The 404 399: Where life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it
As the undisputed heavyweight champion director of such classic '80s flicks as "Sixteen Candles," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Weird Science," "The Breakfast Club," and more, John Hughes made a tremendous impact on the industry. We're all still shocked by his passing, so we take a moment to discuss how his movies have affected our lives. You'll be dearly missed, John!Speaking of movies, Wilson checked out "Thirst," and believe it or not, he actually enjoyed it! If you're a fan of vampire movies or the unique directorial style of Park Chan-Wook, whose previous films include "Sympathy for Mr./Lady Vengeance" and "OldBoy," you'll definitely like this new thriller. Vampires: so hot right now.The next segment is all about Netflix coming to the iPhone and movie rental kiosks in general. Somehow, Wilson had it in his head that the Netflix delivery service was on its way out two years ago, but he has the right idea predicting that soon, all movies will be delivered online instead of in person.We also get to a few Calls from the Public, as well as the winner of our most recent "Choose Justin's next pair of glasses" competition!" We think you'll be happy with the winner, so be sure to watch the video for all the commentary--surprisingly, Jeff and Wilson actually agree with the decision!Finally, don't forget to check us out today on Gadgets and Games, LIVE at 2 p.m EDT. We'll be chatting with our good buddy Clayton Morris, host of "Fox and Friends," about tech, gaming, unboxings, etc. We'll also post the show online next week, so don't worry if you can't watch it live. Have a great weekend everybody!EPISODE 399PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio |Subscribe in RSS Video 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.PlayFollow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
MCE Tunes- iTunes content in Windows Media Center
MCE Tunes: iTunes content in Windows Media Center
Despite the fact that iTunes has been getting so bloated with so many features and functions, it's arguably still the best software to manage your music. And now there's a way to play its content, as well as using its playlists, in the Media Center user interface if you use Windows Media Center as your entertainment center. Proxure announced on Monday its MCE Tunes software application that allows for complete iTunes libraries access, including purchased music and video content, from within Microsoft's Windows Media Center (MCE) interface or Windows Media Player. On top of that, MCE Tunes can also stream iTunes music to Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming consoles or other Media Center Extender devices.I tried the application briefly with my Windows Media Center 2005 and it worked as intended. There wasn't much to do. Once installed and launched, the MCE Tunes interface allows for merging iTunes' library with MCE's library. You can choose different criteria for the merge, such as: the whole library, just content rated with certain amount of stars, or certain playlists. The merge only happens once, and when you want to share more music from iTunes to MCE, you'll need to run MCE Tunes and repeat the process. However, there's also an option for MCE Tunes to automatically perform this task everyday for those who add more music and video to iTunes regularly.Other features of the MCE Tunes include:iTunes playlists automatically recreated in Windows Media Player (including compilation albums). All file metadata is carried over to Windows Media Player. iTunes track ratings are carried over to Windows Media Player. Album artwork is carried over to Windows Media Player. You can download the trial version of MCE Tunes, which limits playback to 20 tracks, and does not include video playback support. The full version of the software costs $30.Dong Ngo/CNET Networks
Despite the fact that iTunes has been getting so bloated with so many features and functions, it's arguably still the best software to manage your music. And now there's a way to play its content, as well as using its playlists, in the Media Center user interface if you use Windows Media Center as your entertainment center. Proxure announced on Monday its MCE Tunes software application that allows for complete iTunes libraries access, including purchased music and video content, from within Microsoft's Windows Media Center (MCE) interface or Windows Media Player. On top of that, MCE Tunes can also stream iTunes music to Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming consoles or other Media Center Extender devices.I tried the application briefly with my Windows Media Center 2005 and it worked as intended. There wasn't much to do. Once installed and launched, the MCE Tunes interface allows for merging iTunes' library with MCE's library. You can choose different criteria for the merge, such as: the whole library, just content rated with certain amount of stars, or certain playlists. The merge only happens once, and when you want to share more music from iTunes to MCE, you'll need to run MCE Tunes and repeat the process. However, there's also an option for MCE Tunes to automatically perform this task everyday for those who add more music and video to iTunes regularly.Other features of the MCE Tunes include:iTunes playlists automatically recreated in Windows Media Player (including compilation albums). All file metadata is carried over to Windows Media Player. iTunes track ratings are carried over to Windows Media Player. Album artwork is carried over to Windows Media Player. You can download the trial version of MCE Tunes, which limits playback to 20 tracks, and does not include video playback support. The full version of the software costs $30.Dong Ngo/CNET Networks
