Software, Technology & Gadgets Reviews

TechSmith Camtasia Studio 7

2010-05-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

This new software lets you make videos of your Windows desktop. You can do everything from creating tutorials to help someone complete a task or make a video for a demonstration.

When the software is up and running a toolbar sits on your desktop this shows you the basic settings of the program and has a record button. Recording can be done in full screen, just the active screen running, or a certain resolution. Picture-in-picture is also a possible recording option all you need is an overlay of your webcam feed and people can see you talking in your video.

After you’re through with recording the video editor kicks in. It’s quite like any other video editing software. You have a library, preview and time line sections, and trimming your video is very simple so you only get the parts you want. Production values are extremely high with this software, your video will look nice and polished in the end.

Narration is also an option to add to your video after it has been completed. All you have to do is click on the Voice Narration button and speak as your video plays. You can add many more effects to the video, like new cursors or speech bubbles, so your audience gets a good feel of what your doing in the video.

The software is not on the cheap end, but its quite easy to use and your end product will come out looking polished and professional that’s why it’s a great choice.

Native Union Moshi Moshi 02 Review

2010-05-27T02:53:00.000-07:00

This is a new handset designed like a landline phone for you to use with VoIP or a cell phone to place calls. It has excellent quality and the design is great, even though this new sleek white design does tend to pick up a little more dirt than your usual black rubber phone. The hand set is impeccably smooth and it only includes a single button just to connect your call. The audio quality is also a great perk and the usage and comfort are excellent.

This phone can only work with certain cell phones like the 3G or 3GS iPhones because it has a specific three-ring 3.5mm connection port. To use this device with your VoIP clients on your PC you will have to purchase a separate USB adaptor and cell phone users that don’t have iPhones will also have to invest in an adaptor.

The down side is that while this device is £45 plus you will have to spend extra on the adaptor so you can actually use this device. The device has a very nice and sleek design but it does lack extra features that are usually available with other USB handsets.

It supports for cell phones is quite impressive and versatile, it’s just that the use of adaptors all the time does get quite tiring. This is a must have gadget for a business person with an iPhone otherwise it is hard to imagine what other consumers would want to buy it for.

PlanningForce Express Premium

2010-04-21T03:16:00.000-07:00

Even though a project manager is a great asset to a small business, in theory, the truth is most small businesses can’t afford them. This weakness usually leads to not keeping project plans up-to-date and they quickly become useless. Businesses need a way to automate project management so that it becomes less time consuming and it has to be done successfully by someone that also has other responsibilities.

This is where PlanningForce comes in. It is like other project management programs, it combines a task list with a Gantt chart that shows you what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and by whom the task is to be completed. You can automatically update your Gantt chart using Excel.

Before starting a project you can create a list of resources, you can create different calendars that are linked to your resources, you can also create a shared calendar for the whole staff.

When starting your task list you allocate every task with a resource. You can create group task lists, individual task lists, give them descriptive names, set milestones, and specify dates it is all quite simple to do.

Once all of your variables are added to the program all you have to do is click “Run Schedule” and the program automatically creates a complete project plan. It automatically updates linked projects and successor tasks.

Even though you still have to manually enter all the variables of your project and it is a bit time consuming. On the other hand it is quite easy to use and when used effectively can simply managing projects.

Ergo4u ergoCloud Review

2010-04-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

One of the many problems of sitting at your computer all day is that not every desk is designed to give your arms the support they need. Narrow desks, especially, don’t support your forearms at all, which causes pain and numbness in your arms, hands and wrists.

Ergo4u has been working on solving that problem by creating the ergoCloud. This is basically a padded board that will clip to the front of your desk and support your arms. The curved interior is designed to fit to your body comfortably, at the same time supporting your arms.

It has U-shaped arms designed to fit on most desks, while the ergoCloud sits on top of your desk. Make sure, before you buy the ergoCloud, you measure the position and depth of the bar on your desk, incase it has to be custom built for the same amount of money.

The comfort is very impressive, with the padded top you get all the support you need and it doesn’t get uncomfortable as the day goes on. Not only does it support your forearms but it will also help improve your posture.

A minor set back is that the material it is made of collects dust that doesn’t come off too easily, and eating at your desk is definitely a no unless you are super careful because the product will get quite dirty over time.

This product is perfect for people with big comfortable desks, that let you have enough room on them to push your keyboard and mouse back far enough for the product to be attached.

Audials AudialsOne4 Review

2010-04-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

There is so many different music and audio programs available today on Internet radio that it is a little overwhelming. AudialsOne is a program that can record songs and programs right off of Internet radio so you can listen to them later. It also includes features like helping you discover new content and artists.

All you have to do is select a genre and AudialsOne records several tracks from different stations belonging to that genre simultaneously. Various stations can be recorded at the same time, but a draw back is that only one genre can be recorded at a time. If you prefer a particular station it can be added to your favorites and can be recorded all the time. The same goes for a station if you dislike it, it can be banned and never recorded again.

If your favorite station isn’t listed, AudialsOne will use a web browser or try to find it off iTunes to intercept and record audio stream from another program. Audio is not the only thing this program records, AudialsOne can even record videos off of YouTube and podcasts.

You can also be specific for artists instead of genres. The program will monitor the huge database and search for your favorite artist and record only those tracks. This Wishlist system for artists is different from the genre lists, here you can have as many Wishlists as you want. The program automatically gives you all of the artists and album information and will format tracks to your choice of AAC or MP4.

A fallback is its cluttered interface, you’ll have to get used to some of the icons and buttons and some are poorly labeled.

This is quite a useful program for discovering new music.

Draytek Vigor2710Vn Review

2010-04-14T04:07:00.000-07:00

This SME business router has a lot more to offer than the competition. It has an easy to use VoIP handling over SIP this allows you to route up to four simultaneous calls to VoIP phones on your network. It also comes with a VPN configuration option, DDNS, and QoS.

You can block just about anything using this router, based on URL or keyword, P2P and internet messaging for specific clients and protocols. Your MSN messenger can be allowed to work while blocking others like, video messaging or games.

Configuration has to be done your self and the setup is not so quick. Menus are laid out clearly but the little documentation provided for explaining the setup might be unclear to less capable users. Wireless networking is available but unsecured by default.

The Wireless LAN offers some interesting features like, allowing you to configure up to four SSIDs (visible wireless connections), each one with a different security and web filtering configuration. Setting up guest networks is a snap with this option.

Changing the router’s channel-bonding settings from the default two channels to a more stable single-channel system becomes a bit tricky because Daytek has removed the advance settings menu from the routers web interface.

When you disable the channel bonding you can get better results over distance, about 10m. You can also connect a USB disk or printer to the router’s USB port. The router reads a 1GB portable flash drive but it is a little slow if you attach 120GB portable hard disk.

