AOL Launches Consumer Tech News Site, Switched.com.

Site Provides Consumer-Friendly Technology News and Information, Advice and Celebrity Interviews

DULLES, Va. -- AOL today announced it has launched the newest consumer electronics site, Switched.com ( http://switched.com ). Part of AOL News ( http://news.aol.com ), Switched.com provides breaking news, gossip, buying guides and advice about cell phones, digital cameras, music players, computers, games and more. The site also offers celebrity interviews, editor's picks and other features, all delivered in a consumer-friendly blog format.

"We realized there were plenty of sites targeting hard-core technology users, but none existed that cut through industry jargon to serve the average consumer," said Lewis D'Vorkin, Senior Vice President, AOL[R] News & Sports. "Switched.com provides users with basic gadget news they need to navigate the 'wired' and 'unwired' world and delivers compelling content to mainstream consumers."

In addition to breaking tech news and gossip, Switched.com has regular features that help the average consumer navigate the gadget world, including:

* Just Tell Me What to Get - Readers write in with a particular request (e.g., best camera under $200; flat-panel TV for under $800) and editors describe, in fewer than 300 words, the exact model to buy.

* Hype Check - Explains whether a much-talked-about or anticipated technology is worth the hype.

* The Switched Questionnaire .- Celebrities answer 12 questions about how they use technology and gadgets, such as "BlackBerry[R], Sidekick, or Treo[TM]?" "What's your first stop on the Web?" and "Who's the last person you texted?"

* Tech Q&A - Readers send in questions related to specific products or technology inquires and the Switched.com editors provide easy-to-understand answers.

* Celebrity Slideshows - Pictures of stars with specific gadgets. "Celebrity BlackBerry Addicts," for example, features everyone from Lindsay Lohan to Victoria Beckham typing away on their BlackBerry devices.

* Editor's Picks - Editors select the top tech feature in a particular week, from downloadable software, books about technology, new online/mobile services, and more.

The site also provides an opportunity for advertisers to reach consumers through sponsorships of seasonal and special editorial features.

About AOL

AOL[R] is a global Web services company that operates some of the most popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software and services, runs one of the country's largest Internet access businesses, and provides a full set of advertising solutions. A majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AOL LLC is based in Dulles, Virginia. AOL and its subsidiaries also have operations in Europe, Canada and Asia. Learn more at AOL.com.