The 404 369: Where even in the future nothing works
Caroline McCarthy of CNET News' The Social comes on the show today to give us her unique take on a bunch of different stories. First off, we want to apologize to ALL of our beloved live listeners. For one reason or another, our broadcasting engine pooped out and we were unable to broadcast live. All is not lost, however--you can still definitely download or watch the stream here! Rest assured that Jason Howell, aka Superman, is on the job. Thanks, Jason!First up, Jeff tells us all about yesterday's Nintendo event, where he got a chance to preview a bunch of exciting new games, including the new Super Mario Bros, Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, and Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box. He also got a chance to try out the new Wii Fit Plus. Last year, when Jeff went onto the balance board to demo the original Wii Fit, the machine actually gave up and unplugged itself, committing console suicide, so we're all anxious to see if Nintendo beefed up this new version.Caroline also surprises us with a very positive review of the new "Transformers" movie. It turns out that the movie is geared toward...teenage boys. Which makes us question why Caroline was there in the first place--what a cougar! She also tells us even more horrifying news about the upcoming Facebook movie based on Ben Mezrich's upcoming book, "The Accidental Billionaires." Caro tells us that Shia Labeouf and Michael Cera are being eyeballed to play the role of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, but the rest of us think those are both terrible choices. Actually, maybe it should be Labeouf; his portrayal of Zuckerberg would at least be more believable than his relationship with hottie biscotti Megan Fox in "Transformers 2." There's NO WAY a woman of that caliber would even sneeze in Lebeouf's general direction!EPISODE 369Download today's podcast 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.PlaySteve Jobs gets liver transplant"Transformers 2" reviewFacebook movie pinning down director, castFollow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson Tang
MailTones brings ringtones to iPhone e-mail
MailTones brings ringtones to iPhone e-mail
You've already got individual ringtones set up for your boss, your spouse, and other important people. MailTones brings that same concept to e-mail, playing custom sounds when you receive messages from those certain special senders.Using the $2.99 app [iTunes link] requires two things: That your iPhone is configured for push e-mail (fetched automatically, not manually) and that your e-mail server has the option of forwarding copies of new messages to another address.Gmail, for example, makes this a snap, as does MobileMe. As for other services and servers, well, you'll have to find out if forwarding is an option. If not, this isn't the app for you.With that single step completed, however, all that remains is to configure MailTones' alerts, which offer three options.Friend Matching works like call-based ringtones: You get an alert when you receive mail from a specific person. (However, you can't just enter someone's e-mail address; you have to choose someone already in your address book. Minor gripe.)Subject Matching sounds an alert when the subject line contains one or more keywords. And Domain Matching targets mail from specific domains (like, say, the office).For each match you set up, you can choose from 25 available tones, which range from short, simple "dingtones" (my word) to boisterous cowbells, ship horns, and fire sirens.Suffice it to say, most people get a lot more e-mail than they do phone calls, and it's easy to experience alert overload. Consequently, you'll almost certainly want to set the New Mail tone to "Ignore" so you don't get interrupted every 10 seconds.At the same time, turn on Show Alerts, which provides a text message-like pop-up (with the sender's name and subject line) along with the audio alert. That way you'll know if the message is important enough to warrant a full-on visit to Mail.MailTones is an idea whose time has come. If you're tired of pulling out your iPhone every five minutes to see if that new message is something important, now you've got an audio-cue alternative. Indeed, for anyone inundated by e-mail, MailTones is $2.99 well spent.
