Europe's biggest and most heard of technology/electronics expo is upon us. The expo is well known for making big announcements to the technology world and I bet that this year will be no different from the last. This could be anything from surveillance equipment to new computer game consoles – The expo literally has it all! This year the show will be in Berlin, Germany and there are rumours of Phillips, Sony, Toshiba and Samsung to be there making some big revelations from new TVs to Blu-Ray players and walkmans.

Showcasing technology is one thing but the IFA also goes out of it's way to showcase the latest eco-friendly software, hardware and gadgets too. You will be able to see prototype products being tested and previews of the latest gadgets to hand. You will be priveledged to see some other smaller companies showcasing their latest technology. You could get to see anything from new night vision technology to the latest gadgets to improve on audio surveillance. The event starts on Friday 4th September so hurry up and get a ticket if you are interested in attending.

In 2008 the expo proved to be a massive success with the spectacle being around the latest Samsung Jet phone which was released a little earlier this year. It was designed to rival the iphone and I think it has real potential. As the internet and television are so closely linked in with eachother you will definetly see some crazy gadgets linked in with the latest 3G technology. This year we have just seen the release of the 3G iphone which has completely blown people away with its endless capabilities on the net.

So, it would be worth it to keep an eye on the expo this year as there un-doubtedly going to be some awesome gadgets and gizmos out there for everyone!

Kenley Bradstreet joins the show to fill in Justin’s shoes, after he has an unfortunate accident with a missing bike seat. On today’s show, Jeff rants about Digg’s new ads while he gets new Hoboken Twitter followers. Wilson doesn’t feel too hot about James Cameron’s new movie “Avatar.” Violet Blue starts her own URL shortner. And Kenley brings us a story about a murderous Brazilian talk show host. Yes, it is yet another episode of The 404.

(Credit: Twentieth Century Fox)

(Credit: Kenley Bradstreet)

Before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s explain today’s show title. Apparently, there is a blog called “Skanks in NYC,” and someone called a Vogue cover model, Liskula Cohen, a skank. Using words like “psychotic,” “lying” and “whoring” to describe Ms. Cohen, a judge ruled that the model has a right to know who was defaming her. Beyond the First Amendment questions that this ruling raises, Kenley wonders if this undermines the whole point of the Internet?

James Cameron has been on hiatus for the last couple of years after his massive success with “Titanic.” Turns out, he’s been working on “Avatar” for the last 10 years, inventing all sorts of new technology to bring his vision to the big screen. While the project has been hyped in Hollywood, The 404 gang remains unimpressed with the blue people with tails. Kind of looks like a cross between a PS3 game and Halo, doesn’t it?

Before we leave, we mention the new URL shortening service from Violet Blue, sex educator and columnist. At first, we were a bit confused as to why one would need another URL shortening service, but after a few hints from the chat room, we figured out that it’s a warning that the link you’re about to click on might be a bit NSFW. Bravo! Finally, Kenley alerts us to Wallace Souza, a Brazilian television host. On his top rated show, he features crime busts. Turns out, he was calling hits on people to get the ratings in the first place. We think the police were tipped off when a Steadicam operator, crane and lapel mic were found on scene.

Everyone have a great weekend! Wilson will be out for most of the week next week, so expect more awesome guests to keep his seat warm. In the mean time, please, please, please call in and leave a message at 1-866-404-CNET (2638) or write to us at the404 [at] cnet [dot] com.

EPISODE 409

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Originally posted at The 404