App marries Google Glass to Tesla

Google Glass may not have as much porn as it once did, but an app developer is fulfilling another techie fantasy.

How about using the wearable computer to start charging your Tesla Model S, the electric automaker's sports sedan?

Developer Sahas Katta, known for a Microsoft fracas over a Windows Phone challenge, has created an app marrying Google glass with the vehicle, according to a post of his on a Tesla forum.

Katta says the app, called GLASSTESLA, can:

View vehicle charging status or start or stop charging via Glass Open the charge port without having to get back … Read more

Quickly fix Dropbox permissions errors in OS X

Dropbox is one of the more popular cloud-based syncing and storage tools, and offers Mac users a convenient way to transfer files from one system to another, or share files with colleagues. Dropbox can sometimes give you errors, saying that it cannot transfer something because it does not have permission to access some of the files being copied.

If this happens, then it could be because of an improper permissions setup with the Dropbox configuration files in your account, or with the files currently being copied.

If a permissions error such as this occurs, then the first thing that might … Read more

Review: UC Browser Mini doesn't look amazing, but it's fast and feature packed

UC Browser Mini offers quick speed and advanced features, which could easily make it one of the best Android browsers available. It doesn't look better than the other premier browsers on Android. However, it offers so many ways to boost your browsing that you won't care.

This app comes as a tiny version of the full UC Browser. The smaller size of UC Browser Mini lets it load pages noticeably faster than other browsing apps. Thanks to a desktop-like speed dial feature, getting to your favorite sites is even quicker. The app includes other features you love on … Read more

Measuring-cup scale tells a different story with stainless steel

Stainless steel just belongs in the kitchen. It resonates in a certain way beyond its mere culinary capabilities. Bang it around enough and you can almost hear echoes of meals past. Or when in use, meals to be. It's tough, durable, and reliable, but most importantly it tells a story. Best of all however, is when you get to be part of the story.

Once upon a time, all scales had flat weighing platforms. Then, nothing happened for a very long time. Eventually the measuring-cup scale found its way into existence. These have been around for a few years … Read more

Review: With fast unzipping and a document viewer, WinZip is for smartphones

WinZip zips and unzips files very quickly and even includes some extra features that make getting to your documents easy. It might be even better than the desktop software you know and love. It won't wow you with its looks, though.

Though you probably might not have any on your phone, this program handles ZIP files really well. It can zip or unzip a folder in seconds, even if the folder is larger in size. It even works on encrypted files. Finding things is easy thanks to WinZip's list menu, but it definitely sacrifices style for substance. Unlike … Read more

Review: Convert videos to play on your smartphone with Free Mobile Converter

Motorola's Free Mobile Converter isn't "mobile" software; it converts videos to play on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Free Mobile Converter can convert videos one by one or in batches between tons of file types. It's easy to use, which makes for fast conversions, but it also supports up to 19 presets to make regular jobs even faster. As the name indicates, Free Mobile Converter is freeware. It's suitable for Windows NT to 8; we tried it in Windows 7.

Video file converters tend to share a resemblance, not just in looks but … Read more

RadioShack tries out new concept store

RadioShack, the electronics retailer particularly popular with hobbyists, is testing out a new design for its stores.

The new look is intended to help the company buck the trend that has decimated Circuit City (RIP, at least as a physical entity) and has pained Best Buy.

In the Shack's own words: "The store aims to attract tech-hungry shoppers who will find a new level of products, service and excitement in a store that makes the buying experience fun."

How, you ask? With displays that highlight "in-demand brands" like Apple, HTC and Samsung, with arrangements that … Read more

Cell phone buying guide

Cell phones have become the most crucial personal technology purchase you can make. Not only are these devices full-fledged miniature computers in their own right, they're getting smarter with each product generation. If you're looking for a new handset right now, start with the Samsung Galaxy S4 or the HTC One. The Galaxy S4 offers all the power you'd expect from a high-end Android device in an ultraslim package. The HTC One, meanwhile, is the most gorgeous smartphone we've ever held, yet also manages to match the S4 in terms of speed and performance. Of course … Read more

Review: Flip videos like JPEGS with Free Video Flip and Rotate

Flipping images is almost as easy as flipping burgers, but DVDVideoSoft's Free Video Flip and Rotate tackles a harder job, flipping and rotating videos in every axis: left, right, vertical, horizontal, 180, counterclockwise, and so on. It can change the orientation of video clips or restore the correct orientation of videos that have been altered. Of course it's free, or it probably would be named something else besides Free Video Flip and Rotate! It's ready for Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8.

Free Video Flip and Rotate is totally easy to use. The user interface looks like … Read more

New album from ex-Groupon CEO fails to crack iTunes Top 100

I confess that I have never bought a Groupon, because it always seemed to require paying money to do something I didn't want to do.

I feared I might feel the same way about listening to former Groupon CEO Andrew Mason's new album "Hardly Workin'."

I had understood that Mason was a bit of a wag and a prankster, and I thought that when his opus hit iTunes Tuesday morning there might be, well, a Groupon. Or at least a deal.… Read more