Archive for October, 2007

Windows only: Freeware application AutoSizer automatically resizes and moves application windows to specific, user-defined sizes and screen locations as soon as they’re opened. That means that if you’ve got a widescreen monitor with the perfect window layout that packs every last pixel with useful information, you can save each window size and location with AutoSizer and restore the perfect layout automatically, day after day, as soon as you launch the applications. Alternately, if you’d prefer an application to open maximized or minimized, AutoSizer can take care of that, too. AutoSizer is freeware, Windows only. For similar but manual takes on screen real estate maximization, check out Sizer and WinSplit Revolution.

Featured Windows Download: Micromanage Your Widescreen Monitor with AutoSizer

You can’t run around launching fancy new music players these days without a secondary offensive of cases and car chargers following close behind, and Microsoft’s new Zunes have a veritable cavalry behind them. In addition to the official accessories we’ve already heard about from J Allard and crew, the company’s lined up a number of third-party manufacturers to crank out 60 different Zune-friendly products, including Polk, Belkin, DLO, Monster, Altec Lansing, Targus, iHome, Memorex and Griffin. Microsoft’s new pals will be releasing everything from speaker docks to RCA cables, so it looks like you’ll be able to build a happy little home for that new Zune of yours when it launches next month.

Microsoft talks third-party Zune accessories – Engadget

I’m not sure who this guy was, but one thing is for sure —he was a massive nerd. Got to love that kind of commitment though. Plus, if he ever came back as a zombie you could probably stay alive by sitting him in front of a new computer with a sweet LCD monitor. [News From Gadgets World]

Dead Nerds: Even in Death, This Guy is a Massive Nerd

SanDisk was trumpeting its 8GB microSDHC cards all the way back in June, but it’s taken until now for the company to ship the little buggers — but we’re also getting an 8GB Memory Stick Micro (also known as M2) version as a reward for our patience. The 8GB SDHC card will set you back $139, while the M2 stick is $149, and both should be in stores worldwide now, according to SanDisk.

SanDisk starts shipping 8GB microSDHC and M2 cards – Engadget

It’s a dark day, Apple fanboys. Installs of OSX Leopard have led to the dreaded Blue Screen of Death for many Mac users (sure, it’s sort of happened before, but the headline cracked us up…sorry). We can’t yet be certain just how widespread this problem is, but an Apple thread on the topic has 263 posts with several incidents documented through the responses.

The problem appears to occur only for users who are upgrading from old OSs, which is just one more reason that any computer owner should pony up, backup their files and do a clean install on any new operating system. Whether or not the software "works" either way, clean installs tend to be less buggy over the long run. The Apple-using segment of the Gizmodo crew has performed both types of installs without incident—but you know how it goes—you’ll be the unlucky one. [apple via fortune]

Oh Nos: Apple Catches Microsoft Cooties, BSOD Attacks Leopard!

This is the first of several tutorials that I will be doing in Screencast format.  In this tutorial, I will be showing how easy it is to set up a Hotmail account.  I am starting with Hotmail because it also gives you a Windows Live Id that you can use with all of the Windows Live products.  You can use it for blogging, instant messaging, sharing pictures, and so much more.  Getting a Hotmail account is super easy, but here is a quick 4 minute tutorial on how to do it. 

Although Vista Media Center supports up to four CableCARDs, we haven’t actually seen the required ATI TV Wonder breakout box for sale by itself yet — it usually only comes bundled with a CableLABS-certified Vista Media Center PC. (In fact, from what we hear, OEMs are strictly forbidden from selling them without a PC.) It looks like Sony’s ready to bust these things loose, however, because SonyStyle.com is now selling them as the "VAIO Digital TV Tuner" for $299. You’ll still need that Vista Media Center PC with the required special firmware to make it work, but those of you itching to add more tuners to your rig — or just hack away at these things — might finally be able to make it happen. Just don’t blame us of CableLABS’s locks prevent you from properly capturing all those delicious high def MPEG-2 streams.

Sony selling the ATI TV Wonder CableCARD tuner all by its lonesome – Engadget

Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s CEO, talked on C|Net about the future of mobile platforms. He mentioned iPhone and what he likes or thinks it can get done better but also Zune saying he is pleased with what Zune has accomplished in terms of marketshare,  these last 12 months. He was also asked about Zune Phone to give the usual answer that Microsoft is currently focused on Windows CE & Mobile…

Zune-Online.com | Zune News and Forum – Ballmer talks about mobiles and Zune

If your a new Zuner or a long time Zuneafile, you can learn something new at VideoJug’s Zune section.  I one of those who can pick up things much faster with a video, then reading manuals.  Some of the titles include

• How To Use Your Zune In The Car
• How To Preset Stations On Your Zune Radio
• How To Convert Incompatible Audio Files For Your Zune
• How To Create A Playlist Using Your Zune Software

Zunes – advice videos on Zunes

Microsoft published today the Financial Statements for the 1st Quarter of the 2008 Fiscal Year and it’s the fastest first quarter growth for the company since 1999. The revenue was $13.76 billion for the Q1 ended September 30, 2007, a 27% increase over the same period of the prior year. The "Entertainment and Devices Division" which Zune belongs, increased it’s revenue 91% (!) of course not because of Zune but because of Halo 3 and Xbox 360…

Zune-Online.com | Zune News and Forum – Entertainment Division: 91% Revenue Increase

With your average non-connected GPS unit costing hundreds, we can easily get behind the idea of an ad-subsidized navigation hardware company that hooks its users up with heavily discounted (and possibly eventually free) GPS devices own or borrow (like, say, from a rental car agency). And that seems to be the angle adNav is after with their new supposedly forthcoming Boomerang GPS device, intended to be a cheap alternative to the other guys, even incorporating some less frequently used features in the GPS world, like WiFi and cellular data to browse the web or collect data (read: ads), and other connected travel utilities (translation, weather, flight tracking, etc.). Will adNav actually begin trials in San Francisco next month, as claimed? We’ll let you know.

adNav Boomerang, the ad-based GPS "conceirge" – Engadget

 For now at least, Zune hacks appear to be far outweighing the Zune cracks, although we doubt neither are making Microsoft very happy these days. The latest on hack front comes to us courtesy of Zune Boards member Marshilboy, who whipped up a little something that does away with the Zune’s guest sync feature, instead letting you sync any Zune as if it were the "home" Zune. That also does away with the need to erase everything on your Zune and start over from scratch should you ever somehow completely mess things up with it. Of course, as with all such hacks, it’s probably not be the best idea to start modifying software you’re dependent on unless you know what you’re doing, so proceed at your own risk.

Zune hack wipes out guest syncing – Engadget