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September 28 
The Elegant Universe homepage To view any part of this three-hour miniseries, choose an episode from one of the three columns below and select either QuickTime (full-screen option available) or RealVideo to begin. If you experience difficulty viewing, it may be due to high demand. We regret this, and suggest you try back at another time. Note that NOVA programs are not available for downloading due to rights restrictions. NOVA | The Elegant Universe | Watch the Program | PBS September 26 
Windows only: Free, open source application SmartCam turns your Symbian Series 60 smartphone into a wireless Bluetooth webcam. Just install the program in Windows (works in XP and Vista) and install the client to your smartphone (be sure to follow the readme in the \win\installer directory). When it's all set up, your SmartCam works with Skype and most other video chat services, meaning that if your computer doesn't have a webcam but you've got Bluetooth and a Symbian smartphone, you're in luck. SmartCam is a free download, Windows only
Featured Windows Download: Turn Your Smartphone into a Webcam with SmartCam - Lifehacker September 25  Amazon's MP3 store is now in public beta, so you can all have a fiddle around with the DRM-free service &mdash like I just did. First observations:
There are two million tunes available, from 180,000 artists, including tracks from EMI and Universal. Over half of the songs are priced at 89 cents, including the Top 100 tracks, and they're at 256 kbps resolution. Once you've installed the Amazon MP3 downloader you can pick off the tracks you want. Good news: there's loads of Bowie, Stones, Daft Punk, Kanye. And the even better news is that the only Britney, Pussycat Dolls and Avril Lavigne you can find are karaoke versions, which means they'll be better than the originals. The bad news is that, despite a lot of big names, there's also a lot of filler: a gazillion different Willy Nelson compilations, both clean and dirty versions of Kanye and Fiddy, and hordes of unknowns, all which must eat into Amazon's two million tracks Mini Review: Amazon Non-DRM MP3 Store now in Public Beta, Easy to Use - Gizmodo September 23 
Create and collaborate using instant online whiteboards with web application Scriblink. To get started, head to their homepage for an instant whiteboard space. From there you can invite friends by grabbing your whiteboard's URL or sending an email. Once they join you, you can chat or phone conference (phone conferencing doesn't seem to be complete) with your fellow collaborators. Scriblink is a very simple implementation of the online whiteboard, but its screen sharing seems fairly real-time, which is always a plus. If you're looking for a more robust online whiteboard, check out previously mentioned Skrbl.
Whiteboard: Collaborate with an Instant Online Whiteboard at Scriblink - Lifehacker If you are trying to track down why your computer is running so slooowwwly, try using this simple DOS command from Digital Inspiration to uncover a possible problem: - Type cmd in your Windows Run box. Note: in Vista, you may need to run CMD as Administrator.
- Type "netstat -b 5 > activity.txt" and press enter.
- After say 2 minutes, press Ctrl+C.
- Type "activity.txt" on the command line to open the log file in notepad (or your default text editor)
This .txt file will have a record of everything that has made an Internet connection in the last couple of minutes; you can then check your task manager to find out where it is and take care of it. Windows: Find Out If Your Computer Is Secretly Connecting to the Web - Lifehacker 
For Windows Mobile users, the HTC Kaiser / TyTN II / MDA Vario III / AT&T 8925 ("Tilt") US release is equivalent in excitement to the launch of another handset widely anticipated by Apple fans, but unlike the iPhone, poor WinMo diehards have no definitive date at which to target their enthusiasm. We've heard numerous rumored release windows before -- and most recently, word of yet another possible delay -- with none having panned out so far, meaning you should take the following tidbit with the usual skepticism: e-tailer Negri Electronics has started taking pre-orders on both the 8925 (pictured above) and camera-less 8900, and claims that units are expected to be in stock on Sunday, September 30th. If the photo they're running is indeed the AT&T production version, potential buyers can be somewhat relieved that the color scheme has not changed from the unlocked model (unlike the fugly offering from T-Mobile Germany), but as we expected, the front cam and all possibility of hacked video calling have been eliminated. Hey, gotta give the early adopters something for spending double the subsidized price. First pic of an AT&T-branded 8925 / Tilt, 9/30 release date? - Engadget September 20  The free fall of Zune's price continues on Amazon, which now lists the White Zune for only $149.99, $100 less than its original retail price back in November 2006. Zune-2.0's "squircle" (still a rumor) effects more and more the price of the current version. I wonder what will happen when v2.0 will be released. And by the way do you know another "squircle" MP3 Player already exists?!...
