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Create a Web site right on your iPhone

It's been about 18 months since I first wrote about Zapd, a clever app that lets you build simple, attractive Web sites using nothing more than your iPhone.

Why would you want to do that? To chronicle something cool, of course, like a wedding, vacation, party, or even a work project. I mean, your photos are already in the phone, right? The next logical step is to publish them where friends and family can have a look.

Of course, most such events involve your friends, family members, and/or co-workers, who will no doubt be snapping photos of their … Read more

IT hiring remains strong, says survey

It seems the job hunt is in your favor if you qualify for a job in IT. Though the job market is still recovering from the recession, more than half of IT employers said they plan to hire for positions throughout the remainder of the year, according to CareerBuilder's IT midyear job forecast, which is due out tomorrow.

The survey says 55 percent of IT employers said they were planning to hire full-time, permanent staff from July 1 through December 31, according to CareerBuilder. While this is a 1 percent decrease from last year, CareerBuilder said the market is … Read more

Design your own iOS games with Sketch Nation Studio

My vision for the best iOS game ever created: a platform-jumper in the spirit of Doodle Jump, but with a flying pig who bounces ever-skyward on a series of pickle slices.

Genius, right?

Unfortunately, I don't know the first thing about programming, so it's not likely my vision will ever become reality.

Or so I thought, until I got my paws on Sketch Nation Studio. This free app lets you create iOS games -- right on your device -- using your own ideas and artwork, and even allows for the possibility of publishing them in the App Store.… Read more

DIY apps: The democratization of the app world

Deborah Moncure and her app bring a new spin to the notion of a "Jesus Phone."

When Moncure, who works for the Central Baptist Church in St. Louis, Mo., was looking around last year for a way to get information out about the church's schedule and activities, she initially sought to upgrade her Web site. But upon realizing the number of parishioners--and younger potential parishioners--carrying smartphones, she opted to build an app instead.

But the fee for getting an app placed in the Apple App Store and Android was a little too high for a nonprofit. Moncure … Read more

PixBuilder Studio delivers

There are photo-editing programs available to match every skill set, whether you just need to rotate and resize your images or you have some serious correcting to do. PixBuilder Studio falls somewhere in the middle, with an uncomplicated interface that holds a surprisingly comprehensive set of features. Although PixBuilder Studio isn't going to replace any of the big-name photo-editing programs, it might be just the thing for serious amateurs and even some professionals.

The program's interface is familiar and intuitive, with menus across the top, a toolbar down the left side, and a set of panels down the … Read more

Help Lego master builders make a giant Santa Yoda

You may not be a Lego master model builder, but if you're in San Francisco this weekend, you could help one make a giant Santa Yoda.

Starting Friday, the public is invited to visit San Francisco's Union Square and lend a hand as Lego's master model builders take thousands of the iconic bricks and shape them into a 12-foot-tall, 10-foot-wide Santa Yoda.

The event, which is partly a fundraiser for the Bay Area Boys & Girls Club, is also partly about promoting the Monday launch of the new Santa Yoda Web site (which will have no content … Read more

The ultimate utility bike? Maybe it's an e-bike

PORTLAND, Ore.--For years, the cycling industry has wrestled with creating a bike convenient enough for the masses.

A new effort from the Palo Alto, Calif., design consultancy Ideo and Santa Cruz, Calif., bike builder Rock Lobster Custom Cycles may have pushed the industry a step closer to achieving the goal. The team created a bike for the Oregon Manifest 2011 Constructor's Design Challenge, a bike building competition pitting three teams of designers and handcrafted bike builders. Their goal: create the best utility bike for urban living.

This summer, CNET visited with the three teams--including the pairing of Portland … Read more

Futurama app is heads above the rest

I'll be honest: the most fun I had this weekend was not eating pizza and watching "Cool Hand Luke." It was not sitting on the deck and reading "Game of Thrones" on my Nook Color. It wasn't even playing with my kids (because they're out of town--how shallow do you think I am?!).

No, the best part of my weekend was discovering Futurama Head in a Jar for iOS. This new app lets you design your own heads, "Futurama"-style, then save or share them as you wish.

This isn't a new concept. "The Simpsons" and "South Park" have long offered their own character-building tools (though neither of them builds actual character). Futurama Head in a Jar may not be original, but it's no less welcome.… Read more

Bring your photos and videos to life

UPDATE July 6, 2011: This offer has now ended.

Just in time for your 4th of July weekend, we bring you a special offer to turn those unforgettable memories into something you can easily share with friends and family. Starting now until 11:59pm PDT on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, Wondershare DVD Slideshow Builder Deluxe is yours for just $14.95. That's a savings of 75% off the regular price of $59.95 and is available exclusively on CNET.

I know that everyone's family is different, but in my family, we take a lot of photos and videos … Read more