Itunes 8.0 is already out!

Apple announces that the next major version of iTunes will be available for download sometime today. iTunes 8 is not jam-packed with new functionality, but the new Genius feature—which boasts smart, automatic playlist creation—has us madly refreshing the iTunes download page. Let's take a closer look at what you can expect from the new iTunes and how it can improve your digital music experience.

The most significant new feature is the new Genius Playlists, a feature that promises to create great playlists for you based on the music in your library. You choose a song, tell iTunes you want it to create a Genius Playlist from that song, and it takes care of the rest. The Genius feature works by analyzing the music in your library and suggesting songs that it thinks will go well with that song.

The second new feature is Grid View, an iPhoto-like way to browse your music library by albums. The Grid view looks a lot like an iPhoto layout, and it provides a way to browse your music library by album without the need to switch to the full-on, graphics-intense Cover Flow.

It's not a lot, but the new Genius feature will hopefully bring a new dimension to your listening habits, helping you re-discover music you already have and possibly discover new music that you don't. You can download Itunes 8.0 here. Let's hear what you think of the new iTunes in the comments.

Globe's Unlimited YM Chat

With Globe Telecom's new Unlichat service, you can be connected with your yahoo messenger chatmates 24/7. You can chat through YM using your cellphone while you’re traveling, passing the time, window shopping, anytime, anywhere even without a computer.

UNLICHAT is an application-based instant messenger service that provides Globe subscribers mobile access to Yahoo! Messenger, the most popular instant messaging service in the Philippines.

How do you start using UNLICHAT?

1. Make sure that your phone has the correct GPRS settings before downloading.
2. Start downloading the mobile application for FREE:
3. To download, text CHAT to 2979.  You will get an SMS with the link www.unlichat.com.  Click on the link or open it from your mobile internet browser (Note: the downloading of application is free of charge.)
4. After download, install the application when prompted.
5. Click on the UNLICHAT icon from the Applications folder to launch it.
6. Enter your Yahoo! ID and password.

Stay 24/7 Online in Friendster, Facebook or YM!

Do you want to be connected 24/7 with friends in Friendster, Yahoo Messenger or Facebook? With globe, this is possible.

With Globe UPD8, stay always connected with your online friends! All you need is a mobile phone and a Friendster or Facebook account and you can upload pictures from your phone straight to your account. No need for a computer! You no longer need to go to internet cafe, because with UPD8, you can take a picture with your phone and upload it to Friendster and Facebook from anywhere at anytime.

You could also receive unlimited updates from your Friendster and Facebook accounts! Do you want to know if you have a new message, comment or invite? With UPD8, alerts from your favorite sites are just a text away! To register and to know more about Globe Friendster UPD8, click here or here for Facebook UPD8.

How to Dress up Vista to Exactly Appear as Mac OS X

If you're using Windows XP but with a serious Mac crush, you must have liked FlyakiteOSX to make your desktop appear and work like, a Mac. I installed FlyakiteOSX in our office desktop computer and it really turned windows XP into Mac OS X.

Now, Vista users—even those upgraded to Service Pack 1—have Vista OS X Ver.4 for a similar OS paint job. The installer requires that you disable the User Account Control to properly install the Vista OS X. You'll get screensavers, wallpapers, a "Dock," and more goodies, all accessible from the basic "Themes" menu. Don't worry about not liking it because the theme completely uninstalls itself when you're ready to move back to Windows; I haven't tried it myself, so let me know your experiences in the comments. Vista OS X is a free download for Windows Vista systems only. You can download Vista OS X here or here or here or here.

Open Office 3.0 finally Released

Good news! Free, alternative office suite OpenOffice.org's latest version 3.0 is now available for download by testers. OpenOffice.org 3.0 Release Candidate 1 offers several new features and improvements from its last major release, including better Mac support and collaboration capabilities. Let's take a look at the notable fso you can decide if it's worth taking another look at OpenOffice.org as an alternative to Microsoft Office.

The most immediately noticeable change is the splash screen called the Start Center when you lauch OpenOffice.org. From the Start Center, you select which portion of OpenOffice.org you want to use. The Start Center is shown above in the opening screenshot.

Mac OS X users will be pleased with 3.0, because support for OS X is even more robust. OpenOffice.org 3.0 works right out of the box with minimal fuss. Another bonus for OS X users: features that were dropped from the Mac version of Microsoft Office such as the spreadsheet Solver and VBA support are included in the Mac version of OpenOffice.org.