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Moto Cliq gets software update

T-Mobile and Motorola have begun pushing a software update to the Moto Cliq. Google Android release 1.1.31 will offer the following changes. Motorola offers more information about the update on its support page.

Longer battery life New battery management Feature Better Bluetooth Touch-screen accuracy TTY option Better business connections Improved caller connectivity Quick Office 2 Accelerometer enhancements We haven't received the update on our review Cliq just yet, but we'll let you know when we do. Tell us what you think of the update's new features below.

BlackBerry bazaar

RIM's BlackBerry App World isn't the only way to get mobile applications onto your BlackBerry smartphone, but it's one of the most convenient. As the official BlackBerry storefront, there are certain advantages to using RIM's App World. Programs are easy to find by browsing through categories or searching--and only those apps compatible with your phone model will show. You're able to View reviews and see screenshots before committing to an app; you can add your own 2 cents' worth once you've installed the program in question.

While RIM manages no return policy, developers have … Read more

Boxing clever game

Sliding Block Puzzle does exactly what its name implies by mimicking a favorite childhood handheld game. Its simple graphics and relatively challenging gameplay make it a perfect choice for those looking for a brief brain-teaser or a bigger challenge.

In Sliding Block Puzzle, you click and drag tiles around to move a red square from a frame. We enjoyed the design of the program's interface, which is simple but with a clean, professional look. While the commonsense directions are straightforward enough that we didn't need any additional instructions, we were nevertheless disappointed to discover that the Help file … Read more

Subtle puzzle game

Spot the Difference provides a challenging game for both kids and adults. This fun game demands that players pay attention and seek out differences between two pictures to beat the clock.

We like how easy the interface is to operate, though the lack of a real Help file is a letdown. We were personally never confused enough by Spot the Difference to need extra instructions, but it was still disappointing to find that the Help file is basically an advertisement for other products. The game itself functions well, and the play offers a nice challenge. We were in a race … Read more

Drivers, use caution

Driver Robot is a free utility that offers to scan your PC for incorrect and out-of-date drivers. It's also a marketing ploy designed to upsell a $30 software package and subscription to a driver database. Whether it's a scam or a lifesaver might depend on your skill level, how you use your PC, and how old your system is.

Driver Robot is one of many such utilities out there, and they have similar looks, functions, and even marketing techniques, which typically involve securing a high ranking on Google and other search sites so that you'll hit on … Read more

Coupon finder

ShowTheOffer helps you discover money-saving vouchers, coupons, and discounts on any Web site that offers them. While this program is not without its flaws, it could help you keep money in the bank.

ShowTheOffer's interface is a mixed bag, in our opinion. While it embedded itself neatly into our toolbar and was easy to navigate, its online Help file is more of a commercial than an instructional. Fortunately, the program is simple enough to use with common sense; in fact, ShowTheOffer requires almost no effort to use. While you surf online, a pop-up window appears whenever the program detects … Read more

Molecular viewer

The needs of science sparked the development of the electronic computer, which led to the PC and today's multimedia-driven world. The favor's since been returned: 3D graphics have revolutionized scientific visualization. You'd need a research grant to afford most science-worthy tools, though, and an advanced degree to use them. But more and more research-quality software is showing up at affordable prices. Now DeLano Scientific has upped the ante by lowering the cost of quality scientific tools to the monetary equivalent of Absolute Zero: as in "free." Its PyMOL is a free Open Source molecular viewing … Read more

Basic, but fun

Troll is a basic fantasy game in which the player, acting as the troll, defends helpless villages from an onslaught of Orcs. Despite the game's unsophisticated graphics and basic tasks, we found it surprisingly addictive.

The publisher's description of Troll promises "a beautiful fantasy adventure," but we wouldn't go that far. The graphics are basic and a bit silly. Users choose a village from a map and are then taken to the playing area, which was more or less the same in each level we tried; in the foreground, the village, in the background, the … Read more

JVC's new Blu-ray player is a Profile 1.1 throwback

These days, what separates Blu-ray players from one another has less to do with how they play Blu-rays--they all do that pretty well--and more to do with the sort of extra features they offer. Many players, for instance, can access a variety of online entertainment options, including Amazon Video On Demand, Pandora, Vudu, and especially Netflix. Unfortunately, JVC's latest player doesn't have any of those online features. In fact, it can't even access the online extras found on some Blu-ray Discs.

JVC has released an entry-level Blu-ray player, the XV-BP11 ($200), which--surprisingly--only complies with the older Blu-ray … Read more