AVG is ready to pull the trigger on their new Anti-Virus suite, AVG Anti-Virus 8.0. From first looks, it's going to be a pretty major update.
For starters, AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 will offer more than its standard Anti-Virus protection. Popular tools AVG Anti-Spyware, AVG Anti-Rootkit, and LinkScanner, previously stand-alone applications, are now integrated into AVG Anti-Virus 8.0. The code base has seen a significant overhaul as well, in the hopes that inevitable system slowdowns caused by AVG's real-time protection will be lessened.

AVG Anti-Virus remains one of the most popular free Anti-Virus solutions on the market, and this update will no doubt solidify their dominance. At the time of this writing, however, it's not exactly clear if the free edition will be updated at the same time as the paid edition, so if you aren't one for waiting, you might have to pay to see 8.0.

The full version of AVG will continue to offer an enhanced feature set, including tech support, greater scheduling capabilities, and support for newer multi-processor core chips.

Look for the update Thursday.

[via CNETnews]

Skype has released a new hotfix for the Windows version of Skype that deals with some security issues and polishes out some kinks, including better connection speed to the Skype network if you're on a restricted connection.

The primary issues addressed in the Skype 3.6 hotfix are cross-zone vulnerabilities and the implementation of a new white/blacklist feature for programs that utilize the Skype API - keeping out those that exploit it for malicious purposes.

It also fixes some other bugs such as Skype crashing when taking a second incoming call, contacts being lost when synchronization failed, and the ability to use a webcam that is plugged in during a call. For a full list of fixes included, check out the official list.

If your Skype is set to auto-update, you should get the fix automatically - otherwise, you can check for new updates from the Skype client or download Skype 3.6.

[via Skype Journal]

The talented developers at Plasq have released an update to their award-winning design program, Comic Life, which we've recommended. Comic Life is a comic strip creation program that allows you to choose from various background frames, dialog bubbles, and fonts to create fun, eye-catching documents. It comes in "Standard" ($24.95 US; 30-day trial is available) and "Deluxe" ($29.95 US) flavors with the "Deluxe" version offering more fonts, templates, and styles. Comic Life is available for Mac and Windows.

The version 1.4 update for Mac is free if you've previously purchased Comic Life (or had it preinstalled on Mac OS 10.4), and it is a slim 11MB download. In addition to a bunch of bug fixes, new features in the update include support for iPhoto '08 events, additional customizable image attributes (sharpness, contrast, brightness, etc.), and the ability to set imported images to their actual size. The 1.4 update for the Windows version is currently in development.

The ever-creeping Debian project has released a major update to their production-ready operating system, Debian GNU/Linux 4.0. Although it's not considered a "new version" by the team -- few things are -- it is more or less equivalent to a Windows service pack.

The update includes an update to the Debian Installer, and many bugfixes and security patches. For more information, check out the release notes here.

Debian provides the framework upon which several other Linux distributions have been built, most notably, widely-loved and rarely critiqued Ubuntu.

Less than three weeks after making its debut, Leopard, also known as OS X 10.5, has received it's first incremental update. 10.5.1, available via Apple's Software Update or via Apple's web site. The update addresses a number of issues, most notably in the areas of networking and Internet security.

Here's a quick run-down of some of our own problems in Leopard, that have been addressed in this update:

• Password management issues with Airport
  
• NAT problems with D-Link routers or gateways
• Read-only issues with SMB folder shares on Windows machines (this was a huge headache for us, and we are ecstatic that it has been addressed)
• Those file upload via Flash problems

Additionally, Apple has changed the language in the system firewall to actually indicate what the options do. In 10.5, Leopard's firewall's "Block All" option really didn't block all, and it has now been changed to "Allow Only Essential Services" to reflect that change. Problems with application signatures that change while in use (which if the firewall was set to "Block All" meant that the program would stop working after exiting, and would require a re-installation to work again) have also been corrected.

If you use Leopard, make sure you update to 10.5.1 as soon as possible!

Apple has just released iTunes 7.5, available for both Windows and Mac users.

Per the Apple's Software Update utility:

"iTunes 7.5 features the ability to activate iPhone wherever service is offered and support for Phase, a new interactive music game designed exclusively for iPod nano (third generation), iPod classic, and iPod (fifth generation). This release also includes bug fixes to improve stability and performance."

