Gregarius » éléments par Nick Peers

éléments par Nick Peers

Kaspersky Total Security 2019 cleans misbehaving apps and browser extensions

Publié: mai 25, 2018, 12:28pm CEST par Nick Peers

Kaspersky has released major new versions of its security suites with the launch of Kaspersky Internet Security 2019 and Kaspersky Total Security 2019 for Windows PCs. The suite -- which is also available (but not yet updated) on the Mac -- concentrates on improving and refining existing components, with highlights including support for removing troublesome applications and browser extensions. Kaspersky, which relocated its data processing centres to Switzerland after concerns about its ties to Russia, has focused on improving existing application components with this new release. This is immediately apparent when opening the Tools window, which now categorizes application features… [Continue Reading]

SoftMaker FreeOffice 2018 promises full Office 2016 compatibility, debuts optional ribbon interface

Publié: mai 16, 2018, 6:00pm CEST par Nick Peers

Why pay a monthly subscription for Office software? SoftMaker FreeOffice 2018 has just been released, promising full compatibility with the latest Word, Excel and PowerPoint formats and debuting a new optional ribbon interface for those switching from Office 2007 or later. FreeOffice comprises word processor TextMaker 2018, spreadsheets package PlanMaker 2018 and presentation tool Presentations 2018. There are two headline features with this latest release, both of which will appeal to those tired of paying out for Office 365 or looking to move on from an older, non-subscription version of Office. The first is the promise of seamless compatibility with… [Continue Reading]

Firefox Quantum 60 released, improves Firefox Home page and boosts camera security

Publié: mai 9, 2018, 6:13pm CEST par Nick Peers

Mozilla has released Firefox Quantum 60.0 for desktop, along with Firefox for Android 60.0 and Firefox ESR 60.0. The new version adds an Enterprise-friendly policy engine for customizing Firefox deployments. Elsewhere there are several improvements to the New Tab/Firefox Home page and enhanced camera privacy indicators. The Firefox Home page that appears with new tabs has been tweaked, with a new responsive layout that displays more content on wider displays. Additional options have also been added for managing content and sections on the page. Elsewhere, the Highlights section now includes content saved to Pocket, although on the downside sponsored Pocket… [Continue Reading]

Spybot -- Search & Destroy 2.7 adds new Start Center screen, improves malware search

Publié: mai 4, 2018, 12:48pm CEST par Nick Peers

Irish security developer Safer Networking has released Spybot -- Search & Destroy 2.7, a new version of its Windows free and paid-for anti-malware tool. The major new feature in this release is the addition of an additional Start Center screen giving users access to frequently used functions. It also promises a number of improvements -- including Secure Boot support -- and better reliability. Spybot works on two levels: a free version provides a manual scan and remove tool, while paid-for editions bundle real-time protection in the form of an integrated BitDefender antivirus engine. The new edition’s Start Center is designed… [Continue Reading]

Opera launches (another) mobile app -- Opera Touch 1.0 links in with Opera desktop browser

Publié: avril 25, 2018, 1:29pm CEST par Nick Peers

Opera Software has launched Opera Touch 1.0 a mobile app for Android (with iOS due to follow shortly). It joins existing mobile apps Opera and Opera Mini. The new app is designed to work in tandem with Opera’s desktop browser using Flow, a means of instantly sharing tabs between desktop and mobile. It’s also been optimized to facilitate fast web searches and for one-handed use. The main feature is Flow, which works in tandem with the recently updated Opera 52.0.2871.97 desktop browser. Users link mobile and computer through a QR code -- go to Speed Dial in the desktop browser… [Continue Reading]

Mailstore Home 11 offers more robust protection for your email, speeds up archive searches

Publié: avril 19, 2018, 8:41pm CEST par Nick Peers

German email back-up company MailStore Software GmbH has released MailStore Home 11.0 for PCs running Windows 7, 8.1 and 10. The tool makes it easy to create archives and backups of POP3, IMAP and internet mailboxes, including Gmail and Yahoo! The program, which also works with Outlook, Thunderbird and the now-depreciated Windows Mail and Windows Live Mail, gains a faster archive search tool with this new release. It also introduces a more robust recovery tool. MailStore Home 11.0 opens with the new addition to the Search tool: the ability to search for messages by archive date, which should speed up… [Continue Reading]

Handbrake 1.1.0 revamps user interface, adds Vimeo, YouTube and 4K presets

Publié: avril 10, 2018, 10:41am CEST par Nick Peers

Popular cross-platform, open-source video transcoder Handbrake 1.1.0 has been released, and despite the version number increment is actually a major update. Handbrake allows users to convert video from a wide variety of formats -- including DVD and Blu-ray -- into MP4 or MKV files with support for a wide range of codecs, including x264, x265, VP8/9 and both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4. Handbrake 1.1.0 provides a major update to its user interface to provide a more logical and easy to follow workflow. It also adds new presets, filters and improves 4K and x265 support. The most visible change -- of course -- is… [Continue Reading]

1Password 7 Beta for Mac and Windows reveals major facelift, lots of new and improved features

Publié: avril 4, 2018, 4:20pm CEST par Nick Peers

AgileBits has released beta versions of its upcoming 1Password 7.0 Beta for Mac and 1Password 7.0 Beta for Windows clients. 1Password offers secure form-filling and password management tools and is also available on iOS and Android. The beta showcases several major new features, with Windows gaining a handy new sidebar view to ape the Mac version, which sees its own sidebar improved along with a host of other new additions and feature improvements. 1Password 7.0 for Windows comes with the promise of a major new redesign to tie it in closely to the Mac client. This includes the addition of a handy sidebar, which comes in particular… [Continue Reading]

Universal Media Server 7 adds Movies and TV Show library options, improves scanning performance

Publié: mars 27, 2018, 10:04pm CEST par Nick Peers

The Universal Media Server Project has released Universal Media Server 7.0.0, a major new release of its open-source, cross-platform media server for Windows, Mac and Linux computers. The server, which works with a wide range of UPNP/DLNA-compatible devices from mobiles to smart TVs, adds support for filtering content into movie and TV show libraries. It also promises massively improved folder-scanning times along with quicker browsing of Media Folders. The app, which is Java-based, opens with new folder options for its parent media library folder: TV Shows, Movies, 3D Movies and Unsorted. The navigation pane gains a right-click menu, allowing folders… [Continue Reading]

Opera 52 launches faster ad-blocking tool, adds support for multiple tab selection

Publié: mars 22, 2018, 3:06pm CET par Nick Peers

Opera Software has released Opera 52.0, the latest version of its Chromium-based browser for Windows, Mac and Linux. The main highlight in this new release is the unveiling of a faster ad-blocker tool. In addition, users gain the ability to select multiple tabs with a variety of related actions, including a brand new option for copying Web URLs. There are also new animations to accompany error and warning messages. Opera 52’s headline update is the improved ad-blocking tool. Now two years old and also offering protection against cryptojacking, the tool has been overhauled through improved string matching algorithms to increase… [Continue Reading]

Google Web Designer 3.0 makes HTML 5 web content easy to build across multiple devices and platforms

Publié: mars 15, 2018, 1:33pm CET par Nick Peers

Google has released Google Web Designer 3.0 Beta, its HTML5 content-producing tool for Windows, Mac and Linux. Although targeted primarily at advertisers, the tool can be adapted for other content too, and also supports JavaScript, CSS and XML. Version 3.0 introduces several new features. First, users are now able to change the ad environment via the File > Ad environment menu. When supported, users can switch between DoubleClick, AdMob, AdWords and Non-Google Ad easily. Users also gain the ability to quickly add components to the centre of the stage simply by double-clicking them in the Components panel. A new component for… [Continue Reading]

Firefox Quantum 59 boosts page loading times, adds options for blocking intrusive website requests

Publié: mars 13, 2018, 3:21pm CET par Nick Peers

Mozilla has released Firefox Quantum 59.0 for desktop, along with Firefox for Android 59.0 rolling out imminently. The new version continues to refine performance with the promise of faster page-loading times, while the Home page gains one new customizable feature. Other highlights include improvements to the built-in screenshots tool and the ability to block website requests for advanced access or notifications. Firefox’s new Home page gains an additional customization feature as of this release: users can now drag and drop entries within the Top Site list to rearrange them. The built-in Firefox Screenshots tool also continues to evolve -- users… [Continue Reading]

PDF Shaper 8.2 improves text detection and extraction, supports system fonts and more

Publié: mars 9, 2018, 2:50pm CET par Nick Peers

Burnaware Technologies has released PDF Shaper Free 8.2, a major update to its freeware PDF toolkit for Windows users. PDF Shaper provides a series of tools for managing and optimizing PDF files, and is also available in Premium and Professional editions. It’s the paid-for editions that get the most love in this new release, with the non-free Watermark tool gaining three new features. All versions gain support for system TrueType fonts, codepages and styles as well as an option to select specific pages when converting a PDF to an image file. PDF Shaper Free offers 17 individual tools, split into… [Continue Reading]

BleachBit 2.0 adds drag-and-drop file shredding to open-source disk cleaning tool

Publié: février 28, 2018, 5:57pm CET par Nick Peers

Open-source cleaning tool BleachBit 2.0 has been released for Windows and Linux, along with BleachBit 2.0 Portable for Windows. The update -- the first in over two years -- introduces support for dragging and dropping files on to the program window in order to shred them using BleachBit’s disk-wiping tools. In our tests, the feature only worked after we’d first deleted a file using the 'Shred with BleachBit' option that appears when you right-click a file or folder. When this had worked once, we could then drag and drop other files into the window to delete them. This seems to… [Continue Reading]

FireAlpaca 2.0 improves layer support, adds 64-bit Windows build

Publié: février 21, 2018, 2:11pm CET par Nick Peers

Japanese developer PGN Inc has released FireAlpaca 2.0, a major new release of its free paint app for Windows and Mac users. The app is aimed at wannabe painters with a variety of drawing tools coupled with advanced features such as layer support. Version 2.0’s headline new feature is the addition of a separate 64-bit build for Windows PCs, but it also improves its layer support along with some minor tweaks and adjustments. FireAlpaca provides users with a blank canvas on which to draw using a wide range of brushes, pens and filters. Support for layers makes it possible to… [Continue Reading]

TunnelBear 3.2 improves and refines its VPN service, rebuilds VigilantBear component

Publié: février 14, 2018, 1:33pm CET par Nick Peers

Canadian VPN provider TunnelBear Inc has released TunnelBear 3.2 for Windows. TunnelBear, also available on Mac, provides users with both free (500MB/month) and paid-for VPN plans. Version 3.2 features a completely rebuilt VigilantBear component and comes with the promise of improved reliability when switching networks as well as some other tweaks and bug fixes. VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) allow users to create secure "tunnelled" internet connections, even on insecure networks like open public Wi-Fi hotspots, to protect their data and internet activity from prying eyes. Users can also fake their location to access geo-restricted content, such as streaming media services… [Continue Reading]

Opera 51 unveils better Windows performance, host of functional tweaks

Publié: février 7, 2018, 3:56pm CET par Nick Peers

Just one month after its previous update, Opera Software has unveiled Opera 51.0, the latest version of its Chromium-based browser for Windows, Mac and Linux. There’s no let up in new features and improvements in Opera 51. Chief among these is the promise of faster browsing on Windows, with Opera claiming it’s 38 percent faster than Firefox 58. This is down to the fact the program code is now compiled using Clang. Elsewhere, Opera unveils several functional improvements. Users can now quickly jump between two points on a web page simply by clicking the tab: once to go to the… [Continue Reading]

BurnAware 11 Free unveils ISO unpacker tool, HD audio support

Publié: février 2, 2018, 6:44pm CET par Nick Peers

Burnaware Technologies has released BurnAware 11.0 Free, BurnAware 11.0 Premium and BurnAware 11.0 Professional, the latest builds of its free and paid-for disc burning products for Windows. Version 11’s new headline feature is the addition of a tool to view and extract files from ISO images. It’s accompanied by an option to associate ISO files with BurnAware as well as support for incorporating HD audio tracks into compact disc compilations. Users will find the new Unpack ISO tool available in the Disc Images section of the program interface. Clicking this opens a File Explorer-like window, where users can open an ISO image… [Continue Reading]

LibreOffice 6 unveils OpenPGP support, ePUB filter and many more new features

Publié: janvier 31, 2018, 2:25pm CET par Nick Peers

The Document Foundation has unveiled LibreOffice 6.0 64-bit and LibreOffice 6.0 32-bit, a major new release of its open-source office suite for Windows, Mac and Linux. LibreOffice 6.0 adds a host of new and improved features, including support for OpenPGP signing and encryption, an ePUB filter and a new icon set. In addition, Writer users gain a powerful new spell-checking tool with professional-grade features. LibreOffice 6.0 is packed with new features. Suite-wide improvements include a new ePub filter, allowing users to save documents in the popular eBook format. Users wishing to customize the LibreOffice interface (right-click the toolbar and choose… [Continue Reading]

Paint.NET unveils Dark Theme support in Windows 10, implements High DPI improvements

Publié: janvier 10, 2018, 3:31pm CET par Nick Peers

dotPDN LLC has unveiled Paint.NET 4.0.20, the latest version of its popular -- and powerful -- free image editor for Windows PCs. Version 4.0.20 introduces Dark Theme support, so the app interface switches to match Windows’ own Dark Theme when evoked. The update also offers vastly improved support on High DPI displays, adds Explorer thumbnails for TGA and DDS image types and includes a host of bug fixes and minor improvements. Paint.NET already offers a dark skin via its own Settings > User Interface dialog, but Dark Theme support means that when its own color scheme is left set as… [Continue Reading]

Opera 50 unveils a host of new and improved features, including anti-bitcoin mining protection

Publié: janvier 4, 2018, 2:09pm CET par Nick Peers

Opera Software has released Opera 50.0, the latest version of its Chromium-based browser for Windows, Mac and Linux. As befitting such a landmark release, Opera 50 is packed full of new features. Chief among these is the addition of an anti-Bitcoin mining tool, but there’s also support for both Chromecast and Oculus Rift VR headsets, better protection for browsing sessions after crashes, and a major upgrade to its VPN service. Bitcoin mining involves leaving hidden scripts on web pages that utilizes user PCs to mine for Bitcoins on behalf of others. Symptoms can include sudden spikes in CPU and temperature,… [Continue Reading]

IObit Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 11 widens security protection, including new Anti-Ransomware Engine

Publié: décembre 21, 2017, 3:56pm CET par Nick Peers

Christmas must be just around the corner -- IObit has unveiled Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 11, a major new release of its flagship system security and optimization product for Windows. It arrives around 12 months to the day after version 10 was released. Version 11 unveils a new Anti-Ransomware engine, one-click security audit and major improvements to core features like Performance Monitor, Disk Optimization and IObit Undelete. Some of these features made their bow in IObit Advanced SystemCare Free 11, which was released back in October. Features new and exclusive to Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 11 include a new Anti-Ransomware Engine, to protect key files and… [Continue Reading]

GlassWire 2.0 unveils major redesign, adds more network monitoring and protection tools

Publié: décembre 14, 2017, 3:52pm CET par Nick Peers

SecureMix LLC has released GlassWire 2.0.78, a major update of its security network monitoring and Windows Firewall control tool. The app, which comes in free and paid-for versions, unveils new features including support for firewall profiles and access to VirusTotal for scanning network-related files. It also unveils a major new redesign and provides users with more granular control over key aspects of the program. GlassWire can work on two levels: if you already have a third-party firewall installed, such as Norton or ZoneAlarm, then it functions as a basic network security monitor. If you’re relying on the built-in Windows Firewall,… [Continue Reading]

Ghostery 8 introduces behavioral protection against trackers and intrusive ads

Publié: décembre 6, 2017, 8:09pm CET par Nick Peers

Cliqz has released Ghostery 8.0 for Chrome, as well as updates for Firefox and Opera users. The extension provides protection against tracking technologies and intrusive ads to boost browser privacy. Version 8.0 implements a new heuristic approach to antitracking and ad-blocking, allowing the extension to protect user data based on behavior rather than relying exclusively on a known blocklist. The blocklist feature remains, and is joined by a simplified user interface as well as a handful of new advanced features to keep both novices and experienced users happy. Headline new features include Enhanced Antitracking Protection, which sees Ghostery leverage its… [Continue Reading]

Microsoft brings Edge for iOS and Android out of Preview -- stay in sync with your PC

Publié: décembre 1, 2017, 11:06pm CET par Nick Peers

Microsoft has launched the first stable version of its web browser for mobile with the release of Edge for iOS 1.0 and Edge for Android 1.0. Both browsers are targeted at Windows users who have Edge as their default -- the primary purpose of both is to allow users to sync settings and content between desktop and mobile, following a similar path trodden by the likes of Chrome and Firefox. To those wondering if this represents a misguided assault on the mobile browser market by Microsoft, the answer is -- of course -- no. Edge exists for iOS and Android… [Continue Reading]

AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard 6.6 adds support for exFAT, improves bootable media support

Publié: novembre 23, 2017, 4:07pm CET par Nick Peers

Everyone needs a partition management tool. Windows ships with its own limited tool, accessible under Disk Management, but it’s restricted in a number of key areas, not least its inability to move files to help with the repartitioning process. AOMEI has just released a major update to its free partitioning tool: Partition Assistant Standard 6.6. It’s become our go-to partition editor, and version 6.6 makes it even more compelling than ever. Version 6.6’s headline new feature is partial support for the exFAT file system -- now users can create, delete, format, move and copy exFAT partitions alongside other supported formats,… [Continue Reading]

Scrivener 3 unveils major UI update and improvements alongside new features

Publié: novembre 21, 2017, 1:41pm CET par Nick Peers

Literature and Latte has released Scrivener 3.0 for OS X, a major new version of its writer-centric tool. The app combines traditional word-processing features with project management and organization tools to provide a one-stop shop for any writing project. Version 3.0 unveils a number of new and enhanced features, alongside an updated user interface, Touch Bar support and rewritten codebase for 64-bit. Scrivener 3.0 opens with what Literature and Latte describes as an "overhauled and modernized" user interface. Improvements include new draft and session progress bars in the main toolbar, a new Quick Search tool for finding documents within the… [Continue Reading]

DisplayFusion 9.1 arrives, tweaks multi-monitor display tool for Windows

Publié: novembre 17, 2017, 8:12pm CET par Nick Peers

Binary Fortress Software has released DisplayFusion 9.1, a minor update of its multi-monitor management tool for Windows. It follows a month on from the major release of version 9.0, which added a single new feature (monitor fading) alongside compatibility improvements and a host of tweaks and fixes. Version 9.1’s most notable change is the use of a new code-signing certificate. Users are warned they may receive a Smart Screen warning from Windows -- although this didn’t appear on our test PC. Other changes resolve issues discovered since version 9.0 was released, including fixing a memory leak, a screensaver-related glitch and… [Continue Reading]

Mozilla Firefox 57 unveils new speedy Quantum browsing engine, revamps user interface

Publié: novembre 13, 2017, 9:46pm CET par Nick Peers

Mozilla has placed Firefox 57.0 on its servers for download, ahead of its official release tomorrow. Also due imminently is Firefox for Android 57.0. The new release sees the debut of Mozilla’s next-generation browsing engine, Quantum. The new engine is paired with a major user-interface revamp boasting a more modern, pared-down look, plus feature highlights include improved Address Bar and redesigned new tab page. In addition there are major changes (with potentially significant consequences) to the browser’s extension support. The new browsing engine -- codenamed Electrolysis during its development, but redubbed Project Quantum -- has been built from the ground up to tap… [Continue Reading]

Opera 49 adds editable elements to its screen capture tool, rolls out VR headset support

Publié: novembre 8, 2017, 11:00am CET par Nick Peers

Opera Software has unveiled Opera 49, the latest version of its Chromium-powered browser for Windows, Mac and Linux. Opera 49’s headline new feature is a major update to its new snapshot tool, with editing features, a selfie mode and support for emoji. Elsewhere, the VR headset support previewed in the Developer release has also been included, along with a new 'easy setup' button offering convenient access to key settings. Opera’s headline update sees its recently introduced Snapshot screen-capture tool gain several major features, chief of which are a selection of new annotation tools. Once captured, users will see a row… [Continue Reading]

Audacity unveils new themed look along with other interface updates

Publié: novembre 3, 2017, 6:11pm CET par Nick Peers

Open-source sound recording, editing and mixing tool Audacity 2.2.0 has been released for Windows, Mac and Linux, around two years after version 2.1.0 made its bow. Version 2.2.0’s highlights include support for themes -- with a choice of four provided, plus reorganization of the program’s menus, additional help buttons and a major code overhaul. Audacity opens with a significantly new look compared to the previous release -- by default, a new Light theme is set, with square buttons that attempt to emulate the flatter, more minimal look found on modern-day OSes. It’s more macOS than Windows 10, and if you… [Continue Reading]

Foxit Reader 9 unveils single-key accelerators, plus improves search, commenting and accessibility tools

Publié: novembre 1, 2017, 3:55pm CET par Nick Peers

Foxit Software has released Foxit Reader 9.0, a major new version of its free PDF creation and reader tool for Windows PCs. The new release focuses on improving the program’s accessibility with new single-key accelerators among other changes, but also adds a new single-column Reflow view and features notable updates to the program’s commenting features and search tools. The headline new feature in version 9 is improved accessibility, with Foxit Reader now supporting single-key accelerators to access commands or perform specific actions. Examples include H to permanently switch to the Hand command, and Spacebar to temporarily switch. A new "Tell… [Continue Reading]

O&O DiskImage Professional 12 promises to speed up file backups by up to 100 percent

Publié: octobre 25, 2017, 5:15pm CEST par Nick Peers

O&O Software GMBH has launched O&O DiskImage Professional 12, the latest version of its Windows disk-imaging and file backup tool. Version 12 focuses on improving its file-backup component, promising to complete backups in half the time of the previous release. It’s also updated for full compatibility with the newly released Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. The file backup component, introduced back in version 10, has been recoded from the ground up to provide a much faster experience -- up to twice the speed of its predecessor. The file backup allows you to back up selected data folders and files as… [Continue Reading]

WebSite X5 Evolution 14 improves navigation menu, updates effects and templates

Publié: octobre 18, 2017, 3:43pm CEST par Nick Peers

Incomedia has released a major new version of its wizard-driven web-building tool with the launch of WebSite X5 Evolution 14.0. Website X5 Evolution is accompanied by both higher (Professional) and lower (Start) packages. Version 14.0 focuses its new features in three key areas: usability, graphics and performance. Highlights include more flexible navigational menus, better support for web fonts, additional special effects and revamped blogging and ecommerce modules. Website X5 14.0 opens with usability improvements. It’s five-step start wizard has been tweaked to allow users to pick a template before beginning a new project, while the default template no longer has… [Continue Reading]

FBackup 7 adds Dropbox and CD/DVD support, Fast Mirror backup option

Publié: octobre 12, 2017, 6:28pm CEST par Nick Peers

Softland has released FBackup 7.0 and Backup4all 7.0, major new versions of its free and paid-for Windows backup products. Both programs, which offer file-based backup and extended functionality via plug-ins, add new cloud backup destinations, while FBackup gains support for CD/DVD backups and a Fast Mirror backup option. FBackup 7.0’s highlights include two new backup destinations. Users can now back up to Dropbox as well as Google Drive, plus CD/DVD is now an option too. Backups to Google Drive now come with a real-time progress indicator. Elsewhere there’s a new Fast Mirror back-up option that only copies new and modified… [Continue Reading]

AOMEI PE Builder Free 2.0 released, now supports Windows XP through to Windows 10

Publié: octobre 11, 2017, 2:45pm CEST par Nick Peers

Three years ago, AOMEI unveiled the first version of PE Builder. We were thrilled, because it provided a simple -- yet flexible -- way of creating the Windows equivalent of a "live" Linux CD, whereby you can run a graphically friendly operating system direct from CD/DVD or USB flash drive. After a few updates, the software appeared to have died -- with only support for Windows 7 and 8. Imagine our delight, then, when we were informed that AOMEI PE Builder 2.0 had been released. Version 2.0’s headline new feature is -- of course -- updated compatibility. Now it’s possible… [Continue Reading]

Windows Firewall Control 5 released, extends protection offered by built-in firewall

Publié: octobre 6, 2017, 6:48pm CEST par Nick Peers

Why does anyone need a third-party firewall when Windows offers one of its own? One huge plus for switching firewalls is to provide yourself with two-way protection: the Windows Firewall only monitors inbound traffic from the internet, not traffic that originates on your PC. The annoying thing is, the Windows Firewall can offer two-way protection, but it’s fiddly to configure and not enabled by default. Enter stage left, the recently updated Windows Firewall Control 5.01. Windows Firewall Control allows you to extend the capabilities of the built-in Windows Firewall to give you extra protection without having to clog up your… [Continue Reading]

Macrium Reflect Free 7.1 adds Hyper-V support, now licensed for commercial use

Publié: septembre 29, 2017, 12:44pm CEST par Nick Peers

Paramount Software (UK) Ltd has released Macrium Reflect Free Edition 7.1, a major new release of its disk imaging backup tool for Windows. Macrium Reflect 7.1 adds three headline features: integrated viBoot2 providing instant virtualization of Macrium backup images, Task Scheduler 2.0 API use for compatibility with the latest versions of Windows 10, and finally a license for use in a business as well as a non-commercial environment. Macrium Reflect Free is our go-to image-based backup utility. Version 6 added support for differential images to reduce backup sizes, and we’re pleased to report this feature remains in place in this… [Continue Reading]

Firefox 56 unveils improved preferences, paves the way for Firefox Quantum

Publié: septembre 28, 2017, 1:04pm CEST par Nick Peers

Mozilla has released Firefox 56, with Firefox for Android 56.0 due imminently. Firefox 56’s chief highlight is the rollout of Firefox Screenshots to all users. The built-in tool for capturing, saving and sharing screenshots from the browser was made available to a subset of users with the previous release. The announcement comes with news of Firefox 57, which has been billed by Mozilla as "our biggest release of the year." It will unveil portions of a new next-generation browser engine as well as a major design refresh to fit in better with modern operating systems. Firefox 56 also unveils an… [Continue Reading]

Opera 48 unveils pop-up search and conversion tools, Snapshot screen-capture utility

Publié: septembre 27, 2017, 11:05am CEST par Nick Peers

Opera Software has unveiled Opera 48 for Windows, Mac and Linux. After the last feature-light release, version 48 adds a number of interesting new features as well as improvements. Chief among these is a new pop-up search tool, which also doubles as currency, unit and time zone converter. Opera also adds a new screenshot capture tool for web pages, plus widens its bookmark-importing tool to support Edge and Yandex browsers. The headline new feature is Opera’s new pop-up search tool. Users can now simply highlight text on an existing page and choose 'Search' from the automatic pop-up that appears. This… [Continue Reading]

O&O Defrag Professional 21 adds O&O DiskStat 3, streamlines performance and improves cleaning

Publié: septembre 19, 2017, 5:51pm CEST par Nick Peers

O&O Software GmbH has unveiled O&O Defrag Professional 21.0, a major new build of its renowned Windows drive defragmentation and optimization tool. Version 21’s headline new feature is that it includes a free version of O&O DiskStat 3, which can be used in conjunction with O&O Defrag’s DiskCleaner component to help clean up hard drives. O&O Defrag 21 also comes with the promise of faster file access and further optimizations to its DiskCleaner module. O&O DiskStat 3 is now built into O&O Defrag as a separate tab within the main O&O Defrag interface. Its main purpose is to locate and… [Continue Reading]

Surf the web securely and anonymously with Hotspot Shield 7

Publié: septembre 15, 2017, 6:44pm CEST par Nick Peers

When it comes to protecting yourself online -- particularly when surfing through insecure public connections -- then nothing beats a good old VPN. Virtual Private Networks create encrypted tunnels in which you can surf the web, check your email and connect to remote networks secure in the knowledge you can’t be hacked. If you’re a Windows user, then the recently released Hotspot Shield 7.1.2 may appeal, offering a free, ad-supported (and bandwidth-limited) way of connecting via VPN. Hotspot Shield 7.0 allows you to take full advantage of everything a VPN has to offer. There’s the aforementioned encryption of course, but… [Continue Reading]

Blender 2.79 adds new and improved tools, enhances cycle rendering feature

Publié: septembre 13, 2017, 4:56pm CEST par Nick Peers

Non-profit organization The Blender Foundation has released Blender 2.79, an update to its cross-platform, open-source 3D graphics tool. The new build further improves its Cycles Rendering feature, bringing feature parity with NVIDIA CUDA and improved performance to AMD OpenCL hardware. Other highlights include additional tools and options being added to the Grease Pencil, Alembic, Mesh Modeling tools, while simplified video encoding and user interface improvements have also been implemented. Version 2.79, also available in 64-bit and portable form on Windows, opens with several improvements into its Cycles Rendering feature. First, denoising is now built in, and is joined by a… [Continue Reading]

Mountain Duck 2.0 adds support for client-side encryption of cloud storage

Publié: septembre 7, 2017, 8:06pm CEST par Nick Peers

Bern software developer iterate GmbH has released Mountain Duck 2.0 for Windows and Mac. Mountain Duck is designed to make it easy for users to mount server and cloud storage through File Explorer and Finder. Version 2.0 adds several new features, most notably support for transparent client-side encryption of data using Cryptomator. It also adds support for Microsoft OneDrive accounts. Mountain Duck 2.0 opens by promising "foolproof" client-side encryption for cloud storage, allowing users to add another layer of encryption to their cloud-hosted data using Cryptomator, which provides AES encryption and scrypt-powered protection against brute force attacks. Supported services include… [Continue Reading]

Thwart ransomware and protect your data with our O&O Disk Image 10.5 giveaway, worth $49.95

Publié: septembre 1, 2017, 2:43pm CEST par Nick Peers

Everybody needs a backup -- with ransomware added to the list of threats to your data, now is the perfect time to take full advantage of our latest Downloadcrew giveaway: a full copy of O&O DiskImage 10.5 Professional, worth $49.95, across this coming weekend. What makes O&O DiskImage special is that it allows you to back up both individual files and folders as well as take a full drive image, so you can protect key data alongside your fail-safe drive image covering your entire Windows installation -- all from one application. The program is simple to use -- the main user… [Continue Reading]

Novabench 4.0 offers quick and dirty benchmark solution for PC and Mac

Publié: septembre 1, 2017, 11:56am CEST par Nick Peers

Novawave Inc has released Novabench 4.0, a major new update for its Windows and Mac benchmarking tool. Version 4.0 unveils new and updated benchmarks, plus an interface redesign. The tool opens with updated CPU tests to support the latest processor features, and debuts new graphics tests -- a cross-platform OpenCL GPU compute test, plus Direct3D 11 (Windows) and Metal (OS X) tests. There’s also a new disk read speed test. The update also sees the program’s score comparison site improved, although at time of writing the ability to directly compare user results with previously submitted benchmarks wasn’t up and running. Novabench focusses… [Continue Reading]

Parallels Desktop 13 promises performance boost, extended Touch Bar support

Publié: août 22, 2017, 11:19pm CEST par Nick Peers

Parallels IP Holdings GmbH has released Parallels Desktop 13, a major new release of its popular Mac virtualization tool. Parallels Desktop, which allows macOS users to run virtual versions of Windows, macOS and Linux, is fully compatible with the forthcoming releases of Windows 10 Fall Update and macOS High Sierra (10.13). It also adds several new features and promises significant performance improvement in key areas. Performance improvements include faster access to Windows files and documents (a speed increase of just under 50 percent), plus quicker transfers for large files over USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt -- in the case of external Thunderbolt SSD… [Continue Reading]

Opera 47 (finally) adds bookmarks export, smoother video playback

Publié: août 9, 2017, 3:07pm CEST par Nick Peers

Opera Software has unveiled Opera 47.0 for Windows, Mac and Linux. It’s a fast turnaround from Opera 46, taking less than the usual six-week development cycle to go from alpha to final release. As a result, the new release is light on major features, but does boast a number of improvements, including smoother video and exportable bookmarks. It also updates the underlying Chromium engine to version 60. Opera 47’s headline new feature is the ability to export bookmarks from the application via a clickable button when in Bookmarks view. Bookmarks are exported as a single HTML file, and the feature… [Continue Reading]

Firefox 55 unveils performance improvements and new features aplenty

Publié: août 7, 2017, 5:26pm CEST par Nick Peers

Mozilla has unveiled one of the biggest updates to Firefox yet with its release of Firefox 55.0 for Windows, Mac and Linux. Firefox for Android 55.0 is also due imminently. Firefox 55’s many highlights include instant restoration of browsing sessions with a large number of tabs, the ability to reposition the sidebar and a feature for grabbing screenshots of web pages direct from the browser itself. Firefox 55 opens with a major performance boost -- when reopening with a large number of open tabs, users should find the browser jumps back to life much quicker than before, with many pages… [Continue Reading]

LibreOffice 5.4 adds more new features, improves Office file format compatibility

Publié: juillet 28, 2017, 10:15pm CEST par Nick Peers

The Document Foundation has unveiled LibreOffice 5.4 64-bit and LibreOffice 5.4 32-bit. Again, it’s on time, arriving six months after the release of LibreOffice 5.3. LibreOffice 5.4 is "the last major release of the LibreOffice 5.x family", and like other point releases is a major one, adding features across all components and incrementally improving compatibility with Microsoft Office document formats. Highlights include a new standard color palette based on the RYB (Red Yellow Blue) color model. File format compatibility improvements include better support for EMF vector images and higher quality rendering of imported PDF files (with support for embedding video… [Continue Reading]

Firefox 8.0 for iOS adds Night Mode, QR Code Reader and improved user experience

Publié: juillet 25, 2017, 12:09pm CEST par Nick Peers

These days, it’s Google and Chrome that dominates the web browser market, with even Microsoft slipping behind and everyone else playing the role of also-rans. Mozilla has suffered more than most -- since dipping below Chrome into third place in 2011, it’s never looked like recovering that market share, but the non-profit is attempting to find itself a niche by playing the outsider card. If there’s one platform where Mozilla has particularly struggled to gain a foothold, it’s iOS. Can the latest release -- Firefox for iOS 8.0.1 -- change that? It’s been around two years since Firefox returned to… [Continue Reading]

Malwarebytes AdwCleaner 7.0 heralds complete rewrite of adware removal tool

Publié: juillet 18, 2017, 4:09pm CEST par Nick Peers

Malwarebytes has released AdwCleaner 7.0, a major new version of its portable Windows tool for removing adware, unwanted toolbars, PUPs and browser hijackers. It’s the first major update since Malwarebytes acquired AdwCleaner back in October 2016. AdwCleaner 7.0 arrives as a completely rewritten piece of software, complete with brand new user interface, database system and the promise of more effective removal and faster scan times. AdwCleaner is a portable cleaning tool, so no installation is required. The program’s changes are immediately obvious from the moment it’s launched, with a new responsive -- and user-friendly -- graphical interface greeting the user.… [Continue Reading]

Backup and Sync from Google launched for Windows and Mac

Publié: juillet 13, 2017, 7:35pm CEST par Nick Peers

Google has released Backup and Sync from Google 3.35 for Windows and Mac. The tool replaces its Drive and Photos desktop apps (both discontinued), and provides a one-stop desktop tool for backing up and syncing files to Google Drive and Photos. The new tool also introduces a new backup function, which allows users to back up selected folders on their computers without having to tie them into their Google Drive folder. Although given a modern design refresh, Backup and Sync from Google will be instantly familiar to existing Drive users. There’s no reinvention of the wheel -- it will automatically… [Continue Reading]

Give your text a spell and grammar check with Grammarly 1.5 for Windows and Mac

Publié: juillet 11, 2017, 11:45pm CEST par Nick Peers

Correct spelling and grammar is something of a dying art these days. Rather than embark on a rant, however, let us gently direct you towards a superb online tool for helping to bring your language skills up to scratch with the minimum of fuss. Grammarly 1.5 takes this online spellchecker and grammar correction tool on to your Windows PC or Mac -- now you can keep on top of all your documents. Grammarly -- also available as a browser add-on for the likes of Firefox and Chrome -- requires you to first sign up for a free Grammarly account. This… [Continue Reading]

Speccy 1.31 improves Creators Update compatibility, provides system information for Windows PCs

Publié: juillet 4, 2017, 7:36pm CEST par Nick Peers

Piriform has released Speccy 1.31 and Speccy Portable 1.31, an updated version of its system information tool for Windows PCs. Version 1.31 comes with the promised of improved compatibility with the recent Creators Update release of Windows 10, and provides users with the ability to get detailed stats about their computer for diagnostic or sharing purposes. Speccy 1.31 also improves the 32-build version’s architecture and comes with updated GPU information and sensor tracking along with the usual minor tweaks: improved localization and languages support, minor GUI improvements and minor bug fixes. The program provides a simple summary of key components… [Continue Reading]

Free Dictate add-on allows you to, well, dictate to Microsoft Office

Publié: juin 22, 2017, 8:03pm CEST par Nick Peers

Microsoft Garage -- the Redmond behemoth’s R&D arm -- has released Dictate 5.0, a free add-on for those running Microsoft Office 2013, 2016 or 365 on Windows 8.1 or later. Also available for 64-bit versions of Office, Dictate brings dictation capabilities to Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The app uses the same speech recognition engine found in Cortana to convert user speech into editable text using whatever microphone has been configured as the user’s default. Microsoft reveals the idea originated from a hackathon project, and has been used internally at Microsoft by over 1,500 employees spanning 40 countries. Speech recognition is… [Continue Reading]

Firefox 54 extends multiprocess feature to promise faster, more stable browser

Publié: juin 14, 2017, 12:54pm CEST par Nick Peers

Mozilla has released Firefox 54.0 for Windows, Mac and Linux, with Firefox for Android 54.0 due imminently. Firefox 54 focuses largely on one major development: support for multi-content processes, which basically gives Firefox the ability to split itself into multiple system processes for faster, more stable browsing. The new feature -- project Electrolysis (also referred to as "e10s") has been rolling out slowly since the release of Firefox 48, when a select band of users were given a version of Firefox that could split itself into two processes: one for its user interface, the other for content. That feature has… [Continue Reading]

Turn your phone or tablet into a mobile scanner with Adobe Scan

Publié: juin 1, 2017, 5:20pm CEST par Nick Peers

Adobe has released Adobe Scan 17.05.31 for iPhone, iPad and Android mobiles. The app allows users to turn their mobile camera into a scanner for various types of paper document, including receipts and magazine pages. Apps that turn your phone or tablet into a portable scanner are two-a-penny, so at first glance Adobe Scan looks like a very late gate crasher to a party that’s already in full flow. But it claims one major advantage over its rivals: OCR support for free. Optical Character Recognition support is accompanied by the ability to quickly scan multiple pages of a document --… [Continue Reading]

Opera is Reborn: Opera 45 debuts built-in chat tools and UI improvements

Publié: mai 10, 2017, 11:37am CEST par Nick Peers

Opera Software has released Opera 45.0 for Windows, Mac and Linux. It’s been codenamed "Reborn" because it’s the first release to include features previewed earlier this year in its concept browser Opera Neon. These new features include embedded social messaging apps into the pinned sidebar alongside major user interface improvements and tweaks to the browser’s ad-blocking function to make it more configurable. The major new feature in Opera 45 is found in its newly redesigned sidebar, which can now be permanently pinned to the left-hand edge of the browser window. When pinned, users get access to the headline feature in… [Continue Reading]

MediaPortal adds automatic media-scraping, Windows Media Center-inspired skin

Publié: mai 5, 2017, 11:34am CEST par Nick Peers

Team MediaPortal has released a major update of its open-source media server and center for Windows. MediaPortal 2.1 opens with completely reworked media management tools, with a wide array of content now automatically scraped for metadata and artwork. Users gain better visual indicators of watched series and individual movies, plus a number of new skins make their debut, including one aimed squarely at Windows Media Center users. The big step forward in MediaPortal 2.1 is its media-handling tools, which bring it more into line with the likes of Kodi and Plex. Now content is automatically scraped as it’s added to… [Continue Reading]

O&O FileDirect 1.0 makes ad-hoc file sharing swift, safe and simple

Publié: mai 4, 2017, 3:20pm CEST par Nick Peers

O&O Software has released O&O FileDirect 1.0, a brand new freeware file-sharing tool for PCs running Windows 7 or up. The program makes it easy -- and safe -- for users to share individual files through a secure web link, which recipients can access through their own web browser. Files are transferred directly from the end user’s computer -- no cloud storage is utilized. FileDirect will appeal to those users who want to be able to temporarily share files without exposing them to the cloud. It’s more convenient than using a shared cloud folder, and more secure than emailing the… [Continue Reading]

Kiwi for Gmail 2.0 arrives on Windows, runs Google services in a desktop app

Publié: avril 25, 2017, 6:55pm CEST par Nick Peers

Zive, Inc has released Kiwi for Gmail 2.0 for PC users, migrating its popular Mac tool of the same name to the Windows platform. Kiwi for Gmail will appeal to those Google aficionados who are currently accessing Google services -- primarily Gmail (including mail, calendar and contacts), but also Google’s G-Suite office apps -- through their web browser. Kiwi for Gmail provides users with a desktop client for accessing a single Gmail account at no cost. The program also includes a Premium subscription (currently $9.99 a year) that lets users connect up to six accounts within the same program (all… [Continue Reading]

Firefox 53 unveils new themes, adds reading time estimate to Reader Mode

Publié: avril 19, 2017, 12:59pm CEST par Nick Peers

Mozilla has released Firefox 53.0 for Windows, Mac and Linux, with Firefox for Android 53.0 due imminently. Firefox 53 unveils a number of design tweaks, starting with two new -- and built-in -- compact themes, which users can access via about:addons > Appearance. There’s also enhanced graphics stability for Windows users while Mac users can enjoy smaller update files going forward. Firefox 53 unveils two new "compact" themes, both based on the Firefox Developer Edition theme and offering dark and light views respectively. Lightweight themes are now applied to any Private Windows too. Fans of Reader Mode will be pleased… [Continue Reading]

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O&O ShutUp10 1.5 protects your PC’s privacy against new Creator’s Update changes

Publié: avril 12, 2017, 1:05pm CEST par Nick Peers

It can sometimes feel like Microsoft is playing a game with us over privacy. It promises to respect people’s rights in one sentence, then unleashes a new version of Windows 10 that finds new ways in which to spy on people. Mindful of this endless dance, O&O Software has released O&O ShutUp 10 1.5, the latest version of its free, portable tool that locks down privacy settings in Windows 10. Version 1.5 focusses on improving privacy in the brand new Creator’s Update release. SEE ALSO: How to download Windows 10 Creators Update and create your own installation USB flash drive… [Continue Reading]

WYSIWYG Web Builder 12 makes building websites easier than ever with new Blocks feature

Publié: avril 4, 2017, 7:54pm CEST par Nick Peers

Pablo Software Solutions has released WYSIWYG Web Builder 12, a major new version of its DTP-style web building tool for Windows users. Version 12 introduces over 125 new and improved features, with one brand new addition in the form of Blocks, a new option for quickly adding predefined blocks of objects to the workspace. Other highlights include a photo collage tool, CSS flexbox support and new Easy Mode feature. The headline new feature -- Blocks -- comes packed with a number of predesigned elements covering all aspects of web building, from headers, footers and dividers to forms, price tables, full-screen intros and… [Continue Reading]

TreeSize Free 4.0 unveils new hierarchical tree map view, modernizes user interface

Publié: mars 28, 2017, 3:46pm CEST par Nick Peers

Jam Software has released TreeSize Free 4.0 and TreeSize Free Portable 4.0 for Windows PCs. TreeSize helps users visualize drive space usage and identify large files. Version 4.0 adds a new view that was previously restricted to the paid-for Professional version. It also unveils a user interface redesign in keeping with the modern ribbon-like interface found in Office and Windows 10, and will be available to download through the Windows Store for the first time. The headline new feature in TreeSize 4.0 Free is the introduction of a new hierarchical treemap chart view, which was previously restricted to the Professional… [Continue Reading]

Bear 1.1 unveils loads of improvements, including improved tagging, export

Publié: mars 22, 2017, 7:37pm CET par Nick Peers

Shiny Frog has released Bear 1.1, its Evernote-baiting, notetaking app for Mac and iOS. Mac users gain Touch Bar support and wider drag-and-drop support, while iOS users can now take "smart" web clippings using the app extension. Although Bear operates a two-tier platform, with free and Pro licenses available, the update treats both equally, providing new features for both groups of users as it aims to stake a claim in the note organizing marketplace. Most new features apply equally to both iOS and Mac platforms, with support for bulk deleting and renaming of tags added. Users also gain infinite nest… [Continue Reading]

PhotoPageGen 5.1 takes the pain out of creating slick web photo albums

Publié: mars 14, 2017, 7:46pm CET par Nick Peers

One of the simplest ways to share photos with others is through a web album. If you’re looking to avoid a third-party service, or would like to distribute your album locally, then take a look at the newly updated PhotoPageGen 5.1 from Brian Donahoe. PhotoPageGen takes a folder of photos and allows you to create an interactive web-based catalogue, complete with mapping tools, privacy functions and even YouTube video support. The program has come of age with version 5.1 -- despite the minor revision number, it adds a host of new features. You can now store up to 10 albums… [Continue Reading]

Firefox 52 lets you send tabs to other synced devices, ups the security ante

Publié: mars 7, 2017, 2:02pm CET par Nick Peers

Mozilla has released Firefox 52.0 for Windows, Mac and Linux, with Firefox for Android 52.0 due imminently. Firefox 52 now supports syncing tabs to specific devices, makes various improvements to the Downloads button and introduces a raft of security, developer and other enhancements. It’s also the final release for Windows XP and Vista users. Firefox 52 opens with extended sync features – now users can also send and open tabs from one device to another using the Sync feature. Once signed in and sync is set up, simply right-click a tab and choose Send Tab to Device to reveal a… [Continue Reading]

O&O AutoBackup 6.0 implements advanced job management, restructures user interface

Publié: février 23, 2017, 3:47pm CET par Nick Peers

O&O Software GmbH has unveiled O&O AutoBackup 6.0, a major new version of its file-based backup and sync tool for Windows. Version 6.0 adds support for advanced job management, restructures the user interface and backup process, plus includes further minor improvements to make backing up data easier and safer. O&O AutoBackup opens with yet another user interface redesign, this one focused on changing the structure to make O&O AutoBackup even easier to use and navigate. The program opens a blank window with a single + button, which launches the New Job wizard answering basic questions, "What?", "Where?", "How?" and "When?"… [Continue Reading]

ForkLift 3.0 released for macOS, unveils complete redesign and rebuild

Publié: février 21, 2017, 6:08pm CET par Nick Peers

Binary Nights has released ForkLift 3.0 for macOS. The dual-pane file manager and file transfer client has been two years (and six months of beta testing) in the making, and has been completely rewritten from the ground up in Swift. The app is designed to be used as an alternative to Finder for specific operations -- it’s not a direct Finder replacement (although can be set as the default file viewer); instead, open the app from the Applications menu to open its main window. The most visible change can be found with ForkLift’s completely redesigned user interface, which fits in… [Continue Reading]

Why you need extra layers of security for your PC and how to get them for up to 55 percent off

Publié: février 14, 2017, 10:48am CET par Nick Peers

These days, the threats posed to your PC have never been greater. It’s no longer enough to rely on simple basic anti-malware protection and the built-in Windows firewall. If you want to really close the door to hackers, Trojans and other threats, you need to add multiple layers of security to your computer. That’s the bad news. Here’s the good news: thanks to the Downloadcrew Software Store, there’s never been a better time to beef up your protection, with great deals for the latest software, from Malwarebytes 3 to Emsisoft Anti-Malware 2017. Why do you need additional protection for your… [Continue Reading]

Vivaldi introduces flexible screenshot tool, universal mute option for tabs

Publié: février 8, 2017, 3:12pm CET par Nick Peers

Vivaldi 1.7 has been released for Windows, Mac and Linux. It’s the brainchild of Opera co-founder Jon S von Tetzhner, and makes a good claim to be the most customizable web browser out there. The new release debuts some significant new features, including a fully functional built-in screenshot tool, more flexible options for muting sounds across multiple tabs and a host of other minor tweaks and enhancements. Vivaldi 1.7’s headline new feature is its built-in screenshot tool. It’s designed to make it easy for users to grab images of web pages via a new camera button that appears in the… [Continue Reading]

Discover what makes Nitro Pro 11 the best version of this powerful PDF editor yet

Publié: février 8, 2017, 11:16am CET par Nick Peers

The days of Adobe Acrobat ruling the roost of PDF creation and editing are long gone. If you’re looking for a powerful, yet affordable, alternative to Adobe Acrobat, then Nitro Pro 11 has all the tools you need. Nitro Pro contains everything you need to master PDFs, from viewing and creating to editing, annotating, collaborating and sharing. Version 11 has just been released, and you can grab yourself a perpetual license for an amazing 20 percent off the MSRP. Nitro Pro has long been our PDF editor of choice -- and version 11 is the best release yet. It’s been… [Continue Reading]

Avast 2017 introduces zero-day protection, 'passive' mode for running alongside other security apps

Publié: février 7, 2017, 9:47pm CET par Nick Peers

Avast Software has unveiled its 2017 suite of security programs with the simultaneous release of Avast Free Antivirus 2017, Avast Internet Security 2017 and Avast Premier 2017. The 2017 releases, all marked versions 17.1, are the first since Avast acquired AVG in September 2016 and includes combined threat detection technologies from both products among numerous other changes and improvements. Read on to discover how to purchase them for 50 percent off the MSRP! All products gain an improved CyberCapture feature, which is Avast’s cloud-based smart file scanner. It comes with the promise of faster detection times, capturing and isolating unknown… [Continue Reading]

Kodi 17 'Krypton' unveils major facelift alongside suite-wide improvements

Publié: février 6, 2017, 2:31pm CET par Nick Peers

The XBMC Foundation has unveiled Kodi 17.0. Codenamed "Krypton", the new release is available on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and (jailbroken) iOS devices. The new release unveils new default skins for both regular and touch devices. It also unveils significant improves to audio and video, music libraries, live TV and PVR. Kodi 17.0 opens with a major facelift in the form of two new default skins. Touch-friendly devices now use the "Estouchy" skin, while desktops use "Estuary", which has been optimized for 10-foot screens. In addition, the default web interface has now been switched to "Chorus". The media player’s video… [Continue Reading]

LibreOffice 5.3 is one of the biggest updates to the office suite yet

Publié: février 1, 2017, 6:39pm CET par Nick Peers

The Document Foundation has unveiled LibreOffice 5.3 64-bit and LibreOffice 5.3 32-bit. Despite the point update, LibreOffice 5.3 is billed as "one of the most feature-rich releases in the history of the office suite", and is packed full of major changes affecting all parts of the application. Highlights include a new experimental (and optional) ribbon-based UI, plus a new cross-platform text layout engine. It’s also accompanied by the first source release of LibreOffice Online, for basic collaborative document editing in a browser. A new text layout engine opens the list of notable new suite-wide features. This is a cross-platform engine… [Continue Reading]

Firefox 51 delivers a mix of security, performance and reliability tweaks, implements FLAC audio support

Publié: janvier 23, 2017, 1:40pm CET par Nick Peers

Mozilla has released Firefox 51.0 for Windows, Mac and Linux, with Firefox for Android 51.0 due imminently. There are no standout features in this release -- the closest thing to a headline addition is the inclusion of FLAC support. Elsewhere, Firefox 41 focuses on tweaks and enhancements that add up to a reasonable update. These include improved performance via the new e10s multi-process system, security warnings when logging into insecure sites, and more reliable syncing of bookmarks. Firefox 51 opens with support for playing the lossless FLAC audio format, allowing users to take advantage of new FLAC-based streaming services offering… [Continue Reading]

Evernote for iOS ushers in new streamlined era for note-taking tool

Publié: janvier 18, 2017, 11:54am CET par Nick Peers

If this were a TV show or movie franchise it would be a reboot. After a period of behind-the-scenes consolidation and soul-searching, Evernote Corporation has signaled a new approach to its note-taking tool with the release of Evernote for iOS 8.0. Version 8.0 sees the cluttered green interface of yesteryear banished, replaced by a more minimalist design as Evernote attempts to reposition its note-taking app with speed and user-friendliness at its core. The most obvious change is the simpler user interface. The home screen has been removed so users begin at the recent notes screen. There are now just five… [Continue Reading]

Opera Neon provides a conceptual look at a potential future Opera web browser

Publié: janvier 12, 2017, 3:59pm CET par Nick Peers

Opera Software has released Opera Neon, the company’s first ever "concept browser". It’s been designed from the ground up to focus on web content and provide a different way of browsing and consuming the web. Despite the fact it’s a concept browser, Opera Neon is based on the existing Opera desktop engine, and so is a fully functional browser in its own right. 2016 saw Opera step up its game, introducing a raft of new features including native ad-blocker, built-in free VPN, battery saver, personal newsreader and video pop-up (this latter feature is present in Opera Neon too). Fire up… [Continue Reading]

Foxit Reader 8.2 adds commenting and discussion features, Fast Web View support

Publié: janvier 11, 2017, 4:03pm CET par Nick Peers

Foxit Software has released Foxit Reader 8.2, the latest point update of its free Windows PDF viewer and creation tool, alongside Foxit Reader for Mac/Linux 2.3. Both new versions introduces features for sharing comments and discussions and a cloud reading tool among other changes. The Windows version is the more fully featured of the two, boasting numerous additional features including PDF creation capabilities and form filling tools, both of which have yet to be implemented on the Mac and Linux platforms. Foxit Reader 8.2’s headline new feature allows users to post their opinions or ideas directly into PDF documents using… [Continue Reading]

Opera 44 Developer starts public testing, offers Touch Bar support alongside security improvements

Publié: janvier 5, 2017, 2:03pm CET par Nick Peers

Opera Software’s first release of 2017 sees Opera 44.0 Developer made available for Windows, Mac and Linux users. The Developer edition is the Alpha branch of the browser’s development cycle. Version 44 launches with four new developmental features, not all of which are available for preview (but likely to be switched on in subsequent builds over the coming weeks). The first new feature sees Opera redesign its icons and toolbars for the MacBook Touch Bar. The feature – will can be switched on via opera://flags (search for 'touch bar', then enable 'Touch Bar UI' to test) -- sees Opera replace… [Continue Reading]

Edit video in 4K for free with OpenShot 2.2

Publié: décembre 28, 2016, 2:05pm CET par Nick Peers

The future is Ultra HD, or 4K as it’s known to its friends. Ultra HD TVs and displays are slowly coming into the mainstream, and of course they’re being joined by 4K-capable cameras. But how can you edit that 4K video feed without having to splash out on expensive software? The answer lies with OpenShot 2.2, the free (and open source) video editor for Windows, Mac and Linux. It’s now capable of supporting 4K video editing, giving you all the tools you need to produce slick home video that looks great on your big-screen TV. OpenShot 2.2 opens with key… [Continue Reading]

IObit Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 10 strengthens protection, tweaks optimization tools

Publié: décembre 21, 2016, 5:45pm CET par Nick Peers

IObit has released Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 10, a major new release of its flagship system security and optimization product for Windows. The new release centers around offering a larger anti-virus database through the integration of a new BitDefender antivirus engine. Elsewhere, the application includes a number of new features already introduced when its little brother, IObit Advanced SystemCare Free, was updated in October. These include a new FaceID feature and component for managing start-up items. The headline new feature is the promise of expanded protection against a broader base of threats thanks to the integration of the latest Bitdefender antivirus… [Continue Reading]

AOMEI Backupper Standard 4 adds real-time file sync, supports backup to cloud

Publié: décembre 16, 2016, 3:41pm CET par Nick Peers

AOMEI has released AOMEI Backupper Standard 4.0, the second major update of its freeware Windows backup, imaging and cloning tool in 2016. Version 4.0 adds an additional arrow to the tool’s bow -- the ability to sync file changes in real-time. There’s also added support for a number of popular cloud storage devices as well as a number of more minor improvements. The new real-time file sync feature is available from the main menu, and basically allows users to back up in real time -- the program will monitor files for changes, then sync any new, modified or deleted files… [Continue Reading]

TidyTabs brings order to your chaotic desktop

Publié: décembre 14, 2016, 11:10am CET par Nick Peers

What’s the collective noun for all those windows cluttering up your desktop? A clutter of windows, maybe, or perhaps even a chaos of windows? If you’re wondering how to bring some semblance of logical organization back to your Windows desktop, you need TidyTabs 1.2. TidyTabs gives away what it does with its name. It takes inspiration from the web browser revolution that saw dozens of separate, unmanageable website windows gathered together into a single, multi-tabbed window and takes it to the next level. TidyTabs treads a path worn by others -- Office Tab for Microsoft Office comes to mind --… [Continue Reading]

Plex Media Player is now free to all users

Publié: décembre 1, 2016, 8:57pm CET par Nick Peers

Non-Plex Pass holders rejoice -- Plex has made its desktop-friendly media player app for Windows and Mac completely free with the release of Plex Media Player 1.2. Version 1.2 also introduces a major new feature -- when the app is run in windowed mode, it defaults to the web interface, allowing users to manage their server(s) remotely. Plex Media Player provides Windows, Mac and embedded (including Raspberry Pi) users with a desktop front end for Plex’s media platform. With the release of version 1.2, the app now offers two distinct user interfaces: home cinema, and web app. When run full-screen,… [Continue Reading]

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Touché 1.0 extends Touch Bar functionality to any modern Mac -- for free

Publié: novembre 23, 2016, 1:39pm CET par Nick Peers

Apple’s Touch Bar is a major new selling point for its latest generation of MacBooks, but that doesn’t mean you have to purchase one to find out what it’s all about. Touché 1.0 is a new freeware tool that places a virtual Touch Bar on the desktop of any Mac running the very latest version of MacOS Sierra (10.12.1 v2 or later). This isn’t an emulator, but a virtual copy of the Touch Bar itself, identical in every way to the hardware-based bar found on the latest MacBooks. The feature is made possible because Apple provided a virtual simulator for… [Continue Reading]

