Software : Round up: Top 5 best YouTube downloaders |
- Round up: Top 5 best YouTube downloaders
- Apple invented Siri for Mac, but will we ever hear it?
- Windows 9 may chop Charms bar, add virtual desktops
| Round up: Top 5 best YouTube downloaders Posted:  IntroductionYouTube is a phenomenon unto itself and possibly the most successful product for Google after Google search. Launched back in November 2005, the website attracts more than 1 billion unique users every month, and more than 6 billion hours of video are watched during the same period. Although it might be frowned upon, there are many legitimate reasons to download a YouTube video. One is when you've recorded a video, uploaded it to YouTube, and then lost the original copy. And then there are copyright-free works to consider — from open source and creative content videos to those available in the public domain. You might not even be interested in the video and may just want to download its audio (or soundtrack) instead. As with peer-to-peer (P2P), just because a technology can be used illegally, that doesn't mean it should be banned. From the myriad of options available, we've plucked out what we consider to be the best ones. They're free, but it's worth bearing in mind that they they may try to install add-ons that you haven't asked for - such as search engine toolbars or software to clean your computer's registry - that you can opt out of. With that out of the way, here are our top 5 best YouTube downloaders. If we've missed any, feel free to comment and let us know. 1. Freemake Video DownloaderFreemake Video Downloader is a simple-to-use tool for downloading YouTube videos, along with their accompanying audio, in a few clicks. Simply paste in the URL of the video you want to download and click 'Paste URL' to set it running, or install the Firefox add-on to start the download from the YouTube page itself by right-clicking on the video. The program comes with a slew of extras, including the ability to download YouTube Playlists and convert videos into multiple formats - including AVI and MP3. One of the program's more useful features is a nifty restrict bandwidth option that allows you to slow down your downloads if your internet connection isn't the fastest in the world. This allows you to keep them running smooth as butter while carrying out other tasks - such as streaming online video or gaming. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Free YouTube to MP3 ConverterYouTube is first and foremost a resource for watching videos, but there's nothing to stop you just ripping any video's accompanying audio. And, of course, there's more to YouTube audio than background music. Guitarists, pianists and other musicians, for example, could benefit by downloading one of the many instrumental backing tracks uploaded by professional and amateur musicians. Looking for a funky guitar backing track in B-Minor to jam along to? Or how about downloading a karaoke track for that party you're hosting at the weekend? With Free YouTube to MP3 converter, you can do it in a snap. Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want to rip the audio from and open the program and hit CTRL + V to queue it up. Before ripping, you can select the quality you want to rip the audio in from a variety of formats - including MP3, M4A, AAC, WAV and OGG. Next, pick your desired bit-rate quality and hit download to send it hurtling down the wires. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. aTube CatcherWith aTube Catcher you'll get the usual array of tools to download and convert YouTube videos (with audio), but it does a whole lot more too. One of its handier features is the ability to resize video, which allows you to cut out parts of clips for your own projects (if they're copyright free, of course) or lower the size of videos before saving them to your computer. Another cool feature not found in many other programs is the Stream Capture tool, which allows you to load up a video stream from YouTube or other video sites to save streamed content straight to your hard drive, meaning you don't have to wait until a program is made available to officially download, which can take days - or even weeks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Free StudioWhere some YouTube video downloaders focus on performing a single task well, Free Studio offers a comprehensive conversion package that can do tons more after you've made the rip. It's simple enough to get going: load up the program and you're presented with the option to download a YouTube video, or rip its audio as an MP3. From there, you can choose from multiple conversion options to optimise the file for a certain device. Choose the mobile option, for example, and with a single click you can convert the video for viewing on Android, BlackBerry, HTC, Motorola, Samsung and other handsets. It means that factors like resolution, bit-rate quality and suitable audio codecs are automatically chosen and optimised, perfect for making sure you can view the video offline on your mobile device with no compatibility problems. There's also the ability to burn your video or audio track to a CD or DVD, and you can even give videos a psychedelic3D-type effect using the built-in 3D Video Maker. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. YTDYTD is a no-frills video downloading tool that features the handy option of converting your files before they're ripped, saving you from having to do it afterwards. And unlike some other downloaders that only support YouTube, YTD is compatible with a whole range of video sites: from DailyMotion to Facebook and beyond. It may not be the most feature-packed option on our list, but its uncluttered, compact UI makes it a suitable choice if you're something of a prolific video downloader, allowing you to instantly get a snapshot of how many downloads you've got on the go. You're also provided with information on their progress, the speed that they're downloading and how long it'll be until they're nestled on a corner of your hard drive to be viewed whenever you're ready. |
| Apple invented Siri for Mac, but will we ever hear it? Posted:  Apple has outlined the possibilities for a powerful voice enabled personal assistant like Siri to come to Mac OS X computers. In a new patent filing entitled "Intelligent digital assistant in a desktop environment" Apple explains how voice commands could be used for search, replying to emails, setting appointments and much more. The 92-page application, which landed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) this week, details how the assistant could be used to copy and paste, drag and drop files and organise folders. Part of this could be determined by where the cursor is hovering on the Mac. For example, if the cursor was hovering over the folder, a command of "paste" would see the copied file inserted. Siri stays mumAccording to the filing, the assistant could run in the background and be accessed by a voice command, perhaps through the "Hey Siri" that's coming in iOS 8, through a specific mouse click or keyboard stroke or sit with the Mac OS X dock. It has long been assumed that Siri would eventually make the jump to OS X although the differing functionality and complexity presented by the Mac operating system would make it a far different endeavour. As you can tell by the photo above, Siri herself is giving nothing away. Maybe soon, but not yet: Check out our OS X Yosemite hands-on review |
| Windows 9 may chop Charms bar, add virtual desktops Posted:  Microsoft may be removing the touchscreen-centric Charms Bar in Windows 9. A new report out of Winbeta says Microsoft will pull out the Charms tray completely as part of the user interface overhaul coming to the next version of Windows. The change will purportedly remove the Charms Bar completely on the desktop version of Windows 9 for computers and laptops. It's still questionable whether the pull out tray will be removed on tablets. ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley says her sources have confirmed the Charms Bar will wave good-bye on slates as well. As for what's replacing it, Window 9 will supposedly feature a revamped title bar for Windows apps that includes menus to list the charms components. Sharing options once found in the Charms Bars could also be repositioned to a dedicated share button on the app itself. The main reason behind the UI shake up seems to be about making the OS more welcoming to mouse and keyboard users. While users can simply hover their cursor over to a corner of the desktop screen in Windows 8.1, it can become bothersome over time. Microsoft giveth, tooSo far, the news surrounding Windows 9 has been a lot about making it look and work like a proper desktop operating system. Windows enthusiast site Neowin has reported that version nine might also sport all new virtual desktops. As the name might suggests, virtual desktops will allow users to create separate operating spaces within Windows. It's a useful feature for running multiple apps or groups of apps without clogging up the main window with too much multitasking. Virtual machines have been long supported on other operating systems like OS X and Ubuntu, as well as third-party apps for Window. However, this will be a first time Windows would support the feature natively. A preview version of Windows 9 is expected to drop in just a few months after which we could see the full retail version roll out by spring time next year. Until then stay tuned to this space for the latest on Windows 9.
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