The 404 431: Where we can eat a peach for days
Like most social-networking sites, Twitter isn't immune to lurkers, fakes, and creeps. The 404 Twitter account received over 600 followers in the last 24 hours, which leads us to believe that we're either becoming wildly popular or more likely, the new adds are demonized accounts; in other words, people that had their accounts taken over by a spam bot. This has to stop, Biz--stop teasing our egos!In other ridiculous news, the CBS video print ad we picked apart in Episode 411 is fetching up to $400 on eBay--what the what? If we'd known that prices would skyrocket on the black market, we would have ganked a few more copies from our parent company, CBS! This is a great example of how you can buy practically anything online, including an 800 thread count Egyptian Cotton duvet cover or a set of custom-made Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle drapes from your humble host's childhood...don't ask, just watch the show. After the break, we get to a few Calls From the Public, including one from a caller all the way in the Caribbean! We also run down the 20 best cartoons from the 1990s, but they forgot about the X-Men cartoon! And where is "Teenage Mutant Ninja Frickin Turtles?!" Take a look at the list and let us know your favorites!EPISODE 431PodcastYour 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
Modern-day Magellans and the quest for entertainment
Modern-day Magellans and the quest for entertainment
Finding out about shows and figuring out how to view them can be an adventure. Viewers are learning to navigate to the new offerings, and marketers like CBS are adapting our marketing strategies to keep pace with their behavior and preferences. There are essentially three areas where we focus our attention:1)Navigation2)Search3)Discovery Navigation is the traditional world of marketing and advertising. It's going to where the viewers are and showing them the product. In all of our on-air ads (promos), we make it clear to viewers how, when, and where to find our shows. Search is now an ingrained part of consumers' expectations. On a laptop, you can type in a few words and find just about anything in seconds. Not so with television--electronic program guides on TV sets have historically been very clunky and "user-unfriendly." But that's beginning to change. We are working with tech partners and distributors to better showcase their content offerings and enhance video search on television. CBSDiscovery is the act of stumbling upon something new. It's what Magellan did when he discovered a passageway from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, while in search of the Spice Islands. It's those acts of serendipity that deliver us to new people, places, perspectives, and shows. Given the nature of discovery, it is hard to control. But as marketers we can seek out selected opportunities to spark "off the grid" excitement and empower brand evangelists to spread the word virally. We do this by making sure our shows have a strong presence on social networks like Facebook and Twitter, by rewarding fans of our shows, and by interacting with social influencers on a regular basis. Regardless of what, where, or how you want to watch, our job is to make it as simple and enjoyable for viewers to learn about, find, and watch our shows. And in a few short months we will have some new ones to introduce. So get ready for a new adventure...and stay tuned!!
Finding out about shows and figuring out how to view them can be an adventure. Viewers are learning to navigate to the new offerings, and marketers like CBS are adapting our marketing strategies to keep pace with their behavior and preferences. There are essentially three areas where we focus our attention:1)Navigation2)Search3)Discovery Navigation is the traditional world of marketing and advertising. It's going to where the viewers are and showing them the product. In all of our on-air ads (promos), we make it clear to viewers how, when, and where to find our shows. Search is now an ingrained part of consumers' expectations. On a laptop, you can type in a few words and find just about anything in seconds. Not so with television--electronic program guides on TV sets have historically been very clunky and "user-unfriendly." But that's beginning to change. We are working with tech partners and distributors to better showcase their content offerings and enhance video search on television. CBSDiscovery is the act of stumbling upon something new. It's what Magellan did when he discovered a passageway from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, while in search of the Spice Islands. It's those acts of serendipity that deliver us to new people, places, perspectives, and shows. Given the nature of discovery, it is hard to control. But as marketers we can seek out selected opportunities to spark "off the grid" excitement and empower brand evangelists to spread the word virally. We do this by making sure our shows have a strong presence on social networks like Facebook and Twitter, by rewarding fans of our shows, and by interacting with social influencers on a regular basis. Regardless of what, where, or how you want to watch, our job is to make it as simple and enjoyable for viewers to learn about, find, and watch our shows. And in a few short months we will have some new ones to introduce. So get ready for a new adventure...and stay tuned!!
