Few can dispute the fact that Apple created a flawless product when it built the iPod. However, the company did omit to include one feature that still bothers me. The legally-aware developer made it so that you couldn't copy tunes from your iPod onto another computer. OK, so it means everything is above board, but it also means that if you get a new computer or your hard drive fails, you have to build up your MP3 collection all over again. Luckily, there are now several programs available that let you copy your iPod tunes to any machine, and CopyTrans is a good example of one of these.

The process of synchronising your music with CopyTrans is a simple one and you can choose to archive your collection or import it into a new iTunes library. All you need to do is connect your iPod, wait for the program to scan the device, choose your transfer settings then wait for CopyTrans to work its magic.

It does take quite a long time to copy across the music, but the operation works very well and I experienced no problems other than that it didn't reproduce all of the album art I had. The program boasts some nice features such as selective transfers, incremental back-ups, and repair to damaged iPod databases.

If you're scared of losing all your iPod data then install CopyTrans and erase your worries with ease.

Download CopyTrans 2.37 in Softonic

Writing PHP code and testing it on-the-fly can be a real hassle but this offering from DzSoft promises to ease the pain of coding by acting as a virtual server that can process code and display the results.

DzSoft PHP Editor is primarily a code editor, and includes the majority of features that you’d expect from this type of software. However, while most rival code editors tend to generalize, offering syntax highlighting for a multitude of languages PHP Editor is specifically tuned to the needs of web programmers who are working with the Hypertext Preprocessor language. Evidence of this can be found in the inclusion of common code and functions libraries and the ability to run and preview your work.

At first glance the program doesn’t appear to have a particularly intuitive interface. The design wouldn’t be out of place in Windows 95 and the main editor window is a typical reproduction of Notepad with each line numbered for easy reference. What appears to be a navigation bar on the left offers some hope of functionality, and once you get stuck in to coding it really delivers. The explorer bar tracks everything and records the location of each include, function, variable, and class you use. Should you wish to specifically save a reference point you can add up to nine bookmarks, although you can’t assign names to them - an addition that would have helped clarify what function each snippet serves.

To use the run and preview feature you must install PHP on your PC, a simple operation when compared to setting up your computer as a server that can process PHP. With a syntax check also included, this tool comes highly recommended to anyone that will be writing significant bodies of PHP. DzSoft PHP Editor may be a little rough around the edges, but with its outstanding functionality, that can be forgiven.

Download DzSoft PHP Editor 4.2.0.0 in Softonic

Forget those expensive and complicated programs that take a long time to set up and even longer to run. System Cleaner is lightning-fast. Just download the self-installer, click a few times, and your PC will be in tip-top shape before you know it.

System Cleaner takes care of all the common PC headaches that slow your system down and puts your data at risk from disk failure. It also takes care of many of the of the PC problems that other so-called tune-up programs ignore.

System Cleaner also includes a comprehensive "secrets eraser" that scrubs all of your computer and internet activity files and removes every last trace of where you have been and what you did while you were there.

Download System Cleaner 5.60c in Softonic

Is your PC slow in boot-up and operation? Magic Speed will make your PC faster and more efficient in five simple steps. The software package includes startup management, fixing registry errors, Disk clean-up, and memory management. It is free of charge and does not require special PC knowledge.

Magic Speed will analyze the applications that are loaded with your PC boot-up. Are you sure that you really need these applications? Being loaded, they occupy PC memory and slow down PC operation. A check-up will also include virus and spyware tests thanks to a new anti-virus engine updated on a daily basis.

Registry errors also negatively affect PC efficiency. By deleting temporary files, you will increase free space on your hard drive and speed up its operation. Make use of the unique Boost Windows option - by adding it to the startup you will experience real improvement of your PC operation.

Download Magic Speed 3.2 in Softonic

Searching in Windows has always been painfully slow but Microsofts launch of Windows Search 4 aims to bring searching up to speed with applications such as Google Desktop.

