Gregarius » BetaNews.Com » septembre 19, 2012

BetaNews.Com (11 non lus)

'The Next Big Thing' isn't iPhone 5

Publié: septembre 19, 2012, 7:31pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Samsung has revived its "The Next Big Thing is Already Here" marketing campaign with new videos, one of which posted about an hour ago to YouTube. Like its predecessors, the 90-second spot mocks people waiting in line to buy iPhone, something going on right now at Apple Stores around the globe. Doors open at 8 am local time on September 21 for iPhone 5's official launch.

The South Korean electronics giant started the ad campaign in November 2011, following release of iPhone 4S. This year, the commercials come first and are sure to continue afterwards. This spot carries forward the storyline for at least one character -- that is for anyone who has watched the series. It's clever storytelling for advertising.

In the original spot, a guy with glasses and cap had the choice line, calling a friend claiming to be artistic a "barista". In a later commercial, cap guy switches to Samsung Galaxy S III from iPhone. He's in the new spot waiting for iPhone 5. "Welcome back", one line waiter says. Another: "Guess that Galaxy S III didn't work out". Oh, but it did. He still has the phone. "I'm just saving a spot in line for someone". The someone is one of the best marketing punchlines I've seen in years and sears sterotypes about who wants iPhone 5.

Some of the best advertising is about you and how product X, Y or Z makes your life better. It's part of the allure of Apple nomenclature, by the way -- the "i" products. You read iPad, iPhone or iPod but the connotation is something bigger: I, the capital letter. When I stands alone it is capitalized and refers to you, the subject. You read iPhone but really say IPhone as in my phone. Subliminal connotations have emotional hooks that, whether people want to admit it or not, impact buying decisions. Ask yourself: How often do you buy something ultimately because it feels right?

Samsung takes a different aspirational approach, by stripping back "i" product allure, and the idea that life will be better for buying iPhone. Surely it's not better waiting in line. "They should have a priority line for people who waited five times", one guy wearing sunglasses quips.

"This year we're finally getting everything we didn't get last year", says someone referring to iPhone 4S. Like big screen, but, uh-oh, someone points out S3's is bigger. Faster data. "We've had that for awhile", says a S3 user. The commercial calls out iPhone 5's dock connector change, other shortcomings and additional Galaxy S III benefits -- all while slapping around the iPhone hipster set. It's great fun.

Later videos released earlier this year lost some of the originals' charm, with "The Thing called Love" high among the stinkers. The new 90-second spot revives what made the first commercials appealing.

Samsung needs the appeal-factor, and not just because of iPhone 5. Following Samsung's loss in the court case against Apple last month here in California, Samsung's brand image is tarnished. The campaign, and complaints iPhone 5 isn't as revolutionary as some people expected or simply catches up to other handsets, is more important now than in 2011.

And the commercials were effective last year. In the weeks following the ad campaign's start, Samsung perceptions rose above iPhone in the United States, according to YouGov BrandIndex.
Back to basics -- CyanogenMod 10 [Review]

Publié: septembre 19, 2012, 6:27pm CEST par Mihaita Bamburic

In the world of Android distributions, one name stands above all -- CyanogenMod -- and praise doesn't come higher than that. Based on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the popular CyanogenMod 10 should be a go-to for any modding enthusiast, be they a newcomer or aficionado looking for the custom ROM to unleash all the power without being too over-the-top.

As of late, CyanogenMod 10 offers increased flexibility by being available as a monthly release and nightly build, but what better way to experience the latest changes and the project evolution as a whole than running the latest cutting-edge nightly build?

While Codename Android is a great ROM, CyanogenMod 10 offers more frequent nightly builds, which is of great importance to a modding addict. However, if you're the type of person that wants to experience newness without the hassle of installing a new build every day, then the monthly build is the one for you.

The essentials

CyanogenMod 10 takes an intuitive approach to modding, by keeping all features neatly organized without confusing the user. At first glance there are five new menus available in Settings: Launcher, Lock screen, Themes, System and Performance. It's pretty simple.

Launcher: CyanogenMod 10 comes by default with Trebuchet 0.2, that offers interesting customizations over the default Jelly Bean launcher. You can set the number of homescreens from the default five to a higher seven or a minimalistic one and choose which one is the default homescreen. The persistent search bar can be removed and if you tick the right box you can resize any widget. If you would like to have the screen auto-rotate everywhere then that's possible as well -- it comes in handy at times when you're not holding the phone up right.

