Apple releases first iOS 5 apps -- "Find my Friends" and "Airport Utility"


iOS 5 may have only just been released, but Apple wasted no time whatsoever in releasing apps that have been designed with the new version of the operating system in mind. First off the starting blocks is Find My Friends which, as the name suggests, makes it possible for a group of friends to share their location with each other with a view to meeting up -- or just tracking where everyone is.
You can adjust privacy settings so that your location is only shared when you want and with the people you are happy to share with. Should you decide you want to discover where your friends are -- if you need to meet them in an new town, for example -- you can send a request from within the app and, assuming they consent, their location will be displayed on a map for you. Find My Friends can also provide you with directions so you can meet up as quickly as possible.
Strip back and take control of Android with CyanogenMod 7.1


One of the joys of Android is the fact that users are not fenced in in quite the same way that iOS users are. It is possible to install a wider range of software on your device with fewer worries. If you want to take things to the next level, CyanogenMod is a replacement for your existing Android OS that has been stripped back and optimized to provide a balance between performance, stability and customization.
The firmware is built around Android 2.3 and while the interface is nothing flashy, the focus is on speed rather than looks -- but you still have the option to use themes. The unique tweaks and options include the ability to swipe notifications off the screen, while the built-in music player boasts the simplicity and ease of use of an iPod. Support for customizable gestures means that it is easier than ever to control playback.
25 downloads you may have missed this week


While much of the IT world has been focused on news about the iPhone 4S and iOS 5, there has been a huge number of other newsworthy releases in the past week.
Related to portable devices such as a the iPhone is Freemake Video Converter 2.4.0, which makes it easy to convert videos between formats and, in particular, convert them optimized for viewing on a specific device. The app can also be used to rip non-copy-protected DVDs and to share your videos using YouTube. From the same company is Freemake Video Downloader 2.2.0 which can be used to download videos from the likes of YouTube and Dailymotion, and Freemake Audio Converter 1.1.0 which, much like its video related sibling, can be used to convert audio tracks from one format to another.
Here's a driving tip: put the phone down


You've been told over and over again: don't text and drive. Need more reason why? A recent study conducted by Texas A&M's Texas Transportation Institute indicates texting behind the wheel doubles your reaction time.
Distracted driving accounts for about one-fifth of all fatal car crashes, with cell phones the most common source of that distraction. One out of every five drivers has admitted to texting while driving but the true number is probably considerably higher.
Got a question? Ask Quora for iPhone


When it was unveiled, the potential for success for Quora was questioned by many, but in a fairly short space of time, the questions and answers service has gone from strength to strength. It was only a matter of time before an iPhone app was released to make it easy to ask and answer questions via the site, and that time it now; Quora for iPhone is here.
If you have a question about anything, and we mean anything imaginable, Quora should be your first port of call. Whether you are looking to discover how many people live in China, or you have a more practical query such has how to troubleshoot an error message that has been thrown up by Windows, there is sure to be something on hand who is able to help.
Skype for iPad, iPhone now supports Bluetooth headsets


Skype’s iPhone app proved to be incredibly popular, and the recently released iPad version soon picked up a healthy following as well. Both versions of the app have been updated to include support for Bluetooth devices while the iPhone version has a new anti-shake feature designed to eliminate wobbly footage when conducting a video call.
Bluetooth support has been enabled for iPhone 3GS and 4 users as well as for the iPad 2 and fourth generation iPods. This opens up the opportunity to use headsets to make and receive hands-free calls.
Cheetah Sync wirelessly connects Android and PC


Synchronizing files between devices usually entails one of two methods. The first involves establishing a physical connection between the two devices so that the contents of folders can be compared, while the second option takes advantage of cloud storage to act as an intermediary store for files. Cheetah Sync for Android eliminates the need for the middleman and allows you to synchronize files over your wireless network.
The app is available free of charge from the Android Market and in order to use it you will also need to download a copy of the desktop software for your Mac or Windows PC. You can then set about the task of configuring folder pairs and Cheetah Sync will take care of the rest for you. If you regularly work with more than one computer, you can choose to synchronize to multiple machines and there are advanced options for controlling filtering and resolving version conflicts.
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