sky

Radio-Jupiter Pro helps users find the best times to listen for radio noise from Jupiter. Although the publisher's description advises that the program can help users "get started in radio astronomy," those who are beginners with this sort of thing will have to be pretty ambitious if they're going to learn to use this program.

The program's interface is dated-looking and filled with numbers and graphs that will mean absolutely nothing to the uninitiated. We decided we'd better check the Help file for guidance, and we were dismayed (and annoyed) to learn that the … Read more

AstroViewer provides users with a map to the skies over their home. This versatile tool provides a better view of celestial bodies through a simple layout that users of all skill levels will appreciate.

We got right down to business, thanks to an interface that provides a large, easy-to-read map of the sky. Its command icons provided all the direction we needed, which was fortunate because there is no Help file. We chose our city from a comprehensive list of choices and entered the time and date to get a recreation of the sky outside our home. The results were … Read more

CyberSky provides users with a planetarium right on their computer screens. With options to please newcomers and astronomers alike, this is a great, educational program.

We were instantly overwhelmed with the interface's massive collection of command icons and numbers. However, after taking a deep breath and experimenting for a few minutes, we developed a strong understanding of how everything functioned. We couldn't help but stare at the program's dominating feature, a globe-shaped view of the sky above our home. We ensured this was our night's view after choosing our town from a comprehensive list of the … Read more

Sky News, the 24-hour British news operation, apparently posted a story that cited Yoko One as saying the Beatles' catalog was coming to iTunes.

The story disappeared not long after, but not before someone took a screen shot of the headline and a tease, which said: "The whole of the Beatles back catalog will be made available to buy on iTunes, Yoko Ono has told Sky News." Sky News officials would not comment and has yet to issue a correction.

This is the kind of juicy what-if situation that Apple fans live for and the speculation that the … Read more

Like satellite radio, but don't want to deal with the kludge-y "dock and play" satellite radios that clutter up your car's dashboard? The XM SkyDock could be for you. It looks little different than your average iPod car charger, but the SkyDock has a satellite tuner built in. Pop in any iPhone or iPod Touch, run the free SkyDock control app, and the Apple handheld is transformed into a touch-screen control for the satellite radio service.

The app automatically adjusts to landscape (shown) or portrait mode, and the audio stream can be sent either via line-out … Read more

Under the Open Sky provides users with a picturesque screensaver. While the images are beautiful, it's the little add-ons that make this program stand out from similar products.

The program's interface will be simple to manage for anyone familiar with Windows' Control Panel. Users manage this program from the Screensaver setting within the panel. Simple commands make this an incredibly intuitive program that doesn't suffer from its lack of a Help file. Under the Open Sky is a series of outdoor scenes when it is operating. Ranging from soft orange sunsets on the range to brilliant blue … Read more

Facebook employees and investors can now sell some of their stock to Digital Sky Technologies, the Russian investment firm that infused $200 million into the social network this spring.

Part of the deal at the time of the investment would be that Digital Sky Technologies would buy back up to $100 million in common stock from shareholders whose shares have vested.

Now, Digital Sky Technologies is purchasing stock at $14.77 per share, which assumes a valuation of about $6.5 billion for Facebook, according to Brad Stone of The New York Times, who first reported the news. That's … Read more

It may not be Google Earth, but Google's latest application for its Android operating system is headed in the direction of at least one Earth's layers--up.

Google Sky Map uses your exact whereabouts, including the direction you're facing and the tilt of your handset, to show you the stars and planets all around. Because the Android phone is an extremely portable device, unlike your desktop or even laptop, Sky Map can heavily lean on the phone's built-in GPS and its accelerometer. This lets you point the phone like a remote to see the sky above. Yet … Read more