Just like last month, T-Mobile has lit up their HSPA+ network in nine more markets, bringing 4G like speed (21 Mbs) to:BostonErie, Penn.Fresno, Palm Springs and San Diego, Calif.MiamiRichmond, Va.Spokane, Wash.Topeka, Kan.This brings the count up to 55 markets, and over 100 million people covered by the HSPA+ network. While the G2 should make full use of HSPA+ network technology, the Cliq, Vibrant, Behold II, and MyTouch 3G Slide also benefit from the higher speeds according to T-Mobile. See T-Mobile's official statement after the break.
Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
AeroTweak is an option-filled tweaking app for Windows 7
A while back, I ran down a list of 7 tweaking apps for Windows 7. One more worth knowing about is AeroTweak, a fully-portable Windows tweaking app which allows you to modify and disable a wide range of features.
AeroTweak lets you painless flip the switch on things like AeroShake, taskbar thumbnails, and low disk space notifications. It also provides one-click disabling of autoruns on all your drives, which is a nice way to enhance your system's security (what with all those worms spreading from infected USB flash drives).
It's also a bit like a gpedit.msc (the policy editor included in professional versions) replacement for Windows 7 home edition systems -- which means those of you who want to quickly lock down things like Task Manager, Control Panel, and registry editing can use AeroTweak to do it quickly via a neatly-organized gui.
[via IntoWindows]AeroTweak is an option-filled tweaking app for Windows 7 originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
AeroTweak lets you painless flip the switch on things like AeroShake, taskbar thumbnails, and low disk space notifications. It also provides one-click disabling of autoruns on all your drives, which is a nice way to enhance your system's security (what with all those worms spreading from infected USB flash drives).
It's also a bit like a gpedit.msc (the policy editor included in professional versions) replacement for Windows 7 home edition systems -- which means those of you who want to quickly lock down things like Task Manager, Control Panel, and registry editing can use AeroTweak to do it quickly via a neatly-organized gui.
[via IntoWindows]AeroTweak is an option-filled tweaking app for Windows 7 originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
It's not Netflix, but Clicker's iPhone app does offer a lot of Web TV
Filed under: Utilities, Video, iPhoneClicker.com is like the TV guide of web shows (and TV shows online). It doesn't get as much hype as Netflix and Hulu, but does offer a lot of video content. Clicker is mostly worth talking about because of the iPhone app, though. Basically, it points you to content from all the video sites you watch for free (YouTube, Break.com, Revision3) and adds the ability to buy iTunes videos.
With Clicker's app, you're really downloading the packaging. It doesn't do anything you couldn't do on your iPhone already, it just combines those functions into one wrapper and adds some social sharing features.
Clicker will support Hulu Plus and Netflix eventually, but you'll still need the corresponding apps to watch. It's conveniently coming out around the same time as this morning's Netflix for iPhone announcement, but Clicker just isn't as exciting.It's not Netflix, but Clicker's iPhone app does offer a lot of Web TV originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
With Clicker's app, you're really downloading the packaging. It doesn't do anything you couldn't do on your iPhone already, it just combines those functions into one wrapper and adds some social sharing features.
Clicker will support Hulu Plus and Netflix eventually, but you'll still need the corresponding apps to watch. It's conveniently coming out around the same time as this morning's Netflix for iPhone announcement, but Clicker just isn't as exciting.It's not Netflix, but Clicker's iPhone app does offer a lot of Web TV originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Google adds more official themes for Chrome -- to the Extensions Gallery?
Filed under: Google, Browsers
I've asked about this before, and I'll pose the question one more time: if you're not going to put Chrome themes where the other Chrome themes go, shouldn't you at least create a category, Google?
Google has introduced half a dozen new official Chrome themes, but you won't find them if you click the get themes link on your Personal Stuff menu. No, like the scores of user-created themes out there these new themes from Google have been dropped into the Extensions Gallery.
I'm sure the plan is to list everything in the Gallery at some point (possibly once it's re-branded as the Web Store?), but it really shouldn't be hard to give themes their own section on the existing Gallery. Or, you know, post them on the page Chrome takes you to when you click get themes.
The new themes are called Modern, Adaptive, Vibrant, Inventive, Fresh, and Orkut_Hudson. They're artist-created, and generally not for those of you who like Chrome's interface to be as unobtrusive as possible -- some are downright loud.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder of course -- tell us what you think of the new themes in the comments.Google adds more official themes for Chrome -- to the Extensions Gallery? originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
I've asked about this before, and I'll pose the question one more time: if you're not going to put Chrome themes where the other Chrome themes go, shouldn't you at least create a category, Google?
Google has introduced half a dozen new official Chrome themes, but you won't find them if you click the get themes link on your Personal Stuff menu. No, like the scores of user-created themes out there these new themes from Google have been dropped into the Extensions Gallery.
I'm sure the plan is to list everything in the Gallery at some point (possibly once it's re-branded as the Web Store?), but it really shouldn't be hard to give themes their own section on the existing Gallery. Or, you know, post them on the page Chrome takes you to when you click get themes.
The new themes are called Modern, Adaptive, Vibrant, Inventive, Fresh, and Orkut_Hudson. They're artist-created, and generally not for those of you who like Chrome's interface to be as unobtrusive as possible -- some are downright loud.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder of course -- tell us what you think of the new themes in the comments.Google adds more official themes for Chrome -- to the Extensions Gallery? originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Boxee releases new beta with streaming movie library
Filed under: Video, Windows, Macintosh, Beta
Boxee, one of the best all-in-one media center apps, has just released a new beta that introduces a library of full-length streaming movies. Boxee was already famous for letting you watch and listen to streaming content on your computer, and hook the whole thing up to your TV, too, but its new partnerships with indie movie sites make it even better.
With Boxee, you already have Netflix, YouTube and other sources at your fingertips, but in terms of free full-length movies, it's been tricky for Boxee to find partnerships (there's been a long history of drama with Hulu, for example). That's why it's great to see that
EZTakes, IndieMoviesOnline, MUBI, and OpenFilm have gotten on board with Boxee.
You won't find huge Hollywood releases here, but there are some hidden gems and old classics worth watching. If you're looking for some movies you probably haven't seen yet, included in an app that's worth using anyway, give this latest Boxee beta a shot.Boxee releases new beta with streaming movie library originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Boxee, one of the best all-in-one media center apps, has just released a new beta that introduces a library of full-length streaming movies. Boxee was already famous for letting you watch and listen to streaming content on your computer, and hook the whole thing up to your TV, too, but its new partnerships with indie movie sites make it even better.
With Boxee, you already have Netflix, YouTube and other sources at your fingertips, but in terms of free full-length movies, it's been tricky for Boxee to find partnerships (there's been a long history of drama with Hulu, for example). That's why it's great to see that
EZTakes, IndieMoviesOnline, MUBI, and OpenFilm have gotten on board with Boxee.
You won't find huge Hollywood releases here, but there are some hidden gems and old classics worth watching. If you're looking for some movies you probably haven't seen yet, included in an app that's worth using anyway, give this latest Boxee beta a shot.Boxee releases new beta with streaming movie library originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Mark Zuckerberg has Facebook's only unblockable account
A rumor went around over the weekend that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg couldn't be blocked on Facebook. I just checked, and it's true. Like many others who have tried to block Zuck, I just got the infamous "General Block Failed Error" when I tried to block his account. Every site reporting on this phenomenon has tested and confirmed it, but I thought there was a missing piece: are other Facebook higher-ups unblockable too, or is it just Zuckerberg?
I tried blocking some other folks from the Facebook organizational chart, like Mike Schroepfer and Sheryl Sandberg, and it worked just fine. Even Mark's sister, Randi Zuckerberg (who also works at Facebook) is blockable. So, is this just a joke by Facebook, laughing off Zuckerberg's poor reputation on privacy? I'm not taking it too seriously ... it's not like blocking Facebook employees' personal accounts would stop them from seeing your data if they wanted to, so I'd interpret Zuck's unblockable account as a funny easter egg designed to amuse FB employees and people who get the joke, and outrage those who take themselves too seriously.
Facebook DOES have privacy issues, but this isn't one of them. If you want to block Mark Zuckerberg from seeing information about you, don't put that info on Facebook.
Share TweetMark Zuckerberg has Facebook's only unblockable account originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
I tried blocking some other folks from the Facebook organizational chart, like Mike Schroepfer and Sheryl Sandberg, and it worked just fine. Even Mark's sister, Randi Zuckerberg (who also works at Facebook) is blockable. So, is this just a joke by Facebook, laughing off Zuckerberg's poor reputation on privacy? I'm not taking it too seriously ... it's not like blocking Facebook employees' personal accounts would stop them from seeing your data if they wanted to, so I'd interpret Zuck's unblockable account as a funny easter egg designed to amuse FB employees and people who get the joke, and outrage those who take themselves too seriously.
Facebook DOES have privacy issues, but this isn't one of them. If you want to block Mark Zuckerberg from seeing information about you, don't put that info on Facebook.
Share TweetMark Zuckerberg has Facebook's only unblockable account originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Multitask With The New Compass iPad Stand
Twelve South is well known for their exclusive and stylish accessory designs for Apple products and most recently they have introduced the all new Compass stand for the iPad. You may recall back in April Twelve South was one of the first companies to release a quality iPad stand, also known as the Bookarc Stand. [...]
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Sudoku 2 HD Pro for iPad- app review
I have to admit, I am not much of a Sudoku player. Not because I don’t like it, but because I am horrendously slow at it and I always feel inadequate playing since my wife is about twice as fast as me solving puzzles on even a much higher difficulty. However, I sucked up my [...]Sudoku 2 HD Pro for iPad- app review is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store. TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
Twitter Tuesday -- Twitter becomes the last Web service to get a bookmarklet
Filed under: Features, Web services, Microblogging, Twitter
Twitter is finally getting on board the bookmarklet bus, about a million years after every other Web service and URL shortener in the megaverse. You can now add a button to your browser's bookmarks bar that allows you to quickly shorten a URL using the little-hyped t.co shortener. Gee, I wish bit.ly would have thought of that ... oh, wait, they already did.
I'm perplexed by the little ways in which Twitter continues to thwart its very enthusiastic and supportive development community with official versions of everything third-party devs have been doing. On the plus side, the Tweet Button bookmarklet is the functional equivalent of the Tweet Button for sites that don't have a Tweet Button of their own. It's not that it's useless, it's just ... kind of a boring, old feature that's already been done to death.On the even-more-frivolous side, there's been a shakeup at the top of Twitter's most-followed rankings. Lady Gaga has eclipsed Britney Spears as the owner of the most-followed account in all of Twitterland. Justin Bieber, who already claims the most-viewed YouTube video of all time, is now the most-listed person on Twitter. I wonder how many of those lists include nobody but Justin ... his fans are insane!
Mashable has published a list of 7 Chrome extensions for Twitter, and some of them are pretty decent. Twitter Share This Page might be rendered redundant by the new bookmarklet, and Twitter Creation Date is boring (who cares how old someone's account is?), but Twitter Refresh is pretty sweet. It automatically reloads Twitter when new tweets pop up, so you don't have to click the "X More Tweets" notification. Snazzy!
Do you have any favorite Twitter-related browser extensions or userscripts? Leave links in the comments, and I'll round them all up!
The Twifficiency saga from last week has also reached an end, with Twitter temporarily taking down Twifficiency, and then reinstating it after the creator agreed to add an opt-in checkbox instead of automatically tweeting scores. Apparently, Twifficiency broke the cardinal rule of the Twitter API: "don't surprise users!" Obviously, the checkbox has killed any reason to be interested in Twifficiency, as its status has been reduced from "annoying virus" to "plain old useless app."
If you post photos on Twitter, be aware that a lot of phones and apps automatically geotag photos. A new site called I Can Stalk U shows a stream of tweets from users who have revealed their location using photos. Each tweet says "I am nearby ..." followed by an exact address or a Google Maps link. Creepy! And it's not like the site uses anything more than public information, either ... so, if you don't want your location broadcast to the world, just be aware of whether you're automatically adding location to the EXIF data on your photos.
It's been a bit of a slow news week for Twitter, so I'd love to have some more Twitter apps and add-ons to review. Drop me a line with your Twitter news and tools in the comments, and it might appear in next week's column. Later on, Twitter fans!Twitter Tuesday -- Twitter becomes the last Web service to get a bookmarklet originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Twitter is finally getting on board the bookmarklet bus, about a million years after every other Web service and URL shortener in the megaverse. You can now add a button to your browser's bookmarks bar that allows you to quickly shorten a URL using the little-hyped t.co shortener. Gee, I wish bit.ly would have thought of that ... oh, wait, they already did.
I'm perplexed by the little ways in which Twitter continues to thwart its very enthusiastic and supportive development community with official versions of everything third-party devs have been doing. On the plus side, the Tweet Button bookmarklet is the functional equivalent of the Tweet Button for sites that don't have a Tweet Button of their own. It's not that it's useless, it's just ... kind of a boring, old feature that's already been done to death.On the even-more-frivolous side, there's been a shakeup at the top of Twitter's most-followed rankings. Lady Gaga has eclipsed Britney Spears as the owner of the most-followed account in all of Twitterland. Justin Bieber, who already claims the most-viewed YouTube video of all time, is now the most-listed person on Twitter. I wonder how many of those lists include nobody but Justin ... his fans are insane!
Mashable has published a list of 7 Chrome extensions for Twitter, and some of them are pretty decent. Twitter Share This Page might be rendered redundant by the new bookmarklet, and Twitter Creation Date is boring (who cares how old someone's account is?), but Twitter Refresh is pretty sweet. It automatically reloads Twitter when new tweets pop up, so you don't have to click the "X More Tweets" notification. Snazzy!