Vivaldi embraces IoT with support for Philips Hue lights, adds multiple tab selection

Publié: novembre 22, 2016, 12:34pm CET par Nick Peers

Vivaldi Technologies -- led by Opera co-founder Jon S von Tetzchner -- has released Vivaldi 1.5, the latest version of its customizable web browser for Windows, Mac and Linux. The big talking point in version 1.5 is Vivaldi’s integration into the Philips Hue IoT ecosystem, but the new release also adds a number of more universal features, such as support for tab drag and drop, which makes tab stacking much simpler than before. Those with a Philips Hue smart lighting system in their home will be attracted by Vivaldi 1.5’s headline new feature. The feature is switched on via Tools… [Continue Reading]

Firefox Focus for iOS promises to tighten privacy while browsing

Publié: novembre 17, 2016, 7:18pm CET par Nick Peers

Mozilla has unveiled Firefox Focus 2.0, a brand new privacy conscious web browser for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Despite the version number, this is the first public release of the app. The app aims to counteract two increasingly prevalent trends in web browsing: one, a lack of privacy, as users find their web activities tracking across multiple devices, and two, an increasingly cluttered web space where adverts jostle for attention and overwhelm basic content. These days, most web browsers now offer various privacy tools built in -- even Firefox for iOS has the ability to open private windows where… [Continue Reading]

Mozilla Firefox 50 trims start-up times, widens download protection

Publié: novembre 16, 2016, 11:30am CET par Nick Peers

Mozilla has released Firefox 50.0 for Windows, Mac and Linux, with Firefox for Android 50.0 due imminently. For the second release in a row it’s launched a week late, but this time the reason behind the pause is different. The extra week gave Firefox 50 time to unveil its headline new feature: significant start-up improvements, achieved through an overhaul of the application’s add-on SDK module system. Elsewhere download protection covers a wider range of executable files, plus Firefox 50 introduces a smattering of useful usability improvements. The existing add-on SDK’s module system was described as a "performance disaster" in the… [Continue Reading]

RealVNC rebrands as VNC Connect 6.0, switches to subscription-based model

Publié: novembre 2, 2016, 9:56am CET par Nick Peers

RealVNC Ltd has unveiled RealVNC VNC Connect 6.0, the newly rebadged and updated version of its VNC server and client package for Windows, Mac and Linux. There’s a shift from a perpetual license keys to a subscription-based model, plus a large number of new features, including cloud connections, team-based remote access and sharing, and support for improving remote access. The name change from RealVNC to VNC Connect reflects some of the major changes implemented in version 6. There’s no longer any permanent licenses for sale -- instead, users have a choice of three subscription tiers: Enterprise, Professional and a free… [Continue Reading]

WinZip 21 adds direct email support, makes individual file sharing easier

Publié: octobre 25, 2016, 6:02pm CEST par Nick Peers

Fresh off the production line comes WinZip 21, a major new release of perhaps the best-known zip utility in the world. Version 21 introduces a number of new features and improvements, including more cloud connections (Pro only), enhanced MP3 file compression and streamlined sharing. The update builds on WinZip 20, which introduced a new ribbon-based user interface. Version 21 continues to expand its flexibility with additional file and folder interactions. WinZip 21 ships in three editions, and it’s the Pro one that gains the most love with this release. Two exclusive features stand out in particular: first, up to 16… [Continue Reading]

WebSite X5 Evolution 13 adds parallax scrolling support, 64-bit edition to boost performance

Publié: octobre 11, 2016, 6:14pm CEST par Nick Peers

Incomedia has released major new versions of its wizard-driven web-building tool with the launch of WebSite X5 Evolution 13.0. Website X5 Evolution is accompanied by both higher (Professional) and lower (Start) packages. Version 13.0 adds support for parallax scrolling, includes new features like a Sticky menu and promises up to 50 per cent better performance thanks to a new 64-bit build. Website X5 opens with the promise of parallax scrolling support, which brings depth to web pages. It’s accompanied by new hover effects and transitions to help sites look more dynamic and engaging. Incomedia provides several online examples for users… [Continue Reading]

Postbox 5 adds dynamic content support, anti-tracking features

Publié: septembre 21, 2016, 1:52pm CEST par Nick Peers

Postbox, Inc has released Postbox 5.0, a major update to its Windows and Mac email client. Version 5 showcases a new look with high-DPI support in Windows, plus adds dynamic data support to responses and templates. Other highlights include a new anti-tracking feature, Quick Post tool, new per-image scaling tool to help keep message sizes down, and global filters. There’s also 25 professionally designed email signatures and 70 business templates. Postbox 5’s headline new feature has to be support for placeholders in both responses and templates. This enables users to automatically populate emails with message data or through data stored… [Continue Reading]

Opera 40 unveils free VPN to secure web browsing, improves battery saver

Publié: septembre 20, 2016, 12:50pm CEST par Nick Peers

Opera 40 has been released, bringing an easy, convenient VPN feature to the masses. It’s also reworked the battery saver tool, which was introduced in Opera 38, and adds RSS feeds to personal news. The VPN server allows users to browse the web securely through an encrypted, tunneled connection on any network (including insecure Wi-Fi open hotspots). It also makes it possible to spoof the user’s location, giving them access to otherwise geo-locked content. Opera’s VPN feature is free to use, but disabled by default -- open the Settings dialog and select 'Privacy & security', then tick 'Enable VPN'. Once… [Continue Reading]

Delayed Firefox 49 finally makes its bow, decommissions Firefox Hello

Publié: septembre 20, 2016, 10:36am CEST par Nick Peers

Mozilla has finally released Firefox 49 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux. The release has been held back a week due to the need to fix two 'blocker' bugs. The bugs -- which concerned loading Giphly embeds in Twitter, and slow scripts and unresponsive script dialogs when resuming Firefox -- have now been resolved. Firefox 49 sees the new 'e10' multi-process architecture roll out to more users, plus improves Reader Mode with a new Narrate feature. Fans of the Firefox Hello chat tool will, however, be disappointed to learn that the feature has been decommissioned. The biggest news is also… [Continue Reading]

Vivaldi introduces scheduled themes and individually sized Web panels

Publié: septembre 8, 2016, 3:53pm CEST par Nick Peers

Vivaldi Technologies has unveiled Vivaldi 1.4 FINAL and Vivaldi 1.4 FINAL 64-bit, a major update to its web browser aimed at those wanting maximum control over their browser’s look and functionality. Vivaldi is developed by a team led by Opera co-founder Jon S von Tetzchner, and runs on Windows, Mac and Linux. Version 1.4’s headline new feature is support for scheduled themes, which builds on the recent introduction of customizable themes. Other notable changes include greater flexibility over Web panels, and a single-click option for reversing an accidentally closed tab. Everything about Vivaldi revolves around its tag line: 'Not for… [Continue Reading]

Geekbench 4.0 arrives, offers new GPU Compute benchmarks

Publié: août 31, 2016, 11:08pm CEST par Nick Peers

Primate Labs has announced the release of Geekbench 4.0 for desktop, Android and iOS. Geekbench 4 sees the benchmarking app merge its mobile and desktop datasets into a single, cross-platform workload. Other changes see a redesigned user interface on both mobile platforms, plus new workloads across the suite’s CPU and GPU benchmarks, including a new GPU Compute category. Version 4’s main change is that it no longer needs to make compromises to run well on mobile devices, thanks to the technological advances seen in recent years. Geekbench 3 was released when 32-bit devices with 512MB RAM were the norm; today,… [Continue Reading]

Opera VPN launches for Android, adds network security check

Publié: août 23, 2016, 4:38pm CEST par Nick Peers

Three months after unveiling Opera VPN for iOS, browser developer Opera Software has launched Opera VPN 1.0 for Android. The Android build offers the same functionality as the iOS version -- secure VPN encryption to the web (with support for spoofing one of five countries), plus the blocking of both ads and tracking cookies. It also offers one extra feature not (yet) present in Open VPN for iOS: a tool for determining the security of the current network. Virtual Private Networks provide users with a secure network connection over any internet connection, including insecure networks such as public Wi-Fi hotspots.… [Continue Reading]

CCleaner 5.21 release fails to excite thanks to meager list of changes

Publié: août 16, 2016, 4:56pm CEST par Nick Peers

Piriform Software has released CCleaner 5.21 and CCleaner 5.21 Portable for Windows PCs. The app’s rate of development continues to slow, this release once again focusing on minor updates and improvements instead of introducing new app support or additional features. The most notable changes are better cleaning of Chrome 52’s history and cache, and updates to its DOMStore cooking cleaning component, which is used by Internet Explorer. Aside from an updated cleaning component for Xilisoft Video Converter users, the rest of CCleaner’s changes are concerned with improving its automatic update checker and crash reporting architecture. The update is rounded off… [Continue Reading]

Firefox 48 FINAL improves download protection as part of wider security crackdown

Publié: août 2, 2016, 9:57am CEST par Nick Peers

Mozilla has unveiled Firefox 48 FINAL for desktop. After the relatively minor releases of late, Firefox 48 contains a number of notable new features, both visible and behind the scenes, to excite users. There’s improved protection against potentially malicious downloads, the requirement for add-ons to be both verified and signed by Mozilla before they will load, and a number of WebRTC enhancements -- and that’s just for starters. Firefox 48’s somewhat cryptic battle cray is "roar for moar protection against harmful downloads!". It refers to new features for blocking potentially malicious downloads and sees the Security tab of Firefox’s Options get… [Continue Reading]

Polymail for Mac wants to provide a cross-platform email experience to die for

Publié: juillet 25, 2016, 9:13pm CEST par Nick Peers

If you’re still looking for the perfect email experience on Mac and iOS, then Polymail, Inc may have something to fill the gap left by Mailbox’s unceremonious exit back in February. It’s just officially released Polymail for Mac 1.01 after around six months in beta. Polymail for Mac joins existing iPad and iPhone client, Polymail for iOS 1.21, to provide a cross-platform email client for Apple fans. Polymail provides an Apple-centric experience across mobile and desktop through the use of an associated Polymail account. The account not only ensures a consistent experience across multiple devices, but it also powers some… [Continue Reading]

AOMEI Backupper Standard 3.5 adds event-driven backups, improves network support

Publié: juillet 15, 2016, 11:41am CEST par Nick Peers

AOMEI has released Backupper Standard 3.5, a major new version of its freeware Windows backup, imaging and cloning tool. Version 3.5 introduces event-triggered scheduling of backups, support for mapped network drives as backup destinations and various other improvements and optimizations, including a fix that prevents the computer from going to sleep during the backup process. Backupper 3.5’s headline new feature is support for event-triggered scheduling. This makes it possible for the program to automatically perform backup tasks in real-time based on user logon, logoff, system startup and shutdown. Users can also restrict these event-triggered backups to once a day. This… [Continue Reading]

O&O DiskImage Professional 11 unveils complete redesign, new command-line tool

Publié: juillet 6, 2016, 4:31pm CEST par Nick Peers

O&O Software GMBH has unveiled O&O DiskImage Professional 11 64-bit, major new version of its disk-imaging tool for Windows PCs. Also available for 32-bit versions of Windows, the new release unveils a major facelift, giving the program a more modern look and feel. There’s also a new command-line tool, as well as display improvements (including support for 4K displays), and the promise of faster performance. Version 10 introduced a number of notable new features including a file-based backup component, so it’s of little surprise to learn that DiskImage 11 focuses on a complete revamp of its user interface to give… [Continue Reading]

Foxit Reader 8.0 introduces ConnectedPDF collaboration, adds Touch Mode support

Publié: juin 27, 2016, 1:48pm CEST par Nick Peers

Foxit Software has unveiled Foxit Reader 8.0, the latest version of its PDF viewer and creator for Windows PCs. The reader, renowned for its lightweight and speedy nature, introduces support for Foxit’s new online ConnectedPDF Document Management System. The new release also adds support for Touch Mode on supported models as well as Dropbox integration. Users also gain a handy new auto-save PDF option to protect against crashes or power failures. When users launch Foxit Reader 8.0 for the first time, they’ll be invited to sign up for ConnectedPDF. This is Foxit’s new online Document Management System, and works with… [Continue Reading]

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VLC for Android 2.0 merges Android TV and mobile builds together, offers network disk browsing and performance improvements

Publié: juin 22, 2016, 6:42pm CEST par Nick Peers

VideoLAN has unveiled VLC for Android 2.0, a major new version of its mobile video and audio player. The app is renowned for being able to play most multimedia files as well as many streaming video protocols. Version 2.0 merges the Android TV version with the main Android build, plus introduces a slew of useful new features including the ability to access content over the network and internet as well as support for downloadable subtitles. The most visible change will be found on phones and tablets, as VLC for Android 2.0 merges both mobile and Android TV versions together, with… [Continue Reading]

CCleaner tweaks browser and Windows 10 MRU cleaning routines

Publié: juin 21, 2016, 4:14pm CEST par Nick Peers

Piriform Software has released CCleaner 5.19 and CCleaner 5.19 Portable for Windows PCs. Once again, it’s a minor release, focusing on improvements, optimizations and some small bug fixes. The new release has no new features or supported applications, instead focusing on tweaking existing cleaning routines and improving the System Monitoring tool on the Professional edition. CCleaner 5.19 starts by promising improved Firefox and Chrome History cleaning, presumably adapting to changes in the most recent versions of both browsers. The new build also optimizes its detection routine for Browser Plugins. It also comes with the promise of improved cache cleaning of… [Continue Reading]

Sandboxie 5.12 supports Office Click-to-Run, improves Windows 8/8.1 performance

Publié: juin 20, 2016, 1:56pm CEST par Nick Peers

Sandboxing makes it possible to isolate programs from the rest of your system for testing or security purposes. Sandboxie 5.12 is the latest build of such a shareware tool for Windows. Version 5.12 now adds support sandboxing Microsoft Office 2013, 2016 or 365’s ClickToRun installer for paid users, while improving performance on earlier versions of Windows. As well as supporting the latest click-to-run versions of Microsoft Office, Sandboxie 5.12 also widens support to Google Chrome 52, which works with non-paid versions of the software too. Two changes see sandboxed applications denied access to the system power configuration tool, while the… [Continue Reading]

KeePass 2.34 released, tightens update checking security

Publié: juin 13, 2016, 2:30pm CEST par Nick Peers

Open-source password-management tool KeePass 2.34 has been released for Windows. The new release’s headline feature is a digitally signed version information file, which is used to check for updates. The feature was unveiled after a potential vulnerability was discovered whereby hackers could dupe KeePass users into downloading malware through the online update check. After the publication of articles revealing the man-in-the-middle vulnerability, KeePass announced its plans to implement digital signing in the version update file to ensure future version checks could not be hijacked. This has now been implemented in version 2.34, with the program now downloading the file over… [Continue Reading]

Opera 38 unveils battery saver feature for laptops, promises reduced power consumption

Publié: juin 8, 2016, 1:48pm CEST par Nick Peers

Just one month on from the previous stable release, Opera Software has released Opera 38 FINAL. The latest release of this desktop browser for Windows, Mac and Linux has one major headline of note: new battery and power saver features for laptops. The new build also refines the app’s ad-blocking tool by allowing users to import their own block lists, plus makes several minor Speed Dial improvements. Opera 38’s new battery saving feature is aimed primarily at laptop users. Web browsing can be a power-hungry pursuit, with multiple tabs open and media playback all contributing to power drain. Opera claims… [Continue Reading]

Snagit 13 for Windows and Snagit 4 for Mac released, introduce Panoramic Capture and animated GIF tools

Publié: juin 7, 2016, 5:04pm CEST par Nick Peers

TechSmith has released Snagit 13.0 for Windows, a major new release of its screen-capture, edit and share tool for Windows PCs. The release is accompanied by Snagit for Mac 4.0. Headline new features include a Panoramic capture tool, redesigned Capture Windows on the PC platform and a number of new tools, including the ability to create GIFs from video recordings with a single click. Snagit 13 on Windows opens with a new design for capturing images and video. The interface is designed for on-the-fly use and is accompanied by an updated tool for starting new captures from the Capture Editor.… [Continue Reading]

Firefox 47 widens HTML5 video support to include DRM-protected streams

Publié: juin 7, 2016, 1:36pm CEST par Nick Peers

Mozilla has released Firefox 47 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux. Version 47 adds support for Google’s Widevine CDM, enabling compliant sites including Amazon Video to stream DRM-protected video natively using HTML5 rather than via a third-party video plugin. Elsewhere the new build drops support for add-ons that use the Firefox User Extension Library, plus implements a tweak that allows pages in Reader Mode to be read aloud to the user. Support for Google’s Widevine CDM -- which is currently limited to Windows and OS X -- was first introduced to the Nightly build of Firefox two months ago, and… [Continue Reading]

CyberDuck 5 brings back Google Drive support, tweaks Mac user interface

Publié: mai 26, 2016, 5:44pm CEST par Nick Peers

Swiss open-source cloud-storage browser Cyberduck 5.0 has been released for Mac and Windows. The tool provides a friendly front-end for browsing a variety of different cloud servers, including FTP/SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3 and Google Cloud Space. Version 5.0 sees the program get a minor facelift on the Mac platform, plus it adds support for two extra storage providers, including Google Drive, support for which had previously been dropped. Mac users will notice a significant change to the program’s UI, with the main toolbar shrunk and icons rendered in monochrome rather than color. It fits in better with later versions of… [Continue Reading]

Parallels Access 3.1 adds full support for iPad Pro, 3D Touch and Android M

Publié: mai 24, 2016, 1:05pm CEST par Nick Peers

Parallels has released Parallels Access 3.1 for iOS and Android, a major update to its subscription-based app that provides users with the ability to remotely access and control Windows PCs and Macs. The app, which allows users to control their computers remotely through their mobile device, adds support for the latest Apple devices and improves the way it interacts with Windows 10 PCs via added support for Tablet Mode and gestures. Game Mode has also been improved on the iOS app. Parallels Access 3.1’s focus is very much on widening support to incorporate the latest technologies. First, there’s the implementation… [Continue Reading]

Stardock releases Fences 3.0, adds Windows 10 support, roll-up fences

Publié: mai 19, 2016, 4:58pm CEST par Nick Peers

Stardock has released Fences 3.0, a major new version of its Windows desktop organization tool. The new release brings Fences bang up to date, with support for Windows 10 and high DPI monitors. Fences 3.0 also introduces several new features, including the ability to roll up fences to their title bar as well as support for navigating through folder structures from within the fence itself. In addition to adding support for Windows 10, Fences also gives Windows 10 users the option of blurring the wallpaper behind their fences to make them easier to read. The feature is enabled by default,… [Continue Reading]

Opera VPN offers secure, private browsing for iPhone and iPad

Publié: mai 9, 2016, 5:14pm CEST par Nick Peers

Norwegian browser developer Opera Software has launched Opera VPN 1.0, a free VPN service for iPhone and iPad users. The app provides users with the ability to encrypt their connection to the web for additional security, plus spoof one of five countries to bypass regional or network-specific restrictions. Other features include the blocking of both ads and tracking cookies. VPNs -- or Virtual Private Networks -- were developed primarily to provide users with a secure network connection even through inherently insecure networks, such as open Wi-Fi hotspots. This encrypted connection can also be configured to provide the user with the… [Continue Reading]

Opera 37 gets video pop-outs, ad-blocking technology

Publié: mai 5, 2016, 10:38am CEST par Nick Peers

Opera Software has released Opera 37 FINAL, a major new release of its desktop web browser for Windows, Mac and Linux PCs. The latest release contains two new major features of note: built-in ad-blocking and support for video pop-outs. The ad-block feature has also been added to the brand new release of Opera Mini for Android 16.0, also out today. Opera 37 opens by moving its built-in ad-blocking tool to the stable channel, having first unveiled it back in March. It starts off disabled by default, and then suggests users switch it on the first time a site containing blockable ads… [Continue Reading]

Firefox 46 arrives, security and stability the order of the day for desktop users

Publié: avril 26, 2016, 12:12pm CEST par Nick Peers

Mozilla has released Firefox 46.0 FINAL, a relatively minor refresh of its desktop browser for Windows, Linux and Mac with no standout new features. Also released is Firefox for Android 46.0, which does at least include some noteworthy new features such as the ability to display previously cached pages offline and support for sync via Firefox Accounts. The desktop build contains just two new items, neither of which will set the pulses racing. The JavaScript Just In Time (JIT) compiler has been tweaked to tighten security of JavaScript code on web pages. Now code can be executable or writable, but… [Continue Reading]

Evernote 6 for Windows marks evolution rather than revolution

Publié: avril 21, 2016, 8:31pm CEST par Nick Peers

UPDATE: Evernote has unveiled Evernote 6.0.4, a major update of its desktop client for Windows users. The new release sees another user interface revamp, plus focuses on refining existing tools rather than introducing major new features. Version 6.0.4 opens with support for High DPI displays, and rolls out various improvements to the Assisted Search tool. This includes moving the Search bar to the top of the note list, providing more detailed descriptions of the search results and the extension of the tool to cover the user’s entire account, with options for expanding the search to include recently deleted notes as… [Continue Reading]

SoftMaker FreeOffice 2016 improves performance and interoperability with Microsoft Office

Publié: avril 18, 2016, 7:12pm CEST par Nick Peers

SoftMaker Software has released SoftMaker FreeOffice 2016, a brand new version of its office suite for Windows and Linux that’s free for both personal and commercial use. The new release comes with the promise of improved performance as well as better compatibility with Microsoft Office documents. It also includes a number of new features and tweaks, confined largely to the suite’s presentation and spreadsheet components. FreeOffice 2016 comprises word processor, spreadsheet and presentations tool, and has been built on the back of SoftMaker’s commercial product, SoftMaker Office 2016. One clear performance improvement is support for multi-core processors to render graphics… [Continue Reading]

Vivaldi 1.0 arrives, promises uniquely customizable web browser for power users

Publié: avril 6, 2016, 12:50pm CEST par Nick Peers

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Vivaldi Technologies has unveiled Vivaldi 1.0 FINAL, the first stable release of a web browser aimed squarely at those who want full control over their web browsing experience.

Vivaldi has been developed by a team led by Jon S von Tetzchner, co-founder of rival Opera, and is available for Windows, Mac and Linux. Vivaldi’s moniker -- "Not for everybody, just for you" -- highlights its different approach to other major web browsers.

This user-focussed approach sees Vivaldi deliberately shy away from the increasingly stripped-down, simplified user interfaces adopted by the likes of Edge, Firefox and Chrome.

Instead, it aims to give as much control to the end user as possible. Vivaldi’s been built using the same Chromium engine that powers Chrome and Opera, which means the underlying browser enjoys decent security and performance while freeing up the developers to focus on the UI.

The final version opens with a first-run wizard, designed to not just give users the opportunity to set up the browser how they want but also to showcase Vivaldi’s flexibility. Users first pick a color scheme (the browser updates accordingly by way of live preview as each is selected in turn) and then choose where tabs will be placed (top, bottom, left or right) before selecting their start page background.

Once complete, users can start exploring Vivaldi’s many unique features: the ability to stack multiple tabs in related groups, which can then be tiled or viewed side-by-side within the browser window for easy switching. A trashcan in the tab bar makes it easy to recover previously deleted tabs.

A collapsible side panel gives users easy access to recent downloads, plus supports bookmark management, the taking of notes and web panels -- these allow users to define web pages that can be displayed alongside the main browser window, such as news feeds, weather forecasts or other web links. Vivaldi also features a Speed Dial function -- just one of many nods to its Opera roots.

Power users are also catered for Quick Commands, which combine keyboard shortcuts with a command-line interface that allows users to access key browser functions through written commands -- just type [F2], start typing and then select from the available commands, with more supported commands being added with each snapshot. Vivaldi also supports mouse gestures for those who prefer it.

Vivaldi’s use of Chrome means it’s capable of running most Chrome extensions -- type vivaldi://extensions into the Address Bar to manage and obtain these via the Google Chrome store.

The browser has evolved rapidly from its first beta release last November, and while most changes have been focused on bug fixes, some new and improved features have slipped through -- Beta 2 introduced a recoverable trash area for deleted bookmarks and notes, for example, while it also added visual notifications (and a mute button) for audio playing on individual tabs, plus made the closing of multiple tabs easier by not resizing remaining tabs until the user had finished.

One minor fly in the ointment with this release is that the program installer continues to claim it’s a beta release -- this is a mistake. So long as the installed version is 1.0.435.38 or later, Vivaldi will be running the stable release.

Vivaldi 1.0 FINAL is available now as a free download for Windows, Mac and Linux. Users can import data from a variety of browsers, including Opera (old and new versions), Edge and Internet Explorer, but not Firefox or Chrome (a HTML option is available instead).

MacClean promises to improve security and privacy as well as clean your Mac

Publié: avril 4, 2016, 12:41pm CEST par Nick Peers

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iMobie has released MacClean 3.0.5, a brand new version of its freeware Mac cleanup tool. The app, which boasts a large number of cleaning tools, returns with a new security bolt-on and completely redesigned user interface.

Version 3.0.5’s major new feature is the implementation of new privacy and security tools, the latter based around the open-source ClamAV malware scanning engine.

The new security tool requires a separate download and installation -- it’s packaged as 'Security Engine and Database', but is actually the open-source ClamAV tool, which is used to scan for threats on demand. Any detected threats then find themselves placed in the program’s new Quarantine section for further review and action – if required.

MacClean 3 also unveils a new Privacy Issue scan, which allows users to review recent app usage, opened documents and even 'private' app histories. Once done, users are invited to review what’s been found before cleaning.

A third tool -- Malicious Cookies -- scours the caches of popular browsers (including Safari, Firefox, Chrome and Opera) for cookies known to steal personal data and compromise security in other ways.

The app also unveils a complete redesign, showcasing a more minimalist user interface that sits in nicely with the latest OS X look and feel. The app also reorganizes its tools into two sections, with the scanning tools listed under Cleanup and other tools found under Utilities.

These additional tools -- some of which are used by the program’s scanning components -- are split into two sections: Cleanup Tools include a duplicates finder and 'old and large files' tool for rooting out potentially redundant space hoggers. There’s also a secure file eraser and tools for thoroughly cleaning apps and getting rid of unused language files.

Optimization Tools features an iPhoto cleaner, extension manager, secure trash sweep and 'binary' junk remover that attempts to streamline individual app sizes by removing what it terms 'redundant binary junk'.

MacClean 3.0.5 is available now as a freeware download for Macs running OS X 10.7 (Lion) or later.

Evernote 6 Beta sees further user-interface revamp, existing features refined

Publié: mars 30, 2016, 5:39pm CEST par Nick Peers

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Evernote has unveiled Evernote for Windows 6.0.2 Beta, an early release version of the next major update of its desktop client for Windows users. The new release sees another user interface revamp, plus focuses on refining existing tools rather than introducing major new features.

Version 6.0.2 opens with support for High DPI displays, and rolls out various improvements to the Assisted Search tool. This includes moving the Search bar to the top of the note list, providing more detailed descriptions of the search results and the extension of the tool to cover the user’s entire account, with options for expanding the search to include recently deleted notes as well as general refinements.

The user interface has also been overhauled; now predominantly white, it’s been redesigned to provide cleaner navigation and more useful tools for organizing data. The UI has also been optimized for touch screens with large native note scrollbars.

Notebooks and tags can now be directly accessed, created and deleted from the left-hand pane, which can be minimized to free up screen real-estate elsewhere. Users also gain the ability to define notebooks and tags by color (right-click to do this) for easier identification in the left-hand pane.

Access to previously trashed notes has also been improved.

The Note Editor has also been tweaked, with the note title now permanently visible, and related notes and tags more accessible. A code block has been added to the editor and users can now toggle the formatting bar on and off.

Business account users now see their personal and business notes visually separated out, with the ability to choose what’s displayed. Mixed note lists have been dropped. Keyboard shortcuts make it quick and easy to toggle between personal and business mode.

The new version also comes with the promise of increased stability and performance -- search in particularly runs much quicker. One specified fix sees the note title no longer clearing itself unexpectedly.

One feature that appears to have been removed is Atlas view -- now clicking a location in a note opens Google Maps in the user’s web browser.

It’s worth remembering that as a beta, things may yet change between now and the final release. Reported bugs include seeing the movement of parental tags destroying the child hierarchy because all tags are selected by default. User response has -- so far -- been generally favorable, while the Evernote team have confirmed further changes are planned to refine new features.

Evernote 6.0.2 Beta is available now as a free download for PCs running Windows XP SP3 or later. Also available are clients for Mac, iOS and Android.

Google Maps for iOS adds taxi services to route options

Publié: mars 25, 2016, 3:43am CET par Nick Peers

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Less than a month after its last update, Google has rolled out Google Maps for iOS 4.17. The big news here is the addition of taxi services when comparing route options for six countries, including the US, UK and India.

Supported taxi services include Uber, plus 99Taxis (Brazil), Ola Cabs (India), Hailo (UK and Spain), mytaxi (Germany and Spain), and Gett (UK).

The service requires the taxi provider’s app be installed and configured on the user’s phone or tablet -- once done, should nearby taxi services from that provider be available, they’ll appear on a new tab, providing users with estimated arrival times and fares. Users then simply tap a fare to switch to the provider’s app to complete the booking.

The update also makes it possible to save driving, walking and biking route options for future use. This feature is enabled by default -- to switch this off (and tweak the available options), click the ≡ button next to the From box and choose "Route Options".

One final improvement sees Google Maps make saved and recently accessed maps available to Spotlight searches. Tapping the result whisks users off to the location in the app.

The update is rounded off with the usual unspecified bug fixes. Google Maps for iOS 4.17.0 is available now for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later, plus the Apple Watch.

CCleaner 5.16 FINAL tweaks browser cleaning tools

Publié: mars 23, 2016, 2:16pm CET par Nick Peers

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Piriform Software has released CCleaner 5.16 and CCleaner 5.16 Portable for Windows PCs. Once again, the latest release focuses on fine-tuning the program’s browser-cleaning tools, with tweaks for Opera, Chrome and Edge the major highlights.

CCleaner 5.16’s main feature is added support for cleaning Opera’s GPU and Application caches, while it also updates the management of Chrome Browser Plug-ins.

Other browser changes are improvements to existing features, so Edge users should see better cleaning of their Temporary Files folder, while CCleaner also promises improved cleaning of Chrome’s IndexedDB, Quote Manager DB and Service Worker caches.

The new release also promises better navigation of the program using the keyboard, along with the usual mix of unspecified minor bug fixes, GUI tweaks and translation updates.

The update comes one week after Piriform also rolled out Defragger 2.21, which came with the promise of improved performance for both analysis and defragging of drives, along with better use of memory and the memory architecture. It also launched optimized 64-bit builds for Windows 8 and 10 users among other changes and bug fixes.

CCleaner 5.16 and CCleaner 5.16 Portable are available now as freeware downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later, as are Defraggler 2.21 and Defraggler 2.21 Portable. A Professional version of CCleaner offering additional features including real-time monitoring and complete system cleaning is also available, and the best place to get the Windows version is the Downloadcrew Software Store, where it costs just $17.46, an exclusive discount of 30 percent off the MSRP.

LastPass Authenticator aims to make two-factor authentication simpler

Publié: mars 17, 2016, 7:38pm CET par Nick Peers

lastpass-authenticator

LastPass has released LastPass Authenticator 1.0 for Android, iPhone and Windows Phone. It’s aimed at LastPass users who want a simple and convenient way to add two-factor authentication to their major online accounts.

The app is TOTP-compliant, so works with the same services as the better known Google Authenticator app, but aims to carve a niche for itself with a unique proposition for end users.

Like Google Authenticator, LastPass Authenticator works by generating six-digit codes for users to manually enter into sites when logging on through a new device with two-factor authentication enabled. Users can also set a backup phone as a secondary form of authentication -- when prompted, a text message containing the code is sent to the phone in question.

LastPass Authenticator requires a LastPass account to work, but aims to make this worthwhile for users of the service by adding a third, simpler option for those authenticating their LastPass.com accounts -- instead of entering a code, users can tap the green button on their device to authenticate automatically.

It’s a bit convoluted to set up -- and not well explained from within the app itself. Log into your LastPass account through the web, select Account Settings > Multifactor Authentication and click the pencil button next to LastPass Authenticator to set it up. You then install the app, use its camera to scan in the QR code and the device is paired. Add a secondary phone as a backup option (for receiving authorisation codes by text) and you’re done.

Users have already highlighted one major issue -- the complete lack of any in-app security. Once launched, the app simply generates codes -- there’s no additional challenges made, and users cannot (yet) add extra layers of protection like an in-app passcode or password challenge.

LastPass Authenticator 1.0 is available now as a free download for Android, iOS and Windows Phone. A free LastPass.com account is required to use it.

Opera 36 targets Microsoft Edge users and introduces major UI improvements

Publié: mars 15, 2016, 3:17pm CET par Nick Peers

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Opera Software has unveiled Opera 36 FINAL, a major new release of its desktop web browser for Windows, Mac and Linux PCs. The latest build firmly targets users of Windows 10, with Opera claiming that "surfing with this platform [Opera] can be much better than the one offered by its default browser, Microsoft Edge".

To that end, version 36 has redesigned its UI to more closely resemble modern apps found in the Microsoft Store, while Opera is keen to stress it’s better integrated native Windows 10 features than other rival browsers.

Opera 36 debuts with a refreshed start page, optimized for widescreen displays. Its navigation panel has been moved over to the left-hand side of the screen to provide more horizontal space, while users can now easily switch themes or change language settings for news via a button in the top right-hand corner of the window.

The Windows build implements a new color scheme that changes across the app to match with the system style. Users must navigate to Settings > Browser to enable this scheme by ticking "Show system color on top bar" under "User Interface".

The app has also added the same fullscreen icon found in other store apps to heighten its modern app-like credentials.

Opera 36 also promises improvements for touch input -- tapping the Opera menu button, for example, produces a menu with larger buttons to make it easier to use. It also increases the size of toolbar items and context menus when touch is used.

Opera is keen to highlight the fact the browser now boasts a similar UI to Edge while retaining advantages found in other browsers – such as support for extensions. Indeed, it goes further to claim superiority over rival browsers through better integration of native features such as notifications.

Opera 36 FINAL is available now as a freeware download for Windows, Mac and 64-bit Linux users, with the Android version due imminently -- the beta recently debuted a new tab switcher, web apps discoverability and support for Web Bluetooth, but it’s unlikely all (if any) of these features will be pushed to the final release. Also available are Opera Mini for Android 15.0 and Opera Mini for iOS 13.0.

Google Maps for iOS adds detour function, 3D touch support

Publié: mars 1, 2016, 3:17pm CET par Nick Peers

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Google has extended its pit-stop feature -- the ability to find places to stop off on journeys -- to iPhone and iPad users with the release of Google Maps for iOS 4.16.

The ability to create diversions was first unveiled in Google Maps for Android back in October, and allows users to add pit stops to a planned route during journeys while in navigation mode.

Once users enter navigation mode to follow the route chosen, they can then plot a diversion en-route. Tap the search button to view options for viewing nearby local petrol stations, supermarkets, restaurants and coffee shops -- complete with ratings. Users can also search for other diversion by choosing "Search for more places", then typing or saying what they’re looking for.

Matching items appear with an estimated effect on journey time included -- users can then tap the location to select it, and the route will be replotted and updated.

Users must then remove the stop when complete in order to add further diversions to their journey if required.

Google Maps for iOS 4.16 also adds one more minor feature -- the ability to use 3D touch to tap and hold the Google Maps app icon on the home screen to get directions to home or work from the current location.

The update is rounded off with the usual unspecified bug fixes. Google Maps for iOS 4.16.0 is available now for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later, plus the Apple Watch.

NetSpot 1.0 Wi-Fi analyzer and troubleshooting tool launches on Windows

Publié: février 23, 2016, 1:09pm CET par Nick Peers

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Etwok LLC has launched NetSpot 1.0 on the Windows platform, joining the existing Mac tool. The initial release of the Windows version has been made free for both personal and commercial use, and contains a subset of the features found in the Mac build.

The tool is designed to help troubleshoot problematic Wi-Fi network connections by revealing overall reception strength, and includes a mapping tool to help identify 'dead' zones where reception is poor or non-existent.

NetSpot for Windows, which requires a computer with Wi-Fi adapter, is basically split into two sections: Discover, which provides a standard list of all visible and detected Wi-Fi networks, and Survey, where users can create maps of their immediate vicinity for a more detailed view of signal strength in specific areas.

The Discover section provides detailed information about all detected networks, including both SSID and BSSID, signal strength, band (2.4GHz or 5GHz), channel, router manufacturer, security level and Wi-Fi mode.

One or more networks can be selected, then by clicking Details, information is revealed concerning signal strength (in signal graph and tabular data form) as well as strength and frequency of both 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels.

Switch to the Survey tab and users are able to create survey projects using interactive 'heatmaps' to visualize the user’s Wi-Fi connection over a specific area using a heatmap. Users can restrict their survey to one Wi-Fi network or include multiple networks as required.

Unlike the Mac version, which comes in free and paid-for versions, NetSpot for Windows launches as a completely free product for both personal and commercial use. There are no limitations on the number of points on a heatmap, and the app supports signal level visualization.

NetSpot 1.0 is available as a freeware download for PCs running Windows 7 or later, and works with any 802.11 network. Also available is NetSpot 2.4 for Macs running OS X 10.6.8 or later. The Mac release offers a free, non-commercial version that’s accompanied by more fully featured Pro and Enterprise level editions.

AirFoil 5.0 adds multiple Bluetooth speaker support, speaker groups

Publié: février 19, 2016, 3:47pm CET par Nick Peers

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Rogue Amoeba has released Airfoil for Windows 5.0 and Airfoil for Mac 5.0, a major new version of its tool for streaming audio from computers to supported networked devices, including AirPlay hardware such as Apple TV and AirPort Express.

Version 5 adds support for Bluetooth devices, plus introduces a new free tool -- Airfoil Satellite -- that turns other PCs, Macs and iOS devices into clients for the main Airfoil tool.

Bluetooth support is the undoubted highlight of this release. Previously, Airfoil was restricted to streaming to Apple devices, but the new functionality makes it possible for users to stream audio -- either all audio or a single application’s output only -- to one or more connected Bluetooth devices. If only one application is selected, all other audio remains output to the computer’s speaker.

Support for multiple outputs allows users to stream to all connected devices with a single click. Version 5 also adds support for Groups, a means of grouping speakers together in a related set, allowing users to stream output to all members of a group with a single click. Speakers can be assigned to groups using any criteria, such as location.

Other new features include a Silence Monitor, which will automatically disconnect the speaker when streaming silence, while users can now hide speakers -- useful when connected to shared networks. Users also gain the ability to adjust the sync to take into account another device’s built-in latency.

The user interface has also been refined, although it promises to remain familiar to existing users. Another improvement sees Airfoil now able to capture audio from applications without having to quit and relaunch it first.

The Windows build unveils a completely rewritten audio capture engine, with the promise of increased robustness. Users can now also stream audio from 64-bit apps as well as apps from the Windows Store.

Mac users also gain access to custom equalizer presets, while full support for Apple’s VoiceOver feature has also been added.

The new release is accompanied by Airfoil Satellite, a free client program for Windows, Mac and iOS that make these devices available for audio output. Users can also control the main Airfoil server remotely from Airfoil Satellite on a connected computer. Airfoil Satellite requires the same license key as that used to unlock the main Airfoil application. Also available is Airfoil Speakers for Android and Linux devices.

Airfoil for Windows 5.0 and Airfoil for Mac 5.0 are both available now as free trial downloads -- both are fully functional, but only stream up to 10 minutes of audio at a time before quality degrades. The full version costs $29 per device (or $40 for both Mac and Windows), or $15 for those upgrading from the previous version.

PowerArchiver 2016 unveils major redesign and rebuild

Publié: février 5, 2016, 11:38am CET par Nick Peers

PowerArchiver 2016

ConeXware has released PowerArchiver 2016, a major new release of its trialware archiving tool for Windows. The new release is the first version of the program to be developed using IDE, a process that began over two years ago.

Version 2016 adds 4K resolution and touch-screen support, a major new user interface and the splitting of key features into separate, fully independent apps.

The new user interface design makes no attempt to reinvent the wheel, leaving everything exactly where it was previously, but unveiling new classic and ribbon/modern designs. The app is now properly skinned, with 9 pre-built skins available, and this can be switched off to improve performance on low-powered computers.

The interface also gains a new icon design and logo to reflect its thoroughly modern look, although traditionalists retain the option (under View > Skin Options > Icon sets) of reverting to the traditional look. Almost all aspects of the program interface can now be customized too.

The app has been tuned to work better with Windows 10, but retains compatibility all the way back to XP. Support for high-res displays -- all the way to up to 4K -- has also been implemented, along with support for touch-screen displays via a special Touch Mode.

The program’s rebuild also sees it split off key tools -- including backup, enctryption, burner and virtual drives -- into their own fully independent apps, accessible from PowerArchiver but also capable of being run separately.

Other highlights include being able to encrypt and sign Office and Adobe PDF documents, the addition of an audio burner and ripper, and full read/write support for ZPAQ and WIM formats.

The burner engine has been updated to support the latest Blu-Ray standards, and performance has been improved -- not just with quicker startup times, but also when compressing files.

The latest version also promised better support for Windows Libraries when managing files in the File Manager mode.

PowerArchiver 2016 is available now as a free 10-day trial for PCs running Windows XP or later. The full version can be purchased for $22.95/€19.95.

Opera 35 improves download manager, adds new customisation section

Publié: février 2, 2016, 1:48pm CET par Nick Peers

Opera 35

Opera Software has unveiled Opera 35 FINAL, a major new release of its desktop web browser for Windows, Mac and Linux PCs.

There are four new features of note in this release: first, a button for muting audio on specific tabs, followed by a refreshed downloads interface. There’s also the addition of a Basic section in Opera’s options page for faster access to key customization settings, plus a new advanced setting that allows users to search using a standalone Search bar.

The new audio mute button sees Opera playing catchup with rival browsers including Firefox and Chrome. It enables users to quickly see which tabs are playing audio and -- like Firefox -- makes it easy to quickly mute sound from specific tabs simply by clicking the audio button. Click again to unmute it.

Opera 35 FINAL’s most notable improvements can be found in its handling of downloads. It debuts a new, refreshed user interface that provides a clearer view of files, allowing users to more easily see the status of downloads. The new interface also provides a number of links for filtering the download list by type, including documents, PDF (which didn’t work in our tests), Images, Archives and Others.

The new release also throws up a prompt warning the user if they attempt to close Opera while a download is in progress.

Opera 35 also adds a default Basic section to its settings page. Users can now easily define the browser’s start-up behavior, choose a default directory for downloads, opt to show or hide the bookmarks bar, switch themes and set default behavior for cookies from a single screen.

The list of new features is rounded off by the addition of one new option to Opera’s settings. It’s only visible when the "Show advanced settings" dialog is ticked under Browser, and allows users to enable a separate search box next to the main Address bar.

Beneath-the-hood improvements sees the bookmark manager improved so it can automatically remove duplicates that may be created when syncing bookmarks between devices, while the browser has been updated with support for the latest Chromium/Blink 48 release. There are also the usual stability enhancements and bug fixes.

Opera also recently updated its Opera Mini for Android browser to version 14.0 with a new QR code reader and generator, in-app camera support for file upload, UI language settings and the ability to set custom search engines per category.

Opera FINAL 35 is available now as a freeware download for Windows, Mac and 64-bit Linux users, with the Android version due imminently. Also available are Opera Mini for Android 14.0 and Opera Mini for iOS 12.1.

Pale Moon adopts new Goanna browser engine, fine-tunes interface

Publié: janvier 26, 2016, 4:00pm CET par Nick Peers

Pale moon

Moonchild Productions has unveiled Pale Moon 26.0, the first major update of its Firefox-based browser for Windows and Linux since October 2014.

The new build, also available in 64-bit, sees Pale Moon unveil its own browser rendering engine, Goanna, plus further fine-tune the browser user interface as well as introduce a number of other new features, changes and security improvements.

The move to a brand new rendering engine is part of Pale Moon’s fork away from Firefox, the browser it’s based on, that began before v25 was released. Goanna remains closely related to Firefox’s Gecko engine, but is designed to further differentiate Pale Moon from its one-time parent.

Moonchild warns the move could result in potential compatibility issues with certain websites as well as Firefox browser extensions. It urges users to report problems to itself or site owners in the case of an individual website.

The shift to Goanna also sees Pale Moon reduce the number of languages it supports through included language packs -- the total number remains at over 30, however.

Pale Moon 26 also sees the browser interface updated to fit in better with whichever operating system (and version) it’s running -- and promises to be more compatible with Windows 10.

Other updates include the addition of a dropdown History button next to the Bookmarks button on the main toolbar, while the Library adds a pop-up scope bar when searching to allow users to focus results on history or bookmarks.

The new release also promises updated graphics and media support, including WebP images, properly scaled EXIF-rotated JPEGs and different WebGL texture formats. There’s also improved scaling of vector images among other updates.

Performance tweaks include conservative image decoding, switching the memory allocator to the faster system allocator and better handling of large numbers of open tabs.

Other additions include support for Ruby annotations, various JavaScript improvements, support for CSS media queries, the Ecosia search engine and a separate control preference for scripted content when auto-playing media.

Version 26 is rounded off with numerous security updates, including support for 128-bit Camellia-GCM ciphers, a new advanced, active XSS filter and the removal of several "hazardous" modules including the maintenance service and identity module.

Pale Moon 26.0, Pale Moon x64 26.0, Pale Moon Portable 26.0 and Pale Moon Portable x64 26.0 are all available now as open source, free downloads for PCs running compatible versions of Windows (Vista or later). A version for Linux is also available, as is a low-powered version for Atom processors that’s compatible with Windows XP.

Firefox 44 adds H.264 video support on desktop, supports cloud printing on Android

Publié: janvier 26, 2016, 2:22pm CET par Nick Peers

Firefox

Mozilla has released Firefox 44 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux, with Firefox 44 for Android hot on its heels. Like the previous release, the most visible changes are reserved for the mobile build.

Android users gain support for cloud printing and improved search tools, while desktop users can now watch H.264 video on supported systems. Most other changes are under the hood or aimed at developers.

Once again, the Android release is the one that will turn heads. Users can now send pages to their cloud-enabled printer using the Android print service via the new Page > Print command.

Other new features include an improved tab tray on phones, the ability to choose a specific home page (rather than the Top sites panel) when launching Firefox, and a web-based Firefox Accounts page.

Three new search features include the showing of search history suggestions, easier access to search settings when performing a search, and a link to the option for customizing search providers when users tap the search label in the quick search bar.

Users will also now be prompted when in Private Browsing mode if they tap a link that launches an app direct from a web page. The Android build also now supports URIs that use the mms: protocol.

The desktop build will now enable H.264 video if a system decoder is present, or fall back to WebM/VP9 on systems that don’t support it. There are also improved warning pages for certificate errors and untrusted connections.

Developers gain many improvements, including one to the recently introduced Animations view in Page Inspector, with lightning bolt icons signifying those animations running on the compositor thread.

There’s also support adding for the brotli compression format via HTTPS content encoding, which should help speed up web browsing on supported secure sites.

Changes include removed support for the RC4 decipher, a new SHA-256 signing certificate to meet new signing requirements for Windows builds. It also no longer trusts either Equifax Secure Certificate Authority 1024-bit root certificates or UTN-DATACorp SGC when validating secure websites.

One regression is that support for on-screen keyboards in Windows 8 and 8.1 has been temporarily turned off. A bug preventing the disabling of the XP and Vista screensaver when watching videos has -- however -- been fixed.

Firefox 44 FINAL is available now as a free, open-source download for Windows, Mac and Linux. It’ll soon be joined by Firefox 44 for Android.

IObit Driver Booster debuts new fix-it tool, widens driver update database

Publié: janvier 21, 2016, 3:49pm CET par Nick Peers

driverbooster

IObit has released a minor, but significant update to its driver update tool, Driver Booster 3.2 FREE. The new release, also available as a performance-enhanced Pro version, adds a new driver fix-it tool.

The update also includes various optimizations to improve user experience, performance and stability, plus widens the tool’s driver database engine to the latest updates.

Version 3.2’s headline-grabbing feature is a tool that can fix various device-related errors. It consists of five separate tools for fixing issues with sound, networks, bad resolutions and device errors, plus a tool that can clean out unplugged devices. All five tools are accessible via the toolbox button that appears in the program’s main toolbar.

The program also claims to have improved a large number of unspecified features to enhance the user experience. Another optimization sees the drive download engine tweaked to improve its download success rate.

The driver installation engine has also been upgraded with the promise of delivering both smarter and safer driver updates.

Driver Booster 3.2 also gains a number of driver updates for Realtek Audio ALC8xx, ALC9xx and ALC2xx audio engines, while Intel, AMD and NVIDIA graphics updates have also been implemented. The database also gains an increased number of Windows 10 driver updates across a wider range of devices too.

The update is rounded off with unspecified minor bug fixes. IObit Driver Booster 3.2 FREE is a free, performance-limited download for PCs running Windows XP or later. A three-PC, one-year Pro license unlocks priority performance, updates and automatic backup tools.

Foxit Reader integrates with OneDrive and Google Drive, adds word count tool

Publié: janvier 21, 2016, 11:02am CET par Nick Peers

foxit

Foxit Software has unveiled Foxit Reader 7.3, its free PDF reader and creation tool for Windows PCs. The new release debuts a number of significant features, including Google Drive and OneDrive integration, plus a new word count tool and official support for Office 2016.

OneDrive and Google Drive integration can be found in the program’s File menu under "Add a place", and work in a similar way to later versions of Microsoft Office by allowing users to create shortcuts to cloud-based locations.

The program also includes a new word count tool for text-based PDF documents -- it can be found on the View tab of the program ribbon, and provides word counts for both entire documents and selected passages of text.

Other new features include support for time stamps using trusted servers -- configurable from the Preferences > Time Stamp Servers dialog. Users can now also sign documents using certificates.

A new scroll lock button -- visible and triggered from the status bar -- makes it possible for users to prevent accidental horizontal and vertical scrolling of documents. The feature must first be enabled under Preferences > General.

Version 7.3 also includes a number of improvements, including PDF signing, XFA forms and to the vertical split view. It also fixes a number of known issues, including various security issues that caused crashes and exposed vulnerabilities.

Foxit Reader 7.3 is available now as a free download for PCs running Windows 7 or later. Microsoft Office 2007 or later is required for certain PDF creation features.

Dashlane 4 unveils new user-friendly design, widens Password Changer support

Publié: janvier 14, 2016, 3:39pm CET par Nick Peers

dashlane

Password management provider Dashlane has unveiled Dashlane 4.0 for Windows and Mac alongside Dashlane for iOS 4.0 and Dashlane for Android 4.0. The new release -- available in free and a paid-for Premium package -- shows off a brand new interface.

The new design -- which Dashlane claims has been "enhanced and optimized for convenience" shows off menu upgrades, improved search, wider support for its automatic password changer tool and support for five more languages.

The most significant changes to the user interface can be found in the upgraded menus, where Dashlane has attempted to make things more user-friendly through new list and grid views, sorting options and better labeling.

The interface has also been tweaked to provide a more consistent experience across all supported platforms, with every single screen and service redesigned. This includes the account creation process, which has been overhauled in order to simplify the startup process for new account holders.

Elsewhere, the in-app search field gains a new Quick Actions option to help users more quickly locate data. The company’s proprietary semantic analysis engine -- DashIQ -- has also been updated to add translation and localized native support for five new languages, namely Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian and Japanese.

One of Dashlane’s innovative features is its Password Changer, which makes it easy and convenient to automatically change passwords with supported services. Version 4 adds 300 new services to bring the total number supported to over 500.

Additionally, the app’s payments system now supports over 618 new international banks, credit cards and financial institutions.

User feedback has seen eight new templates added to the service’s Notes section, while users can now resize Dashlane to get a mini-version of the app that can float freely around the desktop without wasting desktop space.

Dashlane 4.0 for Windows and Mac is available as a free download, as are Dashlane for iOS 4.0 and Dashlane for Android 4.0. It’s free to use on a single device, while Dashlane Premium costs $39.99 per year for unlimited sync across any number of devices.

LastPass 4.0 debuts new look and Emergency Access feature

Publié: janvier 5, 2016, 6:53pm CET par Nick Peers

LastPass

Password manager provider LastPass has unveiled LastPass 4.0, a major new release of its cross-platform tool for securely storing and syncing passwords using the cloud.

Version 4.0 unveils a major new redesign, focusing on a simpler, more visually pleasing vault, plus unveils two new tools of interest: Emergency Access for trusted contacts, and a new Sharing Center.

LastPass 4 applies a radical makeover to its online vault, providing a more user-friendly experience through the use of bolder colors, more straightforward navigation tools and bigger icons. A convenient Add button makes it easy to quickly save new sites, forms and so on.

Also redesigned is the extension’s drop-down menu, while users also see improvements to the visibility and accessibility of the search feature and entry editing tools. Those who don’t like the new icons view can switch back to a list view easily too.

Version 4 also debuts two new significant tools. An Emergency Access feature allows users to specify email addresses of trusted friends and family members.

They can then request access to the account in an emergency -- users can specify a wait period before it’s automatically granted to allow them time to review and deny the request if necessary. Members can be added and removed at the user’s discretion.

LastPass also introduces a new Sharing Center, providing a more convenient front end for existing tools that enable users to share specific passwords and other items with trusted parties. It’s also where Enterprise users can share information with teams.

Three tabs allow users to manage and review shared folders (Premium or Enterprise only), shared items and items currently shared by others.

The update will be automatically rolled out to users over the next few weeks. At time of writing, users can manually update the Chrome extension to version 4.0 or install it fresh using the LastPass universal installer.

Those unhappy with the new look can toggle back to version 3.0’s interface using the switch provided when clicking the username in the top right-hand corner of the vault.

The update is rounded off by a number of unspecified tweaks and improvements that LastPass says should boost security, speed and performance.

LastPass 4.0 is available as a free download for Windows, Mac and Linux. Supported browser extensions include Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer and Opera. Also available are LastPass for iOS and LastPass for Android, both of which are being updated to support the latest features.

Get a full year of Sticky Password Premium, worth $19.99, for FREE with our New Year's Day giveaway!

Publié: décembre 31, 2015, 6:39pm CET par Nick Peers

Sticky Password Premium

Online security has made big headlines in 2015, and will continue to do so as hackers continue to outwit even the biggest firms. This is what makes our final giveaway so essential: a year’s license for Sticky Password Premium.

Sticky Password is a suite of products for mobile and desktop that allow you to store your online passwords, form fills and credit card information securely – our giveaway will give you access to all its Premium features across all supported devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.

The most effective way of protecting yourself online -- and limiting any damage that may come from hacked websites -- is to use unique passwords for each site. Generating these by hand is time-consuming and impossible to remember, which is where Sticky Password comes in.

Sticky Password offers all the features you’d expect from a secure online password manager: it stores all of your passwords using AES-256 encryption, locked away behind a single master password (the only one you need to remember going forward) that isn’t known to anyone else. It can generate strong, random passwords using a mixture of letters, numbers and special characters automatically, plus has built-in form filling and secure credit card input for speedy checkout.

All of this can be found elsewhere, but Sticky Password can also be used across mobile and PC/Mac without having to purchase a subscription. You also get biometric support on devices with fingerprint scanners.

The free version is compelling enough, then, but look what a Premium subscription gives you: the ability to cloud sync your passwords across devices as well as an option cloud backup should you lose a device. You can also sync passwords across devices only using your Wi-Fi network for additional security -- however you want to sync (manually, cloud or Wi-Fi only), Sticky Password puts you in control.

And that’s where we come in with our final freebie -- a year’s Premium subscription, so give your online security and privacy a much-needed upgrade from 12pm (EST) on 1 January with our Sticky Password Premium giveaway!

Giveaway: we’ve a limited number of single-user, one-year licenses for Sticky Password Premium to give away, each one worth $19.99. Licenses are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

The giveaway starts midday EST (that’s 9am PT or 5pm GMT) on Friday, January 1, and expires on January 2, midday EST or when the licenses run out, whichever comes first. So when the giveaway begins, don’t hang about -- get over to Downloadcrew Giveaway promptly!

This New Year's Eve, make sure your PC is safely backed up with our O&O Disk Image 9 Downloadcrew Giveaway, worth $29.95!

Publié: décembre 31, 2015, 9:16am CET par Nick Peers

O&O Disk Image 9

What better way to prepare your PC for 2016 than by providing a failsafe backup this New Year’s Eve? That’s right, today, December 31 we’re providing you with a 24-hour giveaway of the brilliant O&O DiskImage 9 Professional, worth $29.95!

Whether you want to take a full backup of your Windows system and applications, or back up individual files and folders, O&O DiskImage 9 will have you covered. So make sure you bookmark the Download Giveaway page ahead of midday (EST) on December 31!

Ever lost a precious, irreplaceable file (never mind a hard disk full of them)? Lost hours having to reinstall Windows from scratch only to find your carefully crafted application settings are impossible to reproduce?

That’s why you need a backup tool to turn stomach-clenching, life-changing events into minor irritants, and what better tool for the job than O&O DiskImage 9 Professional? It’s capable of backing up individually selected files and folders as well as complete drives and partitions, and its built-in scheduling capabilities means you can set it and forget it.

DiskImage 9 supports both full and incremental backups to help save drive space -- incremental images simply record the changes made since the last full backup was taken. Combining frequent incremental backups with occasional full backups ensures all your files are protected in the smallest possible drive space, and you can merge incremental ones together to further consolidate your backups.

