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Raxco Release PerfectDisk 12.5 Build 309

Andrew Edney

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Dec 22, 2011

Raxco Release PerfectDisk 12.5 Build 309

Raxco have just released version 12.5 build 309 of their PefectDisk software.

PerfectDisk 12.5 is now available. This new release is free to all PerfectDisk 12 users. PerfectDisk 12.5 is free to all licensed PerfectDisk 12 users – even if you are not on Support & Upgrade Protection. If you are a licensed PerfectDisk 12 user, you are entitled to PerfectDisk 12.5 at no charge.

What’s New

Updated group policy administrative template files (.adm, .admx, .adml).
Setting of the next run date in scheduling has been fixed.
Modified “About” dialog.
Scheduling in PD 12.5 Professional (Consumer version) has been updated to enable emptying the recycle bin and deleting of temporary files.
Fixed a problem in saving settings in Hyper-V Guest and vSphere Guest.
Fixed crashes caused by port scanning software (GFI LanGuard and Nessus).
Improved performance on startup and on saving of global settings.
Corrected the startup time for schedules created immediately after system restart.
Corrected positioning of windows created outside the visible screen surface.
Fixed SSD drive detection in virtual environments.
Improved progress bars and logging for PerfectDisk Exchange.
Fixed an issue detecting IDE drives in vSphere Guest.

Check out our review of PerfectDisk 12

FireCore Releases aTV Flash (black) 1.1.1 for the 2nd Generation AppleTV

Apple
News

Andrew Edney

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Dec 22, 2011

0

Today saw the release of aTV Flash (black) version 1.1.1 for the 2nd generation AppleTV.

Here is what Firecore said:

What’s new in 1.1.1?

Added support for embedded ‘Timed Text’ subtitles
Added support for external SSA subtitles
Added support for .dvr-ms files
Added background audio looping for DVD menus
Improved metadata loading performance*
Improved .SRT subtitles parsing
Improved compatibility with AirPlay
Improved filter bar selection in list view mode
Improved support for special characters
Improved file name parsing
Improved playlist behavior
Resolved rare DVD playback and menu issues
Resolved floating crash when accessing remote files
Resolved floating crash when audio queue service is not available
Resolved rare crash when opening pre-playback screen
Resolved playback issues when attempting to use corrupt subtitles
Resolved issues related to hiding menu items
Resolved issues with installer version check
Removed white line visible on some h.264 movies
Files that are 90% viewed are now marked as watched
Minor UI improvements
Other miscellaneous bug fixes

*Note: A one time re-cache will be required to take advantage of the new performance improvements. This will take place automatically when browsing through your media files.

Superb! Where can I get it?

If you’re already running a version of aTV Flash (black) the new 1.1.1 version can be installed through the Maintenance –> Manage Extras menu. Links for the new version can also be found in your account under the Downloads tab.

If you’re not yet using aTV Flash (black) you can get started here.

Angry Birds Now Available on the Blackberry PlayBook

Andrew Edney

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Dec 22, 2011

0

Angry Birds Now Available on the Blackberry PlayBook

The newest games launching this week for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet are from Rovio’s popular Angry Birds game series.

All three apps are now available on BlackBerry App World for US$4.99 each.

Angry Birds: The survival of the Angry Birds is at stake! Dish out revenge on the pigs who stole the Birds’ eggs. Use the unique destructive powers of the Angry Birds to destroy the pigs’ fortifications!
Angry Birds Seasons: Celebrate the seasons with Angry Birds! Angry Birds Seasons is a special edition of the game that takes the furious fowl through seasonal celebrations around the world!
Angry Birds Rio: Save the Angry Birds from smugglers and monkeys! The Angry Birds have been kidnapped and taken to Rio de Janeiro! Help them escape the smugglers and save their friends!

