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The 404 Podcast 486: Where Bonnie is not Nicole

Bonnie Cha, senior editor for cell phones, joins the show today to fill in for Justin Yu. It's one of the few days Wilson and Jeff aren't worried about losing their jobs for something they shouldn't have said. And no, she is NOT Nicole Lee. What better day to have Ms. Cha on the show than following the weekend that the actual Google phone leaks!

The Google phone has been rumored for the last three or four years, and since the release of Google's Android operating system, the hoopla has died down considerably for an actual Google-branded phone. In typical Google fare, the company has decided on screwing its partners like Verizon and Motorola over by releasing an unsubsidized GSM phone called the Nexus One. No word yet on how much the unit will cost, but we do know that HTC designed the device. And that Google employees got the units over the weekend. Word on the street is that the device runs Android OS 2.1.

The mobile space is where all the spice is these days, and today is no different. News comes out that the venerable institution that is Playboy is jumping into the iPhone app fray with its own app. Because of Steve Jobs' no-porn rule, however, the app won't come with any outright nude pics. It will come with some scantily clad ladies and their interests. Per usual, it's all about the articles, not the pics.

In videogaming news, the Pentagon is buying up 2,200 PlayStation 3s. No, they aren't using it to train soldiers with "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2", while it may be a lot of fun. The military wants to use the gaming consoles to run simulations because the $299 machines can calculate 150 GFLOPS. At The 404, we really have no idea what that means, but it sounds impressive.

Finally, Green Day comes to Rock Band. The Beatles have come already, and while we're generally excited to have one of the best modern bands, we're not really excited to have every dude singing "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" at every single graduation party. This could be a very, very bad thing.

EPISODE 486 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

The 404 443: Where what's done is done, the future is now

Wilson and I both saw that new movie "Paranormal Activity" over the weekend, and although it's being touted as the new Exorcist, we both think it's more like an uncreative, boring version of The Blair Witch Project. Lots of build-up and suspense for a pretty vanilla ending, but I'm not sure what we expected out of a $10K movie. Maybe we've all just been completely spoiled by blockbusters like Roland Emmerch's upcoming disaster movie, 2012. Jeff's not a huge fan, per usual, but watch this insane clip and TRY NOT TO PANIC.

We've seen and played with our fair share of ridiculous iPhone apps before, but the new Puff! app is the latest Japanese game that might raise some flags...amongst other things. Dancing the line between SFW and not, the program allows you to literally blow up the skirts of women, a la Marilyn Monroe. The app uses the iPhone's microphone to sense the virtual gust of wind that "gives the onscreen character a brief moment of embarrassment."

Speaking of inappropriate things, Marge Simpson just scored the cover of Playboy Magazine. In what seems like the worst business plan ever, the November version of the popular men's magazine will feature a 3-page pictorial with "implied nudity..." we're not even sure what that means, but we can't imagine hordes of teenagers flocking to the nearest liquor store to pick up this issue. Besides, we would rather see Lois Griffin on the cover...no offense, Margie.

EPISODE 43 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video

Video coming soon, check back later today!… Read more

The 404 346: Where Anna David wonders if you can be Bought

Journalist and author Anna David comes on the show to give us a glimpse into the world of high-class escorts as featured in her new book, "Bought." Wilson uses this opportunity to solicit tips on how to obtain one of these (books), and we dig deep into Anna's experience researching the topic. It's getting foggy in here.

Today's show is all about Anna, a well-established journalist and sex/relationship expert whose second book tells the story of a tepid journalist who gets slapped with an assignment to explore the steamy underbelly of high-class glitterati and … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 936: Natali blushes, Molly rants

Playboy opens up its back catalog of magazines to the Internet for free, and we're all at a loss of words. Tread lightly, buzz brigade. Also, IE8 users are downgrading to IE7 after only one weekend of use. Something smells Vista-ee in here.

Listen now: Download today's podcast Episode 936

Someone pays: Sony charges publishers for PS3 bandwidth http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/03/someone-pays-sony-charges-publishers-for-ps3-bandwidth.ars

IE 8 users downgrading to IE 7 http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/browsers/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=216200082&subSection=News

Kindle firmware update http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10200969-1.html

Skype … Read more

The 404 304: Where this is the show that's caused global warming

MTI (also known as Mark Licea) joins the show today to replace Justin Yu, who's on vacation to Boston. We cover everything under the typical 404-sun: strippers, Playboy, Mexican-Korean truck food, Twitter, and Sweet Lou Bakalar.

Every one knows that the economy is in the tank. For a lot of people out there, that means spending hours every day listening to past episodes of the 404. For some it means that instead of using that Harvard degree, they are using the assets their momma gave them. In related news, Playboy has posted its entire back catalog online. Warning: This is totally NSFW. You can check out all the previous back issues of Playboy magazine online with a Silverlight-enabled browser.

