Farcical Xoom 4G Upgrade Plan Requires 6-Day Mail-In Operation
The Xoom tablet has a respectably fast Verizon 3G connection, but Motorola promises a free upgrade to Verizon’s faster 4G network within a few months.
To do that, however, you’ll need to ship your Xoom back to the manufacturer for more than a week.
It’s not often I laugh out loud when researching a post, but when [...]
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WinZip releases new System Utilities Suite, we go hands-on
Most people know WinZip for its compression products, but with more and more people using Windows's built-in file compression utilities, WinZip is expanding into previously unexplored territory with the new System Utilities Suite. The system optimization tool, debuting today, packs 20 separate utilities, each with its own UI, own Start Menu entry, etc, though the Suite fortunately pulls everything together into an easily accessible 'master utility' that I explore in the video below.
The master utility serves as a desktop or start screen for the package's complete tool set, and offers quick access to a three-click process that optimizes the registry, removes temporary ("junk") files, scans and updates drivers, and more. This would be the first thing new users would run, and once that's done, they could use each of the other tools as needed (or according to their comfort level) to optimize specific aspects of their Windows PC. System Utilities is aimed both at novice users and more advanced nerds; it leans more towards the "advanced" end of the spectrum, as the sheer wealth of tools it offers may appear daunting. There's a tool for just about every purpose, starting with a Duplicate File Remover, through a Registry Cleaner and Optimizer (packaged as two tools), all the way to a Secure Encryptor for sensitive files. There's even a 'Game Optimizer,' which is a full-fledged virtual machine (a "computer in a computer") running your game as its single application, with support for custom keymaps and other goodies. Some of this may sound similar to what CCleaner offers, but as you can see, System Utilities is far more comprehensive.
As you may have noticed, System Utilities uses short, descriptive names, so that even non-expert users would be able to find the right tool at the right time. This is a step in the right direction, but I think for many users, just seeing so many Start Menu entries could be quite confusing.
For $39.95, System Utilities is good value for money, but only for users who are not afraid to dive into the wealth of different tools and find out what each does. For novice users who want to take things to the next level, it's a good gateway from a trusted company. Advanced users who like to keep their PC in tip-top shape could certainly cobble up a collection of loose freeware utilities, but they might also enjoy the cohesive feel of one well-built suite. I know I do.
You can watch me taking my first steps with System Utilities after the jump.
Note: We're going to be running a 10-license giveaway of WinZip System Utilities later on today, so keep your eyes peeled and your RSS reader open!
Continue reading WinZip releases new System Utilities Suite, we go hands-on
WinZip releases new System Utilities Suite, we go hands-on originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Ask Engadget: best (non-ugly) noise-cancelling Bluetooth headset for drowning out office noise?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Simon, who seems to be not-so-secretly hoping to drown out his entire office. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
"I need a headset which can block out the background from a busy office. I'm talking repetitive noises such as drilling, background chatter, keyboard clattering, computer fan whirring and the endless static from our building's air conditioner. I would love if this headset had a fair to good quality of sound for MP3s, and it would of course have to have a good microphone for IP phone telephony and Skype. If it didn't look like something from Radio Shack that would be a bonus, and if the microphone was a bit discreet for street and airplane use that would be an added benefit. Lastly the connection to a workstation could be both USB and Bluetooth, with a preference for wireless. Thanks!"
Bluetooth headsets have evolved quite a bit since the last time we had this discussion, so we're curious what you're currently using to make work a wee bit more bearable? No need in keeping secrets, right? Speak out in comments below!
Ask Engadget: best (non-ugly) noise-cancelling Bluetooth headset for drowning out office noise? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 23:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/24/ask-engadget-best-non-ugly-noise-cancelling-bluetooth-headset/
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Visual VoiceMail pulled from Android Market, Google accused of ‘pulling an Apple’
Looks like Apple isn't the only one wanting to make sure that app payments are being run through appropriate channels. The Visual VoiceMail app, which has been downloaded about a million times (literally), has just been pulled from the Android Market. When developers at PhoneFusion asked the reasonable question, "why," they were simply directed to section 3.3 of the Android Market Developer Distribution Agreement:
If you want to collect fees after the free trial expires, you must collect all fees for the full version of the Product through the Payment Processor on the Market... All fees received by Developers for Products distributed via the Market must be processed by the Market's Payment Processor.
The service allows users to purchase premium features through the company's website, something that many other apps do and that is certainly not new to Visual VoiceMail. What's next remains to be seen, but sadly Google is saying PhoneFusion must re-submit the app with a new name -- losing all the positive reviews it's racked up. Hardly an ideal solution.
Visual VoiceMail pulled from Android Market, Google accused of 'pulling an Apple' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/F3jTPj0uOjk/
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Internet Explorer 9′s most useful keyboard shortcuts
Microsoft has been at pains to point out just how slimline the IE9 interface is -- it's a whole six pixels more svelte than Chrome! -- but its minimalistic sparseness comes at a price: you need a magnifying glass to see the buttons, and almost everything is hidden behind at least two or three mouse clicks.
