The 404 404: Where we've made it 403 more episodes than anyone thought we would
Friends of The 404 celebrate 404 episodes...of The 404!The 404Nobody thought we would make it to our 404th episode, and yet here we are! Life just doesn't make sense sometimes, does it? For this milestone episode, we've invited a ton of our favorite guests and friends of the show to join in the celebration, including Clayton Morris, Caroline McCarthy, Natali Del Conte, Randall Bennett, Tim Geisenheimer, Maggie Reardon, MTI, and more!We kick off the show by telling the story of the show's humble beginnings, when Randall Bennett was the host and it was called The Dudecast...is "The 404" an upgrade or a downgrade from that? Anyway, Wilson also whipped up a hilarious Best-Of reel featuring a handful of funny and memorable moments on The 404, including the first appearance by Space Beer and Subject to You, the Fry Daddy, grocery-bagging competitions, the new Mayor of Hoboken, and many more.Finally, we end the show with a massive Calls From the Public. BIG, big thanks go out to everyone who left us a congratulatory voice mail. We appreciate them all! If you left one for us and didn't hear it in the show, be sure to download the audio version--we strung them all together at the end of the episode!A photographic history of The 404 See full gallery1 - 4 / 23NextPrevAs we finish up our 404th episode, we want to thank all the people that make The 404 possible: Bonnie G,Jason Howell, Blake Stevenson, Gknee, DakLives, the Chatroom, Jamie Lewis, 404 Photoshoppers and historians, our patient managers, Natali Del Conte, Mark Licea, Rich Peterson, Cheryl Holloway, all the guests and their PR, Sarah the Intern, Dan the Mantern, and of course, any females that have ever listened to or even heard of The 404. This list is truncated, so we apologize if we left anyone out!EPISODE 404PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS Video This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.PlayFollow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Mercedes releases boring iPhone app for exciting car
Mercedes releases boring iPhone app for exciting car
Mercedes-Benz AMG is the next automaker to join the battle for customers' attention in the Apple iTunes App Store. Except while the other automakers have built apps that actually do something aside from advertise cars (for example, Audi's game and Ford's photo editor), Mercedes-Benz's app does nothing more than showcase the C63 AMG.The main menu of the application features four options: Video, Photos, Sounds, Specs, and Find a Dealer.Disappointingly, the Videos section is essentially a list of four videos that stream from Mercedes' Web site. Sorry, iPod Touch owners, this means that you'll have to be connected to Wi-Fi to view the videos. It may be a good idea for iPhone 3G users to be connected to Wi-Fi, considering how sluggishly the videos loaded. Once you've gotten past the slow load times, you'll be treated to C63 AMG promo videos, one of which is a commercial that can be seen on TV.The Photos, Sounds, and Specs sections can all be accessed offline, fortunately. The Photos section lets you view a gallery of eight photos of the C63 from various angles. It would be nice if there were a function that let you use one of the photos as a wallpaper, but there isn't. All you can do is look at them. The Sounds section lets you listen to audio clips of the C63, but you can do that by listening to the Car Tech Podcast (shameless plug). The Specs button takes you to--you guessed it--specs for the C63 sedan. Finally, the Find a Dealer button launches a Google Map marked with Mercedes-Benz dealerships (incidentally, there are 10 dealerships in the San Francisco Bay Area).The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG app is only really good for about half an hour of fun, including the time spent waiting for the videos to stream. I'm a big fan of the C63 AMG and even I don't think this app is worth the download. It's almost a shame that such a boring app shares the name of such a fantastic ride.
Mercedes-Benz AMG is the next automaker to join the battle for customers' attention in the Apple iTunes App Store. Except while the other automakers have built apps that actually do something aside from advertise cars (for example, Audi's game and Ford's photo editor), Mercedes-Benz's app does nothing more than showcase the C63 AMG.The main menu of the application features four options: Video, Photos, Sounds, Specs, and Find a Dealer.Disappointingly, the Videos section is essentially a list of four videos that stream from Mercedes' Web site. Sorry, iPod Touch owners, this means that you'll have to be connected to Wi-Fi to view the videos. It may be a good idea for iPhone 3G users to be connected to Wi-Fi, considering how sluggishly the videos loaded. Once you've gotten past the slow load times, you'll be treated to C63 AMG promo videos, one of which is a commercial that can be seen on TV.The Photos, Sounds, and Specs sections can all be accessed offline, fortunately. The Photos section lets you view a gallery of eight photos of the C63 from various angles. It would be nice if there were a function that let you use one of the photos as a wallpaper, but there isn't. All you can do is look at them. The Sounds section lets you listen to audio clips of the C63, but you can do that by listening to the Car Tech Podcast (shameless plug). The Specs button takes you to--you guessed it--specs for the C63 sedan. Finally, the Find a Dealer button launches a Google Map marked with Mercedes-Benz dealerships (incidentally, there are 10 dealerships in the San Francisco Bay Area).The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG app is only really good for about half an hour of fun, including the time spent waiting for the videos to stream. I'm a big fan of the C63 AMG and even I don't think this app is worth the download. It's almost a shame that such a boring app shares the name of such a fantastic ride.
