The 404 Podcast

Mmmm. Magnolia cupcakes.

(Credit: Wilson Tang/CNET)

Today we get a very pleasant--yet fattening--surprise! A special fan of The 404 sent us some amazing cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery here in Manhattan. Fortunately for you, the sugar rush was captured on tape, so now you can listen to what it sounds like when you eat dessert for breakfast.

Kenley is back on the first half of the show, and we discuss the reasons why a Radio Shack employee might want to punch a customer square in the face. We've all been in situations before where this is probably warranted, so we side with the disgruntled man in red.

Next, we chat about a story Justin posted the other day that involves a clearly delusional man who thinks he's a fictional superhero. He's already hurt himself once trying to save a woman, so we think maybe our masked friend needs a new hobby.

Everyone enjoy the weekend and make sure to call us up and leave a voice mail @ 866-404-CNET or e-mail us the404 [at] cnet [dot] com!

EPISODE 333

Yeah, we're not sure what the title of our show means today, but it's what happens when you let the chat room run the show. We think they want us to take off our clothes. Anyway, we're back to our old antics today: Bittr, Wii, Wolverine, iPhone, and pedometers.

As you can see, Slate.com already stole our idea for a skit mocking Twitter. We were going to shoot a video about a one-character status update. Some times, "F" is the only character that describes exactly how we're feeling at the moment.

On today's show, we talk a bit about how Nintendo is almost literally printing money with its Wii console. Apparently, it costs Nintendo 45 percent less to make a Wii than when it first came out. Nintendo is also trying to make more bank by releasing a pedometer, a device that measures foot steps--not an alarm for child predators. Also, we've got some info on a new iPhone app called Bad Decision Blocker that blocks your ability to make drunk phone calls. Seriously, though, if you need an iPhone app to stop you from making drunk calls, you need to 1) stop drinking 2) leave your phone at home, and 3) go see a therapist about your lingering girlfriend issues.

Finally, we get to our favorite "It came from Fox News!" segment. This time around, a Fox News commentator was fired for reviewing a pirated copy of the new "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" movie. Yeah, smart one. Fortunately, Jeff stopped selling DVDs of "Two and a Half Men" a few months ago. And a reminder, please call in with your most death-defying story to win your copy of "To the End of the Death: Our Epic Journey to the North Pole and the Legend of Peary and Henson" by our guest, Tom Avery. Yeah, long, long title.

Dennis Crowley, inventor of many things good, including Dodgeball (the social Web tool, not the terrible movie or the gym game Justin and Wilson can't play because of their thick glasses), joins The 404 today to talk about some interesting stories from the Web and his latest social Web tool, Four Square.

(Credit: Dennis Crowley)

Today, we go a bit back in Web 2.0 history with the first Twitter/Loopt social-networking tool, invented by Mr. Crowley, Dodgeball--from its inception, to its purchase by Google, to its eventual shutdown.

Not to be deterred, Dennis is back at it again with Four Square, another social-networking tool, where users can compete with one another and earn badges and points when they hang at certain places. It's available for both iPhone/iPod Touch, BlackBerry, and SMS. We encourage you to check it out and report back to us, whether it improves your social life or earns you a "Douchebag Badge."

Also on today's show, we get to some voice mails about Buzz Out Loud infringing a little too much on 404-territory. It's no surprise, given our general awesomeness. In actual stories, we've got Justin Yu's review of the new "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" movie that his "friend" let him watch through a telescope in another room.

We learn through the new Digg Bar that young, white males binge drink. You can thank the U.S. federal budget deficit for that wonderful, no-duh study.

Per usual, send us a voice mail, especially about your social life experiments with Four Square, at 1-866-404-CNET (2638). Or via e-mail, if you're international, at the404 [at] cnet [dot] com. More guests coming up, including an appearance by Dan the Mantern and Alison Rosen.

Dan Ackerman joins us on today's show to talk about his not-critically-acclaimed album "Tales Out of Night School" and the technology world in general. Be sure to check out his podcast Digital City on iTunes. Also, he give his opinion on digital-music distribution and makes fun of our game of marry/boff/kill with Ms. Natali Del Conte.

