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Decipher error messages in Time Machine with TM Error Logger for Mac

Computer hard drives have grown so big that neglecting to back up your stored information could lead to disaster. Applications like Time Machine can help enable users to easily protect their data, but sometimes they can generate errors that are difficult to decipher. Fortunately, TM Error Logger for Mac deciphers and tracks Time Machine error messages for you in understandable language.

TM Error Logger for Mac is a program that is capable of continually monitoring error messages generated by the Time Machine program. It is even capable of telling you which file the error code relates to so you can … Read more

Apple adds to its trademark list with Retina (TM)

Apple last week was granted a trademark in the U.S. covering "Retina," the marketing term the company uses to describe the pixel-dense screens on its iOS devices and computers.

Apple originally filed to trademark the term on June 7, 2010 -- the same day it officially unveiled the iPhone 4 at the company's annual developers conference.

That device would be the first to sport what Apple called a "Retina Display," with the promise that it was impossible to discern individual pixels when used at a normal distance. The company has since put its retina … Read more

TomTom announces capacitive-screened GO series

TomTom continues to update its line up of GPS navigation devices. This time, it has announced the two newest models of its top-tier GO line of GPS navigators, the TomTom GO 2405 TM and the GO 2505 TM. These models feature a new external aesthetic, an updated user interface, and the promise of faster routing.

The GO 2405 TM and GO 2505 TM differ from one another only in screen size (4.3 inches for the 2405 and 5 inches for the 2505). Both units feature glass capacitive touch screens that allow users to swipe and pinch their way around the TomTom interface. There's also a new metallic chassis with an asymmetric rear-panel design and a suction-cup mount car cradle that holds the GO unit in place with a strong magnet for easy attachment and release.

One area where TomTom has typically struggled (at least in our eyes) is its menu structure and graphic user interface (GUI). The TomTom GUI saw marked improvements with the entry-level TomTom Ease and further refinement with the XL 350 and XXL 550 software update. The new GO models feature a further evolution of TomTom's interface with dramatically improved graphics and reduced aliasing on the map screens, vibrantly colored icons in the menus, and easy-to-read text throughout. The new screen is a gem, and the updated interface really shows it off. … Read more

Panasonic's midrange HD camcorders slip behind the competition

LAS VEGAS--In a surprising move, Panasonic announced just one updated HD camcorder product line at CES, its midrange consumer models. All three--the flash-based HDC-TM55 and HDC-SD60 and the hard disk-based HDC-HS60--have wider angle (35.7mm equivalent), longer 25X zoom lenses than their predecessors had, plus touch screens and wind filters. This is surprising not only because of the dearth of announcements, but because most competitors have incorporated backside-illuminated CMOS sensors into their 2010 products for better low light recording.

The TM55 has 8GB of built-in memory, but the SD60 has none; all now support SDXC. The HS60 has a 120GB … Read more

Forget the Apple tablet, HP's TouchSmart tm2 is already here

With all the hype around Apple's still-mythical tablet, it's easy to forget that HP has been making a 12-inch consumer tablet for several years.

In fact, the product that started life as the HP tx1000, and is now called the TouchSmart tm2, is one of the only convertible tablet laptops aimed at mainstream entertainment consumers; most tablets are intended for medical, educational, or other specialized markets.

While convertible tablet laptops, which have screens that rotate 180 degrees to fold down over their keyboards, have never been a mainstream product, there's a certain appeal to using the multitouch … Read more

HTC Touch Pro2 clears FCC

Though the HTC Touch Pro2 has yet to formerly arrive in the United States, Bonnie Cha tells me it should make the full carrier rounds. We've seen it headed for Sprint and T-Mobile, and now the Federal Communications Commission has approved what appears to be a version for AT&T. A Samsung also made this week's list, along with the Sony Ericsson W518a and TM717.

Because the FCC has to certify every phone sold in the United States, not to mention test its SAR rating, the agency's online database offers a lot of sneak peeks to … Read more

Future is a click closer with remote-controlled kitchen

Recently at the Abitare il Tempo trade fair in Verona, TM Italia Cucine introduced their version of the kitchen of the future. Presented in two styles, Petra and Mondrian, both feature recessed appliances that are revealed at the touch of a button.

While the style is certainly exciting on both variations, I like to think of this as just another step in the direction of the future. Customizable, space-saving kitchen designs are nothing new. After all, they just make sense. Nobody would complain about being able to easily use their stovetop as a worktable. If it's not being used … Read more