ImTOO DVD Ripper is a DVD to MP4 converter software that allows you to access your favorite DVDs on a spectrum of ubiquitous mobile devices. This application offers  impressive format support, it isn’t quite as versatile as our other top-ranked converters in terms of conversion speed and customizable features.

Conversion Speed & Quality: 
The application is able to convert three minutes in roughly one minute, it means that this application only takes 40 minutes to convert a 120-minute DVD. But if you only use the software in set-and-go mode then the result might be slower, The larger the video file is the longer it takes to be converted.

An area in which the software excels is conversion quality. The picture and audio of each converted video is just as crisp and clear as the original, regardless of which multimedia format we converted to.

Features: 

The feature set on the standard edition of ImTOO DVD Ripper is rather sparse, especially when compared to the higher-ranked DVD to MP4 converters in our lineup. It does have CSS decryption and a handy batch-conversion feature that allows you to convert multiple DVD chapters or titles to various output formats. This is especially convenient if you have more than one device on which you want to access your movies. The software also has a preview window that allows you to view the source DVD before converting.

This DVD to MP4 converter noticeably lacks customization features. There are no options for cropping video frames or adjusting video effects such as display contrast and saturation. Additionally, there’s no trim editor, which would be advantageous for users who frequently capture home videos and would like to edit and merge the footage. You should be aware that the platinum and ultimate editions of ImTOO DVD Ripper offer these and other editing tools.

We were surprised to find that while the application allows you to adjust the audio quality and channels, you can’t adjust the picture quality or video resolution; this option is only available on the ultimate edition of the software.

Supported Outputs: 

ImTOO DVD Ripper offers widespread format support. The software can convert standard DVDs and IFO files (one of three file formats used on DVDs) into most general audio and video formats, including all popular MP4 formats. From BlackBerrys to iPods, the application also has a variety of preset devices that enable you to output videos directly to a specific device. For example, if you want to play a DVD on your iPhone 3G, simply select that device from the output profiles and the software will automatically convert the DVD into a format that is compatible with the iPhone.

Ease of Use: 

The ImTOO DVD Ripper’s interface is similar to other DVD to MP4 converters we reviewed, with a basic top navigation bar, a small preview screen and a list of output profiles located on the bottom. The limited features and basic functionality of this application aid in its overall ease of use. As a result, advanced users may find the software a bit boring, but it’s a great option for beginner or inexperienced users.

Help & Support: 

When it comes to help and support, ImTOO doesn’t offer anything we haven’t seen before. The company provides both sales and support email addresses that you can use to contact the company directly. We were happy to receive a response to an email we sent within 24 hours.

The ImTOO website has a supplementary product guide and FAQs section for each software application. Some products also have a tips section replete with tips and tricks for fully utilizing these products, but unfortunately there isn’t a tips section for the ImTOO DVD Ripper standard edition.

Summary:

The standard edition of ImTOO DVD Ripper performs its inherent functionality of DVD to MPEG4 conversion extremely well, but its lack of features isn’t conducive for video editing. As a result, the software is ideal for people who simply want to convert DVD movies to play them on their mobile phones and other devices.

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Kobo Vox ebook Reader

Kobo Vox is the latest eBook reader in the Kobo family and it is referred to as ‘the first social eReader’.  Kobo Vox is the reader for your connected life, and opens the door to the next generation of eReading – social eReading – where books can come alive in color and conversation. Readers can get more out of their experience by connecting with Kobo’s global community of booklovers.

During the recent Facebook’s f8 conference, Facebook selected Kobo as its only eReading partner, which makes the Canadian company the first eReading platform to be integrated with Facebook Ticker and Timeline to enable further reading discovery and entertainment.

