ScummVM 0.12.0: Now with GameCube and Wii support

The developers behind ScummVM, the open source tool that lets you run classic DOS games like The Secret of Monkey Island and Sam & Max Hit the Road are back with version 0.12.0. The update brings support for 5 new games including additional games in the Legend of Kyrandia series.

The new version also adds support for new platforms including the Nintendo GameCube and Wii and the PlayStation2 version is now up to date after a period of stalled development.

ScummVM is available for Windows, Linux, OS X, iPhone, Windows Mobile, Symbian, Solaris, BeOS, AmigaOS 4, and a bunch of game systems including the Dreamcast and PlayStation Portable. Many of the games that run on the platform are still protected under copyright which means you should have a legally paid for copy if you want to run them. But there ar a handful of free games available at the ScummVM homepage as well.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Is Lastpass as good as they make it sound?

You’ve no doubt learned to take the various claims software developers make about their products with a grain of salt, but the gang at Lastpass may be right on with theirs. Lastpass may just be the last password you’ll ever have to remember.

Other DS bloggers have looked at plenty of other options, like Passpack and good ol’ Keepass. Lastpass has put together an extremely worthy competitor, and I was impressed with how it performed in my test runs.

Lastpass installs as two parts: the core application and as plugins for both Firefox and Internet Explorer. All data is encrypted on your PC, and only your encrypted file is stored on the Lastpass servers. It’s also cross-platform, so you can sync your password data to Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs.

During install, the manager effortlessly captures and imports local passwords from both browsers (which shows you just how much you need an encrypted password store) then gives the option to clear them. It also does imports from RoboForm, Keepass, Password Safe, and MyPasswordSafe.
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Popularity: 3% [?]

QuickPwn Pwns iPhone Pwnage

Windows users rejoice; the iPhone Dev Team has just released a new treat for you. The appropriately-named QuickPwn in its finished state will allow users to jailbreak their iPhones quickly and easily with only a few simple steps. For the time being, the Dev Team is clear in stating that the current version is still in early development phase though most features are in working order.

What you’re getting here is a development version (mostly feature complete) of an upcoming tool that we see as a complement to our current PwnageTool. It’s not ready for everyone just yet, but with a bit of expertise, it should work nicely for those of you adventurous enough to try it.

Currently QuickPwn requires your device to be running version 2.0.1 of the iPhone/iPod firmware. This requirement will change in a subsequent release.

QuickPwn uses a new jailbreak technique that “has been available to the iPhone research and hacking community for about 5 days now (if you looked hard enough).” Apparently that’s all the time it took to determine that the solution was ready for prime time. So far, reports are decidedly positive as many claim the tool to be working just fine. All the same, the less tech savvy and those with weak stomachs should likely hold off until a release version is issued. 3G Unlocking is still not supported by the way, so we’ll all have to sit tight hoping that the Dev Team will soon prevail. [
iphone-dev]

Popularity: 4% [?]

Wuala P2P online storage service goes live

Wuala is a social file storage application that we first looked at back in February. At the time, Wuala was in private beta, but starting today anyone can sign up for an account.

Unlike other file storage/sharing services, Wuala doesn’t provide you with web space. Rather, your files are encrypted and then stored on the computers of other Wuala users. While this might sound a bit scary, the upshot is that you can store large amounts of data. The more space you allocate for Wuala on your hard drive, the more online space you can access. And your files are duplicated on multiple computers so that you shouldn’t have problems accessing your files even if some of the folks in your network have turned their machines off for the night.

Wuala has a desktop client for Windows, Mac, and Linux that you can use to upload and download files. Or you can access a web interface. The service is still in beta, so nobody’s promising that all the kinks have been worked out. But as of today, Wuala is in public beta, not private.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Apple updates Apple Software Update for Windows

A little friend showed up yesterday on Boot Camp-equipped Intel Macs and PCs with Apple apps (iTunes, Safari, QuickTime) installed — an update to the updater that updates our updating. Apple Software Update 2.1.1 for Windows is out… there’s no download page at Apple, so for now the only way to get your hands on it is via the existing Apple Software Update on your machine.

What does it do? Well, it improves security and overall reliability. Recommended for all users. Keeps your refrigerator smelling fresh and can be used as a dentrifice … wait, no, sorry, wrong stuff. If you do install the update and you notice any changes, positive or negative, do let us know. [armhammer]

Popularity: 8% [?]