Lock screen: This includes some of my favorite tweaks. The stock Jelly Bean lock screen does not include a great deal of information, but in CyanogenMod 10, I have added weather data through Yahoo! Weather, calendar entries (it can read the Calendar app), battery status so I always know how much is left without unlocking the phone, and modified slider shortcuts to include Google Chrome and Phone apps on top of Camera, Google Now and Unlock. I also changed the alignment of the clock to the left.

Themes. It's pretty obvious -- add a theme and apply it from this menu. I prefer stock, so I left it as is.

System. I've changed the status bar to include a numeric battery indicator which I prefer over a colored rectangle any time, enabled notification drawer widgets to control Wi-Fi, Data, Brightness, etc. and I enabled the screenshot option in the Power Menu. From this menu, the wallpaper can also be changed and the navigation bar can be modified as well to include more buttons such as search for instance.

Performance. Well, a custom ROM isn't a proper custom ROM if it doesn't let you overclock your device, right? CyanogenMod 10 offers the possibility to tweak the performance by overclocking, changing the I/O scheduler and so on, but since I'm sporting Franco's kernel I don't feel the need to mess with (almost) perfection.

Other add-ons

Taking a quick look through the app drawer makes it easy to spot the added apps, like Apollo which is a music player (the headphones icon is a dead giveaway), DSP Manager, ROM Manager that I particularly find no use for, Superuser app for allowing elevated application rights (commonly known as "root"), a Terminal Emulator, a Torch app that allows tweaking with the LED flash on the back and a Search app, which by default is integrated in the Google search bar.

The torch mode comes in handy and can actually turn the LED flash into a flashlight, which I've grown to appreciate when I'm looking for my keys under the bed. The LED notification light can also be tweaked to pulsate faster or slower, depending on your preference. I have it set to faster, to get my attention faster.

There is an improved Clock app, with a stopwatch and countdown, both particularly useful for timing different tasks. Come to think of it, I wonder why those are not included in stock Android 4.1 Jelly Bean?

Diamond in the rough

From my own testing it gets higher benchmark scores on my Google/Samsung Galaxy Nexus compared to stock Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in Antutu and Quadrant Standard -- both 50 percent higher which is quite impressive, but it's the feel of the ROM that stuck with me. It's not that far off from stock in the looks department and actually feels polished enough to be confused with AOSP Jelly Bean.

Android custom ROMs are a matter of personal preference to most enthusiasts and CyanogenMod 10 might not be the perfect one out there but it's a definite improvement over stock without going overboard by including unnecessary features or altering the functionality.

Is it the one for you? There's only one way to find out!
Ashampoo UnInstaller 5 cleans better than ever

Publié: septembre 19, 2012, 6:14pm CEST par Mark Wilson

Removing unwanted software from your hard drive should be easy, but there are countless reasons why the process may prove problematic -- even if this just boils down to a badly written uninstaller. This is the very reason there are so many dedicated software uninstaller tools available, and one of the biggest names in the field is Ashampoo. The company has just released Ashampoo UnInstaller 5, which expands on its predecessor by improving the removal of apps that are no longer required.

While the program can be used to uninstall any program on your hard drive, it works best when used to remove those that have been installed after Ashampoo UnInstaller 5 itself. The latest version of the software includes an improved installation monitor which checks precisely what changes an installed program makes to your computer so they can be easily reversed when the time comes to remove it.

But even in the case of previously installed software, UnInstaller can monitor the uninstallation and check for leftover files and registry entries to help clean things up for you. This latest version also sees the addition of a number of general maintenance tools, which are not necessarily a reason to buy the program but are a nice extra. Tools available include a drive cleaner, defragmenter, files eraser and more.

Slightly ironically, the initial installation of the program also tries to lever in a browser toolbar -- a prime candidate for uninstallation on most people’s computers. Thankfully, the toolbar is optional but it is selected for installation by default, which is a little disappointing.

You can find out more and download a free trial of the program by paying a visit to the Ashampoo UnInstaller 5 review page.

