MacBook Pro review (early 2011)

Apple might say we're in the post-PC era, but hey -- turns out they still make Macs in Cupertino, and the new MacBook Pro is actually one of the more aggressive refreshes in the machine's history. Not only has it been less than a year since the last MacBook Pro spec bump, but our 15-inch review unit is actually the first Sandy Bridge system we've received from any manufacturer. And it's not just the CPU that's new: Apple's also launching the new Thunderbolt high-speed interconnect, and there's been a big switch to an AMD Radeon HD 6750M GPU paired with Intel's integrated HD Graphics 3000, an arrangement that should offer both solid graphics performance and great battery life. That's a lot of new parts in a familiar case -- but do they add up to something more than just a speed bump? Read on for our full review!

Gallery: MacBook Pro (early 2011) unboxing and hands-on

Continue reading MacBook Pro review (early 2011)

MacBook Pro review (early 2011) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/macbook-pro-review-early-2011/

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Xeno Defense is a fantastic tower defense Time Waster

117,944 - that's my final score in Xeno Defense. I think this is the first Time Waster I found addictive enough to actually play all the way to the end. It is a casual game - you don't have to finish it to enjoy it. But it was easy enough, and definitely addictive enough, for me to just finish. It took me about half an hour, I think.

There's a story line, but it's not very important. The gist of it is that you're a scientist stranded in an outpost, and there's an alien invasion. Your encampment is all the way to the right side of the screen, with swarms of aliens coming in from the left and trying to invade. Your job is to shoot them and defend your turf.

As the game evolves, you gain experience points. At the end of each level you go to the store and choose what you want to spend your points on: new buildings, new weapons, upgrade existing weapons, or invest in repairing your base.

The final goal is to build a weapon that's advanced enough to use against the alien mothership. This is done by building enough research buildings - but you must balance the buildings you buy with your weapons upgrades, because each swarm of aliens is stronger than the last.

I finished the game with two days to spare; what was your score?

Xeno Defense is a fantastic tower defense Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/02/xeno-defense-is-a-fantastic-tower-defense-time-waster/

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Add a keyboard shortcut to a Chrome bookmark or bookmarklet

It occurred to us, after writing yesterday's list of Chrome keyboard shortcuts, that there was one glaring omission: bookmark shortcuts.

Not only does the Bookmark Bar take up valuable real estate, but no one really wants to click through folders of bookmarks to find what you're looking for.

Now, Firefox has 'Smart bookmarks', which lets you add a keyword to a bookmark. Chrome, however, only lets you assign keywords (and thus keyboard shortcuts) to search engines.

Fortunately, with a little bit of hacking, that doesn't matter.

Continue reading Add a keyboard shortcut to a Chrome bookmark or bookmarklet

Add a keyboard shortcut to a Chrome bookmark or bookmarklet originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/02/add-a-keyboard-shortcut-to-a-chrome-bookmark-or-bookmarklet/

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Deal of the Day ? LG 42? 720p 600Hz Sub Field Plasma HDTV

Today?s LogicBUY deal offers 22% savings on the LG 42? 720p 600Hz Sub Field Plasma HDTV (model 42PJ350). This TV has 3,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, Dual XD engine, and 600Hz Sub Field driving. It also features Smart Energy Saving, and it has 3 HDMI inputs. $549.99 – $120 off = $429.99 with free shipping. This [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/03/03/deal-of-the-day-%e2%80%93-lg-42%e2%80%9d-720p-600hz-sub-field-plasma-hdtv/

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Google's Native Client updates to Pepper API, looks set to fragment the Web

Native Client (NaCl), Google's attempt at bridging the gap between pure JavaScript Web apps and installed programs, creeps ever closer to a stable release, and ultimate inclusion in other browsers, including Firefox. The plug-in, which allows the browser to safely execute native compiled code, has retired its NPAPI interface in favor of Pepper (PPAPI), and now has a much-improved SDK.

NaCl, as a concept, is awesome. It allows for untrusted code to be executed natively, which is perfect for processor-intensive tasks like games and data analysis. The ultimate goal is to have NaCl modules that you can plug into a website, just like JavaScript is used at the moment -- a physics module, a maths module, a graphics module. JavaScript would still manage the easier bits, while NaCl would be leveraged for meatier tasks.

Ultimately, however, NaCl could cause immeasurable damage to the Open Web paradigm. NaCl is an open source project, but it still brings the same risks of fragmentation as Flash, Silverlight and Java applets. As it stands, only Chrome supports the Pepper interface that NaCl requires -- and with IE9 and Firefox 4 only weeks away from release, it would be a long time until support for the plug-in could improve.

If NaCl gains enough traction, Chrome could become the next IE6...

Continue reading Google's Native Client updates to Pepper API, looks set to fragment the Web

Google's Native Client updates to Pepper API, looks set to fragment the Web originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 06:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/21/google-native-client-readying-for-prime-time-fragment-web/

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Google Apps customers can now purchase additional storage on the cheap

A while back, Google started offering inexpensive storage upgrades for Google Docs storage. Now, users with a domain set up on Google Apps can purchase additional storage, too. The change means you can boost your disk space to 20GB for a paltry $5 per year, or a whopping 1TB for $256 per year (which works out to about $22 per month). That's a very reasonable price for additional cloud storage, and well worth it if you're a heavy Google Docs user.

The space is shared with Gmail as well, so you'll be boosting your mailbox capacity(Thanks for the correction, Nathan!). Hit the Google Enterprise blog for full details!

