Gregarius &#187; BetaNews.Com &#187; mai 2011

Now that RF radiation is a Class 2B carcinogen, it might be time for Steve Jobs to reconsider the cell phone radiation gauge he personally rejected from the iTunes App store.

Mobile phones are as cancerous as HPV, engine exhaust, says WHO

Publié: mai 31, 2011, 8:24pm CEST par Tim Conneally

The World Health Organization on Tuesday reclassified radio frequency electromagnetic fields generated by radio, television and wireless telecommunications as being possibly carcinogenic to humans.

It's tablet overload at Computex

Publié: mai 31, 2011, 8:24pm CEST par Ed Oswald

At Computex in Taiwan this week, it seems like every manufacturer is set to jump on the tablet train, but we're trying to sift through the clutter for you.

Perhaps Microsoft didn't overpay for Skype after all

Publié: mai 31, 2011, 7:32pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

A new Pew Internet study shows that 2 out of every 10 American adults has made an online phone call. Microsoft couldn't ask for better timing or validation for its $8.5B Skype deal.

Test CyberLink PhotoDirector 2011 beta, get final code for free

Publié: mai 31, 2011, 5:55pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

There are few stories more appropriate for Betanews readers than this one. Offer feedback about beta software and get the shipping product for free. Doh. Why aren't more software developers making such offers?

SanDisk unveils 128GB mobile tablet module

Publié: mai 31, 2011, 5:29pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Currently, a mobile tablet is likely to offer on-board storage in one of three sizes: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. SanDisk today revealed its 128GB SSD for mobile tablets.

You hack us, we bomb you -- what's the right way to respond to cyberattacks?

Publié: mai 31, 2011, 5:02pm CEST par Larry Seltzer

The Defense Department has decided that some cyberattacks launched from one country against another are acts of war that justify the use of traditional military force. Yikes! Is that a good idea?

Nokia gives 3 reasons 2011 won't go as well as hoped

Publié: mai 31, 2011, 4:42pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Thanks to increased competition in the Chinese and European mobile markets, Nokia has negatively adjusted its outlook for the second quarter.

Apple looks to steal Computex and D9 thunder with iCloud

Publié: mai 31, 2011, 4:17pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

As two major industry events debut, Apple feeds the buzz mill by announcing its new cloud service will be unveiled next week by none other than CEO Steve Jobs. Rumors are sure to overshadow news from the other venues.

Get hands on with Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 7

Publié: mai 31, 2011, 12:00pm CEST

Excellent photo editing, vector drawing and desktop publishing tools more than justify Photo & Graphic Designer's existence. It just might be the only drawing tool you ever need.

What's the big deal about Intel Ultrabook?

Publié: mai 31, 2011, 8:33am CEST

By Mike Feibus

With the new Ultrabook, Intel seeks to bring together the best qualities of laptops with those of tablets. It's an evolution long-time coming. Finally, near Instant-On and immediate Wake-On-Resume capabilities may reach the masses.

Intel tries to redefine mobile computing (again) with Ultrabook

Publié: mai 31, 2011, 7:07am CEST par Joe Wilcox

Now that iPad and other tablets are killing off the netbook category, Intel is looking to start another -- the thin-and-light Ultrabook -- and move 40% of laptops to the category by end of 2012.

Lagarith codec: Preserving video file quality like it was lossless

Publié: mai 31, 2011, 6:45am CEST

Compression degrades video quality, while full-size files consume too much storage space. There's an alternative. Working with a lossless codec.

Could 70 percent of you be running Windows 7?

Publié: mai 29, 2011, 4:11am CEST par Joe Wilcox

A recent poll about Internet Explorer 10 suggests that most Betanews readers run Windows 7. We'd like to find out. Please answer our operating system poll.

Software Assurance punishes some loyal Microsoft customers, encourages others to skip upgrades

Publié: mai 28, 2011, 12:57am CEST

Licensing expert Paul DeGroot explains how Microsoft's upgrade plan for businesses encourages many to stick with older software rather than adopt sooner. It's a cockeyed situation where loyalty is punished rather than rewarded.

16 exciting downloads you may have missed this week -- get them now!

Publié: mai 27, 2011, 11:10pm CEST

By Chris Wiles

The last week of May was chock full of exciting software updates -- more than we can cover in any single roundup. We culled the list to a dozen plus four, and oh was it hard choosing.

Foxit PDF Reader 5 better fits with Office 2010 and Windows 7

Publié: mai 27, 2011, 10:50pm CEST

The software now boasts XFA electronic form-filling capability, the ability to fit a document to the width of the page and split the screen into two or four panes, and a redesigned interface that includes an option to mimic the ribbon used in Office and Windows 7.

The meat Mark Zuckerberg eats is you

Publié: mai 27, 2011, 9:25pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Facebook's CEO says he will only eat meat from animals he kills. But this is nothing new. Zuckerberg has been on the hunt for years, killing and consuming mores and rules for social interaction. It's cannibalism, really, since you are the game.

Registration begins for 15th annual QuakeCon gaming fest

Publié: mai 27, 2011, 7:54pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Registration for QuakeCon 2011 is now open, and seats are filling up quickly.

Russian payment firm could be behind Mac Defender scam

Publié: mai 27, 2011, 7:11pm CEST par Ed Oswald

Evidence is mounting that ChronoPay may be behind the Mac Defender malware scam that has suddenly brought the issue of Mac viruses into the limelight.

If Windows Phone fails, Microsoft can still profit from Android's popularity

Publié: mai 27, 2011, 6:53pm CEST par Tim Conneally

In a new report, Citigroup analyst Walter Pritchard said Microsoft makes $5 for every Android device HTC makes

Hollywood's 28-day delay for Redbox and Netflix is now Blockbuster's only advantage

Publié: mai 27, 2011, 4:41pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Video rental chain Blockbuster has shifted to 99 cent pricing just like competitor Redbox, but still charges more for new releases

Firefox 7 'Nightly' adds to version confusion, but that's OK, we help you choose the right one

Publié: mai 27, 2011, 3:40pm CEST

If you thought three builds of Firefox was hard enough to keep up with, now there is another -- Firefox "Nightly," currently v7. We've prepared a quickie guide to help you understand Mozilla's pumped-up development channel.

