One ongoing problem that has been affecting users of the 15-inch mid-2010 MacBook Pro is a black-screen bug that appears regularly when the computer is performing tasks like waking from sleep and manipulating graphics. While this problem became more prominent once OS X Lion arrived, a number of people have reported encountering this in Snow Leopard as well.

The issue was acknowledged by Apple and users were assured a fix was in the works. Shortly thereafter Apple released a MacBook Pro video update that included new video drivers and an update to the OpenCL framework in OS X. This update brought mixed results, but did correct the problem for many systems.

The initial update Apple released to address this problem was only for OS X Lion, although, again, the issue had also occurred for systems still running Snow Leopard. Today Apple has released another version of the MacBook Pro video update that addresses the problem for systems running Snow Leopard.

The update is a 51.45MB dow... [Read more]

A look at the new Netflix tablet application

Netflix has updated its tablet application, but so far, it's only available to Android device owners.

The update delivers a new interface that Netflix says should help users more easily discover the content they want to watch. The application's layout includes clips of programs or movies users recently watched, which can be tapped to start playback. In addition, listings of top picks and content from the Instant Queue are visible under those videos.

Thanks to the new layout, the refreshed Netflix app now displays "twice as many movies and TV shows as before," the company's mobile product manager, Zal Bilimoria, wrote in a blog post announcing the update. And users hoping to get a more tablet-like experience will be happy to find out that the application now lets users "swipe through rows of titles featuring large artwork."

"We listened to you, revamped our design, and hope you'll enjoy it," Bilimoria said.

But before iPad owners try heading to the App Store to update the application, they should be aware that so far it's only available on Android tablets, including the new Amazon Kindle Fire. Netflix expects to release the iPad version featuring the same layout "in the coming weeks."

The folks at IObit have just released version 5 of their highly rated Advanced SystemCare program, and it still packs a punch.

Now compatible with both 32- and 64-bit systems, and dressed in a slightly improved user interface, Advanced SystemCare 5 is a great all-in-one PC utility that can scan, repair, and optimize many aspects of your system. Choose between Quick Care and Deep Care modes, depending on how invasive you want to get (and how much time you have). Also, optimize performance with the improved Turbo Boost mode.

New to version 5 is the Active Boost function, which monitors and manages system resources, and performs real-time optimizations in the background. The program is also now connected to the cloud, ensuring that its database is always up-to-date.

Advanced SystemCare comes in two versions. Advanced SystemCare Free 5 (download) has all of your basic tools, including malware detection, a defragmenter, a system optimizer, a registry and junk file cleaner, and vulnerability fixes, among many others. Advanced SystemCare Pro 5 (download) costs $19.95 and conducts deeper scans and repairs, and offers a quite a few conveniences, like technical support. Check out our reviews, download, and let us know what you t... [Read more]