Do you have any favorite Twitter-related browser extensions or userscripts? Leave links in the comments, and I'll round them all up!
The Twifficiency saga from last week has also reached an end, with Twitter temporarily taking down Twifficiency, and then reinstating it after the creator agreed to add an opt-in checkbox instead of automatically tweeting scores. Apparently, Twifficiency broke the cardinal rule of the Twitter API: "don't surprise users!" Obviously, the checkbox has killed any reason to be interested in Twifficiency, as its status has been reduced from "annoying virus" to "plain old useless app."
If you post photos on Twitter, be aware that a lot of phones and apps automatically geotag photos. A new site called I Can Stalk U shows a stream of tweets from users who have revealed their location using photos. Each tweet says "I am nearby ..." followed by an exact address or a Google Maps link. Creepy! And it's not like the site uses anything more than public information, either ... so, if you don't want your location broadcast to the world, just be aware of whether you're automatically adding location to the EXIF data on your photos.
It's been a bit of a slow news week for Twitter, so I'd love to have some more Twitter apps and add-ons to review. Drop me a line with your Twitter news and tools in the comments, and it might appear in next week's column. Later on, Twitter fans!Twitter Tuesday -- Twitter becomes the last Web service to get a bookmarklet originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Firefox Friday, a weekly round-up: Beta 4, Beta 5, Panorama, breaking add-ons and our Private Browsing habits analyzed
This week has produced some fantastic Firefox news. That's a good thing, but because we covered it all on Download Squad in a timely fashion, it leaves me with a bit of a problem: there's no new news to share with you. I've been left with producing a round-up for this week's Firefox column. I've never done a round-up before, but I'm sure it'll be good.
I think I'm meant to take each nibble of news and provide a refreshing, opinionated point of view that throws it into a new light. Let's start with one that got a lot more interest than we anticipated:
1. Firefox 4 Beta 5 will feature a two-column main menu
I think I actually told Lee that this one wasn't worth posting..., how wrong I was!
"It's like one of those Google-search-box-grows-by-18-pixels stories." Personally, I hate Chrome's unified wrench menu, and I'm disheartened to see it make an appearance in Firefox.
This is the next stage of the Web Revolution; where the browser was once your trusty portal to the Web, it will now become a svelte platform for other Web apps. Think of the new Firefox menu as a Windows Start menu, and you'll see what I mean. In fact, I wonder if we'll ever see a browser menu at the bottom of the window, rather than the top...
At least, with Firefox, you can keep the full menu bar -- with Chrome, you're stuck with that damn one-button wrench wonder!
2. Tab Candy, Tab Sets, PANORAMA is confirmed as a new feature of Firefox 4
The brainchild of maniacal, Mountain View-based Aza Raskin has a new name, a new look, and even an introductory video on the Firefox Beta site! It sounds like it's being narrated by someone that's seeking entrance to the Movie Trailer Voice Over Society, but it's well worth watching.
Panorama, if you missed our introductory posts on its predecessor Tab Candy, introduces a whole new paradigm in tab management and, thus, browser-based workflow! Using the "out of sight, out of mind" tenet, Aza hopes that Panorama will greatly improve both productivity and the joy of surfing the Internet. (He pontificates on Pover on his blog, if you want to find out more!)
Of course, if you're an Opera fan, you'll know all about tab grouping, and you won't need me to tell you of its benefits...
3. Erez thinks that Firefox 4.0's extensive changes to its add-on framework are too much too soon
You'd be surprised, but one of the biggest changes in Firefox 4 is also one of the least-advertised: add-ons, and how they hook into Firefox, are changing in a big way with the release of 4.0.
There's always a bit of compatibility pain when a new version of Firefox is released -- usually it's just a matter of developers changing a few numbers in the code -- but with Firefox 4.0 there are so many changes that many popular add-ons might simply not work.
I don't have any hard and fast numbers (nor does Erez) as to how many add-ons will be incompatible come FF4's release, so it's hard to gauge just how big an issue this is. I'm pretty sure this is a case of "it'll get worse before it gets better," with these changes designed to make the transition to Jetpack (in Firefox 5?) smoother. Firefox 4 currently supports both Jetpack and the old-style XUL add-ons that we've all been using for years -- but these changes represent the beginning of the end for XUL, I'm afraid.
4. A Test Pilot study shows when we use Private Browsing, and for how long (read: porn surfers unite!)
The facts are simple: we use Private Browsing for 10 minutes at a time, and we use it during four main time slots. The late-night and after-work spikes are obvious (porn), but that lunch-hour spike has caused a lot of discussion by the community.
I think people are masturbating at work, but then the puritan Adam Pash (of Lifehacker fame) thinks there are plenty of non-porny uses of Private Browsing. I'm not convinced; yes there are plenty of reasons for using Private Browsing but they don't explain why 75% of all private sessions are close to 10 minutes in length. Perhaps people are doing multiple 10-minute activities, but why would you close the browser in between checking your bank statement and Facebook?
I just hope the next Test Pilot study also (anonymously!) captures what sites are looked at in those 10 glorious minutes.
5. Firefox 4 won't support your ancient PowerPC G4 Apple iBook
I'm struggling to find anything interesting to add to Jay's commentary of the issue. The facts of the matter are thus: the G4 iBook probably represents only a few thousand installations world wide. In fact, the iBook is only still used because of Carrie from Sex and the City. Mozilla, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that it isn't a valid use of its time to make its new technology work with 11-year-old CPUs.
Anyway, Jay's advice is to get a new Mac. My advice is to get a Windows 7 PC.
* * *Firefox Friday, a weekly round-up: Beta 4, Beta 5, Panorama, breaking add-ons and our Private Browsing habits analyzed originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
I think I'm meant to take each nibble of news and provide a refreshing, opinionated point of view that throws it into a new light. Let's start with one that got a lot more interest than we anticipated:
1. Firefox 4 Beta 5 will feature a two-column main menu
I think I actually told Lee that this one wasn't worth posting..., how wrong I was!
"It's like one of those Google-search-box-grows-by-18-pixels stories." Personally, I hate Chrome's unified wrench menu, and I'm disheartened to see it make an appearance in Firefox.
This is the next stage of the Web Revolution; where the browser was once your trusty portal to the Web, it will now become a svelte platform for other Web apps. Think of the new Firefox menu as a Windows Start menu, and you'll see what I mean. In fact, I wonder if we'll ever see a browser menu at the bottom of the window, rather than the top...
At least, with Firefox, you can keep the full menu bar -- with Chrome, you're stuck with that damn one-button wrench wonder!
2. Tab Candy, Tab Sets, PANORAMA is confirmed as a new feature of Firefox 4
The brainchild of maniacal, Mountain View-based Aza Raskin has a new name, a new look, and even an introductory video on the Firefox Beta site! It sounds like it's being narrated by someone that's seeking entrance to the Movie Trailer Voice Over Society, but it's well worth watching.
Panorama, if you missed our introductory posts on its predecessor Tab Candy, introduces a whole new paradigm in tab management and, thus, browser-based workflow! Using the "out of sight, out of mind" tenet, Aza hopes that Panorama will greatly improve both productivity and the joy of surfing the Internet. (He pontificates on Pover on his blog, if you want to find out more!)
Of course, if you're an Opera fan, you'll know all about tab grouping, and you won't need me to tell you of its benefits...
3. Erez thinks that Firefox 4.0's extensive changes to its add-on framework are too much too soon
You'd be surprised, but one of the biggest changes in Firefox 4 is also one of the least-advertised: add-ons, and how they hook into Firefox, are changing in a big way with the release of 4.0.
There's always a bit of compatibility pain when a new version of Firefox is released -- usually it's just a matter of developers changing a few numbers in the code -- but with Firefox 4.0 there are so many changes that many popular add-ons might simply not work.
I don't have any hard and fast numbers (nor does Erez) as to how many add-ons will be incompatible come FF4's release, so it's hard to gauge just how big an issue this is. I'm pretty sure this is a case of "it'll get worse before it gets better," with these changes designed to make the transition to Jetpack (in Firefox 5?) smoother. Firefox 4 currently supports both Jetpack and the old-style XUL add-ons that we've all been using for years -- but these changes represent the beginning of the end for XUL, I'm afraid.
4. A Test Pilot study shows when we use Private Browsing, and for how long (read: porn surfers unite!)
The facts are simple: we use Private Browsing for 10 minutes at a time, and we use it during four main time slots. The late-night and after-work spikes are obvious (porn), but that lunch-hour spike has caused a lot of discussion by the community.
I think people are masturbating at work, but then the puritan Adam Pash (of Lifehacker fame) thinks there are plenty of non-porny uses of Private Browsing. I'm not convinced; yes there are plenty of reasons for using Private Browsing but they don't explain why 75% of all private sessions are close to 10 minutes in length. Perhaps people are doing multiple 10-minute activities, but why would you close the browser in between checking your bank statement and Facebook?
I just hope the next Test Pilot study also (anonymously!) captures what sites are looked at in those 10 glorious minutes.
5. Firefox 4 won't support your ancient PowerPC G4 Apple iBook
I'm struggling to find anything interesting to add to Jay's commentary of the issue. The facts of the matter are thus: the G4 iBook probably represents only a few thousand installations world wide. In fact, the iBook is only still used because of Carrie from Sex and the City. Mozilla, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that it isn't a valid use of its time to make its new technology work with 11-year-old CPUs.
Anyway, Jay's advice is to get a new Mac. My advice is to get a Windows 7 PC.
* * *Firefox Friday, a weekly round-up: Beta 4, Beta 5, Panorama, breaking add-ons and our Private Browsing habits analyzed originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Choosing Between a laptop and an iPad: A guide
One of the big questions many consumers are faced with today is whether to purchase a laptop or an iPad. We hope to take some of the pressure off and help make that decision easier for you in this guide. Since many of you are already more than well aware of what laptops can be [...]
IconWatch, orologio da polso molto geek
In questo blog si parla sempre delle solite cose: servizi online, software, servizi online, software e novit� in generale. Oggi voglio provare a fare qualcosa di nuovo e, invece di presentarvi il solito software freeware presentarvi un accessorio.
Si tratta di un orologio, e non del solito orologio da polso con il suo bel quadrante ordinario [...]
Si tratta di un orologio, e non del solito orologio da polso con il suo bel quadrante ordinario [...]
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Monday, August 30, 2010
CES 2010: i migliori gadget presenti (e assenti)
Oggi, 7 gennaio, ha preso il via uno degli eventi geek pi� attesi dell?anno. Il Consumer Electronics Show (CES, per gli amici intimi) di Las Vegas ha finalmente spalancato le sue porte e per i prossimi tre giorni tutte le pi� grandi aziende operanti nel settore tecnologico – da Microsoft a Google, passando per [...]
Netflix app now available for iPhone and iPod touch -- stream TV and film to your phone!
Filed under: Internet, Video, iPhone, web 2.0
The baited, belabored wait is over! After almost four months of iPad exclusivity, Netflix has done as it promised: the iPhone and iPod touch app is here [iTunes link].
The Netflix app lets you stream TV shows and movies straight to your iOS device -- and according to MacRumors, the service works over Wi-Fi and 3G. You'll need a Netflix subscription ($8.99/month), and 3G data costs will be prohibitive to most... but the ability to stream TV and movies from your local Wi-Fi-enabled Starbucks is pretty damn cool.
Now we just need a similar service here in Europe... how about it, Lovefilm?
Share TweetNetflix app now available for iPhone and iPod touch -- stream TV and film to your phone! originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
The baited, belabored wait is over! After almost four months of iPad exclusivity, Netflix has done as it promised: the iPhone and iPod touch app is here [iTunes link].
The Netflix app lets you stream TV shows and movies straight to your iOS device -- and according to MacRumors, the service works over Wi-Fi and 3G. You'll need a Netflix subscription ($8.99/month), and 3G data costs will be prohibitive to most... but the ability to stream TV and movies from your local Wi-Fi-enabled Starbucks is pretty damn cool.
Now we just need a similar service here in Europe... how about it, Lovefilm?
Share TweetNetflix app now available for iPhone and iPod touch -- stream TV and film to your phone! originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Choosing Between a laptop and an iPad: A guide
One of the big questions many consumers are faced with today is whether to purchase a laptop or an iPad. We hope to take some of the pressure off and help make that decision easier for you in this guide. Since many of you are already more than well aware of what laptops can be [...]
Two more tablet-friendly features on their way to Google Chrome
Filed under: Google, Browsers
Google had originally pegged December 2010 for the first release of Chrome OS, but it's been looking like a fall release is now a safe bet. It's certainly netbook-ready at this point, though some missing features (like an on-screen keyboard) may mean that tablet devices arrive slightly later.
Developers keep plugging ahead, however, and continue to work on tablet-friendly features. Two code revisions have landed in the past couple days which will definitely make Chrome more at home on tablets. The first is device orientation support (think auto-rotating content on your Chrome OS tablet and accelerometer-enabled games) and the other is speech input (hello, voice commands!).
Both features have been part of the Chromium code for a while now, but they're now enabled by default and it's typically a very short amount of time between a new Chromium feature being defaulted and its arrival in the official Google Chrome builds. It's also worth noting that voice input support is only on by default for Chromium's Windows users -- Mac and Linux users would need to add the ?--enable-speech-input switch to their shortcut for the time being.
Developer Jeremy Selier has posted a simple-yet-cool demo video of device orientation using his Macbook Pro -- check it out after the break!
