Google Chrome 26.0.1410.64 Stable / 27.0.1453.81 Beta / 28.0.1500.11 Dev

click here to download

A browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology

Written by Bogdan Popa on January 30th, 2012

For a long time, the fight for the supremacy of the browser kingdom has involved just two major players: Mozilla's Firefox and Microsoft’sInternet Explorer, each trying to attract more users with their functionality. However, the search engine giant Google has decided to enter the battle with its very own solution: Google Chrome.

Since its launch in 2008, Google’s browser has quickly attracted attention and users no longer install it only to check out a new app, since it already showed that it can be just as stable and feature-packed as the dedicated browsers.

Installation is extremely easy due to the simple setup pack that makes the whole task just a matter of clicking “Next” a few times, along with some options that are far from complicated.

The interface is clean and pleasant, but those who do not really like it can easily apply themes, so that every one can bring their very own touch to an otherwise static app. Being focused on leaving the user plenty of room for viewing the visited webpage, the interface is kept as minimalistic as possible, with the address bar featuring all the buttons one might require for navigation.

Another way to customize Google Chrome and make it more suitable to one's needs is to install extensions – Google has created a comprehensive Webstore for these extensions, where users can find basically any type of app or extension, ranging from education to games, lifestyle and blogging.

A novelty introduced by Google Chrome is the fact that when the user visits more than a single website, more processes are started, so that if one of the webpages crashes, the user can simply terminate its tab (and implicitly its process), without closing the whole browser.

Also, this browser places a lot of emphasis on user privacy, so the Incognito Mode was created. It allows users to explore the Internet the usual way, but when the app is closed, it automatically erases all cookies and history it may have created, thus ensuring one's privacy is maintained.

The freeware license and the frequent updates convince more and more users to take this browser into consideration. Designed with simplicity in mind, it is an easy to use app that can become a powerful package if the user chooses to install add-ons. This makes it the perfect browser basically for every type of user out there

Nokia PC Suite 7.1.180.94

click here to download

Sync your PC with your Nokia mobile device

Written by Bogdan Popa on January 16th, 2012

Nokia PC Suite is an application designed to enable Nokia phone owners to transfer important files from the mobile phone to the computer and vice versa, but also to control some of the handheld's features straight from the desktop.

The tool is supposed to provide some new functions to those who purchased a Nokia phone, including editing, backing up and synchronizing the files. Nokia PC Suite pretty much does that, as it is an easy to use application with a very pleasant and intuitive interface you should become accustomed with in a matter of minutes.

All functions can be accessed from the main interface, as soon as the phone is successfully connected to the computer. There are four connectivity options available: Bluetooth, infrared, serial cable (CA-42) and USB cable, with the last one being the fastest.

At times, some connection problems may occur while trying to pair the mobile phone and the computer. Also file transfer or other functions of the application could become unavailable. If this occurs, your should disconnect the devices and try to establish a new connection.

The messaging function of Nokia PC Suite comes in quite handy since it allows you to write an SMS message on you computer and send it to someone in the address book. However, note that the message is not automatically transferred to the phone's “Sent” menu.

The synchronization and backup features enable you to keep the important content stored on your Nokia phone safe and ready for a quick restore. You can sync notes, contacts and calendar and thus keep them up to date on both computer and mobile device.

Another very useful function you will find in Nokia PC Suite is the video viewing and conversion. You can use it to turn any movie into the video format supported by your Nokia phone.

Bundling a lot of powerful functions that allow you to effortlessly control and manage the content on your mobile phone, Nokia PC Suite offers a pleasant experience overall.

Adobe Flash Player 11.7.700.202 / 11.8.800.50 Beta

Click here to Download

High-performance client runtime

Written by Bogdan Popa on January 16th, 2012

Adobe Flash Player is a client runtime that delivers high-quality content to your computer and it works with virtually all browsers out there.

Flash Player remains a key element of the Internet and has now evolved to conquer every operating system, every browser, and every portable device, including mobile phones and tablets.

There's no interface, but users still get some tiny windows through which they can customize a set of options, including hardware acceleration for better performance and privacy preferences.