The program can also be used to take "forensic" drive images, which preserve even deleted and corrupt data, allowing you to try and recover them later using drive recovery tools.

Managing your backups is easy too -- opt to restore entire images or backups, or select individual files and folders to bring back.

You can even convert your drive images into virtual hard disk files for use with virtualization software like VirtualBox and VMWare Workstation.

Version 9 is fully compatible with Windows 10 and supports newer UEFI systems as well as older BIOS-based PCs.

Giveaway: we’ve a limited number of single-PC licenses for O&O DiskImage 9 Professional to give away, each one worth $29.95. Licenses are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

The giveaway starts midday EST (that’s 9am PT or 5pm GMT) on Thursday December 31, and expires when the licenses run out or on January 1 2016 at midday EST, whichever comes first. So when the giveaway begins, don’t hang about -- get over to Downloadcrew Giveaway promptly!

This December 30th, get a full year of Advanced SystemCare 9 PRO, worth $19.95, for free with Downloadcrew Giveaway!

Publié: décembre 30, 2015, 12:43pm CET par Nick Peers

systemcare pro

As thoughts turn to the New Year, what better gift to present your PC with than a complete system cleanup? On December 30, you’ll be able to do just that thanks to our 24-hour giveaway, which is a year’s license for Advanced SystemCare 9 PRO.

That’s right -- we’re giving you a full year’s license for the current version of Advanced SystemCare Pro 9! This package contains an entire library of essential tools to help you clean up, optimize, maintain and secure your PC.

The fantastic thing about this giveaway is that it’s for the current version of Advanced SystemCare 9 PRO, so it offers full support for Windows 10, including the ability to clean up after the new Edge browser. It’ll even help you tighten those lax privacy settings set by Microsoft.

Advanced SystemCare contains the best of IObit’s collection of powerful system tools, including the brilliant IObit Uninstaller 5, which covers Windows apps as well as regular programs, and DriverBooster for ensuring your drivers are fully up to date.

Other modules include spyware removal, Registry clean (and defrag), privacy sweep, junk files removal, Internet speed boost, security defense and vulnerability fix.

Features to new to version 9 include a new speed-up module that checks your PC for unnecessary startup items, dubious settings and unwanted Windows apps. The startup manager now supports browsers as well as Windows, while the Protect module blocks malware from altering your DNS settings.

There’s also a new Large File Finder tool to help free up drive space, while the app also benefits from a redesigned user interface that’s cleaner and simpler to use and expanded database for removing spyware.

If you want to give your PC a thorough clean out and speed up for New Year, then Advanced SystemCare 9 PRO is the tool to use, so make sure you bookmark the Download Giveaway page now to ensure you don’t miss out come midday December 30!

Giveaway: we’ve a limited number of single-PC, one-year licenses for Advanced SystemCare 9 PRO to give away, each one worth $19.95. Licenses are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

The giveaway starts midday EST (that’s 9am PT or 5pm GMT) on Wednesday December 30^th, and expires when the licenses run out or on December 31 at midday EST, whichever comes first. So when the giveaway begins, don’t hang about -- get over to Downloadcrew Giveaway promptly!

Get Serif PagePlus X4, worth $99.99, for FREE this Christmas Day at Downloadcrew Giveaway!

Publié: décembre 24, 2015, 5:40pm CET par Nick Peers

Serif PagePlus X4

If you thought Christmas Eve’s giveaway was a slam dunk, then how about this? For 24 hours from midday December 25, we’re giving you Serif PagePlus X4, a full-blown DTP package worth $99.99, for free!

Serif PagePlus manages to combine a collection of powerful features -- including an excellent in-app photo editing tool -- with wizards, templates and a user-friendly interface that make it suitable for novices and DTP magicians alike.

It’s why PagePlus consistently wins awards for its DTP offering, striking the perfect balance between power and usability. Fire it up for the first time you’re given a choice of professional templates covering a wide range of types and uses -- including websites as well as newsletters, flyers and brochures. But you can just as easily start from scratch and design magazine-style grids using the app’s tools.

The app’s core features also impress -- flowing text between columns is simple, and a wide range of wrap and layout options enabling you to get things just the way you want. You’ll find other professional-grade tools too -- the ability to anchor pictures, shapes and text frames to a fixed spot, for example, or dynamic guides that simplify the task of lining up and snapping objects into place.

While you can easily import text from a variety of file types, PagePlus provides its own incredibly decent word processor for writing (and editing) text on the fly, with word counts, thesaurus, spell check and automated tools for creating TOCs and indexes.

Importing graphics is easy -- PagePlus supports a wide variety of image formats – and you can even edit them within PagePlus itself thanks to its new PhotoLab editing tool. It’s perfect whether you’re attempting to cut someone out of a background or perform quick-fire fixes like removing red eye. It even includes tools for creating your own vector graphics, with gradients, filters, 3D lighting, surface effects and more.

Once your document is ready to go, you can -- of course -- print it in the usual way, or export it as PDF. PagePlus X4 even supports interactive PDF slideshows, complete with page transitions and media clips, as well as web pages.

Long story short, PagePlus X4 is a DTP tool no serious design enthusiast can do without, so do yourself a favor, bookmark the Serif PagePlus X4 giveaway page now and set your alarm for 12pm EST (9am PT or 5pm GMT) for Friday December 25 to get your free code before succumbing to the third sherry of the day.

Giveaway: we’ve a limited number of free Serif PagePlus X4 licenses to give away, each one worth $99.99. Licenses are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note, this offer isn’t available for users in Australia or New Zealand due to local distribution restrictions. Sorry!

The giveaway starts midday EST (that’s 9am PT or 5pm GMT) on Friday, December 25, and expires when the licenses run out or on December 26 at midday EST, whichever comes first. So when the giveaway begins, don’t hang about -- get over to Downloadcrew Giveaway promptly to avoid disappointment!

This Christmas Eve, get Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 9, worth $89.99, for FREE at Downloadcrew Giveaway!

Publié: décembre 23, 2015, 12:37pm CET par Nick Peers

Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 9

Now this is a real doozy -- a $90 graphical powerhouse for nothing! Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 9 covers all your design needs, from photo editor to DTP package, vector drawing to web graphics (including Flash animations).

Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 9 may retail for $89.99, but for 24 hours from from midday EST on December 24th, you’ll be able to pick up a one-PC license of this superb design tool for nothing, nada, zilch.

Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 9 covers all the bases, thanks in part to some new features that were introduced in version 9. The photo-editing tool had already had all the core functionality covered, with crop, resize, sharpen, perspective fixes and red-eye correction, but version 9 adds in a powerful photo healing tool as well as background erase.

The program also supports a wide range of photo plugins, both its own format and Photoshop. Over 40 are included to help you get started.

The program also boasts an impressive collection of vector illustration tools, including a Shape Painter tool, 3D extrusion and tools for applying transparency, feathering, blends, shadows and more.

Xara Photo & Graphic Designer is also a desktop publishing powerhouse too, with a built-in Designs Gallery giving you a head start with templates for a wide range of projects, and included clipart and photos to help design everything from brochures to full-blown newsletters. A feature new to version 9 allows you to make document-wide stylistic changes with just a few clicks.

Version 9 also includes tools for creating web graphics – including simple Flash animations, animated GIFs, image maps and more. Other new features include support for Google fonts, the ability to share media with online services including Flickr and Facebook, and enhanced import and image optimization.

It all adds up to one unmissable giveaway, so make sure you bookmark the Xara Photo & Graphics Designer 9 giveaway page and set your alarm for 12pm EST (9am PT or 5pm GMT) on Thursday December 24th.

Giveaway: we’ve a limited number of free Xara Photo & Graphics Designer 9 licenses to give away, each one worth $89.99. Licenses are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

The giveaway starts midday EST (that’s 9am PT or 5pm GMT) on Thursday, December 24, and expires when the licenses run out or on December 25 at midday EST, whichever comes first. So make sure you zip over to Downloadcrew Giveaway on Christmas Eve after midday to get your free code!

Get Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 9, worth $89.99, for FREE at Downloadcrew Giveaway!

Publié: décembre 23, 2015, 12:37pm CET par Nick Peers

Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 9

The program also supports a wide range of photo plugins, both its own format and Photoshop. Over 40 are included to help you get started.

The program also boasts an impressive collection of vector illustration tools, including a Shape Painter tool, 3D extrusion and tools for applying transparency, feathering, blends, shadows and more.

It all adds up to one unmissable giveaway, so make sure you bookmark the Xara Photo & Graphics Designer 9 giveaway page and set your alarm for 12pm EST (9am PT or 5pm GMT) on Thursday December 24th.

Giveaway: we’ve a limited number of free Xara Photo & Graphics Designer 9 licenses to give away, each one worth $89.99. Licenses are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Get Ability Office 6 Standard, worth $29.95, for FREE at Downloadcrew Giveaway!

Publié: décembre 22, 2015, 2:58pm CET par Nick Peers

Ability Office

If you can’t afford Microsoft Office then you’ll love our latest giveaway. Ability Office 6 Standard features all the core office tools you need -- word processor, spreadsheet, presentation tool and photo manager -- all wrapped up in a modern user interface.

The suite normally retails for $29.95, but for 24 hours only from 12pm EST Wednesday (23 December), you can get a single PC license for FREE!

Ability Office’s core packages retain the Office look and feel, sporting the now-familiar ribbon user interface to place all the key tools you need at your fingertips (but you can switch back to the old-school menu system if you prefer).

The suite’s word processor is Ability Write, and it supports all industry standard formats (including Word’s ubiquitous .DOC and .DOCX files). You also get everything you’d expect from a modern word processor: spell check and thesaurus, autocorrect and autospell, formatting options a-plenty, page layout tools, and drag and drop editing too.

Ability Spreadsheet continues the theme, working with standard Excel formats, offering core spreadsheet tools and throwing in some useful extras, such as 25 chart types, 250 built-in functions and support for both pivot tables and macros to boot.

Ability Presentation follows on with full support for Microsoft PowerPoint presentations and a wide range of visual and text effects to help you lift dull infographics to another level.

All three apps also support PDF export, allowing you to share your finished documents with a wider audience. There’s also a photo album tool and quick app launcher -- it’s ideal for home workers, students and school children.

Giveaway: we’ve a limited number of free Ability Office 6 Standard licenses to give away, each one worth $29.99. Your license allows you to install and activate Ability Office on a single PC. Note the activation is non-transferable to another computer. Licenses are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

The giveaway starts midday EST (that’s 9am PT or 5pm GMT) on Wednesday December 23, and expires when the licenses run out or on December 24 at midday EST, whichever comes first. So don’t delay, zip over to Downloadcrew Giveaway to get your free code!

Look out! 12 frankly fantastic FREE software giveaways this festive season!

Publié: décembre 17, 2015, 5:40pm CET par Nick Peers

powerarchiver

Tis the season for giving, and we’ve been swept up in the holiday mood. This year, Downloadcrew Giveaway returns with a major bang, with no fewer than 12 (twelve) free software downloads for Windows users over the festive period!

From next Monday (December 21) to New Year’s Eve (Thursday 31), we’ll be hosting one free giveaway a day on the special Downloadcrew Giveaway site -- make sure you bookmark it now!

Part of the fun of Downloadcrew Giveaway is the surprise element, so we won’t be telling you exactly what software is going to be available, but we can tell you this: there will be a mixture of full-blown apps and system utilities, from office suites and powerful image editors to performance-enhancing and system protection tools. Each giveaway is fantastic value, and look out for big names like Serif, O&O and Xara.

We’ll be kicking things off on Monday December 21st with the brilliant PowerArchiver 2015, possibly the world’s most comprehensive archiving and extraction tool for Windows users. If you’ve ever struggled to open an archive compressed using an obscure format, PowerArchiver will almost certainly give you access.

As always, it’s important to read the small print. First, you’ll only be able to get your free code from the Download Giveaway website, so make sure you’ve bookmarked it.

Second, each giveaway launches at 12pm Eastern Standard Time each day, which translates to 9AM Pacific Time, and 5pm GMT. There are a limited number of codes for each offer, so if they’re all claimed before the 24 hours are up, the giveaway will end early.

Third, there is no free support on offer from either the software manufacturer or ourselves, sorry. Full instructions for claiming your code and the software will be provided with each giveaway.

Finally, some giveaways are restricted to specific territories only. We’ll make that clear for each giveaway.

Now you know how everything will work, join us on Monday for PowerArchiver 2015, the first of our fabulous 12 free software giveaways! And -- if you haven’t already done so -- don’t forget to bookmark the Downloadcrew Giveaway site!

Firefox 43 adds new block list, updates Android user interface

Publié: décembre 15, 2015, 9:04am CET par Nick Peers

firefox

Mozilla has rolled out Firefox 43 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux, with Firefox 43 for Android due to follow imminently.

The desktop build gains few notable new features -- including a secondary Private Browsing block list, but the most interesting changes can be found with the Android build.

Android users gain the tab audio indicator feature introduced in version 42 of the desktop build, allowing them to discover which website is playing unwanted audio.

There are also accessibility improvements with TalkBack users gaining better support for scrolling, zooming and BrailleBack as well as the implementation of new Firefox-specific options to its context menu.

Firefox for Android also introduces the ability to mark items read or unread in the reading list panel, while the History panel gains a new split-pane style when accessed on tablets in landscape mode.

The Android build also tweaks the toolbar menu to better fit in with Marshmallow’s UI and -- last but not least -- includes the source URL when sharing selected text from a web page.

Both desktop and Android builds gain improved API support for m4v video playback, while Firefox 43 for desktop also adds an option to opt in to search suggestions from the Awesome Bar. When clicking the ˅ button on the Awesome bar, users will now see an option to switch the suggestions on or off.

A new on-screen keyboard will now be displayed when selecting the input field on touchscreen devices running Windows 8 or later.

The final new feature for end users sees Firefox introduce a second, stricter block list for its Private Browsing’s Tracking Protection feature. To switch, click "Change Block List" from the Privacy tab in the program’s preferences.

In contrast, the Developer Tools gain no less than 15 new features and tweaks, while under the hood, the program’s Health Report now uses the same data collection mechanism as its telemetry.

One notable bug fix sees the eyedropper tool now working correctly after the page has been magnified.

Firefox 43 FINAL is available now as a free, open-source download for Windows, Mac and Linux. It’ll soon be joined by Firefox 43 for Android.

CleanMyDrive 2 for Mac makes cleaning external drives as easy as one click

Publié: décembre 8, 2015, 1:50pm CET par Nick Peers

CleanMyDrive 2

Ukranian software developer MacPaw has unveiled CleanMyDrive 2 for Macs running OS X 10.10 or later. It’s a free tool designed to help users monitor their hard drives and quickly clean unspecified junk files from external drives.

Version 2 debuts a completely redesigned user interface, plus adds a number of new tools and features, including the ability to set custom icons for drives via additional in-app purchases.

The program debuts with a completely redesigned user interface, which ditches the dark color scheme to more seamlessly fit in with Yosemite and El Capitan OS X builds.

It’s not just about aesthetics: version 2 adds a number of new features too. Users can now drag files on to the app’s menu bar icon, then move them over an external drive icon to copy the file to that drive.

Each drive is now also accompanied by a color-coded legend making it easy to identify what types of file are taking up most space on the drive.

The app also introduces support for notifications informing when drives have been mounted or ejected, while the mass disk eject feature gains a keyboard shortcut.

CleanMyDrive doesn’t provide users with a list of what files it cleans (other than overall file size), so relies on a certain level of trust when prompting users to use the one-click cleanup button. Version 2 claims to have improved its hidden service files cleanup algorithm, while also offering an option to automatically clean drives before they’re ejected.

For those interested, the program cleans OS X and Windows Service files, including .DS_Store, .Spotlight-V100, .TemporaryItems, .fseventsd, Thumbs.db, RECYCLED, RECYCLER, $RECYCLE.BIN. It also scrubs resource forks and items in the Trash.

Version 2 also introduces a "hide" button that allows users to keep selected drives away from the program’s sphere of influence.

One final addition introduces support for customizing drive icons, although this involves making in-app purchases of icon sets. At time of release, two sets are available for $2.99 each, but there’s the promise of more to come.

CleanMyDrive 2 is available now as a free download for Mac users running OS X 10.10 or later.

Opera 34 revamps Turbo Mode to deliver more data savings, faster browsing speeds

Publié: décembre 8, 2015, 12:21pm CET par Nick Peers

opera

Opera Software has unveiled Opera 34 FINAL, a major new release of its desktop web browser, with a separate mobile release due shortly.

The new desktop build's primary focus is on delivering an improved Opera Turbo experience, but it also adds a handful of new features, including a number of improvements to its download engine as well as support for MSE Audio.

Opera 34’s main highlight is the unveiling of a new and more secure version of its Opera Turbo tool. This allows users to speed up downloads on slow networks, such as congested Wi-Fi networks or 3G connections.

It also provides data savings on bandwidth-limited plans through the compression of web pages before they’re delivered to the end user.

Version 34’s update comes with the promise that browsing speeds will be up to 15 percent faster than before. Data savings are improved by 23 percent, which translates in real terms to users saving up to 70 percent of their normal data usage when Opera Turbo is enabled.

Two other notable improvements in Opera 34 see downloads gain a cancel button (in addition to the pause/resume button), while the browser can now offer to resume partially complete downloads after a browser restart.

Eagle-eyed users will also note that the Discover section has been renamed to News, while Mac users will be pleased to learn the new release adds support for the native Share button, making it possible to share content from the browser with other networks and apps.

The final update sees Opera 34 gain support for MSE Audio, which allows it to play streams from Google Play Music and other similar services.

Opera FINAL 34 is available now as a freeware download for Windows, Mac and 64-bit Linux users, with the Android version due imminently. Also available are Opera Mini for Android, and Opera Mini for iOS 12.0, which recently added synced speed dials and support for iOS 9 features like 3D touch and Spotlight search.

Speccy restores compatibility with Windows 10, supports latest Intel processors

Publié: décembre 3, 2015, 4:47pm CET par Nick Peers

speccy

Piriform has released Speccy 1.29, a new version of its free Windows system information tool. The headline new feature in version 1.29 -- also available as a standalone portable build -- is improved support for the latest generation of Intel processors.

Speccy 1.29 also strengthens hardware detection, restores compatibility with the latest build of Windows 10 and updates its hardware detection algorithm.

Speccy bills itself as a fast, lightweight and advanced system information tool for PCs, providing both an overview and detailed information about the components and peripherals connected to the PC it’s running on.

It includes a feature for saving snapshots of system information (including support for XML and text formats) for sharing with tech support, friends or other interested parties.

The new release is the first for over ten months, and opens by promising better support for Intel’s newest Skylake and Broadwell processors. It’s also updated to restore compatibility with the latest build (10586) of Windows 10 -- prior versions were removed by Windows during the upgrade process due to compatibility issues.

The new build also claims to improve the detection of peripherals and network adapters thanks to an updated hardware detection algorithm.

There’s also the promise of improved localization and language support.

Speccy 1.29 is rounded off with the customary bug fixes and tweaks to the GUI. It, along with Speccy Portable 1.29, is available now as a free (for personal use) download for PCs running Windows XP or later. Commercial licenses are also available.

TeamViewer 11 comes with the promise of better network performance, redesigns toolbar

Publié: décembre 2, 2015, 10:43am CET par Nick Peers

TeamViewer 11

TeamViewer GmbH has released the final version of TeamViewer 11, its remote access tool for Windows, Linux and Mac computers. The new release, also available as a portable build for Windows users, launches with an emphasis on better performance through various networking optimizations.

Version 11 also unveils a redesigned toolbar and client interface, plus adds new options that include unattended access to Android devices as well as a SOS button for those businesses who want to provide it.

The focus in TeamViewer 11 is on performance. It’s been overhauled to use up less bandwidth -- promising up to 30 percent lower data usage rates. The efficiencies gained allow TeamViewer to produce better quality image rendering at equivalent bandwidths over the previous version.

TeamViewer 11 also debuts a redesigned client interface and toolbar, based on a combination of user feedback and the latest trends in user-interface design research, according to TeamViewer GmbH.

All users can now also connect directly to a Linux machine’s console, making it possible to administer headless servers without the need for an installed GUI, port forwarding, SSH configuration or display.

The growing popularity of Android as a platform beyond mere phones and tablets is reflected by TeamViewer’s added support for unattended access on Android devices, which enables users to remotely configure everything from POS and ATM devices to public displays and vending machines. Corporate users also gain a tool for mass deployment of TeamViewer Host to multiple Android devices.

Another business-only addition is the introduction of a custom TeamViewer QuickSupport module that allows companies to put an icon with their logo or CTA on the user’s desktop -- the equivalent of an SOS button that updates automatically as the company customizes its settings.

Other new features and improvements include full support for Windows 10 -- including a new universal app available through the Microsoft Store. This is accompanied by TeamViewer extending its support to the Chrome OS platform, with an app now available through the Chrome Web Store. There’s also support for remote installation of TeamViewer Host, channel groups and other group sharing improvements.

TeamViewer 11 FINAL is available now as a free-for-personal-use download for Windows, Linux and Mac users. TeamViewer 11 Portable is also available for Windows users under the same license restrictions, as are a range of mobile apps for Android, iOS, Windows Phone and Blackberry. Professional use requires the purchase of a subscription.

Backup to the cloud using the regular Acronis True Image 2016

Publié: novembre 17, 2015, 1:01pm CET par Nick Peers

Acronis True Image 2016

Everyone needs a solid, reliable backup solution, and Acronis True Image 2016 is one of the best when it comes to backing up everything from selected folders to entire partitions and hard disks.

You can now pick up a single license of True Image 2016 for just $29.99, which represents an amazing 40 percent off the MSRP thanks to our latest offer.

There’s one crucial difference between True Image 2016 and Acronis’ companion True Image Cloud, and that’s the fact it doesn’t support backing up to the cloud using Acronis’ own backup servers.

That’s understandable -- True Image Cloud charges an annual subscription for unlimited online backup space, making it a good deal more expensive than True Image 2016, even before our fantastic saving, but that doesn’t mean you’re restricted to local backups with True Image 2016.

If you’ve paid for cloud storage elsewhere -- for example, you’ve got an ongoing Office 365 subscription with accompanying 1TB personal storage -- then you’ll be pleased to know that True Image 2016 can easily be configured to back up to your existing cloud provider instead.

On the surface, all you need to do is create a folder inside your cloud storage folder on your PC, then point the backup to that folder (click Select Destination followed by Browse to manually select it). You’re then good to go, right?

Not quite -- before jumping the gun, your cloud storage folder needs to be housed on a separate drive to your main Windows partition. This is good practice, as it’s part of our 'separate your data from Windows' mantra.

Second, True Image stores your backups in a single, compressed TIB archive. Many cloud storage providers have limits on the size of single file uploads -- it’s 10GB in Dropbox and OneDrive, for example.

Don’t worry, though: after setting up your backup, click Options and switch to the Advanced tab. Expand 'Backup splitting' and change the setting to split the archive file into chunks that fit within your cloud storage provider’s limits.

And finally, ask yourself if you really need to back up an entire partition or drive to the cloud -- remember the upload will take a long time, and will quickly eat into any upload limits your internet provider’s package may have.

Better to use True Image to back up selected files and folders to the cloud -- specifically those that wouldn’t normally reside in the Dropbox folder. Thanks to True Image’s scheduling tools, you can update these backups automatically, and then Dropbox will monitor any changes and upload those in turn. Then, when it comes to backing up partitions and drives, store these on your external hard drive, or invest in a Network Attached Storage device if you’d like to house them in another room.

And you’re done

That’s it: not only have you picked up a powerful drive-imaging tool for a bargain price, you’ve learned how to pair Acronis True Image 2016 with your existing cloud provider to save you the cost of an additional annual subscription too.

Still not convinced? Don’t forget that True Image also includes a number of additional features -- PC users will particularly like the return of the Try & Decide snapshot tool for instance, which allows you to test software and settings on your PC, then quickly roll back to a previous state should you not like the changes (or something worse happens).

Acronis True Image 2016 is available now as a free trial download for Mac and Windows. You can purchase a single-computer licence for just $29.99, a saving of 40 percent off the MSRP, through the Downloadcrew Software Store.

Vivaldi moves to beta, offers power users a uniquely customizable browser

Publié: novembre 3, 2015, 10:49am CET par Nick Peers

vivaldi

Vivaldi Technologies has unveiled the first beta of its new web browser for power users with the release of Vivaldi Beta. The aim of Vivaldi is to give users unparalleled control over their web browsing experience, and has been developed by a team led by Opera’s co-founder, Jon S von Tetzchner.

The alpha releases have been downloaded by more than two million early adopters, but this first beta release is aimed at general users, and among its new features are support for Chrome extensions and web panels.

Vivaldi’s big selling point is its customizability. It’s built on top of the Chromium engine that powers both Google Chrome and Opera. This ensures performance is decent while allowing the developers time to focus on the browser’s functionality and feature set.

This customizability is most clearly demonstrated in the user interface, which is designed to adapt to the user’s preferences rather than force them to work with a traditional view, with tabs and address bar across the top of the screen. Instead, the user decides exactly where tabs and other screen elements are placed using the various options under Settings.

Vivaldi also features some unique twists on tab-based browsing, allowing users to stack tabs into groups based on user criteria. These stacks can then be tiled or displayed side-by-side within the browser window for easy switching. A trashcan in the tab bar makes it easy to recover accidentally closed tabs.

Power users are also catered for with Quick Commands, which combine keyboard shortcuts with a command-line interface that allows users to access key browser functions through written commands – just type [F2], start typing and then select from the available commands. Vivaldi supports mouse gestures for those who prefer them too.

Vivaldi also features a Speed Dial function -- just one of many nods to its Opera roots -- as well as a tool for taking notes and tools for quickly taking, viewing and managing bookmarks. All of these commands are accessible from a side panel.

New to the beta is support for web panels, allowing users to place frequently accessed online resources, such as news feeds, weather forecasts or other web links that can be viewed alongside the currently open web page.

The browser’s look is also designed to adapt to the website users are currently viewing, altering its color scheme to match.

The beta introduces a number of new features, most notably improved support for extensions -- thanks to Vivaldi’s Chromium engine, it’s now capable of supporting "most extensions made for Chrome", according to the press release. Type vivaldi://extensions into the Address bar to manage these and obtain more via the Google Chrome store.

Other new features introduced since the fourth major alpha release in July include Chromeless UI, visual navigation for Tabs, a Private window, page loading progress indicator, typed history list, smooth scrolling, Geolocation support and support for HTML5 h.264 media.

Vivaldi Beta is available now as a free download for Windows, Mac and Linux. Users can import data from a variety of browsers, including Chrome, Opera (old and new versions), and Internet Explorer, but not Firefox (a HTML option is available instead).

Firefox 42 tightens privacy with Tracking Protection, revamps Control Center

Publié: novembre 2, 2015, 8:21pm CET par Nick Peers

Firefox

Mozilla has made Firefox 42 FINAL available for download ahead of its official release, with Firefox 42 for Android due to follow later this week.

Both builds implement a new Tracking Protection feature to tighten web privacy, while the desktop version adds a new Control Center. Android users also gain a number of new features, including a login manager and the ability to queue up links from other apps.

Firefox 42 opens with its headline Tracking Protection feature, which has been added to its Private Browsing tool and is enabled by default. It’s designed to prevent user browser data being collected across multiple sites.

The feature is shown to be working on offending websites via a Shield icon in the Address bar, and is accompanied in the desktop build by a new Control Center, which is accessed by clicking the padlock or globe icon next to a web address.

The new dialog has been streamlined, providing basic information about a site’s content in terms of its security, plus informing the user if Tracking Protection is enabled for the site in question.

Users now click the > next to the security information to view certificate information (if applicable) and access the More Information dialog with site-specific controls.

Other new features in Firefox 42 see various improvements to the Login Manager, including improved heuristics when saving usernames and passwords, the ability to edit and show all logins in line, with support for copy and paste via the context menu. Finally, the migration tool can now import passwords from Windows, Chrome and IE -- users can access the feature from about:logins and import at any time.

A number of WebRTC improvements have also been implemented including IPV6 support, and an indicator has been added to tables that play audio along with one-click muting, echoing similar moves in other browsers.

The new Android release adds a number of new features: users can now open external URLs from Android apps in the background, effectively allowing them to queue up links without having to switch back and forth between applications.

Firefox 42 for Android also allows users to scan URLs from a QR code directly from the search panel, and offers family friendly browsing to those users who create restricted profiles on tablets.

Scrollable tabs have been implemented for panel navigation and there’s now support for searching using direct voice input from the URL bar.

One final new feature sees a new login manager -- accessed via about:logins -- make its bow, allowing users to view, edit and delete all saved logins.

Developer gains in version 42 include the ability to perform remote website debugging over Wi-Fi. Desktop developers can now also view a page’s HTML source in its own tab, and access a configurable Firefox OS simulator in WebIDE mode.

Firefox 42 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux is available now as a free, open-source download. Firefox 42 for Android should be in the Play Store shortly.

WinZip 20 widens sharing support, adds File Management ribbon

Publié: octobre 27, 2015, 4:51pm CET par Nick Peers

winzip

WinZip International LLC has released WinZip 20, a landmark release of what is perhaps the world’s best-known archiving tool. Version 20 builds on changes introduced in version 19 that saw the app move towards a unified file management system.

WinZip 20 introduces a new file management ribbon and frequent folders feature, plus makes working with files and folders more flexible while also widening its sharing options.

The app sees an overhauled user interface with a brand new File Management ribbon implemented in the best traditions of Windows and Microsoft Office. The new ribbon is joined by a new Frequent Folders shortcut, which gives users easy access to their most used folders.

WinZip 20 also introduces support for working with any file or folder, whether it’s accessing, modifying or moving it.

The previous release introduced support for direct integration with eight cloud services, and WinZip 20 widens this to include more than 10 new services, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Office365 and LinkedIn.

WinZip 20 Pro also gains a number of new features -- a new backup tool that can automate the backup and distribution of files from the cloud, network or user’s computer, all within one job. Users can now find, zip, encrypt and email files to a specified schedule.

Pro users also gain a new thumbnail preview option for files stored inside an archive, wherever it’s stored (PC, network or cloud). Users can now directly preview, rotate and resize images too, then share via email, social media or instant message.

One final Pro-only new feature sees a number of new sharing options added: Scan and Share not only captures images, but encrypts them prior to scanning, while Snap and Share works with user phones or cameras.

WinZip 20 is available as a free trial download for PCs running Windows XP or later. Also available is WinZip Mac Edition for OS X users. Both WinZip costs $29.95 for the Standard edition, while WinZip Pro costs $49.95. An Enterprise edition is also available with extra features such as Enterprise Privacy and Control, and is priced according to volume.

Kodi 15.2 unveils bug fixes and improvements across desktop and mobile

Publié: octobre 20, 2015, 3:03pm CEST par Nick Peers

kodi

The XBMC Foundation has unveiled Kodi 15.2, a maintenance update of its open-source, cross-platform media center. This is the second release since version 15 debuted back in July.

The major focus of the new release is to improve stability on the Android platform, but there are numerous other bug fixes implemented in what Team Kodi has dubbed "The Final Chapter" in its release notes.

Version 15 saw the debut of the first official Android build through the Google Play store, but developers quickly discovered an issue with certain devices using an Amlogic chipset that received a firmware update. Version 15.2 solves this problem, which manifested itself in a zoomed or partial screen during playback.

Another Android-only fix resolves an issue whereby many Android users would lose video after performing a fast-forward playback. Also fixed was an issue with refresh-rate switching that should improve performance on devices that use the Android API.

Changes across all platforms include unspecified fixes for both non-DVB and MicroDVD subtitles and incompatible MySQL queries. There are improvements to PulseAudio support on Linux and a fix for multiple images in group list layouts.

One popular use for Kodi is as a front-end for TV backends, and two updated add-ons for Tvheadend HTSP and MythTV should improve the experience for users of these two popular platforms.

Elsewhere scanning times on 32-bit platforms should improve after a fix was implemented for the file time used when scanning the user’s media library.

Windows users should also see improvements to video rewind, although some artifacts will remain for a few seconds after it’s been performed.

These fixes help strengthen the Isengard platform further -- reflecting its maturity and powerful feature set, version 15 contained few notable new additions to the program’s armory, the main highlights being a new chapter selector window for supported movie formats, adaptive seeking, expanded language and international settings, plus an improved add-on manager.

Team Kodi development has already turned its focus firmly to version 16, codenamed Jarvis. A third alpha was recently unveiled that among other things reveals a migration for Windows users from DirectX 9 to DirectX 11, support for 4:3 non-linear stretching and event logging.

In the meantime, Kodi 15.2 is a free, open-source download for PCs running Windows Vista or later or most modern flavors of Linux, plus Macs running OS X 10.7 (Lion) or later. The Android build requires a compatible device running Jelly Bean 4.2 or later.

Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for iOS gain more new features

Publié: octobre 12, 2015, 2:29pm CEST par Nick Peers

Excel for iOS

Microsoft has released new versions for the three core apps in its iPad and iPhone Office suite. Word for iOS 1.14, Excel for iOS 1.14, and PowerPoint for iOS 1.14 all gain minor improvements and new features as part of the suite’s ongoing evolution.

All three apps gain the ability to rename files, while there are improvements to font accessibility and a number of app-specific improvements too.

The rather basic (and essential) ability to rename files has finally been added to all three apps via their Open and Recent tabs -- just tap the share button to the right of a document and select Rename from the pop-up menu to make the change.

Both Word and PowerPoint apps also improve font handling, automatically downloading any missing fonts from the internet should they be detected in the currently open document.

Word users can now quickly navigate long documents by swiftly jumping to a specific page -- to do this, scroll, hold and drag to go directly to the page required.

Excel users also gain a number of improvements over commenting, currently restricted to the iPad version only. First, support for creating and editing comments directly has been added -- users can create new comments via the new Review tab. The feature is also accompanied by the addition of a Comments task pane to make reviewing comments much easier than before -- tap Show/Hide Comment to bring it into view or remove it. Existing comments can then be reviewed, edited or deleted direct from here.

The updates follow on from last month’s 1.13 update, which introduced support for multi-tasking in iOS 9, allowing each app to be run side-by-side with other apps. A new 'Resume reading' feature -- also introduced to recent desktop releases -- was added.

Also recently updated were Outlook for iOS 1.4.5 with bug fixes, while OneNote for iOS 2.16.2 has been relaunched as a universal app for iPad and iPhone.

Word for iOS 1.14, Excel for iOS 1.14 and PowerPoint for iOS 1.14 are available now as a free, function-limited downloads for iOS 8 or later. An Office 365 subscription is required to unlock their full functionality.

YouTube for iOS unveils major redesign, new in-app editing tools

Publié: octobre 6, 2015, 8:50pm CEST par Nick Peers

YouTube

Google has rolled out YouTube for iOS 10.38 for iPhone and iPad. Despite the minor version number revision, the new app sports a major facelift, plus new in-app editing controls.

The new look sports a minimalist interface with just three major navigation buttons: Home, Subscriptions, and Account. Users can tap or swipe to move between the various sections.

The Home tab is where recommended videos as well as the most popular uploads from a user’s subscribed channels can be viewed. Subscriptions provides a chronological view of the most recent videos posted to the user’s channels, with a series of thumbnail icons at the top of the display providing access to individual channels.

Finally, the Account page provides access to the user’s account options, including watch history, uploaded videos, purchases and 'watch later' list. Users can also switch accounts from here if required.

Feedback to the new design has been mixed, with some users complaining that the new release removes the sidebar from the previous build that provided convenient access to all the app’s functionality.

Others have bemoaned the new design’s inefficient use of screen real estate, with lots of empty space.

The new app also makes it possible for users to create videos on the fly -- first tap the red upload button on the Account page and grant YouTube access to the device’s videos. Select the video to upload and use the provided Trim, Filters and Music tools to polish the video prior to uploading it.

Users can use their own music or choose from a selection of provided background tracks, divided into categories such as 'Alternative & Punk', 'Cinematic' and 'Happy'.

YouTube for iOS 10.38 is available now as a free download for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch running iOS 7 or later.

Access Google Maps on your Apple Watch with latest iOS update

Publié: octobre 1, 2015, 12:06pm CEST par Nick Peers

google maps

Google has unveiled updates to its Google Maps for iOS and Google Maps for Android apps. The big news in this latest release is the addition of support for the Apple Watch on the iOS platform.

Both Android and iOS users also gain additional new features including support for comparing ETAs across a range of transit options, plus the ability to generate directions and call businesses directly from a list of places.

Google Maps for iOS introduces support for the Apple Watch, providing users with an alternative to Apple’s own Maps solution. At the current time, users are restricted to getting directions only: two buttons provide easy access to directions to the user’s home or work place, while a "Recent routes" option provides access to directions to places browsed in Google Maps on other platforms.

Users can switch between walking, transit and driving directions by a force press on-screen, and the watch segues in with the user’s phone, allowing them to launch directions on that before switching the watch to provide turn-by-turn instructions.

The iOS (4.11.0) and Android (9.15.0) versions also gain additional improvements for mobile users. The biggest improvement is to the app’s directions capabilities. Users are now able to quickly switch between each travel options using the tabs displayed beneath the departure and destination locations. Each tab not only displays the transport type (driving, cycling, walking or public transport), but also shows estimated travel times, to provide a quick and easy way to compare different modes.

The other notable change occurs when users perform a search -- when reviewing the list of results, users can tap the directions icon next to an entry to quickly get directions to it. Phone users can tap to call any businesses directly from here too.

Both updates are rounded off with the usual unspecified bug fixes. Google Maps for iOS 4.11.0 is available now for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later, plus the Apple Watch. Google Maps for Android 9.15.0 is available for Android devices running Android 2.3 or later.

CCleaner 5.10 and CCleaner for Mac 1.10 focus on browser cleaning

Publié: septembre 25, 2015, 12:00pm CEST par Nick Peers

ccleaner

Piriform Software has released CCleaner 5.10 and CCleaner 5.10 Portable for Windows PCs, along with CCleaner for Mac 1.10.

Both builds focus on browser improvements, while PC users gain faster start-up times and improvements to the program’s support for window and DPI resizing.

CCleaner 5.10 opens with the promise of faster start-up times thanks to changes to its internal architecture. It also claims to improve its window resizing and DPI support.

Its numerous browser improvements include the added ability to now clean extension caches and cookies in Google Chrome.

Changes elsewhere also focus largely on cookies. There’s the promise of enhancements to CCleaner’s Intelligent Cookie Scan, along with by unspecified improvements to cookie management in Microsoft Edge. Firefox users gain improved session cleaning as well as added support for cleaning HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) cookies.

Other documented changes are the usual minor GUI tweaks and bug fixes, plus a new translation for Corsican users.

The update is joined by the recently released CCleaner for Mac 1.10. Version 1.10 ensures CCleaner will work with the upcoming OS X El Capitan release, plus adds support for Microsoft Office 2016 cleaning. Like its PC counterpart, the new version also focusses its improvements on browser cleaning, covering Safari 8 (session and history), Opera (cache and saved password) and cookie management. A new portable version has also been added.

CCleaner 5.10 and CCleaner 5.10 Portable are available now as freeware downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later, while CCleaner for Mac 1.10 requires OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) or later. A Professional version offering additional features including real-time monitoring and complete system cleaning is also available, and the best place to get the Windows version is the Downloadcrew Software Store, where it costs just $17.46, an exclusive discount of 30 percent off the MSRP.

Firefox 41 adds instant messaging support to Firefox Hello

Publié: septembre 22, 2015, 12:12pm CEST par Nick Peers

Firefox

Mozilla has released Firefox 41 FINAL for desktop, with Firefox for Android 41.0 due imminently.

The desktop build introduces a large number of mainly incremental changes – the most interesting are profile picture support for Firefox Accounts and the addition of instant messaging to Firefox Hello -- while the mobile version makes it possible to utilize different search providers from the search panel.

Version 41 now allow users with Firefox Accounts to set a profile picture via the account management screen. Click Add next to Account Picture then choose to upload a photo, use a webcam or apply a Gravatar. Users can then rotate, zoom and reposition the photo to fit the frame.

Once applied, the picture is displayed in various places, including the Firefox menu, the Options > Sync screen and in Firefox Hello chats.

Firefox Hello also finally gains support for instant messaging in Firefox 41 -- previous releases were limited to video and audio chats only. Now users can also type messages to each other during the conversation -- these appear beneath the main chat window.

Other new features include support for SVG images as favicons, the tightening of WebRTC security through the need for perfect forward secrecy and enhanced IME support on Windows using the Text Services Framework.

Elsewhere, there’s improved box-shadow rendering performance, along with widened support for a number of HTML5 properties. Developers gain a new Pseudo-Class panel in the inspector, and a fix has been implemented to ensure picture elements react to resize and viewport changes.

Firefox 41 for Android now supports the ability to quickly search using different providers via the search panel. Tablet users can now swipe to close tabs, and an overlay has been added to allow users to manually search and copy/paste login credentials from Firefox’s password manager when they’re not automatically filled.

The bookmark management tools have also been strengthened to detect duplicates. Users also gain the ability to open Android apps via web pages through support for Intent URIs. Finally, Android Lollipop users will be pleased to learn that support for playing MP3 audio files has been restored.

Firefox 41.0 FINAL is available now for Windows, Mac and Linux as free, open-source downloads. A portable build for Windows users is also available, while Firefox for Android 41.0 FINAL should appear in the Google Play store imminently.

Opera 32 adds password sync, improved bookmarks view

Publié: septembre 15, 2015, 1:30pm CEST par Nick Peers

Opera

Opera Software has unveiled Opera 32 FINAL, a new release of its desktop browser for Windows, Mac and Linux, with an Android update due to follow.

Version 32 is another build light on major new features, with the company keen to promote its recent acquisition of the SurfEasy VPN service. What has been added is password sync, a new view for bookmarks and support for animated background themes.

Opera has used this new release to advertise its recent acquisition of SurfEasy, a VPN service that includes a free package with a 500MB monthly transfer limit (unlimited packages cost $3.99/mo for desktop, and $2.49/mo for mobile). The company hints at plans to incorporate SurfEasy features into future versions of the browser, but for now this is limited to promoting the new product within Opera itself: the advert can be found under Settings > Privacy & Security or in a new Private Browsing window.

Elsewhere, changes are minimal, but welcome. Opera has added passwords to its list of settings that can be synced -- click the user icon to the right of the Address bar and select 'Choose what to synchronize' to add passwords to the list. Passwords are encrypted for security reasons, and users have a choice between accepting their Opera credentials or by adding an additional synchronization passphrase for greater security.

Elsewhere, users gain a new 'Tree view' for bookmarks in the left-hand pane that makes it easier to navigate large groups of folders, while support for animated background themes has also been added. Browse to Themes and click 'Get more themes' to see what’s available -- animated themes are marked out by a play button that allows users to preview the theme before adding it.

The Android version will be rolling out in the Store shortly -- new features could include an 'Add to Home screen' option and the ability to synchronize typed history based on what’s currently in the beta version.

Opera FINAL 32 is available now as a freeware download for Windows, Mac and 64-bit Linux users, with the Android version due imminently. Also available are Opera Mini for Android, which recently added a new "High" savings mode and full-screen tab gallery, and Opera Mini for iOS 10.2.

VirtualBox squashes bugs, adds new guest resolution to pre-defined menu

Publié: septembre 8, 2015, 6:04pm CEST par Nick Peers

Virtualbox

Oracle has released VirtualBox 5.0.4, the first publicly flagged maintenance release for the 5.0 series of its virtualization tool for Windows, Mac and Linux.

Version 5.0 introduced support for USB 3.0 and hardware virtualization among other improvements, and version 5.0.4 is almost exclusively a bug-fix update.

One standout fix for Windows hosts should resolve issues with VERR_LDR_MISMATCH_NATIVE error messages, which saw some users having to launch VMs multiple times before they would function correctly. Although not explicitly stated, the error seems to have been linked to specific security software.

Version 5.0.4 also introduces a number of tweaks to the GUI -- Windows 7 is now the default OS type for Windows, and another pre-defined guest screen resolution (1152×864) has been added to the View > Virtual Screen menu as an option.

Notable GUI fixes sees an end to VM shutdown crashes on Mac OS X hosts where both 2D video acceleration and 3D support are enabled, while certain X11 window managers should also perform better, particularly when in multi-screen setups.

Storage fixes see fixed raw disk access and flat VMDK image access no longer opened in read-only mode for those who’d applied the 5.0.2 maintenance release that slipped out without fanfare last month.

A path separator issues has been fixed for Shared Folders, while drag and drop host-to-guest transfers on OS X hosts should no longer cause a crash.

Other notable Windows host fixes include support for Windows 10 build 10525 or later and the squashing of a bug when enumerating a network adapter on Windows 10. Also resolved are intermittent host network disconnects during startup and shutdown on VMs with bridged networking in place.

For a complete list of fixes and changes -- including a full list of changes for the previous 5.0.2 maintenance release, check out the changelog.

VirtualBox 5.0.4 is now available as a free open-source download for Windows, Mac and Linux, along with the companion VirtualBox Extension Pack 5.0.4, which is free for non-commercial use only.

Skype 6.0 for Android, iOS unveils intuitive new features and design

Publié: septembre 4, 2015, 10:48am CEST par Nick Peers

skype6-ipad

Microsoft has rolled out a major refresh of its Skype mobile apps with the release of Skype for iPhone 6.0, Skype for iPad 6.0 and Skype for Android 6.0.

All three apps come with a redesign aimed at making them easier to use as well as improved search tools. iPad users also gain all iPhone features, while Android users also benefit from some platform-specific improvements.

The redesigns have been implemented to further speed up navigation and make the app more intuitive to use -- support for swipe gestures has been added to quickly make calls and manage messages in the iOS version, while sharing photos, web links, emoticons and the user’s location is now easier too when making video or voice calls.

The iPad version has also been upgraded to include all available functionality from the iPhone build -- the aforementioned sharing tools are accompanied by support for starting voice chats and calls.

The streamlined Android redesign -- "inspired" by Android's material design -- includes a new floating action button to make it easier to start new conversations. Android users also gain improved messaging tools, which make it easier to see how many unread messages there are along with better visual cues for distinguishing between read and unread messages.

Both platforms also gain enhanced search tools, which should speed up the retrieval of contacts and important conversations.

Skype for iPhone 6.0 and Skype for iPad 6.0 are available for iOS devices running 7 or later. Skype for Android 6.0 is rolling out now, suitable for devices running Android 4.0 or higher.

Ultimate Windows Tweaker 4.0 launched for Windows 10 users

Publié: août 24, 2015, 6:08pm CEST par Nick Peers

Ultimate Windows Tweaker

The Windows Club has released Ultimate Windows Tweaker 4.0 for Windows 10 users. The lightweight, portable freeware tool makes it easy to tweak various aspects of Windows that usually hidden away or require access to Registry editor or Group Policy Editor.

The new release sits alongside the previous versions, Ultimate Windows Tweaker 3.1.2 for Windows 8/8/1 and Ultimate Windows Tweaker 2.2, which requires Windows Vista or 7.

The latest build of Ultimate Windows Tweaker now ships with over 200 tweaks, an increase of around 20 percent on the previous Windows 8.1 release. Like its predecessors, it’s a portable tool (so requires no installation), and ships in a small 549KB zip archive.

Again, the app has been redesigned to fit in with the Windows 10 user interface, with new tweaks added, and existing ones updated or removed if no longer relevant. An additional category of tweaks has been added too, with a whole section devoted to the desktop context menu, allowing users to add their choice of additional options (including modern and built-in apps, as well as system tweaks) to the right-click menu.

Two new tabs also replace the "Additional" tab found in the previous version’s Customization section: Windows 10 and This PC. The latter makes it possible for users to add shortcuts that appear when in This PC view in File Explorer, while Windows 10 contains a series of OS-specific tweaks focused around performance and its look and feel.

The first time users launch the tool, a SmartScreen security dialog may pop up -- users should click for additional options and choose to "Run anyway". The app will now launch, and the SmartScreen dialog won’t appear in future.

Ultimate Windows Tweaker 4.0 is available now as a freeware download for Windows 10 users.

Parallels Desktop 11 adds Windows 10 integration, extends Cortana to Mac desktop

Publié: août 19, 2015, 8:54pm CEST par Nick Peers

Parallels Desktop 11

Parallels IP Holdings GmbH has released Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac, a major new release of its market-leading virtualization tool.

The app, which allows users to run virtual versions of Windows, OS X and Linux in a virtual environment, adds full support for Windows 10 while readying itself for El Capitan’s imminent release. It also promises significant performance improvements.

Parallels Desktop 11 promises to launch and shutdown Windows machines up to 50 percent faster than the previous release, while also improving file operations inside Windows VMs by up to 20 percent. Suspend times should be 20 percent quicker, while a new Travel Mode feature promises to improve battery life on laptops by up to 25 percent through the temporary suspension of power-draining resources. Unspecified improvements to network performance are also claimed.

As expected, the new build extends official support to Windows 10 on VM as well as promising to work on the forthcoming El Capitan release of OS X. However, Windows 10 integration goes further, with Parallels promising to give users access to Microsoft’s personal assistant Cortana from outside of the VM environment, allowing them to leverage it in OS X itself.

Other new features include adding Quick Look to Windows VMs, Force Touch gesture support for quick previews and word definitions and a new Coherence mode button. The most recently used list can now be viewed directly on the Mac too, regardless of the origin of its contents.

Also added is a new Easy Printing feature, the extension of Mac location services to Windows VMs and enhanced file associations making it easy to change file association directly in OS X.

Parallels Desktop 11 is also joined by a new Pro version aimed at more serious users, with integration for key developer tools, additional user profiles for testing purposes, advanced networking tools and enhanced memory and processor power for performance purposes.

Parallels Desktop 11 is available now as a trial download for Macs running OS X Lion or later. A Core 2 Duo processor or later is required with 4GB RAM recommended. Pricing remains unchanged, with the full version available for $79.99, with upgrades from Parallels 9 or 10 ($49.99) also available. The Pro build launches with an introductory annual subscription price of $49.99, which includes a complimentary Parallels Access subscription.

Corel Painter 16 gains sound-sensitive brushes, promises more realistic effects

Publié: août 11, 2015, 1:38pm CEST par Nick Peers

Corel Painter

Corel has unveiled Corel Painter 16 for Windows and Mac, a major new release of its acclaimed digital paint program for professionals.

The new build introduces new brushes -- including a selection that react to sound -- as well as paper and flow map rotation. Corel also claims Painter 2016 delivers a significant performance increase over previous builds.

Painter 2016’s headline new feature is Audio Expression, a series of brushes that react to sound. Users can play back music in the background or through their computer, and the sound will react with the brush to change its size, angle and color variability as it’s used.

There’s also a new Dynamic Speckles tool, or"Particle system physics combine with brush thickness control", as Corel describes it. The aim is to produce even more naturalistic effects by generating speckles in the brushwork as the user paints or splatters on the canvas.

Greater realism is also delivered through Special Media Mixing, which introduces new dab styles that utilize a mixture of particles and either liquid ink, watercolor or impasto.

Painter 16 also allows users to change the angle of paper textures and flow maps, again to change the variety of brushstroke work and deliver more naturalistic effects.

Corel Painter 2016 also comes with the promise of faster performance, with Corel claiming its brushes are up to three times quicker than with the previous version. Improved blending tools -- dubbed Blending 2.0 -- also help speed up performance when editing blending brush variants. Blending 2.0 also avoids leaving white fringes on the canvas that was prevalent when using the older tool.

Adobe Photoshop users also gain the ability to import their pixel-based brush stamps into Painter and customize them for use in the program.

The new version also gives users greater control over the user interface, allowing them to apply different color schemes (including dark, sepia and frost) as well as change the UI background using the color wheel. Also implemented are enhanced document views, which support the quick switching of default, single document and presentation views.

Mindful of criticisms regarding the program’s steep learning curve, Corel has also integrated various learning tools into the program itself: context-sensitive brush hints, visual tooltips and enhanced content sharing.

A 30-day trial of Corel Painter 16 can be downloaded now for Windows 64-bit or Mac. 4GB RAM and Intel Core 2 Duo processor is consider a comfortable minimum entry requirement, along with 750MB HD space. The full version costs $429, with upgrades costing $229.

Firefox 40 unveils Windows 10-friendly design, tightens download protection

Publié: août 11, 2015, 11:25am CEST par Nick Peers

firefox40

Mozilla has released Firefox 40 FINAL for desktop, with Firefox for Android 40.0 due to follow by the end of the week.

Version 40 provides added protection against potentially malicious downloads on both platforms, while desktop users enjoy a raft of new features, including a new Suggested Tiles feature and add-on management dialog.

Version 40 opens with "support for Windows 10", despite the fact Firefox 39 seems to co-exist happily with it. Support entails subtly tweaking the browser’s design and feel to fit in the new Windows 10 look -- this includes shrinking the browser UI to increase space for displaying web pages.

The other significant new feature of note -- also applied to the Android build -- sees Firefox gain increased protection against potentially malicious downloads. This builds on the malware screening -- based on the protection offered in Google Chrome -- that was first implemented last year.

Desktop users also gain a new Suggested Tiles feature, designed to display sites of potential interest. These are based on categories that are selected based on content in the user’s recent browsing history. Users can switch the feature off by clicking the settings button in the top right-hand corner of the New Tab page and unticking "Include selected sites").

Firefox’s chat tool, Hello, gains a new feature that allows users to select the currently active web tab as the focus for a topic of conversation -- just tick the "Let’s talk about" box before clicking "Start a conversation".

Firefox 40 also restyles the Add-On Manager to more closely resemble the recently retooled Preferences dialog. This is accompanied by a warning whenever a user attempts to install an add-on extension that hasn’t been signed by Mozilla.

Other new features see improved graphics performance, and improvements to the graphics blocklist mechanism. Developers gain three new views -- Waterfall, Call Tree and Flame Chart -- to the performance tools.

Android users gain support for the Android Presentation API when screen casting from their device, while the history list is now accessible by long pressing on either back or forward navigation buttons in the app menu.

Firefox 40.0 FINAL is available now for Windows, Mac and Linux as free, open-source downloads. A portable build is also available for Windows users, and Firefox 40.0 FINAL for Android is imminent.

Opera 31 unveils redesigned Discover service, tweaks sync options

Publié: août 5, 2015, 9:11pm CEST par Nick Peers

opera

Opera Software has unveiled Opera 31 FINAL, a new stable release of its desktop browser for Windows, Mac and Linux.

After the excitement of three major new features in version 30, Opera 31 is a bit of a damp squib. Only two relatively minor new features make their bow in this latest release: a redesigned Discover feature and improved sync capabilities.

Opera 31’s most noticeable change is its redesigned Discover section. The most significant improvement here is the implementation of a left-hand sidebar that makes it easy for users to switch sections when browsing for stories to read.

The sidebar also provides one-click access to Top Stories and Settings, whereby users can customise the feature by country and language, plus choose which categories are eligible to put forward potential top stories. The Settings section has also been redesigned to make all available options accessible from a single screen.

The new look can also be found in the program’s online Help pages (accessible via the [F1] key), with the left-hand sidebar making it easy to browse by section.

Version 31 also extends the browser’s sync feature to also include typed history. Users can disable this – and other individual sync features -- by typing browser://flags/#sync-history into the browser Address bar.

Version 31 also switches on the recently implemented start-up improvement features by default -- these help speed up program launch under certain conditions, such as on PCs with slow hard drives.

Opera FINAL 31 is available now as a freeware download for Windows, Mac, Android and 64-bit Linux users. Also available are Opera Mini for Android, which recently added support for Facebook notifications, and Opera Mini for iOS 10.2, which added Night Mode for late-night browsing.

LibreOffice 5.0 unveils streamlined user interface, adds 64-bit Windows build

Publié: août 5, 2015, 3:14pm CEST par Nick Peers

LibreOffice 5

The Document Foundation has released LibreOffice 5.0 64-bit andLibreOffice 5.0 32-bit. This is a major new release that will form the cornerstone of future development on mobile platforms as well as the upcoming LibreOffice cloud version.

Version 5.0′s highlights include a brand new 64-bit Windows build to accompany existing Mac and Linux releases, plus compatibility with Windows 10, a user interface facelift, better interoperability with major office suites and a number of new features across its component parts, particularly Writer and Calc.

Version 5.0 represents a new shift in direction for the program. "Since 2010, we have gone through three different development cycles," revealed lead developer Michael Meeks. "The 3.x family, to clean the code from legacy stuff; the 4.x family, to make the suite more responsive; and the 5.x family, to make it smarter, also in terms of user interface".

The new build’s UI unveils new icons and a raft of improvements to its menus and sidebar, designed primarily to give more screen space for editing, but also to make popular controls easier to access. Examples include the ability to preview styles in real-time from the formatting toolbar, plus the streamlining of context menus in Impress and Draw to make popular controls more visible and easy to access.

LibreOffice 5.0 also ships with significant interoperability improvements, aimed at making the program easier to use with major office suites, notably Microsoft Office and Apple iWork. New Pages and Numbers filters have been implemented along with major improvements to existing document filters to increase the accuracy of importing and exporting data between applications.

There are numerous new features across the suite’s various components too. Calc users gain support for complex formulae and new functions, plus conditional formatting and table addressing features among other improvements.

Writer unveils a new AutoCorrect extension that simplifies Unicode character input such as Emoji shortcodes. Word-compatible text highlighting and shading are now also preserved both during import and export of documents.

Images can now be cropped via the mouse across supported apps, including Writer, Impress and now Calc -- simply right-click an image with the mouse and choose "Crop this image" to access the tool.

LibreOffice 5.0 will be used to build mobile clients on Android and Ubuntu Touch, and will also be the base for the upcoming cloud-based version of LibreOffice.

