The Best Android Apps of the Week [Video]

Read It Later: Read It Later is like an Instapaper—saves articles to read later—but as Instapaper doesn't have an Android app, this is as good as it gets for enjoying long form reads when you want. The app gives you really clean viewing of the articles, without the jumble of sidebars and banner ads. Decently cheap at only $1.

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Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/dTASAM4EvZg/the-best-android-apps-of-the-week

EARTHLINK DST SYSTEMS DISCOVER FINANCIAL SERVICES

WinZip releases new System Utilities Suite, we go hands-on

winzipsystemutilitiessuite
Most people know WinZip for its compression products, but with more and more people using Windows's built-in file compression utilities, WinZip is expanding into previously unexplored territory with the new System Utilities Suite. The system optimization tool, debuting today, packs 20 separate utilities, each with its own UI, own Start Menu entry, etc, though the Suite fortunately pulls everything together into an easily accessible 'master utility' that I explore in the video below.

The master utility serves as a desktop or start screen for the package's complete tool set, and offers quick access to a three-click process that optimizes the registry, removes temporary ("junk") files, scans and updates drivers, and more. This would be the first thing new users would run, and once that's done, they could use each of the other tools as needed (or according to their comfort level) to optimize specific aspects of their Windows PC. System Utilities is aimed both at novice users and more advanced nerds; it leans more towards the "advanced" end of the spectrum, as the sheer wealth of tools it offers may appear daunting. There's a tool for just about every purpose, starting with a Duplicate File Remover, through a Registry Cleaner and Optimizer (packaged as two tools), all the way to a Secure Encryptor for sensitive files. There's even a 'Game Optimizer,' which is a full-fledged virtual machine (a "computer in a computer") running your game as its single application, with support for custom keymaps and other goodies. Some of this may sound similar to what CCleaner offers, but as you can see, System Utilities is far more comprehensive.

As you may have noticed, System Utilities uses short, descriptive names, so that even non-expert users would be able to find the right tool at the right time. This is a step in the right direction, but I think for many users, just seeing so many Start Menu entries could be quite confusing.

For $39.95, System Utilities is good value for money, but only for users who are not afraid to dive into the wealth of different tools and find out what each does. For novice users who want to take things to the next level, it's a good gateway from a trusted company. Advanced users who like to keep their PC in tip-top shape could certainly cobble up a collection of loose freeware utilities, but they might also enjoy the cohesive feel of one well-built suite. I know I do.

You can watch me taking my first steps with System Utilities after the jump.

Note: We're going to be running a 10-license giveaway of WinZip System Utilities later on today, so keep your eyes peeled and your RSS reader open!

Continue reading WinZip releases new System Utilities Suite, we go hands-on

WinZip releases new System Utilities Suite, we go hands-on originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/14/winzip-releases-new-system-utilities-suite-we-go-hands-on/

AVNET BHARTI AIRTEL BT GROUP

Cueboy Quest is an adorable 8-bit style physics game

cueboyquest
Yes, that's right, I said adorable. Because Cueboy Quest really is!

You play an 8-bit cowboy whose goal on each level is to get to the door (and thus to the next level), but the door is often locked. To get it to open, you must shoot at one or more targets, and those targets aren't always in your line of sight. For example, on one level the the target is a balloon which is stuck all the way at the other end of the screen. You must first nudge it free, and then watch it float up and try to shoot it before it floats clear off the screen. Your bullets are chunky pixels that have some weight - the have arcing trajectories, so you don't always hit exactly where you aim.

There's another level where you must jump on the balloon as it floats up, use it as a platform to get to the other end of the screen, and then turn to shoot it very quickly before it flies away. Each level is very short, and most of them are quite easy. And not only are the graphics 8-bit blocky, but they're large too. Simply beautiful!

Cueboy Quest is an adorable 8-bit style physics game originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/cueboy-quest-is-an-adorable-8-bit-style-physics-game/

IRON MOUNTAIN INORATED IOMEGA INTUIT

The Cyclotrope: Using a Bicycle Wheel to Create Animation [Video]

Clever! This video was made using 18 images attached to a bicycle wheel. When spun at a certain speed, the pictures start looking like hilarious animation. Sorta like a Zoetrope but with a bicycle wheel! Oh right...cyclotrope. [Cyclotrope via Neatorama] More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Op1G403VC9c/the-cyclotrope-using-a-bicycle-wheel-to-create-animation

KDDI KLATENCOR LAM RESEARCH

Leaked Pics and Specs Suggest HTC's Droid Incredible 2 Will Be a Very Nice Android Phone Indeed [Phones]

The Sultan of Brunei's rotting supercar collection [Feature]

Few collections of supercars have garnered more interest than the massive cache owned by the Sultan of Brunei and his brother, Prince Jefri. Michael Sheehan, a broker who owns Ferraris Online, has seen its shocking decay. — Ed. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/RQNrvo2UXBI/the-sultan-of-bruneis-rotting-supercar-collection

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MOTOROLA MOODYS

The Music Factory That's Creating the World's Saddest Teen Music [Video]

In the past few days you may have seen the stupendously awful video for the tremendously bad song "Friday" by a young lady named Rebecca Black. In case you haven't, it's embedded below. It's a good lesson about what days come after and before other days. So what the fresh hell is this? Where did it come from? Well, it came from a dark, scary, sad place. A place called the Ark Music Factory. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Sc2lTrhVGzU/the-music-factory-thats-creating-the-worlds-saddest-teen-music

SES SHAW COMMUNICATIONS SIEMENS

STM Revolution Medium Laptop Backpack Review

We Gadgeteers have a, shall we say…fondness.. for our gadgets, am I right?  Rhetorical question ’round these parts.  Some cling to a mere handy handful of essential EDC, others find a BSA-like array necessary for preparedness.  Some commute via public transportation through vast, sprawling urban metropoli for a day at the grind, others trek stoically [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/03/14/stm-revolution-medium-laptop-backpack-review/

UNITED ONLINE UNISYS TRIQUINT SEMICONDUCTOR

Picplz adds collections and border effects

picplz borders collections
Picplz, the popular photo sharing app for Android and iOS, has introduced two more handy features: photo collections and border effects. Collections are easy to compile -- just tap a button on the Picplz web viewer or your mobile app (updates for iOS and Android will appear shortly).

The new border effects give you yet another fun way to jazz up your photos prior to sharing them. They can be applied in tandem with your favorite filters, providing a whole slew of ways to customize your pics.

Picplz adds collections and border effects originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/11/picplz-adds-collections-and-border-effects/

XILINX WESTERN DIGITAL VOLT INFORMATION SCIENCES

Terrifying Video of Nuclear Plant Explosion In Japan [Video]

At 3:40pm local time in Japan's Fukushima Prefecture, an explosion shook the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Four people were reported injured from the initial blast, but broader concerns over increased radiation leakage have lead officials to double the evacuation zone around the plant from 6 to 12 miles. What the ultimate fallout will be is anyone's guess. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/GS7zARV7cdo/terrifying-video-of-nuclear-power-plant-explosion-in-japan

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY METHODE ELECTRONICS MENTOR GRAPHICS