podcast

Dialed In No. 218: The final episode

It's so hard to say goodbye...but goodbye we must say. For CNET's Final Episode of Dialed In, we get the band back together, old guard and new. Bonnie and Nicole reminisce about old days when Dialed In was audio-only and they had to wrestle with the sound controls. Meanwhile, Brian recounts his clairvoyance, Lynn sets the record straight, and Kent keeps it real -- like, really real. I fulfill a final request, and nearly dent my thumb doing so.

And of course, we bring you CNET's review of the HTC One X and news about the … Read more

CNET Labscast 22: Too-big ultrabooks and best iPad 3 cases

Joining us this week is David Carnoy, who brings a collection of his favorite iPad 3 cases to show off. We also get hands-on with a too-big ultrabook, and debate the future of this once-promising new category.

Best iPad 3 cases and covers. Samsung Series 5 Ultrabook.

Read more

The 404 1,019: Where we're moving right along (podcast)

Why are gay men worth more to advertisers on Facebook? We'll begin today's show with a story on PC Pro that clarifies how social networks sell your information as part of a package demographic that advertisers can use to target specific markets.

We'll also highlight the similarities between Android phones and condoms, notably the criteria they share for nomenclature that includes seven characteristics -- "distinctive," "short," "appropriate," "easy to spell and pronounce," "likable," "extendable," and "protectable."

Other stories of the day include a high school senior getting expelled for dropping several F-words in a Twitter post supposedly crafted on campus, HBO Go hitting Xbox Live tomorrow, another chapter in the "Ninja Turtles" saga, and The Weinstein Company refusing the MPAA's R Rating for the movie "Bully."… Read more

The 404 1,018: Where we get all our ducks in a row (podcast)

Apple products are mostly used by younger generations, but the company should still recognize the dangers of "high-tech modern architecture." Such is the plea of 83-year-old Evelyn Paswall, a New Yorker taking Apple to court for $1 million after walking face first into the glass door entrance to the Long Island Apple store.

Does her case hold water, and should Apple continue to use ugly white tape to let people know glass is a real thing? We'll talk about this story and more on today's episode of The 404.… Read more

Dialed In No. 217: It's now or never for Windows Phone (podcast)

First, the bad news. Saying goodbye to this weekly Dialed In podcast isn't something that any of us expected to do for some time, but it's true: this week marks the second-to-last episode of CNET's cell phone podcast, and of most of CNET's podcasts in general, save the hilarious 404 with Jeff Bakalar and Justin Yu.

CNET is taking a new direction with our video programming. We're going to collectively try out new formats and styles, including an exciting new show that Molly Wood is producing, called Always On. In the meantime, Brian, Lynn, and … Read more

Deck: An iPad music app for people with big fingers

iPad users challenged by the Music app's tiny controls may appreciate an alternative audio player dubbed Deck.

Selling for $1.99 in the Apple Store, Deck provides a large interface with simple features and big controls so you don't need to struggle to manage and play your favorite music. I've been using the app frequently since Apple -- in my opinion -- screwed up the tablet's Music app with iOS 5.

Launching Deck displays its hefty audio player with all the standard buttons--Play, Pause, Back, Forward, Volume, and more. You tap on the Menu button to … Read more

Dialed In #216, Special Edition: All about ETFs (podcast)

Early-termination fees got you down? ETFs are fees that phone carriers charge customers in case they want to cancel their contracts early. Agreements usually last two years, but if you want to leave a carrier before then, the company uses ETFs as a way to recuperate money from selling you a subsidized phone. Some argue, however, that these fees are grossly expensive and exploitative. Our main advice is to read the terms of your agreement carefully and drum up a lot of attention with your carrier if things aren't going exactly the way you think they should be. For … Read more

The 404 1,014: Where look what you did you little jerk (podcast)

Bridget Carey makes a full recovery from her trip to Austin, Texas, for SXSW 2012 and joins us on today's show to recap her first experience.

We'll also dive further into Michael Bay's plans for the next live-action reboot of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie and investigate the growing trend of companies asking potential employees for their Facebook usernames and passwords.… Read more

CNET Labscast 21: iPad 3 hands-on, big ultrabooks, and an 80-inch TV

Big week, or at least big gadgets and gear, on the CNET Labscast. Forget about tiny 13-inch ultrabooks, now these slim laptops are moving into 14- and 15-inch territory, and we've got a couple of examples to pass around the room. Then Ty talks up his latest acquisition, a massive 80-inch Sharp LCD TV. It's awesome for sports (or "sport" as Ty puts it), but you can't make an 80-inch LCD for $5,000 without cutting a few corners.

But before all that, we've got the new iPad 3 (yes, that's what we're calling it), and a very eye-opening comparison of text blown up on both that and the iPad 2--be warned, it's the kind of thing you can't un-see.

Read more

Dialed In #215: The agony and ecstasy of Mike Daisey (podcast)

Actor Mike Daisey's one-man show on his depiction of deplorable working conditions at Apple's iPhone factory took a sharp turn when Daisey's "facts" were revealed as partial fiction. It isn't just Daisey's shaky credibility that's on the line, nor the news outlets that publicized his work as first-hand source material--CNET included--but also the message he's worked so hard to drive home.

We also take a closer look at the benefits of unlimited data--or not--and check out one of the most intense workout accessories that does more than just play your music … Read more