Sex and the City has been recently in the news for the world premier in London of the cinematic follow-up to the successful TV series. According to the film’s marketing team, they are creating smallish premieres in Europe, the next one will be in Berlin, in order to create enough suspense for the New York premier which will be ‘enormous’ and will happen just before the film opens worldwide, which is set for May the 30th.
For all the millions of fans of this fantastic series, I’ve found a great screen saver which will bring to your desktop all the allure of the four stylish women and that feeling of friendship, love and disillusion-illusion, that so appealed to so many of us.
Although the screensaver should allow you also to save the images as wallpaper, this function didn’t work when I tried it, so I though of making your life simpler by taking screenshot and zip them in this Sex and the City wallpaper collection, which I’m sure you’ll love.
If you really are a fan of the series, try this Trivia Game at HBO to find out where you rank on the Sex and the City scale. It will be also funny to test yourself to see with which character you have most affinity with: whether you are more like the high maintenance Charlotte, the pragmatic Miranda, the sexy Samantha, the all-in-one Carrie or a mix of them.
If you are a man, it’s still interesting to know which kind of woman you would be if you were one. I’m something in between Carrie and Charlotte. I just don’t live in Manhattan and would have some problems in buying a pair of Manolo Blahnik a week; but that’s just a matter of perspective, isn’t it?
Windows: The popular anti-spyware tool Ad-Aware has finally reached the open beta stage. The new Ad-Aware 2008 Beta features improved performance and stability, a better resource management and noticeably faster scans and updates. Download the open Beta and get a trial serial number to test a fully functioning Pro version for free during 42 days.
Mac: The big news today is Microsoft’s release of Messenger for Mac 7. The updated chat client now allows you to give nicknames to your contacts and offers Bonjour support to find connected users on your network. Corporate users are the better served though as they get detailed presence information and, most important audio and video support.
Symbian: Are you a fan of board games? Then make sure you check out Astraware Boardgames on your mobile phone. The pack includes classics such as Backgammon, Chess, Ludo, Checkers and Reversi. Each of the eight games comes with customizable rules and a range of difficulty level, so the fun keeps going for quite some time.
While everyone’s ranting and raving about amazing next-generation games like the new Grand Theft Auto, let’s not forget that these creations wouldn’t be around were it not for the pioneers of the console market such as the NES and Sega Master System. I can’t wait to try out GTA IV but I still intend to stay true to my gaming roots by playing 8-bit console classics on my mobile phone.
There’s a lot of emulation software around that lets you play old-school console games on your mobile phone. One of the most popular is vNES, which emulates the original Nintendo machine on your Symbian phone. This little app supports thousands of roms, and allows you to customize the controls for each game. One of the great things about the program is that it uses very little system memory so you shouldn’t notice any major performance problems.
Back in the day, your choice of 8-bit console said a lot about you as a person, and I was strictly a Master System man (well, boy). The best emulator for the Sega platform is probably MasterGear, which is compatible with all Nokia Series 60 3rd edition phones. The program will run SEGA Master System, GameGear, and SG1000 cartridge files with .sms, .sms.gz, .gg, .gg.gz, .sg, and .sg.gz extensions. Place your files into E:\Others\MG directory and you’re away!
If 8-bit games are just a bit too retro for you then you may want to try out Snes9x. This mobile app lets you play Super Nintendo roms, and comes with a number of neat features. You can choose to auto-pause games when you get a phone call, define frameskips and configure the keys and the touchpad.
Windows: If you like the way Ubuntu looks but don’t feel like migrating to a new operating system, don’t worry: you can still get the Ubuntu look and feel in your Windows computer with the Smooth Ubuntu Human visual theme. It features everything you need, from fonts to wallpapers, to make your XP look just like the most popular Linux distro.
Mac: Want to share your iPhoto and iTunes libraries on your Xbox 360? Connect360 is the perfect tool for the job. This little preference pane item lets you easily browse through iTunes and iPhoto and stream live internet radio. Through the preference pane item you get to see if the Xbox is well connected and that iTunes and iPhoto are in sync. Absolutely necessary if you own a Mac and an Xbox360!
Java: If you were around in the 80s then you’re sure to remember one of the greatest inventions of that era - the Rubix cube. Rubix Redux is a mobile game that plays in a similar way to the original only this time you only need to rotate the blocks on horizontal and vertical axes, so that every row or column is the same color.
We’ve been counting down the time for the GTA IV release since last month and now that it’s less than 24 hours left for us to wait, we’re really on tenterhooks now. It’s well known that thousands of gamers ahve already preordered their copy, but we’ve decided to go the bold way and get it in person from stores tomorrow April 29th.
With one of us (Tom) buying the PS3 version and another one (myself) the Xbox360 one, I guess there’s going to be a lot of interesting debate going along during the next weeks, comparing graphics, gameplay and performance. At least there’s one thing we can share: a complete GTA IV fan kit for your computer, so that we can all get into the GTA IV mood.
A pack of wallpapers is always a good start. You can select your favorite one in the game’s official site or simply download the special package Softonic has prepared for all GTA fans, containing a selection of six high-res background desktop images.
