cops

You've double-parked your car to pick something up when a robot rolls up and threatens to give you a ticket. You might laugh, but the thing's talking with a human voice.

Researchers at Florida International University's Discovery Lab are working with a member of the U.S. Navy Reserves to build telepresence robots that could patrol while being controlled by disabled police officers and military vets. In a sense, they would be hybrid man-machine cops, like RoboCop. … Read more

Smash Cops is a fast-paced police-chase driving game with innovative controls, a helicopter's-eye-view interface, slick and satisfying sound and graphics, and some frustratingly imperfect design choices.

At its core, Smash Cops is great fun: You direct a cop car through a series of quick missions -- 22 in all, from simple pursuit to prisoner transport to skill challenges like navigating traffic cones or collecting items. You race around a detailed cityscape, navigating with either a traditional virtual joystick or a neat (if at times less accurate) system of dragging your finger behind where you want to go, almost as … Read more

Is there anything more viscerally satisfying than a car chase? Especially a cops-and-robbers chase that ends with the bad guys getting rammed into a concrete median?

That's the premise of Smash Cops (iTunes link), a thoroughly engaging new iOS game. You drive the squad car, chase down criminals, then do your best to smash and crash their getaway vehicles.

At first blush, Smash Cops ($2.99) resembles other top-down racing games, including Reckless Racing and Reckless Getaway. (The latter is pretty much the polar opposite of this game.) But here the view comes from an overhead TV-news helicopter, ostensibly broadcasting the action as it transpires. It's a neat gimmick, particularly the "breaking news"-style status updates.… Read more

Being able to match colors on Web pages is an important element of Web design. You may need to match a new page design to an existing one or create custom colors that don't mimic other popular sites. Either way, a color picker is an essential tool to have on hand. Color Cop offers a simple way to read color info, and it does so effectively and in an easy-to-use package.

Color Cop appears as a tiny box that floats on top of your Web page. You can minimize the box while you browse, but it stays on top … Read more

Antuan Goodwin joins us today to discuss the ISP's agreement to become the Copyright Cops of the internet. Should we fear them? We also talk about driving while talking on the phone and whether or not it is safe. And we continue to follow all of the hacking stories and possible vulnerabilities in our devices. Also the Space Shuttle Atlantis launches for it's final voyage into outer space!

On today's show, we're kind of down on Microsoft Office 365 and poor MySpace's future, but we feel a tiny bit positive about the overlapping circles of nerdiness that could be possible with Google's new Plus social networking beta. Also, find out what you love on Google, if you can, and see all the movies you want for $50 a month. Plus: our new favorite word! Philanthrodorks!

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has shot down on Twitter an idea for the last remaining thing that would have gotten me to visit that city again. He said there are no plans to erect a statue of RoboCop.

RoboCop, of course, is the titular character in one of the greatest films of all time. Set in postindustrial Detroit, the movie presents the half-man half-bot police officer as a fighter for truth and justice--even if it means going above the law (and other cliches).

It's an iconic film that could be considered a pinnacle of the ultraviolent action cinema of … Read more

Chrysler released a dark and intimidating image of its police vehicle that goes on sale in September.

It's the police version of the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger equipped with either an E-85 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 or 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with a fuel-saving multidisplacement system. The Pursuit's suspension is tuned for performance and saddled with heavy-duty antilock vented-disc brakes (ABS), front and rear stabilizer bars, and 18-inch performance tires on steel wheels. Rear-wheel drive design and a redesigned front and rear multilink suspension deliver a smooth ride, and its two-mode police-specific Electronic Stability Control (ESC) calibration … Read more

Wilson's still out sick, but it's hard to miss the little guy when we have Natali Del Conte in the studio to keep us company. Our listeners in Southern California must miss him dearly, because they stomped their feet in unison at 4:04AM yesterday and caused a 4.4 magnitude earthquake! No major damage or injuries were caused by the quake, so we're taking this as a friendly warning not to break up the crew!

We're hoping none of us ever gets to see the backseat of the new Interceptor, Ford's new automobile that will soon replace the Crown Victoria as the official police vehicle. The car is outfitted with a twin-turbocharged engine, bigger brakes capable of surviving a 75-mph rear-end collision, "antistab" rear-window plating, and Ford's hands-free Sync technology. No word yet on whether or not Ford plans to update existing undercover patrol cars disguised as taxis. Yeah, we see you, coppers!

It's no surprise that Snooki and the other stars of MTV's "Jersey Shore" fully endorse Ugg Boots, but a new study by the head of the British College of Osteopathic Medicine might have them rethink their choice of footwear. No one's doubting their level of comfort, but some podiatrists are suggesting that the foot doesn't get the proper support inside the boots, which can lead to ankle, knee, hip, and back pain after prolonged wear. Ugg Australia commented that their boots are built for "comfort" rather than as "performance footwear," so be sure to limit the amount of time you spend in them!

I have to give fair warning about the pictures that we show after the break, because you might not like what you see. After yesterday's conversation about RuPaul's Dragulator, listeners Derrick and Paul took it upon themselves to create their versions of Natali and The 404 in drag! Click at your own risk.

There's plenty more to get to, including Nintendo D2 rumors and a segment on "marital aids" in the shower, but you'll have to check out the full episode to hear it all! Much thanks to Natali Del Conte for filling in for Wilson today, and don't worry, listeners: she'll be back on Thursday's show, as usual!

We also have plenty of 404 stickers left, so send us a SASE and don't forget to send us a picture of where you stick them; there's a good chance I'll use it on a blog post! Unique, high-quality pictures in landscape are ideal. Send to the404(at)cnet[dot]com. Thanks all!