The latest version -- based on the recent RC5 release -- has also been extensively tested and bug-fixed prior to final release. For a complete rundown of the extensive changes, see the release notes.

LibreOffice Productivity Suite 5.0 64-bit is available now as a free, open-source download for Windows (Vista or later), Mac (OS X 10.8 or later) and Linux. LibreOffice Productivity Suite 5.0 32-bitis also now available for 32-bit Windows and Linux machines.

CCleaner strengthens Windows 10 compatibility

Publié: juillet 24, 2015, 1:36pm CEST par Nick Peers

ccleaner

Piriform Software has released CCleaner 5.0.8 FINAL and CCleaner 5.0.8 Portable, the latest builds of its Windows cleaning tool.

The new build promises compatibility with the RTM build (10240) of Windows 10, and adds support for Microsoft Edge Browser Monitoring to the Professional version of the software. By adding Edge to the Browser Monitoring feature in CCleaner Pro, users can now automatically clean the browser whenever it’s closed (or be prompted to do so).

In addition to the new Pro-only feature, CCleaner 5.0.8 also handles the new Edge browser better too in both free and paid-for editions, implementing improvements to the cleaning of saved passwords and the browser cache.

In addition to strengthening Edge support, users of Opera 30 should also enjoy improved session cleaning in the new build.

Other changes to app cleaning see support extended to Foxit Reader 7 and RealTimes, while Avira Antivirus, BlueStacks and Media Player Classic cleaning have all been improved too. The new build also promises better support for Include and Exclude wildcards.

One final change for Pro users sees a new "Open CCleaner" option added to the System and Browser Monitoring functions.

The update is rounded off with the usual translation updates, minor GUI tweaks and unspecified bug fixes.

CCleaner 5.0.8 FINAL and CCleaner 5.0.8 Portable are available now as freeware downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later. A Professional version offering additional features including real-time monitoring and complete system cleaning is also available, and the best place to get it is the Downloadcrew Software Store, where it costs just $17.46, an exclusive discount of 30 per cent off the MSRP.

Worried about upgrading to Windows 10? EaseUS System GoBack Free provides you with an escape route

Publié: juillet 22, 2015, 5:37pm CEST par Nick Peers

goback

EaseUS has released System GoBack Free 1.0, a tool aimed squarely at those about to upgrade to Windows 10.

The stakes are high for Microsoft’s new OS -- it’s a free update to many, but those who have reserved their upgrade may be getting twitchy ahead of the big day. System GoBack Free aims to soothe their nerves by offering an easy fallback option.

System GoBack Free makes it easy to take a full system image of the user’s computer prior to them upgrading to Windows 10. If they subsequently want to roll back to their previous version of the Windows, the app makes it easy to do so.

It’s aimed squarely at Windows users who don’t want the hassle of discovering how to use Windows’ own built-in system image tools, or who haven’t made use of a third-party tool like Macrium Reflect. System GoBack Free is designed to make the process as hassle-free as possible. And despite the fact it’s targeted at Windows 7 and 8 users, it’ll work with XP and Vista too.

First, download and install the app -- it’s a hefty 80MB download. Once launched, you’ll see that System GoBack Free has just two buttons: "Backup System", for taking your pre-upgrade backup, and "Go Backup", which you’ll only need to use if you subsequently decide that Windows 10 isn’t for you (or something drastically goes wrong with the update process).Take a note of the Location path -- this is where System GoBack Free will save your fail-safe image.

Everything works as you’d expect it to -- a progress bar keeps you informed as to the backup’s progress, and once it’s complete, you have a fall-back option should you fall out with Windows 10.

Our big issue with System GoBack Free is that in attempting to be as simplistic as possible it’s actually dropped the ball. There’s no option to pick and choose your backup drive, for example, and while the app provides an emergency boot image in the form of an ISO file (look in the program’s bin folder), it’s not created by default as part of the backup process. Instead, the user must burn this to disc or create a boot USB manually. Failure to do so means the backup is of little use if something goes wrong during the upgrade process and Windows becomes unbootable.

If you can live with these drawbacks, then System GoBack Free 1.0 is a freeware download for PCs running Windows XP or later.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac 1.0 is a simple on-demand scan-and-remove tool

Publié: juillet 16, 2015, 11:57am CEST par Nick Peers

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac

Security developer Malwarebytes has unveiled Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac 1.0, the company’s first Mac product.

The new app hasn’t been coded from scratch, but is a rebranded (and updated) version of AdwareMedic, which was acquired by Malwarebytes back in March.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac targets various types of malware, but focuses in particular on adware and other PUPs. Like the free PC version, this initial release offers no real-time protection.

It’s a simple scan and remove tool, designed to detect various forms of Mac malware and then purge it. The program’s footprint is small, it’s a cinch to use, and it’ll quickly flag up anything that’s sneaked on to your system without you realizing it.

Don’t be surprised if certain items aren’t selected by default -- these are typically legitimate files (like browser preferences) that have been modified by the infection. Removing these wipes all your browser settings, so the program leaves them unchecked to prevent you from accidentally deleting them before due consideration has been made.

In most cases, MBAM-Mac can simply remove any suspicious or infected files (this may require a reboot, but not always), but look out for an exclamation point -- this indicates the malware may be trickier to remove, and should provide a link to more help dealing with this particular infection.

Whether or not you believe in protecting your Mac from malware on an ongoing basis, there’s no good reason to not install MBAM-Mac and occasionally let it scan your hard drive. Like us, you might be surprised by what you find -- and its heritage is a strong one, with AdwareMedic scoring highly among users, reviewers and experts alike.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac 1.0 is available now for Macs running OS X 10.7 or later -- it’s free for personal use only. Also available is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.1.8 for Windows PCs.

Firefox 39 introduces social network sharing of Hello conversations

Publié: juillet 3, 2015, 1:46pm CEST par Nick Peers

Mozilla Firefox 39 Hello

Mozilla has unveiled the latest version of Firefox, 39.0 for Windows, OS X and Linux PCs, along with Firefox for Android 39.0.

The new desktop build adds a social invite tool for its Firefox Hello chat feature while implementing a number of improvements and security features for Mac OS X and Linux.

Version 39 now allows users to share the URL of their Firefox Hello conversation with social network contacts, who can then join the conversation via their own Firefox browser.

Users must activate support for the feature via the Services for Firefox page. The four "big" services -- Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and Twitter -- are all supported, and users should click each separate button to implement support for that network. Once implemented, users simply need to click "Share Link" in the chat window and select their chosen network to send an invitation.

Elsewhere, OS X users should notice that Firefox 39 now provides smoother animations and scrolling thanks to the implementation of Project Silk.

There’s also greater protection against malicious downloads for OS X and Linux users thanks to the implementation of SafeBrowsing malware detection -- this feature was already present in the Windows build.

Other new features include support for the "switch" role found in ARIA 1.1, a series of standards for making web pages more accessible. This feature has also been implemented in Firefox for Android 39, which also finally allows users to paste Android clipboard content into editable web content.

Both builds also gain a number of security improvements, and widen support for HTML5 standards. There are also a large number of bug fixes implemented, detailed in the release notes. The desktop build also sees a number of Developer tweaks implemented.

Firefox 39.0 is available now for Windows, Mac and Linux as free, open-source downloads. A portable build is also available, as is Firefox 39.0 for Android.

O&O DiskImage Professional 10 promises faster file-based backup, adds support for Windows 10

Publié: juin 30, 2015, 4:44pm CEST par Nick Peers

diskimage

O&O Software GMBH has unveiled a major new update of its Windows drive-imaging and backup tool with the release of O&O DiskImage Professional 10 64-bit. Also available for 32-bit versions of Windows, the new release adds support for the forthcoming Windows 10 release.

It also debuts a completely rewritten file backup engine, the ability to trigger multiple tasks with portable devices and support for integrating drivers into the program’s rescue boot medium.

O&O DiskImage 10’s headline new feature is its brand new file-based backup component. Although the tool retains the same look and feel as its predecessor, O&O claim it’s up to twice as fast as the old version.

The new build promises full compatibility with the final release of Windows 10 too; version 9, which was only released last October, introduced support for the pre-release version.

The program also introduces a new feature that makes it possible to run multiple tasks with portable devices, extending the program’s existing abilities whereby users could run backup jobs automatically when plugging in a portable backup device.

Finally, O&O DiskImage 10 now allows users to integrate third-party drivers when creating the rescue boot disc -- click the Add Drivers button to do. They can also now load drivers for one-time use when using the rescue medium too -- simply select the Drivers tab under O&O System Settings. In both cases, users need to supply the driver files via another drive or disc.

O&O DiskImage Professional 10.0 32-bit and O&O DiskImage Professional 10.0 64-bit are both available as free 30-day trial downloads for PCs running Windows Vista or later.

CCleaner 5.07 arrives -- allows users to manage Firefox Web Apps

Publié: juin 25, 2015, 5:45pm CEST par Nick Peers

ccleaner

Piriform has unveiled the latest monthly update to its Windows cleaning tool with the release of CCleaner 5.07 FINAL. The new release is also available as a portable build.

The headline new feature is the ability for users to manage their Web Apps in the Firefox web browser. This feature is accompanied by a number of new improvements, including better support for Windows 10 ahead of its official release.

Web Apps can be managed from the same location as other Firefox start-up items -- select Tools > Startup > Firefox where apps can be identified by their Key. Unlike extensions and plugins, however, users can only remove apps by clicking Delete from here -- the disable and enable functions are off limits.

Version 5.07 also adds support for cleaning up after Adobe Reader DC, the latest build of Adobe’s industry standard PDF viewing application. Google Chrome users will be pleased to see that Internet Cache and Session cleaning have been improved.

The app also improves its support for Windows 10 users with better cleaning of both Internet Explorer 12 and Spartan web browsers. Another Windows 10 improvement seems better support for both Recycle Bin and Delayed cleaning.

CCleaner 5.07 also better handles its Skip User Account Control functionality for domain accounts, and rounds off its latest update with the usual translation tweaks, minor GUI improvements and bug fixes.

CCleaner 5.07 and CCleaner 5.07 Portable are available now as freeware downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later. A Professional version offering additional features including real-time monitoring and complete system cleaning is also available, and the best place to get it is the Downloadcrew Software Store, where it costs just $17.46, a 30 per cent discount off the MSRP.

WinZip Mac Edition 4.0 gains support for iCloud and ZipShare sharing

Publié: juin 19, 2015, 4:18pm CEST par Nick Peers

winzip mac

Corel’s WinZip subsidiary has unveiled a major new release for the Mac edition of its renowned zip archiving tool. WinZip Mac Edition 4.0 focuses on improving its sharing tools, but also implements support for Retina displays.

The tool first updates its direct integration cloud tool to add support for Apple’s iCloud Drive as well as its own proprietary ZipShare service. This increases the number of supported tools to four, the other two being Google Drive and Dropbox.

WinZip’s ZipShare is a proprietary cloud-based service that can be used independently of WinZip. It offers free and paid-for accounts -- free users can share zip files up to 50MB in size for a maximum of five days.

A Pro account removes the time limit, allows files up to 2GB to be shared and provides a variety of cloud-based file-management tools, including encryption and deliverability tracking. Prices start from $39.95 for an entire year; a monthly $9.95 package is also available.

WinZip Mac Edition 4.0 rounds off its sharing enhancements with a new convenient Share button, which provides direct access to any sharing options set up in OS X -- these include destinations such as Facebook, Twitter and IM. WinZip uploads the file in question to the selected cloud service, then emails, posts or Tweets a link.

The new release is rounded off with support for high-DPI Retina displays, ensuring the app looks sharp on Apple’s latest generation displays.

WinZip Mac Edition 4.0 is available as a trial download for Macs running OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or later. The full version can be purchased for $29.95. Also available are WinZip 19.0 for Windows and WinZip for iOS.

How to protect your LastPass account from hackers

Publié: juin 16, 2015, 4:25pm CEST par Nick Peers

lastpass password

So, the unthinkable has happened for millions of LastPass customers worldwide: LastPass’s servers have been hacked, and user data stolen. The good news -- if it could be said to be good -- is that your passwords are almost certainly safe… For now.

Doing nothing shouldn’t be seen as an option, so what can you do to ensure your LastPass account remains as tightly sealed as can be?

First, a quick recap: LastPass reported that email addresses, password reminders, server per user salts and authentication hashes were compromised in the attack. Of these, it’s the first two that are obviously of most concern. Expect those email addresses to be targeted at some point -- be particularly wary of any phishing attacks that use facsimile’s of LastPass emails to appear in your inbox attempting to trick you into giving up your master password.

You might want to change the email address associated with your LastPass account, seeing as this was stolen. Going forward, consider choosing a disposable, or dedicated email address that ensures your privacy is protected even if the unthinkable happens again.

The fact your password reminder is now in the open is a good reason for changing your Master Password, regardless of how cryptic it is. To do this, log into your LastPass account and --– from your LastPass Vault -- click Settings. Click Change Master Password and follow the prompts to create a new Master Password.

When it comes to choosing your new password, remember the longer and more complicated the better – that way, it’s harder for hackers to force their way into your account. And make sure your Password Reminder is a cryptic one, triggering your memory but no one else’s.

Multifactor authentication

Another way to protect yourself going forward is to enable multifactor authentication -- for LastPass and any other cloud services you use. LastPass has switched on a basic form in light of the hack, with you needing to verify your email prior to signing on a new device or browser, but think of it as a sticking plaster rather than something you should rely on long term.

multifactor

Now is the time to return to your Account Settings. Switch to the Multifactor Options tab where you’ll find a plethora of multifactor services you can use. Click the pencil icon next to an option to see what’s involved -- most involve downloading an app for your phone that you’ll use to generate verification codes when prompted. There’s even a Grid option that requires you to print a spreadsheet of randomly generated characters you use when challenged (sadly it doesn’t work with non-Android mobiles, so is of limited use to many).

I went with the Google Authenticator option, which had the added bonus of also making sure I switched on two-way authentication for my Google account. After installing the Google Authenticator app, you generate a barcode or key from your Account Settings page to pair the two, at which point the app is ready to go.

Now each time you -- or someone else -- tries to log into LastPass on a previously unrecognized device, you’ll need to type in a six-digit code provided by the app. Look out for the switch that allows you to permanently trust the device you’re logging into -- this prevents you being challenged the next time you log in. You can manage these devices via the Trusted Devices section – rename them to make them more identifiable, or revoke their trusted access should they be sold on or -- lawks -- stolen.

Tighten security further

What else can you do to protect your account going forward? Take the LastPass security challenge to eliminate weak and duplicate passwords, then make use of LastPass’s built-in random password generator to make your passwords impossible to guess. Also consider changing your Master Password at regular intervals.

Also click the Show Advanced Settings button under the Account Settings General tab. Here you’ll find a Security section where you can set a separate security email address, restrict login to selected countries and enable auto logoff when switching devices.

All of these steps will help tighten your LastPass account still further, so if you plan to keep using the service, you know your passwords are as protected as they possibly can be. As for me, it’s seven days until my LastPass Premium sub expires, so now I have to decide whether or not I can continue to trust -- with misgivings -- LastPass with my passwords.

Nitro Pro 10 [Review]

Publié: juin 14, 2015, 12:21pm CEST par Nick Peers

nitro10_cloud

Nitro Pro has been the budget alternative to Adobe’s expensive Acrobat PDF conversion and editing tool for a number of years now.

It’s been 18 months since Nitro Pro 9.0 was released, which added a smattering of minor new tools and refinements, and version 10 continues in the same vein, unveiling a handful of new tools, some useful improvements and the promise of better performance -- up to 40% faster in fact.

That Nitro Pro 10 isn’t a major new release shouldn’t come as a surprise -- it came of age a few years ago now, and the "if it ain’t broke, don't fix it" mantra continues to be a wise one for Nitro to follow. Having said that, our eyebrows were raised when we discovered the price has gone up again -- another $20 for new users, and $10 for those upgrading from versions 8 or 9.

This begs the question: are there enough new features and improvements in Nitro Pro 10 to justify a second price hike is as many versions?

What Nitro does

Nitro Pro is a powerful tool for creating, editing and converting PDF documents. While free products -- including Nitro’s little brother Nitro Reader -- can create PDF files from other documents, they typically employ the services of a virtual print driver to produce little more than an image of the original file.

Nitro Pro offers more intuitive PDF creation tools, allowing you to create PDFs from documents like Word that can subsequently be re-edited in Nitro using its own powerful text-editing tools. And if you want to scan in a paper document, Nitro also comes with its own serviceable OCR engine, based on Readiris to ensure the resulting document’s text is editable too. Version 10 comes with the promise of improved accuracy with text, image and table recognition and adds an automatic de-skew function that aligns images correctly during the scanning process.

Nitro pairs this functionality with a set of powerful editing tools, with both line and paragraph-based text editing possible alongside the ability to swap out or insert images. Throw in form filling, collaboration tools and the ability to combine PDF files from multiple documents, and you have a tool that -- if not quite the equal of Adobe Acrobat -- is more than capable for most people’s needs at less than a third of the price, even after the latest price rise.

Get the Microsoft look

Nitro Pro’s interface is tied in closely to Microsoft Office 2013, sporting the same ribbon user interface to provide familiarity for those moving between the two apps. Version 9’s interface was simple and intuitive to use, so it’s perhaps not so surprising that version 10 adopts exactly the same look – aside from new buttons on the ribbon pointing to the new features, you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference.

Nitro’s close ties to Office mean it ships with plugins for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and the good news is that version 10’s plugins are now compatible with 64-bit iterations of Office as well as 32-bit versions.

Into the cloud

Version 9 saw Nitro Pro gain integration with Nitro Cloud, the company’s web-based service for sharing and collaborating on PDF documents with other users. It's easier to use the service directly from within Nitro as it gives you access to all of its advanced editing capabilities while making it simple to share and collaborate. All of its tools are found on the Cloud tab.

Version 10 tightens integration further, offering support for electronic signature management (allowing documents to be sent using a legally binding eSignature). It also adds Secure Share, for sharing and tracking documents over a secure channel.

Some new features have been added too -- Review & Markup tools can now be accessed through your web browser with sticky notes, instant messaging, highlighters and so on all available. And Nitro Pro 10 integrates fully with Google Drive, OneDrive and DropBox too -- you’ll need to install the relevant desktop clients if necessary, and then you can access your storage via convenient shortcuts in the File tab.

Batch process

If Nitro Pro 10 has any single headline feature, it has to be its Batch Processing tool, accessible from the File tab. This follows on from version 9’s time-saving Batch Print tool, and allows you to perform multiple actions -- in a specified order – on one or more documents.

The tool itself works perfectly: build a collection of actions into sequences, which can be saved for future use (and cloned as templates for other sequences). These can then be performed on one or more documents with just a few clicks.

There are 12 supported actions in this initial implementation, six of which are for batch-converting documents from PDF to Office or PDF/A formats.

Of the others, you can quickly strip all comments, print, tweak password security, or apply custom JavaScript code. There are also two handy OCR tools for making your documents searchable or searchable and editable.

Selected actions can be customized -- specifically executing JavaScript (so you can insert your custom code), password security, converting to Word, Excel or PowerPoint format, and printing.

It's undoubtedly got great potential, but we’re slightly disappointed that there aren’t more options available, like QuickSign or extracting images from multiple documents at once, but this is hopefully something for a future version.

More new features

Version 10 also adds an option to create PDF Portfolios -- these are basically wrappers (like zip files) into which you can store any kind of file, including PDF, Office documents or images. Users can then open the PDF portfolio in compatible apps (including Nitro 10, of course) to view or extract the files within.

It’s not innovative, but it’s welcome nonetheless, as is support for the PDF/A format, which was designed to provide a format capable of digitally preserving documents through the use of forced standards such as font embedding as opposed to linking. Nitro supports Part 1 and Part 2 standards, but is sadly lacking support for PDF/A Part 3, which allows users to embed additional files within the document as attachments.

Other changes

Nitro Pro 10 also implements some other welcome tweaks and improvements -- the search tool has been overhauled to become a floating bar, accessible via [Ctrl] + [F]. You’ll also see a new Advanced Search option -- this opens a sidebar that provides you with context for search results, helping you jump to the right point in your document.

It’s now possible to quickly copy pages from one open document to another using the Pages sidebar. All you need to do is make sure your target document or documents are open in another Nitro tab or window, then click and drag the page from one Pages sidebar on to the tab or window of another, using its sidebar to place it exactly where you want it to go.

Nitro 10 also makes it easier to edit text -- roll your mouse over an element to highlight it, then click once to start editing. The Crop tool has also been improved with the addition of predefined page sizes as well as custom measurements.

The Optimize PDF dialog has also been overhauled, to reduce the bewildering array of options down to just three basic options. Nothing’s been removed in terms of functionality, but in some cases -- those who used the old Professional Quality setting for example -- there's now more hoops to jump through rather than less.

What’s great…

Nitro Pro 10 continues to evolve at a steady pace, adding -- on the whole -- useful tools to its burgeoning feature set. Despite the lack of options, the Batch Processing tool will prove useful to those tasked with processing multiple documents in the same way, while the Editing tools have successfully been tweaked to be more intuitive to use. The Search tool has finally become useful too thanks to the sidebar and floating search box, and support for PDF/A and PDF Portfolios ensure Nitro Pro stays up to date.

The program itself also benefits from performance improvements, which make it that bit more responsive.

What’s not…

It’s getting harder and harder to find fault with Nitro Pro. There are still some niggles with the editing tools -- things don’t always do what you expect them to, but this is nit-picking of the highest order. The OCR engine is still not quite the equal of a dedicated tool either, but version 10 does see some welcome improvements make that criticism harder to stick – the automatic de-skew function in particular will be a bonus (and works brilliantly).

One thing we’re a little miffed at yet another price rise. Although the program remains comparably great value, its price is starting to drift out of the each of more casual users, and those considering an upgrade might do well to install the 14-day trial (which can be run alongside version 9) before committing to a fresh purchase.

In summary

Nitro Pro continues to age like a fine wine, but the days of it disrupting the PDF editing market are long gone now. It’s settled into a comfortable spot behind Adobe Acrobat – it can’t hold a candle to its feature list, but Nitro Pro offers enough power and features to satisfy the vast bulk of those needing to create and edit PDFs, and version 10 does nothing to jeopardize that.

It also remains good value too: a brand new license of Nitro Pro, which gives you a lifetime’s use of the product, still costs less than a single year’s subscription to Acrobat. And if you’re still running Nitro Pro 8, then the cumulative updates of versions 9 and 10, coupled with a compelling upgrade price, make this latest version hard to resist.

Nitro Pro 10 arrives, gains batch automation tool, PDF Portfolio creation

Publié: juin 9, 2015, 7:48pm CEST par Nick Peers

nitro

More than 18 months since its last major release, Nitro has launched a major new version of its award-winning 'Acrobat alternative' tool for creating, editing and converting PDFs, Nitro Pro 10.0.

Version 10 introduces a new Batch Processing tool for repetitive tasks, plus adds drag-and-drop support for creating PDFs and copying pages between documents. It also adds PDF Portfolio creation, PDF/A conversion, and wider support for various cloud-based storage services.

Nitro Pro 10 sports practically the same ribbon-based user interface as the previous version, based on Office 2013. The new features can be found scattered across the various aspects of the program.

The Batch Processing tool is accessible via the File tab, and currently supports 12 actions, six of which convert the selected documents to various Office or PDF/A formats. Other supported actions including password security, print, OCR (searchable or searchable and editable), delete all comments and execute JavaScript. Users can build up a sequence of one or more of these, then click Run to select which file or files to perform the actions on.

The File tab also provides shortcuts to the supported cloud service tools, assuming they’re installed and present. Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive are all supported.

The Home tab reveals the new PDF Portfolio creation tool -- this allows users to combine multiple files of any format into a single PDF wrapper, similar to a zip file. Once done, opening the portfolio in Nitro allows users to browse, view and extract the files for editing as a separate copy outside of the wrapper (files within the portfolio are left unchanged).

Also accessible from the Home tab is the new PDF/A conversion button, which allows users to validate PDFs, update fonts and images and then convert to PDF/A versions 1 and 2 for the purposes of long-term storage.

There are also enhancements to the program’s integration with Nitro Cloud, the company’s online PDF sharing and collaboration service -- users can now request and receive signatures, which ties in with the program’s QuickSign tool adding new custom options for drawing or creating signatures, including supporting both front and back cameras on compliant webcams.

Nitro Cloud also widens its selection of online collaboration tools, with online markup and commenting all supported.

Nitro Pro 10 also allows users to copy pages between open PDF files by dragging and dropping pages from the Pages sidebar on to the target PDF’s tab or window.

An Auto De-skew function ensures scanned images are correctly aligned, while the OCR tool comes with the promise of improved accuracy when searching and converting text as well as better recognition of images and tables.

The bookmarks tool also gains new Printing and Extracting Pages options from bookmarked sections, while the Object tool gains a Smart Guides feature to help align shapes properly. Users can now make the search bar float on top of other windows via the [Ctrl] + [F] shortcut.

The program is rounded off with the promise of improved launch times and performance speed – up to 40 percent over the previous version. It also claims to produce smaller PDF files than previously.

Nitro Pro 10.0 is available now as a free, fully functional 14-day trial download for PCs running Windows . The full version can be purchased for $159.99 plus taxes, an increase of $20 on the previous release, with significant discounts available for existing users of Nitro 7 or later.

Users can also road-test Nitro Cloud for free with a Basic account. Single users can upgrade to a Professional account for $14/mo or $120/yr for unlimited signatures and a larger document cap (250 pages or 10MB). Team and Enterprise pricing is also available.

Firefox gains Reader View, adds screen sharing capabilities to Hello chat tool

Publié: juin 3, 2015, 3:54pm CEST par Nick Peers

firefox

Mozilla has unveiled Firefox 38.0.5 FINAL for desktop and Firefox 38.0.5 for Android, the second time the browser has released a major interim update since switching to a rapid-release cycle back in 2013.

The new desktop build contains three major items of interest: a new Reader View, integration with the Pocket offline reading service, and improvements to Firefox’s Hello chat tool.

Firefox 38.0.5 opens by debuting a new Reader View, which provides a distraction-free view of supported web pages and blog posts. This works by stripping out unnecessary formatting to provide a reader-friendly, uncluttered view. Users should look for a book-like icon in the Address bar to the right of the site address on supported pages -- click this to enter Reader View.

Users can then customize this view by clicking the "Aa" button to the left to choose font type (serif or sans serif), font size and color scheme: light (default), dark or sepia.

Another new feature is integrated support for the Pocket save-for-later service. Previously available as an add-on, Pocket is now provided as a service in selected Firefox Accounts -- US English, German, Japanese, Russian and European Spanish are all currently supported.

The final new feature sees Firefox’s chat tool Hello gain a new feature: screen sharing. Users can now select any active tab or application window and opt to share it with their chat partner.

Firefox 38.0.5 FINAL also gains two notable bug fixes: one that stops Firefox to stop painting when switching tabs, and another that fixes graphics performance when using Windows 7’s built-in VGA driver.

The Android update is less impressive, gaining an integrated Adjust SDK to measure aggregate app installs, and the promise of several unspecified stability fixes.

Firefox 38.0.5 FINAL is available now for Windows, Mac and Linux as free, open-source downloads, while Firefox 38.0.5 for Android is also available.

Pixelmator 2 for iOS arrives, gains iPhone support

Publié: mai 28, 2015, 2:26pm CEST par Nick Peers

Pixelmator

The Pixelmator Team has unveiled Pixelmator 2.0.1 for iOS, a major new release for its renowned image-editing tool for Apple mobile devices.

It’s a landmark release because version 2’s headline new feature is that it now runs happily on all iOS 8-powered mobiles: iPad, iPhone and even the iPod touch 5G. This is joined by a number of significant new features and improvements.

Pixelmator is now a universal app, so those who have already purchased the previous version for their iPad can now download it for free on their phone too..

To coincide with the major new release (version 2.0.1 follows on directly from version 1.1), The Pixelmator Team has unveiled a number of other major new features and improvements too.

A new Clone tool has been added for duplicating parts of an image, and it’s been joined by a selection of Distort tools, powered by Apple’s Metal technology. These support the pinching, bumping, twirling and warping of selected areas of an image.

A new Repair Selection feature has also been added, which allows users to quickly repair damaged areas of an image, such as an old photo, simply by swiping their finger over the affected area.

Users also gain more pre-designed shapes, text styles and additional layer templates -- there are also noticeable performance improvements when working with both text and shape layers. Light Leak and Bokeh effects also gain a Hue adjustment setting for tweaking the effect.

The Repair Selection feature is joined by improvements to the Repair Tool interface, which now allow users to see how far a repair has progressed in percentage terms. Also added is support for canceling a repair at any point during its progress.

The zoom control now supports more than 1,000 percent magnification when painting, fonts are now sorted alphabetically and multiple images per session can be shared with AirDrop.

Newly added layers now appear above the currently selected layer (as opposed to being placed on the top level of the image), and the user interface’s bottom bar is now hidden when in Full-Screen Mode.

Fixes include one that prevents Pixelmator from crashing when the app is put to sleep during the repair process, while popover menus are no longer hidden when the device is rotated.

Pixelmator 2.0.1 for iOS is available now for iPads, iPhones and iPod touches running iOS 8 or later, and costs $4.99. Also available is Pixelmator for Mac.

CCleaner can now clean Microsoft Edge and IE12 browsers

Publié: mai 27, 2015, 5:36pm CEST par Nick Peers

ccleaner

Piriform has unveiled its routine monthly update to CCleaner with the release of CCleaner 5.06 for Windows PCs. The new release is also available as a portable build.

There’s only one new feature of note in this latest release, and it’s currently restricted to Windows 10 users. Nevertheless, a number of other improvements make it an essential update for existing users.

The new feature in question is added support for Microsoft’s brand new browser, Edge (codenamed Spartan), which is currently available to test through the Windows 10 Technical Preview.

Other changes are minor. There’s enhanced support for both Firefox (session cleaning) and Google Chrome (Download History) cleaning, along with the promise of a better System Restore detection routine and improved keyboard navigation.

CCleaner 5.06 also updates its exception handling and reporting architecture, widens its localization and language support and finishes off with the seemingly de rigueur minor GUI improvements and bug fixes.

CCleaner 5.06 and CCleaner 5.06 Portable are available now as freeware downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later. A Professional version offering additional features including real-time monitoring and complete system cleaning is also available, and you can get it for just $17.46 through the Downloadcrew Software Store -- that’s an amazing and exclusive -- discount of 30 percent off the MSRP.

Google Chrome 43 adds web MIDI hardware support, improves permissions API

Publié: mai 20, 2015, 4:44pm CEST par Nick Peers

Chrome

Google has unveiled Chrome 43 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux. Version 43’s main new feature is support for hardware MIDI instruments.

Chrome 43 also implements a couple of behind-the-scenes tweaks for developers that will help benefit end users through reducing the number of unnecessary prompts for action without compromising security.

Support for MIDI hardware is implemented via a brand new Web MIDI API, which allows websites to communicate directly with MIDI instruments connected to the user’s computer, tablet or phone, most commonly through USB-to-MIDI adapters.

The new API means users can now create music directly on websites like Web Audio Demos’ Analog synth using their MIDI instruments.

Chrome 43 also unveils what it describes as "a number of small changes to enable developers to build more powerful web applications".

These changes include a new Permissions API, which allows developers to directly query -- and view changes to -- their apps’ permission status without having to first ask the user for permission to do so. The API supports queries for geolocation, push, notifications and the new Web MIDI API.

The main benefit for end users is the reduction in the number of unnecessary (and potentially confusing) prompts from apps requiring permission to check these statuses.

Finally, a new CSP (communicating sequential process) has been implemented that instructs Chrome to automatically upgrade insecure resource requests to HTTPS before fetching them. This should not just reduce the number of warnings regarding sites containing mixed content, but also simplify the process for developers needing to retain access to legacy content that can’t easily be updated.

Finally, Chrome 43 includes 37 security fixes, which cost it over $38,000 in bug bounties.

Google Chrome 43 FINAL is available now as a free download for supported builds of Windows, Mac and Linux.

Postbox unveils major new features and improvements to simplify email management

Publié: mai 13, 2015, 9:44am CEST par Nick Peers

postbox1

Postbox, Inc has released Postbox 4, a major update to its Windows and Mac email client. Version 4 debuts a new Cloud File Sharing add-on, which adds support for Box and OneDrive in addition to Dropbox.

The new release also shows off an enhanced focus pane in addition to a number of other new tools and views, including features designed to help compose, edit and view email more easily.

The new Cloud File Sharing add-on is installed via the main program’s Tool > Add-ons menu, and allows users to share links rather than physically attach files to emails. The obvious benefits include faster message sends, reduced storage on email server and the ability to update files after a message has been sent.

Once added, users should navigate to the options dialog and tick "Send links when attaching files in your cloud folder" is ticked under Attachments > Outgoing.

Postbox 4 also debuts an enhanced Focus Pane, which allows users to filter the view to show only what they wish to see, such as unread messages from a specific person or reminders from the current month. Version 4 adds a number of new attribute filters, including read, replied, subscriptions and social. It also allows users to select multiple contacts at once and open contacts or topics in a new tab.

The new Social View also makes it easy for users to track their social network accounts via Postbox, and is joined by a new Subscription View.

Elsewhere, a new Quick Bar tool makes it easy to insert pre-built snippets and other content into emails, and a Code View allows users to view emails via a fully functional HTML editor.

Users can now also define composition goals -- such as length or time -- to restrict how long an email is, or how much time is spent on it (these are automatically paused if the user is moving between multiple composition windows).

postbox2

Postbox 4 also introduces Domain Fencing, a way in which users can now restrict who receives specific email based on the account it’s being sent from. A Smarter Compose Sidebar who speeds up access to recently used contacts, documents and images.

The Postbox Topics feature, which allows users to organize email by keyword, has also been improved with the promise of a faster, more intuitive Topic panel, with topic colors reflected in the Focus pane and support for performing actions directly on a topic bubble.

The new release is rounded off with a new Mailing List Unsubscribe feature, which detects list-unsubscribe attributes in a message header -- if this is detected, a convenient Unsubscribe link is displayed next to the sender’s address.

Postbox 4.0 is available now as a 30-day trial for Mac (OS X 10.9 or later) and Windows (7 or later) with 8GB RAM and 200MB free hard drive space. The full version can be purchased for $15 plus applicable taxes, a rise of $5 on the previous release, but each single-user license covers all the Macs and PCs owned by the purchaser.

Dropbox for iOS adds new Recents tab, supports comments

Publié: mai 6, 2015, 2:40pm CEST par Nick Peers

dropbox

Dropbox has unveiled Dropbox for iOS 3.9.0, a significant update to its client for iPhone and iPad. The new build debuts three new features and improvements.

There’s a new Recents tab option added to the home screen to provide an alternative way of browsing documents, while users can now add comments to documents from directly within the app. The app also segues in with existing Microsoft Office iOS apps for easy access to Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Once upgraded, users should discover a new Recents tab, which -- after a short pause the first time the new version of the app is opened -- appears next to the existing options of Files, Photos, Favorites and Settings. This displays files in the order they were last opened or updated.

Version 3.9 also incorporates the new commenting feature -- recently unveiled via Dropbox’s web interface -- into the app. When browsing a document, users can tap the speech bubble to leave a comment for other users. Directly reference other Dropbox users by typing "@" followed by their username -- once posted, these users are notified of the comment via push notifications, making it easy for them to review and respond.

The app also rolls out the ability to edit Dropbox-hosted Office documents using the relevant Office app (Word, Excel or PowerPoint). By opening the document via Dropbox, users ensure that any changes they make using the iOS Office app is saved directly back into Dropbox. Users should -- over the next few weeks as the feature rolls out -- also be able to create new Office documents from scratch simply by browsing to the relevant folder, then tapping "Create New File".

If the relevant app isn’t installed when users attempt to access the feature, they’ll be signposted to the App Store to download and install them. Office apps are free to use, but some features are restricted to those with a paid-for Office 365 account.

Version 3.9 also adds support for the 1Password login extension, which will allows users of the service to create and access 1Password items from within Dropbox itself. The update is rounded off with the usual vague promise of "behind the scenes changes to make the app more reliable".

Dropbox for iOS 3.9.0 is available now as a free download for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later. Some features -- notably the Action Extension -- require iOS 8 or later.

Windows 10 Transformation Pack 3.0 and Windows 10 UX Pack 3.0 arrive

Publié: avril 29, 2015, 4:03pm CEST par Nick Peers

transformation

WindowsX has released Windows 10 UX Pack 3.0 and Windows 10 Transformation Pack 3.0, new builds for its Windows skinning tools.

Each tool allows users to emulate the forthcoming Windows 10 user interface on PCs running older versions of Windows from XP upwards, the difference being that the UX Pack is less radical and promises not to touch any system files, making it easier and safer to use.

Both UX Pack and Transformation Pack add a choice to the installer that makes the Cortana-like search bar introduced in version 2 optional. The search bar emulates the look of the forthcoming Microsoft Cortana-powered bar in Windows 10, and only works on machines running Windows Vista or later.

Version 3.0 also updates a number of updates to ensure the packs emulate the latest look showcased in Windows 10 build 10049 -- these include updated screen wallpapers and Start menu color scheme. In addition, the Transformation Pack also gains updated system resources: logon screen, system icons, system tray icons and Toolbar buttons.

Fixes including resolving the .NET Framework requirement for the Start menu feature as well as ensuring the Start orb gets updated after installing. Also fixed is a problem that prevented the configuration file from working after an update.

Both Windows 10 UX Pack 3.0 and Windows 10 Transformation Pack 3.0 are available now as a freeware downloads, and work with Windows XP or later.

Opera 29 gains tab sync across devices, customizable keyboard shortcuts

Publié: avril 28, 2015, 2:36pm CEST par Nick Peers

opera

Opera 29 FINAL has been released for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android, bringing major improvements for those who like to browse across a range of devices with the ability to sync tabs between mobile and desktop platforms.

Version 29 also adds support for customizable keyboard shortcuts as well as a new indicator tool to help pinpoint which browser tab audio is being played from. The update also includes some useful minor tweaks too.

Tab synchronization follows on from support for keeping bookmarks in sync between computer and mobile, which was unveiled in version 28. As before, users will need an Opera account for the feature to work -- click the profile button next to the Address bar to sign in or create an account.

Once signed into each device, users can then browse available tabs via the Speed Dial -- click Tabs to access it, then browse available tabs by device.

Users can also browse Speed Dials from other connected devices too -- go to Bookmarks and select "Other Speed Dials" to do so.

The desktop build also introduces support for customizable keyboard shortcuts -- open Settings > Browser and scroll down to the Shortcuts section where a new "Configure shortcuts" button can be found. Click this to change available shortcuts -- including options for activating extensions.

An indicator has also been added to tabs playing audio, to help users identify where music and other sounds are coming from. Look for a small animated graphic equalizer appearing over the top of the tab icon. In our tests the indicator appeared fine on the Mac build, but not on our Windows PC.

Other desktop improvements are aimed at boosting productivity, including added support for more mouse gestures, standalone images being aligned centrally and the addition of a History button to the Speed Dial and other start pages.

The Android build also gains some significant changes. Off-road mode has now been replaced by Opera Turbo to compress web pages in order to boost loading times and reduce bandwidth usage; elsewhere, text wrapping has been improved and there’s 64-bit support too.

Opera FINAL 29 is available now as a freeware download for Windows, Mac, Android and 64-bit Linux users. Also available are Opera Mini for Android 8.0 and Opera Mini for iOS 10.0.1, although users should note that tab sync has not (yet, at least) been implemented on either platform.

Adobe Slate makes online document design quick, easy and effective

Publié: avril 23, 2015, 1:34pm CEST par Nick Peers

Adobe Slate

Adobe has unveiled Adobe Slate 1.0.2, a free iPad-only app that makes it possible to quickly generate online-hosted documents from a mixture of text and photos. These documents are designed to look good in any browser or device, including phones.

The app follows on from last year’s Adobe Voice, which allows users to create interactive slideshow-based presentations containing a mix of video and audio.

Fire up the app and you can immediately see what’s possible by tapping one of the examples provided: a tablet-friendly mixture of text, imagery and subtle animations to lead the reader through the piece in question.

Next, you need to log in using an Adobe ID or your Facebook account, whichever’s easier. Then tap "Create a New Story" and you’re off. First, supply a title, then import your first photo -- Adobe Voice users will know what to expect here, with options for finding and importing freely available photos from the web as well as your Dropbox folder among others.

Photos are automatically resized to fit the available space, you can then change the focal point, but you can’t zoom into or out of the image in question. Once done, you’re invited to scroll down, where you then build your story using a mixture of text, photos, photo grids and links (which are displayed as touch-friendly buttons). Tap an existing photo to replace or delete it.

It’s a shame there’s no option for importing text from another source; instead you’ll either have to manually type it in or pull in text from another app using copy and paste. You have a choice of heading styles, the ability to provide bulleted or numbered lists of information, plus include handy pull-quotes to spruce up large passages of text. Once you’ve reached the end of a section, insert a photo and select "fill screen", which makes it serve as a suitable break.

The app supports a number of themed templates, which you can easily switch between without having to rejig your entire document. Once you’re happy with your work, you can choose to upload and share it publicly, or via private link -- this link can be shared via social media or even embedded into a web page. One limitation is that the content is clearly marked at the bottom as having originated from Adobe Slate.

Adobe Slate suffers a little from a lack of fine-editing controls, but it does what it says on the tin -- in an age where attention spans are diminishing and people are more and more pressured for time, it does a brilliant job of circling the square of making eye-catching newsletters, journals and other documents without wasting hours in the process.

Adobe Slate 1.0.2 is available now as a free download for iPads running iOS 8.0 or later.

TripAdvisor 10 for iOS and Android adds Travel Guides, iPad-only optimizations

Publié: avril 16, 2015, 2:30pm CEST par Nick Peers

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor has unveiled TripAdvisor for iOS 10.0 alongside TripAdvisor for Android 10.0. The app’s main highlight is the introduction of Travel Guides for selected locations.

The new release also allows users to submit up to 10 photos with each review, plus implements a number of optimizations for iPad users.

The Travel Guides feature provides tips, ideas, background info and local knowledge, either written or curated by experienced travelers. Look for the Travel Guides section when searching a specific city -- users must sign into TripAdvisor to view any guide in full.

Once opened, each guide typically includes an introduction, list of general tips and then finishes with a list of recommended places to visit -- tapping each one reveals a user-written introduction and more tips. From here, tapping the name of the attraction again accesses its own dedicated TripAdvisor page.

Elsewhere, both platforms now make it possible for users to include up to 10 photos with any reviews written in the app itself. The iOS version also implements an automated translation feature to render reviews in the user’s own language.

Version 10 has also been optimized for iPad users with a new layout aimed at delivering faster performance. Also added is easy access to the Travel Guides as well as neighborhood information where available.

TripAdvisor for iOS 10.0 is available now for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later. TripAdvisor for Android 10.0 requires Android 4.0 or later.

Opera debuts all-new Opera Mini for Android browser

Publié: avril 14, 2015, 2:06pm CEST par Nick Peers

Opera Mini for Android

Opera Software ASA has unveiled Opera Mini for Android 8.0 a major new -- and long overdue -- version of its mobile-friendly browser for Android devices.

Despite appearing to be a simple upgrade from the previous release -- 7.6 -- Opera Mini 8.0 has been released to the Google Play store as a completely new, and separate, app, which means existing users will need to download and install it afresh, where it will subsequently appear and run in isolation alongside the original version.

Opera Mini for Android 8.0 opens with a brand new look in keeping with other iterations of the browser. This cleaner, leaner UI opens with a redesigned home page offering both Speed Dial functions and access to top-rated news stories -- users can pick and choose which types of story to feature by tapping the Settings button next to the Top Stories headline.

Tapping the Opera button in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen reveals a streamlined menu providing a summary of data savings made using the app. This is one of Opera Mini’s main strengths, allowing users to both browse faster and get more from a limited data plan through the compression of images. Tap this summary for a detailed view as well as to access an option to alter image quality further -- either to view images in more detail or squeeze more from the user’s limited bandwidth.

The button also provides convenient access to the app’s Downloads tool -- version 8 claims to offer faster downloads, support for multiple background downloading, a prompt to restrict large file downloads to Wi-Fi only networks and the ability to automatically resume previous downloads.

The app also comes with the promise of simpler, gesture-based browsing with support for both swiping and gestures for navigating pages. Other features include private browsing, sync and sharing of bookmarks via an Opera account and the ability to save favorite sites to both Speed Dial and Bookmarks folder. Full-screen browsing is still accessible, but disabled by default -- enable it via the Settings screen.

Opera Mini for Android 8.0 is available as a free download now for all Android devices running Android 2.3 or later. Also available is Opera for Android 28.0 as well as Opera Mini for iOS 10.0.1.

Firefox 37 implements new HeartBeat ratings system

Publié: mars 31, 2015, 2:42pm CEST par Nick Peers

Firefox 37

Mozilla has released Firefox 37.0 FINAL for desktop, with Firefox for Android 37.0 due to follow in the coming days.

The new release debuts the Heartbeat user rating system, plus a number of incremental improvements and tweaks. Version 38 has also been made available in Beta and includes some more radical changes, including a new tabbed-based preferences UI.

The new Heartbeat user system will appear on a random subset of users’ browsers each day, asking them to both rate and then help promote Firefox through other channels via a series of buttons, which comprise donating to Mozilla, liking or following Firefox on Facebook and Twitter, contributing to Mozilla and signing up for Firefox news via email.

Users unhappy at being interrupted in this way should browse to the about:config screen, then set the string value for browser.selfsupport.url to "".

Other new features include Bing search now performing secure searches using HTTPS, improved notification about user availability in Firefox's new Hello chat tool, and the opportunistic encryption of HTTP traffic where a server supports HTTP/2 AltSvc.

A number of changes see various TLS security improvements as well as improved performance of WebGL rendering on Windows through newly added support for Direct3D 11. The update also includes the now customary extending of support for various HTML5 and CSS controls.

Developers gain access to an experimental add-on -- Valence -- that extends Firefox’s debugging tools to other browsers, including Chrome and Safari. Within Firefox itself, there’s a new Inspector animations panel to control the animation of elements, plus a new Security Panel has been added to the Network Panel.

Firefox for Android 37.0 is also slated for release shortly -- this will add support for sending video to Matchstick devices, and promises an improved download performance alongside a new download manager back-end. Other notable changes include the URL bar now displaying the page address rather than its title.

Also available is Firefox 38.0 Beta 1, which sees tab-based preferences make an appearance alongside a new Reading List tool and the addition of Suggested tiles to the New Tab page. The Hello chat tool also gains an active tab and window sharing during conversations.

Firefox 37.0 FINAL and Firefox 38.0 Beta 1 are both available now for Windows, Mac and as free, open-source downloads. Firefox 37.0 FINAL for Android should be available shortly.

Audacity adds real-time effects preview, updates noise removal tool

Publié: mars 30, 2015, 4:16pm CEST par Nick Peers

Audacity

Open-source sound recording, editing and mixing tool Audacity 2.1.0 has been released, and comes with a slew of significant updates and improvements.

Version 2.1.0 debuts one major new feature: a Real-Time Preview for effects, which is accompanied by a major upgrade to the Noise Removal tool. It also offers various effects upgrades and redesigned Meter Toolbars.

Audacity’s developers have claimed they’ve waited "a long time" for real-time previews of effects, which have been added to LADSPA, VST and Audio Unit (OS X) effects. The real-time preview is accompanied by support for saving and loading user presets and saving effect settings across multiple sessions. Latency compensation is not yet supported.

The Noise Removal tool has been renamed to Noise Reduction to highlight the improvements that have been implemented to the filter.

Other changes to Audacity’s effects include being able to sort and group items in the Effect, Generate and Analyze menus according to name, publisher or effect type.

The Change Speed effect has new time controls allowing users to enter changes in multipliers, while a new Crossfade Tracks effect replaces the previously separate Cross Fade In and Cross Fade Out options.

The user interface gains redesigned Meter Toolbars, which now shows separate Record and Playback Meters at half-height by default. Users can now select frequency when in spectrogram view and create or adjust frequency selections via a new Spectral Selection Toolbar (accessible via the View > Toolbars menu).

Timer Record now saves recordings automatically into an existing project, while the Transcription Toolbar can low loop play and cut-preview.

The update is rounded off by a number of bug fixes for both user interface and effects, but as with all new releases, a number of known issues remain -- see the release notes for a detailed breakdown.

Audacity 2.1.0 is available now as a free, cross-platform download for Windows, Mac and Linux. A portable build of Audacity 2.0.6 is also available -- this should be updated to the latest release shortly.

XYplorer adds flat select tool, timestamping, sticky checkbox selection and improves portable device support

Publié: mars 24, 2015, 4:22pm CET par Nick Peers

XYplorer

Cologne-based developer Donald Lessau has released XYplorer Free 15.0 and XYplorer Pro 15.0, major new versions of its Windows Explorer replacement tool.

Version 15 comes with four new features, two of which (better support for portable devices and timestamping improvements) are restricted to Pro users only. The tool already boasts tabbed and multi-paned browsing, batch rename, directory print and quick file compare tools among its broad feature set.

Version 15 opens with a Pro-only feature by adding support for tablets, smart phones, digital cameras and other devices that aren’t assigned drive letters when connected to the user’s PC. Because file management options are limited when these devices are connected, a new deep purple info bar has also been added to provide clearer labeling of the device type.

Pro users also gain the ability to more easily clone and shift timestamps. Users select the target files in XYplorer, then invoke the timestamp scripting command using a series of parameters -- for example <focitem> will set the dates of any selected list items to match those of the currently focused item, while <clipboard> assigns them a date previously copied to the clipboard.

Both Free and Pro versions gain a new Flat Select tool, which enables users to quickly select items using match patterns via the Address Bar. Users should prefix the Flat Select pattern using >>>, and separate multiple patterns using the | character, which works like the OR operator -- for example >>>sc_*|*.doc matches both files beginning sc_ and those with a .doc extension.

The final new feature -- again available in the Free edition as well as XYplorer Pro -- is sticky checkbox selection. When switched on, users can safely click items to make them the focus without losing the previous selection. The feature also forces users to explicitly click an item’s checkbox to select or de-select it, and isn’t switched on by default: to do so, select Tools > Customize List > Checkbox Selection and then Tools > Configuration > Styles > Sticky checkbox selection.

XYplorer Free 15.0 is available now as a freeware download for PCs running Windows 2000 or later. XYplorer 15.0 Pro is also available as a trial download.

Google Maps for iOS adds full-screen maps, color-coded transit links

Publié: mars 19, 2015, 1:35pm CET par Nick Peers

Google maps

Google has released Google Maps for iOS 4.4, a new version of its map app for iPhone and iPad users.

The new build promises one-tap access to a full-screen map, the ability to view transit colors when viewing public transport directions and the ability to filter search results for Zagat-rated restaurants.

The main new feature in version 4.4 is the ability to view a map shorn of all distractions, including boxes, buttons and pins. Users should simply tap an empty spot on the map once to see what gets hidden -- tap again to hide more. Once all extra detail has been hidden, tap again to bring it back.

Users also gain more clear instructions when asking for directions using supported public transport links -- now separate transit lines are color-coded to match the colors used by the transport authority in question.

Users can now quickly get directions to a place by saying or typing "directions to" before entering the desired destination.

One final tweak allows users in applicable locations to filter search results so only restaurants rated by the Zagat website are shown.

The update is rounded off by the usual bug fixes. Google Maps for iOS 4.4.0 is available now for iPads, iPhones and iPod touches running iOS 7.0 or later.

Hands on with Microsoft Office for Mac 2016 Preview

Publié: mars 6, 2015, 3:32pm CET par Nick Peers

office1

After a five-year gap, Microsoft has unveiled the first public beta of its forthcoming Office 2016 for Mac with the release of Microsoft Office for Mac 2016 Preview. The new release is free for all Yosemite users during the remainder of the product’s pre-release phase, with the final version slated for release later this year.

Office for Mac 2016 Preview ships with five components: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote. It boasts a refreshed and optimized codebase, Retina-friendly visuals and support for full-screen mode.

Previously, Office on the Mac has always been considered as an afterthought by Microsoft. However, Apple’s dumbing down of its own iWork suite coupled with changes to Microsoft’s top brass has left the company keen to exploit what it sees as a gap in the Mac market.

As a result, the first new version of Office since the beginning of the decade has been given a real shot in the arm.

Office 2016 is all about the cloud -- it’s tightly integrated into Microsoft’s OneDrive and SharePoint services, but you won’t be obliged to use either during preview testing. Of the five components, Outlook is based on the recent standalone release, while OneNote contains only one update of note: improved sharing capabilities.

Both apps already showcase the modern Office look that has already been rolled out on other platforms -- including iPad and Windows -- and this look has now been extended to the core components: Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Office 2011 users will notice the ribbon has been updated along with the task pane to make features more immediate and visible. Word users gain a handy new Design tab for managing a document’s layout, and a Navigation sidebar (confusingly referred to as Document Sidebar) for working more efficiently with larger documents.

Excel’s new features bring it in line with Excel 2013 on Windows, and include a new Analysis Toolpak offering a wide number of statistical functions, as well as a PivotTable Slicer, which is designed to pick out patterns from large volumes of data.

PowerPoint debuts a new Presenter View that makes it easier than ever to present your slideshow, plus a new animation pane is supplemented with a number of new slide transition effects.

The current preview version will function for 60 days, and can be installed alongside Office for Mac 2011 -- users will need to keep updating to newer preview builds to extend this deadline.

Once Office for Mac 2016 is officially released -- "later this summer" was the vague date provided on the Office blog -- then the preview will expire within one month.

Pricing for Office for Mac 2016 has yet to be confirmed, but it will be available as a free update to all Mac users with a valid Office 365 subscription. In the meantime, Office for Mac 2016 Preview can be downloaded now (be warned, it’s a hefty 2.5GB) for Macs running OS X 10.10 (Yosemite).

Firefox 36 arrives, allows pinned tabs to be synced, implements full HTTP/2 protocol support

Publié: février 24, 2015, 4:37pm CET par Nick Peers

firefox 36

Mozilla has released Firefox 36.0 FINAL for desktop, with Firefox for Android 36.0 due to follow in the coming days.

Version 36 implements one visible new feature: when users pin tiles on the New Tab page, those pins will be synced to other platforms using the Firefox Sync feature. Those using the Android version on tablets will also gain a new, tab-optimized user interface to work with when the app is updated over the coming days.

Another new feature -- more notable, but less visible -- sees Firefox 36 implement support for the full HTTP/2 protocol, which promises a faster, better scalable and more responsive web. As the name implies, it’s the second major version of the HTTP network protocol used to serve pages over the web, and is designed to eventually replace the current protocol (HTTP 1.1), which has been in existence since 1999.

Firefox 36 FINAL also sees a number of security tweaks. The –remote command line switch has been removed, while the program has started phasing out support for root certificates with 1024-bit RSA keys. This move forces websites to implement 2048-bit keys or better in order to be signed as trusted.

Two other notable changes include the program invoking the crash reporter to inform the user of a crash during shutdown, as well as a number of updates that may adversely affect add-on compatibility.

The update also widens support for HTML5 elements and provides a number of minor developer tweaks. Among fixed issues includes one that saw users unexpectedly logged out from Facebook or Google after restarting Firefox.

Firefox for Android 36.0 is also slated for release shortly -- in addition to sharing all the changes found in the desktop version, the mobile release implements a new user interface for tablets, optimised to make tabs as easy to manage on tablet as they are on desktop.

Firefox 36.0 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux is available now as a free, open-source download. Firefox 36.0 FINAL for Android should be available shortly.

Dropbox for iOS simplifies file uploading from other apps -- but only for iOS 8 users

Publié: février 18, 2015, 12:42pm CET par Nick Peers

dropbox

Dropbox has unveiled Dropbox for iOS 3.7.0, a major new version of its client for iPhone and iPad. The new release adds a single feature to its roster, one that requires iOS 8 in order to work.

The feature in question is the addition of a new action extension, which allows users to save files straight to their Dropbox storage from within selected other apps without first having to open Dropbox itself.

Once installed, users will need to first enable the action extension -- navigate to any supported app, such as Photos and tap the Share button. Tap the More… button in the bottom row and flick the "Save to Dropbox" switch to "On".

Users will now see the new option appear in the list. Tapping this opens a dialog displaying the filename and selecting the root Dropbox folder as the default location to save to -- tap the filename to rename it, or tap "Choose a different folder…" to save the file to a specific place. Once done, tap "Save" and the file is uploaded before the user is returned to the app they were previously using.

Version 3.7 also includes a number of fixes and improvements related to the moving, deleting, printing and exporting of files. Also improved are previews of RTF files and the handling of password-protected files.

Dropbox for iOS 3.7.0 is available now as a free download for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later. The new action extension requires iOS 8; iOS 7 users can still use the old "Open in Dropbox…" option from the Share dialog to transfer files to the Dropbox app for uploading.

Parallels Desktop 10.1.4 improves Windows 10 support, simplifies installation

Publié: février 13, 2015, 11:47am CET par Nick Peers

parallels 101

Shh, don't Apple, but Mac users can now test the next version of Windows quickly and easily with the release of Parallels Desktop 10.1.4 for Mac.

That's because the latest update promises "experimental" support for the latest version of the Windows 10 Technical Preview, along with support for Office Preview for Windows 10 too.

Not only does Parallels provide support for the next versions of Windows and Office respectively, it also makes it easy for users to download and install the preview version of Windows -- when users come to add a new machine, Windows 10 is now prominently displayed as an option for downloading.

Users are also guided through the download and installation process, which includes a choice of 12 languages, giving them a quick and easy way to set up and play with the pre-release version of Windows 10 on their Mac.