Device orientation demo from Jeremy Selier on Vimeo.Two more tablet-friendly features on their way to Google Chrome originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Google had originally pegged December 2010 for the first release of Chrome OS, but it's been looking like a fall release is now a safe bet. It's certainly netbook-ready at this point, though some missing features (like an on-screen keyboard) may mean that tablet devices arrive slightly later.
Developers keep plugging ahead, however, and continue to work on tablet-friendly features. Two code revisions have landed in the past couple days which will definitely make Chrome more at home on tablets. The first is device orientation support (think auto-rotating content on your Chrome OS tablet and accelerometer-enabled games) and the other is speech input (hello, voice commands!).
Both features have been part of the Chromium code for a while now, but they're now enabled by default and it's typically a very short amount of time between a new Chromium feature being defaulted and its arrival in the official Google Chrome builds. It's also worth noting that voice input support is only on by default for Chromium's Windows users -- Mac and Linux users would need to add the ?--enable-speech-input switch to their shortcut for the time being.
Developer Jeremy Selier has posted a simple-yet-cool demo video of device orientation using his Macbook Pro -- check it out after the break!
Device orientation demo from Jeremy Selier on Vimeo.Two more tablet-friendly features on their way to Google Chrome originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
FINISAR FEI COMPANY FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR INTERNATIONAL FAIR ISAAC
It's official: Google Voice comes to Gmail -- phone booths on the way
Filed under: E-mail, Google, VoIP
As predicted, Google Voice has now become a part of Gmail. You'll need to install the Google voice and video chat plug-in for your browser and you'll also need a U.S. based Gmail address. Sorry, everyone else alive who uses Gmail (and tech-savvy zombies) -- we're out of luck for the time being.
But there's a twist to the voice calling story. It seems Google plans on giving new users the first hit free, as it were -- by installing Google Voice phone booths in airports and on university campuses. Here's how their plan breaks down:
Install phone booths in public locations
Get users to fall in love with the service
...
Profit!
Google's official blog post is here. I heartily encourage all non-U.S. Gmail users to make with the expansion requests there starting... Now.
Also, Skype killer, etc.
It's official: Google Voice comes to Gmail -- phone booths on the way originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
As predicted, Google Voice has now become a part of Gmail. You'll need to install the Google voice and video chat plug-in for your browser and you'll also need a U.S. based Gmail address. Sorry, everyone else alive who uses Gmail (and tech-savvy zombies) -- we're out of luck for the time being.
But there's a twist to the voice calling story. It seems Google plans on giving new users the first hit free, as it were -- by installing Google Voice phone booths in airports and on university campuses. Here's how their plan breaks down:
Install phone booths in public locations
Get users to fall in love with the service
...
Profit!
Google's official blog post is here. I heartily encourage all non-U.S. Gmail users to make with the expansion requests there starting... Now.
Also, Skype killer, etc.
It's official: Google Voice comes to Gmail -- phone booths on the way originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chrome to iPhone: Send URL from Computer to iPhone
Two weeks ago, Google announced a Chrome extension known as “Chrome to Phone” that enables user to send URL, Google Maps, YouTubes, plain text and even phone numbers from Chrome browser to any Android device. I love this utility but the catch is it is available for Android users only.
I am well expecting a similar [...]
I am well expecting a similar [...]
FEI COMPANY FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR INTERNATIONAL FAIR ISAAC FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS
Infineon WLS sold: iPhone?s 3G baseband now Intel inside
Intel has announced that they’ve bought Infineon’s wireless solutions business (WLS) for 1.4 billion dollars, which includes the Infineon 3G radio baseband used in iPhone. Here’re the PR bullets:
WLS sale enables Infineon to expand leading position in markets for automotive, industry and security technologies.
WLS will operate as a standalone business. Intel is committed to serving [...]Infineon WLS sold: iPhone’s 3G baseband now Intel inside is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store. TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
WLS sale enables Infineon to expand leading position in markets for automotive, industry and security technologies.
WLS will operate as a standalone business. Intel is committed to serving [...]Infineon WLS sold: iPhone’s 3G baseband now Intel inside is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store. TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
APPLIED MATERIALS ARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ARROW ELECTRONICS ASML HOLDING
From the Forums: Get ready for Froyo on your Droid Incredible
Finally, after (far too) much waiting, the Droid Incredible faithful are getting Android 2.2 ("Froyo"). Verizon announced last week that the rollout was starting (slowly) and we expect it to hit a ton of phones this coming week. So, while you wait, why not head over to the DInc section of the Android Central Forums to keep up with all the latest going-ons?How to find and share the update link so the rest of your fellow DInc users can update as quick as possible.Frist impressions of the new Android 2.2 goodness.Got yours already? Let everyone know!Or, if you are willing to live dangerously and wipe all data off your phone, you can play with the leaked RUU. Having rebooting issues? You might not be alone.Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
New Google Voice with widget support surfaces
A few days ago we saw the G2 testing ROM leak, which brought to light a rather interesting new find, widget support in an updated version of Google Voice. Well, many of us were looking for a link, sadly it didn't appear to be just that easy, but that has all changed. Links seem to be flooding the web of locations to download this updated Google Voice onto your device today. If you want to test out the new version, you can download it directly right here. Reports are that it is working great with the exception of the phone dialer button on Sense ROMs, due to the difference in integration, and this coming from a leak, not being an official update. Be sure to check it out, and jump in the forums and let us know what you think! Thanks to 0mie and everyone else who sent this in.Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
LAWSON SOFTWARE LAND SOFTWARE LAM RESEARCH L1 IDENTITY SOLUTIONS
Review: Barcode Hero for iPhone
Barcode Hero huh? OK, I said, it actually looks kind of interesting…and different, sort of. And as it turns out, I was right. BH seems to be kind of an experiement in social shopping, and it’s kind of fun for some elusive little reason that I can’t quite put my finger on, but there it [...]
HIGH TECH COMPUTER HON HAI PRECISION IND HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INFOSYS TECHNOLOGIES
Cloud Notes, salvare le note di Google Docs con un gadget
Come tutti ben sapete, su windows troviamo anche la presenza di alcuni gadget, ma che spesso non vengono utilizzati. Eppure la galleria di microsoft � piena di queste piccole applicazioni desktop. La maggior parte di loro sono inutili, [...]
Sunday, August 29, 2010
10 Reasons You Need An iPad For College
So you’ve heard about the Apple iPad and you’re heading back to school soon. Chances are you’re probably wondering if it’s a smart choice to invest your money towards purchasing an iPad for college. In this article we’ll help explain a few of the many benefits there are for college students who own, or will [...]
Use VPN On Your iPad To Protect Privacy | Plus Special Giveaway Inside
When it comes to online privacy while using your iPad you need all the protection you can get. Luckily Golden Frog provides a service called VyprVPN that keeps your data safe. You may not be aware but your surfing as well as other online activities are constantly being tracked and recorded by your ISP and [...]
Nature Sounds is an awesome ambient noise generator
Filed under: Utilities, Productivity
Usually, when I need to focus in a distracting environment I just put on my earbuds and head over to SimplyNoise. But SimplyNoise is a bit too simple at times; it just generates a "wall" of white, brown, or pink noise. It can oscillate the volume a little bit, but that's just about it. That's not a flaw - it's how SimplyNoise was designed.
But what if I want some atmosphere to go with my custom noise? What if I want it to have a certain "vibe," or I want it to inspire me? Plus, some people simply dislike the monotony of a noise generator.
Introducing Nature Sounds. This beautifully simple Flash tool provides you with four audio channels. You populate each channel with a looping sample that you can choose from a vast palette. You've got sounds of whales, the beach, fire crackling, crickets, a heartbeat, drums thumping in the distance, etc. The palette is extensive.
You populate each of the channels with the sample of your choice, and then you can set the volume and the stereo balance (left/right). You can also have the volume oscillate; the continuous bar that you see at the bottom of each channel shows that, for my soundscape, I wanted all sounds to simply continue. There are four different patterns that you can select for each channel, or you can have the sound periodically fade out and start up again.
By adding and removing samples and tweaking the various settings, you can come up with a complete soundscape that really conveys a certain "feel." Once you're done, you can download your creation or save it under its own URL. Then, just access that URL whenever you want to listen to it again (or send it to friends). I saved mine under the classy title Whales and Stuff.Nature Sounds is an awesome ambient noise generator originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Usually, when I need to focus in a distracting environment I just put on my earbuds and head over to SimplyNoise. But SimplyNoise is a bit too simple at times; it just generates a "wall" of white, brown, or pink noise. It can oscillate the volume a little bit, but that's just about it. That's not a flaw - it's how SimplyNoise was designed.
But what if I want some atmosphere to go with my custom noise? What if I want it to have a certain "vibe," or I want it to inspire me? Plus, some people simply dislike the monotony of a noise generator.
Introducing Nature Sounds. This beautifully simple Flash tool provides you with four audio channels. You populate each channel with a looping sample that you can choose from a vast palette. You've got sounds of whales, the beach, fire crackling, crickets, a heartbeat, drums thumping in the distance, etc. The palette is extensive.
You populate each of the channels with the sample of your choice, and then you can set the volume and the stereo balance (left/right). You can also have the volume oscillate; the continuous bar that you see at the bottom of each channel shows that, for my soundscape, I wanted all sounds to simply continue. There are four different patterns that you can select for each channel, or you can have the sound periodically fade out and start up again.
By adding and removing samples and tweaking the various settings, you can come up with a complete soundscape that really conveys a certain "feel." Once you're done, you can download your creation or save it under its own URL. Then, just access that URL whenever you want to listen to it again (or send it to friends). I saved mine under the classy title Whales and Stuff.Nature Sounds is an awesome ambient noise generator originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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More details, plus a new color, on the AT&T Motorola Flipout
We brought you the first pictures of the AT&T version of the Motorola Flipout, and now it's time to drop off a truckload of info on the device. Let's do so in handy bullet form, shall we? The phone runs the updated version of Motoblur 1.5 -- but it's not what you find on the Droid X and Droid 2. The operating system is Android 2.1 (update1, we presume). Widgets are resizeable, like on the Droid X and Droid 2. There are filtering options for your social networks, so you're not completely deluged with information. The 2.8-inch screen (at the old-school 320x240 resolution) is described as "garbage" with a low, low 120 pixels per inch. (Hey, it's not mean to be high-end.) That said, the body of the phone and build quality are said to be top-notch, which is no surprise for Motorola. We may not like the design, but, dammit, they can certainly build things well. Benchmarks: 26FPS on nenamark, 444 on quadrant, 5.8MFlops on linpack, but it's topping out on gears and 2dfps at 30FPS. The phone is pretty speedy, with its OMAP processor running at 720MHz and PowerVR SGX 530 GPU. This is AT&T we're talking about, so there is no app sideloading, but like the Backflip and Aria and Captivate, you can use ADB or the Android Sideload Wonder Machine to install the .apk files. Google Navigation is in, and Google is the default search, unlike on the Backflip. Yahoo is the homepage, but that is changed easily enough. So there you go, folks. We're looking at a small, speedy, pocketable Android phone. We've got a couple more pictures after the break, including one with a blue backing -- perhaps there will be interchangeable battery covers?
Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
iLuv case with camera cutout in the center?
Reader Gerald spotted an iLuv case with camera cutout in the center in a local Marshall’s clothing store:
[The case] was labeled as an iPod Touch 2nd Generation hard shell case made by a company called iLuv. The reason i liked this case so much was because it had a spot for a rear [...]iLuv case with camera cutout in the center? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store. TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
[The case] was labeled as an iPod Touch 2nd Generation hard shell case made by a company called iLuv. The reason i liked this case so much was because it had a spot for a rear [...]iLuv case with camera cutout in the center? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store. TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
It's official: Google Voice comes to Gmail -- phone booths on the way
Filed under: E-mail, Google, VoIP
As predicted, Google Voice has now become a part of Gmail. You'll need to install the Google voice and video chat plug-in for your browser and you'll also need a U.S. based Gmail address. Sorry, everyone else alive who uses Gmail (and tech-savvy zombies) -- we're out of luck for the time being.
But there's a twist to the voice calling story. It seems Google plans on giving new users the first hit free, as it were -- by installing Google Voice phone booths in airports and on university campuses. Here's how their plan breaks down:
Install phone booths in public locations
Get users to fall in love with the service
...
Profit!
Google's official blog post is here. I heartily encourage all non-U.S. Gmail users to make with the expansion requests there starting... Now.
Also, Skype killer, etc.
It's official: Google Voice comes to Gmail -- phone booths on the way originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
As predicted, Google Voice has now become a part of Gmail. You'll need to install the Google voice and video chat plug-in for your browser and you'll also need a U.S. based Gmail address. Sorry, everyone else alive who uses Gmail (and tech-savvy zombies) -- we're out of luck for the time being.
But there's a twist to the voice calling story. It seems Google plans on giving new users the first hit free, as it were -- by installing Google Voice phone booths in airports and on university campuses. Here's how their plan breaks down:
Install phone booths in public locations
Get users to fall in love with the service
...
Profit!
Google's official blog post is here. I heartily encourage all non-U.S. Gmail users to make with the expansion requests there starting... Now.
Also, Skype killer, etc.
It's official: Google Voice comes to Gmail -- phone booths on the way originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Google finally updates Gmail's search -- and lets you search your Docs too!
Filed under: E-mail, Google, Search
Google, in its infinite wisdom, has finally upgraded Gmail's advent-of-the-Web-what-is-semantics? search engine to something a little more snazzy. You can now search your Google Docs from within Gmail, and there's also a 'did you mean?' subtitle if you typo a search query.
Despite the update, searching is still slower than a three-legged tortoise. At least the Google Docs results come in asynchronously -- so if you're just searching your email, you won't see any speed degradation.