Get a $90 Mac app bundle for free
Get a $90 Mac app bundle for free
There's no such thing as a free lunch, right? Actually, my favorite Chinese place gave me a punch card good for a free trip to the buffet after 10 punches, so there literally is such a thing as free lunch. (I know, you have to buy 10 not-free lunches first. Let's not ruin my analogy with semantics, shall we?)There's also such a thing as free software -- if you know where to look. For a limited time, a site called AppyFridays is offering a free Mac software bundle. Combined value of the six included apps: $90.All you do is enter your e-mail address to subscribe to the AppyFridays newsletter. Immediately thereafter I received an e-mail with download links and, where necessary, activation codes for the software. Make sure you take note of the message in that e-mail: "Grab your apps and activate them before the deal ends." (The deal ends one week from today: November 19.)So, what does your e-mail address buy you? These guys:Colorado Desktops: 290 scenic wallpapers from the incomparably gorgeous Rocky Mountains of Colorado.Hider: True to its name, it hides important files for added security.MacCleanse: Hard-drive optimization utility.Musictube: Turns YouTube into an iTunes-style jukebox.Picturesque: Liven up your photos by applying one of five visually arresting effects.Tunes Cleaner: Cleans up, organizes, and repairs your iTunes music library.So, yeah, nothing really earth-shattering, but a nice collection of apps all the same. Tunes Cleaner alone normally sells for $29.99. Also, if you're willing to clue in your friends about the deal (i.e., share it on Facebook and Twitter), you can score a seventh freebie: Photo Importer, a "small and user-friendly...Mac application which will automatically import photos from a selected folder."What's not to like?
There's no such thing as a free lunch, right? Actually, my favorite Chinese place gave me a punch card good for a free trip to the buffet after 10 punches, so there literally is such a thing as free lunch. (I know, you have to buy 10 not-free lunches first. Let's not ruin my analogy with semantics, shall we?)There's also such a thing as free software -- if you know where to look. For a limited time, a site called AppyFridays is offering a free Mac software bundle. Combined value of the six included apps: $90.All you do is enter your e-mail address to subscribe to the AppyFridays newsletter. Immediately thereafter I received an e-mail with download links and, where necessary, activation codes for the software. Make sure you take note of the message in that e-mail: "Grab your apps and activate them before the deal ends." (The deal ends one week from today: November 19.)So, what does your e-mail address buy you? These guys:Colorado Desktops: 290 scenic wallpapers from the incomparably gorgeous Rocky Mountains of Colorado.Hider: True to its name, it hides important files for added security.MacCleanse: Hard-drive optimization utility.Musictube: Turns YouTube into an iTunes-style jukebox.Picturesque: Liven up your photos by applying one of five visually arresting effects.Tunes Cleaner: Cleans up, organizes, and repairs your iTunes music library.So, yeah, nothing really earth-shattering, but a nice collection of apps all the same. Tunes Cleaner alone normally sells for $29.99. Also, if you're willing to clue in your friends about the deal (i.e., share it on Facebook and Twitter), you can score a seventh freebie: Photo Importer, a "small and user-friendly...Mac application which will automatically import photos from a selected folder."What's not to like?
