tech toppicks technology news

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Warner officially announces dual format HD discs
2007-01-12 09:58:01
Warner Home Video has finally closed the gap between HD DVD and Blu-Ray at CES this year to put an end to the question: What High Def player should I buy?  The first initial release in the new format is recent film Superman, the great thing about the news discs is that if you have a Blu-Ray player, and your buddy has a HD DVD you can still bring your movie over and watch it.  The only negative however is that you the consumer will pay the additional licensing fee, however the discs will not be anymore expensive than either format would normally be.                  What format are you using at home? Good ol VHS Too many DVDs to give up! Blu-Ray HD DVD View Results  
More About: War , Warner , Form , Format , Official

Free, Secure Browsing with MegaProxy
2007-01-12 03:57:01
MegaProxy is a free web anonymizer that opens directly in your web browser with a new interface, similar to the picture at the bottom of this post.  The service allows you to surf through a proxy for anonymous browsing with a basic featured internal browser, all the meanwhile, for those that like surfing without ads, the service does take ad banners out of the websites, such as Adsense.  The applet downloads very quickly so you’ll be on the go in no time! If you hit the options button you can configure your new temporary browser for various options for online privacy, including shielding your OS and Browser from sites that collect information, hide the referring site, enabling custom SSL ports, blocking cookies, javascript, and Flash/Active Scripts. This free service is perfect for anyone that is a little skeptical about the site they are about to check out, if you’re ever unsure… use this service before entering. MegaProxy: The Free Anonymous Proxy  
More About: With , Browsing , Sing , Roxy

DIY Service Pack for Windows XP and Server 2003
2007-01-12 03:57:01
heise Security of London has written a script called ‘Offline Update’ that will download all of the Microsoft Updates for a Wind ows XP or 2003 installation and preconfigure an .ISO file to burn to either a CD or DVD for easy automatic installation.  This is perfect for anyone that needs to update multiple machines around an office, or anyone that is constantly reloading windows, as well as anyone that would just like to secure a machine with updates before ever putting it online. Download it here: heise Security : Offline Updater                
More About: Windows X , Service , Server

Apple can?t catch a break!
2007-01-11 09:55:03
After all the hype of the iPhone, poor Apple has been slammed with issues surrounding the recently revealed Apple iPhone.  As it turns out, Cisco is filing a lawsuit against Apple for the use of the name “iPhone”;  the original agreement appears to have been the Cisco gave permission for Apple to use the iPhone name, but under all of the excitement the tables have turned.  Cisco chairmembers said they went into name negotiations in good faith over the past few years, but have failed to recieve the paperwork from Apple, yet the product was still released under the name… Among other iPhone news, according to The INQ, Apple also forgot to get their new phone licensed through the FCC, which means it cannot be sold or distributed inside the United States. At the bottom of the iPhone page: “This device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or ...
More About: Cat , Break , Catch , Brea

Windows Home Server simplified
2007-01-11 09:55:03
One of the big debuts at this years CES convention in Las Vegas was the Wind ows Home Server by Microsoft.  WHS is a platform designed to allow families or small offices to connect multiple PCs allowing sharing and storage of photos, documents, videos, music, and more.  Windows Vista and XP users will be able to centrally store their system ‘restore sessions’ so they can access them offsite, saving PC hard drive space.  The system will allow up to 10 wireless users you can access their files locally, or by using a personalized, yet free, domain will be able to share anywhere in the world.  Initial systems are reported to have from 500 GB to 1 TB initial storage with extra drive days and USB if extra storage is necessary. The reference design below is unknown to be the final design, yet was the design shown at CES and photograped by Engadget.          
More About: Simp

Space conserving PC with Dual-monitor output
2007-01-11 09:55:03
The AOpen MiniPC Duo may be older news by now, but not many people realize the full potential of this little PC.  The MP945-VXR is a small PC, about 6.49″W x 1.96″H x 6.49″D, and packs a punch for it’s size.  Capable of holding 2 GB of RAM and Core Duo support, the miniature PC can also support 2 screens at once.  Perfect for dorm room applications where your student may need dual monitors, one to write a report, the other for research with the ability to move the mouse between the two screens. Want to save more space, skip the TV as you can also use your screen for a TV using the optional TV tuner kit.  I have had a chance to use one of these before and was really shocked by how well they actually perform as well as how quiet they are. For anyone with Linux on the mind, the system is also supported by many Linux distros, one proven being Ubuntu. For more specs and information, see the AOpen MiniPC Duo Homepage
More About: Space , With , Monitor , Pace , Ving

CES 2007: VHS to DVD, and Cassette to MP3!
2007-01-11 09:55:03
A company called HonesTech is releasing a package that contains a USB powered device called myVID-BOX that easily allows you to transfer your old VHS and cassette tapes to DVD or mp3.  The system comes with editing software to help you clean up the older images once you’ve transferred them over, however, I’m sure you can only clean up an old tape to much. This should be a great utility for your old home VHS movies of family and vacations that you don’t want to lose with the degradation of VHS over time.  Pricing is not available on the Honestech.com main page.
More About: Dvd , Cassette , Asset