Crave

Just like everyone who grew up on something of a "Star Trek" diet, I want to believe.

I want to believe that Spock will rise from the dead, get married, and have pointy-eared offspring, who, regressing to the mean, will become sports-loving couch potatoes. I want to believe that Captain Kirk will shack up with Uhura on Pluto and lead a fight to have the planet recognized as one of the greats.

And I want to believe that d'Armond Speers really did only speak to his son in Klingon for the first three years of the little boy's life.

You don't remember d'Armond? Well, he first entered the Trekkie firmament in a 1999 Wired article, in which he told of how difficult it had been to communicate solely in the limited language of Klingon with his then 30-month-old son, Alec.

He even presented a recording of little Alec singing the opening bars of the Klingon Imperial Anthem.

Will Klingon still be the language of our future?

(Credit: CC Millermz/Flickr)

The story has this week been updated with some extraordinary news.... Read More

You know you want one.

(Credit: Lynne Dhenson/Etsy)

I wasn't quite sure how to start this one.

I considered "It's not often you hear 'felt' and 'Star Trek fans' together. OH SNAP!" but I reconsidered. Too predictable. Plus, you know, it's not like I'm George Clooney here.

Anyway, I kinda dig this. One might even say I crave it. Etsy user Lynne Dhenson crafted this pimptacular Star Trek felt pillow. It's hand-cut, hand-stitched, and perfect for Star Trek fans; not only is it really cool-looking, but it also glows in the dark!

While it's not for sale now (KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!), one can hope. I like to think there are always possibilities.

(Via GeekSugar)

Aww, isn't it cute?

(Credit: Entertainment Earth)

Update: Entertainment Earth mentioned to me that despite what it says on the box, the bobblehead doesn't talk. But you're free to pretend all you want.

Well, wouldn't you know it, San Diego Comic-Con International (affectionately known as Nerd Prom) is only a few days away, and guess who's mad he's not going?

I tried to console myself by thinking, "Aw, it's probably gonna suck anyway. You won't see anything interesting."

Even when I saw the guest list, I kept up the sentiment, though there were giant cracks in the facade (Ray Bradbury? I'm missing Ray Bradbury?).

But when I saw some of the SDCC-exclusive toys and realized they wouldn't adorn my desk because--and I'm not sure I've mentioned this enough times--I'm not going, I got full-on P.O.ed.

Just as an example, here's a nifty Spock bobblehead. Yawn, you're saying. You've seen Spock bobbleheads. Ah, but this one, an Entertainment Earth exclusive for the convention, has a clear body which, when you push his head, looks like it's being beamed away, complete with light-up effect.

Why, Entertainment Earth? Why do you taunt me with such things?

And while you can preorder them from the site, they'll be shipping while supplies last after the convention, so if all 1,500 sell out at the con (they're only $13.99 each, so there's a good chance they will), you're out of luck.

"Heartbeat is all wrong...his body temperature is--Jim, this man is a Klingon!"

(Credit: Entertainment Earth)

Oh, man. They're just trying to kill me. Which, I suppose, is a bit ironic, as this is a replica of a medical device.

Seriously, though, check it out. For a measly $39.99, you can be the proud owner of a Star Trek Original Series Medical Tricorder. Exclusive to Entertainment Earth (the "they" who is trying to kill me with all this geeky stuff), this deluxe tricorder not only looks sweet, but even has sound clips of DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy, including my personal favorite, "I'm a doctor, not a bricklayer!" It also lights up and makes the beeps and whistles you'd expect.

Now I've had tricorders before--I used the sounds from a toy Next Generation model during a call to convince my friend there was something wrong with his phone--but this one is old-school Trek. It even has a portable medical scanner. How can you not want to buy that? Or, even better, how can you not want to buy that for your Trek-loving husband? (This is directed mostly at my wife, but if it works for you, good luck.)

After a very relaxing three-day weekend, we're back for a fresh start and a hilarious show. Today, we recap our appearance on Fox News and our weekend exploits, debut a few excellent logo submissions, and reveal Wilson's secret shame.

Sick camera face, Wilson

(Credit: Justin Yu/The 404)

Welcome back, everyone! Hopefully your weekend was as relaxing as ours was, although sometimes a three-day weekend can be more tiring than a whole week of work! Let's just say that seeing the sunrise as you go to bed can be beautiful and tragic at the same time. We kicked off our Memorial Day weekend with an appearance on Fox News' "Strategy Room" with our buddy Clayton Morris. Most of you have already seen it, but check it out if you haven't and let us know what you think. Were we too serious for our own good? More bathroom humor, perhaps? I'll try harder next time.