Get a $17.50 music credit with an eMusic subscription trial
Get a $17.50 music credit with an eMusic subscription trial
eMusic is the little music service that could.The company has been around since just about the dawn of the MP3 era, yet it's rarely mentioned in the same breath as Amazon and iTunes or Rhapsody and Spotify. Heck, it's rarely mentioned at all.And yet it chugs along, offering one of the better deals on music downloads you'll find anywhere. In fact, if you sign up for a free 14-day trial, the deal just got a little sweeter.Specifically, when you register for an eMusic subscription, you'll get a $17.50 credit, which is good for up to 35 songs. Previously the credit was only $10. That's not quite double the free-music goodness, but it's still a few albums' worth of songs for a total cost of zero.After your two-week trial expires, you'll be on the hook for an eMusic subscription -- unless you cancel first, which is totally your prerogative. If you do cancel, you get to keep your downloads. (They're DRM-free MP3s, after all.)That said, allow me to make the case for keeping your subscription going. eMusic's membership plans start at $11.99 per month. That lets you browse some 10 million tracks, which are priced as low as 49 cents apiece.So let's say you want to buy Neon Trees' "Picture Show." iTunes charges $7.99 for the album; Amazon, $6.99. eMusic's price: $5.99. The service is typically a couple bucks less on albums, and sometimes as much as 50 percent less on individual tracks.To put it another way, if you typically buy at least 12 dollars' worth of music each month, eMusic offers the biggest bang for the buck. And if your monthly music budget is even higher, you can save even more: higher subscription plans net you more credit. For example, the $20.99/month plan gives you $22.99 to spend.Of course, if you buy only the occasional song or album, an eMusic subscription doesn't make much sense. But a free no-obligation trial with a $17.50 credit? That makes all kinds of sense.
eMusic is the little music service that could.The company has been around since just about the dawn of the MP3 era, yet it's rarely mentioned in the same breath as Amazon and iTunes or Rhapsody and Spotify. Heck, it's rarely mentioned at all.And yet it chugs along, offering one of the better deals on music downloads you'll find anywhere. In fact, if you sign up for a free 14-day trial, the deal just got a little sweeter.Specifically, when you register for an eMusic subscription, you'll get a $17.50 credit, which is good for up to 35 songs. Previously the credit was only $10. That's not quite double the free-music goodness, but it's still a few albums' worth of songs for a total cost of zero.After your two-week trial expires, you'll be on the hook for an eMusic subscription -- unless you cancel first, which is totally your prerogative. If you do cancel, you get to keep your downloads. (They're DRM-free MP3s, after all.)That said, allow me to make the case for keeping your subscription going. eMusic's membership plans start at $11.99 per month. That lets you browse some 10 million tracks, which are priced as low as 49 cents apiece.So let's say you want to buy Neon Trees' "Picture Show." iTunes charges $7.99 for the album; Amazon, $6.99. eMusic's price: $5.99. The service is typically a couple bucks less on albums, and sometimes as much as 50 percent less on individual tracks.To put it another way, if you typically buy at least 12 dollars' worth of music each month, eMusic offers the biggest bang for the buck. And if your monthly music budget is even higher, you can save even more: higher subscription plans net you more credit. For example, the $20.99/month plan gives you $22.99 to spend.Of course, if you buy only the occasional song or album, an eMusic subscription doesn't make much sense. But a free no-obligation trial with a $17.50 credit? That makes all kinds of sense.
iBeacon location-sensing tech put to use at grocery stores
iBeacon location-sensing tech put to use at grocery stores
Apple's iBeacon location-sensing technology appears to be having a major breakthrough. Mobile shopping startup InMarket announced Monday that it's beginning to use the platform in more than 150 grocery stores across the US, according to The Associated Press.This means the 20 million people who use InMarket's apps on its Mobile to Mortar platform will be able to get grocery list reminders, deals, and reward points at supermarkets like Safeway and Giant Eagle. To use the technology, shoppers have to opt in by downloading specific apps, like InMarket's Checkpoints. Apple debuted iBeacon late last year on devices running iOS 7. The location-sensing technology works by sending off short-range transmitters that notify mobile devices when they are within 100 feet of a beacon. This type of location-sensing technology can be used for indoor navigation, automatic ticketing, and location-relevant promotions.iBeacon has already been used at Apple retail stores, is in testing mode with MLB at certain baseball stadiums, and will even be used for a scavenger hunt at this week's Consumer Electronics Show. Starbucks, Macy's, and American Airlines are also said to be testing the technology. InMarket's iBeacon feature will be in more than 150 stores in Seattle, San Francisco, and Cleveland within the next two weeks; and the company plans to expand to thousands of grocery and retail stores by the end of 2014, according to the AP.Here are some of the features InMarket's iBeacon platform gives users:
Apple's iBeacon location-sensing technology appears to be having a major breakthrough. Mobile shopping startup InMarket announced Monday that it's beginning to use the platform in more than 150 grocery stores across the US, according to The Associated Press.This means the 20 million people who use InMarket's apps on its Mobile to Mortar platform will be able to get grocery list reminders, deals, and reward points at supermarkets like Safeway and Giant Eagle. To use the technology, shoppers have to opt in by downloading specific apps, like InMarket's Checkpoints. Apple debuted iBeacon late last year on devices running iOS 7. The location-sensing technology works by sending off short-range transmitters that notify mobile devices when they are within 100 feet of a beacon. This type of location-sensing technology can be used for indoor navigation, automatic ticketing, and location-relevant promotions.iBeacon has already been used at Apple retail stores, is in testing mode with MLB at certain baseball stadiums, and will even be used for a scavenger hunt at this week's Consumer Electronics Show. Starbucks, Macy's, and American Airlines are also said to be testing the technology. InMarket's iBeacon feature will be in more than 150 stores in Seattle, San Francisco, and Cleveland within the next two weeks; and the company plans to expand to thousands of grocery and retail stores by the end of 2014, according to the AP.Here are some of the features InMarket's iBeacon platform gives users:
Hulu blocks access to overseas Apple TV owners, report says
Hulu blocks access to overseas Apple TV owners, report says
International Apple TV owners are complaining that they have been blocked from Hulu Plus.According to The Next Web, which has obtained images of an error message displayed when users try to stream a show or film from Hulu Plus, those with an Apple TV and U.S. iTunes account are able to browse Hulu's selection of titles. Upon choosing one of those titles, however, a "Geo Restriction" pops up, telling them they cannot access the particular video."We're sorry. Currently our video library can only be streamed within the United States," the message reads, according to images posted by The Next Web.Related storiesTV fans, name the best shows missing on HuluNew York Times can't build its pay wall aloneHands-on: Is Intel's Wireless Display a game changer?Could cable lose its grip on TV business?Roku Player gets more niche video channelsHulu Plus quietly made its way to the Apple TV yesterday. Upon restarting their Apple TVs, U.S.-based owners with an $8-per-month Hulu Plus subscription were able to start streaming its selection of movies and television shows. Based on The Next Web's report, it appears international Apple TV owners also saw the app, despite not being able to access its videos.Hulu has been slow to roll out its service internationally. In September, the company launched Hulu Japan, but so far, it hasn't gone elsewhere. In an FAQ on its site, Hulu says that it doesn't "have a timetable for any news regarding expansion beyond Japan at this time." So, international users might be waiting some time before they can finally access Hulu Plus' programming.CNET has contacted Hulu for comment on The Next Web's report. We will update this story when we have more information.
International Apple TV owners are complaining that they have been blocked from Hulu Plus.According to The Next Web, which has obtained images of an error message displayed when users try to stream a show or film from Hulu Plus, those with an Apple TV and U.S. iTunes account are able to browse Hulu's selection of titles. Upon choosing one of those titles, however, a "Geo Restriction" pops up, telling them they cannot access the particular video."We're sorry. Currently our video library can only be streamed within the United States," the message reads, according to images posted by The Next Web.Related storiesTV fans, name the best shows missing on HuluNew York Times can't build its pay wall aloneHands-on: Is Intel's Wireless Display a game changer?Could cable lose its grip on TV business?Roku Player gets more niche video channelsHulu Plus quietly made its way to the Apple TV yesterday. Upon restarting their Apple TVs, U.S.-based owners with an $8-per-month Hulu Plus subscription were able to start streaming its selection of movies and television shows. Based on The Next Web's report, it appears international Apple TV owners also saw the app, despite not being able to access its videos.Hulu has been slow to roll out its service internationally. In September, the company launched Hulu Japan, but so far, it hasn't gone elsewhere. In an FAQ on its site, Hulu says that it doesn't "have a timetable for any news regarding expansion beyond Japan at this time." So, international users might be waiting some time before they can finally access Hulu Plus' programming.CNET has contacted Hulu for comment on The Next Web's report. We will update this story when we have more information.
