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The 404 789: Where we're desperately clinging to our last peanut (podcast)

Natali Morris is letting go of her peanuts and leaving CNET, but she'll be here until April 29, which means there are only four more Natali Thursdays left! In this edition of The 404, Google is making news with its latest social networking effort, +1; the government is developing a panic button smartphone app; and Reddit users are defending the integrity of the board against link fraud!

The 404 Digest for Episode 789

Single tires are available for sale on Amazon.com. Today is World Data Backup Day--thanks, Reddit! 4chan sends us the Anonymous Bad Guy 404 Augmented Reality app. Uncle Henry shows us The 404 playing on a white iPad 2. Hard Wok Cafe logo mock-ups by Hai Ho and Robin--thanks!

Episode 789 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Clear 4G+ modem review: Mobile Internet delight

I recently reviewed Verizon's VL600 4G USB modem and found it a painful conundrum that the modem is superspeedy and yet Verizon's data plans are superlimited (and expensive). That problem is solved with Clear's 4G+ Mobile Series S USB modem.

This modem is very similar to the VL600 in that it offers extremely fast Internet access using cellular signals.

However, it has a few advantages. First of all, it's more compact, has a swiveling USB head (which would fit in any USB port, even hard-to-reach ones), and comes with a port for an external antenna. It … Read more

Sprint launches 3G/4G combo USB dongle

Though the benefit of the 4G cellular data connection is clear, it's much faster, mobile users might still want to opt for a 3G service because 4G coverage is still limited.

There's now, however, a solution that takes care of this dilemma: the new Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U mobile broadband modem.

Sprint and Sierra Wireless announced the device Tuesday, calling it the first on the market to offer the much higher data speeds where 4G coverage is available, and 3G speeds where it is not.

The 3G/4G dongle comes in a rather compact design with 180-degree … Read more

Amazon.com has the Haier America ibiza Rhapsody HV18A4G 4GB MP3 Player for $48.16, after $11.83 savings.

Save $11.83 on the Haier America ibiza Rhapsody HV18A4G 4GB MP3 Player from Amazon.com >> Regular price is $59.99 >> Sale price is $48.16 >> Savings $11.83 (19.72%) >> Click here for deal

Wi-Fi rides to wireless networks' rescue

Good old Wi-Fi could be the fix to an impending explosion of data on wireless networks.

Nearly three years after Apple introduced the game-changing iPhone, wireless operators around the globe are feeling the effects of the wireless data tsunami that is well under way. Even networks that don't support the iPhone are feeling the pinch as a generation of new wireless devices offering bandwidth-hungry Web applications are hitting networks.

The result, as many iPhone users in New York City and San Francisco will tell you, is a network that drops calls and offers wireless Net surfing at the speed of a turtle.… Read more

Cox wireless coming in March

Cox Communications is aiming for March to launch its wireless service, the company said Wednesday.

The cable operator is initially partnering with Sprint Nextel to resell its wireless service to customers. Cox already bundles high-speed Internet, telephony, and TV. Wireless service will create a quadruple play.

The company hasn't announced pricing yet but has said that the service will launch first in three markets: Hampton Roads, Va.; Omaha, Neb.; and Orange County, Calif. In total, Cox serves roughly 1.45 million cable subscribers in these markets.

Unlike Comcast and Time Warner Cable, which have invested in a company building … Read more

3G wireless still holds promise

There's been a lot of talk in 2009 about the next generation of wireless technology, known as 4G wireless broadband, but the current generation of 3G wireless technology is far from dead.

For many wireless operators, especially those that have built their networks using the global standard GSM, the current 3G wireless technology called HSPA still has some legs left. And while many carriers are planning their 4G networks, hundreds of wireless providers throughout the world are also expected to upgrade existing network infrastructure with the latest versions of the 3G wireless technology to increase speeds and offer new … Read more

Qualcomm readies 3G/4G mobile chipsets

Mobile chip maker Qualcomm said Thursday that it has started providing new wireless chipsets that combine 3G and 4G wireless technology to help carriers transition to the next generation of wireless technology.

The company said Huawei Technologies, LG Electronics Novatel Wireless, Sierra Wireless, and ZTE are among the first mobile-device manufacturers to test the new chips.

Qualcomm said that devices that use the new chips could be available in commercial products starting in the second half of 2010.

The new chips will allow wireless phones and other portable devices to switch between a 4G wireless network using LTE, or long-term … Read more

The 404 444: Where we tell a Brutal Legend of Uncharted waters

Get ready to have your faces melted, because Brutal Legend finally comes out today for XBox 360 and the PS3. To quote Jeff, the game is a "metal fan's absolute fantasy come true." It stars Jack Black as the voice of Eddie Riggs, a roadie for a metal band that must fight off metal-infused demons to save the world. Unfortunately, Jeff has some criticism about the game that might influence your buying decision.

Speaking of video games, though, it just so happens that Uncharted 2 also comes out today exclusive to Playstation 3, although it's already garnering excellent reviews from critics, including our own Dan Ackerman. The game is essentially the male-centric version of Tomb Raider, a take on the Indiana Jones adventure-style franchise. The antihero of the story, Nathan Drake, acts as a treasure hunter and art thief for hire, and it's up to you to navigate him across the world as he battles through firefights and explores virtually limitless environments that add to the overall realism of the game. Can't decide between Brutal Legend and Uncharted 2? Jeff's got your answer on today's show!

Big congratulations goes out to Natali Del Conte for making onto Manolith's list of the 12 hottest geeky girls in tech! NDC joins the ranks of other Internet hotties like Jade Raymond, Jessica Chobot, Morgan Webb, and more, so be sure to take a peek at the list and let us know who YOU think is missing! Don't even think about nominating Wilson...he's booked solid for the next decade.

Finally, it's my turn to choose the Beck's Beer Semi-Weekly Audio Draft Pick! Today's band is Raisinhill, a couple of talented chums hailing from Redding, Conn., who play a modernized version of up-tempo jazz/rock fusion. The trio are all classically trained and use their wide range of talents to create their dancey jams.

We understand that today's generation probably isn't running to record stores to pick up jazz CDs, so we're hoping you'll keep an open mind with Raisinhill and appreciate their instrumental talents. Besides, any band endorsed by Mr. Belding, Ron Jeremy, and Napoleon Dynamite HAS to be pretty good. The songs of the day are called "Nameless" and "The Ridge." You can listen to both songs on their MySpace page. If you like what you hear, you can buy their self-titled album as well. Enjoy!

EPISODE 444 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video

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