To enable the new feature, click the green 'beaker' in the top right of Gmail and scroll down to Apps Search > Enable. Save your changes and enjoy your new 'Search Mail and Docs' button!
Share TweetGoogle finally updates Gmail's search -- and lets you search your Docs too! originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Google, in its infinite wisdom, has finally upgraded Gmail's advent-of-the-Web-what-is-semantics? search engine to something a little more snazzy. You can now search your Google Docs from within Gmail, and there's also a 'did you mean?' subtitle if you typo a search query.
Despite the update, searching is still slower than a three-legged tortoise. At least the Google Docs results come in asynchronously -- so if you're just searching your email, you won't see any speed degradation.
To enable the new feature, click the green 'beaker' in the top right of Gmail and scroll down to Apps Search > Enable. Save your changes and enjoy your new 'Search Mail and Docs' button!
Share TweetGoogle finally updates Gmail's search -- and lets you search your Docs too! originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
MANTECH INTERNATIONAL MANHATTAN ASSOCIATES LSI LINEAR TECHNOLOGY
Gboard, il tastierino studiato appositamente per Gmail
Google e la sua rapida espansione e innovativit� ci portano per forza di cose a utilizzare i suoi servizi. In particolar modo il servizio di Gmail, utilizzato dalla maggior parte delle utenze, in questo momento svolge un ruolo fondamentale per l’invio / ricezione della posta elettronica.
Tuttavia, c’� qualcuno che si ingegna ad inventare qualcosa di [...]
Tuttavia, c’� qualcuno che si ingegna ad inventare qualcosa di [...]
SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS SILICON LABORATORIES SI INTERNATIONAL SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY
Use VPN On Your iPad To Protect Privacy | Plus Special Giveaway Inside
When it comes to online privacy while using your iPad you need all the protection you can get. Luckily Golden Frog provides a service called VyprVPN that keeps your data safe. You may not be aware but your surfing as well as other online activities are constantly being tracked and recorded by your ISP and [...]
FIRST SOLAR FINISAR FEI COMPANY FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR INTERNATIONAL
Epic 4G rooted before it's released
The Sprint Epic 4G is the latest Android phone to get rooted before it's even available for sale. The new root method developed by Sebastian Krahmer used to root the Droid 2, the Evo 4G, and the Motorola Backflip looks like the long sought universal root many of us have been waiting for, unless I jinxed it by talking about it.The hackers over at SDX-Developers have the root method working, and are in the process of simplifying things for those who aren't total Android nerds. If you are a total Android nerd and want to offer to lend a hand, or just curious about the progress have a look at the source link. [SDX-Developers] Thanks Rufflez!Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
Facebook spam infinitely more effective than email spam
Filed under: Security, Social Software
Security firm F-Secure has shared some interesting information regarding spam. It's no secret that Facebook has become a popular platform for spammers and poisoned links (URLs that lead to malware). What you might not realize is how successful spammers are on Facebook.
F-Secure reports click rates as high as 40%. That's insane. Email spam isn't even in the same solar system percentage-wise. There have been several highly-publicized Facebook incidents, from the rogue antivirus scare to fake like buttons. These problems aren't unique to Facebook, of course -- but it's more effective because links and likes appear on a trusted friend's profile page.
I didn't really need to read F-Secure's report to know this was the case -- I've already heard a familiar tale of woe from dozens of end users:
"My computer was running fine yesterday, and then I got this weird message on Facebook..."
"... And you clicked something you shouldn't have?"
"I ended up on some page and then Windows told me I had 834 infections on my computer."
"..."
My guess: people just haven't come to terms with the fact that Facebook is an Internet petri dish full of rapidly-multiplying spam bacteria. Email? Yeah, they're well aware of the inherent dangers in their trusty old inbox. They've been dealing with Viagra mails and Nigerian princes for years.
Facebook? Not so much. The general public is still laboring under the impression that Facebook is a place for them to socialize with their friends, play games, and like stuff.
Eventually people will figure it out. As for those of you who (like me) earn a living cleaning up after careless clickers? We've probably still got several years of reformat and malware removal income on the way.
Share TweetFacebook spam infinitely more effective than email spam originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Security firm F-Secure has shared some interesting information regarding spam. It's no secret that Facebook has become a popular platform for spammers and poisoned links (URLs that lead to malware). What you might not realize is how successful spammers are on Facebook.
F-Secure reports click rates as high as 40%. That's insane. Email spam isn't even in the same solar system percentage-wise. There have been several highly-publicized Facebook incidents, from the rogue antivirus scare to fake like buttons. These problems aren't unique to Facebook, of course -- but it's more effective because links and likes appear on a trusted friend's profile page.
I didn't really need to read F-Secure's report to know this was the case -- I've already heard a familiar tale of woe from dozens of end users:
"My computer was running fine yesterday, and then I got this weird message on Facebook..."
"... And you clicked something you shouldn't have?"
"I ended up on some page and then Windows told me I had 834 infections on my computer."
"..."
My guess: people just haven't come to terms with the fact that Facebook is an Internet petri dish full of rapidly-multiplying spam bacteria. Email? Yeah, they're well aware of the inherent dangers in their trusty old inbox. They've been dealing with Viagra mails and Nigerian princes for years.
Facebook? Not so much. The general public is still laboring under the impression that Facebook is a place for them to socialize with their friends, play games, and like stuff.
Eventually people will figure it out. As for those of you who (like me) earn a living cleaning up after careless clickers? We've probably still got several years of reformat and malware removal income on the way.
Share TweetFacebook spam infinitely more effective than email spam originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Need a supercomputer in your pocket? Android can help
Just one more thing to add to the list of what makes Android so awesome. Scientists performing complex calculations often need to book time on a supercomputer to solve problems for their research. The problem with this is that time on a supercomputer has to be scheduled in advance, and it can be expensive. Not only that, but they're not portable, so if the researcher is in a remote location, he or she may not be able to quickly enter the data for a calculation.Enter Android. Some of these newer smartphones can be powerful enough to quickly solve complex problems. Of course it'll be many years before we have the power of a supercomputer in our pockets, but with the help of a supercomputer a model can be generated that allows a handheld computer to come close enough to the answer a supercomputer would give to be useful to the researcher. The details are a little bit over my head, but it just goes to show you that Android as a computing platform is as amazing as it is a smartphone platform. [Wired]Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Facebook Places is Facebook's foray into the location arena
Filed under: Web services, Social Software, FacebookThe launch of Facebook Places marks Facebook's long-awaited entry into the location-based social networking game. Far from destroying Foursquare and Gowalla, though, Facebook actually got those companies, along with Yelp and MyTown, on board with its Places API. Check-ins should eventually flow both ways, making it as easy as possible to tell Facebook -- I mean, uh, your friends -- where you are.
Badges and tags from other apps will transfer over to Facebook as well, and you'll eventually be able to add and tag venues using Facebook. No word on whether those venues will transfer to the other apps, but I imagine they eventually will. The read API for Facebook Places has launched as of today, and write and search functions are still in beta.
So, what do we make of all of this? Will Facebook make location into more than a passing trend? Does this make checking in more fun and useful, or does it just add more spam and give Facebook even more of your personal data?Facebook Places is Facebook's foray into the location arena originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Badges and tags from other apps will transfer over to Facebook as well, and you'll eventually be able to add and tag venues using Facebook. No word on whether those venues will transfer to the other apps, but I imagine they eventually will. The read API for Facebook Places has launched as of today, and write and search functions are still in beta.
So, what do we make of all of this? Will Facebook make location into more than a passing trend? Does this make checking in more fun and useful, or does it just add more spam and give Facebook even more of your personal data?Facebook Places is Facebook's foray into the location arena originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Website owners: Opera users are the most valuable, in terms of ad clicks
Filed under: Browsers
An interesting report, titled 'Are Opera Users the Most Valuable?' has been making the rounds this week. The commentary has been opinionated and fiery and, truth be told, we're still no closer to working out why Opera users click the most ads.
If you don't want to click through, the basic gist is this: Opera users are 50% more likely to click ads than Chrome users. Internet Explorer are the next-most likely to click ads, followed by Firefox. Safari users actually click the least ads!
The difficulty comes from trying to analyse these figures. A nascent analysis, perhaps citing Internet Explorer, would state that the lack of ad-blocking is to blame. Both Chrome and Firefox have excellent ad-blocking extensions, that's why their users click so few ads. But Opera has ad-blocking! And if it was only about blocking ads, wouldn't Internet Explorer be at the top?
So, Opera has ad-blocking, yet its users still click the most ads. Curious. (Incidentally, is there a popular ad-blocking add-on for Safari? As in, one that even non-power users would know of?)
Perhaps it's the users themselves. Are Opera users more inquisitive? This report uses in-line text ads as a sample set, so maybe... Opera users are more literate? Perhaps Safari and Chrome users merely scan text, rather than actually reading it? The problem with this argument is Internet Explorer -- it's right up the top with Opera! Can we really say that the average Opera user is comparable to an IE user? Surely they are at the opposite ends of the spectrum!
What's the answer, then? I'm guessing that the sample set is from a biased set of websites -- perhaps from a forum that's frequented by a lot of Opera users? Internet Explorer should be at the top, with its lack of ad-blocking and its 'newbie' user base. Still, I'm going to suggest to my chief that we write more Opera news...Website owners: Opera users are the most valuable, in terms of ad clicks originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
An interesting report, titled 'Are Opera Users the Most Valuable?' has been making the rounds this week. The commentary has been opinionated and fiery and, truth be told, we're still no closer to working out why Opera users click the most ads.
If you don't want to click through, the basic gist is this: Opera users are 50% more likely to click ads than Chrome users. Internet Explorer are the next-most likely to click ads, followed by Firefox. Safari users actually click the least ads!
The difficulty comes from trying to analyse these figures. A nascent analysis, perhaps citing Internet Explorer, would state that the lack of ad-blocking is to blame. Both Chrome and Firefox have excellent ad-blocking extensions, that's why their users click so few ads. But Opera has ad-blocking! And if it was only about blocking ads, wouldn't Internet Explorer be at the top?
So, Opera has ad-blocking, yet its users still click the most ads. Curious. (Incidentally, is there a popular ad-blocking add-on for Safari? As in, one that even non-power users would know of?)
Perhaps it's the users themselves. Are Opera users more inquisitive? This report uses in-line text ads as a sample set, so maybe... Opera users are more literate? Perhaps Safari and Chrome users merely scan text, rather than actually reading it? The problem with this argument is Internet Explorer -- it's right up the top with Opera! Can we really say that the average Opera user is comparable to an IE user? Surely they are at the opposite ends of the spectrum!
What's the answer, then? I'm guessing that the sample set is from a biased set of websites -- perhaps from a forum that's frequented by a lot of Opera users? Internet Explorer should be at the top, with its lack of ad-blocking and its 'newbie' user base. Still, I'm going to suggest to my chief that we write more Opera news...Website owners: Opera users are the most valuable, in terms of ad clicks originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
SecBrowsing: Chrome's bundled Flash is making out-of-date plug-ins history
Filed under: Security, Google, Browsers
When Google began working on a built-in Flash plug-in for Chrome, they cited a handful of key motivations. They wanted a more hassle-free web experience for end users, more modern alternative to the aging NPAPI architecture, better security, and an easier way to deliver updates.
According to the SecBrowsing blog, their update aspirations have been a smashing success.
The traditional Flash updater is easy enough to avoid -- I often work on end users systems and see the beleaguered Flash updater crying out for attention from the system tray. Sadly, its cries often go ignored. Chrome's internal updater, however, can't be ignored. When there's a update to the browser or an internal plug-in, by Odin's beard, you're going to get it!
Within just two days of the most recent Flash update, fewer than 30% of SecBrowsing visitors were running an out-of-date version. That's compared to 14 days with the previous release -- a substantial improvement.
No comparisons to other browsers are given, but I've got to think that Chrome users are well ahead of the curve here.SecBrowsing: Chrome's bundled Flash is making out-of-date plug-ins history originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
When Google began working on a built-in Flash plug-in for Chrome, they cited a handful of key motivations. They wanted a more hassle-free web experience for end users, more modern alternative to the aging NPAPI architecture, better security, and an easier way to deliver updates.
According to the SecBrowsing blog, their update aspirations have been a smashing success.
The traditional Flash updater is easy enough to avoid -- I often work on end users systems and see the beleaguered Flash updater crying out for attention from the system tray. Sadly, its cries often go ignored. Chrome's internal updater, however, can't be ignored. When there's a update to the browser or an internal plug-in, by Odin's beard, you're going to get it!
Within just two days of the most recent Flash update, fewer than 30% of SecBrowsing visitors were running an out-of-date version. That's compared to 14 days with the previous release -- a substantial improvement.
No comparisons to other browsers are given, but I've got to think that Chrome users are well ahead of the curve here.SecBrowsing: Chrome's bundled Flash is making out-of-date plug-ins history originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
It's official: Google Voice comes to Gmail -- phone booths on the way
Filed under: E-mail, Google, VoIP
As predicted, Google Voice has now become a part of Gmail. You'll need to install the Google voice and video chat plug-in for your browser and you'll also need a U.S. based Gmail address. Sorry, everyone else alive who uses Gmail (and tech-savvy zombies) -- we're out of luck for the time being.
But there's a twist to the voice calling story. It seems Google plans on giving new users the first hit free, as it were -- by installing Google Voice phone booths in airports and on university campuses. Here's how their plan breaks down:
Install phone booths in public locations
Get users to fall in love with the service
...
Profit!
Google's official blog post is here. I heartily encourage all non-U.S. Gmail users to make with the expansion requests there starting... Now.
Also, Skype killer, etc.
