The 404 357: Where Wilson calls dibsies on Dan Hesse
Dan Hesse denied that Verizon and AT&T would be getting the Palm Pre in six months time, saying that the reports had the facts wrong.Wilson thinks that Sprint probably has the option to extend its exclusivity in six months.Wilson also thinks that the Palm Pre is a little too small and a little too thick.Reminds us of something we'd rather not say or write.In more phone news, Jitterbug has released a new version of its Jitterbug cell phone.Remember the one last week that couldn't even dial 911 in some cases?Well, Jitterbug has added text messaging to this new model.Yeah, we don't really think that grandma is going to be really into T9 text messaging.Plus, we think Jitterbug is opening up itself to the worst deluge of tech support calls on the planet by having direct tech support access built-in to the cell phone.Our grandparents drive us crazy enough when they ask us to set up their VCRs. Imagine if that was your job!Grandpa:Why doesn't my son call me any more?In more puzzling economic recession news, we find it pretty interesting that the tattoo removal business is booming.Apparently, that face tattoo was a great idea when the economy was booming.Now, you'll be hard pressed to find a job doing much of anything that doesn't require a face mask if you've got one.Finally, in the big news of the day, we let the world know that musician and inspirational speaker, Andrew W.K., will be coming to guest on The 404 on June 18.Be sure to get your iPods, Zunes, iTunes, and RSS readers all fired up to check out this interview.For those of you who don't know, check out any party scene in a movie released in the last decade for his hit "Party Hard."He'll be on to promote his new show on the Cartoon Network, and Justin will be dedicating his life to the man.We're serious.We think Andrew W.K. should bring bodyguards.Take care and have a great weekend everybody!EPISODE 357Download today's podcast Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS Video Wilson breaks Palm Pre and Sprint infoMaggie Reardon's legit news article about the Sprint and Palm scoopBrand-new JitterbugTattoo removal business growing during recessionAndrew W.K. comes on The 404"Party Hard"Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson Tang
Love low-fi- 3D-print your own vinyl records
Love low-fi? 3D-print your own vinyl records
I can't bear to part with my record collection. It's got gems like Steely Dan's "The Royal Scam" that sound better on a turntable and amplifier than on MP3. Maybe analog sound can feel better because we're analog creatures. Whatever the reason, vinyl's recent popularity has led to events like Record Store Day and DIY projects like Amanda Ghassaei's 3D-printed records.An editorial staffer at Instructables.com, Ghassaei managed to lay down digital audio files on 3D-printed 33 rpm records that she played on a standard turntable. The results, as heard in the video below, sound about as clear as phonograph cylinders from the 1880s. The audio output has a sampling rate of 11kHz and 5- to 6-bit resolution, but tunes like Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" are easily recognizable. Related storiesHow to catalog your vinyl collection onlineKick the iTunes habit and celebrate Record Store DayStaples to offer in-store 3D printing on demandGhassaei went to TechShop in San Francisco and created the records on a large-scale Objet Connex500 printer, which has a particularly high 600dpi X and Y resolution and a print layer accuracy of 16 microns. It produced records with grooves that are wider and deeper than factory-made vinyls, so each side can only fit five or six minutes of sound. Check out a video of Ghassaei removing the white resin records from the printer, pizza-style, and scraping off the residue here. She notes that her 3D-printed copy of Daft Punk's "Around the World" had such a heavy bass sound that it threw the needle off and forced her to revise the conversion algorithm. Meanwhile, you can download her other printed songs like New Order's "Blue Monday" here. "The Objet still at least an order of magnitude or two away from the resolution of a real vinyl record," Ghassaei writes. "My hope with this project was that despite the lack of vinyl-quality precision, I would still be able to produce something recognizable by approximating the groove shape as accurately as possible with the tools I had."Her homespun records are only prototypes and who knows how good they'll get. Could this lead to a DIY K-tel?