Serif Digital Scrapbook Artist 2

2010-03-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

Serif is known for its powerful but reasonably priced design software. Scrapping booking, collecting photos and other memorabilia in a book, is now made easy on your PC. This new software lets you combine all of your pictures with attractive clip-art to make very nice pages. This type of scrap booking is great because you can share it with others online.

No automated wizard comes with the program so it is a little tricky to drop your photos into predesigned pages. There are some helpful Youtube tutorials that do make the process easier. Another problem is that there is only six provided Digikits with the software, you can download more and most are free.

Designing your own decorations for pages are not a problem. There are basic tools in the program that are set up to let you do just that, and they are quite simple to use. You can give your book tons of appearances everything from antique to adding hand drawn designs. The text options are also nice, texts can be run along a curved path for an interesting look. The program doesn’t trouble any advanced DTP or photo-editing software.

You can easily make a book because adding the pictures is a breeze, it even will keep track of the pictures you have already used. Built-in photo editing lets you edit everything from red eye to adding special effects to your pictures. The effects are all divided into categories making it easier to find everything you want done to your pictures. Your book can also be output to a printer giving you great results.

Steinberg Cubase Essential 5

2010-03-21T17:23:00.000-07:00

This software is specialized in recording live instruments, which is not a very common focal point in today’s music production software. Steinberg does also offer a much more expensive Cubase that might not be for amateurs so this is where the new Essential steps in it includes the core features of Cubase.

This is a great option for consumers that don’t want to deal with tons of different gadgets it offers a mature and dependable recording environment. It has features like the snap-to-grid which lets you crossfade between audio objects and it has support for tempos. Mix automation is also included in the program and it works something like video editing but for sound and it allows you to vary your mixer settings over time. You can also record from many simultaneous sources at the same time, which is made possible by the 32-bit audio signal path.

The down side of the program is that it is not that easy to master, configuration does take a while and your music jargon must be up to par. Advanced mixing options won’t come easy to new consumers.

The Cubase Essential is limited to 64 audio tracks, it has 16 plug-ins for instruments, and its eight global effects will only affect most ambitious producers. It integrates external hardware, multiple mixer views, and surround sound support. It’s easier to combine a single because it lets you record multiple takes of a single track. VariAudio vocal editor is missing in this program. It may not be as highly advanced as the Cubase 5 but the Cubase Essential is great for beginners.

Symantec Norton Internet Security 2010 Review

2010-03-18T12:16:00.001-07:00

This newest version from Norton Security needs no configuration and is quite easy to install. It has a comprehensible interface and provides access to all of Norton’s key features, like for instance, on-demand scanning, vulnerability detection, and web tools that help protect your personal details and credit card information by storing and protecting your passwords.

The settings menu allows you to have more control over your internet like instant scanning for Yahoo, AIM, and Windows Live Messenger. POP and SMTP e-mail scanning is also included and you have configuring options for firewall and parental controls. Firefox and Internet Explorer are integrated with Norton through a plug-in to report the safety of various websites and all of your search results.

Heavy system resources are reported on the system and Symantec has included some monitoring tools to track Norton’s footprints. Norton has been showing to have low system loads, even when carrying out a full scan. The Insight system judges the safety of various programs based on the opinions of other Norton consumers. This suite also includes heuristic scanning, which spots malevolent files by analyzing the instructions on their codes, and signature scanning which compares all of your files against a list of known malware. Uncommon programs are not blocked but Norton warns you that there is not enough information to determine weather or not the site is safe.

Norton performs at the top of its game, testing by consumers shows that your system will not be compromised. It is one of the best around for malware defense.

Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite X5

2010-03-17T14:23:00.000-07:00

Adobe may dominate the graphic design industry, but CorelDraw is what comes to mind to most PC users who use drawing programs. The new Graphic Suite X5 is a combination of CorelDraw along with some added bonus features that offer a huge range of capabilities. Included in this package are; Photo-Paint image editor, which has new color filters, theSwish miniMax2 animation tool, and CorelDraw’s newest Corel Connect media browser. Quantity is emphasized here and the 6GB of disk space it takes up may take a while to download.

The subtle improvements are what are noticed in this program with Mesh Fill it is now easier to create those complex color gradients with that deep and rich look. CorelDraw can be started from various ready to use templates or you can simply start from scratch. Curve tools have been modified and the alternative B-Spline drawing method will appeal to illustrators. Corel also finally made it possible for rounded corners to be supported, which preserves the proportions when objects are resized.

Connect can run like a standalone app or with CorelDraw or Photo-Paint and it integrates with Windows Desktop Search to help you find content by keyword. Professionals will find Corel quite handy, especially the users in specialist sectors like garment design and advertising studios. This program offers new video tutorials, in context sensitive hints, more hand-holding, and has plenty of clip art and different templates. CorelDraw is the first choice for most consumers outside the Adobe price bracket.

Lenovo Idea Pad Review

2010-03-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

Lenovo is trying to combine the notebook and the stand alone tablet devices. This may look like your standard, and old, 10-inch notebook but once you swivel around its multi touch display it turns into a slate device that you have only dreamed about. A bonus to all of this, the Lenovo is the first to have 1.83 GHz Atom N470 processor.

The design isn’t anything mind blowing. The notebook is noticeably narrower than the standard 10-inch ones, and a little thicker than the standard reading tablets. The tablet, when equipped with the battery, weighs about 2.7 pounds. One of the biggest benefits that is offered with this gadget is its unique convertible form factor that gives you the option to use a full keyboard or a very nice multi touch display.

The 10.1-inch display offers 1024x600 resolution and it is quite simple to navigate around Windows 7 Home Premium with the touch screen. The desktop items are designed big enough so that you can simply use your finger to tap them. A downside is that the gadget doesn’t come with a stylus and so if you want to take advantage of Windows 7 handwriting system one must be purchased separately.

It has pretty typical notebook performances despite its Atom N470 processor and 2GB of RAM. Cell battery was tested and ran up to 3 hours and 12 minutes, but when actually using the system you can get up to about 4 and a half hours of battery life.

HMK 561 Electric Bike

2010-03-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

Most electronic bikes are nothing out of the ordinary they look like ordinary bikes but with motorized hubs, a strap-on battery pack, and regenerative breaking capabilities. This bike on the other hand is quite unique, taking home an iF Design Award for its very forward thinking. This bike is not just stylish and totally juiced out, the frame is what adds to its creativity it is composed completely of a conductive carbon fiber weave along the sides of the bike’s body that not only allow the body to pass the motors electrically but they actually are the things that store it, like a jumbo capacitor. You literally have the bike of your dreams when you factor in all the other perks; integrated lights, a hint of the aforesaid regenerative braking at each axle.

The designers at HMK really had their thinking caps on for this one, the carbon fiber frame is highly conductive so the designer uses it as a network for power distribution instead of wires. The power drives the lights and motors in between the rims, but the most unique aspect is its braking. The energy is used to drive a system that actually turns the wheels of the bike using a counter-turning axle instead of the ordinary gears and chains.