You've already got individual ringtones set up for your boss, your spouse, and other important people. MailTones brings that same concept to e-mail, playing custom sounds when you receive messages from those certain special senders.Using the $2.99 app [iTunes link] requires two things: That your iPhone is configured for push e-mail (fetched automatically, not manually) and that your e-mail server has the option of forwarding copies of new messages to another address.Gmail, for example, makes this a snap, as does MobileMe. As for other services and servers, well, you'll have to find out if forwarding is an option. If not, this isn't the app for you.With that single step completed, however, all that remains is to configure MailTones' alerts, which offer three options.Friend Matching works like call-based ringtones: You get an alert when you receive mail from a specific person. (However, you can't just enter someone's e-mail address; you have to choose someone already in your address book. Minor gripe.)Subject Matching sounds an alert when the subject line contains one or more keywords. And Domain Matching targets mail from specific domains (like, say, the office).For each match you set up, you can choose from 25 available tones, which range from short, simple "dingtones" (my word) to boisterous cowbells, ship horns, and fire sirens.Suffice it to say, most people get a lot more e-mail than they do phone calls, and it's easy to experience alert overload. Consequently, you'll almost certainly want to set the New Mail tone to "Ignore" so you don't get interrupted every 10 seconds.At the same time, turn on Show Alerts, which provides a text message-like pop-up (with the sender's name and subject line) along with the audio alert. That way you'll know if the message is important enough to warrant a full-on visit to Mail.MailTones is an idea whose time has come. If you're tired of pulling out your iPhone every five minutes to see if that new message is something important, now you've got an audio-cue alternative. Indeed, for anyone inundated by e-mail, MailTones is $2.99 well spent.
Christian Bale confirmed to play Steve Jobs in Sorkin biopic
Christian Bale confirmed to play Steve Jobs in Sorkin biopic
From one black-clad billionaire industrialist to another: "Dark Knight" star Christian Bale has been confirmed to play Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in a biopic written by Aaron Sorkin.Sorkin confirmed Bale's appointment on Thursday in an interview with Bloomberg, in which he revealed the Welsh-born, Oscar-winning actor didn't even have to audition. According to Sorkin, who wrote the screenplay for "Jobs" based on the officially endorsed autobiography by Walter Isaacson, every frame of the film will feature Bale.Steve Jobs in photos: 35 years of an American...See full gallery1 - 4 / 25NextPrevRemembering Steve JobsSorkin: Writing about Jobs is like writing about The BeatlesWozniak slams scene in Kutcher's 'Jobs' biopicWatch Ashton Kutcher's Steve Jobs biopicSteve Jobs' best moments on videoJohn Sculley spills the beans on firing Steve JobsWhat Steve Jobs really meant when he said 'Good artists copy; great artists steal'Steve Jobs: 1955-2011Rather than being a straight-up chronological biopic like last year's biopic starring Ashton Kutcher in the main role (also titled "Jobs") Sorkin's screenplay is reported to focus on three crucial keynote speeches during the late Apple co-founder's career.Sorkin has previously tackled the technology industry with the Oscar and BAFTA-winning screenplay for "The Social Network", directed by David Fincher and starring Jesse Eisenberg as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Fincher was connected to Sorkin's Jobs movie for Sony, but is now reported to have dropped out.Long rumoured to be a front-runner for the role as Steve Jobs -- and purportedly up against biopic-lover Leonardo DiCaprio -- Bale is best known for playing billionaire Bruce Wayne and his alter ego Batman in three films over the past few years. He won the Academy Award for best supporting actor in 2011 for "The Fighter" and was Oscar-nominated for his role in "American Hustle" this year. Having made his breakthrough as a child actor in Steven Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun", Bale will next appear as Moses in Ridley Scott's "Exodus: Gods and Kings".
