pants

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- How Facebook knew a man was gay before anyone else did .

- NYC subways deploy a touch-screen network, complete with apps and Wi-Fi.

- Man who got porn site logos tattooed on his face now somehow regrets his decision.

- Lululemon pulls popular yoga pants for revealing too much.… Read more

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This week on Crave, The Count counts 1 billion views on Sesame Street's YouTube Channel. Plus, the DRM chair self-destructs after eight sittings, we run screaming from a concrete-tossing robot dog, and sex up your iPhone with Sexy Smarty Pants underwear from Japan. All that and more goodies on this week's show. … Read more

Despite the realistic 3D graphics of today's first-person shooters, RPGs, and other games, platform games continue to thrive on iOS. There's something about jumping through levels, solving puzzles, and collecting coins that keeps gamers entertained. Also, the capability to play through a single level while on the go makes platformers perfect for short bursts of play on your iOS device.

While a console controller is probably the ideal way to play these sometimes precise running and jumping games, iOS game developers have come up with unique ways to make them work.

This week's collection of iOS apps is all about modern platform games. The first is the most traditional platformer, but adds an interesting twist for passing levels. The second has an uncommon control system, but a unique art style and fun, varied gameplay make it a great option. The third is the most polished of the collection, with challenging puzzles and a somewhat grotesque storyline.

Note: There are no Android versions for any of these games.… Read more

It only took about six and half years, but two defendants involved in Hewlett-Packard's infamous 2005-2006 spying campaign will actually be serving time for their crime -- sort of.

In San Jose, Calif., this morning, U.S. District Court Judge D. Lowell Jensen sentenced Joseph and Matthew DePante, a father and son team of former private investigators, to three years probation as part of a plea agreement sealed by the courts in February and unsealed last week.

As part of their probation, the DePantes, who both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to falsely represent a Social Security … Read more

If you haven't guessed already, I'm a big fan of platform games. Maybe it's my background of playing games from both the Mario and Sonic franchises or the sheer number of solid platformers in the iTunes App Store, but I simply can't get enough of them. There's just something charming to me about exploring a level, making all the right jumps, and trying to collect all the items to go on to next level.

There have been several popular platform games to come through the iTunes App Store, but as time goes on, I've noticed the genre evolving in interesting ways. Particularly with a few of the newer games, I'm seeing unique types of challenges being added that take the genre to places it hasn't been before.

This week's collected iOS apps are all platformers with something extra. The first uses an interesting foreground/background playing dynamic that adds to the action. The second is a continuous climber with added bonuses that keep trying to get higher and higher. The third offers tons of side challenges and secret areas for those who like to explore.… Read more

Bikini Bottom's famed Coral Hills are wilting. You can help get them blooming again, if you stay away from stinging jellyfish and other perils (and your name happens to be SpongeBob). SpongeBob Square Pants Pyramid Peril is a free Softendo game in which you (you being SpongeBob SquarePants) hop about a coral reef, changing wilted squares to healthy blooming coral one by one without getting stung or falling off the reef. It's simple, silly undersea fun.

The game's installer offered to include a Super Mario-themed toolbar, which we declined. Pyramid Peril's start screen includes How to … Read more

A father-and-son team of private investigators charged with crimes relating to Hewlett-Packard's infamous spy scandal entered a plea yesterday in federal court, but that plea was immediately placed under seal by the court.

It's unclear why the pleas were sealed, as related court documents have not been posted publically. But in general, a court has the right to seal documents if they contain issues of confidentiality that outweigh the public's right to access court proceedings and records. In this case, the parties requested the proceedings be sealed, and presiding U.S. District Court Judge D. Lowell Jensen … Read more

Learning to cook is challenging enough, what with ingredients, measurements, and cooking techniques.

But there's something even seasoned chefs struggle with: timing. How do you make sure that all the dishes you're serving during your meal are ready at the time you want to eat them? You don't want your meat to get cold while you wait for your potatoes to roast. You really have to choreograph it to make sure your meal comes together. I usually just set the timer on the microwave and hope for the best.

But if you're someone who needs some help coordinating the timing of your recipes, then this is for you: the DoneRight 5-in-1 Digital Kitchen Timer. … Read more

SAN JOSE, Calif.--More than four and a half years after a California judge effectively dismissed criminal charges against the major players in Hewlett-Packard's spying scandal, federal prosecutors are bringing the case back to life.

A father-and-son team of private investigators went before a judge today in the U.S. District Court in San Jose intending to plead guilty on charges relating to HP's controversial probe of boardroom leaks to journalists, which took place in late 2005 and early 2006.

Matthew DePante, 32, and his father Joseph DePante, 64, were arraigned last week on charges of conspiring to … Read more