Huawei unveils 7-inch Android 3.2 tablet
Huawei unveils 7-inch Android 3.2 tablet
Chinese telecom heavyweight Huawei has announced a new 7-inch tablet.The device, called MediaPad, will come with a dual-core 1.2GHz processor and will support full 1080p HD video playback. The device will ship with a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, as well as a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, boasting auto-focus and HD video recording. The MediaPad will feature Wi-Fi and HSPA+ (14.4Mbps) connectivity.The platform will be what Huawei calls the "world's first 7-inch Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet." Android 3.2 will reportedly feature the same functionality as Android 3.1, but will be optimized for the 7-inch display.The MediaPad isn't Huawei's first foray in the tablet space. Earlier this year, the company unveiled another 7-inch tablet running Android, called the Ideos S7 Slim. That device is running Android 2.2 (Froyo).Huawei's MediaPad is joining an increasingly crowded tablet space with Motorola, Samsung, RIM, and others all jostling for position. However, those companies are trying to catch up to Apple, which said earlier this month that it has sold 25 million iPads since that tablet's launch last year.Android tablets, meanwhile, have had some difficulty attracting customers, and last month, Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang, gave several reasons for the trouble Android devices are experiencing in the marketplace."It's a point-of-sales problem. It's an expertise-at-retail problem. It's a marketing problem to consumers. It is a price-point problem," he said.Huawei did not immediately respond to request for information on the MediaPad's pricing and availability.
Chinese telecom heavyweight Huawei has announced a new 7-inch tablet.The device, called MediaPad, will come with a dual-core 1.2GHz processor and will support full 1080p HD video playback. The device will ship with a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, as well as a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, boasting auto-focus and HD video recording. The MediaPad will feature Wi-Fi and HSPA+ (14.4Mbps) connectivity.The platform will be what Huawei calls the "world's first 7-inch Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet." Android 3.2 will reportedly feature the same functionality as Android 3.1, but will be optimized for the 7-inch display.The MediaPad isn't Huawei's first foray in the tablet space. Earlier this year, the company unveiled another 7-inch tablet running Android, called the Ideos S7 Slim. That device is running Android 2.2 (Froyo).Huawei's MediaPad is joining an increasingly crowded tablet space with Motorola, Samsung, RIM, and others all jostling for position. However, those companies are trying to catch up to Apple, which said earlier this month that it has sold 25 million iPads since that tablet's launch last year.Android tablets, meanwhile, have had some difficulty attracting customers, and last month, Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang, gave several reasons for the trouble Android devices are experiencing in the marketplace."It's a point-of-sales problem. It's an expertise-at-retail problem. It's a marketing problem to consumers. It is a price-point problem," he said.Huawei did not immediately respond to request for information on the MediaPad's pricing and availability.
HTC Thunderbolt one pricey smartphone to make
HTC Thunderbolt one pricey smartphone to make
That's according to a recent study by IHS, who found that the phone's bill of materials was $262, the highest total out of any smartphone the firm has ever torn down. The high price was largely due to the 4G components, which added $39.75 to the cost of the smartphone. The company says the higher cost provides some insights on the issues Apple may have when it constructs a 4G-compatible iPhone. "The next iPhone's (build-of-materials) value certainly will increase substantially compared to the iPhone 4 if LTE is implemented in the same manner as in the HTC Thunderbolt," said Wayne Lam, an analyst at IHS. Related coverage• iPhone 5 rumor roundup• Four years of the iPhone• Why things are looking good for VerizonIn comparison, the CDMA variant of the iPhone 4 has a build-of-materials cost of $171.35. The firm estimates the cost would go up to $211.10 if Apple used the same LTE components that HTC did. While there remains speculation--mostly wishful thinking--that the next iPhone will be compatible with Verizon's 4G LTE network, many remain skeptical. Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook said in April that the first generation of LTE components would force compromises that the company wasn't willing to make. The wireless carriers are eager to push 4G service, seen by many as the key to their continued growth. IHS, however, does note that there are more cost-efficient components available now than there were when the Thunderbolt was being designed. Still, any 4G components would require a radical redesign of the hardware.
