ComputerNutz

The Beatles come to iTunes
Songs by the Beatles are now available on the iTunes store. Thirteen remastered studio albums and the Red and Blue collections are available. The foursome’s record label has had a tenuous relationship with Apple for some time

What’s on Microsoft’s Windows holiday gift list?
A year ago, shortly after the launch of Windows 7, Windows 7 PCs were a hot holiday gift item. But what about this year?

Government hopes to expand Disabilities Act
The government is seeking to expand the Americans with Disabilities Act. The act was passed some 20 years ago. Lawmakers hope innovations in cyberspace and personal technology will assist disabled citizens.

Tablet wars: RIM gets aggressive with Apple iPad comparisons
Research in Motion looks like a company that has a limited window to compete with Apple’s iPad and wants to seize the day with its PlayBook.

Body scanner images leaked on Web
It was recently reported that a courthouse’s X-ray scanners had stored over 35,000 images. U.S. Marshals had previously said that the scanners couldn’t save images. One tech site placed a Freedom of Information Act request and received 100 of the images

As Netflix bears down, Hulu Plus cuts price
Hulu Plus is playing catchup with rival Web video service Netflix and has apparently realized that the best way to compete is to offer a discount.

Online viewers still watch TV shows
A recent study examined the effect of online shows on TV viewership. Nearly 800 people participated in the study. The majority of viewers still seem to watch the same amount of television.

How much patent trouble is Google really in
While most players are playing a dance of suit and countersuit Google can only deny the charges against it because it lacks the kind of patent portfolio that would let it fight back.

Google Voice comes to iPhone
After a slew of approval battles, Google Voice is now available on the iPhone. The app supports calling and texting, push notifications and voicemail access. Currently, the app is only available in America

List says Google Chrome is most vulnerable
Google Chrome tops the annual "Dirty Dozen" list. The list ranks the most vulnerable applications. The company that compiled the list, Bit9, reports that Chrome had 76 vulnerabilities

Note: Cross posted from nutzworld.com.

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Go-OO is a fork of OpenOffice that has quite a few impressive features which really ought to be in official OO, but for some reason or another aren´t, such as support for OpenXML, better Microsoft Binary support, Excel VBA macros, Visio diagrams and Word Perfect Graphics support

Note: Cross posted from nutzworld.com.

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The Beatles come to iTunes at last
Fans of the Fab Four can now get the entire Beatles catalog via the iTunes store. The news marks a long-time-coming, personal victory for Apple’s Steve Jobs.

Son uses Facebook to find biological mother
A German woman gave her infant son up for adoption 29 years ago. Now, mother and son have been reunited, thanks to Facebook. The mother discovered that her son was looking for her after he sent a friend request

Stuxnet seems to target Iran’s nuclear program
Researchers say that Stuxnet might have been created to sabotage Iran’s uranium enrichment program. The Stuxnet worm was first detected in June. Researchers now believe it was created by a team of state-sponsored programmers

Google mixes local and social reviews in Hotpot
In a new crack at a social technology, Google launches a service to review businesses and find what your friends recommend. Google Maps for Android dovetails with it.

Facebook starts new messaging system
Facebook has announced a new messaging tool for its users. It says that the new tool will combine a number of communication methods. For example, it will incorporate e-mail, text messages and online chatting.

Windows 8 to showcase ‘desktop as a service’?
Since April, it’s been quiet on the Windows 8 leak front. But here’s a new tidbit to keep the "what’s next for Windows" faithful going for a bit longer.

Note: Cross posted from nutzworld.com.

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The news has been full of doom and gloom over the Firesheep plugin that allows people to snoop on computers in public hotspots.

Free Wi-Fi hotspots are convenient, but come with increased security risks as well. Another Firefox plug-in called BlackSheep was developed as a Firesheep alarm. It won’t secure your wireless data, and it won’t prevent your information from being snooped by Firesheep, but it will alert you when Firesheep is in use on the network you’re connected to so that you’re aware.

Download BlackSheep

‘Unforgettable’ iTunes announcement tomorrow
Apple is advertising an "exciting announcement" at 7 a.m. PT concerning iTunes that it claims will make Tuesday a day that you will never forget.

News organization lifts photos from Twitter
A French-based news agency is defending its use of photos taken from Twitter. It also sold the photos through Getty Images. The agency claims that Twitter’s terms of service give them rights to the photos.

Why film studios are betting on Web again
Hollywood could have snubbed Netflix, ditched Hulu and stuck with traditional distribution. Instead, they’re licensing content for Web TV and taking on former partners, including theaters owners.