The Mac malware problem is bigger than you think

Publié: mai 27, 2011, 3:15am CEST par Joe Wilcox

A startling chart posted by security software vendor McAfee shows a dramatic increase in rogue Mac malware during May. Is a trend or something passing?

Why can you download Office for Mac 2011 from Amazon but not Apple?

Publié: mai 27, 2011, 1:02am CEST par Joe Wilcox

If you were Microsoft, would you want to compete with Apple products at Mac App Store and give up 30 percent of sales price? Amazon's new Mac Software Downloads store is pure retail.

Chinese prisoners forced into WoW "goldmining" scheme, says detainee

Publié: mai 27, 2011, 12:12am CEST par Ed Oswald

Prisoners in a labor camp in northeastern China have allegedly been forced to play MMORPG's like World of Warcraft in an elaborate scheme said to net prison bosses approximately $800 to $900 per day.

Gmail's new 'people widget' promotes contextual communication

Publié: mai 26, 2011, 11:22pm CEST par Ed Oswald

Google on Thursday said that it was adding a new "people widget" to the interface that will provide contextual information on the contact

Sparrow 1.2 adds unified mailbox, Facebook friends

Publié: mai 26, 2011, 9:07pm CEST

The minimalist email client for Mac is now more than about Gmail. The new version supports multiple email accounts and displays Facebook avatars.

Google debuts NFC enabled pay-by-phone system

Publié: mai 26, 2011, 8:29pm CEST par Ed Oswald

As expected, Google on Thursday announced Google Wallet, a mobile application for Android that will use near-field communication (NFC) technology to allow users to pay with their mobile phone.

DirectX Video Acceleration boosts Freemake Video Converter 2.2 performance by 50%

Publié: mai 26, 2011, 8:07pm CEST

The freeware video conversion program can handle a wide variety of formats, plus download and convert video directly from over 40 sites.

Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 7 and Xara Designer Pro 7 are now available

Publié: mai 26, 2011, 7:49pm CEST

ew features include the addition of fly-out galleries, a magnetic snap feature, and a photo-erase tool that aims to simplify the process of replacing the background in one image with that of another.

AT&T and T-Mobile merger: No way to resurrect competition once it's gone

Publié: mai 26, 2011, 7:47pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Skepticism about the benefits of a T-Mobile and AT&T merger was overpowering at a House Subcommittee meeting on Thursday.

avast! Free Antivirus for Mac beta is impeccably timed

Publié: mai 26, 2011, 7:35pm CEST

With the Mac Defender Trojan on the loose, Apple computer users should reconsider installing anti-malware software. Free is a good starting place.

Amazon drops cost of ad-supported 3G Kindle as e-readers near generational shift

Publié: mai 25, 2011, 8:07pm CEST par Tim Conneally

After new Nooks and Kobos, Amazon has dropped the cost of its 3G Kindle with special offers.

Do you want the skinny on Windows Phone 'Mango' development tools? (video)

Publié: mai 25, 2011, 7:34pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Over at Channel 9, Microsoft has posted three insightful videos (so far) about WP 7.1 development tools. They're worth 30 minutes (combined) of your day.

AT&T to launch LTE network this summer

Publié: mai 25, 2011, 7:31pm CEST par Ed Oswald

In an effort to keep on par with competitors, AT&T said Wednesday that it planned to launch its LTE network in five cities this summer.

Twitter acquires TweetDeck in battle for Twitter power users

Publié: mai 25, 2011, 6:39pm CEST par Tim Conneally

After a couple of days of rumors, microblogging service Twitter has officially come forward and announced that it has acquired popular third-party Twitter dashboard TweetDeck.

Apple finally admits Mac Defender malware is for real

Publié: mai 25, 2011, 6:14pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

The denial is over. Apple publicly acknowledges that not only is Mac OS susceptible to malware but the same kind of drive-by-tactics used against Windows.

Try this new auto-update tool for CCleaner, Recuva, Defraggler and Speccy

Publié: mai 25, 2011, 4:52pm CEST

Piriform makes some of the best free Windows utilities around, and issues new versions on a regular basis, but updates must be done individually. Now there's a better way: CCAutoUpdater.

Online Drive Benchmark: Speed test cloud storage services

Publié: mai 25, 2011, 4:40pm CEST

Storing your data in the cloud has its pros and cons, but one of the biggest drawbacks has to be the speed at which you can both upload and download data from your storage pool. Now you can compare services.

Trend Micro Titanium Maximum Security Suite 2012 enters public beta

Publié: mai 25, 2011, 3:52pm CEST

They say next year's model is always better than this year's. That's not always true when security software is testing. That cautionary note aside, Trend Micro's new suite is worth checking out.

Wuala adds pro features to free version

Publié: mai 25, 2011, 3:38pm CEST

Lacie Inc has released a major new version of its online backup and sync client -- all "Pro" services to free edition users.

We can run Android apps in Windows, says newly-funded BlueStacks

Publié: mai 25, 2011, 6:01am CEST par Tim Conneally

After working for nearly three years on a solution for delivering Android applications on systems with x86-based processors, Silicon Valley company BlueStacks today has officially "opened for business" with $7.5 million of series A funding.

A mini review of Opera Mini 6 for iPad

Publié: mai 25, 2011, 5:22am CEST par Joe Wilcox

Opera Mini 6 for iPad is by no means perfect, but it offers real competitive choice to Apple's mobile Safari. The alternative browser is quirky and charming, says Joe Wilcox

Sarkozy: An unregulated Internet is not democracy, but populism

Publié: mai 25, 2011, 1:02am CEST par Tim Conneally

French President Nicolas Sarkozy opened the first e-G8 Forum by expressing his belief that the Internet cannot be anarchy.

