toes

Perhaps it should be called Cut the Web

In Greedy Spiders, your job is to rescue helpless flies being hunted by one or sometimes several hungry arachnids. Each fly is thoroughly trapped in web, but with a simple tap of your finger you're able to cut individual strands to eventually free them all. The problem is, every time you make a move, the spiders get to make one, inching themselves progressively closer to their prey.

To start, you get to cut a single strand of web per turn. A good strategy is to either snip near the spider to cut off its route, or snip one of … Read more

Watch out! There's a mouse at your feet

For those with upper-body disabilities, using a computer can be quite challenging. While voice recognition software has advanced to a stage where you can orate an essay and see it typed out, in some cases cursor control may involve a touch screen and a straw held in the mouth.

Designer Liu Yi has come up with the Toe Mouse, which, as its name suggests, is made for the feet. Gripped between the big toe and the second toe (as with a pair of flip-flops), this wireless peripheral uses an optical sensor and two buttons to give physically challenged users full … Read more

The 404 555: Where we're sweating in our jeans (podcast)

Another Natali Del Conte Thursday is upon us, and, as usual, her timing is perfect because all this week we've been talking about parenting! So far, we've only talked about how frustrating it can be to teach parents how to use technology; however, today's episode exposes all the creative ways we got into trouble as children. It turns out, Justin record isn't exactly "clean," and Natali has something of an evil twin...

It all starts with a story in the news about a 16-year-old in Arkansas suing his mother for stalking him on Facebook. According to the KATV article, the mother, Denise New, read a few comments on her son's Facebook page about his reckless driving and decided to "hack" into his Facebook account, change his password, and read his messages.

While parents are certainly within their rights to monitor their children's Internet usage, it sparks a larger conversation about parental responsibility and the minimum age suggestion for allowing children on social networks. We'd love to hear parents chime in with a comment about how you check up on your special little guy or girl. Keyloggers? Password hacks? Over-the-shoulder reading? Let us know!

One of The 404's recurring themes is our fierce hatred and disgust over men's feet, and more specifically, men wearing flip-flops. However, we've decided that the only time the visual is acceptable is if you're using an exposed foot to control Liu Yi's Toe Mouse (or if you're preparing this entree).

It's only a concept for now, but Yi's toe-operated mouse is specifically designed for users with physical disabilities that limit the use of the upper body. The mouse is ergonomic, so it fits just like a normal sandal--between the big and second toes--but don't expect to see a CNET video review anytime soon...for your sake, trust me.

Finally, we have a full spread of calls (and e-mails) From the Public with your comments about tech-inept parents, listening to the show in class, hot sauce gifts, and more! Add your input to The 404 Podcast by leaving a voice mail at 1-866-404-CNET or send us an e-mail to the404(at)cnet(dot)com. Stay cool!

EPISODE 555 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

A robot for hair plugs

Hair plugs. It's a topic no one wants to talk about. Getting hair plugs is a sign of vanity. Besides, what if, instead of using spare arm or leg hair, they plant those crinkly, thick hairs from your big toe onto your head?

Restoration Robotics can't help with that problem, but it will help with the actual planting. The company has created a robot that assists doctors in this part of the operation. Now, doctors put in the hair plugs by hand, just like rice farmers. These robots can save time, money, etc.

The company has also just … Read more

False big toes of the ancients?

Does the curse of the mummy begin with bunions?

Jacky Finch, a researcher at the University of Manchester's KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology, is testing to see whether two large wooden toes from the era of the Pharaohs were ornamental or actual medical devices.

If the wooden toes turn out to be prosthetics, this will mean that the art of making fake body parts for practical is centuries older than believed. The oldest prosthesis yet discovered is an artificial leg dating from 300 B.C. The toes are from between 1,000 B.C. and 600 B.C.

One … Read more

When you refuse to get 'The Clapper'

Here at Crave, we're unfailingly dedicated to conserving energy--especially our own. So to do our part in the fight against NBM (Needless Bodily Movement), we're always on the lookout for gadgets like the "Remote-Controlled Switch Socket."

This handy little thing facilitates our slothful ways with a remote that acts as a wireless toggle switch for whatever is plugged into its special socket on the wall within 100 feet, according to Uber-Review. Yes, "The Clapper" will do the same thing, but please--allow us some shred of what little dignity we have left.

Our only concern … Read more