Lifestyle

Comic books and soda seem to go together pretty well. That's why Epic Comics has a soda-dispensing machine. But it's not just any soda machine, it's a Tardis. I'm assuming, in this case, T.A.R.D.I.S. stands for "Time And Relative Dimensions In Soda."

The Orlando, Fla., comic book store admits it hasn't tried to use the soda Tardis to travel back in time to bring back Crystal Pepsi or Surge, but it is allowing its fans to vote on what the machine will hold. The current lineup includes five different carbonated drinks, each with a different "Doctor Who" actor assigned to it.… Read more

To whip the one-time dominant Yahoo portal (remember when those were a thing?) back into shape, CEO Marissa Mayer and company have been laying down the law. All Yahoos now must make it into the office, as telecommuting and work-from-home arrangements will officially become a no-no by June.

The new policy is meant to improve collaboration and communication, but it's also been dinged for being antithetical to the spirit of Silicon Valley, where world-changing work often originates from garages and coffee shops. … Read more

Some tasks are better left up to computers, like playing "Jeopardy," calculating pi, and mixing cocktails. Wait ... mixing cocktails? If you don't think a computer can whip up a compelling cocktail, then you haven't met Bartendro.

A creation of the awesomely named company Party Robotics, Bartendro is a robot mixologist crafted from peristaltic pumps, Raspberry Pi, custom electronic dispenser boards, and food-grade tubing. It may simultaneously be the least-necessary and most-desirable robot in the world.

… Read more

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Just say no: Polaroid returns with an instant camera shaped like...the Instagram icon.

- "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" theme song prompts school lockdown.

- You should watch "Room 237," a fan theory documentary about "The Shining."

- 50 fan theories that will blow your mind, and the Subreddit that goes with it.… Read more

Bars can be crowded, noisy places that do little to release tension after a long work week. That's not to say these qualities are particularly undesirable; sometimes the frenetic, wild activity is exactly what is desired.

But not always. That's why we have beer fridges and kegorators for the home. In fact, the home bar has achieved such a level that we have motorized cocktail shakers and mixed drink makers that require no more than a spin of a dial.

However, as well stocked and outfitted as a home bar may be, there is one thing it most definitely does not usually come with: a steering wheel.… Read more

You think you're so clever whipping out your iPhone to film police when they're giving someone an ill-judged whipping.

Well, the police can fight back, you know -- technologically speaking.

Officers in Laurel, Md., have decided that the way to prove that they are fine, upstanding policemen -- and sections of the populace are not -- is to get into wearable tech.

It's not quite Google Glass, and they won't look quite as manly as Sergey Brin.

However, attaching a little video camera to their shades or, say, their hats will apparently avoid doubt.… Read more

Great chefs are crazy.

There are many kinds of crazy. Some of these culinarians rant, rave, and spit fire and brimstone. Some pore over their ingredients like scientists: quiet, brooding, and deeply serious.

All believe they can create their own particular gastronomic dreams, ones nobody else can copy. Especially not a computer.

IBM thinks different.

Having seen its Watson computer crush mere humans at the trivial game of "Jeopardy," the company is now setting the machine's sights on bigger business.

According to The New York Times, the world of haute cuisine is one in which IBM would like to make a robotic incursion.… Read more

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- The mystery behind Chipotle's secret 1,500-calorie monstrosity.

- The ultimate In-N-Out secret menu survival guide.

- I used to smoke pot every time I played a video game. Here's why I stopped..

- SUNY adds a hip-hop anthem to its marketing set list.

- 404 listener Kulastar made this infographic comparing Bill Murray to Jim Carrey.… Read more

I'll be honest. Vague phrases like "inner balance," "emotional resilience," and "coherence zone," all of which HeartMath uses to describe its new heart rate monitor and corresponding app, aggravate me a bit. After test-driving the product this week, however, I can overlook the language.

Think of the system as a mobile meditation guide. Available as of yesterday on iTunes, HeartMath's free Inner Balance app works exclusively with its Inner Balance earlobe sensor for iOS ($99), which is available at the company's online store or through many major retailers. It uses emWave technology to show the user's heart rhythm pattern (HRV) and trains the user to change that pattern to a healthier, "coherent" state.

The system is easy to set up and, more importantly, use regularly. After installing the app, simply clip the sensor to your earlobe, plug it into your iPhone or iPad using a standard 30-pin connector (you'll need a Lightning-to-30-pin adapter for iPhone 5), and tap the screen to start.… Read more