Prototype SunCat batteries enable solar charging

Solar-powered phones like the Samsung Blue Earth are great eco-friendly concepts, in theory.

But let's be frank with ourselves. We won't see these sun-worshipping devices replacing mainstream handsets in the near future. Meanwhile, we still have a mountain of gadgets that need to be juiced regularly, which is why designer Knut Karlsen's idea of integrating flexible solar cells onto rechargeable batteries could be a more immediate solution to reducing our carbon footprint.

Have your way with Windows

If your computer handles a heavy load of programs, deleted files, and temporary downloads, asking Windows to do your bidding is akin to disciplining a two-year-old child. You'll get your way in the end, but only after some resistance. Here are six top-rated, perfectly legal performance enhancers for Windows XP and Vista that help you regain control.

Easy Vista ManagerLaying out a smorgasbord of tweaks for all your computer's categories, this premium, easy-to-use performance-perfecter has Vista's particular traits in mind. Each of Easy Vista Manager's categories, ranging from hardware and software to network and security, is chockablock with detailed information about your computer and what you can tweak, including a few surprises that might help you save on energy overall--your own and the computer's. While the 20 use trial period isn't the most generous we've seen, Easy Vista Manager's thorough view into Vista's ins and outs makes it well worth the download


RAMBooster
While most of the all-in-one optimizing applications include a tool to rev performance by freeing up choked RAM, you can do that on your own with a freeware program like RAMBooster. The small application may register as a little old-school, but it has what it takes to give your PC some extra fire. RAMBooster includes a few program defaults for those still new to the process, but you can modify them to your liking. An icon in the system tray serves as your memory conscience, gleaming red and black if all's well. As your quotient of available memory falls, the icon switches to yellow, a sure sign it's time to do some tweaking.



Glary Utilities

A brawny freeware application, Glary Utilities will helpfully put the squeeze on inefficient settings without charging you a cent. The good-looking optimization suite includes a Registry cleaner, and a privacy minder that sweeps away Internet Explorer tracks. In addition are tools to cut out junk files, remove invalid and dead-end shortcuts, and manage start-up programs. A file-shredder is also included, to securely reduce deleted files to ribbons. While you'll be able to perform many of the same actions from Windows' various maintenance folders, Glary Utilities and its optimizing kin conveniently centralize the tools and streamline the process.



Auslogics BoostSpeedBoostSpeed supersizes Auslogics' freeware disk defragmenter and Registry defrag into a strong package that includes some services unique to this all-in-one premium download. If you're already a fan of Auslogics' applications, its free-to-try suite will not disappoint. Optimizing the program's RAM, disk space, and Registry are Auslogics BoostSpeed's top tools, along with the file shredder and performance monitor. In addition, the application features a decent uninstall manager, start-up manager, browser tweaker, and manager for customizing Windows' interface and routines.



PerfectDisk

A defragmenter at its core, PerfectDisk tops robust performance-tending features with an attractive, logical interface. Its defragger comes equipped with a tool to analyze your data patterns and to use that information to more efficiently store your data in the future. This tack introduces a preventative element that helps lubricate your PC's internal gears. Offline defragmenting is another key feature of this free-to-try application that can optimize parts of your drive that can't be touched while Windows is going.



Tune-Up Utilities
TuneUp Utilities 2009 earns high praise for its capability to get to the heart of Windows' maintenance tools in a faster, prettier, and easier-to-use format. The modules tackle temporary files, superfluous registry entries, and start-up routines, and do so in a way that gets you maximum speed. In addition, the free-to-try application also packs on a host of performance accelerators, enhancers, and tweaks. There's also a file shredder, file recovery tools, and a tool to quickly analyze your problem areas. A button programmed with general presets gives those new to the optimizing game a one-click option for boosting performance.

This week's PlayStation Store update

Today's Australian PlayStation Store update was not as substantial as last week's, although it still brought a bounty of add-on game packs, as well as the long-awaited Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. demo.

The highlight of this week's update is, of course, the 'Rio Demo' for Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X., where the literature promises that, "flying at Mach 3 becomes a right, not a privilege." The demo weighs in at 832 MB.

Two full PSP games also made their way to the PlayStation Store, with Generation of Chaos and WWII: Battle Over the Pacific. Both games are on sale for AUD $19.95.

The majority of today's update was made up of game packs, with a long list starting with Buzz's 'Quiz of the Year 2008' for AUD $8.45, Street Fighter IV's alternate costume 'Brawler Pack' for AUD $6.95, Skate 2's San Van Classic Pack for AUD $6.95. High Velocity Bowling receives two new characters (Candy and Dwyane) for AUD $1.75 each, as well as a free game pack named 'Trick Shits Part Two', which gives you further ways to boost your chances of picking up collectible patches in the game.

There's also the 'All-New Content' pack for The Lord of the Rings Conquest for AUD $12.95, which includes two new arenas (Weathertop foggy mountain and Minas Tirith main gate), three new heroes (Gothmog, Boromir and Arwen), two new multiplayer maps (Amon Hen and Battle of the Last Alliance) each with 3 new game modes (Team Deathmatch, Capture the Ring and Conquest).

Guitar Hero World Tour got hit by a Silver Bullet, as it was updated with three new Bob Seger tracks - 'Get Out of Denver', 'Her Strut' and 'Old Time Rock & Roll'. You can grab any of them for AUD $3.45 each of all together for AUD $9.25. Rock Band received three new Jimmy Eat World tracks - 'Futures', 'Lucky Denver Mint' and 'Sweetness'. It also received the country songs '3 Dimes Down' by Drive-By Truckers, 'Can't Let Go' by Lucinda Williams, 'People Got a Lotta Nerve' by Neko Case, 'Satellite Radio' by Steve Earle and 'Time Bomb (Live)' by Old 97's. You can buy them individually for AUD $2.45, or buy a pack of all the country songs for AUD $11.05 and a pack of all the Jimmy Eat World songs for AUD $6.45.

Finally, there's a host of videos including trailers for Disgaea 3:Absence of Justice, FIFA 09, Burnout Praadise: The Ultimate Bundle, Lumines Supernova and Prince of Persia Epilogue.There's also a 'Master Maze Makers Trailer' for echochrome. You'll also find yourself right at home with a LocoRoco 2 MuiMui House PS3 theme.