Additionally, a 7.3 update to QuickTime is available as well. 7.3 is bundled with the iTunes download, but is also available individually.

Again, per Apple's Software Update utility:

QuickTime 7.3 addresses critical security issues and delivers:
- Support for iTunes 7.5
- Updated support for creating iPhone-compatible web content
- Updated JavaScript support in the QuickTime Web Plug-in
- Numerous bug fixes

This release is recommended for all QuickTime 7 users.

QuickTime 7.2 was causing lots of problems with Windows Vista, which we hope the newest update will resolve.

We did an informal survey recently and discovered that the average Download Squad reader has 3981 programs installed in their computer. OK, we didn't do a survey, but we're betting you have an awful lot of handy little applications on your computer. So many that you probably forget about some of them until you really need them.

So making sure all of your software is up to date could be a full time job. That's where AppSnap comes in. Like File Hippo's Update Checker, AppSnap scans your PC to figure out what software you've already installed. It then compares your software against a master list and decides if your software is out of date. Here's where it gets really cool. While File Hippo Update Checker just gives you a list of links to download updates, AppSnap lets you check a few boxes and it will go to work downloading and installing software for you.

AppSnap's list is far from comprehensive. It found 4 out of date applications on our test PC. But when we ran the File Hippo utility afterward it found another 6 out of date programs. AppSnap also has a list of programs in its database. So if you want to install some applications that you don't already have, just check out the list of uninstalled programs or browser by category.

[via Lifehacker]

If you're one of the lucky ducks participating in the beta release of Skitch, the super-cool "anyone can be an artist" photo editing tool, then be sure to download the newest update by firing up the app and choosing "check for updates" from the Skitch menu.

Released today, Skitch Beta 4 now:

• supports TIFF files

• sports improved help windows

• offers better snap crosshair visibility on dark backgrounds

• ensures images taken with Cam Snap are now automatically flipped to compensate for mirroring

• allows users to adjust arrow heads in the preference pane (yay!)

• has an improved launch screen

• offers a whole lot of other fixes, tweaks, and great things.

Not a Skitch user yet? Don't worry, it will be out, um, well, the team isn't really sure yet. But trust us, it's worth the wait.

It looks like Microsoft has officially released the Window Performance and Reliability Pack and Vista Compatibility and Reliability Pack. We first told you about these Vista update packs last week when unofficial versions made their way onto the net.

Here are some of the issues the update addresses:

• When you copy or move a large file, the "estimated time remaining" takes a long time to be calculated and displayed.
• The screen may go blank when you try to upgrade the video driver.
• The computer stops responding, and you receive a "Display driver stopped responding and has recovered" error message.
• A memory leak occurs when you use the Windows Energy screen saver.
• If User Account Control is disabled you cannot install a network printer.
• You experience a long delay when trying to exit the Photos screen saver.
• It takes your computer a long time to show the logon screen after resuming from hibernation.

We don't blame you if you were nervous about installing an update obtained from a non-Microsoft source. But since it looks like at least some computers aren't downloading the update automatically through Windows Update, you might want to go ahead and download the pack from Microsoft now that it's available.

[via jkOnTheRun]

The Firefox web browser does a great job of alerting you when there are critical updates available. But how about the dozens or hundreds of other programs you've installed on your computer?

Software security firm Secunia's Personal Software Inspector (PSI) is a free application that alerts you when updates are available for your programs.

When you install PSI it will scan your computer for installed software and categorize each program as up-to-date, insecure, or end-of-life. The program has information on more than 4,200 commonly used applications. Whenever a software maker pushes out a patch or an update, PSI will notify you and provide a download link.

[via Computer World]

Let the 37signals hype machine begin again! After a few Basecamp updates and the release of their slick new Highrise contact management app, Backpack seemed all but lost to the depths of web app limbo. But wait! As if from a great fog, 37signals has published the first preview in a series that proves the revolutionary PIM web app is anything but lost! In this first post, the company has begun showing off some upcoming changes with a new 'items anywhere' feature. No more will your Backpack pages be laid out for you with lists at the top, followed by notes, files. etc. - you will be able to lay out your items in whatever way fits your workflow best. How this will affect other features like emailing items into your pages, and whether this could usher in the much sought-after ability to move items from one page to another, still remains to be seen. It's definitely good news that 37signals prefixed this post with 'Preview 1,' though there is still the down side of no ETA for the arrival of this much-welcomed update to Backpack. Guess we'll all have to stay tuned.