The update also promises to address "overall stability issues" although only one specific fix is mentioned: one that means Parallels Tools will no longer continually reinstall itself when users attempt to add it to guests running Windows 10 Technical Preview.

Parallels Desktop 10.1.4 is available now as a trial download for Macs running OS X Lion or later. A Core 2 Duo processor or later is required, with 4GB RAM recommended.

The full version can be purchased for $79.99, with a Student edition ($39.99) and upgrade from Parallels 8 or 9 ($49.99) also available. A three-month complementary subscription to Parallels Access comes with the purchase.

Dropbox 3.2.4 FINAL supports opening files from web, updated File Explorer shell extension

Publié: février 10, 2015, 11:28pm CET par Nick Peers

dropbox-32

Dropbox has unveiled Dropbox 3.2.4 FINAL, the first stable build in its 3.2 series for Windows, Mac and Linux. The cloud backup and sync tool gains a number of new features and improvements with this latest release, which needs to be manually installed on some platforms.

The update’s headline feature is support for opening files locally directly from the web. Windows users also get a new File Explorer shell implementation, while OS X users gain improved network proxies.

The major new feature allows users to browse their Dropbox folder in a supported web browser and open files directly from the browser window. If certain prerequisites are met, after clicking a file to preview or view available options for it, users will see an Open button appear in place of the Download button. This then links to the locally stored copy of the file, which is opened in the usual manner for editing.

The requirements for this new feature are: Dropbox 3.2.4 must be installed and running, all local files must be in sync, and users must be browsing using a recent version of Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox or Safari -- we also tried the feature in Opera, but it didn't work.

Windows users also gain a new implementation of Dropbox’s File Explorer extension, which should now work as it did in version 3.0 or earlier -- right-click a file inside the Dropbox folder to reveal available options.

OS X users gain support for automatically discovered and auto-configured network proxies, while version 3.2.4 also fixes a number of Linux-specific tray icon issues. Certain window managers remain affected, but Dropbox promises additional fixes will appear shortly.

The update is rounded off with connection sharing support, which comes with the promise of lower latency.

Dropbox 3.2.4 is available now as a free download for Windows, Mac and Linux.

Comodo Internet Security 8.1 tightens sandbox controls, enables PUP protection by default

Publié: février 5, 2015, 5:13pm CET par Nick Peers

Comodo Internet Security 8.1

Comodo has updated its range of free and paid-for security tools with the releases of Comodo Internet Security Premium 8.1.0, Comodo Internet Security Pro 8.1.0 and Comodo Antivirus 8.1.0.

Version 8.1 sees a change in bundled browser, improved sandbox and protection against potentially unwanted programs, and various critical fixes.

The headline new feature in Comodo Internet Security 8.1 is the fact the suite’s bundled browser has apparently changed to Chromodo. In fact, Chromodo is basically the new name for Comodo Dragon, its Chromium-based browser, which implements a number of additional security and privacy features. Chromodo is required to access the program’s Virtual Desktop sandboxed environment.

The suite itself implements one major improvement to its sandboxing feature, which isolates untrusted files for analysis before they can be accessed by the main computer. As of version 8.1, PDF readers are now automatically added to Sandbox rules via the File Group.

The default settings have also been tweaked to enable protection against Potentially Unwanted Programs from the off; previously, users had to navigate to Settings > Security Settings > File Rating > File Rating Settings to switch the feature on.

The update also fixes a number of bugs, four of which have been highlighted in the release notes. CMC server issues have been resolved, as has a problem whereby the Sandbox couldn’t detect files from restricted sites.

Another fix ensures any HTTPS link will now function in Chromium when not part of a block rule, and Microsoft Office will no longer switch to its classic theme when users enable Enhanced Protection Mode.

Comodo Antivirus 8.1.0 and Comodo Internet Security Premium 8.1.0 are both free downloads for PCs running Windows XP SP2 or later. Also available is a trial for Comodo Internet Security Pro 8.1.0 -- users can purchase a three-PC, one-year license from the Downloadcrew Software Store for just $29.95, a saving of 25 percent on the MSRP.

Opera 27 restores tab preview, fine-tunes navigation bar

Publié: janvier 27, 2015, 12:59pm CET par Nick Peers

opera

Norwegian browser developer Opera has released Opera FINAL 27 for Windows, Mac and Linux. It’s a relatively minor first release for 2015, with just two notable new features to excite users.

These see the navigation bar tweaked for make it easier to switch between major sections of the browser, while the tab preview feature has been restored alongside a new tab-expansion button.

The most visible change in Opera 27 is the revamped navigation bar, which now sits at the bottom of the new home screen. It’s designed to make it easy for users to quickly switch between Speed Dial, Bookmarks and Discover sections of the browser.

The bar remains present whichever section users are in, but disappears when browsing regular web pages. Users can then navigate back to any of these via the Speed Dial button to the left of the Address bar.

The other notable change sees the tab preview feature return via a new "Expand tabs" button that sits to the far right of the tab bar. Clicking this reveals a pop-up list of all open tabs -- rolling the mouse over any of these then reveals the pop-up preview. Users can then switch to that tab by clicking its entry in the list.

Version 27 also actively moving users across to the Pepper API Adobe Flash plugin -- the first time a page containing Flash content is accessed, users will be prompted to install it, something Opera strongly recommends.

The update closes with the usual mixture of updates, security patches and bug fixes -- see the Opera Changelog for an exhaustive list.

Opera FINAL 27 is available now as a freeware download for Windows, Mac and 64-bit Linux users.

LastPass for OS X puts password manager directly on the Mac desktop

Publié: janvier 21, 2015, 5:35pm CET par Nick Peers

last pass

LastPass has released LastPass for Mac 3.2.0, a desktop version of its popular password-management tool. The app, also available as a series of browser extensions for Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Opera, now sits at the heart of the user desktop.

Once installed and launched, LastPass for Mac places an icon into the menu bar. It also creates a new Quick Search tool for speedily accessing, viewing and editing stored passwords and other notes.

The app, which is installed via the Mac App Store, opens with access to the user’s password vault. From here, users can click an entry to view, edit or delete it. Rolling the mouse over an entry reveals two buttons for quickly launching the related web page using the default browser and copying the password to the clipboard for manually pasting elsewhere.

The vault contains all the functionality of the online tool, providing access to passwords, secure notes, form fills, favourites and the security challenge test.

The app also adds a Quick Search tool, accessible via the (customizable) [Cmd] + [Shift] + [L] shortcut. This throws up a pop-up search window -- as the user types, matching entries from across LastPass are displayed. Again, users have the option of launching the website or copying the password as before.

The app also provides options for logging off automatically after certain conditions are reached: idle time, locking the computer or launching the screensaver. It can also be configured to start automatically when the user logs into their Mac.

LastPass for Mac 3.2.0 is available now as a free download for Macs running OS X 10.8 or later. A premium subscription is required to remove ads and unlock certain features, such as access from mobile devices via the LastPass for iOS and LastPass for Android apps.

MiniTool Partition Wizard Free 9 simplifies OS migration, adds Storage Spaces support

Publié: janvier 19, 2015, 3:28pm CET par Nick Peers

MiniTool Partition Wizard Free 9

MiniTool has unveiled a major new update to its partition management software for Windows with the release of MiniTool Partition Wizard Free 9.0, which is free for personal use.

The new build -- also available in bootable form -- adds a new wizard for migrating the OS to a new hard drive as well as extending full support to Windows 8, 8.1 and the Windows 10 Technical Preview.

The new wizard is designed to make it possible to migrate the OS partition to a new SSD or hard disk with a single step: once clicked, users simply select the destination drive and the wizard will wipe it and copy all required partitions to migrate the OS to the new drive.

Version 9 also improves its support for Windows 8 and 8.1 -- along with added support for the Windows 10 Technical Preview -- by working with the Windows 8 Storage Spaces feature. This allows users to amalgamate multiple drives into a single, virtual disk.

The update also promises a tweaked UI, while the bootable version now supports being booted from a modern UEFI-based computer.

Improvements include being able to now unhide partitions and allocate them a drive letter in one go, while users can now resize partitions when copying disks. Paid-for editions also promise easier and safer tools for merging partitions as well as converting dynamic disks back to basic disks.

MiniTool Partition Wizard Free 9.0 is available now as a free-for-personal-use download for PCs running Windows 2000 or later. Users can also download a bootable volume in ISO format with MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable CD 9.0. Paid-for editions are also available, allowing commercial use and adding more features, such as support for dynamic disks and volumes.

Firefox 35 FINAL released, adds room-based chat to Firefox Hello

Publié: janvier 13, 2015, 1:05am CET par Nick Peers

ffox-35

Mozilla has released Firefox 35.0 FINAL for desktop, with Firefox for Android 35.0 due to follow in the coming days.

Firefox 35 extends the Firefox Hello real-time communication client tool with a new rooms-based conversations model, plus adds more features to the new search user interface along with improved preferences. Android users gain improved geolocation tools.

The new chat model allows users to organize conversations and contacts into different groups, making it easy to keep track of existing chats and start new ones with favorite contacts. Firefox Hello – a rival to the likes of Skype – made its bow in version 34.

Version 35 also makes the Firefox Marketplace more accessible on supported platforms by placing it on the Tools menu and adding an optional toolbar button.

There’s a promise of improved responsiveness through better handling of dynamic styling changes, while encrypted connections are made more secure through the implantation of the HTTP Public Key Pinning Extension.

Mac users gain built-in support for playback of MP4/H264 video on machines running OS X 10.6 or later through new native APIs.

Added support for new HTML5 features include the enabling of CSS filters by default and the implementation of the Resource Timing API. Developers also gain support for the CSS Font Loading API and a new request/response headers view in the Network Monitor.

The update also contains a number of fixes, including reducing resource usage for scaled images and the updating of the PDF.js viewer to version 1.0.907.

Also due for release is the new Android build -- version 35 comes with the promise of an improved Mozilla geolocation service through sharing the user’s Wi-Fi and cellular signals. It’s an opt-in feature -- enable it via Settings > Mozilla > Data Choices.

Bing search now provides secure searches via HTTPS while the Android download manager is now used to keep track of downloaded files. One related fix sees users able to view files downloaded in private browsing mode through the download manager.

Firefox 35.0 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux is available now as a free, open-source download. Firefox 35.0 FINAL for Android should be available shortly.

Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 8 promises enhanced security with no performance penalty

Publié: janvier 8, 2015, 12:35pm CET par Nick Peers

ASCU

Two months after unveiling Advanced SystemCare Free 8.0, IObit has released Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 8.0.1, a major new update for its top-of-the-line system optimization, maintenance and security tool.

Ultimate users gain the same improvements and new features as found in the Free and Pro versions of the software, but also benefit from enhanced real-time protection from worms, Trojans and other malware, as well as new and improved browser security tools.

Version 8.01 opens by debuting a next-generation anti-malware engine that promises better detection rates and better overall protection.

It also adds a number of new browser-centric features. A Protect component blocks browser homepage and search engine changes, plus provides protection during surfing to help reinforce overall system security.

Users also gain a new Plugin/Toolbar Cleaner that removes unwanted and potentially malicious browser plugins and toolbars, while a Browser Anti-Tracking feature promises to prevent privacy leaks.

Users also gain an improved Privacy Sweep tool that now supports over 400 programs, while the database for spyware removal, Registry fix and surfing protection has also been expanded. Also added to version 8 is a Software Updater that alerts users to updates to other installed programs.

Performance is improved through a number of new enhancements, many of which have already debuted in the Free and Pro versions of the software. Users can now maximize the UI and change the program skin with their own choice of background, for example.

A new Performance Monitor tool supports screenshot capture and one-click boost functions. Similarly, a new Startup Manager offers a one-click button for speeding up Windows boot times too.

Users can now quickly set default programs via the Default Programs Tool, while the Disk Optimization tool has been rebuilt to support multi-disk defrag and SSD optimization.

A free 30-day trial of Advanced SystemCare Ultimate 8.0.1 is available now for Windows PC. You can purchase a single year license for three PCs for just $19.99 through the Downloadcrew Software Store, an exclusive 60 percent saving on the MSRP of $49.99.

ISOBuster adds support for large drives with 64-bit sector addressing

Publié: décembre 15, 2014, 11:52am CET par Nick Peers

ISOBuster

Smart Projects has released ISOBuster 3.5, a major new version of its shareware data recovery tool. Although the program now supports recovery from a variety of different drives, it’s still renowned for its ability to recover data from optical drives including CD, DVD and Blu-ray.

Version 3.5’s headline new feature is support for 64-bit sector addressing. This enables it to correctly support, display and extract data from any partition, file, folder or file system that resides above the 2TB boundary on large drives.

The move to 64-bit sector addressing also comes with performance benefits, Smart Projects claiming the program now uses less memory when accessing most objects. Also speeded up is the process of saving and updated managed images, while retaining backwards compatibility.

Advanced users also gain the ability to load a generic image file -- such as ISO -- with specific properties from the command line using the new /PROP switch.

In a nod to its roots, version 3.5 also adds support for extracting CD segments as WAV audio files.

Program improvements include better guesswork being employed when attempting to determine the size of an El Torito boot image on CD or DVD when the information is missing from the disc’s data structure. Users also gain the ability to right-click a boot image and search for a matching file to determine that image’s size properties.

ISOBuster 3.5 also promises improvements when attempting to recover data from CD-i discs where audio and data is combined into a single track.

The program also includes numerous other tweaks, fixes and improvements, particularly when recovering data from image files or optical discs.

Most of this new functionality is restricted to paid-for versions of the software only -- Smart Projects provides a comparison table highlighting the differences in functionality between Free, Personal ($39.95) and Professional & Business ($59.95) editions.

ISOBuster 3.5 is a free feature-restricted shareware download for PCs running Windows 2000 up to -- and including -- Windows 8.1.

AIDA64 5 adds wireless monitoring support, certificates information panel

Publié: décembre 10, 2014, 2:18pm CET par Nick Peers

newsimage

Budapest software firm FinalWire Ltd has released a major new version of its Windows diagnostic and benchmarking tool with the release of AIDA64 Extreme Edition 5.0.

Version 5.0’s major new feature is support for remote monitoring of computer sensors using third-party smartphone and tablet apps.

The new feature works in conjunction with AIDA’s existing LCD module, which allows users to monitor their computer temperature, fan speed and other key sensors remotely using specialist hardware.

Smartphone and tablet users gain a choice of two platforms: Logitech Arx Control works on both Android and iOS, while the new web-based RemoteSensor allows users to monitor via any mobile browser.

The update is joined by support for Aquaero and Aquaduct sensor devices, along with support for Gravitech, LCD Smartie Hardware and Leo Bodnar LCD devices.

AIDA 5.0 also introduces a Certificates section to its System Information page, which provides detailed information on installed system certificates.

The new build also promises to work on Windows 10 Technical Preview Build 9888, and adds initial support for Intel’s Braswell chip, which succeeds the processor giant’s Bay Trail line.

Alongside this, improved support for Intel’s forthcoming Skylake CPU range (the successor to Haswell) is implemented. The update also comes with the promise of better support for Crucial’s range of SSD hard drives.

AIDA64 Extreme Edition 5.00 is available as a function-limited 30-day trial, with prices starting from $39.95 for a non-commercial license.

Paint.NET 4.0.5 squashes major bugs, builds on recent release

Publié: décembre 8, 2014, 4:02pm CET par Nick Peers

paintnet

dotPDN LLC has released Paint.NET 4.0.5 FINAL, a minor update that follows swiftly on the heels of a more significant update at the end of last month.

Version 4.0.4 introduced one major new feature and promised performance improvements, while 4.0.5 squashes a number of significant bugs that emerged after the previous update.

Paint.NET 4.0.5 offers five specific bug fixes. The first resolves an issue whereby using the Magic Wand tool in Subtraction mode resulted in B-A removal rather than A-B. Also fixed is a crashed triggered when using Effect > Repeat.

Three other crashes have also been patched: one that saw an AccessViolationException error appear on selected hardware when initializing the program canvas using hardware accelerated rendering. Although the crash isn’t fixed, Paint.NET will now switch to software rendering the next time it’s launched to bypass it.

The update also prevents a crash from occurring when using the Settings > Update > Check Now due to Paint.NET incorrectly determining that UAC isn’t enabled. The final crash only occurred only on machines that had updated from an alpha or beta build -- it involved clicking the Shapes tool having selected a different default shape (line or curve) to be used.

The bug fix release follows two weeks after version 4.0.4 saw the light of day -- that update restored the Fill property to the Paintbrush tool (which was a regression from version 3.5), and also promised significant optimizations to various tools, including Move Selected Pixels, Magic Wand and the Copy/Copy Merged options under the Edit menu.

Paint.NET 4.0.5 FINAL is available as a freeware download now for dual-core (or better) PCs running Windows 7 or later. The .NET Framework 4.5 is also required, but will be downloaded automatically if not present. Users of lower powered PCs, or PCs running Vista or XP, can still download Paint.NET 3.5.11.

Skype for Windows 7.0 sports redesigned, touch-friendly interface

Publié: décembre 6, 2014, 6:33pm CET par Nick Peers

skype7

Microsoft has released Skype for Windows 7.0, unveiling a major redesign of its Skype desktop client in the process. Many of the new features debuted in a Preview pre-release that coincided with the release of Skype for Mac 7 back in October.

The final release adds several new features not present in the original preview build, including two new compact view options and support for touchscreen displays.

Version 7’s new design attempts to more closely mirror that found on mobile platforms, providing a unified experience across multiple devices. The most visible changes are the display of photos as large thumbnails inline as soon as they've been sent, plus the use of larger emoticons.

Other changes include the display of certain file type attachments -- specifically PDFs and Office documents -- using their icons to make them easier to pick out when scrolling back through a conversation.

The new version also increases the spacing between contacts and chats, and offers message previews for unread chats to make following multiple conversations simpler. Touch-screen support has also been implemented, allowing users to scroll, call and browse using their fingers.

The end result -- an app that consumes more screen real estate -- provoked a number of complaints when the Preview version was being tested, and as a result, Microsoft has added two new compact views to shrink the program down to a more manageable size.

The first allows users to shrink the Sidebar down by replacing user avatars with smaller icons indicating their online status -- access this via the View > Compact Sidebar View. Users can also reduce the size of the main chat window, but must dig deep into the Tools > Options > IM & SMS dialog to do so (tick "Compact Chat View").

The new release also allows Skype and Lync business users to contact each other directly using both audio and video, although at present the feature only works with users running Lync 2013, and has not yet been rolled out to other Skype platforms.

Version 7 also introduces a new dual-paned view that allows users to continue using the IM feature while engaged in a voice or video call, making it easier to share photos and other files during the call.

Finally, the group video chat feature -- recently made available for free to all Skype users -- has also been redesigned to make it easier to use.

Skype for Windows 7.0 is available now as a freeware download for PCs running. Also available are Skype for Mac 7.2, Skype for iPhone, Skype for iPad, Skype for Android and Skype for Windows 8.

TeamViewer 10 promises better performance, improves collaborative tools

Publié: décembre 2, 2014, 4:24pm CET par Nick Peers

TeamViewer 10

TeamViewer GBMH has released TeamViewer 10, its free-for-personal-use remote control software for Windows, Mac and Linux. Also available in portable form for Windows users, the new app boasts a host of new features, improvements and a redesign for good measure.

Chief among the changes are performance optimizations designed to take full advantage of multi-core processors. These include the promise of faster login times, better HD voice transmission quality and improved performance overall.

A new Central Settings Policies tool has been added to the Management Console for those using TeamViewer in a corporate environment. This is accompanied by a Master whitelist designed to speed up permitted access to all the devices owned by a user on that whitelist.

TeamViewer’s chat tools have been improved too with the introduction of a chat history feature as well as support for "persistent" chat groups, which allow users to create ongoing discussions. Improvements to the VoIP system allow users to initiate video and voice chats without first having to start a meeting.

A virtual "door lock" has also been added as an option for meetings, allowing users to set up the meeting undisturbed first, or to prevent people turning up late. Those who do appear after the meeting has been locked are visible and can subsequently be invited in.

Users can now add a profile picture to their accounts, plus automatically find nearby contacts and computers for connecting to.

Support for Ultra HD (4K) displays has also been added, while users can now jot down notes during a session rather than afterwards. The whiteboard feature has also been added to the remote control portion of TeamViewer, while a new idle session timeout also provides greater security.

The update also shows off a tweaked and streamlined user interface, which also offers new shortcuts to commonly used features and options.

TeamViewer 10 is also capable of integrating with Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and Box for the convenient sharing of files during meetings or remote control sessions.

OS X Yosemite users gain a new integrated remote control toolbar as of version 10, while all OS X users also gain the ability to customize QuickJoin and Host modules, plus choose what’s shared via a new application selection feature.

Finally, Linux users can now provide mobile device support through the program.

TeamViewer 10.0.36254 FINAL and TeamViewer 10.0.36254 Portable are available now as a free-for-personal-use download for Windows, Mac and Linux.

Firefox 34 arrives, gains WebRTC support, faster theme switching

Publié: décembre 1, 2014, 3:21pm CET par Nick Peers

firefox

Mozilla has released Firefox 34.0 FINAL for desktop, with Firefox for Android 34.0 due to follow in the coming days.

Firefox 34 rolls out the new Firefox Hello real-time communication client and promises faster and simpler persona switching. It also includes a number of improved features, widens support for HTML5 and unveils a new WebIDE app for developers.

Firefox 34 FINAL’s headline new feature is the release of Firefox Hello, the first appearance of Mozilla’s WebRTC component in a stable release. Firefox Hello provides built-in support for video and voice chat within Firefox itself, and works with anyone else who has a WebRTC-enabled browser installed, which include Chrome and Opera in addition to Firefox.

Version 34 also makes it possible to switch themes directly from the Customizing mode, and comes with an improved search bar that implements HTTPS when searching Wikipedia for greater security (English US only).

The Windows release is now able to recover from a locked Firefox process that previously resulted in the 'Firefox is already running' error message, and implements HTTP/2 (draft 14) and ALPN while disabling SSLv3 -- in its place proprietary security functions are temporarily re-enabled.

A wide range of HTML5 features have been implemented, including various WebCrypto elements. Developers also gain a new WebIDE tool for creating, editing and testing web apps directly from Firefox itself.

Firefox 34 also contains all of the improvements and new features found in the unexpected Firefox 33.1 release from last month, focusing largely on increasing user privacy.

The Android build -- due to be released in the next few days -- will add mirroring support for Chromecast devices, and provides a redesigned first-run experience. One notable fix sees MP4 videos now playing on Android Lollipop devices, although MP3 audio and Flash video remain broken in this new release.

Firefox 34.0 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux is available now as a free, open-source download. Firefox 34.0 FINAL for Android should be available shortly.

RootsMagic 7 adds automatic Web Hints, improves problem-fixing tools

Publié: novembre 28, 2014, 12:38pm CET par Nick Peers

RootsMagic

RootsMagic, Inc has launched RootsMagic Essentials 7.0, a major new version of its free (and paid-for) genealogical tool.

Both free and paid-for versions gain a new Web Hints feature that automatically suggests record matches from a number of online websites, while paid-for users also gain a number of other useful tools and improvements.

The new Web Hints feature allows RootsMagic to claim the prize of being the first app to offer multi-platform record hints, but it’s worth noting it’s currently restricted to just two online repositories: FamilySearch and MyHeritage. When potential matches are found, users will see a light bulb appear next to the person’s name.

Clicking this reveals the number of potential matches at each site -- users then click on the number to view actual hints and then decide whether or not to incorporate them into their own research file. Sadly, confirming hints from MyHeritage requires a paid-for subscription to the service.

Those who upgrade to the full version of RootsMagic gain a number of additional new tools, including support for publishing and maintaining multiple online trees through the free MyRootsMagic online service, all of which can be managed from a single screen.

A new DataClean tool provides a one-stop shop for interrogating user files for potential problems -- users choose which types of problem to search for, then can review (and approve) any suggested changes made.

Also added to version 7 is support for comparing two RootsMagic databases side-by-side, with options for transferring data between the two files. Users can also import lists of selected facts, sources and other data from one file to another too.

A new QuickGroups feature allows users to organize individuals into specific groups based on selected criteria, such as people still marked as living or those born in a specific place.

Media improvements include support for dragging media files from Windows Explorer into a person’s media screen for adding quickly. Users can now also back up their media files alongside the main RootsMagic database.

RootsMagic 7 Essentials is a free download for PCs running Windows 2000 or later – Mac users can now run RootsMagic natively using the paid-for MacBridge for RootsMagic 7 program, which is currently on sale for $9.95. The full version of RootsMagic 7 can be unlocked from within RootsMagic Essentials for $29.95, while existing version 6 users can upgrade for $19.95.

PowerArchiver 2015 adds new Explorer preview extension, tweaks user interface

Publié: novembre 27, 2014, 1:56pm CET par Nick Peers

PowerArchiver 2015

ConeXware has unveiled a huge update to its Windows archiving software in the form of PowerArchiver 2015 v15.0. The paid-for tool offers support for a wide range of archiving formats presented in a user-friendly interface.

Version 15 focuses on delivering a large number of shell extension updates -- including new PowerArchiver Mini tool -- as well as interface changes, support for new formats, new skinning system and improvements to various supplementary apps.

The headline new feature in PowerArchiver 2015 is the new PowerArchiver Mini shell extension, which extends key parts of the program to Windows Explorer via its Preview window. This allows users to not just preview archives, but also open individual files and extract archive contents.

Other shell extension additions include a Windows Explorer Tool tip providing archive properties, a preview extension for PowerArchiver itself and the promise of improved format detection and support across all shell extensions.

The main program adds full support for the ZIP/ZIPX XZ format, plus improves support for other formats, including ISO, RAR and WIM. Files can now be copied and pasted to and from the PowerArchiver main interface.

A new skinning system -- with six skins included -- makes it easier to change the look and feel of the program, while PowerArchiver 2015 also implements the Office 2013 File menu alongside a new View tab on the program’s ribbon interface.

PowerArchiver can now be configured to always sit on top of other windows, and a Join Tool has been added to the Converter tool allowing users to combine several archives into a single file.

The update also comes with the promise of numerous updates and enhancements to its companion apps, including Encryption Suite, PowerArchiver Backup, PowerArchiver FTP and PowerArchiver Cloud.

PowerArchiver 2015 v15.0 is available now as a free trial download for PCs running Windows 2000 or later. The full version comes in a number of editions, with prices starting from $22.95 for the Standard edition.

CCleaner 5 arrives -- gains redesigned user interface, improved Chrome support

Publié: novembre 26, 2014, 11:16am CET par Nick Peers

ccleaner

Just weeks after unveiling a public beta, Piriform has released CCleaner 5.0 FINAL for Windows PCs. Also available as a portable build, version 5 shows off a new interface design.

The new release also widens support for Google Chrome, promises improved performance, detection and stability, and unveils optimized 64-bit builds for Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.

CCleaner 5′s user interface is a facelift rather than a complete revamp, and will be instantly familiar to existing users. Like the slew of UI updates unveiled by other Windows products, the new design is inspired by the minimalist styling of the Windows Modern UI.

Version 5 offers more than just a fancy new look, however. Chrome users will be pleased to learn that a new tool allowing them to manage plugins has been implemented, while the program also claims to have improved its Chrome start-up item detection.

CCleaner 5 also ships with an improved architecture that Piriform promises will deliver improved performance. Other enhancements see the program deliver an optimized 64-bit build for users of Windows 8 or later.

Stability improvements see the exception handling and reporting architecture both updated, while the system restore detection routine has also been improved. Pro users gain improvements to the automatic updates tool.

Piriform has also revealed plans for a new Disk Analyzer tool, which is close to being finalized, and which provides users with a tool for seeing which files and folders are taking up most space on their drives.

CCleaner 5.0 and CCleaner 5.0 Portable are available now as freeware downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later. A Professional version offering additional features including real-time monitoring and complete system cleaning is also available, and you can get it for just $17.46 through the Downloadcrew Software Store, which represents an amazing -- and exclusive -- discount of 30 percent off the MSRP.

Comodo Dragon gains controversial new Chromium-based look, tightens privacy tools

Publié: novembre 25, 2014, 12:47pm CET par Nick Peers

comodo dragon

Comodo has unveiled a controversial new version of its Chromium-based browser with the release of Comodo Dragon 36.1.

The version number reveals that the browser is now based on version 36 of Google’s open-source Chromium browser, but the new release has already divided users with its major user interface changes. It also unveils an improved PrivDog privacy tool, plus fixes several issues with Adobe Flash.

The browser’s main aim is to provide a more secure browsing experience than Chromium by offering additional security and privacy features, such as switching to Comodo’s own DNS servers and providing integrated link scanning tools for helping block malicious downloads.

Version 36.1 extends this feature further by tweaking Comodo Dragon’s PrivDog privacy tool to offer improved compatibility and feature-handling.

The most controversial change in Comodo Dragon 36 is the revamped user interface, which sees the Comodo Dragon button (and menu) dropped from the top left-hand corner of the screen. Users now access this menu from the right using the same hamburger-shaped button found in other browsers.

The Comodo logo has also been moved from right to left, although the black color scheme remains. Users main focus of complaint is that the browser loses many of its distinctive features, and now looks much more like Google’s own Chromium variant, Chrome.

Explaining the move, Comodo has revealed that mirroring the Chromium look should result in future updates arriving quicker -- "we’d rather be coding security and privacy than moving a logo or a button from left to right", one product manager stated. As things stand, Comodo Dragon is already running an outdated version of Chromium (which is up to version 39).

Other changes include full support for Chromium themes, allowing users to skin the browser differently if required, the promise of improved stability and performance with Adobe Flash, a refreshed app icon and numerous bug fixes.

Comodo Dragon 36.1 is available now as a freeware download for PCs running Windows XP or later.

Evernote for Mac 6 gets Yosemite-inspired redesign, Work Chat feature unveiled across all major platforms

Publié: novembre 24, 2014, 3:16pm CET par Nick Peers

evernote

Evernote Corporation has released major updates across its four biggest platforms with Evernote for Mac 6.0, Evernote for Windows 5.7.2, Evernote for iOS 7.6.2 and Evernote for Android 6.2.

All four platforms roll out a new collaborative feature named Work Chat, while Evernote for Mac 6 also unveils a new Yosemite-friendly redesign. Evernote Premium users also gain a new business card scanning feature in Evernote for Android.

The headline new feature has appeared over the past few days across all platforms. Work Chat is a tool for providing real-time collaborative and sharing features, using the platform’s existing contacts list as a starting point for finding users to work with.

Work Chat now makes it possible to quickly share notes and notebooks within the Evernote for Mac app, and users gain the ability to set view or edit permissions when choosing to share individual notes.

The feature also comes with a built-in chat tool, accessed via the clearly labeled Work Chat button found at the top of the navigation sidebar. This allows users to chat with both individuals and groups about things they’re working on.

When selected, users pick the name of other users and then simply start chatting using a traditional text-based messaging system, similar to Skype. The screen is split into two: on the left are the people taking part in the chat, and on the right is the chat history window.

As part of this new feature, users are now made aware of when other Evernote users are viewing or editing notes in their account, making it easy to start chats. Users can also filter chats to find specific information using the 'Search for people or messages' box at the top of the chat screen.

Evernote for Android users also gain Business Card Scanning, but only if they’re holders of the paid-for Evernote Premium account. This feature scans in business cards, and then automatically turn them into detailed contacts for storing in Evernote, complete with profile photos and the ability to connect via LinkedIn.

Evernote for Mac 6.0.1 also comes with a UI revamp described by Evernote as a "sleek new design inspired by OS X 10.10 Yosemite". It sees the app adopt a flatter, more streamlined look with icons simplified and modeled on the latest iteration of OS X.

The Mac app also also comes with three specific bug fixes: improved handling of long URLs, the restoration of the Rename PDF menu item and a fix for a crash that occurs on launch. The Windows build, meanwhile, gets a number of bug fixes, concentrating on preventing app freezes and crashes as well as sync errors.

Evernote for Mac 6.0.1 is available now as a free download for Macs running OS X 10.7.5 or later, along with Evernote for Windows 5.7.2, Evernote for iOS 7.6.2 and Evernote for Android 6.2.

Vintager 2014 lets you transform digital snaps into photos of yesteryear

Publié: novembre 21, 2014, 5:56pm CET par Nick Peers

Vintager

There’s something to be said for the way old printed photos age over time, as they turn yellow or sepia, coloring our own perception of the past. With the rise of digital, of course, all that has come to an end, with photos promising to remain as color-sharp, bright and vibrant as the day they were originally shot.

If you wonder how those photos might look in the future had they been shot on film and left to fade over time, there’s no need to wait if you’re a Windows user. Simply install Vintager 2014 and you can see how they might have looked 20, 30 or even 40 years hence.

As its name implies, Vintager 2014 is all about the artificial aging of your digital photo collection. Filter-based image-editing tools are nothing new -- pretty much any image editor (free or paid-for) worth its salt will give you a range of filters you can apply to your photos to add various effects, but Vintager is fun because it’s so simple to use, and because it concentrates on providing effects that will help transport your digital snaps to another age.

It’s incredibly simple to use: load your photo, pick a preset filter (16 are available, with such memory evoking names as Lotus, Blossom and Pine), apply some additional tweaks, and hey presto, a photo that looks like it might have been taken decades ago, not last week.

The tool also includes some additional tweaks: depth of field lets you darken or lighten the edges of your photo to heighten the effect further, and you can frame your photo too. Additional buttons reveal cropping, rotating and flipping tools, plus the ability to adjust brightness and contrast and even resize your image if required.

It’s all very simple, and if you’re looking for an advanced tool with fine control over the filter effects you’ll be left disappointed, but if you want to quickly add a nostalgic touch to modern-day photos, Vintager 2014 won’t disappoint.

Vintager 2014 is available now as a freeware download for PCs running Windows XP or later.

Google Chrome 39 goes 64-bit on Mac, promises performance, stability improvements

Publié: novembre 19, 2014, 11:00am CET par Nick Peers

chrome39

Google has unveiled Chrome 39 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux. The big news with version 39 is the long-awaited arrival of a native 64-bit build for Mac users.

Unlike the Windows version, which offers both 32-bit and 64-bit builds, the Mac build is now 64-bit only, and existing users with supported Macs will be automatically upgraded to the new version.

There are a number of good reasons for switching to 64-bit, all of which Google announced when it unveiled the first 64-bit Mac beta. These include faster performance thanks to a "superior" instruction set, enhanced security and -- thanks to the way Chrome no longer requires 32-bit system libraries -- quicker start times and reduced memory usage.

The switch to 64-bit means that Chrome will no longer be updated on Macs built with the first generation of Intel chips, which first launched in January 2006 and were 32-bit.

Apple quickly switched to 64-bit Intel chips, with a rolling series of updates that began in October 2006 and completed in August 2007, meaning the vast majority of Macs -- including all Macs built after August 2007 -- are compatible with the new release.

Non-supported users should switch to a 32-bit compatible browser such as Firefox in order to remain secure.

Aside from this notable change, other improvements in Chrome 39 are minimal: new apps and extension APIs have been added, along with minor performance and reliability improvements. 42 specific security fixes have also been unveiled, with Google paying out $41,500 in bounties to those who reported the holes.

Google Chrome 39 FINAL is available now as a free download for supported builds of Windows, Mac and Linux. Also available are Google Chrome 39 Beta (64-bit) for Windows 64-bit, and Chrome for Android 39.

Ashampoo HDD Control 3 adds network monitoring, duplicate file finder tools

Publié: novembre 18, 2014, 12:48pm CET par Nick Peers

Ashampoo HDD Control 3

Ashampoo has unveiled a major new build of its hard drive maintenance and monitoring tool with the release of Ashampoo HDD Control 3.

The new release adds two major new features: support for monitoring up to three PCs over a network, and an addition to the program’s Clean System component, a tool for locating duplicate files.

HDD Control is designed to manage and maintain PC hard drives through the prevention of data loss, performance optimization and monitoring of drives’ physical health. Version 3 extends these capabilities to allow users to monitor up to three PCs connected to the same local network. Handily, users don’t need to install any additional programs to access this feature.

The update also comes with the promise of improved email notifications, more detailed technical information about the user’s hard disks, enhanced benchmark comparisons using Ashampoo’s online database and better display of each drive’s health, performance and temperature.

The program’s cleanup tools, taken from its companion product Ashampoo WinOptimizer, are also improved -- in addition to adding a new Duplicate Finder tool, two existing components have also been tweaked with both Drive Cleaner and Internet Cleaner tools getting unspecified enhancements.

Ashampoo HDD Control 3.01 is available now as a free trial download for PCs running Windows XP or later. The program has a MSRP of $49.99, but Ashampoo Members can purchase it for $29.99.

O&O DiskRecovery Professional 10.0 released, offers to repair corrupt data before recovery

Publié: novembre 14, 2014, 12:05am CET par Nick Peers

diskrecovery10

O&O Software GmbH has released a major new version of its general-purpose data-recovery software for Windows, O&O DiskRecovery Professional 10.0. The update follows on from the recent release of companion product O&O MediaRecovery 10.0.

Version 10.0 ships with a redesigned user interface, adds support for Windows 10 Technical Preview and introduces new data repair capabilities.

O&O DiskRecovery Professional 10 comes with the promise of a redesigned user interface, although in truth this amounts to little more than some redesigned icons and tweaked font sizes. It remains wizard-based and reasonably simple to navigate, however, and has been improved to be more user-friendly than before.

The tool does add one notable new feature: the ability to repair corrupt data prior to recovering it. The program also promises to improve its recovery of metadata from media files, and widens its support for recovering over 80 different types of media file.

The program also comes with the promise of support for the Windows 10 Technical Preview, but in tandem with other recent O&O updates drops support for Windows XP.

The update follows on two weeks from the release of companion product O&O MediaRecovery 10, and shares practically the same changes.

O&O DiskRecovery Professional 10.0 is available now as function-limited trial download for PCs running Windows Vista or later, and has a MSRP of $99. The installer will download the correct version (32-bit or 64-bit) based on your version of Windows during the install process.

Artweaver Free adds new brush engine, improves file-saving options

Publié: novembre 11, 2014, 3:45pm CET par Nick Peers

Artweaver

German developer Boris Eyrich Software has released Artweaver Free 5.0, a major new version of its painting tool for Windows. The app, also available in a more fully featured Plus version, boasts a number of new tools and improvements.

These include a new high precision 16-bit brush engine, better file-saving mechanism, support for the OpenRaster file format and support for exporting all presets. Plus users also gain a new Mirror Painting tool.

Artweaver 5.0 opens with a new 16-bit brush engine that’s designed to produce exact results, particularly with low opacity values. Other brush engine improvements include better quality of the Other > Blur and Other > Sharpen methods, and a tweak to the behavior of the Grainy cover and Grainy mild cover methods.

If users attempt to save a document containing features not supported by the current file format, Artweaver will now automatically offer to save it as a copy, plus offer improved warnings highlighting unsupported features while saving in a particular format.

Users can now export all presets -- including brush categories and their variants – while a subtle improvement allows users to select 'Do not show again' in more user dialog boxes. A new test button has also been added to the ArtWeaverTeam.com account settings under Preferences.

Those who upgrade to the Plus version gain a new Mirror Painting tool to help design symmetrical images -- it works both two- and four-way for horizontal and vertical symmetry.

Artweaver Plus 5.0 also adds support for documents with eight and 16 bits per channel, provides users with a choice of three color schemes (default, light gray or dark) and increases the number of brush options to allow users to more easily pick up colors from underlying layers.

Support for picking up colors outside the color picker dialog has also been implemented alongside the ability to now scroll, rotate and zoom the current document while using selected tools.

Artweaver Free 5.0 is available now as a free, function-limited download for PCs running Windows 7 or later. A Plus version is also available for trial purposes -- up to 30 days, with the full version costs $38.90. Upgrade prices vary according to which version the user is upgrading from.

Surprise Firefox 33.1 release for desktop and Android boosts privacy controls

Publié: novembre 10, 2014, 7:01pm CET par Nick Peers

Firefox

In a surprise move, Mozilla has unveiled Firefox 33.1 FINAL for desktop alongside Firefox for Android 33.1, introducing some major new privacy features in the process.

The update adds a new Forget button for wiping activity over a user-defined period at the click of a button, plus introduces DuckDuckGo searching, which allows users to search without being tracked.

The new features are introduced courtesy of a three-step tour that launches by first prompting the user to add the Forget button to their browser toolbar. Clicking this button gives users the option of forgetting the last five minutes, two hours or 24 hours of activity. Once the time period is selected, users click 'Forget!' and all tabs and windows are closed, recent cookies and history are wiped from the record and the browser opens with a new single window.

Users are then shown the new DuckDuckGo anonymous search feature, which is basically a new search engine option that is added to the user’s existing list. Using this tool allows users to search without their results tracked, boosting privacy as a result. The tour concludes by reiterating Firefox’s existing 'New Private Windows' option.

Firefox 33.1 also introduces a new enhanced New Tab feature, where existing tiles have been "enhanced" based on the user’s browsing history. They replace the site’s default screenshot with what Mozilla describes as a "better" image, which is supplied by the site or partner and includes a logo with rollover image -- one such example is Amazon.com.

The feature also means that new Firefox users won’t be confronted by a set of blank tiles, but instead will be shown content from Mozilla and its partners, clearly marked as "sponsored". Users retain control over the tile, and can remove individual tiles by rolling their mouse over them and clicking the remove button.

The release of Firefox 33.1 has come out of left-field -- it’s the first time Firefox has introduced significant new features in a minor revision since switching to the rapid-release schedule that sees a major new version unveiled every six weeks.

Firefox 33.1 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux is available now as a free, open-source download, as is Firefox 33.1 FINAL for Android.

Opera Mini 9 for iPad and iPhone reveals Video Boost mode, designed to reduce stutter and bandwidth usage

Publié: novembre 6, 2014, 11:34am CET par Nick Peers

opera mini

Norwegian browser developer Opera has unveiled Opera Mini 9.0, a major new version of its speed-optimized browser for iPhone and iPad.

Version 9’s headline new feature is 'Video Boost', a tool Opera says that allows users to watch videos on their mobile without eating so excessively into their data plan.

The new feature is part of the Rocket Optimizer technology that Opera acquired when it purchased video- and data-compression tech firm Skyfire. It works -- like most of Opera Mini’s data-saving features -- by recompressing the video into a more compact form to help prevent buffering, stalling and to minimize bandwidth usage.

Video Boost only works in Opera Turbo mode -- users can switch to this mode by tapping the Opera button. Tap the current mode (Opera Mini, Opera Turbo or Off), then switch compression settings to Opera Turbo if necessary and then flick the 'Video Boost' switch to On.

One major drawback with Video Boost is that the compression technology won’t work with encrypted web pages, meaning accessing key websites like YouTube won’t result in any bandwidth savings or performance improvement at all.

Other new features in Opera mini 9.0 include the ability to add and edit Speed Dials -- simply tap the + button on the main Speed Dial screen to search for a site, select a recently viewed page or enter a web address. To edit or remove a Speed Dial, tap and hold on it, then drag it over the appropriate option that pops up.

The new build also comes with a redesigned Data Savings view and is optimized for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 screens.

Opera Mini 9.0 is available now as a free download for iPads and iPhones running iOS 7 or later.

Zoom Player Free improves full-screen navigation, optimized for touchscreen and mouse use

Publié: novembre 5, 2014, 3:33pm CET par Nick Peers

zoom player

Inmatrix has released Zoom Player Free 9.5, a major new build of its lightweight, format-friendly media player for Windows.

Version 9.5 revamps its full-screen navigation interface to make the player friendlier to use with mice and touch-screen displays, plus adds a new text file viewer and includes various other tweaks and improvements.

Zoom Player 9.5 opens by changing the way the full-screen navigation interface index is drawn -- by switching to an icon grid array as opposed to a basic list, it’s designed to be more touch- and mouse-friendly, with arrow controls also made larger and more accessible.

A dedicated close button has also been added to all full-screen interfaces, again with touch device usage in mind. Other interface improvements allow users to click or tap to select the hour, minute or seconds fields, while users can now paste the current position into these fields simply by clicking or tapping the desired position on the timeline slider.

Zoom Player also adds a new text-file viewer, allowing users to open and view csv, css, ini, json, log, nfo, txt, xml and yaml files. Files with the nfo extension are designed to open using the Terminal font at a fixed size of 9 points to preserve ASCII art. This new viewer is accessed by selecting the new 'Text & HTML' option from the File Open dialog’s Format list.

When the text-file viewer is open, the up/down navigation keys and mouse scrollwheel change their function to scroll through the currently open document.

Other improvements include being able to rename files directly from the playlist full-screen navigation interface’s function menu.

A number of new settings have been added to the Advanced Options menu to configure the new interface settings, while a new button has been added to the Install Center’s open dialog to provide quick access to the cache folder via Windows Explorer.

The new update is packed with changes and tweaks, but also sees a number of bug fixes implemented as well as removing the 'Press & Hold' windows touch-input feature to ensure smoother operation on tablet devices.

Zoom Player Free 9.5 is a free, bundleware download for PCs running Windows XP or later. Some options are disabled in this version -- Pro and Max versions are also available.

Smart Defrag now defrags VHD files, adds Windows 10 Technical Preview support

Publié: novembre 4, 2014, 5:39pm CET par Nick Peers

smart defrag

IObit has released Smart Defrag 3.3, an update to its performance-boosting Windows defragmentation tool that has built-in functions for automatically defragging drives to keep them running swiftly.

Version 3.3 opens with support for the publicly available Windows 10 Technical Preview, but also adds in new and optimized features to make it a worthy update across all supported platforms.

The major new feature added to Smart Defrag 3.3 is support for defragmenting virtual hard drives in the standard VHD format. Users can mount VHD files via the Disk Management utility via the Action > Attach VHD option. Once mounted, the drives will show up in Smart Defrag where they can be analyzed and defragged like physical drives.

Version 3 introduced support for defragging Windows Metro apps in Windows 8 and 8.1, and version 3.3 builds on this support by promising "further enhanced defragmentation". Users can scan and defrag Metro apps via their folder using the 'Windows Metro Apps' entry in the main Smart Defrag interface.

Defrag algorithms have been fine-tuned to produce faster defrag times, and Reports have also been optimized to provide more detail about analysis and defrag using the program. The update also fixes a number of unspecified bugs.

IObit Smart Defrag 3.3.0.369 is available now as a free, bundleware download for PCs running Windows 2000 or later. Take care during installation to avoid inadvertently installing unwanted toolbars or other items. Use a tool like Unchecky to help provide additional protection against bundleware.

BBC iPlayer for Android promises ban on buffering, adds Audio Described category

Publié: novembre 4, 2014, 9:28am CET par Nick Peers

iplayer

Fans of the Beeb will be pleased to hear that the BBC has unveiled a significant new update to its catch-up app for Android users with the release of BBC iPlayer 4.4 for Android. The app adds a new Audio Described category and expands the current Most Popular category too.

Other changes see the promise of better streaming performance and a number of minor bug fixes.

The app launches with a brand new Audio Described category, designed to make the app more accessible by providing visually impaired or blind users access to programs that include an additional narration track designed to describe what’s going on.

Elsewhere, the Most Popular category has been expanded to include 40 programs, giving users access to a greater variety of "well-loved" shows.

Version 4.4 also comes with the promise of a "ban on buffering", with programs now set to automatically detect the user’s current connection speed and select the best video quality to play.

The latest build -- which we suspect will appear on the App Store for iOS users shortly -- also comes with the promise of fixing various minor bugs.

BBC iPlayer 4.4 for Android, along with and BBC iPlayer 4.3.1 for iOS are both available now for free. Both apps only work in the UK and require users to have a valid TV license.

WinZip 19 launches with unified file management, increased protection and improved sharing

Publié: octobre 28, 2014, 6:43pm CET par Nick Peers

winzip

WinZip International LLC has released WinZip 19 a major new update of its renowned compression tool. Version 19 continues to see the product reposition itself in the file-sharing market with a number of new features.

These include new centralized file management tools, the promise of a more simplified, task-oriented UI and improvements to file-conversion options during the compression process. WinZip 19 also implements support for touch-based devices and high-definition screens.

The new build opens with a new centralized file management tool. Now users can more easily select files from local, network and even cloud storage without having to use different apps and browsers.

Tools make it possible for users to move, delete and rename files in the cloud as well as between different accounts and drives. All major cloud services are supported, including Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive and Box.

WinZip 19 also introduces additional encryption options to protect cloud-based files with a second layer of encryption -- before or after uploading.

The new simplified user interface also incorporates tools for saving and sharing directly from within WinZip itself, and is task-oriented to make it easier to use. It’s also been redesigned to fit in with the flatter Modern UI look to sit comfortably with later versions of Windows, and supports hi-res displays up to 500 DPI.

The UI also features a dynamic, context-sensitive Actions pane that puts relevant tools at the user’s fingertips when needed.

Additional UI improvements see more file-conversion options -- including encryption, converting to PDF, adding watermarks and resizing photos -- being made available at any point during the zip process, allowing users to decide before, during or after files have been compressed via a series of handy switches. Changes can be applied to the entire zip file or selected files only.

WinZip 19 also offers tighter integration with WinZip’s online ZipShare service, allowing users direct access to features such as tracking deliveries and sending large files up to 50MB in size for no cost.

The update also implements touch-friendly features, adjusting to hybrid devices whether they’re in notebook or tablet mode.

WinZip 19 is available as a free trial download for PCs running Windows XP or late. Also available is WinZip Mac Edition for OS X users. Both WinZip and WinZip Mac Edition cost $29.95 for the Standard edition. Pro and Enterprise editions are also available.

Pixelmator for iPad launches, offers Photoshop-style editing on your tablet

Publié: octobre 24, 2014, 6:58pm CEST par Nick Peers

Pixelmator

The Pixelmator Team, renowned for its Mac image-editing tool of the same name, has released Pixelmator for iPad 1.0, a similarly powerful image manipulation tool.

The app, which costs $4.99 and requires iOS 8.0 or later, has already garnered rave reviews and offers a wide range of tools covering creating, editing, fixing and enhancing images.

The app offers a number of creative tools for enhancing existing images: frames, collages, text effects, shadows, fills and strokes are all covered. It also comes with full-featured painting tools.

Pixelmator also bundles professional-grade color correction tools, some accessible with a single tap or swipe. Users gain full control over a wide range of adjustments, including levels, curves, brightness and contrast.

The app also offers photo-retouching tools that make it easy to fix a wide range of problems from dust and blemishes to lighting issues and unwanted blur. Note that the Repair tool requires iPad 4 or later.

Pixelmator also comes loaded with dozens of different effects for quickly transforming photos in a variety of different ways, including Light Leaks, Hue and Saturation, Vintage and various black and white effects.

The app -- which is a 120MB download -- supports layers, easy selection tools and the ability to cut and paste objects from one part of the image to another. Support for non-destructive layer styles make image editing simple without rendering changes permanently.

To accompany this powerful featureset, Pixelmator can handle a wide range of popular formats, including Photoshop PSD as well as JPEG, PNG and PDF, and supports the new iCloud Drive feature for easy data storage in the cloud. It also supports existing layers in Photoshop images, and the finished products can be sent to the Photos app for sharing with others.

Pixelmator 1.0 for iPad is available now for iPads running iOS 8 or later for $4.99. Some tools, including the Heal tool, require the fourth generation iPad or later.

Buffer 4.0 for iPad and iPhone released, becomes universal app

Publié: octobre 24, 2014, 3:01am CEST par Nick Peers

buffer_ipad-800

Social media scheduling service Buffer has unveiled Buffer 4.0 for iPad and iPhone, a major new release of its companion app for sharing and scheduling posts on social networks. Like the web-based service, the app supports Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn accounts.

Version 4.0 becomes a universal app, and now offers full, native iPad support. It also adds a new Share option for scheduling content from other apps.

The major change is full support for the iPad with a user interface that’s designed to take full advantage of the larger screen and works in both portrait and landscape orientations. Users can enjoy all of the functionality found on the web: simply connect to an existing Buffer account and tools for sharing, scheduling and analysing posts are included.

Also included is support for linking RSS feeds to profile accounts, a feature designed to make it easier to share content from favourite web feeds directly from inside the app itself.

Version 4.0 also comes with support (and optimization) for iOS 8. This includes adding support for sending content to Buffer via the native Share menus, which includes Safari, Instapaper and Tweetbot.

On our test iPad, the app proved rather unstable, crashing at certain points. We suspect a bug-fix update will follow shortly to resolve these issues. However, once these are ironed out, the app should finally come of age, providing a convenient alternative to the Buffer web interface for queuing up and sharing of media, links and other updates.

Buffer 4.0 is available now free for iPad and iPhone running iOS 7.0 or later. Users will require a Buffer account (free or paid-for) in order to use the app.

EaseUS To Do Backup can now mount system images

Publié: octobre 22, 2014, 6:07pm CEST par Nick Peers

EaseUS Todo Backup

EaseUS software has released EaseUS Todo Backup Free 7.5 and EaseUS Todo Backup Workstation 7.5, a major new release of its comprehensive Windows backup tool.

The program, which allows users to take both file- and image-based backups from a single tool, gains one significant new feature with this release: the ability to mount and unmount image backups.

The new Mount feature can be found by clicking the Tools button and choosing Mount/Unmount. Users then select the backup they’d like to browse before clicking Next. They can then choose to mount all partitions within the backup or simply select a single partition, clicking Proceed to finish.

The image is then checked before a drive letter is automatically assigned to it – users can then click Finish and browse the image, plus copy individual files from it from within Windows Explorer itself.

Once mounted, users should then choose Tools > Mount/Unmount and click "Manage mounted drives" to view all currently mounted drives or unmount them.

Todo Backup 7.5 also adds support for Polish and Portuguese languages and comes with the promise of improved performance when browsing files.

The new release also fixes four specific bugs, most notably one that prevented later versions of Windows (Vista onwards) from proceeding with a backup when scheduled to occur during shutdown.

The other errors fixed resolve issues with restoring network locations, a bug whereby an empty folder was generated after a file-type restore and problems with Outlook restore after cancelling a previous restore.

EaseUS Todo Backup Free 7.5 is available as a free-for-personal-use download for PCs running Windows XP or later; EaseUS Todo Backup Workstation 7.5 is available as a free trial download -- the full version can currently be purchased for $39.

RapidWeaver 6.0 adds five new themes, debuts Addons Manager, Markdown tool

Publié: octobre 22, 2014, 2:11am CEST par Nick Peers

RapidWeaver-200x175 UK developer Realmac Software has unveiled RapidWeaver 6.0, a major new version of its acclaimed web design tool for Macs.

Version 6, which now requires OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later to run, throws in a new Addons Manager, bundles five new themes and promises vastly improved performance thanks to full 64-bit support and a revamped publishing engine.

The new release opens with five new themes from renowned theme designers including Elixir Graphics and OneLittleDesigner. It also debuts a new Addons Manager for organising existing add-ons – an overdue addition thanks to the existence of over 1,000 add-ons for the program.

Users also gain a simple way of obtaining new add-ons via a new dedicated Community site.

Version 6 has been re-engineered and rebuilt specifically for the latest OS X iterations, which means 64-bit support for creating larger websites without unduly affecting performance.

The new release also debuts a new rewritten publishing engine that Realmac promises to boost upload times by up to three times thanks to multi-file uploads as well as FTP, FTPS and SFTP server support.

RapidWeaver 6.0 also introduces a new Markdown feature, designed to simplify web design even further by allowing users to simply concentrate on producing content while RapidWeaver handles all the code and HTML design.

The latest build also introduces support for Versions & Autosave, allowing users to experiment freely while knowing they can always rollback to an earlier iteration of their site.

Other changes and improvements include easier two-click insertion of code into sites, full-screen support and a responsive preview with support for iPhone and iPad views.

One final new feature is Master Styles, which simplifies layout by making it easier to apply consistent style changes to the entire site. The app also now comes with five example sites to get users up and running quickly.

RapidWeaver 6.0 is available now as a free trial for Macs running OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later. Existing users can upgrade from any previous version for $39.99, while the new version can be purchased for $89.99.

iTunes 12 unveils radical new redesign, promises simpler playlist editing

Publié: octobre 17, 2014, 1:50pm CEST par Nick Peers

itunes

To coincide with the release of OS X 10.10 Yosemite, Apple has unveiled iTunes 12.0.1, the first major release of its media manager and player for almost two years.

The new release debuts a flatter, more modern look designed to tie in with Yosemite, which includes a new red app icon and some redesigned and restructured elements. The update also adds support for some iOS 8/Yosemite-only features such as Family Sharing.

Once installed, the changes to the user interface are immediately apparent. Aside from the flatter, more modern look, iTunes 12 also debuts a restructured look that sees users navigate between libraries, shared folders and devices by way of icons displayed horizontally at the top of the screen.

The left-hand sidebar view has been depreciated so it only appears when Playlists have been selected or an iPod, iPhone or iPad is being browsed.

Music (and Music Videos), TV Shows and Movies get their own distinct library sections, while a … button provides access to other sections, including Podcasts, Books (including Audio Books) and iTunes U.

The redesign also sees a new "Recently Added" section to the top of each library while a convenient iTunes Store tab has been added to each view directing users to the relevant section of the iTunes Store for more content.

Playlist editing has been made easier by placing playlists side-by-side with users music libraries, making it simple to add tracks to existing playlists by dragging and dropping them on to the playlist in question. The Get Info box for a selected item has also been radically redesigned and simplified.

Those running OS X Yosemite will also find that iTunes supports Family Sharing, which allows users to share photos, location data, music, apps and movies between family members on Yosemite and iOS 8 devices. Finally, support for OS X Snow Leopard has been dropped with this release.

iTunes 12.0.1 and iTunes 12.0.1 (Windows 64-bit) are both available now for free download for Mac (OS X 10.7.5 or later) and Windows (XP or later).

