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GenSmarts allows users to import family trees from popular ancestry research programs and then analyzes the data to give users further research ideas. Although many of the suggestions may be things that users have already tried, the program has the potential to provide clues in their research that they hadn't already considered.

The program's interface is not entirely intuitive, but it opens with a welcome wizard and has a comprehensive built-in Help file, as well as links to online tutorials demonstrating the program's features. We decided to try the program with a family tree that we had … Read more

Apple's price on the current-generation 8GB iPod Nano: $149.

J&R's price on the current-generation 8GB iPod Nano: $124.99. Amazingly, that's for a new unit, not a refurb. And there's not a rebate in sight.

The catch? You have just one color option: yellow. (Don't worry, guys: It's a manly looking yellow.) J&R does carry all the other Nano colors, but they're priced at $139.99.

There's probably not much I can say about the Nano that you don't already know. And I've embedded CNET's … Read more

To combat a robot invasion in the movies, the hero may need some sort of high-powered superweapon. To slow one down in real life, a heaping helping of recession should do the trick.

NextGen Research on Tuesday eased back the throttle on hopes for a surge in the number of robots arriving on the home front in the near future. In its new "Personal Robotics 2009" report, the research company forecasts that the global market for personal robots will be worth more than $5 billion in 2015, up from just over $1 billion seen for this year.

Put … Read more

Sorry to hit you with a one-day-only deal two days in a row, but this is too good to pass up: Woot has the fourth-gen iPod Nano (8GB) for $99.99, plus $5 for shipping. Yes, fourth-gen: the latest and greatest model.

These are refurbished units available in your choice of colors: black, blue, green, orange, pink, purple, silver, and yellow.

I don't own this particular model, but CNET had lots of good things to say about it. Standout features include sleek design, a tilt sensor, and a Genius playlist builder. I particularly like the shake-to-shuffle capability.

So, here'… Read more

Updated at 3:00 p.m. PT to correct reference to synthetic gas.

Waste-to-energy firm Ze-Gen said Tuesday that it has raised money to further develop and commercialize its technology for converting municipal solid waste to electricity.

The company announced a series B round of $20 million that was led by a division of the Oman-based conglomerate Omar Zawawi Establishment.

There are a handful of firms developing different processes for converting municipal solid waste into usable energy. There are landfills that capture methane gas, which can be burned for electricity. Energy from incinerated trash can be used, too, but it … Read more

You don't have to try learning a complex program like PhotoShop if you just want to sharpen photos and other images for scrapbooks, simple brochures, and newsletters. This app puts the essential tools in the hands of novices and other users who are intimidated by the learning curve required by professional-level programs.

NuGenImageWorks launches a large, easy-to-navigate interface with two essential screens: the first displays the original image you want to manipulate; the second shows the image with your changes in real time. Novices may have trouble understanding some of the tool names initially if they aren't familiar … Read more

If devising secure passwords isn't your strong suit, this free password-creator is your answer. You can set the desired password length with the slide bar or, more interactively, by shaking the device to get your random number. You can also define passwords for hex encryption from the main interface. If you're the forgetful type, you can also e-mail the password to yourself as a back-up.

To its credit, the app gives you flexibility in including or excluding letters and special characters--though your password will be stronger with both. Still on our wish list are ways to manually set … Read more

One technology more than any other has stood out as a success story for the U.S. military in Iraq: unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs.

The best-known of the UAVs, the MQ-1 Predator, has evolved from its early use as simply a reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft to become a highly valued weapon in its own right. Armed with Hellfire missiles, it can both track enemy combatants and fire on them. A more recent version of the Predator, called the MQ-9 Reaper, was specifically put into service as a "hunter-killer" drone.

The Pentagon has been so impressed with the … Read more

Microsoft's fourth annual Next-Gen PC Design Competition put entrants to the task of dreaming up concepts that not only offer eye-catching aesthetics, but also cater to people's passions.

Check out News.com's gallery on the competition, featuring designs that tap into niches like travel, sports, fitness, cooking, and children. Winning concepts were inspired by everything from napkins to building blocks to the everyday book.