Zune-Online.com | Zune News and Forum - Zune price free fall: The squircle effect  Convert documents, images, audio and video files, or even units of measure to virtually any format with web site You Convert It. Similar to previously mentioned Zamzar, all you need to do is upload the file and provide the site with your email address so it knows where to send the download link for the new file once the conversion is complete.
Unlike Zamzar, You Convert It doesn't currently appear to have a filesize limit (Zamzar caps filesizes at 100MB)—I uploaded a 300+MB file in testing. It also works as a file sharing service like YouSendIt and its contemporaries, meaning you can enter a friend's email address and just upload the file without converting it. Last, You Convert It has the kitchen-sink addition of unit conversions, which isn't that useful since you can already use Google for currency conversions and just about any other quick conversions. You Convert It is the perfect web application for anyone who's got a device—like an iPod—that requires specific filetypes. There are desktop options for these kind of conversions (like iSquint or Videora), but it really doesn't get any easier than these web-based conversion tools You convert it
 Free cell phone service Dial DIR-ECT-IONS (347-328-4667) sends driving directions to your phone via SMS. Just call their number and step through the voice-activated menus, telling it where you want to go and where you're starting from. You should receive a text message on your phone a few seconds after you hang up detailing turn-by-turn directions from your start point to your end point. It's no substitute for a fancy Google Maps application or GPS, but if you have neither it's a simple and useful way to get quick directions on the go. The service currently only works in these nine cities with more on the way. Cell Phones: Get Directions with a Phone Call to Dial Dir-ect-ions - Lifehacker 
We have some exciting news on the Zune 2 from our source inside of Microsoft. We can now endorse the image leaked by Gizmodo as a legitimate representation of the Zune 2 players. We have also verified that in addition to the pink, red, and black colors an "Army Jeep Green" color will also be available for the smaller flash Zunes. Although the Zunes in the leaked image appear glossy, they will actually have the same doubleshot surface as the original Zune. The navigation button has been replaced with a new "squircle" shaped button, which is a square with rounded edges. It will not have a separate center button as the original Zune does, but the functionality will be the same. The current launch date is scheduled for October 16th, exactly 3 weeks after the Halo 3 launch. Based on our previous leaks, the memory sizes will be 4 GB, 8 GB, and 80 GB. We covered a lot of material in our latest tipster conversation, and have included the entire phone transcript for your reading pleasure.
Phone Transcript taken Sept 18 2007
ZuneScene: So how are the new Zunes coming?
Source: Good, the Zunes are now in PV
ZuneScene: What's PV?
Source: Product validation
ZuneScene: So do you expect to release in October or November?
Source: October
ZuneScene: Do you have a set release date?
Source: Right now we are gunning for Oct 16th
ZuneScene: What about the pictures leaked on the internet, are they real?
Source: what pictures?
ZuneScene: They show the flash Zune you call draco in pink, red, and black with no chrome bezel around the LDC screen
Source: sounds right, do they show the squircle?
ZuneScene: What's that?
Source: The new button is like a square or polygon with rounded edges, it's not a perfect circle
ZuneScene: Yes, the pictures show that.
Source: It doesn't have a center button, but it has a dome underneath so you can push it from any side, its really cool. If the pictures show the squircle they are correct.
ZuneScene: Are the back and play buttons positioned like Mickey Mouse ears?
Source: Yes, on the small Zune they are. On the big one they are on the sides.
ZuneScene: Will there be green along with red, pink and black? The picture doesn't show green.
Source: Yes the green looks like an old army jeep green, the pink looks like pepto bismol.
ZuneScene: What about the big zunes, the scorpios?
Source: Scorpio looks like the original, but with the squircle.
ZuneScene: iPod announced a 160gb model, will there be a 160?
Source: Right now we just have the 80, but more will come later I'm sure. If you are into video, you will want a Zune. The displays are awesome on the new Zunes.
ZuneScene: Is the Zune phone next?
Source: I'm not sure about that.
