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Pixelmator: Image editing for the rest of us

Though Photoshop rules the roost when it comes to image-editing software, not everyone needs many of the more advanced functions Photoshop has to offer. Many casual digital camera users probably don't want to spend the money on higher-end software, either.

That's where Pixelmator comes in. With Pixelmator ($59) you get most of the tools, color-correction features, effects, and layer management options you would find in a program like Photoshop, but without the steep price tag. The recently released version 1.3 adds several more useful features and fixes bugs from previous versions.

Familiar image-editing tools like the selector, … Read more

Picnik adds support for layering, mass uploading

Picnik has just rolled out some neat new features for casual enthusiasts of photo editing.

Now found on the bottom of the editing environment is something called a "photo basket," which includes a pool of photos garnered from cloud services like Facebook, Flickr, and Photobucket, as well as uploads from users' hard drives. It also doubles as the new multiphoto uploader for those looking to unload the entirety of their memory card.

Switching between your photo sources in the basket is nearly instantaneous, and more importantly, it doesn't take you away from what you're working on. … Read more

What discs should I buy for my DVD recorder? Ask the Editors

Q: I have a Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK recorder that I recently purchased. This is all new to me. I would like to know what disc-type I should buy for recording VCR tapes onto a DVD disc. Also, is there a different between +r and -r? -- Lisa, via e-mail.

A: Those are excellent questions. Yes, it can be a confusing (and probably a frustrating) shopping experience to browse your local electronics store and decide between all the disc spindles labeled with + and - signs. Then you notice DVD+RW, DVD-RW, dual-layer, and the elusive DVD-RAM discs that are gathering dust on the shelf but are more expensive than the rest. How does one decide which format to choose without pulling out one's hair?

The short answer: Look for DVD+R--the most compatible, cheapest option out there. Using your Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK recorder, you will be able to record up to 4 hours of decent-looking video on LP mode. Since most VHS tapes hold around 2 hours of video, you should be fine. But if you require more disc space and rewritable capabilities, continue reading.

Cell phone, VoIP technologies lack security, experts say

PASADENA, Calif. -- Be careful what you say over that mobile phone or VoIP system.

The most widely used mobile phone standard, GSM, is so insecure that it is easy to track peoples' whereabouts and with some effort even listen in on calls, a security expert said late on Saturday at the LayerOne security conference.

"GSM security should be come more secure or at least people should know they shouldn't be talking about (sensitive) things over GSM," said David Hulton, who has cracked the encryption algorithm the phones use. "Somebody could possibly be listening over the … Read more

New 3D display may soon ship, sans glasses

Minority Report's holographic images made 3D cool again, and still more impressive was 6th Day's highly interactive virtual girlfriend who could even unzip your pants. But until that day arrives, PureDepth's upcoming MLD (Multi-Layer Display) project looks like a start. Developed jointly with Samsung and rumored to launch soon, this joint effort will roll out a 46-inch MLD LCD display that consists of two or more layers of LCD panels sandwiched within a frame and sharing a common backlight. The result is images onscreen that have a 3D appearance. Better yet, there's no need to don … Read more

uvLayer puts Web videos on your desktop

If you've ever wanted to run a bunch of video widgets on your desktop, there's a new service for you called uvLayer. It's a tiny Adobe AIR application that lets you search, view, and organize Web video clips on your desktop and share them with others. The videos come courtesy of YouTube and Truveo--the AOL-owned video search tool.

What sets uvLayer appart from basic Web video browsing are its sharing features which are robust. The application lets you cobble together a instant-messanger-like friends list and drag and drop any video you think they would enjoy. If they're using the application, your shared video will simply show up on their desktop like a new e-mail would in your in-box. Likewise, you can simply hop over to see what they're watching if they're online.

For bookmarking addicts, uvLayer also lets you share entire sets full of Web videos via URL. If your recipient has the application installed, their screen will simply fill up with your video picks, complete with your original groupings. You can then syndicate these Webtops to both your uvLayer buddies, and your Facebook friends who will be able to view it right in the Facebook application.

The entire uvLayer experience is very reminiscent of OS X's Dashboard for widgets, as you can flip each item around and get access to some of the metadata like the rating and any user comments. It's very flashy. In fact, if you're running the latest version of OS X, then uvLayer might not be that interesting considering you can rip out nearly any Web video and put it on your Dashboard using Safari's Web clips feature.

I'm not sold on the value of watching videos in a virtual desktop environment. While convenient, I think there's a ton of added value to the community of users where the video's hosted. Admittedly when a video hits the front page of Digg or Fark, the user comments from those sites are usually much more entertaining, but the same can't be said when you're passing it along to a just handful of people.

I've embedded a live version of uvLayer after the break (taken from Ryan Stewart's first look over at his blog on ZDNet). Be sure to check out its stacking feature, which lets you group together several videos at once by drawing a box around them with your mouse.… Read more