future

The 404 900: Where we have sweet dreams of rhythm and dancing (podcast)

Mark Licea transports us back to the '90s on today's 404 Podcast, which also happens to be our 900th episode! How appropriate that the penultimate episode would also fall on Jonathan Taylor Thomas' 30th birthday.

The '90s theme rolls through the show as Mark sings today's "Tang That Tune" music trivia segment, and we'll also reveal details about Nike's Back to the Future sneaker, as well as Rolling Stone's ranking of the worst songs of the '90s. We have a few selections of our own to add!

Finally, we spend a minute talking about a clever algorithm that helped arrange the names on the 9/11 memorial wall. The memorial planners hired a local media design firm to develop a network of names organized by interpersonal relationships.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The 404 Digest for Episode 900

An algorithm helped arrange the names on the 9/11 memorial. 9/11 memorial guide. No power laces = 100% fail; back to the best shoe Nike never made. Rolling Stone ranks the worst songs of the '90s. This matters: JTT reunites with "Home Improvement" cast to celebrate 30th birthday. Justin's Daily Bathroom Entertainment: dog loop.

Episode 900 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

More details on Nike's Marty McFly-inspired shoes

Last night we reported on a exclusive Nike press conference taking place in West Covina, Calif., and the company just confirmed the future is now: Marty McFly's signature shoe from the "Back to the Future" series, code-named the Nike Air Mag, will become a reality starting tonight at 8:30 p.m. PT.

The Air Mag shoes are a near identical replica to the original models worn by Michael J. Fox in the sequel to "Back to the Future," and represent the first pair of rechargeable sneakers from Nike.

Consistency with the original design exists … Read more

The 404 899: Where we take you to school (podcast)

Wilson begins this episode of The 404 Podcast with a few words of encouragement to our young listeners starting their first day of school today.

Unsurprisingly, Mr. Tang excelled in all his classes and never once printed a cheat sheet on a Coke-bottle wrapper--unfortunately Jeff and I can't say the same for our own salad days. Anyone know how to calculate the area of a triangle?

Aside from recalling our high-school days, today's show rundown kicks off with Nike's announcement of the long-awaited shoes from "Back To the Future II." Nike's head designer Tinker Hatfield invited members of the press to a big announcement that's likely to coincide with this preview trailer showing Marty McFly's closet full of Air Mag 2015s. Power laces and light-up soles!

We'll also break news about a partnership between Google and Zagat's (rhymes with "da cat") Restaurant Guide, shed some light on reports about Netflix capping multiple streams, and you'll also find out how you can rent the studio set from the Conan O'Brien late-night show!

The 404 Digest for Episode 899

It's about time: Nike goes "Back to the Future." Conan writers put studio up on AirBnB. Scan shows what the right 3DS thumb stick add-on might look like. Google buys Zagat, in original-content gambit. Video voice mail from David showing a retro pinball arcade.

Video voice mail from Tessa and Matt on a backpacking trip in the Sierras. Justin's Daily Bathroom Break Video: Going to the Store: Normal Guy, Normal Walk.

Episode 899 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

It's about time: Nike sneakers go back to the future

Twenty-two years years after their onscreen debut, Nike is set to finally release the Air Mag 2015 sneakers Marty McFly wore in "Back to the Future II." A few lucky sneakerheads just received an invite to a Nike event scheduled for tomorrow in West Hollywood, Calif., where Nike's head designer Tinker Hatfield will announce the shoe. And yes--it will have power laces.

Nike sent a box of goodies over to the lucky folks at HighSnobiety and NiceKicks to drum up excitement for the announcement, and it's working. Inside they found an iPod shuffle with a message from Dr. Emmett Brown, a preserved bottle of Pepsi from 1985, and a replica pair of the Doc's metal shield glasses.

Last year, Nike patented an early design for a light-up shoe operating on built-in batteries that would also automatically fasten the strap into place. Most speculated that Nike would stick with the "Back to the Future" story arc and keep the original release to 2015, but they may arrive fashionably early.

This trailer showing Marty McFly's closet popped up yesterday and gives a preview of the Air Mag 2015. More pictures of the promotional invite goodies after the jump.… Read more

Pink Panther auto and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang replica headed for online auction Sept. 4

The original Pink Panther car and a replica of the "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" car will be featured in an online auction from from a U.K. auction house beginning at noon on Sept. 4, and running through 1 p.m Oct. 14.

The Panthermobile was created for "The Pink Panther Show," which ran from 1969 to 1976 on NBC.

According to auction house, Robson Kay, the car was the brainchild of Hollywood designer Jay Ohrberg, who is best known for creating memorable small- and big-screen vehicles such as K.I.T.T. from "Knight … Read more

What could Apple look like three years from now?

Editor's note: This story was co-written by CNET staffers Donald Bell, Greg Sandoval, Josh Lowensohn, Kent German, and Scott Stein.

Most Apple watchers figure very little will change at Steve Jobs' company over the next few years. There's plenty of product plans in the works and his executive team--with a few exceptions--looks set for the next few years.

The real question is what happens after that, when the plans that will be made without Jobs in Apple's corner office begin to bear fruit, or languish.

The company, which has grown to become the second-most valuable in the … Read more

With Jobs out, what else will change at Apple?

Even if the company has been reluctant to discuss it and outsiders have a hard time imagining it, it's clear Apple has been preparing for a day when Steve Jobs would no longer be chief executive.

Since rejoining the company as part of Apple's acquisition of NeXT in 1996, Jobs has played a pivotal role in its turnaround from a company with an army of clone computers on the brink of bankruptcy to the second-most valuable in the world with gadgets people wait outside stores days to get. He's also been the company's chief spokesperson at … Read more

Apple: Samsung request for iPad 3, iPhone 5 is harassment

It was easy to predict that Samsung's request to see early copies of Apple products as part of an ongoing legal dispute between the two companies wouldn't go over well with Apple.

Apple finally responded to Samsung's late May request to see the "final, commercial version(s)" of the "iPhone 4S," "iPhone 5," "iPad 3," "third-generation iPad," and their retail packaging. Yesterday, Apple filed a motion in the District Court for the Northern District of California asking the judge to deny Samsung's request.

The reason? Samsung'… Read more

The transparent Airbus powered by your body heat

Some people believe the future is something to look forward to. And, indeed, there is some evidence that, for a small number of people--especially those who work at Facebook--that might well be true.

However, there are certain aspects of futuristic technology that might make you blanch a little over as you contemplate the difference between what you are now and what you might become.

For example, Airbus has today been in London presenting some of its more advanced dreamings about the future of air travel. They seem to revolve around a plane that has a see-through fuselage, no first class, … Read more

Wayne State University to compete in EcoCar 2

A team of engineering students from Wayne State University has been chosen to participate in EcoCar 2: Plugging in to the Future. WSU is the only university from Michigan to participate in the three-year program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors.

Sixteen collegiate teams from across the U.S. and Canada will explore new ways to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles without diminishing performance or compromising safety.

Challengers "will use a Chevrolet Malibu donated by General Motors as the integration platform for their advanced vehicle design," says a WSU statement.… Read more