Mac OS X only: The original Windows-on-Mac virtualization software Parallels—which we've used to run Windows and Mac apps side-by-side, set Windows programs as defaults on a Mac, and boot our Boot Camp partition from inside OS X—has just updated to Parallels 4. The good news: Parallels 4 boasts 50% faster performance than Parallels 3, while promising to use 15-30% fewer resources. Other new features include:
- SmartMount: Access removable storage devices from both Windows and Mac at the same time.
- SmartConnect: Instantly connect USB devices to Windows or Mac based on your set preferences
- iPhone Remote Control App: Start up and shut down Windows, Linux or any other VM directly from your iPhone.
- Modality View Mode: View Windows in a scaled view on your desktop for transparent viewing.
- Clips Tool: Share several Windows or Mac screen captures to the Mac’s clipboard to paste into Apple Mail, iChat or Pages.
The only downside: Parallels 3 users will need to pony up $40 for an upgrade. If you’re totally new to Parallels, a full license will set you back $80. We haven’t been able to compare the latest Parallels with its biggest competition, VMware Fusion, yet, but if you’ve tried both, let’s hear if you’ve noticed performance differences in the comments.
Topping off our fascination with Linux desktop monitor Conky this week, here’s a remarkable setup on Ubuntu that delivers Gmail counts, Yahoo weather with graphics and system stats, all with an eye for uncluttered text and transparent integration with any wallpaper. Check out a larger look at this Conky setup, and the desktop it came from, below. Want to get started setting up your own ambient monitor? Check out our 
Mac OS X only: Hyperspaces adds several simple but useful customization features to OS X Leopard’s built-in virtual desktop tool, Spaces. With Hyperspaces, you can set different wallpapers to different desktops, name you desktops, create a handful of keyboard shortcuts (including shortcuts to jump directly to a specific space), and much more. If you’re already a fan of Spaces, Hyperspaces is a must-have addition. The program is developed by the same guy who created