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Grab 34 exciting software downloads released this week

Publié: juillet 14, 2012, 7:15pm CEST par Mark Wilson

The second week of releases for July is a little different from other weeks in that there has been a greater number of Mac releases than usual. TRIM Enabler 2.2 is a great free tool that helps to improve the life of SSDs, and the latest version of the app includes support for a wider range of drives. Lion is proving to be the most popular version of OS X yet, and Lion Tweaks 2.0.1 is a free tweaking tool that can be used to customize the operating system and eliminate irritations, while CrystalClear Interface 2.7.4 enables you to completely change the appearance of OS X through the use of skins. If you want to be sure of a secure web connection whether you are at home or out and about with a laptop, Hotspot Shield 2.61 is a free proxy tool that protects your privacy and enables access to blocked web sites.

No week would be complete without its fair share of browser updates, and this week is no different in that respect. Chrome 21.1.1180.41 Beta is an interesting peak into the future of Google’s browser, and there is also a portable version of the software available in the form of Google Chrome Portable 21.1.1180.15 Beta. If you're keen to see what the future holds for Chrome, there is also Chrome 22.0.1201.0 Dev and again there is a portable version available -- Chrome Portable 22.0.1201.0 Dev.

If you’re a fan of Opera, Opera Next 12.50 ‘Marlin’ build 1497 and Opera Next 12.50 ‘Marlin’ build 1497 (64-bit) give a preview of what to expect from upcoming releases.

OneClick Chrome Extension 1.1 is a great extension for Chrome that eliminates the need for a torrent client, making it possible to download torrents just as you would any other file. Privacy is a concern for everyone, and Disconnect for Chrome 3.4.0 makes it easy to avoid website tracking, while Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware Free 1.62 is a free yet fully featured malware protection tool.

Cloud storage is currently all the rage -- something that is unlikely to change in the near future -- and Dropbox 1.4.11 provides a handy way to keep files in sync on your computer; Dropbox Experimental Edition v1.5.8 is something of a preview of changes and additions that may be made in future releases. Microsoft SkyDrive 2012 v16.4.6003 has also been updated, this time with a new logo and enhance status window to keep you informed as to what is happening.

Whether you encode your own videos, download them from the Internet, or are given them by friends, you need to ensure that you have the correct codecs installed. This is where a codec pack is particularly handy, and means that you do not need to worry about downloading individual codecs. K-Lite is a well-respected collection of codecs available in a number of different versions -- K-Lite Codec Pack Full 9.0.2, K-Lite Codec Pack 64-bit 9.0.2, K-Lite Codec Pack Mega 9.0.2, K-Lite Codec Pack Basic 9.0.2 and K-Lite Codec Pack Standard 9.0.2.

BurnAware Free 5.0 could be used to copy your videos onto CD or DVD, but it can also create all manner of other discs. The latest release is a fairly major upgrade that adds support for more file systems as well as a number of improvements and enhancements. Additional features and options can be found in the paid for versions of the program -- BurnAware Home 5.0 and BurnAware Professional 5.0.

A disc burning tool could be used for backup purposes, but a dedicated tool is a better idea. Acronis True Image Home 2012 (Update 2.1) v15.0.7133 includes an improved scheduling feature, better archive management and much more. If you’re more concerned with recovering data than backing it up, Recuva 1.43 could be what you are looking for; there’s also a portable version available -- Recuva 1.43 Portable.

Speccy 1.17 is a great tool for anyone who needs to find out detailed information about their compute, and the latest version has improved support for all of the latest hardware. Speccy 1.17 Portable is also available for fans of portable apps. Uniblue PowerSuite 2013 can be used to optimize the performance of your computer, and the new 2013 release boasts a new interface as well as a new free Lite edition.

Finishing up this week’s roundup are a couple of tools aimed at helping you to get work done. LibreOffice Productivity Suite 3.5.5 is a free alternative to the likes of Microsoft Office while EssentialPIM Free 5.0 can be used to help organize your contacts, emails, notes and much more. EssentialPIM Free Portable 5.0 is a portable version that could be copied to your USB drive, while EssentialPIM Pro 5.0 offers a wider set of features for an upgrade fee.

That’s it for another week. Join us again in seven days’ time for a quick catch up on the preceding week’s releases.

Photo Credit: Rafaël Croonen/Shutterstock
Apple threatens retailers: Stop selling Samsung Galaxy devices now or else

Publié: juillet 14, 2012, 6:30pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

It's bad enough that Apple uses patents to bully competitors. Now the company threatens retail partners, demanding they remove two Samsung devices from store shelves. Apparently, court orders aren't good enough for Apple, which also ignores one of them.

Apple, through its army of lawyers, has sent a letter to an unknown number of retailers and carriers selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet and Galaxy Nexus smartphone. Last month a US court issued temporary injunctions against both devices, but temporarily lifted the one against Galaxy Nexus.

Samsung describes Apple's actions as “menacing and disruptive” in their appeal of the injunctions. The South Korean electronics giant also accuses of Apple: “distort the record and governing authorities”.

Retailers reportedly started receiving letters in late June, before US District Judge Lucy Koh granted a temporary stay of the Galaxy Nexus ban, until Apple can make its case.

Apple’s rush to warn the addressed parties of possible repercussions hasn't yielded the desired effect. As of today, the unnamed parties have not yet pulled the devices, according to several reports. Samsung is backing up the targeted retailers selling the devices by stating that under the law they are permitted to sell their current inventory, even without a stay and that none of them is actually a party to the action.

Earlier this week, Google resumed direct sales of Galaxy Nexus, which ships with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Apple the Dictator

The take-down letters are very aggressive, with Apple taking matters into their own hands. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company continues the patent fight on an entirely different level now.

Such actions exhibit the unimaginative behavior Apple has, which resorts to low-blows in order to keep products competitive enough. From the eyes of the reseller or carrier this might even look like intimidation with Apple truly acting like a bully right now, making possible a comparison with a market dictator. While there is no direct threat in the letter(s), one could be implicit: If retailers don't remove the Samsung devices, Apple could withhold from them hugely popular iPad or iPhone.

I can only wonder where Apple is going to go next from sending takedown notices. If Apple wins in court, then we’ll have to wonder to what other means will it resort to enforce the ruling. The patent disputes have been widely covered in the media and they are likely to make even bigger waves during the upcoming weeks.

Like the patent bullying isn't aggressive enough, I'm now convinced that boycotting Apple is the right move. I will not support a company that acts in such a way to promote its own products, and I hope this will be an isolated case. Sending takedown notices with intimidatory intent is clearly the first red flag. What's the second going to be?

Photo Credit: HomeArt/Shutterstock