boosted

Tame your monitor in Vista

This handy pair of executables adds muscle to the monitor's power off function. WinFlog's small multitabbed interface offers four easily invoked functions. WinFlogTurnOff's executable needs no interface as the application simply and immediately turns off the monitor.

Operating WinFlog is very easy, especially for XP users. The program's primary tab lists two options to add a Turn Off Monitor option to the My Computer Icon right-click menu and to the desktop right-click menu. The functions are just as easily removed from the menus using single-click buttons on the same tab. The program's second tab uses … Read more

TigerDirect.com has the Patriot Xporter XT Boost 16GB USB Flash Drive for $24.99, after $20 Instant savings and $15 mail-in rebate.

TigerDirect.com has Patriot Xporter XT Boost 16GB USB Flash Drive for $24.99, after $20 Instant savings and $15 mail-in rebate. >> Regular price is $59.99 >> Sale price is $24.99 >> Savings $35 (58.34%) >> Click here for deal

Speed up Windows Vista with a flash drive

Want to speed up Windows Vista? Got a flash drive? Good. You can make your computer faster. Watch this video and then refer to the steps below.

One of the cooler things in Windows Vista is something called ReadyBoost. Normally if a system is slow, you have to open it up and add RAM. ReadyBoost lets you use external storage for that. Nothing new there. Windows 3.1 let you do that, but ReadyBoost makes it really simple.

Plug in your USB flash drive. You will be given a menu. Choose "Speed up my System." You can access … Read more

First Look video: Auslogics BoostSpeed

If you're already familiar with the excellent Auslogics Disk Defrag, a freeware application that logically rearranges file data and free space, you might be intrigued by Auslogics BoostSpeed. The all-in-one optimizing suite groups together an uninstaller, startup manager, file shredder, and more than 10 other tools to coax your operating system to top performance. Get a tour of BoostSpeed's easy quick-launching interface in the First Look video above and find out why it's an editor favorite.

>>See all First Look videos

'Sashimi' headphones for the DJ on the go

Usually it's phone headsets that feature switches that toggle between calls and music, but these headphones cater to the multi-tasking DJ instead.

The new series of oversized 'phones made by Boosted include in-line microphones and answer buttons for easy switching to answer calls, compatible with all MP3-playing handsets and media players while boasting of a "wide dynamic range with rumbling bass and low distortion," according to the company. Far more original, however, are their designs: The "Grande Headphones in Sashimi" look more like toddler toys than audio gear.

Regardless of all that, who could resist … Read more

All-in-one tune-up from Auslogics

For fans of Auslogics Disk Defrag--and who isn't?--Auslogics offers up BoostSpeed, a utility suite that'll set you back 30 clams in your quest for a computer that runs like a cheetah.

Disk Defrag is a massively popular piece of freeware, and with good reason. It runs faster and provides more information both during the defrag process and afterwards than the native Windows defragger, and it's free. Effective and providing an essential function, there's no question that your computer runs better for it.

BoostSpeed, while effective, isn't necessarily what every user needs. It bundles … Read more

Griffin tries to boost iPhone in a stubby way

Something tells us that Steve Jobs' delicate sensibilities might be offended by Griffin's new "ClearBoost" case for the iPhone, mainly because its built-in antenna ruins the clean lines of the fashion-conscious uber-handset. And while the case deserves credit for addressing functionality rather than just aesthetics (unlike many other unfortunate versions), its reception claims are yet to be seen in any significant way.

The protruding stub, according to Griffin, results in "a better signal, especially in border areas--which translates to fewer dropped calls, wider coverage areas, and faster downloads when browsing through your cellular connection." But … Read more

Boost Mobile adds Motorola Krzr K1m, introduces unlimited monthly plans

Boost Mobile is often known for their iDEN/Walkie-talkie phones, as their "Where you at?" ads would suggest. However, the youth-oriented Sprint-Nextel offspring also offers a few non-iDEN phones, and its latest is the Motorola Krzr K1m. The K1m has all the features of the Sprint version, such as an MP3 player, a 1.3-megapixel camera, GPS, as well as EV-DO support, and is available for $249.99. It also includes a preloaded service called "The Latest," which gives you access to information such as news, sports, and stock market updates throughout the day. Premium channels … Read more

Tin cans updated, with graffiti

We've long wondered if there'd ever be a digital equivalent to two tin cans a string (other than our lousy cell phone, that is), and this is the closest thing we've ever seen.

The "Boosted Tin Can Speaker Set" is the product of a collaboration between Sprint's Boost Mobile and various graffiti artists, according to Tech Digest. The 5-inch speakers are more for looks than for sound, but that's just fine with us: Anything that applies graffitti to something other than our car or house is a good thing.

Motorola weds Sprint and Nextel

In addition to its Razr announcements today, Motorola formally unveiled its first dual-mode iDEN/CDMA handset. The Motorola ic502 will operate on Sprint's CDMA network for voice calls, then switch to Nextel's iDEN network for push-to-talk (PTT) conversations. Other features appear to be slim, but the handset should offer a speakerphone, basic organizer functions, and compatibility for 1xRTT data networks. The design doesn't look too impressive, but it promises the trademark Nextel durability. We don't have pricing and availability at the moment, but we'll report back when we get that info.

Motorola also took the … Read more