Apple's updated iTunes today to 10.5.2 (Windows or Mac), adding fixes for the iTunes Match service and audio distortion issues experienced with some CDs.

The iTunes Match service, launched in version 10.5.1 on November 14, lets users match up music they own with better quality sound files from the iTunes catalog for $24.99 per year.

While details are sparse (with no updates to Apple's site at the time of this writing), the update is for users running Windows XP SP2 or later, and only for those running Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or later.

Apple has released an update to iTunes, bringing the latest public release of the software to version 10.5.2. This update contains small fixes for an audio distortion problem that may happen when playing or importing audio from some compact discs. Beyond this fix, the program contains some undocumented iTunes Match refinements.

The update should be available via Software Update for most users, but can also be downloaded directly from the iTunes 10.5.2 download page. (Note: some browsers are currently still showing the page for version 10.5.1, but Apple's link will still direct you to the correct download.) The update is around 102MB as a standalone download for OS X, and around 66MB to 68MB for Windows systems.

In addition to the iTunes software update, a firmware update for Apple's Thunderbolt Display is available. This update is supposed to address a power-handling issue that resulted in loud fan noises coming from the displays, and includes a few other stability improvements. The update, which requires OS X 10.6.8, or OS X 10.7.2 or later, is a small 942KB application that when run will give you onscreen instructions for how to apply the update.

As with all firmware updates, be sure your system and the display are plugged into a reliable power source, and do not disturb the update process, as a faulty update can render the display inoperative.<... [Read more]

Apps pulled from Google posed as wallpaper and free versions of popular games but charged high SMS rates, Lookout says.

Lookout is warning Android users in Europe about a slew of apps that showed up on the Android Market in the last week that aren't what they appear to be.

Google has removed 22 apps and suspended the developer accounts, a Google spokesman confirmed to CNET today.

The apps were purporting to be free versions of legitimate games or wallpaper. Instead, they appeared designed to do nothing more than charge premium SMS toll rates on European phones, Lookout said today. The rates are buried several levels deep within the terms of service, and users may not realize that they will be charged $5 per SMS, the mobile security firm said.

Technically, the apps aren't malware because they weren't acting on a security vulnerability. But they can still be pulled if they were not adequately disclosing the pricing terms or if they were infringing on copyrighted material.

Google removed nine identical applications last week that appeared as horoscope apps with hidden terms of service indicating charges. And over the weekend, 13 new apps were posted to the Android Market that purport to be free versions of popular games.

They appeared to be wallpaper apps for popular movies, like "Twilight," and downloaders for popular games such as Angry Birds and... [Read more]

Your Windows Media Center makes organizing and enjoying your music, videos, movies and other media incredibly easy--but if you want to listen or watch remotely, you've been out of luck. The free, wonderfully named Remote Potato steps in to let you use that media from any Web browser. Here's how to use it: 

1. Download and install Remote Potato Server on your Windows computer. While installing, you'll need to set up a user name and password to access your media remotely. 

   Step 1: Select user name and password.

2. Remote Potato should launch once it's installed, and guide you through a wizard to set up your server. I recommend setting up security so your media is password-protected, but you have the option to make it public.

   Step 2: Begin setup wizard.

3. Now you have to choose how Remote Potato will direct Web browsers to your Media Center. If your ISP has assigned you a static IP, you can just use that. Otherwise (or if you don't know what I was talking about in that last sentence), you can set up the free DynDNS service that will track down your Media Center no matter what.

   Step 3: Select IP or Dynamic DNS.

4. When the wizard closes, you can select which media to stream through Remote Potato. 

   Step 4: Select media.

   ... [Read more]

AirDroid is an Android app that allows you to control your device remotely from your computer. If your device is charging in another room or otherwise out of reach, or you're really busy and can't be bothered to constantly pick up your device to respond to alerts, this is a great way to stay connected while not hurting your productivity (as much). Follow these three easy steps to set it up:

Begin by installing the AirDroid app from the Android Market.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma)

Step 1: Open AirDroid and hit the Start button to launch the server.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma)

Step 2: Open a browser and enter the URL listed in the top field. In the log-in field on the page that loads, enter the password as it appears on your Android device.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma)

Step 3: Hit enter to log in and control your Android device remotely.

From here, you can control almost anything you'd be able to control while holding your phone. You can adjust/delete your notifications and ringtones, read and send SMS messages, backup and uninstall apps, and monitor... [Read more]

Over 100 million apps have been downloaded from the Mac App Store.

Apple's Mac App Store is officially a success.

The company announced today that the store, which is available to Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Lion users, has reached 100 million application downloads. Given that success, Apple is calling the service the "fastest growing PC software store in the world."

Apple launched the Mac App Store in January as a free download for Snow Leopard users. The marketplace, like Apple's mobile App Store, allows users to sift through both free and paid programs and download them to their devices. Apple shares 70 percent of the revenue generated from paid applications with developers, and keeps the remaining 30 percent for itself.

Related stories

• Mac App Store launches on Snow Leopard
• Apple App Store reaches 10 billion downloads
• Mac App Store hits 1 million downloads in first day

Just a day after the Mac App Store launched with a little over 1,000 programs, Apple announce... [Read more]

Android Market now has better filtering for app reviews.

Android handset owners looking to see what apps are available in the Android Market will now have a better way to see what others thought of a given program.

When users click on an application in the online Android Market store and choose user reviews, they'll be able to filter those in many more ways. Users can now arrange reviews by star rating, as well as the application's version, though the latter option is limited to "all" or "latest."

Related stories

• Android Market: 10 billion downloads and counting
• Android Market online: If your app never downloads
• Google wants to fight smartphone battle on Web

Best of all, the store now lets users filter reviews by individual devices registered to their accounts, so they can see what an application's experience is like on the product they own.

... [Read more]

One of the most popular and customizable third-party clients in the multiservice chat category for Mac continues to impress. Adium supports multiple services, including AIM, Yahoo, MSN, Facebook, Windows Live, and Google Chat. The app still struggles with file transfers with some clients, but the ease of use and ability to connect with multiple networks makes it a must have for those who use chat clients regularly on the Mac.

Also this week, we have the latest version of Google Earth improving support for printing maps in Google Earth Pro, and adding a simplified user interface for making movies withing the client.

Our game this week is Pinball Shuffle, a fun arcade style pinball game with unique additions like Boss Battles that send bad guys around the playing field to ruin your day.

Don't forget to check out this week's iOS app collection: 2D snowboarding games for iOS. [Read more]