free

Research TV shows with Free TvDB

If you watch a lot of television, it might be tough to archive all your favorite shows solely in your head. This portable, IMDb-esque download tells you all the essential info about TV shows within a snazzy interface, but it doesn't have much usefulness without a built-in media player.

The program mainly operates as a downloadable version of the Web site TheTVDB.com, a community-driven and open database of televisions shows. Along with episode, actor, and other info from TheTVBD.com, Free TvDB also uses several Web sites, primarily clips from YouTube, to bring users further content related to … Read more

Control your clipboard with Free Clipboard Manager

Forgetting what you've copied to your clipboard is such a common occurrence that it's become a joke on forums. This download wants to help you never forget again. Free Clipboard Manger will display dozens of items that you've recently copied to your clipboard in one place.

Free Clipboard Manger doesn't need any installation; you can run it right after you unzip it. It sits neatly on the bottom of your screen. If you move the program into your line of sight, it's actually nice to look at. This program not only displays any text you … Read more

EyeSight's gesture technology turns your finger into a TV remote

Thanks to smartphones, tablets, and Windows 8, touching and swiping are commonplace ways to interact with TVs, computers, and mobile devices. But what if you want to do the same without touching the screen at all?

That's exactly the experience EyeSight Technologies, an Israel-based company that focuses on digital interaction, announced today that it's found a way to provide with its new fingertip tracking technology. The company calls this the "world's first commercial gesture technology to allow users to control digital devices with a fingertip" -- remotely, that is.… Read more

Microsoft hits Reddit to address Surface Pro concerns

Microsoft addressed Surface Pro issues with disk space and battery life, among other topics, in a Reddit AMA today.

The discussion was led by Panos Panay, head of the Surface team at Microsoft. He provided relatively lengthy responses to two issues that have emerged as shortcomings with the company's newest tablet-laptop hybrid that runs Windows 8 Pro (and is scheduled to go on sale Saturday).

What follows are some excerpts from Panay's as well as other team members' responses.

Battery life: "If you compare it to say a MacBook Air, you will quickly see that pound for … Read more

New PlayStation may debut this month

Friday's CNET Update deciphers the shapes:

Stories from today's tech news roundup:

- Sony expected to unveil a new PlayStation this month -- before E3

- Verizon has new prepaid plans for 3G smartphones

- Nokia is researching a new material called graphene

- HBO Go may be coming to Apple TV

- Amazon beefs up its Prime Instant Video streaming with Downton Abby and is also creating original kids shows

- Netflix premiered the series, "House of Cards," and all 13 episodes are available now

- CNET's Download team highlights free alternatives to the new Office 2013 and Office 365 … Read more

Apple to stop Mac Pro sales in much of Europe on March 1

Apple today told retailers and distributors in most European countries that it will stop selling the Mac Pro on March 1 because the desktop system doesn't meet electrical regulations.

The Mac Pro's ports and fans don't comply with a new amendment -- which goes into effect at the beginning of March -- addressing safety and electrical standards for electronics, according to Macworld.

An Apple spokesman confirmed the decision to CNET. The regulation affects the 27 countries of the European Union, which includes the U.K., Germany and France, and the four countries in the European Free Trade Association (… Read more

Play with a virtual friend using Talking Ben the Dog Free

Potentially keeping the user entertained for hours, this app offers great graphics and is packed with humor. Talking Ben the Dog Free is a great alternative to the typical games and activities found in entertainment applications, and might be interesting to those who are looking for something different and need something to keep them occupied.

Talking Ben the Dog Free appears to be a pretty big app for a time-killer. After you install the main application, another download, of about 35MB, is required to actually use the program. The total size of the application tips the scales at around 50MB … Read more

Battle zombies on your Android device with Vikings vs Zombies Free

For anyone craving some gory arcade-style action, this app might be a good choice. The overall look and feel of Vikings vs Zombies Free is good and the gameplay is fast and fun. However, you can only play one level with the free version.

A very light and quick download begins the action. Vikings vs Zombies Free loads easily. The level that the free version permits you to play consists of an overhead view of a map and Viking figures you may place. Once the game begins, waves of zombies begin pushing through the map and it is up to … Read more

Protect your Android device with Zoner AntiVirus Free

With the large number of threats out there, mobile device security has become a serious subject. A good antivirus tool is essential in the prevention of intrusions and malicious software. Zoner AntiVirus Free is a great choice for those who don't want to purchase expensive software. It functions well and is packed with useful features.

Following a quick download, Zoner AntiVirus Free prompts the user for the typical initial scan. Once the device has been determined safe, the main menu becomes available. With clean, easy-to-read text, the main menu is simple to navigate. The current status of the device … Read more