Geek culture

You can already transform your iPhone into a baby toy and let your cats paint on your iPad. Now it's time to turn your toddlers loose on your Apple device.

The Crayola Trace & Draw system from Griffin Technology is an iPad 2 case designed to bring out your young one's inner Matisse or Motherwell.… Read more

BURBANK, Calif.--Every Hollywood studio is security-conscious in this era of online spoilers, but the folks at Disney play it tighter to the vest than most. To keep its news fresh (and to preserve the fairytale illusions for kids), Disney doesn't let "non-cast members" behind the scenes very often.

So it was a special (trick or) treat last week when Disney Interactive Media Group invited members of the press, staffers, and any kids in earshot to come on the studio back lot for a Halloween party.

The group used the event to hype its current slate of games across multiple platforms (Xbox 360, PS3, iOS, and PC), including Lego Pirates of the Caribbean, Cars 2: The Video Game, and Disney Universe. … Read more

Believe it or not, we still have our jobs after welcoming Jim Lanzone, CBS Interactive president, on yesterday's show. Go back an episode and listen for a rare opportunity to hear someone make fun of Jeff. Cheers, Jim!

Today we're going over some of the stories that we didn't get to talk about yesterday, including Google's latest OpenGL project. The platform that Google tested using Google Earth is once again put to use on the Google Infinite Digital Bookcase, a helix of virtual books you can browse in a 3D model.… Read more

It's a busy job being president of CBS Interactive, but Jim Lanzone takes an hour to sit down with CNET's The 404 Podcast to talk shop, so we're minding our Ps and Qs, our Fs....Ss....Bs....and Ds.

Jim kicks off the conversation and tells us about his experience in the start-up world with eTour, Clicker, and Ask.com, then we explore his ideas about the future of television and how Web programming will compete with DVRs.

We'll also chat about GameSpot and EA teaming up for The Controller, a competition reality show where the best pro-gamers from around the country battle in a high-stakes competition without ever touching the controller.

Finally, we're taking questions from the live chat room and talking with Jim about today's tech news headlines, like the new Lytro camera that captures light in every direction in every point in space (whoa), the most annoying tech words in Web 2.0, and a reminder to turn off Siri access in your iPhone 4S's lock screen!… Read more

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--Saint's Row: The Third, the new crime- and mayhem-based video game from THQ, was the centerpiece of a big premiere party and media event last week at Supperclub here, drawing a few B-list celebrities and serving up all the rail drinks the L.A. professional party crowd could stomach.

I came to the shindig hoping to give you more information than that, but the party had about as much to do with the criminal syndicate/gang violence-themed video game as it did the lingerie shop across The Walk of Fame. There were pole dancers. There were contortionists. … Read more

Siri is the hottest date in town right now. A guy on YouTube has already proposed to her in song (she turned him down).

When you're in love, you tend to confess a lot of personal details like what guilty-pleasure pop music you listen to and what your secret pet names are.

Siri won't shun you for downloading Justin Bieber's latest album. She'll even call you any nickname you want. Like "Bieber Lover," for example.

That's all fine and dandy until every person you share your contact information with also finds out that your nickname is "Bieber Lover."… Read more

Any parent can use the old "here comes the airplane into the hangar" ruse to get a kid to eat, but why not go one better with "here comes the Enterprise into a wormhole"?

I don't have any kids this young anymore, but ThinkGeek is really making my ovaries tingle with the Star Trek Enterprise Light-Up Feeding System. The bib has motion-activated LEDs on what looks to be a scene from "The Trouble With Tribbles." It doesn't specifically say so, but that looks like Space Station K-7 to me. The spoon is a replica of the old-school Enterprise ("NCC 1701. No bloody A, B, C, or D.") complete with flashing LEDs on the warp nacelles.

The $24.99 bib and spoon set is aimed for ages 12 months and older (insert your own hacky "still living with parents" joke here), and comes with three dishwasher-safe spoon attachments. You supply your own dramatic music. … Read more

CBS MoneyWatch's Jill Schlesinger helps us understand why Wall Street is disappointed with Apple's fourth-quarter results despite year-over-year growth across its iPhone, iPad, and Mac properties.

We return the favor by telling Jill why she should care about Google's Android Ice Cream Sandwich updates, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and why babies under 2 years old shouldn't live in front of digital screens.

Also, stay tuned after the break for news about Sony PlayStation Vita launch delays, and Jeff chimes in with a surprising pitch for the future of portable gaming. Heads up, Sony and Nintendo!… Read more

It's easy to get lost in all the new Android and Windows Phone handsets coming out soon, but CNET's Kent German, Bonnie Cha, and Nicole Lee have us covered. Today Verizon and Motorola announced their latest Droid Razr, a modern incarnation of the original Razr design with a non-bulletproof Kevlar backing and an ultraslim profile.

We also have a leaked shot of the Google Nexus Prime, a first take of the HTC Titan, and a Microsoft patent that encourages you to access touch screens through your pants. Too easy! This and more irreverent stories on today's episode of The 404 Podcast.… Read more