Fearing rivals, Apple eyes iPad Mini Retina in 2013- Analyst
Fearing rivals, Apple eyes iPad Mini Retina in 2013: Analyst
Apple could release the iPad Mini Retina this year as it faces a crush of high-resolution competition, an analyst said Wednesday. Despite production challenges, a Retina version of the iPad Mini could land this year, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. (Via MacRumors.) The Retina version of the Mini -- particularly the display -- is proving difficult to manufacture in the very high volumes required by Apple, analysts have told CNET in the past -- leading some to conclude that a 2014 release is possible.But Kuo believes that the new Mini "may be pulled in for [launch] in late 2013. Since other brand vendors are all expected to have a line-up of new high resolution 7-8 [inch] tablets...over the next 3-6 months." "We think iPad mini 2 may lose its opportunity in the market if it is slated for introduction next year," he added. And he had more to say about what he calls the "iPad Mini 2" and the larger fifth-generation iPad. (The Mini has a 7.9-inch display, while the iPad has a larger 9.7-inch screen.) Both models may sport an A7X chip, which would be a higher performance version of the rumored A7 chip.That would jibe with the current lineup of Apple processors: the iPhone 5 has an A6 processor, while the iPad 4 has a faster A6X. Here's where it gets a little confusing, however.Kuo also referred to another iPad Mini model that could launch in 2014.That would be similar to the current Mini but pack an A6 chip, an upgrade from the A5 used now.Citi Research -- which does not believe the Mini Retina release will be pulled in -- said recently that the second-half 2013 iPad lineup "will be iPad5 (reduced weight, slimmer bezel, thinner design), iPad Mini (the existing model), and a reduced price iPad Mini (likely priced at $249)."
Apple could release the iPad Mini Retina this year as it faces a crush of high-resolution competition, an analyst said Wednesday. Despite production challenges, a Retina version of the iPad Mini could land this year, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. (Via MacRumors.) The Retina version of the Mini -- particularly the display -- is proving difficult to manufacture in the very high volumes required by Apple, analysts have told CNET in the past -- leading some to conclude that a 2014 release is possible.But Kuo believes that the new Mini "may be pulled in for [launch] in late 2013. Since other brand vendors are all expected to have a line-up of new high resolution 7-8 [inch] tablets...over the next 3-6 months." "We think iPad mini 2 may lose its opportunity in the market if it is slated for introduction next year," he added. And he had more to say about what he calls the "iPad Mini 2" and the larger fifth-generation iPad. (The Mini has a 7.9-inch display, while the iPad has a larger 9.7-inch screen.) Both models may sport an A7X chip, which would be a higher performance version of the rumored A7 chip.That would jibe with the current lineup of Apple processors: the iPhone 5 has an A6 processor, while the iPad 4 has a faster A6X. Here's where it gets a little confusing, however.Kuo also referred to another iPad Mini model that could launch in 2014.That would be similar to the current Mini but pack an A6 chip, an upgrade from the A5 used now.Citi Research -- which does not believe the Mini Retina release will be pulled in -- said recently that the second-half 2013 iPad lineup "will be iPad5 (reduced weight, slimmer bezel, thinner design), iPad Mini (the existing model), and a reduced price iPad Mini (likely priced at $249)."
FarmVille makes its way to the iPad
FarmVille makes its way to the iPad
FarmVille is now available to iPad customers, Zynga announced today.Would-be farmers can get their hands on FarmVille by downloading it for free from Apple's App Store. Those who have been playing the game elsewhere can now continue to seed the fields and run tractors over their farms on Apple's tablet. Users who are new to the game can start a whole new farm within the app. Push notifications will be used to alert farmers to the health of their crops, Zynga said.After FarmVille became popular on Facebook and quickly started annoying friends of players who were tired of seeing updates in their News Feed, Zynga offered the game to iPhone owners in June. According to the company, the title sat atop the iTunes App Store's top 25 games list for 50 days after its launch.Now with the help of the iPad, Zynga hopes to build upon that success. But it's hard to imagine a world where FarmVille can get much more popular. The title is played by more than 60 million people around the globe. And according to Zynga, players receive more than 500,000 gifts in the game each day. To say it's a major hit would be an understatement.FarmVille is the first title from Zynga to be made available on Apple's tablet. While the company isn't divulging any specifics, an iPad version of the company's Mafia Wars might not be far off."The iPad is a natural device for gaming. We are excited to bring more Zynga titles to the platform in the future," a company spokesperson said.