This idea may seem far-fetched, yes, but there already is a prototype being built. This bike concept will sit you on a battery and make you look far more attractive than any of the other electronic bikes out there.

HTC Incredible Review

2010-03-11T12:55:00.000-08:00

Review for HTC Incredible

Every android fan is anxiously waiting for this phone. This gadget has a half gig of RAM with around 320 MB available and it is equipped with an 8 megapixels camera with dual LED flash, perfect to capture all of your moments, and an interesting feature is the phone’s 1 GHz Snapdragon processing core, which from HTC’s perspective helps save battery life. This gadget is not to be underestimated it is reported to be “blazing fast”.

Measurements are 117.5x58.5x11.9 mm. Unlike the Droid the Incredible does not come with a hardware keyboard, instead its WVGA touch screen display makes it simple to use, along with its optical mouse incorporated at the bottom of the 3.5-inch screen. HTC, with this design, uses soft black and very interesting contours incorporated in a glossy shell. Inside though is where the surprise lies, everything inside the phone including the battery is a fiery shade of red, first seen in the HTC mini. This phone is very hot for the summer and it should be out in April or May.

2010 seems to be the year of the smart phones, and it looks like this one will more than live up to all expectations. This is the newest release of smart phone is a 2.1 software version, so it has many abilities like playing videos super fast. HTC did not announce this phone with its Android so it may have a few more surprises left in store by the time it reaches market.

Motorola Devour Review

2010-03-09T16:29:00.000-08:00

Motorola Devour - This well mechanized device may look a bit frumpy at first with its 3.1-inch LCD screen and some overwrought aluminum, but once you get it in your hand it is quite robust. Its assembly consists of extruded aluminum and doesn’t bend or budge in any place. The buttons are nothing too special and the simple power on/off button is located at the top. It does have a voice commander and volume rocker on the right hand side along with a camera button. It has an extremely sensitive optical track pad.

The phone is assembled quite uniquely and the battery charging is one interesting part. The battery is recharged and still provides a way to get to the 8GB bundled microSD card without turning off your phone. The keyboard is average and with fairly well separated keys, even though they are a little too flat.

The new and improved processor is quite fast Qualcomm MSM7627. The phone lets you display all of your Facebook and Twitter updates that can appear on your home screen. It is also equipped with rubber end caps enabling you to drop your phone with not so much panic. The camera is nothing to get too excited about either its 3-megapixel camera doesn’t produce the world’s greatest pictures, they are actually quite grainy. The battery was a plus on this phone and it is able to keep up with all the other smart phones of its generation. The bottom line is that there really is nothing to this phone outside its keyboard and quality build.

AmbienTec’s SolarFold and SolarFan Review

2010-03-08T17:32:00.001-08:00

These environmentally friendly devices charge your gadgets and are actually quite interesting. A bonus is you can buy them right now, if you live in Japan! Its called the SolarFold and SolarFan because are actually two different designs both of which incorporate four panels of spherical-based solar cells, that are made up of 1,900 globes each that collect light for charging, which in turn makes them much more flexible, unlike ordinary silicon crystals that cannot be bent, and a lot more durable than the average photovoltaic.

This device is actually quite efficient also it delivers about 2W over USB and in 10 minutes it can charge an Iphone up to make a three minute phone call. You will need more than a few days if you want a full battery! Both of these models are available for around $250, the downside is that the SolarFan is the only one that comes with a tripod so choosing which one you want doesn’t seem so hard!

Both products feature a new folding design making them portable so you can take them anywhere, when folded they can easily fit into your pocket. SolarFold opens like a folding screen and SolarFan, hence the names, opens up like a fan. These devices are the worlds first mobile solar charging systems that utilize light gathering spherical solar cells. The devices are sold as packages that include a carrying case and a USB charger. The devices were displayed at PV Expo 2010 and were released on March 4, 2010.

Restaurant Software Review

2010-03-08T10:06:00.001-08:00

The restaurant software "Restaurant maid" is one of the finest developed restaurant management software products today on the market. Beside the point-of-sale (POS) basic features, this restaurant software represents the new era in the restaurant management business with its phenomenal restaurant management features.

We will talk about that just in a bit, first to point out what this restaurant POS software is most suitable for.

POS maid is highly recommended for all kinds of food serving and restaurant businesses. Also, you can use it for bars, clubs, cafe bars, pizzeria, hotel restaurant and so many other businesses connected to food, drinks and business management.

Now, this might look great, as it seemed to me when I first discovered this amazing restaurant software. Thus, it's not just the great management features that this restaurant software has, but with its purchase, you will have the chance to use FREE e-mail support, FREE software updates, LIFE TIME licence with no additional fees, and that's not all. You can easily learn how to operate this user friendly restaurant software with the restaurant software Video Tutorials provided by the company on their official website AlexandriaComputers.com.

Isn't this what a good restaurant owner would want for best performance of his restaurant? - YES it is!

Feel free to download a free version of Restaurant maid.

This restaurant software supports POS systems, Home Desctops or Notebook PCs Touch Screens and Regular Screens, Barcode Scanners, Magnetic Card Readers, PinPad Devices, Electronic Cash Drawers, Pole Displays; regular size Printers, small Receipt Printers and Barcode Printers.

You can also use this restaurant software in a network, on many computers, or on a single computer.

With this great restaurant management software you will be able to manage your "on the fly" sales, dine in sales, bar sale, delivery sales, and everything else you might be doing business on. You can set discounts on different types of products, you can add customizable "quick menu buttons", and "sub menu button".

You can add unlimited number of menu buttons for better navigation on your services or products as well.

What's very interesting about this restaurant software is the fact that you can edit the buttons with the text in case you need your working stuff, or you, to better find your way through the software usage.

If you want to plan and shape your restaurant's floor - no problem! Restaurant maid has the feature to do that.

You will watch your restaurant's floor and tables through a bird's eye view and record each transaction or order that's been made.

Keeping records of the money transactions is a management feature available in this restaurant software. You will have multiple sales taxes options, it supports multiple sales tax systems (USA, VAT, PST, GST and many more). It also supports every world currency - if you can't find it yourself just easily add it yourself with the "add currency" tool.

Restaurant maid will give you better overview of the accounting work. You will track what's going on with your bank deposits, bank transfers, multiple bank accounts and customer accounts.

The tracking features are extended to the level of employees tracking, the hourly rate you are paying for your employees and the most important thing is that you can set customizable security / access details for each employee.

I don't know if you have compared POS maid with other restaurant software products out there, but its interface and user friendly navigation is at way higher level. Click here to see some screen shots of the restaurant software. Stylish, isn't it?

Now, this is not all what this restaurant software will do for you in terms of organizing and management. there is a lot more to write about, but for your further information you can check their website and go to the features section of the Restaurant maid. There you will find all the answers you are looking for.

To your success!