Opera 25 arrives, finally adds full bookmark support, redesigns Start page

Publié: octobre 16, 2014, 1:19pm CEST par Nick Peers

opera

Norwegian browser developer Opera has released Opera 25 FINAL, a landmark release of its web browser. The headline new feature is support for bookmarks.

The feature -- long overdue -- attempts to steal a march on Opera’s rivals by providing thumbnail images for each site that’s bookmarked. Also new in version 25 is a redesigned Start page and built-in PDF viewer.

Added support for bookmarks has been the number one feature request from disgruntled Opera users since the new Chromium-based version of Opera debuted back in July 2013.

Existing bookmarks can be accessed from the Bookmark Manager, accessible via the Opera menu or by pressing [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [B]. Users browse by folder using the left-hand pane, with that folder’s bookmarks displayed on the right, either as a simple list or as a grid with the associated image used to maximum effect.

At the present time, there is no facility for importing bookmarks from other sources, but Opera is likely to implement this reasonably quickly in a future release.

Other changes in version 25 are note-worthy by themselves too. The Start page has been redesigned to use tiles instead of screenshots -- it’s inspired by Coast, Opera’s new iOS browser.

Version 25 also debuts a built-in PDF viewer that Opera promises is lightweight and fast, saving users the hassle of switching applications. Another change sees web notifications delivered as normal Windows or Mac notifications.

Version 25 also introduces support for H.264 video and MP3 audio, but there’s no sign yet of a stable Linux build -- it’s currently in Beta having moved one step closer to final release last month.

Opera 25 FINAL is available now as a freeware download for Windows and Mac. Linux users can road-test Opera 25 Beta, which can also be installed by Windows and Mac users alongside the existing Opera FINAL installation.

WYSIWYG Web Builder 10 adds responsive web design, including mobile-specific design tools

Publié: octobre 15, 2014, 10:33am CEST par Nick Peers

WYSIWYG Web Builder 10

Pablo Software Solutions has released WYSIWYG Web Builder 10, a major new version of its DTP-style web building tool for Windows users.

Version 10 adds support for responsive web design, allowing users to create different variants of pages optimized for a wide number of devices. Part of this includes integrated support for designing mobile-friendly web pages.

The new responsive web design feature, which ensures web pages are readable across different devices and platforms, uses CSS3 media queries to achieve its aim. It also comes with a brand new integrated environment for creating flexible mobile-friendly pages, offering a dedicated toolset for mobile web pages.

The new build also adds support for CSS3 Animations, with an animation timeline, support for multiple animations per object and a library offering 40 new pre-defined animations.

Users also gain built-in support for many jQuery Mobile widgets, such as Collapsible, List View, Navigation, Panels, Forms and Themes.

A new Navigation Panel menu has also been implemented, allowing users to create panels that slide in from the left or right of the page, with support for gradients and images. Also added in are Facetime, SMS, Phone and Skype links.

Other new objects added to WYSIWYG Web Builder 10 include support for wrapping text neatly around other objects, new page header and footer objects and a Notes feature, allowing users to add comments to the page that don’t appear in the final version.

The new build -- which comes with more than 100 new features in total, all documented here -- also adds new Smart Guides, a Backup Manager, Format Painter and the ability to set user-defined variables.

WYSIWYG Web Builder 10 is available now as a 30-day trial download for PCs running Windows XP or later. The full version can be purchased for $49.95 -- existing version 9 users can get a 50 percent discount on upgrading (expires November 1), while anyone who purchased version 9 after July 21 are entitled to a free upgrade.

Firefox 33 reveals performance tweaks, search improvements, more robust session restore

Publié: octobre 14, 2014, 10:50am CEST par Nick Peers

firefox33

Mozilla has released Firefox 33.0 FINAL for desktop, with Firefox for Android 33.0 due to follow in the coming days.

Like the previous release, the desktop build of Firefox 33 boasts no major new features, but its Android counterpart gains vastly improved tab management tools as well as the ability to send videos to both Chromecast and Roku devices.

Firefox 33 FINAL opens by enabling Off Thread Main Compositing on Windows by default: OMTC basically moves a process called "composition" to its own, secondary thread. Composition is the flattening of several web layers to a single final frame.

The reasoning behind this move is to make Firefox more responsive -- in the case of Windows, OMTC should help prevent the browser completely grinding to a halt when the main thread is being overwhelmed by sluggish processes, but its implementation across other platforms should see other gains made in the longer term, such as smoother panning and zooming on mobile platforms.

The new release also promises a better search experience, particularly when typing search terms directly into the location bar rather than the search box. Also added are search suggestions on both about:home and about:newtab pages.

The session restore feature, which helps bring back a user’s previous browsing session after a crash or restart, has also been made more robust in Firefox 33. This has been achieved through implementing smart backups and making better use of available backups when attempting to avoid or minimize data loss on the browser restart.

Version 33 also adds sandboxed support for the OpenH264 standard for WebRTC. There’s also a new Content Security Policy backend and support for connecting to the HTTP proxy over HTTPS.

Developers are once again well catered for in version 33, with a new Cubic-bezier curves editor implemented alongside a new sidebar that conveniently displays all @media rule shortcuts for the current stylesheet. Users also gain the ability to display which elements have event listeners attached to them via an 'ev' icon among other new features.

The Android build -- due to be updated in the next few days -- is packed with useful new features. There’s a new option for undoing closed tabs alongside the ability to list recently closed tabs and close all tabs at once. There’s also a new switch-to-tab option when opening new or private tabs.

Users also gain the ability to clear data when quitting, while Firefox for Android 33 will also support sending video from the browser to a Roku or Chromecast device.

Firefox 33.0 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux is available now as a free, open-source download. Firefox 33.0 for Android should be available shortly.

Want the Windows 10 look? Install the Windows 10 UX Pack or Windows 10 Transformation Pack

Publié: octobre 14, 2014, 3:13am CEST par Nick Peers

ux10pack-800

WindowsX has released the Windows 10 UX Pack 1.0 and Windows 10 Transformation Pack 1.0, tools that skin Windows and -- in the case of the Transformation Pack -- patch system files to provide a look and feel that’s close to the current preview version of Windows 10.

Of the two, the UX Pack is the preferred choice for those running Windows 7 or later, as it makes changes without patching system files; however, the Transformation Pack does work with Vista and XP as well as later versions of Windows.

The setup is the same for both Windows 10 UX Pack and Windows 10 Transformation Pack: take a System Restore point, then download the zip file before extracting and launching the setup program.

You'll be given a number of choices – the defaults should be fine for most people, but experienced users or those running earlier versions of Windows should explore what’s on offer in order to see what tweaks they can perform.

Then it’s simply a case of clicking Install, sitting back and waiting for the program to weave its magic. This involves applying new themes, wallpapers icons, fonts and sounds, plus adding certain free tools to emulate parts of Windows 10, such as the new Start menu.

It's this Start menu that will probably attract most people – particularly those running Windows 8 or 8.1 – to these Packs, as it allows you to see how the new Start menu is likely to behave should it stay in its current form as Windows 10 moves through its development cycle.

Both tools also make it possible to undo all your changes and return to your existing settings – something we suspect most people will do once they've had a play -- simply be re-running the setup file again and choosing Uninstall.

And that's the beauty of either Windows 10 Transformation Pack: no need to find a spare partition or virtual machine to try out the Windows 10 Technical Preview if all you want is a quick flavor of how things may look. Just install either and in a few minutes -- even less with the UX Pack -- you’re up and running.

Both Windows 10 UX Pack 1.0 (Windows 7 or later) and Windows 10 Transformation Pack 1.0(Windows XP or later) are available now as a freeware downloads.

Pale Moon 25.0 released, moves further away from Firefox, drops Windows XP support

Publié: octobre 11, 2014, 12:56pm CEST par Nick Peers

palemoon24-200x175 Moonchild Productions has released a major update to its Firefox browser variant for Windows with the release of Pale Moon 25.0 and Pale Moon x64 25.0, which sees the browser drop support for Windows XP.

Version 25.0 sees the version number jump for the first time since the browser forked away from its Firefox parent due to major changes in the way the browser identifies itself.

Pale Moon 25.0 debuts a new browser GUID (Globally Unique IDentifier) to properly differentiate itself from Firefox, plus solve a number of what Moonchild terms as "development issues" that were holding the browser back. Unfortunately, the new GUID creates implications for a number of Firefox add-ons that hard-code the Firefox GUID into them, including AdBlock Plus.

Despite reaching out to add-on developers with this proposed change almost two months ago, Moonchild has received little response so far in terms of add-ons being updated to work with the browser. Users can see which add-ons are currently affected on the Pale Moon website.

Despite this, the new build does support extensions with both Pale Moon and Firefox GUIDs built-in, using the Pale Moon GUID (if it exists) to determine compatibility with the browser.

The new build also disables Firefox Compatibility mode by default as a result of issues with the browser being identified as Firefox 24.0 and deemed "too old" by certain websites. Users are requested to contact site owners directly if they come across sites that cannot identify the browser and refuse to work with it.

Other changes in version 25 include an updated sync implementation that is sadly not backwards compatible with previous builds -- users will need to set up and start again from scratch. The new function also no longer syncs add-ons by default.

The update also contains a detailed list of further improvements, fixes and changes, which also include a number of Android-specific updates as Moonchild readies an Android build of Pale Moon (click here to access the public beta). These can be read in full on the Pale Moon user forum.

Pale Moon 25.0, Pale Moon x64 25.0, Pale Moon Portable 25.0 and Pale Moon Portable x64 25.0 are all available now as open source, free downloads for PCs running Windows Vista or later.

Skype for Mac 7.0 and Skype for Windows 7.0 Preview sport radical new look

Publié: octobre 10, 2014, 7:47am CEST par Nick Peers

Skype

Microsoft has released Skype for Mac 7.0 and Skype for Windows 7.0 Beta, unveiling a major redesign of its Skype desktop client in the process.

Version 7.0’s new design mirrors closely that found on Skype’s mobile platforms, and is designed to provide users with a more unified experience across all devices they use it on.

The most visible change is that photos now appear inline as large thumbnails as soon as they’ve been sent. The Windows version also increases the spacing between contacts and chats, and offers message previews for unread chats to make following multiple conversations simpler.

Users should also notice that certain file types -- specifically Office documents and PDF files -- are now displayed using file icons to make them simpler to pick out when scrolling through a chat history.

Skype also introduces a new dual-paned view that allows users to continue using the IM feature while engaged in a voice or video call, making it easier to share photos and other files during the call. Mac users can access this view via a single click.

Finally, the group video chat feature -- recently made available for free to all Skype users -- has also been redesigned to make it easier to use.

Skype for Mac 7.0 and Skype for Windows 7.0 Beta are both available now as freeware downloads. Also available are Skype for iPhone, Skype for iPad, Skype for Android and Skype for Windows 8.

XYplorer Free provides you with a multi-paned, multi-tabbed alternative to Windows Explorer

Publié: octobre 8, 2014, 6:00pm CEST par Nick Peers

XYplorer Free

If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed in Windows it’s the fact that -- even now, almost 20 years after Windows 95 was released -- Windows Explorer still requires you to open separate windows for each folder you wish to access.

Navigating folders using multiple windows can be a nightmare, but if you’re running out of patience, it’s time to make the switch to a Windows Explorer replacement called XYplorer Free.

Windows Explorer replacements aren’t exactly thin on the ground, but typically fall into one of two categories: the first offers a multi-paned approach, giving you access to two or more folders from a single window. The second is inspired by modern-day web browsers, placing each separate folder path in its own tab, making it easy to switch between them.

XYplorer Free takes the best of both worlds, offering two multi-tabbed panes, plus throws in a traditional file tree to the left for even more flexibility when navigating. Now copying and moving files between far-flung locations on your computer just got a whole lot easier, particularly as XYplorer remembers your previous settings.

Each pane offers lots of juicy goodies too, incorporating functionality such as breadcrumbs, thumbnails, visible sort headers and more -- some of these features have made their way into the improved File Explorer found in Windows 8.1, but not all. One handy new feature even allows you to color-code your tabs for even easier identification.

Other useful tools include a batch rename function (with preview), the ability to calculate folder sizes, a Panes menu that makes it easy to transfer files from one pane to the other, directory print option, duplicate file finder, customizable interface, info panel, quick file compare tool and more powerful search tools. The list is almost endless.

Better still, XYplorer Free doesn’t automatically toss Windows Explorer to one side -- although it ships with an installer, everything’s self-contained inside its own folder, allowing you to store it on your portable thumb drive. That allows you to run it alongside Windows Explorer should you wish to, although if you want to replace Explorer completely, you can do so via XYplorer’s Tools > Configuration > Shell Integration menu.

A commercial version is also available with even more features, including the ability to queue up file operations. But for most people, the Free edition has all the time-saving functionality you need. Five minutes with this, and you won’t want to go back.

XYplorer Free 14.50 is available now as a freeware download for PCs running Windows 2000 or later. A trial version of XYplorer 14.50, offering additional features, is also available.

Auslogics Registry Cleaner 4 rolls out new search filter, promises improved scan algorithms

Publié: octobre 7, 2014, 7:02pm CEST par Nick Peers

Auslogics Registry Cleaner

Australian developer Auslogics had rolled out a number of minor -- but interesting -- updates to its system tools collection. Chief among these is a major new version of its Registry cleaning tool with the release of Auslogics Registry Cleaner 4.0, which gains a new search feature for custom removal of Registry entries.

Users can now click the Search button, type a keyword and wait for the program to search the Registry for keys matching the keywords, These can then be reviewed and selectively deleted.

Like the main scan function, backups are taken by default, while users can also search the web for more information on specific keys by selecting them and clicking the Google it button.

Version 4.0 also promises an improved Registry scanner thanks to better algorithms for searching the main scan categories.

The update also tweaks the user interface, improves Windows 8.1 compatibility, fixes all known bugs and makes enhancements to the Registry scan and repair results page, which is displayed in the user’s browser.

Other Auslogics apps get minor updates too: Auslogics Duplicate File Finder 4.0.2.0 gains a few improvements to its internal libraries and program stability. This builds on the recent 4.0 release that added a duplicate preview feature and a more advanced search tool for precise searches.

The same minor improvements can be found in Auslogics BoostSpeed 7.3.2.0, which again follows a recent major update (7.3) that added in the functionality found in the latest version of Auslogics Duplicate File Finder.

Auslogics Registry Cleaner 4.0 and companion Auslogics Registry Defrag 7.5.4.0 are both available as freeware downloads for PCs running Windows XP SP3 or later, as is Auslogics Duplicate File Finder 4.0.2.0. Finally, Auslogics BoostSpeed 7.3.2.0 is available as a free trial download, and can be purchased for just $19.95, a saving of 60 percent on the MSRP.

Blender gains new effects, tools and radial Pie menu feature

Publié: octobre 6, 2014, 6:44pm CEST par Nick Peers

Blender

Non-profit organization The Blender Foundation has released Blender 2.72, an update to its cross-platform, open-source 3D graphics tool. The new build finally debuts a long-anticipated "Pie menus" feature.

Also improved are the Cycles Render tools, animation editor UI improvements, a new "Face split by edges" modeling tool and new Sun Beams compositing effect.

Version 2.72, also available in 64-bit and portable form on Windows, opens with the debut of a long-awaited new UI feature: support for "Pie menus". These spread menu items radially around the mouse. The new feature is accompanied by redesigned tooltips, while the BI render preview now behaves in a similar fashion to the Cycle’s.

Two new modeling tools have been added: "Face split by edges", which allows users to split faces by loose wire edges, and Editmesh Intersect, which makes it possible to quickly cut up geometry in Edit mode.

In addition, a number of new sculpting and painting tools have also been implemented in Blender 2.72, including Sharpen, Fill, Mask, Brush Opacity Control and Mask Pressure support, accompanied by 16 new blend modes.

A new Compositing effect is Sun Beams, which is designed to simulate the effect of bright light being scattered in a medium.

Game developers also gain a number of minor new tools, including Property Sensor evaluation types, Mouse actuator, X-Ray and BGE debug API. Users are warned a number of compatibility issues have been introduced with these changes.

The Cycle Render tools gain a number of new and improved features. First, Basic Volume Rendering is now officially available on GPU, with experimental support also added for Subsurface Scattering and Correlated Multi Jitter sampling.

The tools also gain improved volume rendering, shading and enjoy a performance tweak. A Quick Smoke node setup has been added along with other improvements to nodes, baking and the OSL, which has been updated.

Other new features and changes have been implemented to the Freestyle line rendering engine, 3D View tools, FBX plug-ins and more -- a full set of feature highlights are available at the Blender.org website. The update is also rounded off by the usual vast number of fully documented bug fixes.

Blender 2.72 is available now as a free, open-source download for Windows, Mac and Linux. Also available for Windows users are Blender 2.72 (64-bit) and Blender Portable 2.71a – the latter is likely to be updated to version 2.72 in the next few days.

Carbon Copy Cloner 4 makes Mac cloning and imaging easier than ever

Publié: octobre 3, 2014, 4:15pm CEST par Nick Peers

Carbon Copy Cloner 4

Bombich Software has unveiled Carbon Copy Cloner 4.0 for Mac, which it describes as "our biggest update ever". The new build now requires OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or later.

After 18 months of development, in which Bombich "tore CCC down to studs and completely rebuilt it on top of modern OS X facilities", the new version boasts a brand new user interface, plus a host of new features, including the ability to edit scheduled tasks and a menu bar app.

The brand new user interface aims to simplify the task of cloning and drive imaging while retaining both the look and feel of previous builds while retaining all previous functionality.

The program provides an optional sidebar that allows all key program features -- Disk Center, Scheduled Tasks and Cloning Console -- to be integrated into a single window. Users can select source and destination by dragging disks from the left-hand sidebar or by clicking the appropriate button and choosing from the drop-down menu, where they’ll also find disk imaging options in addition to cloning tools.

A new simple interface mode makes it possible to clone a disk with just three clicks: Source, Destination and Clone. More advanced options are just a click away, however, providing access to all previously available options.

Carbon Copy Cloner 4.0 also adds a number of new features, starting with Task Chaining, which allows users to group multiple tasks together to form more complex backup routines.

A new Task History window provides users with a summary of recently run tasks, including whether or not they were successful. Select one for more details including advice for those tasks that failed due to errors.

The app also adds a new menu bar app for easy access and configuration, plus introduces one-time authentication for administrative users, meaning they’ll no longer be prompted for their password each time a task is run.

A new Task Migration Assistant has been added to help migrate tasks from previous versions of the program, while email notifications have been updated to allow email account settings to be configured just once and then used across multiple tasks. Users also gain new options for customizing their notifications.

Task Scheduling has also been improved: users can now edit scheduled tasks, while a wider range of scheduling options are available, such as limiting tasks to only running on weekdays or weekends. Laptop users will also be pleased to learn that tasks will no longer begin by default when the laptop is running on battery power.

The Disk Center has been updated to provide more useful information, while the SafetyNet feature has also been improved – this creates a bootable clone of the hard drive and also keeps copies of recently deleted and changed files.

Carbon Copy Cloner 4.0 is available now as a 30-day trial download for Macs running OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or later. The full version can be purchased for $39.99, while registered version 3 users can upgrade for $19.99 by downloading and installing the new build over the top of the existing version (upgrades are free if a license was purchased after June 2).

WebSite X5 Evolution 11 debuts major new features, interface tweaks

Publié: octobre 2, 2014, 11:18am CEST par Nick Peers

WebSite X5 Evolution 11

Incomedia has released major new versions of its wizard-driven web-building tool with the launch of WebSite X5 Free 11.0 and WebSite X5 Evolution 11.0.

Version 11.0 comes with a redesigned user interface and restructured five-step design process as well as enhanced template tools and page creation process alongside other improvements.

The graphic interface has been updated for a "modern and functional" look, according to Incomedia. New button bar layouts give users more flexibility in using available space and allowing the minimum window size to be reduced.

The five-step wizard used to build, populate and export a website has also been revamped, with style definition controls being moved up to the order to step one of the process while a new Statistics, SEO and Code window has been added to step four, where custom code management and optimization tools can be found.

Improvements to template management mean templates are now saved as an integral part of the project file, making it easy to migrate projects to other computers. Custom style tools have also been moved to the graphic template properties where they’re more visible.

The 1,500-strong template library (restricted to 50 templates in the Free version) has also been renewed, allowing it to be updated automatically from the internet when new templates become available.

Page-creation enhancements see the addition of optional objects for inserting into content rather than having to define them using custom HTML code. The ability to define, save and import/export defined cell styles has also been added.

Version 11 also adds support for Web Fonts and integrates a new text editor that helps ensure changes to content style can be applied consistently across the entire web project.

Also added is access to more than 200,000 free pictures when inserting images, new styles for buttons and other graphical objects, more options when creating photo galleries and improvements to the built-in graphics editor.

Users also gain the ability to schedule posts from blogs or RSS feeds, while other improvements make the HTML Editor easier to use and provide SEO optimization for sites.

WebSite X5 Free 11.0 and WebSite X5 Evolution 11.0 are freeware and function-limited demo downloads respectively. Both require PCs running Windows XP or later. Not all improvements above apply to the Free edition. WebSite X5 Evolution 11.0 can be purchased for €69.99.

Need user-friendly bootable recovery media? AOMEI PE Builder Free has your back

Publié: octobre 1, 2014, 7:00am CEST par Nick Peers

AOMEI PE Builder Free

Everyone -- and we mean everyone -- needs some kind of recovery disc. It could be the only thing between you and losing critical data, or a lengthy (and possibly unnecessary) Windows reinstall, for example.

Most PCs ship with some kind of onboard recovery or repair tools, but these are often limited. What’s the solution? If you’re running Windows 7 or 8 (but not, as yet, 8.1), it could well be AOMEI PE Builder Free 1.0.

As its title suggests, AOMEI’s solution is based on Microsoft’s own Windows PE environment, a cut-down (but graphically similar) version of Windows itself. You don’t need to download the hefty Windows Automated Installation Kit either to take advantage of this either; AOMEI grabs everything it needs during the boot disc creation process.

The basic Windows PE environment provides you with a full Windows desktop complete with key Windows tools including critical Control Panels, the command prompt and Internet Explorer for troubleshooting over the web.

But that’s not all: AOMEI PE Builder then adds in two useful AOMEI utilities: Backupper for recovering accessible files by backing them up, and Partition Assistant for more sophisticated partition management (including partition recovery), as well as a handful of portable tools -- including file recovery tool Recuva.

The builder program itself requires Windows 7 or 8 to run -- surprisingly (for now at least) it won’t run on Windows 8.1 -- but the bootable media it creates can then be used on other versions, from XP all the way up to Windows 8.1 and beyond.

Once launched, you’ll be stepped through a wizard putting the components together. You’ll see exactly which portable apps are supplied as standard, but you can also add your own portable apps here too, as well as any specific drivers you might want or need.

Finally, you’ll be prompted to burn a CD, save to USB drive or create an ISO file, and your bootable recovery tool is ready to go on standby.

And should the worst happen and your PC fails to boot, you’ve now got a means of booting into a familiar environment, giving you a great opportunity to troubleshoot your problem, hopefully find a Windows repair or at least recover critical data before taking more drastic steps.

AOMEI PE Builder Free 1.0 is available now as a freeware download. The PE builder tool itself requires Windows 7 or 8 to run, but any bootable media created should work with PCs running other versions of Windows too.

Audacity refines user interface, improves selected effects

Publié: septembre 30, 2014, 3:35pm CEST par Nick Peers

Audacity

Popular open-source, cross-platform sound recording, editing and mixing tool Audacity 2.0.6 has been released. The new build contains a number of minor improvements and various bug fixes.

Most of these changes affect the user interface. Both Cut and Delete options have been moved to the top of the Edit menu, for example. The Transport menu has also been altered to offer a single Play/Stop button as well as a "Play/Stop and Set Cursor" option for leaving the cursor set where playback has halted.

One consequence of this change is that users must now access the Keyboard preferences menu -- accessible via Edit > Preferences -- to set separate keyboard shortcuts for Play and Stop.

Speaking of which, the Keyboard preferences has been redesigned and made searchable to speed up the process of adding or modifying keyboard shortcuts. It also now provides a choice of three views: Tree, Name and Key.

Elsewhere, the Tracks menu gains a new "Mix and Render to New Track" selection, while the Track drop-down menu offers "Move Track to Top" and "Move Track to Bottom" options.

The context menu gains a "Delete Label" entry for removing single labels, while the "Snap To" option offers a choice of snapping to the closest or prior position. Snap To settings are now independent for each project, and the old "Snap To On" keyboard shortcut no longer works.

Version 2.0.6 also improves its selection of effects: Truncate Silence adds a new "Truncate Deleted Silence" setting to shorten the specified length without compressing the silence.

The VST Effects dialog has been redesigned with a new Settings dialog, while VST effects now support standard FXP presets. LV2 effects are now also supported -- via a textual interface only -- across all platforms.

Platform-specific changes see Windows builds now supporting FLAC exports of more than 2GB in size, while the OS X DMG installer has been made easier to use. Self-compiled Linux builds now search for system LADSPA effects in the /usr/lib/ladspa folder.

The update is rounded off by a number of bug fixes for both user interface and effects, but as with all new releases, a number of known issues remain -- see the release notes for details.

Audacity 2.0.6 is available now as a free, cross-platform download for Windows, Mac and Linux. A portable build of Audacity 2.0.5 is also available -- this should be updated to the latest release shortly.

CCEnhancer 4.1 is available, extends CCleaner support to hundreds of programs

Publié: septembre 29, 2014, 2:03pm CEST par Nick Peers

ccenhancer-41

Ever felt frustrated by CCleaner’s relative limited support for third-party apps? Did you know you can -- with a lot of care -- add your own programs to its cleaning database? Does that sound a bit scary? No matter, you can add support for hundreds more programs with no fuss using a free tool called CCEnhancer 4.1.

The tool lets you easily augment the CCleaner information file with 1,000 other program options, and with the release of version 4.1, the tool makes it easier for you to add your own program entries from within CCEnhancer itself.

CCEnhancer is basically a shell program, providing you with a convenient download link to a replacement winapp2.ini file that contains all the program cleaning definitions. Because the file itself is updated regularly, the idea is that you run the program and click Download Latest to get hold of the latest definitions.

Adding support for a thousand extra programs has a performance hit on CCleaner itself -- when starting, be prepared to wait a long time while it loads in all those entries, which are marked with an asterisk to make it clear they’ve been added by a third party.

CCEnhancer itself is mindful of this, and provides various tools for managing the list. Click Advanced > Trim winapp2.ini, which reduces the size of the file -- see the Winapp2.ini website for details on how this works. To revert back to CCleaner’s default settings, click Functions > Delete Custom Rules.

Version 4.1 adds a new box -- accessible under Settings > Custom Entries tab -- that allows users to manually input references to programs. It’s clearly aimed at advanced users, and should of course be treated with care – you could end up deleting a critical program or even system entries. For more information on how this works, see this Piriform support forum post.

Version 4.1 also adds Greek and Slovak localizations, is capable of detecting CCleaner64.exe even when CCleaner.exe has been deleted, and removes in-app advertisements.

The update is rounded off by tweaks for Bulgarian and Russian localizations, and unspecified bug fixes.

CCEnhancer 4.1 is available as a freeware download for Windows running CCleaner or CCleaner Portable. It is not in any way affiliated with or endorsed by Piriform, the makers of CCleaner.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 13 and Premiere Elements 13 arrive, focus on more automatic features

Publié: septembre 25, 2014, 2:20pm CEST par Nick Peers

Adobe has released Adobe Photoshop Elements 13 and Adobe Premiere Elements 13, brand new versions of its consumer-level photo-editing and video-editing suites.

Version 13 remain standalone tools -- allowing users to purchase them outright -- and come with a number of new and improved features to build on previous updates.

Photoshop Elements 13 introduces a number of new features. It opens with what Adobe describes as offering "a cool twist on your Facebook page" by making it easy to create two images that blend into each other when used as profile picture and cover photo.

Another new tool is Photomerge Compose, which allows users to create "mashups" of different photos by pulling elements from one and dropping them into another. Photoshop Elements then attempts to blend both color and lighting to create a realistic-looking scene.

Users also gain the ability to nudge selection boundaries to fine-tune object selections, while the program also now offers a choice of suggested compositions when cropping images, as well as displaying five different ways of applying an effect to give users a head-start on choosing their personal favorite.

Photoshop Elements 13’s slideshow feature also gains support for displaying multiple photos on each slide.

The program’s Guided Edit options have also been extended, with new features designed to create hybrid color and black-and-white photos, including one that allows the user to leave a single color in place.

Meanwhile, Adobe Premiere Elements 13 adds more video automation tools to its roster. Chief among these is Video Story, a tool that automatically generates movies -- including trims, transitions and music -- from user-selected clips. All the user needs to do is choose a story type and organize the clips into chapters.

Another automated addition allows users to pick favorite moments from a video clip and then Elements will automatically turn them into a movie.

New Guided Edit tools have also been added to Premiere Elements 13, making it easy to add motion effects inside movie titles as well as other effects and blurs designed to draw attention to a specific part of a scene.

The new build also promises improvements to its Shake Stabilizer tool, which is designed to help correct the effects of motion shake.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 13 and Adobe Premiere Elements 13 are both available now as free trial downloads for Windows and Mac -- an Adobe account is required to road-test either product. Both products have a MSRP of $99.99, with upgrade pricing at $79.99 each. Users can also purchase both products in a discounted bundle for $149.99, or $119.99 as an upgrade. See adobe.com for more details.

Foxit Reader and Foxit PhantomPDF gain Shared Review, 2D Barcode Display features

Publié: septembre 24, 2014, 2:06pm CEST par Nick Peers

foxit

In its first major updates for almost 18 months, Foxit Corporation has unveiled Foxit Reader 7.0 and Foxit PhantomPDF 7.0. Both builds gain Shared Review capabilities along with 2D Barcode Display.

Each build also gains unique functionality -- user environment customization is the biggest draw in Foxit Reader, for example, while Foxit PhantomPDF users gain an Outlook Add-in, plus PDF Portfolios and Document Sanitzation features.

Both Foxit Reader 7.0 and Foxit Phantom PDF 7.0 add a new Shared Review feature to the roster. This allows users of both platforms as well as MobilePDF Business users to participate in a shared document review. Note, a Shared Review session can only be initiated by PhantomPDF users.

Also added to both builds is a 2D Barcode Display, enabling support for 2D barcodes generated from Ultraforms-enabled fillable PDF forms.

RMS security has also been tightened (in the case of Foxit Reader users, this is available via a separate plugin) with the addition of new capabilities such as dynamic revocation, log analysis, additional control over access rights and integration into Outlook.

Foxit Reader 7.0 also adds greater user environment customization features, specifically the ability to create new tabs or customize existing ones using the ribbon-based toolbar.

Also beefed up is protection against unauthorized usage of digital signatures through the use of passwords as well as the ability to digitally sign and verify XFA forms.

Foxit PhantomPDF 7.0 adds an Outlook plug-in that makes it possible for users to convert email directly to PDF from Outlook itself -- they can also be archived or output to a PDF Portfolio, which users can now create and edit.

A new Document Sanitization feature allows users to remove undesired information from documents prior to publishing, while the new build also promises better editing and annotation tools.

Foxit Reader 7.0.3 is available as a freeware download for PCs running Windows XP SP3 or later. Foxit PhantomPDF 7.0.3 is available as a free trial download. PhantomPDF is available in two editions, with prices remaining unchanged from the previous version at $89 (Standard) and $129 (Pro) respectively.

Evernote for Mac 5.6 improves note editor and search tools, speeds up sync and startup

Publié: septembre 23, 2014, 12:29pm CEST par Nick Peers

evernote

Evernote Corporation has rolled out Evernote for Mac 5.6, a major update of its cloud-based note-taking client for Mac users. Version 5.6 comes with a rebuilt -- and improved -- note editor, as well as faster sync performance.

The update also comes with the promise of more relevant searches, integration with Spotlight and has been optimized to both launch faster and reduce its energy demands.

The headline feature is the improved note editor, which has been rebuilt alongside "every underlying aspect of the app" according to Evernote, as part of a concentrated approach to improving speed, sync and editing.

The first major improvement is the ability to now resize images within a note without affecting the actual image size. Users can click and use the drag handles to shrink the image to a more comfortable view. To access the original, full-size image, users can simply drag it out of the note.

The note editor also comes with a brand new table editor for spreadsheet-like notes, which offers options for deleting rows and columns, changing colors and resizing cells by click and drag. Notes also improve their display of checkboxes by making them larger and more clearly visible.

The update also comes with the promise of vastly improved sync performance, particularly for those with large numbers of shared notebooks as well as Evernote Business customers.

Other changes involve the search tool -- results are now displayed by relevance rather than the date the note was created, although users retain the option of switching the "classic" search ordering if desired.

In addition, version 5.6 now integrates with Spotlight to allow users the option of searching through their Evernote account via the [Cmd] + [Space] shortcut. Finally, Note View gains a new notebook selector that remembers the most recently used notebooks.

The new release also promises faster app launching times, "significantly reduced" energy consumption and includes fixes for over 500 bugs and 200 crashes.

Evernote for Mac 5.6 is available now as a free download for Macs running OS X 10.6.8 or later -- the update should appear in the App Store shortly. Also available are Evernote for Windows 5.6.4, Evernote Touch 2.3 for Windows 8, Evernote for iOS 7.5 and Evernote for Android 6.0.

Process Lasso 7.0 released, fine-tunes ProBalance Insights module, tweaks user interface

Publié: septembre 23, 2014, 4:43am CEST par Nick Peers

processlasso_200x175 Tennessee software developer Bitsum has released Process Lasso 7.0 and Process Lasso 7.0 (64-bit), a landmark update of its PC optimisation tool.

Version 7.0 builds on recent releases, improving the newly added ProBalance Insights tool with the promise of improved accuracy for its embedded responsiveness meter, plus overhauling various user interface elements.

The ProBalance Insights module, added in version 6.9.8, has been overhauled, and can now be launched direct from the main user interface via a dedicated button. The module, which shows per-process ProBalance statistics, is a key tool for users wishing to understand how Process Lasso has helped rein in overzealous processes.

Workstation Edition users gain a new manual Gaming Mode toggle to the program’s Taskbar Notification area menu, while a new Gaming Mode graph overlay indicator has also been added.

Total Process I/O has been added as a criteria to be placed in the Active Process lists along, and is joined by a new Delta I/O column.

The Active Processes lists has also been tweaked to deliver better performance and resolve issues with some columns not updating in certain circumstances.

Other notable GUI changes see the System Try icon changes on ProBalance restraint as well as a minor restructure of both process context and main application menus – for example, the context menu’s two options for terminating processes have also been consolidated into a single Terminate entry, which basically replaces the previously labelled Force Terminate command.

The update is rounded off with further minor tweaks and bug fixes, covering both installer and user interface. Italian and Japanese languages have also been updated.

Process Lasso 7.0 and Process Lasso 7.0 (64-bit) are both available as free downloads for PCs running Windows 2000 or later. The program functions in trial version mode for the fully featured Pro version before reverting to a cut-down Free build for personal and non-commercial use.

EaseUS Todo PC Trans adds support for non-direct transfer of data and apps

Publié: septembre 19, 2014, 3:38pm CEST par Nick Peers

EaseUS Todo PC Trans

EaseUS has released EaseUS Todo PCTrans 8.0 Free, an updated version of its PC transfer software for migrating data and applications to a new computer.

The new build no longer requires users to transfer directly between two active PCs on the same network. Instead, the program follows more established tools like Laplink in allowing users to save their data to an image file, which allows them to migrate in their own time, or install a new version of Windows on the same PC before transferring back their data and apps.

The new feature is offered as an option when the program first starts -- choose "Via an image file" followed by "Create the image file" to get started.

Users then choose which apps and data to transfer across, plus choose the location to store the image file in. Note that there is a limitation of just two apps in the free version; the paid-for Pro version has no such restriction.

Users are given a compatibility rating indicating the likely success of the app and settings transfer when deciding what to migrate, while they can also select specific files and folders to include in the data portion of the transfer.

Once saved, users can switch to the new computer (or install the new version of Windows) and run Todo PCTrans again, this time opting to transfer from a previously created image file. Again, users get to choose exactly what to bring across from the image.

EaseUS Todo PCTrans 8.0 Free is available now as a free download for PCs running Windows XP or later. A Pro version is available with no limits on the number of apps transferred, and costs $39.95.

LastPass for iOS adds Safari extension, Touch ID integration in iOS 8

Publié: septembre 19, 2014, 9:31am CEST par Nick Peers

lastpass

Password-management service LastPass has unveiled LastPass for Premium 3.1.0 for iPad and iPhone users with paid-for LastPass accounts.

Version 3.1.0 taps into two new iOS 8 features to deliver direct support for Safari and Touch ID integration, allowing users to unlock LastPass using their finger rather than a passcode or master password.

The headline new feature is the brand new LastPass Safari Extension, made possible by changes introduced in iOS 8 itself.

Once enabled, the extension works as it does on other platforms, giving LastPass users the ability to fill web logins in Safari without leaving the browser; previously they either had to use LastPass’s own built-in browser or copy the password in LastPass before switching back to Safari to manually paste it in.

On top of giving users access to existing logins in Safari, the extension also allows users to store new logins too.

Touch ID integration needs to be switched on from within the LastPass app’s Settings section -- flick the "Use Touch ID Verification" switch to On.

To enable the LastPass extension in Safari, users must first browse to Settings > Safari > Password and Autofill, then switch Names and Passwords off to disable Safari’s built-in password manager.

Once done, users must then open Safari and locate a page containing a login. Tap the Share button and choose More, then flick the LastPass entry to on before tapping and dragging the entry to its desired place in the list.

Going forward, users can then simply browse to a site, then tap Share > LastPass to log in, providing additional authentication -- including the new Touch ID feature on supported devices -- if necessary.

LastPass for Premium 3.1.0 is available now for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch running iOS 5.1.1 or later. iOS 8 is required for both new features (Touch ID also requires a compatible device), along with a LastPass Premium account.

O&O Defrag Professional 18 integrates with Syspectr platform, promises reduced defrag times

Publié: septembre 17, 2014, 11:04am CEST par Nick Peers

oando defrag

Berlin developer O&O Software has unveiled O&O Defrag Professional 18.0 32-bit and O&O Defrag Professional 18.0 64-bit, a major new build of its renowned Windows drive defragmentation tool.

Version 18 introduces two new features of note: the ability to configure and use the tool remotely using a smartphone or tablet, and a History view that provides users with an analytical chart of how the program has accelerated the system.

The new remote feature works with both desktop and mobile platforms via O&O’s Syspectr platform. With the release of O&O Defrag 18, a new defrag module has been added to Syspectr giving users remote access via any mobile or desktop browser to their computer.

The full version of O&O Defrag 18 comes with a complementary year’s access to the full Syspectr Premium package, although a cut-down free Home package is also available.

The program also debuts a new History view, which displays a graphical representation of how each different defrag operation has helped to optimize the system. The view offers lifetime performance statistics from the moment O&O Defrag was first installed.

Another new feature sees O&O Defrag offer to securely wipe unused disk space.

Version 18 also comes with the promise of reduced defrag times -- up to 35 percent on the previous version -- thanks to accelerated algorithms. Automatic defrag has also now been switched on by default to optimize disks in the background without affecting performance.

Other improvements include better support for implementing TRIM on SSD drives of any make, even in Windows Vista and 7, while locked files are also handled better in the latest version.

O&O Defrag Professional 18.0 32-bit and O&O Defrag Professional 18.0 64-bit are both available as trial downloads for PCs running Windows Vista or later. Support for Windows XP has been dropped as of this version. The full version retails for $29.95.

Opera Beta 25 arrives, finally adds full bookmark support, debuts Linux build

Publié: septembre 16, 2014, 12:05pm CEST par Nick Peers

Opera beta

Opera has released Opera Beta 25, which sees the Opera Next channel renamed as part of what could be a landmark release for the alternative web browser when it hits final release next month. The headline new feature is the overdue implementation of bookmarks into the browser.

It’s also joined by the first Linux beta build since Opera relaunched last year, plus offers a redesigned Start page, integrated PDF viewer and support for web notifications direct from the Windows or Mac desktop.

By far the most significant feature has to be added support for bookmarks, which has been the number one feature request from users since the new Chromium-based version of Opera debuted back in July 2013.

Users can now add bookmarks via the heart button to the right of the main Address bar -- once clicked, users get a choice of images, plus the opportunity to file the bookmark directly into a folder (new or existing). Sadly, Opera has still to implement an import option for quickly transferring bookmarks from other platforms.

Other changes in version 25 are note-worthy by themselves too. The Start page has been redesigned to use tiles instead of screenshots, inspired by Coast, Opera’s iPad and iPhone browser.

Version 25 also introduces support for H.264 video and MP3 audio, and sees the long-awaited Linux build move one step closer to final release as it finally joins its Mac and Windows brethren in the beta channel.

Opera Beta 25 is available now as a freeware download for Windows, Mac and Linux, and installs alongside other versions of the browser, including Opera 24 FINAL. Also available is Opera 12.17 FINAL.

Ashampoo 3D CAD Architecture 5 introduces 64-bit support, optional ribbon user interface

Publié: septembre 15, 2014, 6:44pm CEST par Nick Peers

3dcad

Berlin-based developer has released Ashampoo 3D CAD Architecture 5.0, a major new version of its commercial CAD software for home and garden design projects.

Version 5.0 adds 64-bit support for improved performance, plus debuts a new, simplified ribbon-based UI as well as adding support for 2D fill patterns and textures.

The new ribbon user interface will be familiar to those who’ve seen Microsoft Office and its ilk, but Ashampoo is careful to keep the older, classic UI in place for those who prefer tradition.

The ribbon UI is designed to provide a simpler interface for beginners, thematically structuring its features and buttons according. Support for a Quick Access toolbar as in Office allows users to place favourite controls within easy reach.

A new 64-bit build has also been unveiled, allowing Windows 64-bit users to access more than 3.5GB RAM. The performance fillip should be most noticeable on more complex projects that should work more smoothly. The setup wizard automatically detects which version to install.

Version 5.0 also includes support for creating 2D fill patterns using lines, curves and circles as opposed to using Windows own drawing routines. This means a greater variety of fill properties for elements displayed in 2D is now possible.

Ashampoo 3D CAD Architecture 5.0 is available now as a free, trial download for PCs running Windows XP or later. The full version can be purchased for $79.99, although Ashampoo registered users are promised a $24 discount. Upgrades from previous versions are also available for $29.99.

VirtualBox fixes startup problems with Windows hosts, squashes more bugs

Publié: septembre 12, 2014, 9:15am CEST par Nick Peers

VirtualBox

Oracle has released VirtualBox 4.3.16, the latest in a series of maintenance fixes for its cross-platform, part-open-source virtualization program.

The most notable fix in the new build affected a number of Windows hosts, which found themselves unable to open VMs. The only workaround had been to revert to the previous build (4.3.12).

The cause of these crashes -- first spotted in a pre-release version of 4.3.14 -- were eventually tracked down to conflicts with security software, and have been successfully fixed with the new release. Note, however, that those who reverted to version 4.3.12 may find the program doesn’t recognize an update is available; download and install it manually if this is the case.

A number of graphic user interface bugs have also been resolved with the new release: the mini toolbar should now produce less artifacts when used with 3D guest rendering, while Mac users should find the native full-screen to multi-screen transition no longer blacks out host screens for up to a minute.

One additional feature has been added allowing users to disable mouse capture for selected VMs -- typically headless machines or those using command-line interfaces where the mouse isn’t required. Sadly, this hasn’t made it into the graphical user interface; instead users should read section 9.19.10 of the manual for details of setting it using the command-line VBoxManage interface.

3D support has been improved for OS X hosts via the implementation of experimental support for rendering on offline GPUs in version 4.3.16. Other 3D fixes include one for MS Office 2013 support as well fixing an issue with video recording.

Bridged Networking has been tweaked to better support IPv6 when bridging to a wireless interface, while a number of USB regressions from version 4.3.14 have also been fixed. For a complete list of fixes and changes, check out the changelog.

VirtualBox 4.3.16 is now available as a free open-source download for Windows, Mac and Linux, along with the companion VirtualBox Extension Pack 4.3.16, which is free for non-commercial use only.

Geekbench offers redesigned and simplified results view, adds ARMv8 support

Publié: septembre 9, 2014, 1:13pm CEST par Nick Peers

Primate Labs has updated its cross-platform, flagship benchmark tool with the release of Geekbench 3.2 for desktop and Android. Also available on iOS, the latest build’s main highlight is a redesigned results page.

The redesign aims to simplify how results are shown, particularly on mobile platforms. Version 3.2 also comes with added support for the forthcoming 32-bit ARMv8 processor due to launch on Android later this year.

Version 3.2’s main change is the way results are displayed. It comes with the promise of improved legibility while delivering more information in a smaller space, particularly when viewed on a mobile device.

Once a benchmark has been run, users get to see both single-core and multi-core scores at the top of the screen, followed by a summary of system information. Below this each individual benchmark is broken down into sections, complete with bar chart score. Users can then compare their scores with other devices via the Single-Core and Multi-Core tabs.

Version 3.2 also extends support to the 32-bit ARMv8 processor on Android, which should be debuting in new devices in the coming months. This manifests itself in a recompiling of the program to take advantage of the new instruction set, while AES and SHA-1 workloads have both been updated to use the processor’s new cryptography functions.

Geekbench 3.2 is available now as a free function-limited trial for Windows, Mac and Linux. Stress tests and 64-bit benchmarks are not available in the tryout version, while results can only be displayed in the user’s web browser. The full version can be purchased with single-user prices coming in at $9.99 (single-platform license) or $14.99 (multi-platform). Geekbench 3.2 for Android is also available, while Geekbench 3.1.6 for iOS is also available -- we expect version 3.2 to appear shortly. Both mobile apps cost 99c each.

Emsisoft Internet Security 9 integrates firewall into existing anti-malware protection

Publié: septembre 8, 2014, 5:10pm CEST par Nick Peers

Emsisoft Internet Security 9

Emsisoft GmbH has unveiled its first integrated security suite for Windows in the form of Emsisoft Internet Security 9.0. The suite comprises all the functionality of Emsisoft Anti-Malware, plus the core engine from its Online Armor firewall.

Emsisoft Internet Security promises the same lean and efficient protection as the standalone Anti-Malware tool, while adding in a user-optimised version of its firewall that -- unlike Online Armor -- is designed to be as beginner-friendly as possible.

The suite offers the protection of not just one, but two anti-malware engines with BitDefender’s engine employed alongside Emsisoft’s own. It offers three major layers of real-time protection in addition to the usual scan-and-remove functionality: a real-time file scanner, zero-day blocker based on suspicious behavior and a web blocker that vets websites, blocking unsafe ones.

The tool also offers an optional module that alerts users whenever Potentially Unwanted Programs like browser toolbars and bundleware try to get on their system.

The firewall promises simpler operation through reducing the number of pop-up alerts to a minimum while still informing the user whenever a program accesses the internet for the first time after installation -- it then reports if the program is marked safe or not; if not, the user can manually approve a program.

Emsisoft Internet Security wraps itself up in the same slimline, Windows 8-inspired user interface first seen in Emsisoft Anti-Malware. It comes with the promise of user-friendly, lightweight protection.

Beginners will probably be happy just to leave the program to its own devices, but advanced users can access the main configuration screen, which is split into six logically named sections: Overview, Protection, Scan, Quarantine, Logs and Settings.

The program’s levels of protection can be fine-tuned from the various sub-sections offered under Protection, while users can also manually review (and release) quarantined files.

The new app is designed to replace the now-discontinued Emsisoft Internet Security Pack, which simply offered users licenses for Emsisoft’s Anti-Malware and Online Armor. Users can exchange these for an Internet Security license free of charge.

Emsisoft Internet Security 9.0 is available now as a free trial download for PCs running Windows XP or later. It retails for US$49.95. Also available are Emsisoft Anti-Malware 9.0, Emsisoft Online Armor Free 7.0 and Emsisoft Emergency Kit 9.0. Check out the Downloadcrew Software Store for some Emsisoft bargains.

Evernote for Android 6.0 unveils fresh new look, adds Web Clipper support

Publié: septembre 5, 2014, 5:18pm CEST par Nick Peers

evernote

Evernote Corporation has released Evernote for Android 6.0, a major new version of its note-taking tool for a platform it says is its fastest-growing.

Version 6 unveils a major new redesign, adds support for the Evernote Web Clipper, allows users to create Quick Notes and promises improved navigation and handwriting support, plus a simpler, cleaner layout for its note-editing tool.

Evernote has positioned this new build at those who are increasingly using their Android device as their primary note-taking platform as opposed to simply using it as an extension of the desktop or web platform. That explains the additional functionality that has been incorporated.

The new build shows off a redesign -- including optimizations specifically for tablet devices, with the promise of major improvements to creating, searching, viewing and editing notes.

Those accessing Evernote on a phone will see a new green floating + button, which makes it possible to quickly create one of six different note types -- from handwriting and audio to camera and text -- with just two taps.

This is accompanied by a new slide-out drawer navigation tool, which is accessed by swiping in from the left-hand side of the screen or tapping the menu button in the top left-hand corner. Evernote Business users can switch between personal and business notebooks from here; everyone else can browse by notes, notebooks, tags and shortcuts.

Conspicuous by their absence are -- however -- both Map and Card views, while the PDF viewing and annotation tools have been moved across to companion app Skitch. There’s also still no means of deleting notebooks from within the app.

An Explore Evernote section has also been added to the navigation drawer walking users through features they may not be aware of.

The Android app now also supports web clipping -- users can locate webpages in their browser, then tap the Share button and choose Evernote as the destination. Tap the big elephant button to select a notebook and add tags if required.

Also improved is sharing -- users simply tap the person button at the top of the screen when browsing a notebook to share it with others. Meanwhile, the search screen has been redesigned to improve and simplify searching, with users able to refine results by notebook, tag or location.

Users also gain an improved note-editing tool, with the promise of a cleaner, less cluttered layout. A new camera tool makes it easier to switch modes and handwriting recognition has also been improved, complete with new pinch-to-zoom tool.

The update is rounded off with additional unspecified tweaks and improvements. Evernote for Android 6.0 is available now as a free download for Android users. Also available are Evernote for Windows desktop, Evernote Touch for Windows 8, Evernote for Mac, and Evernote for iPhone & iPad.

Apple Store 3.0 debuts new universal app for iPad and iPhone, adds new Stores tab

Publié: septembre 5, 2014, 3:05pm CEST par Nick Peers

Apple store

Ahead of its latest iPhone event extravaganza, Apple has released a refreshed version of its store app for iOS with the release of Apple Store 3.0, which becomes a universal app for iPhone and iPad.

The universal app replaces the old iPad-only version, and means that iPad users outside the US can now access the Apple Store app on their device. Other changes include the ability to start shopping on one device, then finish on another. Also added is a new Stores tab providing local information based on the user’s current location.

The major change for iOS users is the relaunch of the app in universal format for both iPad and iPhone/iPod touch. This means iPhone and iPod touch users now enjoy the same, minimalist design and "more refined" navigation and imagery as the old (and now defunct) iPad version, which only made its bow last fall, and was restricted to US customers only.

The new release also adds a new Stores tab, which puts users in touch with the stores closest to them. The update is designed to make it easier for Apple to showcase events and workshops at local stores. iPad users can also use this section to make One to One reservations.

As part of a wider Apple Store update, users can now start shopping on one device -- including PC or Mac -- and then finish on another.

The timing of the new app is no doubt deliberate, as it neatly pre-dates Apple’s upcoming iPhone 6 event on 9 September. Apple Store 3.0 is available now as a free download for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later.

VirtualXP Free lets you convert your old Windows XP PC into a virtual machine

Publié: septembre 4, 2014, 1:58pm CEST par Nick Peers

virtualxp

Farstone Technology has released VirtualXP Free 1.0, a free-for-personal-use tool that simplifies the task of converting a Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 physical PC into a virtual machine.

The idea is that users hesitating about switching to a newer version of Windows can take their old system with them, ensuring all data, settings and programs continue to work going forward.

The app’s appeal is obvious. For many people wedded to Windows XP, upgrading now to a new PC involves more than simply transferring across data and installing their old programs.

By migrating an existing XP computer to a virtual machine using VirtualXP, they can be sure that no data or settings will be lost, while continuing to enjoy the use of old programs, particularly those that aren’t compatible with the version of Windows installed on their new PC.

VirtualXP Free converts the current physical machine -- either a single drive or multiple drives and partitions -- into a virtual disk file using the universal VHD format. This can then be attached to a virtual machine using compatible software -- Farstone recommends Microsoft’s own Virtual PC product, but VHD images should also work with other virtual packages. We tested it successfully using the free VirtualBox for example.

It’s simple to use -- once installed, fire up the program -- if prompted, click to download any required components. Once done, click the "Immigrate XP to VM" button (Farstone betraying its non-English origins with that particular mistranslation). After a short pause, a list of drives and partitions will appear, with the Windows partition already selected. To include other partitions (say a data drive), simply tick the relevant boxes.

Now it’s a simple case of clicking Browse -- navigate to a suitable folder (typically on an external drive) -- and click Start. The imaging process can take some time, but once complete there will be a virtual copy of the user’s Windows XP in VHD format.

You may have issues with activation, so it’s a good idea to make sure the virtual copy works and behaves as it should prior to getting rid of the old machine. However, if all goes to plan, it’s a great way to keep a failsafe copy of XP running for compatibility purposes as well as ensuring a copy of all files and folders is to hand.

VirtualXP Free is a free-for-personal-use download for PCs running either Windows XP or Windows 2003. A commercial license can be purchased for $30.

VMWare Fusion 7 promises OS X Yosemite support and optimization, better connectivity with Windows 8.1

Publié: septembre 3, 2014, 2:29pm CEST par Nick Peers

VMware has launched VMWare Fusion 7.0, a major new version of its virtualization software for Macs. Version 7 adds support for OS X Yosemite and improves compatibility with Windows 8.1 guests.

The new release also shows off a new look, designed to fit in with Yosemite on its launch, plus promises improved performance, better connectivity with peripherals and Retina display optimizations.

The new build has been designed to blend in with the forthcoming OS X Yosemite (while retaining backwards compatibility with both Mountain Lion and Mavericks), and comes with the promise of a "cleaner and more refined" look when running Windows virtual machines.

In addition to working in OS X Yosemite, Fusion 7 also allows users to run OS X Yosemite virtual machines.

The new build also more tightly integrates Windows 8.1 into the Yosemite desktop by allowing users to run Windows Store apps side-by-side with OS X applications. Access to store apps is also extended to adding shortcuts to the OS X Launchpad, Applications folder and Dock (when running Windows in Unity mode).

VMWare Fusion 7 also promises to better harness the latest Haswell processors thanks to an optimized 64-bit engine and better use of multi-core processors, meaning that virtual machine performance should be much closer to that of a native machine.

Version 7 rounds off its improvements with Retina Display optimizations that extend to Windows virtual machines. Now users can run Windows across both Retina and non-Retina displays with a near seamless experience.

The new release is accompanied by a new Pro build that promises dual GPU optimization, virtual network management and better support for cloned virtual machines.

VMWare Fusion 7.0 is available now as a free trial download for Macs running OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or later. It can be purchased for $69.99 (upgrades from version 5 or 6 are $49.99). VM Fusion Pro costs $149.99 ($79.99 upgrade).

Opera 24 FINAL adds new tab preview, offers Hi-DPI support in Windows

Publié: septembre 2, 2014, 12:35pm CEST par Nick Peers

opera24

Opera has released Opera 24 FINAL, a major new release of its web browser for Windows and Mac. It comes with three changes of note, two of which are restricted to Windows users only.

The headline new feature, which covers all platforms, sees Opera gain tab preview. By rolling the mouse over any non-active tab, users will -- after a short pause -- see a pop-up thumbnail of that tab's current contents.

The thumbnail is overlaid the current tab, which is darkened to make it easier to view the contents of the thumbnail. This preview is big enough for users to use it to quickly glance at a web page -- say to keep an eye on social media updates -- without having to switch.

Windows users gain two additional improvements. Private windows are now colored a darker chrome to make them more distinctive than normal ones. Version 24 also adds support for Hi-DPI screens, with the promise of a crisper, crystal clear interface even on high-res monitors.

Opera 24 FINAL also implements a large number of bug fixes and minor tweaks, all of which are documented in detail at the changelog. Notable improvements include better support for H.264 playback, while warnings associated with unresponsive plugins are no longer so frequent.

Opera 24 FINAL is available now as a freeware download for Mac and Windows. A Linux build is also available in the Developer channel. Also available is Opera 12.17 FINAL.

Firefox 32 FINAL released for desktop, shows off HTTP caching improvements and other minor tweaks

Publié: septembre 2, 2014, 7:00am CEST par Nick Peers

firefox_android_icon Mozilla has released Firefox 32.0 FINAL for desktop, with Firefox for Android 32.0 due to follow.

While there are a lot of changes to both desktop and mobile builds, Firefox 32 doesn’t throw up any standout new features, instead concentrating on tweaks and minor improvements.

Firefox 32 FINAL now enables a new implementation of HTTP caching (dubbed v2) by default. This promises improved performance through tweaks such as optimized request prioritization, which should cut the loading times for large content while offering increased stability. The new feature is joined by the integration of generational garbage collection.

Firefox 32 also debuts support for Public key pining, which should prevent man-in-the-middle attacks through tighter checks of website certificates, which are used to verify a site’s identity and security.

Other new features see login metadata made visible in the Password Manager, while the Find toolbar now displays the number of found items. The Scratchpad developer tool also gains inline documentation and code completion.

