Mac only: The new MacBook Pro models released Tuesday brought new processor power, more hard drive space, and a little-heralded but kinda nifty feature: The addition of a right Alt key (and dropping of the mini Enter key), giving keyboard enthusiasts access to “third-level” characters and a wider array of shortcuts. For those with MacBook models older than 48 hours, free remapping utility KeyRemap4MacBook can help you reassign that tiny Enter or other under-utilised keys for similar shortcut happiness. Definitely worth the effort for programmers and coders, but potentially helpful for anyone who wants to assign Mac environment shortcuts (like Spaces, for example) to non-default keys. KeyRemap4MacBook is a free download for Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5 only. KeyRemap4MacBook [via random()type]
Windows only: Free, open source application SmartCam turns your Symbian Series 60 smartphone into a wireless Bluetooth webcam. Just install the program in Windows (works in XP and Vista) and install the client to your smartphone (be sure to follow the readme in the \win\installer directory). When it’s all set up, your SmartCam works with Skype and most other video chat services, meaning that if your computer doesn’t have a webcam but you’ve got Bluetooth and a Symbian smartphone, you’re in luck. SmartCam is a free download, Windows only.
SmartCam [SourceForge via Inspect My Gadget]Store-bought playdough is stinky and dries out really quickly – but you can get around that with Instructables’ easy recipe for homemade, non-toxic playdough. This is an easy recipe that you can customise with your own colours; plus, it’s easily rejuvenated if it gets a little dry with just a little water kneaded in. How to Make Playdough (Play-doh) [Instructables]
Here’s a video roundup of the new generation of games consoles, in video review format by a fast talking brit who mashes up hilarious South Park-esque graphics with lashings of gratuitous insults and fanboy baiting. It’s good fun, especially when it goes beyond the obvious to talk about things like why the video game industry has an “invisible pigeonholing council”. :) I first came across Zero Punctuation when I was sent a link to his Bioshock review, in which he readily admits that people much prefer to hear negative reviews than positive ones. Hilarity, as they say, ensues. The creator, Yahtzee is a “British-born, currently Australian-based writer and gamer” whose Zero Punctuation video reviews appear every Wednesday at The Escapist. Warning: Language gets colourful at times, probably not so work safe.
Tracking a flight in your browser or in Google Earth has never been easier, thanks to Google’s integrated search results for flight information. Just enter the flight number of a flight in progress (like AA 34) into your Google search box. Google recognises the flight name and provides links to track the status of the flight at Travelocity, Expedia or at previously mentioned FBOWeb. If you choose FBOWeb, you’ll get a few cool stats for the flight, like ground speed, altitude, ETA, and the Google Map location. You can take tracking to the next level by clicking the Google Earth link to download a KML file to track the rest of the flight in close to real time with Google Earth. We’ve this kind of flight tracking, but Google’s integration with flight numbers and FBOWeb has really streamlined the process. AU – looks like this one’s US-centric. :( Any frequent flyers out there know of similar tools for those of us in the southern hemisphere?
Map Your Sweeties Progress with a Flight Tracker [WebWare]