Vox, based on the Android 2.3 OS, will be equipped with a 7-inch color touch screen which will be great for reading, but also for browsing the web, e-mail and social networks as well. You can even watch movies on your Kobo.[NC]

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Samsung and Google have officially announced the much awaited Galaxy Nexus phone. Running the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the 8.94mm thick Galaxy Nexus is powered by 1.2GHz dual-core processor and 1GB RAM.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Specs

On the display front, Galaxy Nexus sports a 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED display (1280×720) and features HSPA+ or 4G LTE connectivity, a 5MP camera with full HD video recording support, 1.3MP front-facing camera, dual-band (2.4GHz/5GHz) Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, full HD playback support, 16 or 32GB internal memory, NFC and 1750mAh battery. Galaxy Nexus will be released globally in November.[SH]

Verizon My FiOS Android Application

Verizon’s new MY FiOS mobile application, offering customers on-the-go access to entertainment, personal content, TV controls, home monitoring, customer service tools and more. The application also adds smartphone simplicity to an already significant inventory of borderless lifestyle tools.The application will allow Verizon customers to more nimbly enjoy the company’s expanding base of remote-access media and entertainment services, while also making it easier to manage their personal accounts anywhere and anytime on their favorite devices. It also paves the way for easy access to dozens of new remote applications currently in development by Verizon and the company’s content provider partners.

It’s available immediately on all Android devices and will be accessible on Apple devices before year-end. It provides Verizon FiOS customers with a single point of access to a vast variety of FiOS remote-access services, including FiOS Mobile Remote, which includes DVR manager and Verizon’s Home Monitoring & Control service, as well as personal content with Media Manager and movies and TV shows with Flex View. The easy-to-access app also provides users with the ability to manage billing and FiOS Digital Voice service.

In addition, the app reflects Verizon‘s customer focus by organizing apps according to customer needs, like accessing entertainment on the go, checking in on your home, managing your account and other remote access benefits.[TJ]

Nokia 800 Blue

Stephen Elop famously fumbled when shots of Nokia’s “super confidential” Mango handset made their way to the interwebs. Since then, we’ve seen footage from the factory floor, and even teases of upcomingmarketing materials outing the 800, or the phone formerly known as Sea Ray. Now, leaked press shots over on PocketNow, once again, treat us to a preview of the Espoo / Redmond mobile marriage and its candybar-shaped offspring — available in blue, pink and black. From what we can see in these renders, the volume rocker, power button and apparent dedicated camera shortcut key are all placed on the right side of the handset, with a speaker grille located at the device’s base. Of course, there’s that familiar Windows Phone 7.5 live-tiled interface and three capacitive buttons on the handset’s screen.

For now, that’s all she wrote, but is it enough to tide you over ’til its eventual reveal at Nokia World? Our trusty magic 8-balls says, “You may rely on it.” We’re inclined to agree. [EN]

iPhone 50 GB

Life is all about the Cloud. It might actually someday be about iCloud if Apple’s servers can catch up. (We’re still waiting for that to occur around here.) But, life is all about moving your files to the Cloud these days. iCloud is supposed to be a big move for Apple, but it probably won’t be replacing services like DropBox or Box.net anytime soon. Once Apple lets others hook into its iCloud we might see some of that, but at the moment, iCloud only offers a place for your contacts, calendars, photostream (as opposed to photos) some documents, and few other goodies to go back and forth between the Cloud and your devices.

What services like Dropbox and Box.net have been offering is Cloud Storage. Dropbox is the acknowledged leader here in my view simply because so many Apps have hooked into the Dropbox API that makes moving documents and files around so easy. But Box.net started making a name for itself with the launch of the HP TouchPad by offering a free 50GB of Cloud storage to TouchPad and webOS users. Well, as good as that was we all know what happened to the TouchPad.

But Box.net is back in this big week and weekend of the iOS and iPhone 4S launch, preparing a promotion that will offer iOS users 50GB of free Cloud Storage. The promotion kicks off tomorrow at 12 noon Pacific Time and runs for 50 days. To take advantage of it, you need to download the Box.net App and access your account or set up a new one from the App on your iOS device. But once that’s done you can access it from any device. Box.net has updated its service so you’ll be able to include AirPlay streaming of videos and photos and music. I’m betting this will be a big hit.