The update also adds HiDPI/Retina support in the Developer Tools UI, and now displays hidden nodes differently when in mark-up review. The Inspector button has shifted position to the top left of the Developer pane and there’s a new Web Audio Editor – this needs to be enabled via the Developer settings button.

The new build also widens its HTML5 support, promises performance improvements for both Password and Add-on Manager tools and fixes a couple of platform-specific problems – [Cmd] + [L] should now open new windows even when no window is available on OS X, while text rendering issues in Windows 8.1 (and Windows 7 with Platform Update KB2670838) have also been resolved.

The update, which is officially released tomorrow, will be followed by Firefox 32 for Android. Platform-specific improvements include the ability to switch languages without closing the browser. A new Clear History control has been added to the History panel and the Gamepad API is finally enabled.

Other Android-only improvements include support for URL autocomplete on composition-focussed keyboards such as Swype. Support for Android 2.2 and ARMv6 processor chipsets have, however, been dropped. Other major unresolved issues mean that neither MP4 nor Flash videos will play.

Firefox 32.0 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux is available now as a free, open-source download.Firefox 32.0 FINAL for Android should be available shortly.

Chrome 38 Beta makes user-switching feature more visible, adds 64-bit support to OS X and Windows

Publié: août 29, 2014, 10:53pm CEST par Nick Peers

google_chrome_beta_icon Google has updated its Chrome Beta channel with the release of Google Chrome 38.0 Beta. The new release, also available as Google Chrome 38.0 Beta (64-bit) for Windows and Linux, has two major highlights.

The first is an improved -- and more visible -- way of managing and switching between multiple Chrome user profiles, while the other sees 64-bit support extended to the OS X platform.

The main new feature sees Chrome revamp and improve how it handles multi-user setups from a single machine. First, a more visible button can now be found in the top right-hand corner of the Chrome window, displaying the currently logged on user’s name.

Clicking this reveals a drop-down menu providing convenient shortcuts to managing the user's own profile, switching to another account or starting a private, incognito browsing session in a separate window.

Once users log into Chrome with their Google account credentials, their own profile -- including bookmarks, apps and theme -- is synced to that machine, enabling them to enjoy their own personalised browsing session. A Guest mode is also available to protect existing user privacy when sharing the computer with others -- choose Switch Person > Browse as Guest to access it.

The multi-user feature is already present in current builds of Chrome, but the changes bring it front and centre and make switching users more convenient than before. This is particularly true for people who haven’t set up a user profile in Chrome itself.

The update also sees the native Windows 64-bit build move out of the Dev channel into the Beta channel as it prepares to make its final release. It’s been joined by the first native 64-bit beta build for OS X too. All Mac users on the beta channel -- with the exception of first-gen Intel Macs – will automatically be migrated to this new build. Type chrome://help into the search bar to verify this switch has occurred.

Google Chrome 38.0 Beta is available now for Windows, Mac (32-bit and 64-bit) and Linux. A separate 64-bit build is also available for Windows and Linux.

OneDrive 4.4 and Dropbox 3.3 for iOS launch, promise major new features

Publié: août 26, 2014, 3:31pm CEST par Nick Peers

onedrive-ios

OneDrive and Dropbox users with access to an iPhone or iPad rejoice: both iOS apps were just updated with major improvements with the release of Microsoft OneDrive 4.4 and Dropbox 3.3.

Both apps gain new features -- the ability to search within Word and PowerPoint documents in Dropbox, a brand new Photos view in OneDrive -- as well as a number of improvements and stability fixes.

Dropbox 3.3 adds support for searching within Word and PowerPoint documents via what it terms new, "higher fidelity" previews. There’s also support for displaying larger animated GIFs.

The app also comes with the promise of smarter caching, which should reduce the amount of data transmitted and also free up more disk space.

The update also comes with the promise of improving its ability to open up where the user last left it, and is rounded off with a slew of bug fixes.

Meanwhile, the OneDrive app gains an updated Shared View, plus adds a new Photos view. This provides convenient access to all photos taken on the iPad or iPhone that have been backed up to OneDrive using its Camera Backup option.

Existing photos from other sources -- as well as any screenshots taken on the iOS device -- remain accessible via the Files view (in the case of screenshots, look under Camera Roll).

There’s a new updated Shared view for seeing and managing existing shared files and folders, while users can now easily share multiple files and folders with one link too -- just tap to select the items in question before tapping the Share button and choosing Invite People or Share a Link. The items are then accessible via a specially created "Shared items 00-00-2014" shortcut folder.

Another major -- and overdue -- new feature allows users to finally search their storage for files and folders directly from within the app itself -- just pull the main folder pane down to reveal the search box.

One final new feature allows users to set up a new account directly from within the app itself. Version 4.4 is rounded off with the usual mix of bug fixes and stability improvements.

Both Dropbox 3.3 and OneDrive 4.4 are available now as free apps for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Both apps require iOS 7.0 or later.

Emsisoft Emergency Kit 9 overhauls interface to simplify malware cleaning

Publié: août 19, 2014, 5:23pm CEST par Nick Peers

Emsisoft Emergency Kit 9

Emsisoft has released Emsisoft Emergency Kit 9, a major new build of its portable malware cleaning toolkit for Windows PCs. The new build jumps from version 4 to 9, which brings its version numbering into sync with the main Emsisoft Anti-Malware line of products.

Version 9 promises a simpler, more user-friendly user interface, faster scans and improved detection, clearer log entries and a new Pro license for use in a commercial environment.

Emsisoft Emergency Kit 9 opens with a redesigned user interface that’s based on Emsisoft Anti-Malware 9, and designed to fit in with Windows 8. It color-codes the main functions -- update, scan, quarantine and logs -- to make them simpler to both understand and access.

The new UI also features hundreds of unspecified "detail improvements", all of which have been suggested by the program’s user base during beta testing.

The update also comes with the twin promise of faster scans and more accurate detection, with the addition of new malware cleaning routines to augment the dual-scanning engine. These should deliver effective cleaning of even the latest threats while ensuring the computer is able to function correctly once the infection has been removed.

Version 9 also overhauls its Logs to provide more insight into the program’s different processes, including scans, quarantines and updates. The advanced evaluation logs benefit both end users keen to poke behind the scenes as well as Emsisoft’s own support team.

The final change sees the program license shift to free, for private use only. A new Pro license is now available for professional use in the business and commercial environment, with prices starting from $99 per year to cover up to 250 scanned PCs.

Emsisoft Emergency Kit 9.0 is available now as a free for private use download for PCs running Windows XP or later. Pro licenses are also available -- full pricing details can be obtained here.

Windows 8.1 August Update arrives -- minor improvements and bug fixes the order of the day

Publié: août 13, 2014, 2:32pm CEST par Nick Peers

august update

Microsoft’s long-awaited "Update 2" for Windows 8.1 users has materialized in the guise of August 2014 update rollup for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2. Also available separately for 64-bit Windows, the update is currently listed under optional updates in Windows Update.

The update is not as major as the previous Update 1 release, but does nonetheless contain a number of improvements and tweaked features.

The most visible change to Windows 8.1 after applying this update can be found buried away under the PC Settings screen, accessed via the Settings charm. Tap Update and Recovery > Windows Update and users will see additional information in the guise of when updates were last checked and installed has been added to the screen. This apes what is already shown in the desktop Windows Update Control Panel.

Precision touchpad device users also gain three new user-controlled settings under PC Settings > PC and devices > Mouse and touchpad -- these are "Leave touchpad on when mouse is connected", "Allow right-clicks on the touchpad" and "Double-tap and drag".

Internet Explorer gains a new security feature whereby it can block -- and notify the user -- when it encounters an out-of-date ActiveX control on a website. The rest of the web page is unaffected while the user is prompted to update the control to its latest version.

Support for the Russian Ruble currency for both input and rendering is also added to the new release, while Wi-Fi Direct APIs for Discoverability have been added to allow Windows to support incoming Miracast connections.

Developers also gain the ability to both read and write "Date taken" and GPS data tags on MP4 files using Windows Runtime and Win32 APIs. Users of Microsoft SharePoint Online sites should also see the number of login prompts reduced when "Keep me signed in" is ticked.

The update also resolves over 65 issues, all documented in separate KB articles -- the full list can viewed at the Microsoft Support Knowledgebase.

The August 2014 update rollup for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 is available now separately for Windows 32-bit and Windows 64-bit machines. It is also available through Windows Update as an optional update at the present time. Users must first ensure update 2919355 has been installed prior to installing the August 2014 update.

IObit Advanced SystemCare 8 Beta adds new protection modules, supports UI theming

Publié: août 12, 2014, 2:26pm CEST par Nick Peers

systemcare

IObit has launched the first public pre-release version of its forthcoming system and security suite, IObit Advanced SystemCare 8 Beta. The new build launches with a number of new tools, including brand new Protect Module.

It also showcases another redesigned user interface and introduces support for themes, allowing users to customize the program with photos.

The user-interface update is described as "brand new", but will be familiar to existing Advanced SystemCare users -- it’s basically a streamlined design that also adds support for maximizing the user interface to full screen.

The new Theme customization feature, accessible by clicking the t-shirt icon on the main page -- now allows users to substitute the basic theme with a photo of their choosing. PNG, GIF, BMP and JPG images are supported. The image is then displayed in semi-transparent fashion in front of the existing skin.

A number of new tools have been added to version 8, including a brand new Protect module, which allows users to lock homepages, search engines and general surfing.

Also included is a new browser plug-in and toolbar cleaner, and a "System Reinforce" tool, which provides one-click fixes for beefing up system weak points.

Also added to version 8 is a new browser cleaning tool as well as a Software Updater component. The built-in IObit Uninstaller is now updated to version 4, which is also currently in beta. New features include support for removing Windows 8 Metro apps.

Other tools get updates: the Startup Manager now comes with a one-click optimization for startups, services and scheduled tasks, while the Privacy Sweep tool can now sweep Windows 8 apps and iTunes. The Disk Optimization tool gains support for optimizing SSD drives and supports multi-disk defragging.

The Registry fix tool gains a fix for Windows Services and comes with the promise of faster scan speeds and better stability, while the Performance Monitor has also been updated.

IObit Advanced SystemCare 8 Beta is available now as a free trial download for PCs running Windows XP or later. As its beta software, caution should be applied when using the tool.

Ashampoo Photo Optimizer 6 adds new portrait tools, photo effects, delivers UI improvements

Publié: août 11, 2014, 6:36pm CEST par Nick Peers

Ashampoo

German developer Ashampoo has unveiled Photo Optimizer 6, the first major new build of its fast, user-friendly photo tool for over two years.

The program adds a number of new portrait-enhancing tools and a slew of extra effects, but also delivers various "structure" improvements to the user interface and promises a more efficient, faster image-editing tool. It also drops support for Windows XP.

The program opens with an improved one-click optimization tool, which can be applied to multiple photos. User-interface improvements are designed to make images easier to handle, with a particular focus on the crop, free rotate, watermarking, age image and horizontal straightening tools.

Photo Optimizer 6 also adds three new portrait-enhancing tools to accompany the existing red-eye removal feature, namely Whiten Teeth, Clone Areas and Remove Spots.

It also ships with a large number of new creative effects, including image overlay, emboss, shade, blue shift, segmentation, solarize, posterize, sketch and various distort and noise effects.

Other changes include an improved batch-processing tool, new integrated webspace uploader for sharing photos via Ashampoo. The program is also less resource-hungry, and has been fine-tuned to deliver better performance over the previous version.

Ashampoo Photo Optimizer 6 is available now as a free trial download for PCs running Windows Vista or later. The .NET Framework 4.0 tool is also required. The full version can be purchased for $14.99, while existing users can upgrade for just $5.99.

LastPass 3.1.50 improves folder management, further tightens security

Publié: août 9, 2014, 1:27pm CEST par Nick Peers

lastpass

Password-manager specialist LastPass has released LastPass 3.1.50, a major new version of its cross-platform tool for securely storing online passwords in the cloud.

Version 3.1.50 comes with one new feature, which sees the tool now capable of automatically suggesting a folder name for putting newly saved popular sites into folders for better organisation. It also comes with various improvements and tighter security.

Security enhancements see more secure web filling by changing http to https saved URLs. CSP rules have been tightened and LastPass disallows the filling of iframes if the frame's domain is different to the top page domain.

The update, which spans most popular web browsers, also comes with the promise of an improved Create Account Wizard when used in Chrome or Safari.

Other enhancements cover the first time overlay and Vault overview pages when the user hasn’t added any data. Also updated is the user interface of the online security challenge.

One notable bug fix stops LastPass from being able to utilise large amounts of CPU resources when setting up fingerprint authentication.

LastPass 3.1.50 is available now free for supported Windows, Linux and Mac browsers. Premium users also gain access to LastPass through their mobile devices, with apps for iPhone and iPad and Android among other platforms.

WordPress for Android gains major new features

Publié: août 7, 2014, 1:14pm CEST par Nick Peers

wordpress

WordPress has updated its two mobile apps with the twin releases of WordPress for Android 3.0 and WordPress for iOS 4.2.

The different version numbers highlight the disparity between both platforms, although ironically it’s the Android version that is more fully featured than the iPad and iPhone build.

WordPress for Android 3.0 is also by far the most significant release of the two. First, users now gain the ability to swipe left or right to move between posts in the Reader.

The update also delivers simplified geotagging by removing the option from the blog settings and adding a simple button to the post settings instead, making it easier for users to add and remove locations from individual posts. To geotag a post, simply tap the Post Settings button and choose Add Location to either manually add a location or auto-discover the current location.

Other changes include a new Help button within the Settings screen for directly contacting support, which is accompanied by a new FAQ. WordPress.com blog lists now automatically update, and users also gain the ability to opt in or out of behavioural tracking.

Finally, clicking Stat links no longer opens an external browser; instead the results are displayed within the app itself. Finally, the update delivers a number of bug fixes and adds Portuguese Brazilian to the list of supported languages.

By contrast, WordPress for iOS 4.2 is a relatively minor update. Users gain the ability to follow and manage their favourite topics with the new release, while the Reader comes with the promise of performance and stability improvements.

The update also delivers faster notification syncing with Simperium and is rounded off with "many bug fixes", none of which are specified.

Both WordPress for Android 3.0 and WordPress for iPhone and iPad 4.2 are available now as free downloads for compatible devices. Both apps work with WordPress.com blogs as well as self-hosted WordPress accounts running WordPress 3.5 or later.

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Parallels Access 2.1 improves Lock’N’Go Magnifying Glass feature, supports Google+ login

Publié: août 7, 2014, 12:53am CEST par Nick Peers

parallels-access

Parallels IP Holdings GmbH has launched Parallels Access for iPad and iPhone 2.1 and Parallels Access for Android 2.1, a useful new update to its desktop remote control app.

Version 2.1 now allows users to sign in using their Google+ accounts, plus promises slicker drag-and-drop performance when using the Lock’N’Go magnifying glass among other improvements and the usual stability fixes.

Parallels Access, which is free to try and costs $19.95 a year for accessing up to five PCs or Macs remotely, is more suited to accessing files and desktop apps while on the go, rather than the more desktop-centric approach of products such as TeamViewer.

Version 2.1 opens by allowing users to sign in to a Parallels Desktop account using Google+ in addition to Facebook or a manually created account.

Once signed in, users can also now rename or delete connected computers directly from their mobile. To do this, tap Edit on the iPad or iPhone, or tap and hold on the computer in question in Android to reveal the option in question.

The update also promises improvements to the Lock’N’Go Magnifying Glass feature, claiming it will make drag-and-drop operations even faster than previously.

iOS users also gain the ability to mute sound from the app in favor of listening to music from another app running in the background.

Android users gain two further improvements: better screen content zooming, and the added ability to use the mobile’s microphone to remotely control compliant desktop apps.

Both platform updates are rounded off with the expected bug fixes and stability improvements.

Parallels Access for iPad and iPhone 2.1 and Parallels Access for Android 2.1 are both available now. iOS 7.0 or Android 4.0.3 or later is required. The apps work with PCs running Windows 7 or later and Macs running OS X 10.7 (Lion) or later.

Wunderlist 3 adds real-time sync and refreshed design, drops support for Windows desktop

Publié: août 4, 2014, 6:51pm CEST par Nick Peers

Wunderlist

6 Wunderkinder GmBH has unveiled Wunderlist 3.0, a major new release of its to-do list manager for Mac. Also available for iOS and Android, the biggest surprise with this new release is the lack of a Windows update from version 2.

For the platforms still supported, Wunderlist 3.0 comes with the promise of a revamped real-time sync engine, major redesign and the promise of over 60 improvements.

Wunderkinder has revealed it’s busy developing a new Windows 8 app, but has ceased support for the existing Windows desktop app, which means users of older versions of Windows are left with the choice of continuing to use the old, depreciated build or either switching to the Google Chrome extension or accessing the Wunderlist service through their web browser.

The highlight of version 3 is its rebuilt sync engine. The new engine comes with the promise of greater simplicity and robustness, plus faster performance. Users will no longer have to wait for lists to load before they can start adding to their lists.

Wunderkinder also reveals that the Real-time Sync tool will also make it easier to build new features more regularly going forward, such as support for integrating with other apps.

The new interface is undoubtedly slick and eye-catching, but has also been built in tandem with the new sync engine for better responsiveness. The UI has also been simplified to reduce clutter and make the app feel lighter and easier to use, and is fully scalable so it can support small and large devices.

Other notable improvements in version 3 include instant sharing of new lists with others, while collaborative features previously restricted to Wunderlist Pro users have now been opened up to free users too, including commenting. A new Conversation and Activity Center has been built to accommodate this kind of sharing.

One final improvement to version 3 is support for Public Lists, which can be shared via social media with a single click.

Wunderlist 3.0 for Mac, Wunderlist 3.0 for iPhone and iPad and Wunderlist 3.0 for Android are all available as free downloads now. A free Wunderlist account is required to use the service, with Pro subscriptions available starting from $4.99 per month.

Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 10 [Review]

Publié: août 3, 2014, 10:03pm CEST par Nick Peers

xara1

Do you really need separate applications to cover your design needs, whether photo editing, digital art or simple design tasks like producing flyers and scrapbooks? For those who want everything in one package, Xara has the answer.

Xara Photo & Graphic Designer can’t compete with the very best specialist tools like Photoshop, but it’s certainly a match for most. And that’s even after you realize that it’s effectively bundling two or three design packages in one for a very price. And for most people that will be enough.

What it does
As its name implies, Photo & Graphic Designer does a bit of everything: edit and enhance your photos, create illustrations from scratch and even indulge in a bit of basic desktop publishing. A Designs gallery is provided, and is the best place to start when looking for projects or inspiration.

The user interface is reasonably intuitive and should be familiar to anyone who’s used Photoshop Elements or its ilk. A useful help file can steer you towards any hidden tools, and a number of videos help demonstrate how features work while showcasing the program’s capabilities.

Editing photos
If there’s a particular area that Photo & Graphic Designer excels in, it’s photo editing. It’s packed with lots of powerful tools, and comes with the promise of fast, non-destructive handling of photos. That allows you to edit your photos a myriad of different ways without ever touching the original, so you’re not forced to work with an ever-degrading copy.

It also comes packed with all manner of editing and enhancement tools, both manual and automatic, and includes the now-obligatory retouching tools for fixing blemishes both minor and major. A couple of clever erase tools allow you to remove backgrounds or unwanted objects from your photos too – in the case of unwanted objects, simply draw a rough outline around the object, tweak it if necessary and then click Magic Erase. Some results are better than others, but it’s amazing how effective the tool can be.

Version 10 adds two new tools to the mix: Shadows & Highlights, which combine to bring detail out of the darkest shadows and brightest objects such as clouds, and Select & Enhance, which lets you restrict your editing to specific colors. Both have been staple ingredients of other packages for years, but are welcome additions nonetheless and work effectively.

One missing feature we’d like to see is a "before and after" shot, which would make it easier to see how your editing compares to the original photo – there is a compare button for selected effects, and you can technically drag a second copy of your image from the flyout, but neither is as satisfying as the comparative tools you find in Picasa.

Xara2

Become creative

Adding effects to your photos is simple too, thanks to the LiveEffects tool, which offers over 60 effects and tweaks to enhance your photos further, from basic color effects to filters that help sharpen slightly blurred images. You can go further too -- Photo & Graphic Designer also works with most Photoshop plug-ins for even greater variety.

Version 10 takes this to another level by throwing in the full PhotoLooks 2 plug-in for free, which includes over 100 fully cooked effects with a selection of tuning tools for each to help you adjust them to perfection. PhotoLooks effectively functions as a separate program, and needs to be downloaded separately after you’ve installed and registered Photo & Graphic Designer -- open the Help menu and choose Help > Download content installer to get it and other content.

Once installed, the plug-in can be found under the New > Magic Bullet > Looks… menu option that appears under LiveEffects. This opens the photo in a PhotoLooks where you can browse through all the available effects, divided by category, and fine-tune each using the buttons at the bottom of the screen. Once done, click Finish and the photo is returned to Xara with the effects applied. It really adds even more worth to what is already a great-value package.

Panoramic improvements

Photo & Graphic Designer 10 also delivers much-needed improvements to its panorama tool. Now you no longer need to arrange your images prior to stitching them, while the tool offers better image alignment and lens distortion correction too.

It’s still a little clunky to use, and many interesting features are hobbled unless you upgrade, but the results are impressive enough, with the promised improvements to image alignment and lens distortion definitely making a positive difference. We did, however, find the tool over-exposed the finished result, although the Highlights & Shadows tool made short work of correcting it.

Xara3

Graphic design

The other half of Xara is of course its vector-based design tools. These tend to be a little off-putting for newbies, so the addition of a new SmartShapes library is welcome, giving users access to pre-built shapes include arrows, text panels and more. The current list of shapes is disappointingly small, but Xara promises to deliver more through the rest of the year, so it should become a staple for anyone wishing to knock up quick designs without the skills to match their ambition.

Another new feature is Font Awesome Symbols. Accessible via the new top-level Insert menu, these include smileys, icons and other symbols, and are easily inserted either as editable graphic objects or as text.

In fact, at a push, Photo & Graphic Designer can be used as a fledgling DTP tool -- certainly the templates for scrapbooking and brochures hint at its capabilities. In truth, the amount of work required make it less suitable as a replacement for your existing desktop publishing package, but if you can find and adapt a template you like, it’s certainly good enough for occasional jobs.

Other improvements

Version 10 adds a new Content Catalog, which basically gives you access to the Designs Gallery via its own resizable window -- handy seeing how keen it is to collapse the flyout on the right-hand side of the main window. Photo & Graphic Designer 10 now also correctly rotates photos automatically, regardless of the device they’ve been imported from.

xara4

The app also benefits from improved import and export tools, including the ability to now import Word .doc files. The PDF and RTF import tools have also been enhanced to support more features and provide more editing options.

For those looking for a combined photo-editing and graphic design tool, Xara Photo & Graphic Designer hits the mark, and most users should be pleased with its capabilities. For those thinking about upgrading, the plethora of new and improved features combined with an attractive upgrade price (as little as $35 for users of version 9) make it an irresistible prospect. Don’t believe us? Download the trial and find out for yourself.

Verdict

A powerful photo-editing and design tool that won’t break the bank, Xara Photo & Graphic Designer gets better with every new release.

We Like

Xara packs in a lot of functionality for your money -- a capable photo editor, graphic designer and proto-DTP tool. Version 10 gains a lot of useful new features as well as welcome improvements.

We Don't Like

Web graphic tools still a little lacking; PhotoLooks plug-in not XP compatible; no cancel button to abort performance-draining effects; lack of tools for comparing edited photos with the original.

Overview

Manufacturer:	Xara
Price (RRP):	$89.99
Best Price:	$89.99
Platforms:	Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8
Requirements:	Intel Celeron or AMD Sempron processor or later, 500MB RAM, 300MB HD space; PhotoLooks 2 requires 2GB RAM, 15GB HD space and is not XP compatible.

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AOMEI OneKey Recovery allows you to recreate your PC’s recovery partition

Publié: août 2, 2014, 2:46am CEST par Nick Peers

aomei

AOMEI Technology has shipped AOMEI OneKey Recovery, a brand new tool that allows Windows users to create a custom recovery partition on their PC. The tool is primarily designed for use on a system whose on recovery partition has been lost, but should work with any PC.

The app creates the recovery partition from the user’s current setup, which means all existing programs and settings will be preserved.

The tool is basically taking a drive image of your main Windows partition, which means if data is stored on that partition it’ll be saved too.

At the present time, OneKey Recovery can only be created on the same partition as Windows itself, which could be a deal-breaker if free space is at a premium. It also means that more mature Windows installations are likely to require a significant amount of free space compared to brand new ones -- basically you'll need as much free space as the current size of your C drive.

Assuming there is enough free space to create the partition, you'll next need to download and install the Windows Automated Installation Kit -- OneKey Recovery provides a link if it’s missing, but at a 1.7GB download in ISO format for burning to disc or mounting as a virtual drive in Windows 8, it's a little clunky.

Nevertheless, once these hurdles are overcome, the program is intelligent, smart and relatively straightforward to use: a few clicks to select your target partition, confirm the changes and then the obligatory reboot into the AOMEI OneKey Recovery environment to perform the actual backup. And once that's complete, you have a recovery partition to lean on should the need arise -- just press [A] as your PC boots to access the recovery environment and restore your system (if Windows is working, you can also trigger the recovery process from AOMEI OneKey Recovery itself).

AOMEI OneKey Recovery is a clever idea, but it's a little restrictive in what it does, and because it's little more than a narrowly focused drive-imaging tool, you're probably best served by looking at something broader, like Macrium Reflect Free.

AOMEI OneKey Recovery 1.0.0 is available now as a freeware download for PCs running Windows XP or later. The Windows Automated Installation Kit is also a requirement.

Microsoft unveils Word, Excel and PowerPoint for iPad 1.1, adds user-requested features

Publié: août 1, 2014, 4:34pm CEST par Nick Peers

office ipad

Microsoft has unveiled the first major update to its stable of iPad Office apps with the release of Word for iPad 1.1, Excel for iPad 1.1 and PowerPoint for iPad 1.1.

All three apps gain exclusive new features, but all gain the ability to export documents to PDF, improved picture editing tools and support for third-party fonts.

The enhanced picture editing tools now allow users to crop into photos to focus on specific areas. A new reset button also makes it easy to undo any changes made. Access to third-party fonts is found through the existing Font menus, while the PDF option is available when sending documents from any of the apps.

Excel and PowerPoint users also gain a number of other exclusive features too. Excel users can now use a "flick to select" gesture on a cell’s selection handle to either select the entire row (flick left or right) or column (flick up or down).

Excel for iPad 1.1 also gains external keyboard support, making it possible to use the same keys to input data and navigate around a worksheet as found on the Mac or PC. Also added is the ability to interact with PivotTables whose source data is found in the same workbook.

One final Excel enhancement sees a wider range of print options, with more paper sizes and scaling options providing greater control over the layout of workbooks when printing.

PowerPoint users gain a new Presenter View, with the ability to view and edit speaker notes, preview the next slide and jump to other slides while presenting. Users can now also play video, sound effects and employ background music during presenting too.

Additional Presenter Tools have also been added, allowing users to erase highlights and drawings when presenting. The final improvements see support added for inserting and editing hyperlinks in presentations along with video from the iPad’s Camera Roll.

Word for iPad 1.1, Excel for iPad 1.1 and PowerPoint for iPad 1.1 are all available now free for iPads running iOS 7 or later. While users can open and view documents for free, a valid Office 365 subscription is required for full functionality, including editing.

Google Chrome 64-bit Beta arrives, edges closer to final Windows release

Publié: juillet 31, 2014, 1:25pm CEST par Nick Peers

chrome

Google has moved its dedicated 64-bit Windows build of Chrome one step closer to its final release with the launch of Google Chrome 37.0 Beta (64-bit). The new release requires Windows 7 64-bit or later to run.

The new build, which is also available in 64-bit form for Linux, moves to the beta channel, but despite media speculation, users should not assume a final release is just a few weeks away – it could yet be months before Google deems the build is stable enough for general consumption.

The new build, which is not compatible with 64-bit versions of XP or Vista, can be installed over the top of an existing Chrome installation -- users should find their settings and bookmarks are preserved.

On the surface, little should change for those switching to the new build -- while the move to 64-bit should, in theory, open up more than 3GB RAM for Chrome users, it’s worth noting that each open tab is given its own separate process. This means that the 32-bit build already allows up to 3-4GB RAM per open tab, which is more than ample for most people’s current browsing needs.

In fact, the switch to 64-bit puts users at risk of allowing individual Chrome tabs to gobble up more available RAM should memory leaks occur, affecting overall performance as a result.

However, switching to 64-bit architecture isn’t simply memory related; it also opens up Chrome to benefit from more general 64-bit performance improvements, while it can also be seen to represent a move to future-proof the browser.

Users should also be aware of question marks over compatibility with existing plug-ins, some of which may need to be upgraded. One notable example is that the Google Talk plugin doesn’t work with Chrome 64-bit; however, the plugin should become redundant when Chrome 38 reaches the beta channel. That’s because version 38 -- currently in the Dev channel -- adds a built-in WebRTC component that allows Google Talk to function without the need for a separate plugin.

Other compatibility considerations include the need to install a 64-bit version of Java.

Google Chrome 37.0 Beta (64-bit) is available now as a free download for PCs running 64-bit versions of Windows 7, 8 or Linux. Also available for Windows, Linux and Mac is Google Chrome 37.0 Beta (32-bit).

LibreOffice 4.3 arrives, promises more intuitive spreadsheet handling, adds 3D modelling to Impress

Publié: juillet 30, 2014, 12:13pm CEST par Nick Peers

Libreoffice

The Document Foundation has released LibreOffice 4.3 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux. The new release sees some notable user-interface tweaks, performance enhancements and a number of new and tweaked features.

TDF is particularly keen to highlight four major new features: improved document interoperability, comment management, more intuitive spreadsheet handling in Calc, and support for animated 3D models in Impress.

The improvements to document interoperability focus support for OOXML Strict, OOXML graphics improvements and add the ability to embed one OOXML file inside another.

Also added are support for 30 new Excel formulas, Works spreadsheets and databases and a number of Mac legacy file formats, including ClarisWorks and MacWorks.

LibreOffice 4.3 also adds support for importing and exporting nested comments in ODF,DOC, DOCX and RTF files, while users can now opt to reformat all the comments in a document simultaneously. Comments can now also be printed in the document margins.

Improvements to Calc’s spreadsheet handling include the smarter highlighting of formulas in cells, the addition of the number of selected rows and columns to the status bar, the ability to start editing a cell using the content of the one above it and being able to fully select text conversion models by user.

Impress’s support for animated 3D modeling utilizes the new open gITF format, plus implements initial support for Google Warehouse-friendly kmz and Collada files. Note the feature is currently only available in Windows and Linux builds.

The Start Center also gains some improvements, the most notable of which is the fact it now offers previews of all file types, not just OpenOffice’s own native ODF format. Users can now also selectively delete recent documents by rolling their mouse over a document and clicking the delete button that appears.

Another user-interface tweak sees the default Tango icon set get a general update that includes the addition of new icons for the sidebar.

The PDF import filter has been significantly improved with this release – enhancements include improved display and editing of rotated text, correctly detected colours and whitespace and support for dashes.

Writer users gain a number of improvements in LibreOffice 4.3. The character limit in paragraphs has been raised from 16-bit (65,535 characters) to 32-bit (over two billion characters). The navigation buttons have also been moved from below the scrollbar to the Find bar.

Images are now scaled proportionally by default (hold [Shift] to freely resize an object). Writer also now displays non-printing characters in light blue, and gives users the ability to print comments left in the margins of documents. The relative text frame anchoring tool now supports multiple relations.

For a complete rundown of LibreOffice 4.3′s extensive changes, please click here.

LibreOffice Productivity Suite 4.3.0.4 is available now as a free, open-source download for Windows, Mac and Linux.

Pale Moon resolves rendering performance issues, among other tweaks and fixes

Publié: juillet 29, 2014, 4:44pm CEST par Nick Peers

Pale Moon

Moonchild Productions has released a minor update to its Firefox browser variant for Windows with the release of Pale Moon 24.7 and Pale Moon x64 24.7.

Version 24.7 is primarily a bug fix release, and also includes the latest security fixes recently incorporated into the main Firefox build.

As the version number implies, Pale Moon is no longer simply an optimized build of the latest Firefox release, but a completely separate fork. The version number (24) helps provide clarity about which Firefox extensions should also work with the browser.

Version 24.7 opens by fixing some performance issues with the browser’s new rendering engine, with the promise that it should be faster across all layers going forward.

Font rendering on Direct2D has also been tweaked so it will no longer fall back to greyscale in certain situations, preserving ClearType.

CSS outlines now properly outline objects rather than their overflow area (such as box shadows), and the delay for hiding the default status has been extended from 10 to 30 seconds. The dark black persona themes have also been tweaked to make the tab close buttons lighter and more visible.

Preferences are no longer displayed in a separate tab, but now appear once again in a separate dialog box. Moonchild explains the tab feature was both incomplete and – as anyone who has opened the same dialog in recent builds of Firefox -- redundant. Domain highlighting in the Address Bar should now also work consistently.

Users also gain full control over updating -- nothing is now downloaded directly when the user opts to check for updates via the About box.

The update also contains A detailed list of fixes and changes, which also include a number of Android-specific updates as Moonchild readies an Android build of Pale Moon (click here to access the public beta), can be found at the Pale Moon user forum.

Pale Moon 24.7, Pale Moon x64 24.7, Pale Moon Portable 24.7 and Pale Moon Portable x64 24.7 are all available now as open source, free downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later.

Printworks gives Mac users a user-friendly, yet surprisingly powerful, design tool

Publié: juillet 28, 2014, 6:38pm CEST par Nick Peers

Printworks

Belight Software has released Printworks 1.0 for Mac. Launching with a discounted price of $29.99 (normally $49.99), the app is a fully fledged desktop publishing and design tool aimed at the home and small business market.

The app’s main appeal is that it manages to wrap up all the core functionality required for designing a wide range of documents -- including flyers, newsletters and greetings cards -- in a user interface that’s simple to grasp and places all the key tools at the user’s fingertips.

Once fired up, users can create a document from scratch or choose from one of the many templates on offer -- over 400 are provided, broken down into manageable sections. Each template is fully customizable and showcase the app’s capabilities well.

Printworks also offers four video tutorials that reveal how simple the app is to use while giving complete beginners an insight into how it -- and desktop publishing in general -- work.

The user interface -- which is 100 percent Retina-ready -- is split into three panes: the document sits in the middle pane, with available media -- images, clipart and basic shapes -- accessible from the left, and an Inspector on the right.

The Inspector provides four tabs: Page Setup covers the document’s general dimensions, while Geometry works with the currently selected object. Similarly, the Appearance tab is used to color and fill selected objects, while Text Formatting works with selected text.

The toolbar provides buttons for quickly inserting barcodes, tables and even a calendar, plus a handy paragraph style switcher and clickable preview button for viewing your document as it should appear when printed. There are also buttons for creating headings as well as accessing the usual line, box and select tools.

Having put these key tools front and center, Printworks also hides some useful tools behind the scenes -- double-click an image, for example, and a powerful dialog for editing and masking the image appears.

Printworks is an excellent demonstration of how to launch a desktop publishing tool at the lower end of the market, bringing together all the tools required for creating striking documents quickly, easily and without being engulfed in unhelpful technical jargon. Even relatively inexperienced users should quickly pick up how the app works, making it easy to migrate to from other DTP programs.

Printworks 1.0 is available now for $49.99 through the App Store. It requires Macs running OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or later. Over 1,000 clipart images are bundled with the software, while 40,000 more can be unlocked through an in-app purchase for an additional $9.99.

Firefox 32 Beta and Firefox Aurora reveal minor features, tweaks and improvements

Publié: juillet 25, 2014, 3:30pm CEST par Nick Peers

firefox

Fresh from its release of Firefox 31.0 FINAL, Mozilla has unveiled Firefox 32.0 Beta 1 and Firefox Aurora 33.0a2 for desktop computers.

While there are no jaw-dropping new features in either Beta or Aurora (alpha) builds, both contain a number of minor additions and some useful improvements that help keep the web browser’s evolution ticking over.

Firefox 32 sees a new HTTP cache backend -- dubbed version 2 -- move closer to final implementation. Improvements include the optimization of request prioritizations to deliver faster loading times for large content as well as the promise of improved resilience against crashes and hangs.

The new version will also make login metadata viewable via the Password Manager, which -- along with the Add-on Manager -- also gains unspecified performance improvements. Users will also be able to connect to the HTTP proxy over HTTPS while the beta also integrates generational garbage collection.

Version 32 also now displays the number of found items in the Find toolbar when searching pages for specific keywords, and adds both code completion and inline documentation to the Scratchpad.

The beta also implements a wide number of new HTML5 technologies and offers HiDPI support for developers when using the Developer Tools UI. Developers also gain a new Web Audio Editor tool, which needs to be enabled via the Developer Tool Settings.

Aurora’s updates include a new WebRTC-powered communications feature via the menu panel. It also adds OpenH264 support and promises an improved search experience through the location bar.

Firefox 32.0 Beta 1 and Firefox Aurora 33.0a2 are both available now as free, open-source downloads for Windows, Mac and Linux. Aurora installs alongside existing Firefox builds, but the Beta installs over the top of the latest stable build -- as with all pre-release software, use with caution.

CCleaner widens cleaning to include TeamViewer and OneDrive, adds repair option

Publié: juillet 25, 2014, 9:01am CEST par Nick Peers

ccleaner

It’s that time of the month when Piriform issues its regular CCleaner update for Windows PCs, and undeterred by the recent CCleaner for Mac 1.08 release, the company has shipped CCleaner 4.16 and CCleaner Portable 4.16 right on schedule.

The new release adds support for a number of new programs, improves its Firefox and Chrome cleaning tools and adds a new Repair option to the uninstaller should it be needed.

The update opens with the promise of improved cleaning and start-up management for the latest version (36) of Chrome, plus improved browser cache cleaning in Firefox.

CCleaner’s program installer now gains a Repair option, allowing users to perform a repair install as well as remove it from their computer should problems occur. Alongside this comes the promise of an improved 64-bit build architecture for Windows 7 and 8 machines.

Version 4.16 also promises improvements to the Startup Item tool’s compatibility, but with what exactly is not specified.

Five new programs are added to CCleaner’s cleaning options: TeamViewer, Microsoft OneDrive, RealVNC 5, Tag & Rename and Tango cleaning. And as is now traditional, the update is rounded off by minor user-interface tweaks and bug fixes, none of which are specified in the program’s customary spartan release notes.

CCleaner 4.16 and CCleaner 4.16 Portable are available now as freeware downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later. A Professional version offering additional features including real-time monitoring and complete system cleaning is available for $24.95.

CyberDuck restores Windows Azure support, adds new SSH/SFTP protocol implementation

Publié: juillet 23, 2014, 5:58pm CEST par Nick Peers

Cyberduck

Bern-based developer iterate GmbH has released CyberDuck 4.5, a major update to its Windows and Mac FTP and cloud-storage browser tool. This open-source tool provides users with a user-friendly means of browsing FTP/SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage and Rackspace Cloud Files servers.

Version 4.5 restores support for Microsoft’s Azure Blob Storage connections, adds a new SSH/SFTP protocol implementation and adds support for updating Windows users via the Taskbar’s Notification area.

Support for Azure Blob Storage connections was originally dropped in version 4.3 over a year ago alongside Google Drive and Dropbox, so its return is likely to be met with favor from users of the Microsoft storage system.

The new SSH/SFTP protocol implementation makes it possible for users to get public key authentication over SFTP using both OpenSSH agents (Mac) and Pageant (Windows). Also added is support for GZIP compression along with ECDSA public key authentication.

The new build also adds support for mutual two-way TLS connections over secured FTP and HTTPS (WebDAV). Users will now be prompted to select their certificate with private key when the server requests such a client certificate for authentication. Users can find these certificates within the Windows Certificate Manager or OS X Keychain.

One other change sees Windows users now able to receive notifications via the system tray. The release also fixes a number of bugs, including one that led to a broken pipe with uploads to Amazon S3 services, along with a 404 error response when downloading folders from S3 or OpenStack Swift.

One final fix should see users no longer repeatedly prompted to provide a private key password over SFTP.

CyberDuck 4.5 is available now as a free, open-source download for Windows and Mac. Users are encouraged to donate to ensure the continued development of the software, or can alternatively purchase the Mac version for $23.99 through the Mac App Store.

IObit unveils Driver Booster 2.0 Beta -- promises faster downloads for all

Publié: juillet 23, 2014, 1:21pm CEST par Nick Peers

driver booster

IOBit has unveiled Driver Booster 2.0 Beta, a preview of the next major version of its driver update tool for Windows. The utility offers simple updating to free users, while a paid-for Pro version adds the ability to back up drivers along with faster download speeds and other enhancements.

Version 2.0 opens with an overhauled user interface, designed to make the program even simpler to use. Users also gain the ability to make the program semi-translucent via a Transparency slider in the program’s Settings menu.

The new build also introduces a separate Game driver database that provides access to popular software driver updates for improving gaming performance and stability. These are listed below the regular the driver updates and include peripheral hardware drivers as well as gaming components.

An online database update feature has also been added to ensure available drivers are always the latest version, while a smart installation mode has been added to provide distraction-free gaming in full screen.

The program also brings together its backup and restore features -- normally limited to Pro users, but available to all users while in beta -- under a new Rescue Center system. Also added is the option to selectively roll back driver updates where supported -- click the arrow button next to a driver to access the feature.

Version 2.0 also gains the ability -- enabled by default -- to automatically check for driver updates for newly connected devices.

Performance has been improved too, thanks in part to smaller download packages for both the program itself and driver updates. As a result, version 2 comes with the promise of faster driver download speeds for both Free and Pro users.

Driver Booster 2.0 Beta is available now as a free download for PCs running Windows XP or later. The usual caveats about installing unfinished software apply, while all functionality is unlocked for free while the program remains in beta. Also available is Driver Booster 1.4 FINAL. Single-year Pro licenses can currently be purchased for $22.95 that cover three PCs.

Need to take control of your Android mobile's files? Tomi File Manager is just the ticket

Publié: juillet 21, 2014, 6:53pm CEST par Nick Peers

Tomi File Manager

Ever struggled to find a particular file on your Android mobile? Wish you could exert more control over your photos and other media, or uninstall more than one app at once? You need a file manager, and not just any file manager, but Tomi File Manager 1.4.2 at that.

Tomi File Manager packs in lots of useful features, works with both internal and external storage and is far more than a simple tool for viewing files -- plus, it’s free.

Once fired up, Tomi File Manager provides you with a nifty pie chart of your amalgamated storage, color-coded for file type and offering handy shortcuts to key files, including media, apps, docs and downloads.

Tap one for a context-sensitive view of its content: select Music and you can browse by songs, album, artist or year, for example, while videos are displayed sorted by date into timeline view.

Tap an item to open or play it using an appropriate app -- in the case of documents, you can view PDFs and Microsoft Office files within the app itself.

Multiple items can be selected at once using tick boxes for performing bulk operations, such as copying, deleting, sharing, moving, renaming and even compressing. In the case of apps, you can uninstall multiple apps in one go. Downloads can be managed more effectively through Tomi too, with options for creating personal folders as well as backing up API files.

And if that’s not enough, tap Directory to select a storage device or use a crumbs-based tool to go right to any folder on your phone or tablet. Some handy features include being able to hide sensitive folders and files, or put favourite folders directly on your home screen. And if you’ve rooted your device, Tomi makes it easy to change file permissions, owner and group, edit the host file and go further.

At the end of the day, if you want a file manager app for your Android device, this is the one to try first. Tomi File Manager 1.4.2 is a free download for Android phones and tablets running Android 3.0 or later.

Google Maps for Android improves navigation for cyclists and drivers

Publié: juillet 18, 2014, 7:37pm CEST par Nick Peers

Googlemaps

Google has started to roll out Google Maps for Android 8.2, focusing its attention of cyclists with the addition of some handy new features.

The app also introduces voice control for vehicle navigation, effectively turning the user’s Android mobile or tablet into a GPS navigation system.

When cyclists opt to use Google Maps for navigational purposes, the app will now provide an estimate of elevation along each part of the route, using a line chart to indicate the elevation at the start and end points of the chosen route, complete with elevation changes throughout it.

The feature will prove especially beneficial to those looking for ways to avoid steep uphill climbs, although as yet there’s no way to specify this as an option when looking for alternatives.

Version 8.2 also adds voice commands for the vehicle navigation route. Users can now tap the new mic button in the navigation interface to control Google Maps, with available commands including asking for directions, checking traffic along the route and bringing up a list of alternative routes.

Early feedback suggests the voice recognition is still quite fuzzy, so try to be as precise as possible when issuing commands.

Other changes include a new Your Places shortcut in the main Google Maps menu (swipe right from the left-hand edge of the screen to access), which provides a convenient shortcut to previously saved and recently accessed searches.

The update, which should roll out across most devices over the next few days, was preceded a week ago by Google Maps for iOS 3.2.0. That provided improvements to viewing search results on a map, plus added the ability to view reservations and events from Gmail on the map. It also saw the Explore local guide feature make its bow.

Google Maps for Android 8.2 is rolling out now for tablets and phones running Android 4.1 or later. Also available for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch running iOS 6 or later is Google Maps for iOS 3.2.0.

Dashlane revamps user interface, unveils new shared features

Publié: juillet 18, 2014, 4:21pm CEST par Nick Peers

Dashlane

Dashlane, Inc has released Dashlane 3.0 for Windows and Mac, a major new build of its secure password management tool. The new release is joined by Dashlane 2.7 for iOS, which has been updated to work with version 3.

Version 3 sports a completely redesigned user interface, adds a number of new tools, including a Sharing Center, Emergency Contacts section and a simpler way of viewing password histories.

The new Sharing Center, which is accessible from Dashlane’s main menu, is designed to allow users to both create and manage shared passwords and notes. Users get an at-a-glance view of what’s shared with whom, and can filter the list a number of ways.

As well as viewing current access rights, users can manage each shared item directly from the Sharing Center panel. Two levels of sharing -- full and limited -- are available, and the tool allows users to share sensitive information securely rather than via email or other unencrypted channels. Target users will, however, need their own Dashlane account to use the feature.

The feature is joined by a new Emergency Contacts section -- here users can select people for the express purpose of sharing data only in emergencies. Trusted contacts can be given provisional access to all or part of the user’s passwords and notes.

The feature allows users to share data in specific circumstances, and can also be used as a failsafe if they forget their master password without actually having to disclose it to anyone else.

Contacts can then request access to the data -- typically at the user’s behest -- which is granted only after a set period has elapsed. That period is three days by default, but can be anything up to three months.

Users are notified of the request, which they can either allow or block at any time during the waiting period. If the waiting period expires however, the contact is given access to the user’s data. Once granted, users can revoke access at any time.

Version 3 also adds two new options to the Tools menu: View Password History for easy access to previously used passwords, and Refresh Website Icons for updating icons in the user’s Password List.

PC users also gain a button for selecting all items in a category with one click, quick-action buttons that appear when rolling the mouse over credentials and improved display on high DPI screens. Mac users gain revamped search results.

The update is rounded off with unspecified "major enhancements to speed and performance".

The new iOS version adds compatibility with Dashlane 3 and fixes issues related to data syncing between devices. The latest Android build -- released a month ago -- already supports the new version of Dashlane.

Dashlane 3.0 is available as a freeware download for Windows and Mac, while Dashlane 2.7 for iOS is also available free for iOS 7-powered iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Also available is Dashlane for Android 2.5.12. A premium account is also available, with prices currently $29.99 per year for secure account backup, sync across all devices, unlimited secure sharing, access to your passwords through a web browser and priority support.

Google Chrome tweaks notification popups, adds crash recovery browser bubble

Publié: juillet 17, 2014, 3:53pm CEST par Nick Peers

Chrome

Google has unveiled Chrome 36 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux, with Chrome for Android 36 rolling out shortly. The desktop update adds a couple of user interface tweaks under the label "rich notifications improvements".

It also updates the incognito browsing page, adds a browser crash recovery bubble that could help prevent data loss and extends the Chrome App Launcher to Linux, plus adds various under-the-hood tweaks.

Improvements to the rich notifications pop-up messages should deliver clearer, less cluttered pop-ups thanks to redesigned icons

Another visual change can be seen when opening a new page in Incognito mode or when logged on as a guest. Aside from the redesign, the text has been subtly altered, removing the reference to remaining visible to "governments and other sophisticated attackers". Also removed is the warning that all extensions are disabled in incognito mode.

The new browser crash recovery bubble is designed to alert users when a plug-in is crashing or about to crash, giving them an opportunity to save any work before restarting the browser.

The new Chrome App Launcher on Linux builds follows on from the App Launcher’s release on Mac (late last year) and Windows (earlier this year) platforms.

A number of developer features to have made it across from the Beta build, including support for importing HTML documents into other documents, plus both element.animate() and Object.observe() objects.

As always, Chrome 36 FINAL will -- over the next few days -- be joined by Chrome for Android 36. In announcing its release, Google has revealed a number of minor changes: Doodles return to the New Tab page, while non-mobile optimized sites should see improved text rendering.

Both updates are then rounded off with the usual selection of bug fixes, security fixes (26 in total on the desktop platform) and various performance improvements.

Google Chrome 36 FINAL is available now as a free download for supported builds of Windows, Mac and Linux, while Chrome for Android 36 should start rolling out over the next couple of days.

VirtualBox 4.3.14 adds Blu-ray support for Mac hosts, squashes more bugs

Publié: juillet 16, 2014, 11:30pm CEST par Nick Peers

virtualbox

Oracle has released VirtualBox 4.3.14, the latest in a series of maintenance fixes for its cross-platform, part-open-source virtualization program.

Version 4.3.14 includes a wide range of fixes and tweaks, including one that sees the Mac build now include Blu-ray devices when scanning for host CD and DVD drives. Windows hosts should also now be able to install or upgrade VirtualBox without having to reboot their system.

The new build includes a number of user interface-related fixes, including one for stuck [Alt Gr] keys on Windows hosts as well as a potential error that could occur during a version check. Also removed is the need to use [Enter] or another trigger to confirm shortcut changes.

NAT network fixes resolve issues surrounding the potential loss of inbound TCP data and possible infinite stalls of TCP connections over IPv6 networks. TCP connection resets have also been fixed on Windows hosts.

Storage-related problems that have been fixed include one potential crash when using CD/DVD passthrough along with another linked to trying to open an inaccessible QED or QCOW image. A number of “rare” data corruption and read error issues have also been resolved.

3D support has been improved, particularly on guests running with 4GB or more of RAM, while a number of USB performance tweaks have also been applied.

A further selection of fixes focus on the VM manager, while the API now properly detects the Windows 8.1 guest OS type. Various Addition-related fixes -- including one Linux example that makes 3D passthrough work with recent versions of Mesa in the guest -- have also been implemented.

VirtualBox 4.3.14 is now available as a free open-source download for Windows, Mac and Linux, along with the companion VirtualBox Extension Pack 4.3.14, which is free for non-commercial use only.

TVersity Media Server gains new user interface, support for Chromecast and Roku

Publié: juillet 16, 2014, 1:46pm CEST par Nick Peers

TVersity Media Server

It’s all change for media server TVersity with a new major release. The old Basic version has been retired and in its place comes TVersity Media Server Free 3.0, which offers identical functionality to the Pro version minus the ability to transcode audio and video when required.

Version 3 also shows off a brand new and simplified user interface, introduces support for hardware-accelerated H.264 encoding in the Pro build and adds support for both Roku and Chromecast.

TVersity Media Server runs on Windows PCs and provides a UPNP/DLNA media server for accessing that computer’s media library from other devices, including web browser, mobile, PS3, Xbox 360 and -- from version 3.0 -- both Roku media players and Chromecast devices.

Support for Roku comes from the built-in Roku Media Player app, and Pro users will be able to stream any format to their Roku devices via on-the-fly transcoding using H.264 and HLS streaming.

Chromecast users can browse, select and search for media via the all-new HTML5 interface. Again, Pro users gain support for viewing all formats through their device via WEBM/VP8 transcoding.

Version 3.0 also debuts a brand new interface, which has been significantly simplified and built using HTML5 -- users can access it through their web browser.

Despite the tweaks, TVersity still feels less polished and refined than rival media servers such as Plex and MediaBrowser, but it’s an interesting choice for those looking for a relatively simple DLNA/UPNP sharing solution.

TVersity Media Server Free 3.0 is available now as a free (for non-commercial use) download for PCs running Windows XP or later. A Pro version, which allows users to transcode video and audio where required, is also available with prices starting from $19.99.

Paint.NET resolves major issues, tweaks performance

Publié: juillet 14, 2014, 2:15pm CEST par Nick Peers

paint

dotPDN LLC has released Paint.NET 4.0.1, a minor -- but important -- update to the recently released Paint.NET 4.0. Version 4.0.1 is primarily a major bug fix release, but does include some performance optimizations too.

Existing users will be prompted to update the software when launching it, or can manually check via the Settings > Updates > Check Now menu. Alternatively, simply download the latest version and install it over the top of the existing build.

One of the major tweaks in version 4.0.1 concerns software and hardware rendering. Overall software rendering performance has been improved, which will please users of NVIDIA ION graphics cards as it now defaults to software rendering due to stability issues.

The new release also sees the latest seventh-generation Intel GPU default to hardware rendering, while all older models stick to software rendering. Users can manually change this settings via the Paint.NET options dialog.

One final GPU-related tweak sees graphical artefact's such as blackness, flickering and mouse trails, fixed on selected GPUs, including NVIDIA’s Optimus chip.

Elsewhere, the Move Selected Pixels tool gains optimizations as well as fix for a problem whereby transparent black was left behind with alpha removed instead of the secondary color.

The Brush tools have also received a number of fixes -- they should now work correctly when an odd-sized brush has been selected without anti-aliasing, while the preview circle no longer scales according to the system DPI setting, which made it too big.

The momentary hourglass/wait cursor no longer appears after using the drawing tools, while the Shapes tool -- and in particular the Ellipse -- has been optimized for better performance.

The zoom tool should no longer crash Paint.NET when users press the right mouse button while already holding the left one, and the Paint Bucket tool now correctly treats the selection as a boundary contour.

Other fixes cover the auto-scrolling tool, pixel-grid contrast and touch screens, which no longer scroll when swiping using one finger only.

A number of crashes have also been resolved, including OutofMemoryException when using a selection tool with hardware acceleration disabled. A full list of fixes and other changes can be found here.

Paint.NET 4.0.1 FINAL is available as a freeware download now for dual-core (or better) PCs running Windows 7 or later. The .NET Framework 4.5 is also required, but will be downloaded automatically if not present. Users of lower powered PCs, or PCs running Vista or XP, can still download Paint.NET 3.5.11.

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iTranslate for Mac translates words, sentences and phrases from your Mac’s menu bar

Publié: juillet 11, 2014, 4:51pm CEST par Nick Peers

iTranslate

SonicoMobile has launched iTranslate for Mac 1.0, a new addition to its stable of translation tools that includes iOS and Windows 8.

iTranslate allows users to quickly and easily translate words, sentences and phrases between 80 different languages, offering both written and spoken translations for text entered.

The Mac version of the app sits in the menu bar, allowing users to access it from any app by either clicking its menu bar icon or by invoking a custom keyboard shortcut that users can set up during the initial setup process.

Once opened, users type the word or sentence they wish to translate into the native language box and hit [Enter] -- after a short pause a written translation is rendered, and users can hear it spoken by clicking the button next to the translated phrase.

If users enter a single word that has more than one meaning, iTranslate will list all available translations alongside each possible meaning. 80 languages are currently supported by the program, and users can switch language by clicking the appropriate flag icon to choose from a list or search for a specific language.

The app works well, and makes the most of iTranslate’s cloud-based capabilities, making it as effective a tool as its siblings on iOS and Windows. The biggest surprise is the price -- a whopping $9.99, which compares badly to the free ad-supported Windows 8 and iOS versions. In addition, iOS users can also purchase iTranslate Voice 2.3 for just $1.99, which allows users to speak as well as type their phrases and is designed to act as a translation tool between two people.

Perhaps mindful of this, iTranslate for Mac launches with a special 50 percent discount for the first few days of its life, making it a more palatable $4.99, although it’s a shame there’s no trial version available.

iTranslate for Mac 1.0 is available now as a purchase-only download for Macs running OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or later. Also available are iTranslate Voice 2.3 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and iTranslate for Windows 8.

Facebook Messenger update includes new dedicated iPad build

Publié: juillet 4, 2014, 6:53pm CEST par Nick Peers

fb messenger

Facebook has unveiled Facebook Messenger 7.0 for iOS and Android, a major new version of its dedicated messaging app for Facebook users.

Version 7.0 is notable for being the first version to include a native iPad build, coming three years after Facebook originally acquired the app’s forerunner, Beluga. The app also includes improvements to its video functions.

Facebook Messenger 7.0’s iPad build debuts a two-pane window design, with the left-hand pane allowing users to switch between recent conversations, groups, people and settings, where users can toggle notifications on and off, sync contacts and switch accounts if necessary.

The right-hand pane contains the currently selected conversation, where users will find the vast majority of features in the iPhone and Android versions are present, including stickers, group chat management and VoIP calling along with the ability to record audio messages.

Features not yet implemented from the iPhone build include tap-and-hold video recordings and the split-screen selfie camera.

Version 7.0 also now adds support for users to save any video shot in Messenger to their camera roll on both iOS and Android platforms, and rounds out the update with a number of unspecified fixes that promise better reliability.

Facebook Messenger 7.0 is available now for iPhone, iPad and Android. The Android version remains non-optimized for tablets for now.