Fortunately, there's plenty of keyboard shortcuts:
- Alt+C -- pop open the Favorites/Feeds/History window
- Alt+X -- pop open the Tools (Cog icon) menu
- Alt+Left/Right -- move back/forward through your history
- Ctrl+L -- sets your keyboard focus to the One Bar (address bar), and selects the current URL (ripe for Ctrl+C!)
- Ctrl+Shift+L -- if you have a URL in your clipboard, this shortcut loads it; if you have a text string in your clipboard, it searches your default search engine for it (very cool)
- Ctrl+D -- add the current page to your Favorites (bookmarks)
- Ctrl+B -- organize your Favorites
- Ctrl+J -- opens the Download Manager
- Ctrl+K -- duplicates your current tab
- Ctrl+Alt+P -- pop open an InPrivate Browsing window
- Alt+N -- give focus to the new bottom-hugging Notification bar (then Enter for the first button, or Esc to dismiss it)
- F12 -- open the (fantastic) developer console (and once it's open, and has focus, Alt+7/8/9/Q changes the rendering mode)
All of the usual key combos work, obviously: Ctrl+T, Ctrl+W, Ctrl+N, Ctrl +, Ctrl -, and so on.
For more IE9 tips, see our tips index, or read our complete IE9 guide.
Internet Explorer 9's most useful keyboard shortcuts originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/16/internet-explorer-9s-most-useful-keyboard-shortcuts/
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iPad 2 News ? Apple Calls On More Suppliers
Last April when Apple released the original iPad to the market you had to wait in line in some cases to get your hands on the exciting new tablet device. Many orders were put on hold and some countries even had to wait for the iPad to become available. This April, when the dazzling new [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ipadbuzzblog/~3/R5QVmSMfy14/
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LIVE: Ask Us Anything About The Motorola Xoom, 12pm-1pm Eastern
It's that time again: time for a live discussion of a new piece of technology LIVE. Today we're talking about the Xoom for a full hour and I'm going to try to go through what I can and hopefully you can tell whats going on given the various limitations of the MacBook Air's camera and the high gloss of the screen. I'll be going over some of your direct questions and you can feel free to Tweet us with the hashtag #crunchgear, chat, or, if you're feeling particularly Web 2.0, leave a comment. 
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/H3CI53kSVH0/
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Android 3.0 Honeycomb ported to Nexus One
If it turns out that Android 3.0 is, in fact, meant for smartphones and not just tablets, Google's Nexus One should be among the first recipients of an OTA update. But sitting around and waiting for someone else to push Android 3.0 (or any update) just isn't that exciting, especially to the spirited developer community over at XDA.
Which is why we're not too surprised to read that its forum members have already managed to port Android 3.0 Honeycomb to the Nexus One. As Brad Linder points out over at Mobiputing the ROM has a long way to go before it's really usable. 3D performance is sluggish, and basic phone functionality is lacking -- you can't make calls or SMS yet.
Still, give the devs some more time to tinker. Time and time again the XDA community has proved it can get Android running (and usable) on just about any hardware out there.
Android 3.0 Honeycomb ported to Nexus One originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/21/android-3-0-honeycomb-ported-to-nexus-one/
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Google pulls Recipe View out of the oven
Google pulls Recipe View out of the oven originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/24/google-pulls-recipe-view-out-of-the-oven/
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InPrivate Browsing made easy with Internet Explorer 9 pinned sites
InPrivate Browsing is Internet Explorer's answer to Chrome's Incognito and Firefox's Private Browsing. In essence, it gives you a very quick way to surf the Internet without leaving traces of activity on your computer.
The problem with Firefox and Chrome, though, is that there's no one-click way to open a private browsing window. You have to fumble with some menus or hit a keyboard shortcut, then type in a full website address (or you could wade through our guide on how to force your browser to start in private mode). With Internet Explorer 9, however, you can pin an InPrivate Browsing tab to your taskbar! Simply open an InPrivate Browsing session by hitting Ctrl+Shift+P, navigate to the site that you want quick access to, then drag the tab to your taskbar. Every time you click the icon it will automatically open the site InPrivate Browsing mode; easy!
Of course, this doesn't mitigate the fact that you have a highly-visible icon on your screen that links to something you're probably trying to keep away from prying eyes. Still, for shared computers where you don't want to intermingle Google search histories or similar, it's an excellent solution.
Update: as commenter Dan Larson says, if you right click any pinned site you have the option to "Start InPrivate Browsing." All of the major browsers have this feature in Windows 7 (and Vista?), incidentally.
For more IE9 tips, see our tips index, or read our complete IE9 guide.
InPrivate Browsing made easy with Internet Explorer 9 pinned sites originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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