Apple bolsters patent portfolio with 200 patents from Freescale

Publié: mai 24, 2011, 10:57pm CEST par Ed Oswald

Apple has beefed up its patent portfolio, apparently obtaining the rights to about 200 patents formerly held by Freescale Semiconductor, covering a range of wireless technologies.

Got iPad? Get Opera Mini 6 now!

Publié: mai 24, 2011, 8:42pm CEST

Finally, there is an alternative web browser to Safari on iPad.

In the battle of mobile apps, it's Apple's 500,000 to Microsoft's 18,000

Publié: mai 24, 2011, 8:02pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Windows Phone is so far behind iOS, it's inconceivable Microsoft could ever catch up with Apple. But a new infographic gives some hope.

Catching up to Kindle and iPad, Barnes & Noble introduces new touchscreen Nook

Publié: mai 24, 2011, 7:20pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Barnes and Noble on Tuesday unveiled its new touchscreen Nook Simple Touch e-reader, the company's first Nook to lack a color screen and Android branding.

See Windows Phone 7.5 'Mango' in action (video)

Publié: mai 24, 2011, 6:40pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Did you miss today's Windows Phone VIP event, where Microsoft showcased upcoming features for "Mango,' codename for the next version? We've got you covered -- as does Microsoft -- in this video overview presented by Joe Belfiore.

Nokia will ship Windows Phone 'Mango' but not this year

Publié: mai 24, 2011, 6:03pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Today's announcement might suggest to some people that the first Nokia Windows Phone handsets will ship in late 2011, since the operating system is scheduled to. That's not what Microsoft said today.

Windows Phone Mango: a luxury smartphone brand?

Publié: mai 24, 2011, 5:43pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Microsoft's new OEM partnerships for Windows Phone 7.5 could result in the first high-end Nokia and ZTE phones ever to hit the U.S.

Don't wait, download Firefox 5 beta right now

Publié: mai 20, 2011, 10:38pm CEST

Mozilla has released the first publicly available beta of Firefox 5, which acts as a halfway house between the final stable, final release of Firefox and the developmental version, Firefox Aurora. FF5 release is planned for June.

10 time-saving apps: Restore order to your chaotic life

Publié: mai 20, 2011, 10:28pm CEST

Some people seem capable of organizing everything in their head: the day's tasks, a running to-do list and even when and where all their meetings for the next month will be. For the rest of us, though, we need a bit of help. We've picked some of the best free to-do apps for putting you in control of time.

10 best apps for Galaxy Tab 10.1, Xoom, and Android Honeycomb in general

Publié: mai 20, 2011, 10:07pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Applications specifically designed for Android tablets are still few in number, but increasing daily. Here's our pick for the ten leaders of the pack.

Make Firefox's AwesomeBar work for you

Publié: mai 20, 2011, 8:19pm CEST

Plug-in AwesomeBar HD gives you more control over the Firefox search box, without overwhelming the browser with unnecessary clutter.

Verizon to eliminate unlimited data, add shared data plans

Publié: mai 20, 2011, 7:58pm CEST par Ed Oswald

Unlimited data plans are on their way out this summer, but family plans will gain a shared data option.

Now you can send the Office ribbon to join Clippy

Publié: mai 20, 2011, 7:50pm CEST

If you're less than happy with the Office ribbon, you don't have to live with it. Alternatives like UBitMenu or Classic Menu provide access to the traditional menus and toolbars, in at least some Office applications: it's like 2003 all over again.

Can Apple stop the Android Army's advances?

Publié: mai 20, 2011, 6:47pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Apple can still win the mobile platform wars, but it needs to make a risky strategic move: Globally offer iPhone 4 for $99 following release of iPhone 5.

Microsoft jumps ahead of Apple with big back-to-school promo

Publié: mai 20, 2011, 3:27am CEST par Joe Wilcox

Starting May 22nd, students spending at least $699 on a Windows 7 PC get a free Xbox 360. No matter what Apple offers (likely iPod touch with new Mac), students will have to spend hundreds more.

LinkedIn shares skyrocket, has the tech bubble returned?

Publié: mai 20, 2011, 2:36am CEST par Ed Oswald

With LinkedIn shares doubling in the first day of public trading, talk of a new "tech bubble" appears to be set to return.

Sticker Shock: Software Assurance's fourth deadly sin

Publié: mai 19, 2011, 10:44pm CEST

Paul DeGroot explains how Microsoft licensing upgrades promise savings, while often costing businesses more. Meanwhile, crazy math can stealthily raise renewal pricing.

As Adobe gets sued for killing FreeHand, Corel gently offers its alternatives

Publié: mai 19, 2011, 10:35pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Thousands of graphic designers are fighting in court for 8-year old FreeHand MX to be open sourced or updated by Adobe

Report: Sony's PlayStation Store will return May 24

Publié: mai 19, 2011, 9:22pm CEST par Ed Oswald

A crucial piece of Sony's online infrastructure is slated to return on May 24, according to a memo sent to developers and publishers this week.

BitDefender Total Security 2012 enters public beta

Publié: mai 19, 2011, 9:11pm CEST

Total means file encryption, secure file shredder, chat encryption, parental controls, online backup tool, file syncing, vulnerability detection, privacy options, tune-up tool to clean up redundant files and Registry keys and the remote management tool, among other features.

Use your Windows PC as an AirPlay receiver

Publié: mai 19, 2011, 8:05pm CEST

Apple's AirPlay feature makes it easy to share and stream your iTunes library to iOS devices, but it lacks the option to stream media in the opposite direction. Shairport4w makes it possible.

Google starts to pay for shady advertising

Publié: mai 19, 2011, 7:24pm CEST par Larry Seltzer

The company may pay half a billion dollars -- big money even for Google -- in fines to settle the case for selling advertising for illegal online pharmacies. But that's just one example of the company facilitating unlawful ads and profiting from them.

Android conquers the world -- tough luck Apple

Publié: mai 19, 2011, 6:48pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Today, Gartner reported that Android passed Symbian for first-quarter smartphone shipments and market share. That's sooner than some analyst forecasts, while later than others. Meanwhile, the lead over iPhone increases.