FarmVille is now available to iPad customers, Zynga announced today.Would-be farmers can get their hands on FarmVille by downloading it for free from Apple's App Store. Those who have been playing the game elsewhere can now continue to seed the fields and run tractors over their farms on Apple's tablet. Users who are new to the game can start a whole new farm within the app. Push notifications will be used to alert farmers to the health of their crops, Zynga said.After FarmVille became popular on Facebook and quickly started annoying friends of players who were tired of seeing updates in their News Feed, Zynga offered the game to iPhone owners in June. According to the company, the title sat atop the iTunes App Store's top 25 games list for 50 days after its launch.Now with the help of the iPad, Zynga hopes to build upon that success. But it's hard to imagine a world where FarmVille can get much more popular. The title is played by more than 60 million people around the globe. And according to Zynga, players receive more than 500,000 gifts in the game each day. To say it's a major hit would be an understatement.FarmVille is the first title from Zynga to be made available on Apple's tablet. While the company isn't divulging any specifics, an iPad version of the company's Mafia Wars might not be far off."The iPad is a natural device for gaming. We are excited to bring more Zynga titles to the platform in the future," a company spokesperson said.
FaceTime camera for next iPod Touch-
FaceTime camera for next iPod Touch?
Could the iPod Touch be getting the same FaceTime camera as the iPhone 4?Some new images sent to the blog MacRumors make a case for it at least. On Thursday, MacRumors posted images of what looks like the front assembly, including LCD screen and bezel, of a new version of the iPod Touch sent to it by an iPhone part supplier.An iPhone parts supplier sent these images, purportedly of the new iPod Touch, to MacRumors.MacRumorsThe parts are stamped with markings that lend some authenticity that they are actual Apple parts, though these kinds of images tend to start circulating before any upcoming Apple announcement. Some do end up being accurate, but as always should be taken with a grain of salt for now.Apple has for the last few years introduced new iPod models at an early September music-oriented event. It's widely believed that the iPod Touch will finally get a camera (last year the Nano got a camera, the Touch mysteriously did not) and it will be front-facing, for FaceTime calls just like the iPhone 4.At WWDC when Steve Jobs introduced the FaceTime calling feature of the iPhone 4, he added that "Apple will ship tens of millions of FaceTime devices this year." He didn't say iPhones, so it would make sense that Apple is planning to put FaceTime in other devices, with the iPod Touch being a logical candidate.FaceTime is already Wi-Fi only, same as the iPod Touch. Since iPod Touch owners wouldn't have phone numbers connected to the device, Apple will be using e-mail addresses to initiate FaceTime calls, according to MacRumors.Apple declined to comment.Updated at 3:40 p.m. PDT.
Could the iPod Touch be getting the same FaceTime camera as the iPhone 4?Some new images sent to the blog MacRumors make a case for it at least. On Thursday, MacRumors posted images of what looks like the front assembly, including LCD screen and bezel, of a new version of the iPod Touch sent to it by an iPhone part supplier.An iPhone parts supplier sent these images, purportedly of the new iPod Touch, to MacRumors.MacRumorsThe parts are stamped with markings that lend some authenticity that they are actual Apple parts, though these kinds of images tend to start circulating before any upcoming Apple announcement. Some do end up being accurate, but as always should be taken with a grain of salt for now.Apple has for the last few years introduced new iPod models at an early September music-oriented event. It's widely believed that the iPod Touch will finally get a camera (last year the Nano got a camera, the Touch mysteriously did not) and it will be front-facing, for FaceTime calls just like the iPhone 4.At WWDC when Steve Jobs introduced the FaceTime calling feature of the iPhone 4, he added that "Apple will ship tens of millions of FaceTime devices this year." He didn't say iPhones, so it would make sense that Apple is planning to put FaceTime in other devices, with the iPod Touch being a logical candidate.FaceTime is already Wi-Fi only, same as the iPod Touch. Since iPod Touch owners wouldn't have phone numbers connected to the device, Apple will be using e-mail addresses to initiate FaceTime calls, according to MacRumors.Apple declined to comment.Updated at 3:40 p.m. PDT.