Windows Search 4 uses the same indexing style approach that Google Desktop does meaning that your data is always indexed and instantly searchable. Search results are now returned in seconds rather than minutes under Windows older search tool. You can preview information that's returned in results including information within e-mail messages. The search tool is much more easily accessible too in Vista from the Start menu and XP is equipped with a deskbar for instant searches. Be warned however - the indexing file can be huge especially if you have a large amount of data on your PC so make sure you have plenty of disk space free before installing Windows Search 4 otherwise you’ll find it locks up your system before finally warning you that your disk space is low. In this release, Microsoft have finally ensured that you can also index and search encrypted files which was something missing from previous versions. This is something that should have already been included in Vista and is yet another area where Microsoft are adding and completing aspects of the system that should have been ready before it was released.

Google Desktop and Copernic Desktop Search have been on the market for years now and yet Microsoft have only just been able to implement such a basic feature into their operating system but it's definitely a vast improvement on previous Windows search tools.

Download Windows Search 4 Vista SP1 & Server 2008 in Softonic

Searching in Windows has always been painfully slow but Microsofts launch of Windows Search 4 aims to bring searching up to speed with applications such as Google Desktop.

Windows Search 4 uses the same indexing style approach that Google Desktop does meaning that your data is always indexed and instantly searchable. Search results are now returned in seconds rather than minutes under Windows older search tool. You can preview information that's returned in results including information within e-mail messages. The search tool is much more easily accessible too in Vista from the Start menu and XP is equipped with a deskbar for instant searches. Be warned however - the indexing file can be huge especially if you have a large amount of data on your PC so make sure you have plenty of disk space free before installing Windows Search 4 otherwise you’ll find it locks up your system before finally warning you that your disk space is low. In this release, Microsoft have finally ensured that you can also index and search encrypted files which was something missing from previous versions. This is something that should have already been included in Vista and is yet another area where Microsoft are adding and completing aspects of the system that should have been ready before it was released.

Google Desktop and Copernic Desktop Search have been on the market for years now and yet Microsoft have only just been able to implement such a basic feature into their operating system but it's definitely a vast improvement on previous Windows search tools.

Download Windows Search 4 XP & Server 2003 in Softonic

There are a number of video editing packages out there, from the simple Windows Media Maker to industry standards like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut. Sony’s contribution is Vegas Video and like most Sony products, it offers an original take on the editing genre.

Vegas actually began as an audio editing app and it shows – the entire feel of the program is more like an audio editing program than conventional video editing programs. On the plus side, Sony has emphasised giving users the greatest control over soundtracks and audio tracks to ensure that your film sounds great.

Sony Vegas Video 7.0 includes an entire suite of tools – Vegas itself as well as DVD Architect 4 to help you burn films and Dolby Digital AC3 coding software to enable you to offer broadcast quality sound in your productions. Vegas allows you to edit DV, HDV, SD/HD-SDI, and all XDCAM formats in real time and even give them surround sound. As HDV starts to become more popular, the ability to edit this particular format means that for some users, it’s their preferred editing package by default.

The video timeline works on a typical Windows drag-and-drop principle where you can add a myriad of effects to video and audio, cutting and splicing it with ease. However, as mentioned earlier, the interface is tailored more for audio than video editing. Unlike Windows Movie Maker or Adobe Premiere, the actual video preview window of what you’re working on is given little space, being tucked away in the corner. This is rather annoying when you’d rather see a decent preview of what you’re creating than have the timelines dominate the screen.

However, one nice feature of the layout is that the interface can be customised according to your preference. You can save these configurations so that for different projects, you can have different layouts. This is especially useful if you’re trying to concentrate on one particular aspect of your film such as special effects or rendering options. You can even create your own keyboard shortcuts, a handy option for those who are mouse-shy.

The audio features are first class though. Sony Vegas was one of the first to support 24 bit audio as well as 5.1 surround sound – usually the preserve of professional editing programs such as Avid. To add surround sound, you’ll need to use the Dolby Digital AC3 software. Another excellent Sony idea has been to add a network connection to other PCs during installation. So for example, if you’re working on a project with a friend, you can edit seamlessly in real-time together.

For creating really cool titles, Vegas now features the Sony ProType titler (available in the Media Generators tab) which allows you to make some really swanky looking graphics. There's also new digital signage support which allows you to create rotated projects for viewing on a vertical or inverted display. Encoding has also been improved with support for 10-bit video encoding when previewing or capturing from AJA SDI video cards.

