Traditionally, Google has managed to create hype over the new services they launch by adopting the "invitation based system". Google Voice was one such service, which (unlike Wave) garnered positive feedback from those lucky few people who managed to get an invite to try it out. Good news now - Google Voice is open for everyone.
In case you are still wondering what Google Voice is, it started as GrandCentral, aiming to revolutionize phone management on the web. Google snapped it up soon and gave it a new name and a changeover. It acts as a unified phone number and can be used to make free calls to US and Canada in addition to sending free text messages. What more? Its voicemail system can even be checked by e-mail.
Ever since Google Voice was introduced, it has managed to create and hold up interest amongst its users by consistently adding new features and bettering existing ones. When Apple infamously rejected the Google Voice app from iTunes store, Google came up with mobile...
VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework, that plays most of the multimedia files, media and streaming protocols. It is simple to use, yet very powerful and extendable.It can handle DVDs, (S)VCDs, Audio CDs, web streams, TV cards and much more. You don't need to keep track of a dozen codec packs you need to have installed. VLC has all codecs built-in. It comes with support for nearly all codec there is. And what is more it can even play back the file or media if it is damaged! Missing or broken pieces are no stop to VLC, it plays all the video and audio information that's still intact. The latest release brings in better support for HD videos. This is possible via GPU decoding on Windows Vista and 7, using DxVA2 for H.264, VC-1 and MPEG-2. It also brings in support for new codecs, like Blu-Ray subtitles, MPEG-4 lossless...
It supports two video modes which can both capture the entire screen, a program window or a custom region defined by the user of the program. Both modes support microphone input. Though not as comprehensive as Techsmith's SnagIt or Camtasia studio, Ashampoo's Snap 3 impresses with its easy-to-use interface and ability to capture screenshots as well as videos.
The 2 modes have specific uses. The first one has been specifically designed for program demonstrations and user instructions. This mode captures everything on screen including mouse movements. In movie mode you can capture videos displayed anywhere on your screen and save them to high-quality WMV files.
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Raju PP is the founder-editor of Technically Personal, which is one of the most widely read technology blogs on the web. He holds an Engineering degree in Electronics & Communication, and has previously worked as a Technical Specialist in Banking Software domain.
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