I can't bear to part with my record collection. It's got gems like Steely Dan's "The Royal Scam" that sound better on a turntable and amplifier than on MP3. Maybe analog sound can feel better because we're analog creatures. Whatever the reason, vinyl's recent popularity has led to events like Record Store Day and DIY projects like Amanda Ghassaei's 3D-printed records.An editorial staffer at Instructables.com, Ghassaei managed to lay down digital audio files on 3D-printed 33 rpm records that she played on a standard turntable. The results, as heard in the video below, sound about as clear as phonograph cylinders from the 1880s. The audio output has a sampling rate of 11kHz and 5- to 6-bit resolution, but tunes like Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" are easily recognizable. Related storiesHow to catalog your vinyl collection onlineKick the iTunes habit and celebrate Record Store DayStaples to offer in-store 3D printing on demandGhassaei went to TechShop in San Francisco and created the records on a large-scale Objet Connex500 printer, which has a particularly high 600dpi X and Y resolution and a print layer accuracy of 16 microns. It produced records with grooves that are wider and deeper than factory-made vinyls, so each side can only fit five or six minutes of sound. Check out a video of Ghassaei removing the white resin records from the printer, pizza-style, and scraping off the residue here. She notes that her 3D-printed copy of Daft Punk's "Around the World" had such a heavy bass sound that it threw the needle off and forced her to revise the conversion algorithm. Meanwhile, you can download her other printed songs like New Order's "Blue Monday" here. "The Objet still at least an order of magnitude or two away from the resolution of a real vinyl record," Ghassaei writes. "My hope with this project was that despite the lack of vinyl-quality precision, I would still be able to produce something recognizable by approximating the groove shape as accurately as possible with the tools I had."Her homespun records are only prototypes and who knows how good they'll get. Could this lead to a DIY K-tel?
Best Buy sale trims price on cellular iPads
Best Buy sale trims price on cellular iPads
Consumers looking for a 3G or 4G iPad can save some cash via Best Buy.Starting Wednesday and running through Saturday, the retailer's latest sale brings down the cost of a cellular iPad to that of a Wi-Fi model. The details of the sale are tricky, but here's how it all plays out.Buy any cellular model iPad at Best Buy, and you instantly get a $30 discount. Activate the tablet and data plan in the store, and you save an additional $100 off the price at checkout. Further, the usual activation fee of $35 is waived. Activate the iPad with AT&T or Verizon, and you receive a $100 bill credit to help you pay off the monthly data cost.Each model iPad also carries its own discount.iPad 2 buyers can save an additional $100. iPad Air buyers can save $20 on the 16GB version, $30 on the 32GB model, $40 on the 64GB edition, and $50 on the 128GB version. Opt for the original iPad Mini, and you cut the final cost by $10. Go for an iPad Mini with Retina, and you save $20 on the 16GB version and $30 on all the other versions.Got all that? If not, here's an example provided by Best Buy:You buy a 32GB iPad Mini with Retina, which retails for $630. You get a $30 instant saving for buying a cellular iPad. You shave another $100 off the price and avoid the usual $35 activation fee by activating the iPad in the store. You cut the final price by another $30 by picking this particular model. And you get a $100 bill credit if you active the table with AT&T or Verizon.Final cost of that 32GB iPad Mini with Retina is...$470, not counting the waived activation fee and bill credit.Certain iPads are currently on sale through Best Buy's Web site. But you'll need to visit your local BB outlet to seal this latest deal.
Consumers looking for a 3G or 4G iPad can save some cash via Best Buy.Starting Wednesday and running through Saturday, the retailer's latest sale brings down the cost of a cellular iPad to that of a Wi-Fi model. The details of the sale are tricky, but here's how it all plays out.Buy any cellular model iPad at Best Buy, and you instantly get a $30 discount. Activate the tablet and data plan in the store, and you save an additional $100 off the price at checkout. Further, the usual activation fee of $35 is waived. Activate the iPad with AT&T or Verizon, and you receive a $100 bill credit to help you pay off the monthly data cost.Each model iPad also carries its own discount.iPad 2 buyers can save an additional $100. iPad Air buyers can save $20 on the 16GB version, $30 on the 32GB model, $40 on the 64GB edition, and $50 on the 128GB version. Opt for the original iPad Mini, and you cut the final cost by $10. Go for an iPad Mini with Retina, and you save $20 on the 16GB version and $30 on all the other versions.Got all that? If not, here's an example provided by Best Buy:You buy a 32GB iPad Mini with Retina, which retails for $630. You get a $30 instant saving for buying a cellular iPad. You shave another $100 off the price and avoid the usual $35 activation fee by activating the iPad in the store. You cut the final price by another $30 by picking this particular model. And you get a $100 bill credit if you active the table with AT&T or Verizon.Final cost of that 32GB iPad Mini with Retina is...$470, not counting the waived activation fee and bill credit.Certain iPads are currently on sale through Best Buy's Web site. But you'll need to visit your local BB outlet to seal this latest deal.