ZuneScene: So there is no Zunephone?
Source: well, I didn't say that
ZuneScene: well, it's not in production?
Source: it's not in production.
ZuneScene: So there is no decision to make it?
Source: not yet, as far as I know.
ZuneScene: OK, well this is good stuff, thanks!
Source: sure, thanks for the call. Zune 2 October Launch September 18 
It looks like Sprint users now have a few more search options at their disposal, with the carrier and Microsoft announcing today that Live Search will now automatically take the users' location into consideration. Apparently, the service makes use of cell-tower triangulation, and not GPS, to determine the users location, making it somewhat less accurate but far more widely available. What's more, the pair also announced a new voice search feature that'll work with five of Sprint's high end phones, including the Samsung a900 and a920, the Motorola Razr, the Sanyo 840 and the LG 550. As you can probably guess, it will let you speak search terms instead of typing them in, with it also giving you the option to press a button to call the business you're searching for. While Sprint is getting all Microsoft's attention at the moment, the company is quick to point out that the service is not exclusive, and "could become available via other operators in the future." Source: Sprint, Microsoft roll out location-based Live Search - Engadget September 17 
Microsoft, never content with just monopolizing one segment of the market, has decided to dip its big, scary toes into the Slingbox-ish world of anywhere-TV with a new piece of software for its Media Center PCs. Using the newly acquired (but not new) WebGuide component -- created by a gentleman named Doug Berrett -- you can now tune into your Media Center content from any place you have web access. The software actually goes beyond what Slingbox is capable of, giving you full control over your system remotely, allowing you to set record times, change schedules, and generally go buck-wild, even from a mobile phone or WiFi equipped PDA. Ballmer and Co. also added an ITV function to MC PCs, though apparently all it does is offer C-rate "internet" content for MCE users. Clearly, what's exciting here is WebGuide -- the software is free, and presuming you already have your system up and running, you could be "slinging" video around before you know it. Source: Microsoft adds Slingbox-like capability to its Media Center PCs - Engadget 
Windows XP and Vista only: Dual monitor utility DisplayFusion can set different wallpaper images for each of your desktops or stretch an image across desktops. Choose one of your own images or search and browse Flickr photos for new wallpaper images right inside DisplayFusion. (I recommend searching for "panoramic" images and setting one to stretch across both monitors.) DisplayFusion was a little crabby on my PowerBook Bootcamp'ing Windows XP, but the concept is spot-on and much-needed. Can't understand why Windows doesn't have better built-in dual monitor support like this. DisplayFusion is a free download (donations requested) which requires the .NET 2.0 runtime to run.
Featured Windows Download: Customize Your Dual Monitor Wallpaper with DisplayFusion - Lifehacker 
Windows/Mac/Linux: Rip DVDs to your iPod with HandBrake, the latest version of the program previously known as MediaFork. HandBrake can turn DVDs into iPod-friendly MPEG-4 or H.264 video files. It includes iPod, Apple TV and even Sony PS3 presets, but you can also customize various audio and video settings to your liking. (Needless to say, the ripped files will also play on Zunes and other devices.) Windows users can choose between GUI and CLI versions; both require DVD43 to be installed if you want to rip copy-protected DVDs (the ones you own, of course). Also, be sure to choose the VIDEO_TS folder when you browse the DVD, and then select the "title" that contains the actual movie (it's usually the longest one). For Windows users in particular, HandBrake definitely makes easier work of copying DVDs to your iPod, though the overall process still takes a few hours. Still in beta, HandBrake is free; it's available for Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems. HandBrake 0.8.5b1 Download of the Day: HandBrake (All platforms) - Lifehacker September 08 
Webapp TransferBigFiles sends huge files—up to 2GB—to any recipient at any time. This service, like previously mentioned offerings MailBigFile and YouSendIt, makes transfers easier without FTP or adhering to strict mail server storage requirements. Simply upload a file, send it to a recipient, and they'll get a download link where they can retrieve those files. Files are stored on the TransferBigFiles server for at least 5 days or up to 30 days if you're a registered user. Of the three services, this one allows the most upload space for the least amount of money (they're all free).
File-sharing: Send 2GB Files Easily with TransferBigFiles - Lifehacker
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