The 404 730: Where like, whatever, you know what I mean? (podcast)
Natali is back from her burrito-tour of San Francisco and hops back into the studio for the last Natali Thursday of 2010! Today's headlines include a video game controlled by your urine, a porn company making your Microsoft Kinect 3D sex simulation dreams come true, the most successful pickup lines according to geographic location, and we reveal the most irritating word of the year!DragCloseThis 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.Sega finally unveils a video game that non-gamers like myself can enjoy, because the objective is to pee all over the game. Sega Toys is testing a new minigame in Japan called Toirrettsu that comes with a sensor that can measure the speed of urination and score games accordingly.Japan hopes that the game will encourage people to take better aim in the bathroom, but Jeff tells us that America already has its own version of the pissing match. You've been waiting for it since the day Microsoft unveiled the Kinect motion control accessory, and we've finally arrived: after two months, adult software vendor ThriXXX released a statement today describing forthcoming Kinect-powered softwarethat will use gestures, spoken commands, and objects in a sexual gaming environment. This segment of the show is worth watching the video for Natali's gestures alone!According to a survey from online dating site Badoo, the secret of international dating is to spout localized pick-up lines.The site's "Compliment Success Index" analyzed over 200,000 online conversations in 11 languages to determine the best opening line for women from different countries. So the next time you're in a United Nations Security Council caucus, be sure to compliment that Portuguese woman on her perfect ears!Episode 730Listen nowYour browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) |Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video  Follow us on Twitter!The 404Jeff BakalarJustin YuWilson TangAdd us on Facebook!The 404 Fan PageThe 404 GroupJustin YuJeff BakalarWilson Tang
Pandora names former Microsoft executive as new CEO
Pandora names former Microsoft executive as new CEO
Brian McAndrews, a partner at Madrona Venture Group, is Pandora's new CEO, the company announcedWednesday.The change is effective immediately. McAndrews, who previously was a top marketing and advertising executive with Microsoft and aQuantive will succeed Joe Kennedy. Kennedy announced in March that he was quitting after nearly a decade at the helm of Pandora.Related storiesIs 'Avatar' giving you the blues?Car Tech Live 151:The best of the Detroit auto show (podcast)EMI licenses songs to new ad-supported siteThe choice reflects the importance of advertising for Pandora."We had very specific criteria for our new CEO, and we were very strategic about finding the right person -- Brian is that person," Tim Westergren, Pandora's founder and chief strategy officer, said in a press release. "No one better understands the intersection of technology and advertising, which he clearly demonstrated during aQuantive's meteoric rise."McAndrews was CEO of digital marketing company aQuantive until 2007, when Microsoft bought the company for $6 billion. He then went on to serve as a senior vice president at Microsoft until 2008. But in 2012 Microsoft had to write off most of the money used to purchase aQuantive because it "did not accelerate growth to the degree anticipated."Although Pandora dominates in music streaming, with about 72 million active users and more than 200 million registered users, it's under pressure to perform. Themusic streaming and discovery space is heating up, and competition comes in the form of Apple's much buzzed about iRadio, Google Music All Access, and even a music discovery tool from Twitter. Update, 2:16 p.m. PT: Added more background information.
Brian McAndrews, a partner at Madrona Venture Group, is Pandora's new CEO, the company announcedWednesday.The change is effective immediately. McAndrews, who previously was a top marketing and advertising executive with Microsoft and aQuantive will succeed Joe Kennedy. Kennedy announced in March that he was quitting after nearly a decade at the helm of Pandora.Related storiesIs 'Avatar' giving you the blues?Car Tech Live 151:The best of the Detroit auto show (podcast)EMI licenses songs to new ad-supported siteThe choice reflects the importance of advertising for Pandora."We had very specific criteria for our new CEO, and we were very strategic about finding the right person -- Brian is that person," Tim Westergren, Pandora's founder and chief strategy officer, said in a press release. "No one better understands the intersection of technology and advertising, which he clearly demonstrated during aQuantive's meteoric rise."McAndrews was CEO of digital marketing company aQuantive until 2007, when Microsoft bought the company for $6 billion. He then went on to serve as a senior vice president at Microsoft until 2008. But in 2012 Microsoft had to write off most of the money used to purchase aQuantive because it "did not accelerate growth to the degree anticipated."Although Pandora dominates in music streaming, with about 72 million active users and more than 200 million registered users, it's under pressure to perform. Themusic streaming and discovery space is heating up, and competition comes in the form of Apple's much buzzed about iRadio, Google Music All Access, and even a music discovery tool from Twitter. Update, 2:16 p.m. PT: Added more background information.
Former Apple sales exec says Tim Cook is tech 'lightweight'
Former Apple sales exec says Tim Cook is tech 'lightweight'
David Sobotta, a former director of Apple's federal sales group, says CEO Tim Cook is afraid of being wrong, lacks leadership skills, and is a "lightweight" when it comes to understanding technology. Sobotta, who published a Kindle book about his 20-year experience at Apple called "The Pomme Company,"(pomme means Apple in French) gave an interview to Dan Lyons, who is now editor of Readwrite.com. We haven't heard much about Cook's management style so this is among the first reports. Lyons asked Sobotta what he thought of the recent firing of iOS chief Scott Forstall and retail chief John Brownell, a man Cook had hired. Below are just a couple of snippets of what Sobotta had to say: Tim will react to the numbers or his fear of being wrong quickly. Fear of being wrong is a managerial trait that runs strong and deep in Apple because of the way Steve ran the company. Even the appearance of being wrong when in the end you might be right is dreaded at Apple.Technology-wise, I think Tim Cook is a lightweight. I never felt passion for technology from Tim like I did from Steve and some of the great engineers.An Apple spokesman was not immediately available for comment. We'll update when we hear back. One thing Sobotta acknowledges early in his book that he was asked to leave Apple in 2004.David SobottaLinkedInI don't know that Sobotta's criticisms provide much insight on how successful Cook will be. Lots of successful tech CEO's aren't known for their charm or warmth. If you like your executives to be nice guys, Apple isn't without those. CNET profiled Eddy Cue last week, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services and the man who oversees iTunes is well liked within the company and by Apple's partners.As for being a "lightweight" on technology, that was the knock on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. He didn't code and he wasn't an engineer and he fared pretty well as a CEO, no? At his blog, Applepeels, Sobotta is very critical of Apple in a number of areas. The titles to some of his most recent posts are "Do Apple Employees Need A Witness Protection Program?" "Has Apple lost its soul?" and "Will Apple Ever Figure Out the Cloud?"Update: 1:51 p.m. PT:To include more on Sobotta's background.
David Sobotta, a former director of Apple's federal sales group, says CEO Tim Cook is afraid of being wrong, lacks leadership skills, and is a "lightweight" when it comes to understanding technology. Sobotta, who published a Kindle book about his 20-year experience at Apple called "The Pomme Company,"(pomme means Apple in French) gave an interview to Dan Lyons, who is now editor of Readwrite.com. We haven't heard much about Cook's management style so this is among the first reports. Lyons asked Sobotta what he thought of the recent firing of iOS chief Scott Forstall and retail chief John Brownell, a man Cook had hired. Below are just a couple of snippets of what Sobotta had to say: Tim will react to the numbers or his fear of being wrong quickly. Fear of being wrong is a managerial trait that runs strong and deep in Apple because of the way Steve ran the company. Even the appearance of being wrong when in the end you might be right is dreaded at Apple.Technology-wise, I think Tim Cook is a lightweight. I never felt passion for technology from Tim like I did from Steve and some of the great engineers.An Apple spokesman was not immediately available for comment. We'll update when we hear back. One thing Sobotta acknowledges early in his book that he was asked to leave Apple in 2004.David SobottaLinkedInI don't know that Sobotta's criticisms provide much insight on how successful Cook will be. Lots of successful tech CEO's aren't known for their charm or warmth. If you like your executives to be nice guys, Apple isn't without those. CNET profiled Eddy Cue last week, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services and the man who oversees iTunes is well liked within the company and by Apple's partners.As for being a "lightweight" on technology, that was the knock on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. He didn't code and he wasn't an engineer and he fared pretty well as a CEO, no? At his blog, Applepeels, Sobotta is very critical of Apple in a number of areas. The titles to some of his most recent posts are "Do Apple Employees Need A Witness Protection Program?" "Has Apple lost its soul?" and "Will Apple Ever Figure Out the Cloud?"Update: 1:51 p.m. PT:To include more on Sobotta's background.
Forget about remembering with Kwiry's SMS-based social search tool
Forget about remembering with Kwiry's SMS-based social search tool
Just like Twitter, messages sent to Kwiry show up on a personal feed with a simple URL you can share with friends. To toggle a sent message as private, you can give each message a letter prefix by typing "p" in front of it. These will show up alongside the rest of your Kwiry messages, although they'll be denoted with a little private emblem that makes them easy to sort through. You can also set it up so just your friends will see your posts either as a default, or by using a yet another letter prefix in front of your message.Like any good communication platform Kwiry's got a lot going for it with regards to integration with other social services. There are little modules for Netvibes, iGoogle, Pageflakes, and others, along with a Facebook app that links up with your Kwiry account to show off your latest queried items--although oddly missing is a way to send one from the app (which admittedly is kind of useless if you're on a computer in the first place).Twitter fans are also in luck, as you can simply add Kwiry's Twitter bot as a friend, and send it direct messages that accept the same privacy settings.The one thing this service is missing is some visual style. I'm not saying it's ugly, but compared to entrances from other micropublishing services like Jaiku, Twitter, and Pownce, Kwiry falls a little on the plain side. The positive to that is that it's super fast, easy, and intuitive, which on the whole is far more important than looks alone. I've added it to my contact list for the time being, although it's worth noting that if your phone's got a data plan, you can probably continue to be selfish antisocial and look things up without sharing them with others.
Just like Twitter, messages sent to Kwiry show up on a personal feed with a simple URL you can share with friends. To toggle a sent message as private, you can give each message a letter prefix by typing "p" in front of it. These will show up alongside the rest of your Kwiry messages, although they'll be denoted with a little private emblem that makes them easy to sort through. You can also set it up so just your friends will see your posts either as a default, or by using a yet another letter prefix in front of your message.Like any good communication platform Kwiry's got a lot going for it with regards to integration with other social services. There are little modules for Netvibes, iGoogle, Pageflakes, and others, along with a Facebook app that links up with your Kwiry account to show off your latest queried items--although oddly missing is a way to send one from the app (which admittedly is kind of useless if you're on a computer in the first place).Twitter fans are also in luck, as you can simply add Kwiry's Twitter bot as a friend, and send it direct messages that accept the same privacy settings.The one thing this service is missing is some visual style. I'm not saying it's ugly, but compared to entrances from other micropublishing services like Jaiku, Twitter, and Pownce, Kwiry falls a little on the plain side. The positive to that is that it's super fast, easy, and intuitive, which on the whole is far more important than looks alone. I've added it to my contact list for the time being, although it's worth noting that if your phone's got a data plan, you can probably continue to be selfish antisocial and look things up without sharing them with others.
Time Warner Cable iPad app loses 17 channels
Time Warner Cable iPad app loses 17 channels
Time Warner Cable has been forced to remove 17 channels from its recently released iPad app, the company announced today.Citing "overwhelming demand," the cable provider said that after users started downloading its free iPad app yesterday, its systems, which are used to authenticate a user to watch its programming, were hit hard, "causing an inability for some customers to download it on Tuesday evening." In order to provide customers with some service as Time Warner Cable updates the app, the company has reduced the number of available channels down to 15 from the 32 that were available at launch."We apologize that some of our customers who attempted to use the new TWCableTV app for the iPad were unable to do so last night," Time Warner Cable President and COO Rob Marcus said in a statement. "While we anticipated that the app would be popular, the demand was overwhelming. We are sorry for any frustration and inconvenience our customers experienced."Time Warner Cable's TWCable TV app hit Apple's marketplace yesterday. The app allows Time Warner Cable television and Internet customers to watch programming from a variety of networks, including A&E, Bravo, Discovery, and others over Wi-Fi in their homes. The company's programming cannot be accessed away from the customer's house over a 3G network.Time Warner Cable says that its reduction in available channels is only temporary and will help "to ease strain on the authentication process while we work on a permanent fix." However, it didn't say when it will be restoring the removed channels.A company representative did not immediately respond to request for comment.Updated at 4:22 a.m. PT on March 17: Time Warner Cable has brought the 17 channels back to its iPad app. Everything should be working normally now.
Time Warner Cable has been forced to remove 17 channels from its recently released iPad app, the company announced today.Citing "overwhelming demand," the cable provider said that after users started downloading its free iPad app yesterday, its systems, which are used to authenticate a user to watch its programming, were hit hard, "causing an inability for some customers to download it on Tuesday evening." In order to provide customers with some service as Time Warner Cable updates the app, the company has reduced the number of available channels down to 15 from the 32 that were available at launch."We apologize that some of our customers who attempted to use the new TWCableTV app for the iPad were unable to do so last night," Time Warner Cable President and COO Rob Marcus said in a statement. "While we anticipated that the app would be popular, the demand was overwhelming. We are sorry for any frustration and inconvenience our customers experienced."Time Warner Cable's TWCable TV app hit Apple's marketplace yesterday. The app allows Time Warner Cable television and Internet customers to watch programming from a variety of networks, including A&E, Bravo, Discovery, and others over Wi-Fi in their homes. The company's programming cannot be accessed away from the customer's house over a 3G network.Time Warner Cable says that its reduction in available channels is only temporary and will help "to ease strain on the authentication process while we work on a permanent fix." However, it didn't say when it will be restoring the removed channels.A company representative did not immediately respond to request for comment.Updated at 4:22 a.m. PT on March 17: Time Warner Cable has brought the 17 channels back to its iPad app. Everything should be working normally now.
Tim Cook lands in Turkey, could he be planning an iPad deal-
Tim Cook lands in Turkey, could he be planning an iPad deal?
Apple CEO Tim Cook's visit to Turkey this week has been in the works for a while now. It coincides with the opening of the company's first retail store in the country. However, during his visit, Cook also has plans to meet with Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Tuesday.Word has it that Cook will be discussing an initiative that could bring millions of iPads to children in Turkey's schools, according to AppleInsider. The deal is said to be worth as much as $4 billion. The iPads are a central component to Turkey's technology education initiative, dubbed FATIH Project. This project's goal is to bring high-tech tools and devices to Turkish children. This project aims to equip 42,000 schools and 570,000 classes with up-to-date information technologies. So far, in the pilot phase of the project, 57,500 tablets have been distributed to students and teachers. According to AppleInsider, Turkey could buy as many as 12.6 million tablets for the initiative over the next few years.The meeting between Cook and Gul wouldn't be the first time Apple has met with the Turkish president. According to AppleInsider, Apple's vice president of education John Couch was said to have discussed the FATIH Project with Gul last year.Apple has been expanding its Turkish market as of late. In October, the company launched Turkey's first online Apple Store and its new 21,500-square-foot retail store will open this week in Istanbul's Zorlu Center. CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.
Apple CEO Tim Cook's visit to Turkey this week has been in the works for a while now. It coincides with the opening of the company's first retail store in the country. However, during his visit, Cook also has plans to meet with Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Tuesday.Word has it that Cook will be discussing an initiative that could bring millions of iPads to children in Turkey's schools, according to AppleInsider. The deal is said to be worth as much as $4 billion. The iPads are a central component to Turkey's technology education initiative, dubbed FATIH Project. This project's goal is to bring high-tech tools and devices to Turkish children. This project aims to equip 42,000 schools and 570,000 classes with up-to-date information technologies. So far, in the pilot phase of the project, 57,500 tablets have been distributed to students and teachers. According to AppleInsider, Turkey could buy as many as 12.6 million tablets for the initiative over the next few years.The meeting between Cook and Gul wouldn't be the first time Apple has met with the Turkish president. According to AppleInsider, Apple's vice president of education John Couch was said to have discussed the FATIH Project with Gul last year.Apple has been expanding its Turkish market as of late. In October, the company launched Turkey's first online Apple Store and its new 21,500-square-foot retail store will open this week in Istanbul's Zorlu Center. CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.
Tim Cook dances around the Apple TV question -- again
Tim Cook dances around the Apple TV question -- again
Apple CEO Tim Cook had a bit of deja vu today when an analyst asked him to expound on Apple's future contributions to the TV industry."There's a lot we can contribute in this space so we can continue to pull the string and see where it leads us," he said during Apple's first quarter earnings call today, after remarking on the growth of sales for the Apple TV device. The company sold more than 2 million Apple TV devices last quarter, according to Cook. This is up from 1.4 million devices from the same period last year.Cook's answer sounds a lot like his response to a similar question from the same analyst, Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster, during last year's call. Instead of answering the question, which relates to speculation over the possibility of an Apple-built TV, Cook pointed to the success of the Apple TV device. He said the device is favored by a "small niche" of people, a group that has grown. That's sort of different from "hobby," right?The company said in October that it sold 5.3 million Apple TV set-top boxes in 2012. The device connects Web videos and other media to the traditional television, but it isn't a full blown substitute for TV.Cook previously hinted at a possible Apple-built television. Analysts have gone back and forth on whether this will happen, but many believe that TV is the next industry Apple could enter and revolutionize, just like it's done with smartphones and tablets.
Apple CEO Tim Cook had a bit of deja vu today when an analyst asked him to expound on Apple's future contributions to the TV industry."There's a lot we can contribute in this space so we can continue to pull the string and see where it leads us," he said during Apple's first quarter earnings call today, after remarking on the growth of sales for the Apple TV device. The company sold more than 2 million Apple TV devices last quarter, according to Cook. This is up from 1.4 million devices from the same period last year.Cook's answer sounds a lot like his response to a similar question from the same analyst, Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster, during last year's call. Instead of answering the question, which relates to speculation over the possibility of an Apple-built TV, Cook pointed to the success of the Apple TV device. He said the device is favored by a "small niche" of people, a group that has grown. That's sort of different from "hobby," right?The company said in October that it sold 5.3 million Apple TV set-top boxes in 2012. The device connects Web videos and other media to the traditional television, but it isn't a full blown substitute for TV.Cook previously hinted at a possible Apple-built television. Analysts have gone back and forth on whether this will happen, but many believe that TV is the next industry Apple could enter and revolutionize, just like it's done with smartphones and tablets.
Tim Cook at AllThingsD- Join us Tuesday, 6 p.m. PT (live blog)
Tim Cook at AllThingsD: Join us Tuesday, 6 p.m. PT (live blog)
After a grilling by U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations about Apple's tax practices last week, an interview with Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher at D: All Things Digital conference Tuesday evening will be like a walk in the park for Tim Cook. Cook's chat will kick off the conference and starts at 6 p.m. PT.The Apple CEO will likely address questions about his views on tax policy and the growth of the mobile market, as well as Apple's competitive battles with Samsung, Google, Amazon, Microsoft and others. Samsung, with its broad array of Android mobile devices, and Google, with its wearable Glass, are starting to take some of shine off of Apple.Join CNET for live coverage of Tim Cook's chat at AllThingsD at 6 p.m. PT on Tuesday. But, we aren't likely to hear from Cook any specifics on what Apple is introducing in the coming months. It's been more than seven months since Apple introduced a major product, the iPad mini, and the natives are getting restless with rumors about an iWatch, Apple TV, iOS 7, iRadio and new iPhones and iPads. Apple's annual developer conference begins on June 10in San Francisco, where Cook is expected to break the cone of silence with product news.Nor will Cook have much to say about the ongoing court battle over alleged e-book price fixing. Apple is slated to testify in the case if it goes to trial, which is scheduled to start June 3. Still, you can expect Cook to get grilled on all of these subjects and more. Check back in with CNET a little before 6 p.m. Tuesday, when we will use ScribbleLive to bring you live text and photos.
After a grilling by U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations about Apple's tax practices last week, an interview with Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher at D: All Things Digital conference Tuesday evening will be like a walk in the park for Tim Cook. Cook's chat will kick off the conference and starts at 6 p.m. PT.The Apple CEO will likely address questions about his views on tax policy and the growth of the mobile market, as well as Apple's competitive battles with Samsung, Google, Amazon, Microsoft and others. Samsung, with its broad array of Android mobile devices, and Google, with its wearable Glass, are starting to take some of shine off of Apple.Join CNET for live coverage of Tim Cook's chat at AllThingsD at 6 p.m. PT on Tuesday. But, we aren't likely to hear from Cook any specifics on what Apple is introducing in the coming months. It's been more than seven months since Apple introduced a major product, the iPad mini, and the natives are getting restless with rumors about an iWatch, Apple TV, iOS 7, iRadio and new iPhones and iPads. Apple's annual developer conference begins on June 10in San Francisco, where Cook is expected to break the cone of silence with product news.Nor will Cook have much to say about the ongoing court battle over alleged e-book price fixing. Apple is slated to testify in the case if it goes to trial, which is scheduled to start June 3. Still, you can expect Cook to get grilled on all of these subjects and more. Check back in with CNET a little before 6 p.m. Tuesday, when we will use ScribbleLive to bring you live text and photos.
Tim Cook- Apple to pour $100M into U.S. Mac production
Tim Cook: Apple to pour $100M into U.S. Mac production
Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed what rumors have been suggesting in recent days: Apple is moving some Mac production to the U.S.Speaking to Bloomberg in an interview published today, Cook said that factories in the U.S. will handle "some" of the Mac production currently being handled internationally. The production will ramp up in 2013."We've been working on this for a long time, and we were getting closer to it," Cook said of the production. "It will happen in 2013. We're really proud of it. We could have quickly maybe done just assembly, but it's broader because we wanted to do something more substantial."Related storiesApple earnings jump 50 percentApple event countdown brings new rumorsApple tablet iRoundup: The good, the bad, the uglyFCC: iPad use could further strain AT&T 3GApple will sell iPad at Best BuyAccording to Cook, Apple is investing $100 million to produce Macs in the U.S. He also cautioned that while Apple won't actually be producing Macs itself, the company is financing the work.Cook stopped short of saying exactly when the production will start next year. He also failed to say which Mac will be produced in the U.S. However, NBC News announced today that in his interview on that network tonight at 10 p.m. ET, Cook will say which Mac will be produced in the U.S.Still, the rumor mill might have scooped Cook. Over the last week, images have hit the Web showing Apple's newly redesigned iMacs sporting "Assembled in USA" markings.Although Cook says production will start next year, it's possible that Apple was testing out iMac production in the U.S. this year for a full ramp-up in 2013.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed what rumors have been suggesting in recent days: Apple is moving some Mac production to the U.S.Speaking to Bloomberg in an interview published today, Cook said that factories in the U.S. will handle "some" of the Mac production currently being handled internationally. The production will ramp up in 2013."We've been working on this for a long time, and we were getting closer to it," Cook said of the production. "It will happen in 2013. We're really proud of it. We could have quickly maybe done just assembly, but it's broader because we wanted to do something more substantial."Related storiesApple earnings jump 50 percentApple event countdown brings new rumorsApple tablet iRoundup: The good, the bad, the uglyFCC: iPad use could further strain AT&T 3GApple will sell iPad at Best BuyAccording to Cook, Apple is investing $100 million to produce Macs in the U.S. He also cautioned that while Apple won't actually be producing Macs itself, the company is financing the work.Cook stopped short of saying exactly when the production will start next year. He also failed to say which Mac will be produced in the U.S. However, NBC News announced today that in his interview on that network tonight at 10 p.m. ET, Cook will say which Mac will be produced in the U.S.Still, the rumor mill might have scooped Cook. Over the last week, images have hit the Web showing Apple's newly redesigned iMacs sporting "Assembled in USA" markings.Although Cook says production will start next year, it's possible that Apple was testing out iMac production in the U.S. this year for a full ramp-up in 2013.
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