Thanks Dave!

mySay lets friends stay in touch with friends by recording voice updates and dispatching them to friends.

The update service works by dialing up a special mySay phone number and saying what you're up to, dropping your latest news, making a statement, or whatever you like. Don't want to use your own voice? Upload an mp3 or have the mySay robots say it for you. Friends can then call in to check messages, listen online or by email. If mySay users have a blog, website, or are part of a social network, a widget can be inserted so that visitors to the page can hear what has to be said.

Just another cool service that can clutter up Facebook, MySpace, and blogs everywhere. The mySay service is available is the US, Canada, Ireland, UK, France, Belgium & Switzerland, with new countries are set to be added in the future.

The latest public release of WordPress has landed; version 2.2, and it is good. At the top of the new features list (trac list here) is the native incorporation of the insanely popular WordPress widgets plug-in from Automattic; they're built right in now, which should help spread the word for theme authors everywhere to start adding the tiny snippet of code - if they haven't already - to enable the wonders of widgets in their themes.

But handy widgets aren't the only big news here. WordPress 2.2 also brings features like full atom support (of the 1.0 spec), a new Blogger importer that supports the latest version that recently came out of beta, an 'infinite comment stream' that uses AJAX to reload a new set of comments anytime you delete or set some as spam, new protection from enabling a plugin or file (using the built-in editor) that could break the blog, as well as core plugin and filter optimizations that "should make everything feel a bit more snappy and lighter on your server." Also on the list for Safari users in the crowd is support for an upcoming Safari release that will enable WYSIWYG editing (which Mac users might be able to take advantage of now if they download a WebKit nightly edition, the open source build of the core of Safari).

Digging into this new release already, Aaron Brazell - a WordPress evangelist - has published 10 Things You Should Know About WordPress 2.2, an elaboration of the new features that should be of interest to most WordPress users. Austin Matzko, on the other hand, published WordPress 2.2: Three Things Developers Will Like - you get three guesses as to who that one's for.

This looks like a great update to what is possibly the most popular self-installable blogging/CMS platform available. However, unless you know what you're doing with code or built your own theme, we recommend checking in on news from your vital plugin and theme authors to be sure this new version won't break anything on your site.

Just so we don't get your hopes up: no, it isn't a Windows Mobile 6 update, but Samsung has found it within themselves to issue a ROM update for the Cingular BlackJack (Samsung i607) Windows Mobile 5 phone. However, unless you're having issues with roaming, especially internationally, there isn't much else to this update besides some new icons for some apps that come bundled with the phone.

Speaking of something to not get excited about though, check out Samsung's update process. We haven't seen this many steps for updating a device's software since... well, probably ever. The update process requires a functioning ActiveSync connection to work, and we haven't even tried this through alternative syncing systems like Missing Sync for the Mac yet, but venturous updaters be warned: this update completely erases your BlackJack, resetting it to a factory default software state.

That said, go forth and update ye old BlackJacks, especially if roaming has given you more than one headache since the phone debuted last November.

[via Smartphone Thoughts]

When you buy a PC, it tends to come with an operating system pre-installed. But whether you're running a Mac, Linux, or Windows-based machine, odds are you've been able to reinstall, update, or change that operating system. That hasn't typically been the case with Windows Mobile devices (unless you count attempts to port Linux to various handhelds).

Early Pocket PCs had the OS built into ROM, and the only way to get an upgrade was to buy a new chip from your PDA manufacturer -- if they released one. Most modern Windows Mobile devices store the OS in flash memory, but updates tend to be device specific. And that can be expensive for PDA makers that have had to buy licenses from Microsoft, customize the new OS, and test it before sending it out. The result? Getting an official OS update for a Windows Mobile PDA has been the exception rather than the rule.

It looks like Microsoft's making it a little bit easier for manufacturers to release updates to Windows Mobile 6. The company is giving free licenses to any vendors who issue upgrades for their devices. Just because the license is free doesn't mean manufacturers won't charge the consumer. Customizing Windows Mobile 6 for each device is still a lot of work.

But does that mean we'll see updates issued for Dell Axim or HP iPaq models anytime soon? I wouldn't hold my breath. But it's possible.