Future Tech

Today's episode of CNET's The 404 Podcast features a pink Ouija Board, the newest Facebook meme, search engine profiling, and Google's latest mapping feature that waves good-bye to your shopping privacy.

(Credit: Derrick Chen/The 404)

The infamous Ouija Board is still just as popular as it was when Hasbro first unleashed it in 1967. In fact, it even got extra publicity with a flaming cameo in last year's horror flick Paranormal Activity, but angry Christians aren't happy about Hasbro's latest idea for a Pink Ouija Board. Who knew that a pink square of cardboard and a magnifying glass could get so much controversy?

Please let this actually happen.

(Credit: Facebook)

First there was Doppelganger Week, then Urban Dictionary Week, and now we finally have a Facebook meme that The 404 Podcast can get behind: Can this pickle get more fans than Nickleback? In less than a week since its genesis, the Facebook group already has more than 100,000 members, but it still needs your help to get beat out Nickelback's 1,392,481 (and growing) fans.

This next story might make you think twice before ducking into the back room at your local video store. Google's latest "Store View" is as yet unconfirmed (but not outright denied), but the service will ideally let users check out the inside of any participating retailer through Google Maps. Imagine browsing the Web for a supermarket and then virtually inspecting the interior for the best way to route yourself through a grocery store and you can see why we don't quite understand the point of Store View.

Those stories and more on today's 404, plus a meaty Calls From the Public and more of your sticker picture submissions! Keep sending them to the404(at)cnet[dot]com and we might just feature it on the show! Much thanks to Derrick for sending us a pic of the cubicle dressing you see up top.

EPISODE 515 Listen now: Download today's podcast



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Originally posted at The 404 Podcast

A start-up employee in Indiana telecommutes to work in California by using a robot body stationed at his office. Meet the Texas Robot from Willow Garage.

Send your 404 sticker pictures to the404{at}cnet[dot]com!

(Credit: George/The404)

Wilson might be the only host on The 404 who watched the entire big game Sunday, so we don't spend too much time talking about the actual game and instead stick to the commercials. Ads this year included Google's first Super Bowl ad. Also, HomeAway revitalized the Griswold family from National Lampoon's "Vacation", and Motorola aired a commercial with Megan Fox selling something...we just don't remember what it is.

We also have a story about Comcast changing its name to Xfinity. Starting next week, its cable television, telephone, and Internet services will feature the rebranded name in 11 markets. In what seems like an effort to give a sharper edge to the brand name, the change is taking heavy fire from sites like The Consumerist, which claim that the new Xfinity name has an X-rated/pornographic/stupid/energy drink connotation.

Finally, we run down a list of the 10 most needlessly perverted mainstream games. Follow along as we chat about some of the most revealing games in console history with titles like Dead or Alive, The Sims, and Bayonetta leading the scandal. Oh my. Speaking of which, we hate to be the ones to report it, but Microsoft is no longer offering online support for original Xbox games like Halo 2 and Counterstrike. Bummer!

EPISODE 514 Listen now: Download today's podcast



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Ever feel like the paper you handle at work every day isn't worth wiping your butt with? Well, a Japanese machine can turn it all into toilet paper. Magically.

Cornell researchers say they've come up with a liquid-adhesion device that could lead to load-bearing Post-it-like notes and bonding shoes for people seeking Spidey-like traction.

Sneaky intelligent machines have convinced industry players to put on a National Robotics Week in April. The purpose is to show that robots can "make life easier."

The humanoid handyman is expected to be equally comfortable working the assembly line in Detroit and puttering around a spacecraft headed far, far away. pOriginally posted at a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-17912_3-10447375-72.html" class="origPostedBlog"Planetary Gear/a/p

Technology from a Canadian company enables people to control objects using only their brain waves. Visitors to the upcoming Winter Olympics will be able to give it a try. pOriginally posted at a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10446694-56.html" class="origPostedBlog"Beyond Binary/a/p

Scientists in Europe have described experiments in which robots evolve through natural selection, learning to cooperate, hunt, and even be altruistic.

