Switched On: Big kicks, not all for starters

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

The end of last week's Switched On left doubt for the future of dedicated devices that tread on the turf of smartphones. After all, funding is key to every major new product initiative and, despite the vast fortunes of many Silicon Valley engineers that have been accumulated via IPOs and acquisitions, few wish to take on the risk of fronting a new consumer device themselves.(In 2007, the handheld FlipStart PC was hatched from FlipStart Labs, funded by Vulcan Ventures, the investment arm of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.)

Most venture capitalists abhor the device business; it is a rare device that makes it to the spotlight of startup debutante balls such as DEMO, TechCrunch Disrupt, or Launch. Even most of the 94 companies at CES' Eureka Park were not developing end-user devices Where, then, can a device entrepreneur go for funding and pick up some publicity in the process?

Continue reading Switched On: Big kicks, not all for starters

Switched On: Big kicks, not all for starters originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lifetime?s 7 Days Of Sex Challenge Day 1: Anything Goes

Okay here we are, day one of Lifetime?s 7 Days of Sex Challenge. Honestly if it weren?t for this challenge we would not have done anything but sleep. It has been a long week. I had a week full of DR appointments and was in the hospital for slightly high blood pressure so they wanted to do non-stress test on the baby and I. Thankfully everything turned out okay and we were sent on our way. Still it was an exhausting week to say the least. This challenge encourages a week-long timeframe to really try and revitalize and rejuvenate your relationship and I think that it is a great idea for couples, not only ones having issues. It is all about staying connected and keeping your relationship strong, the sex is just the bonus. We definitely encourage you (YES you!!!!) to take the challenge with us and see how it improves your relationship! After a long week we used a giftcard to go to dinner out! It was a treat! We typically don?t do dinner out as we are trying to save for the new baby. Additionally, we rarely go on dates. After this week, we needed it. Call in [...]

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Sunday Links (Theagitator)

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Nestor Ramos: We call this boating? (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)

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Former aide questioned at John Edwards trial (CNN)

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The Original Google Phone Was Almost a Blackberry Clone [Android]

In the ongoing Google versus Oracle courtroom saga, new documents have emerged detailing an early prototype for an Android smartphone. These images and specs were presented to T-Mobile back in 2006. Thank god Google went back to the drawing board. More »

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Google Wallet up and running on T-Mobile Galaxy Nexus

Hear that? It's the sound of Google Wallet pennies clinking inside a Galaxy Nexus, despite the fact that we have a T-Mo SIM inserted. It previously only worked with AT&T. Although we downloaded the app from Google Play and got it up and running fine, we haven't actually paid for anything yet -- so let us know if you have any successful transactions!

[Thanks, @mobilehavoc]

Google Wallet up and running on T-Mobile Galaxy Nexus originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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18+ Million Users And 17+ Million Tracks Later, Leaked Spotify Recruitment Deck Offers Peek At First Sketch Of UI

Spotify has been busy as of late, launching brand apps, adding more social functionality through a partnership with Turntable.fm competitor Soundrop, overhauling its Android app, adding a Play button, and more.

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Jon Lovitz on Obama: What a F*%king A$$hole!

Jon Lovitz is apparently not a fan of President Obama.

The former Saturday Night Live star didn't exactly go Ted Nugent on Barack, but he did make some strong feelings known on his recent podcast, "The ABC's Of SNL."

In a clip first highlighted by Breitbart TV, Lovitz jokes that Obama is "a f--king a$$hole" for "saying the rich don't pay their taxes." Tell us how you really feel, Jon!

Jon Lovitz on Obama

The comedian went on to explain that Obama "is the perfect example" of what can go wrong with government: "He's amazing. He had nothing. He had no father."

"He was, you know, of mixed race which is a burden in the United, don't kid yourself, you know, growing up like that, and no money, and the guy ends up being at Harvard."

"He's the President of the United States. And now he's like, fuck me!"

"If I make a dollar and out of every dollar I'm taxed at 50, half, at 50 cents, I have to give, isn't that like enough?" asked Lovitz. He continued, "It's half. HALF?!"

It's unclear whether Lovitz's comments were sincere or in jest ... or a little of both. The rant occurred this January, though the podcast itself was just released.

Victoria Jackson is perhaps the President's most outspoken critic among SNL alumni, often calling Obama a communist. Yeah. Nothing in jest about that.

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