Whats new & updated???
Posted by Simon Salvin on 02. Sep 2010 on Geeks & Gadgets, Internet, PC, Simple PC, TechnologyI haven’t been in the mood for writing while the weather’s been reasonably nice, I’m still in the summer mood, football season has started but I haven’t taken interest yet, still too warm, football’s for winter, infact I’ve upgraded my sports package with Sky and have been enjoying the baseball every night on ESPN. I believe the season has nearly finished, that’ll be the sign to start watching football again, but hopefully not for a few weeks yet.
Anyway enough of my rantings, here’s a quick overview of updates and exciting new things….
Adobe Reader has been updated to 9.3.4, open up the program and you should be automatically prompted to download the update.
If you’re a regular PDF user and rely on Adobe Reader then maybe a change will pleasantly surprise you, update to Foxit Reader for super fast opening of PDF’s, no splash screens, and the rather handy tabbed reading for multiple documents.
Java, updated to release 21, head to Java.com and download the latest update.
Avast anti virus is now updated to version 5 with a new orange coloured logo, if you’re still running version 4.8 with the blue logo please update now at Avast.com
If you’re in the market for a new Internet Security Product I currently have stock of BitDefender 2010 with free download of the 2011 version, I also have great pricing on Avast’s Pro & New Internet Security package and Norton 2010. Current Norton users login to the account page and use the free update checker, if you’re using 2009 or prior, or 360 version 3 or prior you’ll be prompted to download the latest versions free of charge!
I was recently asked to record a radio program from the BBC iPlayer, after lots of searching and trying many shareware programs I stumbled upon a fantastic free program to do just the job, and aptly named Radio Downloader. The program outputs to MP3 format and you can subscribe to frequent shows.
You may have seen from the homepage or from the PC World television adverts that Microsoft has released the 2010 version of Office, building upon the ribbon interface which launched with the 2007 version. This time there’s no upgrade pricing structure and to simplify further there’s only three packages to choose from:
1. Home & Student
2. Home & Business
3. Professional
As always I have great pricing available, please see the upgrades page.
If you purchased Office 2007 recently you will be entitled to a free upgrade by download or supplied on a disc with a nominal charge, for more info go to: http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/tech-guarantee/
I have now moved over to a pre built Windows Home Server, reducing the cost, size, and time to deliver. The Acer easystore comes with Lights Out energy efficiency software pre installed along with an itunes server and 6 months of McAfee Home Server security, available in 3 storage sizes, 2x640gb, 2x1tb and 3x1tb, the units have a total of 4 drive bays for further expansion. For more details view the Home Server page.
PCTools has released a BETA version of Spyware Doctor version 8, currently only available with the antivirus plugin, I’m awaiting news of a standalone BETA version and will bring you more news on that later in the year. Meanwhile PCtools has updated and released its Simple Backup program at just £25, if you’re looking for a budget backup system here’s a great starting point http://www.pctools.com/simple-backup/
I recently upgraded my mobile phone and chose the HTC Desire with Google Android operating system, last weekend the handset offered me the upgrade from Android 2.1 to 2.2 which although has been around for a good few months now, HTC integrate their own home screen interface and apps into the OS accounting for the delay. But as the saying goes “all good things come to he who waits”, maybe in political correct world we live in that should read “he/she who waits”?? Anyway there’s a few button changes and tweaks here and there but the performance is the biggest boost and the handset feels faster than ever, I also like the Google voice search now integrated into the default browser rather than a separate app.
New apps for Android I’d like to give a mention to include: LogMeIn (I can now provide remote PC assistance direct from my mobile!), PayPal (official app finally launched, fully featured and very polished), Sky+ (another official app finally launched and very nice too!) Photoshop Express, Cineworld (unofficial), WordPress and amazon Kindle being my favourites. Natwest please hurry up and launch an Android app, iPhone’s had it for a long time, banking on the go is a must these days and Android is now just as big as iPhone, chop chop 
(rant over)
I’ve finally managed to get my mitts on the iPad camera connection kit, over 6 weeks waiting time from the Apple online store, but I managed to pick one up from my local PC World store, yes that’s right, you heard correctly, I ventured into the abyss, luckily I only had to walk in a meagre 10 feet before I was pounced upon, my question of “iPad camera kit” was quickly replied with “yes, 10 in today, follow me”, to the till, purchased and out, 3 minutes, not bad! Obviously they do have some uses???
Which moves me on to Photo apps on the iPad, after wading through nearly all of the 544, not quite making it to the end purely due to boredom I managed to purchase a selection to aid my photographic needs: Pow – a comic strip creation tool, Retouch HD – a simple yet powerful app for removing unwanted items from photographs with ease, the description stated “your ugly partner” quite harsh! ColourSplash – turns photos to black & white then re adds colour to your chosen areas, Photoshop Express – free app worth every penny… And I’m still undecided on Photo FX Ultra & Photogenie? Any thoughts on either please let me know.
Other notable apps I’ve downloaded recently include: Yell, BBC News, Sky Sports News, LogMeIn, TV Guide (now with Sky+ integration), UK Cinema Times Ad Free, Dragon Dictation, and the one I haven’t got working yet but haven’t had the time to play with is HP iPrint.
I hoped you’ve enjoyed the update, lots more to follow…..
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