newsletters

It's like having a personal assistant

Want a quick way to track your busy schedule through iCal? Check out QuickCal, the iCal companion that lets you type in an event in plain English, then presents you with options to schedule an appointment. Typing in "Pick up Johnny from soccer tomorrow at 3," for example, gives you a predictive list of options so you can find the type of entry you want. From there QuickCal will automatically set up the appointment in iCal, then you can configure "smart reminders" to let you know in advance (or at intervals) when it's time to … Read more

Betas, more betas, and...an Aurora?

First unveiled last October, Microsoft Office 365 is now officially available as a public beta. The service combines Office Web Apps with hosted versions of Exchange, SharePoint, and new collaboration product Lync, in an attempt to offer businesses a cloud-based alternative to some of its traditional desktop and server products.

For the security buffs in the house, this week also saw the release of Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2012 beta and Norton AntiVirus 2012 beta. The updates, while not ground-breaking, are definitely noteworthy, as support for Chrome has been added (a long-requested feature), and Insight 3.0, Download Insight … Read more

Launch your apps and files in style

You'll find plenty of keyboard-shortcut launchers floating around for Mac OS X, but QuickSilver's stylish interface, small footprint, and many customization options and plug-ins set it ahead of the pack. Now a mainstay free launcher for many Mac users, this slick-looking utility that gets you where you want to go quickly is a must download for hot-key addicts.

Also this week, we have the latest version of Transmission, the popular bittorrent client for Mac that keeps getting better. Our game this week is BOOM, the arcade classic 2D platformer that has just the right mix of action and … Read more

IE9 puts Microsoft back in the game

Back in the 1990s, Microsoft's browser competed fiercely with Netscape's and won, but then the company sat back and left the innovation to others. Even though Internet Explorer remains the most-used browser on the Net today, convincing one of our reporters that the latest, IE9, is a real browser was quite an accomplishment. Find out what made Stephen Shankland decide that Microsoft is back in the browser game.

For those of you fond of SMS payments, don't forget to think about security because some evil-minded folks have found ways to take the profit themselves. There's a … Read more

Convert graphic files easily

True to its name, GraphicConverter's main functionality is converting graphic files--importing from some 200 formats and exporting to about 80 at last count, with a tremendously time-saving batch processor thrown in for good measure. But GraphicConverter also comes loaded with features for quick editing, color correction, resizing, and more, making it a steal at $34.95. This latest version includes minor feature enhancements and bug fixes.

Also this week we have the latest version of Transmission, the popular Mac-only BitTorrent client with new fixes that make the software search for scarce file parts first, among other tweaks. Our game … Read more

Tweak your OS X interface

If you're not already a pro at using the command line, OnyX is a solid tool for conducting routine maintenance and tweaking the interface on your Mac. This free utility can help you with everything from checking SMART status on your disks to configuring the Dock, Finder, and Dashboard and Expose to your liking. The latest version adds several fixes to speed up the cleaning process.

Also this week, we have the latest version of Tinderbox, the idea-mapping tool that helps you connect disparate thoughts or information visually to keep you better organized. Our game this week is Battle for Wesnoth, … Read more

Tinker around with your Mac

Are you the type who likes to tinker around with your Mac? MacPilot is a great option for fiddling around with your Mac, optimizing it to run better and unlocking the hidden potential of OS X and many applications--all without having to use the command line. MacPilot's graphic interface and file browser give you access to an almost staggering number of customizations, commands, key combos, and more, all organized around specific applications. This latest version comes with new Preference options and fixes bugs.

Also this week, we have the latest version of iFFmpeg, a simple but powerful batch conversion … Read more

Benchmark battle: Which browser loads fastest?

There's no doubt the latest crop of stable browsers from Google, Microsoft, and Mozilla are the best the companies have ever produced. But how do they perform when tested under identical conditions? CNET compared Firefox, Chrome, and Internet Explorer, looking at the results of a gantlet of benchmarks that considered JavaScript and HTML5 performance, as well as boot times and memory usage. (Opera and Safari were not tested because they have not been updated recently, nor have they implemented hardware acceleration close to the level that the other three browsers have.) If you've recently downloaded Mozilla's latest … Read more

Opera sneak peak

Want to see what's next for Opera? The current version of Opera offers extensions, highly competitive page-load times, cutting-edge features, and strong support for "future Web" technologies. But if you want to check out what the developers are working on for the upcoming Opera 11, download the latest beta. As with any beta, you should save all your important work before launching the prerelease software.

Also this week, we have the latest version of EasyFind, the search tool that complements Apple's Spotlight with superfast and specific search results. Our game this week is Boom, the classic … Read more