Courier Digital Journal Review

2010-03-08T04:28:00.000-08:00

This “digital journal” is just under an inch thick, weighing just over a pound, and only about as big as a 5x7 picture when it’s closed really reflects the aspect of mobility. Instead of being using Windows 7 this handy device uses Tegra 2 and it runs on the same OS as the Zune HD, Pink, and Windows 7 Mobile Series.

It has built in handwriting recognition and the interface seems to be constructed around drawing and writing, you can draw with the stylus or use your fingertips. The corresponding web site gives you access to everything you write, all of your blogs can be updated complete with comments. Rumors have it that it has a built in camera, and head phone jack for all of your media playback. E-books, no problem, the Courier will serve as Microsoft’s e-book device letting you download all of your favorite literature.

Its easy enough to use statuses like battery life and wireless signal are displayed across the rim of one of the screens, and it includes an Iphone-like home button. Charging might be done through an inductive pad, similar to the Palm Touchstone charger for Pre.

It has two screens and it lets you interact with the pen or several multi touch finger motions. It also includes some pretty complex graphic themes and various modes and applications. One of the coolest features is that the hinge actually doubles as a pocket to let you hold you would like to move from one page to another.

Averatec’s N1200 Review

2010-03-07T08:30:00.000-08:00

This is a new super thin, and extra light 10-inch notebook, it is less than an inch thick and weighs only 2.2 pounds, is available in black or silver. It comes with 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N450 CPU which makes it quicker than older notebooks, a 160 GB hard drive, which includes 1 GB RAM, and a built in 1.3 megapixel webcam and 802.11 Wi-Fi. The system can be programmed with either XP or Windows 7 Starter. Battery life is excellent, the tiny battery can get you up to 3 hours battery life, and you can upgrade for better battery life, 6 hours.

This is the thinnest and lightest notebook that is available on the market today. The N1200 comes in various models to meet the customers specific demands. Engineers at TriGem achieved this design by incorporating various materials and compounds found in pricier slim notebooks. It has cutting edge technology like the ultra-thin backlit LED LCDs screen along with the extra-slim 7mm hard drive, these features enable the notebook to be super slim. Its magnesium-alloy casing and lithium polymer battery cells also help keep the weight down to 2.2 pounds.

It sports a 10.1 inch display with 1,024 x 600 resolution, includes a pair of stereo speakers, two USB ports, an Ethernet port, a VGA out multi-memory card reader, and microphone and headset connections. When launched the note book will run from around $329 to $379 depending on the extra add-ons you would like to add to your notebook.

Sage Act 2010 Review

2010-03-06T09:57:00.000-08:00

Why pay tens of thousands of dollars for customer relationship management (CRM)? Large companies gladly pay this expense because with good CRM you can completely eliminate the wasted prospects that just are not ready to buy. With consideration to detail and steadiness you can spot out who your real leads are and concentrate your resources on them.

Sage Act is the perfect CRM software for a small business. All of your records are stored in an SQL database, and for every individual contact you can assign notes, a specific contact history, different files, call records, and now you can even connect with them through their Facebook profile. Contacts are then organized by company or hoc group; like a project group.

This version is closely intertwined with Microsoft Outlook, the program adds a toolbar to Outlook that helps you attach emails to certain contacts in Sage Act! just by clicking your mouse.

Another feature is recording all your communications with your clients, the program works by letting you register sales prospects, and then by switching their status, you can follow them through the entire sales process. You can easily change the status of an opportunity from everything from ‘Negotiation’ to ‘Commitment to Buy’ as this increases so does the value of the opportunity. The program offers many reports one of them lets you see your opportunities listed by value, which is an excellent way of keeping track of which opportunities to concentrate on.

The program is not one of the simplest ones out there and it may take awhile to get used to it, but it really does know how to get the job done.

Wacom’s Cintiq 21UX Touchscreen Tablet

2010-03-05T09:25:00.000-08:00

This 21-inch LCD touch screen has 2,048 levels of pressure and sense the slightest touch of a pen, something that is starting to be called “near zero”. The overall look of the screen has been refined to all black giving it quite an attractive new look.

The screen is very color accurate, and located in the rear is a set of Touchstrips that are user assigned for every application they can zoom, scroll, and adjust the brush size and rotate the canvas. The actual screen can be adjusted anywhere from 10 to 65 degrees and rotated 180 degrees in wither direction. The 21UX can be removed from its stand and users can use the screen directly on a table, or attach it to a VESA certified swing mount.

This is a fundamental tool for all creative professionals it has an ergonomic design and new productivity features. The eight application-specific ExpressKeys help improve your workflow and boost productivity by placing your commonly used commands right at your fingertips.

Many creative accessories come with this device that are designed for individual and specific needs. The Art Pen is specifically designed for things like Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, and Illustrator it is made to support the barrel rotation feature on these programs. The Airbrush Pen provides vivid and fun effects while having a similar form and wheel-based control as a traditional airbrush.

Included software with this device: Corel Painter sketch pad, Nik Color Efex Pro 3.0 WE6, and the Wacom Brushes 3.0.

Cooler Master Gladiator 600

2010-03-04T00:28:00.000-08:00

This sturdy and practical design is quite admired. It includes two built-in fans with one located in the front, 120mm, and one located at the top, 180mm. These fans provide excellent airflow through the motherboard. There are also plenty of ventilation holes throughout, which help in the cooling process the down side is that there are no dust filters or sound dampers. Making noise easy to get out and dust that much easier to enter.

The Gladiator 600 is pretty simple to put together, you will have no troubles routing all the cables to any point. You have to watch out for the seven expansion slot blanking plates located in the back of device. They are held together with plastic chips and a wrong move when removing them could do damage.

Space is no issue there is plenty of space for hard disks, disk drivers, and memory card readers it has five 3 ½ inch and 5 ¼ inch bays both of these use drive rails so mounting is not a problem. The 5 ¼ inch bay can only be used for external drives, but an extra plastic cage is provided incase you want to add another accessible 3 ½ inch drive. The front of the device can accommodate 3.5mm headphones and mic connections, two USB ports, and an eSATA port.

The Gladiator does not do anything in specific and it does lack a bit in the features department, but it is a good buy at right under £50.

Internet Security 2010 Review

2010-03-02T08:21:00.001-08:00

Internet Security 2010 is a complete suite of programs to protect your computer from everything from malware to hackers on your Windows PC. ThreatFire is also included this program is a behavioral intelligence program that helps protect you from Zero-Day threats. PC suite is great because it is designed for the common consumer not for the expert. It is automatically configured out of the box that is designed to give ideal protection with limited interaction, so only installation is required for immediate and guaranteed ongoing protection.

Installation for this program is very direct; just follow the set up wizard. It is recommended that all other security applications are removed before the Security Suite is installed, because they may conflict with the operation.
With the different features that are included to protect your PC the Security Suite is a complete computer security solution. The main screen options involve controlling malware and Firewall. Most distinguishable here is the Behavior Guard that is incorporated into the ThreatFire.

