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Google I/O news roundup

CNET Update keeps it brief:

It took Google about three hours to deliver the keynote address at its I/O developers conference. But in this episode of Update, I sum up what you need to know in under three minutes.

More on the announcements from Google I/O 2013:

- Google Music adds All Access streaming music (hands-on)

- Google Play adds cloud saves, leaderboards, matchmaking

- Google+ gives photo lovers what Facebook doesn't

- Google Now voice search arriving on the desktop

- Google previews next version of Maps for Android, iOS

- Google revamps Maps with 3D, cards, social searchRead more

Review: Show song lyrics and cover art in iTunes with Cover Version for Mac

Frequent iTunes users may want a way to better display cover art and track information. Cover Version for Mac attempts to add information beyond the default iTunes display, but does not provide a stable user experience and ultimately fails to deliver.

Cover Version for Mac offers a free plug-in for the iTunes software. After downloading, the user must click and drag the application into the plug-ins folder. Unfortunately, there is no installer to do this for the user. While the application preferences menu lists support for updates, there did not appear to be any additional user technical support available. Once … Read more

Skype 6.2 arrives for Windows, Mac

Microsoft's Skype team today rolled out two new updates, both labeled as version 6.2, for Windows and Mac.

The Windows version includes a redesigned top toolbar that brings together main actions, like calling phones, creating groups, and adding contacts. It also includes "eGifting," or the ability to send Skype credits to users on their birthday which the recipients can use anytime.

Another feature in the Skype 6.2 for Windows release includes the option to send an instant message using ctrl+enter. This version drops support for PCs using Intel Pentium 3 or similar CPUs which … Read more

Pinterest rolls out revamped iPhone and iPad app

Pinterest spruced up its iOS app today to make scrolling, pin management, and deleting comments easier.

"We've made a few tweaks behind the scenes so scrolling is smoother when you're going through pins," the pinning social network wrote in a blog post today. "We also added some features to make it easier to manage your pins."

Version 2.2 of the iPhone and iPad app focuses on making it simpler for users to edit their pins. Not only can users scroll through pins faster, but they can also update pin descriptions, change board locations, … Read more

Microsoft pushes Office subscriptions

Tuesday's CNET Update doesn't need another yearly fee:

Microsoft Office 2013 comes in several flavors, so today's show breaks down what you need to know about upgrading. A single copy of Office 2013 with the basic programs costs $140. But Microsoft is pushing a new yearly subscription version called Office 365. The $100 yearly fee brings regular updates, as well as bonus cloud storage space and free calling time on Skype. The fee also gives customers the option to download Office on five computers.

Also in the news:

- Apple announced it will offer a 128GB iPad on February 5, … Read more

Fix up and share your Android snapshots with FotoFlexer Free

You're probably tired of transferring your digital snapshots from your phone to your PC or laptop just to edit them or apply effects before saving and sharing them. If you have an Android device, you can fix your pics on the fly -- and fix them up with cool effects, too. The app FotoFlexer provides an easy way to crop, correct, resize, and edit your images via your camera, galleries, or Web albums. It also makes it incredibly easy to apply all kinds of special effects to your pictures; everything from negatives to sepia to neon and pop art. … Read more

Apple issues Aperture bug fix update

If you use Apple's Aperture professional photo management program for OS X, then a new update is available that addresses a number of bugs with the previous release.

The update focuses around managing content from shared photo streams, including detecting faces, managing where streams are shared, and incorporating more cross-stream content management.

In addition to stream focus, the update fixes a number of problems with metadata management, resolution and use of secondary displays, and color profile management. The full list of addressed features is the following:

Photos received via My Photo Stream or shared streams can now be added … Read more

iTunes 11 delayed into 'end of November'

Apple says it needs a little longer to finish up work on iTunes 11.

The software, which adds a handful of new features and a facelift, was previewed at an event last month, and was originally due by the end of October.

Apple now says the software will be out before the end of next month.

"The new iTunes is taking longer than expected and we wanted to take a little extra time to get it right," Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr told CNET. "We look forward to releasing this new version of iTunes with its dramatically simpler … Read more

Instagram updates for iPhone 5 and ditches live filtering

With the debut of Apple's iPhone 5 and its new bigger 4-inch screen, developers had to madly rush to redesign their apps to fit the device. Instagram announced today that its app is now ready for the iPhone 5 and iOS 6.

"Instagram version 3.1 is available in the App Store!" the photo sharing app wrote in a tweet. "Updates for iOS 6, iPhone 5, and more. Android 3.1 coming soon."

Version 3.1 shows photos filling the smartphone's full screen and also updates the registration process for new users. The photos … Read more

The iPhone 5 review has landed

Wednesday's CNET Update has a special guest:

CNET's iPhone 5 review is here, and senior editor Scott Stein spent a week secretly living with it to do a thorough review. He was kind enough to stop by the show and let me hold it while I talked about his review. (Yep, I had a geek-out.) During his review, he found a few things surprising: It was noticeably lighter and the 4G ended up being faster than his home Wi-Fi. Also be sure to check out videos about the new panoramic photo feature and Apple's new Maps, available
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