Don't hold your breath for 7-inch iPad
Don't hold your breath for 7-inch iPad
Steve Jobs thinks you're fat. Or at least your fingers are.Jobs dialed in to Apple's earnings call this afternoon and took on, among other topics, the usability of a 7-inch touch-screen tablet. Though many of Apple's competitors are introducing or plan to introduce tablets in that size, it's not ideal for a touch-screen device, he told investors."It's meaningless unless your tablet also includes sandpaper, so that the user can sand down their fingers to around one quarter of their present size," he said.Normal-size human fingers are too big to be able to accurately hit icons on a screen that size, he claimed."Apple has done extensive user testing and we really understand this stuff," he said. "There are clear limits on how close you can place things on a touchscreen, which is why we think 10 inch is the minimum screen size to create great tablet apps."But it's not just our pesky fingers that are the problem. He also trashed the screen size and resolution of 7-inchers."One naturally thinks that a 7-inch screen would offer 70 percent of the benefits of a 10-inch screen...this is far from the truth. Seven-inch screens are 45 percent as large as an iPad," Jobs said. "This size isn't sufficient for making great tablet apps.""No tablet can compete with a smartphone. And given that all tablet users will already have a smartphone in their pocket, giving up screen area to fit in a pocket is a bad trade-off," he said.Jobs is obviously doing some marketing countermeasures ahead of the holidays when several new tablet models may become available that compete with the iPad.But he was also sending this message to those reporting rumors thata 7-inch iPad is on its way: it's not happening.
Steve Jobs thinks you're fat. Or at least your fingers are.Jobs dialed in to Apple's earnings call this afternoon and took on, among other topics, the usability of a 7-inch touch-screen tablet. Though many of Apple's competitors are introducing or plan to introduce tablets in that size, it's not ideal for a touch-screen device, he told investors."It's meaningless unless your tablet also includes sandpaper, so that the user can sand down their fingers to around one quarter of their present size," he said.Normal-size human fingers are too big to be able to accurately hit icons on a screen that size, he claimed."Apple has done extensive user testing and we really understand this stuff," he said. "There are clear limits on how close you can place things on a touchscreen, which is why we think 10 inch is the minimum screen size to create great tablet apps."But it's not just our pesky fingers that are the problem. He also trashed the screen size and resolution of 7-inchers."One naturally thinks that a 7-inch screen would offer 70 percent of the benefits of a 10-inch screen...this is far from the truth. Seven-inch screens are 45 percent as large as an iPad," Jobs said. "This size isn't sufficient for making great tablet apps.""No tablet can compete with a smartphone. And given that all tablet users will already have a smartphone in their pocket, giving up screen area to fit in a pocket is a bad trade-off," he said.Jobs is obviously doing some marketing countermeasures ahead of the holidays when several new tablet models may become available that compete with the iPad.But he was also sending this message to those reporting rumors thata 7-inch iPad is on its way: it's not happening.
Dish delivers live, recorded TV to iPad via Sling
Dish delivers live, recorded TV to iPad via Sling
Dish Network subscribers can now watch content from their DVRs in full screen on Apple's iPad.The satellite provider said today that its Remote Access app is available for free to iPad users in Apple's App Store. The app lets people watch live TV and DVR recordings, as well as manage their DVR. The service was already available on PCs, Macs, Apple's iPhone, Android-based devices, and both the BlackBerry Bold and Curve.However, in order to get it to work, Remote Access users need much more than just the app.First off, subscribers will need a Dish ViP 722 or 722k HD DVR. In addition, they need to connect a Sling Media product--such as the Sling Adapter offered for $99 to Dish subscribers--to their respective satellite box. From there, they can use the Remote Access app, which will be linked to the Sling product, to access their TV content.In an e-mailed statement to CNET sent last month when Dish first announced its "TV Everywhere" service, a company representative acknowledged that current Slingbox owners could already achieve this functionality by connecting the Slingbox to a DVR and accessing it either from a computer or mobile device.The representative was quick to point out, though, that Dish's mobile app is free. Currently, Sling sells its iPad app for $29.99 in Apple's App Store.However, Dish doesn't necessarily view Sling as a competitor. The Dish representative said the company's "goal with the Sling Adapter is to take Sling from a techie product to a mass-market product."