In related 404 news, Wilson discovers that Dave Matthews Band is using the REMIXED version of our theme song in a promotion on its Pandora channel. What the crap is that all about, DMB? We're calling you guys out on stealing the song from our buddy Jamie Lewis, and we're extra protective since we consider him the unofficial voice of the show, so expect that subpoena in the mail immediately. And Jamie, if you're reading this...we'll be looking for our commission check soon, too.

Aside from us tearing apart some d-bag that broke the Rock Band 2 world record, we also have a hilarious call from the public and show off more submissions for our "Design The 404 Logo" competition. Watch the video for today's show to check them out, or see the slideshow below for high-res shots. Send your high-res submissions to the404[at]CNET[dot]com and we'll show them on the air for the chance to win a gigantic prize package that includes a copy of "The Back Book," Anna David's "Bought," and more!

The 404 Logo Submissions

Aside from some technical difficulties today and a giant bug bite, we've got a great show featuring all three of your favorite Web celebrities. Before we get to the stories, we want to remind everyone of The 404 logo contest and of our appearance on our buddy Clayton Morris' FoxNews.com's Strategy Room to talk about all the good tech, video game-related goodness at 2 p.m. EST.

(Credit: Jasper Engels)

On today's show, find out ways that kids now are using abbreviations in text messages to hide things from their parents. Apparently, "RU/18" is something that kids these days are getting on their cell phones. Also, Pfizer is giving away free three-month supplies of Viagra and Lipitor because of the recession, but only if you were on the drugs before you got laid off. We hope Justin isn't itching to get fired for this deal.

In regard to a story about China shutting down a sex-themed park, Wilson gives us way too much information about "the talk" with his mom when he was 15. Justin and Jeff learned everything from "Sesame Street." Speaking of more things naughty, there is a new version of "Star Trek" called "Star Trix", and we can't really say much more about it other than it's totally NSFW.

Finally, showers make you more productive at work. Just be sure to watch out for peephole-size openings at work. Be sure to write in at the404 [at] cnet [dot] com. We'd love to see more of your submissions for our logo contest. See you on Tuesday after the Memorial Day break!

Episode 348

Longtime friend of the 404 Tim Geisenheimer takes Wilson's spot today on the show where we talk a whole lot about the Palm Pre. The Pre will hit stores Saturday June 6 for $200 after a $100 rebate. We weigh some of the pros and cons of the new Palm gadget and try to figure out why (or if) it's cooler than the iPhone.

Next it's on to the world of used video games and how Walmart is testing out a new kiosk in some of the company's stores. The blue box will pay you for old games that you slide into a slot. After the little man inside checks the game for scratches, he'll magically credit your charge card with the money for the game. Sounds too good to be true? Probably. We're just curious as to how competitive the prices are.

An ingenious combination of puppies and cameras takes shape at PuppyPullingPower. Which dog attracts the most female friends? Listen and find out.

Speaking of pets, find out why some ridiculous cat has over half a million followers on Twitter and why this is the end of the Internet as we know it.

EPISODE 345

Justin's new roommate.

(Credit: The Horror Dome)

Man, we're never going to have a complete show again. With Wilson in Boston visiting his newborn son, we invite Natali Del Conte back on the show, where we disgust and delight her with stories about gravity-defying bras, sleeping with rodents, and a $4k pair of Xbox/Nike sneakers.

After begging Natali to take me back, we move onto a story about a pair of Nike sneakers that fetched $4k on eBay this weekend. They're custom made and feature fiber optic wiring that makes the shoes light up and glow on the wearer. You can guess how wide Jeff opened up the hating floodgates on these guys.

We've also got a really disgusting story about a new strain of SUPER RAT found in Europe that's resistant to pesticides and modern poison. I've got my own story to tell about my ongoing battle with mice in my home, and I won't give away any secrets, but be sure to listen to the last 15 minutes of the show to hear the rest...R.O.U.S. is a staggering understatement. Enjoy your lunch everyone!

Episode 32 of the Digital City, where we discuss the hurdles for electric cars in NYC, read the tea leaves on new iPhone hardware at WWDC, find out why Craigslist is (sort of) dropping sex ads, and ponder the improbable physics of Star Trek's black holes.

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