BlackBerry Partners Fund invests in Sharks, Zombies, and iOS analytics

Publié: mai 19, 2011, 5:51pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Canadian mobile gaming company Fuse Powered Inc, who has released such iOS-based games as Dawn of the Dead, Jaws, and Swarm Killer, announced on Thursday that it had received $2 million in seed funding from the BlackBerry Partners Fund and NFQ Ventures.

E-books now more popular than books, says Amazon

Publié: mai 19, 2011, 5:50pm CEST par Tim Conneally

In three and a half years, Amazon's Kindle has gone from a single e-reader to a whole platform that is beating paper books in sales.

Xbox update adds PayPal, hopefully no bricks

Publié: mai 19, 2011, 4:57pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

As part of the Xbox 360 system Spring update rolling out starting today, Microsoft is making PayPal available internationally for buying stuff through Xbox Live. Additionally, a new disc format capability seeks to crush game piracy.

An honest appraisal of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1

Publié: mai 19, 2011, 12:54am CEST par Tim Conneally

One week after our first hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, we have a much better feel for where this tablet fits into the big gadgety world.

LinkedIn's IPO leads to $352.8 million payday

Publié: mai 19, 2011, 12:30am CEST par Ed Oswald

Corporate-minded social network LinkedIn announced it had sold more 7.84 million shares in an initial public offering at $45 each, raising $352.8 million for the company.

Software Assurance math adds up for Microsoft, not as much for biz customers

Publié: mai 19, 2011, 12:09am CEST

When is 13 greater than 87? When Microsoft is tallying up customers' savings when asking them to pay upfront for future software upgrade rights.

Startup Disk 3.0 boosts Windows bootup time

Publié: mai 18, 2011, 9:46pm CEST

As the name implies, Startup Delayer 3.0 allows users to delay startup applications to free up system resources and optimize the startup routine. It's also a fully featured startup manager by allowing users to disable and delete unwanted startup applications too.

3 ways and lots of software to protect your PC from malware

Publié: mai 18, 2011, 9:38pm CEST

According to Microsoft, 1 in every 14 downloads on the Windows platform contains malicious software. Do you want to be casualty? Then take our advice for bulking up your protection.

PSN is back up, but Sony's servers are still not secure

Publié: mai 18, 2011, 9:04pm CEST par Ed Oswald

Reports indicate that Sony still does not have its network fully secure: an exploit is now available allowing users to reset your account password with only an e-mail address and date of birth.

Microsoft helps stop malware, while Apple blows off malware victims

Publié: mai 18, 2011, 8:35pm CEST par Larry Seltzer

The tables appear to be turning, as cybercriminals target Macintosh. Windows users get better free and built-in support, while Mac users get the kiss-off from Apple. When the big one hits, it could be like smallpox and the Indians again: whole populations of Macs will be infected.

Which Windows 8 version will you buy?

Publié: mai 18, 2011, 7:07pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

That's a question many customers may ask, if a report from Bloomberg proves to be right: There will be at least five Windows 8 editions -- four for ARM processors. Is that a sound marketing strategy?

Verizon announces Motorola Droid X2: Dual-core, but not 4G

Publié: mai 18, 2011, 6:22pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Motorola and Verizon Wireless on Wednesday unveiled the update to last year's Droid X, a faster, higher resolution Android smartphone that lacks LTE connectivity.

Microsoft's Software Assurance pressures businesses to buy before they're ready

Publié: mai 18, 2011, 4:19pm CEST

Would you pay for a 2014 model car today, sight unseen, when purchasing a 2011 auto? That's essentially is what Microsoft asks of its customers when choosing Software Assurance. It's a one-shot option, with no assurance what the product they're paying for will be or when it will be available.

Microsoft: IE9 security warnings cut malware threat 95%

Publié: mai 18, 2011, 2:45am CEST par Tim Conneally

IE9's reputation-based security warnings make users vastly less likely to install malware that has been proffered by traditional social engineering.

Sony offers virtual goods as payback for PlayStation Network outage: a worthy refund?

Publié: mai 17, 2011, 11:21pm CEST par Tim Conneally

After the 24-day long PSN outage, SCEA is offering users a package of free games, movies, music, and other virtual goods.

OSForensics gives up your PC's deepest, darkest secrets

Publié: mai 17, 2011, 10:23pm CEST

A good forensics tool can also help you find lost files, recover passwords, detect malware and carry out all kinds of other interesting low-level system checks. Grab OSForensics to see, while it's still beta and free.

Chrome OS is only a failure to people living in the past

Publié: mai 17, 2011, 8:28pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

In the second of two posts about Google's cloud-connected operating system and Chromebook, Joe Wilcox argues that PC defenders are an unimaginative lot clinging to 1980s-era computing concepts. He refutes Larry Seltzer's morning commentary.

VMware unveils Web app management service for Google apps, Salesforce, more

Publié: mai 17, 2011, 8:08pm CEST par Tim Conneally

VMware on Tuesday unveiled Horizon App Manager, an IT solution for provisioning and managing public and private cloud-based services.

How would you like to party with Betanews and Samsung, and win Galaxy Tab 10.1?

Publié: mai 17, 2011, 7:28pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Samsung is throwing a party for 400 readers in San Francisco to preview its new Android tablets, and we would like to invite you to attend. Oh, did we forget to mention the door prizes - five Tabs and five Galaxy S smartphones?

I'll take Windows and a good browser over Chrome OS

Publié: mai 17, 2011, 4:22pm CEST

By Larry Seltzer

In the first of two posts, Larry Seltzer argues that Google and its partners are putting "old win in new bottles" -- that the Chrome OS and Chromebook concept isn't defined by what it can do but by what it can't.

The Qik and the dead

Publié: mai 17, 2011, 3:45am CEST par Joe Wilcox

Microsoft's Skype purchase may leave behind collateral damage -- mobile video broadcast service Qik, which Skype acquired in January. Microsoft's acquisitions trail is littered with the debris of discarded products like this one.