Quick Links:

Angry Birds: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/74883
Angry Birds Seasons: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/75028
Angry Birds Rio: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/74997

The Digital Lifestyle Show #334 – Quiz Time

Andrew Edney

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Dec 22, 2011

0

The Digital Lifestyle Show #334 – Quiz Time

This weeks Digital Lifestyle Show has just been released – its show 334.

Here’s what Ian says about this week show:

Welcome to our special Christmas show, all three of us are together to talk over the weeks news including My Movies, Tranquil PC videos, Dell killing its netbook range, iTunes Match and Apple TV updates.

Plus we have a special Christmas quiz!

You can listen to or download the show from here.

RAC Traffic App for Windows Phone 7 Available

Andrew Edney

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Dec 22, 2011

0

RAC Traffic App for Windows Phone 7 Available

With Christmas almost upon us, the roads start getting very busy. With this in mind you might want to download the RAC Traffic app for Windows Phone 7. And it’s free!

RAC Traffic shows incidents, delays and road works for the whole of the UK, including Central London, England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.

Key Features:

– Real-time Traffic Incidents

– Advanced warning of Planned Roadwork’s

– Create routes and be notified of incidents along your routes

– Pin routes to Start Screen

– Call RAC Breakdown in case of emergency

– Store RAC Membership details

RAC Traffic will allow you to check unplanned road incidents and delays at anytime, and view any problems textually, or displayed on a Bing map. Using the location service built in to your Windows Phone Device, RAC Traffic will show the nearest traffic problem to you, or by choosing a region you are interested in, the nearest traffic in that region.

RAC Traffic allows you to pin your routes to your Start Screen so that you can periodically be informed of any traffic incidents along your route.

Zoom in on the map and zoom out to see traffic on major and minor routes in the UK. This is the most comprehensive and up-to-date data available in the UK and shows current incidents and expected delays.

View by region or current location and zoom in to traffic problems using the text to read the actual problem and decide how you want to avoid the incident. Use the in-built Bing map to look at options to avoid any trouble and carry on with your journey, stress free. Scroll around the map and switch to map-mode for a full screen view of incidents around the UK.

Buy the Acer Aspire Easystore Windows Home Server for $289.99

Windows Home Server

Andrew Edney

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Dec 22, 2011

2

Buy the Acer Aspire Easystore Windows Home Server for $289.99

Newegg are offering the acer Aspire Easystore Tower Server System Intel Atom D510 1.66GHz 2C/4T 2GB 2TB Windows Home Server AH342-U2T2H for $289.99.

This model comes with Windows Home Server v1.

Check out our hand-on review of the Easystore here

DVBLogic EPG Loader for Digiguide Test Version Released

Andrew Edney

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Dec 22, 2011

0

DVBLogic EPG Loader for Digiguide Test Version Released

Today DVBLogic released a DVBLink EPG Loader for Digiguide test version with several important fixes.

Here is what they said:

This test version of Digiguide source should fix the following issues:
– dvblink server crash during schedules download
– schedule files reduced to 1K in case of communication errors

To apply the test version
– open dvblink web configuration page
– open Digiguide source properties
– (while in that config page) copy attached digi_guide_source.dll to dvblink\sources\<your digiguide source> overwriting your existing one
– press cancel on Digiguide source properties to return to Sources configuration tab (this will load new digiguide source)

http://dvblogic.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=15840

NVIDIA Release GeForce 290.53 Beta Driver

News
Tech

Andrew Edney

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Dec 21, 2011

0

NVIDIA have released a GeForce 290.53 beta driver for it’s graphics cards. This beta includes bug fixes and also performance improvements for Skyrim.

New in Version 290.53

Optimizations For The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Increases performance by up to 25% in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim vs. 290.36 drivers (measured with GeForce GTX 560 at 19×10 Ultra – Indoor Scene). Results will vary depending on your GPU, system configuration, and in-game location.
Updates the NVIDIA Control Panel ambient occlusion support for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim to a higher performance profile.
Added new 3D Vision laser sight /crosshair options to better match Skyrim crosshairs.