From one black-clad billionaire industrialist to another: "Dark Knight" star Christian Bale has been confirmed to play Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in a biopic written by Aaron Sorkin.Sorkin confirmed Bale's appointment on Thursday in an interview with Bloomberg, in which he revealed the Welsh-born, Oscar-winning actor didn't even have to audition. According to Sorkin, who wrote the screenplay for "Jobs" based on the officially endorsed autobiography by Walter Isaacson, every frame of the film will feature Bale.Steve Jobs in photos: 35 years of an American...See full gallery1 - 4 / 25NextPrevRemembering Steve JobsSorkin: Writing about Jobs is like writing about The BeatlesWozniak slams scene in Kutcher's 'Jobs' biopicWatch Ashton Kutcher's Steve Jobs biopicSteve Jobs' best moments on videoJohn Sculley spills the beans on firing Steve JobsWhat Steve Jobs really meant when he said 'Good artists copy; great artists steal'Steve Jobs: 1955-2011Rather than being a straight-up chronological biopic like last year's biopic starring Ashton Kutcher in the main role (also titled "Jobs") Sorkin's screenplay is reported to focus on three crucial keynote speeches during the late Apple co-founder's career.Sorkin has previously tackled the technology industry with the Oscar and BAFTA-winning screenplay for "The Social Network", directed by David Fincher and starring Jesse Eisenberg as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Fincher was connected to Sorkin's Jobs movie for Sony, but is now reported to have dropped out.Long rumoured to be a front-runner for the role as Steve Jobs -- and purportedly up against biopic-lover Leonardo DiCaprio -- Bale is best known for playing billionaire Bruce Wayne and his alter ego Batman in three films over the past few years. He won the Academy Award for best supporting actor in 2011 for "The Fighter" and was Oscar-nominated for his role in "American Hustle" this year. Having made his breakthrough as a child actor in Steven Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun", Bale will next appear as Moses in Ridley Scott's "Exodus: Gods and Kings".
Chinese regulator calls for tighter oversight of Apple
Chinese regulator calls for tighter oversight of Apple
A Chinese marketplace watchdog is calling for tighter supervision of Apple's consumer-rights practices as the state-controlled media continued its assault on the iPhone maker's after-sale policies.The State Administration for Industry and Commerce issued a notice today that urged authorities to increase supervision of Apple's warranty policies, according to a report on China National Radio's Web site."Local authorities should investigate and punish illegal acts according to law," the notice said, according to state media reports. The wave of criticism against the iPhone maker began earlier this month during a TV segment on state-run network China Central Television Station that claimed Apple repaired only broken or otherwise faulty parts within its products for customers in China, versus providing replacements in other countries. Apple responded by saying it fully complied with local laws and regulations.The state-run People's Daily followed up with a story criticizing Apple for not responding to interview requests on the issue. It also referred to the company's statement as "empty and self-praising." In another report, the People's Daily complained that Apple's "Chinese consumers are being given a rough ride" when it comes to dealing with the company's repairs and warranty policies" and described Apple's defense of its policy as "arrogant."CNET has contacted Apple for comment and will update this report when we learn more.
A Chinese marketplace watchdog is calling for tighter supervision of Apple's consumer-rights practices as the state-controlled media continued its assault on the iPhone maker's after-sale policies.The State Administration for Industry and Commerce issued a notice today that urged authorities to increase supervision of Apple's warranty policies, according to a report on China National Radio's Web site."Local authorities should investigate and punish illegal acts according to law," the notice said, according to state media reports. The wave of criticism against the iPhone maker began earlier this month during a TV segment on state-run network China Central Television Station that claimed Apple repaired only broken or otherwise faulty parts within its products for customers in China, versus providing replacements in other countries. Apple responded by saying it fully complied with local laws and regulations.The state-run People's Daily followed up with a story criticizing Apple for not responding to interview requests on the issue. It also referred to the company's statement as "empty and self-praising." In another report, the People's Daily complained that Apple's "Chinese consumers are being given a rough ride" when it comes to dealing with the company's repairs and warranty policies" and described Apple's defense of its policy as "arrogant."CNET has contacted Apple for comment and will update this report when we learn more.
