MaximumPC 2007 04

38 MAXIMUMPC APRIL 2007

MAXIMUM PC’

s

FIFTH ANNUAL

While Trillian users enter their third year without a major

update, Gaim afi cionados (we call them Gaimers) are on the

cusp of an instant-messaging revolution. Even in beta form,

Gaim 2.0 has brought the open-source instant messenger to

the pinnacle of Softyness. By eschewing unnecessary fea-

tures and focusing on rock-solid core functionality, the crazy

kids behind Gaim have stolen our hearts, in 300 characters

or less. http://gaim.sourceforge.net

Gaim

Taking over the IM world, one

emoticon at a time

Universal IM shouldn’t be this

easy, but it is, thanks to Gaim.

Thunderbird 2.0 has fi nally

brought Gmail-style tags to your

desktop email client. Instead of

sorting your messages cave-

man-style by placing them in

static folders—where they’ll rot

for all eternity—Thunderbird

lets you apply as many tags as

you like to any message. This

allows you to build dynamic

search folders based on your

tags (or subject, sender, or

date received, for that matter).

Thunderbird kicks ass!

http://www.mozilla.com

Thunderbird 2.0

Tag, you’re it!

Bringing the power of Gmail’s

tagging system to your desktop.

Everywhere you go/

everything you do/

Google Maps Mobile/

has a map for you.

Google Maps

Mobile

Never get lost again

How many maps are in your car? What about on your laptop? Do you

own city, region, and state maps, just in case you need to make a quick

run for the border? We didn’t think so.

Google Maps Mobile works on most any cell phone and does

exactly what its name implies—provides Google Maps on the go. Just

think: You never have to be lost again. The app will work on virtually any

phone with a data plan that runs Java apps. You can pan, zoom, gener-

ate directions, or even look at satellite photos. http://www.google.com/gmm

Other Mobile Apps Worth Checking Out

OPERA MINI

In many ways, this free Java-based browser

is better than its $24 brother, Opera Mobile.

Think crazy-useful Start screen, for one.

http://www.operamini.com

CELL PROFILE SWITCHER

Automatically change the profi le on your

Windows Mobile phone according to the cell

tower you’re connected to. Genius!

http://maniac.fschreiner.de/ (^)
SOFTY AWARDS
While Trillian users enter their third year without a major
update, Gaim afi cionados (we call them Gaimers) are on the
cusp of an instant-messaging revolution. Even in beta form,
Gaim 2.0 has brought the open-source instant messenger to
the pinnacle of Softyness. By eschewing unnecessary fea-
tures and focusing on rock-solid core functionality, the crazy
kids behind Gaim have stolen our hearts, in 300 characters
or less. http://gaim.sourceforge.net
Gaim
Taking over the IM world, one
emoticon at a time
Universal IM shouldn’t be this
easy, but it is, thanks to Gaim.