Photo Credit: Goydenko Tatiana/Shutterstock
HTC's new Windows Phone 8 smartphones mimic Microsoft's tile interface

Publié: septembre 19, 2012, 6:07pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Wednesday, longtime Windows smartphone maker HTC debuted two new flagship Windows Phone devices which were designed to showcase Microsoft's latest mobile OS Windows Phone 8. The new smartphones, called the Windows Phone 8X and 8S, carry the same bright external colors of Nokia's Lumia series Windows Phones, but use HTC's technology and design prowess to make the devices stand out on their own.

Similar to the HTC One X in the speed and power department (dual-core 1.5GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, 8 megapixel camera), the Windows Phone 8X has a 4.3-inch Super LCD 2 display with Corning's Gorilla Glass 2, 16 GB of internal storage, and an improved 2.1 megapixel forward-facing camera with 1080p video capture and an 88 degree wide-angle lens.

HTC wanted to highlight the design of the 8X, and how it harmonizes with the bright, colorful tile interface of Windows Phone. HTC's design language is: crisp, bright, rectangular, and flat, and it comes in Blue, Red, Yellow, and Black. In the video above, HTC's team talks about some of the work that went into creating the 8X.

The "little brother" of the two new devices, the Windows Phone 8S, has a smaller overall profile, and more modest specs. It offers a 4-inch Super LCD display with Gorilla Glass, a dual-core 1GHz processor, a 5 megapixel rear camera, and 4GB of internal storage. The 8S has a polycarbonate chassis in four different color combinations. Instead of the single block of bright color like the 8X and Nokia Lumia devices, the 8S offers contrasting color pairings, and one in grey and lime green that looks more than a little bit like Android's color scheme.

Both devices will launch in November on 150 operators in 50 countries, in the US, they will be on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. No prices were announced today.
What do you think of iOS 6?

Publié: septembre 19, 2012, 5:35pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Today, two days before iPhone 5 launches, Apple releases iOS 6. We'd like to know what you think of the software, particularly compared to the previous version. Several features are sure to cause reaction, with Facebook integration and Apple's new maps app, which replaces the one from Google, being high among them.

To be honest, given my Apple boycott and iPhone-toting daughter going off to college, I have no iOS device for testing. I can't review, and my best Apple-using writers are in Europe and likely won't blast out anything until tomorrow. But we need reaction today, particularly if iOS 6 turns out to be the update some of you won't want to apply. Judging from some of the reaction on Twitter, many of you should wait -- lest Apple Maps directs you to the river bank instead of your local financial institution.

Please offer your iOS 6 reaction and review in comments below -- or send full review to me (joe at betanews dot com) with photo and bio. I love to publish reader reviews, and for those of you complaining in comments that Apple doesn't get a fair shake here, right the wrong by writing your review.

iOS 6 is available as an over-the-air update for iPhone 3GS, 4 or 4S, two most recent iPads and fourth-generation iPod touch or later. Sorry, the new version doesn't support the original iPad.

Wrong Way, Charlie

Before downloading, be warned if maps is a major feature for you. Some early reactions disturb.

Long-time tech entrepreneur Anil Dash tweets: "By default, the maps experience in iOS 6 is worse than it was in iOS 5. Who benefits from that?" His niceness about the experience stops there. Dash, who used pre-release software for months and more recently final code continues:

The classic criticism that thoughtless Apple haters use against the company is that it makes products that are pretty but dumb...But this time, they're right: Apple's made a new product that actually is pretty but dumb. Worse, they've used their platform dominance to privilege their own app over a competitor's offering, even though it's a worse experience for users...

It's evident that fundamental mapping features like venue search and directions are significantly worse than in the Google versions. Here in Manhattan, where I live, basic search by building names is profoundly degraded in Apple's maps search. "Bloomberg" doesn't find the Bloomberg Tower; on Google Maps it's the first result. Searching for its address "731 Lexington Avenue" yields that address on Lexington Avenue in Brooklyn. It's fine to think that perhaps I wanted the address in Bed-Stuy, but even appending "NY, NY" or "Manhattan, NY" still yields the Brooklyn address. Google maps has none of these comprehension issues.

Dash isn't alone. Effi Obefiend tweets: "Wow the IOS6 map update for Malaysia is SERIOUSLY gimped". Uh-oh, and this: "The news IOS6 appstore is nice. Really look like GooglePlayStore now". I haven't seen. Is Apple really copying Google here?