It's official: Google Voice comes to Gmail -- phone booths on the way originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
As predicted, Google Voice has now become a part of Gmail. You'll need to install the Google voice and video chat plug-in for your browser and you'll also need a U.S. based Gmail address. Sorry, everyone else alive who uses Gmail (and tech-savvy zombies) -- we're out of luck for the time being.
But there's a twist to the voice calling story. It seems Google plans on giving new users the first hit free, as it were -- by installing Google Voice phone booths in airports and on university campuses. Here's how their plan breaks down:
Install phone booths in public locations
Get users to fall in love with the service
...
Profit!
Google's official blog post is here. I heartily encourage all non-U.S. Gmail users to make with the expansion requests there starting... Now.
Also, Skype killer, etc.
It's official: Google Voice comes to Gmail -- phone booths on the way originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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NewsBlur is a slick, impressive, undocumented RSS reader
Filed under: Utilities, Blogging, web 2.0
NewsBlur is a very beautiful feed reader that's laden with tons of JavaScript, but it utterly lacks any form of documentation.
It's an open source project by the talented Samuel Clay, who has been working on it for 15 months now. He's currently working on an iPhone version, but the regular version is very impressive in itself.
The sources are hosted over on GitHub, and the project uses the Django Web framework for Python. This means that you can probably install it on your own server and break free from the big G. But unlike Fever, which is another server-based reader, NewsBlur has built-in multi-user support, and it's free. So, you don't have to install it on your own server to use it; you can just go to the NewsBlur site and open an account.
NewsBlur lets you import your current feeds from Google Reader. It lets you vote articles up and down, and it uses your input to figure out what you might like to read in the future. It then marks articles appropriately so that you can (hopefully) read just the stuff that you're interested in out of the sea of RSS feeds that you've been reading.
To really see if the intelligence works, you have to use it for a while, which is something I haven't done. This is a very impressive project, but I feel that the lack of documentation (not even an About page) is holding it back. I would have given you a complete screenshot tour of it, but it's very difficult when you don't know what anything does.
Share TweetNewsBlur is a slick, impressive, undocumented RSS reader originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
NewsBlur is a very beautiful feed reader that's laden with tons of JavaScript, but it utterly lacks any form of documentation.
It's an open source project by the talented Samuel Clay, who has been working on it for 15 months now. He's currently working on an iPhone version, but the regular version is very impressive in itself.
The sources are hosted over on GitHub, and the project uses the Django Web framework for Python. This means that you can probably install it on your own server and break free from the big G. But unlike Fever, which is another server-based reader, NewsBlur has built-in multi-user support, and it's free. So, you don't have to install it on your own server to use it; you can just go to the NewsBlur site and open an account.
NewsBlur lets you import your current feeds from Google Reader. It lets you vote articles up and down, and it uses your input to figure out what you might like to read in the future. It then marks articles appropriately so that you can (hopefully) read just the stuff that you're interested in out of the sea of RSS feeds that you've been reading.
To really see if the intelligence works, you have to use it for a while, which is something I haven't done. This is a very impressive project, but I feel that the lack of documentation (not even an About page) is holding it back. I would have given you a complete screenshot tour of it, but it's very difficult when you don't know what anything does.
Share TweetNewsBlur is a slick, impressive, undocumented RSS reader originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Facebook for iPhone Adds Places Feature to Share Your Location
Unsurprisingly, the giant social network, Facebook, joins the location game to compete with other social networks such as Foursquare and Gowalla.
On Wednesday, Facebook officially announced the launch of Places, a big new feature that lets you share where you are with friends. Following the announcement, the Facebook iPhone app are also updated to incorporate the [...]
On Wednesday, Facebook officially announced the launch of Places, a big new feature that lets you share where you are with friends. Following the announcement, the Facebook iPhone app are also updated to incorporate the [...]
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Context Menu URL Shortener for Google Chrome puts bit.ly sharing links close at hand
Filed under: Google, Browsers There's a big crop new extensions showing up which take advantage of Google Chrome's new context menu API, and that's great news for those of you who can't live without your right-click menu.
You can see a pair of newer extensions in my screenshot -- and while I'm not certain I'll be using the tab switcher, Copy Short URL is probably here to stay.
Just right-click a link and left-click and a bit.ly or tinyurl shortened link is copied to your clipboard for hassle-free sharing on your favorite social sites. That's it. Nice and simple, just how I like my extensions!
The developer states that more truncators will be added soon, which would be a welcome improvement. API and account support would be a nice touch as well -- perhaps that will be tacked on as well.Context Menu URL Shortener for Google Chrome puts bit.ly sharing links close at hand originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
You can see a pair of newer extensions in my screenshot -- and while I'm not certain I'll be using the tab switcher, Copy Short URL is probably here to stay.
Just right-click a link and left-click and a bit.ly or tinyurl shortened link is copied to your clipboard for hassle-free sharing on your favorite social sites. That's it. Nice and simple, just how I like my extensions!
The developer states that more truncators will be added soon, which would be a welcome improvement. API and account support would be a nice touch as well -- perhaps that will be tacked on as well.Context Menu URL Shortener for Google Chrome puts bit.ly sharing links close at hand originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Firefox Friday, the back to school edition: 10 add-ons to make education less dire
Filed under: Mozilla, Browsers, EducationYou may have noticed we've got our back to school jive on here at Download Squad. We figure it's worth interrupting your usual programming for a week or two -- after all, once the kids are back at school, we're all free to do whatever we like until Christmas! Woohoo!
Still, so that you don't feel completely abandoned, here's a paragraph dedicated to this week's Mozilla news: early builds of Firefox 4 beta 4 (and 5!) are bouncing around on Mozilla's nightly builds site; the Contacts Design Challenge has finished and the winners have been announced -- the concepts are beautiful and well worth checking out; Mozilla wants more people to submit bugs! If you're using a Beta or nightly build of Firefox 4, check this guide on how to use Bugzilla to help out.
Now, here's a list of Firefox add-ons that will look strikingly similar to Lee's list of back to school Chrome extensions.
Tab Candy/Tab Sets (only available in Firefox 4 Beta)
Perhaps the greatest ease-of-use interface invention ever, Tab Sets make academic multi-tasking (read: ADHD) much, much easier. Create a tab set for Facebook, Twitter and Gmail -- then create another for any academic portals that you belong to. Finally, have a tab set for Wikipedia and anything else you might be researching. Sweet!
It's very hard to describe tab sets, even with a screenshot, so I suggest you simply give them a go. Once you have Firefox 4 Beta installed, hit ctrl+alt+space (or ctrl+space) and EXPERIMENT!
After the Deadline
ATD is a tool that I wish more people used. I will never recoup those billions of brain cycles spent trying to decode haphazard typos and general illiteracy. After the Deadline isn't a complete panacea, but it's pretty darn bleedin' good. ATD has little or no competition in the browser-based world, but ATD can also help if you're writing an essay or report in Microsoft Word (or Open Office!)
Rather comically, you can see in the screenshot above that ATD doesn't even recognize its own name...
ReminderFox and Google Shortcuts
Part of me wants to love ReminderFox -- it's an incredibly popular and well-designed add-on! -- but why doesn't it integrate with Google Calendar, or indeed any other calendar?! Keeping reminders in the browser isn't the best idea -- what if you need to check your appointments from your mobile phone? Or if you move from home to a lab computer?
You should really be keeping your appointments and deadlines online. Google Shortcuts gives you quick access to Google Calendar. I'd like an add-on that lets you view your calendar in a little pop-up window, but it seems like there's nothing out there.
Wired-Marker
This might be the coolest (and most simple!) add-on that I've ever seen! Actually, that's a lie: Wired-Marker has a wealth of functionality, but in essence it's really simple: just select text, right click, and give it a color. Just like marking real paper with a pen!
But because it's digital -- because we live in a hypertextual world! -- you can then do very cool things, like viewing all blue fragments, or store them in different folders (one for each subject you're studying?)
QuickWiki
Sometimes you don't want to open a new tab, or move your tooltip to that fiddly little search box -- that's why you want QuickWiki! Shift+right click a word and the Wiktionary definition pops up -- Ctrl+right click and you get the Wikipedia entry! Even cooler, you can click links in that pop-up and you won't navigate away from your current page. Hitting Shift+Ctrl pops up a 'quick search' dialogue that pops up the Wiktionary definition -- again without navigating away from your current page.
The shortcut keys can be changed, but to a few predefined options. You can't (without other software) set functions to one of your mouse buttons, alas!
RescueTime and Read It Later
I was looking for an add-ons that can minimize distraction -- for when you're revising, or trying to write an important report -- but the rather neat StayFocusd is only available for Chrome. Still, I think a combination of RescueTime and Read It Later should work just as well. RescueTime is an add-on that sits in the background and continually tracks which website you're reading. You can then look at the stats (it produces very pretty graphs) and see how much time you're wasting on non-important stuff.
Read It Later lets you save any link via the right-click menu. Resist the devilish temptation of your friends' shared links! Work now; read it later!
(If anyone knows of a 'distraction free' add-on for Firefox, please let me know!)
Lazarus
Your browser has just crashed. Not only have you lost all 30 of your tabs (an experience worse than being curb stomped by a plumper), but you've also lost any and all form inputs. Blustering barnacles! Maybe it was half a blog post, or maybe you were filling in your credit card details to buy some books -- either way, it sucks the big one! Lazarus securely auto-saves while you type -- if your browser crashes, just go back to the form, right click, and voila!
The developer points out that Lazarus also works for server time-outs, or if you are logged out between starting the form and finishing it. Again, just hit the backspace button, right click, and let Lazarus save your ass.
FastestFox
Finally we have the all-round champion of add-ons; an add-on that will give your Firefox more oomph than the full brunt of Thor's mighty hammer. FastestFox improves your browsing experience in so many ways (check the feature list), but I'll focus on just a few.
It extends the Awesome Bar (address bar) -- if it wasn't awesome enough, Google search results now also appear!
Next, and almost as cool, FastestFox has a quick-launch menu accessed with Ctrl+Space (it has Download Squad on!) -- you can also use it to search Google, all without touching the mouse.
Finally, FastestFox has a feature that auto-loads the next page of (almost) any website. That way when you click 'next', or 'read more', the page loads almost instantly!
* * *
If I missed a 'killer' back to school add-on, do leave a comment!
Share TweetFirefox Friday, the back to school edition: 10 add-ons to make education less dire originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Still, so that you don't feel completely abandoned, here's a paragraph dedicated to this week's Mozilla news: early builds of Firefox 4 beta 4 (and 5!) are bouncing around on Mozilla's nightly builds site; the Contacts Design Challenge has finished and the winners have been announced -- the concepts are beautiful and well worth checking out; Mozilla wants more people to submit bugs! If you're using a Beta or nightly build of Firefox 4, check this guide on how to use Bugzilla to help out.
Now, here's a list of Firefox add-ons that will look strikingly similar to Lee's list of back to school Chrome extensions.
Tab Candy/Tab Sets (only available in Firefox 4 Beta)
Perhaps the greatest ease-of-use interface invention ever, Tab Sets make academic multi-tasking (read: ADHD) much, much easier. Create a tab set for Facebook, Twitter and Gmail -- then create another for any academic portals that you belong to. Finally, have a tab set for Wikipedia and anything else you might be researching. Sweet!
It's very hard to describe tab sets, even with a screenshot, so I suggest you simply give them a go. Once you have Firefox 4 Beta installed, hit ctrl+alt+space (or ctrl+space) and EXPERIMENT!
After the Deadline
ATD is a tool that I wish more people used. I will never recoup those billions of brain cycles spent trying to decode haphazard typos and general illiteracy. After the Deadline isn't a complete panacea, but it's pretty darn bleedin' good. ATD has little or no competition in the browser-based world, but ATD can also help if you're writing an essay or report in Microsoft Word (or Open Office!)
Rather comically, you can see in the screenshot above that ATD doesn't even recognize its own name...
ReminderFox and Google Shortcuts
Part of me wants to love ReminderFox -- it's an incredibly popular and well-designed add-on! -- but why doesn't it integrate with Google Calendar, or indeed any other calendar?! Keeping reminders in the browser isn't the best idea -- what if you need to check your appointments from your mobile phone? Or if you move from home to a lab computer?
You should really be keeping your appointments and deadlines online. Google Shortcuts gives you quick access to Google Calendar. I'd like an add-on that lets you view your calendar in a little pop-up window, but it seems like there's nothing out there.
Wired-Marker
This might be the coolest (and most simple!) add-on that I've ever seen! Actually, that's a lie: Wired-Marker has a wealth of functionality, but in essence it's really simple: just select text, right click, and give it a color. Just like marking real paper with a pen!
But because it's digital -- because we live in a hypertextual world! -- you can then do very cool things, like viewing all blue fragments, or store them in different folders (one for each subject you're studying?)
QuickWiki
Sometimes you don't want to open a new tab, or move your tooltip to that fiddly little search box -- that's why you want QuickWiki! Shift+right click a word and the Wiktionary definition pops up -- Ctrl+right click and you get the Wikipedia entry! Even cooler, you can click links in that pop-up and you won't navigate away from your current page. Hitting Shift+Ctrl pops up a 'quick search' dialogue that pops up the Wiktionary definition -- again without navigating away from your current page.
The shortcut keys can be changed, but to a few predefined options. You can't (without other software) set functions to one of your mouse buttons, alas!
RescueTime and Read It Later
I was looking for an add-ons that can minimize distraction -- for when you're revising, or trying to write an important report -- but the rather neat StayFocusd is only available for Chrome. Still, I think a combination of RescueTime and Read It Later should work just as well. RescueTime is an add-on that sits in the background and continually tracks which website you're reading. You can then look at the stats (it produces very pretty graphs) and see how much time you're wasting on non-important stuff.