Vegas is never going to compete with prosumer programs based on the traditional Avid way of editing. For those used to such programs, the interface could prove too awkward, limited and confusing to make editing video a pleasure. However, as regards sound, it can’t be touched. For many users, it makes the perfect package to polish the soundtrack on their film after editing it in another package. Be warned also that if you’re unfamiliar with video editing programs, it's going to take a while to get accustomed to Vegas, so the bundled tutorial is highly recommended.

Download Sony Vegas Video 8.0.217 b in Softonic

Pistonsoft BPM Detector analyses your MP3 collection to determinate the bitrates of each song. Beats per minute (BPM) is a unit typically used as either a measure of tempo in music, or a measure of one's heart rate. A rate of 60 BPM means that one beat will occur every second. The idea is that, the higher BPM a song has, the faster it should be. Hip-hop typically uses a BPM tempo of 80-100, while house music is faster: 110-140 BPM. Jungle music goes even faster: 160-185. Gabba and Speedcore exceed 200 BPM.

This information should come handy, not only to DJs having to choose the right song on the fly but also to home users. They may want in fact to play slow songs after coming back home from a tiring day, or they may prefer something more energetic as the soundtrack for their spring cleaning!

The program automatically analyses selected files and saves the beat per minute information to the music file's ID3 tag so that you'll be able to know the song's BPM with every player you use. I'm not sure about the efficiency of BPM in order to decide what a fast or a slow music is though. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, for example, had a BPM rate of zero while Quien Fuera by Silvio Rodriguez received a rating of 150.75. Personally, I would use the latter for relaxing moments and the former when I need to listen to something faster.

The idea of an application that can understand the type of songs we have and classify them accordingly is great but I don't think we have achieved that level with this application.

Download Pistonsoft BPM Detector 1.0 in Softonic

Use one centralized system dashboard to automatically perform all vital PC maintenance by diagnosing, reporting, and resolving computer problems and performance bottlenecks.

This award-winning utility suite is trusted by millions worldwide to secure, optimize, repair, and tune-up their systems.

System Mechanic® 7 provides a wealth of tools to keep PCs running in peak condition. This versatile and easy-to-use product allows you to:

Run system analyses to stay informed about your PC’s condition. View any system problems detected by System Mechanic and decide which ones you want to repair. Enable ActiveCare™ to perform the automated housekeeping tasks that you specify.

Select the exact repair and optimization tools that suit your needs, and run them when you want and how you want. One-click Power Tools and guided wizards allow you to eliminate performance drains and adapt settings to boost PC and Web speed, repair hard drive errors that cause computer crashes and lock-ups, and recover from disaster if your computer ever becomes severely damaged.

Erase temporary and other junk files to reduce clutter and increase drive capacity. Eliminate dangerous spyware, block hidden malware from altering your system settings, and repair security vulnerabilities that leave your system open to attack.

Monitor, control, and fine-tune settings so that your PC is tailored to your specifications. Diagnostic tools provide detailed system reporting and allow for advanced troubleshooting.

Download System Mechanic 7.5.8 in Softonic

If you're noticing a significant slowdown in your PC's operations, then jv16 PowerTools is a full Windows optimization and tuneup utility suite which could extend the life of your PC.

As the developers say in their advertising blurb, it's inevitable that the longer a computer functions, the slower it becomes. Even regular defragging can only achieve so much so it's essential that you run some kind of optimiser. jv16 PowerTools aims to rid your system of useless files that may be slowing you down without bloating or overloading it. The program takes the format of most standard optimisers dividing it's main features in the left hand side of the interface with the sub-functions on the right. The actual look is a bit antiquated but at least the lack of flashy graphics means it remains light. The main functions are a Registry Cleaner, File Tools, System Tools and Privacy Tools. Below these, you've got options for changing the general settings and backing-up of your current settings. Below these you can see two "healthomerters" which display both the PC Health and Registry Health. However, these two measurements never seem to change that much and even when they're showing positive results, it doesn't necessarily mean your PC is running better which makes me wonder if the readings are really based on anything at all.

This is a fairly average attempt at creating yet another optimiser for Windows although if all your others have failed, you might get some joy out of it.

Download jv16 PowerTools 2008 1.8.0.444 in Softonic

Remember those old Casio keyboards that were so popular a few decades ago? Well, now they're back, at least in your PC.