Also, last Friday was the final broadcast of the landmark series Battlestar Galactica. Wilson, being the only fan of the show on The 404, has plenty to say--most of which seems to bore the hell out of Jeff and MTI. The show will be missed, and while the finale hit most of the right marks, there were a few things that gave plenty of pause--like the second ending. Check it out on iTunes or Hulu. Promise you're going to love Number Six in a red dress.

There's a food truck in Los Angeles driving around, Twittering, and making Korean-Mexican tacos? Finally, Sweet Lou Bakalar, Jeff's father, gives us his insight on the current state of texting and television buying. Stay tuned tomorrow for Eric Franklin!

Episode 304 Download today's podcast | Subscribe in iTunes | Subscribe in RSS… Read more

The 404 244: Where we're knee deep in Heavy & Flo

Today's show features a new recurring guest segment featuring our two favorite ladies, codenamed Heavy and Flo! They'll join us once a month to bring a very refreshing female presence to this bromance. We're testing their ability to keep up with the dudes, and they pass with flying colors, discussing stories like Bill Murray's spot-on Bruce Wayne impression, Indiana's strict driver's license rules, Heavy's visit to the Playboy mansion, and Rock Band's foray into the Country music scene.

Last week, the dudes and I realized one glaring downfall to our show: all … Read more

The 404 208: Where you make us feel less than men

Just another Friday here at CNET, which apparently means we talk about drugs and porn. Justin recounts his tales of chivalrous battle with house mice (TIP: He used peanut butter not cheese). Also, Playboy pulls out of the DVD business, changing the face of the adult film industry forever and those anti-drug ads don't actually work. Stick around for a special guest caller in the show's second half.

Dan the Mantern here. One of today's stories is about preparations for Halloween safety in Annapolis, Maryland, which apparently has an inordinate number of child molesters. In order to protect Trick or Treaters, signs were mailed out to the homes of sex offenders that say: "No candy at this house." They will be required to post it on their front doors. I understand the message being sent out here, but look at the sign. It's a Jack-0-Lantern... Kind of sending a mixed message here. Kids see carved pumpkin and think Halloween, costumes, and candy corn, not "KEEP OUT." Epic fail, Annapolis Police Department, epic fail.

Tune in on Monday to catch Internet celeb Dan Ackerman talking about his new album and how many hours he's already spent with an advanced copy FALLOUT 3!

EPISODE 208 Download today's podcast … Read more

The 404 193: Where we prune the hedges of many small villages

Rana Sobhany of Medialets joins the show today for a riveting discussion of Sarah Palin centerfolds, Disney attack dogs, push up jocks and why women love Shia LeBeouf. Also, the death knells of Muxtape give way to a new music site, the future of IP addresses and, of course, your weekend box office. And yes, Sen. McCain apologized for missing the show yesterday, he was in a serious make-up session before the big debate. Wouldn't want to look too much like Emperor Palpatine, now would we?

Dan the Mantern here. My favorite story of the day, besides Justin's report on his first ever hockey game last night, concerns a mysterious package of hot dogs. Apparently, a package wrapped in duct tape was located outside Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Police evacuated the stadium and, even after discovering the innocuous contents of the package, decided to detonate those red hots. A mist of charred beef smell immediately shrouded the city. Really? You're gonna waste a bomb on a pack of hot dogs? Couldn't they have just called in champion hot dog eater Takeru Kobayashi, he can swallow like 20 dogs every ten seconds. Even better, they could have airlifted a local Boy Scout troop to the scene for a good ol' fashioned weenie roast.

EPISODE 193 Download today's podcast … Read more

New TV show: Temptation gadget island

You thought it was bad getting tossed aside for another woman? Try getting rejected for an MP3 player.

A new dating series based on the notion that "boys love their toys" will pit girls against gadgets in an attempt to answer that age-old question: hottie or hot HDTV? In a twist on the reality TV staple For Love or Money, Playboy TV's Gadget or the Girl will make contestants choose between a weekend getaway with a girl of their choice or a surprise high-tech toy.

The gear will range from a 60-inch plasma TV to an arcade … Read more

The 404 108: Where Caroline McCarthy loves to Tumble

Veteran 404 guest Caroline McCarthy of News.com makes a guest appearance on today's borderline indecent show. We touch on Hello Kitty fetishism, Pork and Beans, Reggie Love, the perils of softcore Youtube porn, and our secret pickup tactics. This episode is rated R, recommended for adults and pubescent adolescents alike. EPISODE 108 Download today's podcast