Twitter user Shane, from Ireland: "Hahaha iOS6 street map thinks Dublin Zoo is across the road from Temple Bar (it's confusing it with Zoo hair salon) [img88.imageshack.us]".

Perhaps your experience will be better.

The Goody Bag

Before downloading consider some of these more notable new features in iOS 6:

1. Facebook integration. iOS 5 brought Twitter, its successor goes for the larger social network. Users will be able to share to Facebook from just about anywhere in the operating system. Take a picture, for example, and post to Facebook. However, Android offers more flexibility, by letting developers tap into APIs for sharing. So someone taking a photo can share to a much wider choice of services, such as Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter and many others right from the camera app.

2. Maps. For the first five versions, Apple relied on Google. No longer. iOS 6 brings Apple's own app. Features include turn-by-turn navigation, real-time traffic information and flyover perspectives. Visually, based on previews, Apple delivers stunning maps and uses device sensors to provide more of a being there experience.

3. Siri. Apple introduced the "personal assistant" feature on iPhone 4S and promises it will be better (how about works at all) this round. The new Siri is more like Google Now by using capabilities like location to offer more meaningful information, such as movies and restaurants.

4. Passbook. Need to check into a flight or redeem a movie pass? Passbook can assist with both. Think of the feature as a pass and coupon manager available anytime, anywhere your iOS 6 device goes.

5. Safari. The mobile browser finally catches up to the likes of Chrome and Firefox by offering tab sync. Chrome already fully supports open tab sync across devices, something Safari users only get with this update. Say, who's copying whom?

So once again, please share your iOS 6 reaction and review, either in comments below or emailing joe at betanews dot com. If you email, please send photo and bio and expect we will publish the review with your byline.
O&O Defrag 16 improves SSD support, runs 40% faster

Publié: septembre 19, 2012, 4:27pm CEST par Mike Williams

O&O Defrag 16, the latest incarnation of the company’s ultra-configurable defrag tool, is now available. And the new feature O&O highlights in particular is a new Time View, which the company says helps you understand which of your defrag actions have delivered particular performance optimisations.

The idea here seems reasonable. The more specific feedback you get from the program, the better you should understand how it’s working, which should in theory help you to make better defrag choices in future.

But on the other hand, O&O Defrag has always provided plenty of detailed reports and histories: will the new Time View really be that much more effective? Time will tell.

Fortunately there is more to the new release than the extra reporting capabilities, though, and O&O Defrag 16 sees solid improvements all round, with the program launching more quickly, making better use of TRIM to optimize SSDs, making smarter choices when working with blocked files, and defragmenting regular drives up to 40 percent faster than before.

And of course the program retains its extreme configurability, which sees users able to choose from eight possible defragmentation strategies (or create one entirely of their own) to properly optimise your system’s performance in just about any situation.

O&O Defrag 16 remains an excellent defrag choice for power users, then, and if you’d like to check it out then a 30-day trial build is available now.

Photo Credit: Oleksiy Mark/Shutterstock
Acrobat alternative Nitro Pro 8 drops version, adds more OCR

Publié: septembre 19, 2012, 4:01pm CEST par Nick Peers

Nitro PDF Pty Ltd has just released Nitro Pro 8, the latest version of its self-titled “Acrobat alternative” tool for creating, editing and converting PDFs. Version 8, also available as a dedicated 64-bit build, promises faster conversion times, smaller PDF files, automatic OCR implementation and auto-save and recovery technology.

Nitro Pro 8 also sees the product drop its two-tier pricing structure, losing the non-OCR release in favor of a single option incorporating IRIS’s OCR engine for $119.99. The launch also coincides with details of a new partnership with PC manufacturer Lenovo, which will see Nitro Pro bundled with new Lenovo computers going forward.

New features in Nitro Pro 8 include a new auto-save and recovery feature, which automatically backs up open documents every 10 minutes (users can tweak this setting via the File > Preferences > General menu).

Now that OCR functionality is provided as standard, Nitro Pro 8 adds a number of new OCR-friendly features. It now automatically detects scanned image-based documents and offers an option for applying OCR to the document to provide a layer of editable and searchable text. OCR is automatically applied when converting image-based documents to editable files such as Word documents.