Best Buy cuts price of iPhone 4 to $49.99
Best Buy cuts price of iPhone 4 to $49.99
Those of you in the market for an iPhone 4 can now pick one up at Best Buy for just $49.99.The iPhone 4 is half off the usual retail price of $99.99 and requires a two-year contract with Verizon Wireless, AT&T, or Sprint. Potential buyers have a color choice of black or white.The deal seems to be an in-store only promotion as the Best Buy Web site shows that none of the models is available for shipping. Stock may also be limited -- an online search of various stores around the country revealed the phone as unavailable at a fair number of them.Best Buy is the latest retailer to shave $50 off the cost of the iPhone 4. Target and RadioShack recently kicked off sales on both the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S. Those deals also include the standard two-year contract with a choice of any of the three U.S. carriers.Related storiesApple iPhone 4 ReviewiPhone 4S on sale for $149 at RadioShackTarget slashing price of iPhone 4S by $50The timing of all these iPhone 4 and 4S sales is intriguing. Are retailers simply trying to boost sales or are they looking to clear out inventory?Recent reports have suggested that Apple's next-generation iPhone won't launch until October, the same month as the iPhone 4S debuted last year. But the iPhone 4 and 3GS both popped up in June of their respective years.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Those of you in the market for an iPhone 4 can now pick one up at Best Buy for just $49.99.The iPhone 4 is half off the usual retail price of $99.99 and requires a two-year contract with Verizon Wireless, AT&T, or Sprint. Potential buyers have a color choice of black or white.The deal seems to be an in-store only promotion as the Best Buy Web site shows that none of the models is available for shipping. Stock may also be limited -- an online search of various stores around the country revealed the phone as unavailable at a fair number of them.Best Buy is the latest retailer to shave $50 off the cost of the iPhone 4. Target and RadioShack recently kicked off sales on both the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S. Those deals also include the standard two-year contract with a choice of any of the three U.S. carriers.Related storiesApple iPhone 4 ReviewiPhone 4S on sale for $149 at RadioShackTarget slashing price of iPhone 4S by $50The timing of all these iPhone 4 and 4S sales is intriguing. Are retailers simply trying to boost sales or are they looking to clear out inventory?Recent reports have suggested that Apple's next-generation iPhone won't launch until October, the same month as the iPhone 4S debuted last year. But the iPhone 4 and 3GS both popped up in June of their respective years.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Best Buy chimes in with MacBook, laptop deals
Best Buy chimes in with MacBook, laptop deals
Best Buy is doing its part to make MacBooks more affordable--and also offering decent deals on Windows laptops. 11.6-inch MacBook Air: In the shadow of Apple's Black Friday deals, Best Buy is striving to stand out with better deals. And it's succeeding in some cases. For instance, the retailer is selling the 11.6-inch MacBook Air with an Intel Core i5 chip, 2GB Memory, and 64GB solid-state drive (model: MC968LL/A) for $849--that's about $50 less than Apple's Black Friday $898 sale price.(And note that MacMall has been selling a 2010 11.6-inch MacBook Air for $799.)Shoppers camping out earlier this week in front of a suburban Los Angeles Best Buy. Most were waiting for TVs, though a few also mentioned laptops like a Samsung going for $299.Brooke Crothers13.3-inch MacBook Pro: Best Buy is also beating Apple on the price of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.4 GHz Core i5 processor, 4GB of memory, and 500GB hard disk drive.At Apple it's going for $1,098 today only.As of Friday afternoon, Best Buy lists it for $1,049.99 (model: MD313LL/A). Gateway Core i3 laptop: There's plenty of aggressive pricing for Windows laptops too as part of Best Buy's "Thanksgiving Weekend Sale."A Gateway 15.6-inch laptop with an Intel Core i3 processor is going for $329.99.That includes a Core i3-370M chip, 4GB of memory, optical drive, 15.6-inch LED-LCD,and 320GB hard disk drive (model: NV55C56U).Gateway Netbook: A 10-inch Gateway Netbook (model: LT2811U) is now down to $149.99That includes 1GB of memory, a 250GB hard disk drive, and N455 Atom processor.And expect to see more deals on Netbooks in the future.This category of small, Atom-powered laptops is struggling mightily against tablets like the iPad and Kindle Fire as retailers set aside less space for Netbooks in order to open up display area for tablets. See Best Buy's Weekly Ads here.