Software Assurance: How Microsoft gambles with your money

Publié: mai 16, 2011, 11:55pm CEST

Microsoft has quite the racket going with Software Assurance, which debuted 10 years ago this month, says Paul DeGroot. Volume-licensing customers pay up front for the right to upgrade software, whether or not Microsoft releases something new during the contract period. It's a gamble, and the house usually wins.

Easily customize the Windows 7 startup screen

Publié: mai 16, 2011, 11:49pm CEST

Customizing the Windows boot screen is something not easily done. The fact that the images involved are hardcoded into system files is enough to put off all but the most seasoned of tweakers. Windows 7 Boot Updater puts you in control.

File Governor takes charge of pesky locked files

Publié: mai 16, 2011, 11:31pm CEST

You've found a stray file you no longer need, and tried to delete it, only to see an error message like "Cannot delete file: Access is denied," or "The file is in use by another program or user." There's an easy fix for that.

ShellMenuView rids Windows context menu clutter

Publié: mai 16, 2011, 10:35pm CEST

Have you ever noticed just how cluttered up the context menu -- the one that pops up when you click on a file or folder with the right mouse button -- gets over time? ShellMenuView is ready for your Spring cleaning.

Amazon's ad-supported Kindle a bestseller

Publié: mai 16, 2011, 10:30pm CEST par Ed Oswald

Going against what seems to be the prevailing logic, the ad-supported Wi-Fi Kindle is now the best selling device on Amazon, the company's bestseller list indicates.

Microsoft software licensing: Seven deadly sins

Publié: mai 16, 2011, 9:01pm CEST

Software Assurance is 10 years old, which is about nine years too many, says Paul DeGroot, an expert on Microsoft licensing. It's time to make big changes to a program that confuses customers and does more damage than good to Microsoft's business.

Microsoft broadens Linux support, adds CentOS to Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V

Publié: mai 16, 2011, 7:51pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Microsoft announced today that Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V will be able to run CentOS, the popular free Linux distribution for Web servers.

Windows Phone ramps up enterprise appeal with 7.5 'Mango' update

Publié: mai 16, 2011, 5:22pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Amid a string of platform announcements at TechEd 2011 in Atlanta on Monday, Microsoft revealed a little more information about the enterprise-friendly aspects of the Windows Phone 7.5 "Mango" update expected to launch later this year.

What was the first Apple Store like?

Publié: mai 15, 2011, 8:31pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

On May 15, 2001, Apple gave journalists a tour of its first retail shop, which opened four days later. Joe Wilcox presents photos of the Tysons Corner Center store debut and describes what is was like to be there.

Happy day! Playstation Network is back up -- well, almost

Publié: mai 15, 2011, 5:26am CEST par Joe Wilcox

Sony has started partial, phased PSN restoration, ending a 24-day self-inflicted outage. The network is back up in some places and still down in others. Will Sony regain subscribers' trust?

Have it your way with Better Facebook

Publié: mai 14, 2011, 9:03pm CEST

Now you can control how Facebook looks and even be notified when defriended. Better Facebook is an extension for Chrome, Firefox, Greasemonkey, Opera or Safari -- but, whoa, not Internet Explorer.

Turn your normal desk into a standing workspace in 3 steps

Publié: mai 13, 2011, 10:58pm CEST par Tim Conneally

A lot of people are talking about the health benefits of standing desks. Well what if you can't get a new desk? Tim Conneally tackles the problem.

Don't believe the hype: PS3 users aren't switching to Xbox 360

Publié: mai 13, 2011, 10:01pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Based on a large poll conducted by Betanews and random calls to a half-dozen GameStops, there is no evidence of mass consumer exodus from PlayStation 3 to Xbox 360 -- at least in the United States -- contrary to other reports.

Who is dropping Dropbox over terms-of-service changes?

Publié: mai 13, 2011, 6:58pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

71 percent of people responding to a recent Betanews poll are unhappy with Dropbox ToS changes that give cops access to user files. Now we ask: Will you drop the service?

BitTorrent's massive overhaul, Project Chrysalis, rolls out in Beta

Publié: mai 13, 2011, 6:29pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Introducing a new UI and a new Dropbox-like social file sharing service, BitTorrent's Project Chrysalis is now available to all in beta.

Remove one of the worst scareware menaces in one click

Publié: mai 13, 2011, 3:48pm CEST

As the saying goes -- do one thing and do it well. G Data's FakeAVCleaner scans and removes pretend-AV malware "System Tool."

Chrome OS: The ghost of Netscape rises to haunt Microsoft

Publié: mai 13, 2011, 1:36am CEST par Joe Wilcox

Chromebook's debut couldn't have been more timely, for its irony -- one day before today's expiration of Microsoft antitrust oversight that allowed Google to do what Netscape wanted: To build a browser-based platform rivaling Windows.

AT&T, T-Mobile heads defend merger plans in DC

Publié: mai 13, 2011, 1:28am CEST par Ed Oswald

The proposed $39 billion merger between T-Mobile and AT&T was the focus of a Senate antitrust committee Thursday, with its chair warning of the "profound implications" of such a deal

Facebook caught attempting to smear Google

Publié: mai 12, 2011, 8:27pm CEST par Ed Oswald

Facebook found itself doing damage control Thursday after it was revealed the company had attempted to create negative press for Google.

YouTube 100: Chart with professional musicians

Publié: mai 12, 2011, 8:01pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Today Google launched a music chart for videos -- the YouTube 100 -- that empowers Jack and Jane Wannabe to stand tall with the likes of Lady Gaga or, gasp, Justin Bieber.

Symantec patches Norton Internet Security Suite 2011, adds features

Publié: mai 12, 2011, 5:57pm CEST

This update includes a few new features, such as support for the Firefox 4 browser, plus performance enhancements, improved compatibility with third-party programs and a number of bug fixes.

