October 23, 2009 10:55 AM PDT

The 404 452: Where we built this podcast on rock and roll

by Justin Yu
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Droid Armies invade Cupertino, launch coup d'iPhone

(Credit: Flickr/cnraether)

If you weren't in The 404 live chat room this morning, you missed an insanely '80s dance party! It turned out to be a blast, so we're going to start doing it every Friday. Don't worry if you missed out this time, just be sure to check us out next Friday for more Starship, Outfield, Buggles, etc...

Last week we reported on a story about Pepsi's "Amp Up B4 You Score" iPhone app that offered "helpful" pickup lines targeted at a very specific type of girl. For example, if you choose the "political girl," the app offers several jokes about stimulus plans, global warming, etc...you can use your imagination to figure out the rest. Unfortunately, if you didn't download the app you're out of luck, because Pepsi removed the app from the iPhone store.

All this talk about iPhones brings us to the first big topic of the day: DROID. The TV commercials for the new Verizon phone running the Google Android OS mock the iPhone and its fans, making claims that Android's open architecture and physical keyboard will draw unsatisfied Apple fanboys to its camp, but we're hesitant to jump onboard after the G1 flopped.

If you're currently in the market for a new smartphone but can't decide between an Android phone, the iPhone, a BlackBerry, or Palm Pre, this is the perfect episode for you! For more Droid info, check out this episode of Dialed In, another awesome CNET podcast with Bonnie Cha, Kent German, Nicole Lee, and Jason Howell!

(Credit: Konami)

In sadder news, Hulu may finally start charging a fee to view its broadcast content online. After that cryptic extraterrestrial commercial that Hulu aired during the Super Bowl last year, we figured that a monthly fee would eventually come, but the site definitely needs to offer more incentives before we bite the bullet. If we decide to support the paid version, Hulu needs to offer the entire back catalog of every show in HD and improve the movie selection...if not, then users might be tempted to simply visit another not-so-legal site. Get it, Hulu? Now get to work.

Today's Beck's Beer Audio Draft is my (Justin's) choice and Jeff is pretty surprised because the band plays a fully orchestrated, instrumental-only version of popular video game music! The band is Konami Kukeiha Club, and it features the composers who worked on original Konami games like Gradius III and Contra.

In addition to releasing several original soundtracks (i.e. Silent Hill), the group also makes original music, and it's great for anything active: gym workouts, bike rides, long distance runs, anything that requires you to get pumped up! The two tracks of the day are "Beginning" and "Bloody Tears" off the album "Konami Battle the Best."

Have a supreme weekend everyone!


EPISODE 452

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Justin Yu covers desktop computers, printers, and peripherals for CNET. When he's not scouring eBay for useless ephemera or eating hot dogs for breakfast, he spends his time making fun of Internet culture every morning on The 404 podcast. E-mail Justin.
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Add a Comment (Log in or register) (6 Comments)
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by JazGalaxy October 23, 2009 1:50 PM PDT
both those tracks are from Castlevania...

MAN, why don't they make games have music like that anymore?
Reply to this comment
by wosifat October 25, 2009 11:02 AM PDT
Because the style of platformes and fighters that gave rise to this style of music has fallen in popularity (at least in the US, it seems) to sports games, first person shooters, music games, and party games.
Loved these tracks. Don't know which Castlevania games they're from though, as I've really only played Super Castlevania IV and Symphony of the Night. Kind of reminded me a bit of Guilty Gear, too, although I know that's not by Konami.
by brianwcu October 23, 2009 4:39 PM PDT
Awesome selection today for once :D If you like the music from the FF series you should check out The Black Mages, very similar but with FF music. Good stuff ;)
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by brianwcu October 23, 2009 4:40 PM PDT
Should specify that FF = Final Fantasy :P
by Notoapplefanbois October 24, 2009 2:54 AM PDT
hey Wilson, you know at the beginning of the show when you were talking about iPhone OS vs WebOS vs Android,

well, outside the US, no-one wants the iPhone or the Pre because we realise what pieces of junk and how poor they are price/what you get wise.

Android is for the rest of us who realise Open Source, speed and freedom of hardware is a good thing.
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by Rezeau October 24, 2009 1:45 PM PDT
Great show guys, awesome choice for the audio draft. I remember back in the day there was a concert called "Video Games Live" that played songs from video games with a live orchestra, stage actors and lights. You can go to http://www.videogameslive.com and check it out.

They also released a CD. Could only find it on Amazon, but probably on iTunes.
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About The 404 Podcast

A pop-cult fix for a generation that grew up playing Nintendo and watching Saturday morning cartoons, the 404 podcast, with hosts Jeff Bakalar, Wilson Tang, and Justin Yu, gives you the latest news in gadgets, social media, video games, and movies with snarky commentary and the occasional tasteless joke.

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Wilson G. Tang Wilson Tang is an associate producer for CNET TV. He's a part-time artist and filmmaker and has written and directed several films. He likes long walks on the beach and girls.
Jeff Bakalar Jeff Bakalar is an editor for CNET Reviews, getting all the dirt on the gaming industry. After spending a few years in the world of film production, he has settled down and currently lives in New Jersey. He's an avid writer, gamer, and full-time pessimist.
Justin Yu Justin Yu can be found tinkering with printers and other peripherals for CNET, when he's not adjusting his headphones, riding his bike, or eating hot dogs for breakfast.
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