Read It Later lets you save any link via the right-click menu. Resist the devilish temptation of your friends' shared links! Work now; read it later!
(If anyone knows of a 'distraction free' add-on for Firefox, please let me know!)
Lazarus
Your browser has just crashed. Not only have you lost all 30 of your tabs (an experience worse than being curb stomped by a plumper), but you've also lost any and all form inputs. Blustering barnacles! Maybe it was half a blog post, or maybe you were filling in your credit card details to buy some books -- either way, it sucks the big one! Lazarus securely auto-saves while you type -- if your browser crashes, just go back to the form, right click, and voila!
The developer points out that Lazarus also works for server time-outs, or if you are logged out between starting the form and finishing it. Again, just hit the backspace button, right click, and let Lazarus save your ass.
FastestFox
Finally we have the all-round champion of add-ons; an add-on that will give your Firefox more oomph than the full brunt of Thor's mighty hammer. FastestFox improves your browsing experience in so many ways (check the feature list), but I'll focus on just a few.
It extends the Awesome Bar (address bar) -- if it wasn't awesome enough, Google search results now also appear!
Next, and almost as cool, FastestFox has a quick-launch menu accessed with Ctrl+Space (it has Download Squad on!) -- you can also use it to search Google, all without touching the mouse.
Finally, FastestFox has a feature that auto-loads the next page of (almost) any website. That way when you click 'next', or 'read more', the page loads almost instantly!
* * *
If I missed a 'killer' back to school add-on, do leave a comment!
Share TweetFirefox Friday, the back to school edition: 10 add-ons to make education less dire originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Space Ninja is a highly addictive 8-bit Time-Waster
Filed under: Fun, Games, Time-Wasters
Whenever I cover a time-waster, of course, I have to test it in order to see if it's any good. I wouldn't want to recommend any crappy or boring games, right? I'm always very professional about it, though. I approach it with the mindset that I'm here to test the game. I'm not here to have fun or waste time! This is strictly business, right?
Usually, that approach works. However, every now and then a time-waster comes along that compels me to "keep testing." So, I go on and on, ... and then I do a little bit more, just to make sure that it's good, you know.
Space Ninja is one such time-waster. That's a surprise, at least for me. The soundtrack is kind of irritating, and the graphics are decidedly low-fi. But the gameplay is just so much fun that I couldn't stop playing!
I have no idea why you're a "ninja" in the game, because you don't do anything very ninja-like. You run and jump, sure, but you also shoot laser beams! And if you die, you're instantly resurrected for as many times as you want - you never run out of lives.
Sure, Space Ninja is your basic platformer. You run around, shoot the baddies, get the gold, and find the door. But something about it is just very satisfying. I highly recommend it!Space Ninja is a highly addictive 8-bit Time-Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Whenever I cover a time-waster, of course, I have to test it in order to see if it's any good. I wouldn't want to recommend any crappy or boring games, right? I'm always very professional about it, though. I approach it with the mindset that I'm here to test the game. I'm not here to have fun or waste time! This is strictly business, right?
Usually, that approach works. However, every now and then a time-waster comes along that compels me to "keep testing." So, I go on and on, ... and then I do a little bit more, just to make sure that it's good, you know.
Space Ninja is one such time-waster. That's a surprise, at least for me. The soundtrack is kind of irritating, and the graphics are decidedly low-fi. But the gameplay is just so much fun that I couldn't stop playing!
I have no idea why you're a "ninja" in the game, because you don't do anything very ninja-like. You run and jump, sure, but you also shoot laser beams! And if you die, you're instantly resurrected for as many times as you want - you never run out of lives.
Sure, Space Ninja is your basic platformer. You run around, shoot the baddies, get the gold, and find the door. But something about it is just very satisfying. I highly recommend it!Space Ninja is a highly addictive 8-bit Time-Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
CDMA/Verizon chip-maker looking for iPhone expert?
Qualcomm, which makes both the CDMA chipsets used by Verizon and Sprint, and a new hybrid GSM/CDMA chip that could be used on all 4 US networks, is looking for a little iPhone-related help:
“The iPhone has no secret for you?” the job listing posted earlier this month reads. “Well, that’s what you think… [...]CDMA/Verizon chip-maker looking for iPhone expert? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store. TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
“The iPhone has no secret for you?” the job listing posted earlier this month reads. “Well, that’s what you think… [...]CDMA/Verizon chip-maker looking for iPhone expert? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store. TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
Jobs confirms iOS update for iPhone 3G users "soon"
Filed under: OS Updates, Apple, iPhoneSteve Jobs is answering email again, and this time he seems to have confirmed an iOS 4 update that will fix the operating system's slow-as-molasses performance on the iPhone 3G. Jobs didn't explicitly say "iOS 4.1," but it seems highly likely. He also didn't say when users of older iPhones could expect this miraculous update, just "soon."
Here's the email exchange, via MacRumors.com:
I've waited patiently through 4.0.1 and 4.0.2, looking for a fix that will make my phone work again. I've read the forums that advise me to jailbreak my phone or use some other method so I can downgrade back to a version of iPhone 3, however I'm not prepared to use a method that is not supported by Apple.
Jobs responded,
Software update coming soon.
Sent from my iPhone
And now a lot of 3G owners who wish they'd never upgraded to iOS4 are wondering "how soon is soon?" I'd guess it's probably not soon enough to keep most of them from breaking down and buying the iPhone 4.
Share Tweet
Jobs confirms iOS update for iPhone 3G users "soon" originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Here's the email exchange, via MacRumors.com:
I've waited patiently through 4.0.1 and 4.0.2, looking for a fix that will make my phone work again. I've read the forums that advise me to jailbreak my phone or use some other method so I can downgrade back to a version of iPhone 3, however I'm not prepared to use a method that is not supported by Apple.
Jobs responded,
Software update coming soon.
Sent from my iPhone
And now a lot of 3G owners who wish they'd never upgraded to iOS4 are wondering "how soon is soon?" I'd guess it's probably not soon enough to keep most of them from breaking down and buying the iPhone 4.
Share Tweet
Jobs confirms iOS update for iPhone 3G users "soon" originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Jobs confirms iOS update for iPhone 3G users "soon"
Filed under: OS Updates, Apple, iPhoneSteve Jobs is answering email again, and this time he seems to have confirmed an iOS 4 update that will fix the operating system's slow-as-molasses performance on the iPhone 3G. Jobs didn't explicitly say "iOS 4.1," but it seems highly likely. He also didn't say when users of older iPhones could expect this miraculous update, just "soon."
Here's the email exchange, via MacRumors.com:
I've waited patiently through 4.0.1 and 4.0.2, looking for a fix that will make my phone work again. I've read the forums that advise me to jailbreak my phone or use some other method so I can downgrade back to a version of iPhone 3, however I'm not prepared to use a method that is not supported by Apple.
Jobs responded,
Software update coming soon.
Sent from my iPhone
And now a lot of 3G owners who wish they'd never upgraded to iOS4 are wondering "how soon is soon?" I'd guess it's probably not soon enough to keep most of them from breaking down and buying the iPhone 4.
Share Tweet
Jobs confirms iOS update for iPhone 3G users "soon" originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Here's the email exchange, via MacRumors.com:
I've waited patiently through 4.0.1 and 4.0.2, looking for a fix that will make my phone work again. I've read the forums that advise me to jailbreak my phone or use some other method so I can downgrade back to a version of iPhone 3, however I'm not prepared to use a method that is not supported by Apple.
Jobs responded,
Software update coming soon.
Sent from my iPhone
And now a lot of 3G owners who wish they'd never upgraded to iOS4 are wondering "how soon is soon?" I'd guess it's probably not soon enough to keep most of them from breaking down and buying the iPhone 4.
Share Tweet
Jobs confirms iOS update for iPhone 3G users "soon" originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Friday, August 27, 2010
Google finally updates Gmail's search -- and lets you search your Docs too!
Filed under: E-mail, Google, Search
Google, in its infinite wisdom, has finally upgraded Gmail's advent-of-the-Web-what-is-semantics? search engine to something a little more snazzy. You can now search your Google Docs from within Gmail, and there's also a 'did you mean?' subtitle if you typo a search query.
Despite the update, searching is still slower than a three-legged tortoise. At least the Google Docs results come in asynchronously -- so if you're just searching your email, you won't see any speed degradation.
To enable the new feature, click the green 'beaker' in the top right of Gmail and scroll down to Apps Search > Enable. Save your changes and enjoy your new 'Search Mail and Docs' button!
Share TweetGoogle finally updates Gmail's search -- and lets you search your Docs too! originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Google, in its infinite wisdom, has finally upgraded Gmail's advent-of-the-Web-what-is-semantics? search engine to something a little more snazzy. You can now search your Google Docs from within Gmail, and there's also a 'did you mean?' subtitle if you typo a search query.
Despite the update, searching is still slower than a three-legged tortoise. At least the Google Docs results come in asynchronously -- so if you're just searching your email, you won't see any speed degradation.
To enable the new feature, click the green 'beaker' in the top right of Gmail and scroll down to Apps Search > Enable. Save your changes and enjoy your new 'Search Mail and Docs' button!
Share TweetGoogle finally updates Gmail's search -- and lets you search your Docs too! originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Twitter Tuesday - the official Tweet Button arrives, Twifficiency explained, and more
Filed under: Features, Social Software, Microblogging, Twitter
There's been plenty of big news from the Twitter camp in the past week, so let's jump right in and start with Twitter's official announcements, including the new Tweet Button!
The first thing everybody thought when Twitter announced an official sharing button was "Uh, but what about TweetMeme?" The popular tweet sharing site -- it's like a Digg based on retweets! -- is just the latest third-party service to get some competition from Twitter itself, but Tweetmeme is a different case than the clients and ad networks which met with a similar fate earlier this year.
See, TweetMeme realized that they likely wouldn't survive by competing with Twitter's Tweet Button, so they made a deal to help launch it. The terms of the arrangement are unclear, but the Tweet Button will certainly benefit from TweetMeme's expertise. Twitter will also get the benefit of TweetMeme's userbase, because TweetMeme will now be pointing to the Tweet Button.
Check out Twitter's Tweet Button video, plus more Twitter news, after the jump.
Here's Twitter's official video explaining the Tweet Button:
and now, on to the rest of the stories!
The other major feature launch on Twitter this week was the "Followed By" and "You Both Follow" info that now shows up on every Twitter profile page when you're logged in. Now, when a stranger follows you, you can probably figure out where they came from by looking at who you have in common. Both of these features are more useful than the annoying new recommendations about who to follow, which I would file in the same category as Facebook's irksome recommendations.
What in blazes is Twifficiency? It's the newest in a long line of Twitter scores that you can only get by automatically tweeting it to all of your followers. You've probably seen it going around today, but is it worth spamming for? Probably not.
It's just a little project by a 17-year-old Scottish developer who wanted to learn how oAuth works, and initially forgot to include a warning that his app would auto-tweet your score. He's since apologized, but not before Twifficiency became a big viral hit. Verdict: it's not a scam, but it also doesn't tell you anything useful. It would be cooler if there were some transparency about what the score means (if anything.)
If you don't want to run a desktop Twitter app, but you'd like to tweet from your browser without keeping Twitter.com open in a separate tab, Ostrich might be for you. This gorgeous little Twitter client for Safari (I know, I wish it supported other browsers, too) drops right down onto any Web page and gives you full access to your unread tweets, mentions and more, and also allows you to send tweets and quickly share a link to the page you're on. Did I mention it looks really nice?
Well, that's the Twitter scoop for this week. Keep coming back to Download Squad on Tuesdays for my take on what's new in the Twitterverse. Catch you later!
Twitter Tuesday - the official Tweet Button arrives, Twifficiency explained, and more originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
There's been plenty of big news from the Twitter camp in the past week, so let's jump right in and start with Twitter's official announcements, including the new Tweet Button!
The first thing everybody thought when Twitter announced an official sharing button was "Uh, but what about TweetMeme?" The popular tweet sharing site -- it's like a Digg based on retweets! -- is just the latest third-party service to get some competition from Twitter itself, but Tweetmeme is a different case than the clients and ad networks which met with a similar fate earlier this year.
See, TweetMeme realized that they likely wouldn't survive by competing with Twitter's Tweet Button, so they made a deal to help launch it. The terms of the arrangement are unclear, but the Tweet Button will certainly benefit from TweetMeme's expertise. Twitter will also get the benefit of TweetMeme's userbase, because TweetMeme will now be pointing to the Tweet Button.
Check out Twitter's Tweet Button video, plus more Twitter news, after the jump.
Here's Twitter's official video explaining the Tweet Button:
and now, on to the rest of the stories!
The other major feature launch on Twitter this week was the "Followed By" and "You Both Follow" info that now shows up on every Twitter profile page when you're logged in. Now, when a stranger follows you, you can probably figure out where they came from by looking at who you have in common. Both of these features are more useful than the annoying new recommendations about who to follow, which I would file in the same category as Facebook's irksome recommendations.
What in blazes is Twifficiency? It's the newest in a long line of Twitter scores that you can only get by automatically tweeting it to all of your followers. You've probably seen it going around today, but is it worth spamming for? Probably not.
It's just a little project by a 17-year-old Scottish developer who wanted to learn how oAuth works, and initially forgot to include a warning that his app would auto-tweet your score. He's since apologized, but not before Twifficiency became a big viral hit. Verdict: it's not a scam, but it also doesn't tell you anything useful. It would be cooler if there were some transparency about what the score means (if anything.)
