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Obama appoints lobbyist to head FCC transition, reports say

So much for change.

Telecom policy circles are a buzz with the news of Barack Obama's pick to head the Federal Communications Commission transition team. Obama is reported to have chosen lawyer and DC insider Henry Rivera, a former Democratic FCC commissioner, lobbyist, and currently a partner at communications law firm Wiley Rein.

Rivera is not currently registered as a lobbyist, but according to the Center for Responsive Politics, he lobbied for the Catholic Television Network in 2001. In his capacity as a lawyer, he has represented major wireless carriers, a local exchange carrier, and a major airline in … Read more

The 404 219: Where Wilson can't stop looking at himself

On today's show, we discuss the Halloween weekend, our escapades into Hasidism, and a few very poor costume choices. The whole time, Wilson just can't stop looking at his self-made portraits, so we concentrate our efforts in welcoming up-and-coming videographer Marvic Paulo to the show. He joins us in discussing our apathy toward Circuit City, defends the heavenly burritos from Chipotle, and we each reveal the shrouded secrets of our tragically bullied childhoods. TOO REAL!

Good friend and dedicated 404 listener Marvic Paulo helps us figure out a few stories on today's show, one of which involves a Web site that gives children the opportunity to report school bullies and other deviants in complete anonymity online. The site, School Tip Line, is designed to give young people a voice to report information about thefts, drugs, and harassment. Wait, what?! I think I've heard of this site, it's made by the founders of narc.com, jabroni.com, and howtogetyourbuttkicked.com, right? Don't get me wrong, I definitely got bullied in middle school, but I did what everyone else did: enrolled in a karate class, watched a bunch of Ninja Turtles episodes, and befriended the biggest kid I could find. What happened to good ol' American ingenuity? You wonder why our nation breeds socially inept hermits, it starts when they can weasel their way out of facing real life scenarios such as these! While you're here, why don't you check out my site, www.stopSNITCHING2009.com.

Don't forget about this week's Video game contest! You have a week to send in your custom LittleBigPlanet or MotorStorm: Pacific Rift box art submissions; the covers must feature The 404 in some capacity and this time, try and keep them PG-13. Need pics of The 404? Try our Flickr or the Facebook Group!

EPISODE 219 Download today's podcast … Read more

Software unlock for iPhone 3G coming soon?

An unlocked iPhone 3G is a little closer to becoming reality, according to the iPhone Dev Team.

Gizmodo picked up on a video produced by the iPhone Dev Team demonstrating that it has gained access to the baseband processor used by Apple in the iPhone 3G. The baseband chip is what controls the connection between the phone and the mobile phone network, meaning that a software download that could let you use your iPhone 3G on a carrier network other than the ones officially designated by Apple could be released soon.

I'm sure you remember the fuss about the original iPhone and those who sought to unlock it … Read more

Former 'cyberczar' goes corporate

On Wednesday, HBGary announced that Andy Purdy has joined their advisory board.

Purdy, while a member of the White House, co-drafted the 2003 edition of the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, then joined the Department of Homeland Security. There, he served on the tiger team that helped to form the National Cyber Security Division (NCSD) and the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT). He went to head both organizations and was dubbed by the media as the "cyberczar" of the United States until DHS appointed Greg Garcia as assistant secretary for cybersecurity and communications.

In 2006, Purdy … 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

Hacker team releases iPhone 2.0 jailbreak

A little more than a week after the release of Apple's iPhone 3G, an unofficial development team has announced the release of software that "jailbreaks" the new device, allowing unauthorized third-party applications to be loaded.

In a post titled "Thanks for waiting," the self-dubbed iPhone Dev Team announced the release of Pwnage 2.0, which also allows unauthorized third-party applications to be loaded on older iPhones and iPod Touchs running the iPhone 2.0 operating system. In hacker jargon, to "pwn" means "to compromise" or "to control."

While the … Read more

Is the stand-alone toaster an endangered species?

Pity the poor toaster. Like a single person surrounded by married couples, it seems destined to be fixed up again and again, with the promise that this coupling will be the match that lasts.

The latest pairing to come to my attention: a Breakfast Set from Team Appliances, which combines a two-slot toaster with a five-cup drip coffee maker. All the expected features are here, from a removable crumb tray and adjustable darkness settings on the toaster to a reusable filter and automatic shut off on the coffee maker. What's missing? A timer to start your coffee brewing before … Read more

News.com Daily Podcast: So clean tech's another bubble? Not so fast

More new investment money is going into clean technology than any other sector of high tech. And while that's exciting a lot of investors, it's also raising questions about whether we're about to repeat history. CNET News.com's Martin LaMonica, who recently heard a number of experts debate the question, offers some comparative context to that question.

New York Post reporter Michael Kane followed two of professional gaming's best-known teams, Team 3D and CompLexity, as they fought for the coveted No. 1 spot in gaming. The result--Kane's book, out today, called Game Boys: Professional … Read more

The 404 124: Where Fox News is giving us something good to talk about

In a follow-up to our newest "It came from Fox News" segment, actual Fox news anchor Clayton Morris drops by the studio today and dishes out his views on digital privacy in the workplace, making the switch, the perpetual woes of iPhone ineptitude, and the ancient practice of group shaving. If that isn't enough, we also conclusively prove that living well is the best revenge. EPISODE 124 Download today's podcast