ie8 fix

2012

Nissan and Toyota: Big video teases

In the week before the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Toyota and Nissan both release videos on the Internet that show virtually nothing of the new concepts the companies will show.

Nissan previously released a photo of its dramatic (its word, not mine) new Pathfinder concept. Today, Nissan released a video on the Pathfinder micro-site. But the video shows so little it actually seems to take away some of the previous information offered up.

Over some pleasant music, Nissan's video shows a sky view through different terrains, going from day to night. I can only conclude that … Read more

Chrysler introduces the 200 Super S by Mopar

Chrysler Group LLC announced that the Chrysler 200 Super S by Mopar will debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The Mopar treatment offers a long list of exterior modifications, including a large chin spoiler, satin chrome fog light trim, satin chrome grille surround and mesh in the upper and lower grilles. Modifications to the body sides include new side sills, satin chrome belt molding, black chrome "200" badges, and gray or hyper black 18-inch S-alloy wheels.

"The Super S is Mopar's interpretation of the Chrysler 200," said Pietro Gorlier, president … Read more

Samsung's HW-E550 sound bar 'morphs' into vertical speakers

Typically, sound bars are horizontal speakers that are designed to be placed below your TV.

Samsung's upcoming HW-E550 Surround Sound Bar is just that--but with a twist. Not only can you place it horizontally below your TV (the speaker weighs 4 pounds), but you can split it in two and turn it into a traditional 2.1-channel floor-standing system using the included bases.

Yes, there's also a subwoofer, but the sound bar (or speakers if you split it in two) connects to it wirelessly using Samsung's proprietary dual-band 5.2/5.8GHz wireless technology. Samsung says the … Read more

Verizon ready to discontinue Droid 3, 4G hot spots, and more

Barely six months after making its debut, the Droid 3 may be packing its bags and heading off into the sunset.

According to information obtained by The Verge, Verizon Wireless is poised to discontinue a number of devices, including the Motorola Droid 3, LG Revolution, and various Mi-Fi Hotspots. Their source advises that the final shipments are expected to arrive later this month.

Although both the Revolution and Droid 3 are relatively newer smartphones, the specifications pale in comparison to other Android handsets. Considering that successors to both models are rumored to debut in the near term, it makes sense … Read more

The 404 969: Where well...it can only get worse (podcast)

Welcome to a brand-new year of The 404! Today on the show filling in for Justin Yu is Bridget Carey. Justin is still out west and will meet up with us in Las Vegas for our live shows from CES 2012!

On today's show Jeff and Wilson prepare Bridget for her first CES ever by advising her to stock up on Powerbars, Jolt Cola, and plenty of water. … Read more

Ballistic to unveil LS Smooth iPhone cases at CES 2012

If you own an iPhone 4 (or 4S) you're probably already using a case. But if you're still looking for one, or want a new one, here's another to consider.

Ballistic announced today its latest case for the smartphone, called Ballistic LS Smooth. It "offers consumers an unparalleled protection" while remaining aesthetically appealing.

Similar to the original Ballistic LS cases, the new case is made of strong materials. It's now thinner and better-looking.

The LS Smooth has four removable Ballistic Corners that protect the mobile device from drops and allows for customization. The new … Read more

Glimpse of HP laptop to come: the Spectre

CES wouldn't be CES if we didn't have odd "leaked" videos hitting the web before the actual event itself, and here's our first candidate for laptops: a video of the HP Spectre has emerged online.

According to both Engadget and The Verge, this video was leaked by an HP employee to both sites. The fact that both sites got the same video makes the leak seem less like a leak and more like a teaser trailer.

Watch the video for yourself here or here: they're identical. What we can gather from this brief footage … Read more

Audio trends for the new year

As an audiophile, I value sound quality, but most audio buyers don't. Even when superior sound is available for the same cost as a lower quality alternative, most buyers will opt for the smaller, more convenient, more attractive, or more feature-laden product.

Case in point, the $399 Pioneer SP-PK21BS home theater speaker package. It's the best sounding home theater speaker/subwoofer system you can buy for that price, but it's also the biggest system you can get for that much money. How big is it? The SP-BS21-LR bookshelf speakers are 12.6 inches high, 7.2 inches … Read more

A tech toy timeline for 2012 (video)

For even the most conscientious tech-industry watchers, keeping track of what's coming down the pike can be a tricky task--and the rumor mill only complicates things.

Enter CNET Senior Editor Dan Ackerman, who lays it all out for "The Early Show on Saturday Morning" in this video of the most anticipated tech toys, which includes a timeline of what we can expect each month.

So when will see a new iPad? How about PlayStation's Vita or those "Ultrabooks" people have been talking about? Tune into Ackerman's crystal ball.… Read more

Some life-affirming thoughts for a tech new year

Viewing the tech world, as I do, largely from the fringes, I sometimes wonder just how seriously it takes itself.

Make a joke about Apple and invective will descend on you. Make a joke about Google+ and expect to be told to "eat a large bowl of raw d***"-- oh, and to be followed by a lot more people on Google+.

The new year will, no doubt, see more intensity surrounding tech companies, tech products, and tech personalities.

Some people will work beyond their physical and mental capacities. Some people will believe that killing Google, Apple, Facebook … Read more