graphics

If you've ever had to insert multiple Unicode characters while typing, you know what a pain it is to have to go back and forth inserting characters into your text. Character Map (Java) is a simple--but helpful--program that lets you select the Unicode characters you want to insert and copy them to your clipboard for quick pasting.

We have to admit, we were a bit stumped by the program at first glance. Character Map (Java) runs as an executable file, so no installation is needed; however, it comes in a ZIP file filled with more than 20 different files. … Read more

Spider-Man: Total Mayhem brings the famed comic-book web slinger to the touch screen with a high-action oriented game that's fun, though a bit mindless. The controls include a directional joypad on the left and buttons for jumping, attacking, and web skills on the right. You'll also be presented with extra buttons under specific circumstances, like when Spider-man uses his "Spidey sense" to get the jump on bad guys, for example. You also have a super move that can only be used once you fill up an action bar, dealing big damage using multiple hits and kicks. … Read more

AMD is shedding the ATI Technologies name from the remaining graphics products that it picked up after it bought the company in 2006.

The chip company grabbed ATI four years ago for $5.4 billion as a way to gain traction in the graphics card and chipset market. Although AMD renamed its new acquisition AMD Graphics Product Group, the ATI name stuck as one popular among gamers and video aficionados.

But based on market research and an eye toward promoting upcoming new products, AMD felt that consumers would be familiar enough with the AMD name on its own. The company … Read more

This week on the CNET Monitor hour, we're going pro. As in professional.

Take a look at our picks of the best monitors I've reviewed, intended for professional use. Remember the "I've reviewed" detail when considering commenting. Yes, unfortunately, I'm limited to the reality of this accursed Einsteinian universe, and cannot review every monitor released.

Pro monitors are sought after by graphic artists, thanks to their ability to display accurate colors, with low black levels, and wide viewing angles. They're also usually much more expensive than a normal monitor of the same size.… Read more

Apple's latest graphics update brought a number of speed improvements to the graphics drivers, especially for games, but a few people have reported a couple of problems after installing them. One is a minor flicker on some Mac displays, and another is some sites that issue videos through Flash, specifically those at Gametrailers.com, are not working properly.

The Mac screen flickering is an intermittent issue, and has been reported to happen on iMac and MacBook Pro systems. It also seems to happen randomly for affected people.

This issue is not shared among all people with the same system, … Read more

When it comes to graphics performance in OS X, Apple has taken the conservative approach and focused on compatibility and stability in drivers instead of including the cutting-edge and highly tweaked drivers and graphics systems that bring the best quality to performance-related applications like games.

This compatibility-based approach may be good for productivity applications to prevent potential crashes, but has kept Apple behind when it comes to gaming performance. For awhile this was not an issue, but the recent release of Valve's "Steam" client for the Mac along with a few other gaming titles have not only … Read more

Apple has released Snow Leopard Graphics Update 1.0 to solve specific issues regarding frame rates in Portal and Team Fortress 2 on certain Macs, as well as issues that could cause StarCraft II or Aperture 3 to quit unexpectedly or become unresponsive. … Read more

Do you love 8-bit style graphics and simple, addictive gameplay? Me too. And that's why The Incident is sure to be one of the go-to time-wasting apps on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.

You play as Frank Solway--your everyday suit-wearing dude just trying to catch a cab. Except today, everything (and I do mean every thing) is falling from the sky trying to squash you.

It's up to you, iPhone/iPad user, to maneuver Frank from side to side, dodging everything from traffic signs to statues to cars, climbing over the rubble to untold heights, attempting to … Read more

One problem that has been affecting some MacBook Pro users for some time is an intermittent blinking or shutting off of the display. When using the computer for a while, the display will turn black and sometimes will come right back on but other times will stay off until the system is restarted. The computer does not seem to crash when this is happening, but rather the display is just not connected.

Recently, a MacFixIt reader contacted us asking about this problem. Unfortunately though it is definitely one that is out there, Apple has yet to issue a fix for … Read more