charlie sheen

The 404 983: Where we keep the change (podcast)

The saddest part of the rumor about celebrities getting paid thousands of dollars to send corporate-sponsored Tweets is that it's true.

It started with Internship.com paying Charlie Sheen $50,000 to solicit "Tiger Blood" interns, and today we're exploring the number of ways celebrities make money on the side.

We'll also talk about presidential campaigns embracing modern technology, starting with Romney's crew using Square hardware to grab donations and votes.

We'll also pick at the reasons why Obama and Google strategically ignored the most-voted question from yesterday's YouTube campaign q&a. Plenty of time to talk about late-night snacks, but what about the 4,500 users who have legitimate health concerns?… Read more

Britney Spears first to hit a million followers on Google+

Britney Spears today became the first person with a million followers on Google+, a milestone worth noting, even if hasn't generated the kind of buzz that accompanied Ashton Kutcher's and Charlie Sheen's rushes to a million Twitter followers.

According to The Next Web, the tireless--and now 30-year-old--Spears barely beat out other celebs to seven figures on Google+, including Google CEO Larry Page and rapper Snoop Dogg. However, it seems likely that Spears only made it to the million-follower mountaintop first because folks like Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber aren't on Google's social network yet.

Still, … Read more

Charlie Sheen Twitter fail: He tweets his phone number

It may not have been a tweet misfire of Anthony Weiner proportions, but Charlie Sheen's accidentally tweeting his phone number for all the world to see was certainly was a world-class Twitter fail.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Sheen had meant to direct-message Justin Bieber with his phone number. But it appears he must have used the @ symbol instead of "D" (for direct message)--meaning that every one of Sheen's 5.5 million followers could have seen the tweet.

"310-954-7277 Call me bro. C," Sheen is said to have tweeted before … Read more

The 404 907: Where we 'stiL be making bank' (podcast)

The existence of the @Qwikster Twitter account proves that even the biggest dummy with Internet access can accidentally stumble into a squatting payout. Jeff dons his reading glasses today to give a dramatic reading of some of our favorite tweets from Mr. Jason Castillo.

We're also looking forward to Facebook's F8 developers conference on Thursday, during which the company is rumored to announce its hyped-up media streaming platform as part of a "major" profile redesign.

Like it or not, Facebook is pushing more for e-commerce and TechCrunch's Leena Rao thinks we'll see more buttons popping up to give users more specific sentiments like "Listened," "Watched," "Read," and maybe even "Want."

Along with a story about girls not using BitTorrent, we'll also report on a story update from three years ago about Heinz's new "Dip and Squeeze" ketchup packet.

Since everyone consumes ketchup differently, Heinz developed a packet that lets the consumer decide whether to squeeze out all the ketchup, or peel back the lid for dipping. And with three times more ketchup per packet than the old design, it might be a sign that Heinz could care less about this country's fight with obesity.

But at least this country earns the top spot in something. We finish the show with a group groan about our country's dismal Internet speeds. According to an article in "The New York Times" last week, the U.S. dropped to 25th in the global ranking of Internet speeds, just behind Romania and the Czech Republic. It could be worse for New Yorkers, however--the report also blasts Idaho for its 318 Kbps "speeds."

Enjoy today's show, and leave us a voice mail at 1-866-404-CNET--we're running low!

The 404 Digest for Episode 907

Twitter's Qwikster wants money from Netflix. Talk of 'major' redesign of Facebook profiles as F8 nears. Facebook to launch Read, Listened, Watched, and Want buttons. Button fatigue settling in at Facebook. Welcome to your Hungarian Internet. For Idaho and the Internet, life in the slow lane. Old Ketchup packet heads for trash. Girls are not into The Pirate Bay, or BitTorrent. Bathroom break video of the day: Flying lawnmower.

Episode 907 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

The 404 853: Where our bellies were sluggish with goat meat (podcast)

Happy belated Fourth! We're back from celebrating on Independence by blowing up a piece of it, and we spend the first half of today's episode recounting all the bbq we ate yesterday. We're also bringing you results of the annual Nathan's hog dog eating contest and breaking news about one of our favorite shows on Comedy Central--and of course we wouldn't let a Monday go by without Tanging that Tune!

The 404 Digest for Episode 853

Joey Chestnut wins 5th straight Nathan's hot dog eating competition. Jellyfish fireworks over the Hudson river in NYC.

Episode 853 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

The 404 820: Where we stop using cliches for show titles (podcast)

It's Friday the 13th, but nothing is creepier than this morning's news about Ashton Kutcher replacing Charlie Sheen on 'Two and a Half Men.' On today's episode of The 404 Podcast, we're talking about the list of other potential castings for the slot, the Library of Congress launching a National Jukebox, a pricey out of court settlement from Lime Wire, and a user-submitted picture of Natali Morris that's too wrong not to show.

The 404 Digest for Episode 820

Ashton Kutcher will replace Sheen on "Two and a Half Men." Library of Congress quietly announces The National Jukebox. Lime Wire settles for $105 million. Lady Gaga presents her own version of Farmville on Facebook. Oh what the hell, here's Ahmad's picture of a beautiful woman... with a beard.

Episode 820 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

A whole new Wii

Links from Monday's episode of Loaded:

Nintendo will launch the next-generation Wii in 2012

Rumors are heating up about Apple and Google's hypothetical music services

Dish Online customers can now stream HBO content if they subscribe to an HBO package

A company in Tokyo claims to have made the "world's thinnest glass" for touchscreen devices

A new app on iTunes follows the rantings and ravings of actor Charlie Sheen

Buzz Out Loud 1441: In: Living Social. Out: Groupon. So five minutes ago: Your privacy (Podcast)

In the news today, Google is coming under the antitrust microsope, your privacy is breached left, right, and center by everyone from Pandora's mobile apps to the growing Epsilon email breach scandal. The MPAA files the least shocking lawsuit ever (sorry, Zediva), two venerable tech names become one, and the leaky ship of the NY Times paywall gets yet another loophole. --Molly

The 404 786: Where we would really appreciate the tour (podcast)

The 404 Digest for Episode 786

Jeff spent all weekend making socially awkward penguin memes. A picture tour of the CNET office. Everything you need to know about Firefox 4. Setting the record straight costs celebrities $1,000 a year. European Union proposes legislation for "right to be forgotten." New app shields you from annoying celebrity news.

Morgan Freeman gaming box art from Eddy and Jason. The Oatmeal comic submissions by Justin, Attariq, and Cameron (pictured).

Episode 786 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Charlie Sheen-censoring browser plug-in is here

I've been doing a pretty good job the last couple of weeks of not writing anything about Charlie Sheen. I'm not one to judge anyone for partying too much and hanging out with porn stars--indeed, I'm a tech blogger, and that's all we do when we're not writing. But I also don't necessarily want to hear all about it. Sheen's not news when the rest of the stuff in the world is considered, and now thanks to a browser plug-in I saw on a local Seattle blog today, it's not an issue. … Read more