Palm has been developing this competitor to the iPhone ever since it was first released. The Palm "Pre" has all the expected features of a serious iPhone contender, including a multi-touch screen, accelerometer (used to recognize when the phone is rotated), a slide-out keyboard, GPS, Wi-Fi, trackball, etc. Palm has focused on something that other iPhone competitors have failed to do; innovation! The new Palm phone has features which pool together your calendar, contacts, and chat capabilities from other services into one place. The operating system is highly integrated into the internet and early reviews praise this aspect. For further details please visit Palm's website. There's a video on YouTube of Palm's VP using the Pre and showing off some of its features here. The Pre is expected to be released in the first half of 2009.

If you know someone that might enjoy receiving this newsletter, have them click on the link below to subscribe..

New Version of Google Earth Allows Users to Explore the Ocean
Google has released a new version of Google Earth that will let users dive virtually beneath the water surface and explore the depths of the world’s oceans. Users can watch videos from the archives of Jacques Cousteau, explore everything from sea creatures to underwater volcanoes and shipwrecks; even get advice on the best water sports. Click here to download Google Earth Beta 5.

Burn Almost Any Playable Video File to a DVD
There's a nice program called DVD Flick which can convert almost any video and burn it to a DVD for viewing through your DVD player. Many programs are available that do this for you, but DVD Flick is free and easy to use. Some people may be able to open the program and get going right away, but for the rest of us there is a nice guide on how to use the program available in this link. You can download DVD Flick from their website here.

How to Change the Default Program to With Which to Open a File
This is a very common issue we're asked about. Somehow the program that normally opens your pictures (say) has changed to an unfamiliar program and you need to reset it to how you were formerly accustomed. This usually happens when a new program is installed and it thinks you should use it instead of your previous program. Luckily we have a guide detailing how you can fix this issue with your "file extensions" and get you opening your files how you see fit. To view the guide please click here.

Don't Throw Away Your Old Computers
Computer contain various parts which are toxic to the environment containing hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and chromium. It is estimated that 75% of obsolete electronic equipment is being stored in people's homes. The day that everyone decides to toss these out will be a dark day for the environment. This really includes all sorts of electronic equipment like cell phones, DVD players, televisions, etc. Luckily we have the option to recycle our old computer equipment. The City of Raleigh's Recycling website details how Raleigh residents can recycle their computer parts through the city through a curb-side pickup option. The site also has a comprehensive list of companies and non-profit organizations who will put your old but usable equipment to good use or recycle the parts for you. If you don't live in Raleigh, the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources has a website with lots of information on how to recycle your electronic equipment located here.