Facebook in talks to bring Home to iPhone, Windows Phone
Facebook in talks to bring Home to iPhone, Windows Phone
Facebook is reportedly in talks with Apple and Microsoft about the possibility of creating versions of its Home launcher for the iPhone and Windows Phone.The social network is in negotiations with the companies about expanding the platform to their smartphones, Adam Mosseri, Facebook's director of product, toldBloomberg, noting that talks are ongoing and nothing has been finalized."We've shown them what we've built, and we're just in an ongoing conversation," Mosseri said.Mosseri said the skin could arrive on Apple's platform with a different name and appearance than the one that's been built for Android."We could also just bring some of the design values to the iOS app," he said. "That might be how it ends up. Or we could build just the lock screen."CNET has contacted Apple and Microsoft for comment and will update this report when we learn more.Facebook Home is a set of apps that act as a "skin" on certain Android smartphones, adding personal photos to devices' lock screens and overlaying the chat experience. At Home's unveiling earlier this month, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said he would like to see the Facebook experience integrated into all devices, but that that would require partnerships. "Anything that happens with Apple is going to happen with partnership," Zuckerberg said at the time, noting Facebook's "great relationship" with Apple. By contrast, he noted that "Google's Android is open so we don't have to work with them."
Facebook is reportedly in talks with Apple and Microsoft about the possibility of creating versions of its Home launcher for the iPhone and Windows Phone.The social network is in negotiations with the companies about expanding the platform to their smartphones, Adam Mosseri, Facebook's director of product, toldBloomberg, noting that talks are ongoing and nothing has been finalized."We've shown them what we've built, and we're just in an ongoing conversation," Mosseri said.Mosseri said the skin could arrive on Apple's platform with a different name and appearance than the one that's been built for Android."We could also just bring some of the design values to the iOS app," he said. "That might be how it ends up. Or we could build just the lock screen."CNET has contacted Apple and Microsoft for comment and will update this report when we learn more.Facebook Home is a set of apps that act as a "skin" on certain Android smartphones, adding personal photos to devices' lock screens and overlaying the chat experience. At Home's unveiling earlier this month, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said he would like to see the Facebook experience integrated into all devices, but that that would require partnerships. "Anything that happens with Apple is going to happen with partnership," Zuckerberg said at the time, noting Facebook's "great relationship" with Apple. By contrast, he noted that "Google's Android is open so we don't have to work with them."
Facebook hires former Apple design manager
Facebook hires former Apple design manager
Facebook has grabbed its latest managerial hire from the ranks of Apple.Chris Weeldreyer, a former user interface design manager for Apple, is now a product design manager for the popular social network. Weeldreyer joined Apple in 2003 before leaving the company this past February, according to his LinkedIn profile.Facebook had been looking to fill the design manager slot with the right person to lead a team of designers.The job has been advertised as primarly a management role. But the company also needed someone who could do hands-on design work."Candidates must have strong visual and interaction skills and the ability to help shape product strategy," the job ad stated. "Candidates that can build their own designs are preferable."Among the skills listed on his LinkedIn page, Weeldreyer cites user interface design, user experience, interaction design, mobile applications, mobile application design, product development, and product design. So it sounds like he has the chops to take on the role.Related storiesFacebook: Mobile could be our worst enemyIf Facebook dies (and it might), its killer will be born mobileFriday Poll: Is Facebook mobile enough for you?Facebook officially launches mobile 'App Center'The skillset in mobile applications and mobile application design may also have caught Facebook's eye.The company has faced some challeges in the mobile market. Its mobile apps have been dinged for a certain lack of quality and user-friendliness. But more people than ever are using mobile devices to hop online. So, like other players, Facebook needs to figure out how to better thrive in that mobile world.
Facebook has grabbed its latest managerial hire from the ranks of Apple.Chris Weeldreyer, a former user interface design manager for Apple, is now a product design manager for the popular social network. Weeldreyer joined Apple in 2003 before leaving the company this past February, according to his LinkedIn profile.Facebook had been looking to fill the design manager slot with the right person to lead a team of designers.The job has been advertised as primarly a management role. But the company also needed someone who could do hands-on design work."Candidates must have strong visual and interaction skills and the ability to help shape product strategy," the job ad stated. "Candidates that can build their own designs are preferable."Among the skills listed on his LinkedIn page, Weeldreyer cites user interface design, user experience, interaction design, mobile applications, mobile application design, product development, and product design. So it sounds like he has the chops to take on the role.Related storiesFacebook: Mobile could be our worst enemyIf Facebook dies (and it might), its killer will be born mobileFriday Poll: Is Facebook mobile enough for you?Facebook officially launches mobile 'App Center'The skillset in mobile applications and mobile application design may also have caught Facebook's eye.The company has faced some challeges in the mobile market. Its mobile apps have been dinged for a certain lack of quality and user-friendliness. But more people than ever are using mobile devices to hop online. So, like other players, Facebook needs to figure out how to better thrive in that mobile world.
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