All posts from Switched

Once a bastion of laziness, the office cubicle may no longer be safe from workers' oldest enemy: work. According to Asiajin, a team of researchers from KDDI Corporation, one of Japan's largest cell phone companies, recently developed a technology that would let your boss remotely monitor your every move.

The cornerstone of the monitoring system is deceptively simple: a cell phone equipped with an accelerometer. If your workplace decides to implement the device, one would input actions into the phone as you're doing them. That way, the device could accurately determine whether or not a movement corresponds to a purported action. For example, if your job is mopping the bathroom floor, but the accelerometer isn't detecting any movement (because you're taking a nap in the storage closet), your boss would know. As time goes on, and as you enter more actions, the system becomes more accurate. Therefore, after a few weeks, the office should run like a well-oiled machine.

As experienced office grunts, we're not too thrilled about this. After all, being lazy while making money is the American dream. [From: Asiajin, via: Fast Company]Filed under: Cell PhonesCell Phone Accelerometer System Alerts the Boss to Your Laziness originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

According to CNET News, a study appearing today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal claims that computer reminders, which doctors use while electronically charting and writing prescriptions for patients, don't improve the quality of health care as much as they were once expected to do. In 2008, Medicare even offered incentives for doctors to adopt and use e-prescriptions, but according to this review of 28 clinical trials, digital reminders improved the accuracy and reliability of medicine taking by a median of 4.2-percent. At best, the reminders improved accuracy and quality by a median of 5.6-percent, which the study's authors characterize as being "below thresholds for clinically significant improvements." The authors go on to say that these results make e-prescriptions nothing more than "an expensive exercise in trial and error."

We're not doctors, but it seems like any improvement is better than none -- especially in light of this CNET News report that suggests handwritten prescriptions are seven times more likely to result in an error. The study does note that one institution saw significant improvements with a "homegrown" system, which suggests the key is designing and implementing a regimen that's easy-to-use and accessible. [From: Canadian Medical Association Journal, via: CNET News]Filed under: ComputerseReminders Less Effective for Doctors Than Hoped, Study Finds originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

They might not have as high a profile as the Oscars, but Britain's first annual Google Street View Awards ceremony was held Monday. The Telegraph reports a panel of U.K. experts, selected by Google, and about 11,000 online participants voted a cobblestone road in York, called The Shambles, "Britain's Most Picturesque Street." "It has been the backdrop for many a jigsaw, chocolate box and railway poster and once you visit you will see why," shop owner Ian Addyman told the Telegraph.

The competition, intended to hype the many new locations added to the U.K. Street View, also included other award categories. Bath's Milsom Street won for "Best Fashion" and Hampshire's Stockbridge High Street came away with "Best Foodie Street." In return, these winning walks get a ton of free publicity (which business owners must love), and will be highlighted on Street View with special guides and point-of-interest markers. Google hasn't provided Street View links on the Awards announcement, but you can still browse the best of the digitized U.K. via the voting page. [From: Telegraph and Google]

Gallery: The Shambles on Google Street View.Filed under: Google, WebStreet View Awards Show Best of U.K. Without the Black Pudding originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

At an age when we were still playing with plastic toys, 10- and 11-year-old kids today are downloading games, sending text messages and surfing the Web with cell phones. After the communications fall-out of 9/11, many parents saw cell phone ownership as not just a priority, but a safety measure. Providers cashed in on family plans, and the nation took up talking and walking. Yet, now we have a generation who can't remember what it's like to dial.

According to the New York Times, a recent study (PDF link) from Mediamark Research and Intelligence found that the percentage of cell phone owners among kids aged 6 to 11 has doubled since 2005. According to the study, boys are to blame. While girls are still more likely to have a mobile device than boys, the gap between them closed in the last five years to 21.8-percent for girls and 18.3-percent for boys (it was twice as big in 2005). Overall, about 36-percent of kids in the previously mentioned age group own a cell phone. That's just staggering, since even the youngest among us didn't get our first cell phones until we could legally drive [Edit. Note: To be fair, back then, they were brick-like and made horrible noises when the call didn't go through].Continue reading Babies With BlackBerrys: Kids Increasingly Wielding Cell PhonesFiled under: Cell PhonesBabies With BlackBerrys: Kids Increasingly Wielding Cell Phones originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

When we think about a country retreat in England, we picture a small cottage surrounded by beautiful gardens and a moss-covered stone wall. But apparently, that's too idealistic and the real housing market is much more underground -- literally.

According to an Associated Press report posted on CBS News, an unnamed person bought a rural nuclear bunker Monday that was built during the Cold War. This shelter, located about 160 miles northwest of London, sold for $31,000 to an unidentified bidder, clearly hoping for the apocalypse so their investment doesn't go to pot. Built in 1959 by the Royal Observer Corps, it has two bedrooms, a telephone, a chemical toilet, and several air shafts that lead 15-feet up to the surface. Sounds cozy, right? We're assuming there's also plenty of shelf space for your favorite canned foods, which should help you survive until it's safe to return topside.Continue reading Cold War Bunker Goes for $31K on eBay, Resembles Post-Apocalyptic HellFiled under: eBay, WebCold War Bunker Goes for $31K on eBay, Resembles Post-Apocalyptic Hell originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

When a person goes missing, closure is one comfort that families seek. Unfortunately, it's not easy to solve a missing person case, but a new online database could change the process.

