bang

Has Higgs been discovered? Rumors of watershed news build

The physics buzz reached a frenzy in the past few days over the announcement that the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva is planning to release what is widely expected to be tantalizing--although not conclusive--evidence for the existence of the Higgs boson, the elementary particle hypothesized to be the origin of the mass of all matter.

Many physicists have already swung into action, swapping rumors about the contents of the announcement and proposing grand ideas about what those rumors would mean, if true. "It's impossible to be excited enough," says Gordon Kane, a theoretical physicist at the University … Read more

Cars that rock, and roll

These five cars have the best-sounding stereos we've tested all year.

To get good sound in a car, you used to have to visit an installer, who would rip out four tinny speakers and replace them with six-by-nines, a sub, and an amp. But now many automakers are partnering with known audio companies to put high-quality audio components in cars at the factory. These systems are designed specifically for each car by professional audio engineers. We picked out five cars with the best-sounding audio systems we heard this year. These systems produce the kind of sound that will have you driving around the block until your favorite song finishes playing.… Read more

The 404 910: Where we are baked fresh every day (podcast)

When Steve "The Audiophiliac" Guttenberg tells us he has ideas for the 404 Podcast, we listen. We invited him to sit down with us today to talk about Netflix splitting in half, which "high-end" audio manufacturers are making impossible claims about their products, and the headphones that just earned Steve's award for "Worst-Sounding Audio Ever."

Be sure to keep checking The Audiophiliac blog on CNET for the latest hardware reviews and news, and follow up with Steve on Twitter @Audiophiliacman.

The 404 Digest for Episode 910

A $25,000 'bookshelf' speaker from Magico. The award for 'Worst-sounding audio product' goes to... Steve endorses these $74 5.1-channel home theater satellite speakers. And these $1 HDMI cables from Monoprice, too.

Episode 910 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Pink Panther auto and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang replica headed for online auction Sept. 4

The original Pink Panther car and a replica of the "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" car will be featured in an online auction from from a U.K. auction house beginning at noon on Sept. 4, and running through 1 p.m Oct. 14.

The Panthermobile was created for "The Pink Panther Show," which ran from 1969 to 1976 on NBC.

According to auction house, Robson Kay, the car was the brainchild of Hollywood designer Jay Ohrberg, who is best known for creating memorable small- and big-screen vehicles such as K.I.T.T. from "Knight … Read more

Pricey Bang & Olufsen headphones cater to smartphone crowd

Meet the EarSet 3i, the latest headphone design from luxury Danish hi-fi brand Bang & Olufsen. It's basically a dual-earbud version of the EarSet 1 Mobile, the company's ergonomic over-the-ear headset made from silver aluminum and a light rubber earpiece.… Read more

The original flying car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, goes on sale

The original flying, amphibious car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, goes up for auction on May 15 in Los Angeles. It is expected to sell at between $1 million and $2 million.

Like a movie star, the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang going on sale didn't do its own stunts in its eponymous film. While other cars and models for the film flew and floated, this car merely drove, although the sellers point out it was built tough enough to handle dirt roads, cobblestone streets, and even a drive down a set of stairs.

The car was built for the 1968 … Read more

CES: Bang & Olufsen signs chip cooperation deal with Intel

Bang & Olufsen, a company known for its distinctive audio designs, has signed a chip technology cooperation agreement with Intel.

The Danish company has expanded into many technical markets beyond audio, including video, home media servers, telephones, and home automation that brings electronic controls to electronics, curtains, and thermostats.

"This strategic cooperation with Intel provides Bang & Olufsen with access to the latest silicon process technologies. This will enable Bang & Olufsen to stay at the technological forefront in the future and increase the efficiency of Bang & Olufsen's product development," said Bang & Olufsen Chief Executive … Read more

Bang & Olufsen hits German trifecta

A decade ago, Bang & Olufsen started up its automotive division. Now it has hit the trifecta, partnering with Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, the three major German automakers.

At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, we saw examples of Bang & Olufsen stereo installations in the Audi A8, the BMW Concept 6-series Coupe, and the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid.

Bang & Olufsen is a high-end Danish manufacturer of audio components, and has shown a flair for the dramatic in its automotive installations. Speakers rise up out of dashboards while grilles are made of brushed aluminum and include ambient lighting around the edges. … Read more

Wozniak makes cameo on 'Big Bang Theory'

For today's frivolous tech post of the day, we bring you Steve Wozniak, Apple's co-founder and "Dancing With the Stars" alum, who last night made an appearance on CBS' hit show "Big Bang Theory."

The Woz is onscreen a little over a minute and interacts exclusively with ubernerd Sheldon via a "virtual presence device" in a restaurant.

Sheldon says he's a big fan and that Wozniak is his 15th favorite technological visionary. Wozniak remarks, "Only 15?" To which Sheldon replies: "It's still six spots above Steve Jobs. … Read more