Version 8 also adds a Smart Alignment tool for typing text into non-interactive PDF forms and scanned documents -- this detects annotated elements and snaps to an invisible grid so text can be entered aligned neatly.

Nitro Pro 8 also promises vastly improved conversion times and output file sizes, generating fully editable Word documents in half the time taken by Nitro 7, and taking up much less space too, particularly after editing, annotating, combining and saving PDFs.

Promising to provide all the “essential” tools businesses need, Nitro Pro 8 launches with more business-friendly features including Autonomy Worksite integration, which has been added to its DMS (Document Management System) integration tool.

Despite costing almost two-thirds less than Adobe’s Acrobat Standard, Nitro Pro 8 has quickly carved itself a successful niche in the PDF editing market at both personal and business level, and now boasts usage in over 50 percent of Fortune 100 companies. Part of this is down to its competitive price, but Nitro also attributes its success to high-quality customer care: “Nitro’s commitment to customers makes it one of the stars… for all of the metrics that matter -- satisfaction, efficiency and scale,” says Sam Boonin of cloud-based help desk software, Zendesk.

Nitro Pro 8 32-bit and Nitro Pro 8 64-bit are both available as free, fully functional 14-day trial downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later (including the forthcoming Windows 8). A 1GHz processor and 512MB RAM is required, plus Microsoft Office 2003 or later for Office integrated features. Nitro Pro 8 retails at $119.99, while version 6 and 7 users will be able to upgrade for $49.99. Those with a valid Software Assurance licence will be able to upgrade for free.

Photo Credit: cybrain/Shutterstock
Emsisoft Anti-Malware 7 boasts two scanning engines

Publié: septembre 19, 2012, 3:12pm CEST par Mark Wilson

The threat from viruses and malware is one that not only continues, but shows no signs of slowly down. The need for protective software has not gone away, and what could be better than install an anti-malware tool to help keep yourself safe? How about a security tool that boasts not one but two scanning engines? Take a look at Emsisoft Anti-Malware 7 -- in addition to Emsisoft’s own malware scanner, there is now a new second scanning engine from BitDefender.

There is a strong focus on performance with this release. Emsisoft has optimized its own scanning engine, and new settings have been added that enable users to configure how the software should make use of processors. What this amounts to is being able to choose how many cores should be used to run the scanner as well as increasing or decreasing the number of active threads, increasing program priority and making use of advanced caching techniques to help speed things up.

Emsisoft aims to ensure that users are protected against threats as soon as possible by offering hourly updates. While definition updates tend to be fairly small anyway, this is being billed as a way of speeding up protection by breaking down updates into smaller incremental downloads. As is now the norm, there is an online network through which users statistics are shared to allow for better malware definitions and advice to be provided.

Experienced users will know very much what to expect from the program, but newcomers are politely guided through the process of checking for and fixing problems and then activating the settings that will provide on-going protection against malware, malicious web sites and even unknown threats.

You can find out more and download a free trial of the program by paying a visit to the Emsisoft Anti-Malware 7 review page.

Photo Credit: njaj/Shutterstock
CyberLink PhotoDirector 4 Ultra makes Mac debut

Publié: septembre 19, 2012, 2:21pm CEST par Nick Peers

CyberLink has continued rapid development of its photo management and editing tool with the release of CyberLink PhotoDirector 4 Ultra. PhotoDirector 4, which appears on Mac OS X for the first time in addition to Windows, retails for $50 less than rival product Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.

Despite coming just six months after version 3 was released, PhotoDirector 4 adds a number of notable new features to its roster: facial recognition and content-aware removal tools, plus new HDR (High Dynamic Range) effects on single photos, and a Body Shaper tool for reshaping arms, face and body.

There are three major new tools of note in PhotoDirector 4. Automatic face tagging is added to the program’s organisational tools, and makes it a quick and simple process for users to tag, organize and list photos of specific people in their collection.

The second major new feature is a content aware removal tool, which makes it possible to remove unwanted objects from photos while automatically filling in the space left using the current background as a guide.

Also new in version 4 is the Body Shaper tool, which is added to PhotoDirector 4’s People Beautifier list. This allows users to reshape arms, faces and body using Mesh and Distortion tools, and joins existing Skin Smoother, Wrinkle Remover, Tooth Brush and Eye Blinger tools for creating what CyberLink describes as the “perfect portrait”.