This application includes; Spyware Doctor, Browser Defender is added to Internet Explorer, Google searches are scanned to make sure you are visiting a safe site, for unsafe sites a complete security analysis is made to find any damaged downloads, AntiSpam is included it collaborates well with Outbox or Thunderbird, lets you control the applications that are allowed access through Firewall, and an Intelli-Scan can be programmed to take place once a week, month, etc.
This is a great program designed for full protection, with everything from browser guards to phishing and other heinous sites.

PC Tools Internet Security Suite 2010 Installation

Installation is straight forward following the simple install wizard. You are recommended to uninstall any other security applications before proceeding with installation as they may conflict with operation.

If you don’t want the Thunderbird Toolbar make sure to uncheck that option before proceeding.

After you enter in your license key, you’re offered to get the latest updates right away.

A reboot is required to complete the installation.

PC Tools Internet Security Suite 2010 Features

This is a complete computer security solution and contains different features that help protect your machine. From the main screen you can control the malware protection and the Firewall protections.

The most notable feature to point out is incorporation of Behavior Guard which is powered by the ThreatFire engine. ThreatFire is also available as an individual download and works along side your Antivirus app and provides protection against Zero-Day attacks.

Since it includes Spyware Doctor you will be familiar with the IntelliGuard Protection that allows you to control different features of your security protections.

Browser Defender is added to Internet Explorer and acts as phishing protection and points out other shady sites.

It is installed automatically for Internet Explorer, but if you want it for Firefox, then you will need to install it from a separate download.

When you do a search on Google, there is a small icon next to each result that tells you if a site is safe or not.

You can get more information on a site if it is determined to be unsafe.

For unsafe sites, a complete safety analysis is performed and you can check the results of potentially infected downloads.

A new Anti-Spam engine incorporates spam filtering with clients like Outlook and Thunderbird.

Control the applications that are allowed access to your network through the Firewall.

You can also use the slider to set the level of protection of the firewall.

Smart update provides the latest malware database and product updates.

You can schedule full and Intelli-Scans to take place daily, weekly, and monthly at times you specify.

Internet Security 2010 - Ease of Use

After installation is complete an update and scan kicks off right away which allows for up to date detection and removal of malware out of the box.

After the scan you get detailed results of what was found. You can go through and decide which detections you want to remove.

It allows you to do an Intelli-Scan, Full System Scan, or Custom Scans.

For a manual scan simply kick off a scan from the main interface.

You can monitor the progress while the scan takes place.

It allows you to scan individual files from the context menu as well.

Right-click on the tray icon to access a menu of different functions and features such as enabling Game Mode.

Internet Security 2010 - Performance

We ran our tests on a Windows 7 system with a dual core AMD processor and 2 GB of RAM and there was no slow down while doing day to day mutli-tasking. Intelli-scans are quick but full system scans are time consuming.

Internet Security 2010 - Product Support

As with all of their products, PC Tools provides several ways to get quick support for Internet Security 2010. On their site they provide FAQ, a Knowledgebase, User Manuals and Live Chat for support. They also include Email and Telephone support for users who have purchased a license.

Intenret Security 2010 - Conclusion

PC Tools Internet Security 2010 is a comprehensive package of security protections for your PC. What really makes all of PC Tools new 2010 security apps great is the inclusion of the ThreatFire Behavior engine that protects you against Zero-day threats which we have covered previously. The one thing you may find annoying at first is the Firewall that needs to be trained to allow or deny applications…but it will remember your selections. It is relatively light on system resources and isn’t overbearing like some security suites can be. If you’re a gamer, you’ll love the easy Game Mode option that will turn off components of the suite that can hinder game performance simply by starting the game in full screen mode. All of the utilities can be downloaded as stand a lone apps, but having them all in one suite is very convenient. They offer a free limited trial and is $49.95 for a license to protect up to three computers.

The software works with XP (SP2), Vista (32 & 64-bit), and Windows 7 (32 &64-bit)

Samsung Wave Review

2010-03-01T05:50:00.001-08:00

Samsung’s newest member to the family is the Wave, and yes the talked up 3.3-inch AMOLED screen is quite something. It has a crystal clear display with details letting you see the individual veins on a leaf and the colors are startling. The phone is slender and very attractive, with sleek swish-shaped buttons and diamond cut out opens for the camera located on the back of the phone. The camera is 5 megapixel and the video camera shoots in HD, and its integrated social network “social hub” lets you connect to everything from Facebook to Twitter in full detail. It’s powered with a 1ghz processor, which allows you to multitask at full speed.

This phone feels great in your hands it has a smooth aluminum body with soft edges and a seamless design. It is also very slim 10mm, making it super light. The color display is phenomenal and animations jump through the screen, the phone is designed to reflect less light making it great for outdoor use.

It also includes a unified inbox, integrated contacts from all of your social networks, and a synchronized calendar. The TouchWiz 3.0 is very clean, unclouded and far less confusing than the previous versions. It comes with and apps store and the UI supports Flash.

Samsung really has made it out to make these Badda phones for everyone, nothing new is really incorporated into this phone but that really isn’t the company’s main focus. Hopefully this phone can keep up with all the other Android phones on the market today.

Teufel Concept E 200

2010-03-01T01:16:00.000-08:00

This PC surround set comes with miniature satellites but an enormous subwoofer that can be measured in size with the actual PC tower. Beginners will appreciate the understandable easy set up instruction guide. Every one of the satellites can be interchanged and there is no dedicated center speaker.

This atypical PC surround set lets the satellites connect to the subwoofer incorporating speaker wire, which is more commonly used in home theater surround sound kits, instead of phono or 3.5mm stereo cables. Connection is made easy by simply connecting the spring clips on the satellite to the subwoofer. Aggravating enough no cable comes with this set, so it must be purchased.

This system has phono audio inputs, so it requires a phono-to-3.5mm adapter to connect to your PC. Conveniently located on the front of the subwoofer are the controls for volume, bass, and treble which are illuminated making adjusting and fine- tuning easier in dark rooms.

The Teufel is great for watching movies, especially the action packed ones with explosions that can make the whole room rumble, the effects are deep and vibrant. It is also excellent for more quite sound settings like conversation, which are well balanced so that fine less subtle details are well heard.

Music is heard exceptionally all genres are played great and the sound is detailed, clear, warm and rich. Vocals and instruments are balanced lovely with no distortion or harshness.

These speakers sound a great deal better than ordinary and cheaper 5.1 speakers, but they are almost as expensive as a whole home theater set

Nooka Unisex Polyurethane Watch #ZUB ZOT 20

2010-02-28T04:29:00.000-08:00

A watch today is something more than just a gadget on your wrist. You should consider design, what you will use it for, and what kind of functions it offers. A watch should be punctual and reflect the kind of life style you live.

There are many categories of watches; elegant, stylish, sport, luxury, casual, etc. It is consider trendy to have a few watches that will solve all your needs. There is however a new category of watch that has it all, designed for the active life style, sporty, but at the same time looks cool and modern.