TripAdvisor for iPhone adds offline support, improves mapping features

Publié: juillet 4, 2014, 4:16pm CEST par Nick Peers

TripAdvisor LLC has unveiled a major update to its iPhone app with the release of TripAdvisor for iOS 9.0. The free travel planning app gets -- according to TripAdvisor -- it’s "biggest update ever" with the new release.

The major highlight of version 9 is offline support, but other new features include a shortcut for returning to the home screen and the ability to now find and reserve tables at restaurants.

By far the biggest new feature in TripAdvisor for iOS 9.0 is offline support. Users can now download maps, reviews and saves for over 300 cities worldwide for storage on the iPad or iPhone without requiring an internet connection.

Users can access downloaded cities (and select new ones to download) by tapping Downloaded Cities. Search for a city and you’ll see an estimated data size for the full download. Should storage become a problem, users can easily remove individual cities from here too in order to free up space.

Offline support also allows users to view their current location on maps through GPS without requiring a data plan.

Other improvements include the ability to find and reserve tables at thousands of supported restaurants worldwide. Users can now also shortcut back to the home screen by simply tapping and holding on the back button.

Also added is an option for viewing recently searched hotels via a single tap, while member profiles also show photos and badges for easier identification.

Note that the update only applies to the iPhone -- for now the iPad version remains at version 8.8, but we envisage TripAdvisor will bring this functionality to the iPad in due course. For now, TripAdvisor for iOS 9.0 is available now as a free download for iPhones and iPod touches running iOS 6.0 or later.

Secryptor Basic offers cross-platform file encryption with a Dropbox twist

Publié: juillet 3, 2014, 5:49pm CEST par Nick Peers

Secryptor

Privacy’s a big thing nowadays, and with the US government in particular leaning on big businesses to make it easier for user’s private data to be shared, you’ve a right to feel uneasy. Whether you’re looking to encrypt files on your PC or even add another layer of encryption to files before uploading them to the cloud or sharing via email, a raft of free tools are emerging to help you do just that.

One of the latest to hit the market -- albeit in somewhat unfinished form -- is a free tool for Mac and PC called Secryptor Basic 1.0.

Secryptor offers a relatively simple tool for encrypting and decrypting files using 256-bit AES encryption. At its most simple level, you select a file from your hard drive, add a password and Secryptor will produce an encrypted copy, sporting its own .skt file extension.

That on its own isn’t particularly remarkable -- tools like Quick Crypt do the same, and much more besides. However, Secryptor does have some additional tricks up its sleeve to tempt you. The first is the free companion iOS app that allows you to download, decrypt and view content on your iPhone or iPad.

The second is direct integration with Dropbox, allowing you -- in theory -- to directly encrypt and upload files to your Dropbox folder. From here, Secryptor generates an ID code you can email to a trusted contact (communicate the password separately) who can then easily recover the original file using Secryptor’s decryptions tools.

We say "in theory" because while the feature works flawlessly on PC, we had problems using it on the Mac -- this could be down to the fact the program still feels unfinished, despite its 1.0 release status. The Windows setup file is all in German, while the Mac versions continues to use German on dialog boxes even after you’ve switched language to English.

Even in its early state, however, Secryptor shows promise, particularly for those with Dropbox accounts and the need to securely access files via iPhone or iPad. However, PC users should also check out the aforementioned Quick Crypt and AxCrypt, to name but two alternatives, to see which one best meets their needs.

In the meantime, Secryptor Basic 1.0 is available now as a free download for PCs running Windows 7 or later as well as Mac and iOS. An Android version is also due imminently.

Stella makes it easy and fun to emulate classic Atari 2600 VCS games

Publié: juillet 2, 2014, 3:22pm CEST par Nick Peers

Stella

When it comes to tapping into our fondness for old computing and gaming platforms, Stella has always been at the forefront. This cross-platform Atari 2600 VCS emulator first saw the public light of day back in 1996, and now -- 18 years later -- it may just have delivered it most significant update yet with the release of Stella 4.0.

Version 4, also available in 64-bit form, sees the emulator ported across to SDL2, which brings many new features and performance improvements.

Chief among these improvements is support for native hardware acceleration support on all three builds: Direct3D in Windows, and OpenGL on Mac and Linux. The transition to SDL2 also means it’s now possible to port Stella to iOS and Android platforms via OpenGLES.

Support for hardware acceleration is now mandatory, so users must ensure they’re using up-to-date drivers to support it; software rendering remains in place for now, but is no longer optimized and is no longer supported.

With hardware acceleration now a requirement, TIA TV effects have been extended to all video modes. Another notable improvement is that switching Stella to full-screen sees it use the current desktop resolution rather than resizing the desktop.

Users gain a more detailed view of a cartridge’s extended RAM via a new Debugger tab, while both AtariVox and SaveKey controllers gain the ability to complete erase the virtual EEPROM data in the debugger itself.

A new "savesnap" debugger prompt command has been added -- also accessible via the debugger’s TIA output area context menu. Selecting this saves the current TIA image as a PNG file.

A new "hidecursor" command line option has been implemented, allowing systems without a mouse to complete disable the cursor from view.

Version 4.0 is rounded off by updating the included PNG library to the latest stable version. Stella 4.0 (32-bit) and Stella 4.0 (64-bit) are both available now as a free, donationware downloads for Windows, Mac and Linux.

Media Browser offers a great media streaming solution for shared households

Publié: juillet 1, 2014, 10:12pm CEST par Nick Peers

media-browser-200x175 In recent years there has been a lot of love shown for Plex, the slick and frankly brilliant media sharing solution that encompasses just about any platform. But it’s not the only media server in town.

It’s lurked in the shadows for some time, but now there’s a serious competitor starting to eye up Plex’s crown, and that solution is Media Browser.

Like Plex, Media Browser comprises multiple parts, a mixture of free server and desktop software and paid-for mobile solutions for accessing that media on the go (both over your local network and further afield via the internet). At its heart is Media Browser Server, which is installed on the Windows PC housing your media collection.

Media Browser follows the same naming convention as that used by Plex and XBMC, so if you’ve already optimized your files from either platform, you’ll be able to easily switch them to Media Browser (and if you haven’t click here for my guide to platform-agnostic media management).

Setup is very simple, although your security software may take exception -- wrongly, of course -- to both server and Media Browser Theater setup programs. Like Plex, configuring your media server is done within your web browser, starting with a very simple configuration wizard to get you up and running.

Once complete, you’ll find yourself at the main dashboard. From here, the first thing to do is take advantage of Media Browser’s multi-user support. While Plex has some support for multiple user profiles, it’s currently limited to paid-for PlexPass users and doesn’t have the same range of options as found in Media Browser.

This feature is perfect for shared households, as it allows you to create user profiles for every person in your house. You can restrict access to certain media libraries, apply parental restrictions to younger members and prevent other users from administrating the server. Your users then get to tweak their own profiles so they can fine-tune the media browsing experience to their personal tastes.

Watch anywhere, anytime

With your server set up, it’s time to choose how you actually enjoy and consume your media. You can watch through your server PC’s web browser, or install Media Browser Theater for other Windows 7 and 8 PCs.

For watching content on the go, you’ll find Media Browser apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows RT/8 devices. There are also plugins available for XBMC and other popular media centers, as well as a Roku app in development. Thanks to Media Browser’s DLNA support -- your smart TV and set-top boxes should also be able to access your content, albeit without the beautifully crafted user interface.

Media Browser is still very much in development, and lacks some of the polish of Plex. While there are beta builds of the server for Linux and Mac, they’re not for the average user, so at present it’s largely confined to Windows machines.

Nevertheless, there range of configurable options, coupled with that multi-user setup, could be enough to swing Media Browser your way. Media Browser Server 3.0 and Media Browser Theater 3.0 are both available as free downloads for PCs running Windows 7 or 8 (the server also supports Windows Vista and Server).

Also available for free is Media Browser for iOS 1.5 for iOS 7-powered iPhone. Media Browser for iPad 1.1.2 costs $3.99, while Media Browser for Android 1.0.45 costs $4.59. A one-day trial of Media Browser for Windows 8 1.8 can also be downloaded, the full version costing $4.99.

WinZip for iOS 3.5 adds Google Drive and OneDrive support, makes zip file management easier

Publié: juin 30, 2014, 11:56pm CEST par Nick Peers

winzip-full_200x175 WinZip has released WinZip for iOS 3.5, a major update to its iOS app for managing zip files on an iPhone or iPad. The latest version of the app, which is heavily discounted to just $1.99 until July 2nd, allows users to zip, extract, encrypt and share zip files safely.

Version 3.5 opens with added support for two new cloud-based storage accounts, with users now able to directly access both Google Drive and OneDrive accounts in addition to Dropbox.

To access cloud-based accounts, users need simply tap the account, provide credentials if required, and then the account is fully accessible. Users can zip up files stored online, unzip files to their cloud accounts and even create and save zip/zipx files directly to the cloud.

The app can also be used to download files from the user’s storage account and save it on their iPhone or iPad, plus -- thanks to improvements introduced in version 3.2 -- upload music tracks from the user’s device to their cloud storage.

Version 3.5 also tweaks the user interface to simplify the task of navigating files. The UI redesign also makes zipping up, protecting and sharing files simpler than before.

WinZip already supports the viewing of a wide range of document formats, and version 3.5 extends this further by adding support to the latest iWorks 13 formats for Pages, Numbers and Keynote.

The update is rounded off by providing users with access to WinZip’s helpdesk should users fail when attempting to open an archive file.

WinZip for iOS 3.5 is available now for a limited time for $1.99 for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch running iOS 7.0 or later. The normal MSRP is $4.99.

Avast 2014 R4 promises improved security, new anti-spam library

Publié: juin 27, 2014, 3:10pm CEST par Nick Peers

avast

Avast Software has released the fourth update to its Avast 2014 range of products with the unveiling of build number 9.0.2021 for Avast Free Antivirus 2014, Avast Internet Security 2014 and Avast Premier Security 2014.

As with the previous few updates, R4 contains no new features, but does include several important security enhancements among other tweaks and optimizations that once again make it essential for existing users.

Avast promises tighter security through improved process security, which is guarded by Avast’s self-defense component. Avast R4 also handles conditions for the Guest account better, increasing sensitivity to any incorrect user inputs that might compromise system security and tuning the import settings tool to prevent it from allowing users to bypass any protections.

The program’s setup component also now supports resume functionality, which should make downloading smoother on systems where the connection is slow or frequently interrupted.

On a related note, the install process now detects potentially critical problems post-install, such as missing administrator rights or insufficient disk space, alerting the user should functionality not be 100 percent.

Paid-for editions also gain a new anti-spam library, which Avast promises should improve the accuracy of spam detection, while promotion popups can also be disabled (these remain mandatory in the free edition).

The update is rounded off with a number of bug fixes, some through static code analysis, and others promising increased stability and better performance, with a particular focus on the network and engine components.

Avast’s Free Antivirus 2014, Internet Security 2014 and Premier Security 2014 are all available for free and trial download now for PCs running Windows XP or later. Visit the Downloadcrew Software Store to purchase licenses at significant discounts -- for example, a single-PC, one-year license for Internet Security 2014 can be purchased for just $24.99, a saving of 50 per cent on the MSRP. Three-PC and two-year licenses of both Internet Security 2014 and Premier 2014 are also available.

Opera Mini 8 for iPad and iPhone reveals complete redesign, new compression mode

Publié: juin 27, 2014, 8:16am CEST par Nick Peers

opera mini1

Opera Software ASA has unveiled Opera Mini 8.0, a major new version of its speed-optimized browser for iPhone and iPad. The browser, which uses compression technologies to speed up data transfer and browsing, gets a major overhaul with this new release, the first for over two years.

It’s also joined by a new version of Opera Developer 24.0 for Windows and Mac, which adds a new Tab Preview feature.

Opera Mini’s main selling point is that it’s designed to speed up browsing on slow connections through various server-side compression technologies that help reduce the amount of data being sent over the network.

From version 8, Opera Mini offers a choice of compression modes: the existing Opera Mini mode promises up to 90 per cent data savings, while Opera Turbo mode promises a full web experience while still managing to squeeze data up to 50 percent.

The app also benefits from a major overhauls of its user interface to fit more closely to the new Opera desktop browser. The browser now supports Themes -- which let users change the browser’s look and feel via the Settings menu (13 are available in this release).

The new browser also introduces a new Discover feature for finding new content, plus introduces a built-in QR Code reader, which is accessible from Opera’s pop-up keyboard.

Opera has also unveiled Opera Developer 24.0 for Windows and Mac, a major update to the alpha pre-release channel of its desktop browser. Version 24’s headline new feature is Tab Preview, which lets users roll their mouse over a tab to instantly see a preview of that web page.

Version 24 also adds support for high DPI displays, with updated visuals enabled by default for those lucky enough to own such displays. However, echoing the build’s pre-release status, users should be warned that some Adobe Flash windows may freeze with HiDPI enabled, while printing is broken on the Windows version.

Opera Mini 8.0 is available now as a free download for iPads and iPhones running iOS 7 or later. Opera Developer 24.0 is also available for Windows and Mac users, and will install alongside any existing builds of Opera FINAL.

opera mini2

Blender 2.71 adds new Cycles Rendering features, improves Animation and Modelling

Publié: juin 27, 2014, 4:09am CEST par Nick Peers

NPO The Blender Foundation has released Blender 2.71, an update to its cross-platform, open-source 3D graphics tool. Version 2.71, also available in 64-bit and portable form on Windows, includes new features and continues to build on the recently revamped user interface.

Areas that enjoy significant changes include the Cycles renderer, Animation, Modelling, Sculpting-Painting, Game Engine and Freestyle NPR Rendering tool.

Cycles gains support for rendering volume textures, fire and smoke, deformation motion blur, baking textures from cycles materials, additional texture interpolation modes and a new dedicated UV layer node.

The Animation tools adds new interpolation types containing “easing equation” presets, while auto-snapping becomes independent from the display type and locking time to other windows is once again possible. It also adds lasso selection support and the ability to set preview range based on selected strips.

A new per-face normals feature within Modelling allows blender to correctly display and export sharp edges, while the selection tools also offer more options.

Fans of sculpting and painting will discover a new HSL colr wheel for selecting color alongside performance tweaks for the dyntopo and matcap display modes. The Game Engine adds multi-threaded animations, shadows-only materials and action layers alongside a UI for deactivating logic bricks.

Freestyle has been upgrade with support for textured strokes, while users also gain the ability to sort lines to more easily control the order of line drawing.

The user interface, which was overhauled for version 2.70, continues to evolve with resizeable preview widgets, draggable popup menus and new icons for texture painting.

Users also gain more control for curve bevelling, explicit shadow cast control for blender’s internal materials, improved handles for mask editors and a new distortion model when motion tracking. A new FBX Exporter has also been added and a vast array of documented bug fixes have also been implemented.

Blender 2.71 (32-bit) is available now as a free, open-source download for Windows, Mac and Linux. Also available is Blender 2.71 (64-bit), while Blender Portable 2.70a is likely to be updated to version 2.71 in the next few days.

CCleaner optimizes memory usage, adds support for forthcoming Chrome 64-bit browser

Publié: juin 25, 2014, 3:54pm CEST par Nick Peers

CCleaner

As the month draws to a close, Piriform issues its regular update to its freeware Windows cleaning utility with the releases of CCleaner 4.15 and CCleaner Portable 4.15.

Highlights in the latest release include support for the forthcoming 64-bit build of Google Chrome, plus an improved secure wipe algorithm as well as memory and architecture optimizations.

Following on from the recent pre-release versions of Chrome 64-bit, CCleaner has been updated to work with the new iteration of the browser ahead of its final release. In addition to this, version 4.15 has also added support for the niche Yandex browser.

In addition to Yandex, version 4.15 also extends its third-party support to SnagIt 12, Format Factory, Nitro PDF Reader and Virtual DJ.

The new release also promises improved memory usage and management architecture, which should translate into better performance.

The Wipe Free Space algorithm, used to securely shred previously deleted data from drives, has also been enhanced with the new release, presumably to make it harder to retrieve the shredded data.

The update is completed by the usual unspecified round of bug fixes, updated translations and minor GUI tweaks, one of which is the addition of social media buttons to the program’s Options > About page.

CCleaner 4.15 and CCleaner Portable 4.15 are available now as freeware downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later. A Professional version offering additional features including real-time monitoring and complete system cleaning is available for $24.95.

Acronis True Image for Mac launches, offers local and cloud-based drive imaging

Publié: juin 25, 2014, 2:15pm CEST par Nick Peers

Acronis True Image for Mac

Backup specialist Acronis has unveiled Acronis True Image for Mac 1.0, a brand new build of its well-known drive imaging software for Macs running OS X 10.8 or later.

The new release is described by Acronis as offering "dual-protection data backup" for Mac, a reference to its ability to back up to both local drives -- including network attached devices -- and the cloud through its own Acronis Cloud service.

As the name implies, True Image takes full disk backups known as "images" of the user’s Mac, although it’s worth noting it’s not currently compatible with Macs set up to dual-boot with Windows using the Bootcamp environment. It will, however, back up machines running virtual environments including Parallels Desktop 9.

Users are invited to download a free 30-day trial, which is accompanied by 30 days free access to the Acronis Cloud service, with 250GB on offer. The system drive is pre-selected for backup by default, but users can choose to back up any attached hard drive using the software. They then select a destination -- local and network-attached storage are supported (including drives not specifically supported by Time Machine), along with the Acronis Cloud option.

By default, a fresh backup is taken once a week, with up to 10 incremental backups kept to prevent excessive use of disk space. Users can change the schedule by clicking Settings, and are also encouraged to create bootable rescue media using the system in case of hardware disaster.

When restoring data, users can opt to recover an entire drive image -- typically after a major issue or when migrating to a new machine -- or select individual files and folders to restore.

Acronis admits that -- in addition to Bootcamp -- systems with Fusion drive, File Vault 2 and HFS+ encrypted systems aren’t currently supported. Support for these configurations is planned for a future release before the end of the year.

Acronis True Image for Mac 1.0 is available now as a free 30-day trial download for Macs running OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or later. The full version costs $49.99 for one Mac, or $79,99 for three, while a 12-month 250GB subscription to Acronis Cloud costs an additional $49.99. Other subscriptions are also available.

Parallels Access 2.0 lets you control your PC or Mac remotely using iPad, iPhone or Android device

Publié: juin 20, 2014, 9:15pm CEST par Nick Peers

parallels-access-android

Looking for a way to access programs on your desktop or laptop from your mobile? You could go down the route of installing something like TeamViewer, but with the best will in the world, trying to control your entire Windows or Mac desktop from your mobile is a fiddly experience at best.

A more practical solution can be found by going down the Parallels Access route, and it’s one that’s just been made even better with the release of version 2.0.

Parallels Access adopts a slightly different approach to accessing your computer remotely -- it assumes your primary objective is to be able to access specific programs and apps while you’re on the move, and focuses its interface accordingly.

The service -- which you sign up for via https://access.parallels.com -- sees you download a server program on your PC or Mac, then install the relevant mobile app. As of version 2.0, Parallels Access extends itself to the Android platform as well as becoming a universal iOS app, giving iPhone users the ability to run desktop apps on their phone too.

The app’s simple to use: once connected, it takes control of your PC’s display, resizing it before transmitting it back to your mobile. It then presents a home screen of app icons with the most popular apps included (you can add to or edit this list easily). Tap one, and the app opens on your mobile, ready for you to view and edit documents almost as if you were sat at your computer.

Parallels Access scores points for utilizing smart features for both navigating and controlling your app using your touchscreen, plus makes it easy to switch between open apps using a Task Switcher window.

The new Android version looks slick, and is responsive and quick over a local Wi-Fi connection. But it’s the iOS version that really stands out, particularly with a number of new enhancements added to version 2.0.

parallels-access-files

Chief among these is the addition of a file browser, which allows you to access your entire file system (including favourites and other links) from the app. You can’t transfer files in this way, but you can move them around your file system and open them directly using apps on your computer.

The iOS version also gains the ability to change the screen resolution to a more comfortable level, plus capture microphone input on your iPad or iPhone. It also comes with the usual promise of better stability and performance.

You can try Parallels Access for free for 14 days, thereafter you’ll need to purchase a subscription -- currently $19.95 nets you 12 month’s access with up to five PCs and Macs.

Parallels Access for iPad and iPhone 2.0 and Parallels Access for Android 2.0 are both available now. iOS 7.0 or Android 4.0.3 or later is required. The apps work with PCs running Windows 7 or later and Macs running OS X 10.7 (Lion) or later.

Evernote 5.4 for Windows Desktop adds user-requested features, including shortcuts toolbar option

Publié: juin 19, 2014, 1:32pm CEST par Nick Peers

evernote_win-54

Evernote Corporation has released Evernote 5.4 for Windows Desktop, a minor update to its popular cloud-based, cross-platform note-taking and organizational tool.

Version 5.4 introduces two new features based on user feedback: the ability to request additional permissions when accessing shared notebooks, and the ability to view shortcuts horizontally on their own dedicated toolbar.

When assigning shared notebooks to others, users can opt to give them read-only or editing access. As from version 5.4, the Evernote Windows client allows users with read-only access to shared notebooks the ability to request editing rights.

The feature is accessed by clicking the lock button in the top right-hand corner of any note within the shared notebook, which then sends a request to the notebook owner. If editing rights are subsequently granted, an email is sent back to the person requesting elevated access.

Shortcuts allow users to place frequently accessed notes, notebooks and tags via their own dedicated section in the Evernote navigation pane. Based on user requests, these shortcuts can be moved to their own dedicated section in the main toolbar by selecting View > Shortcuts > Show in Toolbar.

The update is rounded off with the promise of unspecified performance and reliability improvements.Evernote 5.4.1 For Windows Desktop is available as a free download for Windows XP or later. Also available are Evernote for Mac 5.5, Evernote Touch 2.0 for Windows 8, Evernote for iPhone & iPad 7.3.5, and Evernote for Android 5.7.

Emsisoft Anti-Malware 9.0 adopts Windows 8-themed facelift, available for just $9.99

Publié: juin 19, 2014, 10:49am CEST par Nick Peers

emsisoft9

Emsisoft has released Emsisoft Anti-Malware 9.0, a brand new version of its dual-engine anti-malware tool for Windows users. Version 9.0 sports a major facelift, improved performance and "hundreds of detail improvements" for better usability.

To celebrate the release, users have a nine-day window in which to purchase 12 month’s protection for the special introductory price of just $9.99, a saving of 75 percent on the usual MSRP.

The biggest change in Emsisoft Anti-Malware 9 is the most noticeable: a completely retooled user interface, inspired by the Windows 8 look. The tool is split into four broad sections: protection, scan, quarantine and logs, and has been redesigned to provide a more user-friendly and minimalist experience with clear colour-coded warnings to mirror the suite’s own "fast and lean" approach.

Performance is enhanced throughout the suite thanks to plugging of various resource leaks, internal optimizations and more efficient memory usage. All components also benefit from taking advantage of internal security enhancements found in modern Windows versions such as ASLR and DEP.

The anti-malware tool employs a dual-scanner engine for greater protection, and version 9 comes with the twin promise of greatly increased scan speeds while also offering better detection and thorough removal, even of the latest threats.

The dual-scanner engine is one of three layers of protection offered by the program, the other two being Surf Protection (protection against malicious websites, both within and without browsers) and Behavior Blocker (protection based on behavioural analysis to help spot even brand new threats). Version 9 comes with the promise of greatly improved performance from the Behavior Blocker’s cloud-assisted detection tools, which Emsisoft promises translate into fewer false positives and more accurate malware classification.

The update is rounded off with "hundreds" of usability improvements based on customer feedback, and optimised integration into Windows 8 and 8.1.

Emsisoft Anti-Malware 9.0 is available now as a trial download for PCs running Windows XP or later. Users with a valid license can upgrade to the new version for no charge for the remainder of their subscription, while a single-PC, one-year license can currently be purchased for just $9.95 from the Downloadcrew Software Store, a saving of 75 per cent on the MSRP. Please note this offer is valid through June 27.

1Password for Windows 4.0 tightens security, adds new features

Publié: juin 19, 2014, 9:58am CEST par Nick Peers

1password-win

Toronto security firm AgileBits has completed its round of major updates to its secure password storage service with the release of 1Password for Windows 4.0. With version 4, AgileBits has revamped the Windows build, significantly closing the feature-set gap between it and the more fully developed Mac version.

Highlights of this release include tighter security, a number of significant new features and the promise of vastly improved performance, and follow on from the recent Android update.

Security has been improved on two particular counts: first, the Strong Password Generator has been improved to include a diceware generator capable of suggesting over 17,500 words between four and eight letters in length.

1Password 4.0 for Windows also adds the 1Password Watchtower service, which provides warnings when a Login item has been compromised, plus provides advice on when it’s safe to update passwords.

Custom fields can now be added to both Wallet and Account items, while each login item can now be assigned to multiple URLs -- useful where passwords are shared across login items (not recommended).

Speaking of which, a new Duplicate Passwords category makes it easy to track down shared passwords, which -- coupled with another new class (Weak Passwords) -- allows users to further strengthen security by assigning unique passwords to each login item.

New features include a favourites list for quickly accessing important items -- this list can be synced between all devices. There are also new browser extensions for Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Safari. At the same time 1Password can now detect password changes from the browser, allowing users to update their Login items accordingly.

1Password 4.0 for Windows also introduces support for tagging items for organizing and finding. This handy new feature is accompanied by a new Folder Name column to the All smart folder, which helps users determine which folder individual items have been filed under.

Eagle-eyed users will also spot the File > Reopen menu item, which makes it easy to switch between multiple 1Password Vaults. On a related note, 1Password is now capable of automatically detecting all password data stored in the user’s Dropbox folder.

Version 4.0 also introduces Wi-Fi sync, allowing users to sync with their iOS devices directly across the network instead of relying on a cloud connection. Users can now also share any type of item with trusted parties via email.

The update is rounded off with a Demo Vault for showing off the program’s capabilities without revealing personal information, a new toolbar where the search input is always visible and the promise of major performance improvements, particularly when searching an entire 1Password Vault. One final, undocumented, note is the dropping of support for Windows XP and Vista.

1Password for Windows 4.0 is available now as a free trial download for PCs running Windows 7 or later. The full version costs $49.99 for a single-user license, or $69.99 for a five-user Family license -- upgrades are available for $24.99, while anyone who purchased the previous version in 2013 or 2014 gets the upgrade for free. Also available are 1Password for Mac 4.4.1, 1Password for iOS 4.5 and 1Password for Android 4.0.1.

Batch convert documents to PDF, PNG, TIF or JPG with DocuFreezer 1.0

Publié: juin 18, 2014, 4:43am CEST par Nick Peers

docufreezer-200x175 Anyone who's tried Print Conductor will know how great it is for speeding up the wearisome process of printing out documents of different types in one go from your Windows PC.

Now the folks at fCoder are at it again, providing another free-for-personal-use tool to speed up batch processing. This time, however, DocuFreezer 1.0 is designed to speed up document conversion to PDF.

Archiving documents to PDF or even a non-editable image format like PNG, TIF or JPG is a great way of sharing documents with others in a format you know will ensure the original document’s formatting and layout will be preserved.

These days, outputting files to PDF is a simple affair. Many apps -- including Microsoft Office 2010 and later -- let you do this from within the program itself, while free tools like Nitro Reader ensure you can create PDFs from any application.

Of course, that's fine and dandy for individual files, or even a group of files sporting the same format. But what happens when you're handed a group of presentations, spreadsheets, text documents and even PDF files to convert into another format?

This is where DocuFreezer comes in: thanks to its simple user interface you can drag and drop (or manually select) files and even entire folders for conversion. Pick your format (which can be fine-tuned -- select PDF-A for example to ensure your document survives long-term archiving), choose your output folder and then click Start. That's it.

It's all very smooth if not particularly quick, but there's one major potential deal breaker: while DocuFreezer can process certain file types natively, including PDF, it can’t handle Office formats on its own. Instead you'll need Office 2010 or later so DocuFreezer can tap into its API for the document conversion.

If that doesn't put you off, then DocuFreezer 1.0 is available now as a free (for personal use) download for PCs running Windows XP or later. Office 2010 or later is required for Office document conversion. DocuFreezer commercial licenses can be purchased for $49.

1Password for Android now supports on-device password editing and management

Publié: juin 16, 2014, 7:50pm CEST par Nick Peers

1password

AgileBits has unveiled 1Password for Android 4.0, a complete rebuild of its app for giving Android device users access to passwords stored securely using the 1Password service.

Previously, the app only gave users read-only access to passwords created on other platforms, including Windows, Mac and iOS, but is now a fully fledged password manager in its own right.

Version 4.0 ships as a freemium app, with the read-only functionality still available for free. Users can then unlock the rest of the app’s functionality with a one-off, in-app purchase -- price yet to be determined. Until August 1st the app is fully functional for free.

The app has been redesigned from the ground up with a hybrid UI for both phone and tablet devices. It adds editing, organization and syncing capabilities alongside a built-in browser and top-end security.

Users can now manage their vault directly from the app, meaning they can add, edit and delete items. There’s support for viewing attachments added from Mac or PC platforms, a strong password generator for creating new passwords and the ability to view both custom fields and web form details.

Also added is the ability to mark items as Favorites for faster access. Other organizational improvements include updated and expanded item categories as well as support for folders and sub-folders.

Syncing tools include Dropbox, folder, automatic and background sync capabilities, with sync notifications and the ability to merge locally stored data with an existing vault.

Security features in 1Password for Android include locking all important items behind a secure Master Password. The vault is protected with AES-256 Authenticated Encryption, and is automatically locked when idle. Clipboard contents are automatically cleared and users can add another layer of security by adding a PIN code.

1Password for Android 4.0.1 is available free now. All features are available until 1st August, when an in-app purchase will be required to unlock editing capabilities -- price to be determined. Also available as trial downloads are 1Password for Windows, Mac and iOS.

Amazon rebrands Cloud Player with launch of Amazon Music 3 for mobile and desktop

Publié: juin 13, 2014, 6:35pm CEST par Nick Peers

Amazon music

Amazon has refreshed its entire collection of cloud music apps with the releases of Amazon Music for Windows 3.0, Amazon Music for Mac 3.0, Amazon Music for iPad and iPhone 3.0 and Amazon Music for Android 3.0.

All four platforms share similar updates, and accompany Amazon’s foray into music streaming with the launch of Amazon Prime Music, which initially is only available to US customers.

Amazon Prime Music is a new benefit for existing Amazon Prime users, giving them access to over a million streaming songs alongside TV, films and e-books. Compared to existing services like Spotify and Deezer, Amazon’s initial offering is tiny, both rivals claiming more than 30 million songs in their respective catalogs.

To coincide with this launch, Amazon has rebranded its Cloud Player family of apps as Amazon Music, adding support for Amazon Prime Music in US markets. All users continue to benefit from access to their cloud libraries -- which consist of MP3 purchases, auto-rip CDs purchased since 1998 and music uploaded from computer -- as well as device music.

Version 3 of each app boasts a facelift -- the overall layout remains the same, but the user interface has been refreshed to offer easier navigation. There’s also added support for library management direct from all versions of the app for the first time, allowing users to delete music from their library on mobile as well as desktop.

Despite this improvement, desktop users will find they still have to upload music from their local collection through the web browser -- open the menu and choose More > Import music into your library to do so.

Amazon Music for Windows 3.0 is available now as a freeware download for PCs running Windows XP SP3 or later, while Amazon Music for Mac 3.0 works on Macs running OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) or later. Amazon Music for iPad and iPhone 3.0 requires iOS 6.0 or later, while Amazon Music for Android 3.0 runs on Android 4.0 or upwards.

Skype for iPhone 5 now available, sports new look, better performance

Publié: juin 13, 2014, 2:56pm CEST par Nick Peers

Skype Microsoft has released Skype for iPhone 5.0, a major new update to its voice, video and chat messenger for iPhone and iPod touch users. Version 5.0 sports a major new redesign, more in-app options and drops support for iOS 7.

The update has been released separately to the iPad version, with Microsoft claiming to be "hard at work on a new version" for iPad users.

Skype for iPhone 5.0 represents the most significant revamp of the iOS client since the original version launched back in 2010. Dropping support for older iterations of iOS has freed development that has -- among other things -- helped to deliver major performance improvements.

These include faster start-up times and more fluid animations, plus users should notice less of a lag when chats are synced from other platforms.

The redesign has been led by user feedback, and attempts to bring most-used features front and center. This can be seen with a new modern hub centric design, which places recent conversations at the front – users can then swipe left to view favorite people and contacts using the Windows-like ribbon navigation bar.

Despite the Windows inspiration, the new app fits in nicely with the flatter design of iOS 7, so Apple users shouldn’t feel too alienated by the redesign, which Microsoft summarizes as a "new simplified, modern voice and video calling experience".

The messaging tools have also been revamped to add more functionalty, with users now able to create messaging groups, plus share photos (even with offline contacts) and video messages.

In-app features have also been strengthened, with in-app notifications for quickly switching conversations implemented alongside in-app controls to manage those notifications.

Skype for iPhone 5.0 is available free now for iPhones and iPod touches running iOS 7 or later. A revamped Skype for iPad sporting a similar redesign should follow shortly.

Adobe releases Flash Player 14 and AIR 14

Publié: juin 10, 2014, 6:26pm CEST par Nick Peers

flash android

Adobe has released a major update to its web media player and runtime platform with the release of Adobe Flash Player 14.0 and Adobe AIR 14.0.

The new releases deliver a number of new features and updates: a PPAPI Flash Player content debugger, support for Atom-based Android devices and -- of most interest to end users -- support for the AIR Gamepad API.

The PPAPI Flash Player content debugger gives Flash developers the opportunity to debug content using the PPAPI interface found on Chromium-based browsers. Once installed, developers are directed to chrome://plugins where they should see the debug version of Shockwave Flash should be available to enable.

Also added to version 14 of Flash and AIR are support for anisotropic filtering and a new Stage3D "standard" profile when creating Context3D.

Adobe AIR 14 gains support for Intel Atom-based mobile Android devices via the -arch ADT command line option. The new iOS packaging engine also gains numerous improvements and bug fixes.

Another new addition to version 14 of Adobe AIR is the new AIR Gamepad API, which allows developers to use Android mobiles as either a second screen or game controller for Flash-based games.

Users must simply ensure their Android device is on the same network as the parent computer and be running version 14 of AIR Runtime app on their mobile. At the current time, version 13 is still being touted in the Play Store.

The API provides support for gesture, touch and Accelerometer events, plus vibration and applying skins onto the AIR gamepad screen. To test the feature, once Adobe AIR 14.0 is installed on your Android device, browse to ModelViewer or Hungry Hero in the paired computer’s browser and follow the instructions.

The update is rounded off by a large number of bug fixes, including a range of Windows 8 and 8.1 fixes for Flash Player. Adobe AIR fixes cover both iOS, Android and Windows platforms.

Adobe Flash Player for Other Browsers 14.0 and Adobe AIR 14.0 are both available now as a freeware downloads for Windows and Mac. Also available is Adobe Flash Player for Internet Explorer 14.0 for PCs running Windows 7 or earlier (Windows 8 users are delivered updates through the OS).

Firefox 30 adds new Sidebar button, GStreamer 1.0 support for Linux

Publié: juin 10, 2014, 6:06pm CEST par Nick Peers

firefox

Mozilla has released Firefox 30.0 FINAL for desktop, with Firefox for Android 30.0 also imminent.

Despite the landmark version number, Firefox 30 is a relatively minor release -- particularly on the desktop version -- with little in the way of new features for end users.

Version 30’s only notable new feature is the addition of a Sidebar button, which users must add manually to their main toolbar using the Tools > Customize option -- once added, clicking this allows users to quickly access the Bookmarks or History sidebars, plus any other sidebar content including social providers and sidebars added by third-party plugins such as LastPass.

Firefox 30 also unveils two new platform-specific features: the first is support for GStreamer 1.0, an open-source multimedia framework that means Linux users will be able to access H.264 video as well as MP3 and AAC audio files natively through the browser.

The second new feature sees Mac users now able to use the selected text as the basis for a search by pressing [Cmd]+[E].

Version 30 also ups the security ante by only allowing a specific set of whitelisted plugins to run automatically -- users will either be prompted to activate a plugin the first time a web site requires it, or can manually enable plugins themselves via the about:addons dialog (select Plugins) -- click the Ask to Activate dropdown next to a plugin and choose Always Activate.

Firefox 30 also includes a larger number of developer changes, including the blocking of call WebIDL constructors as functions on the web. Two specific fixes resolve an issue whereby autocomplete="off" was ignored when offering to save passwords via the password manager, plus another that meant TypedArrays didn’t support new named properties.

The new release will also be accompanied by Firefox for Android 30.0. This adds Quickshare buttons to the Firefox context menu and uses the Home Feeds Add-On to add web content to home page panels. Six new locales -- Belarusian, Argentine Spanish, Mexican Spanish, Indonesian, Latvian and Malay have also been added. One platform-specific fix resolves an issue whereby after playing back MP4 video, video could not be played again.

Firefox 30.0 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux is available now as a free, open-source download. Firefox for Android 30.0 should be available shortly.

Wise Care 365 version 3 sports major new interface, adds four new modules

Publié: juin 10, 2014, 2:09pm CEST par Nick Peers

wise care

WiseCleaner.com has released Wise Care 365 3.11, a major update to its all-in-one Windows maintenance tool. Version 3.11, which comes in free and paid-for versions, opens with a complete redesign of its user interface.

The new release also adds four new tools, revamps two of its major engines and comes with a number of optimizations to other parts of the suite.

The new user interface follows in the footsteps of others in adopting a flatter, simpler look to tie in more closely with the Windows 8/8.1 user interface. Individual tools are now identified using Metro-style square icons although the overall layout remains consistent with previous versions, so existing users should have little trouble acclimatising.

Four new tools have been added to the suite, two of which reside under a new System Monitoring tab. These are Process Monitor, which offers a complete list of running processes that users can close with a single click, and Hardware Overview, which offers various system information pages.

The new tools are accompanied by a new Hardware Temperature Overview monitor, which is displayed on the main Hardware Overview page, and offers three temperature gauges for CPU, graphics card and hard drives.

Version 3 also adds a new floating icon, which provides users with a thermometer for the CPU temperature and a measure of the current CPU usage. Clicking it allows users to perform various one-click optimizations without having to open the main program window.

The new release also debuts two completely rewritten scanning and cleaning engines, one for the PC Checkup module, the other for the Registry Cleaner. In addition three other modules -- Registry Backup, Registry Cleanup List and Common Cleaner -- have all been optimized.

Wise Care 365 3.11 is available now as a free, function-limited download for PCs running Windows XP or later. Pro licenses are available with prices currently starting at $22.50 for a single-PC, single-year license. Lifetime upgrades are also available.

Power up the OS X context menu with FinderPop

Publié: juin 9, 2014, 7:03pm CEST par Nick Peers

FinderPop

It doesn’t matter how many refinements and new features are introduced into each new version of OS X, you always end up wanting more, particularly when it comes to the Finder. Thankfully there are usually a slew of third-party apps -- many free -- that can fill in the gaps.

Take the Finder context menu for instance -- if you feel like it could be a little more helpful at times, then you need to install FinderPop 2.5.5.

FinderPop is a System Preferences plug-in that allows you to add additional shortcuts and a smattering of useful features to the right-click menu (and menu bar).

One of the trickiest parts of using it is the first-time installation. Basically, it goes like this: download the zip file, extract its contents, open the FP255 folder, make sure System Preferences is closed and double-click FinderPop.prefpane to install it, choosing All Users if you’re running OS X 10.7 or later.

Once installed, the FinderPop preferences pane will open at the Options tab where you can configure the basic rules for invoking FinderPop, plus add convenient shortcuts that allow you to browse your entire system from the FinderPop menu.

Switch to the Items tab, click the button and a folder will open. This is where you drag any shortcuts -- apps, files or folders -- for easy access direct from FinderPop’s extended context menu. Switch back to the FP255 folder and you’ll see a FinderPopExtras sub-folder with some more useful shortcuts for quickly setting or resetting the selected item’s Finder lock, updating the file’s modification date to the present time (Touch) and toggling file extension visibility.

Other tabs include Appearance (fine-tune how FinderPop appears on your context menu -- you can, for example, set a different font to the system default to make FinderPop’s items easier to identify) and Active, control which apps FinderPop works with (plus exclude any apps that you want left alone).

Once configured, log off and back on again to make FinderPop accessible. Now right-click any folder or file, and you should see its available options appear at the top of the menu. You’ll also see handy Desktop and Processes shortcuts -- the former lets you browse your entire Mac from the context menu, while the latter displays a list of all currently running apps (allowing you to switch to a different app quickly).

You can also access FinderPop by clicking on some empty space in the menu bar, plus trigger some useful actions using a variety of keyboard combos: [Cmd]-[Option] displays a Get Info help tag for the selected item, for example, while [g] lets you pick up the item and drag it into a Finder window for copying the selecting item quickly. Press [Tab] and a FinderPop Info window appears, packed with useful information and a rather dangerous trash icon should you wish to delete the parent folder or item.

You’ll need to give yourself a little bit of time to explore the app and see exactly what it can do, but once you’ve set things up to your liking, we suspect FinderPop will become an essential part of your Mac toolkit.

FinderPop 2.5.5 is available now as a freeware download for Macs running OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or later.

Paint.NET 4.0 Beta 4 restores Line/Curve tool, improves rendering quality and performance

Publié: juin 6, 2014, 8:58pm CEST par Nick Peers

paintnet

dotPDN LLC has released the fourth beta of Paint.NET 4.0, the latest pre-release of this eagerly anticipated freeware image-editing tool for Windows.

The fourth beta -- build 5628 -- sees the Line/Curve tool restored, having previously been incorporated into the Shapes tool. It also sees a number of rendering quality and performance improvements alongside a slew of other minor tweaks and bug fixes as Paint.NET edges towards its final release.

The main change in the fourth Paint.NET 4.0 beta is the restoration of the Line/Curve tool, which has been split off from the Shapes tool where it had been integrated in previous version 4 releases. The tool has also been tweaked to improve its rendering quality, which is most noticeable when anti-aliasing is disabled.

Other rendering quality improvements can be found when using both brush tools (again, with no anti-aliasing) and the Nearest Neighbor option under Image > Resize.

The rectangle shape tool now draws using an "inset" brush stroke, which prevents blurriness when using odd-sized brush widths. Its parent Shapes tool now permits users to commit changes by clicking outside the bounding box of the current shape.

Both Shapes and Line/Curve tools have also been optimized for improved performance on any PC whose CPU has less than eight cores, which covers the vast majority of users.

Users with Intel GPUs will discover the hardware acceleration option has been disabled by default -- this can be restored via the Settings button. One feature restored to version 4 from 3.5 is the ability to copy files in File Explorer and then paste them directly into the program.

The new beta includes a number of fixes, including one that made the Palette chooser in the Colors window lose focus when attempting to move the mouse to click on any of its items. A number of small miscellaneous crashes have also been fixed.

Paint.NET 4.0.0 Beta 4 (build 5628) is available now as a a freeware download now for dual-core (or better) PCs running Windows 7 or later. The .NET Framework 4.5 is also required, but will be downloaded automatically if not present. Also available is Paint.NET 3.5.11 for Windows XP or later. The usual warnings about using pre-release software apply: don’t rely on the program for day-to-day use and work on a duplicate copy of images.

Pale Moon overhauls rendering engine, adds animated panorama support

Publié: juin 6, 2014, 8:54pm CEST par Nick Peers

Pale Moon

Moonchild Productions has released a relatively major update to its Firefox browser variant for Windows with the release of Pale Moon 24.6 and Pale Moon x64 24.6.

Version 24.6 comes with a major overhaul of the graphics rendering engine to boost stability, plus a number of important fixes, including all latest security fixes. It also adds support for animated personas.

Because animated personas causes a small -- but noticeable -- performance drop on startup, it’s been disabled by default in Pale Moon 24.6. Users must go to about:config and set LightweightThemes.animation.enabled to true, then reload the persona to switch on animations.

The new build’s overhaul of the rendering engine fixes regular crashes that occurred with hardware acceleration enabled on machines with DirectWrite 6.2 or 6.3 (basically Windows 7 with Platform Update installed, plus Windows 8 and 8.1).

The problem was most prevalent on systems with NVIDIA graphics cards. A related issue with font rendering -- particularly prevalent on legacy AMD hardware -- has also been resolved.

Pale Moon includes two changes that tighten user privacy. The first automatically shuffles the reported plugin installation order to confuse trackers when enumeration is asked for.

Pale Moon also now cleans up jumplist icons that may have been left in the jumplist cache folder. This tweak doesn’t just tighten privacy, it also helps clean the user’s hard drive too.

Pale Moon has always been built with efficiency and speed over maximum compatibility, which means it enables certain functions disabled in Firefox while removing others. As the version number implies, Pale Moon is no longer simply an optimized build of Firefox, but a completely separate fork. The most recent confirmation of this can be seen with Moonchild’s comment that the new Australis user interface embraced in Firefox 29 is "considered unacceptable" and will not be used.

One side-effect of this is that due to Firefox phasing out support for the older version of Sync, Pale Moon will no longer be able to use the Mozilla servers. Moonchild is now providing its own server, and advises users to carefully read the terms of service before using it.

Note that despite still being on version 24 -- which helps provide clarity about which Firefox extensions are compatible with Pale Moon, each release includes the most recent security patches found in the main Firefox browser. As a result, Pale Moon 24.6 includes the eight most recently released security fixes for Firefox.

A detailed list of fixes and changes, which also include suppressing pop-up status messages when watching full-screen HTML5 video and fixing Windows detection issues in Windows 8.1, can be found at the Pale Moon user forum.

Pale Moon 24.6, Pale Moon x64 24.6, Pale Moon Portable 24.6 and Pale Moon Portable x64 24.6 are all available now as open source, free downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later.

Camera Fx8 Free offers iPhone users free camera effects tool

Publié: juin 5, 2014, 11:46pm CEST par Nick Peers

fx8 Bored with your iPhone’s camera? Fed up with taking dull, listless shots? Apalon Apps may have something for you, with its new Camera Fx8 Free app.

The app, a cut-down version of the existing Camera Fx8 (currently 99c in the App Store), allows users to apply filters and shapes to both live and previously taken photos. These can then be saved to the camera roll and shared via Twitter or email.

Fire up the app and -- after a short pause (or long pause on our aging iPod touch 4th gen), the main screen will appear. The main viewfinder fills most of the screen, and by tapping Options users can access a number of useful features, including pinch-zoom, on-screen grid and very handy horizontal level to ensure photos aren’t askew.

Users can switch between front and back cameras, plus switch on a shuffle function that randomly applies one of the supplied 15 filter effects (all named after trees and plants, so some experimentation will be required) or seven overlay shapes, which can -- of course -- also be applied manually.

Users can also apply these effects to previously taken photos and images on the camera roll, which they can then save back as a fresh image to the roll, open in selected third-party apps or share with others.

The app is clearly envisaged as a taster of the main Camera Fx8 app, which adds more filters and shapes, plus allows users to implement a range of overlay effects such as paper, dots and love, as well as implement various borders. All four effect types can be mixed and matched.

The paid-for version also adds additional options including location reporting and the option keeping both edited photos and snapped shots within the app itself for future editing.

Camera Fx8 Free 1.0 is available now as a free download for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. iOS 6.0 or later is required.

WinPatrol tweaks cookie management, adds Pale Moon support

Publié: juin 5, 2014, 1:13pm CEST par Nick Peers

winpatrol

BillP Studios has released WinPatrol 31.0.2014, a minor refresh of its Windows snapshot-based security tool. WinPatrol monitors key system areas for changes, alerting the user to program attempts to make significant alterations.

Despite the jump to version 31, the latest release is a relatively minor one, with the most significant changes made to its browser-monitoring SQLite database.

The SQLite database change, which is used to monitor Firefox and Chrome, sees WinPatrol include the source code for the SQLite3.DLL library. This gives BillP more control over accessing data while also allowing it to remove unused code to optimize performance through reduced memory usage.

A related change in version 31.0.2014 is the added support for the Pale Moon browser, which is a custom-built version of Firefox optimized for performance. WinPatrol can now detect the browser to enable it to manage the browser’s cookies.

Other changes are more minor: the Scotty Notification area icon has been redesigned, removing the blue orb icon and replacing it with a traditional Scotty dog icon on a yellow tile background. This is accompanied by more easily visible Start menu icons for the program.

The Safe Update button adds support for showing version information for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Microsoft Security Essentials, while the program’s communication with the WinPatrol servers during a severe system attack has been optimised to further reduce its bandwidth usage.

WinPatrol 31.0.2014 is available now as a free, function-limited download for PCs running Windows XP or later. A Plus version with additional functionality is also available, with prices starting from $29.95 (single user, unlimited computers) to $49.95 (whole family license).

Glorylogic refreshes range with ISO Workshop, True Burner and Image Tuner updates

Publié: juin 4, 2014, 4:59pm CEST par Nick Peers

iso workshop

Glorylogic has issued updates to three of its free (for non-commercial use) tools for Windows PCs. Both ISO Workshop 5.4 and True Burner 2.3 gain various burning enhancements -- including the ability to set the burn speed, while batch-processing tool Image Tuner 4.8 offers an updated preview method.

ISO Workshop and True Burner share the same burning engine, which is indicated by the number of shared improvements in their latest builds.

Chief among these is the addition of a drop-down menu to crucial dialog boxes giving users the opportunity to select the drive burn speed -- useful for trying to resolve burning errors.

Other shared enhancements include improved detection and burning of Blu-ray discs, both BD-R and BD-RE formats, as well as general data insertion and management. Both also fix an issue with opening the disc tray after burning.

ISO Workshop claims one unique fix, resolving a problem unknown command-line parameters. True Burner 2.3 contains two exclusive fixes, mitigating problems finalizing blank CDs as well as fixing a possible error when burning single files over 2GB in size.

Also updated is Image Tuner 4.8. This ships with an updated and improved method of previewing changes via the [F3] key. Alongside this version 4.8 boasts improved JPG and PNG image conversions as well as general image loading and processing.

Again, two notable bugs have been resolved: one that saw Image Tuner skip images with JP2 or RAW extensions, and the other with creating sub-directories.

ISO Workshop 5.4, True Burner 2.3 and Image Tuner 4.8 are all available as a free-for-personal-use downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later. All three contain optional bundleware.

Ad-Aware Free Antivirus learns to plays nice with other antivirus tools, improves malware engine

Publié: juin 4, 2014, 1:17pm CEST par Nick Peers

adaware LavaSoft has released Ad-Aware Free Antivirus 11.2, a significant update to the Swedish security developer’s range of free and paid-for PC security products.

Version 11.2 tweaks its malware engine and improves the disinfection process, but also introduces a new option that enables users to install it alongside existing security software.

The headline new feature in version 11.2 is Ad-Aware’s new capability of being installed as additional protection alongside existing security suites. Lavasoft described the update as being "designed to address the growing trend and complexities of users running multiple security solutions in an effort to enhance their level of protection".

When users come to install Ad-Aware on their systems, the new, simplified installer will scan for existing security software -- if it’s detected and deemed "incompatible", users will be given the option of choosing a Compatible Install mode, which basically installs Ad-Aware as a second line of defense by disabling its real-time protection. Users should then regularly run scans with the program to provide an extra layer of security.

The new build also comes with the promise of a more robust and efficient malware detection engine, better customer support options to simplify the collection of samples for analysis, an updated disinfection process and tweaked user interface.

Paid-for users gain additional benefits: both Pro and Total users gain the promise of improved email protection -- including a new email whitelist feature, plus updated anti-spam controls. Total users also gain a revamped parental control system, which has been developed in partnership with BluePrintData.

The update is rounded off with the usual collection of bug fixes. Ad-Aware Free Antivirus 11.2 is available now as a free-for-personal-use download for PCs running Windows XP SP3 or later. Paid-for editions are also available with additional protection features.

Google Chrome ships early versions for Windows 64-bit, promises better speed, stability and security

Publié: juin 3, 2014, 7:46pm CEST par Nick Peers

Chrome

In a move that could -- and maybe should -- have happened years ago, Google has finally released native 64-bit Windows builds into the Chrome release channel. While not yet available to stable or beta channel users, those wishing to take full advantage of their 64-bit processors can do so with the release of Google Chrome 37 Dev and Google Chrome Canary 37.

The 64-bit builds -- according to Google -- hit the spot with its three "core principles": speed, security and stability.

In releasing these builds, Google notes that the majority of users running Windows 7 or later are now using the 64-bit versions of Windows, a decade or so after AMD and Intel first started the transition from 32-bit to 64-bit computing with their first 64-bit processors.

The new builds of Chrome will naturally prove faster thanks to various technological benefits found in 64-bit computing -- Google claims the 64-bit builds will perform up to 25 percent faster, particularly when rendering graphics and multimedia thanks to 64-bit optimizations including a more modern instruction set and the ability to pass more function parameters quickly.

Chrome 64-bit will also be able to take full advantage of OS security technologies such as High Entropy ASLR, which prevents non-randomized images containing executable code from being used to exploit vulnerabilities. The extra 32 bits also make the browser more resilient to exploitation techniques such as JIT spraying, which circumvents DEP and address-space randomization protections. It also helps boost existing security defensive features.

Google also claims that the new 64-bit builds show a "marked increase in stability" over the 32-bit builds, even in their current pre-release states. One given example sees crash rates via the renderer process almost halve.

Google Chrome 37 Dev and Google Chrome Canary 37 are both available now for Windows, Mac and Linux. 64-bit builds for Linux have existed for some time, while Google is nearly into its sixth year of development on a 64-bit Mac version.

Scribus adds image alignment script, refines PDF export options

Publié: mai 30, 2014, 1:12pm CEST par Nick Peers

Scribus

Open-source, cross-platform desktop publishing package Scribus 1.4.4 has been released. Despite the seemingly minor version number, it includes a number of significant changes.

The new build -- also available in portable form -- adds support for exporting documents in the PDF/X-1a format. It also improves image handling, introduces a new image-alignment script and features a number of stability improvements.

Support for PDF/X-1a means users can now export Scribus documents as PDF files with all fonts embedded and CMYK or spot-colored images. Version 1.4.4 also updates its Barcode plug-in to reflect the latest changes made to the underlying Barcode Writer in Pure PostScript (BWIPP).

The new release also rewrites -- and improves -- the Autoquote script, which is used to convert straight quotes in a text frame to correct quotation marks. The script, introduced in version 1.3.9, now provides more options to end users and adds thin spaces to French texts where appropriate.

A new script has also been added that allows users to quickly and easily align images in frames -- the feature is available via the Scripts > Scribus Scripts menu. Page borders can now also be used as guides, allowing users to snap items to borders.

Scribus 1.4.4 also comes with the promise of improved handling of transparencies in Photoshop-generated TIFF files, while Mac users regain the ability to export documents in various bitmap formats.

Version 1.4.4 also adds full support for the OpenICC Directory Proposal, and also integrates the CMYK color palette created by the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) for newspaper advertisements. This is accompanied by a new color palette aimed at professional geographers.

The app also comes with the promise of various tweaks, bug fixes and improvements: adjustments have been made for Windows 8, while issues with the user interface and canvas display have now been resolved. Another bug with the spellchecker -- which resulted in a crash -- has also been fixed.

The update is rounded off with a number of updates and improvements to its documentation and translations.

Scribus 1.4.4 is available now as a free, open-source download for Windows, Mac and Linux. Windows users can also download and run Scribus Portable 1.4.4.

BBC iPlayer for iOS and Android gets major new redesign, makes content easier to find

Publié: mai 29, 2014, 12:45pm CEST par Nick Peers

iplayer

UK telly addicts rejoice: the BBC has unveiled a major redesign of its mobile app with the release of BBC iPlayer 4.0 for iOS and BBC iPlayer 4.0 for Android. Both apps have been updated with the specific intent of making browsing and show discovery easier.

This has been achieved by creating new Home, Channel and Category pages, all of which sport a new design optimized for either portrait or landscape view.

The redesigned Home, Channel and Category pages now include editorial collections, which allows the BBC to direct people towards related content when selecting a show to watch. Both new and archived content is used to populate collections.

Users now watch live TV via the Channel page-- selecting a channel reveals a now and next section with the live broadcast prominently displayed for selection, plus other selected shows from that channel to watch via catchup.

The Category pages offer a selection of curated shows for each category as well as an A-Z list. It also offers a wider selection of categories to choose from, with shows appearing under multiple categories where applicable.

The redesign promises to work more seamlessly when switching between portrait and landscape views, while downloaded episodes now come with subtitles for watching offline.

Other sections -- Favorites, Search and Downloads -- remain unchanged in this new version, but the BBC promises feature updates will be more regular going forward, and hint at live rewind and continuous play being implemented alongside cross-platform playback.

BBC iPlayer 4.0 for iOS and BBC iPlayer 4.0 for Android are both available now for free -- a Windows Phone version is also available. Both apps only work in the UK and require users to have a valid TV license.

Postbox adds Retina support on OS X, auto-resizes images

Publié: mai 28, 2014, 5:56pm CEST par Nick Peers

postbox

Postbox, Inc has updated its cross-platform, commercial email client with a minor update. Postbox 3.0.10 comes with added support for Retina displays in OS X.

The new release also now automatically resizes images to fit in the message pane window for readability purposes, plus allows users to whitelist an entire domain for loading remote images.

The undoubted highlight in version 3.0.10 is Retina support. Postbox has revealed its spent months redrawing hundreds of icons for both color and monochrome themes in order to make the icons Retina-ready. This was accompanied by other necessary layout changes.

The new image-resizing feature is designed for user comfort. Previously afte

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