Dish Network subscribers can now watch content from their DVRs in full screen on Apple's iPad.The satellite provider said today that its Remote Access app is available for free to iPad users in Apple's App Store. The app lets people watch live TV and DVR recordings, as well as manage their DVR. The service was already available on PCs, Macs, Apple's iPhone, Android-based devices, and both the BlackBerry Bold and Curve.However, in order to get it to work, Remote Access users need much more than just the app.First off, subscribers will need a Dish ViP 722 or 722k HD DVR. In addition, they need to connect a Sling Media product--such as the Sling Adapter offered for $99 to Dish subscribers--to their respective satellite box. From there, they can use the Remote Access app, which will be linked to the Sling product, to access their TV content.In an e-mailed statement to CNET sent last month when Dish first announced its "TV Everywhere" service, a company representative acknowledged that current Slingbox owners could already achieve this functionality by connecting the Slingbox to a DVR and accessing it either from a computer or mobile device.The representative was quick to point out, though, that Dish's mobile app is free. Currently, Sling sells its iPad app for $29.99 in Apple's App Store.However, Dish doesn't necessarily view Sling as a competitor. The Dish representative said the company's "goal with the Sling Adapter is to take Sling from a techie product to a mass-market product."
Discontinued iPad 4 may see return with 8GB iPhone 5C
Discontinued iPad 4 may see return with 8GB iPhone 5C
Editors' note: Shortly after this story was posted, Apple unveiled its new 8GB iPhone 5C and a $399 version of its formerly discontinued fourth-generation iPad with Retina Display.Apple is reportedly planning a couple of iOS product refreshes, one of which could see the return of the iPad 4 to retailer shelves.After reports Monday that the company was planning to release an 8GB iPhone 5C as early as Tuesday,another report suggested that Apple would also reintroduce the discontinued iPad 4 with Retina display. A source told 9to5Mac that shipments of the discontinued tablet are arriving at Apple retail locations along with instructions that the boxes are not to be opened until Tuesday.KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted last month that, in light of the iPhone 4's return to some markets, the iPad 4 would return to mass production as the company wound down production of the iPad 2.Introduced in 2012, the iPad 4 came with a dual-core A6X chip, a rear-mounted 5-megapixel camera capable of capturing 1080p HD video, and a Lightning connector. But the fourth-generation iPad was discontinued with the launch of the iPad Air last October. With retailers seeing tightening supplies of the $399 iPad 2, it appears that the encore of the more powerful iPad 4 is geared toward replacing the low-end iPad 2. The refresh would also allow Apple to officially transition away from its previous proprietary 30-pin connector as all of its current iOS device offerings would now be based on the 8-pin Lightning standard.
Editors' note: Shortly after this story was posted, Apple unveiled its new 8GB iPhone 5C and a $399 version of its formerly discontinued fourth-generation iPad with Retina Display.Apple is reportedly planning a couple of iOS product refreshes, one of which could see the return of the iPad 4 to retailer shelves.After reports Monday that the company was planning to release an 8GB iPhone 5C as early as Tuesday,another report suggested that Apple would also reintroduce the discontinued iPad 4 with Retina display. A source told 9to5Mac that shipments of the discontinued tablet are arriving at Apple retail locations along with instructions that the boxes are not to be opened until Tuesday.KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted last month that, in light of the iPhone 4's return to some markets, the iPad 4 would return to mass production as the company wound down production of the iPad 2.Introduced in 2012, the iPad 4 came with a dual-core A6X chip, a rear-mounted 5-megapixel camera capable of capturing 1080p HD video, and a Lightning connector. But the fourth-generation iPad was discontinued with the launch of the iPad Air last October. With retailers seeing tightening supplies of the $399 iPad 2, it appears that the encore of the more powerful iPad 4 is geared toward replacing the low-end iPad 2. The refresh would also allow Apple to officially transition away from its previous proprietary 30-pin connector as all of its current iOS device offerings would now be based on the 8-pin Lightning standard.