The new watch from Nooka has all of these features. This watch is fun yet soft and sexy at the same time. It comes in the standard black and white, but you can also get it in bright colors like green, blue, yellow, and orange any color to go with your mood or creativity. This attractive piece is easy to imagine on any active man or woman. It is perfect because it will suit the style of the office or fit in to your active sport life.

The very unique display of time is also what sets this watch apart, it is read vertically and shows the current time in a display of 12 dots. It is a three columned four windowed display that is very uncommon the two left columns are for hours and the third is for minutes. Additional features include an alarm and chronograph. It is water resistant but it is not recommended for swimming.

The Nooka is very unisex and has a very futuristic design, the time display is unique, and the materials and quality it offers are perfect for the active life style.

Postbox Email Client - review

2010-02-24T06:27:00.000-08:00

This email program is worth the money you will pay for, although it is based on Thunderbird, which is free, Postbox is greatly modified. It comes with all the standard features of all of today’s modern email programs like in line spell check, powerful filters, and Bayesian spam protection.

What sets this program apart from the others is its extensive search capabilities. Once the email you have sent is indexed searching for a certain message you have sent, a particular image attached in an email, or link from a specific person, by date, keyword, or combination of all of these becomes extremely quick. Email viewing and browsing is also made faster by a side panel that pops up that allows you to quickly browse pictures, attachments, etc. from the sender of that email.

The threaded conversation support lets you group together all emails with the same subject so long conversations are easy to keep track of. Automatic configuration is done instantly just by adding your email address when first starting this program.

The tabs that are supported by Postbox, those similar to Firefox and Thunderbird, helps reduce your window clutter. When you double click on your message a new tab automatically appears, although if you prefer messages can still be opened in different windows. No Thunderbird add-ons are compatible, but plug-ins are available for different add-ons such as encryption or a calendar.

Overall Postbox is a very good email program and includes many useful features, highlighted is its fast search capability. This program will benefit users who need to sort through vast amounts of emails. Less demanding consumers will find cheaper products more practical, but for everyone else this product is super.

Nikon Coolpix P90

2010-02-23T16:56:00.000-08:00

This is a new super zoom camera, it has the ability to capture many shots at once and comes with a big zoom. This camera includes a 24x optical zoom lens, a 3-inch display screen, optical image stabilization, and a 12 megapixel image sensor. This high-end camera features 15 frames per second shooting and an ISO of up to 6400, which takes sharper more natural looking photos even in low-lighted conditions. The motion detection software automatically detects moving objects and will adjust the shutter speed for you. The optical VR imaging stabilizer compensates for the effects of camera shaking and your pictures will be perfect even in unstable conditions.

This camera is perfect for photographers seeking, it has a long zoom fit into a compact body and it really is an ideal camera. The average consumer will also feel comfortable using this camera, it feels right in the hands of any photographer.

The significant resourcefulness of this camera is its 24x Optical Wide Angle Zoom-NIKKOR ED Glass Lens, you have unbeatable freedom with the 26mm lens. With the broad range shooting consumers can capture a variety of scenes; sweeping landscapes, up close shots, and even the action on the sports field.
The P90 also includes automatic In-Camera Red-Eye fix, Smile Mode, which automatically detects your smiling subject and releases the shutter, Blink Proof, which takes two shots and saves the one when your subject’s eyes are open, and Enhanced Face-Priority AF, which can detect up to 12 faces at a variety of angles.

APC Back-UPS ES 700

2010-02-23T02:47:00.000-08:00

This cunning little device is designed to protect your computer and other devices from power failures and saves you energy, hence the name Uninterruptible Power Supply. The basic outline is a large battery with eight individual plug-in sockets, and four of them can be running during a power outage which will give you enough time to safely shut down your computer.

This device works with power saving technology it has three surge-protected sockets or slaves. When your computer or other device is plugged into the master socket it draws more power than the threshold and the slave sockets are activated. After this is done the master socket drops beneath the threshold, and when your PC is turned off the slave sockets automatically disable.

The main job of the ES 700 is to guard your PC and data, where its performance is excellent. The PowerChute that is provided with this device monitors your computer, it connects via the USB output and when power levels are decreased the PowerChute hibernates your computer, which protects all of your files and data from being lost. This device is very efficient you have the option of shutting down one to five minutes after battery power is first activated. If your PC uses the maximum 450W, you will only be able to get three minutes of power.

This device is not designed to let you work after a power outage, its focus is to save all of your data and work after the power failure has occurred. It has easy-to-use software and saves energy while protecting your computer.

Toshiba Satellite A500

2010-02-21T16:48:00.000-08:00

This extremely appealing apparatus designed with glossy pinstripe patterns and silver strips around the edge, is a decent enough laptop. In this design Toshiba uses the whole width of the keyboard, including a number pad on the right-hand side. The flat-topped keys are spaced far enough from one another so that you don’t hit the adjoining keys.

Touch-typing becomes frustrating because even though the keys feel crisp the bounce kills the feedback. The feeling of the case is more insubstantial than expected and the whole device sounds hollow when you tap it.

It is equipped with a 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo T660 processor and 4GB RAM, which makes it adequate for most office and internet applications, but it can’t handle any intense photo or video editing. The latest action games also cannot be handled with this laptop, but it does come with a 210M graphic chipset for more sedate games. HD movies do not present a problem the A500 handles them perfectly.

Colors are bright and vibrant on the 16in screen, although it is not recommend for bright overhead lighting because of the glossy finish and tight vertical viewing angles. The 1,366x768 resolution has sufficient desktop space and is perfectly suited for 720p HD movies.

The Harmon/Kardon speakers make the sound quite enjoyable, they are clear and loud enough for solo movie watching. Home movie watching and playing music is not a problem, all you have to do is connect to a large screen or AV amplifier via the HDMI output. It is also equipped with an eSATA port for external hard and ExpressCard slot perfect things such a TV tuner. 500GB is plenty of space to store all of your documents. This laptop is nothing above average and much better ones can be found at the same price.

HDR Photo Studio

2010-02-20T01:31:00.000-08:00

With today’s innovative cameras and scanners capturing an amazing range of colors, highlights, or shadows is easy. The loss of visual dynamics happens in editing, when reducing the amount of data from 8-bit or 16-bit the much of the innateness of the picture is gone. That is why HDR’s pictures have become the entire buzz; the new PhotoStudio is a 32-bit editor and allows you to enjoy the maximum potential of HDR (high dynamic range) pictures. Real HDR is 32-bit but most common programs, like Photoshop, cannot support the full 32-bit editing.

The start up menu gives you three options: create/merge a new HDR image, open an existing image, or batch processing. The first option lets you select the images you want to combine into a new HDR picture. Usually you will use several captures of one scene, with different exposure or lighting, this helps you get a hold of as much data as possible in the shadows, highlights, and midtones for the final image. Importing will not be a problem the PhotoStudio supports all RAW file formats from all the major camera companies, it also supports TIFF and JPEG images.

