iPad 2 Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts

While some might argue that it can almost replace a full-fledged computer, the iPad was designed to be simple. Even if you have very little tech savvy, you can probably pick up Apple's latest tablet and master most of the basic features in a matter of minutes. And the longer you spend swiping your way around the touch-based iOS operating system, the more you'll learn. Like it is with any OS, though, there are just some things that aren't obvious. You could (gasp!) pore through the 22-chapter iPad 2 User Guide (it's got three appendices too), to make sure you're not missing out on anything, but where's the fun in that?

After a couple of months of testing and using the iPad 2, we've learned some cool tricks and we want to share them with you. In the slideshow, you'll find general tips that apply to multiple applications, along with those specific to Safari, Maps, iPod, and Photos. Whether you're a seasoned Mac or iOS user, or even an Apple newbie, there's something here to help you get the most out of your iPad 2. (Actually, come to think of it, a lot of these tips also apply to the original iPad.) Have a tip, trick, or shortcut of your own to share? Let us know in the comments below.

Looking for some great iPad apps to get your started? Check out The 75 Best iPad Apps. Also, 10 Apps that Show off the iPad 2's New Hardware offers up some picks optimized for the latest tablet.

View the Original article

About 63 percent of home PC users keen to upgrade to Windows 8: poll suggests

With the recent launch of Windows 8, which was followed up by the launch of Surface for Windows RT, and Windows Phone 8, the desktop, laptop, mobile, and tablet worlds have been shaken up dramatically. A lot has been said about Microsoft’s latest version of Windows, and its attempt to embrace both the desktop and tablet spaces in the market. Many have called the touch-optimized ‘Metro UI’ a useless gimmick for the desktop, while others scoff at the massive weight of full-fledged Windows 8 Pro tablet.You can read our full review of Windows 8 here, to get a better idea of just what is new, what works, and what doesn’t work. In the meanwhile, in the days accompanying the launch of Windows 8, we’d asked our readers whether they planned to upgrade to the new OS.We’ve received 2,475 responses since then, across our website, Facebook page, and newsletters. We thank our fans, readers and subscribers for taking the time out to share their views, and hope to see the same level of enthusiasm in the future.A total of 48 percent, or 1183 readers said they planned on upgrading to Windows 8. 15 percent, or 371 readers, said they already have. These figures would make Microsoft quite happy, as they imply a combined 63 percent of our fans and readers planned on upgrading, or had already upgraded to Windows 8.Of the remainder, 30 percent, or 755 users, chose the option “No, I'd rather stick to Windows 7.” This indicates a relatively large number is probably waiting to see just how good Windows 8 is, or waiting for launch bugs to be ironed out, or, just not sure of the value proposition of a new OS, when Windows 7 is serving them so well.Lastly, 7 percent, or 166 readers, said they don’t use Windows at all, indicating the percentage of sole Linux or Mac OS X users.

View the Original article

How to Set Up Multiple Monitors in Windows 8

One of Windows 8's improvements over its predecessors, for both the new Metro user interface and the traditional Windows desktop view of the operating system, is how flexibly it now supports multiple monitor configurations. And for the very likely Windows 8 scenario in which a tablet is used at home and on the road for pleasure and then docked to a desktop setup including a larger monitor and standard keyboard for serious work at the office, robust multi-monitor support is a must.

Key new features for multiple monitor setups in Windows 8 include the ability to include the Taskbar on each monitor in an extended display, and to stretch a single wallpaper across multiple monitors, or use different wallpaper on each. Maybe most important, you can run Metro apps in one screen and full Windows desktop apps in another, side by side. Microsoft has also put some effort into making multiple monitor setups usable with mouse and keyboard, with things like hot corners. 

View the Original article

New BlackBerry Messenger 7 brings free voice chat feature

Research In Motion (RIM) has released a BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) v7 beta, adding a new voice chat feature to the application. The BBM 7 beta works on BlackBerry smartphones running BlackBerry OS version 6 or higher. According to reports, RIM will be soon rolling out the voice chat feature to BB smartphones running version 5. The new feature, known as BBM Voice, allows users to make voice calls to other BBM users via wireless Internet connection. The split-screen feature allows users to talk and text at the same time, so for example, they can send a picture to their contact while talking with them. They can also check other BBM text chats, check email, or navigate to other apps while engaged on a BBM Voice call. Moreover, users can initiate the voice chat without needing to text first.The BBM Voice features a “visual indicator” that notifies users when a contact is available to take a voice chat. The new feature is compatible with standard BlackBerry voice accessories. Users can chat via BBM Voice using speakerphone, similar to the normal phone calls.Apart from voice chat, BBM version 7 also integrates with a BlackBerry ID for backing up groups, contacts and profile information, which can restored when switching to a new BlackBerry device. This will definitely please current BB owners who are looking to upgrade to a BB 10 device next year. While announcing the new BBM, Vice President of BBM and Social Communities at RIM T.A. McCann said in a statement: “The new BBM Voice feature is for when you’re travelling and you want to call home without worrying about phone charges. It’s for when you have news you can’t wait to share, for quickly explaining complicated details, and collaborating with colleagues. Whenever your ideas are too big for text, there’s BBM Voice.”