Teachers predict textbooks will be obsolete
A study shows that 70 percent of teachers value using computers in class over textbooks. Additionally, the teachers say that students are seriously disadvantaged if they don’t have Internet access

You’ve got Facemail! Now what?
Facebook’s rumored ‘Gmail killer’ email service is on the way. Cringely says Facebook’s inevitable decline will soon follow.

Twitter joke lands man in jail
Thousands of Twitter users are showing support for a man who was jailed over a tweet. The man joked that he would blow up the airport if his plane was delayed. Many say that his free speech was violated

Is Google being evil and stealing your Web pages with Google Preview?
If feature creep goes so far that you wind up in front of the Supreme Court, you’ve got too many features.

Kinect hacked for use with computers
Microsoft’s new motion controller for the Xbox 360 has been hacked. The Kinect uses cameras to translate body movement to in-game controls. Drivers have now been made that will let PCs and Macs use the Kinect

Microsoft vs. McAfee: How free antivirus outperformed paid
How effective is free antivirus software? I had a chance to see a real, in-the-wild example just this month, and the results were, to put it mildly, unexpected.

FCC starts investigation into Google Street View
It has only been two weeks since the FTC ended its investigation on Google. Now, the FCC is investigating the search site. Google’s Street View cars collected information from unsecured Wi-Fi networks

Firefox 4 beta 7 – Fast, but Chrome and Opera are faster
Mozilla have managed to up the horsepower of the new Firefox 4 beta 7 JavaScript engine, but it still has a way to go before it can catch up with Chrome and Opera

AT&T prepares for the end to iPhone exclusivity
Carrier is announcing new products and has struck a deal with an independent app store to make sure it has something to offer consumers when it must give up its exclusive hold on the iPhone.

Google and Facebook rivalry heats up
Analysts are worried that Google and Facebook will continue to bump heads. The companies have been bickering over data sharing. Recently, Google blocked Facebook from gathering data from its users’ accounts.

Backlash grows over TSA’s ‘naked strip searches’
But security agency tells CNET that it has "received minimal complaints" in response to widespread installation of full-body scanning machines at U.S. airports.

Digital Underclass? Only if we allow it
Jason Perlow’s vision of a digital underclass can be prevented, but only through the rapid evolution of our vision of what a library should be (and the support of vital stakeholders).

Samsung Galaxy Tab: iPad Rival or Handheld Computer?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab is an impressive piece of technology, but it’s not really an iPad competitor

The first Apple computer up for auction
An original Apple-1, Apple’s first computer, is up for auction. The price starts at about $240,000. The Apple-1 was the first computer Apple CEO Steve Jobs sold from his parents’ garage.

Note: Cross posted from nutzworld.com.

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Meet Roboni-i, a highly-intelligent robot that fuses interactive, remote-controlled gameplay with advanced robotic technology. Operated wirelessly using a handheld controller and featuring four processors and 16 sensors, Roboni-i can sense and respond to his environment, explore the room on its own, and even engage in games with other Roboni-i units. A great toy for young robotics enthusiasts, Roboni-i can also be linked to your computer, allowing to reprogram his behavior and upload customized games.

Get your Robonica Roboni – I Programmable Gaming Robot Just $59.99

Cutting-Edge Robotic Technology
With his futuristic architecture and space-age silver color, Roboni-i would fit right at home in a science fiction movie. He features a durable plastic chassis that protects his intricate inner technology.

Inside of Roboni-i are 12 infrared sensors, which the robot uses to sense his surroundings, "talk" to other robots and communicate with the included BaseStation. He also features highly-sensitive touch sensors on his front and back bumpers, allowing him to sense even the slightest physical contact.

When Roboni-i senses something, he responds immediately by executing complex behaviors. For instance, if he collides with a wall, he’ll whistle with displeasure, turn around, and proceed in the opposite direction. If he spots his BaseStation or another Roboni-i unit, he might fire off his laser. If left by himself for more than 30 seconds, he may even begin to explore the environment on his own. He’ll always remain near his BaseStation, though, so you don’t have to worry about him wandering off by himself.

Get your Robonica Roboni – I Programmable Gaming Robot Just $59.99

Fast, Nimble Remote-Control Action
With a full, 360-degree range of motion, Roboni-i is incredibly agile. You control Roboni-i using a comfortable handheld controller, which communicates wirelessly with the robot. The controller’s LCD screen displays various aspects of the robot’s status, such as his level of "happiness," his battery life, current game mode, and so on.

The robot is surprisingly fast, and he’s even capable of stunts and loops. Keep in mind that his plastic frame houses complex electronics, so don’t get too wild with your stunts. He’s by no means an all-terrain vehicle and is best driven on a hard, flat surface.

Loaded with Personality
Roboni-i isn’t just a mindless automaton that you control. He is a moody, sensitive robot that seems to have a mind of his own! He is at his happiest when he gets lots of attention, and when he is in close vicinity to his BaseStation.

