wake

The 404 407: Where we pack Vienna Teng's lunch into the PS3 Slim box

On today's show, we've got Vienna Teng--singer, pianist, and former computer programmer. But before we get to her music, we have the PS3 Slim in the studio. Afterward, we talk to Vienna about her journey from software engineer at Cisco to touring musician.

At the top of the show, we do a little unboxing of the new PlayStation 3 Slim. While Vienna and Justin may not care too much about the game console, Jeff and Wilson don't particularly like its new finish. In almost all respects, however, it functions just like the original 80GB model that it replaces, plus it comes with a 120GB hard drive. (No Linux for those homebrew fans out there.)

The star of the show is Vienna, a singer, songwriter, and pianist from the San Francisco Bay Area who graduated from Stanford University. Vienna later took up a job at Cisco as a computer programmer and made the leap to musician during her time there. We end the first half of the show with a track from her first album "Waking Hour," called "Gravity." The song is about the ups and downs of her roommate's relationship.

On the second half of the show, we listen to her song "Radio" from her current album "Inland Territory." And we talk about how now one in four songs sold in the United States is through iTunes. Finally, we end the show with her song "Augustine." You can find her music on iTunes, Amazon, MySpace, Last.fm, and her own Web site. (Editor's note: Last.fm is a part of CBS Interactive, which also publishes CNET.)

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Microsoft E3 2009 press conference: The games

The Microsoft press conference at E3 2009 offered a detailed glimpse into the Xbox 360's video game line up for the rest of 2009 and into 2010 as well. Things started off with a giant Beatles Rock Band introduction climaxing with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr appearing on stage.

Tony Hawk then helped show off the new skateboard controller to be used with Tony Hawk Ride, a new game that abandons the conventional control scheme. Players can use the board to kick, turn, and do grab tricks.

Next, Infinity Ward premiered a snow-covered level of the highly anticipated Modern Warfare 2 (see: Call of Duty) with dazzling graphics and intense action game play.

A very brief combat scene from Final Fantasy XIII was on display, officially removing console exclusivity from the Sony PlayStation 3. This debut wrapped up the multiplatform games that are going to be available for the Xbox 360. In a refreshing change of pace, it was announced that all games shown off from here on out will be available exclusively on the Xbox 360.

Kicking off these titles was the DLC (downloadable content) game Shadow Complex from developer Epic Games (Gears of War)--an action/exploration game very much in the vein of the original Metroid and Castlevania series.

Joy Ride will allow you to race as your Xbox Live Avatar with friends online. The free DLC title looks a lot like a Mario Kart inspired racer where you'll be able to purchase additional tracks for use with friends as well.

The follow up to the open world over-the-top crime-fighting title Crackdown has gotten a sequel in the form of Crackdown 2. Zombie apocalypse fans will be happy to hear that Left4Dead 2 will see the light of day this November.… Read more

The 404 247: Where Wicker Hollow is stuck in the Lincoln Tunnel

Back by popular demand, Wicker Hollow is in the studio with us today on The 404. Chris Leone and Chris Sparta join us to talk about their new album, "Wake Up Call," in stores and online December 20. Make sure you call into the show for a chance to win free tickets to their CD release party December 20 at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey.

Justin Yu is gone for the rest of 2008, so now we can finally get some stuff done. That includes talking to the Wicker Hollow guys about a recent controversial Saturday Night Live skit, George W. Bush's ability to dodge shoes, N.J. marijuana laws, and what it's like playing in a punk rock band.

Editor in Chief Libe Goad from AOL's Gamedaily.com will join us tomorrow to talk about all things gaming, so make sure you tune in for that one.

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Gadgettes 100: The 100th Episode!

One hundred action packed episodes of Gadgettes! We recap the history of our segments in this week's episode. And who's that special guest knocking at the door? Listen and find out! Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 100

PinkWatch Sanyo Xacti DMX-HD800 camcorder offers palm-size HD shooting for $468 http://dvice.com/archives/2008/07/sanyo_xacti_dmx.php

Samsung thinks patronizing women will get us into tech; Engadget agrees http://www.popgadget.net/2008/07/samsung_thinks.php

Hot Asian Gadget Audio slave: Gadget nut turns Pikachu into a ‘musical’ instrument http://dvice.com/archives/2008/07/audio_slave_gad.phpRead more

A rude awakening behind the wheel

It's been months since we heard about scientists researching a car seat that would detect when a driver is getting sleepy, but there's still no word that it'll ever become reality. So until then, we're stuck with intravenous supplies of caffeine and other, more rudimentary technologies to keep us awake behind the wheel.

On that front, companies are taking small steps to refine wearable alarms that will scream your ears off if your head begins to bob in slumber-like fashion. The "Anti-Sleep Driving Alarm," for example, is smaller than previous models and can be … Read more

Alarm clock blues

It's 6:20 a.m. "Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Slam." Sleep in peace for 9 more minutes, then repeat.

There has to be a more humane way to wake up. My snoozing habits drive my husband crazy, and unexpected power outages have ruined my morning ritual more than once.

I tried waking up to Howard Stern's radio show years ago, figuring that it'd definitely wake me up because the stuff he says would never naturally make its way into my early-morning dreams. When it eventually did, I went back to the traditional jarring beeps. … Read more

How to stay awake and not look like a borg

There are many technologies either on the market or being developed that are meant to keep us from falling asleep at the desk or behind the wheel (or even more embarrassing circumstances that we dare not speculate). But this one, unlike some of the others, doesn't look like a Groucho disguise or a steel plate sticking out of your head. The "Wake-Up Angel" appears to be going for the hearing-aide look with an over-the-ear design.

As with other products, it can be set to vibrate your awake depending on the angle you choose, according to GeekAlerts. Personally, … Read more

Save money while just after you sleep!

Imagine, if you will, this conversation between members of a product development team: "Man, waking up is hard."

"You know what else is hard? Saving money."

"We should make something that will help us do both at the same time!"

Maybe it never happened, but it's the only way we could explain the Banclock, an attractive, cube-shaped alarm clock that requires you to deposit change to turn off the alarm--no snooze, no off button, no wimps need purchase. (Though if your pockets are empty after playing too much pinball the night before, the … Read more