Electronic Piano emulates one of those electronic musical keyboards on your computer, using each keystroke of your PC keyboard to produce a different sound. Just like the original instrument, this software app supports a wide range of different sound styles, enabling you to emulate almost anything from a piano to a guitar, including trumpet, bass, organ, harmonica, violin, cello and a lot more.

Of course, you'll also get the special effects section (typewriter, helicopter, applause, gun shot and so on) and finally the drums, with even a wider selection of sounds.

The program is really easy to use, as it displays the note chart on its interface so that you know what you're playing at all times. On the downside, the keyboard seems to have a slower response than expected, which makes the whole experience a bit disappointing. Also, I notice one note was out of tune, which is certainly not something I would expect from a music program, even if it's not a professional tool.

Electronic Piano is a simple, MIDI digital keyboard that lets you play some basic tunes on your PC. That said, don't expect professional output. This is just for fun.

Download Electronic Piano 2.5 in Softonic

BitDefender is one of the most comprehensive protection packages out there for your PC. Covering everything from an anti-virus protector to Trojan blocker, it's a package for someone who doesn't want to install lots of separate ones.

The program is updated hourly which is both good and bad in equal measure. Good in that you're always protected but bad in that it can slow your system down a bit. The good thing is if your PC does crash at all, BitDefender automatically repairs and updates itself once you've restarted your PC. For those that upgrade to the full version, there's a 24/7 helpline via phone, email or chat at no additional cost. There's a NEWGamer Mode which temporarily modifies protection settings to minimize their impact on how your game performs so that you can play games with peace of mind. The anti virus is pretty powerful which blocks unknown viruses using what the developers call "advanced proactive detection techniques". In addition to all this, it includes a CD burning backup facility plus a tuneup utility to keep your PC operating at optimum performance.

An excellent all in one package although the updates a re a bit too regular and it takes your time to find your way around.

Download BitDefender Internet Security 2008 in Softonic

Using either the keyboard or the mouse to play videogames on your PC is not always the most comfortable option. Sometimes you'd love to use your gamepad but unfortunately not all games have support for them. Xpadder puts an end to this problem, allowing you to play PC games with poor or no gamepad support at all.

These are the features Xpadder has to offer:

• Full keyboard and mouse emulation
• No installation needed - run straight from the Zip file
• Add gamepad support to emulated, internet and DOS games
• Play multiplayer games with each player using their own gamepad
• Control video/music players using their shortcut keys
• Use a gamepad with a web browser or any windows application
• Rumble (force feedback) and advanced fine-tuning options
• Create and share any layout for any controller
• Multiple profile management using sharable files

Download Xpadder 2007-11a in Softonic

A computer is very much like a car in the respect that it's all clean and speedy when you first get it but after a short while it starts to slow down. And just as your auto needs a tune-up every once in a while, so to your PC can be given the once over to speed it up. Registry Mechanic is one of a number of registry cleaners on the market, and it also proves to be one of the best.

Trawling through your registry for problems can be a tricky and even dangerous task, but this program makes it really simple to cut the crap that you don't need through its idiot-proof navigation. The app splits registry errors into categories, prioritising their importance and offering you a simple-to-understand description of what the problem is. Although the interface is great for novices, there are plenty of customisation options to keep dab-hands happy too.

Scanning in Registry Mechanic is pretty quick and seems to be very thorough (it picked up over 200 errors!) There are several scanning options, such as the ability to scan automatically or to select certain directories to examine. Solving problems is easy for beginners because the program takes you to the path of the error, allowing you to delete it manually, making it safer, to boot. Unfortunately there's no undo tool in the program so you'll need to revert registry entries yourself if you delete one in error. On the whole, Registry Mechanic provides a fast, easy solution for fixing registry problems and speeding up your machine.

Download Registry Mechanic 6.0 in Softonic

Surprisingly enough, there aren't that many programs out there that focus on your baby's interaction with your computer. Baby Shield has a pretty crude interface made up of big action buttons and a floating image, but we can let that go as its obviously intended to attract the attention of your toddler.

We found the idea behind Baby Shield quite original, as every time your baby presses a button on the keyboard the program will show an image associated with the letter. The song that plays in the background will surely sound annoying to you but could just get your baby into a good mood.

