xbox 360 and PS3. There are still some obstacles to overcome that could delay the trial or leave some holes in the catalog, though. For instance, Viacom and Comedy Central, which already pulled the popular 'Daily Show' and 'Colbert Report' from Hulu, own the rights to older episodes of '30 Rock.' The initial test will be offered by invitation only, and may be limited to as few as 10,000 people. Pricing is still reported to be $9.95 a month, a small price to pay for the right to stream a wider catalog of shows to your PC and mobile device. [From: All Things Digital]

SwitchedHulu Plus Subscription Service Coming Soon for a Lucky Few originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>huluHuluPlusstreamingtvstreamingvideosubscriptiontopFri, 25 Jun 2010 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[E. Coli and Staph Infections Find a New Enemy in E-Waste]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/25/e-coli-and-staph-infections-find-a-new-enemy-in-e-waste/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/25/e-coli-and-staph-infections-find-a-new-enemy-in-e-waste/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/25/e-coli-and-staph-infections-find-a-new-enemy-in-e-waste/#commentsFiled under: , ,

LCD TVs to provide staph infection killerBy now, everybody knows there's a massive e-waste problem on the horizon, though some U.K. researchers claim to have found a way to cut down on e-waste and fight bacterial infections at the same time. According to a press release from the University of York, researchers melted LCD TVs and extracted a substance that could be used to destroy some bacteria. Since this team estimated that about 2.5 billion LCD TVs are on the verge of dying, they have lots of waste to put to good use. LCDs contain loads of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and the York scientists discovered that if they heated, cooled and dehydrated the PVA with ethanol, it would create a material that could destroy E. coli and some staph infections. For now, they will continue to test the PVA-based concoction in order to make sure it's safe and effective. It's possible that this material could be used to sterilize surfaces at hospitals, or provide easy access to clinical cleanliness [From: University of York, via: Engadget]

SwitchedE. Coli and Staph Infections Find a New Enemy in E-Waste originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kmart Streaming Two unlikely retailers are throwing their hats into the streaming movie service ring. According to CNET News, Sears and Kmart have partnered with Sonic Solutions to launch a digital video service by the end of the year. If customers buy a TV or Blu-Ray player manufactured by Sharp, LG, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic or RCA at either retail store, they'll get access to the service, dubbed Alphaline Entertainment. Similar to the one offered at Best Buy, also powered by Sonic Solutions, the service offers more than 5,000 movies in its library. Sears and Kmart employees will setup the device before customers leave the store, so, ideally, they can go home and instantly stream movies.

Bricks and mortar rental stores like Blockbuster and DVD sellers have been struggling with the growth of online streaming video services like Netflix and Hulu for years, and the decline of physical DVD sales has created a major problem for big-box stores, like Kmart or Sears. Of all the factors contributing to this service's success or failure, here's the one we think is most critical: the involvement of late-to-the-party retailers Kmart and Sears. [From: CNET News and Engadget]

Continue reading Kmart and Sears Announce Streaming Video Service

SwitchedKmart and Sears Announce Streaming Video Service originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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jimmy kimmel recording his show on laptop
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The digital age has smashed the primacy of the all-powerful television camera. Why rely on major networks when we have Twitpics, cell phone cameras and live-streams to make our own broadcasts? It seems that even the networks have recognized that all their fancy machinery can still be bested by a camera on a laptop. When a power failure hit the 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' studio on Monday, the eponymous host took to his Macbook's webcam so that the show could go on.

After a few attempts to re-route power after a failure earlier in the day, Kimmel and Co. were faced with the prospect of no show at all. The studio lights were still in operation, but the cameras and the control room remained darkened. So Kimmel opened up his Macbook, and launched Photo Booth to record the show himself from his desk. The audience seemed to be invigorated with the fervor that goes hand-in-hand with blackouts -- when adults get thrown into a world without power and begin to resemble rambunctious kids at sleep-away camp.

Continue reading Power Outage Prompts Jimmy Kimmel to Record Show on His Macbook

SwitchedPower Outage Prompts Jimmy Kimmel to Record Show on His Macbook originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fios Worry-Free Guarantee
Well, we've got to hand it to Verizon. The company is now offering its contract-less "worry-free guarantee" option across almost all of its FiOS markets. New customers can now sign up for Verizon's Internet, phone and TV service without agreeing to a contract, which means they're free to decide month to month whether or not they want to stick with the service. Most impressively, Verizon will charge the same monthly rate as their customers who agree to a two-year contract (with a year of price protection). Of course, since you're not agreeing to a contract, there are also no early termination fees.

Verizon has offered a month-to-month option for some time, but the bundles were priced $20 higher than those available to customers who had agreed to a two-year contract. There's almost no reason not to pick the month-to-month option if you're new to FiOS. We can only hope that other companies follow suit, and ditch the extended contracts and early termination fees, as well. [From: Boy Genius Report]

SwitchedVerizon Offering New FiOS Customers No Contract Options originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3GTV on grocery store shelves
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No space is sacred for advertising directors these days. It's bad enough that you're bombarded by advertisements when you're sitting in front of your computer, watching TV or even riding the PATH train tunnels under the Hudson river. Now a company called Automated Media Services (AMS) is testing a new system dubbed 3GTV that will put small screens playing commercial loops on supermarket shelves.

The system will see its first test this summer in select Bloom supermarkets through Virginia and Maryland. In an era of DVRs, hundreds of TV channels and Web-based video services, it's harder for companies to target consumers. But while they might seek entertainment in different places or fast forward through commercials, almost all buyers must, at some point, stroll through the aisle and pick a product from the stocked shelves [Ed. Note: Not always true.]. The 3GTV systems catches them at the moment the decision is made, making a last ditch effort to sway consumer decisions. Well, take comfort in this: If successful, 3GTV might have positive environmental impact by reducing (or completely negating) the need to print up costly paper circulars. [From: New York Times, via: Gawker]

SwitchedWith 3GTV, Video Commercials Follow You Throughout the Supermarket originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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