techETA » Software

CyberLink MediaEspresso 6 offers caffeine enhanced media conversion

Rafael Hernandez — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:30:44 +0000

Transcoding your media files should be a whole heck of a lot easier given the amount of processing power in a modern PC but, somehow, many software makers just can’t seem to get the job done right.

Thankfully CyberLink is keeping an eye out for all of us with their new MediaEspresso 6 software which can convert your pictures, music, and videos into formats your mobile gadgets and home consoles are more than happy to accept. Interestingly it can also sync with a wide range of gadgets so you can upload directly from the software without dealing with a second program in the whole upload your video process.

Those of you that enjoy getting the most out of your graphics cards will be happy to know that the software makes use of NVIDIA CUDA and ATI Stream technology so your video files will be converted in record time.

The software is available now with a full version digital download price of $39.95 while upgrading from a previous version will set you back a modest $19.95.

(photo courtesy of Laughing Squid)

GIGABYTE brings overclocking to the “Cloud”

Rafael Hernandez — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:00:26 +0000

I don’t exactly understand why you’d want to perform such a function over the Web but…there it is. GIGABYTE has announced two new applications for owners of their motherboards. First up is the GIGABYTE Hotkey OC application, which is a part of their EasyTune 6 utility, that allows you to set up overclocking profiles for specific key combinations so that you can easily throttle down to something more manageable for those times you might actually want to sleep without your massive collection of fans running at 100%.

The more interesting application, GIGABYTE Cloud OC, works on your GIGABYTE X58, P55, and H55 based board, and allows you to tweak your system over your network or via the Internet letting you tweak to your heart’s content without being anywhere near your PC. Just hope you don’t choose the wrong settings.

GIGABYTE Hotkey OC @ GIGABYTE
GIGABYTE Cloud OC @ GIGABYTE

Microsoft Releases Windows 7 SP1 Beta

Pedro Hernandez — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:17:29 +0000

Tablets aren’t the only stars of WDC 2010. Today, Microsoft released the first public beta of Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 (it’s a consolidated release). Although Microsoft warns that only IT pros need apply, it’s not preventing anyone with the “right qualifications” to grab the update after a brief registration process on the official Windows 7 SP1 download page over at TechNet. (I don’t have to spell it out for you, do I?)

What does the service pack have in store? According to OS maker, Windows 7 users will simply get a streamlined package of updates that have been released since the operating system launched with maybe a tweak or two thrown in. Windows Server 2008 users, on the other hand, have RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory, a Hyper-V virtualization-boosting tech, to look forward to.

via BetaNews

Windows 7 tablets ahoy: Dell, Toshiba, Asus on deck

Pedro Hernandez — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:24:49 +0000

The iPad’s stranglehold on the tablet market may be nearing its end. Several new reports hint that Apple’s rivals are gearing up for a fight, and judging by the exhaustive list of combatants, things could get really interesting really fast.

First comes news that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is promising a deluge of Windows 7 slates from the likes of Dell, Toshiba, Samsung and Asus, among others. Also, eagle-eyed Engadget spotted HP’s logo floating in the sea of Windows 7 slate partners on the WPC 2010 homepage. Does it mean that the HP Slate is not quite dead yet, or did someone just forget to update a graphic?

Another potential entrant worth watching — in the non-Windows tablet space, however — is Research in Motion, whose home court advantage in the business realm may thwart Apple’s ambitions for the iPad in the enterprise. According to some insider buzz, the corporate handset maker is gearing up for a BlackBerry tablet that features a 1 GHz processor from Marvell, dual cameras (hello video conferencing) and a 7-inch touchscreen.

Like I said, interesting…

Image credit: HP

NOOKstudy: Barnes & Noble goes to school

Pedro Hernandez — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:28:23 +0000

It’s a little late for those of us that completed college with several pounds’ worth of textbooks in our back(breaking)packs, but Barnes & Noble is looking to lighten the load for future generations. The bookseller today unveiled NOOKstudy, an “e-textbook” platform that runs on Windows or Mac — no Nook required. Set to go live just before the Fall semester gets underway, the service touts instant textbook downloads, note-taking and annotations, and the best news for cash-strapped college students, savings of up to 40 percent compared to the dead tree alternative.

Currently, the college e-book service is being used at Pennsylvania State University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Queensboro Community College, and Rochester Institute of Technology, but expect more schools to join in — if they care about their students’ health and finances, that is.

Adobe Flash Player 10.1 Mobile released, almost universally welcome

Rafael Hernandez — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:45:29 +0000

Yes you want it, well at least if you want to enjoy the bulk of web content currently available without a ton of workarounds even if it’s a frustrating piece of software…says something we’ve come to grudgingly accept an Internet sore spot.

Adobe has released the Mobile version of its Flash Player 10.1 software which you’ll be able to find on the Android, BlackBerry, and webOS smartphone operating systems some time soon (aka whenever they feel like pushing it) and once Windows Phone is launched. As far as what’s new you’ll likely find improved performance and reduced resource consumption so your other apps are free to take a bit of memory for themselves.

Flash Mobile @ Adobe

Apple iTunes hits 9.2 for your iPhone 4 managing needs

Rafael Hernandez — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:00:39 +0000

A new phone launch means that you’ll need some form of update in order to be ready to take care of syncing up your digital bits. In that case Apple has you well covered.

iTunes 9.2 has been released which brings along Apple iPhone 4 (once you manage to get your grubby little hands on them) and iPhone OS 4 support in general as well as sync support and general bug fixes that goes along with an update.

You can snag the full version from the iTunes download page or hit up your friendly update feature.

iTunes 9.2 is out, ready to hook up with your iPhone 4 @ engadget
Apple iTunes 9.2 download @ Apple

Mac OS X v10.6.4 Update launched fixes aplenty

Rafael Hernandez — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:47:45 +0000

If you’re of the Snow Leopard using persuasion you’ll be happy, or upset at the prospect of propagating, to know that Apple has released an update for their Mac OS X software bringing it to version 10.6.4.

A number of bug squashes are detailed including fixes that should allow Adobe Creative Suite 3 apps to open (hmmm), improved VPN connection reliability, and a bundled version of the Safari 5.0 web browser. All very handy…just remember to back up your important stuff.

Source: Apple

Windows Live Essentials to get some user friendly updates

Rafael Hernandez — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:00:55 +0000

Microsoft’s Windows 7 removed quite a few of the applications people have come to rely on and bundled it under the company’s Windows Live Essentials banner in order to better promote, and update, their home-user centric programs.

The company is planning to improve and extend their products with an emphasis on easily publishing your photos and movies to “the Cloud” (aka Youtube, Flickr, anything not on your physical PC). They’re also working on advanced features for Windows Live Photo Gallery and Movie Maker which should impress the casual shutterbugs out there.

Source: Inside Windows Live

Windows 7 XP Mode no longer requires Virtualization hardware extensions

Rafael Hernandez — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:36:47 +0000

Microsoft’s Windows 7 added a whole host of new technologies which are designed to modernize the Windows operating system lineup which also included some Virtualization technology that would help older XP based software run smoothly on the new OS. Unfortunately at launch their “XP Mode” required hardware virtualization support in order to run.

No longer.

A blog post on the company’s Windows Blog notes that Windows XP Mode no longer requires a processor with hardware Virtualization extensions meaning a whole host of budget processors will be able to run the mode. Of course the hardware support will undoubtedly make the XP Mode run much quicker but it’s a nice move none-the-less.

Source: The Windows Blog