valentines

The 404 278: Where we stab ourselves to deaf with Knife Music

Today we get down and dirty with David Carnoy, Executive Editor and resident tech carnoysseur at CNET.com. As a self-published author (check out his book at KnifeMusicBook.com), he gives his unique take on the recent Amazon Kindle 2 announcement, iPhone eBook alternatives, and whether or not the Kindle can cordially coexist with tangible novels and newspapers.

We also ask him to stay for a few stories, including a study out of Europe that finally takes a logical stance on video game censorship. We also try to congratulate David on the recent birth of his twins, but get sidetracked … Read more

Blow a Valentine's kiss with your iPhone

If you're a guy in the mood for Valentine's Day who doesn't know what to do, well, I don't have any dating or relationship advice.

I do have something you might want to try, however. It lets you literally blow kisses to that very special person, or persons, regardless of the distance. All you need is an iPhone (or iPod Touch) and, of course, the ability to blow a kiss properly.

The application is aptly called "Blow a Kiss" and can be downloaded for free at Apple's App Store. I tried it on … Read more

Holographic candlelit dinner makes for geeky Valentine's

This being a month of love and sweet nothings, you can't help but love ThinkGeek, which has your back with some of the most hilarious and kitschy gimmicks this planet has ever seen. The Holographic Candlelit Dinner Kit comes right in time for Valentine's, from a date who can only be labeled "cheap," "unimaginative," and a "total geek"--the last being a compliment for some, we're sure.

What we're not so sure about is whether the nausea and headache induced from staring into each other's diffracted bug eyes through … Read more

The 404 277: Where it's too early for Veronica to podcast

Veronica Belmont of Revision3's Tekzillaand PlayStation's Qore rubs the sleep out of her eyes and joins us on today's show all the way from San Francisco. We chew up a little East Cost/West Coast beef, address Justin and Veronica's fleeting encounter at CES 2009, and jump right into our Valentine's Day plans. The three of us discuss our lonely and pathetic V-Day schedules, but we're all floored when Veronica reveals her top-secret wild and crazy plans. I'm not even sure where she rented a crane and a trailer full of Capuchin … Read more

Game swag strikes again: Nintendo's chocolate kitchen utensils

It may not beat the frozen Skate steaks we got a couple of weeks ago, but today's daily dose of video game swag comes courtesy of Personal Trainer: Cooking, an upcoming title for the handheld Nintendo DS game console.

The game seems to be more of an interactive cookbook, leading you through 245 recipes with an onscreen guide, and using the DS' built-in mic for navigation if your hands are tied up with, you know, cooking stuff.

Packaged in a clearly Valentine-themed red cardboard box, we found a press release and a heart-shaped box--the kind typically used to hold … Read more

MYPL8: Find vehicular romance this Valentine's Day

Seeking love and affection this Valentine's Day, but don't have the guts to tell your sweetheart? Using anonymous greeting cards because you're too socially inept to communicate face to face? If so, it's probably time to try a new tactic: stalking innocent commuters while they're stuck in traffic.

The newly launched MYPL8 service--also known as PL8M8--allows love-starved U.K. drivers to communicate via text. Once you spot someone you fancy, note their car's registration number and, when it's convenient, text their registration number and a brief message to the MYPL8 text number. … Read more

'Little Big Planet' Valentine's Day Mini Pack on PS Store

Ah, February 14, love is in the air...well, maybe not for everyone, but it's Valentine's Day nonetheless: the day loved ones do things together, or at least should, like download the Little Big Planet Valentine's Day pack from the PlayStation Network.

Media Molecule has put together a Valentine's Day theme pack. In addition to their McLovin SackBoy costume, the theme pack comes equipped with a full array of stickers and decorations that will surely inspire some wild and crazy creations. So go on, create that ultimate Valentine's Day level or object for your chosen … Read more

SpeedDate iPhone app makes love search faster

Good news, everyone. And by everyone, I mean those who are trendy and single. Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and we're here to help you speed up that dating process.

You'll need to be an owner of either an iPhone or an iPod Touch, though. Thus, the aforementioned "trendy" notion.

Online speed dating service SpeedDate announced on Monday the availability of its free iPhone application. No more excuses. You can now find a match anywhere. Sort of.

The app allows access to SpeedDate members' profiles, which you can connect to by sending a "wink" or a quick "flirt." It also allows for creating a new profile if you are not already a member. You won't be able do much else, however, such as sending an e-mail to a member.

I tried the app on my iPhone 3G and got my profile up and running within a minute. After that, the application asked for my location and went straight to the "SpeedDate" tab, where it showed me a list in slide-show style of singles in my area between the ages of 18 to 99.

After narrowing the age range, I was surprised by the number of singles available in my vicinity. Unfortunately, the application doesn't allow for filtering by any other criteria, such as height, body type, or hair color. I couldn't put any of the matches into a "favorite" list either. And if I turned the application off, I needed to go through the same process again when I turned it back on. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to find the same person again.… Read more

Say "I love you" with something sweet

Nothing says, "I love you" like a home-cooked meal, and nothing tops off a delicious dinner like homemade dessert. Just in time for Valentine's Day, you can get your hands on these silicon heart-shaped molds by Fauchon and make a dessert that's both tasty and festive.

Silicone molds have become popular vessels for baking. They store easily, allow for painless food removal, are dishwasher safe, and prevent the burned-on residue that shows up so frequently on metal pans. Since the heart is an odd shape, using a silicone mold means that your cake will come out … Read more