Metal

Next iPod to have metal unibody design?

According to Macnn, one of Apple's latest patents indicates the company may be looking at a unibody design for the iPod Classic--and possibly other products.

In October of last year, Apple began incorporating unibody designs into its new MacBook and MacBook Pro lines. The "revolutionary" manufacturing process creates a seamless enclosure carved from a single piece of aluminum that makes the final product lighter, thinner, and, according to Apple, sturdier. The unibody design may also help shave manufacturing costs.

It seems logical for Apple to switch to a unibody design for its iPod Classic, which currently uses … Read more

Scenes from GDC 2009

While it may not have the same mainstream cachet as the Consumer Electronics Show or the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the annual Game Developers Conference, also known as GDC, is always one of the most interesting places to gauge the health of the video game industry.

So far, the games biz has managed to create the impression that it is largely recession-proof, free (for the most part) from the layoffs and closures that have affected so many other industries. But video games may be a textbook trailing indicator, buoyed by popular low-cost hardware such as the Nintendo Wii and DS, and … Read more

Metal Gear Solid Touch hits Apple's App Store March 19

The iPhone version of Konami's popular "MGS" series now has an official release date of March 19 and a price: $9.99.

As a high-profile "shooter" making its way onto Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch, there's been some hype surrounding Metal Gear Solid Touch. However, due to its rail-shooter nature gaming blog Kotaku has been mocking it for being nothing more than a fancy version of Duck Hunt. Ouch.

That's said, what's not to like about a good rail-shooter--and Duck Hunt, for that matter?

Anybody looking forward to dropping 10 bucks … Read more

New details on 'Metal Gear Solid 4' for iPhone

If you haven't checked out Konami's Web site for "Metal Gear Solid 4 Touch," the iPhone version of the popular "MGS" series, we recommend taking a look--even if you don't have an iPhone or iPod Touch. Both site and game look pretty sweet, and Konami's posted new details with some Flash animation showing off the sniping and shooting controls. We also like the whole concept of cursor as giant finger.

The game is apparently sort of a rail-based shooter, and you use your finger to aim and tap the screen to shoot. … Read more

The 404 Yuletide Mini-sode One: Where tis' the season to GAME ON!!!

This year The 404 decided to get something special for that special somebody: You! We'll be posting these 404 "mini-sodes" so you don't experience podcast withdrawal over the holiday break. In this first installment we talk about the year in games.

It's been a great year for gamers and we pick our faves over the past 365 days. We also take it back to 1998, ten years ago, and discuss that classic year in gaming history while roasting marshmallows over our yule log.

So Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Kick-butt Kwanzaa and Fantastic Festivus. This year, give the gift of 404 and make sure to follow-up that gift with a gift of clean underpants. Who loves ya? The 404 loves ya.

Yuletide Mini-sode One Download today's podcast … Read more

The 404 249: Where Rana knows the show number before we do OR Where we'd rather be in Tittybong

Rana and CMC join the show for a "what's up" with iPhone apps and a warm farewell to the last dick. Is Steve Jobs alive? Will New Yorkers pay tax on their iPods? Will Guitar Hero ever add death metal tracks? All these answers and more on The 404. Did we mention that we've got two flesh and blood females on the show? Make sure to stick around until the end of the episode when we find out that Rana has a secret celebrity crush...

EPISODE 249 Download today's podcast… Read more

Is 'GTA IV' really the game of the year?

Sunday night at the Spike Video Game Awards, Grand Theft Auto IV was awarded game of the year honors, beating out Gears of War 2, Fallout 3, Fable 2, Burnout Paradise, and a slew of other great games that didn't make the cut.

From a sales perspective, it's tough to argue with the logic--GTA IV set sales records earlier this year, selling 2.5 million copies in its first week and 5.04 million units since its release. Although the total units sold mark doesn't set any records, GTA IV obliterated every other known sales record and was met with considerable reviewer praise. I'd venture to say that it was the best Grand Theft Auto title in its storied history.

But does that make it the best game of the year?

To say GTA IV is the best game of 2008 isn't such an easy decision to make. If we purely base it off sales, then I guess it's impossible to pick any other game. But if we look at the value each game provides, I'm not so sure GTA IV deserves the top spot.… Read more

WiiWare and Virtual Console releases for this week

This week gives Space Invaders its overdue revenge and a classic side-scrolling shooter its second date with the Virtual Console. WiiWare Space Invaders Get Even (Taito, 500 Wii points): My, how the tables have turned. In this classic remake, you'll take control of the UFOs, blasting relentlessly at the poor defenseless humans. Make use of five different attack types and then hop online to see where you stand in the rankings. Pit Crew Panic! (Hudson Entertainment, 800 Wii points): In Pit Crew Panic! you're in charge of repairing vehicles on the race track. Use your Wii remote to … Read more

The 404 162: Where Michael Phelps can swim faster than we can run

On today's show: Heroic and controversial news from the 2008 Summer Olympics, Michael Phelps dominates the competition, Chinese gymnasts gettin' shady wit it, child abuse in the form of gymnastics training, the great bigfoot unveiling, Favre team traitor trading, Hawaii Five-0 remake, and submission from our 404 GoAnimate competition!

I know that we've talked almost nonstop about the Olympics this week, but we have to considering all the crazy controversy going on this year. I actually can't remember the last time I've heard so much news about the Olympics that didn't have to do directly … Read more

The 404 136: Where Maggie makes her triumphant return to The 404

It's definitely been awhile but we're happy to welcome Maggie Reardon, Senior Writer for CNET News.com, back to the show. Today we talk about waiting in line for useless electronics, beer pong video games, the shaky new PS3 firmware, and Maggie enlightens us on some iPhone alternatives and the benefits of switching to Sprint. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MAGGIE!!!

EPISODE 136 Download today's podcast