MacPaw claws away Windows clutter with CleanMyPC

Publié: mai 12, 2011, 5:45pm CEST

As the name implies, CleanMyPC includes a suite of cleaning tools for Windows computers. The main cleaning component promises to remove gigabytes of files from your personal computer.

NetworkMiner sniffs out troublesome traffic

Publié: mai 12, 2011, 5:21pm CEST

The software automatically detects and works with standard packet capture libraries like WinPcap, or grabs raw sockets with its own capture tool. It's versatile.

10 years after they broke up Microsoft

Publié: mai 12, 2011, 4:56pm CEST

By Larry Seltzer

What if Microsoft had lost its appeal of the U.S. antitrust judgement? The great breakup of the company ordered by Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson would have created two monopolies instead of one. This was an improvement?

The great Microsoft antitrust oversight farce ends

Publié: mai 12, 2011, 3:43pm CEST

By Larry Seltzer

Ten years of experience prove part of what Microsoft argued at the trial: The tech industry is highly dynamic and nobody -- not even Microsoft -- can exercise undue control.

Hands on with the first Chromebook, Samsung Series 5

Publié: mai 12, 2011, 5:53am CEST par Tim Conneally

Just a few hours after Google announced the first "Chromebooks" (and the fact that all Google I/O attendees will be receiving one within a few weeks,) we got to go hands on with Samsung's Chromebook Series 5.

Microsoft could lose billions in sales to Google's Chromebook

Publié: mai 12, 2011, 3:03am CEST par Joe Wilcox

Google's $28/month per user Chromebook subscription plan could accelerate movement to Google Apps, pulling away $1 billion Microsoft revenue per year, initially.

Comcast-NBC merger-favoring FCC commish now a lobbyist

Publié: mai 11, 2011, 11:37pm CEST par Ed Oswald

Republican Commissioner Meredith Atwell Baker was one of the most vocal critics of placing any conditions on the deal, and said it could "bring exciting benefits to consumers that outweigh potential harms."

Facebook may have leaked personal info on millions

Publié: mai 11, 2011, 9:37pm CEST par Ed Oswald

For years, an accidental security flaw in the way Facebook handled embedded frames allowed applications developers to access information on a user's profile that installed that application.

Google says Chrome Web apps more engaging, profitable, launches Web Store to all

Publié: mai 11, 2011, 9:17pm CEST par Tim Conneally

In the Wednesday keynote at Google I/O in San Francisco, Google disclosed some of information about the Chrome Web Store that should be of key importance to web application developers and those measuring the profitability of development in that area.

Google Chromebook coming June 15, with $20 and $28 student and business monthly subscriptions

Publié: mai 11, 2011, 8:35pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Chrome OS got a big coming out party today at Google I/O. The cloud-based operating system has new offline features. Meanwhile, the first Chromebooks launch next month with a twist. You can buy or subscribe.

Now you can easily search NirSoft utilities

Publié: mai 11, 2011, 7:02pm CEST

NirSoft is famous for creating some of the best free Windows utilities around: tiny, portable and packed with useful features. But there are too many of them. NirLauncher solves the problem.

Social networking behind the corporate firewall increases 500%, creates big vulnerabilities

Publié: mai 11, 2011, 5:52pm CEST par Tim Conneally

A huge chunk of corporate bandwidth is being consumed by sites to which IT admins have no access to behind the corporate firewall.

Corel updates WinZip for Mac

Publié: mai 11, 2011, 3:29pm CEST

Version 1.5 promises more streamlined file sharing and archiving with the introduction of three key new features, including th "Zip and email" option.

Comodo Cleaning Essentials: Your PC's second line of defense

Publié: mai 11, 2011, 10:00am CEST

You could be infected in around 1 in every 33 malware encounters, so it makes sense to equip your computer with a second antivirus tool.

VidCoder: Rip DVDs with the Handbrake on

Publié: mai 11, 2011, 7:38am CEST

RandomEngy has developed a fresh take on Handbrake in the form of VidCoder, which is also available as a 64-bit application.

Got Photoshop CS5? There are three apps for that

Publié: mai 11, 2011, 2:39am CEST

On May 10, Adobe unleashed three Photoshop companion apps for iPad -- Color Lava, Eazel and Nav -- together for under 10 bucks.

Want Google Music? You could buy XOOM

Publié: mai 11, 2011, 1:22am CEST par Joe Wilcox

Today at Google I/O, the search giant's long rumored music locker service debuted in beta. It's available by invite only with preference for I/O attendees and XOOM tablet owners (the app is part of Android 3.1).

Hands-on with Samsung's first iPad-sized Android tablet: Galaxy Tab 10.1

Publié: mai 11, 2011, 12:36am CEST par Tim Conneally

Google I/O 2011 attendees were lucky enough to receive the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 one month before it's released to the public.

Sony: 'A few more days' until PSN is back up

Publié: mai 10, 2011, 11:24pm CEST par Ed Oswald

As the outage of the PlayStation Network entered its 20th day, Sony says that it would still be awhile yet before it is able to bring the gaming network back online

Google touts Android successes, thanks developers

Publié: mai 10, 2011, 10:14pm CEST par Ed Oswald

Android continues to gain momentum, with over 100 million Android devices now activated, and approximately 400,000 new activations daily.

Google extends Android into embedded hardware, home automation

Publié: mai 10, 2011, 9:31pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Looking to extend to extend Android beyond phones and tablets, Google is moving into hackable devices and home automation with Android Open Accessory.

Android Market branches out again, now carries Movies

Publié: mai 10, 2011, 9:10pm CEST par Tim Conneally

One of the many announcements from Google I/O Tuesday was that the Android Market has gotten into the movie business.

Trillian for Windows users, whack your Linux and Mac friends -- you get pro features free

Publié: mai 10, 2011, 9:09pm CEST

Features previously restricted to Pro users, such as the ability to sign in from multiple locations, support for themes and activity history viewer, will now be available in free editions of the software, starting with Trillian 5 for Windows, which has just been released.

