October 20, 2009 4:24 PM PDT

Digital City Podcast 54: Taxi cellphone ban; Nintendo's holiday gamble; and the Ballad of Balloon Boy

by Dan Ackerman
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Episode 54 of the Digital City, where we discuss NYC's plan to stop taxi drivers from using cell phones and Washington's suddenly high-tech subway system.

Scott talks about his meeting with Shigeru Miyamoto, and Nintendo's big holiday gamble on New Super Mario Bros., while special guest Jeff Bakalar expresses his frustration with Jack Black's Brutal Legend.

And, in a nod to the hottest story of last week, we show off the very best Balloon Boy Web games (ok, the only Balloon Boy Web games we could find), and host the world podcast premiere of the parody song "The Ballad of Balloon Boy."

Related links:
>>Nintendo does Hard-core/casual with new Mario game
>>Will Brutal Legend rock your world?
>>Balloon Boy Takes Flight (For Real) in Two New Games

Show notes:
>>Watch the Digital City live every Monday at 3pm EST on CNET Live!
>>Subscribe to Digital City on iTunes
>>Join the Digital City Facebook fan page
>>Need more? Follow Dan on Twitter; and Scott

Listen now: Download today's podcast
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New York native Dan Ackerman, a former radio DJ turned journalist, has written about technology and music for publications including Spin, Blender, The Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. He hosts the weekly Digital City podcast and the New York edition of Editors' Office Hours. Dan's new album, Tales Out of Night School, is available now. E-mail Dan.
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by zmnatz October 21, 2009 6:10 AM PDT
DC Metro has had Verizon cell phone coverage for at least 4 years just to let you know.
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by Dan_Ackerman October 21, 2009 8:23 AM PDT
Right -- they added the other carriers -- and are expending service to more stations -- should have been more clear.
by zmnatz October 23, 2009 6:06 AM PDT
Glad to hear it. I live in the area and recently switched from Verizon to AT&T (Everyone knows why)
by brianburdan October 22, 2009 11:17 AM PDT
I know there is potential for me to get flamed here, but I think they should look into replacing Joseph on the podcast. Most of the time he is doing his own thing not showing interest in contributing, forcing Dan to heckle him to get him to contribute. I'm really glad Jeff showed up, because I think he did a great job discussing things with Dan and Scott.

Also, Scott, keep up the good work. You do a great job at bringing topics and discussing them on the show.
Reply to this comment
by dsfatue October 25, 2009 10:31 AM PDT
I agree that was very disrespectful, in previous shows you could always get the feeling that he didn't want to be there and the same thing but in a smaller scale from Julie, but to almost say that he can't be on next week because he has better things to do by hanging out with his friend that's just rude. I'm sure theres a lot of people that would like to take his place.

If you don't want to be there why show up at all, and putting Dan in a very uncomfortable position where he has to reprimand you.
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About Digital City Podcast

Live from New York, CNET's Dan Ackerman, Julie Rivera, Joseph Kaminski, and Scott Stein explore the impact of new technology on city life and urban environments, from municipal Wi-Fi to high-tech crime to tricks for cutting the line at the Apple Store.

Send us e-mail at digitalcity@cnet.com.


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Meet the Digital City hosts
Dan Ackerman Former radio DJ turned journalist Dan Ackerman grew up in the Bronx and now lives in Manhattan. He’s covered music, technology, and video games for more than 10 years. His latest album, Tales Out of Night School is available now. See profile
Joseph Kaminski Joseph Kaminski, when not juggling the dual demands of parenthood and HD gaming, is a life-long Manhattanite and can be found testing the latest tech in CNET’s Lab. See profile
Julie Rivera Julie Rivera grew up and currently resides in Brooklyn. When she's not deejaying, bartending, or fixing gadgets for friends on the outside, you'll find her testing, troubleshooting and developing benchmarks for laptops in the "fish bowl" known as CNET Labs. See profile
Scott Stein Scott Stein, CNET's newest laptops editor, was born in Queens and grew up a Long Islander - and is now raising a kid in NYC. In addition to covering games and tech, writing screenplays, and performing improv in seedy downtown establishments, he's also a die-hard, season-ticket-holding Jets fan. See profile
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