If you don't want to run a desktop Twitter app, but you'd like to tweet from your browser without keeping Twitter.com open in a separate tab, Ostrich might be for you. This gorgeous little Twitter client for Safari (I know, I wish it supported other browsers, too) drops right down onto any Web page and gives you full access to your unread tweets, mentions and more, and also allows you to send tweets and quickly share a link to the page you're on. Did I mention it looks really nice?
Well, that's the Twitter scoop for this week. Keep coming back to Download Squad on Tuesdays for my take on what's new in the Twitterverse. Catch you later!
Twitter Tuesday - the official Tweet Button arrives, Twifficiency explained, and more originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Apple starts rejecting iPhone apps that require registration to work
Filed under: Apple, iPhoneJust when we thought Apple's weird and arbitrary App Store rejections were at an end, they've invented a new reason to keep iPhone apps out of the store. Apparently, Apple doesn't like apps that require you to register for an account before they'll work. Wait, WHAT?
The app that was reportedly rejected is Read It Later, which needs a user account for you to save articles in so you can ... you know, read it later. Apple's rejection notice implied that Read It Later shouldn't be requiring customer registration, because it doesn't provide any "account-based features." Bullpucky!
Here's what Apple said:
"Applications cannot require user registration prior to allowing access to app features and content; such user registration must be optional and tied to account-based functionality."
As TheNextWeb points out, that sentence is a confusing mess of contradictions. You can't require registration for your app to function, unless the registration is required for your app to function? I can't even begin to untangle that Mobius strip of a statement.
The funny thing is that Read It Later doesn't even need personal information beyond a username and password. What about apps like Facebook, Twitter, and the like? You can't use those without an account, but I hardly see Apple rejecting them. Read It Later appears to be the first app rejected using this rationale (if you can call it a rationale), and the developers don't have anything to go on in figuring out what it would take to get it back into the store.
I'll follow this post up if Apple responds to Read It Later or rejects any more apps for the same reasons.Apple starts rejecting iPhone apps that require registration to work originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
The app that was reportedly rejected is Read It Later, which needs a user account for you to save articles in so you can ... you know, read it later. Apple's rejection notice implied that Read It Later shouldn't be requiring customer registration, because it doesn't provide any "account-based features." Bullpucky!
Here's what Apple said:
"Applications cannot require user registration prior to allowing access to app features and content; such user registration must be optional and tied to account-based functionality."
As TheNextWeb points out, that sentence is a confusing mess of contradictions. You can't require registration for your app to function, unless the registration is required for your app to function? I can't even begin to untangle that Mobius strip of a statement.
The funny thing is that Read It Later doesn't even need personal information beyond a username and password. What about apps like Facebook, Twitter, and the like? You can't use those without an account, but I hardly see Apple rejecting them. Read It Later appears to be the first app rejected using this rationale (if you can call it a rationale), and the developers don't have anything to go on in figuring out what it would take to get it back into the store.
I'll follow this post up if Apple responds to Read It Later or rejects any more apps for the same reasons.Apple starts rejecting iPhone apps that require registration to work originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Use Your iPad To Manage Your Finances In Style
When it comes to budgeting and managing your finances on your iPad there are several apps to choose from, but very few compare to Checkbook by iBear LLC. This newly released app has everything you could want or even ask for when it comes to both style and functionality. Easily keep track of your mortgage, [...]
Shuffler.fm turns music blogs into streaming radio
Filed under: Audio, Web services
If you're looking for new music, Shuffler.fm is a good place to start. It taps music blogs to create a radio station of the newest songs that are getting online buzz, meaning you always have something fresh to listen to. Start by clicking a genre, and you'll be sent to a blog where music will immediately start. When you hit skip, or the song's done, you're off to the next blog and the next song.
I like that Shuffler.fm sits as a toolbar on top of the actual blog commentary about the songs, because it's nice to read the stories or reviews behind the music. (Plus, those blog entries often have download links, although Shuffler itself doesn't have a download button. Hint hint.) If you just want to listen, you can always minimize the window and let the music play.Shuffler.fm turns music blogs into streaming radio originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
If you're looking for new music, Shuffler.fm is a good place to start. It taps music blogs to create a radio station of the newest songs that are getting online buzz, meaning you always have something fresh to listen to. Start by clicking a genre, and you'll be sent to a blog where music will immediately start. When you hit skip, or the song's done, you're off to the next blog and the next song.
I like that Shuffler.fm sits as a toolbar on top of the actual blog commentary about the songs, because it's nice to read the stories or reviews behind the music. (Plus, those blog entries often have download links, although Shuffler itself doesn't have a download button. Hint hint.) If you just want to listen, you can always minimize the window and let the music play.Shuffler.fm turns music blogs into streaming radio originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Valve VP: We're not working on Steam for Linux
Filed under: Games, Linux
Well, so much for hints, Linux users. While it initially looked as though Valve's gaming behemoth was headed your way when the Mac client arrived, that may not actually be the case.
In an interview with Gamesindustry.biz, Valve's VP of Marketing Doug Lombardi has bad news for Linux gamers: "There's no Linux version that we're working on right now."
Sorry to take the Steam out of your locomotives. But hey, look on the bright side -- Lombardi didn't say they weren't going to work on it in the future or that they had never worked on a Linux version. If you like reading into things, his phrasing leaves plenty of room for speculation.
[via Web Upd8]Valve VP: We're not working on Steam for Linux originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Well, so much for hints, Linux users. While it initially looked as though Valve's gaming behemoth was headed your way when the Mac client arrived, that may not actually be the case.
In an interview with Gamesindustry.biz, Valve's VP of Marketing Doug Lombardi has bad news for Linux gamers: "There's no Linux version that we're working on right now."
Sorry to take the Steam out of your locomotives. But hey, look on the bright side -- Lombardi didn't say they weren't going to work on it in the future or that they had never worked on a Linux version. If you like reading into things, his phrasing leaves plenty of room for speculation.
[via Web Upd8]Valve VP: We're not working on Steam for Linux originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Rotate and Roll is a liquid physics Time-Waster
Filed under: Fun, Games, Time-Wasters
Rotate and Roll is a game about balls. However, it can rapidly turn into a game about balls plummeting towards inevitable doom, unless you play it wisely.
The balls in question are on a plank. Sometimes it's just one lonely ball per level, and sometimes there are as many as four. When you press the arrow keys, the entire level rotates. Obviously, the board tilts, and the ball starts rolling.
If it rolls off the screen, you're out. You're trying to get it to roll into that large ball that you see at the bottom of the screenshot. When it gets there, you win, and you get to go on to the next level.
Sometimes your ball needs to collect something before it can go on to the next level. For instance, you may need to pick up that coin-like thing, which you can see toward the upper right corner of the screenshot (on the right plank). So, you'd have to rotate the level to the right, collect the coin, gently tilt back to the left until your ball falls onto the lower plank, and go from there to the big ball.
Of course, this being a physics game, velocity matters. You don't want to rotate too quickly, but you can do some neat tricks by rotating very fast and "bouncing" the balls off of level elements.
The atmosphere is pretty soothing; there's nice acoustic guitar in the background, and the whole thing is pretty serene. It's quite a fun little game!Rotate and Roll is a liquid physics Time-Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Rotate and Roll is a game about balls. However, it can rapidly turn into a game about balls plummeting towards inevitable doom, unless you play it wisely.
The balls in question are on a plank. Sometimes it's just one lonely ball per level, and sometimes there are as many as four. When you press the arrow keys, the entire level rotates. Obviously, the board tilts, and the ball starts rolling.
If it rolls off the screen, you're out. You're trying to get it to roll into that large ball that you see at the bottom of the screenshot. When it gets there, you win, and you get to go on to the next level.
Sometimes your ball needs to collect something before it can go on to the next level. For instance, you may need to pick up that coin-like thing, which you can see toward the upper right corner of the screenshot (on the right plank). So, you'd have to rotate the level to the right, collect the coin, gently tilt back to the left until your ball falls onto the lower plank, and go from there to the big ball.
Of course, this being a physics game, velocity matters. You don't want to rotate too quickly, but you can do some neat tricks by rotating very fast and "bouncing" the balls off of level elements.
The atmosphere is pretty soothing; there's nice acoustic guitar in the background, and the whole thing is pretty serene. It's quite a fun little game!Rotate and Roll is a liquid physics Time-Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Shopkick Launches Location-Based iPhone App For Shopping Check-ins and Deals
Shopkick, a Silicon Valley-funded startup has launched it’s free iPhone app that combines the best of both worlds – location-based services and shopping. The app uses GPS to detect users nearby a given store and automatically sends a signal to a device in the store itself to let it know when the user is close.�Users [...]
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It's official: Google Voice comes to Gmail -- phone booths on the way
Filed under: E-mail, Google, VoIP
As predicted, Google Voice has now become a part of Gmail. You'll need to install the Google voice and video chat plug-in for your browser and you'll also need a U.S. based Gmail address. Sorry, everyone else alive who uses Gmail (and tech-savvy zombies) -- we're out of luck for the time being.
But there's a twist to the voice calling story. It seems Google plans on giving new users the first hit free, as it were -- by installing Google Voice phone booths in airports and on university campuses. Here's how their plan breaks down:
Install phone booths in public locations
Get users to fall in love with the service
...
Profit!
Google's official blog post is here. I heartily encourage all non-U.S. Gmail users to make with the expansion requests there starting... Now.
Also, Skype killer, etc.
It's official: Google Voice comes to Gmail -- phone booths on the way originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
As predicted, Google Voice has now become a part of Gmail. You'll need to install the Google voice and video chat plug-in for your browser and you'll also need a U.S. based Gmail address. Sorry, everyone else alive who uses Gmail (and tech-savvy zombies) -- we're out of luck for the time being.
But there's a twist to the voice calling story. It seems Google plans on giving new users the first hit free, as it were -- by installing Google Voice phone booths in airports and on university campuses. Here's how their plan breaks down:
Install phone booths in public locations
Get users to fall in love with the service
...
Profit!
Google's official blog post is here. I heartily encourage all non-U.S. Gmail users to make with the expansion requests there starting... Now.
Also, Skype killer, etc.
It's official: Google Voice comes to Gmail -- phone booths on the way originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Froyo update for the Evo 4G is now rootable
The Froyo (Android 2.2) update for the Evo 4G has been rooted. While the current method is a bit hairy and involves timing and a bit of luck, the directions look very straightforward, and more important, not too dangerous to your precious hardware. The method is a mix of the recent exploit used on the Droid 2 and tools from the UnrEVOked team, and should leave you with a fully rooted and bootloader unlocked Evo, ready for your choice of a custom ROM. Remember, this sort of thing breaks warranties and has the potential to ruin things, even if this method looks fairly safe. Proceed at your own risk, or wait it out a few days to see if an easier method rolls around -- nobody here will blame you. But you trailblazers, hit the source link to give it a go! [xda-developers] Thanks Chuck!Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
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Firefox 4 Beta 4 is out, with Panorama and Sync
Filed under: Mozilla, Open Source, Browsers
"Tab Candy" has finally come into its own in this most recent iteration of Firefox, Beta 4. The feature is now called "Panorama". Not all of Raskin's envisioned features made it, but it's still pretty dang cool.
Panorama now lets you group tabs and optionally name the groups. You can resize the groups, and when you shrink a group down to its smallest size, it becomes a "pile" and you can zoom into it by clicking a button next to it.
Another major addition is Firefox Sync. It works with its own accounts, "Firefox Sync accounts." Interestingly, it prompts you for a pass phrase in addition to a password. It's a service which syncs your history, open tabs, bookmarks, Awesomebar, etc. Sounds identical to what Google already does with Chrome, but now Firefox has it, too.
These are the two new major features in the Beta 4. The inclusion of Panorama is a big deal - it's Firefox's most innovative UI feature by far, and I think it signifies the release cycle rapidly moving to maturity for this version. You should definitely go give it a try, even if it's not ready yet for use as a full-time browser (due to lack of add-ons).Firefox 4 Beta 4 is out, with Panorama and Sync originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
"Tab Candy" has finally come into its own in this most recent iteration of Firefox, Beta 4. The feature is now called "Panorama". Not all of Raskin's envisioned features made it, but it's still pretty dang cool.
Panorama now lets you group tabs and optionally name the groups. You can resize the groups, and when you shrink a group down to its smallest size, it becomes a "pile" and you can zoom into it by clicking a button next to it.
Another major addition is Firefox Sync. It works with its own accounts, "Firefox Sync accounts." Interestingly, it prompts you for a pass phrase in addition to a password. It's a service which syncs your history, open tabs, bookmarks, Awesomebar, etc. Sounds identical to what Google already does with Chrome, but now Firefox has it, too.
These are the two new major features in the Beta 4. The inclusion of Panorama is a big deal - it's Firefox's most innovative UI feature by far, and I think it signifies the release cycle rapidly moving to maturity for this version. You should definitely go give it a try, even if it's not ready yet for use as a full-time browser (due to lack of add-ons).Firefox 4 Beta 4 is out, with Panorama and Sync originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Froyo update for the Evo 4G is now rootable
The Froyo (Android 2.2) update for the Evo 4G has been rooted. While the current method is a bit hairy and involves timing and a bit of luck, the directions look very straightforward, and more important, not too dangerous to your precious hardware. The method is a mix of the recent exploit used on the Droid 2 and tools from the UnrEVOked team, and should leave you with a fully rooted and bootloader unlocked Evo, ready for your choice of a custom ROM. Remember, this sort of thing breaks warranties and has the potential to ruin things, even if this method looks fairly safe. Proceed at your own risk, or wait it out a few days to see if an easier method rolls around -- nobody here will blame you. But you trailblazers, hit the source link to give it a go! [xda-developers] Thanks Chuck!Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
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Thursday, August 26, 2010
iPhone Tip: How to Use Spell Check Feature in iOS 4
Spell check is a minor but very handy feature that comes with the iOS 4 update. Probably this is the very first time you know about this feature as it is a relatively minor feature compared with those imminent ones (such as multitasking).