Best Buy is doing its part to make MacBooks more affordable--and also offering decent deals on Windows laptops. 11.6-inch MacBook Air: In the shadow of Apple's Black Friday deals, Best Buy is striving to stand out with better deals. And it's succeeding in some cases. For instance, the retailer is selling the 11.6-inch MacBook Air with an Intel Core i5 chip, 2GB Memory, and 64GB solid-state drive (model: MC968LL/A) for $849--that's about $50 less than Apple's Black Friday $898 sale price.(And note that MacMall has been selling a 2010 11.6-inch MacBook Air for $799.)Shoppers camping out earlier this week in front of a suburban Los Angeles Best Buy. Most were waiting for TVs, though a few also mentioned laptops like a Samsung going for $299.Brooke Crothers13.3-inch MacBook Pro: Best Buy is also beating Apple on the price of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.4 GHz Core i5 processor, 4GB of memory, and 500GB hard disk drive.At Apple it's going for $1,098 today only.As of Friday afternoon, Best Buy lists it for $1,049.99 (model: MD313LL/A). Gateway Core i3 laptop: There's plenty of aggressive pricing for Windows laptops too as part of Best Buy's "Thanksgiving Weekend Sale."A Gateway 15.6-inch laptop with an Intel Core i3 processor is going for $329.99.That includes a Core i3-370M chip, 4GB of memory, optical drive, 15.6-inch LED-LCD,and 320GB hard disk drive (model: NV55C56U).Gateway Netbook: A 10-inch Gateway Netbook (model: LT2811U) is now down to $149.99That includes 1GB of memory, a 250GB hard disk drive, and N455 Atom processor.And expect to see more deals on Netbooks in the future.This category of small, Atom-powered laptops is struggling mightily against tablets like the iPad and Kindle Fire as retailers set aside less space for Netbooks in order to open up display area for tablets. See Best Buy's Weekly Ads here.
Belkin to ship first third-party Lightning accessories
Belkin to ship first third-party Lightning accessories
A third-party accessories maker has finally been given the green light by Apple to make products for the Lightning connector. Belkin said today that it will introduce an all-in-one car charger and a charge-and-sync dock for Apple's newest connector within the next couple weeks. Apple in September unveiled the iPhone 5's new cable, dubbed Lightning, that replaces the 30-pin connector Apple has used since 2003. The iPad Mini and the newest version of the iPad use Lightning, and it's likely Apple will continue updating its gadgets to include the new connector. Since introducing the connector, Apple has limited which companies can make accessories for the Lightning interface. Related stories:Apple's Lightning transition as fast as its nameKnockoffs of Apple's Lightning connector may be on their wayApple reportedly tightens grip on third-party Lightning accessoriesBelkin's products will be the first third-party, Apple-certified Lightning accessories available in the market, the company said, and they are the first of "several" new Lightning-compatible products from Belkin that will launch this year."Belkin was the first third-party manufacturer to develop accessories for the 30-pin connector back in 2003, and we are thrilled to be first to market again with solutions for the new Lightning connector," Martin Avila, general manager of Belkin's core division, said in a statement.Both products will sell for $29.99. They're available for preorder now. Belkin's Web site specifically notes that the accessories will ship by November 15.