NVIDIA SLI

Adds the following SLI profiles:

Afterfall: InSanity
Trine 2
WRC 2: FIA World Rally Championship 2011

3D Vision

Added or updated the following 3D Vision game profiles:

The Adventures Of Tintin: The Game – Rated 3D Vision Ready
Ignite – Rated Good
Orcs Must Die! – Rated Good
PT Boats: Knights Of The Sea – Rated Good
PT Boats: South Gambit – Rated Good
Stronghold 3 – Rated Good
Trine 2 – Rated 3D Vision Ready

Key Bug Fixes

Fixes some random instances of triangular artifacts when playing Battlefield 3 (fix is now enabled for GeForce 400 and 500 series GPUs).
Fixes a default panel resolution-timing bug in 290.36.

Click here to download the GeForce 290.53 beta drivers.

Spotify App for Blackberry Out of Beta

News
Phones

Andrew Edney

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Dec 21, 2011

0

Back in October we told you about the Spotify beta for Blackberry owners. Well now it’s out of beta!

Here is what Spotify said today:

We are excited to let you know that our BlackBerry app is no longer a Preview release and is now available to any user with a compatible phone. To download the app simply point the browser on your phone to m.spotify.com and follow the installation instructions.

Compatible phones include Bold 9780, Bold 9700, Curve 9300, Bold 9000, Curve 8520. Currently the app only supports phones running on GSM networks. CDMA-network phones and the Torch 9800 are not compatible.

As with all of our mobile app you’ll need a Spotify Premium subscription to stream from our catalogue. You can take advantage of our 48-hour free trial directly from the mobile app or sign up to our 30-day free trial to give it a spin.

Have you got a Blackberry and have you tried it yet? Let us know….

into Windows Phone App Updated to Version 1.2.0.0

Andrew Edney

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Dec 21, 2011

0

into Windows Phone App Updated to Version 1.2.0.0

Microsoft have today released an update to it’s into app for Windows Phone, taking it to version 1.2.0.0.

What is the into Windows Phone App?

Film, fashion music, food, travel, gadgets? Whatever it is you’re into, you’ll find it through into by Windows Phone.

You’ll get access to hand-picked offers and money can’t buy experiences, content and articles from top UK contributors and have access to really unique events, plus with this app, you can show the best bits of Windows Phone to your friends earn points along the way. Share, tweet, like and invite your way to some fantastic rewards.

Pin the app to your Start screen and through the Live Tile you can keep up to speed with all the new great rewards and offers coming to into by Windows Phone.

An Evening at the into Windows Phone Insider Social with Alex James

CES 2012 to be Microsoft’s Last One

Andrew Edney

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Dec 21, 2011

0

Each year at CES Microsoft kick off proceedings with the keynote address, and then they have one of the largest areas at the event itself. Well all that will change after next year!

Here is what Microsoft said today:

Our industry moves fast and changes faster. And so the way we communicate with our customers must change in equally speedy ways. To ensure it does, we constantly challenge our assumptions. For example:

· What’s the right time and place to make announcements?

· Are we adjusting to the changing dynamics of our customers?

· Are we doing something because it’s the right thing to do, or because “it’s the way we’ve always done it”?

After thinking about questions like these, we have decided that this coming January will be our last keynote presentation and booth at CES. We’ll continue to participate in CES as a great place to connect with partners and customers across the PC, phone and entertainment industries, but we won’t have a keynote or booth after this year because our product news milestones generally don’t align with the show’s January timing.

As we look at all of the new ways we tell our consumer stories – from product momentum disclosures, to exciting events like our Big Windows Phone, to a range of consumer connection points like Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft.com and our retail stores – it feels like the right time to make this transition.

Microsoft has enjoyed a close to 20-year working relationship with the Consumer Electronics Association – and we look forward to working with CEA for many years to come.

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to seeing many of you on Monday night, January 9^th, to kick the year off at CES 2012.