To get the product to work all you have to do is choose the setting for Automatic Dynamic Range Mapping (None, Fast, Optimal, or Quality), you simply hit the merge key and the program does the rest of the work for you. The speed at which the final picture is completed depends on the size of the file and the number of images being processed. Its performance, features, and design are all top notch, and for $150 you can become a professional editor for your own photos.

2010-02-20T01:29:00.000-08:00

Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth Headset

2010-02-18T16:50:00.000-08:00

The sleek VFrame design is not the only impressive feature on this amazing Bluetooth headset, it is also accompanied by a carrying with a battery for charging on the go. There will be no charging mistake, the headset is firmly held in its case where charging can be done. While not in use the headset can be placed into the case where recharging can be done in between meetings or traveling.

The AudioIQ noise control technology, that is actually active noise cancellation, can pass even the hardest “convertible test” noisy highway traffic does not present a problem while using this device. It comes with technology that enhances both sides of the caller’s conversation. The setup is relatively easy, and battery life is extended with this headset. Five hours of talk time does not present a problem with seven day standby, but the case automatically extends battery life.

The ear tips come in three sizes, which are also shipped to you, so the earpiece falling out doesn’t present a problem. The over the ear headset becomes overrated, it’s light so you forget you are wearing it. It is equipped with two buttons; a volume button located on the back of the headset and a multi-functional button that lets you know battery life, status of your call, etc. With its very minimalistic design, that is intended to flow with the contours of your face, the microphone closer to your mouth, its safe keeping, and the easy charging option will make it a great gift for business and pleasure seekers. This stirring headset also comes in a variety of colors that can fancy the tastes of both men and women.

OWLE iPhone Video Mount

2010-02-17T15:48:00.000-08:00

OWLE iPhone Video/Audio Rig- Even though the iPhone might not be so great in the video and camera department it makes up for its faults in other ways. We are always looking for ways to improve everything, and the best way to improve the iPhone’s digital camera is through a little external help with the OWLE iPhone Video/Audio Rig.

The OWLE uses a wide angle lens, along with anodized billet aluminum, and a mini-boom mic for the best shoot and best iPhone video your eyes will ever see all you have to do is simply place your iPhone inside its sleek metal and silicon case and then mount it onto the device. Video shooting becomes amazing with the shoe mount on top of the OWLE along with screw mounts on the corners.

The hardest part about shoot clear videos is keep the iPhone steady, with the OWLE that problem is eliminated. This device provides a more practical solution for holding your iPhone, the anodized aluminum gives you enough weight to keep everything steady. The boom mic attaches to the iPhone’s headphone jack, which captures better audio. It comes with a 0.45x wide angle/macro lens, and if that does not be fit your extensive cinematic vision then it also accepts any 37mm mount lens.

The down side is that it will be a while before you can get your hands on and OWLE, the limited production run will be complete in August, and full production will be done by Christmas. Retail price will be set at $129.99.

Task Squid

2010-02-16T01:57:00.000-08:00

The quickest way to get group tasks accomplished can now be done with Task Squid. It collaborates all your tasks that will complete your project. Task Squid is a private beta management device, its aim is productivity but it uses an activity approach for project collaboration.
You become the focus point while using this tool right after signing in the tasks you have been appointed to you, or the tasks that you have appointed to others show up. In reverse sequential order, color-coded by type, the tasks, comments, subtasks, files, and times are all highlighted in the activity stream.

While initially setting up you can connect to your Twitter, Facebook, and Google Calendar accounts. Tasks will be shown on the right hand side of the page, you can predetermine the categories and they can be treated like separate projects. Updates can come directly to your cell phone for completed or new tasks all you have to do is add your number.

Tasks include simple notes or vigorous action items, so you can make it flashier by stylizing the text, adding flash media, attaching files, noting due dates, or assigning multiple owners. Every task can also support comments, along with subtasks, and an option for time entry. Sharing tasks can be done directly thru URL or with social networks like Facebook or Twitter. Aesthetic affinity does not disappoint with Task Squid it looks and feels cool and clean, and visual appeal is added by making the comment bubbles multicolored. Task Squid is great for simple task managing!

9 Powerful Firefox Add-Ons That Will Save You Time

2010-02-14T13:13:00.000-08:00

Firefox is becoming the fastest and most popular web browser that’s expanding everyday. Lots of useful options are provided with Firefox, which might be the reason for its popularity. Free downloads for extra add-ons are available on the internet here are nine that can save your time!

1. ScrapBook- Helps you save your favorite web pages and manage collections. It offers multi-language support, it is also very accurate and speedy. This plug-in you can save full web pages, bits of web pages, do full text searches and organize your bookmarks.

2. DeeperWeb- The Tag-Cloud technique makes it easier to navigate through your Google search results. News, videos, and blogs can be accessed faster with its Topic-Mapping-Technology.

3. CoolPreviews- With this add-on you don’t even have to leave your homepage to preview links or rich media. No need to click back and forth with the CoolPreview icon your window will instantly appear.

4. Split Browser- Comparing multiple web pages becomes a breeze with this plug-in, you can split the content window any way you like.

5. WOT(Web of Trust) Safe Browsing Tool- No more spam! With this tool you will be given extra protection. You will be warned about shady sites that cheat customers, send malware or spam.

6. Tab Mix Plus- Managing tabs becomes simplified, this tool will duplicate tabs, control tab focus, undo tab options like open tabs and close windows, and lots more

7. Download Helper- Easiest way to download and convert web videos, and will also work on audio and picture galleries, from sites like You-Tube.

8. Fire FTP- Easy way to access FTP servers through Mozilla Firefox.

9. Read It Later- Saving pages is simplified so you can browse and read later. Bookmark clutter is eliminated!

Panasonic's TX-P42V10B

2010-02-12T00:15:00.000-08:00

This plasma screen TV which has great contrast and excellent image quality, offers access to 140 channels with HD broadcasts, included in the built-in Freesat HD receiver. Its Ethernet port makes it easy to connect to Panasonic’s Viera Cast service a web gateway which offer weather and news services, You Tube and Picasa.
Monthly fees are not required for the Freesat service, you can alternate between standard and now-and-next modes, set timers for upcoming programs, filter your channels by type and genre.

The special feature 24p Smooth Film is a frame smoothing technology look for it in the Other Settings menu under Systems. The imagery is fantastic for watching DVD’s, digital noise is reduced and there is no ghosting. PC connecting is not a problem either.

With its pleasant sound quality that comes from the integrated speakers the extra surround sound presets give an extra boost to the sound stage. With the bass on the sound becomes a little distorted and you cannot turn it up past 50 per cent because the sound hazy.

The high power consumption is a down side of plasma screens, with the settings set to maximum the TV used up a voracious 390W. There is no USB port, although pictures and videos can be viewed through the network or SD card slot, music files cannot be opened this way.
Even though Freesat HD is included along with Viera Cast and network access the TX-P4V10B is not a particularly good bargain compared to all the other cheaper LED and LCD screen TVs.

