Software

Roxio just announced that their popular Easy VHS to DVD software/hardware combo is now available for the Mac.

To convert analog content, attach the included USB video capture device to your USB 2.0 port, and then video can be captured from almost any analog video source. S-Video and composite-video input cables allow full-resolution DVD recording from VCRs, analog camcorders, etc. The video files can then be recorded to DVD with a custom menu background and chaptering using the included Roxio Toast, or export it to iMovie for editing.

Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac is available now for $79.99. Visit www.roxio.com for more information.

When your computer crashes, the first thing you immediately think of is the last time you backed up – right? What would you do if your laptop were stolen? You not only would be concerned for your data, but the computer too, and the way someone might use your data against you, or for their benefit. It is a real problem, and one that needs addressing. There are solutions from Absolute Software that can protect your laptop and handheld devices. They are the leader in computer theft recovery.

Absolute Software is a leading provider of software solutions for managing and securing mobile devices and computers. They also specialize in data protection, and IT asset management. After all, the Absolute Theft Recovery Team is a licensed private investigation agency. Check out this video to see how they remotely delete data on a stolen machine.

You are no exception to theft, and if you have family members or employees you should look into protecting your devices. LoJack for Laptops Premium starts at $59.99 and is available at Best Buy stores and direct online from Absolute Software.

Callpod, a company known mostly for their mobile accessories, just announced Keeper Desktop, a new software application for computers.

Keeper lets you store all of your passwords, account numbers, website logins, notes, lists and other business (or personal) information on your computer and protects it with military-grade encryption. Keeper Desktop can also securely and wirelessly sync the encrypted data with your mobile device over a Wi-Fi network. If your computer is lost or stolen, the information stored in Keeper is remains secure.

A nice feature Keeper has is a "self-destruct" mode which erases all data after five incorrect attempts to break into the database. But don't worry…this feature also lets you retrieve and restore an encrypted version of the data.

Callpod also offers Keeper Mobile for Smartphones which is currently the most frequently downloaded password data vault storage system on the iPhone and is consistently the top 5 most downloaded business software app on iTunes. Keeper Mobile is available for only $.99.

Keeper Desktop is available for the Mac and PC with a 15-day free trial, or the full version can be purchased for $14.95, both the Desktop and Mobile versions can be downloaded at www.callpod.com/products/keeper.

The best part about 280 Slides is that it is online. You can save your presentations on their servers, and it is free. The look and simplicity stands out, but it is the media integration that impresses me most. You can literally search for YouTube videos, and drag the image into your presentation, and BAM! Your presentation has video! The photo search is equally as easy.

There are other programs that you can buy and install on your hard drive. Then, wait for product updates and other nuances to make it work properly. I would suggest that these companies who make software look at what others are doing online. Then, copy them.

280 Slides developers are using the Google API and should be commended for their final product with 280 Slides.

If you are like some people I know (no, I am not naming names), you want to actually BE a Guitar Hero rather than just play the video game. Well...now you can do just that with the VOX JamVOX. The JamVOX is a desktop speaker/software combo that you plug into your computer and a guitar (or microphone, if singing is your thing). Then, import any MP3 and the software allows you to remove the guitar part, so that YOU are the one jamming along with your favorite artists. (Yes, vocalists, you can remove the vocals as well). Simulations of famous guitar amps and effects are also included that nail signature sounds of your favorite artists, but you're the one that's playing! Pretty cool!

The JamVOX is now available with an MSRP of $340…but I found it much cheaper ($250) at Best Buy.

For more info visit www.myjamvox.com.Read more

We've told you about VideoSpin, the FREE video editing software from Pinnacle before. Now, VideoSpin gets even better with their latest edition, version 2.0. Perfect for those who have no video editing experience, VideoSpin 2.0 helps users share their videos on the web practically effortlessly.

What makes VideoSpin 2.0 different from other free video editing software packages is that you don't have to be online to create the videos. Simply download the software, launch the application, and you are set!

Worried that free software can't possibly handle HD video? No need. VideoSpin 2.0 doesn't have a restriction on file size…so go ahead; edit your fun Spring Break experience that was caught in HD! And with no file size limitation, longer videos can be edited as well. Read more

CyberLink's new PowerDVD 9 software features TrueTheater Technology which gives you HD-like quality on your standard-definition DVDs.

Features of TrueTheater Technology include:

• TrueTheater HD – Allows you to watch standard-definition content such as DVDs in a quality as sharp as high-resolution video up to 1080p
• TrueTheater Motion – Delivers smoother video playback through frame-rate up-conversion from 24 fps to 60 and 72 fps, perfect for watching action movies or fast-moving videos on large screens
• TrueTheater Lighting – Delivers sharper and more vivid images by enhancing image details, naturalizing colors and adjusting chroma and luminance
• TrueTheater Stretch – Displays content on 16:9 widescreen monitors, regardless of the source ratio and delivers natural results by leaving the center of the screen unaffected
• TrueTheater Surround – Creates a better audio experience with surround sound quality even on conventional stereo speakers or headphones

This April, get ready for the new ACDSee Picture Frame Manager Software by ACD Systems. This software brings you an overall new experience in managing the pictures on your digital photo frame, no matter the size. This software optimizes the pictures of any size and resolution to view on mere photo frames to giant HD television screens.

ACDSee Picture Frame Manager Software can be installed on your PC or Mac. With this software, you can upload, delete and move images by just using the drag and drop feature. More than one picture frame can be managed at a time.

ACDSee Picture Frame Manager Software gives your photos a professional touch by making a smooth transition from RAW files such as TIF, GIF, and PNG to JPEG format for display. This reduces the time consumed for uploading images.

All these features come with a price of $39.99. EDEEi.com is currently taking pre-orders.