Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

15

First look at the Panasonic DMP-B15, first portable Blu-ray player

Blu-ray is slowly becoming mainstream, but if you've started accumulating a sizable Blu-ray collection you've probably already realized that it's hard to watch those discs anywhere other than your home theater. Panasonic's DMP-B15 ($800 list price) is the first portable Blu-ray player on the market and we've had our hands on the review sample long enough to give our initial thoughts.

Design

Yes, it's the first portable Blu-ray player, but our first reaction after taking it out of the box was "wow, it's big."… Read more

Handy PDF utility

Adolix Split and Merge PDF is a handy utility for anyone who needs to manipulate PDF files but does not have access to the full Adobe Acrobat software.

As its name states, the application provides only two functions: splitting and merging. For splitting, Adolix offers pattern-based choices as well as the ability to identify specific pages akin to the Print function in Microsoft Word. When merging files, you can adjust the order in which the files will be appended to one another. The application also lets you enter passwords for encrypted PDFs, choose the target directory, and set a naming … Read more

Inventive note maker

NotesHolder stores your reminders and special notes, much like similar note-making software, but this program has a twist. Thanks to its simple design and inventive way of being discreet, this download pulls ahead of the competition.

This program was simple to work with and required no trip to the Help file, though there is a fine one for users who need a little more direction. Notes appear in a small, blue screen, and stack on top of one another. The notes also allow for scrolling, which is a fairly unique feature compared with other note programs that mimic yellow sticky … Read more

Google's Idol-like Android challenge

To encourage gifted developers to give iPhone programming a rest, most mobile platforms have built app stores that lure with the promise of a cash-positive distribution. But not Google. It baits with cash.

Sure, Google installs and sells Android applications through its on-board Market, but a mobile platform with such a slim slice of the pie needs an infusion of fresh and original apps if it's to stay in the bake sale. Google's answer: the second Android Developer Challenge, or ADC2, as it's nicknamed.

This time, submissions will vie for popularity and 'wow factor' on the Android … Read more

Google's Rubin: Android 'a revolution'

Among all the companies fighting to grab a piece of the brightest star in computing--the smartphone--Google seems the least interested in taking the spoils.

Android, Google's mobile operating system, doesn't generate revenue for the company, and likely never will--at least in the direct sense. But Andy Rubin, Google's director of mobile platforms, thinks Google and the world will benefit from any device created with the intent of getting more people onto the Internet, and isn't shy about explaining why the open-source approach chosen for Android holds the most promise of reaching that goal.

Android made its debut in 2007, … Read more

Android 1.5 update for T-Mobile G1 delayed one week

If you're a T-Mobile G1 owner who has been patiently waiting for your Android 1.5 update, we hate to be the ones to tell you that you're going to be waiting just a bit longer.

T-Mobile USA announced on Monday that it's still finalizing the build to "ensure optimal functionality and smooth delivery" so it has delayed pushing out the over-the-air update by one week. The carrier said it expects all G1 owners to have the Cupcake update by early June.

You can check out T-Mobile's official statement here.

(Source: Phonescoop)

YouTube video converter

Millions of people download videos from YouTube everyday. Free YouTube Downloader offers those people an opportunity to take that entertainment with them wherever they go. However, we found it doesn't live up to expectations.

This freeware program has a simple interface that shouldn't take long to understand. The program clearly has spaces for URLs, conversion, file types, and progress labeled. However, if this layout still confuses, there is a link to a YouTube video that outlines the process for users.

By simply copying a YouTube URL and pasting it, users can download it to the program and even … Read more

Google's plans for Android's YouTube

As part of a series of blog posts, Google has released more information this week about some of the goodies we can expect out of version 1.5 of the Android operating system, which has been going by the code name Cupcake, and which wireless carrier T-Mobile is expected to push out to U.S. customers at the end of next week. High on the list of upgrades is the ability to record videos and upload them to Google-owned YouTube.

Based on what we can ascertain from Google's introductory video, shooting a video on the Android 1.5 platform … Read more