A third-party accessories maker has finally been given the green light by Apple to make products for the Lightning connector. Belkin said today that it will introduce an all-in-one car charger and a charge-and-sync dock for Apple's newest connector within the next couple weeks. Apple in September unveiled the iPhone 5's new cable, dubbed Lightning, that replaces the 30-pin connector Apple has used since 2003. The iPad Mini and the newest version of the iPad use Lightning, and it's likely Apple will continue updating its gadgets to include the new connector. Since introducing the connector, Apple has limited which companies can make accessories for the Lightning interface. Related stories:Apple's Lightning transition as fast as its nameKnockoffs of Apple's Lightning connector may be on their wayApple reportedly tightens grip on third-party Lightning accessoriesBelkin's products will be the first third-party, Apple-certified Lightning accessories available in the market, the company said, and they are the first of "several" new Lightning-compatible products from Belkin that will launch this year."Belkin was the first third-party manufacturer to develop accessories for the 30-pin connector back in 2003, and we are thrilled to be first to market again with solutions for the new Lightning connector," Martin Avila, general manager of Belkin's core division, said in a statement.Both products will sell for $29.99. They're available for preorder now. Belkin's Web site specifically notes that the accessories will ship by November 15.
Beats celebrates Apple sale, but not all Beatsniks are pleased
Beats celebrates Apple sale, but not all Beatsniks are pleased
How they celebrated."Both overpriced trash," offered Cornelius Washington."It just sucks Apple sucks up alot of things and i find the music quality in Ipods/phones crappy," mused Jeremiah Johnson."Ugh, going to feel dirty everytime I hook my Studios up to my @HTCUSA One," said Nobody (real Twitter handle).These Twitterpeople may have been a minority, but a vocal one, as Beats By Dre celebrated being bought by Apple with a heroic ad on Twitter.Featuring a tattooed arm holding Beats headphones and an iPhone, the headline roared: "Here's To The Next Episode."You can understand the elation and the promise. Money has been made, slightly before history. More Technically IncorrectStephen Hawking calculates something serious: World Cup oddsReal people react to iPhone 6 concept: 'It's like a Samsung phoneIran demands Mark Zuckerberg's presence in courtYet not everyone looks upon the Apple brand as compatible with Beats. Each had their own very distinct, powerful identity. Each of those identities will be preserved, according to Apple.However, as confused Twitterer Mickey Monday mused: "So what do you guys go by now; "Beats... By Apple?"You can look at Apple buying Beats as a relationship of contrasts: middle aged vs. young; white vs. black; subtle vs. overt.In the end, it signals a new step for Apple in securing a brand with an overt presence and some noisy personalities with it.You can't expect everyone to find that melodic, can you?
How they celebrated."Both overpriced trash," offered Cornelius Washington."It just sucks Apple sucks up alot of things and i find the music quality in Ipods/phones crappy," mused Jeremiah Johnson."Ugh, going to feel dirty everytime I hook my Studios up to my @HTCUSA One," said Nobody (real Twitter handle).These Twitterpeople may have been a minority, but a vocal one, as Beats By Dre celebrated being bought by Apple with a heroic ad on Twitter.Featuring a tattooed arm holding Beats headphones and an iPhone, the headline roared: "Here's To The Next Episode."You can understand the elation and the promise. Money has been made, slightly before history. More Technically IncorrectStephen Hawking calculates something serious: World Cup oddsReal people react to iPhone 6 concept: 'It's like a Samsung phoneIran demands Mark Zuckerberg's presence in courtYet not everyone looks upon the Apple brand as compatible with Beats. Each had their own very distinct, powerful identity. Each of those identities will be preserved, according to Apple.However, as confused Twitterer Mickey Monday mused: "So what do you guys go by now; "Beats... By Apple?"You can look at Apple buying Beats as a relationship of contrasts: middle aged vs. young; white vs. black; subtle vs. overt.In the end, it signals a new step for Apple in securing a brand with an overt presence and some noisy personalities with it.You can't expect everyone to find that melodic, can you?
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