If you really want to protect your PC from your baby's curiosity, you can always lock your screen. Or you can install Baby Shield and let your toddler play around with your keyboard. It's not sure it'll grab its attention though.

Download Baby Shield 1.6.2 in Softonic

n-Track Studio 4 is an Audio & MIDI Digital Multitrack Recorder that transforms your PC into a powerful audio recording studio. You can record, playback, overdub just like with a tape multitrack recorder, but you can exploit the flexibility and power of today's PCs for applying effects, realtime input processing, automated aux channels sends and returns, destructive and non-destructive wave editing. The program supports 24bit-192 khz recording, multiple channels soundcards, live input processing, CD burning, mp3 encoding and much more.

Download N-track Studio 5.1.1 Build 2306 in Softonic

Internet Radio is a nifty little add-on for Internet Explorer 6 or 7 that enables you to listen to thousands of radio stations from around the world while using your browser. The advantage of this is that you can listen to your favourite radio stations without having to open multiple browsers or search for Radio channels.

Once you download the software, the on screen instructions will guide you through the installation process. A radio icon will then be displayed on your Internet Explorer browser which you can activate by clicking on it. The 'Internet Radio' will automatically start and remain at the top of the browser screen. Simply select the country and channel you want and you can then customise the colors and interface. It has to be said that some of the channels are pretty obscure but there's plenty of choice.

On the right-hand side of the interface, there's a "Hide / Show" button which can be used to toggle the visibility of the player. If you're a radio junkie, this is a great plug-in although many of the channels are so bad, you won't be tuning in regularly!

Download Internet Radio 2.1 in Softonic

Bucking the trend of Asian P2P TV apps flooding the software world is Digital TV 2050 which offers an English interface and hundreds of channels from around the world. Despite the rather basic presentation, it delivers channels quickly, in real-time although the selection of channels available leaves something to be desired.

Before you can start to watch any channels, you need to register with the developer which requires nothing more than your name, country and e-mail address to which your registration code is instantly sent. Until you do this, even though you have full access to the program, you won’t be able to watch a single channel.

A drop down menu offers you a choice of countries ranging from Albania to Vietnam and even the Vatican. Of course, like many P2P programs, most of the major channels are excluded from the list of available for viewing. However, scrolling through the American list reveals some major names such as Bloomberg and C-SPAN although the rest are mainly a collection of local or college stations. Countries like the UK are completely bereft of decent channels - only offering a tiny selection of unknowns such as ‘Ideal World’ and ‘Nation 217’. Most other European networks are served by similarly mysterious channels which often don't even work.

It's clear that Digital TV 2050 is severely limited in terms of what it can offer although on the plus side, the streaming and quality of channels that do work is very good. For users in the USA, this program may be of interest but other users around the world would be better to stay clear.

Download Digital TV 2050 in Softonic

Joost, Democracy, VeohTV, Zattoo... The list of Internet TV apps being published lately doesn't end. Babelgum is one of them, another online TV client that claims to be the perfect application to "watch whatever you want whenever you want".

However, the truth is quite different. Babelgum is still in beta, and you can tell especially by the lack of content. There are several channels devoted to music, documentaries and news, and you can also watch your own videos, but I had a hard time trying to find something really interesting to watch. This may also be due to the fact that Babelgum is trying to set itself as a promotional platform for video content producers and doesn't just rip content off commercial TV channels.

In all I think it's a very promising app with lots of potential. It features a slick black interface and it's very easy to use. Let's give them some more developing time and see what happens.

Download Babelgum Beta in Softonic

WinUtilties is a collection of tools designed to optimize your system performance and remove unneeded files and internet tracks. The application allows you to remove invalid registry entries, delete application and internet history, manage cookies and much more.

Full line-up of utilities:

• Disk Cleaner
• Registry Cleaner
• Startup Cleaner
• History Cleaner
• File Splitter
• File Shredder
• File Lock & EXE Protector
• Memory Optimizer
• Duplicate Files Finder
• Shortcuts Fixer
• Process Manager
• Uninstall Manager
• System Information
• Windows Tools
• Registry Backup/Restore
• Registry Search
• BHO Remover

Download WinUtilities 5.2.7 in Softonic