Chrome 12 moves closer to stable release

Publié: mai 10, 2011, 9:04pm CEST

It is obviously very early days for Google's latest browser, but there is already a great deal to look forward to. There is support for the latest web standards, which means that hardware accelerated 3D CSS can deliver rich content in style.

Why is Microsoft buying Skype?

Publié: mai 10, 2011, 7:50pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

CEOs Steve Ballmer and Tony Bates say the deal is about synergy around personal communications -- for work and home -- and the direct sales and potential advertising possibilities, particularly video.

iPad isn't hurting PC sales, claims NPD

Publié: mai 10, 2011, 4:57pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

The retail analyst firm takes a contrarian view about the impact Apple's tablet is having, or not, on U.S. PC sales. Do you believe it?

Microsoft snags Skype for a hefty $8.5B

Publié: mai 10, 2011, 4:08pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

The deal is simply stunning, for the potential brand reach Microsoft will gain, the boost to its real-time communications strategy and the potential for empowering Windows Phone-powered handsets with robust video communications.

Siege Hero for iOS, Angry Birds for the 1980's nostalgic

Publié: mai 10, 2011, 3:00pm CEST par Tim Conneally

We don't typically review games here at Betanews, but a new game called Siege Hero that was released for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch today sparked a pang of nostalgia in Tim Conneally, so we said he could write a quick review

Microsoft will squeeze juicy new features from Mango on May 24

Publié: mai 10, 2011, 12:35am CEST par Joe Wilcox

The next version of Windows Phone is starting to rippen, as Microsoft prepares a special VIP event and as new features are revealed early.

Internal emails show Google's tight control over Android

Publié: mai 10, 2011, 12:29am CEST par Ed Oswald

Google may have become heavy-handed in pressuring its Android device manufacturers to follow certain guidelines, recently released internal documents show.

BoxCryptor: Keep your DropBox files private from prying spies

Publié: mai 9, 2011, 7:54pm CEST

Dropbox may have changed its terms of usage so that cops can access your files. You can encrypt before uploading, kaboshing unauthorized access.

Ghostery hunts websites that haunt your privacy

Publié: mai 9, 2011, 7:34pm CEST

The browser add-on can be used to detect, analyze and block any tracking of your online activities. But some Internet Explorer users will feel cheated.

When will PlayStation Network be back up?

Publié: mai 8, 2011, 5:57pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Sony's continued promises about when are like the kid who incessantly promises to clean his room and never does. PSN is still down, and subscribers grow impatient -- 73 percent answering our poll are ready to switch to Xbox 360 and Xbox Live.

16 must-see downloads you may have missed this week

Publié: mai 6, 2011, 11:54pm CEST

By Chris Wiles

Sadly we can't feature every new and updated application, much as we'd like to. Take a look at these lucky 16 and download some for the weekend.

News in the age of Twitter: lessons from Bin Laden and beyond

Publié: mai 6, 2011, 10:41pm CEST

By Peter Shankman

Everything we knew about breaking news has changed, so what have we learned from all of the dramatic current events recently?

Canadian lab unveils Paperphone: flat, flexible smartphone

Publié: mai 6, 2011, 9:21pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Researchers from Queen's University in Ontario Canada this week unveiled a prototype of their "paperphone," a smartphone that has a flexible e-paper display instead of an LCD/TFT touchscreen.

Hackers may be plotting weekend attack against Sony

Publié: mai 6, 2011, 8:09pm CEST par Ed Oswald

Text of chats in IRC chat rooms used by hackers indicates a new attack is planned on Sony for this weekend, CNET sources say.

I'm totally stoked about Hulu Plus for Xbox

Publié: mai 6, 2011, 7:18pm CEST

By Robert Johnson

Hulu Plus came to Microsoft's game console just one week ago. Betanews reader Robert Johnson is loving the service, which has brought him one step closer to cutting cable's cord.

If Google hasn't killed the yellow pages yet, Seattle law could

Publié: mai 6, 2011, 6:54pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Trying to cut down on paper waste, Seattle yesterday launched the United States' first yellow pages opt-out website. The city's biggest commercial phone book distributor, Dex One, filed for a restraining order against the city the same day.

Remember the Milk is fresher on iPad

Publié: mai 6, 2011, 6:24pm CEST

The app has been completely redesigned from scratch to come up with something that feels perfect for the iPad's larger screen.

What's the right tool for moving data to a new hard drive?

Publié: mai 6, 2011, 4:00pm CEST

Shelling out for a new hard drive is one thing, migrating the contents from the old to the new is quite another. In this roundup we've identified a number of apps that can help you upgrade with the minimum of fuss.

Microsoft's Premier Support Reporting Tool will save time and your sanity

Publié: mai 6, 2011, 3:27pm CEST

Are you the person everyone calls for tech support, but no one can explain the problem over the phone? Finally you can get the information you need, without giving mom a tutorial about mice and keyboards.

Are you one of the two out of 10 U.S. tablet owners who doesn't have iPad?

Publié: mai 6, 2011, 5:43am CEST par Joe Wilcox

Do you feel like an individualist, who refuses to be one of the sheep? Or are you embarrassed to take your tablet out for fear the pad people will scoff at you?

Free 'influencer' search engine mPact launches, inadvertently insults everybody

Publié: mai 6, 2011, 2:56am CEST par Tim Conneally

This week, mBlast launched a Web-based tool mPact Free that lets users search for influencers by keyword, no matter how horrible it is.

Apple could pass Nokia as smartphone leader this year

Publié: mai 6, 2011, 2:53am CEST par Joe Wilcox

During Q1, only 5.5 million units separated top-ranked Nokia and No. 2 Apple, down from 12.8 million a year earlier. It's a horse race now. Anyone want to give odds?

Facebook, Google may be seeking deals with Skype

Publié: mai 5, 2011, 10:55pm CEST par Ed Oswald

Reuters sources indicate that both Facebook and Google may be in talks with Skype over a joint venture or outright buyout.