China Unicom to have iPhone 5 by end of 2012
China Unicom to have iPhone 5 by end of 2012
Apple's iPhone 5 will come to China by the end of the year, a carrier in that country has confirmed.China Unicom told Chinese technology site Sohu IT in an interview published yesterday that it'll launch the iPhone 5 within the next three months. The carrier didn't say exactly when the device will launch. Separately, China Telecom told the publication that it, too, will be carrying Apple's iPhone 5 around the same time.The Next Web was first to report on the story.Apple announced the iPhone 5 on Wednesday. The company said that it'll be available in a handful of countries on September 21, and then be rolled out to several more by September 28. China was not included in either list. However, Apple confirmed that a total of 100 countries will have the iPhone 5 in December, so it's likely China is included in that grouping.The big question mark in the country, however, is whether the iPhone 5 will be available on China Mobile's service. China Mobile is the world's largest cellular service provider with nearly 688 million customers. Apple has been trying for years to bring the iPhone to that carrier's network, but so far, they have failed to come to terms. Speculation abounds that the iPhone 5 could be the device that changes that, but so far, neither company has confirmed that's the case.For now, though, all eyes are on preorders in the U.S. and some European countries. As of this writing, Apple's initial preorder supply has run out, and the company is making new customers wait two weeks to get the device. U.S.-based carriers are still promising delivery on September 21.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.Play
Apple's iPhone 5 will come to China by the end of the year, a carrier in that country has confirmed.China Unicom told Chinese technology site Sohu IT in an interview published yesterday that it'll launch the iPhone 5 within the next three months. The carrier didn't say exactly when the device will launch. Separately, China Telecom told the publication that it, too, will be carrying Apple's iPhone 5 around the same time.The Next Web was first to report on the story.Apple announced the iPhone 5 on Wednesday. The company said that it'll be available in a handful of countries on September 21, and then be rolled out to several more by September 28. China was not included in either list. However, Apple confirmed that a total of 100 countries will have the iPhone 5 in December, so it's likely China is included in that grouping.The big question mark in the country, however, is whether the iPhone 5 will be available on China Mobile's service. China Mobile is the world's largest cellular service provider with nearly 688 million customers. Apple has been trying for years to bring the iPhone to that carrier's network, but so far, they have failed to come to terms. Speculation abounds that the iPhone 5 could be the device that changes that, but so far, neither company has confirmed that's the case.For now, though, all eyes are on preorders in the U.S. and some European countries. As of this writing, Apple's initial preorder supply has run out, and the company is making new customers wait two weeks to get the device. U.S.-based carriers are still promising delivery on September 21.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.Play
China Telecom to begin selling iPhone 4S on March 9
China Telecom to begin selling iPhone 4S on March 9
China Telecom will begin selling the iPhone 4S beginning March 9, ending China Unicom's three-year run as the device's exclusive seller in China.The big country's third largest carrier will start taking preorders for the 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models beginning March 2, with sales to commence a week later, the company said in a statement. Pricing will start as low as free for 16GB model with a contract. China Telecom had previously announced it would soon begin selling the smartphone but gave only a vague timetable. The phone is currently available in China only through China Unicom, which has a three-year agreement to offer the device there, beginning with the iPhone 3G in 2009. However, Apple has for months been rumored to be working on deals with China Telecom and China Mobile--the latter being the world's largest wireless carrier with about 650 million subscribers. Related storiesCNET Review: iPhone 4SApple catches flak in China supply chain sagaPetition tells Apple: We want an 'ethical' iPhone 5China Telecom makes up close to 12 percent of China's total wireless subscriber base, which Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White pegged at 896.2 million in a research note last month. Of that, 73.8 million are 3G subscribers, with China Telecom accounting for a little more than a quarter of that total. Apple began selling the iPhone 4S in China last month, drawing massive crowds there and sparking a small riot in Beijing after the company announced it would not be selling the device on its pre-announced launch.
China Telecom will begin selling the iPhone 4S beginning March 9, ending China Unicom's three-year run as the device's exclusive seller in China.The big country's third largest carrier will start taking preorders for the 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models beginning March 2, with sales to commence a week later, the company said in a statement. Pricing will start as low as free for 16GB model with a contract. China Telecom had previously announced it would soon begin selling the smartphone but gave only a vague timetable. The phone is currently available in China only through China Unicom, which has a three-year agreement to offer the device there, beginning with the iPhone 3G in 2009. However, Apple has for months been rumored to be working on deals with China Telecom and China Mobile--the latter being the world's largest wireless carrier with about 650 million subscribers. Related storiesCNET Review: iPhone 4SApple catches flak in China supply chain sagaPetition tells Apple: We want an 'ethical' iPhone 5China Telecom makes up close to 12 percent of China's total wireless subscriber base, which Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White pegged at 896.2 million in a research note last month. Of that, 73.8 million are 3G subscribers, with China Telecom accounting for a little more than a quarter of that total. Apple began selling the iPhone 4S in China last month, drawing massive crowds there and sparking a small riot in Beijing after the company announced it would not be selling the device on its pre-announced launch.