Another important element in this particular GTA IV customization is the screensaver. The official GTA IV Screensaver includes a bunch of screenshots from the game and is also constantly updated with more material from the Rockstar site.
But if you’re looking for actual game footage, don’t miss the following video from Gametrailers: a 11-minute long GTA IV video review that’s only made my mouth water even more.
Windows: Though Windows is relatively easy to customize, there are still a few options that remain hidden under unknown menus. TweakNow WinSecret unveils them all in an attractive, well organized interface where you’ll be able to tweak all sorts of special Windows settings concerning appearance, security and behavior.
Mac: The Sudoku fad may have been replaced by all the brain training games popping up everywhere, but Sudoku is still pretty popular, and remains a very enjoyable logic game. SudokuAdept is great for beginners as it features loads of settings to help you finish off your sudoku and adjustable difficulty levels, great to help you progress.
Mobile: Looking to travel during the weekend? GPS Tuner offers high precision measurements to show you detailed maps. The application works very well whether you are on the road, out on a boat, hiking in the mountains or even flying. GPS Tuner also makes it very easy to manage, modify, import and export your waypoints.
Parents are often worried about the games their children play on the computer. In my opinion this is due partly to ignorance and partly to the image that media creates of video-games, depicting them as elements of evil that only have negative effects on players.
But this is not the end of the story: games can be used for educational purposes and help kids develop their attention, improve their reflexes and learn the basics of controlling a computer which is a skill they’re definitely going to need in the future.
So do your children a favor and don’t ban them from playing videogames. Instead, take a look at this list of kids’ games and see how much they can learn. And believe me, anything they learn while playing a game and having fun won’t be easily forgotten.
Windows: Are you tired of castles and soldiers historical strategy games? Give the genre a twist with Sins of a Solar Empire, a real-time strategy game set in outer space. Command your spaceship troops and explore other planets while struggling to manage resources properly and taking your civilization to the highest levels of social and scientific development.
Mac: If you have a busy schedule, staying on top of tasks is crucial. Dejumble is a menu bar item which lets you not only create your own tasks, but also view them in a list, add tags and enter notes. The application integrates with iCal, so your tasks are stored there too, and comes in a simple floating window which can be launched quickly from the menu bar.
Pocket PC: If you’re anything like me then you’ve always dreamed about living in a world entirely made out of clay. Well, now you can thanks to Platypus, a side-scrolling shooter where all the game’s elements are made from clay. You take command of a doughy spacecraft and must blast invaders out of the sky. Watch out for the splatty explosions - they’re out of this world!
Pocket PC:UNO is one of the most wickedly intensive card games ever created, and you can now play the game on your mobile phone. UNO Classic 2007 is a gorgeously presented recreation, with loads of characters and backgrounds to choose from. Don’t worry if you don’t know the rules because they’re very well explained here.
Windows: If you wan to add even more functionality to your Firefox browser, this extension is for you. With Auto Context you get an extra web context menu that pops up when you select any word or text, and offers a customizable selection of tasks from searching that text on Google to opening it as an URL. Auto Context can also work with other compatible extensions so that you get the most from them all.
Mac: Want to focus only on today’s work? Then the Today application for Mac should help you out. This program synchronizes perfectly with both Apple Mail and iCal to show all your tasks and events for the day. It can be opened up from the Dock or the menu bar. And if you don’t want to bother opening up iCal you can create new tasks and events straight from Today. Try it out now (I mean today)!
Windows: If you like listening to music while working with the PC but you’ve grown tired of your MP3 collection, try Nexus Radio instead. This amazing radio player has just released its latest version, 2.2.4, which features more than 7,000 online radio stations in 38 different genres. Nexus Radio is iPhone and iPod compatible and can also record music with just a single click.
Mac: Looking to download videos straight from Safari onto your iPod? CosmoPod, a plugin for the Mac browser lets you convert videos into the iPod ready H.264 or MP4 formats in seconds. It includes an embedded player so you can preview your videos to make sure they are of adequate quality before taking them with you on your iPod.
Symbian: If you enjoy nothing more than a game of sudoku on the bus to work then get hold of Sensible Sudoku on your mobile phone. The game features a powerful sudoku engine capable of generating billions of puzzles in multiple difficulty levels. Sensible Sudoku includes a pleasant interface, elegant audio and enjoyable gameplay. Download it now for a compelling experience!
Are you still using those outdated HTML web galleries to share photos online? Pimp your photo collection with Photo! 3D Album, a tool that lets you create amazing 3D photo galleries and share them right away. You can use different environments and export the collection as a web gallery, standalone photo album or even a customized screensaver.
Thought about sharing files with your friends over the internet? Papaya is a web server which makes great use of your Mac’s features like Quick Look, iTunes and iSight and makes sharing easier than ever. Just drag and drop your files on the app, organize them in folders, add a password for protection and share the url with your friends.
Poker is highly addictive but it can also be highly addictive, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. Thanks to Aces Texas Hold’em you can experience the thrill of winning at the game without the fear of losing loads of money if everything goes wrong. This mobile version of the game boasts amazing intelligence specifically created for limit-style Texas Hold’em.
