Software

I am a PC user and a Mac user. My PC is an Alienware that allows me to play my MMORPGs for whenever time permits me to do so and the graphics on that little powerful machine makes me sing. My Mac, on the other hand, is primarily for work and is used on a daily basis for simple tasks. Luckily for me, my semi-new PC is well-maintained and doesn't give me a lot of problems anymore, but until this one, I have had my share of slow, problematic PCs that used to keep me up at night, literally. … Read more

Following closely on the heels of a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 security vulnerability, another Samsung user has found that the bug affects other models.

Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 flaw, the bug allows for full access to the Samsung Galaxy S3. The method is similar in that it requires a fleet-fingered user to hop through a number of screens.

As discovered by Sean McMillian, the smartphone can be manipulated by tapping through the emergency call, emergency contacts, home screen, and then the power button twice. McMillian admits that the bug isn't consistent -- sometimes, he said, it works … Read more

The first results of Opera's WebKit brain transplant are now available for people to try: a beta version of Opera for Android.

The new version uses Android-native user-interface elements but preserves many Opera features such as Speed Dial. It gets some new features, too, such as Off-road Mode to enable a proxy-browsing technology designed for slow network connections and the Discovery tool for people who want to browse content tailored to their interests.

The Oslo, Norway-based company announced in February that it's scrapped its own Presto engine, except in its TV browser product line, in favor of the … Read more

Many software bundles come with a bit of buyer's remorse: you get a couple things you wanted, and a bunch of stuff you didn't. Maybe it wasn't such a good deal after all?

No chance of that here. StackSocial is offering the Premium Designer Freebie Bundle, well, free. (The price is right there in the name.)

This Mac-only collection includes nine items with a combined value of $257. It's intended primarily for people who do app and/or Web design, but no doubt some of the elements could be used in other occupations.

Update: According to … Read more

Microsoft may be in a bit of tax trouble in Denmark over an acquisition it made more than a decade ago.

Denmark-based news outlet DR is reporting today that officials in that country are investigating whether Microsoft used certain techniques to save itself billions in taxes. According to the report, after Microsoft acquired financial software company Navision in 2002 for $1.3 billion, it sold off its enterprise resource planning and accounting divisions to an Ireland-based Microsoft subsidiary. That subsidiary is apparently owned by other Microsoft companies in Caribbean tax havens, effectively allowing it to shift Navavision's profits overseas … Read more

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which I answer Mac-related questions e-mailed in by our readers.

This week, readers wrote in with questions on how to best manage software updates for many computers on a network, the options for using the right-click in OS X, and concerns about the feasibility of corrupting a system through apparently normal use. I welcome views from readers, so if you have any suggestions or alternative approaches to these problems, please post them in the comments!

Question: Managing software updates for many computers on a network MacFixIt reader Beth asks:

Regardless of whether you purchase it new, refurbished, or used, your Mac is likely a sizable investment that you might wish to keep running for as long as possible, not only because of the cost factor but also because of the time and effort it would take to migrate your data and workflow to a new system (even though Apple has made the latter quite easy if you have proper backups).

There are many ways your Mac can get damaged, become outdated, or otherwise experience greater wear and tear from use that can shorten its lifespan. In most cases these … Read more

UPDATE: 12:20pm PT, March 4, 2013 Due to popular demand, I was able to secure more license keys for CNET members from the developer of this software and am extending this free giveaway until 11:59pm PT, Tuesday, March 5, 2013. If you forgot to grab one, now is your chance. Enjoy!

What's not to like about a weather app that actually shows you what the weather is going to be like? Whether that be your hometown or a city that you are traveling to, YoWindow will get you as prepared as you can be for your trip … Read more

BlackBerry 10 users are already being treated to their first update to the new operating system.

Handset maker BlackBerry today announced that its update, which will be delivered over the air, improves the performance of third-party applications, ensuring that they run a bit faster and smoother. In addition, the update addresses some problems users are finding with Gmail calendar support and importing contacts from online sources.

BlackBerry launched its new OS software at the end of January, introducing as well the touch-screen BlackBerry Z10 smartphone and the keyboard-equipped Q10. The Z10 is so far available in the U.K., Canada, … Read more