Posted by Frank X. Shaw
Corporate Vice President, Corporate Communications, Microsoft

Apple never attend CES, so it’s nothing new for them, but for Microsoft to no longer be going is something different. I wonder what this will mean for CES and it’s attendees? Only time will tell.

D-Link Announces iPad and Android Tablet App for Viewing Networking Cameras

Andrew Edney

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Dec 21, 2011

0

D-Link Announces iPad and Android Tablet App for Viewing Networking Cameras

Today D-Link announced a new app called mydlink for both the iPad and Android tablets that allow users to access multiple live network cameras.

New mydlink+ App Allows Monitoring of Up to Four Network Cameras Allowing Quick and Easy Access from any Tablet to Monitor What Matters Most

Here is the press release:

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – Dec. 21, 2011 – Enabling consumers to remotely monitor their home or small office from anywhere at any time, D-Link today announced a new mydlink+ app for iPad^® and Android™ tablets that allows users to easily monitor up to four network cameras at one time from any tablet device helping to keep you connected when you are on the move. The mydlink+ app allows users to access multiple live video steams with their mydlink-enabled network camera’s, such as the Day/Night Network Camera with mydlink™ (DCS-932L) and Wireless N Network Camera with mydlink (DCS-930L), from any tablet device for the ultimate peace of mind.

“Our new tablet apps join D-Link’s suite of monitoring tools to help consumers and small business owners manage their remote surveillance needs on-the-go,” says Daniel Kelley, associate vice president marketing, D-Link North America. “It’s now easier than ever to see and hear what’s going on at home or at the office without being tied to a computer. All you need is a mydlink-enabled camera and an iPad or Android tablet to monitor everything that’s important to you. The tablet app was a natural addition to our popular iPhone and Android phone app allowing access whenever or wherever you choose.”

mydlink+ allows users to remotely monitor live video streams of their house, office, kids, valued possessions, and more, from anywhere, anytime with a Wi-Fi or 3G connection. With a four- camera monitoring dashboard, mydlink™ users have instant access to the home or office, and can easily save snapshots to their tablet, can switch between different cameras with built-in monitoring dashboard, and for the first time see four live video streams on the same screen. Parents can breathe easier with the ability to keep an eye on multiple kids and rooms all at the same time.

More about mydlink-Enabled Network Cameras

Unlike traditional USB-connected webcams, mydlink-enabled cameras feature built-in CPUs and web servers for high-quality live streaming video sent directly to the network without a PC. Offering 802.11n Wi-Fi connectivity, Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ (WPS) for simple three step installation, Motion JPEG, and 20 frames per second (fps) streaming, as well as infrared illumination technology for night viewing, the mydlink product family offers a range of features for home and small office needs. Offering simple installation and an intuitive web-based interface, consumers can easily integrate mydlink-enabled cameras into an existing network and view streaming video from a PC, notebook, iPhone^®, iPad, or Android phone or tablet. More information about D-Link’s family of products is available online.

Availability and Pricing

The mydlink+ app is available now at the Apple App Store and the Android Marketplace for $0.99 through December 31. Beginning January 1, 2012, mydlink+ will be available for $4.99. The Wireless N Network Camera DCS-930L and Wireless N Day/Night Home Network Camera DCS-932L are available for a retail price of $79.99 and $99.99 respectively throughout D-Link’s vast network of e-tail outlets in North America, and at the company’s online store, http://www.dlinkshop.com.

Amazon’s LOVEFiLM Expands UK Content with Sony Pictures Television Deal

Andrew Edney

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Dec 21, 2011

0

Amazon announced today that LOVEFilm had struck a deal with Sony to delivery UK TV content to it’s subscribers.

Here is what the press release said:

SEATTLE, Dec 21, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) –Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN): LOVEFiLM, an Amazon company, and Sony Pictures Television have signed a major multi-year content deal giving LOVEFiLM members exclusive streaming access to new and forthcoming Sony Pictures titles during the second subscription pay TV window, as well as catalog titles and TV series, from June 2012.

