Category: General

Find Software Updates with UpdateStar

Paul

Windows only: Freeware application UpdateStar detects what applications are running on your computer and informs you of available updates. In tests, UpdateStar performed much better than previously mentioned AppSnap as it provides shareware and commercial application information, whereas AppSnap does not. UpdateStar’s interface is also a lot snazzier, though that’s really just frosting. To be fair, UpdateStar isn’t entirely accurate: it informed me that Mozilla Thunderbird 5.2 was the latest version available (it’s currently at 2.0.0.6). However, for a product that’s still in beta, it does a fine job. UpdateStar is a free application for Windows only.

Nice little program!

Patent investigation could force hard drives off US market

Paul

This one’s still a ways off, but the International Trade Commission has just launched a patent investigation into five manufacturers that could result in a ban on hard drive imports if the agency finds evidence of infringement. The patents, which are owned by Californians Steven and Mary Reiber, cover a method of using “ceramic bonding tips” on the internal wiring of the drives, and the couple claims Western Digital, Seagate, Toshiba, Hewlett-Packard, and Dell have all infringed by importing the drives. Much like the Qualcomm case, the ITC has a variety of ways of dealing with the situation and the parties have a lot of methods of appeal, but products that infringe on US patents are barred from being imported, so this initial determination will set off a lot of dominoes when it gets made in 45 days. Details are still pretty sketchy on what exactly the ITC is investigating, but we’ll definitely keep you updated as we get more info.

Well now that is going to be an interesting development, I hope it comes out good!!

Downloadable files coming to next Harry Potter DVD

Paul

Users clamoring for alternate (read: easier) ways to transport commercial DVD footage to portable media players will likely enjoy knowing that the next Harry Potter DVD will reportedly feature “two downloadable digital files” for easy viewing on devices other than a vanilla DVD player. According to Jim Wuthrich, Warner senior VP of digital distribution, users can “buy the DVD and have the option of the digital copy,” and apparently, he also suggested that “another studio was preparing to launch digital copies of a film tied to its DVD release.” Unfortunately, details about the actual formats and whatnot weren’t disclosed, so barring any unforeseen announcements, it looks like we’ll be waiting for the December 11th release of Order of the Phoenix to find out exactly what this disc contains.

I wonder what it will be used for? IPOD or IPhone?

Ubiquiti Announces First 700Mhz Mini-PCI Wireless Card

Paul

Ubiquiti Networks has come out with the “world’s first” wireless card specifically designed for the hotly desired and discussed 700Mhz band everyone’s scrambling to get a piece of. The XtremeRange7 uses the 32-bit mini-PCI Type IIIA standard and sports a ridiculous output power of 600 mW (your dinky home router’s probably putting out 28mW), which Ubiquiti claims gives it a tested antenna-dependent outdoor range of over 50 km, perfect for picking up wireless broadband provided by future (or current) licensees of the 700Mhz band.

Wow, that is one extreme wireless!! I hope they come up with a laptop version!

Belkin n52te Hybrid Gaming Keyboard

Paul

Belkin announced a new product today called the Belkin n52te SpeedPad, which updates the Belkin Nostromo SpeedPad n52. The new n52te SpeedPad will be available in November for $69.99. The pad features fully backlit keys with the familiar Razer blue color and features a scroll wheel and 15 fully programmable keys.
An adjustable soft-touch wrist pad is built-in for comfort with extended gaming. The bottom of the device has rubber non-slip pads to keep the SpeedPad in place during spirited gaming sessions. Three keymap states allow you to bind more commands to the available keys and the device is powered by Razer Synapse software.

Onboard memory stores your programming choices for use on systems without software. The eight-way thumb pad is programmable as well and has a removable joystick. The SpeedPad is a dedicated gaming pad aimed at FPS gamers like the Wolf Claw Devour we covered previously.