View the Original article

Postbox 3.0.6

Postbox lets you spend less time managing messages and more time getting things done. But what makes Postbox really useful is the way it lets you find and reuse all kinds of content hidden deep within your email. After all, it’s your email... make the most of it!

Ultra-Fast Search

Postbox makes it easy to search for almost anything across all of your email accounts.

Powerful Address Auto-Complete

The Addressing Widget will enable you to search for contacts by either first name, last name, or domain.

View the Original article

UltraVNC 1.1.2 Beta

UltraVNC is a powerful, easy to use and free software that can display the screen of another computer (via internet or network) on your own screen. The program allows you to use your mouse and keyboard to control the other PC remotely. It means that you can work on a remote computer, as if you were sitting in front of it, right from your current location. If you provide computer support, you can quickly access your customer's computers from anywhere in the world and resolve helpdesk issues remotely! With addons like SingleClick your customers don't even have to pre-install software or execute complex procedures to get remote helpdesk support.

Key features: File transfer, Video driver, Optional Encryption Plugins, MS Logon, Text chat, Viewer Toolbar, Java Viewer with File Transfer , as well as Auto scaling and Server Side Scaling, Multiple-Monitors-support,Repeater/Proxy-support, Auto reconnection, good performances and tons of other functionalities.

View the Original article

Sandra Lite 2013 (19.11)

SiSoftware Sandra (the System ANalyser, Diagnostic and Reporting Assistant) is an information & diagnostic utility. It should provide most of the information (including undocumented) you need to know about your hardware, software and other devices whether hardware or software.

It works along the lines of other Windows utilities, however it tries to go beyond them and show you more of what's really going on. Giving the user the ability to draw comparisons at both a high and low-level. You can get information about the CPU, chipset, video adapter, ports, printers, sound card, memory, network, Windows internals, AGP, PCI, PCI-X, PCIe (PCI Express), database, USB, USB2, 1394/Firewire, and so on.

View the Original article

Opera 12.10

A full-featured Internet browser, Opera includes pop-up blocking, tabbed browsing, integrated searches, and advanced functions like Opera's groundbreaking E-mail program, RSS Newsfeeds and IRC chat. And because we know that our users have different needs, you can customize the look and content of your Opera browser with a few clicks of the mouse.

Speed Dial: Your favorite sites are just one click away at all times. Search Shortcuts: Faster search - type your queries directly into the address bar. Trash Can: Instantly reopen recently closed tabs. Mouse Gestures: With Opera you can navigate the Web with your mouse.Opera Link: Synchronize data of your choice online, or among different computers and devices.Quick Find: Opera remembers not only the titles and addresses, but also the actual content of the Web pages you visit.Feed Preview: Preview a Feed by clicking on the feed icon, and you will see it in clean and efficient multiple-column layout.Quick and customizable Web search: Get quick access to Google, eBay, Amazon and more with the search field in the upper right corner. 

View the Original article

Adobe Air 3.5.0.600

AIR, runtime enables you to have your favorite web applications with you all the time. Since applications built for Adobe AIR run on your desktop computer without a web browser, they provide all the convenience of a desktop application.

Companies like eBay and AOL are using Adobe AIR to create exciting new applications that allow you to use their services on your desktop.

In short, Adobe AIR means applications that are easier, more powerful, and more fun to use.

Be safe on the web: Adobe AIR helps ensure safe installations by requiring digital signatures on each AIR application that identify the application and its creator before you install.

View the Original article

Flash Player 11.5.502.110 (Non-IE)

Adobe Flash Player is the high performance, lightweight, highly expressive client runtime that delivers powerful and consistent user experiences across major operating systems, browsers, mobile phones and devices.

Installed on over 750 million Internet-connected desktops and mobile devices, Flash Player enables organizations and individuals to build and deliver great digital experiences to their end users.

Immersive experiences with Flash video, content and applications with full-screen mode.Low-bandwidth, high-quality video with advanced compression technology.High-fidelity text using the advanced text rendering engine.Real-time dynamic effects with filters for Blur, DropShadow, Glow, Bevel, Gradient Glow, Gradient Bevel, Displacement Map, Convolution, and Color Matrix.Innovative media compositions with 8-bit video alpha channels.Blend modes, radial gradient, and stroke enhancements.Additional image formats: GIF, Progressive JPEG, and PNG.

This download is the standalone installer for Firefox, Opera and other Gecko-based browsers.

Old versions of the Flash player can be downloaded from Adobe at http://www.adobe.com/go/tn_14266

View the Original article