spongebob

The 404 901: Where the world ain't all sunshine and rainbows (podcast)

Remember the "Tourist Guy" meme that popped up on the Internet after the attack on September 11? After 10 years, we finally have a name of the guy who started the hoax--35-year-old Hungarian Peter Guzli visited the World Trade Center back in 1997 and Photoshopped himself in front of the oncoming plane, fooling a lot of people into believing his lie.

On today's 404 Podcast, we'll explain all of that and dig into some tech stories that surfaced this weekend, like the NBC Twitter page hack on Friday, video game manufacturers getting huge tax breaks, and a study that claims "Spongebob Squarepants" may be dangerous to your children's mental development.

The 404 Digest for Episode 901

NBC News Twitter hacked! Hungarian apologizes for 9/11 hoax. Rich tax breaks bolster makers of video games. Science says Spongebob is killing your kids' brains. Video Voice Mail: Alessandro and his wife brushing their teeth in bed! Video Voice Mail: Kokesh will do anything to get on the air! Justin's Daily Bathroom Entertainment: Tickling a camel.

Episode 901 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Nickelodeon thinks green with online multiplayer title

In an effort to educate and encourage action, Nickelodeon is set to release what could be the first ever online multiplayer video game that deals with environmental issues. As a component of the broader Big Green Help initiative, the game will tie together an overall theme that the company launched on Earth Day last April.

The Big Green Help Global Challenge will be available for download starting Sunday, and we were able to grab a sneak peek.

Everyone who wants to play the game must take a pledge to reduce their carbon footprint. With that pledge comes a virtual checklist of changes that can be made such as "travelling by foot, bike, etc., instead of by car for four miles each week." At the end of every gaming session, players can track their progress and see how they are making an impact. Keep reading for more on the title including a gameplay video.… Read more

SpongeBob gear rises from the depths

Nickelodeon parent Viacom is as ever-optimistic as SpongeBob himself. The company is releasing a new line of higher-end consumer electronics branded with ubiquitous characters such as Dora and SpongeBob.

This isn't Nick's first foray into electronics, but apparently it's the first time the company isn't slapping the images onto schlock, according to an article in The New York Times.

One of the least expensive items in the new lineup is $29 SpongeBob alarm clock. I must say, it could be awfully satisfying to thump SpongeBob on the head in order to catch a few more minutes … Read more

SpongeBob boom box doesn't make it hip to be square

I guess you could say that SpongeBob Squarepants is about as close as the U.S. gets to having the equivalent of Japan's Hello Kitty, in the sense that you can plaster its frighteningly cute face onto anything and it's more or less a guaranteed hit. (Full disclosure: I used to keep my pet goldfish in a SpongeBob aquarium. And that was, um, in college.)

So yeah, here's this SpongeBob radio and CD player, which retails for $45. It kind of reminds me of a twisted version of the old boom boxes that the "cool kids&… Read more

Keep bedtime stories on schedule

No matter how hard we try to avoid it, bargaining with our children eventually creeps its way into parenthood for many of us. For example: You let them watch TV only if they've read for a certain amount of time. The problem for us, however, is that we promptly forget to check the clock.

That's why we need the "Mark-My-Time Digital Bookmark," as featured on Chip Chicklets. Not only does it help you keep things on schedule, but it also helps children learn to tell time. After all, what better incentive do kids have than figuring … Read more

A USB drive that's actually useful

Crave has seen all manner of USB storage devices, many of dubious value. But A-Data has recently come out with a USB drive that not only seems well designed but is also practical.

Chip Chick says the 12GB "Mini Cube" (not to be confused with the "Cube Mini") has a plug that folds away into a square case less than 2 by 2 inches that's not really a cube at all, which is a good thing for space-saving reasons. What's most impressive about this $125 device is a "one-touch backup function" that … Read more

Multitasking underwater with aquatic camera

In our sensory-inundated world, multitasking isn't confined to terrestrial pursuits. While you swim with your iPod and transfer USB files, for example, you can also be taking photos underwater.

The newest entry in aquatic photography is a 6-megapixel camera from Japan's Sea & Sea (shouldn't it be "Sea & See"?), which was posted on Engadget. In or out of its protective casing, the camera is no slouch where specs are concerned: It has a 2.5-inch LCD, 3x optical zoom and 32MB of built-in memory contained in a 3.7-by-2.2-inch body that's less … Read more