Hobbies

You Mac has the power to just about anything with the right software. To give you a taste of the things you might do, check out Google's app for exploring the world (along with oceans and space) or check out a great app for backing up your DVD collection.

  • Google Earth

    CNET Editors' ChoiceApr 09

    Google Earth

    Google Earth continues to set the mapping paradigm. Accessible enough for casual users, Google has added features that make it a necessity for those whose topographic desires are more serious. In addition to Earth cartography, you can also check out Google Ocean, historical Earth maps, and the surface of one of our closest neighbors, Mars.


    The oceanic maps provide the capability to plunge to the floor of the sea, view exclusive content from the BBC and National Geographic, and explore shipwrecks like the Titanic in 3D. Exploring the Martian surface is limited to data provided from NASA, but that's not much of a limitation considering that it's unlikely that most of us will ever get to visit the Red Planet. Switching between Google Earth, Sky, and Mars can be done from the menu bar or from the planet icon on the toolbar. Read full review

  • HandBrake

    HandBrake

    Handbrake is an open-source utility for converting video from any source into MPEG-4 files; it's especially useful if you want to rip movies and TV shows from your DVDs and watch them on your Mac. Handbrake comes with a ton of built-in settings, so you can also easily convert DVDs specifically to watch on your iPhone, iPod, or even Apple TV, PS3, or PSP.


    You get a lot of options for controlling frame rate, codecs, audio handling (including support for multiple sound tracks), and even nuanced settings for B-Frames, CABAC coding, and the like; but Handbrake's chief quality is its ease of use, so less-finicky users can usually convert DVDs with just a single click. Read full review