The spell check is a system wide feature added in iOS 4 [...]
The spell check is a system wide feature added in iOS 4 [...]
iPhone Tip: How to Use Spell Check Feature in iOS 4
Spell check is a minor but very handy feature that comes with the iOS 4 update. Probably this is the very first time you know about this feature as it is a relatively minor feature compared with those imminent ones (such as multitasking).
The spell check is a system wide feature added in iOS 4 [...]
The spell check is a system wide feature added in iOS 4 [...]
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MessageParty is a location-based iPhone chat app
Filed under: Social Software, iPhoneCould MessageParty be the newest chat trend? It's an iPhone-only, location-based chatroom. That means you can jump in and start talking to people near you, in your city, or even in the worldwide "everybody" room. It's easy to set up, using Facebook Connect to log in, and there aren't a lot of frilly features. There aren't even direct messages, which really keeps the "party" in MessageParty. Just set up a room for your location or event, and off you go.
I could see this catching on in a few particular markets: high school or college campuses, for example. Mashable suggests it would work well at conferences. So far, MessageParty has around 750 users trying out the Everybody Party, and I've seen 7 people signed in here in Seattle. The interface is insanely easy to figure out, so this could catch on big-time ... it just needs a big event to drive it, the way SXSW in Austin helped launch Twitter.MessageParty is a location-based iPhone chat app originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
I could see this catching on in a few particular markets: high school or college campuses, for example. Mashable suggests it would work well at conferences. So far, MessageParty has around 750 users trying out the Everybody Party, and I've seen 7 people signed in here in Seattle. The interface is insanely easy to figure out, so this could catch on big-time ... it just needs a big event to drive it, the way SXSW in Austin helped launch Twitter.MessageParty is a location-based iPhone chat app originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Website owners: Opera users are the most valuable, in terms of ad clicks
Filed under: Browsers
An interesting report, titled 'Are Opera Users the Most Valuable?' has been making the rounds this week. The commentary has been opinionated and fiery and, truth be told, we're still no closer to working out why Opera users click the most ads.
If you don't want to click through, the basic gist is this: Opera users are 50% more likely to click ads than Chrome users. Internet Explorer are the next-most likely to click ads, followed by Firefox. Safari users actually click the least ads!
The difficulty comes from trying to analyse these figures. A nascent analysis, perhaps citing Internet Explorer, would state that the lack of ad-blocking is to blame. Both Chrome and Firefox have excellent ad-blocking extensions, that's why their users click so few ads. But Opera has ad-blocking! And if it was only about blocking ads, wouldn't Internet Explorer be at the top?
So, Opera has ad-blocking, yet its users still click the most ads. Curious. (Incidentally, is there a popular ad-blocking add-on for Safari? As in, one that even non-power users would know of?)
Perhaps it's the users themselves. Are Opera users more inquisitive? This report uses in-line text ads as a sample set, so maybe... Opera users are more literate? Perhaps Safari and Chrome users merely scan text, rather than actually reading it? The problem with this argument is Internet Explorer -- it's right up the top with Opera! Can we really say that the average Opera user is comparable to an IE user? Surely they are at the opposite ends of the spectrum!
What's the answer, then? I'm guessing that the sample set is from a biased set of websites -- perhaps from a forum that's frequented by a lot of Opera users? Internet Explorer should be at the top, with its lack of ad-blocking and its 'newbie' user base. Still, I'm going to suggest to my chief that we write more Opera news...Website owners: Opera users are the most valuable, in terms of ad clicks originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
An interesting report, titled 'Are Opera Users the Most Valuable?' has been making the rounds this week. The commentary has been opinionated and fiery and, truth be told, we're still no closer to working out why Opera users click the most ads.
If you don't want to click through, the basic gist is this: Opera users are 50% more likely to click ads than Chrome users. Internet Explorer are the next-most likely to click ads, followed by Firefox. Safari users actually click the least ads!
The difficulty comes from trying to analyse these figures. A nascent analysis, perhaps citing Internet Explorer, would state that the lack of ad-blocking is to blame. Both Chrome and Firefox have excellent ad-blocking extensions, that's why their users click so few ads. But Opera has ad-blocking! And if it was only about blocking ads, wouldn't Internet Explorer be at the top?
So, Opera has ad-blocking, yet its users still click the most ads. Curious. (Incidentally, is there a popular ad-blocking add-on for Safari? As in, one that even non-power users would know of?)
Perhaps it's the users themselves. Are Opera users more inquisitive? This report uses in-line text ads as a sample set, so maybe... Opera users are more literate? Perhaps Safari and Chrome users merely scan text, rather than actually reading it? The problem with this argument is Internet Explorer -- it's right up the top with Opera! Can we really say that the average Opera user is comparable to an IE user? Surely they are at the opposite ends of the spectrum!
What's the answer, then? I'm guessing that the sample set is from a biased set of websites -- perhaps from a forum that's frequented by a lot of Opera users? Internet Explorer should be at the top, with its lack of ad-blocking and its 'newbie' user base. Still, I'm going to suggest to my chief that we write more Opera news...Website owners: Opera users are the most valuable, in terms of ad clicks originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Historious lets you easily recall where you browsed, but the price tag is a killer
Filed under: Utilities, Browser Tips
Historious tries to fill an incredibly tiny niche in the world of online bookmarking, archiving, and saving text for later perusal.
It's a browser bookmarklet, and its claim to fame is that it involves just a single click. There's no tagging or anything like that. Once you click the bookmarklet, Historious adds the site to your "personal history." You can then search your personal history for anything in the text of the article that you wanted to read. The search engine that's used seems to be a rebranded version of Google Custom Search.
Let's say that you've read an article about honey bees, and months later, you think to yourself, Hmm, where was that article about the bees? You can just go to Historious, search for bees, and voila - there's your article.
The reason that I feel Historious has a very slim chance of making it big time is that they want money. I mean, there's nothing wrong with wanting some money, but their business model makes it a paid service.
Delicious, Diigo, Read It Later, Instapaper and, Google Web History are all services that could be used for doing much the same thing; they provide richer functionality and are completely free. Most of these won't let you search the entire text of the page, though (with the exception of Web History, which is a bit creepy in its own way). But, that aside, I am just not convinced that being able to save my pages without tagging them first is worth US$19.85 per year (they do offer a free option, but it's just up to 1,000 links).Historious lets you easily recall where you browsed, but the price tag is a killer originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Historious tries to fill an incredibly tiny niche in the world of online bookmarking, archiving, and saving text for later perusal.
It's a browser bookmarklet, and its claim to fame is that it involves just a single click. There's no tagging or anything like that. Once you click the bookmarklet, Historious adds the site to your "personal history." You can then search your personal history for anything in the text of the article that you wanted to read. The search engine that's used seems to be a rebranded version of Google Custom Search.
Let's say that you've read an article about honey bees, and months later, you think to yourself, Hmm, where was that article about the bees? You can just go to Historious, search for bees, and voila - there's your article.
The reason that I feel Historious has a very slim chance of making it big time is that they want money. I mean, there's nothing wrong with wanting some money, but their business model makes it a paid service.
Delicious, Diigo, Read It Later, Instapaper and, Google Web History are all services that could be used for doing much the same thing; they provide richer functionality and are completely free. Most of these won't let you search the entire text of the page, though (with the exception of Web History, which is a bit creepy in its own way). But, that aside, I am just not convinced that being able to save my pages without tagging them first is worth US$19.85 per year (they do offer a free option, but it's just up to 1,000 links).Historious lets you easily recall where you browsed, but the price tag is a killer originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Google Chrome dev channel hits v7 -- get ready for native code in Web apps!
Filed under: Google, Browsers
Those of you who have been waiting patiently to see what Google's Native Client is all about shouldn't have to wonder much longer. With yesterday's bump to version 7, Google Chrome dev now comes with the NaCl plug-in enabled by default -- and as we've seen countless times before, once a feature is turned on it doesn't take long for Chrome developers to pounce on it.
So, what is Native Client all about? It's Google open source tech which allows native code (the kind of code which powers your favorite desktop apps) to run inside your browser. Assuming that browser is Google Chrome, of course, because no one else sports NaCl support yet. Native code in the browser should mean the arrival of Web apps that truly compete with desktop apps in terms of performance -- which could be a big boost to things like online media converters and photo editors. At the very least, you'll be able to play Quake in Chrome.
If you want to see Native Client in action, Google has a gallery of NaCl demo ports you can check out -- or at least you're meant to be able to check them out. Both Chrome dev and Canary responded with a "missing plug-in" message when i tried to load them, even though Native Client was enabled (as you can see in my screenshot).
The dev channel update was actually quite a major one, though it mostly contained bugfixes and cleaned up code. The full log of revisions is available here.
update: as reported in the comments, you need to add the --enable-nacl flag to your shortcut. I've done that, and the demos still don't load, however. The missing plug-in message did disappear at least...
Share TweetGoogle Chrome dev channel hits v7 -- get ready for native code in Web apps! originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Those of you who have been waiting patiently to see what Google's Native Client is all about shouldn't have to wonder much longer. With yesterday's bump to version 7, Google Chrome dev now comes with the NaCl plug-in enabled by default -- and as we've seen countless times before, once a feature is turned on it doesn't take long for Chrome developers to pounce on it.
So, what is Native Client all about? It's Google open source tech which allows native code (the kind of code which powers your favorite desktop apps) to run inside your browser. Assuming that browser is Google Chrome, of course, because no one else sports NaCl support yet. Native code in the browser should mean the arrival of Web apps that truly compete with desktop apps in terms of performance -- which could be a big boost to things like online media converters and photo editors. At the very least, you'll be able to play Quake in Chrome.
If you want to see Native Client in action, Google has a gallery of NaCl demo ports you can check out -- or at least you're meant to be able to check them out. Both Chrome dev and Canary responded with a "missing plug-in" message when i tried to load them, even though Native Client was enabled (as you can see in my screenshot).
The dev channel update was actually quite a major one, though it mostly contained bugfixes and cleaned up code. The full log of revisions is available here.
update: as reported in the comments, you need to add the --enable-nacl flag to your shortcut. I've done that, and the demos still don't load, however. The missing plug-in message did disappear at least...
Share TweetGoogle Chrome dev channel hits v7 -- get ready for native code in Web apps! originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Natale Geek: 5 gadget da NON mettere sotto l?albero
Tra mutande rosse, pandori zombi e sciarpe del nonno riciclate, sotto l?albero di Natale ci finisce davvero qualsiasi schifezza possibile e immaginabile.
Almeno noi geek cerchiamo quindi di rendere queste feste pi� piacevoli, evitando di regalare e farci regalare cose come quelle che stiamo per proporvi. Cinque gadget tecnologici da non mettere sotto l?albero per nessun [...]
Almeno noi geek cerchiamo quindi di rendere queste feste pi� piacevoli, evitando di regalare e farci regalare cose come quelle che stiamo per proporvi. Cinque gadget tecnologici da non mettere sotto l?albero per nessun [...]
NewsBlur is a slick, impressive, undocumented RSS reader
Filed under: Utilities, Blogging, web 2.0
NewsBlur is a very beautiful feed reader that's laden with tons of JavaScript, but it utterly lacks any form of documentation.
It's an open source project by the talented Samuel Clay, who has been working on it for 15 months now. He's currently working on an iPhone version, but the regular version is very impressive in itself.
The sources are hosted over on GitHub, and the project uses the Django Web framework for Python. This means that you can probably install it on your own server and break free from the big G. But unlike Fever, which is another server-based reader, NewsBlur has built-in multi-user support, and it's free. So, you don't have to install it on your own server to use it; you can just go to the NewsBlur site and open an account.
NewsBlur lets you import your current feeds from Google Reader. It lets you vote articles up and down, and it uses your input to figure out what you might like to read in the future. It then marks articles appropriately so that you can (hopefully) read just the stuff that you're interested in out of the sea of RSS feeds that you've been reading.
To really see if the intelligence works, you have to use it for a while, which is something I haven't done. This is a very impressive project, but I feel that the lack of documentation (not even an About page) is holding it back. I would have given you a complete screenshot tour of it, but it's very difficult when you don't know what anything does.
Share TweetNewsBlur is a slick, impressive, undocumented RSS reader originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
NewsBlur is a very beautiful feed reader that's laden with tons of JavaScript, but it utterly lacks any form of documentation.
It's an open source project by the talented Samuel Clay, who has been working on it for 15 months now. He's currently working on an iPhone version, but the regular version is very impressive in itself.
The sources are hosted over on GitHub, and the project uses the Django Web framework for Python. This means that you can probably install it on your own server and break free from the big G. But unlike Fever, which is another server-based reader, NewsBlur has built-in multi-user support, and it's free. So, you don't have to install it on your own server to use it; you can just go to the NewsBlur site and open an account.
NewsBlur lets you import your current feeds from Google Reader. It lets you vote articles up and down, and it uses your input to figure out what you might like to read in the future. It then marks articles appropriately so that you can (hopefully) read just the stuff that you're interested in out of the sea of RSS feeds that you've been reading.
To really see if the intelligence works, you have to use it for a while, which is something I haven't done. This is a very impressive project, but I feel that the lack of documentation (not even an About page) is holding it back. I would have given you a complete screenshot tour of it, but it's very difficult when you don't know what anything does.
Share TweetNewsBlur is a slick, impressive, undocumented RSS reader originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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