nightly

The 404 Podcast 503: Where everything was better in the '90s

In typical 404 fashion, this morning's show started later than usual, mostly because we couldn't shut up about all the things that made the 1990s one of the best decades ever.

Some of the conversation leaks into the beginning of the episode, including a chat about the evolution of video games since the '90s. It's hard to imagine a time before you needed a toy chest to hold all the plastic instruments you need play a simple game!

You can get your 404 fix every day of the week (thanks to Nick for the image above!), but the most random stories always end up on Friday. Today is no different, with Wilson's first story about mysterious cookies that offer "natural supplemental endowment." Called the F Cup Cookie, the treat is quickly gaining popularity in Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore, because of their promise to increase bust size in three weeks or less! Rest assured, we've already ordered three boxes to test the claims ourselves.

Should the film industry provide heart health warnings prior to showing movies with heavy 3D imagery? It might be worth the discussion, especially after a 42-year-old Taiwanese man died after watching "Avatar" in 3D.

The man started to feel uneasy during the screening of "Avatar" in 3D and was quickly taken to a hospital where a scan showed a brain hemorrhage. Sadly, the man died 11 days later. Doctors reported that "the over-excitement from watching the movie triggered his symptoms," a claim that opens up our conversation about possible preshow warnings.

We've spent all week stuffing your SASEs full of 404 stickers, and if you already got yours in the mail it's YOUR turn to do some work for US! Take a picture of where you stuck your 404 sticker(s) and tattoo(s) and send it to us at the404(at)cnet(dot)com. If you do, there's a good chance we'll show it on the air! Take a cue from Cheryl, the Official 404 Grandmother who sent us a picture of her grandson fully covered in them! Nice work, Cheryl!

EPISODE 503 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

BMW Night Vision: Spot the deer before it's caught in the headlights

BMW 5 Series sedan is sporting new bells and whistles including BMW Night Vision. The new technology uses an infrared camera with a wide-angle lens to create images of the surroundings based on heat. Warm objects, such as animals or pedestrians, appear as bright shapes.

This 30-second video demonstrates how BMW Night Vision works.

A digital zoom feature captures objects far away. A panning function turns the camera image automatically when the vehicle is cornering, enabling the driver to detect obstacles in the road. Drivers are safer negotiating dark courtyards and garages.

'SNL' mocks the iPhone

The more Verizon and AT&T trade unseasonal greetings over their respective 3G networks, the more collateral damage seems to be inflicted on the iPhone. Yes, Verizon has itself made jokes about the iPhone being a "misfit toy". However, on Saturday, Seth Meyers of "Saturday Night Live" dedicated 16 seconds of his Weekend Update to a joke about, yes, truly, the iPhone.

Here is the precise text: "It was reported this week that Google would soon launch its own cell phone as a challenge to the iPhone. Also a challenge to the iPhone? Making … Read more

Unboxing Modern Warfare 2's 'Prestige Edition,' complete with night vision goggles

If simply playing the hotly anticipated shooter Modern Warfare 2 isn't enough, you might be tempted to shell out extra for the $149 Prestige Edition of the game (over the typical $59 standalone game disc).

Inside the oversize box, we found a copy of the game in a metal case, a small hardcover book of production art, and most importantly, a pair of plastic--but functioning--night vision goggles. Said goggles, which required five AA batteries, also came with a small plastic bust of a game character's head--perfect for storing and displaying your goggles when not using them to sneak … Read more

Another addictive game from PopCap

Peggle Nights is an utterly ridiculous game, and we mean that in the best way possible. Scholarly animals, celebratory rainbows, and a choral rendition of "Ode to Joy" are but a few of the goofy treats that await players of this delightful game.

Like most games from PopCap, Peggle Nights has wonderful graphics and sound effects. The premise of the game is something we don't fully understand (we're in the Peggle Institute, the Peggle Masters are sleeping, and as far as we can tell we're living out their dreams) but it doesn't matter--that part … Read more

Wednesday Night Drags at Infineon Raceway

Infineon Raceway (formerly known as Sears Point) is famous outside of California for hosting racing events for national heavyweights such as NASCAR and Indy Car. But California car and racing enthusiasts know that Infineon holds a semi-weekly event called "Wednesday Night Drags".

Nearly every Wednesday throughout the year, car owners can bring their own cars or trucks and race em drag style on the historic Infineon asphalt. And when I say owners can race in their own vehicles, I mean it - depending on the night, you can see vintage muscle cars squaring off against newer pickup trucks, … Read more

Night-vision goggles and buck-hunting rifles: You know, for kids!

Toys just aren't the same as when I was young, when a Rubik's Cube and a Greedo action figure were enough to get me through a Sunday. Jakks Pacific, makers of many a plug-and-play retro-gaming peripheral and children's toy, has some new wrinkles up its sleeve for the holidays, and we got a chance to get our hands on some of the new stuff in the CNET office.

On the more controversial side, Jakks' new product in their direct-to-TV plug-and-play games line is a low-cost all-in-one version of Big Buck Hunter Pro. In case you've been away from bars for a while, the popular arcade game is a rifle-shooter light-gun game involving hunting for deer. This home edition, unlike PC and console games before it, consists just of the plastic shotgun--which has the game software built-in--and a wireless IR bar that sits atop the TV like the Wii's sensor bar. But is this something you'd want in your home?… Read more

Enjoy your Kindle at night with the e-Luminator2

Kindle fans, it's time for some nighttime reading.

M-Edge Accessories announced Tuesday its second-generation e-Luminator2 booklight for the Amazon Kindle. This is a sleek-looking, versatile light that's designed to go along with M-Edge's existing line of protective jackets for the e-reader.

The new accessory features a 3-inch-long support arm, a pivoting battery housing, a flexible steel neck, and a housing for the light. The support arm slides behind the Kindle into a specially designed pocket built into the back cover of most M-Edge jackets. The flexible neck can then be positioned at the user's discretion to provide full-screen illumination.… Read more

Real-time Earth wallpaper

EarthView offers a look at the globe in real time. With simple controls and a crystal-clear satellite view, this is a fun addition to any desktop or screensaver.

EarthView's interface is a user-friendly affair that allows you to customize your view of the globe. Controls are unmistakable and fun to tinker with. In addition, there is a Help file for anyone still feeling confused about this basic program. Viewing Earth is not difficult, but choosing which view may be a little more work. The program's controls provide simple access to the entire globe. Clicking a few buttons will … Read more

Snoop Dogg shows off his Lakers low-rider on late-night TV

This was on some time ago, but I still thought it was pretty cool. Snoop Dogg is just too cool. The yellow convertible features Snoop as a star player.