Moonlight has released the latest update to his NDS homebrew video encoder program, DPGTools v1.1 Beta 3. The changelog for this latest version includes:

• Improved GUI
• Corresponded to the batch conversion of two or more files
• Output destination can be selected
• Special formats (FLV, etc) are recognized automatically 
  
• Improved error check strengthened
• Encoding can now be interrupted
  

To install:

• Extract the tools to a folder on your PC
• Double click dpgenc.exe
• Click on the Language Options (Default setting is Japanese)
  
• Click on the ‘Show Options’ box to display the full encoding options

Download: [DPGTools v1.1 Beta3]

If you aren't familiar with kevinc and his work-- Beup-- well, let us refresh your memories. Homebrew developer for the Nintendo DS, kevinc, has made this promising app called Beup which runs an MSN-like instant messaging application for the DS. When we first featured this app, it showed tremendous potential and the developer has been working hard for that potential to somehow materialize into reality. Now, the guy has released v0.3 rev2 of the app which is leaps and leaps better than the previous version. Here are the new things you can see in this update.

ChangeLog:
New features:
- Selectable avatars from card.
- Shows typing users.
- Shows date of last message (and a clock!)
- Emoticons on display names / text.
- 302 xfer for @msn.com accounts.
- Select presence before logging in.
- Option to auto connect.
- Stand by when lid is closed.
- Scrollable text in chat tabs.

Download: [Beup 0.3 Rev2]


See more of the fixes and the known issues in Beup 0.3 Rev2 after the jump!

Ever since cncds_project announced his Command & Conquer port for the DS, the DS community has been urging him to continue with project. Good news: seems like cncds_project has no intention of abandoning the project. Just five days since the last update, he gives us another progress report just to prove that C&C for DS is still on the go.

Although having qualms with the coding environment Blitz 3D, which has no function pointers and real classes, cncds_project was still able to make a few improvements on his upcoming post of the popular PC FPS game. Work on the map editor has began - the developer shares, "I'm going to try and build all my tools into one, so they can easily share format import/export code and you can do everything in one place." The CNCDS map editor will also be supporting command line options, he said.

Tile conversion routines will be the first things to be added to the editor. This will require cncds_project to fill in the missing features of the GUI system which, as he posted on his blog today, has been done. Although things are a bit slow due to the Blitz 3D's limitations, cncds_project assures that "What works looks great".

Currently, one cannot edit the map yet but one can already fire up the map editor and see the tiles and the blank map - all thanks to the .TMP conveyor that cncds_projetc spent a lot of time to write.

The CNCDS developer on the loading times of the game: it's shocking. He explains, "...it loads all it's data from the .TMP - which means it has to recreate the images, and then due to the GUI being 3D it has to convert these to textures (a limitation of the language). The whole process is quite slow - it's about a 15-20 second load time on the editor."

When cncds_project successfully makes the maps editable, he just might release the map editor to be able to get some early feedback. So keep your fingers crossed DS owners!

The last time we featured Dissonance, the homebrew app from Dave Brady, was back in May. In case you missed it, Dissonance allows you to stream an internet radio station to your DS. After a long break, Dave is back with an update on his killer app. The Dissonance WIP Report is a long one (which means the next Dissonance update will be even better), so happy reading!

Dave begins by saying the DS version of Dissonance requires devkitARM, dswifi, and libnds. But after the release of Dissonance 0.3, he says he'll probably have his own high level library anyway.

Check out the full details of the Dissonance DS update after the jump!

Last time, Bronto posted an SSL Test Version Update to his popular homebrew which turns the DS into a weapon of mass e-mail communication - the NDSMail. Previous versions, as expected, had their issues and limitations but now Bronto has just released the new and improved NDSMail v0.47!

The latest update now supports Gmail, a feature NDSMail fans have been clamoring for. Here are the rest of the changes in v.047:

• SSL support
  
• Fixed "ERROR: mail can't be displayed (RM02)" when switching between mails and feeds
• Added button/tab for feeds
• Added checkbox element
• Info screen with update function
• Download mail manually (A-Button) working again (verify)
• Latest WiFi lib

The NDSMail development trail doesn't stop here and Bronto is now working on the following issues:

• GUI fixes
• Improve HTML parser and display HTML mails
• Include new (bigger) keyboard
• Find better font + include international font support
• Feed settings screen seems to have problems
• Extend access point selection screen
• Update function
• JPG support
• .NDS attachment support

But while waiting for the next update enjoy your new NDSMail and do show some love for the hard-working Bronto.

Download: [NDSMail v0.47]