3.2

Every now and then we get tools we can't really review because they're only for fixing problems our test system (thankfully) doesn't have. Case in point: the dreaded 80070005 family of errors, which can appear when you're trying to install software, update a driver, or do something else that ought to be totally easy but for some reason has become the focus, and thus the bane, of your existence. That's where Security Restore enters the scene. This free tool from Rizonesoft simply attempts to restore your PC's default security settings when something happens to … Read more

The Kodak ESP line is meant for budding photographers and families that need a simple device to output family photos, collages, and personalized photo snapshots. The latest 3.2 all-in-one delivers print, copy, and scan functionality in a compact frame that still gives creatives access to a 2.4-inch color screen that accepts light photo edits. … Read more

Finally, here is software that might help you win the lottery -- literally. Magayo Lotto is a free tool that is capable of generating the numbers for four kinds of lottery games: Powerball, Thunderball, Lotto, and Toto. The tool uses the results of previous lotteries to present a pool of winning numbers the user can then choose from.

Magayo Lotto has a very simple and easy-to-use interface. Just pick the country, the lottery game, and then download the previous results. The tool then offers an analysis of which numbers have the best chance of winning in the next draw. The … Read more

It's tough to get noticed in the Browser Wars, let alone get ahead, but it helps to have an angle. Visual Explorer Ultimate is a free Web browser optimized for viewing and downloading video online. It offers a lot of security features, too, such as privacy, antiphishing, and ad-blocking capabilities, and it works with your Internet Explorer favorites. It requires IE5 or better installed in your system, too.

Visual Explorer's up-to-date interface includes a unified address-search bar called the Navigation Bar, built-in Google search field, and tabs. The default light blue color scheme and toolbar style give Visual … Read more

Cloudmark Desktop One is an antispam tool for small and medium businesses, but it's free for personal use. It protects your e-mail account from spam, phishing, and viruses. It automatically configures itself to your e-mail account, but it works independently to protect you from threats even when your e-mail client is closed. It supports Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail, and Mozilla Thunderbird with its optional integrated toolbar, and Gmail, Yahoo, Lycos, Hotmail, FastMail, and AOL without the toolbar. It offers separate downloads for 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows XP, Vista, and 7. We tried the 64-bit version in … Read more

Junk food threatens your health, doctors say. Junk files threaten your computer's health in much the same way, by clogging up its data arteries with useless deposits that slowly strangle its performance. In both cases, exercise is crucial to maintaining the health of the overall system. Luckily, keeping your system fit and trim is easy, thanks to system cleaners like The Web Atom's System Ninja Portable. This portable freeware scans your computer for the digital equivalent of fatty deposits, such as temporary files and browser histories, and cleans them out, helping your system to run more like it … Read more

Are we seeing a trend of Microsoft setting up shop next to Apple Stores?

If so, it's not a bad trend. Even a necessary one to check the Apple consumer Juggernaut.

At the Westfield Century City mall in Los Angeles, the Apple and Microsoft stores are close enough that when you leave one you'll almost immediately see the other.

That's helpful for consumers interested in exploring both rival camps. The Apple Store is a known quantity. The Microsoft Store isn't, for many people. That's too bad, because a Microsoft store offers a much better snapshot … Read more

Android 4.x "Ice Cream Sandwich" is making gains, though Gingerbread still takes the lion's share, according to a snapshot of data provided to Android developers.

Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) had about a 2.9 percent share and Honeycomb had more than a 3 percent share, according to Android Developers, which describes the data as "the relative number of active devices running a given version of the Android platform."

ICS started appearing in devices only toward the end of last year.

The Web site says the data can help developers "understand the landscape of … Read more

Unleash the hacks! Details on a working procedure for root the dual-screen Sony Tablet P came out yesterday.

A forum post on Pocketables describes how to root the Tablet P, which would take a few minutes at best for those fluent with technical instructions (seriously, its uber easy). Those desiring full control over Android 3.2 on the Tablet P merely need to download a few files: ADB Installer and Sony Tablet Root Program. … Read more