Tired of the default media player on your Symbian phone? Then turn your handset into a portable music center with XSound. The application supports audio files in AAC and MP3 format and also ID3 tags to keep your playlists in order. An integrated search function scans your mobile for music, so that everything is ready to play.
Join the most exciting online racing competition with Trackmania Nations Forever! This amazing free racing game lets you play on your own in more than 60 tracks and also compete against players from all over the world. Create your own circuits, customize your car, make friends and become the fastest driver on Earth!
Looking for an alternative to iPhoto for organizing pictures on your Mac? JetPhoto Studio is a promising solution. You can browse your photos in calendar view, make Flash movies, screen savers and slideshows, locate them via GPS in Google Earth and and easily rate and tag them. JetPhoto Studio also works with a number of web printing and publishing services like Flickr.
Blizzard - the creators of World of Warcraft - have finally taken action on slow servers that have been plaguing gamers in Europe for several days. The company has taken the unusual step of announcing that they are to compensate disgruntled users who have suffered days of slow service.
Two days’ compensation will be offered to everyone, even those who remain unaffected by the problems. In addition, everyone will receive level one and a half extra rest so they level up quicker.
In addition, the company say that all European users will be awarded with an extra one and a half ‘rest’, allowing players to level-up just as quickly as they would’ve had they played on the days experiencing server troubles. The servers in question have already been replaced but the continuing problems are being blamed on Blizzard’s third party ISP partners.
Although this is an admirable move by Blizzard, it amounts to little more than 50 cents for most users. In addition, many users are complaining that two days rest compensation is hardly sufficient for what has amounted to several days of problems. However, at least Blizzard have recognised that such poor service is unacceptable to serious online gamers and hopefully, it will encourage other developers to follow suit in future.
The number of online TV services is growing by the day, and every time you wake up there seems to be dozens more ways to enjoy your favorite programs. Online Live lets you watch more than 3,000 free Internet TV channels, on-demand videos and listen to free online radio shows. The live TV channels database claims to be the biggest in the world.
It’s not always that we talk about widgets, but when we do it’s usually that they’re pretty good. iCal Events is exactly what you’d expect of one: it simply makes your life easier. The widget will display all your events from one day up to two weeks. It’s also resizable so you can have all future events displayed on your Dashboard without ever having to open up iCal. Events are shown with their corresponding color code and date and hour. A great way to keep on top of your schedule.
Bomberman is one of the all-time classic console titles and now you can enjoy the fun on your mobile phone too, thanks to Bomber. The game charges you with the task of setting bombs to blast your way through rocks and reach the aliens - who you must also blow up. Just make sure you get out of the way before the explosion goes off!
Working from home definitely has its advantages and disadvantages. Obviously you get the freedom to choose your own hours and can manage other areas of your life or devote more time to your family. What many people fail to realize when they start their tele-working career is that you suddenly need to take on more responsibility and become much better organized than you ever have been. You no longer have your boss in your ear all day reminding you to complete certain tasks, accounts need to be taken care of yourself, and communication in general becomes more of an issue.
Luckily there are certain practices you can employ on your computer to ensure that you’re just as efficient a worker at home as you are in the office. Here are a collection of PC programs that can help turn you into a productive home worker:
Google Docs - Free word processor and spreadsheet ideal for sharing and collaborating
Google Talk - The most reliable way to stay in touch, via voice or instant messaging
Cisco VPN Client - Connect to your office network while you’re at home
CallCenter - Send, receive and manage your faxes using this handy Windows client
Task Plus - Ensure that you never forget any important tasks or meetings
Microsoft Money - The complete solution for your invoicing, taxes and book-keeping
The Office - Miss all the workplace antics? Get this game based on the popular sitcom
Sex and the City has been recently in the news for the world premier in London of the cinematic follow-up to the successful TV series. According to the film’s marketing team, they are creating smallish premieres in Europe, the next one will be in Berlin, in order to create enough suspense for the New York premier which will be ‘enormous’ and will happen just before the film opens worldwide, which is set for May the 30th.
While everyone’s ranting and raving about amazing next-generation games like the new 
We’ve been counting down the time for the GTA IV release since last month and now that it’s less than 24 hours left for us to wait, we’re really on tenterhooks now. It’s well known that thousands of gamers ahve already preordered their copy, but we’ve decided to go the bold way and get it in person from stores tomorrow April 29th.
Parents are often worried about the games their children play on the computer. In my opinion this is due partly to ignorance and partly to the image that media creates of video-games, depicting them as elements of evil that only have negative effects on players.
Working from home definitely has its advantages and disadvantages. Obviously you get the freedom to choose your own hours and can manage other areas of your life or devote more time to your family. What many people fail to realize when they start their tele-working career is that you suddenly need to take on more responsibility and become much better organized than you ever have been. You no longer have your boss in your ear all day reminding you to complete certain tasks, accounts need to be taken care of yourself, and communication in general becomes more of an issue.