pro

Though Android's built-in messenger app works great, it still isn't perfect. Sliding Messaging Pro promises to add some faster, more interesting performance for a small fee. This is a really nifty app that a lot of people will love. It just might not be worth the extra 99 cents when the free version of the app gives you most of the features you want.

Sliding Messaging Pro requires Android 4.0 or higher. It's only $1 to buy, which isn't much for a really cool upgrade. Again, there's also a free version that gives you … Read more

While some statistics on computer performance may be found easily, gathering and compiling them in one place isn't an option. With iStat Pro for Mac, you can view a simple widget with all your system performance information in one place.

Available as freeware with no restrictions, iStat Pro for Mac installs quickly and launches itself in the widget menu automatically. The program has limited support and options related to readout and measurement standards, but these limitations are not unexpected because of its stated purpose. The basic interface shows data for CPU usage, available memory, device and processor temperature, and … Read more

Often, basic templates available in office suite software don't meet the needs of professionals. Avery Design Pro for Mac purports to solve this problem and allow use of its templates, but it isn't recognized or supported for newer versions of Mac OS X.

Available as freeware, Avery DesignPro has no features requiring upgrades or payment to a full version. The file is a sizable download for a freeware program. However, installation failed despite multiple attempts to redownload Avery Design Pro for Mac. The version of Mac OS X used for testing failed to even recognize the program's … Read more

Thank you, Google. For obsoleting my MacBook.

Question: What two killer hardware features are missing on MacBooks? My answer: a touch screen and 4G.

What a coincidence. Just what Google is offering on the Chromebook Pixel. And in a package that comes close to matching the MacBook's aesthetics.

Not everyone may agree with that. Take the laptop flat-earthers. They will say touch is stupid (or "pointless" as one columnist said) on a laptop. Yeah right, just like the mouse was a stupid idea.

Then there's Apple's your-arm-wants-to-fall-off on vertical touch surfaces excuse. That will eventually … Read more

When Microsoft built the Surface Pro, the designers packed the power of an ultrabook in the body of a tablet. Unfortunately, they also made the device nearly impossible for a typical consumer or even an in-house tech to service and repair. On this week's episode of Cracking Open, I take you inside the Surface Pro.… Read more

When it comes to the smartphone industry, it's difficult to get a broad view.

The intensity of entrenched positions makes it resemble Congress. And respect is in even shorter supply than intelligence.

I was, therefore, moved when Apple Insider pointed me to a new ad for the LG Optimus G Pro.

It appeared to be a deep and respectful homage to the iPhone 5 ad in which Apple shows off its panoramic capabilities, as Jeff Daniels intones at his most amiable.

You know, the one with lots of kids and Daniels saying, "Cheeeeeeeese." (Embedded below, should you … Read more

The 128GB model of the Surface Pro tablet is trickling into Microsoft stores again after quickly selling out earlier in the month.

Microsoft stores at Century City (Los Angeles, Calif.), Palo Alto, Calif., Boston (Prudential Center), and Huntington Station, N.Y., all had "limited stock" of the 128GB model, CNET confirmed today. Other stores, such as ones in New Jersey and Texas, didn't have the model this morning.

Representatives at two of the stores said that they couldn't guarantee availability at the end of the day due to the model's popularity.

The 128GB Surface Pro … Read more

Buried in a press release on Yammer momentum are a couple of new details about Microsoft's plans for integrating Yammer with SkyDrive Pro and Office Web Apps by summer 2013.

From the February 20 press release:

"SkyDrive Pro was previewed at the recent SharePoint Conference, and Yammer is implementing it as the underlying platform for file storage. In addition, Yammer is enhancing the ability to preview and edit files directly within Yammer feeds using Office Web Apps. The combination of these capabilities will dramatically enhance a user's ability to create, collaborate, share, and discover content within Yammer. … Read more

Sales of Microsoft's Surface may not set the tablet world on fire, but CEO Steve Ballmer still sees a key role for the device.

In an interview published today by MIT Technology Review, Ballmer snuck past the initial question of whether he was pleased with Surface sales.

"I'm super-glad we did Surface," Ballmer said in response. "I think it is important -- and not just for Microsoft but for the entire Windows ecosystem -- to see integrated hardware and software."

But the CEO did concede that Surface isn't likely to dominate the PC … Read more