Apple To Announce The Long Anticipated Tablet?

2010-02-03T11:55:00.000-08:00

At Least there is one thing for sure. Apple have confirmed today that the January 27th event in San Francisco will bring something new, or as they call it "Our Latest Creation". Many have been speculating that this new creation might be the long awaited Apple 10 inch tablet with touch screen, but no one is certain to confirm this for sure. As Apple usually does, they keep the info as secret as possible before unveiling the new product, a procedure they have been enforcing for quite some time, and it is quite successful.

There are quite a few other possibilities as to what this new creation by Apple might be. The most notable ones are the iPhone OS 4.0 and Core i5 Mac Book Pro. However, other portable hardware devices are not excluded either. What will it be!? Well, we will have to wait until January 27th.

MAcBook Pro i5 Promo a Communication Problem

2010-02-03T11:44:00.000-08:00

Intel tried to squash the rumors that they themselves started. Rumors have surfaced thanks to their promo sent out to Retail Edge partners which showed a new Mac Book Pro revamped with the new i5 processor. The promo has been sent out to their partners and it was translated in several languages. However they have said that the whole thing was actually a misunderstanding with Intel's marketing agency. A new promo has been sent out to replace the MacBook Pro with a HP Envy 15.

Despite the denial, many observers think that Apple will promote the new MacBook Pro with the new processor as early as the January 27th event that has been scheduled to take place in San Francisco. Currently the MacBook employs Core 2 Duo, and it has little choice but to turn to the i5 or possibly the i7 architecture

Google Rolls out 2 New Features

2010-02-03T11:04:00.000-08:00

News from Google, they have just rolled out 2 more features in their everlasting quest to perfect their primary product - The Search. The main thing behind the new improvements is simple, they want to provide answers instead of just results to your query. The first feature is simple bolding of the words that they think might be the answer to your query. Up until now, the only thing that got bolded in the search results were the search keywords.

Although, Google does admit that this feature won't work with all queries, but as they have put it "it's very effective with searches around an information that could fit in a table.

The second feature is, the rich snippets for events. Mainly a web master feature, but the benefit for everybody is that, now Google can answer you even related queries with more precision. If web masters annotate their pages to provide the new format, the event related searches will return better data. Basically, should your query provide you with results with events, they will appear in snippets under the main search, showing the time and date of that event too.

Both of these features will probably go unnoticed by the common searcher, but eventually you'll stumble upon and find them very useful.

CNN takes you to Haiti in 360

2010-02-03T10:59:00.000-08:00

The project used to bring us closer to the tragedy that occurred in Haiti, is due to a collaboration between CNN and Immersive Media. The latter provide the technology needed for the 360 in Haiti, while CNN promotes it on their website - so the effect is achieved. Many people have actually logged on to this, so they can get a feel of how it is to be in the aftermath in Haiti.

This undoubtedly puts a dent in the theory that all technology does, is isolate us from each other. This time is evident technology gets us closer together.

The 360 itself takes you through a busy street on a fine afternoon through the capital city of Haiti, Port-Au-Prince, where the devastation of the earthquake is quite visible. You can drag in any direction and even pause the video to take a glimpse of Haiti. The special camera used for this project was developed by Immersive Media, produces an seamless picture and gets you closer to Haiti then ever. Even though this is not something that will actually help all those people in need, it is a good way to awaken some of you and maybe get you to actually do something.

Google Nexus One, Censors Your Foul Words

2010-02-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

Google Nexus one hit the stores some time ago as a much anticipated competitor on the smart phone market - the realm currently ruled by Apple and the iPhone. Trying to take a slice of that realm, the Nexus dudes promised a lot of improvements and new technologies implemented in it. And as they have promised so they have delivered.

One of those improvements is the swear word censorship, both in written from and when using the speech recognition feature. If swear words are uttered the speech recognition feature filters it, instead providing symbols like #. You ask why the censorship? It's simple. You see, with previous voice recognition features in various phones, sometimes, although rarely, the feature could misrecognize the query and simply place a swear words instead of whatever innocent thing it was you said. That's why the guys at Google decided on this feature, mostly out of precaution.

Even though it sounds like a "fair enough" deal, this still means that there is room for improvement, and maybe sometime in the future, when the technology allows it, Nexus One users could see their right to curse over the phone again. Until then.

iPhone Multitasking on it's way

2010-02-03T10:31:00.000-08:00

As a few reports have emerged in the past few weeks, suggesting that the iPhone 4.0 firmware will allow multitasking amongst other news. People, and specifically iPhone fans have been calling for multitasking for quite some time now, but Apple has insisted to push the notifications for background processes. The reason behind this is that by doing so - not allowing applications to work in the background - the iPhone saves sustainable amounts of battery life, and it enhances the whole experience while working on an iPhone, which is to say, it makes it work faster and smoother.

It is also expected that the new OS will look revamped in terms of graphics and and apps like Calendar and Contacts will have new sync options. Differences from the existent OS and the new one are claimed to be significant, as this new OS will make the iPhone more like a "full-fledged computer", a feat they claim is not reached by any phone so far.

Boxee Box Made Even More Official

2010-02-03T10:21:00.000-08:00

Media center software suit Boxee is getting a box. Official! The chopped box can play almost every video and audio you put in it, over 802.11n, including Flash 10.1 video. What this means is that even if it's not officially supported, there is nothing technically stopping this from playing back content from Hulu.

The device supports all of the plug-ins, including Facebook, Twitter and many many more. Countless video outlets are included as well.

D-Link will be selling the Boxee Box sometime in the first half of the year, though a firm date, or even month has not been set. The device will not cost more than $200, which we read to mean $199.99. Some details have yet to emerge, such as what hardware is powering the device and whether it's capable of pumping out full 1080p HD video, but we'll make sure to let you know as soon as we do.

Google officially Debuts Nexus One Android Phone

2010-02-03T09:55:00.000-08:00

G1 mobile was introduced by T mobile last year. It was the first handheld mobile to utilize the android operating system. Since the debut, everybody is anxious to see the next stage of android devices, particularly the Nexus One Google Phone.

On Jan. 5 Google officially announced the phone in California. The presentation showed the history of Android and included detailed information about the size of the Nexus One ("No thicker than a number 2 pencil, no heavier than a Swiss army knife.") its features (GPS accelerometer, light, and proximity sensor), and its hardware (1 GHz Snapdragon).

The Nexus One development team also showed us some insight info on upgrades from early G1 models. New weather and news widgets can be seen on the newer models, and heightened voice capabilities as well.
The cost of the new Nexus phone, unlocked, is $ 529,00 and the offer by T-home is $ 179,00 and will be coming to Verizon this spring. For full coverage visit Engadget.

Related Links:

iPhone Multitaskin Review

OWLE iPhone Video Mount

Motorola Devour Review

Samsung Wave Review