Snapkeys is a QWERTY iconoclast, exchanging old typing logic for new.

NEW ORLEANS--You know all that typing on your phone's virtual keyboard? Snapkeys says that so long as you're using a QWERTY layout, you're doing it wrong.

The company believes that there's little logic to the traditional way a keyboard's arranged, and instead offers up an onscreen virtual keyboard that uses only four buttons.

More CTIA stories

• The Doro PhoneEasy 740 is a smartphone for seniors (photos)
• Would you pay extra for seamless Wi-Fi connectivity?
• The tempting Bluetooth gadgets of CTIA
• The Pantech Verse, for texting lovers (photos)
• Bill Clinton: Politicians should learn from the wireless industry

The buttons are organized by letter types: one for letters that touch the bottom of a ruled line once (like T and I); one for letters with two touch points (like K and H); one for letters with straight lines at the bottom (like E and L); and one for ... [Read more]

MacX DVD Ripper Pro is also available for Windows. And WinX DVD Ripper Platinum is also available for Mac. Ooookay.

As I've mentioned before, the makers of DVD rippers and video converters seem to offer a new giveaway every month or two -- meaning there's little point in actually buying their products. (Don't feel guilty; this obviously works out for them, otherwise they wouldn't keep doing it.)

Digiarty Software, for example, is currently running two separate giveaways on five different programs. Sort of. Stay with me, because this gets a little confusing.

From now until May 20, as part of its Hello Summer promotion, you can get Digiarty's WinX DVD Ripper Platinum (Windows) for free.

Just click Get License Code, jot down the code, then download and install the program. The first time you run it, you'll need to enter that code in order to activate it.

Need a Mac version? Click Gift for Mac Users, then "like" Digiarty on Facebook and follow the instructions provided there.

Or, hop over to the Digiarty MacXDVD 2nd Anniversary Giveaway, where you can get MacX DVD Ripper Pro for free. For Mac. And for Windows.... [Read more]

Google has joined Mozilla in its attempt to push Microsoft to permit full-fledged browsers other than Internet Explorer on Windows RT, its operating system geared for devices running ARM processors.

Mozilla objects to Microsoft decisions that, it says, prevent it from bringing a competitive version of Firefox to Windows RT. Other browsers don't get access to the same operating system abilities that IE10 gets, recalling browser battles from earlier years that ultimately triggered government antitrust actions in the United States and Europe.

Now Google, maker of the Chrome browser, has weighed in:

We share the concerns Mozilla has raised regarding the Windows 8 environment restricting user choice and innovation. We've always welcomed innovation in the browser space across all platforms and strongly believe that having great competitors makes us all work harder. In the end, consumers and developers benefit the most from robust competition.

Mozilla, a veteran of the browser wars, isn't to be taken lightly, but having Google on its side amplifies the non-profit organization's clout considerably.

Microsoft declined to comment on Mozilla's stance. CNET will update if has anything to say now that Google is involved, too.

Various ARM processors are used in virtually all iOS, Android, and Windows Phone devices to... [Read more]