China Mobile to Apple- iPhone deal will cost you
China Mobile to Apple: iPhone deal will cost you
Around the world, there is no wireless carrier more important than China Mobile. Apple knows that. The only issue is, it can't get a deal done to bring its iPhone to the carrier's service.Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu cites industry sources who claim that China Mobile is demanding a slice of the revenue Apple generates from the App Store in exchange for bringing the iPhone to its network, according to All Things Digital. As one might expect, Apple has balked at the idea, effectively putting the companies at a deadlock.Bringing the iPhone to China Mobile has become one of Apple's key mobile strategies. Not only have company execs touted Asia as a key growth area for Apple, but with its over 628 million wireless subscribers, China Mobile could dramatically improve Apple's financial performance.That said, Apple has been in discussions with China Mobile for years now to no avail. Dating as far back as 2008, the companies were in talks to bring the iPhone to the service, but China Mobile CEO Wang Jianzhou said at the time that Apple's desire for control was enough to scuttle any deal. Related LinksIs Apple including 4G TD-LTE for a China Mobile iPhone 5?China Mobile confirms talks with Jobs for iPhoneChina Mobile: iPhone talks ongoing with AppleEarlier this year, talks resumed between China Mobile and Apple after Jianzhou said he had met with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs about bringing the iPhone to China Mobile. He said at the time that it was a "common wish of China Mobile and Apple to come to an agreement as soon as possible." So far, however, that hasn't happened.China Mobile's latest demand comes just a couple months after Jianzhou said that he would gladly bring the iPhone to his wireless network if Apple would produce a 4G TD-LTE-compatible iPhone for its customers."China Mobile and Apple hope to find a solution for close collaboration," Jianzhou said in September. "We discussed this issue with Apple. We hope Apple will produce a new iPhone with TD-LTE. We have already got a positive answer from Apple."Neither China Mobile nor Apple immediately responded to CNET's request for comment.
Around the world, there is no wireless carrier more important than China Mobile. Apple knows that. The only issue is, it can't get a deal done to bring its iPhone to the carrier's service.Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu cites industry sources who claim that China Mobile is demanding a slice of the revenue Apple generates from the App Store in exchange for bringing the iPhone to its network, according to All Things Digital. As one might expect, Apple has balked at the idea, effectively putting the companies at a deadlock.Bringing the iPhone to China Mobile has become one of Apple's key mobile strategies. Not only have company execs touted Asia as a key growth area for Apple, but with its over 628 million wireless subscribers, China Mobile could dramatically improve Apple's financial performance.That said, Apple has been in discussions with China Mobile for years now to no avail. Dating as far back as 2008, the companies were in talks to bring the iPhone to the service, but China Mobile CEO Wang Jianzhou said at the time that Apple's desire for control was enough to scuttle any deal. Related LinksIs Apple including 4G TD-LTE for a China Mobile iPhone 5?China Mobile confirms talks with Jobs for iPhoneChina Mobile: iPhone talks ongoing with AppleEarlier this year, talks resumed between China Mobile and Apple after Jianzhou said he had met with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs about bringing the iPhone to China Mobile. He said at the time that it was a "common wish of China Mobile and Apple to come to an agreement as soon as possible." So far, however, that hasn't happened.China Mobile's latest demand comes just a couple months after Jianzhou said that he would gladly bring the iPhone to his wireless network if Apple would produce a 4G TD-LTE-compatible iPhone for its customers."China Mobile and Apple hope to find a solution for close collaboration," Jianzhou said in September. "We discussed this issue with Apple. We hope Apple will produce a new iPhone with TD-LTE. We have already got a positive answer from Apple."Neither China Mobile nor Apple immediately responded to CNET's request for comment.
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