A hands-on look at using the Maps app on the Apple iPad, including new features such as terrain view and street view. pOriginally posted at a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-10444044-49.html" class="origPostedBlog"MP3 Insider/a/p

This week's Apple iPad announcement gives us the perfect opportunity to discuss the future of publishing with Cliff Chiang and Jerry Ma, two graphic illustrators in the comic book industry. They join us in the studio today to talk about their collaborative project, "Secret Identities," a graphic novel anthology of Asian American superhero stories.

Cliff Chiang and Jerry Ma of Secret Identities

(Credit: CNET/The 404)

Growing up as an Asian Americans in the world of comics isn't easy, especially when the only culturally identifiable characters you see are either stereostyped villains or hyper-sexualized women. As comic books quickly gain popularity here (although they are still not nearly as prevalent as in Japan), we're starting to see a shift in the cultural perception of comic books, away from the chiseled, American superhero archetype. The artists behind "Secret Identities" navigate this sea change with stories equally rooted in Asian American history and individual experience.

(Credit: Secret Identities)

Throughout today's episode of The 404, Jerry and Cliff offer a unique perspective on the current state of the publishing industry and the move toward digital comic creation. As it turns out, neither of the guys are fans of the new iPad, but Jerry raises an interesting point about the practical application of the iPad in the hands of a parent. And although we didn't have a chance to talk to them about it on the show, both are still considering the Modbook, an aftermarket Apple MacBook modified to work as a tablet computer.

We also love when guests bring us gifts, so look out for another contest for a chance to win a copy of "Secret Identities" (also available for purchase on BlackLava) that features custom sketches from Jerry and Cliff!

EPISODE 508 Listen now: Download today's podcast



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The wearable mouse works on wireless, uses an optical laser, runs a week on a single charge, and is said to be pretty fast and accurate as it functions by aligning itself with the ligaments of your hand and wrist.

Deaf people can benefit from a smoke alarm that emits a strong odor of wasabi. The Japanese device has been shown to wake deaf sleepers within three minutes.

CNET Senior Editor Donald Bell gives some hands-on impressions of the iPod capabilities of the Apple iPad, including a quick video that shows playlist creation. pOriginally posted at a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-10443821-49.html" class="origPostedBlog"MP3 Insider/a/p

Let's not get greedy; they can't ALL be good.

(Credit: Young Raging Bull)

This episode of The 404 Podcast is dedicated to all of our heartbroken comrades out there who were expecting an Apple tablet computer, but got an Apple e-reader instead. Join us as we recap what might be the most underwhelming Apple product announcement since Apple TV.

Full disclosure here: This entire 30-minute episode is dedicated to the Apple iPad. We know a lot of you must be exhausted with all the moaning and groaning so far, but we'll take any opportunity to make fun of Wilson. Bear with us as we try to get him to say one bad thing about the iPad.

In addition to a healthy dose of polite yelling, we also play a collection of voice mails that drive the stake in even further. We guarantee tomorrow's show to be (relatively) free of Apple talk, and we're also very excited to welcome Jerry Ma and Cliff Chiang of the Asian-American comic anthology "Secret Identities," who will join us in the studio tomorrow to talk about state of the industry, ethnic minorities in the comic genre, and...well let's face it, we want their artistic opinion of the iPad.

EPISODE 507 Listen now: Download today's podcast



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What looks like a frumpy old cardigan might be hiding cutting-edge consumer spy tech. Thanko's button cam lets you record sound, images, and video on the sly.

CNET's Senior Editor Donald Bell sounds off the pros and cons from his hands-on experience with the Apple iPad multimedia tablet. pOriginally posted at a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-10442905-49.html" class="origPostedBlog"MP3 Insider/a/p

Finally, the wait is over. We know just about everything there is to know about Apple's "magic" tablet, the iPad. So let's go over some of the rumors that led up to its release to see just how right, or wrong, they turned out to be. pOriginally posted at a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20000024-37.html" class="origPostedBlog"News - Apple/a/p

Apple's new iPad tablet is generating a fair amount of excitement, but it could have been so much more than a giant iPhone.

Apple on Wednesday finally delivered a tablet computer, calling it the iPad. Find out more about it, and Apple's other announcements in this roundup. pOriginally posted at a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20000020-37.html" class="origPostedBlog"News - Apple/a/p