CyberLink PhotoDirector 4 Ultra is available as a free trial download for PCs running Windows XP SP3 or later or Macs running OS X 10.6.8 or later. Additional system requirements include a 3.0GHz dual-core processor (PC) or Intel multi-core with 64-bit support processor (Mac), plus 2GB RAM, 1GB free hard drive space and a hefty graphics card (128MB Video RAM for PC, 2GB Video RAM for Mac).

PhotoDirector 4 will retail for $99.99, while users of version 2 and 3 will be able to upgrade for $69.99.

Photo Credit: YuanDen/Shutterstock
CyberLink PowerDirector 11 helps you edit video like a pro

Publié: septembre 19, 2012, 12:30pm CEST par Mike Williams
CyberLink Corporation has unveiled PowerDirector 11, the latest version of its feature-packed consumer video editor.

And our favorite addition so far has to be its content-aware editing, a time-saving tool that sees the program automatically identify the major scenes in a movie, so that you can then import them in a flash.

When you’re presented with a new video, then, there’s no longer any need to manually browse through it to identify the key moments. The Content-Aware Editor will instead analyze the footage on your behalf, picking out significant scenes -- anything with faces, motion, pans or zooms -- and highlighting them for you. Select the ones you need, import them with a click, and they’ll appear on the regular project timeline for further editing.

Core editing performance also sees a significant improvement with this release, in particular thanks to the inclusion of CyberLink’s TrueVelocity 3.0. This now includes multi-GPGPU support, which allows the program to make use of the GPU’s available from multiple graphics cards -- an integrated and external card, say -- to deliver the best possible editing speeds.

And there are plenty of smaller, but still worthwhile improvements everywhere you look.

A more flexible interface sees users able to adjust the media room thumbnails and timeline track height, for instance.

It’s now possible to customise PowerDirector’s various hotkeys to suit your needs.

And you can now create titles, menus, particle and picture-in-picture effects in a full-screen editor for a more accurate look at exactly what you’re doing.

As with previous releases, PowerDirector 11 comes in multiple editions:
- PowerDirector 11 Deluxe ($69.95) is the base version, and excludes 64-bit support, content-aware editing, 3D editing, full HD preview, BD/ BDXL and AVCHD disc burning, amongst other features.
- PowerDirector 11 Ultra ($99.95) restores all those missing features, and adds CyberLink’s Content Pack Premium, making it the sensible budget choice.
- PowerDirector 11 Ultimate ($129.95) has the same core editing engine, but adds motion and paint effects from NewBlueFX, as well as multiple creative design packs from CyberLink.
- PowerDirector 11 Ultimate Suite ($249.95) takes the Ultimate feature set, and extends it with two professional addons. ColorDirector makes it easy to correct colours with advanced motion tracking, while AudioDirector can help you record and mix your soundtrack, remove unwanted noises and add special effects.
- CyberLink’s Director Suite ($299.95) extends the franchise still further by integrating a copy of PhotoDirector 4, a powerful tool for creating polished, professional photos.
And if you want to sample PowerDirector’s new goodies for yourself then a trial version of PowerDirector 11 Ultimate is available now. PowerDirector 11 Ultra is available from theDownloadcrew Software Store at a special launch price of $79.95, 20 percent off MSRP.

Photo Credit: Leigh Prather/Shutterstock
Make September a time to remember with these software sales

Publié: septembre 19, 2012, 1:33am CEST par Mark Wilson

Everyone loves to save a little money here and there, but when the timely bargains result in an alliteratively name month -- September savings -- so much the better!

Brand new to the store this month is the much-anticipated TuneUp Utilities 2013. You can save 50 percent from TuneUp Utilities 2013 [3-PC], ideal for installing on three home computers. If you have a single PC, save even more with TuneUp Utilities 2013 [1-PC]. There is also TuneUp Utilities 2013 [UPGRADE] designed to enable previous users to upgrade, at a discount. Finally, a TuneUp Utilities 2013 + AVG Internet Security 2013 [1-PC] bundle will safeguard and maintain a single computer.

