BlackBerry announced it will be releasing a desktop BBM app at BlackBerry Jam Asia 2013 this week, Read the TechCrunch article BlackBerry Will Release A Painful-To-Use BBM App For Desktops | TechCrunch for more details

Google turns 15 this month. Follow this Google’s Easter Egg link to see how Google looked back then

https://www.google.com/#q=google+in+1998&safe=off

(Unfortunately, any searches will return Google results in today’s layout)

YouTube currently offers more than 150,000 audio tracks on its site that video producers can use as background music for their videos. Those tracks, however, can’t be downloaded or remixed, which makes it hard to use them in creative ways. For users who want to do a bit more with their background music, however, YouTube today is expanding this library with a selection of 150 new royalty-tracks. The music in this new YouTube Audio Library can be downloaded, remixed and used for free forever.

Read the rest of the article on TechCrunch.
Check out the YouTube Audio Library at http://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary

Apple has updated its iMac lineup of desktop computers:

Read GigaOM’s article Apple boosts graphics, Wi-Fi and flash storage speed in new iMacs for more details

Valve, created of the Steam distribution platform for Windows, Mac and Linux  (and games) have posted the first of three announcements :

SteamOS.

Excepts from the SteamOS announcement:

“SteamOS combines the rock-solid architecture of Linux with a gaming experience built for the big screen. It will be available soon as a free stand-alone operating system for living room machines.”

Four new Steam features available soon in both SteamOS and the Steam client :

• “In-home streaming” – play your Windows and Mac games from existing computers on SteamOS
• “Music, TV, movies” – access your music and video
• “Family Sharing” – share Steam games with family members
• “Family Options” – families will have control over what titles get seen by whom.

” SteamOS will be available soon as a free download for users”

Microsoft press release about Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2

Via Microsoft unveils Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 — Tech News and Analysis. An excerpt:

“….Microsoft on Monday took the wraps off of its Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 tablets….The new Surface 2 is a second-generation Windows RT device, though Microsoft has dropped the ‘RT’ moniker in the tablet’s name. It’s been upgraded with a Tegra 4 chip to run three to four times faster than the original, and the tablet’s 10.6-inch screen now features a much sharper 1920 x 1080 resolution. Battery life has also been improved 25 percent over the original, and the tablet’s front-facing camera features a one-third-inch sensor. Microsoft is including free international calling via Skype and free Skype Wi-Fi hotspot for a year when you buy the Surface 2 or the Surface Pro 2. You also get 200GB of SkyDrive support for two years…..”

More coverage at Ars Technica and WinSupersite

The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society is pleased to announce the release of the TTCS OSSWIN DVD v1.0, a collection of Free and Open Source Software for Windows

You can use your web browser to read detailed information about each program in this compilation : what the program does, its key features, useful related websites, view a screenshot, find links to the program’s website and to download/install the program from the TTCS OSSWIN DVD.

The web-based interface allows you to quickly browse the variety of software organised  into the following categories:

• Desktop Applications
• Educational
• Games
• Graphics
• Internet
• Server
• Sound and Video
• Utilities

The changes to this version adds three new programs (replacing three) and adding 64 bit versions of programs where available for installation. Along with a lot of software updates.

See the TTCS OSSWIN DVD page at http://www.ttcsweb.org/osswin-dvd/ for more details, including a complete listing of programs included on the DVD, download links and checksum information to verify the download. private message me at admin at ttcsweb.org for alternative download links.

After crushing the launch day sales record on Tuesday, Grand Theft Auto V has earned another significant milestone for publisher Take-Two. The title has crested $1 billion in worldwide retail sales in just three days.

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/09/20/grand-theft-auto-v-hits-1-billion-in-three-days.aspx