black eyed peas

The 404 858: Where dreams really do come true (podcast)

News of the Black Eyed Peas' hiatus proves that if you wish for something long enough, dreams really do come true. On today's episode, Jeff tells us about the long-awaited intersection of tech geekdom and hockey, we analyze WebMD's involvement in the spread of "cyberchondria," and we dispute a Dutch study that claims smoking marijuana makes you a better gamer.

The 404 Digest for Episode 858

Geekdom and hockey collide: The campaign for NHL player Mike Commodore to wear No. 64. The Black Eyed Peas go on hiatus; Jeff celebrates. WebMD reports: Internet makes hypochondria worse. Does marijuana make you a better gamer? Jeff's Cute Animal Video of the Week, starring a street-crossing sloth. Mitch B's custom 404 iPhone case and BodyGuardz iPad case!

Episode 858 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Ubisoft pumps Black Eyed Peas for Wii, Kinect

Some things are certain in life, like death, taxes, and hearing the Black Eyed Peas pretty much every time you turn on the radio. Now, unsurprisingly, the inescapable quartet is getting its own video game.

After launching a string of successful music-oriented titles such as Just Dance and Michael Jackson: The Experience, Ubisoft has announced the Black Eyed Peas Experience for Wii and Kinect for Xbox 360. The upcoming game will put players alongside will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, and Fergie to deliver songs such as "Boom, Boom, Pow," "Rock That Body," and "Let's Get It Started."

The Hollywood Reporter notes that Ubisoft studios in Quebec and Paris are working on the Wii version based on Just Dance, in which players hold the Wiimote controller and imitate dance moves onscreen. The Kinect equivalent, which will enable gamers to create an onstage avatar and dance using their body movements, is under development by Japanese video game developer iNiS (known for the Lips franchise). Both versions will give vocalists the chance to sing while lyrics scroll onscreen. … Read more

The 404 837: Where what have trees ever done for me? (podcast)

We're thinking about replacing Jeff with Joey Kaminski on a permanent basis. This is the third and final show with our guest host, and we're wrapping up the week with the final word on Weinergate, Facebook's new facial recognition and Happening Now tools, a drug that erases bad memories, and Will.I.Am.Forgetting.Lyrics.

The 404 Digest for Episode 837

Facebook quietly rolls out new facial recognition tool. Facebook testing real-time "happening now" feed. New drug can erase bad memories. Tennessee bans posting "offensive" images online. Will.I.Am forgets his lyrics, reads them off cell phone.

Episode 837 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

The 404 752: Where Eminem clearly needs more money (podcast)

Millions of sports fans gathered around the TV yesterday to watch the "Big Game," and it's hard to believe that another Puppy Bowl has come and gone. Just kidding, if there's one thing we learned from Super Bowl XLV, it's that brand endorsements are ruining the illusion for celebrities like Eminem and Kim Kardashian who would have us believe that they drive Chrysler minivans and wear Skechers Shapeups.

We're wrapping up the winners and losers of the Super Bowl on today's episode of The 404 Podcast, and the winner for lowest blow is a tie between Groupon and Christina Aguilera.

Groupon took a page from Kenneth Cole PR (context) and pulled a "too soon" with an ad exploiting the tragedy in Tibet, while Christina Aguilera changed the lyrics to the National Anthem into a song about vampires squeezing juice from citrus fruits.

I'll leave it to Jeff to do his own reaming on the Black Eyed Peas half-time show before we move onto the most important part of the game: the commercials!

We all agree that for better or worse, this year's commercials stood out from years past, and our favorites include Volkswagen's Darth Vader spoof, Chevy's Camaro ad featuring Bumblebee from the "Transformers," and Doritos and Bud Light touched our hearts with animals doing human things.

There were also a ton of movie trailers that blew up our skirt, so tune into today's show to hear more of our thoughts on "Super 8," "Captain America," the Lingerie Bowl, and Angry Birds in real life!

Episode 752 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Will.i.am riffs on BlackBerry, music distribution

It's easy to dismiss a celebrity product endorsement as an empty money grab, but not so when the celeb is Black Eyed Pea's front man Will.i.am and the product is his BlackBerry. When speaking about his phone there seems to be an honest affinity between the man and the brand, a relationship he plans to capitalize on as a means to communicate directly with his audience.

"I've been using them since the very beginning; I'm a BlackBerry fan-fan," Will.i.am said.

At one time this may have meant Will.i.am … Read more

The 404 568: Where we have a warrant for your arrest (podcast)

Gizmodo's story of the lost iPhone just got a little too real, with San Mateo County police raiding Gizmodo editor Jason Chen's Fremont, Calif., home in search of any information surrounding the acquisition of the 4G prototype.

According to an account by Chen, the police used a search warrant to visit his home while Jason was away and immediately searched him for "weapons or sharp objects" upon his arrival.

After finding what we can only assume to be some change and maybe a couple of USB keys, the cops confiscated several of Chen's computers and servers in a bold move that Lucy Dalgish, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press describes as "an incredibly clear violation of state and federal law."

With Gizmodo facing criminal investigation and possible felony charges, all of a sudden Gray Powell's fumble doesn't seem that bad!

Apple is facing its own charges in a class action lawsuit over the iPhone's Liquid Submersion Indicators. Charlene Gallion's iPhone stopped working after a year of ownership, but Apple Geniuses denied her a new phone on the grounds that Apple's warranty policy doesn't cover the phone if the liquid sensor is triggered.

An independent test shows that the external indicator can easily turn colors with moisture from sweat or even weather changes, yet still no word on whether the "mystery liquid" that drowned my old iPhone 3G is covered.

There are plenty more stories to get to on today's episode--listen to find out exactly what goes into a Fat Cat Sandwich, how we plan to streamline the theatergoing experience, and why the Black Eyed Peas are still relevant today!

EPISODE 568 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Microsoft employees assault customers (with a dance)

Spontaneity doesn't come naturally to everyone. Neither is it welcomed by everyone.

So please imagine how those who visited the new Microsoft store in Mission Viejo, Calif., a few days back must have felt when store employees suddenly decided to drop their trousers, wave their Zunes in the air, and sing a couple of Maria Callas' greatest hits.

No, it really wasn't quite like that. However, I feel sure that one or two people might have preferred the trouser-dropping and Zune-waving over the spectacle that actually occurred.

As the Black Eyed Peas were forced to propel some of … Read more

Crunch gyms use satellite technology to re-create Groundhog Day.

Everyone has their own way of dealing with extraneous flesh and respiratory deterioration.

Some control their diet with the rigor of Reese Witherspoon and go for long walks, waving their arms around like angry spouses. (Which many of them appear to be.) Others staple their stomachs like a two-page letter from a lawyer. And there are those of us who go to gyms, where at least one can bike, read a book and laugh (inwardly, of course) at the progress of leotard design.

I choose to exercise at one of the amiable horse boxes in the stable of Crunch gyms.… Read more