Digital City 100- Comic Con costumes and the ultimate video game t-shirt collection
Digital City 100: Comic Con costumes and the ultimate video game t-shirt collection
Speaking of collectables, in honor of our centenary, we're pleased to offer the greatest Digital City giveaway ever. We're sending one viewer/listener a sweet pile a video game t-shirts -- the ultra-rare promo-only items sent to journalists and industry insiders. These are all mint condition, never worn, and include shirts for Dead Space, GTA4, and many more. To win the Ultimate Video Game T-Shirt Collection just hop on over to the show's Twitter account, @digitalcitycnet and follow us, then RT the post about this episode. We'll pick a random winner at the end of the week, and there are also a pile of runner-up prizes, including some Red Dead Redemption swag and a copy of the new Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light game for DS. Special bonus: At long last, download the show's theme song as a free MP3 here! Scenes from New York Comic Con 2010See full gallery1 - 4 / 85NextPrevRelated links:>> Scenes from New York Comic Con 2010>> Windows 7 Phone debuts>> Meet your meat: Mechanically separated chicken >> Watch the Digital City live every Monday at 3 p.m. ET on CNET Live!>> Subscribe to Digital City on iTunes>> Join the Digital City Facebook fan page>> Need more? Follow the show on Twitter. Also check out Dan on Twitter,and Scott! PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe now:iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) |RSS (audio) |RSS (video)
Speaking of collectables, in honor of our centenary, we're pleased to offer the greatest Digital City giveaway ever. We're sending one viewer/listener a sweet pile a video game t-shirts -- the ultra-rare promo-only items sent to journalists and industry insiders. These are all mint condition, never worn, and include shirts for Dead Space, GTA4, and many more. To win the Ultimate Video Game T-Shirt Collection just hop on over to the show's Twitter account, @digitalcitycnet and follow us, then RT the post about this episode. We'll pick a random winner at the end of the week, and there are also a pile of runner-up prizes, including some Red Dead Redemption swag and a copy of the new Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light game for DS. Special bonus: At long last, download the show's theme song as a free MP3 here! Scenes from New York Comic Con 2010See full gallery1 - 4 / 85NextPrevRelated links:>> Scenes from New York Comic Con 2010>> Windows 7 Phone debuts>> Meet your meat: Mechanically separated chicken >> Watch the Digital City live every Monday at 3 p.m. ET on CNET Live!>> Subscribe to Digital City on iTunes>> Join the Digital City Facebook fan page>> Need more? Follow the show on Twitter. Also check out Dan on Twitter,and Scott! PodcastYour browser does not support the audio element.Subscribe now:iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) |RSS (audio) |RSS (video)
Didn't win Apple's WWDC ticket lottery- You might still be in luck
Didn't win Apple's WWDC ticket lottery? You might still be in luck
The chance to buy $1,599 tickets for Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, which usually attracts more than 5,000 developers, was this year decided through a lottery. But people who weren't chosen might still be able to buy a ticket to Apple's annual confab.Those who were chosen through the lottery had until April 14 to actually purchase a ticket. According to 9to5Mac, Apple has been reaching out to those who didn't win to give them a chance to purchase unclaimed tickets. Apple did not return a request for comment, but we'll update this post if we hear back. Related StoriesSorry devs, Apple's WWDC lottery is now closedApple sets WWDC 2014 for June 2 to 6Six ways Apple can fix what's 'broken' about the iPhoneThe conference is a popular destination among Apple fans, as the company uses it as a stage to make product announcements. Past events have included unveilings of new MacBook Air models and updates to iOS, Apple's mobile operating system. The event will be held at San Francisco's Moscone Center West from June 2 to 6. Tickets in past years have sold out in minutes, so this year, the company moved to a lottery format to open up attendance. The rumor mill around Apple's plans always churns in the lead-up to the event. This year, there has been speculation that the company will unveil iOS 8, expected to have a heavy bent in health and fitness tracking, or even a new iPhone model with larger screens.
The chance to buy $1,599 tickets for Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, which usually attracts more than 5,000 developers, was this year decided through a lottery. But people who weren't chosen might still be able to buy a ticket to Apple's annual confab.Those who were chosen through the lottery had until April 14 to actually purchase a ticket. According to 9to5Mac, Apple has been reaching out to those who didn't win to give them a chance to purchase unclaimed tickets. Apple did not return a request for comment, but we'll update this post if we hear back. Related StoriesSorry devs, Apple's WWDC lottery is now closedApple sets WWDC 2014 for June 2 to 6Six ways Apple can fix what's 'broken' about the iPhoneThe conference is a popular destination among Apple fans, as the company uses it as a stage to make product announcements. Past events have included unveilings of new MacBook Air models and updates to iOS, Apple's mobile operating system. The event will be held at San Francisco's Moscone Center West from June 2 to 6. Tickets in past years have sold out in minutes, so this year, the company moved to a lottery format to open up attendance. The rumor mill around Apple's plans always churns in the lead-up to the event. This year, there has been speculation that the company will unveil iOS 8, expected to have a heavy bent in health and fitness tracking, or even a new iPhone model with larger screens.
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