On today's show, we talk about the release of the new "Watchmen" movie. The first reviews are mixed. Justin is still holding out hope that the film will be watchable. In other movie and television news, Showtime, a sister company of CNET, is releasing Emmy screeners on iPods. Amazon finally gets the sense to pull a video game featuring rape simulation. The cast of "Seinfeld" rejoins on "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Hopefully, Michael Richard won't drop any bombs on the show. Justin is disappointed that a sheriff in Cook County is finally starting to crack down on prostitution on Craigslist. And Matel releases a Barbie doll in China with a tattoo.

Internet superstar, GameDaily editor-in-chief and Dan Ackerman "better half" Libe Goad joins us and we take this rare opportunity to talk video games for the entire episode! We hear Libe's holiday game picks, discuss rumors of a PSP2 and marvel at the ingenuity of a college student whose 360 was stolen from his dorm. Calls from the Public after the break fuel an intense discussion about the future for the PS3. Enjoy!

Dan the Mantern here. Something we talked about on the show needs to be settled once and for all. Remember "blowing" on game cartridges to make them work? Everybody had their own method. Some will say that dust was the culprit but it was my understanding that the most effective technique was to exhale hot air into the game cartridge, because warm metal is a better conductor.

However, according to Play Messiah, it's the console itself that causes complications: "The problem originated with the early consoles that had poor internal connector design. Moisture from your breath allowed the metal parts of the game to conduct electricity better with the deck for a limited time, but all that blowing would eventually cause metal-deterioration and oxidation of the game cartridge." Man, I wish the Internet was around when I still had Nintendo, I would have saved a lot of breath...

Preshow report: Jeff challenges my manhood, so I do what any Manchild would do and drop trou to prove my point (literally). Shortly after, I blacked out for a bit and it's unclear what happened next. Did Ustream see my Super Soaker and kill the stream? Did Wilson secretly stop the broadcast out of respect for our underage viewers? No one is 100 percent sure at this point-all we know is that the camera cut out for awhile. Thankfully, we resolved the technical issues and started the show on time plus 15 minutes.

Since I'm the only one who caught a glimpse of the leaked Wolverine trailer, I have to be the one to explain it to the dudes. Man, DEADPOOL!! BLOB!! And my personal favorite, the RAGIN' CAJUN Remy LeBeau! That's right...GAMBIT!!! You have to check out the link I posted below in the show notes section, you'll be as juiced as I am right now to see this movie. 2009 is going to be the year of the Superhero: The Spirit, Watchmen, Wolverine, GI Joe, Solomon Kane; I can't wait!

Gambit

We also get into a discussion about the lengths that some dudes will go to get a girl's attention. Come on guys, we've all been there: walking down the street minding our own business when suddenly you see the "girl of your dreams" in the distance. But wait a second...is this deja vu? Is it still considered deja vu if it happens every single day? Not really. I know it's easier said than done, but here's a quick word of advice from a fellow Awkwardian: When you see someone you want to talk to, either TALK to her or DROP IT. There's no post-show in life guys, you gotta go for it! Don't be creepy and make a clucking Web site about her, that's something the Sherminator would do.

Anyway, around this time Wilson's chum and S.P. fangirl Alex Rodriguez pops into the studio! No, not that pill poppin, philandering ballboy, this one's a student from FSU on a mini vacation in Zoo York, and what better way to spend your time than to be on THE 404! We get right back into the run down and Alex helps us update the public on some not-so-fresh Amy Winehouse news, Joker wannabees, and gives us a few tips on how to truly find away to a woman's heart (could be wrong, but I think I got the key).

Second to the second to the last reminder: The very first 404 listener MEETUP is TOMORROW! We're going to check out The Dark Knight tomorrow and man, we'd just really love to meet you guys in person! We're going to the 7:15 showing at the Clearview Chelsea theater on twenty-third street and eighth avenue in New York City (Phoenixians need not apply) with drinks and maybe a bite to eat to follow. If you can make it, we'd love to see you thurr. Buy tickets here in advance.

Don't be THIS guy.

(Credit: AP/Three Rivers Police Department)

EPISODE 151