The milestone agreement with Sony Pictures Television is the latest in a line of exclusive content deals announced by Amazon’s LOVEFiLM in the UK in recent months, including deals with Warner Bros., Entertainment One, STUDIOCANAL, Disney, Momentum and Lionsgate.

LOVEFiLM members will be able to exclusively stream Sony Pictures titles, including the Academy Award-winning The Social Network, action-thriller Salt, starring Angelina Jolie, and sci-fi action blockbuster 2012 via LOVEFiLM Instant at no extra cost and as part of their existing subscription.

The deal will also further bolster LOVEFiLM’s extensive range of kids TV titles with modern cult, animation favorites like Transformers, Spectacular Spider-Man and The Karate Kid – adding a raft of series to existing LOVEFiLM catalog titles like Pingu, Wallace & Gromit and Fireman Sam.

In addition, LOVEFiLM members will have exclusive streaming access during this pay window to a host of future releases from Sony Pictures, including the No. 1 box office hit Arthur Christmas.

The deal will see Sony Pictures’ recent and forthcoming releases, catalog titles and TV series added to the LOVEFiLM Instant service – available on the PC or via Sony PlayStation(R)3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Apple iPad(R), and a growing number of Internet-connected TV sets and Blu-ray players.

Amazon’s LOVEFiLM will continue to rent Sony Pictures titles on DVD and Blu-ray via its LOVEFiLM By Post service.

Simon Calver, Chief Executive of Amazon’s LOVEFiLM, said:

“Our latest major content agreement means we’ll be able to exclusively offer our members world-class content from Sony Pictures. The number of recent high-profile deals we have secured means we are able to keep expanding the service, offering our members high-quality films and TV and the ability to watch as much as they want for one low monthly price.”

Amazon Kindle App for iOS Updated to version 2.9

Apple
News

Andrew Edney

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Dec 21, 2011

0

Amazon Kindle App for iOS Updated to version 2.9

I use the Amazon Kindle app on my iPad all the time, and it has just been updated to version 2.9.

Description

The Kindle app is optimized for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, giving users the ability to read Kindle books, newspapers, magazines and PDFs on a beautiful, easy-to-use interface. You’ll have access to over 900,000* books in the Kindle Store. Amazon Whispersync automatically syncs your last page read, bookmarks, notes, and highlights across devices (including Kindle), so you can pick up your book where you left off on another device.
Get the best reading experience available on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch:
• Shop the Kindle Store by visiting Amazon for the largest selection of books people want to read: over a 900,000* books.
• *New*: Email PDFs & other documents to your new Send-to-Kindle e-mail address and we deliver them to your device. The documents are automatically archived in the Amazon Cloud and available for re-download on your iOS or supported Kindle devices. You can also read PDFs from Mail, Safari, or by transferring them from iTunes.
• Get free book samples – read the first chapter free before you decide to buy.
• Customize your reading experience by choosing the background color, font size, and either portrait or landscape format.
• Instant dictionary word lookup. Tap and hold a word to view the definition. Use the Google and Wikipedia links to get more information.
• Search inside the book to find a character, topic, or section you want to revisit.
• Simply tap on either side of the screen or flick to turn pages.
• You can also read your Kindle books on your Kindle, Kindle Fire, Kindle Touch, PC, Mac, Android-based device, and Windows Phone 7-based device. Our Whispersync technology syncs your last page read, notes, bookmarks, and highlights across devices, so you can pick up where you left off.

What’s New In Version 2.9

• Email documents to your new Send-to-Kindle e-mail address and we deliver them to your device. The documents are automatically archived in the Amazon Cloud and available for re-download on your iOS or supported Kindle devices.
• Open PDFs from Mail or Safari, by transferring them from iTunes, or by sending them to your Send-to-Kindle email address. The Kindle PDF reader supports PDF table of contents and thumbnail navigation for quickly jumping through the document.
• New library organization allows you to view your Kindle Books, Newsstand, and Docs.