With the Adobe Flash Player runtime installed, you will be able to access streaming content of the highest quality and smoothly play HD videos right inside your browser's window.

The best thing of all is that Flash Player works with most popular browsers out there, including Internet Explorer 6.0 and above, Mozilla Firefox 3.0 and above, Google Chrome, Safari 4.0 and above and Opera 9.5 and above.

Hardware requirements should be met by any modern computer, although some old workstations might encounter some performance issues while accessing websites built exclusively in Flash or during the playback of large, high-quality Flash movies.

This client runtime manages to bring high-quality content directly on your computer without requiring any interaction. An important part of the World Wide Web relies on Adobe Flash Player, so this is clearly a must-have utility for every fresh copy of Windows.

Samsung PC Studio 7.2.24.9 0

Samsung PC Studio 7.2.24.9

Allows you to manage your Samsung mobile phone data.

Click here to Download

Written by Bogdan Popa on January 31st, 2012

Samsung is one of the top 5 mobile phone manufactures in the world. It sold 235 million handsets in 2009 and 280 million in 2010. Rest assured that not all of these mobile phones are smartphones and, as any respectable manufacturer, Samsung has developed management applications for users owning GSM mobile phones.

No matter if you want to synchronize contacts, calendar items or emails, transfer files or back up your data and even create and send text messages, Samsung PC Studio is the official program to use. It supports synchronization with most email clients out there, including Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, Lotus Notes and Lotus Organizer, so it allows you to easily transfer your contacts between mobile phone and computer.

Samsung PC Studio is also a great and handy tool if you intend to install Java or Symbian apps on your phone. Just drag and drop the file you wish to copy on your handset and you’re ready to go. You can also rip audio CDs, create music files and copy music files directly on your mobile phone within a few clicks.

Unfortunately, the interface lacks the ease-of-use by laying icons in front of your eyes with no descriptive text. That expands the time span needed to get familiar with the application and this brings nothing but frustration from the user's point of view. All functions are also listed under the “File” menu, but still, this isn’t the best interface a phone manager could receive.

Just like many other mobile phone suites out there, Samsung’s lets you connect the device to your PC using an USB cable, an infrared port, Bluetooth or a serial cable. You can easily create backups of your phone's data for safe keeping or to transfer it to another phone, connect your PC to the Internet using your handset, play and convert multimedia files and also create wallpapers for your Samsung phone.

Samsung PC Studio's Settings window refer to `Automatic conversion options` and Audio / Video conversion formats. You can choose from AAC and M4A as the default audio format and High / Medium or Low quality MP4 container files for the video side.

While not being the perfect app overall, Samsung PC Studio takes the edge off its competitors by providing the complete set of tools needed for the job. Nonetheless, if you are the owner of a Samsung GSM mobile phone, then this is a must-have

Nero 9 Free 9.4.12.3 - Download Free

Nero 9 Free 9.4.12.3

Click here to download free

Writing data on CDs or DVDs is a job for specialized software and among the most well-known brands in the business Nero definitely stands out. This particular edition is special because it comes cost free, but also without many of the tools included the full suite.

Installation shouldn’t be too difficult, however you have to be extra careful and pay attention at the third-party code included in the package. Also, please note that the setup will take a while until it successfully copies and installs the files on your computer.

If you used Nero in the past, everything is straightforward. It has a pleasant and clean interface, with the main functions displayed at the top of the main window on tabs.

The functions you can use are not so many, in fact, the free edition only offers basic data copying and burning features. Just pick the files you want to copy on a disc, make the final adjustments, for burning speed and disc name and you’re ready to go.

As with the other editions of Nero, you will still be able to create disc images, that is add files to a compilation and select the 'Image Recorder' as the destination drive to create an NRG image.

During our tests the discs were created promptly and with no errors. If the speed doesn't meet your expectations, keep in mind that the overall time that a compilation is burned in depends on a variety things. To name some, the optical drive and discs you use, the amount of data to be written and the speed at which you want the process to be carried out.

Even though a bit heavy on resources and with a lengthy install for what it brings to the table, the free edition of Nero offers exactly what one would need to create discs in no time. For anyone who only needs to create CDs and DVDs on the fly, this application might be the right answer.