Google Earth for Android fragments into Phone and Tablet optimized versions

Publié: mai 5, 2011, 10:48pm CEST par Tim Conneally

With an update to Google Maps for Android that rolled out on Thursday, Google unveiled a version of the software optimized for Android tablets running Honeycomb

Carriers will make sure no one wins the smartphone wars

Publié: mai 5, 2011, 10:00pm CEST

By Mike Feibus

Android leapfrogged Apple iOS so quickly because cellular carriers needed something to neutralize Apple, and Android was the best bet. The recent tethering brouhaha foreshadows how carriers will tame the Android beast and unleash others.

Joli OS takes your Windows PC to the cloud

Publié: mai 5, 2011, 8:52pm CEST

For users of the Jolicloud, an operating system is now available to better connect the cloud and PC. It can run alongside Windows, too.

LastPass won' let 'anomaly' pass, forces users to reset passwords

Publié: mai 5, 2011, 8:37pm CEST

There's an irony here, since LastPass provides secure online password services. LastPass is proactively responding to a possible security breach.

LastPass won't let 'anomaly' pass, forces users to reset passwords

Publié: mai 5, 2011, 8:37pm CEST

There's an irony here, since LastPass provides secure online password services. LastPass is proactively responding to a possible security breach.

Suit alleges salary fixing among major tech companies

Publié: mai 5, 2011, 7:56pm CEST par Ed Oswald

Several tech companies are again finding themselves in hot water over their hiring practices, as they were sued in California Superior Court on Wednesday over allegations of conspiring to fix employee pay

Fujifilm FinePix X100 first impressions review

Publié: mai 5, 2011, 7:53pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Joe Wilcox started using one of the most-anticipated, and in-demand digicams on May 4. The Fujifilm FinePix X100 is retro, innovative and not for everyone. Could it be for you?

Sony Ericsson shows off 2nd gen miniature Android phone, Xperia mini

Publié: mai 5, 2011, 7:28pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Sony Ericsson has actually increased the size of its tiny X10 Mini Android phone to create the new Xperia mini

Chinese giants lock horns over mobile tech patents

Publié: mai 5, 2011, 5:59pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Mobile tech companies Huawei and ZTE are tied up in patent infringement suits, though ZTE claimed ethical opposition to this sort of competition.

Artboard: Mac vector graphics for the budget-minded

Publié: mai 5, 2011, 3:48pm CEST

If you don't fancy the idea of forking out fortune on an expensive package, Artboard may be of interest. It offers an impressive range of creative tools at a fraction of the price of comparable software.

Tiny Burner: When the disc job's not too big

Publié: mai 5, 2011, 3:36pm CEST

Rather than overwhelming users with endless features, Tiny Burner focuses on the basics of disc burning -- the process of getting files from your computer onto CD, DVD or Blu-ray. There are no fancy extras to be found here.

Are you a Windows expert?

Publié: mai 5, 2011, 1:32am CEST par Joe Wilcox

If the answer is "Yes," mosey on over to MIcrosoft's enthusiast community site. Its creation is appropriately timed as the huge XP install base moves to 7.

iOS update attempts to put location tracking controversy to rest

Publié: mai 4, 2011, 11:56pm CEST par Ed Oswald

Apple has released iOS versions 4.3.3 and 4.2.8, which either reduce the size or delete altogether the location database, which it hopes satisfies critics.

Firefox 5 beta 1 now available after first 'Aurora' run. (Actually...)

Publié: mai 4, 2011, 10:45pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Just over one month after the final version of Firefox 4 was released, first beta of Firefox 5 has become available. This newest version of the iconic Web browser is the first one to go through Mozilla's new release schedule.

PSN Hack: Fun and games don't have to end when someone breaks in

Publié: mai 4, 2011, 10:33pm CEST

By Tony Anscombe

Sony's massive data theft is a cautionary but by no means isolated incident. Hackers can attack any site, big or small. You are your own last line of defense. AVG's Tony Anscombe explains how.

As Sony struggles to get PSN back up, new details emerge

Publié: mai 4, 2011, 9:59pm CEST par Ed Oswald

Some PSN services are expected to return soon, but Sony seems to be placing blame for the PSN hack on the doorstep of Anonymous.

Intel's new transistors mean smaller, more efficient chips this year

Publié: mai 4, 2011, 9:26pm CEST par Tim Conneally

After more than a decade in development, Intel's three dimensional "Tri-Gate" transistor design will finally be used in a mass-produced microprocessor, the company announced on Tuesday.

If Android wins Asia, will it take the world?

Publié: mai 4, 2011, 8:47pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Asia-Pacific is now the leading region for smartphone shipments, where Nokia struggles to hold market share while Android mobiles pick it away.

Find shared files' hidden metadata before hackers do

Publié: mai 4, 2011, 6:08pm CEST

Without knowing it, you could be giving all kinds of information away to criminals: usernames, network details, email addresses, software information and a whole lot more. Do you know what lies behind your shared files? FOCA Free can show you.

7digital steps up to Amazon, opens Android MP3 store

Publié: mai 4, 2011, 6:02pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Android users in 16 countries including the US, UK and Canada, now have access to 7Digital's MP3 store directly on their device.

Opera 11.50 'Next' puts the alpha in beta testing

Publié: mai 4, 2011, 5:48pm CEST

As the name implies, this new release is a separate version of the cross-platform Opera browser. It's designed to allow users to install the latest developmental version of the browser alongside the current stable version.

We got Osama bin Laden so that malware alarmists can get you

Publié: mai 4, 2011, 5:13pm CEST par Larry Seltzer

Just about any news event is reason for new malware, new spam and new scams, but it's not all newsworthy. Mostly it's reason for security companies to sell themselves.

Fresh Feed satisfies your RSS appetite without overeating

Publié: mai 4, 2011, 4:55pm CEST

It's no RSS reader replacement, but Fresh Feed enables you to keep up to date with your important feeds so you can focus on the stories that matter most.

PlayStation Network will be back up this week, with subscriber freebees

Publié: mai 1, 2011, 7:05pm CEST par Joe Wilcox