Google Apps customers can now purchase additional storage on the cheap originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/02/google-apps-customers-can-now-purchase-additional-storage-on-the/

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What can we expect from the new Blade Runner movie? We asked the producers. [Blade Runner]

Yesterday we learned that the rights Blade Runner was getting a sequel or a prequel. We spoke with the producers behind this project, and asked them your burning questions. So, will it be Blade Runner 2 or Blade Runner Origins? More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/CSOGOpVhDNQ/what-can-we-expect-from-the-new-blade-runner-movie-we-asked-the-producers

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CorelDraw video tutorial: Pulling in photos and clip art from the Web

This is the fourth (and final) of our CorelDRAW video tutorials. You can watch the others by browsing the CorelDRAW tag.

When creating a vector image or a composition, you don't always have to re-invent the wheel. After all, it is more than likely that whatever it is you're trying to do has been done before, at least in part. Using existing images or clip art ("media assets" in business parlance) can greatly speed up your work, and even improve the overall look of the image you produce.

To this end, I've chosen to create a video showing Corel Connect. It's a media search engine that comes with CorelDRAW, and helps you pull in images from Flickr, Fotolia, iStockphoto, and of course, your local hard drive and CorelDRAW's own clip art repositories.

Corel Connect ties in very tightly with CorelDRAW itself, and also does a nice job of protecting the original creator's rights so you don't "forget" to license whatever content you're using. See for yourself after the jump!

Continue reading CorelDraw video tutorial: Pulling in photos and clip art from the Web

CorelDraw video tutorial: Pulling in photos and clip art from the Web originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/07/coreldraw-video-tutorial-pulling-in-photos-and-clip-art-from-the-web/

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Motorola Xoom Designed for Heavy Meddling

Unlike its arch-rival, the Apple iPad, the Motorola Xoom tablet is easy to open up for repairs and upgrades. "It appears Motorola built the Xoom to be upgraded, so they have this parting line about an inch from the top on the back that lets you separate the device into two pieces," Miroslav Djuric, who tore down the Xoom for iFixit, told TechNewsWorld.

Source: http://www.technewsworld.com/rsstory/71954.html

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CNN Says iPad 2 Will Have "Dueling Operating Systems" [Video]

Yes. According to CNN, the iPad 2 will have a camera, perhaps two cameras. It will also have more operating system. In fact, it will have "dueling operating systems so you can do more." It will have two of everything. It's going to be awesome. I'm so getting this thing. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/UQJKyz3_58s/cnn-says-ipad-2-will-have-dueling-operating-systems

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Humanity Has Reached the Point Where We Now Have TSA-Friendly Adidas Shoes [Shoes]

Made from stretchy mesh so they can be slipped off easily for conveyor belt scanning or closer inspections, Adidas' SLVR Concept Shoes are available in just three sizes (small, medium and large). Do you think $140 is a fair price to pay for a few shaved seconds off the airport security rigmarole? [SLVR via Acquire via OhGizmo] More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/86WKUpl7vMk/humanity-has-reached-the-point-where-we-now-have-tsa+friendly-adidas-shoes

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Shopping List Manager for Windows Phone 7 organizes your grocery runs

The number of apps available for Windows Phone 7 is starting to climb sharply and we've seen more good apps of late, too -- not just soundboards and wrappers around mobile websites. If you're after a nice WP7 app to manage your grocery store excursions, check out Shopping Lists Manager.

Create a list, add items, and you'll get a checklist to mark off items as you add them to your grocery basket (or cart, if that's how you roll). Shopping Lists Manager will also optionally hide checked items so they're not cluttering up your list view. Better still, you can register and then sync your lists between two devices -- very handy if you and your roommate or significant other want to collaborate on purchase planning.

Download Shopping List Manager for Windows Phone 7

Shopping List Manager for Windows Phone 7 organizes your grocery runs originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/24/shopping-list-manager-for-windows-phone-7-organizes-your-grocery-shopping/

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Gmail app for Android adds custom label colors, improved text select

Google has delivered another pair of tweaks to the Gmail app for Android. This time around, users with Android 2.3.X Gingerbread will notice improved text selection when tapping and holding to copy. Custom label colors are also synced as of this update, making it easier to see how your messages have been auto-sorted. The update note also trumpets our favorite vaguery: bug fixes.

Hit the Market app on your Android device and head to My Apps to update, or download the new Gmail app.

Gmail app for Android adds custom label colors, improved text select originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/24/gmail-app-for-android-adds-custom-label-colors-improved-text-se/

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MeFeedia Reports 63 Percent Of Web Video Is HTML5-Friendly

The battle between Flash and HTML5 has largely revolved around video, with Flash proponents pointing out how lame it is to open up your browser on an iPad and not be able to play a Flash video. And yet HTML5-friendly video has quickly been adopted by a majority of video websites and video players. Today video search engine MeFeedia released some stats showing that 63 percent of the 30 million videos in its index are now HTML5-compatible. That number is up from 10 percent a year ago, 26 percent last May, and 54 percent in October, 2010. MeFeedia indexes 30,000 video sites large and small, including Hulu, CBS, ABC, YouTube, Vimeo, and DailyMotion. Among larger media sites, HTML5 video already reached two thirds last May, and is already above 90 percent, according to Encoding.com.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/GyoGwOK5lL4/

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Cheat Sheet: 10 Tips and Tricks for Dropbox [Tips]

Dropbox is, in a word, awesome. From its humble beginnings back in 2007, the robust cloud-storage service has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few years. Now, in addition to its browser-based interface, the service boasts clients for Windows, OS X, Fedora, Ubuntu, as well as smartphone support provided you're rocking either an Android or iOS-based handset. With the low, low starting price of absolutely free, and an interface with one of the lowest learning curves in the business, its hard find an argument for why anyone wouldn't want to give Dropbox a spin. To help get you started, we've put together ten tips on how to make one of our favorite cloud-storage solutions even more functional than it already is. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/w3PzbhgQZVk/cheat-sheet-10-tips-and-tricks-for-dropbox

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