Though computer monitor technology has long since passed the days when you truly needed to "save your screen," screensavers are still a lot of fun and a great way to personalize your desktop when you're away from the computer. This collection features screensavers that are most popular with our users.
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CNET Networks)
Free Fire Screensaver sets your icons and windows ablaze. Watch as each item slowly catches fire and begins to smoke on your desktop. Crackling and popping sounds and a musical soundtrack complete the effect. Add your own MP3 to customize your desktop flare-up.
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CNET Networks)
3D Fish School Screensaver lets you view up to 100 fish swimming peacefully on your desktop. Choose from a saltwater or freshwater virtual aquarium and tweak the settings to allow for more fish and bubbles. Use the settings to display a clock so you can check the time without waking your computer.
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CNET Networks)
Sim Aquarium reminds us more of a sea floor teaming with aquatic life. Watch your fish swim around a coral reef complete with live clams and swaying sea life. Choose from 41 species of fish.
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CNET Networks)
The Matrix Screen Saver is a longtime favorite for many users and continues to mesmerize with its now classic falling digital code. Wait a second, I think I just spotted myself typing this in the falling code. Maybe we are part of the Matrix! Somehow, I doubt Keanu can save us.
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CNET Networks)
Deep Space 3D Screensaver lets you take a trip to a distant galaxy and explore planetary systems and nebulae. As you watch, you may even encounter mysterious items and artifacts floating in the void. Are they manmade? Maybe not. Pleasant music accompanies your journey through space.
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CNET Networks)
3D World Map lets you gaze upon our planet in full 3D and view detailed information on more than 30,000 cities. Compute the distance between any two points on Earth. Tweak settings to adjust color and saturation to customize your view of the globe. This screensaver comes with a built-in MP3 player so you can view the Earth and listen to your own soundtrack.
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CNET Networks)
Note: The iPhone 2.2 firmware update is now available. Connect to iTunes to get all the details. My app update issue is fixed!
One of the great things about my job writing about iPhone apps is I sometimes get to look at what's coming up in the future for the iPhone. I was invited to a small gathering of developers and reviewers this week to see the latest games and apps from premiere software companies. The future of iPhone apps looks great.
While many of the apps were must-haves, one of the best of the bunch was a game called Rolando, from ngmoco (view the trailer here). The first rumors and teaser trailers of this unique platformer hit the Web in July and, while I was impressed, it wasn't until I actually sat down and played the game this week that I realized they were really onto something great. The game combines all the unique features of the iPhone, including the touch screen to draw platforms and move objects and the accelerometer to move your Rolandos to the goal. With challenging puzzles, excellent graphics, and an exclusive soundtrack designed just for the game, Rolando is a something that anyone who likes platform games can look forward to. I'm told the game will go for $9.99 at the iTunes app store and should be available in time for the holidays.
While we wait for what promises to be an exciting season for iPhone apps, check out this week's iPhone app picks.
SnapTell keeps your searches so you can pull it out at the store when you're ready to buy.
(Credit: CNET Networks)SnapTell is a fascinating free app that lets you find out about CDs, DVDs, video games, and books simply by taking a picture with your iPhone. Let's say a friend recommends a great book or DVD. Simply touch the camera icon and use your iPhone to take a picture of the product. SnapTell quickly matches your picture with its database and returns an image of the actual product complete with links to IMDb, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Wikipedia, along with prices and availability so you can either buy the product or get more information. Every book I tried, SnapTell was able to find a match and I was even able to hold up a DVD disc and Snaptell quickly found the product. You also can save your matches if you want to do your shopping later. Even if you can't find the product right away, you can use the application settings menu to set up more thorough searches, though they take a little longer to return results.
Keep an eye on your line tension as you slowly reel in your fish
(Credit: CNET Networks)Flick Fishing ($0.99) from our old friends at Freeverse software is a fun and challenging fishing game that will appeal to just about anyone. Choose from several locations from a beginner fishing hole to deep sea environments and make sure to open your tackle box to pick the right bait for the job. When you're ready, flick your iPhone to cast your line. Beautiful living environments set the perfect scene as you wait to get a bite. Once a fish takes the bait, reel it in slowly--you need to watch your line-tension meter so you don't snap the line. You can fish casually at several locations or you can participate in tournaments. You also can play against your friends on the same network. With several locations, dozens of varieties of fish, and numerous types of bait, this game offers great replay value. Complete with fun music and excellent sound effects, Flick Fishing is a lot of fun and one of the best games so far for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
What's your latest iPhone app? Do you find SnapTell useful? What's the biggest fish you have caught? Let me know in the comments!
If you're the kind of clenched-up stresser who finds it hard to relax, invest in an aquarium. Watching the fishies swim by is a peaceful, soothing pastime, experts say. But are you really going to cart the whole operation into the office? Roll up your sleeves to siphon mucky water into your garbage can? Heft the tank to your coworkers' desk when your office is locked over vacation? Yeah, right. Undersea observation may do the trick at home, but for the office, a screensaver like Dream Aquarium Screensaver is a heck of a lot more practical. It works, too. I've been so relaxed it's taken me three hours to write this post.
The yuks aside, Dream Aquarium Screensaver comes highly recommended. The trial version available on CNET Download.com gives you access to most settings features, but limits the tank's population to three fish and a crab. You'll also receive more than a few visits from the program's nag screen to purchase the full version, but it's not overly intrusive and doesn't mar the main event: watching tropical sea life.
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