That's according to a recent study by IHS, who found that the phone's bill of materials was $262, the highest total out of any smartphone the firm has ever torn down. The high price was largely due to the 4G components, which added $39.75 to the cost of the smartphone. The company says the higher cost provides some insights on the issues Apple may have when it constructs a 4G-compatible iPhone. "The next iPhone's (build-of-materials) value certainly will increase substantially compared to the iPhone 4 if LTE is implemented in the same manner as in the HTC Thunderbolt," said Wayne Lam, an analyst at IHS. Related coverage• iPhone 5 rumor roundup• Four years of the iPhone• Why things are looking good for VerizonIn comparison, the CDMA variant of the iPhone 4 has a build-of-materials cost of $171.35. The firm estimates the cost would go up to $211.10 if Apple used the same LTE components that HTC did. While there remains speculation--mostly wishful thinking--that the next iPhone will be compatible with Verizon's 4G LTE network, many remain skeptical. Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook said in April that the first generation of LTE components would force compromises that the company wasn't willing to make. The wireless carriers are eager to push 4G service, seen by many as the key to their continued growth. IHS, however, does note that there are more cost-efficient components available now than there were when the Thunderbolt was being designed. Still, any 4G components would require a radical redesign of the hardware.
HTC CEO slams Apple settlement estimates, calls them outrageous
HTC CEO slams Apple settlement estimates, calls them outrageous
HTC Chief Executive Peter Chou said today that he was happy with the settlement reached with Apple, and called the estimates floating around "outrageous."Earlier this month, Apple and HTC struck a 10-year cross-licensing agreement, putting to bed a long-running and bitter legal battle. While the companies didn't disclose the terms of the deal, analysts had surmised that HTC was on the losing end, and would pay upwards of $6 to $8 per Android phone. Related storiesAnalysts predict bold growth for Google AndroidHTC expecting sales turnaround with new lineupHTC's next super phones waiting in the wingsThe 411: Sorry, no Chocolate for youWanted at Google: Nexus One phone support Chou, speaking to reporters, including Reuters, at a product event in Japan, slammed the estimates as inaccurate and "baseless," but didn't provide any additional numbers. HTC President Jason MacKenzie told CNET earlier that he was happy with the settlement and that the deal wouldn't significantly impact the company's financials. HTC was the first company Apple targeted in its legal attack on Android, and its settlement with HTC have some hoping for a similar resolution to a similar legal clash with Samsung Electronics. Samsung said yesterday that it wanted to see the details of the Apple-HTC settlement because the deal may involve similar patents. A Samsung executive said it didn't intend to negotiate with Apple. HTC, meanwhile, gets to put away the distraction of multiple lawsuits and can get back to focusing on its turnaround efforts.
HTC Chief Executive Peter Chou said today that he was happy with the settlement reached with Apple, and called the estimates floating around "outrageous."Earlier this month, Apple and HTC struck a 10-year cross-licensing agreement, putting to bed a long-running and bitter legal battle. While the companies didn't disclose the terms of the deal, analysts had surmised that HTC was on the losing end, and would pay upwards of $6 to $8 per Android phone. Related storiesAnalysts predict bold growth for Google AndroidHTC expecting sales turnaround with new lineupHTC's next super phones waiting in the wingsThe 411: Sorry, no Chocolate for youWanted at Google: Nexus One phone support Chou, speaking to reporters, including Reuters, at a product event in Japan, slammed the estimates as inaccurate and "baseless," but didn't provide any additional numbers. HTC President Jason MacKenzie told CNET earlier that he was happy with the settlement and that the deal wouldn't significantly impact the company's financials. HTC was the first company Apple targeted in its legal attack on Android, and its settlement with HTC have some hoping for a similar resolution to a similar legal clash with Samsung Electronics. Samsung said yesterday that it wanted to see the details of the Apple-HTC settlement because the deal may involve similar patents. A Samsung executive said it didn't intend to negotiate with Apple. HTC, meanwhile, gets to put away the distraction of multiple lawsuits and can get back to focusing on its turnaround efforts.
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