If you switch his BaseStation off or move it out of reach, he will have a robotic "freak-out" and begin frantically searching for it. When he’s in a good mood, he will randomly fire off his laser, run away and "hide" from you, and perform other playful acts.

When you pay close attention to Roboni-i, you earn "RoboTX" levels — a measure of how much your robot trusts you. As you earn more and more RoboTX levels, your robot will gain access to more advanced actions and movements. This is a fun feature that allows your robot to grow dynamically with you as its owner. However, it also requires you to invest time in playing with your robot in order to get the most out of the toy.

Reprogram Roboni-i with Your Computer

Using the included Command Center program, you can customize the way your Roboni-i reacts to different stimuli. The program is very easy to use, although it does take some degree of computer competence (which younger kids may not have.) A drag-and-drop menu lets you easily program your robot to reverse, spin around, crabwalk, flash its activity LEDs, and more. The program also comes with a comprehensive tutorial, making it easy to learn how to use your robot.

The Command Center program is compatible with Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7. It is backed by a 1-year limited warranty.

Get your Robonica Roboni – I Programmable Gaming Robot Just $59.99

Today’s freebie is brought to you by the fine folks at MacXDVD who for the next few days are giving away the pro version of their excellent Video Converter Pro software. This is a fantastic and easy to use converter. With a total of 420+ video/audio codecs and an advanced HD video decoding engine, MacX Video Converter Pro has powerful capabilities to convert among all HD video and SD videos and transfer to Mac, PC, iMovie, iTunes, iPhone iPad, iPod, etc. It also enables users to download YouTube videos and convert to other format or create VOB files from video for burning to DVD.

We use the windows version and it is fantastic. Get your free copy today.

Screenshot:

How to Get MacX Video Converter Pro for Free

Go to the Giveaway Page at: http://www.macxdvd.com/mac-video-converter-pro/

1. For Mac users, download the full version of MacX Video Converter Pro by click "Download for Mac" button, and use the license code: AY-DSJGNKY-6E7E777

2. For Windows users, download the full version of MacX HD Video Converter Pro for Windows by click "Download for Windows" button, and use the license code: BO-UMUJUMYT-FBOBXO

Enjoy your free software!

Google and Facebook battle over data sharing
Google has blocked Facebook from downloading information from Gmail. That’s because Facebook doesn’t share data in return. Now, Facebook has implemented a workaround that lets users import data from Gmail.

Google gives employees 10 percent raise, cash
Raises and bonuses, which apply to all of the Internet giant’s 25,000 employees, are apparently intended to prevent defections to competitors such as Facebook

Instant Previews coming to Google

Google has announced a new Instant Preview feature. The feature will soon let users preview sites before clicking on them. The intent is to help avoid irrelevant or unhelpful sites

Rockmelt – How big is the threat to Google?
Rockmelt hasn’t fundamentally changed the browser game yet. It does have some things going for it along with enough annoyances to keep Google from shaking in its boots too much

Hasbro makes 3-D add-on for iPhone
Hasbro has unveiled 3-D binoculars for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The binoculars allow users to view content and play games in 3-D. Hasbro as also signed a deal with DreamWorks for more content

Windows Phone 7 sees strong initial sales
Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 could boost the company’s smart phone market share. Analysts expect its share to rise half a percentage point to 5.2 percent in 2011.

Windows Phone 7 vs. Android: Can you choose just one?
Windows Phone 7 is hot, slick, and new while Android 2.2 is on fire in the mobile space. Come look into the mind of a mobile mad man as I try to figure out which of these two I am choosing for myself.

Note: Cross posted from nutzworld.com.

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Cyber Command hopes to expand authority
The Pentagon’s new Cyber Command is seeking authority to take offensive action when necessary. This would allow the organization to attack opponents’ computers or networks. But policymakers are concerned with the legality of offensive operations

Is RockMelt’s Social Browser Revolutionary?
Though the name makes me want to eat a hot tuna and cheddar sandwich while blasting Led Zeppelin, RockMelt could be on the verge of a browsing revolution.

Laptops pose threat to fertility
Researchers discovered that laptop temperatures could affect male fertility. It only takes 10 to 15 minutes for temperatures to become dangerous. Users don’t feel the rise in temperature.

Security firms blast Microsoft for free antivirus offer
Two companies complain about antitrust and other issues with Microsoft’s plan, but several analysts argue that Redmond isn’t bundling and any protection is better than none

Smart phones and tablets cause surge in data sales
A study of America’s wireless data market shows that connected devices are exploding in popularity. The category saw a 42 percent increase from last year. Analysts attribute this growth to new devices like the iPad and Web-capable smart phones.