A well respected name in the security world is AVG and you’ll find a great selection of tools in the store at great prices. Again, these are the latest tools from the 2013 range, starting off with AVG Internet Security 2013 Complete Bundle, an exclusive bundle of tools (AVG Internet Security 2013, AVG PC TuneUp 2013, AVG Family Safety and AVG Mobilation Pro) which could be yours for just $49.95 -- a massive saving of 66 percent off the MSRP. In a similar vein is AVG Premium Security 2013 Complete Bundle, which also includes four AVG products -- AVG Premium Security 2013, AVG PC Tuneup 2013, AVG Family Safety and AVG Mobilation Pro [four AVG products] -- and is available as an exclusive bundle at the discounted price of $39.95, as 69-percent saving. AVG is famed for is virus protection software and the latest version of its flagship product is AVG Anti-Virus 2013 [1-PC, 1-Year], which keeps you PC free from unwanted malware at a 75-percent discount -- just $9.95. We’ve already mentions a couple of bundles that include AVG’s Security suites, but these are also available separately.

AVG Internet Security 2013 [1-PC, 1-Year] is available for just $17.99 -- saving you 67 percent -- while AVG Premium Security 2013 [1-PC, 1-Year] offers additional security options for the slightly higher price of $22.99 -- this is another saving of 67 percent off the MSRP. Demonstrating that AVG is not just a one-trick pony, AVG PC TuneUp 2013 [1-PC, 1-Year] is all you need to keep boost the performance of your computer for just $17.99 (a saving of 55 percent off the MSRP), but for just a little more, you could optimize three separate computers with AVG PC TuneUp 2013 [3-PC, 1-Year] -- just $19.99 and a 67-percent saving. Whichever AVG tool you go for, you not only get the benefit of the very latest levels of protection, but also a thoroughly modern look inspired by the Windows 8 interface.

More security software is available from Bitdefender; again, there is a brand new 2013 range of titles. There’s a saving of 71 percent off Bitdefender Total Security 2013 [1-PC, 1-Year] which includes a strong antivirus engine, intelligent two-way firewall, capable spam filter -- all for just $19.99. If you want to keep your computer safe for even less, look no further than Bitdefender Internet Security 2013 [1-PC, 1-Year], which still packs a punch for just $14.99 saving you 70 percent off the MSRP.

Many homes have more than one computer and keeping them all protected can get expensive. However, if you invest in Bitdefender Internet Security 2013 [3-PC, 1-Year] can be used to ensure the safety of three PCs for just $29.95. Every computer should have at least an antivirus tool installed, and it’s hard to find something that’s better value than Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013 [1-PC, 1-Year] which costs just $6.95 with a reduction of 83 percent. You can save a fortune protecting all of the computes in your home with 74% off Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013 [3-PC, 1-Year] -- a mere $12.95 to protect up to three computers.

If you like the idea of getting musically creative but you’re not sure quite where to start, MAGIX Music Maker 2013 is the latest version of the instantly accessible music tool. With hundreds of samples and loops to work with and the ability to create projects with up to 99 tracks, there is great flexibility in a wonderfully easy to use program that could be yours for a 25 percent at just $44.99. Also from MAGIX is the video editing software MAGIX Movie Edit Pro MX. For just $45.99 -- a saving of 34 percent -- you can gain access to everything you need to edit and optimize your home videos ready for sharing with others.

MAGIX Movie Edit Pro MX Plus is also available for anyone looking to take things to the next level. There’s a 30 percent saving off the MSRP giving you access to extra special effects, additional tracks and much more for just $69.99. If you buy CyberLink Media Suite 10 Ultra for just $99.95 -- saving you 23 percent -- you can get a copy of PowerDirector 10 Ultra, for FREE! There’s another top deal to be found in the form of Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 2013. With 44 percent off the MSRP, this great tool which is a cross between an image editor, DTP package and an illustration app, could be yours for just $49.99.

Finishing off this selection of the latest and greatest offers are two tools from O&O, both of which place you in control of your hard drive. O&O DiskImage 6 Professional is an amazing backup and cloning tool that you can own for just $14.50 -- half the recommended price -- while O&O Defrag 15 Professional is also available at a 50-percent discount, also just $14.50.

Of course there are plenty of other special offers for you to take advantage of, so head over to the Downloadcrew Software Store to see what you could be tempted by.