According to an Associated Press report, a government site called NamUs (Name Us) could help identify the 40,000 sets of unidentified remains in the U.S. -- if only law-enforcement agencies will get on board. Despite the fact that the site has helped to solve 16 missing person cases since last year, only about 1,100 of the country's nearly 17,000 law-enforcement agencies use the database.Continue reading 'NamUs' Site Crowdsources Missing Persons, But Lacks a CrowdFiled under: Web'NamUs' Site Crowdsources Missing Persons, But Lacks a Crowd originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hoping to be selected as test sites for Google's upcoming high-speed fiber network, many cities have launched weird viral campaigns. According to an Associated Press report, Google set the nomination deadline for March 26th, and will announce the winners by the end of the year.

Sascha Meinrath, director of the New America Foundation's Open Technology Initiative, told the AP that Google wants cities that are ready to hit the ground running. "They want a fast, easy rollout," he said. "They are really looking for a community that is fully bought into this." Judging by a few of the more interesting nominees that PC magazine found, that won't be a problem.Continue reading Cyber-Nerdy Cities Woo Google's Fiber-Optic Service With Viral CampaignsFiled under: Google, WebCyber-Nerdy Cities Woo Google's Fiber-Optic Service With Viral Campaigns originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

It's a foodie's dream come true: photos of delicious dishes from restaurants spanning the globe, and maps that lead you to them. Best of all, it's right at your fingertips.

'Foodspotting' is a new iPhone application and Web site that functions as a user-generated travel guide for people who enjoy eating. It's a simple yet wonderful concept that asks you to snap a photo of particularly good grub with your iPhone. Using the free app, you upload the pic, describe the dish, and tag its location. If other folks like it, they can "Nom It," or place the food on a "Want It" list for future consumption. You can also sort food listed on the site by most recently added, highest rated and most desired. The site is still pretty new, so there aren't as many dishes to browse as we'd like, but the site has the potential to become an incredible repository of "food porn."Continue reading 'Foodspotting' App Crowdsources Delicious Dishes From Around the GlobeFiled under: Cell Phones, iPhone'Foodspotting' App Crowdsources Delicious Dishes From Around the Globe originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

How far will a cell phone service provider go to get your money? Apparently, all the way to the grave. According to the St. Petersburg Times, Verizon wouldn't cancel Cynthia Lacy's father's contract after he died last year, even after she showed the company his death certificate.

Lacy didn't know her father's personal identification number (PIN), which promoted a Verizon customer service employee to tell her they couldn't shut down the account. Lacy explained the situation, including how she'd sent a copy of the death certificate. But the employee said there was nothing he or she could do without the PIN, and then had the poor taste to laugh before hanging up. What's worse, Lacy and her family couldn't settle her father's estate until this problem was resolved.Continue reading Verizon Bills Dead Customer, Requires PIN to Cancel AccountFiled under: Cell PhonesVerizon Bills Dead Customer, Requires PIN to Cancel Account originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

A toy that reads your brain waves to manipulate a foam ball sounds fun -- until said toy begins manipulating other things, too. Like your body's pain receptors. Doesn't sound too thrilling to us, but a few geeks apparently thought it'd be a great idea.

According to GeekoSystem, some folks at Harcos Laboratories took Mattel's Mindflex and hacked it to deliver a painful electric shock to the user. Strap the device on your head, and challenge yourself not to think -- not even a little bit. If your brain is a little active, you'll get a little shock. The more activity inside your head, the more intense of a shock you'll feel. If you're into this kind of thing, there's a step-by-step how-to on the Harcos blog. Attempt at your own risk. [From: GeekoSystem and Wired]Hacked Mattel Brain Toy Delivers Painful Electric Shocks for Thinking originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Last month, we delivered the somber news that Microsoft will discontinue Xbox LIVE support for its original console and games. Come mid April, you won't be able to play 'Halo 2' online anymore. Rather than going out kicking and screaming, you might as well quietly accept Microsoft's virtual olive branch.

According to Engadget, owners of the original Xbox console are eligible for a video game goodie bag. Here's a rundown of what you'll get: a free three-month Xbox LIVE Gold membership, 400 Microsoft Points, and an invite to test a beta version of the new game 'Halo: Reach.' It sure beats walking away empty handed. Plus, you don't even have to do anything to receive these perks. Microsoft will automatically extend your subscription, deposit the points into your account, and e-mail you instructions regarding the beta test. Of course, this is just Microsoft's way of sweetening up gamers so they'll buy an Xbox 360. But, if you're still playing the big black box, you're probably not opposed to bribes. [From: Engadget]Filed under: Video GamesAs Xbox LIVE Nears Death, Microsoft Gives Consolation Prizes to Loyalists originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

We've told you about a man auctioning his life on eBay, but what about the afterlife? The spirit has to be worth something, right? One New Zealand man is about to find out.

According to GeekoSystem, an unnamed man recently placed on the auction site Trade Me two vials supposedly containing ghosts and holy water. The seller claims the spirits were captured in July during an exorcism at his own house. He even goes so far as to describe the ghosts, writing on the auction page that one is a man named Les Graham who died in the house. The other, he claims, is the spirit of a little girl who "likes to move things and turn things on and off." Best of all, the spirits haven't reached their expiration dates yet. The seller says you can release the ghosts into your own house (although, we don't know why you would) by simply pouring the liquid into a dish and letting it evaporate.Continue reading Got Ghosts? Apparently, They May Be Auctionable OnlineFiled under: WebGot Ghosts? Apparently, They May Be Auctionable Online originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments