mag

Apple wins patents on iPhone 4 design, MagSafe

Apple has won several patents today from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Apple had filed for a patent on the iPhone 4's design and was awarded it today. Interestingly, Apple also received a design patent on the white iPhone -- a device that, in 2010, was delayed due to "challenging" production issues.

Patently Apple was first to discover the patents.

Not to be outdone, a patent on the iPad's case was also awarded to Apple, along with the company's Smart Cover, which magnetically connects to the tablet and sits on top of … Read more

Managing problems with Apple's MacBook power adapters

If you own one of Apple's MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air systems, you will have a power adapter that comes with the unit for charging it. Depending on your system, you may have a 60-watt adapter or an 85-watt adapter, which can be used to charge the system or run it directly from wall power; however, there are times when these adapters might not work properly.

Sometimes they get very hot when used, or sometimes they won't charge the system or show any activity at all.

While often the easiest solution for a faulty power adapter is … Read more

Apple agrees to MagSafe power adapter settlement

Apple's MagSafe connections for its laptop power adapters allows the connections to be quickly detached from systems, the benefits of which are obvious to anyone who has ever caught a foot in the power cord of a charging device and yanked it to the floor from its resting perch.

The MagSafe adapter is a great idea, but a number of people complained that its first iterations did have a couple of flaws that resulted in the cable getting twisted and bent (a situation called "strain relief"). In some instances this strain would cause the cable components to … Read more

Apple settles split cord MagSafe lawsuit

Apple has reached a proposed settlement in a class action lawsuit involving older models of its MagSafe power adapters.

Those particular adapters, the 60W and 85W versions that shipped on earlier models of the company's MacBook and MacBook Pro portable computers, were prone to splitting and became the target of a class action lawsuit.

The lawsuit claimed that the particular adapter design was defective to the point of where it "dangerously frays, sparks and prematurely fails to work." The 2009 filing accused Apple of knowing about, and misrepresenting the problem, claims Apple denied in court. AdapterSettlement.com'… Read more

The 404 900: Where we have sweet dreams of rhythm and dancing (podcast)

Mark Licea transports us back to the '90s on today's 404 Podcast, which also happens to be our 900th episode! How appropriate that the penultimate episode would also fall on Jonathan Taylor Thomas' 30th birthday.

The '90s theme rolls through the show as Mark sings today's "Tang That Tune" music trivia segment, and we'll also reveal details about Nike's Back to the Future sneaker, as well as Rolling Stone's ranking of the worst songs of the '90s. We have a few selections of our own to add!

Finally, we spend a minute talking about a clever algorithm that helped arrange the names on the 9/11 memorial wall. The memorial planners hired a local media design firm to develop a network of names organized by interpersonal relationships.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The 404 Digest for Episode 900

An algorithm helped arrange the names on the 9/11 memorial. 9/11 memorial guide. No power laces = 100% fail; back to the best shoe Nike never made. Rolling Stone ranks the worst songs of the '90s. This matters: JTT reunites with "Home Improvement" cast to celebrate 30th birthday. Justin's Daily Bathroom Entertainment: dog loop.

Episode 900 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

More details on Nike's Marty McFly-inspired shoes

Last night we reported on a exclusive Nike press conference taking place in West Covina, Calif., and the company just confirmed the future is now: Marty McFly's signature shoe from the "Back to the Future" series, code-named the Nike Air Mag, will become a reality starting tonight at 8:30 p.m. PT.

The Air Mag shoes are a near identical replica to the original models worn by Michael J. Fox in the sequel to "Back to the Future," and represent the first pair of rechargeable sneakers from Nike.

Consistency with the original design exists … Read more

The 404 899: Where we take you to school (podcast)

Wilson begins this episode of The 404 Podcast with a few words of encouragement to our young listeners starting their first day of school today.

Unsurprisingly, Mr. Tang excelled in all his classes and never once printed a cheat sheet on a Coke-bottle wrapper--unfortunately Jeff and I can't say the same for our own salad days. Anyone know how to calculate the area of a triangle?

Aside from recalling our high-school days, today's show rundown kicks off with Nike's announcement of the long-awaited shoes from "Back To the Future II." Nike's head designer Tinker Hatfield invited members of the press to a big announcement that's likely to coincide with this preview trailer showing Marty McFly's closet full of Air Mag 2015s. Power laces and light-up soles!

We'll also break news about a partnership between Google and Zagat's (rhymes with "da cat") Restaurant Guide, shed some light on reports about Netflix capping multiple streams, and you'll also find out how you can rent the studio set from the Conan O'Brien late-night show!

The 404 Digest for Episode 899

It's about time: Nike goes "Back to the Future." Conan writers put studio up on AirBnB. Scan shows what the right 3DS thumb stick add-on might look like. Google buys Zagat, in original-content gambit. Video voice mail from David showing a retro pinball arcade.

Video voice mail from Tessa and Matt on a backpacking trip in the Sierras. Justin's Daily Bathroom Break Video: Going to the Store: Normal Guy, Normal Walk.

Episode 899 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

It's about time: Nike sneakers go back to the future

Twenty-two years years after their onscreen debut, Nike is set to finally release the Air Mag 2015 sneakers Marty McFly wore in "Back to the Future II." A few lucky sneakerheads just received an invite to a Nike event scheduled for tomorrow in West Hollywood, Calif., where Nike's head designer Tinker Hatfield will announce the shoe. And yes--it will have power laces.

Nike sent a box of goodies over to the lucky folks at HighSnobiety and NiceKicks to drum up excitement for the announcement, and it's working. Inside they found an iPod shuffle with a message from Dr. Emmett Brown, a preserved bottle of Pepsi from 1985, and a replica pair of the Doc's metal shield glasses.

Last year, Nike patented an early design for a light-up shoe operating on built-in batteries that would also automatically fasten the strap into place. Most speculated that Nike would stick with the "Back to the Future" story arc and keep the original release to 2015, but they may arrive fashionably early.

This trailer showing Marty McFly's closet popped up yesterday and gives a preview of the Air Mag 2015. More pictures of the promotional invite goodies after the jump.… Read more

The 404 790: Where toothless Tim tells tall tales (podcast)

Today we're saying goodbye to a CNET colleague and frequent 404 guest host, Tim Geisenheimer. No, this is not an April Fools joke, but guess what? The Shock Top is. Today we're showing off some of our favorite Internet April Fools pranks, starting with Hulu taking us back to our Internet salad days.

The 404 Digest for Episode 790

RIM debuts the first screenless Blackberry, dubbed The Dauntless. Gmail gets motion activation functionality. Zookeepers in Europe equip gorillas with Apple iPads. PC Mag follows tech trends with a name change. Manalapan Best Buy employees accused of stealing $50,000 in gear. ThinkGeek sells Playmobil Apple Store playset. New flash dance show "Mobbed" debuts on Fox. Follow THE GEISENTUMBLOG!

Episode 790 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more