Apple’s iCloud tosses in 5GB of free storage when you get started but an equivalent 50GB will set you back $100 a year. Dropbox charges you beyond 2GB and for 50GB you’ll pay $10 a month. If this takes off look for Box.net to hustle up on releasing and API for other Apps to take advantage of its service. [GB]

Samsung Galaxy Player 5 inch Mini Tablet

Samsung Galaxy Player WiFi 5.0 mini tablet is available at J&R. Retailed with $270 price tag, Samsung Galaxy Player WiFi 5.0 sport a 5-inch 480 x 800 pixels capatitive touchscreen display and running Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread. The mini tablet is powered by a 1 GHz Samsung Hummingbird ARM Cortex-A8 single core processor and 8GB of internal storage. For storage expansion there is a microSD card slot. It’s rear facing camera has 3.2MP resolution while the front camera is a VGA webcam.

For wireless connectivity there are WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0.Other features includes GPS, FM radio, 2500mAh batery and 720p video playback capability. Samsung Galaxy Player WiFi 5.0 arrive in a 5.6″ x 3.1″ x 0.5″ dimension and 6.4 ounces weigh which make it looks like a giant smartphone but there’s no telephony features offered. [LA]

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samsung big nexus prime

A Samsung UK exec confirmed yesterday that the next Nexus device will be out “very shortly” and it looks like we’ve got a date. Apparently, Google and Samsung will unveil the Nexus Prime or Galaxy Nexus (or whatever they name it) at the AsiaD: All Things Digital event on Oct 19 in Hong Kong.

The event, if it happens, makes sense as top executives from both Google and Samsung will be there at the event. Dr. Won-Pyo Hong from Samsung and Andy Rubin from Google are two of the many speakers at the AsiaD event. [SH]

iOS 5 Twitter

In accordance with last week’s keynote, Apple users have some downloading to do: iOS 5, iTunes 10.5, and Mac OS X 10.7.2 have all been released. These updates collectively enable Apple’s new iCloud service, which will eventually replace the older MobileMe service and provide syncing and backups for users’ documents, pictures, and other data.

iOS 5, which supports the iPhone 3GS, 4, and 4S, all iPads, the third and fourth-gen iPod Touches, and the Apple TV 2, enables a number of other new features: a new notifications system and the Notifications Center, the iMessage protocol, wi-fi syncing, and over-the-air OS updates. You can download the update to your devices after downloading iTunes 10.5. Expect our full, in-depth review of the new OS soon.

Mac OS X 10.7.2 doesn’t bring major new features to the OS, but it does apply a range of security and reliability patches to the operating system which should help with some of the teething issues most new OS X releases have. Release notes for the update haven’t yet been published, but we’ll update the article to link to them when they’re live.

Along with these updates, Apple has also published a Lion Recovery update, which updates Lion users’ recovery partitions to work better with the new Find My Mac feature.[BN]

iPhone 4S

The iPhone 4 and new iPhone 4S that was announced yesterday will be released on Sprint, October 14th. But you can pre-order from October 7th. The new Apple iPhone 4S now features a much better camera at 8-megapixels and the aperture much better, so much so Apple has added a 5th lens within. It also comes with a dual-core A5 chip that will now load web-pages twice as fast, full 1080p HD resolution video recording is stunning and it comes with our best feature yet called “Siri”, which is an intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking. Check out the specifications here as well as release dates and prices.

The Verizon and Sprint iPhone 4S models the same specs and features, such as both having EVDO radio for 3G within the US, it also has a GSM one for service outside the country. You can pre-order the Sprint iPhone 4S from October 7th with public release being October 14th. The 8GB iPhone 4 will also be on sale via Sprint, we will let you know when pre-ordering starts. Please do let us know if you will be getting the iPhone 4S on Sprint, Verizon, AT&T or somewhere else. [PR]

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